Irish Scene May June 2014 by Fred Rea

Western Australia’s

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Volume 16 / Number 4 May/June 2014

IN THIS ISSUE.... Kevin Wall a Champion Luke Kelly Tribute Brendan Award to Brattons Ambassador’s Reflections

The Spay Woman O’Meara Tributes BELL X1 for Perth Danielle’s Food Travels Charlotte Golf Cup

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Wall to wall, Kevin is a Champion By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman Tipperary man Kevin Wall plans to be in Boston in October and to row for Australia. The offer to join the Aussie team as a member in the world famous Head of the Charles Regatta for the 50th anniversary of the event is a pretty big deal for the Killarney Autos mechanic and his team mates. It will be only the second year that an Australian crew will have taken part in the world’s biggest rowing regatta and Kevin has big hopes of winning. Success there could help pave the way for him to become an Australian citizen and the bigger prize of representing Australia in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. He has come agonisingly close to representing his country at the Paralympics before, in

London two years ago, but lost out by the narrowest of margins. But Kevin, who was born with cerebral palsy, is not a man to let a set back get in the way of him or hold him back. His passion for rowing has changed his life already and has the potential to transform it, and has remarkably even saved the lives of others. “I was born with CP, it was a complication of birth, I was a twin, it took me 14 years to learn how to walk and talk,” Kevin told Irish Scene. He has been rowing now for 16 years. Having wrestled with his condition and largely overcome it he has never allowed it to limit or define his life. “I never let the CP hold me back, yeah, doing the Leaving Cert was a bit of a challenge. I did my trade in the Waterford Institute of Technology in 2004. Doing a job like this that requires coordination can be a challenge but I love it. I was lucky to get a job here with Niall and I’m well looked after. I’m a guy that takes a lot of pride in everything I do and I give it a 100%. I don’t go around telling people I have a difficulty, I compete and I take things day to day as good as everybody else. I push hard in everything I do.” He jokes about the way his speech is slowed. “I have a slight speech impediment and being in Australia everyone says that’s not an Irish accent and I say its a unique Tipperary accent and it tends to fool them,” he laughed. He first came to Western Australia on a tourist visa in 2011. “While I was rowing for Bunbury I contacted the Irish Amateur Rowing Union and they invited me to go to the Paralympics. I went back to Ireland in February 2012 and I got my Irish jersey in May 2012. Before the London games I was on the squad and out of the five time trials for it I missed the last trial by three or four seconds.” The disappointment of losing out on this opportunity would see Kevin return to WA in September 2013 but the time he spent back in Ireland still rowing and training afterwards would become a life changing event for others, if not him. Kevin is such a humble guy that he did not even tell us the story of how he single handedly

rescued a man and his nine year old son from drowning. We only found out by accident that this modest mechanic had saved them from drowning while out rowing his single seater scull boat on the River Suir in Clonmel in July of last year. While out on the water he heard a faint cry for help and spotted something in the water, quickly realising it was a capsized boat with two people in difficulty. He saw a little boy clinging to the end of the upturned boat and the father trying, but unable to right it. “I sprinted down to the boat,” Kevin told a reporter for the Nationalist newspaper shortly after the dramatic rescue. “I was in a single scull which is difficult to get out of at a slip, never mind when there is no slip, so I pulled right in to the bank and stepped out into waist-deep water. I waded out to chestdeep water and grabbed one end of the boat and pulled it in to where there was a little bit of sand to stand on. The father seemed to be struggling. I helped him in to the bank and eventually he was able to stand. They must have been in the water a good bit before I heard them, he was struggling to keep afloat and to keep his son afloat.” Aware that the capsized boat could quickly collect water and sink Kevin helped the man - Michael Lumley - to get it about the right way. “We were blessed that piece of land was there, Michael and I were sinking into the silt” he added. Having helped the man and his boy into their boat and to row to a spot on the river bank where emergency services (Gardai, fire brigade members in aqua gear and ambulance) who were alerted by a woman who had been out walking her dog were waiting. When hey had been checked out and given the all clear the nine year old went home while his dad, accompanied all the way by Kevin, who was then working as a barman, took the canoe back to the Workman’s Boat Club. When he returned to Australia he got in contact with various rowing organisations, including Rowing WA, Rowing Australia and the Paralympics Committee in Australia. “I’ve been doing time trails with Rowing WA down in Champion Lakes. I’m the only Adaptive rower (rowing for people with difficulties) in WA. They compared my times to world class standards, where I was achieving up to 90% of a world class standard,” he added. “In February I went to the Balmain Boat Club and I

Winning with 3!

its my ambition to stay in Australia and hopefully go for the Paralympics in Rio in 2016 with Rowing Australia. At the moment, all the focus and short term goals are on Boston and getting there. I must say I’ve never been so appreciated and the amount of support I’m getting from Rowing Australia is amazing and I’m hoping to get the backing and support of the Irish community.” In addition to his day job at Killarney Autos Kevin has been out at night selling bottle openers, trying to organise events such as a quiz night and whatever else he can do to raise funds for the Boston trip. The crew members need to raise several thousand dollars each to be able to make the trip. Kevin hopes that Irish companies here will be able to come on board and back him and in turn to win them what could be valuable advertising space on his gear. He is also spending any free time he can running in races and cycling contests to build up his stamina. “I’m pushing hard for it. Getting sponsorship would be brilliant, it would allow me to focus on the things that really need attention and to make sure that over the next two or three years I can get the visas I need. I’m on a business visa at the moment but I’m looking at residency and other options. The most likely way is to get my citizenship for Rio is the Distinguished Talent Visa. One of the requirements for that is big wins. I’ve had a big win last weekend bringing home a gold meal in the Australia Championship and winning in Boston would put the spot light on me. Having an Irish man in the boat for Australia at Rio would be great.” If you think you can help or sponsor Kevin get in contact with Fred Rea 0418 943 832.

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participated in the NSW state championships where I rode a scull, a double and a quad. So I came home with two silver medals from that event and after a few more discussions I was asked if I would go forward to row an adaptive boat in Boston, for the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. Australia sent over an adaptive crew for the first time ever last year and I was lucky enough to be invited to be a member of the crew. The crew have sponsored me and I fly over and back to Sydney every three weeks. Recently we raced in the Australian National Championship.” He said one of their four member team had to drop out of the race because of an injury. “So instead of forfeiting the crew decided to race with three people. A lot of people looked at us funny, thinking we were sure to lose, that’s what was on everyone’s mind. But it was my opinion we were 80 or 90kgs lighter than the other boats. It was a great race over a 1000 metres and we won by over a boat length, about 40 feet.” As well as his own role on the boat, Kevin took up the place of the missing crew member and literally rowed the equivalent of two team members. “It was a tough challenge, but we won. I’ve been in contact with Rowing Australia and

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Setting the record straight on Martin O’Meara M

artin O’Meara was first mentioned in the state parliament of WA nearly 100 years ago. It was September 26, 1916 and his name was more than just mentioned in the House. In fact, a whole block of parliamentary business was dedicated to the young Irishman from Tipperary. “A short time ago we carried a resolution congratulating Lieutenant Hugo Throssell upon his very great distinction. Now we have the case of Private Martin O’Meara, a member of the 12th reinforcements of the 16th Battalion, A.I.F, who has also distinguished himself, and as a result has received the great honour of having the Victoria Cross conferred upon him,” said the then Premier of WA, Frank Wilson Sussex, who pointed out this was only the second time the VC had been awarded to a WA soldier. “Private O’Meara was engaged in the timber industry at Collie, and there won the esteem, and respect of a numerous circle of friends. During August 1915, he enlisted and, having come from Ireland to Western Australia - as his name indicates - full of the martial ardour for which the natives of that part of Great Britain are renowned, he went forth do to his duty on behalf of King and country with the stout determination to, if possible, win the war. I understand that he said to one of his mates that he would do his utmost to bring back the Victoria Cross to Western Australia. I am sure we all feel great pride in the manly conduct he has evidenced throughout his military career. He ran terrible risks in order to bring in officers and men from no-man’s land during intense artillery and machine gun fire. Undoubtedly he saved many lives…The least we can do as a state parliament is to express our pride and tender our congratulations on an occasion of this sort.” The Labor leader and the head of the Country Party also spoke about their pride in his achievement and its significance but it was the contribution from the then member for Collie, A. Wilson that offers a unique insight into the real man. “I desire to supplement the congratulations of the Premier, the leader of the Opposition and the country party to my fellow-townsman, notwithstanding that

By Lloyd Gorman

he is an Irishman,” said Mr Wilson. “I know Private O’Meara well, and I can say that a more manly and courageous fellow could not be found. Collie is particularly situated in having sent to the Front, in proportion to population, more men than has any other centre in the Commonwealth. Moreover the men of Collie who have gone to the Front are all good trades unionists. Private O’Meara was an excellent example of this. Next to his having won the Victoria Cross, I am proud to think that he belongs to a trades union. On behalf of Collie, I thank [the Premier, opposition and country party leaders] for their praise of Private O’Meara. He deserves it.” Martin O’Meara was mentioned again, briefly two years later (December 3 1918) - not long after the end of the war - during a debate about the timber [hewing] industry. A politician said he was amongst “the grandest heroes in the world” and that they should support the sector if for no other reason than because it had provided so many fine soldiers and it should be able to support them if they decided they wanted to return to their former work. It wasn’t long again (1919/1920) until O’Meara was once again the subject of discussion in the parliament, except this time the celebrated war hero was the tragic victim of abuse at the hands of authorities in his adopted homeland. A government inspection of the asylum where Martin O’Meara, like many others, was sent when he returned from the war, found the insti-

tution in Claremont was badly run and severely understaffed. It was the patients who bore the brunt of this mismanagement and cruelty. On the night that members of parliament went to see it for themselves there was just one attendant on duty who was single handedly responsible for 47 patients. “I say it is a scandal that the place should be in such a state, and that Sergeant O’Meara, V.C., should be treated as he is treated,” W.C. Angwin, member of parliament said. “The evidence shows without doubt that he is not safe if he is left alone. But we found that owing to there being only one attendant on duty after 9pm he is put in a straight jacket until 11 o’clock the following morning, when he is taken out of the straight jacket and marched down under two attendants to the violent ward. He is kept there all day. Sometimes one of the attendants plays cards, but they do not know when he will break out. At 4pm he is taken from the violent ward and put to bed in the hospital ward. He remains free until 8.30pm because there are other attendants available to render assistance if anything happens. When the time comes for all except one attendant to go off duty, he is put into the straight jacket again.” An attendant at the mental hospital told the parliamentary delegation that he had not noticed any violent tendencies from O’Meara in four and a half months. The minister for mines asked why O’Meara was then being held there and if he shouldn’t be looked after instead by the Federal government (at Stromness Hospital which was run between 1918 and 1924 for returned servicemen). “Unfortunately, it is necessary to keep him there, he would not be safe at Stromness,” Angwin told the minister for mines. “At the same time, to tie a man up in a straight jacket for 14 and half hours out of 24 hours every day is an absolute scandal, and it is done simply because it saves the services of an attendant. We have been informed that other patients, even as bad as O’Meara, are put in a straight jacket only at those times when they become violent, and the straight jacket is removed immediately the fit of violence has passed. O’Meara,

however is put into the straight jacket every night of his life and, from the questions we asked, there is no doubt that he is put into the straight jacket because sufficient attendants are not kept on duty to look after him during the night. We had it in evidence from the attendant and from the doctor that he is not a safe patient to be left alone, and that someone should be in attendance on him.” Despite all the evidence of abuse of patients, suspicions and findings of wrong doing and everything that was said about the “scandal” Martin O’Meara, and no doubt many others, were left to languish in the asylum for the last 16 years of his life. He was just 50 when he died in 1935 and was buried in the nearby Karrakatta cemetery. There is no reference to a tribute to him or his burial in the parliamentary records, but we know from press reports and photographs taken at the time that O’Meara was buried with full military honours, and his coffin was carried by a distinguished party, including a senior political and three other VC winners. In fact, the official record of what is said in the state parliament fell silent on the name Martin O’Meara for more than 90 years. Then just last month, remarkably, his life story was revived and reinterpreted twice in as many days by a new generation of politicians and for a radically changed society and community. During a debate on April 2 about the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Dis-order it emerged that the soldier (George Throssell) who had pipped O’Meara as the first WA VC winner in WWI had become a pacifist as a result of his experience of war. This position did not make Throssell popular and he suffered from symptoms of PTSD and was unable to find work and was on the brink of bankruptcy. “Believing that his wife and young son would be better off without him and assuming they would receive his war pension, he committed suicide in 1933,” opposition and Labor party leader Mark McGowan told the parliament. “Another Western Australian, Martin O’Meara, won his Victoria Cross at Pozieres in August 1916, showing utter contempt for danger. He returned to Western Australia in 1918, had a nervous breakdown and lived from then

Irish Ambassador Wreath laying ceremony in Collie

on in various psychiatric facilities, eventually passing away in what was then the Claremont Mental Hospital at the age of 50. “There are many heartbreaking stories from all wars, just as there are tragedies involving other people with PTSD—police, prison officers, fire and emergency services personnel, ambulance officers, nurses, victims of crime and those who suffer the many and varied forms of trauma. “We need this motion to pass through this house for the thousands of people in our community who need the help that increased awareness, and I might add recognition, will bring,” added McGowan. “Western Australia can lead the nation by declaring an official “Invisible Wounds: PTSD Awareness Day” on the last Friday in June every year. We need to make sure that the Parliament and those of us elected to this house send the message—it is a symbolic message—to the people who suffer from these wounds every day, day in, day out, and every night in their dreams, that it is okay, that it is not their fault and that we recognise that there are things that are beyond our control.” Exactly one day later, the name of Martin O’Meara was written large in the parliament again. This time it took the form of a statement read into the records by the member for Collie Preston Mick Murray. “Last week the Collie community took part in commemorative activities to honour our adopted Victoria Cross hero, Martin O’Meara,” Mr Murray MLA said. “The Australian and New Zealand Irish ambassador, His Excellency Noel White, was special guest at the Shire of Collie’s civic reception, before laying a wreath in memory of Martin O’Meara at Soldiers Park in Collie. Martin O’Meara was born in Tipperary, Ireland in 1885 and settled in Australia in 1914. He worked as a

sleeper cutter around Pinjarra and then Collie, before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915. He was awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I for his heroic actions at Pozières in France, where he put his life at risk to carry supplies and ammunition to no-man’s-land on the battlefront; he also carried wounded soldiers on his return journey.” Mr Murray said the newly opened Collie Senior High School performing arts centre was the venue for the new one-act play Under Any Old Gum Tree, written by playwright Noel O’Neill. “The play tells Martin O’Meara’s story, from his days log cutting in the bush around Collie, to his days during the Great War, to his final time at the Claremont lunatic asylum due to shell shock.”He congratulated the two main actors, Kieran Garvey and Rex Gray as well as Fred Rea, Peter Murphy, Frank Murphy, Ed Croft, Sean O’Rourke, Phil Beck; along with Courtney Salmeri and the students of Collie Senior High School performing arts centre. “Their contribution rounded off an excellent evening in Collie.”

Just for the record:

The parliament’s historical and contemporary transcripts for debates in the house of parliament - known as Hansard - made it possible for this article to be researched and written. Every word spoken by elected members in the Assembly and Council of parliament over the last 144 years of sittings has been recorded and now documented digitally. These transcripts are readily and easily available to search on the parliaments website www.parliament.wa.gov. au. Type in any word of interest into the search button and it will trawl through millions of pages of material and display any mention of that word on record.

St Joseph’s Church and Subiaco:

THE IRISH CONNECTION By Richard Osborne

My wife enjoys going to church. Our parish church, St Joseph’s Subiaco, Western Australia is close so she walks on Sunday mornings. That she benefits there is no doubt as shown by the conversations with our friend, who returns with her after Mass for cups of tea. We all benefit. The whole community benefits from that church. There is not only the spiritual invigoration from the morning service, but also all the other aspects of life within and out of the building. The parish priest, Father Joe, the visiting priests, the music, the people in the congregation, the children – all contribute to a pleasant picture of a vibrant parish. This parish seems to have so much of real Australia. The mix of cultures, age and gender held together by Catholicism with a very healthy Irish background. The very streets around the church resound with Irish names like Wexford, Cashel, Dublin Crescent and that reminds us of the contributions of the nuns, priests and others who helped develop our past for our present. Certainly Bishop Salvado was not Irish. But after the monks left the Subiaco site in 1864 much of the physical and spiritual presence was filled by Irish influence, the first St John of God Hospital (1897), the first Convent school/ church (1897) and first St Joseph’s Church (opened 1898). Then came the creation of the St Joseph’s Parish, Subiaco in 1898 and we had the

first Parish Priest, Father Patrick Verling (From Cork). All very Irish. A reflection of much of the rest of Australia which has a long history of Irish immigration. In the wider Subiaco area we can now find other names like The Irish Club and J B O’Reilly’s and more spiritually the Catholic Education Centre (formally Home of the Good Shepherd) and Catherine McAuley. The significance of the names is that they remind us of the contributions made by the many: the Sisters of Mercy from Dublin (1876 – 1897), the St John Sisters (from 1897), the Christian Brothers (1897-1901 and 1933 onwards), the Good Shepherd Sisters (1904 …), the Brigidine Sisters (1942 …), the Marist Brothers (195476), the Carmillians from Dublin (1985) and the Good Samaritan Sisters (198893). While we have raced through their names in an unseemly listing, I do not mean to diminish the long and arduous work which had to be made in order for the current parish to benefit. What of our present St Joseph’s Church? My much admired parents-inlaw were foundation parishioners who raised funds with their card parties and tennis afternoons with many others. They were present when St Joseph’s Foundation Stone was laid in 1933, then blessed and opened in 1934. What an achievement that was! In the Great Depression when many had no work and the basic wage was three pounds and eight shilling. The Parish raised most

of the eighteen thousand, four hundred pounds. The cost was always a concern. Considerable parcels of land have been bought and sold in the area and many homes are now on what was once owned by the Catholic Church. So inextricably, Wembley and Subiaco are bound together by former history and effort. The cost has been repaid and the present parishioners now benefit. St Joseph’s is a fine Church that caters well for its community. As a non-Catholic I do often look on with interest at my wife’s involvement. Father Joseph Walsh is a popular name in our household and within the local area we walk around in the evenings. We often walk past St Joseph’s and marvel at the history of effort, sweat and some tears which the Church must have seen over so many years. (Richard Osborne is a former Head of English at Perth Modern School, a school for academically gifted students in Subiaco for more than 100 years.)

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CROM-A-BOO! (Part One) by Peter Conole

The subject of this two-part series unexpectedly emerged as a heroic character in a major Hollywood film, namely Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997). The notable British actor Peter Firth played the man – Commander Charles Fitzgerald of the Royal Navy, an Irish aristocrat who later went on to govern Western Australia during its most difficult decade. Like many great officials of our colonial era Fitzgerald has been more or less blotted out of historical memory over the last few decades because of what the late Robert Hughes called ‘’the posturing of the politically correct”. The once famous motto of this article’s title, which is more of a war cry, simply means ‘Crom to Victory’. It is a reference to Castle Crom, a stronghold of the mighty house of Fitzgerald, later Earls of Kildare, Royal Deputies of Ireland, Dukes of Leinster and so on and so forth. Their power and glory and their deeds (and misdeeds) have been part of the Irish tapestry since 1170, when Maurice Fitzgerald turned up in Dublin to fight for King Dermot McMurrough’s invited ally Earl Richard ‘Strongbow’. All folk of Irish descent know the consequences of that right royal error. The Fitzgeralds prospered over the next few generations and when the dust started to settle they emerged as the strongest dynasty of Late Medieval Ireland. By then they were thoroughly Irish – ‘more Irish than the Irish’ as the saying went – and the Fitzgerald Great Lord of any given decade was immersed in traditional Gaelic customs, lore and language to the last bolt in his armour. This writer’s favourite prince of the line was the immortal Garret Mor Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare in the late 1400s. He had the gall to reverse old trends by meddling in English politics – in 1487 he sent an army (and one of his brothers) to fight for a pretender trying to overthrow King Henry VII, then later gave more cautious help to another candidate after that first effort ended in a bloody disaster. King Henry met Garret Mor, liked the gentleman and had the sense to compromise and recognise him as his Deputy, saying that ‘’since all Ireland cannot rule this man, this man must rule all Ireland.” Garret Mor’s closest friends, marital relations and allies tended to be ‘Old Irish’ Great Lord families, such as the O’Neills, O’Donnell’s, McCarthys, O’Carrolls, O’Kelly’s, etc, which again demonstrates how deeply the Fitzgeralds were embedded in traditional Irish society. In passing, before honouring the memory of the Fitzgerald man who governed our State, a few words about the Fitzgerald monkeys that adorn their crest and coat of arms could be of interest. The story goes that when the power of the Fitzgeralds went into terminal decline a pet monkey grabbed the last male heir of the dynasty from his

cradle and climbed to the top of the castle. Everybody thought he would throw the child to the ground. Instead, the creature climbed down again, returned the boy to his mother and slapped the nurse for not taking better care of her charge. Such is folklore. In the real world, the Fitzgerald dynasty spawned many junior branches and septs and they appear in various nooks and crannies all over Ireland. Robert Fitzgerald – a gentleman member of a cadet line of the Dukes of Leinster – settled in the town of Kilkee, County Clare. His son Charles Fitzgerald was born there in 1791. He may have been a younger son. Charles probably joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in 1809. Details of his service career need further specialist research – he may have experienced rough play at sea during the last years of the Napoleonic Wars. He passed the examinations for Lieutenant in 1815 but had to wait many years before gaining promotion. After the overthrow of Napoleon the entire naval career network slowed down – financial and personnel reductions limited opportunities for many aspiring officers. Charles was finally commissioned as a Lieutenant (albeit a junior one) in March 1826. He was on duty in the coastguard for several years and sailed west in 1833 to serve along the North American coast on the brig HMS ‘Cruiser’. He then transferred to a larger ship – the frigate HMS ‘Belvidera’ – for the West Indian station, a tough posting that involved anti-slave trade work. Charles seems to have taken leave in 1836 and he married Lucy Austin a year later. Little is known of the match and she may have died only a few years later. Early in 1838 Lieutenant Charles Fitzgerald was posted to his first command – a small two masted brigantine called the HMS ‘Buzzard’. The vessel mounted only three guns, had a small crew and was both fragile and vulnerable in bad weather. But the ‘Buzzard’ was well suited for swift inshore work in shallow waters and unexplored rivers and for chasing down slave ships along the stormy, fever-ridden coast of West Africa. In sum, Robert was a now a member of the Royal Navy’s Preventive Squadron, otherwise known as the African Squadron. He was part of a desperate war to put an end to the vile traffic in slaves between Africa and the Americas, a hazardous business that in some years cost the lives of one in five of the Royal Navy men serving in the Squadron. Some fell in the sea or land fighting against slavers and their African allies; most died because of the many tropical diseases, for which there were no remedies. In March 1839 Charles and his crew captured two Spanish slave ships off Lagos (now in modern Nigeria). They sailed to Freetown in the British colony of Sierra Leone, only to find that they had breached international

for his humanity, courage and firm anti-slavery stance. At some stage in 1840 Charles Fitzgerald was promoted to the rank of Commander for his distinguished services, but he was now in a bad way physically. The strain of constant hard service in the tropics became too much; he was invalided back to Britain and spent time on half-pay. The Government had learned to appreciate him: he was appointed Governor of Gambia in 1844, a West African outpost of empire that at one stage had been a bastion of the slave trade. By the time Charles arrived it partly served as a kind of transit point for returning freed slaves, those who had been rescued from the hell-ships. The capital was at Bathurst, now called Banjul. The Fitzgerald term in office is supposed to have been fairly uneventful, a claim supported by the best available history of the colony. However, Charles did quarrel fiercely with his Chief Justice, Richard McDonnell, who had a reputation for severity in his judgements. By 1847 it is likely that the tropical climate and bouts of fever had undermined his health. Charles left Gambia and returned to Britain, only to be appointed to the position of Governor of Western Australia in July 1847. He accepted the posting, but insisted on taking his full quota of leave before going on his travels again. The rest and recuperation resulted in a major bonus for him – he wooed and won Eleanora Caroline Elwes, a member of a Northamptonshire family who turned out to be a lively and amusing ‘first lady’ in his new colony. The couple married in March 1848 and arrived in Western Australia on August 12, 1848. Governor Fitzgerald was known to be a painstaking administrator and must have been aware all was not well in the colony before leaving Britain. The Treasury reported financial difficulties and farmers and pastoralists complained about the high price of land. The settler population of Western Australia had risen only to about 5000 and labour shortages became an issue in the early 1840s. Signs of recovery from about 1845 did not stop some locals from raising the awkward subject: the possibility of importing convict labour. Whatever his private feelings

law. The slavers had been flying American flags and he had no authorisation to bring them in. A joint Spanish-British Commission made the following ruling: Lieutenant Fitzgerald could release the ships and let them take their cargo of slaves west or escort them to the USA and place them before an American court. Robert refused to let the slave traders off the hook and sailed for New York in April. His arrival caused a sensation and the HMS ‘Buzzard’ men got a nice reward for their efforts – the New York District Attorney decided the ships were Spanish after all. In effect, Lieutenant Fitzgerald could take the slaves (now without chains) back to Sierra Leone and free them. He tried very hard to do so, but fate was unkind. On the last stages of the voyage a violent hurricane hit his small squadron in December 1839. Charles and the ‘Buzzard’ men narrowly survived. One slave ship sank with great loss of life, including the small British prize crew placed on board to control the vessel. The other slaver was forced back to the West Indies, but at least the court rulings meant freedom for its human cargo. While in New York Charles became involved in the celebrated ‘Amistad’ case, the issue being that slaves on that ship had rebelled and taken the vessel from its Spanish crew. The ship drifted to the American coast and was taken into custody. The slaves faced charges of mutiny in the state of Connecticut. Abolitionist lawyers were desperate to find an interpreter to help in the defence of the Africans. They heard of the ‘Buzzard’s exploits and sent the linguist and theologian Josiah Gibbs south to ask for help. Charles Fitzgerald had just the man for him. Some crew members of the ‘Buzzard’ told Gibbs that their comrade James Covey spoke the dialect he needed. Covey was a former slave – he had been rescued from bondage by the British and later joined the Royal Navy himself. He was now with the ‘Buzzard’ but wanted to help. Charles released him from service and Covey went on to play a key role in the trial. The American Supreme Court declared the Amistad survivors to be free men not slaves. Spielberg’s film ‘Amistad’ does romanticise parts of the story, but it gives realistic credit to Charles Fitzgerald

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came under attack in December 1848 and drove off their assailants, shooting three in the process. Charles received a spear wound in the leg, which he seems to have accepted with aplomb, despite shocked newspaper comments. The incident did not hinder certain major developments in the area: the name of the town of Geraldton (at first called Champion Bay) honours the Governor’s Irish heritage and his WA achievements. (To be continued)

on the matter, Charles was instructed to sound out how colonists would react to the introduction of a Convict Establishment. The Governor certainly had his work cut out for him but, ever a man of action, he took the first available chance to examine and explore outlying areas of WA. He went with Augustus Gregory and a well-balanced exploration party to check out possible ore deposits at Champion Bay and then proceed north as far as the Murchison. The party

AIHA Brendan Award

winners journey well from Armagh to Australia Denis and Patricia Bratten arrived in Australia in 1967. Denis was a county Gaelic footballer with Armagh, while Patricia was a champion Irish dancer. In Perth the couple were involved in the local GAA at all levels and Patricia was an Irish Dancing adjudicator. Their daughters Deirdre and Ailsa would become state swimmers and Denis and Patricia were heavily involved at many levels in that sport for years. In fact they became involved in many other organisations, making an outstanding contribution to the Irish and wider Australian communities. They served on the Board of the Australia Irish Heritage Association from 1998 as joint treasurers with Denis remaining continuously to this date having served as President for the past six years. Patricia has been the treasurer and membership secretary for the past five years. The Association was founded in 1993 to encourage and promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish heritage by creating opportunities for all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive heritage through talks, commemorations, publications, awards and competitions of an historical, cultural and literary nature. Their commitment to AIHA is consummate and apart from the demanding administration they have taken responsibility for many of the organisation’s regular events such as the Australia Day Ecumenical service, the Yeats commemoration, ANZAC Day commemoration and the Mary Durack Lecture. They also given their support and time to cross-promoting other Irish cultural and social groups such as the Claddagh Welfare Association and in many projects benefitting the Australian-Irish community. Denis’ interest in history has led him to present often at the AIHA

History talks and to contribute articles in the Associations quarterly Journal. They have coordinated the writers prizes in recent years and Denis has been registrar of the Brendan award. Denis and Patricia have been critical to the success of the AIHA since taking executive offices in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Their promotion of Irish culture and heritage and their enormous time commitment to these noble pursuits commend them as worthy nominees of the Brendan Award. So when they were named as winners of the prestigious award nobody who knew them could have been surprised at the announcement or doubted it was well deserved by its latest recipients. The Brendan Award was introduced in 1997 to recognise persons who have made an outstanding contribution to Australia’s Irish Heritage. The first recipient of this annual award was President Mary Robinson in 1997 and an honour Board of recipients is on display at the Irish Club of WA. The design of The Brendan Award is based on the concept of St. Brendan The Navigator, featuring a sail-form, cast in bronze which carries the emblem of The Celtic Cross. While the sail is symbolic of the Irish who have come to Australia, either as emigrants or visitors, the Celtic Cross is the ubiquitous symbol of the early Irish Christians. These stalwart sailors, who were reputed to be great navigators and explorers of the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries, left their native shores to bring the culture of Ireland to the four corners of the globe. Courage, bravery determination and endurance are amongst the qualities attributed to these people and are embodied in this sculpture. Specifically, this Award

endeavours to pay tribute to all those of Irish background who have contributed these qualities to the advancement of Australian Irish Heritage ideals. The sail element, cast in bronze, with mirror-polished cross in relief, stands on a base of polished West Australian Black Granite, which, in turn is symbolic of the seas which St. Brendan and his followers, (down to the present time) had to cross, bringing the cultural heritage of Ireland to far off lands. The award has been designed and created by Internationally renowned sculptors Charles and Joan Walsh-Smith of Aisling Studios Gidgegannup who hail from Waterford and who’s work can be seen all along St George’s Terrace, at Burswood, Fremantle, Rockingham, Geraldton and the National War Memorial in Canberra and further afield in Ireland and elsehwere. Denis and Patricia were presented with the award appropriately enough on the occasion of an iconic event inspired by another Irish saint, St. Patrick’s Day. It was appropriate and fitting that the award could be shared with the wider Irish community on this important day of cultural and religious celebration for the Irish community in WA.

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THE WESLEYS AND THE RISE OF IRISH METHODISM By JOHN HAGAN

Charles Wesley was arguably the most prolific hymn writer ever, with over 6,500 compositions to his credit. His hymns enabled not only his followers to sing their faith, but also to learn more about it through singing. It is generally well known that during the second half of the 18th century, Charles, and brother John, reinvigorated the spiritual landscape of England. What is not so well regognised is that they also helped establish the doctrine and practices of Methodism in Ireland. John and Charles were two of 19 children born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley. John was born in 1703, and Charles four years later. Their father, Samuel, was a Church of England rector, although apparently not a very popular one. His attempts to correct the loose living of his parishioners were often unappreciated, and, on more than one occasion his rectory was set on fire. During one such incident, young John had a miraculous escape from the flames, leading Susanna to believe that God had a special purpose for the boy. John was later fortunate to receive financial support from the Duke of Buckingham to be educated at the prestigious Charterhouse School. He subsequently obtained a scholarship to Christ Church College, Oxford. By 1728 he had been ordained into the Church of England, and later took up religious duties at Oxford’s, Lincoln College. Charles Wesley followed his elder brother to Christ Church, and soon the two brothers formed a small Bible study group. In addition to debating religious matters, they also undertook charitable works and visited local prisons. Their activities soon attracted the notice of other students, who derisively dubbed them, ‘Bible moths’, ‘The Holy Club’ and ‘Methodists’. This last sobriquet mocked their methodological approach to

John & Charles Wesley

Christian devotion and charity, sarcastically suggesting that they relied more on method than on faith. It was however, a title which the Wesleys and their companions accepted with some pride – and it stuck. In 1735 Charles Wesley was also ordained into the Church of England, and, after a stint in America, he and brother John returned to England in 1738. Following an ‘evangelical conversion’ in a Moravian Chapel, the preaching styles of both John and Charles were transformed. As a result, the brothers became convinced of the value of ‘field preaching’, and proceeded to embark on tours of England and Wales, preaching in village squares and other open air venues. Seeking to further spread the gospel, John Wesley paid his first visit to Dublin in August 1747, unaware that a Methodist Society was already meeting in the city. British regiments, which formed the garrison in Ireland, recruited their junior officers from amongst the English working class which had readily embraced, and adopted, Methodist teachings. When these soldiers were posted to Ireland they set up a Methodist Society to meet their own spiritual needs. On Sunday 9 August 1747, John Wesley landed at George’s Quay just in time to attend a Church of Ireland morning service at St Andrew’s Church. Later that day he preached his first sermon in Ireland at St Mary’s Church. Most of his meetings, however, were staged at a former Lutheran chapel in Great

Marlborough Street. This building could hold about 400 people and Wesley estimated that another 2000 could stand in the forecourt to hear his sermons and sing hymns. On 24 August, Wesley returned to England, heartened by his Irish reception. To consolidate his work, he quickly dispatched Charles, who remained in Ireland from September 1747 until March 1748, preaching and evangelizing in both Dublin and Cork. John continued his visits to Ireland until 1789. Over that period, he made 21 trips, amounting to about five and a half years in total. In 1748 he made his first journey to Connacht, preaching in Aughrim, Co Galway. A year later he journeyed to Munster, speaking in Cork, Bandon and Limerick. 1756 saw him in Ulster, where he ministered in Newry, Lisburn, Rathfriland, Ballymena and Belfast. The only Irish counties John Wesley failed to visit during his entire Irish perambulations were Roscommon and Kerry. Despite his extensive journeys, Wesley should not be considered a pathfinder because both he, and Charles, only went where a Methodist presence had already been established. Most of the pioneering work in Ireland was undertaken by local Irish preachers and Methodist converts, while the brothers’ main contribution was that of oversight and encouragement. Despite their success, all was not plain sailing for the Wesleys in Ireland. Archbishop Cobbe, head of the Church of Ireland, preached many sermons antagonistic to the work of John and Charles, while the Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Waterford described the Methodists as “grievous wolves”. The Church of Ireland also issued pamphlets castigating the Wesleys’ work. This reaction was no doubt motivated by a perceived threat, and a fear that Methodist enthusiasm for social

Homage to Mother Nature

justice might disturb the ecumenical and political status quo. Despite this harassment by the Church of Ireland, the Wesleys never faltered in their support and affection for all things Anglican. Many Irish magistrates, who were generally Church of Ireland parishioners or church office holders, assisted in the harassment of Methodists by refusing to prosecute the deviants who physically attacked preachers or disrupted gatherings. On one occasion in Clonakilty, the magistrate jailed Methodist, Thomas Walsh, when he contravened a directive not to preach in the town. Walsh, however, was able to overcome his predicament by addressing the assembled crowd through the bars of his cell. In a number of instances, the presence of the Wesleys and their followers led to mob violence. In 1773, John Wesley wrote to brother Charles: “I have been in two mobs since I came into Ireland, one in the South and one in the North”. Following a sermon on the Bowling Green in Waterford, on 25 April (1773), trouble makers roughed up some of those attending, and the following month in Enniskillen, Wesley was himself pelted with stones. Unlike one of his colleagues, John Smith, Wesley suffered no real harm during the assault. In 1774, while on his way to address a meeting outside Enniskillen, the unfortunate Smith was attacked by a local bailiff wielding a pitchfork. He was so badly wounded that he died a few days later – the first Irish Methodist martyr. It was not in the Irish cities, among craftsmen and shopkeepers, that the Wesleys exerted their greatest influence, but in the rural areas, amongst the tenants and labourers. Despite all their evangelistic efforts, during the 42 years from 1747 until 1789, the membership of Methodist societies rose to just over 14,000, with the greatest concentration of these being in the ‘linen triangle’, just south of Lough Neagh (Northern Ireland). Vigorous Methodist communities were also firmly established in West Cork and North Tipperary. Failure to leave a greater numerical footprint in Ireland may be attributed to political and cultural reasons. The Wesleys, and their preachers, were initially English, and spoke no Irish. Their appeal to Irish Catholics, who conversed in Irish was therefore minimal. The cultural barrier of language was a factor never really appreciated by either John or Charles. On a number of occasions, John Wesley was asked to attend services in Presbyterian churches and Quaker meeting houses. He always refused. As an ordained Church of England priest, he felt that he had no business attending worship services of other denominations. In 1789, John Wesley paid his last visit to Ireland and died in March 1791, just three months short of his 88th birthday. His younger brother, Charles preceded him, dying in March 1788.

World Biodiversity Day - May 22 2014 By Peter Murphy

Earthly patterns, lines and colours abound, Where bower of plant, mineral and animal Weave their way, like a snake slithers Through the forest undergrowth. Hidden amongst soil, leaves and bark, Lay layers of time and space, Captured to evoke our sense of place, Within this ancient landscape that is us. Here plant and animal intertwine; Unlocking the door to our consciousness; Allowing our imagination to flow Into the arms of Mother Nature. Disconnected to her we’ve become; Isolated in the cosmos at our own peril; No longer able to nourish those senses; For millennium has fed our primal soul. Reconnect; see nature through her eyes. See more wildly, see more clearly, think! Then grasp-hold of her gift, To share with generations to come.

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The Catalpa Escape Memorial • John Boyle O’Reilly Dinner • Martin O’Meara V.C. Play • March 29-30 2014

IRISH AMBASSADOR REFLECTS ON A VISIT TO WA Saturday 29th March The Mayor of City of Rockingham, Barry Sammels, gets things done. I met Barry over lunch on Saturday afternoon in Rockingham, the first stop on a journey through regional Western Australia which would take in Bunbury and Collie too - a slice of Ireland in Australia. Places where the Irish story has played out; places where the Irish story becomes a part of the Australian story. Barry outlined the history of the ‘Wild Geese Monument’. The project had had some challenges along the way - what project doesn’t? Barry was determined to see the job done. And it was. He was justifiably pleased. We unveiled the last piece of the work by Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith before a small but knowledgeable audience. We both said a few short words, just for the occasion, and we took some photographs, just for posterity. The Wild Geese mean something to the Irish. Parting, home, diaspora. Rockingham has taken the time, effort and expense to be the local custodian of an Irish story. This was a nice moment. Barry and his colleagues were generous hosts. We headed for Bunbury. Bunbury provides the venue for the John Boyle O’Reilly annual commemorative dinner. Bunbury is good place to do this, and the Rose Hotel was born for the event. Perfect setting. History meeting history. The memory of John Boyle O’Reilly lives on through an event that not only reflects on his life and his achievements, but opens a door to reflection on contemporary Ireland, where it situates itself, in Australia, and in the world today. We talked about Ireland’s contribution and involvement in Australia, then and now. We talked of commemorations - a decade of commemorations - of momentous historical events; of world wars, ANZACS, Irish ANZACS, of rebellions and independence. The timing of the event, on the eve of the first State Visit by an Irish Head of State to the UK, was apt. Another step in the process of reconciliation. I expect John Boyle O’Reilly would have approved. Councillor Murray Cook was there.

He represented the Lord Mayor of Bunbury. Nola Merino, the Federal Member for Forrest, was there too. Sparrow played the music and Fred gave us The Cry of the Dreamer. Tony Costa sang also. Frank moved through the room, seamless, professional, drawing it all together. Tom Dillon, Peter Murphy and Michael Manea delivered a dignified, respectful and meaningful event. Sunday morning we headed for the countryside and recalled John Boyle O’Reilly again, for sure, but we also paid tribute to the memory and commitment of Ern Menea who did so much to promote his memory and legacy. Onward to Collie. Saturday 29th March Collie is a long way from Tipperary, as the crow flies, but today it did not seem so far. From the general to the specific; reflections the previous evening on the many who gave their lives, crystallised this afternoon around the memory of one, Martin O’Meara, the sleeper cutter from Lorrha and recipient of the highest military honour, the Victoria Cross. The people of Collie opened their doors and their hearts to the people from Ireland. Wayne Sanford, President of the Shire Council, hosted a civic reception. His colleagues were there too, the men and women of the St John’s Ambulance (in green livery for the day – nice gesture), the local community, warm, generous and welcoming. Reception over, we headed off, together, to lay a wreath under the reassuring eye of Gary Benton, President of the local RSL, attended respectfully by the students of Collie Senior High School. We joined in solidarity and friendship around the memory of Martin O’Meara VC. The sleeper-cutter, the soldier, the man would have approved. And he would have approved of the brute honesty of his story as reflected in Noel O’Neill’s dramatic work, ‘Under Any Old Gum Tree’, wonderfully interpreted by Kieran Garvey in the title role (the accent was spot on) with Rex Gray as the sympathetic attendant. This is a fine production, a moving, timely and important one. The songs, those of the time, and some more con-

temporary ones too, reinforced the solemnity and solidarity of the moment - ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone’ remains in the memory. The staff and students of Collie Senior High, watched over by Principal, Domenic Camera, engaged and committed, provided venue, interest, atmosphere, and refreshments too. Good people. Excellent hosts. This was a unique presentation of events, cleverly and sensitively conceived and executed, and a tribute to all those involved. Ireland’s legacy in this country is important and is in safe hands. I am indebted to many people but especially to Hon Consul, Marty Kavanagh of course, and I am deeply grateful for having been allowed the privilege to be a part of such an enriching series of events. Noel White, Ambassador April 2014

MICK TWOMEY

6 May 1944 - 29 March 2014 Bunbury, WA Local Bunbury identity, Mick Twomey’s passing was remembered in his family’s hometown of Glanmire in Co Cork and also at masses in England, Melbourne and Tasmania. Born in Bunbury, Mick was one of 5 children of Christopher and Kathleen Twomey from Co Cork. Mick was a ‘lovable larrikin’ who loved a joke. To his family we extend our deepest sympathy. Slan a Chara.

Tug of War - Ireland v New Zealand The Winners were the Kiwi’s. Great mix of young and old and a good few of the Old Shamrock Tug of War Winning team of the 80’s and 90’s were on hand to lend their expertise and support. It was followed by quite a few beverages in the Beldon Tavern.

Dermot Byrne

The Irish Quiz Wiz!

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As the weather starts to turn cold and probably before you read this, I will be on my way to sunny Dublin. As I can’t think of any special subject, it will have to be a Pot Luck Quiz this time. 1. How much liquid does a ten gallon hat hold – 10 gallons, ¾ of a gallon, 5 gallons or 2 ½ gallons? 2. How many years did it take to build the Great Wall of China? 3. What is the name of the statuette found on every Rolls Royce car? 4. Which country includes a bunch of bananas on its flag? 5. What was the first sporting event to be televised? 6. What famous song did the German composer George Graff write? 7. In which battle did Sitting Bull defeat General Custer? 8. What prize did Roger Federer receive from the Swiss Government after his first Wimbledon win? 9. What is Mary Quant often credited with introducing in the 1960s that is now an everyday item? 10. Which of the dwarfs in Snow White does not have a beard? Answers: 1. ¾ of a gallon 2. 1,700 3. Spirit of Ecstasy 4. Fiji 5. 1936 Berlin Olympics 6. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling 7. Battle of Little Bighorn 8. A cow 9. Mini skirt 10. Dopey

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Well Done Marie

Congratulations to Marie (Annie) Hicks of Collie who received a certificate from the Irish Ambassador for continuing to support the memory of Victoria Cross recipient, Martin O’Meara.

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Building the business

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Western Australia’s building business is one of the big success stories of the local economy. Wherever you look in metropolitan Perth area there are building projects, residential and industrial, retail and commercial, all at various stages of development. And wherever you see new apartment blocks, office blocks or even hospitals and hotels going up there is another business rising with that development in tandem – scaffolding. Housed in and around that busy sector you might say are stories of small and hard working outfits like Eire Scaffolding, companies that are willing and able to meet the demanding needs of the construction business. Once a project gets to a certain stage and scaffolding is no longer needed it is quickly removed and leaves no trace or evidence of its vital role on the finished article. Eire Scaffolding, now based on Rudloc Road, Morley was set up in October 2012 by Tipperary man Noel Sweeney and Dubliner Joe Brennan. Originally the company consisted of just the two Irish men but it didn’t take them long to establish a reputation in the marketplace for the quality of their work and equipment as well as their professionalism, safety and results on site. About a year after it started Eire Scaffolding took on another director Scottish man Greig Ferguson to help the business cope with the demands being put on it. Between them the three men have almost 50 years experience in the trade and today the company has a total of 14 employees and continues to grow its operations. Even in the first few months of this year they have seen a big rise in activity. As long as the Perth building sector continues to grow Eire Scaffolding will be right alongside it, literally supporting it all the way.

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People not problems made St. Patrick’s Day stand out Perth’s St. Patrick’s Day for 2014 was a great success, no matter what way you looked at it. The parade itself saw a massive number and variety of groups and floats (more than 40) that took part in the parade as it passed through Vincent. There were plenty of Irish organisations involved as you would expect but also a contingent of other community groups who having been invited to join in were happy to walk on the day, demonstrating the widespread appeal and reach of the Irish community. The strength of the crowds that turned out to watch and enjoy the spectacle also showed there was a big appetite for the event which rolled into the nearby NIB stadium grounds for the cultural festival part of the day’s celebrations. Activities and amenities at the oval were well organised and plentiful and built on the experiences of last years event. There was plenty of music and dancing, games and sports. A wide range of stalls and places to get something to eat and drink. There was plenty of shaded and covered areas, and free water to help revellers cope with the heat of the day. All of this was only possible thanks to the hard work and commitment of the committee which organised it. Ordinary mums and dads and single people all gave up countless hours of their precious free time to come to regular meetings to

thrash out the detail of what needed to be done and how. I take my hat off to those guys and gals who generously and selflessly volunteered so much for the many. A small disclosure of interest here that I did join the committee but only very late in the day when 99% of the heavy lifting (and there is a lot to be done) was already sorted out and only for a brief time. The amount of time and sacrifices offered up by the committee members needs to be highlighted, remembered and appreciated. Fair play to ye lads! And remember the old saying “many hands make light work”, so if you think you could contribute even a small amount to the overall effort next year I can tell you it would be welcomed and appreciated in turn. Irishman Ray Stynes contacted Irish Scene to express his own recognition of the event, and day, from a unique perspective. Ray is a Sergeant at Perth Police Station. Here he shares his thoughts on the day. “I would just like to applaud from a policing perspective how well the parade and other events were conducted on the Sunday, it was a credit to all involved. I also want to applaud the attitude and behaviour of all the Irish on the Monday. I

By Lloyd Gorman

worked from 1pm to 11pm on the beat with another Irish lad Paul Ayton from Donegal. We visited most of the Irish pubs in the Central Business District and Northbridge area. We walked through the pubs for most of our shift and sat and talked and had photos taken with our fellow country folk. I wanted to say considering all the bad publicity in the past that it was like old times in Perth with the Irish just having fun and the craic and no sign of any violence or trouble. I want to give credit where it is due. I was proud to be a part of policing on this day to see how well we can still party within the confines of the law and the public eye. Well done to all the Irish who celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and to all those who took part in organising this great event. Proud to be Irish.”

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Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. WESTERN AUSTRALIA In the week leading up to Easter, some of the best Irish dancers from Perth were finally ready to show their wares on the world stage. For the first time, the World Irish Dancing Championships were held in England. Many dancers used this as a chance to not only compete in such a prestigious competition, but also to do some sightseeing in the English capital, where the competition was being held, with one of the biggest contingents ever from WA heading over to try and impress the adjudicators.

Lydon (Kavanagh), Taylor Pymm (WA Academy), Ciara Stobbie (Ceide/ Upton), Elleanor Purser (WA Academy), Shannen Krupa (WA Academy), Sian Fitzgerald (Trinity), Fiona Thomas (Kavanagh), Madelyn Glover (Ceide/Upton), Shannon Kennedy (Kavanagh) and Siobhan Collis (Trinity).

A BIG thank you to the teachers, parents, families and dancing classmates of our world representatives, who supported, fundraised and encouraged our dancers as they prepared for their biggest competition.

WAY TO GO!

Congratulations to the following dancers who so commendably represented WA and Australia: Niamh Mathers (Kavanagh), Caoimhe McAleer (Ceide/Upton), Tiah Courtney (O’Brien), Emily Rooney (Kavanagh), Ruby Driscoll (Ceide/Upton), Caitlin Bone (Ceide/Upton), Brittany Pymm (WA Academy), Dakota Courtney (O’Brien), Ashlyn Stevens (WA Academy), Brigid

And a special congratulations and hooray! must go to Dara McAleer (Ceide/Upton) and Ciara-Mae Crone (Ceide/Upton), for placing 26th and 47th in their respective age groups. What a fabulous achievement girls! It is an incredibly tough competition and to earn any placing is a marvellous achievement! At time of going to print, a number of our senior dancers were still yet to compete, so fingers crossed for some more fabulous results to follow. The rest of our dancers are busy preparing for the next AIDA WA feis at the beginning of May, as well as a number of interstate competitions in May and June.

For more information on Irish Dancing in WA, please contact the AIDA Inc (WA Branch) Secretary, Siobhan Cummins, at aidawa@aidainc.com or 0422 075 300.

Saoirse Sinead Hoare TCRG Carramar 0414 647 849 Trinity Eileen Purtell-Ashley TCRG Morley 0413 511 595 WA Academy Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG Malaga 9276 3737 / 0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 9377 5600 Hilary McKenna TCRG 0404 730 532

Growing up in rural Northern Ireland in County Antrim, I first became aware of Ellen Jane when I was about eight years old. Ellen Jane had lived with her two sisters on a small holding up the lane in front of our house. When I was eight years old Mariah, her last surviving sister died, leaving Ellen Jane, a retiree on her own. When all the sisters were alive they kept a few cows and made butter. I know this because my uncle had gone to their house to buy a cow and Mariah had accused him of bewitching the cream they were churning and the cream would not produce butter, no matter how hard or how long they churned. The sisters had a plunge type churn with a large handle and the churn sat on the ground. One of the sisters used the plunger to churn the cream. We had a different type of churn, on a stand with a barrel, with a handle that was used to churn. At this time Ellen Jane was about 70 years old, 5 foot 3 inches tall slim build and walked everywhere. After her sisters died she thought she would smarten herself up, so she dyed her white hair brown with cold tea. She also like to paint, so she separated the lining from her coat and painted designs on it, and the newly painted lining then became a new coat. She lived in a one story whitewashed house with a tin roof (unusual in Ireland at the time). The house had 4 rooms; A kitchen, come living room, come dining room, with a crane and hook over an open fire. Enabling her to do all of her cooking over an open fire. She painted the fireplace yellow and then painted eggcups over the yellow for decoration. She also painted flowers on her porch. When my brothers and sister and I were going to primary school, Ellen Jane would be on her way to the local town, so we would walk along with her to the bus stop, a mile from our home. She bought her milk from our farm. She came for it every Sunday morning. She would talk to us as we had breakfast. She always had a drip on her chin so one morning as she was talking to us the drip fell in the new pot of marmalade jam. Nobody in the house would eat the jam from then on, so our mother gave her the jam. Ellen Jane thought she might have to pay for the jam but mother made it a gift. She was quite a character and believed in fairies and the little people. She told me she often saw them swinging on the highguard (hayyard) gate. Other times she saw people disappear through

THE

SpayWoman by MOYA HILL

our front door. When questioned as to who the people were, she said if one had been my father he would have spoken to her. Her home was a local gathering place for the “craic” (the chat). Our friend Dorothy, my brothers, sister and I would go up to her house to listen to the McCooeys, a play on the radio. The McCooeys favourite song was “All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth. Ellen Jane would make us food and not sure about how safe it was, we would hide it in the flower pots. One day Ellen Jane had been to the local shops and left her umbrella behind. Early the next morning, which was during the school holidays, she came to our house and asked my Mother to send me to the shop to fetch her umbrella. She thought the local bad boys, who lived near the shop would break the umbrella. My cousin was staying at our house and we set off on our bicycles in the afternoon and collected the umbrella. I hung it on my bicycle, and what do you think happened the umbrella caught in the spokes of the bicycle and broke. I was devastated so we put the umbrella back Spay Woman’s Home

together and left it up with Ellen Jane. I was terrified that she would find out and come and tell my Mother that I had broken her umbrella. As luck would have it, it didn’t rain for three weeks, very unusual in Ireland so she had no reason to use the umbrella. Then one day in October she put up the umbrella and low and behold it was broken. When she came to our house she told my Mother she just knew that the rough boys at the shop would break her umbrella. I did not confess to my Mother until many years later. Ellen Jane was a very sociable lady and had many visitors at night. She had rope chairs in her living room, arranged in a ring. She said that the chairs were for the little folk that visited her. Ellen Jane kept some hens and occasionally she would loose one or two hens. She would come down the lane to my Mother on a very busy Saturday afternoon looking for her hens. My Mother said that she hadn’t seen the hens but she sent me to look for the hens. As we had about 300 hens in that field I couldn’t see her hens. She was satisfied with that. A few weeks later she told us that she had been to see the Spay Woman and she had told Ellen Jane that the hens were at our neighbours house. Ellen Jane bought an armchair which was especially reserved for the local Minister, for when he visited, usually once a month. The chair was covered up in newspaper and brown paper and uncovered when the Minister visited. No one else was allowed to sit in the chair. One winter night about six young adults came to visit Ellen Jane and told her that they had just returned from America. Ellen Jane was always talking about her brother that lived in America. One of the boys had a knife and decided to slash holes in the chair. After the adults left she discovered the holes in the chair and was very distressed, so again she went to visit the Spay Woman. I only discovered later that the Spay Woman was the local fortune teller in the village. The Spay Woman told her who cut the chair. Ellen Jane went to the home of this boy to talk to his parents and they were very upset about what he had done and offered to buy her a new chair. She said that she didn’t want compensation, but she said that the young man would never be able to sit in her house again. One Sunday about one year later Ellen Jane did not come to collect her milk. Nobody had seen her around for a

Moya Hill

few days. My father went to get her niece, who lived on a farm nearby to come with him to Ellen Jane’s house. They broke the door down and she was lying unconcious behind the door. The doctor and the police visited her and the doctor suggested that she be put to bed and for someone to stay with her. As this was the week before Christmas, 1954 everyone was very busy but her niece stayed. On the Sunday evening before this happened a local Dramatic Society had put on a play in the local village hall. On the Monday as we were walking home from school the young man who had slashed Ellen Janes chair was walking up the road. We discussed the play with him and he talked about how much he had enjoyed it. The following day Ellen Jane’s niece had to go to town for some Christmas shopping. The young man in question worked for her niece so she brought him up to Ellen Jane’s house and asked him to stay until she returned from town. He wasn’t very comfortable about this situation. As he entered the house our neighbour was sitting in the chair for the Minister so he got up and said sit in this chair it is nice and comfortable. Reluctantly he sat down. Then his face started to go blue, he had a convulsion, his eyes rolled back in his head and he died at the age of 21. Ellen Jane remained unconscious for 3 more days and then she died. This incident frightened everyone in the neighbourhood and I never set foot in the house again. After Ellen Jane died the small holding was put up for sale and my father’s cousin’s wife bought the place at an inflated price for her son. Her son never married and no one ever lived in Ellen Jane’s house again. In 2011 when I visited the family home in Ireland my nephews and I went up the lane for a walk to find the house in decay and cattle wandering through. People in the area are still afraid to go up the lane to the house. Irresponsibility is part of the pleasure of all art; it is the part the schools cannot recognise.

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James Joyce

time here there was one in particular he was looking forward too on March 17. Accompanied by a small group, lead by Marty Kavanagh, Perth’s Hon. Consulate, Minister Kelly laid a wreath for an Irishman who won the Victoria Cross medal in the uniform of the Australian army at the flame of remembrance in Kings Park, where a plaque is dedicated to O’Meara. “Lorrha, the place where Martin O’Meara is from, is in the electorate that I represent, so I’m a Tipperary man and it’s a great honour to lay a wreath for him here,”Mr Kelly said. The brief ceremony was given by members of the Highgate RSL branch who flew the Irish flag and provided a bugler who played the Last Post. Tourists and people passing by stopped what they were doing and paid their respect. Amongst those at the event were Kings Park tour guide Leith Landauer whose passion for history includes spreading the word about O’Meara and John Hogan, who is in Perth for a month on holiday. “I was born in Ballyquirk, which is only a spit and a roll from Lorrha,” said who left the area when he was 10, in 1953, but moved back about eight years ago. Minister Kelly also had a meeting with Australia’s foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop. He said they discussed the contribution the Irish community was making to Australia and he encouraged her to support them in turn.

Irish Government pays tribute to Martin O’Meara, VC Alan Kelly (above), Ireland’s minister of state for public and commuter transport had a busy calendar of events, meetings and engagements on his tour of Australia for St. Patrick’s Day. But of all the functions and responsibilities the government representative was faced with in his

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2014 INTERNATIONAL FAMINE COMMEMORATION TO BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS

1840 and 1860, New Orleans had a higher per capita Irish population November 6-9, 2014 than Boston or Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage Philadelphia. The and the Gaeltacht, announced that New Orleans one Irish Channel of the oldest and most prominent cities in the United remains the centre of States will be the location of the 2014 International the St. Patrick’s Day Famine Commemoration. festivities in New Minister Deenihan said, ‘As Chair of the National Orleans today. Famine Commemoration Committee, I am very much In the wake of looking forward to working with the ‘Irish Network of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’, the city’s Hibernian groups and the local the Irish people community to make the arrangements for next year’s extended the same International Famine Commemoration programme. I compassion and am sure it will be a very special and moving tribute to generosity to the those who suffered and perished during the Great Irish people of New Famine and also a vibrant celebration of the immense Orleans that our achievements of those who emigrated and their ancestors received during the most desolate period descendants who built new lives in their adopted homes in our nation’s history. Indeed, the Irish Government in New Orleans and across the Southern United States’. committed €1 million to disaster relief in the immediate The people of Ireland and New Orleans share aftermath of the storm. €700,000 was given to the Red a common bond of suffering and loss, and a spirit Cross for immediate use along the Gulf Coast and of endurance and hope in the face of catastrophe. €300,000 was given to various community and civil The failure of the potato crop during the 1840s was service organisations. a transforming event in Ireland, which changed the demographic and cultural landscape forever. Thousands Source: http://irishhungercomm.wordpress.com/ of Irish people emigrated to New Orleans and between

Kirby’s picture of the world

...from East Cork to the Middle East

By Mike Bowen

When I was growing up in Ireland, Youghal was a small sleepy town on the south east of Co Cork. It came to life every summer when the steam trains brought the thousands of Cork families thirty-two miles to the seaside resort to recharge their batteries after the harsh winters. I only ever wanted the great ice cream that was a speciality there and as I was never one for swimming or laying on a beach, I would just sit in the shade, lick my ice cream and read my Beano and Dandy comics. It was to Youghal that Sir Walter Raleigh first brought potatoes and tobacco and it was there that the epic movie Moby Dick staring Gregory Peck and Irish actor Noel Purcell was filmed. That golden place of happy childhood memory would reassert its influence on me later in my adult life. About 20 years ago I was with the wonderful The Fureys on one of their many Australian tours. They were doing a spot on the country’s then most popular TV show Good Morning Australia, with host Bert Newton. Before the lads took up their positions on the set, this fresh faced lad introduced himself to me, “Hi I’m Kirby Kearns, I’m the producer”. I think I replied with something that Eddie Murphy might have said, “get out of here you have an Irish accent”. “No mate” came the reply,” it’s a Youghal accent” and then an outburst of laughter. Fast forward to 2014 Kirby Kearns and I are together again in The Globe office in Melbourne to talk about his story. He tells me, in 1956 his mother Maureen was migrating to Melbourne from Ireland and she met Kevin Kearns from Youghal who was a Petty Officer on the migrant ship Oriana. As the story goes, on arrival Kevin jumped ship and married Maureen just a couple of months later and

settled down to what they thought would be their future life and home. Kirby was the fourth child after his brothers Sean, Kevin and Terry. He was born on 4th December 1963 and six months later Kevin and Maureen decided to return home to Youghal with Kirby and his three siblings. A further three siblings Sandra, Brian and Kieran were born later in the Cork town. It was there in the playgrounds and backstreets of Youghal that young Kirby began to think of adventures and the world beyond. He tells me growing up in that lovely seaside resort where he had a wonderful feeling of safety and security. There were regular treasure hunts where he and his friends often found Viking arrowheads and Viking bones. He says it’s a shame that the place was never excavated to see what other treasures may be hidden there. At the age of sixteen and for the next two years of his life he braved the seas as part of a two man fishing team on a sixteen-foot boat. Aged 18 he went to New York where he spent four unrewarding years before returning to Australia. M.B. Did you feel you were returning to your homeland, here in Australia? K. K. Not really, it was a strange feeling as I was only a six months old baby when the family returned to Ireland and I had no feeling or understanding of Australia other than what mom and dad told me. Because of growing up in Ireland I had always felt I was Irish and still do.” Not long after Kirby’s return to Australia he was walking down a street in Adelaide and ran into Anna who he had met some time back in a bar in England while playing pool. He tells me he was on fire in that bar, cleaning up all the other players; until she walked in and picked up the cue and proceeded

to trounce him in every game. “Yep she cleaned me out, she took me for every penny in my pocket, and the girl was brilliant with the cue”. Stars collided that day in Adelaide as they rekindled their friendship over a cup of coffee. On the day their daughter Aislinn was born on the 18th of June 1989, Kirby’s life took a dramatic change. He says it was a magic day seeing her gorgeous face and then, to make things even better it was the day he found what he was looking for, a career in the TV world. He was interviewed at Channel 7 in Adelaide for a job as a trainee video editor. Kirby tells me he was utterly blown away to finally get an opportunity to do what he felt was going to be a brilliant challenge working in the TV industry. He spent the next three years learning his craft before moving on to Channel 7 in Melbourne where he spent another year. Channel 10 Melbourne offered him the position of producer for the top Australian morning show ‘Good Morning Australia’ with host Bert Newton, Australia’s number one showman. He stayed for five years and that’s where Kirby and I met the first time and have remained the best of friends ever since. M. B. Did you enjoy your time in Melbourne, Kirby? K K. Yeah sure it was a great time for me, I really grew into the TV world that time. M.B. I remember when your mom and dad came out here to visit you and I drove them around the Grand Prix track here in Albert Park, your Dad was so thrilled and your mom was so nervous. K.K. Dad passed away two years ago and he always talked about that day. He told everyone in Youghal that he was the only person from Youghal that ever drove around a Formula 1 Grand Prix track. Itchy feet again took Kirby on

another journey, this time across Asia covering the PGA Golf Tour for a year before moving to London to take up a position with Associated Press Television News based out of London as a Cameraman working in Hostile Environments. His face cringes while telling me of the enormous carnage that he saw in those places. He spent three months in Mitrovitza in Kosovo where there were bodies everywhere, open graves, villages that had been raised and ‘Mike” he says, “I just can’t understand the devastation that man brought on his fellow man in that place honestly no words could really describe it, it looked like hell on earth”. After that, he had four assignments in Afghanistan the first was two days after 9/11 and two other assignments in Iraq later on, where he says he saw the extremes of humanity from extraordinary cruelty to enormous kindness. Was he ever scared?: “Only when bullets passed me. It opened my eyes to a lot more than I could ever have imagined. After all that I think I was badly in need of a change in my life as my body and mind were exhausted”. In 2004 he returned to Australia where he took up a two year position

with Sports Brand, based in Doha in Qatar preparing for the 2006 Asian games. When the project finished the team returned to Australia and he decided to stay on. This is where his life takes another twist he says. K.K. I saw an opportunity where I thought I could make an impact in making corporate films, documentaries and TV ads. The idea came to me when I realised there were no local firms doing this kind of work, as all came from outside. Outsiders had to fly their crews in and out and they had the extra expense of accommodation. Therefore, I set up my own company ‘Resolution Productions Qatar’. Setting up the company was a tough challenge and the 50 degree plus heat didn’t help either. It should be noted while there were problems setting up there was also a ‘can do’ attitude with an air of optimism where everything was possible and I was so determined to succeed. For the first two years I did everything myself, sales, writing, filming, editing, producing, directing, and accounting, you name it and I did it. It was a great learning curve and I cherished the challenge. In 2009 the result of all the hard work brought me a lucrative deal with Qatar Gas,

A LOOK IN THE PAST! In the years before television, in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the rapid uptake of the wireless allowed news to travel fast; and sports’ finals were brought directly into living rooms via the wireless – live and exciting! Cinemas were forced to innovate; better sound, wide screens, Technicolor, and the drive-in. Remember the Pathé Newsreel, shown before the main movie; short movies of the big news that we’d heard on the radio. We listened to the All-Ireland final and then saw the highlights at the cinema the following weekend. Other weeks, we saw some of the great world events on the big screen. Pathé started in Paris in 1896;

founded by four brothers who pioneered ‘the moving image’. They adopted the national emblem of France, the cockerel, as the company trademark. Their newsreels were silent until the late 1920’s, filming such historic events as suffragette Emily Davison being killed by a racehorse at the 1913 Epsom Derby, the 1916 Easter Rising, the British evacuation in 1922, half a million at Michael Collins’ funeral the same year. Also, World Championship fishing in Mayo in 1964, Kildare winning the 1928 All Ireland (nothing but a couple of faint heartbeats since!). Then along came television and we got our news and sport on the small screen. The Pathé Newsreels continued for a few years, slowly

one of the largest companies in the country. They asked me to make 25 in-house videos and everything changed from then on once I had a major company on my books. Since then ‘Resolution Productions’ has won 18 major international awards, including gold at the New York film and Television awards and the coveted Black Dolphin award at the Cannes Corporate Film and TV Awards. M.B. Kirby where do you go from here? K.K. The company is now the largest in this country and I am looking at opportunities in Saudi Arabia and some of the emerging nations. M.B. Do you think you could do a documentary on Ireland that would show the world what great opportunities are waiting to be found there? K.K. Ireland has an abundance of gold in so many different forms and all there just waiting to be found. Yes again I would be delighted to have the opportunity to do that documentary for the Irish government. Contact Mike Bowen at mike@ globefins.com.au sinking, finishing in 1970. In April 2014, Pathé put over 85,000 of their newsreels on YouTube, free to search and play on your computer, tablet, or smart-phone. Go to YouTube, search for, say, ‘pathe kildare (or Mayo)’ and up comes a list of newsreels. I learned that the stable lads on the Curragh went on strike in 1924, that Kildare played good football in the 1920’s. I watched the crowds climbing Croagh Patrick in 1950, and Princess Grace’s visit in 1961. I searched ‘pathe australia’ and watched nuns building a school in 1964, Australia v Ireland in rugby in 1967, and lots more. Got to YouTube and enjoy! Written by: Brian Corr Phone: (08) 6262-4567 Mobile: 0417-979-989 Email: brian@corr.net.au

THE KELLY GANG by Marie Moloney At the 2014 St Patrick’s Day Parade I surveyed the hundreds of young Irish families who have made Perth their home in the past few years. Irish Families in Perth who organised the event for the second year did a marvellous job. The spirit and sense of humour of the Irish has the ability to leave its mark wherever we go. Most of these young Irish families are economic migrants and I wonder how many will end up making Australia their permanent home. Although when I came to Western Australia forty five years ago the average Irish migrant was less educated than the current young migrants this was not the number one concern. Distance was something that we were all aware of, I still remember my eight year old son asking “Mom, will I ever see my granny again?” Today’s migrants have the great advantage of modern technology. Staying connected to each other’s lives has been made easy through email and mobile phones. From an early age children can also get to know their relatives through

Parliament Street:From right to left Rosaleen, Rita, Dympna, Marie, Teresa, Seamus. constant activity. Surrounded by three pubs I loved to peep out of the window late at night to watch and listen to the revellers singing and cavorting. Reality TV could not begin to match it. The photo shoot probably took about 45 minutes and the memory lane session in the pub across the street where we were joined by cousins and a niece and two nephews lasted about four hours. We had so many stories to catch up, with so many experiences to share. Bridging the gaps in the huge slabs of life we have spent apart is funny and often sad. The young siblings and cousins I said goodbye to all those years ago are now “The older generation” with families of their own. One of the sad reminders for those of us who migrated to Australia in the years of high immigration from Ireland and the UK is that we are all now facing advancing years. This is a reminder that family and friends in our home of origin are also doing likewise. Last year at the end of that wonderful holiday in Ireland I came away wondering if I would see all of them again.

Smock Alley Theatre:Right to left Rosaleen, Seamus, Marie, Rita, Dympna, Teresa SKYPE. An integrated member of Australian society I have now spent more than 75% of my life living outside of Ireland. I love where I live and would not wish to be anywhere else, however my Irish culture is still part of who I am and the Irish connection is filtering down through the generations of my family. During my last visit to Dublin I realised that my childhood, although cash poor, was culturally rich. It occurred to me that my memory of running down the street to play in the grounds of a castle is probably not shared by many! A special highlight of that trip was a reuniting of the six members of my family of origin. We gathered outside our childhood home, 25 Parliament Street in the center of what is now known as Temple Bar and took photographs of the occasion. It was a moment in time that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. This was a significant event as the last time we had all been together was forty- four years ago in 1968 and the only one other photo in existence of the six of us together was taken sixty years ago. There was great hilarity as we all recalled different funny incidents from the past. Growing up in such a central position meant

BELL X1 FOR PERTH... Perth will be welcoming the acclaimed trio BellX1 from Dublin on July 6th. Their sixth album “Chop Chop” was released last year, and their recent live performances have been described as a “communal, uplifting experience” from a band “at the height of their songwriting powers.” BellX1 was formed out of another band, Juniper, led by Damien Rice. When Damien went solo, Paul Noonan became the songwriter and the band went on to become known as “a brilliant co-mingling of electronic music and anthemic pop rock”. “Chop Chop” was released in June

a beautiful version of Starlings Over Brighton Pier. The show only got better from there. Bouncing from keyboards to guitar to drums, Paul Noonan never missed a step, or a beat for that matter. They played everything I’d hope they would with one small exception. No Ribs of a Broken Umbrella... But they did a brilliant version of Rocky Took a Lover right into Eve the Apple Of My Eye. Most of Chop Chop was on the set and there wasn’t a single lull in the evening. I learned that it’s morally wrong to squeeze a tea bag. Who knew? Thanks to an extra few lines added to The End Is Nigh I will never squeeze another tea bag. They slipped in a cover of a Roy Orbison song, She’s A Mystery To Me with each member of the band taking a turn on vocals. This is a truly great band and they are great live. Do yourself a favour and get out to see them.

2013, debuting at No. 1 on the Irish charts. “From the moment I heard demos, I knew this was a special batch of songs, nestled in the sweet spot between wistfulness and joy,” explains Thomas Bartlett, who oversaw BellX1’s sixth album alongside the National’s longtime producer (Peter Katis). “The challenge was in making the songs rich and robust without losing the fragility and intimacy You’ll thank me!!!” that made them so striking in the You too can experience the sounds first place.” And from Ticketmaster website of BellX1 at the Capital on July 6th. a concert goer says... “They walked Visit troupadour-music.com for on stage and immediately went into booking details

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH

Political parties partied on for St. Patrick’s Day

Gowan means the son of a blackthrown into the affair by the Shesmith or smith and on both sides lia’s/ladies of the Rose of Tralee. of my family my Irish heritage Alannah Clohesy said the event goes back to the late 1800s.” was a lovely tradition - started by He did confess however that former MoP for Joondalup Tony this heritage was “quite distant” While the outside of the original parlia- O’Gorman - and one she and her and proved the point by saying ment house in Canberra - which now serves colleagues were delighted to conlater that an indication of how as a museum for democracy - was bathed in tinue. far he had fallen from the tree Alannah had her first day in the green floodlights for St. Patrick’s Day, the WA was that he didn’t know what the parliament showed and glowed its Irishness parliament about a year ago. In her Rose of Tralee was. on the inside of the building. (A building maiden speech she described herself But he made the point that which was almost born so to speak on March as being “born in the Mallee in the the Irish have been making an heat and the dust and the flies, but 17, but more of that later). invaluable and even formidable When the parliament sat on the 18th of with a few sprinklings of shamrocks contribution to the development March we found out that at least some of the around the edges and some Irish and growth of Australia from the members of parliament (MoPs) and even gov- rebels in my background”. She said Stephen Dawson very beginning of the colony and ernment members were enjoying the occasion the Labour/Labor party had a strong toasting Ireland’s patron saint and everything tradition and association with the Irish, even then country. “Its almost impossible to explain how forbeing founded by what she called “a couple of that goes with it. midable a contribuIn a debate about the new Fiona Stanley pretty strong Irish people”. Stephen Dawson, born and raised in Ire- tion it has been but Hospital opposition MoP Fran Logan tried to use a prime time TV news programme shown land but who emigrated to Australia with his if I was going to try the night before as a way to trip up the health family from Ireland when he was a teenager, and encapsulate it also gave a brief welcome and introduction. I would say that minister Kim Hames. The ruse did not work because the health Interestingly he opened with an Aboriginal what Irish people brought to Australminister had a cute excuse for missing it. He greeting, followed by one in Irish. Labor’s party leader ia is the sense we Tony O’Gorman & Mick Murray was out socialising with a party - Colin Barnett’s opposite need to look after those who are powerless, colleague of Mr Logan. “Unfornumber - also addressed we need to create a society in which everyone tunately I did not see the prothe assembled audience has a fair go at life,” he said. gram on TV last night because I When they left Ireland to come here they of Irish leaders and fighad the great pleasure of being ures. He joked about it were often escaping hardship and oppression at a St. Patrick’s Day function happening three days af- and they came to this country determined that with the member for Girrawheen ter St. Patrick’s Day itself something better could emerge in Australia [Margaret Quirk] and some past but said it was important that what had been before. I think that is their members, promoting our Irish the parliament and the defining contribution to our country.” heritage,” MoP Hames told him. Finally, and quickly, to return to the story The following day parliament Mark McGowan & Alannah Clohesy state Labor party should organise something to of Parliament House. Much of the building we house itself became the venue for were in would celebrate its 50th anniversary a St. Patrick’s Day bash, and Isteach sa Teach honour the Irish in WA and Australia. just a couple There was of course was lucky enough to wrangle an invite. The of days after event - organised by the Labor Party’s Alan- room for a jibe at the exour function. nah Clohesy and Stephen Dawson - was held pense of the Liberal Party The eastern in an outdoor courtyard/plaza area inside the in his opening remarks extension of building, a floor or two up, a nice little shel- too. the parlia“For those of you who tered spot. The first person IST saw when it was entered the area was Premier Colin Barnett, don’t come here often we Brian Corr, Alan O’Meara President of the Irish Club ment opened on 23 supping on a drink. But the Liberal Party don’t always sit around and Hon Consul, Marty Kavanagh March 1964. leader was at the opposite end of the court- drinking alcohol, you yard, separated from the soirée as much by a might think we do in the light of recent events, There are free public tours of the parliament which can easily be arranged and might make political and philosophical gap as the physical but we don’t.” He said there were 15,000 Irish born for an interesting and slightly different sightone. Thankfully there were plenty of Irish gath- people living in WA and another 200,000 seeing adventure. ered for the event, the great and the good of citizens here who claimed Irish roots. “I don’t the Irish community and a bit of glamour just claim it, its true,” he said. “The name Mc38

Charlie Smith and Ken Johnson working on memorial.

‘Wild geese’ is an Irish term originally used to describe all revolutionaries exiled from their native land. Eventually it became used to describe all the millions of Irish migrants and their descendants all over the world. Mayor Sammels said “With the addition of the bronze plaques the sculpture is now complete, and stands as an inspiring and enduring reminder to us all of the value of freedom and social justice. We were greatly honoured to be able to share this treasured HE Noel White amd Mayor Barry Sammels part of Rockingham’s history stand shoulder to shoulder at memorial. with His Excellency during his visit, and with all Western Australians for many generations to come”. Thank you to the Australian-Irish Heritage Association, Michael Holland, Director of Community Development at Rockingham City Council for your help in completing the memorial. On Easter Monday a commemoration was held at the memorial organised by the AIHA. This will be an annual event from this day forward.

Glory O! Glory O! Catalpa Memorial Completed

His Excellency Ambassador Noel White, Ambassador of Ireland, came to Rockingham on Saturday 29 March to visit the Wild Geese memorial on the Esplanade. This memorial honours Rockingham’s link to one of the most exciting chapters in Western Australia’s colonial history – the bold and daring mission to liberate six Irish political prisoners on the American whaling ship Catalpa. With Mayor Barry Sammels and a small but engaged crowd of onlookers the Ambassador inspected the latest, and final, additions to the memorial – six bronze plaques which interpret the hand-written publications produced by each of the six Fenian prisoners during their transportation to Australia as convicts. The symbolic sculpture commemorates that daring rescue in the form of six bronze, larger than life-size “Wild Geese” taking flight towards the Indian Ocean, the setting sun and freedom. Joan-Walsh Smith and Charlie Smith of Smith Sculptors are the creators of this magnificant memorial and it was fitting that Charlie was able to finish off the memorial in time for the visit Hon Cunsul Marty Kavanagh and HE Noel of the Ambassador. White with James Bell ancestors at memorial We are blessed to have in our midst, at this time in our history, two wonderful creative people who are not only responsible for the Wild Geese Memorial but many pieces of sculptor throughout Australia. Visit their website www.smithsculptors. com and see examples of their creative work, you will find it amazing. Thank you Joan and Charlie for your persistance and putting so much of your time into getting this memorial completed. Go raibh mile Historian Ormonde Waters with maith agat. Mayor Barry Sammels.

Councillors Chris Elliott, Allan Hill, Deb Hamblin and Joy Stewert at Easter Monday Commemoration

Easter Monday Commemoration 39

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John Boyle O’Reilly -

An inspiration then and now by Fred Rea & Lloyd Gorman

O’Reilly went on to Ripples of the story of one of Australia’s most famous political America where he became prisoners can still be felt today, a respected figure in society reverberating Down Under as well as a poet, orator, journalist and thinker added the as back in Ireland and beyond. Within less than a year of his Ambassador. Like many 20 year penal sentence John Boyle before him and many since HE Mr Noel White receives a gift from Peter Murphy O’Reilly became the first prisoner in the Irish Diaspora JBO relations between East and West.” ever to successfully escape from played an important part in The 2011 official state visit of captivity in the colony in February the local and international story of Ireland and the Queen Elizabeth to Ireland was 1869. From Boston, era in which he nothing short of groundbreaking” just six years later lived, which saw according to the Ambassador. He the young Fenian the revolutionary said there were many moments who was deported movement sweep which would live on in popular to Australia for through France and memory, such as the Queen at treason organised the Garden of Remembrance for America. and arranged another “We reflect too Ireland’s war dead. daring escape of “These events brought together on Ireland and how six of his friends far it has come since strands of history and allowed us countrymen who those days, both as as a people to create a new future as were deported with a people and as a partners, indeed as equals.” him. This years JBO commemoration nation,” Mr White This year saw c o n t i n u e d . ” H o w came at a very significant time he the 26th annual can we appreciate continued. John Boyle O’Reilly “The timing of this event takes commemoration at His Excellency Mr Noel White and understand the contribution of JBO place on the eve of the first state visit the end of March, with events held in Bunbury and on today, against the backdrop of a to the United Kingdom, by an Irish the Leschenault peninsula where modern, confident Ireland, one head of state. Next week President O’Reilly made good his escape. which assumes the role, rights Michael D. Higgins will build on Irish ambassador to Australia His and responsibilities appropriate the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Excellency Mr Noel White gave a for a sovereign member of the Ireland, a visit itself which was thoughtful and diplomatic insight international community. It seems made possible by efforts towards into the events of the past, and to me, since the time of JBO a reconciliation and cooperation over lot has happened, seminal events many years. President Higgins visit present. “The story of John Boyle that in Ireland’s case lead to demonstrates the strength and O’Reilly [JBO editors independence, events which are diversity and dynamism of the ties abbreviation] is one of bravery, being celebrated now in the period between our two deeply connected countries. The ties are in business, daring, courage and an object between 2012 and 2022.” These events included the (3rd) trade, science and technology, lesson in dedication,focusing and determination and is inexorably Home Rule bill in 1912, the Dublin agriculture, sport and many other linked to the story of the Catalpa,” Lock Out and Ulster Covenant in areas. This set of circumstances we 1913, the Easter Rising in 1916 and are dealing with now would have the ambassador said. “In the context of its time and then the Irish War of Independence been entirely unimaginable at the the political struggle I believe the and the Irish Civil War in the early time of JOB, it is a far cry from the world he inhabited but I expect for escape of JBO and subsequently of 1920’s. “Events which formed the a man whose political formation his Fenian colleagues is laudable and to be noted, it is that rarest Ireland of today, events that shaped was shaped and determined by the of things in Irish history, it is a Ireland, and Britain and the totality relationship between Ireland and success. For that reason alone it of the relations between them. The Britain that he would welcome the assumes the role of inspiration, commemoration of these events, quality, and by that I mean the depth for over time these men would as I feel, has the potential to foster and breadth, of that relationship American writer Tom Wolfe would greater reconciliation and greater with our nearest neighbour.” Mr White said that other more describe had “the right stuff ”. This understanding. Over time we have event is is a celebration of that come to a greater understanding recent milestones such as the Good indomitable spirit, a commitment of all traditions of the island of Friday Agreement and even the visit Ireland, North and South, as well as of the Queen would not have come to justice” 42

about: “without the quiet, patient and intensive work by individuals and organisations here in Australia, in building relations and deepening understanding within Ireland, and between the people of Ireland and Britain When we talk of commemoration it is particularly important in my view that we face up to it in an open, honest and comprehensive way.” Over the coming years in which events of World War I will be remembered 100 years on Mr White said it was important for the community to remember the Irish men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. “These Irish soldiers who fell victim not just to the horror of that appalling conflict but also to the complexity of a history that ensured their memory and sacrifice did not benefit in the manner it deserved. Well over 200,000 Irish men served in the British Army in WWI and of these some 50,000 were killed. In Australia too there is a story of the involvement of Ireland in the Great War that has been little told. Some 6,500 born Irish men and women served in the Australian Imperial Forces during the war and many of those who served in Gallipoli were born in Ireland. In total, more than 4000 Irish men died during the Dardanelles campaign, their memory has been neglected for too long over the course of 2015 and in the framework of the commemorations that are being organised across Australia we should find a just and appropriate way to acknowledge and recognise the contribution of the Irish to the war effort of Australia in Gallipoli, the Dardenelles, France and beyond. The conditions are right I believe to ensure their honour, the honour of these Irish men who stood shoulder to shoulder with their dear mates and made the ultimate sacrifice.” On that weekend the Ambassador along with others attended the completion of the Catalpa Memorial in Rockingham for the six Fenians who JBO helped escape. There was the annual event for O’Reilly on the Sunday morning at Buffalo Road on the Leschenault peninsula which was followed by an Irish and Australian commemoration in Collie that same day for Tipperary man Martin O’Meara who won a Victoria Cross while serving with the Australian forces in France in 1915. “Its not a bad record,” said Mr White. “The Irish abroad have been a part of our back story and our comeback story and they will be part of our future story.” He said the relations between Ireland and Australia were built on solid foundations. “The Irish have made their mark on the gene pool of this country. They have been good for Australia and Australia has been good for them. The Irish have contributed to the political, economic, cultural and social fabric of this country, and more importantly to the values of this country. It is particularly nice to see the old Parliament House in Canberra, which is now the museum of Australia Democracy, illuminated in green to mark St. Patrick’s Day, a gesture which is a nod to the Irish in this country. The spirit of JBO is a spirit we must tap into today. It is because we have come so far that we can look

with fresh eyes on British and Irish relations, the very relationship that formed JBO’s political story and we can identify areas of new understanding and cooperation. We look to the past, we learn for it, there is an opportunity to build on what has been added and to re-imagine our relationship. The old grievances, disputes, conflicts and rights and wrongs will stand in our memory but they shall not stand in the way of our future. JBO is part of our proud heritage, he would take pride in Ireland as a proud, independent and sovereign nation. He would take pride too in the part he played.” Mr White congratulated and thanked Tom Dillon, Michael Manea and Peter Murphy for organising the John Boyle O’Reilly commemoration. Other speakers at the Sunday morning gathering for JBO included Mark Manea, Luke Waters, Murray Cooke, Tom Dillon, Tony Costa, Ormonde Waters and Peter Murphy. The host and the man who kept it all flowing at the Dinner and Commemoration was none other than Frank Murphy and what “a fine Host: Frank Murphy job he did” as Tony Costa would say. Frank was excellent the way he tied the proceedings together and the professalism in which he covered the events, including the Martin O’Meara play in Collie on the Sunday afternoon. Maith an fear Frank.

Trip of a lifetime On April 8 Irish President Michael D Higgins made an official visit to the UK - the first by an Irish head of state. In the four days of the trip he would hold a friendly meeting with the Queen and amongst many other events and engagements even addressed the Houses of Parliament in Westminster in Irish and English. Accompanied by Prince Philip, President Higgins inspected troops of the Queen’s Company Grenadier Guards and he presented the mascot of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, an Irish wolfhound named Domhnall of Shantamon, with a ceremonial red coat. There was a state banquet at Windsor Castle at which a host of well known Irish identities (Terry Wogan, Daniel Day Lewis and Brian O’Driscoll to name a few) attended. But it wasn’t all formal meetings and events. The Royal Albert Hall rocked to the sounds of singers Paul Brady, Imelda May, Elvis Costello and Glen Hansard for The ‘Ceiliúradh’ (‘Celebration’), a celebration of Irish music and culture.

By Lloyd Gorman

There’s the Irish and then there’s Jack Irish The Irish Club on Townsend Road briefly became a broadcast location for Network Ten back in March. The station dispatched a van to the Subiaco venue to get life footage for a segment in The Project. The popular news and entertainment programme chose the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Sunday (March 16) as its story of interest for the part of the programme on Friday night that visits each of the capital cities. When news that the broadcaster was coming to the Club an email went out to try and muster as many bodies as possible to drum up as much excitement and background noise as possible. Fair play to those who managed to turn up including the Irish dance troupe who put on a good show for the cause. Getting a slot on the well watched show was a coup for the organisers and helped raise the profile and awareness of the parade and festival. In April the Project picked up on another Irish story that was doing the rounds on the internet. Two days after my wife first saw it on the Irish Families in Perth website, the show ran a very short (too

short) segment of film about the now famous singing priest Father Ray Kelly, whose reworking and rendition of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ for a wedding at his church in Oldcastle, Co. Meath caught the world’s attention. The internet has the advantage over the older technology of TV in that it can easily and rapidly make its content be seen by millions within minutes (19 million in his case). Fr Kelly was asked go on to sing on the Late Late Show which is probably the first time a lot of Irish people would have heard and seen this cleric in action. As part of its Shorts on Screen (SOS) season SBS1 on March 1 aired Pentecost, an 11 minute long film about Damien Lynch in 1977 Ireland who is a soccer mad alter boy. A really nice and entertaining little flick. Bill Murray made a rare appearance on the Graham Norton Show on Channel 11. Murray (of Ghostbusters fame) who looked like a character from Beckett’s Waiting for Godot said he does not do talk show appearances and the only other time he had done one in the UK was with another Irish host, Terry Wogan. PS I Love You, based on the book of the same name by Cecilia Ahern was on Gem on March 9. The main point of interest here about the movie is that it was at least in part shot in Ireland. SBS1 got St. Patrick’s Day off to a good start on March 16. Season two of the absolutely brilliant Vikings kicked off on the station, bringing back one of the best shows put on TV in years, which

happens to be made in Ireland. Don’t miss it. BBC’s Neil Oliver also did a documentary of the same name about the historic Norsemen and their reach around the world. Oliver visited Ireland for the programme as part of his bid to trace the slave trade they built up. Turns out Dublin was one of the biggest centres for this form of human trafficking at the time. Which is interesting when you think that St. Patrick himself was said to be captured and sold into slavery in Ireland. Irish comedian Neil Delamare excelled himself with his show There’s something about Patrick in which he followed in the footsteps of the saint and putting himself in some funny positions. A really light and refreshing look at the figure of Ireland’s patron saint. On ABC2 March 20, fellow Irish stand up Ed Byrne was the host for Live at the Apollo, which included Aussie funnyman Adam Hills. On March 23 Gem showed Tonight’s the Night, starring famous English actor David

Niven as Jasper O’Leary an English man who comes to claim his rights and money on his uncle’s Irish estate. A really light hearted and enjoyable film made in 1954. On March 30 7Two screened New Zealand on a Plate. Irish chef Paul Doyle now based in NZ cooked up a storm with celebrity chef and MKR judge Pete Evans, at the picturesque Mt Cooke. Ross Kemp started out as an actor on Eastenders but thankfully for us left the drama to produce what you might call the ultimate in reality TV. He has spent time on the front line with soldiers in Afghanistan and elsewhere and

also gone inside some of the most troubled and violent places around the world. In his latest TV outing Extreme World he travels to Belfast for the marching season in July. Kemp to his credit does a brilliant job of talking to everyone involved and explaining the background and present situation. He does a much better job of letting the viewer know what is going on than a lot of TV journalists who have covered the story in Northern Ireland. A few days after the stage show was in Perth, Mrs Brown’s Boys aired again on Channel 7 on April 9. This was the Christmas episode that knocked everything else off the ratings over the festive season in Ireland and the UK. Hard to understand why! And now they are

making a cartoon version of MBB. Enough said. Final entry honours go to the ABC’s terrific Jack Irish which aired the four part series (season 1) on Sunday nights. Jack is a former lawyer who now tries to find justice and the truth outside the courtroom (if you enjoy Rake (also on ABC) you’ll enjoy this). While he is not Irish Jack’s name is often speculated on and makes for interesting comment in this worthwhile drama.

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Dining Guide Danielle enjoys the Culinary Delights of Ireland... I recently visted Ireland after having not being there since 2011. It was a long time between drinks, as they say. Not only did I miss my family and friends, but I missed my favourite food haunts throughout Cork and Dublin. For this trip, I was accompanied by my boyfriend Jonny who lived in Kilkenny for two years but never made it to Cork. Wanting to show him the very best that Cork had to offer, we started off our culinary tour of Cork with an epic, lazy breakfast in the Hayfield Manor. We realised quickly it was the best breakfast either of us had ever had. You could chose any dish from an extensive menu (we both went for the full Irish Breakfast, obviously) and there was massive smorgasbord room filled with fresh breads, a variety of fruits, the best smoked salmon and unlimited champagne. Strolling into Cork’s city centre to work off the breakfast, we had coffee in my favourite old spot – Cork Coffee Roasters. An alternative to Ireland’s complacent approach to coffee, the Roasters brings coffee to a standard that would impress

Sponsor: Northside Meats with Danielle O’Leary

any coffee snob (myself included). After visiting relatives, we spent the afternoon in the English Market, which had just as much character, choice and deliciousness as I remembered. We grabbed a quick lunch at O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausage while we walked by all of the stalls. The quality of the produce in the market is so impressive, and while the numbers of tourists has increased significantly since the Queen’s visit in 2011, the market still has its original charm. We went upstairs to the Farmgate Café that uses only market produce. With a biscuit cake and never ending cup of coffee in hand (they continually fill it up for you – something that should be done here!), it was the perfect spot to people watch, which is always quite entertaining in Cork. Believe it or not, I did venture out of Cork. With my mother being a Dubliner, I have a strong love for Dublin and think it is one of the best cities in the world. I spent two days in Dublin and after having breakfast out in Clontarf ’s Moloughneys (who officially do the world’s best scones, not including my mother’s), I went back into the city and spent some time in Fallon & Byrne, off Grafton Street. Fallon & Byrne is a gourmet supermarket and deli on ground level, with a restaurant above and a wine cellar below. Taking pride in local produce, everything in Fallon & Byrne is delicious and homemade – even the soft serve ice-cream

Danielle and Jonny at the English Markets in Cork

in summer and mulled wine in winter. That evening, I spent my night with my cousins in Ely Bar and Brassiere by the River Liffey. Ely is such a gem in Dublin; taking pride in a creative and unique wine menu, it offers delicious food and platters with sweeping views from their floor to ceiling glass walls. Despite my love for my family and friends, Ireland is a culinary dream. There is such pride in the produce with emphasis on local and homemade. I shall not leave it as long between trips this time; I need to do more shopping at the English Market.

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The Celtic Club has a proud history spanning over 100 years. Presently the Club has a membership of approximately 700, and appeals to a wide range of individuals, all of whom enjoy the friendly and personable hospitality of a private member’s Club. The Club’s central location makes it the ideal place to host a meeting or special event, meet colleagues, develop new business partners or simply relax in comfort with today’s newspaper, the latest business publication or lifestyle magazine. Our superb restaurant serves an a la carte style lunch Monday to Friday and the bar area, with separate lounge features a number of specialty beers on tap, and is ideal for a relaxing beverage, light luncheon or coffee. In addition to the bar and restaurant, The Celtic Club members have exclusive access to our outstanding function facilities, fully coordinated by our professional staff with an extensive range of catering options. Located on the first floor, the main function

FOR AN INCREDIBLY ROMANTIC WEDDING RECEPTION

room can comfortably seat 125 delegates theatre style or 120 for a banquet. The Club’s impressive Jarrah lined President’s Room can seat up to 30 guests theatre style and is ideal for private business luncheons for up to 24 guests. Becoming a member of The Celtic Club certainly has its advantages and now is the perfect time to join one of Perth’s premier business clubs. Drop into the club and say hello!

Located near the beautiful Kings Park Gardens, the elegance and old worldly charm of the Celtic Club will be exclusive for you and your guests. Set Dinner, Buffet & Cocktail style are all catered for and it is a commitment to guests that all food will be delicious and plentiful.

48 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Phone (08) 9322 2299 Fax (08) 9322 2899 E-mail: celtic.club@bigpond.com • www.celticclubperth.com

VERONICA’S WALLET FOUND AFTER 22 YEARS! Veronica Byrne had a pleasant surprise recently when demolition crews at Hollywood Private Hospital unearthed her long lost wallet. “We were told that the crew might find a few skeletons and in my case they surely did” said Veronica. Back in 1992 she had just returned from a visit to Ireland when her wallet was stolen. “I reported it to security and completely forgot about it, my

wallet was gone and that was that!” Veronica’s manager Wayne Williams contacted her to tell her that the wallet had been found and she just couldn’t believe it. “It’s amazing after all these years that it should turn up after been found stuck in an old roof at the hospital. “It’s as if it has been waiting for me top find it”. The wallet was still in good nick and contained some Myers receipts, an old driver’s licence and some Irish coins. “To know that after more than 20 years it is still in wonderful condition is the fascinating thing and to tell you the truth I might even start using it again”.

Facts about Irish Food! THE POTATO

with Marguerite O’Dwyer The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

QUINOA (Keen Wah) is a pantry essential for me these days. Quinoa is a very versatile ingredient. Originating from South America, this grain looking seed is a great source of fibre, iron, and protein. In fact, this superfood is regarded as a complete protein, meaning that it contains all the essential amino acids for healthy bodily functions. Quinoa is also glutenfree and high in calcium making it suitable for vegans, people with coeliac disease and the lactose intolerant.

Butternut Squash, Feta & Quinoa Salad

Serves 6 Ingredients: 1 small butternut squash, chopped into small chunks 3 tbsp olive oil 160g quinoa 1 vegetable stock cube 1 lemon, juiced and zested 1 handful flat leaf parsley, chopped 1 handful mint, chopped 150g feta cheese, chopped into small cubes 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 Pomegranate 1. Preheat the oven to 180oC. Place the cubes of butternut squash on a baking sheet, drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper 2. Roast for 25-30 minutes until soft in the centre and crisping at the edges 3. Meanwhile, dissolve the vegetable stock cube in 800ml of hot water. Pour this into a saucepan and add the quinoa. Cook for approx 20 minutes (Stirring every 2-3mins so it does not stick or burn) until the liquid has disappeared & the quinoa is tender. Fluff up the quinoa with a fork 4. Place the quinoa in a large serving bowl. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest,

remaining olive oil, chopped herbs, feta and tomatoes and butternut squash. Toss all the ingredients together. Garnish with some pomegranate seeds and serve

Chocolate Caramel Squares Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 150g plain flour 60g ground almonds 125g butter, melted 165g caster sugar 125ml golden syrup 125g butter, melted 2 x 398g sweetened condensed milk 200g good quality dark chocolate 2 tsp vegetable oil

1. Preheat the oven to 180oC. Place the flour, ground almonds, butter and sugar in a bowl. Mix to combine. Press the mixture into a 20cm x 30cm tin lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool 2. To make the filling, place the golden syrup, butter and condensed milk in a saucepan over a low heat and stir for 6-8 minutes or until thickened slightly. Refrigerate until cooled completely. 3. To make the topping, place the chocolate and oil in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted. Spread the chocolate mixture over the caramel and refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Slice into squares and serve. Marguerite O’ Dwyer The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

It’s impossible to talk about Irish food without mentioning the potato. They first saved us then almost destroyed us in history, but there are few households where the potato is not still a staple and anyone who makes even a basic stab at growing vegetables will plant a few spuds in their garden. They are eaten boiled, mashed, fried, chipped and baked, mixed with cabbage or scallions to make colcannon or champ, made into potato cakes and used to top pies and thicken soups or stews. It’s common to find potatoes cooked two ways on the same dinner plate. It’s not all about dinner either. The food that Irish people miss most when they are overseas is Tayto, an Irish brand of potato crisps and a night out on the town is rarely complete without a feed of chips on the way home to soak up the alcohol! Irish people are very fussy about their potatoes. Typically a supermarket will stock at least 5 or 6 different varieties, often many more, with the varieties changing depending on the season and each suited to a particular method of cooking. Of all foods, the humble spud is certainly the most traditional. We may not be dependent on them in the way we were in the past but there are a lot of Irish people for whom a dinner without potatoes is not a dinner at all. From: www.dochara.com

land of

Ireland

honey

Blackberry picking in Australia by Fred Rea

One of my fondest memories of growing up in Ireland was the annual Blackberry picking trips to the country just outside Cork. Recently I stumbled on some old newspapers describing Blackberry picking in Australia. Blackberry bushes in Ireland are used by the farming community as hedges dividing properties. So when the season arrives there was always an abundance of berries to be picked. In the early 1840s, Blackberry bushes had been deliberately introduced from Britain into New South Wales for their fruit and for making hedgerows. Shortly after it escaped into the wild, and by the 1880s was recognised as a significant weed. But a beautiful fruit! In 1925 in Australia, there was a report that school attendance was affected owing to children being kept at home for Blackberry picking. Several requests were made from parents asking permission to keep children from school for picking of Blackberries. This was allowed by the authorities and good on them, what a wonderful

experience for the children. In 1924 during, one family’s picking expedition a Mrs Wallis felt a stinging sensation just above her heel. She first thought it was a thorn from the bush but on looking down was startled to see a brown snake making away. After a day in hospital she was able to return home, none the worse for her unenviable experience. The dangers of Blackberry picking was experienced by a Mrs Emma Swan in Hobart in 1922 when she slipped on a log and she was brought to the hospital where it was found her leg was fractured at the knee. And this is an interesting report from Victoria in 1926. Blackberries are useful for several things. They can be made into jam – excellent for when you have company because your guests won’t eat so much. Or you can squeeze the juice out and fill your fountain pen with it. (Have you ever tried to get Blackberry stains from a white shirt?) Or the juice can be made into wine. The recipe says that you should gather the fruit on a dry day. After adding a pound of sugar to every gallon of juice, you leave it to work in a barrel for 10 days or until the barrel bursts. Then you bung it down and leave for 12 months. Then you bung it down again…down the sink for preference. Also Blackberries

make good pies, the crust should be made from flour, baking powder, an egg and some butter. If you want to eat the crust, however, the best way is to make a nick at the edge with a file. After this a small tap with a coal hammer ought to do the trick’. One might think that this writer was not a lover of blackberry’s or their picking! You will find Blackberry bushes in and around Pemberton in Western Australia but unfortunately they have been allowed to roam wild and free. This is a major problem for the environment and on my many fishing trips to the area I have a leg or arm ripped open by the thorns of the bush. Some of my favourite stretches of river have been overgrown by this weed that produces an abundant of fruit and unless it is addressed soon, could turn out to be a major disaster for our beautiful state. As it is already is in some areas!

Products include: McLoughlin’s Irish Pork Sausages Black and White Pudding Irish Bacon and Gammon Joints Potato Bread and Soda Bread Barry’s Tea and Club Orange Odlums Brown and White Bread Mix Chef Brown and Red sauce

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Opening hours: Mon - Wed 8:00am to 6:00pm Thursday 8:00am to 7:30pm Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm

From little things big things grow…

Over a few drinks at the Bailey Bar & Grill in Joondalup an idea is discussed and before long it is put into action. One must admit that a lot of idle talk goes on at drinking

establishments and the problems of the world are solved over a few pints of the black stuff! But we must tell you about two events organised over the same few pints at the Bailey. It was in August 2012 that Charlotte Fitzpatrick’s parents, Mark and Caroline got a diagnosis that she had Rett Syndrome. This is a rare neurological syndrome, causing apraxia and/ or dyspraxia, the inability to perform motor functions, therefore affecting the ability to speak, gaze, walk, eat, drink, digest, talk, breathe and live independently. There is a high risk of scoliosis and seizures and an average lifespan of 40 years. Mark is the son of Eamon Fitzpatrick of the Irish Golf Club of Western Australia. Clare man, PJ Malone was determined that funds could be raised for this beautiful girl and in turn would help her parents to make Charlotte’s life a little easier. In 2013 a golf day was organised by PJ and friends and near $20,000 was raised. The event will be on again this year as Charlotte needs ongoing support. Well done PJ.

3 Adalia St Kallaroo Western Australia 6025

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The second event was the brainchild of Joe Flaherty and Peter (Big Red) Freeman. Big Red

Peter (Big Red) Freeman amd Joe Flaherty present Joan Ross with a cheque for $2000

had a huge flowing red beard and Joe asked Big Red if he would shave it off to raise funds for the Claddagh Association of WA. The Claddagh Association Inc. has assisted Irish people during times of crisis and trauma since 1997 throughout Western Australia. They are a voluntary non-profit organisation with Gift Recipient Status. Their aim is to provide, where possible, crisis support to people from the Irish community in times of hardship and trauma. They provide a safety net to assist people in crisis situations where all other avenues have been exhausted. The Big Shave was on St Patrick’s Day 2014 at the Bailey. As a result of Big Red shaving off his beard, the Claddagh Association is $2000 better off and they can use these funds to support the Irish Community in Western Australia. Well done Joe and Peter.

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa

Local News of Interest from the Past

News Published Every Two Months RE SE ARC HE D

Kilmore Free Press Victoria Thurs 8 Sept 1921

FRED

REA

Northern Star NSW Thurs 24 February 1921

SEARCH FOR MICHAEL COLLINS

SPEECH BY Dublin, Tuesday. Nine lorry loads of troops supported by MICHAEL COLLINS five armored cars tonic part in the search for Michael Collins

In a speech at Armagh, Michael Collins, commander in chief of the Irish Republican Army said- “De Valera’s letter does not alter Dail Eireann’s position. We have simply taken a stand on the principle of government by the consent of the governed. Great Britain’s acceptance of that principle will mean a speedy peace. The British Government offer does not give us the substance of freedom. The Northern Parliament is being made the artificial excuse for keeping Ireland asunder. I say that freedom is coming nobody can stop it. It will bring an era of prosperity and development. Our proposal is that Northern Irishmen should come in with their heads up, abandon the policy of biting off the nose to spite the face, and take their share in the governing of their own country. The Northern Parliament does not and cannot control Ulster’s unruly elements. The Richmond River Express NSW Monday 28 August 1922

MICHAEL COLLINS’ DEATH

SYDNEY, Monday. — Archbishop Mannix has cabled to the Lord Mayor of Dublin as follows: “In this day of mounring over the graves of Messrs Brugha, Grifflth, and Collins, Ireland will surely expect her sons to abandon fratricidal strife, which leads to national disaster, and to turn to arbitration, and which may succeed. Force will certainly fail”.

on Monday, beginning at the college of the Jesuit Fathers at Milltown Park where 24 week-end visitors were closely interrogated. The troops’ then raided several suspected quarters in the city where a party of soldiers nearly captured Collins’ chief of staff, Richard Mulcahy, finding a hot cup of tea on his desk with a half-finished letter to his wife. Forty men were arrested in County Mayo where the drilling was suppressed The West Australian Wed 19 April 1922

Mr. Michael Collins Attempted Assassination

A DUBLIN SENSATION

Mr. Michael Collins and party, who occupied four cars, were returning at midnight from a meeting at Naas, County Kildare, when they were stopped in Parnell Square. About twenty men rushed out of a neighbouring house in the square, which the rebels occupied as offices. They rushed towards the cars, opening fire. Mr. Collins, who was walking across the square, fired at the attackers from the rear. One man fired at Mr. Collins several times from close quarters

without hitting him. Mr. Collins chased and captured the prisoner. The latter said that he was acting under orders, but was astonished when Mr. Collins revealed his identity. Mr. Collins believes that the attackers were ordered to kidnap and not to kill him. The general commanding the rebel forces who are in possession of the Law Courts denies a plot to kidnap, and states that Mr. Collins’s party were drawn up outside the rebel offices and opened fire first

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill NSW) Wed 23 August 1922

Collins Shot Dead Ambushed By Rebels.

An official message from Dublin states that Mr. Michael Collins, Finance and General Minister in the Irish Free State Government, has been shot dead by anti-Free State rebels in an ambush near Bandon, a town on the river of the same name, 20 miles south-west of Cork, Mr. Michael Collins was always foremost, in recent years, amongst the advocates of selfgovernment for-Ireland. He was like his colleague, the late Mr. Arthur Griffith, a Republican, but, with him, he was one of the signatories of the treaty made with the Imperial Government which constituted the South of Ireland a Free State within the Empire. 52

The Brisbane Courier Fri 25 August 1922

“Forgive Them.” Mr. Collin’s Last Words

Dramatic Story of the Ambush. Irish Leader Dies Fighting. WorldWide Sympathy and Regret No event in Ireland has stirred the people so deeply as the death of Mr. Michael Collins, who was the idol of the country. His romantic and picturesque figure had come to be regarded as the symbol of the new Ireland, young and vigorous. Mr. Collins, as he would have wished, died fighting. With a party of Free Stale officials he was ambushed while

Sunday Times Perth 5 May 1929

CHURCHILL TRIBUTE

Michael Collins gets a generous panegyric from Winston Churchill in his sensational book. He describes Collins as an Irish patriot, true and fearless, but his early environment filled him with a hatred of England. “His hands had touched directly the springs of terrible deeds. We had hunted him for his life and he had slipped half-a-dozen times through steel claws. But now (at the conference) he had no hatred of England. Love of Ireland still possessed his soul but to it was added a wider comprehension. “Whereas he had had only one loyalty, now he had two. He was faithful to both; he died for both.” That is finely put. The presentiment of death had been strong upon him for some days, and he narrowly escaped several murderous traps, but he was fearless to the last. Churchill conceives that Collins will live in the hearts of all true Irishmen. driving in a motor car from Bandon to Macroom in Co Cork. Two hundred rebels suddenly opened fire, and Mr. Collins’s party took cover, shots being exchanged for over half an hour. It was when the attackers apparently had been driven off that Mr. Collins met his death, a bullet striking him behind the ear. He only lived for a few minutes, but with his last breath he faltered the noble words, “Forgive them.”

The Death of Michael Collins

As you will see in the previous page, the death of Michael Collins was covered widely in Australian papers of the time. The photo below was a full half page in a Sydney newspaper. Such was the effect of his passing, is was reported world wide, especially in Australia. Archbishop Mannixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments are interesting!

Mr Michael Collins funeral procession from the Pro-Cathedral to Glasnevin was the longest and most impressive within living memory. Hundreds of thousands lines the streets through which the cortege passed. They stood in absolute silence and may of them were in tears.

328 Barker Road, Subiaco 9381 8400

Mamraz is quick as a flash

Mamraz Nagi keeps his eyes peeled when he is out running. You could say he is quick on his feet and has fast reactions. He was recently ripping though the dunes at Trigg Beach when he decided to capture the scene. “I was down there on a Friday and I’ve covered so much of the beach along there that I thought I would do something different and get a panoramic shot. “So I was taking the photograph and I could see there was something going on in the far distant corner, I wasn’t paying much attention. So I took the shot and because its a panoramic one you have to merge the pictures together in photoshop. Then I was zooming in the picture and seeing what was going on in different corners of the frame and I could see there was something going on, there were people in the water with wreaths and flower petals, so I figured out somebody was celebrating somebody’s passing or something like that.” The scene was that of a group of friends and family gathering in the water to mark the first anniversary of the passing of an Irishman. Mamraz made enquiries and eventually found the name of the person and kindly donated a copy of his seascape to the family. Mamraz’s photograph captured the feeling and mood of the moment beautifully. he called it “Fare Thee Well” and its a panoramic shot of Trigg Beach

and it’s rocky shoreline at sunset. “A beautiful serene shot that I feel gives a true feel for the beauty in the area”. You can see the seascape on his website. Mamraz Nagi doesn’t sound much like an Irish name but listening to him speak he could only be Irish. He remembers growing up in the island town as the best days of his life spent fishing on the River Erne, climbing trees and building forts with friends. It was a simple life, one that was active and fun. “Being outdoors made me very happy,” said Mamraz who gets around his exotic name by telling people in a strong accent that it is said and sounds like “my mam raised me”. “I’m kind of following in my mothers footsteps by coming to Australia,” he said. “In the 1970’s she left Lisnaskea in Fermanagh, much like everyone else and left to go and work in England, where two of her brothers were. His mother met his dad, whose parents were Indian and Pakistani via Uganda. “Idi Amin the dictator took over in 1971 and in 90 days anyone who wasn’t Ugandan had to get out of the country. They were fairly well off, they owned a bike shop and sold scooters and they all drove cars. But within 90 days they had to leave and they ended up in a camp, more or less, in London. They were let out of the camp and they had start again. My mum met my dad outside the Odeon Cinema on Leicester Square and within three

months of being born I was being raised back home in Lisnaskea for a wee while, and then Enniskillen.” Mamraz met his wife to be Enniskillen girl Michele Carter - in 1999 just a few weeks before he was to go to America for a year on a scholarship to do business studies. When he got back she was in Manchester and he went to London where he became a teacher in his chosen field. They got married in 2008 and built their dream home in Enniskillen and then decided to move to Australia and sold their home. “In between deciding we were going to come to Oz we found out we were pregnant,” he added. “At the nine week scan the nurse said “oh, that’s nice, and that’s nice

Mamraz with his twin boys, Galen and Cadel

too”. I said what do you mean, twins?, and it was.” The boys are now just over 20 months old and he minds them at home while mum works as a teacher in Darch. “She enjoys that and I enjoy this,” said Mamraz. “People always say children grow up so quickly that if you blink you’ll miss it, so its great to have the chance to stay at home with them and bond.” It was during his time in the

North West of England in 2006 when he got back into physical activity and training by running as a way to get rid of the stress of being an educator. “I quickly progressed and within a year or two I was competing at the top end of the field in races that I entered. Like all things in my life that I become passionate about I became pretty good at it. Since 2006 I have made the podium in races ranging from 5k right up to 50k with trails being my absolute favourite. I have dabbled in road races, some of which I have won and I have placed in the top 12 of every mountain race that I have entered in Northern Ireland.” At the same time that he got into running in a big way Mamraz developed another interest. “Fortunately for me Fermanagh is a hidden gem of forest trails, waterways, walks and natural attractions and I used to marvel at the majestic sights and views that I would encounter when out running. I would return from a run and try to recount some of the beautiful landscapes and imagery to my wife or family members and

friends and be frustrated that others couldn’t share in those moments too. So decided to do something about it…..I turned to photography. I always carried the camera with me and I always took shots. A few years ago I said, “Ok, lets do this properly so I’ve being done that ever since, getting into it, doing a bit of commercial work and giving workshops and that kind of thing.” He has built up a boutique photographic business and has captured (in Ireland and Australia), many stunning images and moments and helped a lot of people to get the most out of their cameras. To view some of his scapes go to

www.nagitography.com

Around the Irish scene... Compiled by Fred Rea Enjoying Eleanor McEvoy at Rosies in Northbridge the Keady Irish Dancing mums. Just about everyone want Charlie Elders from Avoca Insurance Brokers (far left) and to be Irish on St Patrick’s his team at Kings Park Perth on completion of the Ride for Day.. even well known Youth from Albany to Perth. The ride was in aid of Youth Focus actor... Reg Gray the organisation that helps prevent teenage suicide. Please consider making a contribution to Charlie and his team...visit: www.youthfocus.com.au Also enjoying Eleanor McEvoy Sean O’Casey and a couple of old friends from Gaelic football. Support act, Them Little Secrets (Fiona & Teish) enjoy a laugh with Eleanor McEvoy Brian Wishart, General Manager of The Burswood Park Board with Jack Cullen and the trophy that adorns Jack’s name when he won the tournament in 2002

Get well soon Sharon Lenihan of Killarney Autos.

Beara man Steve O’Sullivan enjoying St Patrick’s Day at The Cure in Northbridge. Spancil Hill was blasted out a few times by Steve we believe. Ron and Marguerite Wilson with Irish Scene supporter Frank Horgan enjoy a drink at Mullin’s expense... Love it!

Enjoying a read of The Holly Bough, Eileen McSweeney of Melbourne. Eileen recently had a minor health issue but all is well now. Thanks for your support in the big city!

“BILLY” MY DOG!

Patrick O’Brien is also on the mend after a few health hiccups. Get well Patrick, we need you in our Irish Community.

Sabrina Doherty and a friend enjoying the St Pat’s Parade in Leederville

GUESS WHO ARE 180 YEARS OLD? Marian, Mary and Laura all celebrated their 60th recently and can you match the faces to young lady photos above?

Moira, PJ and Michael Malone with Jim Egan at St Patrick’s Day Parade.... Buy a new camera Jimmy Boy!

Claddagh

GOLF DAY 2014 Congratulations to a couple of Scotsmen (but we won’t hold that against them) John and Steven Barnet winners of the Claddagh Golf Cup. Runners up were Frank Timmins and Dairmuid Flannagan. We would like to thank the players which turn up every year to make this a great day. We would also like to thank our numerous sponsors and donors who have supported the Claddagh Association through the years without your help we could not do what we do and last but no means least Peter McKenna who put in a lot of time to make it happen and the rest of the committee who helped out on the day.

S SENIOR ’

EVENT Hosted by:

www.claddagh.org.au

Craic agus Ceol “Music and Banter”

Venue: the Mighty Quinn tavern 112 Wanneroo road, tuart Hill date: Monday 19th May 2014 time: 10am – 3pm *

ent* rtainm **Enteerald Beats Em

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Bookings Essential Call Rachel 0426 109 385

“I must be willing to give whatever it takes to do good to others. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is no true love in me, and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.” Mother Teresa

PASSPORTS

Both the Honorary Consulate and the Embassy in Canberra are experiencing very high demand at the moment. A few things are worth bearing in mind. 1. Please send your passport applications directly to the Honorary Consulate in Perth. That way your records and old passport will be kept in Perth. If your documents are sent directly to Canberra the Perth HC cannot help with any queries. This is especially important where an emergency occurs and your current passport or documents are needed in a hurry.

Martin Kavanagh Honorary Consul Of Ireland

It was a great pleasure accompanying Ambassador Noel White on his recent trip to Rockingham, Bunbury and Collie. The completed Catalpa monument in Rockingham is well worth a visit and we are forever indebted to the City of Rockingham for their support of Irish history and

Marty Kavanagh, Ambassador Noel White and Mayor Barry Sammels of Rockingham City

culture. The John Boyle O’Reilly commemoration in Bunbury was an amazing celebration and the organisers are to be congratulated for an excellent effort. The Shire of Collie was very kind and welcoming of Ambassador White who went to Collie to recognise Martin O’Meara ,VC.

2. You will receive your passport earlier if you have your application checked in Perth to ensure everything is correct.

Marty Kavanagh, Ambassador Noel White at O’Reilly Memorial

It is hard to imagine a more generous and warm welcome than that afforded to the Irish by the shire of Collie. At this time when we remember the Anzacs it’s also very important to recognise the sacrifice of the many Irish who lost their lives in both world wars. The Martin O’Meara story is well detailed in the play “under an old gum tree” and I would heartily recommend the play.

3. Passport renewals take on average 8 to 10 weeks so it’s important to plan well ahead. Some passports do take less than 8 to 10 weeks but that is the exception more than the rule 4. Please renew your passport before you book flights as having a flight booked does not meet the test for an emergency passport. 5. Given the current level of demand the most efficient way to contact us is via email. We are doing everything possible to answer phone call immediately but the demand is sometimes so high we cannot answer all calls. 6. You are very welcome to come into the Honorary Consulate and we can check your documents. Please email for an appointment. 7. Please take advantage of our free service to witness passport photographs and certification of copy documents. Thus service is particularly recommended for first time children’s passports which require very stringent witnessing procedures. You are most welcome to make an appointment.

Perth Office: 1/100 Terrace Road East Perth Western Australia 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

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia

Irish Golf Society of WA

Perth Golf Society members Pat Cummins, David Love and Kieran Hanley enjoying a round of golf at Joondalup Resort with Minister Alan Kelly, TD for Tipperary. Alan took time out of his busy schedule to enjoy one of Perth’s best golf course’s and meet some young Irish professionals in Perth.

Royal Fremantle Golf Club Outing. 2nd March 2014• Players: 35 1 Paul Roche 16 - 39 pts 2 John Quinn - 12 - 38 pts 3 Jason Larkin 28 - 36 pts Closest to Pin (-18) James Phelan 12 Closest to Pin (+18) Jason Larkin 28 Longest Drive Jason Larkin 28

THE CUT OUTING

12th of April 2014 • Turnout 30 1 Mark Walsh 13 - 41 pts 2 Kieran Hanley 17 - 37pts 3 Eoin Phelan 27 - 36 pts Closest to Pin (-18) Bob Greaney 14 Closest to Pin (+18) Jamie Kavanagh 18 Longest Drive Dave Lynch 10

ULSTER

Rambles with David MacConnell

I have a great affinity for proverbs especially Murphy’s. However, none is so true in this technologically world as “you can learn something new every day”. Hey, and how’s about ye! I hope youse all had a good St Patrick’s Day! Now I know I promised to tell you (twice) the rest of the story about my trip on a bus around Belfast. Especially my visit to the Falls and Shankill Roads but I am going to leave it until around “the twelfth”. I also wanted to mention James “Jimmy” Ellis of Z cars fame as he passed on recently but that will have to wait for another day as well. So what is this something new that has overridden the above? Well it is called “The Game of Thrones”. I suppose some of you know all about it but I was completely ignorant on the subject. So, I apologise to all out there if I am talking about something on which you are already an expert. Eureka! It has just hit me. I think it is the ad on my computer when I am trying to google. Great, dementia is settling in slower than I thought. I was convinced it was a computer game which I was supposed to download for free and they would charge me large fees at a later date.

Game of Thrones is an American fantasy drama television series created for HBO by David Benioff

and D.B.Weiss. It is an adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire, George Martin’s series of fantasy novels, the first of which is titled A Game of Thrones. (Get away; you’re kiddin’ me.) Filmed in a Belfast studio and on location elsewhere in Northern Ireland and a few other countries like Malta, Scotland, Croatia, Iceland and of course Morocco. Some great story line I’m thinking here. It premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011. Two days after the fourth season premiered in April 2014, HBO renewed Game of Thrones for a fifth and sixth season. Now I am embarrassed to admit I had to look up what HBO stood for. It was not Human Body Odour but something much more respectable that any home or office with a box should have! If you don’t get this, well look it up for yourselves. The series, set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos at the end of a decade-long summer, interweaves several plot lines. The first follows the members of several noble houses in a civil war for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms; the second covers the rising threat of the impending winter and the mythical creatures of the North; the third chronicles the attempts of the exiled last scion (offspring) of the realm’s deposed dynasty to reclaim the throne. Through its morally ambiguous characters, the series explores the issues of social hierarchy, religion, loyalty, corruption, civil war, crime, and punishment. Plenty of scope here for Ulster viewers and indeed most others as well. Game of Thrones, they tell me, has obtained an exceptionally broad and active international fan base. (I seem to have missed out! … yet again!) It received widespread acclaim by critics, although its use of nudity and violence has caused controversy. Oh dear; how simply awful! The series has won numerous awards and is attracting huge numbers of visitors drawn to the dramatic beauty of Ulster, which is heavily featured in the globally reaching program. As the Season Four release of the

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medieval fantasy series continues, Ulster braces for its latest influx of tourists. I think they call them set jetters over there! The series, which broadcasts in more than 70 countries, has made some of Ulster’s stunning locations must-see attractions for dedicated fans. Ulster is host to most of the fantastical locations featured in Game of Thrones from its pilot through to Season 4. According to Michelle Fairley (Lady Catelyn Stark), ‘The Causeway Coast and Glens looked amazing on film and suited Game of Thrones with the rugged, barren and at times, wild backdrops.” Ah, she has been out in that weather too. In the Game of Thrones, kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noble men vie for power in the bloody struggle for the Iron Throne. Betrayal, lust, intrigue and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdom. The series takes the viewer from Iceland to Morocco and Croatia but the majority of scenes are filmed in Ulster’s countryside and in the Titanic Studios in Belfast. David Benioff, Executive Producer and Writer on Game of Thrones said, “I remember when we were scouting other countries, they just didn’t look right, there is something, it’s hard to put your finger on, but they felt a little too, new. You really need to believe you’re in a space that has been there for thousands of years and you get that in the Irish forests”. An easy three-day self-drive itinerary has been created by Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism and a PDF can be found on the website detailing exact Game of Thrones locations and highlights along the way. For true fans wanting to have a Game of Thrones experience, step back in time with an archery session at the home of Winterfell (Castle Ward). And if you are really hoping to get all the inside details from the set, a tour with one of the extras from the program is the way to go. To make self-touring easy, signage is currently being placed in key locations from the series. Signs are currently at Ballintoy Harbour

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with Inch Abbey, River Quoile and other locations to follow. Key Ulster Game of Thrones locations are easy to access for fans and include: • Castle Ward. This is an 18thcentury National Trust property located near the village of Strangford, in County Down. It overlooks Strangford Lough and is 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford. It is noted for its dual architecture and is now open to the public. It includes 332 hectares (820 acres) of landscaped gardens, a fortified tower house, Victorian laundry, theatre, restaurant, shop, saw mill and a working corn mill. In “Game of Thrones” it is known as Winterfell and is featured when King Robert Barratheon arrives at Winterfell. Apologies for this vague description. I don’t want to give too much of the story away. Of course I am assuming there is a story. • Shane’s Castle is a ruined castle near Randalstown in Co Antrim. The castle is on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh. Built in 1345 by a member of the O’Neill dynasty, it was originally called Eden-duff-carrick. Shane MacBrien O’Neill changed the name to Shane’s Castle in 1722. This was where Ned Stark was chained up (doubled as Kings Landing) and The Hand’s Tournament took place. • The Dark Hedges is a beautiful avenue of beech trees that was planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. It was intended as a compelling landscape feature to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their home, Gracehill House. Two centuries later, the trees remain a magnificent sight and have become a photographer’s favourite. The Dark Hedges is one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland and a popular attraction for tourists from across the world. I am not convinced it is “natural” but let’s not argue. It has

and crew. • Inch Abbey is a large, ruined monastic site 0.75 miles (1.2 km) north-west of Downpatrick, Co Down, on the north bank of the River Quoile (pronounced coil or at least that was how I was taught to pronounce it) in a hollow between two drumlins and featuring early Gothic architecture. The site was originally on an island (Irish: Inis) in the Quoile been painted by hundreds of visiting Marshes. The pre- Norman Celtic artists and is a favourite location for monastic settlement here, known as wedding photographs. It is situated Inis Cumhscraigh (or Inis in Co Antrim near Armoy Cuscraidh), was in existence and my old haunting by the year 800. In 1002 ground… Ballymoney. it was plundered by the Apparently it is where Vikings (who else) led by Arya Stark escaped from Sitric, King of the Danes, King’s Landing. If you do who came up the Quoile not know Arya Stark, do with a fleet from the sea. not fret. It will all come to The Vikings plundered light if you ever watch the the settlement again in series, or so I am reliably 1149. (I am surprised they told. remembered it existed!) Its The Caves at large earthwork enclosure has been Cushendun can be found right along traced from aerial photographs. the coast and next to the Bay Hotel Inch Abbey provided the backdrop and Cave House. They have been for Walder Frey’s twin castles in The formed over a period of 400 million Riverlands, where Catelyn Stark years by extreme weather conditions learns of her husband’s fate and vows .They are the remains of a vast mountain range, weathered and eroded revenge. Good for her. According to Diane Butler, Manager by wind and water resulting in Old of Tourism Ireland Australia & New Red Sandstone rock. This is where Zealand, television and film fans are sorceress Melisandre births a shadow highly motivated to visit production baby whatever that is when it’s at locations and have a significant home! impact on boosting the economy. • “We are thrilled Game of Thrones is Murlough able to expose the beauty and history Bay (below of Ireland in general and Ulster in left) is particular to a global audience, giving situated in so many people the chance to see the the northregion in a fresh light”. eastern corner of Co Antrim. It is “We are noticing a significant known for its boost in visitation as Game of outstanding Thrones fans search out their very beauty and own land of fire and ice beyond remote location, the screens,” she said. “According with views to Tourism Ireland, at the end across the ocean to Rathlin Island, the Mull of Kintyre, of Series Three, Game of Thrones is estimated to have generated in the Islay and various other Scottish islands. Well on a clear day. It is used for the Iron Islands, where Theon Greyjoy and his sister Asha ride on horseback and where actress Michelle Fairley used to swim as a child. A bit chilly I would have thought! Ballintoy Harbour, (above right) Co. Antrim is where Theon Greyjoy sets foot back on the Iron Islands and where he later admires his new ship

region of £65 million (AUD$123 million) for the local economy.” Maybe we should mention this to Joe Hockey (Aussie treasurer) before the next budget. It would help many economies. “Ulster is a superb place to film because you find spectacular beauty within a very quick car drive from Belfast” said Robert Boake, Location Manager Game of Thrones Season Two. I am not sure whether he has driven the coast road in Co Antrim. Not exactly a “quick car ride” from Belfast in anyone’s opinion. Belfast is an ideal starting point for all things Game of Thrones. The city drew massive crowds in June 2013 for the HBO Game of Thrones exhibition which has since toured the world but due to its popularity it will be returning to Belfast this year. (I thought I was there then but I must have missed it).The exhibition saw 18,000 visitors over 10 days. 12,500 tickets to the exhibition were distributed in advance of the event and tickets sold out in one day. Over 30 per cent of tickets were sold to out of state visitors from as far as Australia, South America, and Europe. No mention of Iceland I notice. Season Four will no doubt take fans on yet another exciting journey which can then be replicated in Ulster in locations steeped in local myth and legend, where ancient warriors walked long before leading men. Game of Thrones Season 4 is currently screened on Foxtel’s Showcase channel which should give you another clue as to what HBO stands for. Well I hope this all made sense to you and as I said at the beginning, you can learn something new every day. I certainly did.

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Welcome to the post ANZAC Day and Autumn/Winter edition of our wonderful Magazine. I have toiled long and hard to give you a lot to choose from especially for this issue so here goes. Firstly I would like to tell you about a letter I received after the last issue went to press. A lady named Maureen took the time to write to me care of the Irish Scene (as any of you can do if you so wish if you want any literary or other entertainmenty information) to say she was having problems finding a specific book that I reviewed in the last edition. I was able to assist her with her task and helped her to organise a copy for her husband’s birthday. She also took the time to send me a lovely thank you card for helping. Thank you, Maureen, I was only too happy to help and I hope your husband enjoyed his surprise birthday gift. Don’t forget that if you have problems finding a good new- or second hand bookseller, you can try my favourites – • Stefen’s Books in Shafto Lane in Perth City. • Dymocks at Whitford City – ask for Tracey (and other locations throughout the State and Metropolitan Area) • Corona Books shop at Warwick Shopping Centre – ask for Mark. In the realm of Second Hand book sellers • Pulp Fiction – who have stores (again) at Whitford City and also at Floreat Forum Shopping Centre • Elizabeth’s Bookshop chain which has shops in Fremantle, Perth City (Murray Street) and Subiaco to name but a few branches. • Guildford Book Exchange • Warwick Second hand Books at Warwick Grove Shopping Centre Also please remember to let the various stores know who pointed you in their direction. The feedback is great for them and it shows me that you are actually taking the time to read what I have prepared for your enjoyment with each issue. Then my work will not have been in

vain, as it were! AND SO, FIRSTLY, TO MY BOOK OF THE MONTH – I WAS ONLY NINETEEN – SCHUMANN and SMITH Allen and Unwin Hardback $24.99 The iconic song of the Vietnam war by John Schumann – the soul of Aussie band Redgum - has with the aid of illustrator Craig Smith produced a wonderful book, ostensibly for children, to expose the horrors of both that conflict (so long ignored) and of war in general to a relatively new audience. Its release is I think very timely given that this is the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War (First World War) – the “War to End Wars” – which sadly has proved not to be the case. But I won’t preach on this issue – of man’s inhumanity to man – I’ll let the book tell you itself. I sincerely hope you buy this book – read it to your children and grand-children – see if between us we can make a difference. And now to continue... TASMANIA’S CONVICTS – ALISON ALEXANDER Allen and Unwin Paperback $32.99 Alison’s book, first released in hardback in 2010, is finally released as a paperback for the first time. It tells the story of the men and women transported to what was to become one of Britain’s most notorious penal colonies. It follows the lives of dozens of convicts and in doing so demonstrates the effect that they had on the development of modern Tasmania. This is a wonderfully written and informative book and I feel essential reading for anyone who has an interest in how Australia became the nation that it is today. CALL ME SASHA – GEENA LEIGH Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 Geena is a former sex-worker who left home at the age of fifteen years (not through her own choice) to earn a living the only way that seemed

open to her. Here, she tells us her story – warts and all – how she survived the tribulations to gain a double university degree and become a successful writer. This is a very worthwhile read and one that I found at times hilarious and very readable. I hope you take the time to read this one – I know you’ll find it a very compelling read too. SHEILA – ROBERT WAINWRIGHT Allen and Unwin Paperback $32.99 This is the tale of Sheila Chisholm – a young Australian girl who moved from her home here to London where she embarked on a dizzying life that took her through the London society of her generation taking in her stride brushes with Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Hollywood and the Kennedys. Altogether this is a breathtakingly good read and one that all lovers of socialite biography will enjoy, I’m sure. BRANSON BEHIND THE MASK – TOM BOWER Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 Fresh from his biography of Simon Cowell (you may recall I told you about that a while back in an earlier issue) Bower tackles the story of one of the most charismatic characters of our generation – entrepreneur Richard Branson. Here is the story of a university dropout who started out in business selling records by mail order from a small office in London’s West End to a multi millionaire/billionaire business empire that operates one of the largest airlines in the World today. I found this a really good read – hope you enjoy it – I really learned a lot about this fascinating man. THE GOOD NURSE – CHARLES GRAEBER Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 Here we have a true story – one that encompasses medicine, madness and murder – it tells about registered nurse Charlie Cullen who was implicated

in more than 300 murders and who is probably the most prolific serial killer that America has ever known. This is a good read in the tradition of Truman Capote’s startling book “In Cold Blood” and I found it a fascinating and indeed disturbing read. I know you lovers of this genre out there will love it too. THE HEART RADICAL – BOYD ANDERSON Random House Paperback $32.99 Our story begins in the Malaya of 1951 – a year that saw that country in the grip of what they called “the Emergency”. It tells of Su-Lin – daughter of a local defence barrister who likes to listen in to her father’s cases and clients’ stories. This one time, she gets all wrapped up in a trial that is a matter of life and death for her father’s clients but which takes SuLin on a journey of discovery that is all about love and sacrifice, truth and lies, and about fighting for the things you believe in. A really good read – hope you enjoy this one – I know you will if you take the time to pick it up for your library. THE WARDROBE GIRL – JENNIFER SMART Random House Paperback $32.99 Jennifer has given us here a novel that is inspired by her time as a director’s assistant and scriptwriter for the iconic TV series “Home and Away”. It gives us an insight into the behind the scenes life of an Australian TV soap opera and the Aussie film industry in general. It is a quite light hearted rom-com that I found quite enjoyable for its genre and one that will attract many readers who like it too and who want to see what “really” happens behind the scenes of such programmes. Enjoy. MURDER MYSTERY AND MAYHEM…….PLUS LAST NIGHT – STEPHEN LEATHER Hachette Paperback $29.99 I love Stephen’s books – they are always exceptional reads – especially his Jack Nightingale series of which this is the fifth instalment. This

time Jack is faced with a killer who is murdering Goths with brutal relish – and he has to summon his personal demon to help solve this twisted tale. Again he is faced with a battle with “The Order” a satanic cult that deals in infant sacrifice etc. Don’t be put off by the storyline – it is a very readable, very entertaining and very enjoyable book – I thoroughly enjoyed it – but the ending left me wondering whether this might be the last we see of Jack Nightingale. I sincerely hope not for he is a truly great character altogether. THE TRAIN RIDER – TONY CAVANAUGH Hachette P/back $29.99 I have read Tony’s earlier books and enjoyed them immensely. This new one, again featuring ex homicide inspector Darian Richards, is a very compelling read as we follow Darian through a scenario that forces him to revisit the horrors of his last case as a police officer when three girls go missing – he knows that the killer is playing him and also knows he has to make a choice – and if he makes the wrong one then a girl will die! Eerily chilling sequel to his earlier Darian Richards tales – you really need to buy this and read it to see how he puts things to rights. Loved it! THE CHASE – JANET EVANOVICH AND LEE GOLDBERG Hachette P/back $29.99 This is the second novel co-written by these two seasoned authors, the first being “The Heist” – its premise (I don’t know if the new TV show “The Blacklist” inspired these tales or vice versa) is that an FBI Agent is teamed up “off the books” as it were with one of America’s most wanted con-men to take down a series of leading crooks and conmen who have so far evaded capture. This time the story takes them to the White House where a former Chief of Staff there has been “a very naughty boy”! Loved this as I did the first in the series – can’t wait for the follow up(s).

THE ACCIDENT – CHRIS PAVONE Allen&Unwin Pback $29.99 Chris’ first book “The ExPats” was reviewed in these pages quite some time ago – I really loved that one – and this new one is no exception This time, a literary is sent a mysterious tell-all manuscript full of shocking revelations and disturbing truths that could have a major impact on National security if it was to be published. Several entities are conspiring to stop its publication including the CIA and the high profile man who is the central subject of the book. This is very fast paced and very easy reading – as with most books of this genre, there are many twists and turns as we are drawn to its spectacular conclusion. Go out and buy it and read it for yourselves. THE WE TAKE BERLIN – JOHN LAWTON Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 The author of many previous novels (seven featuring Inspector Troy), John Lawton has created a wonderful tale of how events that occurred at the time of the fall of Berlin in 1945 were to affect the visit of John F Kennedy to Berlin in 1963. The story begins in Berlin and Washington in 1963 and through the medium of flashback, we find out how the protagonists arrived where they are today (1963) and how their terrible story is set to unfold. I found this a very readable book full of twists and turns and some very surprising events and plot lines that evolved during the course of this at times very moving tale. Loved it – surprised at the ending which rather (I hope) leaves things open for a sequel. I shall look forward to it. KILLER – JONATHON KELLERMAN Hachette Paperback $29.99 This is the latest of Kellerman’s Alex Delaware stories. Alex gets involved in the case of a woman who is being sued by her older sister for custody of her child – the older sister

accuses her sibling of being an unfit mother. The older sister loses – and issues death threats against Alex Delaware – the older sister turns up dead – then the child is kidnapped! Phew! Great story and so many twists of plot that I would spoil things if I tried to tell you about any of them. I know you’ll love this one. Again – enjoy! SNOW BLIND – CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN Hachette P/back $29.99 This is one in the Stephen King mould and tells the story of the Great Storm that hit the small town of Coventry in Massachusetts – it was the worst storm in living memory. But what evil does it awaken in this small town? And what is the nature of the new nightmare that threatens to keep the residents of that small town from sleeping ever again? You’ll just have to read this enthralling but VERY disturbing book to find out. Fascinating read. UNLUCKY THIRTEEN – JAMES PATTERSON/MAXINE PAETRO Random House Paperback $32.99 This is, as the title suggests, the 13th in the Women’s Murder Club series that features Californian Detective Lindsay Boxer and is a more than adequate successor to its predecessors. Here, Lindsay is faced with two dead bodies in a car accident on the Golden Gate Bridge – but it is not as simple as just a traffic accident. When she realises that the case is set to involve former colleague turned serial killer, Mackie Morales, all Hell breaks loose. Great story – brilliantly told with a reasonably unexpected ending. If you loved the first 12 stories you’re gonna love this one too – wow!! IN THE BLOOD – LISA UNGER Simon&Schuster Paperback $29.99 I loved Lisa’s earlier novels and I was really looking forward to this one – I wasn’t disappointed in the least. Here we have a psychology student, Lana, who takes on a baby sitting job only to find that the boy that she is sitting for has as troubled a past as her own. To what avail? He tries to outsmart Lana (having already been expelled from several schools for various

reasons) but has he met his match? This is quite a page turner and all is not as it seems – or is it? It will keep you on the edge of your seats until the final page where all is revealed. Brilliant read and brilliantly written. Enjoy! CONCEALED IN DEATH – J.D. ROBB Hachette P/back $29.99 This is the latest in Robb’s “In Death” series set 50 years into the future and featuring Lt Eve Dallas and her Irish billionaire husband Roarke. This time, Roarke is involved in the demolition of a building to make way for a new building and discovers the corpse of a dead girl in the cavity behind one of the walls. And then another is found. And then another! A very tortuitous tale and one that I hope/know you’ll enjoy. This is a great series of books by one of the World’s leading and prolific authors – J.D. Robb is the pseudonym of the wonderful author Nora Roberts. Loved this one as I have loved all of this series that I have read. MISSING YOU – HARLAN COBEN Hachette P/back $32.99 At last! A new Harlan Coben thriller. I am a huge fan of Harlan’s, particularly the Myron Bolitar series, but this is another of his excellent stand alone stories – incidentally his last stand alone “Six Years” is soon to be made into a movie starring our own Hugh Jackman. It’s time we saw another of his books on the screen. But I digress – this is the story of Kat Donovan, an NYPD detective who comes across the picture of her ex husband on a dating website that is at the core of her current investigation. From there we depart on a whirlwind adventure that takes in identity fraud, money laundering and large scale embezzlement that will keep you guessing and enthralled at the same time. Good one Harlan – your books are as good as ever – keep up the good work! And you dear reader please buy, read, support and enjoy the work of this great writer. TROUBLE IN MIND – JEFFREY DEAVER Hachette Paperback $32.99

From one of my favourites to yet another – Jeffrey Deaver. You may recall I had the pleasure of interviewing Jeff when he was in Australia a while back to promote his book “Carte Blanche” a James Bond book commissioned by the Ian Fleming estate. He is also well known for his books featuring Lincoln Rhyme, the quadriplegic forensic scientist. Here we have a sterling collection of short stories with two featuring Rhyme and one featuring Kathryn Dance, another of his featured characters. This is a wonderful compilation and time and space here don’t permit me to elaborate further on them. Suffice it to say that I found them all fascinating reads and all with that delicious twist that Jeffrey (and also the other Jeff, Jeffrey Archer) like to put at the end of their stories. If you enjoy these half as much as I did then you will be well satisfied. DEEP STORM – LINCOLN CHILD Faber Paperback $29.99 This is the first of Lincoln’s books that I have read so far and I will certainly be seeking out the others very shortly. Set on an oil rig in the North Atlantic, a naval doctor, Peter Crane, is summoned to that rig to advise on some obscure sickness that has befallen some of the people working on the rig. We find that the drilling is happening on a secret area that is not accessible to the general staff of the rig and which is threatening the entire operation. Has the exploration discovered the lost city of Atlantis? Or is this something MUCH more sinister? You’ll have to read it to answer that question – I loved this one and was very surprised at the ending of this twisted tale. Enjoy! And now to several tomes that are set in my all time favourite place for such crime stories, Great Britain. YOU WILL NEVER FIND ME – ROBERT WILSON Hachette Paperback $26.99 Although he has written a number of crime novels in the past, this is the first of his that I have read so far and I am more than impressed with his work. This story begins

where a kidnap and recovery specialist, Charlie Boxer, is called by his ex wife, who is a hostage negotiator, when their daughter runs away from home – leaving only a note that says “You will never find me!” Charlie and his ex have not received any blackmail demands but they are scared none the less for their daughter’s safety. Their hunt leads them all over Europe and the UK as the tale wends to its agonising but inevitable conclusion. Superb bit of storytelling – if you love this genre then this one is definitely for you. Buy it. EVERYONE LIES – A.D. GARRETT Allen&Unwin $32.99 Author Ann Cleeves says “Thriller writing at its best” – I must agree I concur with her wholeheartedly. This story, set in Manchester, focuses on DI Kate Simms who is trying to get back into favour with her Police bosses following a demotion she got after her previous case. But the case she is given involves drug addicts who keep turning up dead with no explanation evident – and then a celebrity dies and all hell breaks loose – find the killer(s) pronto. This is a wonderfully woven and twisted tale that will keep you guessing right till the end. I know you’re going to just adore this one. Great book – great author. THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS – JONATHAN AYCLIFFE Allen and Unwin Paperback $19.99 This is the latest in a long line of supernatural thrillers and this time our story is set in the Lake District at the time of the Blitz during the Second World War. Octavia, a profoundly deaf 10 year old girl, is sent to Ullswater in the Lake District to escape the aforesaid Blitz accompanied by her brother who is recuperating from injuries he sustained in the Battle of Narvik. Although deaf, Octavia says she can hear voices – just voices – during the nights there. Is she mistaken? Not on your life is she mistaken – which becomes evident when the pair fall prey to the darker and most evil secret of the old house that lives in

its attic! A really spooky and unnerving read. Loved it! A PLEASURE AND A CALLING - PHIL HOGAN Random House Paperback $24.99 Phil Hogan is a new author to me – but he has written three previous books that I will certainly be seeking out. Here our author asks the question “Do you remember Mr Heming – because Mr Heming remembers you”. Mr Heming is a real estate salesman – who always manages to keep a copy of the key to every house that he has ever sold – why? Why do you think??? His sinister behaviour is at the heart of this genuinely unnerving tale of a man, William Heming, who loves and knows every inch of his neighbourhood and is prepared to defend it with, perhaps not his own life, but certainly WITH YOURS! Well known author Rosamund Lupton describes the book as “wonderfully creepy, macabre and blackly comic” and I must say I totally agree with her – we have here a twisted tale of obsession and Goodness only knows what. You won’t see the climax and ending coming with this one, I’m telling you – enjoy! THE DYNAMITE ROOM – JASON HEWITT Simon and Schuster P/back $29.99 This is Jason’s first novel, having been an actor an playwright in the past, and it is set in the Suffolk of the 1940’s. Here we have Lydia, a young girl who travels to the Suffolk village where she was born to locate her mother and the life she had before the war. The village is now deserted – how will she survive? Then one night, a German soldier arrives at her door carrying a loaded weapon. He takes Lydia hostage – and thereby hangs the tale – the soldier has a great command of the English language – and how does he know Lydia’s name – before she tells him herself? Wonderfully taut story – unnerving and surprising ending – this one I really enjoyed – hope you read it too to learn first hand what I loved about it.

EAST OF INNOCENCE David Thorn Allen&Unwin Paperback $29.99 Here we have yet another first novel – this time from a BAFTA Award winning scriptwriter who has written for the likes of British comedians Jimmy Carr, Alan Carr, David Mitchell and Bob Mortimer and the Armstrong and Miller show. That said, this is far from a comedy based story. It features a disgraced London lawyer who cannot escape his violent past and that of his family which is tied incontrovertibly to a local organised crime family. Now based in Essex, our hero is asked by an old school friend to help him out of a jam with the police where he believes he has been framed. We have here a tale of organised crime, corrupt police and a missing girl whose body turns up under strange circumstances. From there the plot gets thicker and thicker as it wends its way to the inevitable confrontation and conclusion. For a first novel, this is a real cracker – if you don’t get hold of this and read it then you’re missing a real treat. THE VERDICT – NICK STONE Hachette Paperback $32.99 Here we have another new author to me in the form of Nick Stone who has here produced arguably one of the best legal thrillers I have read for quite some time. Author Mark Billingham has compared Nick’s writing to that of John Grisham and I must say he’s not too far wrong. This tale of a struggling legal clerk who is given the biggest opportunity of his career to help defend a millionaire who is accused of murdering a woman in his hotel suite – then he finds out that the man he is tasked to defend is his sworn enemy from his youth. Did he do it? Does he get off? Is this a sham defence using inexperienced people to pacify the real killer on behalf of one of the firms other major clients? What a twisted web is woven here! I loved it and the conclusion although not wholly unexpected is none the less quite a revelation. Wonderful stuff.

THE TELLING ERROR – SOPHIE HANNAH Hachette Paperback $29.99 Sophie Hannah has been described many a time as the Queen of psychological crime writing and this worthy book goes a long way to cementing this position that she so rightly holds. This tale of a woman who is accused of a murder that she didn’t commit – but who is scared because the detective who is investigating the death was also involved in a part of her earlier life that she would rather forget about. Although she isn’t guilty of this murder, by her own admission she is not altogether an innocent. A good story well constructed, told and acted out. Sophie has excelled herself again. I enjoyed this lovely little book. Love this genre – love it. BETTER OFF DEAD – TOM WOOD Hachette P/back $29.99 I will conclude this month’s offerings with a book from one of the best young writers around. This is one of the best books I have read in quite a while I am pleased to say and one that has an interesting premise. A hit man must be anonymous, amoral and alone. He must be like our central character Victor just another face in the crowd – a nondescript person – one you’d be hard pushed to identify if you had to describe him. Here an old friend turns to him for help – and his objectivity is lost as he vows to be a bodyguard for someone he doesn’t know, has never met – and who doesn’t feel she needs a bodyguard. In short he becomes emotionally involved – which is fatal (or can be so) for your typical hit man. Very full on action – very fast paced story – many and varied twists of plot that will leave you gasping as you find yourself drawn into this mangled world. Read it and enjoy it – I know you’ll not regret it – I can’t wait to get hold of his other books for a good read! Well that’s it for books this issue. Remember, if I haven’t heard of an author before or if it is a new author, I hope you will take my recommendations into consideration when selecting your reading matter and give them a good

go. I will say no more at this juncture and wish you happy reading, and see you all in the next issue. I hope you enjoy my recommendations as much as I have enjoyed reading them on both your and my own behalf. MOVIES, ETC There has not been a lot on the horizon of late but I did manage to catch up with an excellent TV series on DVD called “James Nesbitt’s Ireland”)which has I believe been shown on Foxtel but not on local freeto-air – I don’t have Foxtel so it was new to me). James takes us on a general tour of most of the beauty spots in the

North and the South including Cork, Blarney Castle, and the Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival to name but a few. Great programme and well put together – thoroughly enjoyed it. Before I go, I have a request – In January 2009 RTE screened a documentary on Luke Kelly on the 25th anniversary of his passing. If anyone has a copy of this I would love to see it. You might also like to get down to the Irish Club in Subiaco on Thursday nights – they have a good music session from 7pm – 9pm. Alternate weeks are hosted by “Sparrow” and yours truly has been known to sit in with them on occasion.

DONEGAL DANNY WAS HERE Daniel O’Donnell Concert Reviewed by Colin Merrey

Why the title of this little piece? Well, Daniel was born the day after my 18th birthday in Co Donegal – hence I always think of him as “Donegal Danny”. Makes sense now? Well, having had the pleasure of talking to Daniel during his Australian promotional visit a while back (see the last issue of the Irish Scene) I was delighted to be given tickets to see him in his Perth concert at the Riverside Theatre in Perth and was looking forward to the concert. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend so my wife and her friend, Terese, went on my behalf and compiled these notes on the concert on my behalf. So I thank them whole heartedly. Daniel O’Donnell made his appearance at 7.10 pm to rousing cheers from the packed theatre audience. He was wearing a grey suit with narrow legged trousers, and winkle picker shoes which caused much laughter, saying he had been watching the young ones performing on stage and wanted to keep up with their dress! His performance, which lasted in excess of three hours – great value for money – saw four more changes of clothes, each very smart, especially the Red Patent dancing pumps! His band played brilliantly, unfortunately one of their regular members, Ronnie, was taken sick shortly before the tour started, and was not fit for the long flights! Hopefully he will be well again when they get home. He quipped early into the show that we were all probably on warfarin!! He got plenty of response to that comment too.

Mary Duff, his support act and co performer, was in good form, singing beautifully, featuring songs that were both old and new. Daniel is an brilliant all round entertainer singing songs from his latest album “A Picture of You” and also from his older repertoire of songs. His jokes had the crowd in stitches as did his dancing, both Irish and Morris. He meandered through the whole theatre greeting and shaking hands with many people, even climbing and walking on to the dividing partitions in the auditorium much to the delight of the crowd. The audience responded with well wishes for Daniel’s wife, Majella, who Daniel told us had had a double mastectomy following being diagnosed with breast cancer just before he left Ireland and is responding well to treatment. Near the end of the evening Daniel told us he was informed that Bruce Springsteen sang for three hours, so he was going to do the same (which he did). Daniel announced that he would meet people after the show and there was a great queue as we left - such is his popularity especially with the older generation. Daniel and the group left for a short tour of Sri Lanka on the following Sunday, before returning home after which they will be taking an 18 month break from February 2015 to do things they have been putting off for quite a while now. It can readily be said that a good time was had by all.

GONE BUTByNOT FORGOTTEN COLIN MERREY In the past I have let you know about some of the noted authors, musicians and actors, etc that had passed away recently. I am saddened to have to tell you about some more notables who are no longer with us. They have all given us innumerable hours of pleasure and enjoyment over the years – may their Gods go with them. Philip Seymour Hoffman was an American actor and director. He was known as a versatile performer who brought depth and humanity to all of his roles. He was prolific in both film and theatre from the early 1990s until his death at age 46, after which the New York Times declared him “perhaps the most ambitious and widely admired American actor of his generation”. In 2005, he portrayed the author Truman Capote in “Capote”, for which he won multiple acting awards including the Academy Award for Best Actor. He also played a pivotal role of an American disc jockey in the British Movie “The Boat that Rocked” a fictional take on the story of British pirate radio station Radio Caroline.

Philip was also an accomplished theatre actor and director. He struggled with drug addiction as a young adult, and relapsed in 2012 after many years of sobriety. In February 2014, he died of combined drug intoxication – an unexpected event that was widely lamented by the film and theatre industries. Shirley Temple Black (née Temple) was an American film and television actress, singer, dancer and public servant, most famous as a child star in the 1930s. As an adult, she entered politics and became a diplomat, serving as United States Ambassador to Ghana and later to Czechoslovakia, and as Chief of Protocol of the United States. She began her film career in 1932 at the age of three and in 1934 she found international fame in Bright Eyes, a feature film designed specifically for her talents. She received a special Juvenile Academy Award in February 1935 for her outstanding contribution as a juvenile performer to motion pictures during 1934, and film hits such as Curly Top and Heidi followed year after year

during the mid-to-late 1930s. She ranks 18th on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest female American screen legends of all time and sadly passed away in February of this year at the age of 84 years. We lost the wonderful George Donaldson on March 12, 2014 this year as a result of a massive heart attack, while he was sleeping, at the age of only 46 years. He was the oldest member of the group Celtic Thunder and was a wellknown balladeer, guitarist and flautist from Glasgow, Scotland. He is survived by his wife Carolyn and daughter Sarah. On 7 April 2014, we lost Peaches Geldof, daughter of Sir Bob Geldof, at the age of 25 years, at her home in Wrotham, Kent. The initial Kent Police statement reads: “At this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained and sudden.” Sir Bob said in a statement: “We are beyond pain. She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us. We loved her and will cherish her forever.” At this time it is not known what caused the death of this talented young person.

THE LEGEND OF LUKE KELLY… LIVES ON!

IN A GREAT SHOW.... A TRIBUTE TO LUKE KELLY BY CHRIS KAVANAGH

On 30th January 1984 it is said that the whole of Dublin grieved the death of Dubliner Luke Kelly at the early age of 43 years. He has left an indelible mark as being undoubtedly the greatest Irish folk artist of the 20th Century. In October 2001 ‘A Tribute to Luke Kelly’ was launched in Dublin’s Hotpress HQ before an audience which included Luke’s siblings and relations. As a result of the show’s success, MCD booked the band for a three month residency at the Olympia theatre which led to a memorable appearance on RTE’s Open House. They were also the only band to receive an invitation to perform on Eamonn Dunphy’s radio show ‘The Last Word’. Over the past ten years they have amazed audiences following powerful sell-out performances in prominent Irish venues with the regular attendance of the Kelly family. Popularity has seen the band touring abroad in England, Switzerland and even as far away as Australia.

Lead singer Chris Kavanagh bears a remarkable resemblance to Luke, while his singing talents capture the depth and passion of the great man. He is joined on stage by accomplished musicians who all consider it an honour to bring Luke’s memory to the stage in the ultimate tribute to the King of Balladeers. In 2009 to mark Luke’s 25th anniversary, Chris and cowriter (Hilary Kavanagh) composed a song entitled “Voice of the people” to celebrate his life. An album of original songs is available from www.chriskavanagh.com In November 2011 Chris stood in with folk legends The Dubliners on their German tour and made a guest appearance at their Christmas concerts in Vicar Street. Chris will be supported by Irish singer/ songwriter Paddy Casey whose years as a busker on the streets of Galway and his home town of Dublin served him well. Not only did they allow him to associate from an early age with future breakout artists like Glen Hansard (of the Frames), Mundy,

and Mark Dignam, but he developed a keen instinct for the type of melody and songwriting that are immediate and arresting, but with a natural intimacy not often heard in conventional pop music. Though an admitted pure soul devotee, Casey performs music that is heavily informed by its medium -- the singer and his acoustic guitar -- coming across as if Bob Dylan had taken to imitating Nina Simone, with elements of Prince and Public Enemy thrown in for good measure. The Chris Kavanagh Luke Kelly Tribute Show is at the Riverside Theatre Perth on Saturday 11th July 2014. Support act is Paddy Casey. See advert on page 9 for booking details. Colin Merrey

My Three Angels

reviewed by Solas Mac an Tuille

The Irish Theatre Players (ITP) started their 2014 theatre season with a comedy which was based on a French play. Theatre directors are easily able to elicit tears from audiences with little effort but to get audiences laughing heartily requires great skills from both actors and the director. Jim Motheway certainly tickled our funny bone with his interpretation of My Three Angels. This play, written by Sam and Bella Spewack, opened on Broadway in 1953 and is frequently performed by community theatre groups. It has also been adapted for the big screen in 1955 and the 1989 remake starred Sean Penn and Robert De Niro. This play was different in style to other recent ITP’s productions and perhaps appealed to a wider audience. My Three Angels is set in tropical French Guiana on the convict penal island known as Devil’s Island. It is Christmas Eve in the early 1900s. Felix Dulay (Liam McDonald) is a kind-hearted shopkeeper who extends credit to his customers, is exploited by them and, as a result, struggles with his book keeping. As most customers have not paid their bills, the Dulays are deep in debt to the shop owner, the wealthy Gaston Lemare (Niall O’Toole). Gaston’s untimely visit to the island and insistence on auditing the books causes great consternation and fear in the Dulay household as the books were in very bad shape. Any problems found in the shop’s financial records could result in Felix and his wife Emilie (Siobhan Wright) losing everything they had. Three convicts, working on Felix’s roof, overhear the settler family’s predicament that they may lose their shop and be forced to return to France with nothing. The convicts, Alfred, Jules and Joseph, like the honest hard working Felix and his family and decide to come to their aid. To complicate matters further Felix’s daughter Marie Louise (Zoe Griffin) is in love with Gaston’s nephew Paul (Kevin Chan). Paul, who is under his uncle’s influence, was ordered to marry a rich heiress and forbidden any contact with Marie Louise during his visit. Emilie initially feared the convicts would steal from the shop but Felix assured her there were not thieves, only murderers! The scene is now set for this delicious, hilarious, and sometimes criminal plot, to unfold. No murder was committed but convict Alfred’s poisonous pet snake played a deadly role. Upon Gaston’s demise convict Joseph forges a codicil to Gaston’s will which in effect will leave the shop to Felix. Marie Louise’s love life was also resolved by the three

angels. Finally, the family could enjoy their Christmas. This production rated as one of the best staged at The Irish Club in recent times. The tropical set excelled thanks to the wonderful imagination of artist Peter Conlon. The colours were bright and vibrant and provided an exquisite backdrop to this island location. The costumes for the play were well selected for the period and the stage dressing was also nicely done. The ensemble worked hard to get every laugh from the various situations. Supporting players Siobhan Wright, Marian Byrne, Zoe Griffin, Kevin Chan and Bobby Greaney moved with confidence throughout. Liam McDonald as Felix Dulay showed his character’s gentleness and human nature. Niall O’Toole as the demanding and conniving Gaston gave a great performance as he pushed Felix to the limit. The three convicts (angels) worked well as a trio and each contributed a different energy on stage. Both Killian Harty as Alfred and Stan O’Neill as Jules portrayed their individual characters well. The outstanding performance of the night was Nick Kadmos in his role as convict Joseph the smooth talking and forgery expert. Nick commanded the stage like a true professional and his diction and mannerisms were faultless. His dad was in the audience that night and was beaming with delight. This was a wonderful start to 2014 for the ITP.

For more information: The Irish Theatre Players contact us at 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco or Ph 9401-0964 www.irishtheatreplayers.com.au

Reviewed by David MacConnell

Well it was the annual holiday at the end of Feb for some and the weekend of the Nannup musical festival for others. This was the 25th celebration of this event and truthfully it was bigger, better with a greater variety than any of the previous 24. Now that is saying something! After staying the night in Bunbury, I arrived down early on Saturday morning. The festival actually begins on Friday evening but most of us prefer to arrive Saturday morning. I was met by Phaedra (the Festival C.E.O.) and after a pleasant welcome, she told me to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get out there, enjoy and write a good storyâ&#x20AC;?. I did and I am. Firstly, if you have never been to the Nannup Musical Festival, then you must put it on your bucket list. You simply must go. It is much more than a music festival. It is an experience. There were around one hundred artists and over two hundred performances this year. Yes I suppose you could say something for everybody. Secondly, I would like to say a few things about the town as this is very much a community venture. Nannup has a population of around 600 but on the weekend of the festival this increases dramatically. Well where do we all stay you might well ask. There are two campsites and if you cannot get into one of these (you may have to book a year in advance) then you are directed to the town golf course. You can find a roadhouse, a sporting complex, shopping facilities, a police station, at least three cafes, a hardware store, a community centre, a nursery and a gemstone museum. Also a Telecentre and this year for the first time we have had coverage from Vodafone as well as Telstra. The main street has changed little over the years so has considerable heritage value or so they tell me. My first port of call was to see Ted Egan. I really like his simplistic style but here, in the RSL Hall, he was using

a slide show to celebrate the Anzacs. It was well attended but not my thing first up so I headed to The Playground to see Mulberry Bend, a duo with some Irish connection. Susanna Carman and Karl Farren draw on the stories and musical traditions born out of the late 19th century period of cultural convergence in the hovels of lower Manhattan. The music of Mulberry Bend reflects the personal immigrant narratives of these two dynamic artists as well as their passions for Irish and Blues music. I had a chat with Karl later and was fascinated to learn that their relationship off stage was quite ephemeral. Certainly their audiences were enthralled with their quickwitted patter, but I suppose this is to be expected from an Irishman! I enjoyed their onstage entertainment along with their music and unique instrumentals on various instruments (see photograph below). Now I was up for a bit of variety, so I headed to the Village Green Workshops where Kevin Dempsey was playing. Kevin is an icon of British Folk Music, so to learn more you can google him. I was both enthusiastic and disappointed. Enthusiastic with his style and disappointed that it was definitely NOT a workshop. I did attend his concert at The Depot the next day so it appears I did enjoy his act despite it being much the same as the day before. A real no-no as far as I am concerned. I decided to try another work shop with Leah Emily Grant. I have an addiction for the Double Bass which one of the trio play (see photograph above). Quite pleasant but again NOT a workshop. To get myself on track, I headed for The Townhall my favourite venue where a group from Sydney called Kallidad were playing. I like the Townhall because of the sound quality. I believe that all music should be played indoors

with the exception of bagpipes which should be played in the Scottish hills or somewhere far away (Apologies to all pipers). Kallidad were described as “Mexican Mariachi Metal Instrumental Insanity”. They had good rhythm and certainly raved up the audience but having been to Mexico, I disagreed with the first three adjectives. They gave me a CD which thankfully was over a year old as their recent improvement was most noticeable. Now I did enjoy their up beat tempo and if I am being too critical here, I will mention another quote to set the record straight. “Three faces styled in the vein of dia de Los Muertos (see photograph below) with raw sounds of dos guitarras and a modified cajón. It is Kiss fused with mexicano flamenco and it is a sound quite unlike any other. Certainly, the sonority of this instrumental música is refreshing and new”. Hmmm. Not sure if the flamenco players from Granada in Spain would agree. Cajón is spanish for a box (it looked like a large Tea chest)and certainly this was something different but I was still more impressed with Ted Edgan on his beer box! OK on with the show. I needed something really top notch and David Hyams in The Playground I knew would not let me down. David has been playing at the festival for as long as I can remember and in many different facets. Although he has moved on from his Celtic influence to a more Country and Blues style, his songs are really meaningful, personal and musically performed by the Miles to Go Band. David showed his versatility when he played “George” with Bernard Carney in the popular Beatles Singalong later that evening. A real must if you were born in that era or even after. Now this year the Festival was not JUST about singers, songwriters and music. I have always enjoyed Peter Capp’s bush poetry and this year he introduced the speakers for the great debate. Talking about something completely different was the activities in the “Tibetan Tent”. I did not manage to fit this into my itinerary but I believe that they shared their traditional Tibetan arts and culture through concerts, workshops and hands-on activities including meditation. I was sorry to miss all of this. Up to this point I have not mentioned the main venue; The Amphitheatre. The photographs below do not do it justice and at night time when it is packed, it is really spectacular. The sweet voice of Loren Kate was first up followed by the well-known Archie Roach. Both performed really well and were a real hit with the evening audience. Finally off to the Nannup Hotel where we could have a pleasant beer in the beer garden (the hotel itself could perhaps clean up a little) and listen to Hussey Hicks and Morgan Bain (below). Now I hope you are getting the ideas of the many venues and performances that were on offer. As I said at the beginning; “something interesting and often new for everyone” but I simply cannot mention them all. Here are some of the acts/performers I could have and should have mentioned. The Rambling Bilbies, Simone & Girlfinkle, Sarah Butler, Tigertown, Ben Salter and Liz Stringer. For the 75 others, you will simply have to look them up. Now as a musician, I know that you are really only as good as the sound production team. All I can say is that the team at Nannup was brilliant in every way and were much appreciated by the performers.

When I took the family to an event like this, I always asked them what was their favourite performance and I now ask myself the same question. Well I was enthralled with the performance of We Two Thieves, a musical duo consisting of Danielle Caruana (aka Mama Kin) and Emily Lubitz of Tinpan Orange. The collaboration between them represents a symbiosis between Mama Kin’s soul influenced sound and Tinpan’s playful folk, the result being raw-edged country. They really complimented each other using simple instrumentation and I particularly appreciated the songs performed with the help of Loren Kate and John Butler. Well if you have read this far in the article I do hope I have inspired you enough to book early for next year. They tell me they have an early bird price. So dig out your tent and sleeping bag, book your ticket and I hope to see you there next year.

Nora Murphy, RIP

To John Murphy and the family of Nora, we extend our deepest sympathy. Nora left us on Sunday 27th April surrounded by her family. Nora was from Dublin’s fair City, in the Suburb of Clontarf on the North side of Dublin. Slan a Chara!

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Ireland-Western Australia Forum

Promoting business, professional and cultural links between Ireland and Western Australia Following the success of the recent St Patricks day business breakfast, the NEXT EVENT for the Ireland-Western Australia Business Forum will be held in

The Celtic Club Ord Street, West Perth

Thursday 3 July commencing at 5.30. Details of key note speaker will follow closer to the date. We look forward to seeing familiar faces again and encourage new business’s to come along also. The forum’s main purpose is to provide a networking platform and facilitate connections for existing and start up Irish enterprises and organisations operating in Western Australia. The Forum is keen to lift our overall footprint and activities to a new level. If you are keen to be involved or wish to recommend speakers please do not hesitate to contact Marty Kavanagh on 92188422 or email: marty@kavlaw.com.au

All areas of Family Law, children’s issues,

divorce & property matters financial agreements Wills Restraining Orders

Marty Kavanagh

B.Comm (Hons), Grad Dip, LLB Barrister and Solicitor

2/100 Terrace Rd East Perth 6004 • t: 9218 8422 • m: 0430 960 859 2. What was your first job?

the Irish community in Perth.

I worked for my grandma selling fruit and veg around Ring Street in Inchicore, Dublin.

8. Who or what are you most afraid of? My wife when she is having a bad day!

3. What is your favourite sport and sporting hero? Soccer – Paul McGrath

with Synnott This month’s guest... Mark Dempsey, CEO of Dempsey Homes... 1. What was the best day of your life? 1993, it was the year I came to Australia and met my wife.

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4. What is your earliest childhood memory? In school – seeing Charles Sweeny who was four and a half, being made to kneel down in front of the class all day. 5. Do you watch TV? If so, what is your favourite program? Yes, Graham Norton 6. Do you use social media, if so which one? Yes, Facebook. 7. What is your opinion of “The Irish Scene” and why? Love it, keeps me in touch with

9. What is top of your Bucket List? Win Best Home Builder in Perth award – was finalist in 2013. 10. If you could be anyone famous for a day, who would it be? Richard Branson. Wouldn’t mind his lifestyle. 11. What was the best film you ever saw and why? The Field, love it and have watched it dozens of times. 12. If there was one place on earth you would like to go, where would that be? Tibet

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association BLOOMSDAY Mon June 16 For 25 years the literary trinity of Colm

O’Doherty, Sean Byrne and Tony Bray have presented to Perth audiences the heart and soul of James Joyce’s literary masterpiece ULYSSES. Set in Edwardian Dublin the novel charts the odyssey of Leopold Bloom throughout the day of June 16, 1904 shadowing the story and characters of Homer’s poem The Odyssey. Though published in 1922 the novel attracted controversy from when it was serialised in 1918 in the American Journal, The Little Review. It was banned in the US and UK until the 1930’s when US courts ruled it was not obscene. As a radical innovator of modernist fiction, Joyce (1882-1941) broke with his family, country, Christianity, conventional literary forms and finally with language itself. In Part One of this year’s presentation Colm O’Doherty explores the underworld of Homer’s Odyssey themed by Joyce in the surreal night-town chapters of Ulysses. In addition to performed readings, dramatisations and commentary the audience will be invited to join the fun with selected readings. In Part Two Sean Byrne will put Joyce on trial for his politically incorrect ways of seeing the world. This year’s guests include The Hon Wayne Martin, AC, Chief Justice of WA, broadcasting celebrities Peter Holland, Frank Murphy, Gillian O’Shaughnessy, Diana Warnock, award-winning comedian Damien O’Doherty and actress Davilia O’Connor (great granddaughter of CY O’Connor) Parlour music of the Edwardian era will be performed under the direction of pianist Louise Hodge featuring Katherine Freind, Soprano and Barry Preece, Baritone Irish Club Theatre, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Monday, 16th June, from 8pm to 10.30pm Pre-Bookings only to Cecilia – 9367 6026. Tickets $20. Table seating. Includes informative programme and light supper with Tea and Coffee. Full bar facilities • Prize for best Edwardian Costume. Not suitable for children.

MONTHLY HISTORY TALK Thursday, May 29th, 7.30pm Ethnohistory in a Western Australian Context, by Guest Speaker Dr Peter Gifford. Ethnohistory is the study of cultures and indigenous customs. It is also the study of ethnic groups. Peter Gifford, a former ABC journalist, was awarded a Doctorate in Australian history from Murdoch University in 1997. He has a first class honours degree in Australian History, was the inaugural winner of the CALM prize for environmental history at Murdoch in 1991, and won the Natalia Davis prize for Australian history at the University of Adelaide in 1983. Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Thursday, May 29th at 7.30pm. Admission Free, All welcome. You can avail of Pie & Pint special from 5.30pm at $15 Light refreshments excluding drinks. Coffee from Bar $3.80 Enquiries: Denis Bratton 9345 3530 WRITERS PRIZES deadline Mon 30 June, 2014 The Joe O’Sullivan Writers’ Prize honouring the memory of the Organisation’s late founder, worth $1,000, limit of 2,000 to 4,000 words - prose, fact or fiction. Open to residents of WA only Topic: “Looking Back”. Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize honours Joyce Parkes who is a well known poet living in WA. She is the patron of the prize, which aims at promoting and encouraging women writers in Australia. Limit of 1,000 to 2,000 words – Prose, fact or fiction. Prize Money: $500 Topic: “Beyond the Horizon” Entrance Fee $10 for all competitions. Enq: 9345 3530 THE 4th TUESDAY BOOK CLUB May 27, 8pm Meets last Tuesday of the month with exception of December Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Tuesday, May 27th at 8pm ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austin. A classic literary read. Admission: Gold Coin donation All welcome. Light refreshments provided excluding drinks. Coffee from Bar $3.80 Contact: Maureen on 9279 2486 Australian-Irish Heritage Association

Mick is Back...

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Non Political-Non SectarianEmphatically Australian PO Box 1583 Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530. Email: aiha@irishheritage.net

Mechanical Repairs to ALL makes.

www.irishheritage.net

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Michael: 0413 889 501 John: 0403 959 169

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mickcarb@iinet.net.au

Licence No MRB 3939

Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Membership Due on 1st January. Family membership $60, Concession $50, Distant (200 kms from Perth) $40 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association is an inclusive organisation which encourages and promotes an awareness of Australia’s Irish heritage. To this end, the Association creates opportunities for all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive heritage.

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of WA Inc. Rob O’Callaghan,President GAA of WA

LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER SEASON OF GAELIC GAMES By the time your reading this article season 2014 will have been underway. Which club will take honors this year is anyone’s guess but if we are to go on pre season form one would have to say St Finbarrs are looking strong in the football and imokilly look the goods in the hurling. The camogie will be a three horse race this year with the introduction of southern districts into their comp. Remember football and camogie will be played at Tom Bateman in Canning Vale on most Friday nights and all Sundays and hurling is played at Cook Reserve in Morley on Saturdays. I’m also looking to having a legends football game on Sunday August 31 at Tom Bateman. So anyone over 35 and interested in playing please register your interest at the ground or speak to me. All in all it’s shaping up to be a great year. Also make sure you keep an eye on the junior academy which is on every Sunday at Tom Bateman and at Tapping. The fixtures will be available from most venues around town and hopefully in this edition if printed on time. So I’d like to wish all clubs, their families and supporters all the best for the coming season and hopefully its a successful one for all involved. Rob O’Callaghan President

Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley

gfhwa.com.au 74

Junior Academy Update By Debbie Cashman

one such being a 70’s/80’s disco, quiz nights, coffee and cupcake mornings etc. We still have the wonderful Gerry Crowley coaching in the schools, and we are great believers in building our academy through having as many Australians take part as possible, which gives a real sense of challenge on match days, well done Gerry! In the pipeline too, we were looking at planning Cúl Camp type of things for the July school holidays, this takes a lot of organisation for an already overworked committee, so if we don’t pull it off this year, it’s a definite future activity we would love to get involved in. Speaking of things in the pipeline, we are also looking at expanding further south to Rockingham and Mandurah so please contact President Martin Brady 0405 937 233 if you think you would like to get involved as a coach/have kids that would like to take part, or both- even better! We have equipment for sale so if you are looking at buying a hurley, football, or helmet please contact one of the lovely helpful committee members at training and they will be happy to sort you out! Once again thanks to our coaches for giving your time and energy to the Gaelic Games Junior Academy our future all stars in the making! General Enquiries please contact Debbie Cashman on 0406 229 450 or ggjunioracademy@gmail.com

The season is well underway for the Juniors with regular training every Sunday during school term up in Tapping Primary school for the North and Tom Bateman for the South. We have kept training and game times the same so it kicks off at 12 noon and finishes at 1.30pm to facilitate families with early Sunday morning activities such as swimming lessons and the like. This year we have a calendar of events to help keep parents and participants informed as best we can with our busy and interactive plans! We will have match days on the first Sunday of every month so the children can show off the finely honed skills. So grab a pen or your iphone and pop these dates in your calendar as we want to make sure people attend the correct venue on match days! Calender of events: May 4th Match Day @ Bateman (NOR and SOR maybe schools) May 11th, 18th, 25th Normal Training June 1st Match Day @ Tapping June 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th Normal Training July 6th Family Fun Day/Come & try Day @ Tapping July 13th, 20th NO Training School Holidays (this may change for an activity camp) July 27th Normal Training August 3rd Match Day @ Bateman August 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st Normal Training Sept 7th Match Day @ Tapping Sept 14th, 21st Normal Training Sept 28th Family Fun Day @ Tom BATEMAN Keep a beady eye on our face book page as always as any updates will be plastered on that! Please ensure we have your email address so we can update registered families on social events also. We have a fab fundraising committee and they will also be plotting fun activities and events for parents,

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000

St Gabriel’s Hurling & CamogieClub

“New Members Welcome” to join contact.

Hurling: Shane 0438 383 517 Camogie: Louise 0429 859 093 Danielle 0405 418 809

Facebook: St. Gabriels Hurling WA Our Major Sponsors: MONFORD

ST. GABRIELS GAA CLUB OF WA is based in Perth and is the only club in Western Australia with both a hurling and camogie team. 2014 is the third year of existence for St. Gabriel’s GAA Club. All newcomers are welcome and we cater for all abilities. Please contact the persons below for more details. Club News: St. Gabriel’s GAA Club recently held a Beginners Blitz with the beginner players from Western Swans and Southern Districts joining in as well. The day was a great success and was enjoyed by all. A ‘Sausage Sizzle’ was provided afterwards and the night was followed by Karaoke shenanigans in The Irish Club where the Hurlers held their annual fundraising draw. Congratulations to all those who won prizes. Please look at our facebook page for the results. The Camogie girls held a bonding day on a boat off Carnac Island last weekend. It was Hawaiian themed with a twist of Mexican! Everyone had an amazing time bonding with their team mates off the pitch. The Hurlers attended the Tim Hickey Sevens last weekend but unfortunately there were no Gabriel’s winners. We will hopefully see the Hurlers make their mark when the league games begin at some point in May. Website: April seen the launch of St. Gabriel’s GAA Club’s Website. Check it out at http://stgabrielsgaaclub.com/

We take this opportunity to thank our committee members, managers, players and sponsors who continually support St. Gabriels club. HURLING: secretary.stgabrielshc@hotmail.com. Facebook – /s.t.gabrielshurling.wa Shane Sweeney (0438 383 517) Ronan Kilroy (0439 979 237) CAMOGIE: secretary.stgabrielscc@gmail.com. Facebook – /StGabrielsCamogieClub Louise Madden (0429 859 093) Danielle McInerney (0405 418 809) WEBSITE: http://stgabrielsgaaclub.com/ TRAINING AT: AS LUKETINA RESERVE, 100 BUNTINE ROAD, WEMBLEY DOWNS ON A TUESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. PLEASE CONTACT THE ABOVE FOR MORE DETAILS.

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