John O'Brien Festival

The main street of Narrandera (East Street)

during the Festival

Father Patrick Hartigan A.K.A. John O'Brien

Every year in March, people come from all around to gather in Narrandera for The John O'Brien Bush Poetry Festival .

John O'Brien is the pen name of Monsignor Patrick Hartigan who was Parish Priest at St. Mel's Church (our school parish) in 1917 and for the next 27 years. He was an author and a poet. Around the Boree Log was his most successful work having sold over a quarter of a million copies and remains quite infamous in this area. His residence by the church remains a place for people to visit and view.

The festival goes on from Wednesday to Sunday with events such as poet breakfasts, dinners, wine tasting and art displays. On the weekend, the main events take place with the main street being closed to traffic and open to buskers, a stage, stalls, car and antique displays as well as a kids area on Saturday. Sunday brings events to the Narrandera park until it all winds up in the afternoon.

Dan had to work on this busy weekend so the boys and I took in many of the events on the weekend. We watched musicians and dancers on the main street and partook in food and activities in the kids area. On Sunday, we went to the park for more food and fun. It was a lovely way to spend a weekend without having to drive anywhere.

On Monday, one of the headlining artists, Geoffrey Graham, came to the school to perform for the students. He used costume and authentic colonial items to entertain and inform the students about life in early Australia through poetry and song. It was quite an enjoyable show.