The Knights of Columbus in Ireland received its charter from the Supreme Council in June, 1964. The name selected for the council was Annunciation Council No. 5581. This event was 82 years after Father Michael McGivney of New Haven, Connecticut, and some of his parishioners officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. This was made possible through the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882. The order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The forming of the Ireland Council came about because many men from St. Mary’s Parish were members of the K of C Council in Jasper. By agreement with the Jasper council, about 50 members were transferred from the Jasper council to form the new council in Ireland. The first class initiated 48 into the second and third degree August 30, 1964.

In 1965 the council formed the K of C Building Association. In June 1966 the Albert Schitter property became available for purchase. This property was purchased in 1967. In 1970 an open ditch on the property was filled and tiled. In 1972 the adjoining Joe Schmitt property was purchased. The purchase of these properties snd the renovation of the Joe Schmitt home on the property opens the way for extended brotherhood in the future. Of historical value, this is the site of the 1864 Ireland elementary school. This school was enlarged and also became the first Ireland High School in 1884.

A little less than two years later in 1966 the Ireland Council was selected the outstanding council in District 20. The council was one of 150 councils out of 6,000 in the nation to receive the award. The membership of the council by it’s 10th anniversary had reached 170.

Many Grand Knights have served the council: of those, two men, Gerald Bonifer and Stan Siefert, have served two consecutive years. Gerald Bonifer was the first Grand Knight and Stanley Seifert served from 1987 to 1989. The council’s building has on display pictures of all the Grand Knights that have served.

The Ireland Council has had many fund raisers to benefit it’s projects in the community and elsewhere. Some of them are chicken and pork chop dinners, raffles and in 2016 being a part of the Ireland Bicentennial by serving a lot of good food.

The profits from these funds go to many good causes in the Ireland area. The council also gives annually to the Gibault Home for Boys.

Those persons or family members of the council who have won state awards of one kind or another were Klint Schwenk, Sylvester and Virginia Boehm and Jessica Schmitt. Also, the council’s softball team won the state championship in 2002. The council also won a state award for it’s Teddy Bear project. This project was entered in the 2016 international awards. Out of the 17,000 international entries, the council’s entry was awarded third place.

The Ireland council is now in District 32. The council in 2016 had around 400 members. These members continue to hold to the principles of the Knights of Columbus and to serve their church and community with dignity.