The Greek-Irish Society is about connecting people, sharing our culture, having a laugh. Its open to everyone - Greek, Irish or any other Nationality! So join us and join in the FUN!

The Greek-Irish Society was founded in 1977 with the aim of developing social and cultural relations between the people of Ireland and Greece. It also serves as a focal point for Irish people living and working in Greece, as well as for people of all nationalities living in Greece who are interested in finding out more about Ireland and its people.

A series of events is held from September to June, including table quizzes, walks, lectures, taverna nights, a family Christmas lunch, a New Year’s pita cutting, an annual tour. The highlight of the society’s year is the annual St Patrick’s Day Ball, held on or around March 17.

The society publishes a monthly newsletter which contains not only information on the society’s activities but also details of events taking place in Athens and Greece of interest to our members.  The society is a non-profit making, non-sectarian, and non-political body. Anyone with an interest in Ireland is welcome to join. Membership runs from January to December and costs €20 for an individual and €25 for a family. The society currently has about 150 members.  For more information please visit our website.

Find the Greek - Irish Society on Social Media: 

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We are a group of volunteers whose mission is the care and the protection of stray animals that are living within the region of the Municipality of Nea Filadelphia in Athens, Greece. We desperately need donations for the shelter - our operational costs are 3,000-5,000 euros per month. We are able to raise about 1,000 euros per month from private donations and the remainder is gathered from the volunteers. Even as little as 5 euros can make a difference! (5 euros will feed a puppy for 3 days or a kitten for 8 days).

The Friends of Animals - NF rescue shelter accepts cash donations, PayPal, money order or direct deposit into our bank account. You can also adopt a pet, or virtually adopt (sponsor) one! For more details, please see the website.

CONTACT: Kiki Karathanassi

DONATIONS: We are a registered charity (#25700) and will issue a tax receipt for all donations made in Greece and internationally upon request. 

Find Filozoikos Friends of Animals Nea Filadelfia on Social Media: 

Facebook

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The Athens Strollers walk around Athens every other weekend and invite Greek and non-Greek nationals, alike. The Athens Strollers are a hiking club, unique in 2 respects: we walk in nature, near and around Athens, which makes our venues quickly accessible; and we walk either on a Saturday or a Sunday. The length of the walks differs, sometimes it is just 2-3 hours, sometime 5-6 hours. Families with children from 6 years and up are warmly welcomed.

There is no charge for being a member or participating in a walk.

You just sign up on the mailing list and will receive invitations. The only expense is your transportation to/from the walking venue and the tavern meal after the walk should you desire to stay for the meal. 

The club started over 10 years ago. All necessary information is posted  on the club's dedicated website: www.athens-strollers.gr. Here you will find detailed instructions on how to get to each walk start, the degree of difficulty, necessary equipment etc. Each walk concludes with an (optional) meal at a nearby taverna.

Founded in 1948, the American Women's Organization of Greece - AWOGreece, is a dynamic English-speaking volunteer women's non-profit group that connects American women in Greece and their friends.

Our vibrant community of women of all ages and backgrounds who share common values and beliefs, focus on charitable and benevolent volunteerism in philanthropy, education and women empowerment. Diverse recreational activities such as monthly meetings and networking events are also organized to help foster a sense of bonding among its members.

AWOGreece is also a member of The Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) founded in 1931. FAWCO is an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations comprising of 57 member clubs in 28 countries worldwide, including AWOGreece. FAWCO serves as a resource and a voice for its members; seeks to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide, especially in the areas of human rights, health, education and the environment. In addition, FAWCO advocates for the rights of U.S. citizens overseas. The organization is a global women’s NGO and since 1997, FAWCO has held special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

How to join

Full time AWOGreece: To become a member, simply download and complete the Membership Form/GDPR form. If you are not a U.S. citizen or the spouse of one, you can still join as long as two AWOG members sponsor you. Email the completed forms to info@awogreece.org. Once your membership application is approved, you can submit your annual dues (40,00 Euros) to our AWOG bank account.

Friends of AWOGreece: Those who reside outside of Greece can also support our cause by becoming a “Friends of AWOGreece”. You will not have voting privileges, but you can attend area meetings and participate in group activities in Athens at member prices. Fill out our Membership Form/GDPR and get in touch: info@awogreece.org. Once your membership application is approved, you can submit your annual dues (30,00 Euros) to our AWOG bank account.

When we meet?

Aside from cultural and fun morning and evening outings we arrange throughout the month, we also have two “area” meetings each month. Our Glyfada/south group meets every forth Thursday morning of each month and our Halandri/Agia Paraskevi north group meets every third Thursday morning of each month.

Why join?

AWOGreece is a great group to give back to your local community collectively. Our main charitable cause, is the Heart Pillow Project, a woman-to-woman project where members and friends unite in a common purpose to stuff, stitch and package heart pillows for distribution to mastectomy patients in Athens Hospitals.

AWOGreece is also a great way to connect to the American and ex-pat community in Greece, meet new people and make friendship but most of all, we have fun!

United we will move forward to inspire, support our community and work together as a team with commitment and determination that the organization keeps flourishing for decades to come.

 

I sent out a Whatsapp message to a friend, and it came back with a ‘Let’s go!’, so we headed toward Syntagma and what has quickly become Athens’ staple sushi restaurant – Koi Sushi Bar.

I’ve written about Koi before. This is probably the most affordable sushi/Japanese eatery in town, with great prices and a simple menu (and as of this week, open in Kifisia!). I’ve been there quite a few times, and always leave stuffed and smiling at the number on the bill. There are some fantastic sushi restaurants in Athens – but for price and value, Koi can’t be beat. Take note: it can get very crowded, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait. Cash only.

On the way home from the restaurant, right around the corner in fact, I walked by a little shop that I have never noticed before: Soya Athens. It turns out that Soya Athens has been around since 2005 and supplies an amazing range of authentic Japanese food products (foods, drinks, Sake, etc.) as well as tableware, kitchen utensils, etc. The shop is very cute and packed with great stuff. And they even have an online shop. The best surprise is their sushi club, where members can learn how to prepare sushi from a pro!

So Saturday turned into a ‘virtual visit’ to Japan – Arigatou gozaimasu...
 

Koi Sushi Bar
Nikis 15, Syntagma
210 321 1099

Soya Athens
Apollonos 33, Syntagma
210 323 6324
www.soyaathens.gr

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

Apart from the various year-round offerings around the city, one of my favourite theatre events is the annual ‘Hellenic Festival’ – also called the Athens & Epidaurus Festival (www.greekfestival.gr/en/) which happens every summer. The festival offers a great range of classical and modern theatrical masterpieces and musical performances at the stunning Herodeon and Epidaurus theatres.

But back to winter reality… I often drive or walk by a place called ‘Chytirio’, in the Gazi/Kerameikos neighborhood. It’s an unassuming little building with performance adverts posted outside. I’ve often wondered what goes on in here… So the other night I bought a couple of tickets (a steal at €8 each) to a show called ‘Aires de Argentina’ at the Chytirio.

Chytirio means ‘foundry’ – and I’d like to believe the building was once, perhaps, a foundry. It is styled as a ‘Theatre / Art Café’. In any case, the venue is rather interesting: direct entry into an outdoor garden space set-up for summer shows, a small indoor bar/café, and a small (150 person) theatre, with exposed stone walls and a ‘small space’, intimate feeling. Athenian, to be sure.

This was a musical performance more than theatre – a ‘trip around Argentina’ through music and dance. (Has anyone else noticed that Athens seems to be in love with Argentinean music and dance??) It was a very pleasant evening – nice music, relaxed and easy, like a private performance by a group of friends – complete with wine served to you during the show.

Chytirio seems to have something for everyone – music & theatre, local and not-so-local. Worth a look to see if anything catches your eye!

Muy bien!

Chytirio (Χυτήριο)
Iera Odos 44, Kerameikos
210 3412313
www.chytirio.gr (Greek only)

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

Petralona has an abundance of well-known, lesser-known and always easy-to-like places for food and fun. From French cuisine at Chez Lucien (Troon 32), to Thai at Andaman (Peiraios 187 & Alopis 65), to drinks at the industrial-chic Lola (Kiriadon 11), Petralona does not disappoint.

On Saturday night I went for dinner to 'The Holy Goat' (Το Θείο Τραγί). I had heard of this place, both through a friend and through a couple of different online reviews. The feedback was so great that I had to see for myself. I can happily add my confirmation that this self-styled 'punk bistro' is a truly refreshing addition to the Athens food scene. 

We arrived at 9:00pm, without a reservation, to a packed house - so we took a seat at one of the bar tables.  There was a great vibe, friendly banter, eclectic music (alt/rock, but really not too loud). The space is divided into a dining room and a bar area. For space in the dining room, book ahead. The design is modern, wooden and warm, and the vibe is casual and energized. It's a feel-good place. 

But the food. Easily some of the most interesting gourmet creations I've had in Athens. Seriously. Carefully crafted dishes that bring out a 'wow.' at every bite. Add to that a great wine list with interesting Greek selections, and super cocktail inventions - the entire menu feels 'curated' for a discerning, eclectic palate.

The price point is also a nice surprise, given the high-minded nature of the menu. Starters around €6-7, mains around €12-14.  Various wines on the list - with a single glass at €3. Imagine: orzo with sea urchin eggs, bacon, seaweed. I dare you not to like it.

Granted, you will not go here after a 3-day fast to gorge on kebabs. This is no taverna; this is decidedly gourmet. You will go here when your palate is demanding something more refined, more under-stated, more civilized. Living in Athens, those three things have become quite important to me. And as high-minded as the food is, the place itself is so very Athenian - zero attitude, relaxed and fun.

So yes, you are still in Athens. Smoking is allowed at the bar, and if you stay well past 1:00am as we did, you will enjoy an eclectic variety of second-hand smoke... So be warned.  And they do not accept credit cards. But on every other count, this could easily be a cool night out in San Francisco or Toronto.

Will definitely go back.

The Holy Goat / To Theio Tragi
Kidantidon 36, Athens (Ano Petralona)
(+30) 210 341 0296
www.facebook.com/totheiotragi.gr

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

On a recent walk through the shop-lined streets of Plaka, a visiting non-Greek friend remarked on her surprise that shops still stocked all the ‘touristy kitsch’ that has been around for decades – tacky souvenirs, fridge magnets and the replica mini-statues that are apparently everywhere.

We laughed about this briefly, but the conversation persisted, to the point that we were discussing the lack of interesting design in Athens. The question that really got to me was ‘Where’s the creativity??’  He was completely correct – the shops did seem to be mostly full of the kind of junk churned out by far-away sweatshops, stuff that has caused all of us to ask ‘Who buys this stuff?’

Truth be told, there is great design here – but I will admit that it often hides below the surface. The good news is that others have noticed – and there are numerous new shops popping up, with cool, innovative, and completely desirable products to remind visitors (and us locals!) of their time in Greece. These range from design stores to gourmet food shops and even Greek wine shops. But my friend’s comments got me thinking… What is out there in terms of cool Greece-inspired design, for the world to buy, even after they have left for home?

I decided to do some research for my friend, to show him that there are in fact some very interesting, inspiring and ‘must have’ made-in-Greece products that any nephew/neighbor/friend would love to receive! The bonus is that these are also available online – for those of us who like to click-and-buy.

So below is my (incomplete!) list of inspired Greek design, available online – the perfect antidotes to This Is Sparta t-shirts and Greek-flag shot glasses.

Do you have any more Greek design sites? I’d love to hear about them.

Here’s the list:

http://www.wecreateharmony.com/
Concept e-shop supporting young designers, with a portion of all sales going to a cause related to unemployment or a start-up seeking funding.

http://www.yolenis.com
Mediterranean Food & Taste

http://sophia.com.gr/
Design inspired by ancient Greek heritage

http://www.coolgreeksoap.com/
Natural, handmade artisanal olive oil soap.

http://www.greecerevisited.com/
Greece inspired products by wedesign.

http://www.lovegreece.com.gr/
Eco-friendly 100% “Made in Greece” tshirts.

http://afutureperfect.gr
Architecturally-inspired design products

http://m-y.gr/
Unique, printed clothing and accessories.

http://www.tourvas.gr
Custom, recycled-fabric bags.

http://www.rdesign.gr
Creative, everyday objects.

Until next week,

Jack
 

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…