Rita Stott, Eamon Gaffney, President, Queensland Irish Association, Fr Pat Dwyer and Seamus Sullivan. Pictures: Supplied

The Irish community enjoyed farewell drinks at The Irish Club in Brisbane for Fr Pat Dwyer OMI on his recent retirement.

Fr Pat is a well-known and loved friend and confidant to people throughout the Brisbane Irish community. For 23 years, he worked at Iona College. He has also worked in New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria. 

He has also been chaplain to homeless charity Rosies in Queensland, which he was involved in founding. 

Tribute was paid to Fr Pat on Iona’s Facebook page: “He demonstrated many talents at Iona over the years! Some of the varied highlights including coaching the Under 13A Rugby League team, who were runners-up in the annual Associated Catholic Colleges Rugby League Knock-out Championships in 1973. He was also responsible for the Young Christian Students group, and helped out with the dancing and singing group of mothers and staff from Iona, as well as maintaining his teaching role at the college.”

Many friends turned out to wish him well at the Queensland Irish Club on May 4, 2013. He will retire to Melbourne, Victoria.