Irish Scene November December 2017

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Vol 20 Number 1

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Nov/Dec 2017

IN THIS ISSUE •"An Gorta Mor" dedication •PRESIDENT'S VISIT •GAA Championships •St Patrick's Festival •Michael Collins •Perth Irish Markets •Fenian's Arrival 150th •TORC CEILI CLUB •Irish Dancing Championships •Sense of Ireland Concert •CORONAS FOR PERTH

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Page Index

A View from Home 35 Australian Irish Heritage Assoc 72 An Nollaig 74 Another Sense of Ireland Review 73 Around the Irish Scene 89 Governor Arthur Kennedy 21 Book Reviews by John Hagan 78 Catalpa Clothing 26 Christmas Reflection 4 Claddagh Association 64 Comhaltas Perth 65 Coronas to appear in Perth 83 Dermot's Christmas Quiz 87 Dianella Tavern 50 Eco Shelter Retreat 23 Famine Letters 42 Family Link to Michael Collins 28 Fenian Festival in Fremantle 48 GAA Reports 91 Gaba Gabu 32 Griscipline by Ciarain Hoey 66 G'Day from Melbourne 45 Hobart Convict Memorial 56 Hon Irish Consul 75 Hougoumont Fenians 43 Ambassador’s Christmas Message 25 Irish Dancing 62 Irish Diplomat Perth Connection 57 Irish Families in Perth 40 Irish Club of WA 61 Irish Golf Club of WA 95 Irish Golf Tour 88 Irish Recipes with Mags 71 Irish Theatre Players 79 Ironbark in Thailand 38 Isn’t Sleep Wonderful 68 Isteach Sa Teach 36 Let Me Be Frank with Noel 85 Live Music in Perth 52 Making America Great 76 Maverick new boutique theatre 25 Memories Live On 39 Minute with Synnott 87 Monumentally Presidential 7 Australian Governor - Irish Visit 12 Paula from Tasmania 16 Perth Irish Markets 41 Perth Irish Rugby 95 Perth Mum/Daughter Irish Visit 51 Rose of Tralee 47 Shamrock Rovers 90 St Patrick’s Festival WA Parade 27 Tele Station Tele Nation 54 The Aras – A Little Bit Australian 69 The Marble Jar 60 The Noongar meets Irish man 67 Torc Ceili Club 53 UCD meets UWA 84 Ulster Rambles 58 Volunteering Experience in India 34 WAGS 81

A Christmas Reflection

By Paschal Kearney

In the past fifty years I would have celebrated the Christmas season on about five occasions in Ireland. I have been able to return to the Emerald Isle (to be recycled) every 3-5 years, but being with family and friends during the festive season have been on very few occasions. However, in other places - Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Australia - Christmas has been joyfully celebrated with different customs and traditions. However, the Irish traditions were never out of mind - and some were and are retained.

Ireland’s Christmas traditions are not dissimilar to those found in many other parts of the world there is lots of shopping, gifts are exchanged, we eat too much, and Santa Claus is the main man for most children.

These are some of the most widely practiced traditions surrounding an Irish Christmas, though every family will have their own traditions and will celebrate the festive season in their own way. However, Ireland has a wide number of Christmas traditions that are steeped in the Gaelic and Christian heritage of the country.

One such is The Wren Boy Procession. Here is one tradition

that has been retained only in a few places, but has been revived in recent years with parades held on St. Stephen’s Day. There are several legends regarding the ‘wren boys’: One such tale tells of a plot in a village against some British soldiers during the Penal times. The soldiers were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and raised the alarm. The plot failed, and the wren became known as ‘the devil’s bird’.

To commemorate this deed a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old straw clothes and

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with blackened faces. It is possible that the very Irish tradition of visiting houses of friends and relatives on St. Stephen’s Day traces its origin to these events.

But there is another legend surrounding this event - ‘Hunting the Wren’. Here the bird is hunted and killed and hung on a holly bush.

Seems that the wren had earned this cruel punishment because it betrayed the hiding place of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, by chattering on the bush where he was hiding. This betrayal led to Stephen being executed by stoning.

This tradition, however, almost certainly refers back to pagan days and is related to the wren being the king of birds in Celtic mythology.

Nowadays no birds are killed.

Instead those engaged in the hunt - Wren Boys - dress in straw suits and march through the streets, into pubs, houses, hospitals and singing the rhyme.......

The wren, the wren the king of the birds On St. Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze Though he is little, his family is great.

I pray you good landlady, give us a treat.

The money collected was, in the past, used to fund a big party in the local pub, where much alcohol was happily consumed. This along with the pagan origins, was unpopular with the clergy. Their disapproval was instrumental in the almost dying out of the tradition. But it has been revived, and since the money goes to local charities, the clergy are more supportive!

The Candle in the Window. This tradition was widespread when I was a child. I still retain it here in Australia. The candle represents a welcome to Joseph, Mary, who wandered in search of lodgings.

It also indicated to strangers and especially to the poor that there would be an offering of food in the home. Also in Penal times the candle acted as a covert signal that

the occupiers of the house were Catholic believers.

Coupled with this is the tradition that the candle could, if possible, be lit by a girl called Mary - and only extinguished by her.

Decorating the Home.

Placing a ring of holly on the front door started

in Ireland. Holly is a plant that flourishes at Christmas time. That gives the poorer population the means with which to decorate their homes.

Decorating homes is common to many countries. In some places it has become a growth industry and with some of the wealthier parts of cities and towns competing with each other for the most lavish displays of lights.

In the town where I live, buses are provided for the mostly elderly to have a night-out touring the area.

Decorating Public

Places. Town centre decorations are erected, and lights are turned on in early December - that seems to get earlier each year. It has to do with consumerism and shops vying with one another with impressive window displays.

Cribs are erected in churches. It seems now to be ‘politically incorrect’ to have them in town centres and shopping malls. In the latter, traditional Christian carols are rarely heard - Jingle Bells and Rudolph take priority.

Now what does all that say?

However, carol singers do in Ireland have a prominent place in streets and shopping centres. Nearly every theatre concert hall, church and school have carol concerts and with

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varying degrees of skill. But the mood is good, and one can’t escape the message of what Christmas is really all about.

The Christmas Swim. Yes, there are some intrepid people who get away from the excesses on Christmas morning and swim in the freezing waters of the Irish or Atlantic Seas. Crazy! And a crowd of less brave people gather to watch the blue swimmers emerge from the water. Myself - I prefer to walk five minutes and swim in the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean.

Let me finish with that other Irish tradition of Little Christmas.

It is also known as Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas).

It is celebrated on 6th January - feast of the Epiphany - and marks the end of the Christmas season. Traditionally the men of the house take over for the day, preparing meals and allowing the women to relax. It’s a tradition that has somewhat died out. I am encouraging all men to bring it back.

I conclude with the traditional Gaelic greeting......

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A Monumentally Presidential Occasion IRISH PRESIDENT. MICHAEL D HIGGINS VISIT TO AUSTRALIA The first public address of President Michael D Higgins at the start of his state tour of Australia was just as solid and powerful a piece of work as the bronze memorial he dedicated. The one was befitting of the other.

The Irish President had been in Perth for several days already and taken the time and opportunity to see something of the place and many of the Irish community when he attended the Australasian GAA games on the Sunday.

The following day saw the official business of his tour begin in earnest.

On the Monday morning he was given a traditional Aboriginal Welcome to Country ceremony in Government House in the Perth CBD. Later that day he was in Subiaco for the main event of the day, the unveiling of An Gorta Mór at Market Square Park, on Roberts Road. A gentle sun warmed the day and the weather stayed fine for the approximately 150 invited guests and probably similar number of on-lookers that gathered to watch the proceedings. A small troupe of musicians perfumed the air with Irish music while the excitement and anticipation mounted. Not long after his arrival the event got underway and the party took their place on a stage close to the memorial.

“Subiaco has a long standing tradition of welcoming people from all parts of the world and we are proud of our diverse community,” said mayor Heather Henderson. “The contribution the Irish community has had on Subiaco is reflected in the naming of local streets, the history of St John of God hospital and the ongoing spiritual connection of St. Joseph’s. The Western Australian Irish Famine Memorial acknowledges the suffering that occurred in Ireland during the famine and celebrates the arrival of Irish immigrants to Subiaco, and the wider Western Australia community. We are proud that Subiaco is the home of this memorial, and it is a great honour to welcome

By Lloyd Gorman

President Higgins, MC Sinead Mangan. Fred Rea, Chair WAIFC, Mayor of Subiaco, Heather Henderson, Sabina Higgins and Ambassador Noel White

His Excellency Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland to dedicate this monument. An Gorta Mór is a wonderful addition to the city’s public art collection.”

The mayor - speaking at her final civic event before she retired after 12 years in the role - acknowledged the traditional custodians - the Whadjuk Nyungah people - of the land on which the memorial is placed. She also thanked the Smith Sculptors for what she said was a “magnificent piece” and their “skill and vision in capturing this time in history”. “The city also acknowledges the dedication of Fred Rea and the Western Australian Irish Famine Commemoration Committee for initiating the memorial”.

Master of Ceremonies, ABC broadcaster, Sinead Mangan then asked the President to unveil the memorial and to make his address.

Mr Higgins with almost magician like slight of hand yanked the black covering sheet away that had been disguising the memorial. A few moments later he spoke.

“A Dhaoine Uaisle, Is mór an pléisiúr dom a bheith libh inniu i Subiaco chun an saothar chuimhneacháin álainn seo a nochtadh. I 7

would like to thank you all for your welcome here today and for your kind invitation to me, as the President of Ireland, to dedicate this beautiful, poignant and profound artwork within your community.”

Mr Higgins paid tribute to Subiaco Council and mayor for their generous support of the memorial in what was a “most fitting home in the community of Subiaco” which is closely associated with the Irish in Western Australia. Mr Higgins congratulated Fred Rea and the WA Irish Famine Commemoration Committee for their vision and unstinting resolve to make the project a reality. The support of a large number of other people had also helped to deliver what he said was a remarkable memorial in a remarkable location. “I have no doubt that this will become an iconic landmark for Perth and for its Irish community,” Mr Higgins said. Ill-health prevented the sculptors Charlie Smith and Joan Walsh Smith from attending on the day, but their contribution was not forgotten by the president. “You have accomplished a most beautiful and moving depiction of the desolation that unfolded during and following those apocalyptic famine

President Higgins unveils An Gorta Mor memorial

years in the 1840s.

A mother, bent low by the crushing loss of her children. A people, hollowed out by starvation and forced exile. Caoineadh - keening, from the Irish word for weeping, so clearly and sensitively presented is a metaphor perhaps for the collective trauma that the Famine undoubtedly was for the Irish people, and the long shadow that it cast on successive generations scattered throughout the globe. For me, the work also brings to mind the perhaps unresolved feelings of loss, grief, anger and even guilt, of the survivors in Ireland, of those who fled, and indeed of all of their descendants, including those of us gathered here today. We have struggled to come to terms with this seismic event in our shared story.

Over recent decades scholars and historians have compiled a solid exposition of the factors that contributed to the great calamity that led to so many deaths and so much dislocation. The Famine, of course, was never merely an accident of nature, nor can it be explained as merely a series of mistakes. It was not providence, as was claimed at the time.

It occurred within the philosophical biases of Empire and an imbedded atmosphere of conquest and conflict. It was allowed to unfold within a prevailing mindset of economic theory, of land ownership and an emerging desire to industrialise agriculture.”

The President delved deep into the causes of the famine. In 1841

Ireland had a population of over eight million people but most of the land was owned by an elite group of just eight to ten thousand families.

Beneath this powerful social group nearly 50% of people lived on holdings smaller than 5 acres, many of which were barely enough to eek out a living. “Much of the population led a precarious existence, with little reserve or resilience against what was to come.”

The 1800 Act of Union ushered Irelands economic and industrial decay and caused a denigration of the Irish peasant. Even as famine swept across Ireland and large numbers of people were dying the president said there was an attitude amongst the powers that be that to give direct aid would create a “moral hazard” for the authorities.

News of the human catastrophe was slow to reach Australia. The potato crop failure of 1845 reached Sydney in 1846 but even then the true scale of the disaster was not known or reported. But by the end of that year relief meetings in Melbourne, Sydney and other centres had raised and sent over £4,600 to the Catholic and Anglican Archbishops of Dublin for relief of the poor.

“It is notable that these sums were made up of thousands of small contributions from all sectors of Irish Australia,” Mr Higgins said. “In 1847 – 1848 over £8,400 was similarly raised and transmitted. This was a significant achievement given the small size and modest means of the Irish community in Australia and its relative isolation from the unfolding events back home. At that time, the Australian colonies hosted an Irish population of only 70,000. Unlike Britain, Canada or the US, Australia did not witness the arrival of tens of thousands of emaciated women, men and children fleeing during the years of starvation. Between 1845 and 1848 it is estimated that about 14,000 Irish arrived here, mostly not direct victims of the Famine, but those who feared they might become so. It was not until later, from 1848 onwards that Famine casualties started to arrive. These were in the form of several thousand girls and young women, who volunteered to be relocated from Ireland’s workhouses 8

to a new life in the Australian colonies. Sometimes known as Famine Brides, these young women and girls had their passage funded, through the Earl Grey and similar schemes. They are sometimes described as orphans but many had a surviving parent. It is sobering to think of the desperate situation that these girls faced, where the option of transportation to the other side of the world, of probable permanent separation from their homes and surviving family, to a future that they could scarcely comprehend was preferable to what was around them. While the purpose of these schemes was largely to satisfy a need for more females in the Aus-

President Higgins and Sabina with Donna Marwick-O'Brien and Bethany O'Brien

tralian colonies, for these women it presented an opportunity to escape from the workhouses and the desolation of Ireland at that time.

We must therefore acknowledge that from the depths of despair and devastation some positive consequences emerged. The most notable, perhaps is the contribution that many in the Irish diaspora made to the societies they helped shape in so many places around the world.

Their shared story, wherever they landed, in Birmingham or Boston, in Sydney or Subiaco, was a common striving for a better life. Many had learned the hard lessons of the Famine and pressed for the creation of a fairer society in their new homes, and a more prosperous and secure future for the next generation. In many, it imbued a concern for their fellow citizen. This passion is still

evident in so many Irish communities around the world today, including here in Perth where the work of organisations like The Claddagh Association is so vital in supporting those members of the Irish community facing times of distress and difficulty.”

Captivating art, such as this magnificent sculpture, “Uaigneas” serves to remind us of these things he added. “It challenges us to remember and to think. I was particularly struck by the artists’ concept in designing this thought-provoking sculpture that it should also represent and highlight the resilience of the Irish people and by extension of the human condition– in their words: “Hope is not extinguished. It never is! ...because the human spirit always soars over adversity in the end”. The lives of Elizabeth Carbury and Bridget Mulqueen are a testament to the fact that people can and do emerge from the most horrendous situations, can lead good lives and make valuable contributions in their changed surroundings.”

The memorial was also a re-

minder to the descendants of the famine, and the modern world Mr Higgins added.

“Can we, of Irish extraction, borrow from our own history when faced, as we are today, with the largest number of displaced people on the planet since the Second World War? Is the plight of those risking everything to cross continents and seas in search of refuge or a better life so different from the choices that faced our own people? Today, we have the capacity to anticipate the threat of famine. We have the capacity to take measures to avoid it; and yet we have almost a billion people living in conditions of extreme but avoidable hunger. The moral principle remains the same: should we adjust our populations to an abstracted economic ideology, be it laissez faire or neo-liberalism, or should we, rather, use the best of our reason to craft economic and social models that can anticipate the needs and care for the peoples who share this fragile planet?.

“The Famine diaspora was also vital in Ireland’s successive strug-

gles to break from the shackles of Empire and to forge its own future. It is important, therefore that we remember these things, these bonds of kinship and historic mutual support. That we recall the fragility of our daily existence and the perils of doctrinaire approaches that are blind to the vulnerabilities of human beings. Most usefully, we should let the memory of our great pain colour our reaction to our fellow human beings facing similar threats today.”

A wall of applause rose up to meet the end of the president’s speech.

WA Irish Famine Commemoration Committee Chairperson Fred Rea was left with the unenviable job of speaking straight after Mr Higgins.

Many young Irish women who made the choice to leave famine workhouses and start a new life half way around the world.

“The WA Irish Famine Commemoraition Committee wants to keep their memories alive, we want to touch the lives of us modern day

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West Australians who come from many different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds to realise the pioneers of the Swan River colony are a part of our history,” said Mr Rea. “This monument is dedicated to these young women.”

He spoke about two of them in particular, Mary Anne Taylor from Galway who took a bride ship to Australian in 1853 and Elizabeth Carbury in Dardanup who made cooked meals for John Boyle O’Reilly before his daring escape to America from WA, nearly 150 years ago.

The descendants of Elizabeth Carbury – Donna Marwick and her daughter Bethany – were amongst the crowd and would sang Mary of York, as was Ann Freda, now 104 years of age, who was 12 when Mary Anne Taylor died.

Fred said the memorial was only possible with the widespread support of the community in general, but mentioned Peter McKenna in particular for project managing the installation of the memorial. Once the ceremony was finished people flocked to have their photographs taken with it, and with the president who made himself available for hundreds of snaps with people.

But the subject on everyone’s lips was his speech. It had as much impact on Australians who heard it, as much as it did on the Irish who

PERTH The President arrived into Perth on Thursday October 5 and had informal meetings in Perth before the official start of the State Visit, visiting Kings Park, Fremantle Prison and attending the Australiasian GAA Football and Hurling Championships Games on October 8.

Monday 9 October, President Higgins was welcomed at Government House in Perth, with a traditional “Welcome to Country” ceremony from aboriginal elders and a formal welcome by the Governor of Western Australia, H.E. Kerry Sanderson AC. In the afternoon, the President unveiled the Famine Memorial in Market Square Park, Subiaco. The memorial - An Gorta Mor - was created by Charlie and Joan Walsh Smith, the WA Irish Famine Committee and support from the City of Subiaco. In the evening, Mr Higgins and Sabina were guests of the Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan.

Tuesday October 10 President Higgins became the

10 10

President Higgins with Bill Marwick and 104 year old Aunt Freda, grand-daughter of Mary Ann Taylor

The diary of a President in Australia

first Head of State to address the joint Houses of Parliament of WA. The title of his address was: “Ireland and Australia - A deep, historic and valuable contemporary relationship”.

Later that day he received an honorary doctorate (law degree) at the UWA for his services and support of minority groups and disadvantaged members of the community.

Later that night he was the guest of honour at a special “Sense of Ireland” concert in the university’s Octogan Theatre, organised by the Australia Irish Heritage Association and produced by Frank Murphy.

MELBOURNE On Thursday 12th October the President and his wife met with the Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews. That day he also addressed a group of companies working with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in Austraila. Over 50 Enterprise Ireland client companies travelled to Autralia to take part in a trade mission, alongside the presidential visit. That evening Mr Higgins received another honorary degree, from the University of Melbourne where he

raved about it. The serious message of his speech was dressed up and delivered beautifully with a lyrical Galway accent, and pockets of West of Ireland Irish. Personally speaking I stood there thinking this was a remarkable piece of oratory that we were hearing, the likes of which had probably not been heard in Perth for some time. The reactions of those I spoke with afterwards confirmed my suspicion.

People were hungry to get a copy of the speech itself, including the two copies I had. The idea of reproducing the speech in its entirety in this edition of Irish Scene seemed very attractive, even compelling, at the time, so that as many people as possible who weren’t there could share in it. But at almost 30 minutes the speech would have taken up quite a large number of pages. In any case the speech - indeed all the speeches of the president during his visit to Australia - are easily accessible and available on the president’s website www.president.ie. gave a speech “The debate about economics and its Irish Australian dimensions”, which focused on the teaching of economic theory from the early debate on economics at the time of the Famine, its Australian contribution and the present influence of theory on policy.

On Friday 13th October they met with Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria at Government House. He also visited the Irish Australian Support and Resource Bureau and attended a reception for members of the Irish community in Victoria.

HOBART On Saturday 14th October the presidential tour travelled to Tasmania where statues by Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie to commemorate the thousands of female convicts transported to Tasmania. This was followed by a visit to the Cascades Female Factory and meetings that evening with the Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner.

CANBERRA On Monday 16th, President Higgins laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. From there they went to Parliament

House for meetings with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Higgins also met with Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. (It was the second time the two men met each other within a month. The last time they met a few weeks earlier Mr Cosgrove was the visitor) The President also met the leader of the opposition Bill Shorten, leaders of the Houses Tony Smith MP, Stephen Parry, in association with the Australia-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group. As well as meeting ordinary members of the Irish community in Canberra, he met representatives of local Aboriginal peoples.

SYDNEY On October 17th the President addressed another large gathering of Enterprise Ireland client companies as well as their Australian customers and potential trading partners. After that Mr Higgins met the Governor of New South Wales, David Hurley.

The next day the president visited the Australian Monument of the Great Irish Famine with the Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian. Then they visited Hyde Park

President Higgins and Sabina with Mayor Henderson and WAIFC Committee: Peter McKenna, Sean McDonagh, Vince Gallagher, Fred Rea, Jim Egan

Barracks, the first convict barracks in New South Wales, and the NSW state library. The day was rounded off with a visit to the new Australian Rugby Union High Performance centre.

On October 19th President Higgins visited the premises of a company supported by the IDA and then the University of New South Wales where he gave another address “Sharing the tasks of ethical remembering - Ireland and Australia”.

On Friday there was an event hosted by Tourism Ireland and a meeting with members of the Australia Ireland Funds. The next morning (Oct 21st) the president visited the Irish Support Agency at Bondi.

BRISBANE After arriving in Brisbane the

President went to Warwick in Queensland and met members of the Irish community and diaspora. He also went to the graves and homesteads of descendants of his great-uncle Patrick Higgins and great-aunt Mary Ann Higgins, who emigrated to Australia in 1862. The next day (Oct 23) President Higgins met with the Governor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey, after which he dropped into the headquarters of Flight Centre in Brisbane, which is supported by IDA Ireland. That afternoon the President hosted a reception for the Irish community in Brisbane, which was followed by a performance by the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts. After that reception, President Higgins and Sabina began their state visit of New Zealand.

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11

Shedloads to do in Ireland for Australia’s Governor General

By Lloyd Gorman

embassy and the ambassador. In the afternoon, at Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, the GG and his wife were guests of the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, and his wife, Sabina Higgins, for a ceremonial welcome fol-

A few weeks before President Michael D Higgins started his recent and high profile state visit of Australia and New Zealand in Perth Australia sent its top dignatory over to Ireland for a friendly visit.

The Governor-General (GG) is Queen Elizabeth’s highest representative in Australia. The serving Australian GG Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Rtd) and his wife dropped into the nonagenarian monarch at Balmoral Castle to meet the royal on the morning of September 21. A few hours later, the GG and Lady Cosgrove touched down in Dublin airport for the start of a four day visit to Ireland. They were welcomed by the Chief of Protocol for the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Feilim McLaughlin and the Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, Mr Richard Andrews.

The tour started in earnest the next morning with a breakfast meeting where the GG addressed members of the Irish-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

After that it was off to the the Australian Embassy in Dublin for a morning tea with staff of the

lowed by a state lunch.

Then, at the nearby McKee Barracks, the GG and Lady Cosgrove were guests of the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, for afternoon tea and met with veterans of the Irish Defence Forces who served in the International Force for East Timor, including soldiers who served with the governor in that conflict. That evening the couple dined at the residence of the ambassador.

On Saturday morning, they were off to the Balbriggan Men’s Shed, Dublin, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, George Kelly, where they were shown the facilities and met with members of the shed. During this engagement Mr Andrews tweeted: “Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove visited @IrishShed in #Balbriggan to learn how this #Aussie idea is changing lives #AusInIre. Great to see an #Aussie idea go global & benefit #communities around the world incl

12

#Ireland. The inspiring #MensSheds idea started in Aus but #DYK there are more men’s sheds per head in #Ireland than anywhere else now?”.

In the afternoon, at Malahide Castle and Gardens, Dublin, the Cosgroves met the Mayor of Fingal, councillor Mary McCamley, and took part in a tour of the castle gardens and planted an Australian native Antarctic Beech tree in the Australasian Gardens.

In the evening, at The CHQ building, Dublin, the Australian dignitaries met with the Irish Banshees Australian Football League team, manager Pat Leavy and staff.

The Irish Banshees are the current world champions after winning the International Cup held in Melbourne, Australia in August 2017.

Afterwards, at EPIC Ireland, in the city centre, they went on a guided tour of The Irish Emigration Museum.

Later, back at The CHQ building, the GG attended an “Australia Calling” reception where the Governor-General presented a prize to the 275,000th Irish working holiday maker recipient.

Their last day in Ireland (Sunday September 24) was certainly a full one. In the morning the GG and his wife visited the Grangegorman Military Cemetery at the invitation of the Park Superintendent, Paul McDonnell who led a tour of the cemetery, and the graves of Australian and New Zealand Service Personnel, at which they laid a wreath beneath the memorial stones.

From there they went to Trinity College as guests of the Dean of the Trinity Business School, Professor Andrew Bourke, for a ceremony where the GG delivered an address and witnessed the signing of the agreement for the Ireland Funds Australia Trinity Master of Business Administration Scholarships. After this, as guests of the Head of Preservation and Conservation for the Trinity College Library, Ms Susie Bioletti, they conducted a tour of the Book of Kells and the Old Library.

In the afternoon, at Farmleigh House, Dublin, the GG and Lady Cosgrove, met with Board Member of the Iveagh Trust, Mr Rory Guiness before they travelled to Croke Park for a tour of its GAA Museum, given by Helen O’Rourke, CEO of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.

After the tour the guests of honour watched the GAA Senior Ladies All Ireland Final.

Before they left the GG and his wife met again with President Higgins and the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. After the game and their final meetings the Australian couple were on their way to Dublin airport, from where they travelled to Belgium.

13

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from

THE MIGHTY QUINN TAVERN 112 WANNEROO ROAD, YOKINE, 6060 WESTERN AUSTRALIA

9349 9600

mightyquinnwa@bigpond.com

WHAT'S ON IN NOV / DEC MONDAYS Mighty Meatball Specials $18.00 TUESDAYS Chicken Parmigiana Night $20.00 WEDNESDAYS Quiz Night (Free Entry, Giveaways,Cash Prizes) Steak Night $15 Porterhouse Steak & Chips THURSDAYS Mighty Pasta Night $18.00 FRIDAYS Mighty Seafood Night $24.00

(Friday Entertainment The Lost Backpackers).

SATURDAYS Mighty Slider Night $20.00 (Sat Entertainment alts The Lost Backpackers, Bryan Dalton, Jonny Reid & Dave Cummins, Prohibition & Sue Summers).

SUNDAYS MIGHTY ROAST DINNER $18.50

(Bryan Dalton in Beer Garden 3 - 6pm)

(Sunday Session in Lounge Bar 6-10pm)

Sunday 24 December = Christmas Eve (Bryan Dalton plays Christmas Classics).

Monday 25 December = Christmas Day (The Mighty Quinn is closed).

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Sunday 31 December = New Year’s Eve. Dance into 2018 with The Lost Backpackers.

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15

From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

Damien back for another ‘glass’

by Paula Xiberras From its beginnings at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2010, to a successful national tour in 2015, ‘The Parting Glass an Irish journey’ is a performance close to Damien Leith’s heart. Maybe it’s because the one man show is a story, set in

Eyles Eyes Green Isle

by Paula Xiberras

Recently I spoke to Mark Eyles, the author of ‘Marys Ireland’, the first in a trilogy about Mary Cannon, a young woman working in a pub in nineteenth century Ireland when she meets and falls in love with a Polish sailor Walenty, also known as ‘Nikodo’.

The novel is set when Poland is under Russian occupation which is juxtaposed with Ireland under British rule. Life is difficult for Mary and her family losing two sisters, one in infancy and another in early adulthood, the latter along with her mother, passing away from common illnesses of the time. There is the constant paronia to keep everything spotlessly clean to prevent any possibility of the spread of germs which might lead to illness.

an Irish pub, of a father and his expat son living in Australia, maybe it reminds Damien of his own migration to Australia and perhaps too it allows the accomplished singer musician, author and chemist to exercise his greatest career wish, to be an actor.

If you saw the play first time

The family has little materially but there is plenty of fun and sparring in their home. As is to be expected in an Irish family the characters are colourful, including the neighbour Mrs Shannon who like the river she is named for has the ability to fluidly seep into the very fabric of the family.

A mixture of Catholicism married well with superstition co-exists in Mary’s Ireland. The family are staunch church goers which helps them through their difficult times, as Mark says during our chat ‘illness and faith’ often go together.

Even in this religious environment Mary still holds belief in curses such as that perceived from the local police officer Griffin.

Although political themes run through the book it is ultimately a 16

around don’t give the encore performance a miss because to use a plastic surgery analogy the production will be freshened up with a few nips and tucks here and there. Damien says the play will have a slightly different edge this time around, with the fathers voice adjusted and the dialogue streamlined. , As well as revisiting ‘The Parting Glass an Irish journey’ Damien is staying true to his Renaissance man persona. He is presently working on two new albums and using the bedtime stories he creates for his kids as the basis for writing a book, which he describes as a dark Roald Dahl for children,that will be available to the general public.

You can see Damien Leith in ‘The Parting Glass an Irish journey’ at the following venues: Nov 10, Hobart, Wrest Point Casino Nov 11, Launceston, Launceston Country Club love story, of love for family and country and Mary’s love for her Polish beau.

There are some lovely expressions from Mary describing her reaction to the sailor such as ‘’you have given me a tummy full of bumble bees and dragons’. An expression suggesting both lightness and fiery passion.

With some slightly politically incorrect humour from one of Mary’s brothers when he attempts to describe Mary’s beaus steadfastness and nationality to Mrs Shannon.

When he says “Nikoda will not be rushin’ anywhere because he is standing still, …because he is a Pole”.

This is a novel of both tragedy and joy and the triumph of faith and love. Mark Eyles has done a fantastic job also in recreating the authentic dialogue of the time.

Mary’s Ireland is out now published by Aurora House: https://aurorahouse.com.au/ new-author/mark-eyles/

FROM FENIANS KITCHEN OPEN

e booked th Have you ? ty r s Pa Christma !

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Best Irish Craic in WA Live Music Thurs Fri and Saturday

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Come in and enjoy the friendly hospitality the Irish are famous for!

Novotel Perth Langley - 221 Adelaide Terrace T. 9425 1634 • E: h1764-fb2@accor.com • www.novotelperthlangley.com.au 17

Christmas 2017 Price List TURKEY

IRISH CORNER All Prices Per Kg

All Prices Per Kg

3201 Free Range Unbasted Turkey $9.99 3241 Turkey Breast Fillet $20.99 3223 Turkey Breast Roll Plain +2.2kg $20.99 3217 Turkey Breast Roll Sage & Onion Stuffing $21.99 3226 Turkey Buffs (Crowns) $10.99 7391 Stuffing Sage & Onion $10.99 8391 Christmas Fruit Stuffing $13.99 3238 Turkey Ballantine - average - 5 - 6 kg $19.99

Boneless whole Turkey, seasoned with Duck breast,

5262 Raw Gammon Loin 1.5 – 3.kg 0605 Raw Gammon Ham Leg 3 – 8 kg 5230 Back Bacon Joint – Pale 2824 Back Bacon Joint – maple cured

WEBER MEATS

All prices Per Kg All wet aged beef for min. 28 days to guarantee max tenderness.

Great selection of Weber meats are available including the following:

Chicken breast, and a layer of Christmas Seasoning

3237 Turkey Breast Roll Cooked - seasoned 3147 Turkey Breast Roll Cooked - unseasoned

3830 Rolled Blade roast - whole 7042 Rolled Blade Roast – pieces 3341 Standing Rib Roast 0495 Sirloin Roast Seasoned 3141 Chicken Roll

(Seasoned Sage & Onion)

$24.99 $24.99

RECOMMENDED SERVING SUGGESTION: 4kg Turkey 8 – 10 Serves 5kg Turkey 12 – 14 Serves 6kg Turkey 16 – 18 Serves 8kg Turkey 22 – 24 Serves Turkey Breast Roll – allow .300 grams per serve

$12.99 $13.99 $29.99 $26.99 $13.99

WEBBER COOKING TIPS Approximate cooking times per kilo Pork 45 min • Turkey breast 30 min Beef bless 35 min • Whole turkey 35 min

MCLOUGHLIN LEG HAMS

All Prices Per Kg All hams traditionally wood smoked & cooked on site

5235 Full Leg Ham 9 kg plus - (Bone In) 6235 Full Leg Ham 7 – 9 kg (semi boneless) 5261 Half Leg Ham - (Bone In) 5632 York ham – great for glazing 7234 Champagne Hams (Split +3 -5Kg) 5234 Easy Carve Champagne Hams 3885 Easy Carve Pale Champagne Ham 2096 Pale Gammon Ham -

Hand Tied & Slow Cooked

$16.99 $16.99 $14.99 $14.99

LINLEY VALLEY PORK All prices Per Kg

$7.99 $10.99 $11.99 $9.99 $14.99 $13.99 $13.99 $18.99

1673 Pork legs bone in half 3-4kg 1587 Easy Carve Pork Leg Roast

- Shank bone in 1595 Pork Loins Boned and Rolled 1578 Pork Scotch and Crackle Roast 3970 Pork Leg Roast Whole – 7-9kg

- Bone in 3690 Pork Leg Roast Boned and Rolled

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18 18

McLoughlinButchers.com.au

58 Westchester Rd, Malaga, Perth WA 6090 | (08) 9249 8039

GLAZED BAKED HAM

We have a few delicious glazes for you to try this year.

LIME GLAZE

400 ml pineapple juice Grated zest and juice of 4 large limes 4 heaped tbsp. lime marmalade 1 tsp ground ginger Put all the glaze ingredients into a frying pan reduce by half – brush the ham with glaze basting frequently or until golden brown

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all the staff at McLoughlin Butchers

– or –

Christmas Trading Hours

MAPLE MUSTARD GLAZE

21st Dec 22nd Dec 23rd Dec 24th Dec 25th Dec 26th Dec 27th Dec 28th Dec 29th Dec 30th Dec 31st Dec 1st Jan 2nd Jan

½ cup brown sugar ½ cup orange juice 1 tsp Dijon mustard Mix all ingredients together, basting ham Frequently until golden brown BAKING INSTRUCTION: Carefully peel rind off the ham making sure to leave the fat behind. Cut diamond shapes into the ham. At each corner of the diamond you can decorate with cloves and or cherry’s - or evenly space out pineapple rings with glazed cherries in the middle.

Place ham on baking tray and place into preheated oven 190 / 210 degrees. Frequently baste with your favourite glaze and bake until golden brown.

DISCLAIMER: PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO STOCK AVAILABILITY

19

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wed'day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

8.00 am - 5.00 pm 8.00 am - 5.00 pm 7.00 am - 3.00 pm CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 9.00 am - 5.00 pm 9.00 am - 5.00 pm 9.00 am - 5.00 pm 8.00 am - 5.00 pm CLOSED CLOSED 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

REGULAR TRADING HOURS Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Saturday 8.00 am - 5.00 pm Sunday CLOSED

20

ARTHUR KENNEDY in the Wide World (Part twp)

By Peter Conole

By the end of the year 1854, it became apparent that the colony of Western Australia was experiencing something of an economic recession.

The rather popular governor, Charles Fitzgerald, was not blamed and seems to be have been regarded as a successful imperial official. He and his family sailed for England on the ‘Rapid’, June 22, 1855. Arthur Kennedy arrived in Fremantle with his wife and children on the ‘Avalanche’, July 20, 1855.

Local people gathered to offer the usual congratulatory speeches of welcome.

However, the colonists – especially those who considered themselves to be the local elite – were to find they were dealing with a very different man. An early WA historian summed up the two men rather neatly. Fitzgerald “had the heartiness of the sailor” and “was a man after the heart of the rough country man”. Kennedy on the other hand, the fourth Irish governor in succession, “had the courtesy and immovable dignity of the aristocrat and “ruled on stricter lines”. In retrospect, an accurate summary, although the writer was obviously unaware of Fitzgerald’s origins. He was descended in the direct male line from the hereditary Knights of Glin, a branch of the great Geraldine house, prominent in Irish affairs from the 1100s onwards.

Kennedy’s administration turned the economic situation around and the colony experienced steady growth, including a population increase of about 40%. That was due to the arrival of contingents of convict labourers from Britain, plus

more free settlers, plus pensioner guards (former soldiers) and their families, plus Irish orphan girls and so on. Kennedy encouraged immigration as much as possible, promoted land sales and backed exploration expeditions for both arable or pastoral land and minerals.

In general terms the governor tended to be courteous in his actions, but was always prepared to remind people of his rights and standing as governor. He also set high standards of probity for other officials and was prepared take action if people ‘came up short’. Regrettably, his dealings with errant public officials were not always consistent. During the early days of his administration the new colonial secretary, Frederick Barlee, brought about an ugly scandal.

Kennedy trusted the man and had worked with him in Sierra Leone. He may not have been aware of Barlee’s rather extensive ambitions.

With the probable support of one or two insiders, Barlee engineered accusations about financial misdeeds and mismanagement against John Conroy, Commissioner of Police. A Commission of Enquiry found that Conroy had a case to answer. He was forced to stand down on half-pay and sailed for London in January 1856 to argue his case before the Colonial Office. In an inexcusably tactless move, Kennedy sent the man a critical letter from one of his subordinates, thus creating a permanent rift between himself and Conroy.

21

The local press were strongly critical of Kennedy and his colonial secretary. The Inquirer in particular was angry about the business and deplored the poor treatment of Conroy. The paper also pointed out that there was now a separation of powers issue – a colonial secretary who reported directly to the governor now more or less controlled the police. Things got worse in London and Kennedy was directly criticised by the Colonial Office for his handling of matters: “it is impossible to approve the course of proceedings you adopted towards this gentleman”. To top it off, former governor Charles Fitzgerald and ex-colonial secretary W.A. Sanford both gave testimony on Conroy’s behalf. Conroy had been vindicated, at least in his own eyes. He brought his family back from the colony and lived out the rest of his life in Britain.

A few years late Governor Kennedy dealt with an even more awkward and damaging case of alleged official corruption.

Thomas Hill Dixon was the Principal Overseer (1850) and then Superintendent of Convicts (1851) in the colony. He was experienced at such work but at times harsh and always on the lookout for ways of improving his personal finances. Under circumstances which remain somewhat obscure Dixon was suspended from duty in April 1859 and held in custody for misappropriation of public funds.

The result was an awful judicial mess.

Kennedy made sure that numerous claims about ‘missing’ money were paid to folk Dixon had defrauded “rather than submit to embarrassment and public loss if the claims were resisted”.

Civil court proceedings then followed for private debts and Dixon declared himself bankrupt.

Kennedy, obviously fuming by now, wrote on June 15, 1859 that “recent disclosures” revealed evidence of wrong doing under Dixon’s regime that could not have occurred “without gross negligence or connivance on his part”. Dixon was brought to court and acquitted of embezzlement, fraud and theft in July 1859. He then left for India. Kennedy was very unhappy and blamed the weakness and ‘incapacity’ of the colonial judiciary for the result.

The foregoing cases are illustrative of the negative state of affairs in public management Governor Kennedy believed he had inherited. The man therefore drove himself to introduce new and hopefully worthwhile policies and directions for the colony, regardless of the opinions or vested interests of other officials or the general public.

A difficult, complex problem became obvious as soon as he arrived. Edmund Henderson, the widely respected Comptroller General of Convicts, had established a dispersed regional system for their use as labourers on public works and in the developing agricultural sector.

Fitzgerald liked the system because it improved communications and industry and at first Kennedy at first went along with that. However, he then decided that the needs of Perth and Fremantle merited greater attention. The Albany convict depot was closed in 1855. During Henderson’s absence in London for some months in 1856, Kennedy and acting Comptroller General Henry Wray agreed that yet more concentration was needed.

The two men reduced expenditure and improved security by closing other depots at York

and Toodyay in 1856 and then Port Gregory a year later. Complaints from settlers followed quickly and Kennedy responded sharply to the York residents, explaining that the upkeep of depots exceeded the benefits they provided. He also said bluntly that settlers should recognise ticket-of-leave men operating from such scattered regional depots would be more usefully employed nearer the neglected higher density population areas. Another problem was the increase in numbers of ticket-ofleave men, who unlike ordinary convicts could not be compelled to work on certain projects.

Compromises were arranged when Henderson returned, but in the long term Kennedy’s reforms did much to improve matters in the rather ramshackle settled area along the Swan River and the coast.

He put convicts to work on road building, swamp draining and the reclamation of parts of the river just south of the government buildings in the terrace. Government House, still in a ramshackle state, was earmarked for replacement. The foundation stone of a new building was laid in March 1859, much to Kennedy’s satisfaction, but he was never the see the final product.

After years of work it was still only partially completed by the time Kennedy left the colony. Other notable buildings finished in his time included Fremantle Prison and numerous police stations, court houses, government residencies and jetties.

In regard to the impact of convictism, assessments of the system’s contribution to the development of Western Australia can best be found in some of the older histories, which are less prone to breast beating. One point to remember is that a lot of free

settlers also arrived in the 1850s.

On the whole the colony benefited materially from the mixture, notably in the public works area. Bridges and roads were gradually built and communications improved.

However, nothing could be done with sufficient speed for some colonists.

More streets were laid down in Perth, Fremantle and regional centres amid complaints from some towns that the main arterial roads were no better than those of prior decades. Governor Kennedy went to Newcastle in October 1856 and told agriculturalists that he would ensure maintenance teams operated regularly on the roads to make them passable in all seasons.

But, rather typically, he made the sarcastic observation that it took 11,000 miles of road to connect a community of only 11,000 people.

The comment had broader repercussions, because one of the key themes of the Kennedy years was the hesitant but steady growth of industry and its supporting infrastructure. By early 1855 smelters were operating at the lead mines near Geraldton. Copper mining followed a year. During 1859 shareholders asked London to fund a rail connection from the Geraldine mines to the coast, but without success. On the positive side, a steam boat service was established on the Swan River in March 1855.

The use of such vessels around the coasts expanded rapidly over the next four years.

On balance, Governor Kennedy could reasonably proclaim that the economic outlook of the colony was improving nicely by the standards of the day. His major problems, as will be seen, always lay in the tangled and sometimes confrontational arena of politics.

This Christmas may you have…

“Walls for the wind and a roof for the rain, And drinks beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, And those you love near you, and all that your heart may desire.”

22

Eco Shelter

Nature Retreat

Only a 2 hour drive south of Perth near the pictuesque Ferguson Valley and Gnomesville.

Eco Shelter Nature Retreat is for the serious nature lover who doesn't mind mixing it with wildlife, wildflowers and wilderness.

FOR THE SERIOUS NATURE LOVER!

WANT TO LEAVE THE RAT RACE BEHIND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS...THEN BE OUR GUEST! Operated by Dubliner and conservationist Peter Murphy, Eco Shelter Nature Retreat (ESNR) is for the serious nature lover who doesn’t mind mixing it with wildlife, wildflowers & wilderness.

Eco Shelter Nature Retreat can accommodate up to 6 people.

Located just 2 hours south of Perth (near Ferguson Valley & Gnomesville), ESNR is surrounded by 60 acres of jarrah/marri forest covenanted with National Trust (WA).

A family would be well suited or 2 couples.

Money spent at Eco Shelter Nature Retreat goes towards protecting the enviornment.

“I want to share the beauty of Mother Nature with my guests, whether it be: bird-watching, bush-walking, sampling bushtucker, photography, citizen science, nature writing, spotlighting, stargazing, feeding the mob (kangaroos) or just reconnecting with Mother Nature”, says Peter, who dedicates most of his time conserving flora & fauna on his 60acre property.

Our tariffs are reasonable and include a guided tour into the jarrah/marri forest.

Operating on a stand-alone-power-system using solar panels (12v), ESNR can accommodate up to 6 people. A family would be well suited or 2 couples.

For more information contact Peter on 043 997 6507 or email: kiahcreek@bigpond.com

Self contained amenities include: lighting, DVD, CD, fridge, hot and cold running water, cooking (gas) facilities, pot-belly-stove, firewood, fan, cosy lounge, eco-toilet/shower/bath (outside) including a library of resources and books to help guide the visitor into the natural wonders of the jarrah/marri forest of Western Australia.

Money spent staying at ESNR goes towards conservation; eco-education and bushland rehabilitation.

Tariffs are reasonable and include a 3 hour guided bushwalk. Conditions apply.

Reconnect with Mother Nature by calling Peter on 043 997 6507 or email kiahcreek@bigpond.com 23

CHRISTMAS

Whether you’d like a sit down meal in our Restaurant or a more casual function in the bar, we have you covered.

2 & 3 Course Set Menus Christmas Platters available Call now to reserve a table or book your function!

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY FESTIVE OPENING HOURS

24 Dec; 11am-12pm - Fiona Rea from 8.30pm Christmas & St. Stephens Day; Closed 27 - 30 December; 11am – midnight 31 December 11am – 1am - PARTY! New Years Day; Closed 02 January 11am-midnight

The party to beat them all!

Everything a party could need Follow us on Facebook for more details

www.jboreillys.com.au @jboreillyswestleederville 9382 4555 // 99 Cambridge st. West Leederville 24

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE IRISH AMBASSADOR

My wife, Carmel, and I are delighted to send our warmest seasonal greetings to the Irish community of Western Australia for Christmas and the New Year. 2017 was an eventual year for the Irish in WA. I want to thank you for your support for the very successful visit of President Michael D Higgins and Mrs Higgins as well as the excellence of the organisation of the GAA Australasian Games.

I also wish to thank the Irish Associations and Claddagh Association for their valuable work within the Irish community Carmel and I are very much looking forward to visiting WA again in the coming year.

Guímid Nollaig Mhaith Mhór ar Ghaeil is Cairde na nGael ar fud Iarthar na hAstráile.

Ambassador Breandán Ó Caollaí

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia

Aidan Murphy, Noel O'Neill and John Spurling

NEW BOUTIQUE THEATRE IN FOR PERTH BOOKINGS CBD CONTACT US ON

Cork man Noel O’Neil (via New York) and his team from Maverick Theatre are hard at work building a new performance space in the heart of the Perth CBD. Noel, an award-winning playwright, director and actor in Email: oreillys@iinet.net.au Perth community theatre for nearly 20 years has over 36 plays to his credit, many of which have won awards, with quite a few actors from the plays also winning awards. Many of his plays have been performed by the Irish Theatre Players in Subiaco.

The new premises at 816 Hay Street in Perth, diagonally opposite His Majesty’s Theatre, looks like providing another opportunity for more great boutique theatre, much of which is likely to be Irish. Noel and some of his team are also part of the Irish Theatre Players and plan to work cooperatively with that group in producing more Celtic flavoured theatre.

9382 4555

25

“We are most grateful to the building owner, Bill Grayden OAM, for temporarily making the premises available at a generous rent until we get established” Noel says.

Bill Grayden is the former long serving member for South Perth in the WA Parliament and also served as the Member for Swan in the federal Parliament. Mr Grayden is a decorated war veteran from the Kokoda Trail. Bill’s daughter in law Maree, is also part of the management team of Maverick Theatre.

“There’s a hell of a lot more work to be done yet and quite a few things to organise, but we hope to be performing early in the new year” Noel explained.

“Once we have established ourselves we will probably make the theatre available for outside hire” but Noel says the hiring out will be carefully done to make sure the high standards of Maverick Theatre are maintained, whatever the performances.

A great supporter of the Irish Scene Noel has contributed many articles over the years.

His writing and direction of Under any Old Gum Tree, a play based on the life of Irish Victoria Cross winner, Martin O’Meara was a huge success. We hope that Noel will repeat that production in the Maverick theatre. Noel performed a piece from the play at the recent Another Sense of Ireland at the Octagon theatre.

The Maverick mural wa created by Toby Hurd. Toby is an art and design master at a private college and hoping to do more work of this nature.

We at the Irish Scene wish Noel well in his new venture and have no doubt Maverick Theatre will be a wonderful addition to performance venues in Perth.

CATALPA CLOTHING

business with a long tradition Catalpa Clothing was started by Shane and Caeleigh O’Neill in June 2017. The company specialises in producing customised leisurewear/ workwear to the general promotional & corporate market.

Shane told The Irish Scene, “The “rag trade” or clothes business is nothing new to our team and runs deep in family history.

The O’Neill family operated as textile merchants out of Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare as far back as 1915 which evolved into general merchant’s business. Shane’s Grandfather (below) was a tailor and dress maker with a factory off Wicklow Street, Dublin in the 1960s.

Grandfather John James Rice tailor and dress maker

“My father Joe has run a clothing business supplying the promotional and souvenir market in Ireland since 1987”. It was in the factory on Dublin’s (notorious) Sheriff Street that Shane first worked as a young teen in the family business.

During these years Shane learnt every aspect of the business from manufacturing, dispatch, sales, marketing and customer service.

That business HQ Ireland is today one of the leading suppliers to the souvenir Irish apparel market.

Shane told us that his sister Jennifer emigrated to San Francisco in the late 90s and recognised a market opportunity in North America. While working in IT full time Jennifer founded Malham USA to expand the family business to the USA. Today that business is a thriving success employing other Irish expats in the Bay area.

Today with operations in Dublin Ireland, San Rafael California and more recently Perth Western Australia the combined companies are proud to service hundreds of customers in countries worldwide including Ireland, the USA, Canada, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and Australia. “We ship in excess of 30,000 finished garments every month leveraging a streamlined team that includes design services, manufacturing, quality assurance, sales and finance”. Shane added, “As a vertically integrated operator we offer great flexibility, complete control & competitive pricing”.

As you can see the famous name of The Catalpa suits this business well with Irish, American and West Australian connections because of the great Fenian escape in 1876 from Western Australia on the whaling ship Catalpa. Whether you are a small business or a multinational company, a school, a club, or a government body, Catalpa Clothing can offer unrivalled value and expertise in the provision of customised branded apparel.

Shane says, “Our market

LEADERS IN PROMOTIONAL APPAREL

Shane O’Neill presenting Gillian Forde (Cottesloe rugby Club and proud Irishwoman) with some merchandise to celebrate the clubs 125th Anniversary.

advantage is due to the relatively low minimum order quantities (MOQ’s) we can offer whilst still delivering a totally customised garment designed and manufactured to our client’s exact specifications”. “Whether it is a T shirt, a Soccer, Rugby or cycling replica jersey, a hoody, a polo shirt or a shell jacket we provide an enormous range of garment options”. “We are constantly introducing new products and take pride in offering high quality, durable but fashionable garments to our customers, who we are happy to say keep coming back!

Why not give us a try?”

For a free, no obligation consultation, please call Shane on 042 3455 107 or email on shane@catalpaclothing.com And ‘Set yourself apart ‘.

L-R Mother Geraldine, Father Joe and sister Jennifer Cain (at The Showcase Ireland trade fair at the RDS in Dublin 2017)

Contact Shane O’Neill 0423 455 107 shane@catalpaclothing.com www.catalpaclothing.com

Providers of value based promotional solutions to those who appreciate quality products at competitive prices 26

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MY FAMILY LINK TO THE DAY MICHAEL COLLINS DIED

By Lloyd Gorman

The 1922 ambush in a quiet country Cork road that killed Michael Collins is one of the most significant and controversial events in modern Irish history. Every minute detail of the skirmish that claimed the chief of staff and senior member of the Irish government was scrutinised by army chiefs at the time and dissected by military historians ever since. Collins was just 32 when he was cut down and given how much he had achieved in a short life he had all the promise of a future Taoiseach.

Dubliner Aidan Murphy, originally from Santry, who now lives in Perth can claim a link to that turning point in history. “I am proud and any chance I get to tell the story I do,” he said. The story of his ancestor William Tanham who was in the army convoy travelling with Collins has been in their family for generations, but the accidental discovery of an old newspaper article has helped them to get a better understanding of their family’s part in the incident and there may be more to come.

“My grand aunt Margaret, William’s only child still alive found the clipping inside the pages of a magazine,” added Aidan. “She was going around the house one day and it just fell out, we knew he was at Béal na Bláth, but we didn’t know about the paper but a few years ago

William Tanham

my cousin Neil contacted me about it, she had shown it to him and he knew that I was interested in that sort of stuff and he sent me over a copy.”

“The story I heard is that the machine gun jammed in the front car of the convoy, where they were taking the heaviest fire. The front car had run out of ammunition. William was in the armoured car at the back, which did have ammunition and he ran under open fire and brought a case of bullets for them to keep returning fire, but I think by that stage Collins had already been shot.

I think he’ll get some kind of medal

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Aidan Murphy

for it, but he didn’t really talk about it himself.”

The long lost article from the publication Dublin Transport, dated February 1942, had a front page story with the heading ‘When Collins was killed’ and a headline ‘Bus Drivers Bravery Recalled’, written by a John Murphy, from Ringsend, Dublin.

“One evening late in the August of 1922 I watched a small convoy of army cars get ready for the road at the petrol pump in Portbello Barracks,” the article started. “The first to move away was a Crossley tender, driven by Sergeant W. Tanham, who is today bus driving on the 17 route. Its place at the pump was taken by a huge Fiat tourer. At first glance this car looked much the same as any other car of the period.

However, you found it to be very heavily armoured, inside each panel were steel shutters which could be run up or down by the aid of handles inside the body. This car was driven by the late Sergeant M. Quin, who, up to the time of his death, was driving the Limerick route for the G.S.R Co. Beside him, as second driver, sat Sergeant M. Corry, well known today on our 66 route.”

The writer recalled details of the convoy’s trip south, including a break down just outside Dublin.

“There were two cars available,” he continued. “One was an armoured Fiat, the other a straight-eight Leyland Special, the property of the “the Chief”. This was a beautiful sports car, with the speed of well over one hundred miles per hour, and this was the car that was brought back to Clondalkin to finish the tour.

The convoy arrived in Limerick early next morning and left again later in the day to inspect the army posts in Co. Cork. Everything went well, and

the party arrived in Skibbereen on the evening of the 22nd of August.

Here the Chief sent the escort party for refreshments. It was typical of him always to think of the comfort of the rank-and-file. Today, members of that escort still cherish the memory of the gesture, which proved to be his last.”

The next part of the article was headed ‘The Ambush’ and contains a direct reference to Aidan’s ancestor.

“About halfway between Skibbereen and Macroom the convoy was attacked.

Most accounts agree that the Chief was killed almost as soon as the fight started. Tanham was sent ahead with the tender in an effort to get through but the road was blocked, and there was nothing to do but fight it out. To make matters worse, the Vickers gun on the whippet jammed.

This meant that the fire from the escort party lacked the volume necessary to keep the attackers low. Another incident that will especially interest readers of this paper happened as follows: “During the course of the action the … gun mounted on the tender ran short of ammunition. For some extraordinary reason, the reserve pans were stored in the whippet.

Between the whippet and the tender lay one hundred yards of

William's wife Bridget on right.

Hours before death: This newly-uncovered image is the last one taken of IRA leader Michael Collins (in the back of the car, left) before he was shot dead.

bullet swept road. To get fresh ammunition seemed impossible.

Tanham, however, gave himself the task and set out on the journey. As he neared the whippet he received a nasty wound, but he carried on, got the pans, and although bleeding very badly, managed to get them back to the gunner. The rest of the story is too well known for me to take up space here with it. (Some days later the convoy returned to Dublin…I well remember a small, silent group of drivers inspecting the bulletmarked tender as it stood outside the Transport Office in Portobello mute witness to brave deeds and a terrible tragedy.”

The family is discovering more about William and the role William who is on his mother’s side of the family played. “My mother was at an exhibition last year for 1916 and they actually had the car that Collins was in when the ambush took part.

While she was there she got talking to a sergeant and she was telling him about the connection, that her grandfather was there, and he told her about the army archives. So, they’ve released the records to the family and she’s in the process of getting them at the moment, so it’ll be even more interesting to have a look at them. They’ll have a detailed description of what happened on the day.”

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A historical army document obtained by the family reveals another fascinating glimpse into the life of their forebear, even if it doesn’t give a lot of background or context for what it contains. A 25 page document from the archives of the Bureau of Military History includes a section about the legal defence of Irish Volunteer prisoners between 1913 and 1919.

“A Volunteer, called William Tanham, who was a prisoner in Mountjoy Jail, succeeded in making his escape, but was later captured,” it states. “I defended him at Green St. Courthouse, the trial judge being Mr. Justice Gordon. Here again, the Castle [Dublin Castle] introduced the Crimes Act of 1887, which entitled them to have a special jury from the County of Dublin. I was instructed by Mr. Michael Noyk.

The only alternative left to me was to pour as much scorn as I could upon Mr. William C. Carrick, the prosecuting Counsel, for bringing a Nasmyth hammer to crack a nut.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin had gone bail for Tanham. When Tanham was convicted, the Judge very kindly said: “I cannot understand why all this weight of prosecution should be brought against this man. I have to impose some sentence, but, as it appears that he is already serving a sentence of six months

imprisonment, I direct that he served one month’s imprisonment to run with the six months that he will have to serve in any case.”

Auntie Margaret was also able to help Aidan discover he had a cousin in Perth - Paul Tanham. “She met him once or twice and rang me here and told me where he was living, which happened to be just up the road. I was in Innaloo and he was in Doubleview, so we’ve been around a few times.”

William Tanham was the uncle of Paul Tanham. He has another cousin here too, in Joondalup, Amy Kenna. Aidan is married to Shannon, who was born in Australia but whose family moved to Ireland when she was two. They came back to Australia about ten years ago, and have a young daughter Sienna Rose Murphy.

A meeting of minds? Michael Collins and Vladimir Lenin Collins, as Ireland’s first Minister for Finance, had an insatiable thirst for economic knowledge while he lived in London between 1906 and 1915. Joe Good was a London Irishman who moved in the same circles as Collins. In his memoir, Good remembers calling the young Collins’s bluff about economics: “What the hell do you know about economics?’. He almost jumped into the air. This was pretty chancy—I had read nothing then on the subject myself and was a deal younger than Mick. I joked that some famous economist had spoken to me. I did not say it was a lecture Vladimir Lenin had given in London. At least I knew that Lenin could be described as an economist, but that was all I knew on the topic at that time. To my surprise Mick had also been to that same lecture. The Clonakilty lad had certainly got around.”

Good’s version of Collins going to a Lenin lecture is the only instance where this nugget of Irish revolutionary history has been stated—and has never, as far as I know, been picked up by any of Collins’s other biographers.

Imagine that, Collins and Lenin—two of the greatest revolutionaries of the 20th century—in the same room together in 1915!

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THE DEATH OF MICHAEL COLLINS And thus, he fell, the hero brave!

Leading his people on To freedom and a newer life Amid the infernal carnage And the horror of a Civil War. Struck down, but not by foe From foreign land, from oversea, But by the ruthless shot Of countrymen, alas!

Led on by one who seeks To wreck an Island fair, And plunge a glorious land, The Gem of Northern Seas, To ruin, wreck, and wrath, And cut adrift from flag That through a thousand years Has stood the battle and the breeze.

But Collins, noble soul!

With face of flint, and arm of might At Ireland’s call held on His way of fearless right, Hoping to lead his land beloved Into the open day and serene calm Of sister nationhood In Empire bonds, but free To work her destined way And greatness gain in union with Fair Austral Land and Afric South And far flung Canada.

But no! with horror wild The Nation stands bereft And Collins falls. Great God! How long shall wicked deeds Like this appal the world!

But Ireland yet will rise To destined greatness and achieve World wide renown To all the arts of Peace.

And never in her proudest day Will she forget her son? m The greatest of his day; For in the Nation’s heart there dwells The name of Michael Collins: Dwells for aye!

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By Lloyd Gorman

A SPORTING LIFE! Sports fans in Perth - particularly GAA devotees - have been spoilt rotten lately. The 2017 Australasian football and hurling championships was by all accounts a spectacle of Irish football and hurling as good as you’d find anywhere in Ireland. I say ‘by all accounts’ because I was there but I spent a fair deal of the day with our children in the nearby play-

President Michael D Higgins at Bateman Park for Australian Championships

ground and didn’t get to see much of the on-field action. But really - as anyone who knows me will tell you - I don’t know the first thing about GAA games, or any sport for that matter.

But I can recognise when something is important and worth having.

That glorious sunny day in the Tom Bateman Reserve, Canningvale for example, was a special occasion. It didn’t hurt to have a guest of honour with the presidential pizzaz of the Irish head of state attending what was really his first community event in what must have been a demanding state visit of Australia and New Zealand. But even if Micheal D (the D is for Daniel if you were wondering)

out below. When most of the stands are demolished and the area around the stadium is redeveloped the oval wasn’t there to enjoy it the display will remain in place, thanks to the of sportsmanship on the field would work of Subiaco council and its dehave been equally good and Perth’s mans for heritage protection for Irish community would have turned out in similar numbers to support the event.

Subiaco Oval (Domain Stadium) has been home to many contests and clashes in its more than 100 years as an oval and stadium. But on October 22 - in its dying days - it notched up a new sporting first, anywhere in the world. On that day the inaugural Jim Stynes Memorial Cup was played out on the turf of Subiaco by kids (u12) from the WA GAA Junior Academy and Auskick teams faced each other the playing surface. It will probably in a junior compromise rules blitz. be laid out differently as a playing An incalculable amount of time and area but its future will be as the oval effort must have gone into making for the new high school to be built it happen and everyone involved on the nearby Kitchener Park and deserves recognition and gratitude. for community uses. Children will The Irish and Australian flags flew be kicking and hitting balls on that together above the main scoreboard patch of grass for the next hundred while youngsters played their hearts years.

WA GAA Junior Academy and Auskick team 32

Lloyd Gorman with President Michael D Higgins at the Famine Memorial interview in Subiaco

That will be the future for Subiaco Oval but it has one final step to take before it begins on that journey.

On November 18 Ireland and Australia will face each other on that same ground for the international rules match. Kickoff will be 4.45pm on that Saturday and there will be a lot at stake. They will have played the first of the two test competition about a week earlier in Adelaide. It will decide who claims the Cormac McAnallen trophy that the GAA boys clinched at Croke Park in 2015. It will also be the very last time the whistle will go up for an event like it in Subiaco. It will be a milestone in the 33 years since Compromise Rules was created. And if it is anything like the 2014 international rules game it will be a enjoyable and sunny day that will slip like silk into the cover of the darkness of night as the 65m high floodlights throw their light onto the scene for one final time.

Before that game starts the Irish team are likely to visit the Famine memorial in the nearby Market Square. Michael D Higgins dedicated the piece of public art at a ceremony on October 9. After giving what was a remarkably powerful speech, and posing for photographs with probably every person who was there on

the road in about a months time and if he would be watching that game.

“It depends,” he smiled. “I haven’t seen the diary for the day. But I think some of your colleagues in the media will know I enjoy sporting events, very very much. All sports.”

While the game will be televised back to Ireland the fans on the ground will of course have the best view of the event. It would be an amazing send off for Subiaco if the 43,500 seater venue attracted a capacity crowd and to hear classic Irish anthems such as Pete St. John’s Fields of Athenry blasted out from the stands. And win or lose – but hopefully win – when the final whistle blows and the stadium empties a lot of people will carry away fond memories of a great event in a special place.

If you can’t make the international rules game – or even if you can – it is worth remembering that there will be free, guided tours of the stadium on November 12 as part of Open House Perth. The tours – which will run from 11am to 3pm (starting at Gate 9) last between 30 and 45 minutes and should include a chance for an “on the oval” experience (depending on weather and match day preparations) and a look inside the coaches boxes, players change rooms, media are including the TV broadcast area, hall of fame and a “memory booth” where visitors can get their photo taken and leave a message or memory about the place.

Tours need to be booked in advance: at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ subi-oval-memories-14428336280

the day, the president spoke with the small group of waiting journalists.

I was covering the event for the local newspaper, the Subiaco POST. It isn’t every day (or even every decade) that you get a presidential visitor, so I was determined to ask him something. I grabbed my chance after an ABC journo had asked him a few times about the gay marriage issue in Ireland and the debate in Australia. I wanted him to know he was dealing with an Irishman abroad so I introduced my questions with an Irish welcome. “Uachtarain, failte romhat go dti Subiaco,” I said.

My strategy worked. “Go raibh maith agat,” he answered. My first question was about the progress on a vote for Irish people living abroad in future presidential elections, to which he gave a generously long response (which I will get into in a later issue of the magazine). I quickly followed up by stating that Ireland would face Australia in the stadium across IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS

Frank Murphy presents

107.9fm Fremantle Radio Saturday 8am to 10am

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Volunteering Experience in

By Ciarain Hoey After coming back from a clinical placement as an Occupational Therapy student as part of the Go Global Program in the south of India, I was utterly shaken up by the abundance and wealth of facilities and resources (working toilet, access to fresh and clean water) I took for granted every day for year upon year back in Australia. The central premise of the program is to foster sustainable community growth with a focus on healthy living through educational, physical, environmental and social interventions targeting the school community. The team consisted of Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Speech Therapy and Health Promotion students.

The journey started off in a classy hotel which consisted of touring the historical and local landmarks in Tiruchirappalli, a city in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India; or as the locals refer to as “Trichy�. After that the team were on our way to stunning and tranquil rural village surrounded by rice fields, banana plantations, along with monkeys jumping around the trees! What was further amazing along the way was the number of cows blocking up traffic over several places!

At the matriculation school the students desire and enthusiasm to learn was captivating, over there they truly understood the privilege and value education provides. This was something I took for granted as I occasionally knocked off a class or two back in high school. To put it into context the classes (handwriting, nutrition and English communication) felt like I was in a football stadium due to the passion and intensity!

There was one assembly where one student in roughly Year 4 presented a speech on health and safety for a fair duration in his second language to a crowd of 1000 people, how is that for confidence and giving it a go at such a young age!!

For me it was a cultural awakening; the cultural traditions of singing and dancing were greatly present, the connection within the community was intriguing, as no matter what day of the week it was over there, family and friends were gathered around a food stall in the city socialising together in their local village. Not to mention the food was sensational, if you are in to

Ciarain Hoey second from left in back row with group in India.

34

spicy food this is the place to be- it was also good fun and interesting to eat food without cutlery!

A detachment from social media for the duration of a month added to the effervescent community. We were there from the start of November to early December during Diwali; the Hindu festival of lights.

The final day of the volunteering experience had myself in a red turban along with my fellow team members in a vast array of colourful saris. This personal, cultural and professional experience was a phenomenal way to finish my final day as an Occupational Therapy student.

Michael Cluskey

A View from Home

Hello All, We are heading towards the years end, this isn’t to say that things are slowing down, in fact quite the opposite.

Why only recently the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has made a commitment that ByCork Michael the long awaited M20 Motorway linking Limerick and will be aCluskey priority in the government’s capital plan.

The 800 million + project is being described as one of the biggest infrastructure projects of its kind to take place in Ireland for many years. And is due to be built by 2023.

This is on the back of the newly opened M17/M18 Gort to Tuam motorway which took place in September.

Meanwhile in Cork a free online database containing the digitised register of burial archives for Cork City’s oldest cemetery St Finbarr’s has been released. The register dating from Feb 1868 to 1896 contains much information for people researching their forbearers. www.corkarchives.ie It’s nice to see that we have got SOME of our priorities right, as in the shape of the Coollattin Estate in Co Wicklow, which once covered 85,000 acres, but had largely been deforested since the 1980s with many of its large oak trees having been cut down and sold for timber. Thanks to the new owners of the estate 10,000 native oak saplings have been planted as a massive replanting programme takes place.

It was a return to the good old “Ole Ole” days when Ireland beat Wales in an all or nothing final game of our World Cup group. This now means that as

Congratulations Bronagh!

Bronagh Beattie won the Western Australia Irish Famine Commemoration Henry McLaughlin Oil Painting raffle. The Flightworld Travel prize 2nd prize went to Paddy McGoldrick.

Thanks to all those who supported the raffle. Almost $8000 was raised for the Famine memorial.

The memorial will be completed by the end of November.

Fred Rea Chair WAIFC 35

one of the best runners up Ireland are in a 2 leg playoff game against Demark. And please god, by the time you are reading this we will be walking around with Russian phrase books to hand!!

"COYBIG (Come On You Boys In Green)".

So having never visited the beautiful Australia, I don’t know what to say. Have a lovely warm sunny Happy and Peaceful Christmas?

Till the next time.

Nollaig Shona Duit.

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

By Paddy Clusket I loved the lighted candle in the window The smoke from the turf fire rising high The smell of the turkey in the oven The twinkling of the stars up in the sky I miss the Midnight Mass down in the village.

The faces of the choir I knew so well The two mile walk back home when Mass was over Up the Country Lane where we did dwell My mother was a very happy person When father died she brought us up alone Three boys and four girls she had to manage But now she's left com­pletely on her own The family are all scattered one departed I'm in San Francisco U.S.A. My mother still at home and broken hearted But please God I 'll be home on Christmas Day Again I'll see the candle in the window The smoke from the turf fire rising high The smell of the turkey in the oven The twinkling of the stars up in the sky.

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH President Higgins proves silence is golden – while it lasts

WA’s stormy state politics experienced a rare – and brief – lull in hostilities and outbreak of clear skies and smooth sailing on October 10. The source of the unusual tranquility was the address of President Michael D Higgin’s address to both houses (legislative council and assembly) of the West Australian parliament. The Irish president was apparently the first head of state to address the parliament even so it was a unique occasion which many of the MPs were keen to take part in.

Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina and other members of their entourage were greeted at the steps of Parliament House by Dublin born Minister for Environment Stephen Dawson and Kate Doust, president of the Legislative Council.

As they walked into the building and up the winding stair case in the main reception area a long chain of politicans, staff, visitors, media and guests followed behind.

Some of the group filtered into seating at the back of the chambers as well as the public gallery above, on the same level as the press gallery – where a number of journo’s, including a handful from Ireland, gathered themselves.

People filed into the chamber below where most of the seats were filled. Sitting closest to the podium where

36

Mr Higgins would speak were members of the Labor government, including premier Mark McGowan. Sitting quietly on the opposite side of the chamber was his Liberal predecessor, Colin Barnett. All up there were probably about 70 members of parliament and a few dozen other listeners.

The sitting of the legislative council opened at 2pm as normal, with a reading of the prayers. The speaker of the Legislative Assembly Peter Watson welcomed President Higgins onto the floor of the house for what he said was “a historic event”. He then invited him to sit beside him and the president was escorted from the back of the room to the top by the Sergeant-atArms. Local government minister and leader of the house David Templeman moved an order to suspend normal standing orders to allow the Irish president to speak.

President Higgins then took the floor and launched into his speech. “Mr Speaker, President of the Legislative Council, Premier, members of the Legislative Assembly, members of the Legislative Council, if you will allow me to begin in my own ancient language. A Chairde, Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, is mór an onóir dom é bhur gcuireadh a fháil labhairt le Parlaimint Iarthair na hAstráile.”

President Higgins said that in making this visit he was minded of all those who came before him, including his own ancestors. “My grandfather’s siblings came to Australia in 1862,” he said. “They did not come to a terra nullius, and may I begin here today by acknowledging the first occupants of this land, who for tens of thousands of years negotiated with its possibilities and its challenges, and developed one of the oldest cultures in the world; one that valued symmetry with nature, ancient wisdom and practical balances. I honour their elders present and past.”

Irish people had arrived with the First Fleet 230 years ago, and had been coming ever since. “They have come or been brought, some as prisoners and some as servants of empire, and later as migrants fleeing hunger, poverty, oppression, frustration and stagnation seeking maybe, perhaps, the economic security of

land tenure, adventure, professional or economic opportunity. When we speak of the Irish diaspora, there has never been any one Irish migratory experience, and those who form the Australian component of the Irish diaspora are no exception.”

Mr Higgins - an accomplished orator - spoke with great knowledge about the depth and breadth of the historical, cultural, political and economic links between Ireland and Australia and some of the personalities behind them. He also touched on some of those connections in WA. “Ever since Paddy Hannan struck gold in Kalgoorlie, Irish men and women have come to labour, with hand and brain, in the mines of this state; to work the soil in the vast wheatbelt; to contribute to commerce and industry, law, journalism—so many of them—and the academy; to be involved in the practice of their faith and to have it recognised,” the president said. “It was here that Charles Yelverton O’Connor designed goldfields pipelines and Fremantle Harbour. I always think as well that the purpose of his water scheme was to be beneficent—water not just for the use of extraction, but for the benefit of the workers. It was here that John Hackett became the founding chancellor of a great university (UWA); from here that John Curtin, the son of emigrants from County Cork, became Prime Minister of this commonwealth; and from here that the last of the Fenian captives escaped aboard a whaling ship called the Catalpa. I was so pleased to receive a

gift of the story of the Catalpa. The Irish imprint in this state, surely, is captured in the lines of that great Western Australian poet of the goldfields, Edwin “Dryblower” Murphy, who wrote — Our harps are hung in the towering trees And the mulga low and grey.”

Labour leader Michael Davitt, one of Ireland’s “finest patriots” came to Australia and New Zealand in 1895 on a seven month visit the president said. “He wrote of his journey seeking, as he put it, to understand the story of the goldfields of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, the utopian settlements of the Murray River, and the rising cities of what he called the future Australia,” Mr Higgins aid. “[The] founder of the Land League and leader of the Land War in Ireland 1879 to 1882, he was disappointed that a leasehold rather than an absolute ownership system was not finding favour among the tenant holders whose cause he had so stoutly defended in Ireland...

In Perth, only five years after the proclamation of Western Australia’s Constitution and achievement of self-government, and in other states, he found a confident legislature and people who were, in his own words “… teaching, by their examples, not alone the parent countries, but other lands as well” — He found what he called — the courageous wisdom of progressive legislation on most of the vexed social

37

and economic problems of Europe.”

“Members will be pleased to know that as a former parliamentarian, he concluded that Western Australian parliamentarians were proficient public speakers,” he added to open laughter from MPs. “As he put it, they were “full to overflowing with the subject— climatic, commercial, constitutional” that faced what he called this coming country.”

The impulse of those Irish who emigrated was to create a new and better world and the Irish did this in Australia, as they had done in other parts of the world he said.

For thirty unbroken minutes President Higgins held the House captive to his every world. “May I conclude what I have to say today by

saying again that the warmth of the welcome I and all those travelling with me have received in Perth has touched me deeply and is an indication not only of the strength of the Irish community in this city and in this state, but also of the warmth between the peoples of Australia and Ireland, which I hope and know will deepen. Allow me to finish again by saying: Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus guím rath agus beannacht ar bhur n-iarrachtaí ar son na ndaoine i gcoitinne san Astráil agus don daonnacht ar fad. I thank you and I wish all your colleagues success and good health on your work for all Australian people and, in particular, the people of Western Australia, and for all of humanity.

I thank you for listening to me. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir, agus go dté sibh slain.”

There was a standing ovation when President Higgins finished. His speech had something for the audience to deliberate but some accidental listeners. Sitting in the press gallery directly above and behind him I had a view of his head and back, which was fine. As an Irish person - albeit with limited Irish - hearing so much Irish spoken so fluently and frequently was a something special and a privilige to witness.

As soon as the president left the chambers normality returned to the chambers. Moments later the Labor government was bickering with the Liberals and trading blows across the floor because of their blocking tactics on the gold royalty as a budget repair measure. The debate got quite heated and was one the government ultimately lost because of the vote by the opposition.

The presidents speech and the gold royalty issue were linked two days later by Tjorn Sibma, a Liberal member for North Metro.

“I will endeavour to keep my remarks reasonably brief to allow members opposite to provide their fulsome retort,” Mr Sibma told the house.

“I think it is appropriate that the Parliament hosted the Irish President two days ago, who gave a masterclass in addressing a public gathering—lyrical and poetic. It was a privilege to listen to.

In that vein, I want to quote two other wellknown twentieth century poets. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards summed up life this way — You can’t always get what you want, You can’t always get what you want.”

Presidents Higgins speech is available as a transcipt or as a video through the Hansard section of the WA Parliament’s website, under daily hansard, for the legislative assembly on October 10, or www.president.ie

IRONBARK

BUSHBAND IN THAILAND Western Australia’s Ironbark Irish Band travelled to Thailand to play at band member Declan Kenny’s daughters two-day wedding.

Ironbark members are Declan on Banjo, Whistle and Guitar, Tony on Mandolin, Anita on Fiddle, David on Guitar and Fred playing a unique bass which is a dustbin with one string.

The Kenny family consisting of six brothers and a sister attended the wedding, Declan, Sean, Ken, Colm, Killian, Enda and Sheila. Some of the family came straight from Ireland.

The first day was spent at the local cultural centre with most people in traditional Thai dress. On day two, Ironbark played at the Darah Dhevi Hotel for the wedding reception. Declan is brother to well-known folk singer Enda Kenny and he told us it was the first time brothers Enda, Declan and Ken Kenny have ever played at the same venue together. Declan also told us, “We also played at the Empress Hotel Chiang Mai which included some very, very late-night music sessions.

Ironbark then went to Bangkok where they performed at the only Irish owned bar, The Paddy Fields. At this stage, Enda had to return to Berlin for some concerts. Declan said, “The Paddy Fields was full of ExPats and Scous’s from Liverpool (The capital of Ireland they say) and wanted rebel songs all night. It was great fun. Declan was joined on stage by brother Ken on fiddle for the gigs and said he slotted in very well.

Fred’s dustbin bass drew great attention everywhere they played in Thailand. “The customs officials were a bit confused when sighting the unique bass on arrival and a few questions were asked!” Anita added, “Playing at the wedding to a very large audience of Irish and Thai families and friends was a wonderful experience”.

The band were a huge success and have been invited back again next year, when they sober up!

38

The Memories Live On

By Marie Moloney

Today, about 70 million people worldwide claim Irish heritage or ancestry. The history of the Irish in Australia is long, we came as convicts, free settlers, famine victims and, in more recent times seeking opportunities for a better life. We have contributed through our work in health, education, industry and governance. We brought our stories, poetry and music with us.

The Irish influence on Australian folk music has been significant.

And there was Ned! Ned Kelly was the son of a Tipperary man who was transported to Australia as a convict. Ned, a bushranger, was hung for the murder of a police man in 1880.

Songs and books have been written about him, films have been made about him. He has been cemented into the history of Australia as a folk hero.

Often while walking around Fremantle I have admired the beautiful old buildings in our port city. Fremantle has Western Australia’s largest collection of heritage listed buildings. The city of Perth also has its share of beautiful architecture that convict labour contributed to. Among those that are far too many to list, are Government House and Mercy Convent Victoria Square Perth. Many of us might hope to be remembered long after we have gone. Did any of those convicts ever think of how they would live on in the memory of future generations of Australians as contributors to heritage?

Western Australia was not formally constituted as a penal colony until 1849. The Hougoumont, which arrived in Fremantle on the January 9th 1868, was the last ship to bring convicts to Australia. Its place in history as the last ever convict transport to Australia is of additional historical interest, because sixty two of the convict crew were Fenians. (Fenian Movement).

Their place in West Australian history is assured for a variety of reasons. Their arrival, and the departure of some of them, is a significant part of West Australian convict history. The Fenians were political prisoners and as such, more literate and better skilled than the average convicts. Their abilities would have been a great asset to the community. They worked on various

projects while in Fremantle Prison. Perth Town hall was being constructed at the time of their arrival. It is likely that they contributed to the creation of this beautiful building.

In February 1869, John Boyle O’Reilly one of the Fenians who had been working in Bunbury, escaped to America. In 1876, as a result of his efforts six more Fenians escaped to the USA on The Catalpa, which made the journey from America to make this daring international escape possible. It is the most successful prison break in Australian history. The Wild Geese Memorial in Rockingham commemorates the escape of these six Irish Fenian prisoners.

On the 7th October 2017 the President of Ireland, His Excellency Michael D Higgins visited Fremantle Prison. The Fenian convicts imprisoned in that establishment, could never at that time have conceived that the day would come when the President of an Independent Irish Republic would visit the place of their incarceration. During his visit to Perth the President also unveiled a Famine Memorial in Subiaco in honour of the girls who came to Australia during the famine years. This was made possible by The Western Australia Irish Famine Commemoration Committee. Will the Irish historical footprint continue to contribute to the rich Australian culture we have? I believe so.

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togethers for a friendly bit of craic!

Irish Families in Perth

*IFIP MAM’S PLAYGROUP UPDATE*

Delighted to announce that we have limited spaces available on Monday and on Wednesdays at Padbury Playgroup from 9-11am, which are both very kindly sponsored by Irish Families in Perth.

New families always welcome to join our lovely group of Mam’s, whether you’re new to Perth or been here for a while and looking to join a wonderful group, join our page below and you’ll find info on all of the above! https://m.facebook.com/ groups/774916025922214?ref=bookmarks

Western Australia

with Eimear Beattie

Irish families in Perth is a voluntary non profit organisation with over 13,500 members.

We provide Irish emigrants with advice on how to best assimilate into the Western Australian culture and lifestyle. We communicate with our subscribers through social media where topics such as long lost relatives, housing , jobs and social events are covered.

It is a vibrant active forum that provides a wealth of knowledge to young families and singles emigrating to Western Australia.

IFIP contributes to a cohesive Irish Community by working together with many of the wonderful groups in Perth that support Irish culture and heritage.

IFIP aims to • Coordinate Irish family events including weekly playgroup.

• Develop Irish Culture & heritage.

• Help Irish people with any problems that might arise and provide a link to Australian and Irish support services.

You can find us on our facebook page https://www. facebook.com/groups/irishfamiliesinperth/

Thank you!

A big thank you to all our following sponsors who have kindly donated to our playgroups throughout the year.

We would like to give a special mention to the one and only Carl Holmes who not only supported our playgroups but also gave $2000 to our Irish Night in aid of the famine memorial.

To the Keogh family who donated Andy’s Perth Glory limited edition jersey signed by the team. All proceeds went to the famine memorial.

To the Following who supported our playgroups and kids parties we could not have done it without all your help.

• Fred and all at Irish Scene • Megan O’Shea - Physiotherapist...

• Ciaran Gallagher Migration Specialist, • Neil Lenihan - Killarney Autos, • Wrightway Road Training, • Vicki Buckley Legal Aid • Walshe Clancy O’Neill- Financial Group • Masonmill Restaurant - Carl Holmes

Irish Mams Night Out By Linda

Mammies Cinema night out - It’s ages since we had a cinema evening and a get together.

Bad Moms 2 came to Whitfords cinema on November 3 and I thought it might be a good excuse to go along, have a few laughs and have a cheeky one or two drinks or a bite to eat before and/or after!!!

All Mams are welcome, including new faces, to our get

Guímís gach rath agus sonas oraibh um Nollaig agus Athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh uilig anseo i nIarthar na hAstraile.

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SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

Productions and trad sessions at the club. Markets are strong points in our culture and also in Perth.

We have a thriving small Irish business community here in Perth that is constantly looking for new avenues to showcase their talents. I also feel that it is important to utilise what we have to ensure we engage with our culture on a face to face basis. I think that the online community is thriving but I also this that a sense of place is important to our community. Irish culture is deeply social.

The first Perth Irish Markets was held on 30 April 2017, then 25 June 2017 and on 17 September 2017.

We have also hosted the first Irish Style Sale on October 15 with another big Style Sale event next year.

There has been face painters, live entertainment, raffles for charity, hand crafted product stalls, favourite breads, Irish Art and Irish Breakfasts served upstairs by the Pantry Dolls. It’s a fun filled event where we kindly ask that patrons provide a $2 coin donation for Mellon Educate. We want to raise the money but we also want the engagement with the community.

After all of these events - I will be travelling to Africa on November 10 to assist with building a school for children in Khayelitsha township.

We will end with the December 3rd Christmas Gift Market. This will be a market specifically focussed on gifts for Christmas with a large variety of gifting stalls. This event will mark the end of the donations for Mellon Educate 2017 and may also commence the donations for 2018. Its been a year of incredible giving and generosity throughout the Irish community and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved.

If you are interested in further information please feel free to email perthirishmarkets@gmail. com or contact us through the Irish Club.

Last year, I wrote down a list of things that I really wanted to do but have never completed. One of those was to volunteer to Mellon Educate in Capetown. I have watched the work of Niall Mellon progress over the past few years and I have always been impressed by the charity work and the community engagement. I had contacted the Mellon team before and I knew about the money to be raised so I signed up. I’m the first Australia based volunteer for Mellon Educate Africa November 2017 Project.

In October 2016, I started planning the how I was going to raise $7,500+ dollars. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and I am very lucky I have experience in events but it is still a large task to ask of myself while living in Perth.

In November 2016 I organised my first ever charity quiz which also included a Hypnosis show. Luckily amidst many failures on the lead up to the event we had a really successful night for Mellon Educate. It was a good idea and a great night, but it also gave me time to think about planning the rest of the year’s events. What could I do next?

I had spoken about the Perth Irish Markets for about two years and I decided to push ahead with the idea as a way to make donations, raise awareness for Mellon Educate and also support local businesses. I knew the venture would have its own costs and expenses but I also thought it would be a great addition to the excellent Irish events held every year here in Perth – The St Patrick’s Days Festival, The IrishTheatre Players

Sandi Buckley

“The magic of Christmas lingers on, though childhood days have passed, Upon the common round of life a Holy Spell is cast.” ~ Old Celtic Verse 41

Local News of Interest from the Past

ECHOS OF THE PAST R E S E A R C H E D

B Y

F R E D

News Published Every Two Months

R E A

Famine Letters from Ireland We are indebted to the Archives of the Benedictine Community of New Norcia for giving us permission to reproduce the following letters received in Western Australia in 1880. Also thanks to Odhran O'Brien for helping source the letters. As one will read below it is a passionate appeal for help in troubled times in Ireland. Students of the Irish famine and poverty in Ireland in the 1880s will be familiar with the tone of the letters. Many letters were sent from Ireland to many parts of the world begging for help. There are recorded many fundraising events organised by the Irish diaspora in Australia at the time. Skibbereen in particular suffered from the famine and the tone of the letter from a kind Sister of Mercy tells the story of the desperation of the people....

Convent Sisters of Mercy Skibbereen Co Cork Ireland February 16th, 1880 My Lord Considering the magnificent sacrifice in which Australia has come to the aid of poor Ireland it does seem unreasonable for me to appeal to you, but in the face of the numbers coming to us for relief we forget all in beholding their misery and looking in ourselves as their servants in our vocation as Sisters of Mercy.

Convent of Mercy Oughterard Co Galway Ireland Jan 1st 1880 My Lord Bishop

We provide food for about two hundred persons, clothes to a large number, support on an average for twenty orphans, administer relief to the sick, poor on visitation and to a large number coming daily to the convent.

Will you forgive my asking a help for our truly poor people at this most trying time. More can I impress their want and misery. Potatoes are exhausted for two thirds of the crop failed and the winter having let in so severe, adds to the wretchedness of the sufferers. If I had the employment, or a least the prospect of anything, it would not be so bad but there is absolutely none, so that starvation really lies at our door.

Our own means are very limited and to meet all we have no established fund, so depend on what we can procure from our friends. In this hard time, we have surpassed on our own means beyond human providence for success.

Many respectable persons come to us who would not make known their poverty to others at present.

The surrounding landlords are Protestant and ours is the only religious institution so that we are forced to apply for aid to those in whose kind charity we humbly trust. If you my Lord Bishop will be pleased to lend a favourable ear to our partition and influence your flock on our behalf, the prayers of God’s afflicted, the widow and the orphan and the penniless will rise to heaven’s throne for their good benefactors.

We have a considerable sum but to such, to enable them to keep their homes and families together. If you can do a little by even a trifling donation you will perform a great charity and ensure a share in the prayers of the community.

Apologising for encroaching on your valuable time.

We ask in honour of the divine infant and begging your forgiveness for intruding on your domain my Lord Bishop.

I am you Lord Your humble servant Sr M de Sales Doonan

With deep respect your obedient servant in J.C. Sister Mary O’Connor Letter 86 Courtesy Archives of the Benedictine Community of New Norcia

Letter 87 Courtesy Archives of the Benedictine Community of New Norcia

42

THE FENIANS OF THE HOUGOUMONT

As we go to print, 150 years ago the Hougoumont set sail for Australia with 62 Irish Fenians on board. The following names are from the passenger list recorded at the time when the ship arrived in Western Australia on January 9th, 1867. The names and where they came from will be of interest to our readers. The anniversary will be commemorated in Fremantle in January and our centre pages will show details.

Name Reg No Term 1. Aher, Jeremiah 9645 7y 2. Baines, Thomas 9654 10y 3. Bowler, Thomas 9671 Life 4. Bradley, Daniel 9672 10y 5. Brophy, Hugh Francis 9674 10y 6. Casey, John 9684 5y 7. Cashman, Denis 9685 7y 8. Connolly, George 9693 7y 9. Cranston, Robert 9702 Life 10. Cummins, David 9704 7y 11. Daly, Thomas 9705 5y 12. Darragh, Thomas 9707 Life 13. Delaney, Thomas 9710 10y 14. Donaghoe, John 9714 5y 15. Doran, Patrick 9715 Life 16. Downey, Simon 9718 7y 17. Duggan, Thomas 9720 10y 18. Dunn, James 9721 20y 19. Dunne, Patrick 9722 5y 20. Fennell, Thomas 9731 10y 21. Fitzgibbon, Maurice 9733 5y 22. Flood, James 9734 5y 23. Flood, John 9735 15y 24. Fogarty, Thomas 9736 5y 25. Foley, John 9737 7y 26. Foley, William 9738 5y 27. Fullam, Lawrence 9739 5y 28. Fullam, Luke 9740 5y 29. Geary, Eugene 9744 5y 30. Goulding, John 9750 5y 31. Harrington, Michael 9757 Life 32. Hassett, Henry Thom 9758 Life 33. Hennessey, Dennis 9763 7y 34. Hogan, Martin 9767 Life 35. Joyce, David 9788 Life 36. Kane, Cornelius Dwyer 9790 10y 37. Keatinge, Patrick 9792 Life 38. Kearney, James 9791 5y 39. Kelly, Edward 9793 Life 40. Kenneally, John 9795 10y 41. Kiely, James 9797 Life 42. Killeen, Patrick 9798 7y 43. Lahey, Patrick 9803 5y 44. Lombard, Eugene 9808 7y 45. Lynch, John 9811 5y 46. May, Robert Patrick 9823 5y 47. McCoy, James 9815 15y 48. McSwiney, Morgan 9817 7y 49. Moore, Michael 9826 10y 50. Moriarty, Bartholomew 9828 7y 51. Noonan, Joseph 9837 7y 52. Noonan, Michael 9838 5y 53. O'Donovan, Jeremiah 9840 5y 54. O'Mahoney, Cornelius 9842 5y 55. O'Reilly, John Boyle 9843 20y 56. Reardon, Patrick 9851 7y 57. Reilly, James 9854 5y 58. Sheehan, John 9869 7y 59. Shine, John 9871 10y 60. Wall, Patrick 9903 5y 61. Walsh, John Bennett 9904 7y 62. Wilson, James 9915 Life

Age 24 24 23 20 38 21 25 38 26 33 21 34 24 25 28 22 45 25 23 24 19 21 32 21 22 29 37 45 22 23 40 26 21 29 34 28 41 21 26 30 21 20 20 31 25 21 23 25 28 18 25 23 25 28 23 20 22 30 40 24 22 32

Trial Place Cork Dublin Cork Limerick Dublin Cork Dublin Dublin Dublin Cork Limerick Assizes Cork Dublin Dublin Dublin Cork Assizes Cork Assizes Dublin Dublin Assizes Clare Assizes Ennis Limerick Assizes Dublin Assizes Dublin Clonmel Assizes Dublin Dublin Dundalk Assizes Dundalk Assizes Cork Tralee Dublin Dubli Limerick Dublin Cork Dublin Assizes Dublin Cork Assizes Cork Assizes Cork Assizes Dublin Dublin Newagh Cork Dublin Dundalk Dublin Cork Dublin Cork Tralee Limerick Cork Dublin Dublin Limerick Tralee Limerick Dublin Dundalk Co Louth Dublin Dublin

Trial Date 02 05 1867 19 02 1867 02 05 1867 11 06 1867 29 01 1866 14 12 1865 19 02 1867 08 04 1867 26 06 1866 02 05 1867 15 06 1867 02 03 1866 24 08 1866 15 08 1866 08 04 1867 02 05 1867 14 12 1865 08 04 1867 31 01 1866 15 07 1867 14 06 1867 27 01 1866 08 04 1867 18 07 1867 06 05 1867 23 08 1866 16 07 1867 16 07 1867 02 05 1867 08 08 1867 07 07 1866 15 08 1866 12 06 1867 21 08 1866 02 05 1867 17 01 1866 24 08 1866 02 05 1867 02 05 1867 14 12 1865 18 06 1866 29 04 1867 29 07 1867 02 05 1867 20 08 1866 16 07 1867 13 08 1866 02 05 1867 07 12 1865 02 05 1867 24 07 1867 15 06 1867 14 12 1865 16 01 1866 09 07 1866 11 06 1867 24 07 1867 12 06 1867 23 08 1866 16 07 1867 19 02 1867 20 08 1866

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Criminal Offence Comments Treason Fenian Treason Fenian High treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian High treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason aka [CODY, Michael] Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason, aka [Michael] Fenian Treason Fenian Treason aka [PHILIPS] Fenian Treason Fenian Not reporting mutiny (Army) Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct & desertion (Army) Fenian Mutinous conduct & desertion (Army) Fenian Treason aka [HENNESSY] Fenian Mutinous conduct & desertion (Army) Fenian High treason Fenian Treason aka [KEARNE; KEANE] Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) aka [KEATING]; Fenian Assault High treason aka [John Edward]; Fenian Treason Fenian Not reporting mutiny (Army) aka [KEILY; KEILLY]; Fenian Not informing of a brewing mutinous meeting (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Felony & treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Treason Fenian Mutinous conduct (Army) Fenian Treason Fenian Treason aka [BENNETT, John]; Fenian Desertion & mutinous conduct (Army aka [McNALLY]; Fenian

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Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from All of Us to All of You! 44 44

’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

y

A wise man once told me the road you set out on is not always the one you end up on!

I must be one of the luckiest people in the world, to have had the opportunity to be able to travel back to Ireland as often as I have over the last twenty-five years and this year was as good as it gets.

I left Melbourne on Friday September 1 and arrived into Dublin the next day on the eve of the big game in Croke Park. My hope was to get the opportunity to watch the warriors from Galway and Waterford battle it out for the Holy Grail of Irish hurling - the All Ireland finals.

Because it was the start of Spring the grass of Ireland seemed vibrant green and the daffodils were in full bloom. On top of that, the maroon and white of the Galway and the blue and white of Waterford filled the city.

After a few well deserved beers with some friendly locals it was an early night for me in the West County hotel which would be my home for the next couple of nights.

At breakfast I was sat next to two couples from Galway, who like me were waiting for friends to supply them with tickets for the game. They said that if they didn't get tickets for the match after driving all the way from Galway and spending all that money on a hotel they would be inconsolable if they didn't get to see the match. I told them my story, that I came from the other side of the world to see the match with no ticket.

I wished them luck in their search and they said they would pray for me in my quest.

I headed straight for Croke Park and for four and a half hours of trying to bribe dozens of officials and even some Gardai with small souvenir koalas, I came up a blank for a ticket. Looks like my earlier breakfast colleagues haven't said that prayer that they promised, for me. It just shows the demand for tickets for this historical match.

I was disappointed but not heart-broken as I bought a few of the historical programs and returned to my hotel to watch the match on their large TV. The buzz was

45

electric and the game lived up to the expectation that it would be a classic and we toasted the winners with drink, song and comradry. History has now recorded Galway as the winners of that epic game.

The next day I set off for Cork by train to catch up with friends Charlotte O'Byrne (Producer) and Pat Talbot (Director) along with family and also to spend some time with Don O'Leary at the Cork Life Centre.

Don - helped by staff and volunteers - is a true champion for the disenfranchised children in Cork. He is a man of enormous passion and that resonates to all who stand with him to do the hard work that those in politics ignored. Money is always scarce when it comes to looking after the poor and the disadvantaged but despite a lack of funds Don and his team achieve amazing results with his students, in short, close to a miracle.

That night together with Don, Thomas and a group of friends we enjoyed dinner at the Imperial Hotel, my home away from home in Cork for the last 15 years.

Leaving Cork is always a struggle even if I have done it more than fifty times.

England was my next port of call for a special occasion - a wedding.

The groom to be is James John Bulman from Oak Park Tralee Co Kerry and the Bride to be is Fleur Emma Toocarami.

The reason I was invited to this special day is that I have known James's family for almost fifty years.

In 1999 I brought a band from Melbourne (The Traveling Wallabies) to open the Rose of Tralee that year, while there I stayed at their home for the week. One morning, while nursing a bit of a hangover, I sat on the doorstep strumming my guitar and young James came and sat down next to me, so I handed him my guitar and showed him how to play two cords, next morning he joined me again to show him more. The rest is now history as the little boy who sat next, has a beautiful voice and is a much better guitarist than I. James migrated to Sydney almost a decade ago and I see him as an adopted son, well almost. He met Fleur of English background two years ago and from the first minute they set eyes on

each other, it was game over for James as a single man.

She is the nearest you will ever see to perfect beauty and she is also wise, as she picked the cream of the crop in James. The hospitality and friendship shown to me by both families was amazing and beautiful - a lot like the wedding itself and the 250 guests who shared the occasion. I could spend days talking about the ceremony but the abiding memory I will take away is how much in love the newly weds were.

Manchester - one of the world's power house city's of football - was my next destination via London by train. After the celebrations and travelling around with a suitcase in tow I hit the pillow early to be ready for the next day. After breakfast I headed off to Old Trafford the place I could only dream of, as a lad growing up in Cork in the late fifties. First I picked up some souvenirs for my circle of Man United mad friends in Melbourne. Then I got my pre-ordered ticket for the match.

Then I walked around the iconic stadium and snapped some pictures. The attendance numbers for the game topped 73,000. United had a comfortable three nil win on the night, with goals by Fellaini, Lukaku and super-sub Rashford. I was living my childhood dream and two days later I visited Manchester City's new grounds - a magnificent facility across the city.

On Sunday, after being requested by AON (Manchester United's sponsor) to attend at Old Trafford three hours before the 4pm kick off, I was in for some special treatment. I was greeted with a glass of champers and given a tour of the stadium, followed by a three course lunch with beverages and then had some gifts presented to me.

The little boy in me was in heaven. All this and I still have to see Wayne Rooney walk on to the pitch to face the team that he captained last year.

Bang on kick off and the crowds roared as they welcomed back the the man who did so much and achieved so much in this stadium for thirteen years for The Red Devils. The game lived up to its expectations with United winning four nil.

Rooney, now wearing blue has lost none of his

class in spite of Everton loosing, he was still their best man on the field.

After the match I caught up with, now retired Man U Cork man Dennis Irwin for a chat about the days when he used watch Cork Hib's and Cork Celtic. I'm so glad the road I set out on wasn't quite the one I ended up on.

I have a spare All Ireland program and a spare Man U v Everton if there are any passionate collectors out there.

It must be time for me to turn off my iPad and give you time to read the rest of this great magazine. I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas.

Until next time be good to those you love and Slainte from Melbourne. Mike Bowen.

46

Page sponsored by

PERTH CENTRE

Jessica Stojkovski MLA

HELICOPTERS, CASTLES, TURF AND PARADES GREETED PERTH’S ROSE

By Kerrie-Ann Barnes The time I spent in Tralee representing Perth is something I will treasure forever. To be a part of the Rose of Tralee festival is truly a once in a lifetime experience and I will be forever grateful for the memories shared and friends made.

The Rose Tour began in Kildare, at the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth where there was a lovely welcome for us. It was also great to finally meet all my Rose sisters after months of getting to know one another through our WhatsApp group. While there, myself and a few other Roses had the opportunity to cut some turf in a bog and after a few tries I got the hang of it. I even went in a helicopter to the K Club! In just two days staying in Kildare, many life long memories were forged, including myself and my roommate Paula McCartland, the Cavan Rose, being locked out of our room the first night, and having a sing off between the Roses.

Before heading down to Tralee, we went to Malahide Castle in Co. Dublin for the RTE press launch. It was a wonderful start to the event which officially lasted from August 16th until the 22nd. We arrived into Tralee to an incredible welcome. Our escorts, friends and family, and other supporters were all there. Once we got into the reception, we were asked for autographs and pictures. One memory I will always have and cherish is when a family came up to me asking if I would take a picture with their son, when I said I would, the little boy practically jumped into my arms and gave me a massive hug.

If I were to write about every single thing I did in Tralee and Kerry each day, I could probably write a book, but all the events where the roses and escorts would meet different members of the community definitely stand out. It was fabulous to hear different people’s stories and if they have family or friends in Perth. Of course, one of the big stand out events was definitely the parade. I was on top of the toy drum float, so I was high enough to see far in front and the crowds were magnificent. Another big stand out was

Kerrie-Anns welcome home at Rosie O'Grady's in Northbridge

of course the two selection nights in ‘The Dome’ that were televised across Ireland and the world on RTE. The Roses sat together, with the escorts behind us and it was so amazing to have all of us together to mark the end of such a wonderful week together.

I’m so grateful and humbled to be this year’s Perth Rose. Thank you so much to all my friends and family, my sponsors, the Perth Rose of Tralee committee, the 2017 Perth entrants, and all the Irish communities living in Perth. A huge congratulations to all the roses who made it to Tralee, and to of course our 2017 Rose of Tralee, Offaly Rose, Jennifer Byrne (from the rural area of Clonaderig).

(Editor’s note: Kerrie-Ann has a Co. Offaly connection herself. The 19 year old cosmetician and bartender was born in East London but her Irish heritage can be traced back to Mountmellick, Co Laois where her mother and grandmother’s family is from, and Portarlington, Co Offaly where her grandfather’s family are from. In 2005, her family decided to emigrate to Australia where they have been in Perth ever since.) Kerrie-Ann was fêted back to Perth with a reception in Rosie O’Grady’s Perth at the end of September. With the 2017 Rose of Tralee now decided it won’t be long until the search for the 2018 Rose, and Perth Rose, begins again in earnest. If you are interested in entering please contact perthroseoftralee. com for details.

Jessica Stojkovski MLA MEMBER FOR KINGSLEY 4/923 Whitfords Ave Woodvale WA 6026 08 9309 2666 jessica.stojkovski@mp.wa.gov.au @JessicaStojkovski jessicastojkovski.com.au

SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMIT

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The gift of love.

The gift of peace.

The gift of happiness.

May all these be yours at Christmas and in the coming year

Friday 5 January – Sunday 14 January 2018

From Ireland and USA

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill

Declan O'Rourke

From Australia

Kavisha Mazzella

Lucky Oceans

Fiona Rea

Rob Zielinski

A 10 day Irish Cultural Celebration!

Great fun, brilliant music, literature, Irish made films, art, historical and kids free events The 150th anniversary of the arrival of the convict ship, Hougoumont – with 62 Fenians aboard - including John Boyle O’Reilly, John Flood and Denis Cashman Fenians Festival on Facebook for more details

O generation of freedom remember us, The generation of the vision Liam MacUistin, Garden of Remembrance, Dublin

BOOKINGS FOR ALL EVENTS

Bookings: EVENTBRITE

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PROGRAM: Fenians, Fremantle and Freedom

KEY FESTIVAL EVENTS Friday 5 January – Sunday 14 January 2018

Friday 5th

Wednesday 10th

MARTIN HAYES & DENNIS CAHILL

FENIAN COMMEMORATION DAY

Support: Kavisha Mazzella & John Reed 7.30pm – 10pm John Curtin College of the Arts Theatre $88 / $48 / $28

An arrival ceremony of narration, music & poetry 9.30am Bathers’ Beach, Mews Rd 'Walk of the Descendants Procession' to Fremantle Prison 11.30am (Free)

Saturday 6th

Thursday 11th

Family Day 10am

DECLAN O’ROURKE IN CONCERT

- 4pm WA Maritime Museum

Support: Fiona Rea

Irish Ceili 5.30pm – 7.30pm

7.30pm - 10.30pm WA Maritime Museum Theatre $48

Bathers’ Beach Boardwalk, Mews Rd (Free) Sunday 7th

Friday 12th

IRISH LITERATURE WORKSHOP

LUCKY OCEANS AND HIS GAELIC GUMBO BAND

Writings of the Fenians 10am – 4.30pm Samson Building 33Cliff St, Fremantle (Donation)

7.30 pm Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers’ Beach, Mews Rd $15

Monday 8th

JOHN BOYLE O’REILLY ESCAPE TOUR

Saturday 13th

John Boyle O’Reilly Association 8am – 4.30pm Meet at Kidogo Arthouse Bus trip to Dardanup, Australind & Rockingham $65

DECLAN O’ROURKE IN CONCERT

Support: Rob Zelinski Trio 7.30pm – 10pm John Curtin College of the Arts Theatre $88/$48/28

Tuesday 9th

IRISH FILM SCREENINGS

Children's Film: 10.30am & 12.30pm (Kids Free) Adults: Films 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm WA Maritime Museum Theatre Adults: $15 / $10 or $30 for 3

Sunday 14th

FEAST OF THE WILD GOOSE

A sumptuous banquet of primal cooking, fine wines & entertainment by THE ROGUES 6pm – 10pm Bannister Street, Fremantle $140 (all inclusive)

1pm "IN SEARCH OF THE VIGILANT" John Boyle O’Reilly Association Lionel Samson Building, 33 Cliff St, Fremantle $15

www.feniansfestival.com.au "Only those who have stood within the bars, and heard the din of devils and the appalling sounds of despair, blended in a diapason that made every hatch mouth a vent of hell, can imagine the horrors of the hold of a convict ship." John Boyle O’Reilly

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The Tavern that caters for all tastes!

T A V E R N

Meet Kerry Blackburn of the Dianella Tavern. The Dianella has been a favourite watering hole for the Irish for some years now. Its proximity to the oval where the local hurling club play helps!

Following a diverse and exciting Hotel Management career, Kerry Blackburn was fortunate to purchase the Dianella Tavern in early 2015. A number of improvements have been made in this time including the addition of 4 Tap Beers. "We now offer a wide selection including Guinness, Kilkenny, Heineken, Stella Artois, James Squire 150 Lashes, Carlton Dry, Carlton Draft, Victoria Bitter, Swan Draft, Bulmers Cider, Carlton Mid Strength and Hahn Super Dry 3.5".

A kitchen servers value for money All Day Pub Style Meals and is open 11am to 8.00pm Tuesday to Friday and 10.00am to 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday for Brunch.

"The Dianella Tavern is a proud Sponsor of Sarsfields Hurling Club and is a supporter of St Finbarr’s Gaelic Football Club", Kerry added.

They serve great food, the atmosphere is friendly and having duo's pumping out music on Friday and Saturday makes the place buzz with excitement. Kareoke is on Wednesday. "We used to be just tradies but the clientele is now varied". You must try their famous Brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10.00am, its worth the trip. Fantastic value at $17.50 for the great Aussie Breakfast. This little tavern is worth trying out.

302 The Strand Dianella Perth, Western Australia 6059 (08) 9276 1733 Open daily: 11:00am - 10:00pm kerryblackburn@live.com.au

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• • • •

Fox Sports showing a large variety of sports on 10 large screen TV’s.

TAB with Sky Chanel and Race Wall Bottlemart Express Bottle Shop Nightlife Juke Box ATM on site Linguine with prawns, chilli, garlic & parsley Great Value $17.50 Scotch Fillet, Beer Battered Chips & Salad Only $20.00 (choice of Pepper or Mushroom Sauce) Everyone’s favourite Chicken Parmigiana $20 Served with Salad & Chips

Above: Kerry Blackburn is very proud of these genuine original labels were received from an old Irish friend who used to brew his own alcohol and bottle it himself.

The bottles were then sold and distributed to many quiet country pubs around Ireland. The Labels were kindly donated to Dianella Tavern by Rob Fannin.

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Perth mum and daughter would go back to Ireland in a heartbeat

By Lloyd Gorman

When I heard an Australian friend had been in Ireland I was keen to catch up with her and find out how she went. We used to live across the road from Dianne and Bryn Juliff in Hillarys until a few years ago, but we still stay in touch.

A nurse with forty years experience, Dianne was in Dublin to present a paper on the thesis she is doing for her PhD, called ‘Nursing leadership influence on male graduate nurses retention experiences explored in the professional practice environment’. The event was held at the National Conference Centre in North Wall Quay, Dublin just down the road from the International Financial Services Centre.

The event was organised by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing and was the best conference Dianne said she has been to yet. But apart from the opportunity to share her academic work with others the event also presented Dianne and her mum Monica (née Keane) with a great excuse to do something her mum had always wanted to do.

“A trip to Ireland was on mum’s bucket list,” said Dianne. “She’s 93% Irish, I’m 73% Irish. We did the ancestry DNA test and that was the result we got. Mum’s great grandfather came out as a free settler and became a farmer in Victoria and all along the way there have been Irish,” said Dianne.

“I had been to Ireland about 30 years ago and got to see some of the southern half, so to go back again and see some of the North - including Belfast and the Giants Causeway - was absolutely brilliant.”

The two ladies went on a whistle stop tour of Ireland before the conference began. “At first, I was a bit worried if it might be a bit much, nine days on a (Cosmos) bus but it was the best thing we did. It was an excellent tour. For me Dunmore East in Waterford was absolutely beautiful, it was a real highlight of the trip and the people were super everywhere we went.”

They were in Dublin for seven days and stayed in accommodation near the Liffey and spent a lot of time exploring the Temple Bar area and the Guinness Hopstore as well as some of Dublin’s many churches and heritage buildings.”

But like all good holidays the time flew by and before they knew it they were back on a plane to Perth.

Dianne is busily finishing her thesis right now and is backing in her mentoring role at Notre Dame, helping to guide the next generation of nurses.

Dianne and Monica won’t forget their Irish trip anytime soon. “We’d go back in a heartbeat”.

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The call of the music Listening to music was a big part of growing up in the McCarthy household for John "Bravo" McCarthy. His parents Tom and Trish always had tunes on in the car and there piles of old VHS recordings of concerts of the likes of music legends such as Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Queen around the family home. He also had two sisters Emily and Anne Marie, so there was always someone singing to or listening to something in the house. John thinks it was “a good solid education in great music” and one that inspired a great love of music. In school he was interested in music as well and always sang

in the school Christmas concert.

From there he went on to join the Killarney Musical Society and took part in several shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Coat. At 17 he started to play gigs in the town with the Healy brothers Kieran and Adrian “Eggy” in a band called RE>PLAY. “Killarney has a very big pool of musical talent and we were helped and encouraged by the older fellas like Donal Shine Jackie O’Mahony

John and Caroline

and Tom Moran especially whose guitar I was gifted and have with me here in Australia and still gig with it,” said John. “I played in pubs like the Failte, Tatler Jack and McSorleys and I was lucky enough to play support for another local band at Whelans in Dublin.

John left Kerry and Ireland in 2011 for Australia to work as a fibre optic technician. He also thought he was taking a break from music.

“I met Tommy O'Brien in the Irish Club doing an open mic night and unknown to me my wife Caroline had asked if I could go up and sing.

Then I started playing a few gigs with Tommy and the band Castagnari but packed it in again as it had become a job more than a hobby, but I always stayed friends with Tommy regardless. Through Caroline I met Fiona Rea and after hearing me sing she gave me a good talking to about getting back out there gigging again. I would often go to her gigs and do a few songs.

Fiona gave great encouragement and so I started playing music with Tommy again as his old bandmates Lisa and Eoin had headed home so the opportunity was there for me.”

John now performs at various gigs around Perth, including at the Irish Club in Subiaco every second Sunday with Tommy. He will also be playing in Bunbury for the Bunbury Gaels big day out. He is also growing as a musician. “The plan is to write some original stuff and record it see where it takes us but at least be able to listen back in years to come and reminisce,” he said.

But then I'm one of those guys that is still a bit afraid of the telephone, its implications for conversation. I still wonder if the jukebox might be the death of live music.

Tom Waits 52

Ceili, Set Dancing and Sean Nos Dancing!

For a number of years, I have suggested to many in the Irish dance community that a ceili is needed on a regular basis. With so many Irish dancers finishing competition, it seemed to me that this skill should not be lost. On Mondays at the Irish Club there is some set dancing and the late Maura Ducey was the driving force behind the classes. The new generation has arrived and it's wonderful to see such initiative.

Torc Ceili Club will be starting classes for ceilí, set dancing and sean nos in the Irish club every Thursday from October

53

26th. Kids class from 5pm to 6pm followed by an adult’s class from 6pm to 7pm.

Caroline said, “We are called Torc ceili club after the beautiful Torc mountain and waterfall in Killarney Co Kerry. Teachers Caroline McCarthy and Sinead Hussey met while learning to dance for the Sheehan Murphy school of Irish dancing in Killarney as young girls”.

Both have danced for more than 25 years. A lifetime of love and dedication to their hobby.

Growing up in Killarney they spent weekends and summers dancing in shows for tourists. This is where they picked up some sean nos steps.

Caroline learnt set dancing in national school and danced for years in the biddies, a celebration for St Brigid every February which involves music, singing and dancing. Sinead was taught by her mother at home to enter her into Scór competitions. At one stage they had a set which had five of Sinead’s siblings her cousin and one neighbour!

They both competed for many years. Last competition they both went to together was to the World Championships in Glasgow in 2007.

Their now husbands both met for the first time on this trip.

Caroline and her husband John moved to Australia in 2011. Sinead, her husband Paulie and daughter Willow moved here in 2015 and set up base with Caroline and John until they got settled.

Sinead is a nurse in Hollywood hospital and she’s fluent in Irish having attended Irish speaking schools. Caroline is a civil engineer and since moving to Australia has passed her Irish dancing teachers exam and is a TCRG at the Kavanagh Studio of Irish Dance.

Caroline added, “We have decided to start this class together as friends of ours wanted us to teach them a few steps of ceili and set dancing, so they could join in at weddings. Others danced as kids and wanted a casual class to come to for fitness and to make new friends. This class will be fun and informal.

At the The kids class we will teach kids the basic steps and get them involved in team dancing. They’ll learn about timing and rhythm. There will be no competitions involved as these classes are just for fun”.

Both Caroline and Sinead give credit to Irish dancing for giving them friendship on both sides of the world.

No excuse, head down to the Irish Club this Thursday and join in, it's great exercise!

Fred Rea

By Lloyd Gorman

TeleStationTeleNation

50 shades of Irish on the telly

"This Week in History" on the BBC World News on SBS (October 22) screened the original news report from 1984 of famine in Ethiopia. This was the same news section that prompted Bob Geldof into action and Live Aid, the biggest music event in history up to then, was born. It just so happened that the former Boomtown Rats frontman was also in Perth at the time, speaking at a number of charity events. At one corporate talk he gave - in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency in Perth which lasted less than two hours Geldof was able to sell out the event at prices of $1800 or $2500 for a table of ten. He might not be doing big music charity events anymore but he is still trying to raise awareness and funds for those in need. While he was here Irish born Geldof also made a surprise appearance on stage with Alice Cooper in Perth Arena. Once a rocker always a rocker.

Also on October 22, over on Channel 9, Niall Horan was interviewed for 60 Minutes. The segment about him followed his life and career from his childhood (he is only 24) from Mullingar to today.

He has amassed a fortune of about

$77 million as a member of One Direction (which owes its origins to the X Factor on British TV in 2010) and is carving out what could be an even more lucrative and productive career as a solo artist. Old cynics like me are prone to thinking that boy band members are not up to much when you strip back all the hype, marketing and manufacturing that goes into creating them. But the 60 minutes interviewer spent time with him, enough to see him work as a talented musician and singer, and also to find out what a decent skin he is, something all his fans already know. It also showed his other great passion in life - golfing, including I think his own golf course.

Success hasn't ruined this boy and long may he prosper. (Dublin band The Script were asked about him and they said they were friends with him. They recalled a lovely little story about him recently in Sydney when he had played a gig and afterwards went to the nearest Irish pub and queued up with everyone else to get in. No airs or graces as they say just a good Irish lad at heart.

Horan was also a guest on the Graham Norton Show over on TEN a couple of nights previous. The Friday night talk show hosted by the Cork born presenter had a good Australian and Irish line up of guests. Nicole Kidman was on the 54

couch with Colin Farrell, Niall Horan and American actor Bryan Cranston (the dad from Malcolm in the Middle or Walter White in Breaking Bad). Cranston - who appears to be a very amicable chap - did an impersonation of Arnold Schwarzenegger who made Total Recall with Colin Farrell. Norton asked him jokingly if that was "an Irish accent".

Matt Lucas (from Little Britain) said he could do three Irish accents while Jane Fonda - who has made a new movie with Robert Redford - had to be schooled

by Colin Farrell about how to say - or not say - the name of the new movie 'Our Souls at night'. Cranston joked that Horan could write a song with a title similar to, but ruder than, the real name of the movie. It was funny to watch, difficult to explain, but plenty of chatter about Irish accents, which is always entertaining.

Nortons 2016 novel about murder in rural Ireland has gone down a storm and been well received in Ireland. His latest literature offering so impressed that an Irish Times critic posed the question if Norton - the biggest chat show host in the world - wasn't "wasted on TV".

Someone with a good brogue was the late Richard Harris and two of his old films Camelot (1967) and Cromwell (1970) were shown on WTV in August and October. Harris

was a brilliant actor and gave a consummate performance as Oliver Cromwell. This film had plenty of references to Ireland in it, something which the Limerick man was able to really get his teeth into and give some depth of feeling too, especially when you remember that this was at a time when the Troubles in Northern Ireland had exploded. In Camelot we saw another side of Harris which did not come out much in most of his other films, his ability to sing and dance, with this picture having several big songs as part of the plot.

Ireland itself merited a mention on SBS News on October 16, with a report that Orphelia was about to touch down in the country and how it was the strongest storm to ever hit Ireland. Sadly, three people lost their lives as result.

SBS aired Shadow Dancer (2012) on October 20. A tense thriller, it is the story, set in Belfast, of a single mum who is given the choice of going to prison for 25 years or the option of spying on her family who are in the IRA and the chance of starting a new life. The young mum placed in the impossible position is played by Gillian Anderson, who is unrecognisable to her role in the X Files. Anderson was also excellent in the BBC crime drama TV series The Fall, which was also set in Belfast, starring alongside Irish actor Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades of Grey fame. She is American born but has British, German and Irish ancestry, so maybe that's the attraction of these roles.

On October 21 the powerful 2008 movie The Boy in the stripped pyjamas was broadcast. The film is based on the book of the same name by Dublin Author John Boyne. For something comic relief but still Irish in origin, the IT Crowd over on ABC TV, on Saturday nights, continues to be a favourite. Written and directed by Graham Linehan it has much of the ludicrous silliness of Father Ted and Black Books and the brilliant Chris O'Dowd as Roy. The IT Crowd might take a little bit to grow on you but once you get into it you will be hooked.

Tommy Tiernan was a guest comic on Live at the Apollo on October 26, on ABC. Tiernan is always fall around funny and a great example of Irish wit and humour at its best.

Finally, watch out for the return of Vikings on SBS in mid November.

Made in Ireland the latest instalment promises to continue the story with all the action and intrigue of the earlier seasons. If you haven't seen it yet give it a chance. If you have seen it before I will be preaching to the converted.

In Ireland... Above: Jackie Monaghan, Teresa O'Connor, cousin, Margaret Lawn and Paddy Monagan

PADDY 80

Paddy Monaghan recently celebrated his 80th birthday in Ireland and in Perth. We had Paddy's child migrant story in the magazine some month's ago about how he found his family after 70 years. Paddy was delighted that his cousin Teresa from Beleek Co Fermanagh made the trip to Perth to help his celebrate his birthday.

Happy birthday Paddy from all of us to you!

In Perth left: Teresa O'Connor, and Paddy Monagan

Paddy with family and friends at the Greenwood Hotei

Musical Entertainer / Teacher

David MacConnell

0413 259 547 0doublexx7@gmail.com www.maccdouble.com

55

President unveils memorial to women and children convicts in Hobart Once upon a time, the King decided he didn’t want to live on the same soil as criminals, so he established a penal colony in a far off land that would later be called Tasmania. Hobart Town was the main population centre. That was 1803. It was no fairy-tale back then.

Today, Hobart is a thriving city, the state capital of Tasmania; population c.220,000. It is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world, boasting lush vegetation, diverse wildlife, a long coastline and marvellous weather. A great place to live.

And Hobart has grown up! Gone are the days when people hid the ‘stain’ of a convict ancestor, many of whom had been transported for petty crimes, such as the theft of food, or coins; stolen to help a starving family; destitute people trying to survive.

So, when Uachtaráin na hÉireann (President of Ireland), Michael D Higgins, came to Hobart on the 14th October 2017, to unveil the life-size bronze sculptures of three women and one child - sculptures that represent the stories of women and children convicts, who arrived in Hobart more than 150 years ago - it was reason to celebrate.

Michael D spoke powerfully, his voice resonating across the waterfront, and to a large audience; a beautiful sunny afternoon.

Nearly 13,000 women, and 2,000 children, arrived in Hobart from Ireland between 1803 and 1853, torn from their families, after a bleak 25,000km journey, in the dark holds of ships, not knowing the future; hopeful for a new life. Some had small children. There was almost no hope of ever seeing their families again.

Michael D didn’t hold back on the history front, saying: “One hundred and seventy years ago, famine raged through the fields of Ireland. ‘Black ‘47’ [1847] was the nadir of the Great Hunger, An Gorta Mór, when the peasant population of Ireland was literally dying in the ditches.

Today I recall that terrible time in our nation’s history because not all who suffered died. Over a million people died of hunger and disease, but over 2 million were forced to leave their native land. The majority did so out of necessity, fleeing poverty, seeking a new life and a new hope in a new land.”

President Michael D Higgins with the Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner

The sculptures were created by renowned Irish artist Rowan Gillespie, who has completed companion works in Dublin and Toronto. On the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine, his Dublin sculptures gave a face to the suffering of the many starving people who fled from Ireland.

On the 160th anniversary, his Toronto sculptures depicted those who arrived there full of hope for a new life in a new country.

On the 170th anniversary, in Hobart, President Michael D said: “Rowan [Gillespie] did not need to imagine the women who were forced to make the perilous voyage. For he could meet them. I was particularly moved to learn that the models for Rowan’s sculptures are the descendants of some of these banished women, some of whom are with us here today”, and “These women and young girls, and the choices they made, shaped the world in which they lived. They were the founding mothers of Modern Australia. And so, it is fitting that we should remember them; and that we should celebrate them”, and “The women themselves had to survive their own incarceration and beatings, long hours of labour and harsh conditions in which they were housed. And they had to endure assignments to masters as bonded labour.”

Michael D reminded those present of the Connemara Cradle Song, made popular by singer Delia Murphy (wife of Ireland’s first ambassador to Australia): “May no one who’s dear to our island be lost, blow the winds gently, calm be the foam, shine the light brightly and guide them back home”.

The statues are located at the site of the convicts’ original disembarkation at Hunter Island, now the forecourt of the new MACq 01 Hotel.

Brian Corr 56

West Australian wisdom an aid to Ireland’s top diplomat in Washington

By Lloyd Gorman Ireland’s top diplomat to America is still finding his feet – but he will have more than a little bit of West Australian wisdom to help guide him into the role. After four years as the Irish envoy in London Daniel ‘Dan’ Mulhall, 62, made the move to Washington DC in September. Holding down the job of being the Irish government’s ‘go to’ man in the United States is no doubt one of the most challenging and rewarding positions in the Irish diplomatic service.

As a younger man and a raw recruit to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs he spent his first two years in Dublin as third secretary in its economic and development cooperation division. His first overseas posting came in March 1980 when he was sent to the Irish embassy in New Delhi. The fresh-faced junior diplomat from Waterford would be based there for three years, gaining valuable professional experience along the way.

But it was even more important to him on a personal level because it was during this time that he met his wife Greta. The Perth born woman was also on her first overseas mission with the Australian Foreign Service. As well as working in the same profession Greta also claimed Irish heritage. Her mother’s family, the Hennertys of Crossmaglen, County Armagh, left Ireland in the 1870s to seek their fortune in the Australian goldfields, without any luck.

After India, Dan returned to Ireland for some time but rose through the ranks and added service in other embassy postings such as Vienna (1987), Brussels (EU) in 1990, Edinburh (1988), Maylasia (2001) and Berlin (2009). A trained historian and prolific writer, in 1999 he published a book ‘A New Day Dawning: A Portrait of Ireland in 1900).

The London appointment started in September 2013.

Greta’s own career saw her work at the UN Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, the EU in Brussels and even a spell in the Australian embassy in Dublin.

Before Dan became the ambassador to the UK they both served four years in Germany.

The couple have two children, with their daughter, Tara, getting married to a Scot and lives in Edinburgh while Jason, her son, lives in London.

The Irish diplomat is ever mindful of the support from his West Australian wife if his final message (tweet) as ambassador to the UK is anything to go by. “My wife, Greta, joins me in expressing our thanks to the Irish community for the warm welcome we have received everywhere we have travelled,” he posted. “It has been a privilege for us to be part of this fantastic community over the past four years.”

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www.exportair.com.au 57

ULSTER

Rambles

with David

Show time in Ulster: THE SHOWBANDS Over the years I have written about magic musicians, artistic authors, famous footballers, athletes and eccentric entertainers all of whom were born or lived in Ulster in recent times. I hope some of you were interested in those articles. I have had lots of stories from Des, the amazing one from Belfast and Stan the man who hails from Dublin. Both of them played in bands in the seventies and both were able to pass on stories about the Irish Showbands. Between 1957 and 1972, more than 500 Showbands were active in Ireland, apparently working up to five nights a week, playing in ballrooms, dance halls and marquees, to crowds sometimes in excess of 1500. Names fondly remembered by those of us who have reached our half-century include The Freshmen from Ballymena, The Clipper Carlton from Strabane, Dave Glover’s Showband based in Newtownabbey, The Melody Aces from Newtownstewart, and Gay McIntyre’s Showband and the Johnny Quigley Allstars, both from Derry. However, for every top band, there were a dozen others who were working just as hard, travelling just as far, for less money and recognition.

In almost every small town and some villages in the 1960s local clubs ran their own Carnival of Dancing.

One of the largest was the CODA in Belfast’s Falls Road.

A six-pole tent was hired, a dance-floor installed, and some of the best Showbands in the country would be booked to play in the marquee for up to three weeks.

The standard of musicianship in Northern Irish bands was invariably high. They dressed well, included the latest chart hits in their programmes, and appeared slick and well-rehearsed. Two of the bus-

Looking to Hire a Car in Ireland?

iest promoters, Jim Aiken and Bill Carvill, organised gigs in Northern Ireland featuring southern bands, and Northern Irish bands were invariably well respected by their cross border counterparts. Stan the man reminded me about the sad story of The Miami Showband from Dublin which you can of course google if you are interested. The stories of this band alone would fill a small book; and of course the loss of Joe Dolan almost ten years ago to the day.

The Venues for the bands were extremely variable.

Though a few barns masqueraded as ballrooms, dance venues throughout Northern Ireland were generally well appointed, with excellent maple dance-floors, ladies’ and gents’ facilities (how original) and a mineral bar but no alcohol was served in the ballrooms so there weren’t too many drunks on the floor except for the ones who got well tanked up before entering!

Notable Belfast venues included The Boom Boom Rooms in Arthur Square, The Orpheus in York Street and Romano’s in Queen Street where Van the Man often played with ‘THEM’, whoever THEY were.

Other popular venues outside Belfast were The Floral Hall (Newtownabbey), The Flamingo (Ballymena), The Savoy (Bangor), Caproni’s (Bangor), The Locarno (Portaferry), The Embassy (Londonderry), Kelly’s [Portrush], The Strand (Portstewart), The Pallidrome (Strabane), The Arcadia(Portrush) and The Star (Omagh).

Due to being at a boarding school when I was a youth, I only attended Caproni’s and the Queens Court Hotel. Both were situated in Bangor Co. Down. We called it ‘Caps’ and it was my first introduction to Showbands.

I was amazed at the talent they displayed. There just seemed to be so many top musicians in the bands. A brass section, a woodwind section along with guitars, drums and the occasional keyboard/piano player along with a top singer or in some cases singers were always present. As far as I remember, they all played without music; a real change in those days. The ‘AD’ below demonstrates the different Showbands that would appear in one month.

www.dan-dooley.ie 58

I was informed that Strabane’s Clipper Carlton was generally accepted as the outfit that first put the ‘show’ into Irish Showbands. Formed in the late 1940s, at a time when dance-bands sat down, wore tuxedos, and played from sheet music on music stands, it wasn’t long before this exciting band decided to don lightweight tailor-made suits and visibly enjoy the music they played from memory. Within months they were packing thousands of dancers into halls throughout Ireland. Clipper Carlton remained at the pinnacle of Irish show business for close to 15 years, in the process encouraging hundreds of young musicians to form Showbands of their own.

The Dave Glover Showband first appeared at the opening of The Arcadia Ballroom in Portrush, 1953.

Their popularity increased dramatically, and they left the Arcadia in the early 1960s to concentrate on nightly appearances throughout Ireland. The Dave Glover Showband made more than 100 television appearances and over 400 radio broadcasts in their career.

Gay McIntyre started his Showband in Derry in the late 1950s. Included in the line-up were his brother Joe, trombonist Johnny Anderson, drummer Tommy McMenamin, and trumpeter and arranger Roy Adinall. Gay McIntyre’s Showband travelled throughout Ireland, and were regarded by dancers and musicians alike as being one of Ireland’s top five dance-bands.

One of my very own favourite bands was The Freshmen from Ballymena. They epitomised the divide between urban and rural Ireland, drawing their biggest crowds in cities like Belfast, Derry, Cork, Galway and Waterford. Fronted by Billy Brown and Derek Dean, they wrote and performed their own original material, and were noted for their brilliant vocal harmonies.

Another band I particularly liked was The Platters, later to be called The Plattermen. They originated in Omagh and were renowned for their brass arrangements and their exciting versions of American soul numbers, although they also covered current chart hits and country songs. Brian Coll and bassist Rob Strong were featured vocalists.

The Skyrockets began as the Cecil Kettyles Orchestra in Enniskillen in the 1950s. Like many top Showbands at the time, their programme consisted mainly of punchy brass arrangements of chart hits,

soul, Motown, Beatles, rock ‘n’ roll and big ballads. Vocalist Pat McGeegan from Clones represented Ireland in the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest in the Royal Albert Hall, London, with ‘Chance of a Lifetime’. He was placed fourth. How much has that show changed over the last fifty years!

Gene and The Gents, also based in Enniskillen, were formed by members of The Skyrockets and fronted by South African singer, Gene Chetty. Their guitarist, Henry McCullough, later became a member of Paul McCartney’s band Wings.

Derrick and The Sounds from Omagh was a young, vibrant pop band. Their singles proved extremely popular on national radio, and still stand the test of time today. made television appearances in Ireland and Britain, and also toured Canada and Germany.

The Witnesses were formed by six past members of Dave Glover’s Showband. Probably because they did not include old time waltzes or country music in their programme, preferring to play jazz, big band music, rock ‘n’ roll and chart hits, The Witnesses made a bigger impact outside of Northern Ireland than at home.

They may, however, be particularly memorable for their comedy hit, ‘Donald Where’s Your Trousers?’ featuring Harry Mitchell.

Other successful Northern Ireland Showbands include (in alphabetical order) The Banshees, Broadway, College Boys, Jimmy Compton, Encores, Exiles, Federals, Grenadiers, Gypsies, Harlequins, Manhattan, Martells, Matadors, Melotones, Monarchs, Presidents, Regency, Senators, Silhouettes and Strands, all in Belfast and lots more from the rest of the province. So, if you are looking for a name for your new band you could simply look up the names of the Showbands of Ulster and pick the one you like!

I could go on and on but as this is the Christmas edition of THE IRISH SCENE, I will spare you any more warbling. A very Happy Christmas from me and I wish you all a successful 2018. May all your wishes and most of your dreams come true.

God Bless.

David MacConnell 59

he could buy with his salary.

The telephone rang at the radio station and a caller asked him did he ever hear about the ‘marble jar’? The caller said it was proposed to him when he was 52 years old, and it went like this……

The average male lives until he is 75, and with 23 years left this was about 1000 weeks. He went into town, bought 1000 marbles and placed them in a large jar. Each Saturday he threw one out. As the contents of the jar began to go down he became more focused on the important things in life such as his family, their health, and making time for his friends and other important stuff like that. Today was Saturday and he had just thrown away the last marble.

The radio interviewer asked the man what he was going to do that day. He said that he was going to bring his wife a cup of tea to wake her up and then later they would go out for some breakfast, do some shopping, meet some friends for lunch, have a nap at about 3pm, and afterwards go into the garden to smell the flowers, listen to the birds and do a small bit of gardening. That evening he would read the paper, have dinner, and hopefully God would wake him up again the next day.

Watch the marbles go down and focus on what is really important to us. Life does not last forever and sometimes we have to be visually reminded of this fact.

Pull on the brakes now and then, step back, take a good look around, enjoy what you have and make the most of the time remaining.

Of course, if people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing rods!

The Marble Jar

More than ever, in our modern and fast paced society, it is important that we slow down now and again to take stock of what is really important in our lives. The following anecdote was relayed by a friend of mine who happened to hear it on the radio some years ago.

One day a very successful entrepreneur in his mid forties was being interviewed on the radio and was talking about all the millions he was making for the company he worked for, how busy he was, and all that

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Join LUB THE C

International Rules Game

Members Function

The Club Committee and Staff would like to invite all Irish Club Members to a Member's Evening on 22nd December from 6pm.

Nibbles and a complimentary drink with music will be provided. Please RSVP to 9381 5213 or email info@irishclubofwa.com.au .

PLEASE SUPPORT US TO KEEP THE CLUB GOING.

The Club will be open for food and drinks from 1pm on 18th November. Come along before and after the game for entertainment, food and competitive drink prices.

Christmas at the Club

we have a few places left for our Christmas functions package during December. Our package is $60 per person and includes Mulled Cider Reception, 3 course dinner and live Entertainment. To book contact 9381 5213 or info@irishclubofwa.com.au

The Irish Club is a members only club, and we welcome new members. Application forms can be downloaded from the website.

Closures

Please note our Kitchen will be closed from 7pm on 24th December and will reopen at 4pm on 25th January. The Club will closed from 25th December and reopen at 4pm on 4th January. Due to renovations we will only open Thursday to Sunday during January 2018.

REGULAR EVENTS at the club

Please Help

The Club needs a facelift and we need donations and labour to complete these works. If anyone has some time or dollars to spare please contact the Club on 93815213. We plan to do some work in January 2018 and any support would be appreciated. We will acknowledge all support via social media and newsletters.

Game of 25, Comhaltas, Irish Theatre Players Plays, Irish Choir, Irish Language and Dance Classes, Markets and much more.

Contact us to find out more – 9381 5213.

Membership please renew or consider becoming a member of the club for only $20. Call or email us for further information.

61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco Western Australia 6008 Phone: 9381 5213 • irish1@iinet.net.au • ww.irishclubofwa.com.au

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday

The Irish Club EVERY MONDAY A GREAT PLACE Trad Music & Irish Classes FOR A PARTY COMHALTAS

Functions & Fundraisers Contact Club:

Tel: 93815213

Irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

Music Lessons Set Dancing 8pm followed by the Seisiun Irish Language Classes 7pm

61

IRISH CLUB SENIORS

SENIORS’ LUNCH

FREE TEA & COFFEE

available upstairs every night

Ist Friday of the Month. $15 per person Bar open from 12.30pm.

Lunch at 1pm.

Bookings 9381 5213

AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2017

President: Hilary McKenna ADCRG Vice President: Eileen Ashley ADCRG Vice President & AIDA Inc Delegate: Teresa Fenton TCRG Secretary: Samantha McAleer TCRG Minute Secretary: Kara O’Dea TCRG Treas./Booking Secretary: Deirdre McGorry TCRG Venue Sec: Sinead Hoare TCRG Registrar: Caroline O’Connor TCRG Grade Exam Co-ordinator: Rose O’Brien ADCRG

SCHOOL CONTACTS

SCOIL RINCE NI BHAIRD Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG - 0427 273 596 SCOIL RINCE NI CEIDE/UPTON Subiaco, Wangara, and Pearsall Samantha McAleer TCRG Lara Upton TCRG Kalamunda 0409 474 557 EIREANN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Como, Jandakot & Rockingham Siobhan Cummins TCRG 0422 075 300 KAVANAGH STUDIO OF IRISH DANCE Osborne Park www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa McGorry TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Caroline McCarthy TCRG CELTIC ACADEMY 0403 211 941 Burswood & Karragullen Siobhan Collis TCRG celticacademyperth@gmail.com www.celticacademyperth.com O'BRIEN ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Butler, Ocean Keys, Connolly/ Ocean Reef and Karrinyup www.obrienacademy.com Rose O'Brien ADCRG Martina O'Brien TCRG 0423 932 866 / 0423 382 706 O'HARE SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Wembley Downs & Osborne Park Jenny O'Hare TCRG 0422 239 440 SCOIL RINCE NI A BHAIRD Fremantle & Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG 0427 273 596 THREE CROWNS SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE Wangara & Padbury www.threecrownsirishdancing.com Eleanor Rooney TCRG 0449 961 669 TRINITY STUDIO OF IRISH DANCING Morley - Eileen Ashley ADCRG Katherine Travers TCRG WA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Malaga - Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 9276 3737/0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 9377 5600

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. The 50th Australian Irish Dancing Championships were held in Adelaide from Tuesday 25th September to Sunday 1st October 2017. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, dancers from the Ceide/Upton, Kavanagh and Trinity studios performed a dance dedicated to the years 2000-2010 at the opening ceremony, a highlight of the event. Memorabilia through the years was displayed and the week was capped off with a golden Gala Ball on the Saturday evening.

AIDA WA would like to congratulate AIDA Inc on the anniversary and thank the members involved with putting on such a fantastic event.

The week saw WA produce some of its greatest results with 5 national solo champions crowned and 7 team titles won and. Congratulations to all teachers and dancers on a wonderful championship.

7 YEARS BOYS Australian National Champion: Charlie O’Connor Ceide/Upton 7 YEARS GIRLS Australian National Champion: Orna Cawley – Ceide/Upton 6th Sahara Donelan – Ceide/Upton 9th Georgia Western – Trinity 20th Torah Bradley – Ceide/Upton 22nd Eva McDonnell – Three Crowns 8 YEARS BOYS Australian National Champion: Scott Ryan – Ceide/Upton 8 YEARS GIRLS 15th Charli Bond – Ceide/Upton 9 YEARS GIRLS 9th Isabel O’Sullivan – Ceide/Upton 15th Zoe Cahoon – Kavanagh 19th Layla Barnes – Ceide/Upton 27th Zoe O’Connor – Ceide/Upton 29th Lia Young – Ceide/Upton 33rd Lene Brady - Kavanagh

16 YEARS GIRLS 10 YEARS GIRLS 9th Ceilidh McKeague – Ceide/Upton 20th Emily Rooney – Kavanagh 14th Isabella Campeotto – WA Academy23rd Hannah Ogilvy – Ceide/Upton 17 YEARS LADIES 18th Cassandra Perkins – O’Brien 35th Laoise McAleer – Ceide/Upton Australian National Champion Ciara-Mae Crone – Ceide/Upton 40th Natarsha Terrell – Kavanagh 2nd Ruby Driscoll – Ceide/Upton 41st Maeve Roberts – Ceide/Upton 3rd Caitlin Bone – Ceide/Upton 44th Tahlia Harris – WA Academy 7th Brittany Pymm – WA Academy 47th Fiona Linn – WA Academy 10th Maeghan Oldfield – Kavanagh 11 YEARS BOYS Australian National Champion: 18 YEARS BOYS Josh Johnston – Ceide/Upton 2nd Jeremiah Oliveri – Ceide/Upton 11 Years Girls 18 YEARS LADIES 26th Hannah Lane – Ceide/Upton Australian National Champion 27th Hayley Brooker – Kavanagh Dakota Courtney – O’Brien 39th Piper Ryan – WA Academy 3rd Brittany Tyson – WA Academy 43rd Phoebe Hogue – O’Hare 7th Aimee Chanter – WA Academy 12 YEARS BOYS 15th Brigid Lydon - Kavanagh 3rd Vaughan Cooper – WA Academy 19 YEARS LADIES 6th Joel Brooker – Kavanagh 5th Taylor Pymm – WA Academy 12 YEARS GIRLS 8th Ciara Stobbie – Ceide/Upton 2nd Caoimhe McGuigan – Ceide/Upton 9th Aisling Hillas – O’Hare 3rd Sinead Daly – Ceide/Upton 22 YEARS AND OVER LADIES 4th Jade Ryan – Ceide/Upton 6th Shannon Kennedy – Kavanagh 24th Maeve O’Reilly – Ceide/Upton 9th Sian Fitzgerald - Trinity 25th Heather Burke – O’Hare U10 MIXED 8 HAND 31st Stella Ashley – Trinity Australian National Champions 13 YEARS GIRLS Ceide/Upton 10th Medbh Flannagan – Ceide/Upton UNDER 12 MIXED 3 HAND 26th Niamh Mathers – Kavanagh Australian National Champions 14 YEARS BOYS Ceide/Upton 2nd Adam Robinson – WA Academy UNDER 15 GIRLS 2 HAND 14 YEARS GIRLS Australian National Champions 3rd Caoimhe McAleer – Ceide/Upton Ceide/Upton 16th Isobel Ashley – Trinity UNDER 15 GIRLS 4 HAND 23rd Lucy Burke – O’Hare Australian National Champions 26th Keely McGuigan – Ceide/Upton Ceide/Upton 29th Tara Collis – Celtic Academy OPEN AGE GIRLS 4 HAND 31st Hannah Hughes - Kavanagh Australian National Champions 15 YEARS GIRLS Ceide/Upton 7th Nancy Holohan - Kavanagh OPEN AGE GIRLS 4 HAND 8th Naoisa McNelis – Ceide/Upton 9th Caoimhe Van Osch – Ceide/Upton CHOREOGRAPHY 10th Jade McLaughlin – Ceide/Upton Australian National Champions Kavanagh 22nd Trinity Ryan – WA Academy OPEN AGE MIXED 4 HAND 23rd Darcy Guarzelli – Trinity CHOREOGRAPHY 24th Mollie Stenning-Alexander Australian National Champions Kavanagh Ceide/Upton 25th Billie-Jo O’Brien – O’Hare

Sr Brendan is Minister for Environment; Disability Services Deputy Leader of the Government in thecongratulated Legislative Council by the Italian PO Box 2440, SOUTH HEDLAND members WA 6722 of the SUPPORTIN THE WA G stephen.dawsonmp@mp.wa.gov.au communityIRIS H COM MUMITY (08) 9172 2648 • 1800 199 344 (toll free) 62

“Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit.”

6363

Claddagh Association Inc, 13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090 Crisis support: +61 403 972 265 All other enquiries: +61 8 9249 9213

CLADDAGH SENIORS WILDFLOWERS BUS TRIP

On Monday 18th of September 41Claddagh seniors were transported by coach from The Mighty Quinn Tavern in Yokine to Araluen Botanic Park in Roleystone, 30k from Perth. It was a beautiful spring day, just right for such a trip. Upon arrival the wonderful Claddagh volunteers set up tables in an undercover area. We were free to

wander around the gardens, and enjoy the magnificent display of tulips and other springtime flowers. In this delightful setting, we then enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by the Claddagh volunteers. This included brown bread, scones and apple pie provided by Hetty’s Scullery Irish Baked Goods. After lunch we could sit and talk or do more exploring of this haven of beauty. For our entertainment there was a roaming musician playing a string instrument.

In the amphitheatre a male singer with a great singing voice entertained visitors with a variety of beautiful songs.

These outings bring together older Irish members of the community who might not ever normally meet.

It is interesting to share experiences with others who have similar migrant tales to tell. Because of the wonderful efforts put into these outings by Claddagh Association volunteers, who giving willingly of their time for the benefit of senior members of the Irish community, a great day was had by all.

Marie Moloney

CLADDAGH SENIOR’S NEWS

On Sunday 22 October the Claddagh Seniors attended a Sunday lunch at the Woodvale Tavern followed by the movie “Mystics” starring Milo O’Shea. Staff provided the seniors with a two-course lunch which was voted by all as delicious. The management were very accommodating to our group and made them feel special. A notice at the entrance advised that this event was for the Claddagh Seniors with the Claddagh logo, nice touch. Thank you to the management and staff of the Woodvale Tavern. Our next Seniors Event will be on 19th November 2017, when we will attend the matinee of the ITP production of The Factory Girls at the Irish Club Our schedule of events until July 2018 are as follow: 11 Dec 2017 Christmas Celebration Lunch @ The Mighty Quinn

Bookings: 345 3530 or 0417099801 15 Jan 2018: The Mighty Quinn, information session/morning tea 12 Feb 2018: Trigg Beach Reserve, sausage sizzle with activities 12 Mar 2018: Irish Club of WA Pre- St Patrick’s Day event.

9 April 2018: Moore River, picnic bus trip May 2018: Irish Theatre Players play matinée at the Irish Club June 2018: CY O’Connor museum Fremantle 23 July 2018: The Mighty Quinn, Christmas in July lunch.

More detail when dates are arranged.

Thank you to all our Seniors who have attended the special outings and we look forward to your company in Crisis support: 0403 972 265 2018. Claddagh Seniors Committee

Pictured: L-R Tom Quinn, Carl Holmes, Marie Holmes and Peter McKenna

THANK YOU!

To Carl and Marie Holmes and Masonmill sincere thanks for your kind donation $12,000 to the Claddagh Association.

Your generousity knows no bounds! Go Raibh Math Agat!

64

WEEKLY SESSION

Seán Doherty Branch

Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music and dancing world wide.

Page Sponsored by: Reid’s Bootmakers

EVERY MONDAY AT THE IRISH CLUB

Come and learn a tune 7pm in the committee room or join in the session.

There is also set dancing most Mondays about 8.30 pm. It’s great fun, beginners welcome.

From the President...

MUSIC CAMP We had the Music Camp in October and the turn-out was excellent. Kids had a great time thanks to Marina for all the movies and games organised, also thanks to thanks to Fiona for her cooking lesson, the kids loved it Also the support of all who helped with the food and cleaning up after is always appreciated. We also acknowledge the support of all the musicians who gave their time up to give lessons, without you all we wouldn't be able to have the camp. The Music Camp Saturday night Session is always a highlight and brings to end a great weekend for everyone who attended.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE On the 11th of November is our Fundraising Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings in Subiaco if anyone would like to help out they would be most welcome and can call me on 0488149382 anytime.

CHRISTMAS WIND-UP We will be having our Christmas wind up sometime in December and will let everyone know the date in the next couple of weeks.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING We also had our AGM in October where most of the committee were voted back in again and we welcome the new committee who have joined us.

THANK YOU JOE MAHON Thanks to Joe Mahon of Reid's in Albany Highway who continues to sponsor our page in the Irish Scene. If you need a remote and shoe repairs contact Reid's (see ad below).

Yvonne Jones, President

For news updates visit: www.facebook.com/perthcomhaltas

65

GRISCIPLINE

People often forget about the importance of the stepping stone of starting the specific behaviour or activity (joining a martial arts class, deciding to not have a chocolate bar at lunch with your cappuccino, the very start of practicing a speech) and from their developing habits. The formation and consistent and engagement of habits are critical in developing grit and a comprehensive mental and physical skill set. Further from here you discover that continuous learning and constant improvement is imperative for taking something one step at a time in develop skills, knowledge and interests.

A mate (Gavril D’Souza who has completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology) and I have put together a survey and found that people who have an accountability buddy or mentor to share the journey and having conversations about your current position, determining what works, what isn’t working and your overall progress.

Further suggestions from the survey were that traveling the world and recognising we are all part of the universal village; ties in with being active within your local community, acting on the principle of giving back to people and places, passing on your knowledge, skills and time to work on something greater or outside yourself. It was further identified that having a sharp laser focus on what you can control (time and effort you spend on exercising and reading, how much water you consume, what time you wake up at in the morning) From my perspective the key finding from the survey was to first and most importantly show up, take action and responsibility for your life and do not give up on the first, second or 23rd obstacle!

Ciarain Hoey

It seems in the modern era people are struggling to maintain grit and sustainability when sticking at goals across various aspects of their life.

Some of the rising concerns nowadays seem to be the escalating addiction to consumerism and growing disparity between the rich and the poor; getting to the stage of people staring at their phone in uncomfortable situations and not taking responsibility for their actions as these behaviours do not provide instant access and immediate gratification. Leading to people not feeling comfortable and confident to ask for help or assistance

Peter and Sheila Geraghty

Peter Geraghty RIP

Local WA GAA supporters will mourne the passing of Peter Geraghty. Peter returned to Ireland some years ago having lived in Perth for a number of years.

Peter, from Shrule, Co. Mayo passed away after a long illness at St. Vincent’s Hospital Dublin on October 2017, aged 64 years. He was a great GAA man and a founding member of the local St Finbarr’s club.

Sean O’Casey shares his memories of Peter…

"Peter shared a house with me back in the late 70s and was part of St Finbarr’s from their foundation in 1976 to 1979. A fine corner back who was fearless in the tackle he was an automatic selection in many winning St Finbarr’s teams over this period. He worked as a painting contractor in Perth and also up north mainly in Pt Headland. He married Sheila Keane a member of the well-known Irish family of Keane’s from Armadale. He returned permanently to Ireland with his wife Sheila and new born son Brendan in 1980. As his friend of many years I also had the pleasure of being best man at their wedding and am godfather to their oldest son Brendan. Taken from his family and friends far too early at 64 while enjoying his semi-retirement in his beloved Shrule Co Mayo, may he rest in peace!"

To his loving family, wife Sheila, sons Brendan and David, daughter Linda, daughter-in-law Ann, son-in-law Adrian and grandchildren Matilda and Clodagh and new baby Georgia, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sistersin-law, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends our deepest condolences.

Slan a Chara!

66

Giblett Forest

The Noongar meets an

Irishman

We had just arrived from a Noongar wheat belt funeral, with our shiny late model Holden sedan we drove off the bitumen past Pemberton and into Greenland and Giblett forest.

We arrived early morning, he in his suit coat and white collar shirt among people half-dressed with feathers in their hair.

Barefooted, they held hands in a circle and he looked at them from afar, hesitant and uncomfortable.

Then an Irishman with his lilting Dublin accent suggested we follow him down off the gravel clearing and into the green understory of karri oak to where the giant Marri they called Lunar stood, and there at that foot of that tree, hesitant to show what the Feral took for granted, that Noongar man reached out.

With his full hand spread wide he touched it with his palm and fingers, all five fingers gripping with nails like a possum might, the blood stained knotted coat of bark before him.

And then, scanning the feathered, beaded and dreadlock

folk, with their pierced bodies and spiralling tattooed backs, arms and half-naked torsos he led the way back toward the clearing, but not before the long-haired soft spoken Irishman had spotted a doe kangaroo sitting on our path ahead, and we stopped.

We stood there in silence, as if waiting for the Noongar to first articulate some gesture known only to him and his people, but he did not say a word and stood transfixed like the rest of us, who remained silent.

Nothing was said but the strangest of sounds came from that lilting Irishman’s tongue and lips, some Feral sound, song and talk perhaps, that only an Irishmen and his kind might know, but whatever he said that doe acknowledged, nodded and scratched.

And he moved, slow but with intentional steps, he walked and continued walking while the rest of us stood watching and waiting half expecting that doe to jump away, but it didn’t.

And he, still making his lilting sounds that soft speaking Irishman walked right up to that wild doe, so close he could have stroked her ears and nose.

Standing there the two of them

seemed to converse in some ancient tongue while the Noongar and the rest of us, looked on. Then he and that kangaroo parted and went their way and he said this for their meeting: “She might have been ill”!?

But I knew what the others didn’t, that this Irishman lived on a hill surrounded by bush and lazing kangaroo and of course he knew their talk – how else could he have got so close?

When we got back to the clearing and the feral throng once again joined hands to sing their song the Noongar looked on with a certain admiration, but all the while he would say with unease, when are we leaving? Can we leave now, please!

Author: Timothy McCabe, Noongar language studies, Curtin University WA.

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67

ISN’T SLEEP WONDERFUL On a rare visit to Dublin I decided to go to the pictures. I bought ice cream, sat down and the film began. Next thing I know I have excruciating pain in my right side. I stand up intending to go outside.

I never make it. A man is shouting “Get up you drunken bastard”. I tell him the truth. “I don’t drink alcohol” I say as pain escalates. A woman calls an ambulance.

On my way to the hospital I’m told that my appendix has burst. In the ward I lapse in and out of a coma. This is apparently not good. The ward sister comes and says, “We have to operate on you now and I’m giving you a little jab in the arm”. The injection hurt so much that I honestly felt that she had chopped off my arm with a blunt axe.

Then I started feeling very calm. Morphine does that.

I’m put on a trolley and as I’m taken from the ward a strange thing happens. I sail up to the ceiling and when I get there I somehow turn around and look down at myself on the trolley. I begin to laugh and wonder how I did that. It felt magical. The porter and the nurse say that the morphine has that effect. I don’t remember getting to the theatre.

Next thing I know is that I am starting to wake up. I hear nurses say, “He died on the table”. I feel sorry for him until I realise they are speaking about me! I open my eyes and say. “Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated”.

“He’s mad”, the nurses say.

At this stage, not caring whether I’m dead or mad, I fall asleep.

After two days on the surgical ward I’m told there are complications. “You can’t go home just yet, we are transferring you to another ward”.

I end up in a much smaller ward with five cardiac patients. This is bad news as they suspect cardiac trouble. That night a patient produces six bottles of Guinness. We all finish our drinks and bottles are collected. The first drink I ever had gave me courage. I get dressed and climb out of a window.

I find the main gate and scale it with great difficulty. Myside hurts and it is wet.

As I walk past Mountjoy jail I feel ill. It is 2am. A Garda stops me. “What are you doing at this time outside a jail” he asks. “I’m going home” I say. Then we both notice blood on the pavement. It is mine.

I arrive at Store Street Station with my right shoe full of blood and a Western Australian drivers licence as my only ID. This did not augur well for me. I tell them the whole story.

“That’s the trouble with them foreign films” the sergeant says. “They never lead to anything good”.

A box of paper clips is produced. They are applied to my wound. “You’ll be ok now”, I’m told.

“A cousin of mine knows a nurse from Cabra, so I know what I’m doing”. He comes with a whisky breath far more potent than morphine.

“Anyone who can climb a hospital gate in your state could be great at soccer” he says. “Do you think you might be free to play for us on Sunday?” Just as I’m about to laugh I realise he is serious.

“Absolutely” I reply to his satisfaction. I pass out again.

I wake up back in the hospital. There is a very well fed nun kneeling at the foot of my bed. She is rattling rosary beads and chanting prayers for me.

Another nurse arrives with a huge hypodermic syringe. There is a long very dangerous needle attached. I am rolled on my left side.

“I’ve no sympathy for a big man like you” she kindly says.

“Just what I need” I tell them jokingly.

“Insulting the medical profession by using dirty paperclips on your wound has caused an infection” is said. “A course of penicillin will clear it up”.

I lie and tell them I have private health cover and I will take a taxi to a private hospital. Eventually they relent and, like a bat outa hell I head for home. Two days later I am on a plane heading for Perth. I slept all the way.

Isn’t sleep great!!!

Dermot Corwell

Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 Hillarys WA 6923

info@mckeefamilyfunerals.com.au www.mckeefamilyfunerals.com.au

Tel (08) 9401 1900 • Fax: 9401 1911 • Mob: 0413 337 785 68

The Aras - a little bit Australian Áras an Uachtaráin - the official residence of the Irish president - in Phoneix Park, Dublin has a little bit of an Australian and even New Zealand heritage in its DNA. The original building had 95 rooms and was built in 1751 by and for the park ranger but the British government bought it in the 1780s as the summer residence (away from Dublin Castle) for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and would be occupied and used by the Crown up until 1922 when the Irish Free State was established, after which the building (the Vice Regal Lodge) was still used as the home of the Governor General of the Irish Free State until 1932 when it was left empty.

Two big developments would restore the fortunes of the building.

The new Irish Constitution was adopted by referendum in 1937 and one of the changes it brought was the establishment of the office of President, to be elected for a seven-year term, to carry out duties such as appointing Taoisigh, receiving ambassadors and presenting government ministers with their seals of offices. The constitution also stipulated that the President would have ‘an official residence in or near the city of Dublin’. Áras an Uachtaráin A History of the President’s House tells us that the new Irish government was opposed to that residence being the former Viceregal Lodge and looked around for an alternative. Another option still had not been found

By Lloyd Gorman

by the time the first President was elected and Douglas Hyde was to occupy the Lodge - renamed Áras an Uachtaráin - as a temporary measure. World War II broke out the following year and the matter of where the President should live was shelved. A plan to demolish and rebuild it was also put on hold. President Hyde saw out his full term in the ‘temporary residence’.

“By the time President Sean T. O’Ceallaigh succeeded him in 1945, the Government had changed its plans and a major refurbishment programme was begun,” states the history book. “It was overseen by Raymond McGrath, the Australian born chief architect with the Office of Public Works.

Over the following decade, the improvements included substantial reconstruction of the formal public rooms, including the creation of the Lafranchini Corridor, and the importation of 18th century ceilings from Mespil House in Dublin which was about to be demolished to make way for new apartment blocks. McGrath also rebuilt the west wing of the house to provide larger living quarters for the President and his or her family, and created on the first floor an oratory and a gallery to display historical photographs. He also designed carpets for the State Rooms which were handwoven by Donegal Carpets in Killybegs. The house and estate have continued to be developed by the Office of Public Works

69

over the years.”

McGrath was a fascinating character and a talented artist. As well as being an architect he was a gifted illustrator but also designed wallpaper, clocks and electric appliances and wrote books on modern house design and glass in architecture and decoration. He also worked in hand knotted carpet manufacture and his designs were used in the floors of Irish embassies in London, Washington, Paris, Rome and Ottawa.

His father was from New Zealand and he was born in Sydney. He set up shop in London in 1930 but came to Dublin ten years later and was appointed senior architect at the OPW where he would head up the organisation until he died, in 1977.

A History of the President’s House also reveals that Michael D had something to do with the Aras long before he was elected President, in 2011. “In the late 1990s while President Higgins was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for Heritage, he had ultimate responsibility for the ceding of 13 hectares of land from Áras an Uachtaráin to the neighbouring Zoological Gardens for its African Plains extension, following a Government decision to that effect, consultation with the public, and with the agreement of the then President.”

Inspired by an old Irish custom, President Mary Robinson had a light installed in an upper window of the Aras as a sign of welcome and remembrance of the Irish diaspora.

Let me be

say” you remind me of” or “you sound just like him” and that is a great compliment. A few years ago, a good friend Chris Edmund and I spent the whole evening in a bar as Michael Caine. We even ordered our meals as Michael Caine and we had so much fun “not a lot of people know that’ etc.

In 2002 my wife asked me if there was anything I wished to see on Broadway in New York, as we would be there for Christmas. I scanned the Internet. “Frank Gorshin as George Burns in “Say Goodnight Gracie”.

I said, I not only want to see Frank Gorshin, I need to see him! And as always, my wife Barbara makes things possible for me she bought tickets to the show. Okay so the night before the show I had a dream. I dreamt I met Frank Gorshin and I said to him you were the only guy who could impersonate Lee J Cobb (who was a great actor in his time) and Frank said in my dream” Really”?

Okay so the night of the show, I’m beside myself with excitement. My wife could and couldn’t understand it all in the same time. I had told her about Gorshin and how he was so much better than Rich Little another talented impersonator. We walk in to the theatre, I grab one of the ushers immediately shoving twenty dollars into his hand “Hey what are the chances of actually talking to Frank Gorshin? “Well, he said, he usually steps out into the alley after each show for a cigarette I can leave the gate open” I watched the show and Frank standing there performing a one- man show really was George Burns! After the show I went around the back and the gate was indeed opened. I walked through and there was my legend under a light looking so much older than I imagined smoking a cigarette Mister Gorshin?

“Yeah” “I just wanted you to know I’m a big fan of yours. I always have been” “Thank you. Did you enjoy the show?

“Yes, very much. I have been a fan for years. I saw you in the film The Great Imposter” with Tony Curtis.

He said, “Jeez that was a lifetime ago” “And Warlock with Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn” “That was a long time ago” “You were the only guy who could impersonate Lee J. Cobb” He pulled on the cigarette and said, “I was, wasn’t I” My dream had become a reality.

I asked him to sign my playbill, which he did and I walked away from this great man but I held on to the memory because memories are what we cling to and Frank Gorshin is someone I will never forget. He’s not with us anymore but he will always stay with me and as I find myself impersonating someone I wonder why my teachers had no sense of humor at all.

FRANK

By Noel O’Neill

Imitation is supposed to be the highest form of flattery but when I imitated my teachers in school I soon found out that they were not flattered. First lesson in school was “to imitate was to irritate” which lead to a caning, which consisted of six strokes of the cane on the fingertips of the hand I didn’t write with. I might say now looking back that I belonged to the “beat generation” because at school everything was either beaten into me or out of me. On this note I’d like to say a word or two about my favorite impersonator Frank Gorshin. Some of you might remember him as “The Riddler” in the old batman TV series but I remember even earlier. When Frank Gorshin came on the TV in the good old days on The London Palladium to impersonate Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster from The Gunfight at the OK Corral and Richard Widmarks snicker from “Kiss of Death”, and a host of others I would take up the mantle around our broken house and walk into the kitchen as James Cagney and demand my tea “Well Ma how about it? How about you make the tea or you’re gonna get it see, right between the eyes! This was always followed by gales of laughter to the point where whenever we had a birthday party I was asked to get up and impersonate someone, Bogart, Cagney or anyone else that I could mimic. I loved Frank Gorshin, he brought out every detail of an actor’s persona. I watched him in many movies and TV shows and always came away with something I could hold on to, some gem that I could work on. I look at these old movies now and I can see Frank Gorshin and what he picked up along the way and what I picked up. To impersonate you have to have an ear for it like music. If you have what they used to call a tin ear then you just will never realize how badly you sing well it’s the same with accents or impersonations, it’s all in the ear. Then of course you master the mannerisms and before you know it you have people

Fall in love with what you're going to do for a living.

To be able to get out of bed and do what you love to do for the rest of the day is beyond words.

I'd rather be a failure in something I love than be successful in something I hate.

George Burns 70

rish Recipes from Marguerite's

CHRISTMAS PLUM PUDDING

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us, and nothing beats the flavour of homemade Christmas pudding, so start stirring now. It is very important to get good quality fruit. The advance preparation now will make things easier at Christmas but, apart from that, the tastes will be so much better if made now.

Ingredients Makes 2 x 1.2 litre (2 pint) puddings 50g (2oz) plain flour 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground cloves 175g (6oz) fresh white breadcrumbs 175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar 175g (6oz) raisins 50g (2oz) currants 225g (8oz) sultanas 50g (2oz) candied mixed peel 50g (2oz) blanched almonds, chopped 1/2 apple, grated (core discarded) ½ small carrot, grated Finely grated rind & juice of 1 lemon 175g (6oz) butter, melted, extra for greasing 1 egg, lightly beaten 300ml (1/2 pint) stout 1. Sift together the flour, mixed spice, nutmeg and cloves. Add the breadcrumbs, sugar, raisins, currants, sultanas, mixed peel, almonds, apple, carrot, lemon rind, lemon juice and melted butter and mix until well combined. Gradually add the beaten eggs, stirring constantly followed by the stout.

Mix everything thoroughly and cover with a clean tea towel, then

leave in a cool place overnight 2. Use the fruit mixture to fill 2 x 1.2 litre (2 pint) greased pudding bowls. Cover each one with a double thickness of greaseproof paper and tin foil, then tie tightly under the rim with string. Store in a cool, dry place.

3. To cook, preheat an oven to 130C (250F), Gas 1/2 and stand each pudding basin in a large cake tin three-quarters full of boiling water, then cook for 6 hours (or you can steam for 6 hours in the usual way). Cool, re-cover with clean greaseproof paper. Again, store in a cool, dry place.

4. On Christmas Day, re-cover with greaseproof paper and foil. Steam for 2-3 hours until completely cooked through and tender. _________________________________________

CREAMY FISH PIE WITH PRAWNS

Ingredients Serves 4 - 6 900g mixed firm-fleshed fish fillets, such as blue emperor (fresh or smoked, undyed), hake and salmon (skinned & boned) 350g raw peeled prawns, veins removed 675g potatoes, cut in chunks 600ml milk 300ml cream 1 bay leaf 175g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 1 onion, finely chopped 75g plain flour 175ml dry white wine 2 leeks, trimmed and thinly sliced 6 tblsp. chopped fresh mixed herbs, such as parsley, chives and dill Salt and freshly-ground black pepper 1. Place the potatoes in a pan of 71

boiling salted water, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender 2. Meanwhile, place the milk in a small saucepan with 225ml of the cream and the bay leaf. Add the fish fillets and poach for 3-5 minutes until just tender. Transfer to a plate with a fish slice and set aside until they are cool enough to handle, then flake into bite-sized chunks. Strain the poaching liquid through a sieve into a jug.

3. Melt 50g butter in a large non-stick pan. Add the onion and cook gently for 4-5 minutes until softened but not coloured, stirring occasionally. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Pour in the white wine and allow to reduce, then add the reserved poaching liquid, a little at a time, whisking continuously after each addition.

Reduce the heat and stir in the leeks. Simmer gently for 6-8 minutes until the leeks are softened and the sauce has slightly reduced and thickened, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the herbs and prawns and season to taste.

4. Drain the cooked potatoes and return to the pan for a couple of minutes to dry out, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent the potatoes sticking to the bottom.

Mash the potatoes. Beat in the remaining butter and cream.

Season to taste.

5. Lightly butter an ovenproof dish that is at least 30cm in diameter and add a couple of tablespoons of the sauce. Scatter over the poached fish, then spoon the remaining sauce on top to cover completely.

Allow a light skin to form, then carefully spread over the mashed potatoes to cover completely.

Smooth over with a palette knife and fluff up with a fork. Grill until completely heated through and the potato is bubbling and golden.

Serve straight from the dish onto warmed plates at the table.

Marguerite O’ Dwyer Pantry Dolls 0415 723 380 www.facebook.com/pantrydolls/

Great Days for the Irish Diaspora in Perth

By the time you read this the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will have returned to winter in Ireland, while we welcome our Summer sun as the Earth’s inclination daily turns us like a spit on a barbecue towards the warmer weather we are all waiting for.

Didn’t Perth really lay out the welcome mat in a very big way for the Presidential visit! Our Association was proud to be involved with all the other Irish organisations in showcasing our involvement in presenting a programme of cultural activities, which delighted the President and his party.

All the associations involved are to be congratulated on the enormous efforts they put into the events they organised. The Board of the AIHA knows only too well that the time, and one has to say the expense, in dealing with a visit of such importance required patience, flexibility and burning of midnight oils, to achieve the outstanding outcomes that resulted.

The Presidential party were effusive in their praise for the many varied cultural events they attended and remarked on the extent of the organisation and

Australian-Irish Heritage Association effort required to present such a programme.

History Talk - Thurs Nov 30th at 7.30pm – entry free ‘If these ancient stones could speak’

Many people who visit Ireland usually find their way to the fourth millennium ancient Irish mounds of Newgrange. Knowth and Dowth. The visitors no doubt, have wondered at the inscription on the huge stones which decorate the oldest buildings in Europe, which were built one thousand years before the Pyramids and Stonehenge.

Over the centuries archaeologists have tried to interpret the meaning of the artistic ornamentations which have been carved into the stonework. Some very interesting conclusions have been drawn.

Would you believe that these Irish ‘stone masons’ produced the first physical evidence of a yearly calendar, a thousand years before other ancient civilisations. Denis Bratton hopes to expand your knowledge on this topic.

FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB

Meets fourth Tuesday of the month with exception of December.

AIHA Committee with President Michael D Higgins and Sabina

Irish Club Committee Room 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Tuesday, November 28 at 8pm.

Book: ‘The Third Policeman’

by Flann O’Brien presented by Maureen Hart Admission: Free. All welcome.

Light refreshments provided. Tea & coffee from the Bar Contact: Maureen on 9279 5959

Brendan Award Presentation

This will be held at the Irish Club, Subiaco, on Sunday 3rd December at 3 pm

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL GATHERING

on Tuesday 13th December in a member’s garden in Kensington, South Perth at 7pm Open invitation to join our book lovers for an evening of cutlets, schnitzel (or BYO), salads and desserts, drinks, Kris Kringle ($10 max) – to be distributed by Mrs. Santa Claus, and some light games.

There is no book review on this evening.

BOOKS FOR 2018: Jan: ‘Nora Webster’ by Colm Toibin.

Feb: ‘The year of Wonders’ by Geraldine Brookes.

Fiona Mariah MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DUE 1st January 2017 Family membership $65 Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive events, quarterly Journal, voting rights, and opportunities to participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage AIHA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT President: Denis Bratton Vice Presidents: Frank Murphy & John Sullivan Secretary: Tony Bray Treasurer/ Membership – Patricia Bratton Committee: Eleanor Nolan, Carmel Ryan, Heather Deighan, Patrick Gaffney

72 72

Another Sense of Ireland. The Revisit.

Frank Murphy Writer and Director reflects back!

It all comes down to having a concept of narrative that will push the individual items along in one continuous stream. That is the dream.

Once that is in some way inlaid on the windmills of the mind, then one has to really dig deep, so that it appears as though we dip in and out of centuries, tarrying a while here, for a song or a dance or a piece of poetry that will contextualize a specific item.

I was blessed that Samantha McAleer mentioned to me right at the beginning, way back in May, that there was a St. Patrick Dance that she had devised.

This wonderful uplifting piece had to be to be right at the top, as our springboard.

The moment I saw this in rehearsal I knew that Sam was so right. Always is.

Last year’s focus had to have 1916 and Mise Eire front and centre for context and centrality.

This one had me searching and yes...challenged. I did visit a production of an original drama on Ledwidge in Dublin earlier this year, and I was really impressed. On the flight home the image of Noel O’Neill and the Martin O’ Meara play, “Under any old Gum Tree” leaped out at me. I had not at all forgotten the scene where Martin had cried out in primal yearning for fields of poppies instead of fields of blood. I could not wait to get back

to Perth and meet Noel. He knows that business and that lonely pursuit so well! He was immediately on board.

Months later I am in John Spurling’s studio. All the speciated images are cranking.

We craft and mould over hours. Tommy O’Brien would sing that heart wrenching song

by Dave McGilton, From Collie’s Banks to No Man’s Land.

The evening was beginning to take shape. We are still deep in the trenches.

But like all shows there has to be flow, continuity and context.

Early morning rehearsals with both Nyomi Horgan and Gerry Gannon are well in the frame and begging for script. These two consummate professionals worked, tweaked and take ownership of the words and I began to see a tiny chink The tapestry was beginning to have light and shade.

Somehow endeavouring to walk through nearly 1,600 years in one hour and forty minutes was starting to become a tiny reality.

One very wet night I went with Gerry Grogan to a rehearsal of Perth Male Voice Choir in a Community Centre in Beaufort Street and I had one request, that they would sing the Brendan Graham ‘You Raise Me Up’ and yes, they did.

I knew that this would be the Finale. It had been so popular on Fremantle Radio’s, Song for Ireland. But Sabina Higgins had also been on Song for Ireland. Calls had to be made. Lots of calls, and the welcome approval to re run Sabina’s Molly Bloom was given with total generosity, as Joyce allowed us to come home from the 73

trenches and discover womanhood and beauty and real bodily needs. I am forever grateful to Sabina and Helen Carney.

The Orphan Girl was to be Fiona Rea. How she took complete ownership of the Brendan Graham lyrics and told us her story will always linger. One solo spot, one guitar.

The painfully exhausting days spent with the ever patient Janice Bonham, my PA who was ever willing to watch as I draw from countless collections of verse and poetry, searching for just that elusive specific quote have come to an end.

Patricia Bratton adds the Lighting cues. Rob Zielinski is well down the road with all sound specs. We are viewing searing images, as he plays ‘All The Fine Young Men’ by Bogle.

Adrian Maydewll is well out of the trenches and in ‘The Sally Gardens’.

Fiona Mariah is ready to bring us down to ‘Marble Halls’ with a series of surreal images to enhance.

The Healy’s have revisited the sea with that special song to Charles Yelveton O’Connor. Ormonde is cranking up the pipes somewhere in a dressing room. There is no going back. We are on the gravy train.

Arthur O’Shaughnessy gives us a friendly nod. We are about to become ‘ the music makers and the dreamers of dreams’ But we have to nod in gratitude to Richard Mathias, Steve Rea, and Fiona Mariah for slipping in with clavinola and Claire Wynne and Melville theatre.

The Choir has had one run through. Simone Bishop smiles. Andrew Angel tinkles the ivories. Someone mentions that the audience is about to enter. My inner soul begs for one final sequencing check. Gerry Gannon welcomes the Uachtaran. While there is no red carpet, we have the tapestry to lay before all!

AN NOLLAIG

Mí láir an gheimhridh in Éirinn agus an mhí dheiridh den bhliain.

Trí lá saoire a bhíodh in bhféile na Nollag – lá Nollag ar an 25ú lá, lá Stiofáin nó lá an Dreoilín ar an 26ú lá agus lá fhéile Eoin soiscéalaí ar an 27ú lá.

Tá trácht ag go leor scríbhneoirí agus sa bhéaloideas ar Lá an Dreoilín. Théadh buachaillí óga amach roinnt laethanta roimh an Nollaig ag fiach dreoilíní. Ar an 26ú lá théidís ó theach go teach agus dreoilín i mbarr craoibhe acu ag iarraidh airgid nó sólaistí éigin ar mhuintir an tí. Chanaidís véarsaí amhráin faoin dreoilín. Tá an nós beo i gcodanna den tír i gcónaí, cé nach maraítear dreoiliní na laethanta seo. Bíonn buachaillí agus cailíní óga páirteach ann anois agus gléasann siad i mbalcaisí éagsúla nó in éide déanta de

An Ciarrí Carúl Nollag

(The Kerry Christmas Carol) The poem is an evocation of an old Irish custom in which each household would leave a lighted candle in their window on Christmas night.

There was a pious belief that Joseph and Mary and the Child still wandered the roads of the world, looking for a place to rest from the persecution of Herod. That they should show a preference for the roads of rural Ireland was accepted as a given. le Caoimhghín Ó Brolcháin

If you search YouTube and type in "The Kerry Christmas Carol" you will hear the music to this poem. The words also fit the music: "Greensleeves"

thuí. Bíonn ceoltóirí ina measc agus déanann siad mórshiúl trí bhailte ar nós an Daingin in gCo. Chiarraí.

Cineál lá saoire a bhíodh sa 28 Nollaig freisin – Lá na Leanaí – is é sin cothrom an lae a meastar gur mharaigh Héaród na leanaí fadó.

Thugtaí Lá Crosta na Bliana freisin ar an lá sin, an ceathrú lá i ndiaidh lá Nollag. Níor cheart obair nua ar bith a thosú Lá Crosta ná níor cheart pósadh an lá sin, cuir i gcás. Cibé obair nua a bhunófaí an lá sin, ní leanfadh pioc den rath é go brách arís. Deirtí go leanfadh an mírath sin tríd an mbliain go léir.

Ní bhíodh aon mhórcheiliúradh in Éirinn oíche Caille ná lá Caille sa tsean-am. Níor aithníodh lá Caille mar an chéad lá den bhliain go dtí gur athraíodh an féilire in 1752. Ó thaobh an dlí de, ba é an 25 Márta an chéad lá den bhliain go dtí sin in Éirinn, sa Bhreatain Bheag agus i Sasana. Níorbh ionann an scéal in Albain, áit a raibh nós na Róimhe i réim agus arbh é an 1 Eanáir an

chéad lá den bhliain. Ceaptar gur as Albain a tugadh cuid de na nósanna a chleachtar in Éirinn oíche Caille.

Thugtaí Oíche na Coda Móire ar oíche Caille in áiteanna. I gCiarraí, mar shampla, bhíodh coinnle ar an mbord don tsuipéar agus cístí milse agus cístí rísíní agus béile mór, le hiasc nó feoil dá mbeadh sin ar fáil.

Deirtí le páistí a ndóthain a ithe mar nach mbeadh greim eile le fáil acu go ceann bliana. As sin a tháinig an t-ainm ‘Oíche na Coda Móire’. Thugtaí bullóg rísíní nach mbeadh aon ghreim bainte aisti don té ab óige (nó d’fhear an tí, in áiteanna) le bualadh i gcoinne an dorais – lena chinntiú nach mbeadh ocras sa teach an bhliain dár gcionn. (Leabhar Laethanta – Donla uí Bhraonáin)

SEANFHOCAL

Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éigin.

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh go léir!

Scuab an t-urlár agus glan an teallach, Translation 's coimead na grísaigh beo, Ar eagla go dtiocfhaidh siad anocht, Brush the floor and clean the hearth, Agus an domhan 'na chodladh go suan!

And set the fire to keep, they might visit us tonight Ná múch an coinneal ard bán, Ach fág é lásta go geal . For When all the world's asleep!

Go mbeidh siad cinnte ar aon go bhfuil fáilte is fiche roimh cách Don't blow the tall white candle out Sa teach ar an Oiche Nollag naofa seo!

But leave it burning bright, So that they'll know they're welcome here Léig amach ar an mbord, arán is feoil, This holy Christmas night!

Agus braonín bainne don leanbh.

Agus beidh beannacht ar an dtine Leave out the bread and meat for them, Agus ar an té a bhruith an t-arán And sweet milk for the Child, Agus ar an lamh a dhéin an t-obair dian.

And they will bless the fire, that baked Beidh Naomh Iósaef túirseach,Tar éis an turas fada. And, too, the hands that toiled.

Agus aghaidh Mhuire fann, bánghnéitheach For Joseph will be travel-tired, Agus beidh néal codlata aca.

And Mary pale and wan, Sar a n-imthígheann siad arís.

And they can sleep a little while Before they journey on.

Beidh túirse na mbóthar fada ortha Agus seans aca a scíth a ligint, They will be weary of the roads, Ó's iomai an míle fada uaigneach And rest will comfort them, Atá roimh an dtriur aca For it must be many a lonely mile Uaidh seo go dtí Beithil.

From here to Bethlehem. Ó is fada an bóthar 'tá le taisteal aca, O long the road they have to go, Agus é idir garbh is mín The bad mile with the good, Agus Cnoch Chalvaire mar ceann scríbe aca, Till the journey ends on Calvary Agus chroise adhmad indan.

Beneath a cross of wood.

Ná cur ar an ndoras ach an laiste anocht!

Leave the door upon the latch, Agus coimead na gríosaigh beó And set the fire to keep, Agus guí go mbeidh siad fén ar ndíon anocht And pray they'll rest with us tonight Agus an domhan 'na chodladh go suan.

When all the world's asleep.

74

Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland

My thanks once again to Fred Rea for allowing me the opportunity to send a Christmas message to the Irish Community in WA.

PRESIDENT HIGGINS AND SABINA HIGGINS

I hope you enjoyed the visit of President Higgins and Sabina Higgins to Perth. At every event the enthusiasm and warm welcome for the President was a joy to behold. I was particularly delighted at the lengths President Higgins and Sabina went to ensure that all those who wanted to shake hands or have a photo could do so. If Richard Matias took your photo at the UWA conferral the photographs are available on our website.

President Higgins made it very clear to me that there was no way Perth would miss out on his visit. Whilst all concerned were keen to ensure Perth was included the length of the trip and the distance involved meant there was some consideration given to excluding Perth. President Higgins said it was vital he visit Perth given that WA has long been a home away from home for the Irish- particularly so during the recent financial crisis.

President and Sabina were delighted at the very warm and kind welcome they received during the visit.

My thanks to all those who worked tirelessly to make the visit such a success, particularly: • Premier Mark McGowan for the great respect, welcome and kindness shown to the President and Mrs Higgins.

• The Presiding Officers of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, Dr Mike Nahan, leader of the Opposition and the Honourable Stephen Dawson for facilitating the President’s address to Parliament-the First Head of State to do so.

• Kings Park • Fremantle Prison • Fenians, Fremantle & Freedom Festival 2018”- make sure you don’t miss it.

• Dr Brad Pettitt, Mayor of Fremantle and Mr Mike Lefroy • Everyone at GAA for such a fantastic welcome and successful Australasian games • The City of Subiaco, Fred Rea and the Irish Famine Memorial Committee for such a wonderful memorial organised in record time. Please donate if you can.

• Mr Michael Chaney, Chancellor of UWA for honouring President Higgins with an Honorary Doctorate and for hosting a wonderful reception.

• Frank Murphy and the AIHA for Another sense of Ireland.

WE ARE MOVING From 4 December 2017 the Honorary Consulate will be located at 165/580 Hay Street. Our contact details remain the same.

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Richard and I wish one and all a very happy Christmas. On behalf of the Irish community in Perth I wish to thank the many selfless people who contribute to the welfare of the Irish in need and those who contribute to the sporting, business and cultural lives.

I would also like to wish Ambassador O’Caollai and Carmel a happy second Christmas in Australia. My thanks and appreciation to our colleagues in the Embassy, particularly Liz, Eamonn, Graham and the passport team.

Last but not least my thanks to Lynda and Yvonne for all their tireless work at the Honorary Consulate.

I hope you can take the time to relax, reflect and recharge during the break.

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Richard Matias, Michael D Higgins and Marty Kavanagh

JOAN ROSS

This year saw the retirement of the truly amazing Joan Ross after so many years of selfless and generous leadership and commitment to the Claddagh. Our community and those in need have benefitted enormously from Joan’s leadership and dedication. On behalf of a very grateful Irish community in Perth may I thank Joan for an amazing effort through the decades.

My sources tell me that a single figure golf handicap, lots of travel and more time with the grandchildren are very much on the cards for Bill and Joan. Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat.

Richard Matias presenting a copy of his book to Michael D Higgins & Sabina Higgins

Perth Office: 165/580 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6004 Tel: (08) 6557 5802 - Fax: (08) 9218 8433 Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Website: www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 - 2.00pm by appointment only 75

MAKING AMERICA GREAT

Thanks to their pioneering spirit and true grit, the Ulster-Scots were the bedrock on which Colonial America was established.

John Hagan describes the contribution of four such émigrés who created manufacturing empires in their adopted homeland.

THOMAS AND SAMUEL KINGAN

JAMES GAMBLE

Born in Enniskillen (1803) and a pupil of Portora Royal School, James Gamble and his family emigrated to America in 1819, mainly due to financial hardships experienced in Ulster. His father hoped to settle in Shawneetown, Illinois, but after spending most of their money on reaching Pittsburgh, they were forced to take a boat down the Ohio River to reach their destination. During the trip, James became ill, and in order to get medical treatment for him, the family disembarked in Cincinnati, where they took up permanent residence. On his recovery, James was apprenticed to a soap maker, William Bell, who took the young James under his wing teaching him the craft of soap making over the next eight years. By now an expert tradesman, Gamble decided to strike out on his own and began producing soap which became popular along the Eastern seaboard of the United States.

In 1837, Gamble met English candle maker, William Procter, when they married sisters, Elizabeth and Olivia Norris. Their new father-in-law, Alexander Norris, encouraged his sons-in-law to work together and, on 31 October 1837, Procter & Gamble was established. By 1859 P&G sales of soap, soap products and candles, had topped $1 million. During the American Civil War, the company won contracts to supply the Union Army with soap and candles, which introduced military personnel from all over the nation to P&G products. Gradually they built factories in other parts of the United States and began to diversify the product range to include Crisco, a shortening made of vegetable oil rather than animal fat.

As the wireless became more and more popular in America, the company sponsored a number of radio programmes and, as a result, these shows became commonly known as ‘soap operas’. Procter &Gamble is now one of the largest manufacturing operations in the world, associated with such well known names as Fairy, Gillette, Oral B, Vicks and Pantene. In 2014 the sales of P&G topped $83 billion. James Gamble died on April 29, 1891, and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati.

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Like James Gamble, Thomas and Samuel Kingan’s new business prospered thanks to Union Army sales during the Civil War. Thomas and Samuel were born near Ballynahinch (County Down) in 1824 before emigrating to America. Following fires at the first two factories which they established, the brothers moved to Indianapolis, where in 1863 they opened their third meat processing plant.

This five storey, stateof-the-art operation, like their two previous factories, burned down due to the work of arsonists.

Having learned from previous experiences, this time the brothers had the new factory insured and were able to quickly reopen.

The Kinghans installed the most advanced equipment available, including the use of refrigeration, which they pioneered. This innovation boosted sales as it allowed their pork packing business to operate all year round.

In 1873, the brothers purchased a competitor company on the other side of the railroad tracks and joined the two factories by constructing an underground tunnel.

In 1875, they merged their business with that of Belfast firm J & T Sinclair to form Kingan & Co., one of the largest meat-packing operations in the world. By the end of the 19th century, the Kinghan Indianapolis plant spanned 27 acres. When Thomas Kingan died in 1906, his business partner WR Sinclair, moved from Belfast to manage the US operation. Five years later Samuel Kingan also died, leaving the business to be managed by the Sinclair family. Kingan & Co. remained one of the world’s largest meatpacking companies for over a century.

Ann Bannion RIP

The Gathering in Wanneroo lost one of its members in October, Mary Ann Dunnion. Ann was originally from Strabane, Co Tyrone and was a beautiful gentle lady who enjoyed joining us each month.

Thank you to Tony McKee of McKee Funerals for organising the funeral service.

CHARLES KNOX

Known as ‘Knox the hatter’, Charles Knox, born in Ramelton (Co. Donegal) in 1817, founded what became the world’s largest hat manufacturing company. Knox was 13 years old when he and his younger sister, Margaret, left Ireland to join their parents, who had settled in New York two years previously. During the voyage, their ship was badly blown off course and the two children ended up in Delaware – 120 miles (192km) from their parents. ‘How do you intend to get to New York’? the ship’s captain asked young Charles. ‘We’ll walk’, was the reply. And they did. The journey took over two weeks with the children sleeping in barns and doing chores for food along the way. Charles’ first job in New York was as an errand boy; later he gained an apprenticeship with Leary & Co., New York’s most famous hatters. In 1838, he resigned from Leary & Co. to found his own hat manufacturing company in Lower Manhattan. By the middle of the century, Charles Knox owned the largest hat manufacturing factory in the world. His store on Broadway was often described as ‘the most elegant establishment of its kind in the country’. Twenty three US Presidents wore Knox hats, including Abraham Lincoln whose trademark ‘stovepipe’ topper was designed and made by Knox.

Thanks to his promotional genius and large advertising budget, Charles Knox amassed a large fortune and real estate portfolio, which included 28 private New York houses, three city hotels, a farm and 33 acres of land in the Bronx. Knox hats existed until the Great Depression, when in 1932, America’s three largest hatters all merged to become the Hat Corporation of America.

Charles Knox died in 1895 and was buried Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

Her cheeks they are a rosy red, her hair a lovely brown And o'er her lily-white shoulders it carelessly hangs down She's one of the fairiest creatures in the whole of Ireland And my heart it's captivated by the Flower of Sweet Strabane.

Bail ó Dhia ort

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Every Tuesday: Guinness $6 from 6pm

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Reviews by JOHN HAGAN THE NINTH HOUR

by ALICE McDERMOTT

It’s Catholic Brooklyn in the first part of the 20th century. On a wet, dull, winter afternoon, a depressed young Irish railway worker, recently fired from his job, turns on the gas in his shabby apartment and takes his own life. He leaves behind his pregnant wife, Anne, who, in order to survive and raise her daughter (Sally), obtains a job doing laundry in a local convent run by the Little Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor. The nuns, particularly Sister Lucy and Sister Jeanne, take Anne under their wing, allowing her to accompany them into the homes of Brooklyn’s sick, poor and wretched inhabitants.

The Ninth Hour traces Anne’s life, together with that of Sally and Sally’s children as Brooklyn, and its social conditions, change. Despite embarking on her own novitiate journey, Sally eventually lapses in faith but is still able to express her tolerance and love even while taking care of the crabby, belligerent, one-legged Mrs Costello. We follow the work of the Sisters as they seek to compassionately influence the lives and fates of their flock, and those who live around the convent, as they seek to alleviate poverty and sickness.

I must admit that I have not read any of National Book Award winning McDermott’s previous seven novels, but there is no doubting her capabilities for developing illuminating prose, imagery and intricate structures as evidenced in this book. She faithfully, and delightfully, portrays 1940 and 1950 Brooklyn, but also describes, in some detail, life in a Catholic convent and the work of its residents. The limits of love, sacrifice and forgiveness, over the three generations, are explored with extraordinary sensitivity and lucidity by an author at the top of her game.

The Ninth Hour is published by Bloomsbury. $24.99

I AM, IAM, I AM

by MAGGIE O’FARRELL

Maggie O’Farrell and I have at least one thing in common – the town of Coleraine (Co. Londonderry). I spent six years in boarding school there, but had long since left for university by the time O’Farrell was born in 1972. In this memoir, sub-titled ‘Seventeen Brushes

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With Death’, O’Farrell evocatively documents a series of near, and not-so-near, encounters with the Grim Reaper.

She seemingly has almost twice as many lives as the proverbial cat. Originally written, not for universal readership, but for her daughter who suffers from a severe immunology disorder and for whom death is an everyday possibility.

When she was eight, O’Farrell herself contracted encephalitis which rendered her bedridden for over two years and it was a further year before she could walk and feed herself again. The illness has resulted in lifelong coordination and balance problems. While incapacitated, she recalls being visited by sex abuser Jimmy Saville; luckily “nothing bad happened; he just gave me a present”. (As this encounter does not appear in the book, obviously O’Farrell doesn’t consider it to be a ‘near death’ experience).

Author of seven previous novels, I AM is O’Farrell’s first work of non-fiction. Each chapter is titled as part of the body - stomach, spine, lungs, intestine – and so on, highlighting that part of her corpus which was most at risk at the time. For example, in the ‘Throat’ chapter, O’Farrell describes how, on a walk in Chile, she was seized from behind by a robber who held a machete to her throat, demanding money and valuables. For me, the most chilling chapter (‘Neck’) is the first chapter in the book. While on a student vacation, O’Farrell is employed in a hotel, doing a menial cleaning job. To catch some air and exercise, she decides to take a walk around a nearby tarn where she encounters a creepy stranger who engages her in conversation placing the strap of his binoculars around her neck. Sensing danger, she talks her way out of the situation, but later reports the incident to the local police who treat her with distain. Two weeks later, at the same tarn, a 22 year old female, New Zealand backpacker, is raped and strangled with a binocular strap.

In this memoir, O’Farrell has stripped herself of the storytelling apparatus of previous novels, although what I found somewhat unsettling, but nonetheless absorbing, is that the narrative reads as if O’Farrell was a fictional character in her own life. This is an elegant, easy to read publication, with short chapters, and while it may focus on colourful incidents in O’Farrell’s life, the subtext is clearly that we should be aware of the fine membrane which separates life and death.

I AM, I AM, IAM is published by Tinder Press. $29.99

A Message from President,

Claire Wynne GET INVOLVED!

Irish Theatre Players are official community partners of Act-Belong-Commit. We actively encourage positive involvement in local community. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life to join us and help out in whatever way you can.

What we do

“Friends of ITP” and these are members who don’t necessarily want to “commit” to the “committee” but are more than happy to help out if and when they can.

Like for example, Sandi Buckley. She’s pretty good a marketing, social media etc, so she’ll dip in and help us out when we need it; Brian O’Donovan – he started acting with us about 2 years ago, but if he’s not in a play he’ll happily come in and help out building the seats or selling raffle tickets – just don’t let him near the tea.

Maybe you have a few nights to spare here and there and you’d like to help us out serving tea & coffee to our audiences, or selling programmes on the door. Fancy being an usher and showing people to their seats?

Maybe you’ve got a strong back on you, and wouldn’t mind helping us set up the seating at the start of a season (and break it down afterwards!).

Yes, we are a theatre group, so primarily our aim is to produce 4/5 shows every year here at The Irish Club – but that’s not all we’re about!

What we want to do

We want to encourage people to get involved and get active in their community! Being an Irish group, we understand that maybe you’ve moved from Ireland and are missing your group of friends or family around you.

Or perhaps you’re here in Perth a long time and fancy re-connecting with your Irish heritage and having a bit of craic. The actual shows are just one aspect of what we do. It’s not just for “theatre types”! We encourage volunteers to join up from a social aspect.

How we do it

The structure of the Irish Theatre Players Inc is as follows; We are a registered Non-Profit Incorporated body. As such, we are managed by a Committee of nominated Volunteers.

President: Claire Wynne (interest in Costumes, Set Design, Graphic Design) Vice President: Caroline McDonnell

What we need

(interest in Acting, Directing, Reading Plays)

Treasurer: John Spurling

(also our ‘Tech Guy’, no interest in Theatre, just likes playing with lights!)

General Committee: Liz Quigley (likes writing plays and doing costumes & set) Shannon Murphy (Makeup Artist, so that’s handy) Kim Scott (no interest in Theatre but just likes a challenge!)

Most importantly, the committee are supported by our members and volunteers. We have a group we call

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MEMBERS We are an officially incorporated non-profit, which means to legally exist (and for insurance purposes) we need official members. You can join online www. trybooking.com/SQLY or via our website. It’s just $25 per calendar year, which also gives you 10% off all ticket prices and VIP invitations to all ITP shows and Members’ Events. Memberships for 2018 are now available online.

VOLUNTEERS If you think you’d like to help out – just a little, or quite a lot – get in touch! All ages, sexes, nationalities etc – all welcome! We’ll think of something for you to do!

COMMITTEE MEMBERS We’ve got our AGM coming up in January of 2018.

We’d love new members to join our committee. You’d be surprised at the diverse range of skills we need, so if you think you’ve got something to offer then come along! We would much prefer a larger committee to spread the workload and expand our reach, so you and your ideas would be more than welcome! Check out our website or facebook for info on the AGM dates & times.

Ideas If you’ve written a play, don’t be shy! Send it in! We’ve got a Reading Sub-Committee that read all plays that are submitted. We short-list any plays they like, and then bring a total of about 10 to a Reading Group on occasion and see how they read/what people enjoy.

That’s all it takes to get your play performed here at the ITP! Or maybe you fancy acting - come along and audition next time, what’s the worst that can happen?!

Linda Catherine Launders 1968 - 2017

It is with great sadness we heard of the passing of Linda Launders.

Our thoughts and prayers are with loving husband Ciaran, Sarah and Martin; Rita, Adair and Susan.

May God walk with you all and comfort you in this time of great sorrow.

Rest in Peace

GET IN TOUCH: itp@irishtheatreplayers.com.au GENERAL INFO: www.irishtheatreplayers.com.au SHOWS & UPDATES: www.facebook.com/irishtheatreplayers VOLUNTEERS/FRIENDS: www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofITP 2018 MEMBERSHIP ONLINE: www.trybooking.com/SQLY

I am living in Australia and I have property in Ireland. Can I make a will in Australia dealing with my Irish property?

Yes. However, appropriate legal advice is essential as a poorly drafted will dealing with foreign property may cause problems for those left behind after your death.

For advice please contact Leo Barry

Family Friendly • Family Lawyers 1/100 Terrace Road EAST PERTH WA 6004 T: (08) 9218 8422 F: (08) 9218 8433 E: reception@kavlaw.com.au W: kavlaw.com.au

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WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc.

FROM GALWAY TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA Almost 165 years ago about 60 impoverished young women left the Mountbellew Workhouse on two sailing ships, the Palestine and the Travancore. They were sent to make a new and healthier life in Western Australia, leaving their families, probably never to see them again. For the past 15 months the Irish Special Interest Group of the WA Genealogical Society has been liaising with the Mountbellew Workhouse Restoration Project in eastern Galway to help discover genetic and genealogical links between Galway locals and the Western Australian descendants of these young women.

The Travancore sailed from Plymouth with 232 passengers on 1 October 1852, arriving in Fremantle on 13 January 1853. One hundred and fifteen of the passengers were unmarried young women, mainly from Ireland, 30 from Mountbellew Workhouse. Two months after the Travancore sailed, the Palestine also departed Plymouth with 223 passengers, arriving in Fremantle in April 1853. Twelve passengers had died and six babies were born on the long journey. On the Palestine were 33 women from the Mountbellew Workhouse - which had only just been completed.

Officially An Gorta Mór - the Great Hunger - was over, but its impact lasted. The hope of a better life drew these women to Australia, while the Swan River Colony wanted young women to bring more civilised behaviour to the predominantly male residents of the colony. The young women travelled with a guardian by road to Dublin and from there sailed to Plymouth on the south coast of England, where they boarded the Palestine or the Travancore. These and others were known as “bride ships”; the young women soon found work and husbands.

At Mountbellew today a team of volunteers is engaged with restoring the building, while another is looking at the family history links between living descendants of the young women sent to Western Australia from Mountbellew in 1853 on these two sailing ships and their potential cousins living in Ireland today, particularly in the areas of western Ireland around Mountbellew, Caltra, Castleblakeney, Moylough and Newbridge. A commemoration at Mountbellew is planned for May 2018 and a television production company is

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interested in recording the stories. Although these young women were called orphans, not all were without both parents. They had come from a background of poverty and deprivation.

As part of connecting Irish and Western Australians related to the Mountbellew women on the Palestine and Travancore, DNA testing has brought several great successes so far.

You’ve probably seen the TV adverts for DNA testing. By providing a cheek swab (Family Tree DNA) or a saliva sample (Ancestry) the DNA in the genes of your cells is analysed and com-pared with all the others who have taken a DNA test. The degree of matching between your and others’ DNA indicates how closely you are related. By tracing back the records and oral history a common ancestor can often be identified.

(Not always).

For example, I discovered a 20 centiMorgan DNA match with an F Talbot. By comparing both of our family trees we could see that we shared great X 4 grandparents, John Noble Talbot and Mary Chappell, making us 5th cousins! I was over the moon because this was my first Irish DNA match. She lives in Dublin, where I knew my great X 4 grandparents had lived, and still carries their surname. So there is real excitement in making contact with even distant Irish cousins with a DNA test confirming the connection.

The Mountbellew DNA project is some ways easier.

The common ancestor is known (the young women on the bride ships). The project is involved in finding people descended from these young women in Australia, and descendants of the relatives who remained in Ireland, linking the living cousins together.

If you believe that one of your ancestors travelled to Western Australia on the Palestine or the Travancore from Mountbellew Workhouse in 1852 and are interested in taking part in this project contact the Irish Special Interest Group (details below) or the Mountbellew Workhouse project’s Paula Kennedy E pkpaulakennedy@gmail.com or Martin Curley E martinjcurley@ gmail.com or www.facebook.com/SoghainGenes The Mary Ann Taylor Travel Box project and the Irish Famine Commemoration event in York in May 2016 identified a number of Western Australians descended from Mary Ann Taylor, who came on the Palestine. The Irish Famine commem-oration events in

May 2017 brought together descendants of Bridget Mulqueen who arrived on the Travancore and of sisters Elizabeth and Mary Carbury who arrived by the Palestine.

Don’t forget to go and see the new permanent WA Irish Famine memorial sculpture in Market Square, Roberts Road, Subiaco, unveiled on Monday 9 October.

MORE.....

Pictures and history of Mountbellew Workhouse www. workhouses.org.uk/Mountbellew/ Looking for ancestors of orphan workhouse girls who emigrated to Australia in 1853, https://tintean.org. au/2017/02/06/mountbellew-workhouse-project-2/ Rica Erikson’s book The Bride Ships was published locally by Hesperian Press in 1992. www.hesperianpress.com/index.php/booklist/ titles-a-d/b-titles/53-bride-ships Copies available at public libraries and WA Genealogical Society

traditional counties of Ire-land. The first six are already available on the Irish SIG website at https://tinyurl. com/irishsig

We’ll be showing you our new subscription to the Roots Ireland records database, how to use the Registry of Deeds resource, and find digitised unindexed records at FamilySearch, the Latter Day Saints free website.

We’re also holding the Four Courts MeMórial lunch again in June 2018 to remember the valuable Irish records lost in the fire and explosion in the Public Records Office at the Four Courts Building Dublin, in 1922. Not all was lost, but it’s helpful to know what was and what wasn’t lost.

New members and visitors are welcome. Please come along with whatever you know about your Irish ancestors. There will be time to discuss them. Gold coin donation for afternoon tea.

Wishing all readers Nollaig shona dhaoibh!

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh!

Jenni Ibrahim Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group, WA Genealogical Society

IRISH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

The last meeting for 2017 of the Irish Special Interest Group of the WA Genealogical Society was on Sunday 15 October. Cate Pearce, Convenor of the DNA Special Interest Group spoke about how DNA testing can help your Irish family history research. In 2018 we’ll hear presentations from members who have some Irish DNA success stories to share.

Meetings for 2018 start at 2pm, and will be on the following Sundays: 21 January, 15 April, 15 July and 21 October. In January we plan to launch some Móre County Research Guides, introductions to searching in

6/48 May Street, Bayswater 6053 Phone 9271 4311 Email irish@wags.org.au WA Genealogical Society http://membership.wags.org.au Irish Special Interest Group page at WAGS https://tinyurl.com/ irishsig Online Irish SIG Forum http://membership.wags.org.au/forum/ irish-sig (free registration, open to anyone) Join in the conversation or ask a question on the WA Genealogical Society’s open Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/FamilyHistoryWA/

The Craic in the North!

Pub grub, plus trivia, live music and sports, in a boisterous Irish tavern with outdoor seating.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am–11pm Fri: 11am–12am Sat: 11am–12am Sun: 10am–10pm

Merry Christmas one and all!

bia maith I Fionn Maith I amanta maithe

Joondalup 9300 9966 paddymalones.com.au

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CORONAS

IRISH KINGS OF MUSIC

by Paula Xiberras

Last week I spoke to Danny O’Reilly of Irish band The Coronas about their forthcoming tour of Australia. Its early morning in Dublin and Danny wants to know if the weather is warming up in Australia. He’s yearning for the Aussie climate after the recent storms and flooding in Ireland. Danny tells me he has not yet been to Tasmania but says Australia is a great country.

The Coronas have a big following among expat Irish here in Australia, but Danny tells me their fan base among non -Irish Australians is growing, in essence, they are breaking through with their brand of accessible indie rock.

If you are wondering about the name of the band, it’s not in honour of the Irish beer of the same name but instead draws from a brand of typewriter. A fitting name for the reflective writing of the band. In fact, Danny tells me he has noted a difference in his writing style. In his twenties that style was quick in capturing the words on paper in his thirties it’ become more thoughtful, issue driven and less prolific, hopefully he says it’s become a case of quality over quantity beginning with the chords and melodies and then the lyrics along with the input of the other guys.

Danny tells me his initial career intentions were a commerce degree with the aim of continuing music as a

hobby but music was in the genes with his mum a singer and so he was seemingly destined to be a musician.

The power of being a musician is evidenced in a story Danny tells me about one of the band’s early songs.

‘Ghosts and heroes’, which was essentially about the bands own journey to fame, but they never envisioned what their audience would take from it. Danny tells me he has been approached by some fans who see the song as the story of their romantic journey with their other half and so the song is employed as a wedding song!

Incidentally another meaning of the word ‘corona’ is taken from a visual effect of the sun and it’s corona.

It originates from the Latin meaning ‘crown’. It might truthfully be said that the guys from The Coronas, in their journey to fame are worthy of wearing the crowns of Irish Kings of Music.

You can see Danny and the CoronAs at the following days and venues Saturday 25th November – Metropolis, Perth. https://tickets.oztix.com.au

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Universities United

UCD meets UWA

By Lloyd Gorman

About two weeks after President of Ireland Michael D Higgins received an honorary law degree from the University of Western Australia, another Irish president visited the university’s Crawley campus. Professor Andrew Deeks, president of University College Dublin (UCD) was in Perth to reach out to graduates of the Irish college and share news and updates about developments at Belfield as part of a compact Australian tour that also saw him travel on to Melbourne and Sydney. UCD has an estimated 2500 graudates in Australia, of which about ten percent are based in Perth and Western Australia. A sizeable number of ex-UCD people turned out for the October 23 event in UWA’s University Club, which was

was also something of a homecoming for the professor.

Born in the UK in 1963, his family emigrated to Perth in Western Australia when he was six. He was educated at the University of Western Australia where he received a first class honours degree in civil engineering in 1984. He became a leading expert in computational mechanics; specifically in the scaled boundary finite element method, which is a semi-analytical approach for solving elastostatic, elastodynamic and allied problems in engineering. He is also highly respected for his research work in structural mechanics, structural dynamics and dynamic soil structure interaction.

After completing his Masters degree he worked in industry briefly

Irish President Michael D Higgins with UCD President Professor Andrew Deeks

before returning to UWA to pursue his PhD and an academic career in 1988. His PhD thesis was entitled: a ‘Numerical analysis of pile driving dynamics’.

In a 2014 interview with the UCD based University Observer newspaper, the professor said he “decided to go back and basically never left.”

The academic became Winthrop Professor, Civil and Resource Engineering, in 2004 and was Head of School from 2004 to 2009. As Head of School, he created a new model for industry involvement in the school, significantly improved the student experience and dou-

bled student numbers. His successful development of partnerships with industry and government bodies led to his election as a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Dr Deidre O'Connor Australia. He developed a range of international partnerships and joint programmes, notably with Chinese universities.

In 2009, Prof Deeks joined Durham University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Science. In that role he led the development of the university’s global presence strategy and extensive international partnerships, particularly in China and Brazil.

Between about 2011 and 2012 the number of undergraduate international students entering the Science Faculty at Durham University has increased by 140%.

On January 1 2014, Professor Deeks took up the presidency of University College Dublin, Belfield, becoming the first Australian to lead an Irish university, and only the second person from outside Ireland to lead the University since its founding rector, John Henry Newman. He succeeded Dr Hugh Brady who was president of UCD for ten years and who went to the University of Bristol to take up a similar role.

UCD’s student newspaper The College Tribune ran the fittingly appropriate headline to its story about his appointment: “New President in the Lodge”, a reference to his Australian heritage and the traditional residence of the Australian Prime Minister in Canberra.

Dermot Gallagher, Chair of the Governing Authority welcomed his appointment. “Andrew Deeks has an impressive track record of leader-

UCD Alumni at UWA

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ship roles in the university sector,” Mr Gallagher said. “UCD operates in a competitive international arena and his expertise and knowledge will help us to strengthen our national position while maintaining an active outward-looking focus.”

By sheer coincidence another UCD academic was also at UWA that week – in fact the next night - to give a free public lecture – So Far, So Good? Social Farming and Wellbeing: insights from Ireland – in the Fox lecture theatre.

Deirdre O’Connor is with the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin and is a UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellow.

The lecture explored recent developments in social farming in Ireland in a comparative context and consider how the lessons learned and insights gained might usefully transfer to other settings.

“Social Farming offers people who avail of a range of social/health services (including mental health, physical/intellectual disability, elder care, among others), or who experience social marginalisation, the opportunity to engage in the farming and related social activities of their communities,” she said in a flyer for the talk.

“This opportunity is offered through the medium of ordinary farms and families acting in partnership with service providers and the people who avail of these supports. It provides such groups of people with an opportunity for inclusion, increased self-esteem and improved health and well-being.

Social farming also creates an opportunity to further connect farmers with their local communities through opening up their farms as part of the social support system of their locality.

While the practice of using horti-

cultural or agriculture-related therapies to support vulnerable people in Ireland has a long history, traditionally, these services were offered within an institutional setting.

The idea of linking a family farm with social, health or care services, in order to provide service users with a social farming experience, is a relatively new concept in Ireland. At the same time, there is growing recognition of, and interest in, this family-farm based model in Ireland, informed and inspired by successful practices, policies and institutional supports which are emerging across Europe and further afield.”

As well as being a lecturer and researcher at UCD’s agriculture department Dr O’Connor sits or has links on a raft of Irish and European Union farming related bodies.

UCD was home to another meeting of Australian and Irish minds recently.

The UCD Bowl was the setting for the opening game of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in August. It was a tight and hard fought match which ended with a 19-17 win to Ireland.

In receiving his honorary doctor-

Nicole Black from UCD speaking at the event

ate from UWA President Higgins referred to his own university career and the fact he had spent a lot of time associated with University College Galway.

He first entered UCG as a mature student in 19632 and served as President of the Student Council and went on to become a popular and respected lecturer in sociology and policts. He is also an adjunct professor at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, which is based inside UCG. In accepting the honorary degree President Higgins also spoke about John Winthrop Hackett – the Irish founder and first Vice Chancellor of UWA – and how it was a testiment to him and successive generations that UWA is now listed within the top 100 universities in the world.

Happy 85th Birthday to Tom Kearns...

Celebrated with family, friends, good food and music!

85 85

Another Sense of Ireland

Malmalling Vineyard Durty Nellies

John Elkin's 80th

IWAF Meeting

Happy 60th Paul North

Wake at JB's 86

Dermot Byrne

The Irish Quiz Wiz! a.k.a. Dermot from Lesmurdie on ABC radio Nightlife program.

As we are coming up to the festive season I would like to wish one and all a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year. As it is the Festive Season I thought we might try a few questions about Christmas.

1. If you were born on Christmas Day what would your star sign be?

2. Who was the author of the book A Christmas Carol?

3. Christmas falls on what day this year?

4. What day was it Good King Wenceslas last looked out?

5. Bethlehem is in which modern day country?

6. Which ocean is Christmas Island in?

7. In what year was Darwin devastated by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day? 8. What was name of the film in which Bing Crosby sang White Christmas?

9. From the song ‘The 12 days of Christmas’, what gift was received on the 7th day?

10. What were the gifts given to Jesus by the Three Wise Men?

Answers: 1.Capricorn, 2.Charles Dickens,3.

Monday, 4.St. Stephens Day 26th December, 5.West Bank of Jordon, 6.

Indian Ocean, 7.1974, 8.Holiday Inn, 9.Seven Swans a Swimming, 10.Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

with Synnott

5. What sport did you play and were you good at any?

Hurling, football, my favourite was kitkat played with a brush handle.

Sean Pike from Tullamore, Co Offaly at his favourite pastime

6. Would you change anything in your life if you could?

No, I have a great life with my wife Wendy, we enjoy our life together, I still love her.

7. Why don’t you come to the Irish Club seniors lunch and meet people your age?

My wife has dementia and is in a home and I visit every day, no time.

8. I know you read the “Irish Scene” as I deliver it to you!

Tony, I can’t wait to see you at the door, with my only Irish Scene and I read everything, just like home.

1. I know you are getting on, how far back can you remember” I delivered milk at age seven, for six pence a week and one pint of milk a day.

9. Have you got a favourite watering hole?

Yes, the Mighty Quinn and Nollamara Bowling Club.

10. What do you do to pass the time, being on your own?

I play around in my shed and walk the dog.

2. Where were you born and how long are you in Australia?

I was born in Tullamore Co. Offaly and I am in Australia 63 years.

11 What legacy would you like to leave behind?

Plain and simple, communications with no bullshit.

12 If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

All over central Australia with plenty of time.

13. What is your favourite film and actor?

Any film with John Wayne and Indians. Also, the Red Beret and The Quiet Man.

3. You have travelled all over, why did you settle in Perth?

My son and his wife wanted us to come here as they wanted to start a family.

4. How was school for you?

I played truant a lot but got to seventh class with luck.

Thank you Sean for a great interview. What a very funny man, he tries to sell me a magpie as an ‘Irish Canary’ and catch it myself.

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WA players club together for

IRISH GOLF TOUR

By Lloyd Gorman

A group of West Australian mates, organised by Paul Tanham, went on a marathon mission to play as much golf in Ireland as possible recently.

Paul arrived ahead of the main group – which included Chris Kilbee, Colin Lawrence, Barry Waddingham, Phil Grice, Joe Oxley and Tony Wilson – a few days earlier and wasted no time in stretching the legs from the flight home by getting out onto the fairway. “I played golf on the Thursday at Greystones Golf Club in Co. Wicklow and the second time at Ardee Golf Club in Co. Louth,” said Paul. “For both games I played with other members of the Tanham family, mainly nieces and nephews”.

As soon as the rest of the crew arrived from WA the real golfing got into full swing. The boys gathered at Druids Glen, Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow on October 9, where they stayed in the Lodge on the golf complex. With a five-star hotel and two championship courses the Druids Glen – which has hosted the Irish open on several occasions – the tour certainly kicked off in style. From there they went to Woodenbridge Golf Club in Avoca, Arklow, which is also in the “Garden county” of Ireland.

Paul’s nephew Declan is Club Secretary at Woodenbridge, another good reason to play there. On the following day the golfing gang hit Powerscourt (West) Golf course where they all enjoyed a full and delicious Irish breakfast Declan Tanham - Paula Tanham before play. The following - Paul Tanham day they played at Druids Glen and took a break from driving. After that short reprieve the lads headed to Portmarnock Golf Club and Links in Co. Dublin (close to Dublin airport) where they were guests of Paul’s cousin Noel Tanham and his sons.

The day after that they travelled to another coastal and scenic course at Balinroe Golf in Brittis Bay, Co. Wicklow before they went to Dun Laoghaire GC which Paul said is a great course with three nines, the next day.

“This ended our first week and as you can imagine each night there was the odd Guinness or two,” said Paul. “We dined at Jonny Foxes, Mickey Finn’s Pub and the Hungry Monk in Greystones. We moved from Wicklow to Co Cork to set up shop at the Fota Golf Resort staying in their Lodges. Sunday, the first day at Fota, Deerpark Course the guys switched their sporting focus for a brief time. “We watched most of the football final, poor Mayo lost again, up the Dubs,” added Paul.

Pub in Cobh: Barry Waddingham - Paul Tanham - Joe Oxley - Colin Lawrance - Tony Wilson - Chris Kilbee

The morning after and they were down at the Cork Golf Club in Little Island, in east Cork. From there they ventured as far as Co Kerry where they played the Killeen course at Killarney Golf Club.

The only wash out of the whole trip came on that Wednesday when they started to play the Kinsale Golf Course but after just four holes the heaven’s unloaded on them and they had to call it off.

The weather gods were kinder to them on the Thursday when got to Kilkenny to play the Mount Juliet Course – which was voted the best course of the entire tour.

They rounded off the end of week two with a final game at Fota’s Deepark course.

“After that we set off for Dublin but thanks to Joe Oxley we visited the “Coolmore Stud” in Co. Tipperary where we saw many fine houses including the famous “Galileo”,” said Paul. “If you have half a million to spend Galileo will look after the need of your filly. We said farewell to Ireland and flew to Birmingham, Aer Lingus of course.”

The UK leg of the tour swung into action at the Little Aston Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield on the Sunday and the Blackwell Gold Club on the south side of Birmingham on the Monday. After a morning round of golf at the Blackwell they drove to Surrey, not far from the Ascot Race Course where they stayed at the Pembroke House B&B for a five-night stay. The first order of business the next day was a game at the West Hills Golf Club and then onto the Berkshire Golf Club where they booked to play a morning round with a special lunch (jacket and tie required). The penultimate fixture was at Foxhill’s golf resort on the Thursday where they played the resorts main course (it has three).

“For our last game of the tour we played The Berkshire, for a second time,” said Paul. “We were very fortunate that all the UK courses had reciprocal playing arrangements with Lake Karrinyup where all of us but one are members, with the other being a member of Albany Golf Club. On the Saturday then it was time to catch a flight and return to sunny Perth!”.

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Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

Last night at the Bailey in Joondalup. The above group took over PJs corner for a few hours at wake!

Congratulations to Debbie & Sean Teahan. James Joseph arrived 9lbs 8 oz. He fills up the cot!

Debbie says "thanks for all the well wishes xx myself and Sean over the moon!"

On her Irish trip Fiona Rea shared the stage with John Spillane in Clonakilty. Great night with these two legends!

Celebrating 21 years of marriage bliss, Sam and Mal McAleer.

Great stuff!

Happy birthday Miv Egan, enjoy the cruise!

Sean McDonagh was given a tour of Arbour Hill prison by Mark O'Brien. and they let Sean out, don't believe it!

Send your photos for the Gossip Page to fred@irishscene.com.au

A shot from the past! Peter McDonald, John Hayes and Mick Murray back in 1981!

Gerry & Derek found this bit of silverware in Dublin prior to the Dubs winning All-Ireland

Champion jockey, William Pike with Matt Green (on right) It was Matt's stag party

Laura & Rohan Johnson with Geraldine and Gerard O'Leary in Vietnam at a famous landmark!

Anyone recognise this slylish footballer from back in the early 70's... those were the days my friends!

Happy 80th Birthday to proud Kilkenny Kat Richard Wilson (with wife Margaret) and many more to come!

Returning to Ireland?

We can help you with the move!

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89

SHAMROCK

Rovers Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY McLOUGHLIN'S BUTCHERS MALAGA

S R E Y PLA D E T N WA

Season 2018-19

We are looking for new players to help strengthen our squads for the 2018/19 season Football West State Semi Professional league, currently one of the biggest and most competitive leagues around Australia.

Please spread the word with those who love football and being part of the Shamrock Rovers family.

Mick added, "We would see ourselves as the go to club for the Irish soccer community. Consider being part of our very successful club".

Rovers are now planning for next season and would like to hear from any players who would like to don the hoops. With your help Rovers can again rise to the top and be a force in WA soccer".

Call Marty Burke on 0410081386

Shamrock Rovers Leagues Success since foundation...

1984 Amateur Third Division Champions 1990 Amateur First Division Champions 1996 Amateur Premier Division Champions 1997 Amateur Premier Division Champions 2004 Amateur Premier Division Champions 2007 Amateur Premier Division Champions 2010 Amateur Premier Division Champions 2014 Semi-Professional First Division Champions

Our History...

Shamrock Rovers was founded in 1984 and before joining the State League in 2011 Shamrock Rovers was one of Western Australia’s most successful ever Amateur Premier League clubs with multiple honours and distinctions to its name.

Thanks to the Victoria Park Council the club will remain at Harold Rossiter Park in Victoria Park which provides more security and direction for the future. President Mick Manning said, “We’ve had a difficult last two seasons on the pitch but we are determined to turn our fortunes around and look forward to your support in 2018”.

Shamrock celebrate their 2013 Football West Cup win (Photo Alex Howell)

McLoughlin Butchers Malaga Drop in and see our range of Irish prepared meats 58 Westchester Rd, Malaga WA 6090

mcloughlinbutchers.com.au Like us on facebook 90

Tom Murphy PRO

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

As I write this report I am reflecting on a few weeks the likes of which all Gaels in Western Australia may never see again. Between GAAWA putting on the 2017 Australasian Championships in Perth, hosting the President of Ireland and the GAA while also preparing for a historic U12’s Compromise Rules Blitz Gaelic Games in Western Australia has been packed with news for the Christmas edition of the Irish Scene!

2017 AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: The 2017 Edition of the Australasian GAA Championships took place from October 5th to 8th at Tom Bateman Reserve in Thornlie. Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland all sent teams to compete in the Minor, Men’s & Ladies Football and Hurling competitions. GAAWA was also delighted to have Uachtaran Cuman Luachleas Gael Aogan O’Fearghail in attendance at the championships.

After 2 days of competitive action the Minor Final was contested by Victoria and WA Black on Saturday 7th October with Victoria taking the title home on a score line of 5:07 to 0:07. WA Gold also took part in the Minor competition. A reception was held for the Victoria Minors under their management team led

by Brian Stynes after the Minor Final by the Western Australia Minor Bland & Gold Teams under their joint management led by Ciaran Gallagher. The Men’s Football decider was the first game on Sunday 8th October and it saw Western Australia take on New South Wales.

This final was interesting as WA and NSW had already played each other which ended in a draw earlier in the competition. Victoria had been knocked out in the semi-final

by New South Wales. After a great game of football New South Wales triumphed on a score-line of 1:12 to 0:14. The Ladies Final was the second game of the day to take place

and it saw Victoria, who had beaten Queensland in the semi-final, battle Western Australia for Championship honours and what a battle it turned out to be. Level at full-time, level after extra time and level after extra extra time, the game came down to a sudden death score with both teams out on their feet for the final throw in. Unfortunately for Western Australia, Victoria would get the all-important final score which saw them triumph on a final score line of Western Australia 4:12 Victoria 3:16.

The over run in the Ladies final meant the Hurling Championship

Final was delayed and this final saw Western Australia take on New South Wales who had defeated Victoria in the Semi-Final. This turned out to be another humdinger of a final and the teams were neck and neck for most of the game. By the 91 91

late stages WA started to pull away and they ran out worthy winners on a final score of Western Australia 1:21 New South Wales 1:16. Eoin Guinan the captain of the WA Hurlers accepted the trophy from His Excellency the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and President of the GAA, Aogan O’Fearghail. The championships finished up with a Gala Ball held at Crown Towers on the night of the 8th October. Huge thanks to all the teams who represented Western Australia, their managements and sponsors.

Particular thanks is extended to everybody who helped out in any way to make the “State Games” such a successful event in Perth. A massive thankyou to everybody who came down to Tom Bateman Reserve over the 4 days of the Championships to cheer on Western Australia, it is much appreciated!

PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: The 2017 Australasian Championships also created history as GAAWA was immensely proud to have Uachtaran Na Eireann Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina attend Championships Finals day on Sunday October 8th at Tom Bateman Reserve. President Higgins attendance at Tom Bateman Reserve was part of his State visit to Australia & New Zealand and GAAWA was more

than happy to host the President & Mrs Higgins. This was also the first time a President of Ireland and the President of the GAA had attended a GAA match outside of Ireland. The President and his wife arrived at 12:30pm before the Ladies Championship Final and were greeted by Aogan O’Fearghail, members of Australasia GAA and GAAWA. The Pres-

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia the Gosnells Examiner.

ident and Mrs Higgins were also met by a guard of honour formed by members of our Junior Academy, Minor Players and Clubs. President Higgins greeted the players of both the Ladies Football and Hurling Finals before their matches started and he was also introduced to the players from the Men’s final that featured New South Wales & Western Australia. President Higgins also met members of the Irish Community and State Games volunteers along with Olwyn Searle, Mayor of Gosnells and Terry Healy member of Parliament for Southern River.

PRO of GAAWA Tom Murphy spoke with President Higgins during his visit and updated him on all the goings on GAA-wise in Western Australia including playing numbers & our clubs, state competitions in Hurling & Football, youth development at Junior Academy and Minor level and the history of Gaelic Games in Western Australia. President Higgins was very impressed with the information provided and commended GAAWA for the work and effort going on at all levels of

the organisation. At 5:30pm we bade farewell to President Higgins and Sabina at the end of what was a truly historic event for Gaelic Games in Western Australia. There was a huge amount of work and effort put into arranging the visit and huge thanks go to Ambassador Brendan O’Caollai, Ambassador Noel White, Honoury Consul of Ireland to Western Australia Marty Kavanagh, the Irish Consulate in Perth, the Irish Embassy in Canberra, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Aras an Uachtaran, An Garda Siochana, the WA State Police, the Australian Federal Police, Diane Baker & Nollaig Trevarthen for their efforts and assistance to make the visit possible.

I would also like to thank the many volunteers who helped in any way in making President Higgins and Mrs Higgins feel so welcome at Tom Bateman while also running the Australasian Championships. Mile Bouchas to you all. This historic visit was also picked up in Ireland with articles & photographs being published in the Irish Times, Irish Independent and closer to Perth,

RAFFLE PRIZE WINNER: The lucky winner of the $2,500 Travel Voucher donated by GAAWA and British Travel as the top prize at the Gala Ball Dinner was John Finnegan from Westcourt Accountants in Perth. All of us in GAAWA wish John and his wife Marie happy travelling! Many thanks to John Lehane from GAAWA and Jennie Beardsley from British Travel for organising such a terrific prize.

Junior Academy U12’s COMPROMISE RULES BLITZ: In another historic first for GAA in WA our Junior Academy are holding the first ever U12’s Compromise Rules Blitz at Domain Stadium on Sunday October 22nd from 8am to 4pm. The event will feature 12 Auskick teams and one Junior Academy team play for the honour of lifting the Jim Stynes Memorial Cup. Sunday October 22nd dawned bright and sunny and all the blitz volunteers were at Domain Stadium for 7am ready to welcome all the visiting teams, coaches, parents and families. Honorary Consul of Ireland to Western Australia Mr Marty Kavanagh opened proceedings by kicking a gaelic football onto the pitch at Domain at 8am. Games threw in at 8:30am with 4 pools featuring teams from Bayswater, Claremont, East Fremantle, Gaelic Games Junior Academy, Edgewater, Bibra Lake, Darlington, Mt Lawley, Sorrento, Whitfords and North Beach. Both North Beach and East Fremantle had two teams in the competition.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000 92

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia the University of Western Australia. The Doctorate was conferred on President Higgins for his contribution to Public Life, Arts, Culture and Human Rights.

Games flowed fast and furious at 12 minutes for each half. There were some even games fought and big scores tallied. In the Shield final Bayswater beat East Fremantle One by 38 points to 35 and in the cup final North Beach Black beat North Beach Gold by 54 points to 28 points. On behalf of the GAAWA Executive I extend sincere thanks to Marty Kavanagh, all the volunteers on the day and in particular, the Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA for their vision in making this blitz a reality. This is a turning point for GAA in Western Australia and will

hopefully be the start of a pathway which will eventually lead to these young players representing our Senior Clubs and State in the years ahead.

Steve O’Sullivan Trophy Cabinet PLAQUE DEDICATION: A Plaque dedicating the newly installed Trophy Cabinet at Tom Bateman was presented to President Higgins during his visit on October 8th last. President Higgins was informed of how the trophy cabinet came to be and the role Steve O’Sullivan had played in GAA in Western Australia & the Irish Golf Club. President Higgins was very impressed with the new trophy cabinet and

its plaque and very happy to stand for photographs with members of Steve’s family, GAAWA and the Irish Golf Club. The President of GAAWA Gerry McGough and President of the Irish Golf Club Peter McKenna were also in attendance to mark the occasion.

Western Australia Irish Famine Memorial Commeration: On Monday October 9th members of GAAWA were in attendance to see Uachtaran Na hEireann Michael D. Higgins mark the official commeration of the newly installed Irish Famine Memorial in Subiaco. The event was a great occasion and GAAWA extends its heartiest congratulations and thanks to Fred Rea and the rest of the Western Australia Irish Famine Commeration Committee for the work undertaken in acknowledging the victims of An Gorta Mor.

PRESIDENTIAL CONFERRAL: On Tuesday October 10th GAAWA was delighted to see Uachtaran Na hEireann Michael D. Higgins received an Honoury Doctorate from

INTERNATIONAL RULES: Ireland will play Australia in the second International Rules Test that will take place on Saturday November 18th in Domain Stadium. The first Test will take place a week earlier on November 12th in Adelaide. GAAWA will host the Irish team while they are in Perth and wish them every success in taking the Cormac McAnallen Cup back to Dublin.

GAAWA REFEREES HEADING TO THE ASIAN GAMES: Congratulations is extended to two of our valued referees Adrian Maguire and Robbie O’Callaghan who have been selected to referee at the upcoming Asian Games to be held on the weekend of the 18/19th November in Bangkok, Thailand. The Asian equivalent of the Australasian Championships, we are sure the games in Thailand will be no bother to Adrian and Robbie after officiating in Perth at the 2017 Australasian Championships. Best of luck lads!

GAAWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Our AGM will take place on Friday 19th January 2018 at the Irish Club.

Further information will be published on our website and social media networks.

w w w. g a a w a . c o m . a u Fa c e b o o k : g a a i n w a T w i t t e r : @ G A A i n WA Instagram: gaainwa w w w. g a e l i c g a m e s j u n i o r a c a d e m y o f w a . c o m . a u Fa c e b o o k : G a e l i c G a m e s J u n i o r A c a d e m y o f WA

Le gach dea-ghui i gcomhair na nollag agus na h-ath bhliana!

Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

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Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

The Gaelic Games Junior Academy update Oct 2017

By Debbie Cashman Teahan

Well what a year! I can safely say that our 6th year in operation has been our best one yet! We have grown in numbers with over 100 kids joined up this season, we have grown in events, with compromised games been played against our great academy kids (which we won!) and we were much more involved with the GAA in WA with all the clubs be they Hurling, Camogie or Football have their players come and play with ‘our kids’ and all parties enjoyment seemed to exceed their own expectations. The players involvement added to the sense of fun and passion for everything GAA, and we sincerely thank them for their time and energy they gave generously to the kids.

What we have always felt we were missing was an element of competition for the ‘older kids’ but being the only Gaelic Games Junior Academy in WA it was always going to be a challenge to provide the competitors to compete against, as in the past we had a couple of schools come and play but this year we get to host a compromised rules blitz in the domain stadium against 15 other Auskick/AFL clubs/teams. We are extremely excited, nerves are a little ragged as this is another ‘first’ for the academy and with that brings a lot of responsibility (and cost!) to ensure the event runs as smooth as possible as we envision this to be this first of many and hope to host these compromised rules blitz’s every year! In the next edition of the Irish scene I fully intend to brag about how well it all went with photographic evidence to prove how our wonderful team pulled off another mighty challenge and succeeded!

On that note, we have been blessed, as a few of us that have part of the committee/coaching team

even with being a busy working mum, she has been a God send to the vitality of the academy.

Thanks Edel! Also, to mention her vice president husband Alan, ‘tis no wonder ye make such a great team, no task too great for this couple. John Broderick, who had notions of ‘stepping back’ as his work life/family life balance got busier, became president of the academy this year and has never had to work so hard! Thanks John! Tony Ward, who came on board a number of years ago to be a ‘parent helper’ is one of our main coaches and even put his hand up to be treasurer, in our busiest year yet! Fair play Tony!

We also have parents and helpers who came to lend a hand and we would be lost without their assistance Andy Wahid, and his wife Cait. Jason Fallon whose enjoyment of coaching is infectious and his wife Avri, Sarah Foster, Eimear Beattie, Andy Brennan, Jason Maher, Ruiri Dowling and his wife, Gavin Kelly who returned to Ireland at our loss plus our casuals Fionn, Tina and Linda and of course I must mention Gerry Crowley who is always popular with the kids with his easy-going nature and GAA brain full of ideas, who always completes the tasks with a smile on his face!

Sincere thanks to you all. I must mention the parents/chauffeurs for bringing the kids to and from the events and training, without your commitment and support we wouldn’t have the great academy we have. Your children have been a pleasure to know and we are proud to be the ‘club’ they represent!

for the last number of years were becoming a tad burned out and we needed an injection of energy, enthusiasm and not people who say ‘what you should do is….’ but we managed to snag people who are more ‘OK what we could do is…and here is how we can try to achieve that’ which is exactly what has made this year the magic one it has been.

With our biggest date this Sunday at the Domain stadium no less, still to come, we have had many many highlights and with our matches in Tom Bateman playing football representing various clubs, in Cooke reserve in Morley representing Hurling clubs, thanks to all for coming on board and providing the jerseys, plus the week long Cúl Camp for the school holidays, and of course the state games where our wonderful protégés looking very smart for the Guard of Honour for the Irish President Michael D Higgins himself! We even made the news of TV3 and RTE in Ireland.

We honestly couldn’t have been prouder, they walked out with the ladies teams WA and Victoria and were so well behaved given there was TV cameras, and photographers and the formalities that come with events like that and many got to shake the hands of the president himself and his lovely wife Sabina. 2018 has a lot to live up to!

Massive thanks go to all who lent a hand this year as well as our long-time committed (sufferUntil registration in ing!) committee! Especially Edel February 2018 Gibson who was hauled in as assistant secretary and who took (hopefully online) over the role whole heartedly and enjoy the summer break! now as secretary, as anyone who has met her this year will tell you, Slán agus Beannacht! she has made us all pull our socks up! Her enthusiasm and willingthirishrfc.com ness to putwww.per her ideas into actions 94

PERTH IRISH RUGBY CLUB

Week 2 @ Lakelands - 22 Oct Winner: Martin Sheehan Second: Tavi Third: Eamon Fitzpatrick NTP: Roy Hogan, Billy Kavanagh, Alan Riddle, Derek McDonald LPutt: Derek McDonald LDrive: Tavi/Ladies: Chris McKenna

Week 2 @ Kwinana 15 Oct Winner: Geoff McFadden 2nd: Jack Ebbs Third: Brendan F. NTP: Paul Jenkins, Bill Ross, Sean Burns, Roy Hogan LPutt: Paul Jenkins/Derek McDonald LDrive: Alan Riddel LDrive: Ladies Chris McKenna Club Champion: PJ Kenny Best Gross: Bill Ross

What a great Christmas present!

For Ma or Pa, Have the IRISH SCENE home delivered.

Call Fred today for details on 0418 943 832 95

levels of ability are catered for! Viva sevens is a mixed tournament and it’s a fun environment to play socially and get fit.

The club enjoyed its end of season awards at the Novotel recently and a great night was had by players supporters and sponsors. Denis Leane, Tom Tierney and Paul Atkinson scooped the men’s awards and Caroline McGlone, Sarah Gardner and Emma Doyle claiming the honours for the ladies.

Plans are already underway for next season and we are expecting some big announcements in respect of the league structure for next season and announcements regarding pre-season training will follow shortly. Check the Website http:// www.perthirishrfc.com.au/ for further details.

Get involved and come along!

Damien Gaughan Vice President, Perth Irish RFC

I Th Sc ris e en h e

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Perth Irish Rugby Club continues to go from strength to strength since the formation of the club in 2016.

After the successfully introduction of the ladies team in 2017 we now see the addition of the Junior section for boys and girls of all ages.

Introductory coaching is underway at our home in Centenary park and offers a non-contact introduction to rugby and a fun filled evening for everyone involved. Sessions start from 5:30pm every Friday!

In conjunction with the kid’s rugby, Perth Irish Rugby club are also relaunching the Viva 7’s touch rugby for adults. It’s free, its fun and

Thank you for your continued support! our See Food a m s ges t is r pa Ch u on Men and 19 18

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