Irish Club

Statement of Significance

Historically and socially significant for its role in the development of Subiaco as the Subiaco Club from c1907 and subsequently the Irish Club from the 1970s. Socially significant to the Irish community of Perth.

Physical Description

Two storey smooth rendered façade with flush timber double door entrance with glass brick surround and two concrete columns below the bull nosed corrugated iron awning. Alterations have created various window types; contemporary horizontal window with bull nosed corrugated awning, an off centre long vertical glass brick, set of four three paned casement with bull nosed corrugated awning, and a timber double hung sash with sidelights.

History

This building was originally The Subiaco Club, est. c1907. It was a reception centre called Fantasia Lodge, before the Irish Club of WA purchased the building in 1976. The club had no premises until then. Bishop Healey opened it as the Irish Club on 18/11/1978. Redevelopments in 1988 costing $600,000 provided more modern facilities for the club's members. (Ref: Irish Scene Vol 2 No 3 Jan/Feb 2000)
Subiaco began to develop as a residential and commercial area in the 1890s, with the first buildings being established along the railway line. In 1895 Rokeby Road was not yet gazetted and Hay Street was called Broome Road. By the turn of the century most of the main roads in central Subiaco were built, including Rokeby, Heytsebury, Hamersley, Bagot, Townshend, Park and Nicholson Roads. Many businesses had been established in Broome Road. Broome Road was named after Governor Broome, and was renamed Hay Street after Vice-Secretary of Colonies, 1829.
There were many land releases in the late 1890s and early 1900s as Subiaco become a popular place to settle, and businesses were attracted to the opportunity of opening in a new but stable suburb. The Rokeby Road and Hay Street commercial area was firmly established by 1915.
Over the years the nature of businesses have changed. Originally there were estate agents, dressmakers, tailors, confectioners, drapers, grocers, restaurateurs and bakers; in fact most shopping could be done without leaving the suburb.
(Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1893-1915; Real Estate Maps, Battye Library Collection; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 92-110; Chate, A. H., History of Subiaco, c1952.)

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.