Irish Scene July August 2017

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

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Vol 19 Number 5

July August 2017

Kerrie-Ann Barnes

Perth Rose of Tralee 2017

JFK

100th Birthday Celebration

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THE IRISH SCENE

Publisher/Advertising: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Editor: Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 Proof Reading: Jack Cullen and Imelda Gorman Publisher: Gaelforce Promotions, 12 Dysart Court, Kingsley WA 6026 Email: fred@irishscene.com.au Tel/Fax 9309 3167 www.irishscene.com.au Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by contributors in articles, reproduced articles, advertisements or any other printed material contained in Irish Scene magazine or on www.irishscene.com.au are those of the individual contributors or authors and as such are not necessarily those of Gaelforce Promotions. The publisher and editor reserve the right to accept, reject, edit or amend submitted material in order to make it appropriate or suitable for publication. Irish Scene welcomes submissions, ideas and suggestions for articles and features as well as photographs of events happening around and within the Irish community in Western Australia.

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Page Index A view from Home 33 Around Irish Scene 86 Avoka New Café Opens 17 Bill Daly Writes…

60 Bridie’s Irish Story 74 Brion West Coast 85 Churchlands Trad 83 Claddagh Association 64 Claddagh Opening 65 Comhaltas Camp 57 Crosscare 34 Damien New CD 43 Darkness into Light 32 Dermot Quiz 53 Doolough Tragedy 8 Elizabeth Carbury 29 Exercise with Ciaran Hoey 89 Famine Remembered 25 GAA Reports 90 Gaba Gabu with Lloyd 41 Heritage with Marie Moloney 50 Hon Irish Consul 76 Irish Club 61 Irish Dancing 62 Irish Families in Perth 39 Irish Fine Art in Perth 68 Irish Golf Club 95 Irish Heritage Association 71 Irish Ladies Rugby 94 Irish Recipes with Mags 73 Irish Seniors Events 44 Irish Theatre Players 84 Isteach sa Teach 36 JFKs 100th Birthday at Club 77 John Hagan writes…

66 Land of Milk & Honey 70 Maligned Governor 21 Maria Forde Perth Tour 53 Martin O’Meara 100th 45 McGregor with Ciaran Hoey 89 Minute with Synnott 16 Ned Kelly and Billy the Kid 51 New Irish Choir 19 Paula from Tassie 87 Pearse Letter Sold 23 Perth Rose of Tralee 47 Phil Beck New CD 43 Search for Justice 4 Tele Station Tele Nation 54 The Quiet Man 14 Toilet Rolls free sample 13 Ulster Rambles 58 Vale Ann Cremin 73 Vale Danny Spooner 43 Vale Noreen, Ann & Pat 69 Vale Vin Garbutt 52 WA Famine Memorial 7 WAGS 81 Walk of Fenian Ancestors 75

Australia and Northern Ireland linked by search for Justice

L-H: Joe Carroll, Professor Patricia Lundy and Tony Costa enjoy a day in Fremantle

by Lloyd Gorman/Fred Rea

A criticism sometimes levelled at academics is that they exist and operate in the cocooned environment of a university, far removed from the practicalities of real life - the so called university of hard knocks!

But if ever there was an example of how misguided this idea is then Professor Patricia Lundy, a sociologist at Ulster University is living proof. By her own admissions she is not what she calls “your traditional academic”.

“I’m from Belfast, all my family are from North Belfast, my research over the past couple of decades has focused on justice issues - for victims of the conflict (The Troubles) and abuse,” she told Fred Rea recently during a visit to Perth.

Prof Lundy has played a groundbreaking role in the field of abuse by the security forces in Northern Ireland and more lately has turned her attention and efforts to another area.

“My research now is about survivors of historical abuse, I’ve been working with all the survivor groups in Northern Ireland.”

Her work - and that of others - has played an important part throughout and since the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry in Northern Ireland published its final report in January 2017. Established in January 2013 the Inquiry - chaired by Sir Anthony Hart and known as the Hart Inquiry - investigated child abuse that occurred in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period from 1922 to 1995.

Its recommendations included an apology for victims and survivors and found the State and other institutions failed in their duties towards children in their care and outlined measures for ‘redress’ (compensation) but left that area open-ended.

The far reaching implications of the Hart Inquiry reached as 4

far as Australia.

Working with other likeminded individuals Prof Lundy helped draw up four major reports based on the needs, interests and rights of victims and survivors. The latest report is about trying to make sure they get fair and equitable compensation for the trauma they have suffered.

It has been a long journey to get to this point and while there is still some way to go with a tireless champion and advocate like the professor on their side they have the best chance possible. She came to Australia recently to reach out to the former child migrants from Northern Ireland. Even on the day before she came Down Under Prof Lundy was meeting with senior civil servants to press their case.

“We want them to take into consideration those concerns we’ve raised and we want to be a part of designing the redress, because survivors are excluded,

we want to be in the room, we want to be the same as the State, the religious orders, we want to have our lawyers paid - they’ll do it for free anyway - but that’s our position, then we want to be negotiating,” she said. “That’s the reason why I’m in Australia, to talk to former child migrants from Northern Ireland so I can hear what they have to say, their voice is not in our discussions and that’s a terrible thing to say, but you get so caught up in the work you do and then suddenly its a light bulb and say my god we haven’t spoken to our comrades in Australia, so this is important to me. I’ve interviewed individuals from different organisations but my intent is not organisations, my intent is survivors. But survivors are not a homogenous group, they’re not all victims. Since I came here I have interviewed a lot of people and there are people who have said they have made a good life for themselves here and that they consider themselves to be Australian, but they are Irish too. It doesn’t take away from the fact they were badly treated, they have a good life now, but there are others who didn’t make it.”

She hopes to bring unity and a voice to the child migrants here and to help them get full and proper redress. There are some concerns about the recommendations for redress.

“Lets just say the amount that has been suggested was twenty thousand pounds stirling, for all the former child migrants, that’s

number one. So any person who came from Northern Ireland and was shipped out to Australia will be eligible for the twenty thousand pounds. The other consideration is a standard payment of £7,500 for survivors.

So if you were in an institution in Northern Ireland and if you were sent to Australia you are eligible for that as well. We are saying £7500 isn’t a lot, most of the survivors say its an insult.

Remember, the Australian side of things got £20,000, but that’s separate, so £7500 is an insult.

People are getting more for hurt feelings and for employment and this is the abuse some individuals have suffered. So we are saying £10,000 as a ballpark figure standard payment, but each year an individual is in an institution should be recognised. So if you were in an institution for ten years and someone was in it for six months, he’ll get the £7500, same as you. We are saying that should change. There’s also individual assessment for more different levels of sexual and physical abuse. People who are in Australia can apply for that as well. Its up to £100,000 for Australia, but for Northern Ireland its up to £80,000, but the £7500 is deducted from that amount, so its actually £72500 and for Australia the £20,000 is taken out of it as wells its less.”

The Hart Inquiry did recommend redress for child migrants and other victims who have passed away, but at a reduced rate of 75%. While she wel-

comed the recognition for deceased victims she is challenging the need to give their families and loved ones less.

“So we use the South of Ireland (redress scheme in Republic of Ireland) as a comparison,” she added. “We say we are the North, we want parity, we want the same, we are the same island and we want to be treated the same.”

One of the things Prof Lundy and her colleagues hope to achieve for the child migrants is to hammer out a deal that will be generous enough to attract them to it. Litigation is an option that is open to them but is a difficult and lengthy process that can be traumatic for them and one which could be costly.

“I understand the limitation bar is going to be lifted in Australia and that pushes the door wide open for litigation, that is something that could be put to the government, but you need a united front to do that. It's a fact and it's widely known, that in the Republic of Ireland some of the lawyers made more than the survivors, it got out of hand.”

Any academic worth their salt welcomes the opportunity to learn new things and Prof. Lundy was pleasantly surprised by improving their knowledge of their area of expertise is something any academic would welcome and the professor was pleasantly surprised by something - and someone - she met in Perth.

“A colleague of mine said to me that I must meet this woman

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...

Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

5

when I came to Perth,” she said. “He met this woman at a conference and she’s doing research work on Fairbridge. When I met her - she was about the same age as me - I asked her where she is from in Northern Ireland and she said she came from Ardoyne. I said, “so do I”, which street?. It turns out she lived two streets away from me and she did research on what happened to families who were brought over (from Ardoyne) on this Fairbridge Scheme. As soon as they hit the port, the daddy’s were taken away, the mummies were sent into cleaning or some work place with the children.

She was one of those children. I’d never heard that before. The point is, all of this is happening and that information is not out there.”

train them in farming practices at farm schools located throughout the British Empire. He wanted to see “little children shedding the bondage of bitter circumstances and stretching their legs and minds amid the thousand interests of the farm.

Kingsley Fairbridge migrated to Australia where his ideas found support and encouragement. In its early days his organisation was known as the Child Emigration Society (later known as the Fairbridge Society). He opened a farm school at Pinjarra in Western Australia in 1912.”

From there the scheme extended across other parts of Australia until the last Fairbridge farm in Molong (NSW) closed in 1974.

Editors note regarding the Fairbridge Scheme: This information is an extract from the Molong Historical Society website.

In 1909, South African born Kingsley Fairbridge founded the Society for the Furtherance of Child Emigration to the Colonies. Its focus was to educate orphaned and neglected children and

“We seem to have lost. We have not lost. To refuse to fight would have been to lose; to fight is to win. We have kept faith with the past, and handed on a tradition to the future.” – Pádraig Pearse

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The years 1845-52 mark that terrible period in Irish history that we have come to remember and call An Gorta Mor - ‘The Great Hunger’ The proximate cause of the famine was a potato blight that ravaged crops throughout Europe.

But the impact in Ireland was disproportionate as one third of the population was dependent on the potato for a range of ethnic, religious, political, social and economic reasons - land acquisition, absentee landlords and ‘corn laws’.

The famine was a watershed in Irish history; it changed the island’s demographic, cultural and political landscape; it became a rallying point for nationalist movements; it highlighted ethnic and sectarian tensions between many Irish and the British Crown. This was a legacy carried by emigrants to the USA, Australia, Canada and elsewhere.

That same legacy came to Western Australia in 1853 on such ships as the 'Travencore' and the 'Palestine'.

Today we remember Brigid Mulqueen who travelled on the Travencore. Tomorrow our focus will be on Elizabeth Carbury. They were among those approximately 4000 Irish women who came to Australia as a result of that famine in Ireland. It was here in our locality that some became the pioneers of a new colony. They left a legacy, which the West Australian Irish Famine Commemoration (WAIFC) wishes to keep alive. It is also the hope of the commemoration to help today’s West Australians who come from many different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds to reflect upon the lessons that could be learned and acted upon for to-day’s world.

Books have been written about the famine but I want to take focus on one particular episode from that time.

So let me for a moment take you back to that world of 1845-52 and briefly transport you to the town of Louisburgh County Mayo in the West of Ireland.

In 1849 the inhabitants, who numbered around 600, experienced

A talk given by Paschal Kearney at the Famine Commemorations in Bunbury and Dardanup in May 2017...

The

Doolough Tragedy the full impact of the potato failure to the point of mass starvation.

In late March of that year, a Colonel Hargrove, who administered the relief for the poor, and a Captain Primrose arrived in Louisburgh in order to carrying out an inspection of those claiming relief.

People came to the centre, only to find that the two men had left for Delphi and the hunting lodge of the Marquess of Sligo on the shores of Doolough Lake. Before departing they gave instructions for the people to assemble there for the new inspection. Failure to do so would result in their being struck of the ‘poor relief register’.

Approximately 600 women, men and children set out at night in very bad weather conditions to walk the distance of 25 Km to meet with the landlord and his inspectors. On arrival, they were initially told that the landlord and his men were not to be disturbed, as they were having lunch. Then when they eventually did see them, the people were dismissed empty-handed. Most of them died on the return journey.

Today several memorials mark the road they walked and died on. One is a plain stone cross engraved with the words ‘Doolough Tragedy 1849’. Another carries the inscription, ‘to commemorate the 8

By Paschal Kearney

hungry poor who walked here in 1849 and who, to-day, walk the roads of the ‘third world’.

Every year since 1988 there has been a walk along this route in memory of the Doolough dead and to highlight the starvation of the world’s poor of to-day.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, (above) some children of Chernobyl have walked this road in the west of Ireland. So also has Vedran Smailovic, the cellist who played daily in the city of Sarajevo, while it was under siege. Another pilgrim was Khin Phuc that little girl from the Vietnam War who was the subject of the photograph of her as she ran naked and burned by napalm. And there were the Choctaw some of the people of a Native American Indian tribe. In 1849, they raised $710, which they donated to the Irish Famine relief.

They did this because the story

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Choctaw Indian...

Khin Phuc that little girl from the Vietnam War

of the Doolough Tragedy reminded them of their own plight when, 18 years earlier, they were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands by United States government agents and the army to make way for modern-day Oklahoma. Their

march, which is known as the Trail of Tears was some 500 miles; they too suffered the loss of many lives.

In 1992, a group of Irish people returned the Choctaw Indians kindness, by walking that Trail of Tears and raised $710,000, which was donated to famine relief in Africa.

And here we are in Bunbury in 2017. Geographically we are separated from those places in Ireland and Oklahoma by 14/16 thousand miles. And the Irish famine when it was at its worst is 172-165 years ago.

I ask any lessons for us? Can these events speak to us to-day? Yes, I think they can? How? 99

Here let me repeat some words of the present President of Ireland - Michael D. Higgins. The occasion was the unveiling in Dublin of a Celtic cross memorial to Ireland’s one million Famine dead.

In part he said, “As we pray for all those who have lost their lives as _a result of famine here in Ireland and in many parts of our world, we must pray also that we not be condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past as we deal with the challenges of feeding the hungry in our own times.

To-day we have the capacity to anticipate the threat of famine. We have the capacity to take measures to avoid it; and yet we allow nearly a billion people across our planet to live in conditions of extreme and avoidable hunger. The moral principle - the moral challenge of our humanity- remains the same should we adjust our populations to an abstract economic ideology, or should we rather, use the best of our reason to croft economic and social models that can anticipate the needs

and care for the people who share this fragile planet?”

Those words of the President of Ireland echo those of Pope Francis who has spoken many times about the excesses of capitalism. He has spoken about how an unfettered pursuit of money, rules - how the service of the common-good is left behind - how, once capital becomes an idol and guides people’s decisions, then it ruins society. It destroys human fraternity; it sets people against one another. It puts at risk our common home - sister and mother Earth.

There are many people who today speak out for the poor and the marginalised.

Do you and I listen? Do you and I ever raise our voices?

No Monuments remember, the ships of death that sailed.

And some survived to work and toil, Where others may have failed.

To Quebec’s streams of liberty, to Pampas grass so tall.

Went the children of the Famine where.

Freedoms bell would call.

The coffin Chips and Cholera and sea it claimed its share In the year of 1850 Ireland’s towns and street’s were bare.

And to the Great Hunger when children starved to death, And Doolough remember County Mayo, Where men and women wept.

From Derek Warfields song "Doolough".

The Doolough Tragedy....

The following is a letter to the Editor of the Mayo Constitution (17-5-1849)

Louisburgh, April 13th, 1849.

Sir - I have this day the melancholy duty of informing you that two more miserable creatures were found on the mountain passes dead - in all 7, and I am confidently informed that 9 or 10 more have never reached their homes, and several of those that did, were so fatigued with cold and hunger that they in a short time ceased to live.

I tell Colonel Hogrove, and Captain Primrose that the relieving officer ordered the poor creatures to follow them to Delphi, in order that they might be inspected at 7 o’clock on the morning of the 31st, at that lodge, and I challenge them to contradict what I state; further that the cause of their not stopping at Louisburgh was, that the relieving officer had not his books ready and it was at the court-house the following order was given - all persons not attending at 7 or 8 o’clock in the morning, at Delphi, would be struck off the relief; the people did attend, but the relieving officer did not until 12 o’clock.

I now think it right to inform you that a strictly private inquest was held by Mr. Coroner Burke, aided and assisted by a member of his family. Doctor Burke, who is the poorhouse doctor, and the jury returned the following verdict, after a post mortem examination on the bodies of two of them:- “Died from starvation and cold,” when instead of providing coffins for those creatures, the bodies were again thrown into a mountain’s lough, with a few sods thrown over them immediately after.

The Coroner and his staff proceeded to Delphi Lodge, and on the following day returned and held another inquest; like verdict was returned, when the Coroner and doctor returned to their mansions leaving three more unfortunate creatures at the road side, with scarce a covering of sods upon them.

Thank God all are not so hardened as the above, for that excellent and humane clergyman. I mean the Rev. Thomas O’Dowd, the Catholic Curate, gave five coffins to Mr. Walsh, who, to his credit be it said, both himself and his men had all the bodies taken out of the sloughs on the 12th instant, and placed in coffins, and had them respectably interred in a burial place.

In my last, I stated that the poor had not to travel more than 10 or 15 miles, I now tell you that the residence of some of those found dead was at least 28 miles from Delphi - the same distance back.

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, A RATEPAYER RSVP: I omitted giving you the names of the persons found dead – Catherine Dillon, Pat Dillon and Honora Dillon, mother, son and daughter, living two-and-a-half miles from this town. Catherine Grady and Mary McHale of Wastelands, 10 miles from this; James Flynn of Rinnacully, 13 miles; so that instead of receiving their rations of the 30th – the day they expected it – in this town, they had to proceed on to Delphi Lodge, without a morsel to eat, a distance of at least fourteen miles.

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Toilet Rolls

There's more to the Roll!

While I was having a chat recently with a Dub called Wally Harvey, he shared an interesting fact with me. An American poll found that the average person will use almost 21,000 sheets of toilet paper a year. That equates to 57 sheets a day. I’m not proud to say it but my family are above average.

Factory Floor -2Front Door

While discussing his new venture Wally said: "Me Da delivered bread in Drimnagh for Johnston Mooney and O’Brien all his working life. His uncle got him the job, he was the blacksmith. Charlie the fruit and vegetable man came every Wednesday around 11am, in his Combi van, and the milk was always at the front door in the morning, sometimes the sparrows would peck through the foil top because the ground was frozen over. The good old days ah!

That all finished when supermarkets came along but even the supermarket must bow to the might of the internet as e-commerce has made home delivery a preferred method once again.

So, what exactly is 21,000 sheets of toilet paper?

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It cuts down on the shipping costs and the savings go back to you. And we will do free delivery in the greater Perth metro area.

So, we have two great offers for you all, pop over to the website toiletrolls2u.com.au and use the coupon code First1 and we will take $5 off your order, that’s $25 for 19,200 sheets, delivered for free.

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As for that American poll at the start, well 72% of people hang the toilet roll over the top while 28% let it hang down the back. Which one are you?

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Liam Neeson tries to save “The Quiet Man” railway station

The Railway station featured in classic film starring Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne, The Quiet Man, is falling into disrepair and Liam Neeson has lent his support to save the station.

Tourists and film buffs still visit the Ballyglunin station, which was featured in the opening scenes of the John Ford classic starring Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne.

However, the station has fallen into disrepair despite care from the local community.

According to the Fundit campaign page: “The station roof has been in a bad state of disrepair for some time but now the local community, who have worked tirelessly for years to keep this piece of Irish culture alive, are facing the prospect of it collapsing. Raising funds for a project like this is no easy task and over the years many improvements have been made by committed volunteers to keep the station standing.

“The Ballyglunin Railway Restoration Project is a non-profit organisation which was established in 2004 to restore the station back to its former splendour.”

The Ballyglunin Community Development Charity, which leases the station from Iarnrod Eireann, has launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise €30,000 for a new roof. They must reach their goal by June 28 or all the funds raised must be returned.

So far, they have raised over €6,000 and their campaign has received attention world-wide, including

from Irish actor Liam Neeson.

The film star got in touch with the community to officially offer his support.

“I have been a professional actor for over 40 years, and during that time I have had the great fortune to have made over 70 films with many world renowned directors. Of all those directors, I would say 60 of them have said that John Ford’s, “The Quiet Man,” is in their top 5 list of favourite and influential films. The movie has become part of Irish folklore and is justifiably and rightly called a Classic film.

“The Ballyglunin train station in Co. Galway played a significant part in that film. The station is now showing its age, and requires urgent repair. We must save this iconic building, otherwise it will be lost.

“Please help save this important part of our film heritage by donating what you can to Fundit.ie or www.ballyglunin.com” - Liam Neeson The organisation still has a long way to go to reach their goal.

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14

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15

with Synnott This month my guest is Derek Boyle.

Derek and Valerie have opened a new cafe in Woodvale called Avoka.

It's on Trapper's Dr in Woodvale.

Drop in for a cuppa!

How far can you go back Memory wise?

I was born in a house in Ranelagh, Dublin but I can’t remember that bit. Moved to Dundrum when I was 4 and memories started then.

I remember riding horses in fields where Nutgrove Shopping Centre now is and playing hurling on the the top of “Barton Road” which is as busy as the Mitchell freeway now.

What kind of schooling did you have?

Went to school in Dundrum Primary and St. Benildus Secondary but I knew in primary school that the education system didn’t really suit me. My poor mother god rest her used to tell a story of dropping me into school aged 5 at 9.00am and I would be back home at 9.30am after running away. I thought this very impressive as the school was about 3k’s away. I got let go from Benildus after my inter cert. I think only for my hurling and cross country skills they would have got rid of me a lot earlier. No love lost! But everybody knows “Every day is a school day”

What was your first job after school?

My first job after school was as a labourer building a gym for my uncle. When the gym was complete I worked there for 4 years. In 1988 I was lucky enough to get an electrical apprenticeship with my father in law, to whom I will always be grateful, a great man who is always there to advise when you need that final decision.

Were you interested in sport, did you play?

Sport was always a big part of my life and still is. My Dad played for Home Farm and Shamrock Rovers and also boxed for Ireland. I played hurling, a little bit of football but standing 5ft 5 I found that game a bit challenging. I’m big into GAA sports and have been lucky enough to witness the recent All Ireland wins by Dublin… Hopefully again this year to make it three in a row. I was also into long distance running.

I completed a number of marathons including the Boston Marathon. The only running I do now is to the bar and from the tax man.

Would you change anything in your life or have any regrets?

I may have changed a few things but no regrets, you play the cards your dealt.

Are you a user of social media and why?

I’m on Facebook, I love it because I’m a nosey b@stard, just like the rest of them.

What is your opinion of the Irish Scene?

The Irish scene is brilliant.

Especially if you’re from Cork, you get in every issue. Joking aside Fred and the gang do a great job, even the relatives in Ireland that have visited Perth love getting a copy.

Australia is a great country, what are your thoughts?

Australia is a great place. Especially Perth with great weather, blue skies but in all fairness to make it anywhere you have to be lucky enough to surround yourself with great family, great friends and occasionally work hard. Then you have a great place.

16

Have you got a favorite film?

Without question the movie Snatch is my favorite and Vinnie Jones does a great job. For a very average footballer what he went on to do was special. I admire him. Total nut case but funny!

Do you visit the Irish Club?

In my early days in Perth I was in the Irish club a lot after matches on a Sunday and when the Celtic supporters club was there. As the years passed and so many Irish pubs opened we were spoilt for choice and I think the Irish club obviously suffered as a result. I still get into the club about five times a year, not enough I know.

It does offer a great service to the community and long may it last.

How do you think you will go with your new venture “Avoka” café and restaurant.

Yes, a new venture for Val and myself. So far so good, but like all new businesses it’s been hard work but no surprises. It’s been really fantastic the amount of Irish people that have come to support us for which we are very grateful.

We just got our ‘Liquor licence’.

So hopefully when this issue goes to print we will be up and running for dinner as well as breakfast and lunch. We will be having live music so we hope people will come and join us.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go.

I’ve been to a few places around the world at this stage, but never did much travelling around Europe, so I’m planning to retire when I am 90 and I’ll hit the road and have a look then. Believe it or not I’d love to travel around Scotland for a few months. I’ve been there but only to Celtic Park and the surrounding pubs.

Well Tony it’s taken me an hour to write all this so I don’t know why it’s called ‘A minute with Synnott’ but thanks for the opportunity.

Slainte!

We i n v i t e y o u t o e x p e r i e n c e

WOODVALE’S BEST KEPT SECRET Avoka in Woodvale...

High Quality, delicious cuisine...

Avoka is a little bit of Ireland in the Northern suburbs. Dubliner owners Derek and Valerie Boyle have fulfilled a dream by opening this new gem in Woodvale.

Someone had a slogan one time, “We put the K back in Quality”. Well the Boyles have put the K in Avoca. By the way, Avoca is the village where the BBC series Ballykissangel was filmed and in 1966, Avoca was one of the locations used in the film “Jules Verne’s Rocket to the Moon”.

In the short few months since its opening Avoka has steadily built a reputation for service, quality and quantity.

Valerie said “Customer service is paying attention to our diners. When guests visit Avoka, we want them to feel welcome. We treat them with care and respect while providing an excellent

h quality, deliciou s cuisine g hi . of DINE IN OR TAKE AWAY FULLY LICENCED

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Thursday to Saturday 7:00 - 9:00 Last Food Orders

Sunday 7:30 - 12:00

NOW OPEN FOR DINNER

Unit 6, 153 Trappers Drive, Woodvale | Ph: 6406 2336 meal. We hope they’ll come back to our restaurant again and again, and they are!”

I have visited many times and I must say it serves the most consistent coffee around using Five senses coffee beans. The food was amazing very tasty and very well presented. Staff were super friendly and made the experience quite delightful. Great smell of fresh coffee as you walk in!

Avoka is also fully licensed for lunch and dinner, even having beer on tap.

Please book for dinner on 64062336.

Avoka is where you will get the most authentic Irish breakfast and an experience to remember! So whether you are coming to the Northern suburbs for business, pleasure or live in the neighbourhood, Avoka is the ideal spot to bring friends, family or your better half for a wonderful experience.

Visit the Avoka facebook page or follow them on instagram and see samples of the amazing food! /avokawoodvale See you there soon!

Fred Rea 17

KITCHEN OPEN

Fenians PUB GRUB

Lunch 11am - 3pm Dinner: 3pm - 9.30pm

Service Hours 11am - 9.30pm

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Lunch Specials *Whiting Fillet with chips *Guinness Pic with Mash *Soup of the Day *Pasta of the Day Roast Chicken with Chips until 3pm

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Novotel Perth Langley - 221 Adelaide Terrace T. 9425 1634 • E: h1764-fb2@accor.com • www.novotelperthlangley.com.au 18

Irish Choir PERTH

Information night and first practice of the new Irish Community Choir was held at the Irish Club in Subiaco on Monday the 26th June. It was a chance for all to meet up and exchange ideas as well as singing up to six songs on the night!

The Irish Choir will officially start their first term after the school holidays.

There will be a weekly session on a Wednesday starting on Wednesday the 12th July and time for the regular sessions will be confirmed on the night.

For more information please email Audree at audreepoff@gmail.com Audree Grennan, organiser

NIGHT

ight Fun N es Great ts of Priz o with L

Nibble Avail s able

Friday 21st July 2017 7pm at The Irish Club

61 Townshend Road, Subiaco

$20 a ticket - Tables of 6 Bookings: Claddagh Office 9249 9213 Prepayment and Donations to the Irish Golf Club: Account name: Irish Golf Club WA CBA BSB 06 6117 Account 1012 2240

Western Australia Irish Famine Memorial Fundraiser www.waifc.org

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The Maligned Governor (Part Two)

F

rederick Irwin packed his belongings soon after his replacement as military commander in Western Australia arrived and took passage on the ‘Isabella’, which left Fremantle on September 28, 1833. He had made friends in the colony and some, such as the prominent lawyer William Mackie (another Irishman), were sorry to see him go. Another was Advocate General George Fletcher Moore (also Irish) who noted in his diary that “I little dreamed that Irwin would be taken off so soon…we have been as intimate as brothers”. Moore farewelled Irwin in Fremantle and admitted he then gave way to tears:“after his departure I returned home with a sorrowful heart...I have lost a good friend”.

The voyage home was disrupted only once. Irwin changed ship in the Cape Colony (South Africa) and arrived in Portsmouth on HMS ’Buffalo’ on February 8, 1834. Quite by co-incidence he bumped into Governor Stirling there. The latter was about to return to WA and seized the chance to discuss colonial affairs with Irwin. As another admirer of Irwin he supported the officer’s generous suggestion that 21st Regiment of Foot men who chose to remain in WA should be given their discharges and land grants.

According to one historian Irwin’s prime motive for returning was to marry his childhood sweetheart, which he did, only to lose her to illness five weeks after the wedding.

Bereaved or not Irwin (probably now a half-pay officer) remained in London and lobbied hard in the interests of the colony. The result was the first book ever written about our State. It was published as The State and Position of Western Australia in London during 1835.

That rare volume makes fascinating reading, is wonderfully descriptive and full of insights on the existing situation and future prospects of the colony. The book is believed to have

By Peter Conole

stimulated further migration to WA. It is annoying that such a unique work by an Irish man of affairs has not been reprinted in WA. In both London and Dublin Irwin stressed the fine prospects of the settlement. He also attended meetings of various missionary groups, appealing for young clergymen to go forth to the wilderness and spread the good word among both settlers and aborigines. The veteran soldier was a devout high church protestant (that is, Anglo-Catholic) himself and a charitable man under his military exterior.

Irwin had ambitions: in March 1836 he asked to be appointed military commandant back in WA. The Colonial Office rejected the idea at first, but Governor Stirling then stepped in from afar and expressed his strong support for the move.

The Colonial Office agreed on June 9, 1836. Irwin soon received the brevet rank of major. On December 28, 1836 he married Elizabeth 21

Courthope at St Clement’s Dane Church in Westminster. She was the daughter of John Bryan Courthope (1778-1845), a merchant tailor of London. Frederick Courthope Irwin, born in Britain during 1837 and baptised in WA on February 23, 1838, was the first of their ten children.

The Irwins sailed back to the colony on the ‘Hero’, a voyage troubled by an accident and bad weather. It took seven months to reach Fremantle. The major’s old friend Moore heard the glad tidings on August 26, 1837 and went to greet him and his family a day later. Every dignitary in the colony attended a welcome dinner for Irwin organised by the Agricultural Society in September. The event drew fire from William Clarke, a lawyer and editor of the Swan River Guardian. Clarke was a posturing ‘radical’ who hated Stirling and Irwin in equal measure. He killed a man in a duel once and was widely despised for his “piques, personal prejudice and egotism”.

Clarke matched another sleazy character, Robert Lyon, a would-be romantic champion of aborigines in the early 1830s who at the same time advocated the introduction of harsh convict labour. Lyon departed quickly after being caught trying to corruptly alter land claim documents.

As for their own living arrangements, Frederick Irwin and his wife chose a place at Henley Park on the Upper Swan family as their chief residence. His old friend and partner William Mackie was a neighbour and Governor Stirling and George Moore made visits. On one occasion, July 1839, Irwin teamed up with Moore and the visiting German scientist Johan Preiss to go on a botanical exploration expedition.

Back in Perth, because of his military duties, Irwin was automatically a member of the

Governor’s Council and therefore an influential man in civil administration. He seems to have been on low level but amical terms with Governor John Hutt from 1839 onwards. However, one of his personal pet projects came to fruition in the course of 1841-1843 when four clergymen arrived from Britain to spread the gospel. Irwin then tried to found a temperance society, a move that did not impress either settlers or soldiers.

On the military front, the 21st Regiment of Foot left and was replaced by the 51st Regiment in June 1840. As commandant in the colony Irwin was required to supervise the defence establishment and move around on various tours of inspection. He spent time in the Leschenault area with the troops during 1841 and decided the newly surveyed site of the present city of Bunbury was a more suitable place to establish a port town. Irwin deserves some recognition as a founding father of the place.

Devoted service soon brought its reward: Irwin was gazetted as a substantive major on May 13, 1842.

For some reason the details of his army career are inaccurate in all standard secondary works, but they matter and should be corrected. An additional promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel followed on November 10, 1846 with half pay on the unattached list. In reality that still meant a pay increase and he was not serving in a regiment, hence the ‘unattached’ description.

The colony was in a rather parlous economic state by early 1846. The arrival of the new governor Sir Andrew Clarke (also an Irishman) was a harbinger of better things to come. Clarke’s fresh policies led to marked improvements over the next few months and we have solid indications that public opinion was against the introduction of convicts. As fellow soldiers Clarke, Irwin and their respective families formed close bonds of friendship.

Clarke became critically ill with tuberculosis within a few months and died a lingering death in early 1847. Everything was rather public and his heroism throughout the ordeal was widely reported. So was the raw courage of Irwin and the wives of the two men, as they all

risked their own lives in caring for the ailing man.

Frederick Irwin took over as Acting Governor on February 12, 1847. In reality he was a fullyfledged governor as no successor was appointed for a long spell. His time in office was turbulent, largely because he tended to speak frankly, upset some men with vested interests and acquired a deadly press enemy.

The latter was William Sholl, editor of the Inquirer, a disappointed office seeker who attacked Irwin at every opportunity.

Irwin ignored the carping as best he could and ploughed on with the good work of reviving the local economy and improving administration.

In the background some colonists were lobbying for a convict establishment, but Irwin made a point of bluntly rejecting the idea in his June 1847 address to the Legislative Council.

He specifically criticised “the desire to accumulate wealth on the part of a portion of the community” favouring convictism and went on to say other colonies were trying “to free themselves from this system as from a pestilence”. Well-aimed remarks of course, but tactless and deeply offensive to those who hoped to profit by way of cheap labour.

The governor attempted to remedy the apparent labour shortage by importing Chinese workers from Singapore on threeyear contacts. The scheme did not work out very well. He tried various measures to raise public revenue, such as a promising export tax on the sandalwood trade, one which was booming in the 1840s. Quite predictably sandalwood dealers and investors expressed very strong opposition and the plan had to be modified. Mining operations also began in the Canning district, but as was already the case on the Murray, the results were not brilliant.

However mixed the results were for such endeavours the WA economy was steadily improving.

22

Irwin somehow found the funds to establish a Central Board of Works, to be responsible for the building and maintenance of roads in the colony. In March 1848 he was able to announce to the Legislative Council that public revenues now exceeded expenditure. He then supported moves to reform the Council by adding three or four unofficial members to it.

The plan was rejected by the Secretary of State in London.

Education was a success story.

After squabbles over funding and other issues with John Brady, (left) the Catholic Bishop of Perth, Irwin established a General Board of Education on August 31, 1847 which obtained public subsidies and founded schools in Perth and elsewhere.

That major reform was the precursor of our present public education system.

Commander Charles Fitzgerald, RN (yet another Irishman), arrived and took over from Irwin as Governor on August 12, 1848. The change will have been a relief to the old soldier after so much stress and undeserved animosity. He and his family remained in the colony for some years, although they sent their children back to Britain on the ‘John Panter’ in 1852. Frederick and Elizabeth left per the ‘Aerolite’, January 15, 1854. On December 15, 1854 Irwin was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel without purchase and on full pay a generous, helpful measure by the standards of the day.

Frederick Chidley Irwin died in England on March 31, 1860. He has a lone memorial in Worcestershire, but has not been entirely forgotten in WA. The army remembered him - hence the Irwin Barracks at Karrakatta. People in education remembered him - hence the Frederick Irwin Anglican School.

Finally, during a politically congenial time (in the year 2000) our State Museum somehow obtained Irwin’s army decorations and placed them in its collection.

Patrick Pearse

State surrenders chance to own historic paper A typed letter personally signed by Patrick Pearse surrendering to British forces after the failure of the Easter Rising has sold at auction for US$355,000.

The London auctioneers original estimate for the historic document was put at $150,000 but fierce bidding on the day saw the price more than double.

Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor or Modern Irish History at UCD, said it was a disgrace the letter had been allowed to go into a private collection and were not bought by the State.

“How does this end up in private hands for profit? It’s disgusting," he told the Irish Times.

“There is just too much ambiguity about all this. They are not documents that belong in private hands. Patrick Pearse is signing them in his capacity as a member of the provisional government.”

The short letter states: “In order to prevent the further slaughter of Dublin citizens, and in the hope of saving the lives Patrick Pearse surrendering to General at the end of our followers now surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, of the Easter Rising. NLI the members of the Provisional Government present at Head Quarters have agreed to an unconditional surrender, and the such an impressive amount.”

While it is not known exactly how many commandants of the various districts of the City and country surrender letters were printed it is thought to will order their commands to lay down their arms.” be less than 10.

Two copies are in the possession of the National Library of Ireland while another – which was signed by James Connolly as well as Pearse – is on display at the Imperial War Museum in London. A further three handwritten are thought to be in private hands.

As commander-in-chief of the rebels and a signatory of the Proclamation it fell to Pearse to surrender. Only when news of Dublin’s surrender reached them did republicans in other parts of Ireland surrender."

Manuscript specialist Kieran O’Boyle said after the sale: “The Order of Surrender is one of the most significant documents in Irish 20th century history, and I am not surprised that it was so keenly sought after, nor that it sold for 23

“The wise have pitied the fool that hath striven to give a life In the world of time and space among the bulks of actual things, To dream that was dreamed in the heart, and that only the heart could hold.

Oh wise men, riddle me this: What if the dream come true?” ― Pádraig Pearse

Put your feet up at JB's The pint is settling and waiting!

24

W E S T E R N

A U S T R A L I A

IRISH FAMINE

COMMEMORATION Dedicated to remembering the Irish immigrants who left their homeland as a result of the Famine AN GORTA MÓR (The Great Hunger) In Association with The Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims

C.C.I.F.V

WE REMEMBERED

The famine Survivors who came to Western Australia Some twelve months ago a newspaper article was brought to my attention by Peter Murphy of the John Boyle O'Reilly (JBOR) Association in Bunbury. The story in The South West Times was headed “Town looks to record history”. It went on to say that the Dardanup Shire Council was investigating the idea of building an historical centre in the townsite to honour the shire’s heritage.

Cr Danny Harris said that he had the idea of a historical centre for a long time and he brought it to council because he wanted to honour the town’s heritage. “I’ve lived in Dardanup all my life and I understand the early history, but there are some people passing on in the town so we need to preserve our history”.

Fr Paschal Kearney and Lorraine Carlson Photo: Peter Murphy

Pam Harris, Sr Romanus Dee, Lilly Rea and Danny Harris

Along with Bill Marwick, I had just completed a Famine Commemoration project in York remembering Mary Ann Taylor who arrived in Western Australia in 1853 on the ship Palestine along with other young women from the Mountbellew workhouse. From my research I knew another of these Mountbellew girls, Elizabeth Carbury, went to Dardanup and married the son of an Irish settler, James Maguire.

I made contact with Cr Danny Harris and suggested a Famine Commemoration in Dardanup dedicated to Elizabeth. It wasn’t long before my phone rang and it was Danny. From that one conversation a wonderful

25

project was born.

Danny embraced the whole concept and plans were soon in place for the commemoration.

Peter Murphy also had a chat with Lorraine Carlson of the Bunbury Historical Society and King Cottage Museum in Bunbury and thanks to Peter another commemoration was on the cards.

Because we had had a very successful commemoration in York and a video of the day, we were able to organise both events for the 2017 Famine Commemoration.

In Dardanup with the help of Parish Priest, Fr Wayne Bendotti, Danny was able to put the commemoration together. And in Bunbury, Lorraine Carlson with the help of the historical society also put on a wonderful commemorative event.

In Bunbury we dedicated the event to Bridget Mulqueen from Askeaton, Co Limerick who arrived in the colony onboard the Travancore, two months before Elizabeth Carbury.

This would need many hands to succeed and an association was formed called the Western Australian Irish Famine Commemoration Inc. (WAIFC). Sean McDonagh, Sheila Murphy, Vince Gallagher and Jim Egan joined me in forming this group.

Vince had been involved in York commemoration because it was his company, Australian International

WAIFC Organising Committee and Friends

Express who transported the travel box from Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin, used in the event. In previous issues of our Irish Scene we have explained the significance of the travel boxes. Suffice to say they were the wooden chests that held all the worldly possessions of these young women on their long and life changing journey Western Australia.

Bunbury MC Norm Flynn Photo: Peter Murphy

I made contact with Mark O’Brien of Irish Prison Services and organised the making of two more boxes for Bunbury and Dardanup.

Information to go on the travel boxes was sent and in time Mark had the boxes ready for pick up by Vince Gallagher’s company.

We decided to use Dardanup as our base and booked the Prayer House next to the church for accommodation. The WAIFC committee, partners and friends duly set off on Friday 19th of May. Over a big roaring fire we shared a meal on the Friday and

the following morning headed off for the Bunbury Commemoration.

Lorraine had told me that Bridget Mulqueen’s ancestors had taken a keen interest in the occasion and even though it was to commence at 3pm, by 1pm the room was just about full. We videoed commemoration which can be seen on our website. I would like to make special mention of Lorna Cross, a descendant of Bridget Mulqueen who gave a wonderful insight into Bridget’s life following her arrival from Ireland. Also thanks to the Master of Ceremonies, Norm Flynn, one of the young women was one of his ancestors. Carmel Charlton performed Brendan Graham’s “Orphan Girl”, a song specially written for the many Irish women what made the journey from Ireland. Carmel also sang her own composition “An Irish Blessing” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, very moving!

Deputy Mayor of City of Bunbury Council, Brendan Kelly opened proceedings with a welcome to the area. Peter Murphy told us about the Irish in the South West, Paschal Kearney shared the story of the Doolough Famine Walk of 1849 and Lorraine Carlson gave a history 26

of Bunbury Historical Society/ King Cottage Museum. During the ceremony, the travel box was brought up to the front and historic articles of clothing were placed in the box by descendants of Bridget Mulqueen.

It was a long day but a very worthwhile day for all concerned.

To Lorraine and the Bunbury Historical Society thank you! Your support in remembering these Irish women with such a dignified manner was appreciated.

Following Bunbury, it was back to Dardanup and a quick cleanup before dinner at the Dardanup Tavern organised by Danny Harris.

We weren’t finished yet! The Thomas Little Hall was in full swing with a local group playing Irish music when we arrived. Danny had

Lorraine Carlson

Photo: Peter Murphy

also organised this and we were honoured with the presence of Sister Romanus Dee, Sr Romanus was at the prayer house for some eight years and it brought back wonderful memories for her. It

Hon Consul Marty Kavanagh and Fr Wayne Bendotti Photo: Peter Murphy

was like the Governor had come to town, everyone wanted to say hello to Sr Romanus and I had realised how much she was respected and loved in Dardanup.

The following morning it was time to remember Elizabeth Carbury in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Fr Bendotti and Danny Harris had the church beautifully prepared. In a packed church, the Famine Commemoration was again well organised, this time by Danny and his team of volunteers.

Following a greeting and opening prayer by Fr Wayne Bendotti, Parish Priest of the Catholic Parish of Dardanup and Boyanup, the travel box was brought forward by descendants of Elizabeth Carbury and placed before the altar, while the names of the women who travelled on the ‘Palestine’ were read by MC Danny Harris. It was very moving especially when the contents were brought forward in procession by descendants of Elizabeth Carbury and members of the Dardanup community and placed in the travel box. Songs: “Orphan Girl” and “Irish Blessing” was again sung by Carmel Charlton. We would to thank Lorraine Carlson and King Cottage Museum who kindly made available the contents of the travel box At this service we were honoured with the presence of Mr Marty Kavanagh, Hon. Consul of Ireland in Western Australia who was also a guest speaker. Bill Marwick and Fr Paschal Kearney also spoke as part of the special service.

Following the recessional song, “We Are Australian” sung by your truly, Fred Rea and all present it was time to pay our respects at the graveside of Elizabeth Carbury who was buried in the Pioneer Cemetery 500 yards at the back of the church. Fr Bendotti blessed Elizabeth’s grave and all the other graves.

Danny had organised for the Dardanup Primary School P & F to prepare lunch and the setting in the Thomas Little Hall with art pieces from Our Lady of Lourdes School students in Dardanup was a great way to finish the day. Also thanks to Elizabeth Carbury’s descendant Gwen Wells who sourced many old photos of the Maguire family and was on display for all to see. A video of the Dardanup commemoration is available and if you would like to buy a copy please contact Fred Rea. So from one story in a local newspaper, a very observant Peter Murphy came two significant events in Bunbury and Dardanup.

Thank you to Lorraine Carlson and Danny Harris for both commemorations. Your efforts will go a long way to bringing the story of these young Irish women, who through no fault of theirs ended up starting a new life on the far side of the globe. The famine was devastating for Ireland but out of its ruins Australia gained wonderful women who would go on to make a great contribution to our state’s development.

Centre: Gwen Wells organising the Travel Box Photo: Peter Murphy

Great celebration for the Irish in Dardanup

By Gwen Wells The weekend of May 20/21 2017 were dedicated to the memory of historic Irish migrant Elizabeth Carbury Maguire but the commemoration was a cause of celebration and pride for the wider and contemporary Dardanup community.

A lot of preparations had gone on behind the scenes to make the day happen and be a success.

The Pioneer Graveyard had been cleaned and tidied, Thomas Little Hall” Old Church” all made presentable meetings held, programmes organized, a “travel box” created, history gathered, descendants notified and so much more.

The students from Our Lady of Lourdes made some beautiful disCarmel Charlton plays telling the story of the “travel box” The girls that came on the “Palestine”, the ship, contents of the travel box along with the family tree, old photos, stories of families produced by G Wells made very popular viewing in The Thomas Little Hall.

The ceremony commenced at 11am in the Immaculate Conception Church Dardanup. About 120 people attended, 41 of who were descendants or family connections.

Mr Danny Harris acting MC welcomed everyone followed by Fred Rea singing the beautiful “Farewell My Green Valleys”. Carmel Charlton in beautiful Irish voice then sang “The Orphan Girl” and an “Irish Blessing”

27

made many an eye well up.

The replica “travel box” for Elizabeth Carbury presented to the Dardanup community was brought to the front of the church by two direct descendants followed by three children from Our Lady of Lourdes school and descendants carrying

Marty Kavanagh makes a presentation to Danny Harris

clothing and articles to be placed in the travel box. Fr Wayne Bendotti P.P. blessed the box followed by a homily.

The Irish Consul Marty Kavanagh gave a beautiful speech as did Fr Paschal Kearney on the values of life.

Everyone enjoyed the speeches and hung on every word listening attentively. Fred Rea finished the ceremony singing the very appropriate song “We are Australian”.

A few more tears flowed ending

a wonderful ceremony.

We then proceeded to the Pioneer Cemetery where Elizabeth is buried along with her family.

Fr Wayne blessed the family graves and all the pioneers buried there. Descendants and friends took time out to visit their loved ones resting there.

Finally we finished up at Thomas little Hall, for light luncheon and refreshments lots of talk, reminiscing, discovering family cousins who had never met before and viewing the displays The replica travel box will continue to be on display in Dardanup, at the Thomas little Hallm and visitors are very welcome to view it any time.

Saturday night (May 20) witnessed an old fashioned “Irish Shindig” in the Thomas Little Hall.

About 50 people attended and were entertained by the three local Maher Boys with great Irish ballads that got us all in the spirit of the occasion. Fred and his band of many talented friends also kept us all in good spirits and song while our Irish friend Sr Romanus kept everyone on their toes with her Irish yarns.

Wine and food was enjoyed by all till the late hours of the night everyone feeling happy with a joyous Irish night with preparations in mind for the following celebrations of the commemoration of the Irish Famine the next day.

Thanks to the Western Australian Irish Famine Commemoration committee (WAIFC) in Perth, Fred Rea, Fr Paschal Kearney, Peter Murphy, Rev Fr Wayne Bendotti P.P. Dardanup, committee Members D Harris Chairman. Pam Harris, Leona Della Sale, Gwen Wells, Peter Giumelli, Margaret Giumelli, Our Lady of Lourdes Principal Angela Hegney, staff together with the talented students all whom produced a beautiful Irish day to celebrate the dedication to Elizabeth Carbury.

28

A

Remarkable Life

AND A

Remarkable Woman

By Gwen Wells

Elizabeth Carbury was a young Irish girl from Galway who emigrated from a workhouse in Dublin and travelled on the Ship “Palestine” along with about 30 companions and arrived in WA in 1853 to fill a need for single women to commence family life and extend the Colony population.

She met and married James Maguire of Dardanup at the St Johns pro Cathedral presider being Fr Martin Griver in 1855.

Elizabeth and James settled in Dardanup on a property near his brother John, his Mother Ann and family on the Ferguson Rd near Prinsep Park.

Elizabeth and James had nine children losing two infants at an early age, we are unsure of what happened to the first born John maybe died at birth.

Elizabeth would have been very sad to lose her little son Michael who was only two years old, what has been handed down through the ages was that he fell into a bucket of water and drowned.

As was usual in the Irish tradition when a loss occurred another child was given the name so the youngest child was called Michael.

Michael was married to Catherine Milligan, granddaughter of John Maguire, James’ brother. They had five children the youngest Michael

James Maguire

being born after his father died having met with a horrific accident at Greenbushes where he worked.

Michael's daughter Elizabeth (Wells) at age eight years remembers clearly all the family gathering at the railway station to make their final farewell to their father as he was transported by train to the Bunbury hospital he was laid out in the guards van sadly he didn’t survive he was only 39 years old In 1875 Elizabeth would have also suffered the loss of her sister -in-law Catherine married to John when she fell down the stairs in the house carrying a lantern which set fire and burnt her badly all the medical aid of the day couldn’t save her.

John Maguire’s son James (George) was working up north beyond Geraldton near Northampton and met with a serious accident and died.

29

John feeling very depressed and sad about the loss of his son set off for Geraldton to find out what happened. Arriving at the Old Geraldton Hospital he tripped and fell up some stairs injuring himself badly resulting in his demise. John is buried in the Geraldton Cemetery while his son is in the Northampton Cemetery.

Elizabeth was a very family minded person attending to all the needs of the children and the farm requirements bringing up her children in the Christian Faith and attending mass in the newly built church James and John were instrumental in providing for the Building of the Church which she would have supported also.

After the newer church was built in 1938 the church was used for many different activities mainly students for school fund raising for church needs and much more now dedicated to Thomas Little benefactor of the Parish.

Maybe it’s to Elizabeth that we must thank for the faith being handed down throughout all the generations which still exists today in our parish.

John and James Maguire were affectionately known as Big Jim and Lord John.

Elizabeth supported her husband James in his many public duties James having been Chairman of the Wellington Roads Board for over 30 years.

Wellington Roads Board consisted of the many neighbouring towns of Dardanup until about 1899 they all became independent local boards governing themselves.

James continued on the Dardanup Roads Board being a JP and chairman of meetings when current chairman was unable to attend.

He was responsible for the many systems of roads, culverts and bridges.

James also supported a racecourse on his property at Crooked Brook Dardanup where patrons came by train to participate, him being the local steward.

James remained with the Roads Board until 1902 when a splendid farewell was held in his honour a beautiful citation was presented to him for all the works he had done for the districts.

Elizabeth would have also sup-

James Maguire at Jubilee of his niece Sr Vincent Brennan

ported her husband- James in his involvement with the escape of the John Boyle O’Reilly from the Australind area.

It would have been Elizabeth that cooked the food for James to deliver to John Boyle O’Reilly to nourish him hiding in the sand hills at Australind until his escape was arranged as James would leave for his journey to Australind he would say to his wife Elizabeth gather the children together and recite the Rosary for my safe return.

Times would have been very precarious for the family No family ever talked about or

spoke about the escape of John Boyle O ‘Reilly for fear of prosecution from the authorities, as James being a very prominent citizen in the district.

A newspaper from Boston arrived at the address of James Maguire which gave them indication that John Boyle O’Reilly was safe.

Three years after his escape letters were also received from John Boyle O’Reilly.

Elizabeth passed away in 1886 aged about 56, as the result of a cancer of the womb. She left behind a legacy of faith to her Irish descendants.

Mons Tim Corcoran (far left) at the 2017 St Patrick's Day Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, Perth

Golden Jubilee

Congratulations to Monsignor Tim Corcoran Celebrating 50 Years Anniversary Of Priestly Ordination 11th June 1967 to 11th June 2017 Well done Monsignor, you are a great friend to the Irish / Australian Community 30

Caitlin O’Connor and Mary Clinch

Bunbury Commemoration impressed Caitlin Caitlin O’Connor writes…

The Irish Famine Commemoration was a really great experience, a really meaningful commemoration of the suffering of our Irish ancestors as people from Irish backgrounds. The Commemoration took us to a different era, where we had a taste of what life would have been like for these people, their lives changed from the effects of the famine. The famine left a great mark on Ireland’s history, and it was really amazing to learn about the life of Bridget Mulqueen, whose legacy still lives on in Bunbury today. It was a really special commemoration remembering the suffering of Ireland as a whole during the Great Famine.

Thank you.

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Darkness Into Light (DIL) is Pieta Houses Flagship annual fundraising and awareness event. It started with approximately 400 people meeting in the now iconic yellow DIL t-shirts walking the 5km course of Dublin.

On the 6th of May, over 1100 participants braced the cold, dewy morning to meet at the South Perth Foreshore to help us Promote suicide prevention and to tackle the stigma that leads people to the doors of Pieta House and local centres like Headspace based here in Perth.

On behalf of the Darkness Into Light Committee here in Perth, we wish to thank all of our participants, sponsors, the City of South Perth for allowing us to hold the event and a to our friends and loved ones who give us support.

Our work could not continue without you and we are eternally grateful to see this event grow and grow!

Stay tuned as we will soon announce our total donation and cheque presentation to Headspace - Osborne Park, as we feel its important to give back to our local community here in Perth.

Slainte agus Go raibh Maith agat Brendan Darkness into Light Perth

32

A View from Home

By Michael Cluskey

“Holy God” what is happening to me?

I use to be a simple man following my sports and my music.

That is until recently when

massive changes started to take place. These changes are so big, that the future of not only my generation but many future generations to come will be ruled by the decisions that are about to be made.

Brexit… that word that has become a pain in the backside and is talked about so much! But wait a minute, stop and think what this is

going to mean to Ireland.

Are we going to need Visas to get into the UK? How are we going to trade with the UK? We have the only major land border with the UK, Is this border going to stay the same way? What will this mean for our exporters? These are only a few of the questions that need to be sorted.

Indeed Ireland too is in a state of transition, no longer is Enda Kenny Taoiseach, we now have a 38 year old openly gay minister taking over the top spot. Leo Varadkar the son of an Indian doctor from Bombay, and whose mother was from Dungarvan is now our new Taoiseach.

Teresa May, British Prime Minister called a snap general election thinking

Leo Varadkar

that her power would only increase when the votes were counted. She didn’t reckon on the popularity with young voters of the labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

This has led to Teresa May now considering going into a power sharing government with Arlene Fosters DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) who have the 10 ministers needed for May to control the government.

This in turn now calls into question... the safety of the Good Friday Agreement.

I know you are getting all this news down under but I hope I have been of help, trying to explain this still fluid situation.

Hopefully by the next time I write, I will have snapped out of this mindset!

Slan!

Michael Cluskey

“Michael (O’Leary) needs a new song to sing. We’ve been hearing much the same old story in the past couple of years. The Ryanair position on money-grabbing is that everyone else is ripping you off whether it’s airports, governments, other airlines.”

Leo Varadkar As Minister for Transport in 2012 33

Returning When

Home

by Lloyd Gorman

doesn’t feel like a homecoming

D

eciding to emigrate is a big decision but making the judgement call about returning to Ireland is in many ways an even bigger and more difficult one to make for many people. Australia has always been a popular choice of place to come, particularly as the last ten years or so have shown. But in the last couple of years large numbers of those who came out in search of adventure, escape, a new start or a new career, have figured they want to go back home.

In May the Dublin based Crosscare Migrant Project published a comprehensive report about the difficulties experienced by returning Irish emigrants in the last two years.

“The primary aim of this report is to update and develop the understanding and knowledge base of the situation of Irish emigrants moving back to Ireland from abroad,” the report authors stated. “It was undertaken in response to increased national interest in the experiences of returning Irish emigrants arising from Central Statistics Office figures1 released in August 2016 which revealed a dramatic 74% increase in net inward migration to Ireland by Irish citizens. It also follows Crosscare Migrant Project’s 2016 report entitled ‘Irish emigrants’ perspectives of the emigration experience’ which, in association with GAA clubs around the world, examined Irish emigrant views on emigration and return migration. Subsequent to these findings and the CSO statistics, certain questions were being asked by the media, politicians and the general public about the profile of recent returnees – why were they returning and how were they adjusting to life back in Ireland? With little more than anecdotal evidence available about the circumstances of recent returnees, Crosscare Migrant Project developed an online survey, targeting Irish emigrants in an attempt to capture their experiences of returning home. The responses to the survey inform this report and help to identify a gap in knowledge around the experiences of returning emigrants and their resettlement in Ireland in the past two years in a post-recession environment. Furthermore, this report provides the opportunity for recent emigrants to share their experiences and advice with others who may be consider-

34

ing moving back to Ireland. Finally, it is hoped that the content of this report will help to inform Government policy and emigrant support organisations to be more responsive to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diaspora.”

The study - an online questionnaire of 23 questions - surveyed migrants who had lived in different parts of the world but by far the largest number of the 400 responses involved came from people who had been in Australia, 163.

People returning after three to five years of living abroad were the biggest category, followed by those away between six to ten years and a third group who had been away for ten years or more.

“These emigrants are now separated from all the ties, networks and standard of living that they had established in their adopted countries,” the report said.

“The level of re-adjustment and reintegration can be significant among these groups and may be evident more in their responses on the challenges faced on their return to Ireland.”

Most (83%) said they returned because they wanted to be closer to family and support networks. Wanting to bring children up in Ireland was the next biggest motivation (36%) while 25% said their time overseas was always going to be temporary and 23% blamed homesickness.

Employment opportunities in Ireland ranked for 15% of respondents while education came in at 12%.

Visas or other permissions running out factored in 10% of cases, while the same number also came back to because a family member needed care.

“Over half of respondents plan to stay permanently in Ireland which correlates with the high response rate of more emotive reasons for returning, such as wanting to be close to family and support networks and bringing children up in Ireland.”

Insurance and administrative issues, employment and accommodation were cited as the biggest challeng-

es to coming back.

“Driving licences, insurance and tax: respondents referred to having difficulties with car insurance, this was mainly to do with companies refusing no claims bonuses and clean driving licences from abroad. Several responses referred to the difficulties with expensive insurance quotes or even refusal of car insurance, often being described as ‘new drivers’, with some comments stating it was “nightmare”, “crippling” and “criminally expensive”. Reference was made to requirements to complete a driving test despite having a foreign driving licence, the cost of 12 mandatory driving lessons, along with the impact of delays and costs in relation to accessing employment where transport is required.

Confusion was also expressed in terms of driver licence exchange and the need for a ‘letter of entitlement’ with one respondent stating it took 6 months to receive their licence. The high cost of car tax was also mentioned.

Tax and revenue: Reference was made to the higher rate of taxes and levies such as the Universal Social Charge (USC), e.g. “the higher tax would be a reason to leave for another tempting job offer”. Tax rates where often referred to in tandem with the ‘high cost of living’ and living on ‘lower wages’. Also, reference was made to PAYE and revenue as “difficult to sort”.

Getting qualifications recognised in Ireland was described by some as a “long and difficult” and “costly” process, which made finding and securing a new job difficult. Others had problems opening a bank account or getting a loan.

“Sample responses include reference to “bureaucracy”, “too much red tape and little understanding”, and “I found Ireland suffocating bureaucratic”. Many of these responses did not elaborate or specify the cause of their difficulties.”

“122 respondents (38%) referenced finding employment and self-employment opportunities as a main challenge. These references include access to the labour market, engagement with recruitment companies, short term contracts, wages, taxes, pensions, working hours and validating qualifications.

Finding employment came out as one of the most common challenges under this category, however respondents did not specify which sectors they were seeking work in. Responses referred to the length of time to secure employment (e.g. “I couldn’t find a job for 18 months”), difficulty finding full time permanent work, or employment as an older worker. Others referred to location as an issue saying, “Outside of Dublin there aren’t many employment opportunities”. One comment in relation to self-employment stated there was “very little support when we were trying to set up a business”.

“75 respondents (24%) identified accommodation as a main challenge. Accommodation refers to issues with sourcing privately rented accommodation, availability of rental properties, rental costs, access to mortgages and buying property.

Renting accommodation is described as a challenge and “nearly impossible” with a “lack of rental properties”. Value for money is also identified (e.g. “Horrified at the cost of rent for substandard accommodation, it’s one thing paying high prices in London beside a tube stop, quite another in some Irish suburb with poor transport links”). Others mentioned having to live with their parents as rent was difficult to find or too expensive and above Rent Supplement limits (as per the Department of Social Protection). Other references were made to “decent housing unavailable in the right location” and the “housing crisis”.

Dublin Several responses referred specifically to the Dublin rental market, e.g. “Accommodation in Dublin is chaotic”, “rent costs too high”, “very hard to get and very expensive”, “accommodation is much more expensive than it used to be”. Potential home buyers also appear to be affected in Dublin with one respondent stating “It is impossible to save for a mortgage given the exorbitant rents in Dublin. Finding a flat, when they are rented within hours of being advertised was extremely difficult”.

Mortgages Acquiring a mortgage is described as a difficulty for some in relation to age: “Age discrimination is not illegal, e.g. in obtaining a mortgage pension income is not counted, foreign income is not counted, mortgage must be paid back by age 65”. Another referred to income discrimination stating, “none of the banks would recognise my employment history or proof of ability to earn”.

Fitting in with social norms could also be hard. Reintegrating into Irish culture could often be a “reverse culture shock” and the Irish way of doing things could leave migrants feeling alienated. Five per cent of people said getting used to Irish weather as an issue while the same amount had problems accessing health care services.

The study can be found at //www.migrantproject.ie/ images/Home-for-Good---a-report-by-Crosscare-Migrant-Project---May-2017.pdf. It contains other useful tips and information for people considering returning to Ireland. They encourage people to contact them and use them as a resource.

Frank Murphy presents

107.9fm Fremantle Radio Saturday 8am to 10am IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS 35

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH New blood and Irish blood runs deep through parliament The Irish community of Western Australia came close to meeting Ireland's new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar earlier this year. It had been on the cards for some time that the tenure of Enda Kenny was over and even during his official St. Patrick's Day visit to America a copy of one of his speeches which acknowledged as much was inadvertently leaked or got out into the public accidentally. The question of who would take over from Mr Kenny when he 'retired' was slightly less clear with more than one contender emerging for the top job. The two front runners were two relatively young men and Fine Gael stalwarts Simon Coveny and Leo Varadkar. If the Taoiseach automatically gets the top gig of handing over a bowl of shamrock to the US president then the job of flying out to the other parts of the world with Irish populations or heritage is divided between the rest of the cabinet and even the back-benches. For a while there Mr Varadkar was one of the names slated to come to Perth but at some point that changed and instead junior minister David Stanton was sent to the west coast of Australia, while another junior minister separately visited the east coast states.

The majority of West Autralians would have heard the name, Mr Varadkar, for the first time at the start of June when the transition of power went off without a hitch just a couple of months after St. Patrick's Day itself. Most West Australian radio stations, TV and other media lead with the news item that "Ireland has elected its first openly gay prime minister". He was we know now also the man who nearly made it to Perth.

After fighting a tough election campaign and winning election on March 11 Jessica (Mary Christine) Stojkovski (Labor) made her parliamentary debut for the seat of Kingsley in WA's Legislative Assembly on May 18.

In her maiden speech, the political newcomer set out her stall on the issues she would champion, such as renewable energy and trying to ban single use plastic bags. But the opening address is also an opportunity for new members to share a little of their life story and origins with the House and have those remarks committed to the record, and to thank all those people who helped them to get in.

"The electorate of Kingsley comprises 10 per cent of people who were either born in Ireland or claim Irish ancestry," said the member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

36

"There is a long, proud history of Western Australian Irish parliamentarians with 30 being born in Ireland

and many more claiming Irish ancestry. I am the daughter of Irish immigrants who, like many before them and since, came to Australia seeking a different life from the one they knew in their homeland. In 1981, recently married and expecting their first child - me - parents, only 22 and 23 years old, arrived in Perth. At that time, no-one could have foretold the life that they would be able to build for themselves and their family here in Western Australia. For a mechanical fitter and a recently qualified teacher, Australia was a land of opportunity and hope, although not everything was smooth sailing.

Overwhelming homesickness saw them return to Ireland only to realise that their hearts were in Australia, resulting in journeys across the world and back. My parents, like many other migrants to this country, assimilated and contributed to the community of their new home. Both my parents were heavily involved in the local resident’s associations, our school parents and citizens associations and other organisations. My parents thrived on the multicultural nature of Western Australian society and the concept of many cultures

combining to create one culture.

Those of you with a keen eye or ear for names will have noticed that Stojkovski is not an Irish name. As I am the daughter of Irish immigrant parents, my husband, Siljan, is the son of Macedonian immigrant parents.

It is my understanding that I am the first female Macedonian-named Western Australian parliamentarian. This is an honour I will wear with pride. The Macedonian community in Perth is strong and passionate and I know I carry with me the hopes and expectations of many in this community. I hope I will work with the Macedonian community to fully represent them in this place.

One of their hopes is that Australia will acknowledge Macedonia as the Republic of Macedonia and not the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This is something very close to my family’s heart and I will engage and work with my federal colleagues to progress the discussion about this very important issue."

The Kingsley MLA thanked a wide range of friends, helpers, volunteers, political advisers, well-wishers and family members for all their support and encouragement, but there was one person in particular who she paid a special tribute too. "To my dad, Tony (O'Gorman): when you sat in this place as member for Joondalup for 12 years, you inspired me," said Jessica. "I saw the impact one dedicated and passionate member could have on a community. Even when you were no longer a member of this place you took that dedication and passion to your new adventures. I only hope I can be even half the member you were."

Mrs Stojkovski is not the only Irish MP in parliament, or amongst the ranks of the Labor party. Dublin born Stephen Dawson was re-elected for a

second term as the member for the Mining and Pastoral Region - one of the biggest and widely spread electoral constituencies in the world, covering much of the northern and eastern regions of WA. He was rewarded for his longstanding work with the party and as a local MP after the March 11 election by being made a minister in the cabinet of Mark McGowan. Stephen is now the minister for the environment and disability services. The main job facing him in the first days of his ministership has been to try and make the call whether WA should keep its own version of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, or join the federal system.

He has his work cut out for him.

Tjorn Sibma is another newbie of sorts to the parliament, this time to the Legislative Council. Apparently, he worked as a staffer for the Barnett Government but is now the elected (Liberal) member for the North Metropolitan Region. In his maiden speech on May 25 Mr Sibma took the chance to introduce himself and mention the things and people that were important to him. While he didn't have any heritage to claim Mr Sibma did have cause to mention Ireland in his speech. "I thank every single member of the Cowan division for their support and robust advice, especially the magnificently blunt Matthew Blampey; the incomparable Colin and Hon Cheryl Edwardes who, I understand, are watching me from Ireland at the moment.", but didn't elaborate any more than that.

Interestingly Cheryl Edwardes is a former Liberal member for Kingsley who was also shadow minister for education and 37

served as Attorney-General from 1993 to 1995, Family and Services Minister from 1995 to 1997, and Environment Minister from 1997 to 2001. She retired from politics in 2005 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in last year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

So Isteach sa Teach doesn't know if the former politico is in Ireland on business or pleasure but hopefully they will have enjoyed their visit and come home to Perth with happy memories of their time there.

On May 18 and after a 16-year stint in opposition - and then the last eight years in government, including as minister for child protection, community services, and seniors and volunteering Robyn McSweeney gave her going away speech in the Legislative Council. The member for the region of the South West had a lot to say, including about her own party (the Liberals) and some of their faults - including the poor ratio of women to men in the parliamentary ranks. But of that small amount of female reps in parliament and politics - including those sitting on the other side of the house - she was very gracious and complimentary.

She recounted some of her many adventures and outings as a politician, including an overseas trip that included Ireland.

"I have had so many opportunities and I have taken them all, sometimes wondering just what I was doing at a particular place," she said. "For example, in Africa I was stranded in the middle of six or eight nonconforming traffic lanes in a bus when the driver walked off and left us in the middle of the road.

Hon Barry House and another politician and I were bewildered, but the driver eventually came back.

African drivers are a nightmare. I have had opportunities to travel to other countries on trade delegations and for legislation purposes.

Two years ago, as the Deputy Chair

of the Joint Standing Committee on the Commissioner for Children and Young People, I travelled with the committee to Scotland, Ireland and England to talk to other children’s commissioners. I have travelled extensively throughout Western Australia and certainly extensively throughout my electorate.

I know every back road—I will say it quickly—that does not have a policeman on it! That is my sense of humour. I have enjoyed helping people no matter what their problem was.

Being a politician is not a straightforward role. There are many facets to the job and it is a profession of which we should be proud."

Meanwhile, over in national parliament in Canberra, another West Australian (Liberal) politician had cause to call on his Irish heritage.

Senator Chris Back – who stepped down from the Senate after eight years in June 2017 - gave quite a thought provoking speech during the debate about making changes to human rights legislation in Australia and the right to free speech, even when that includes the use of offensive, hurtful or even bigoted language.

"I have made the comment at different times - and it was levelled at me as a kid - that I am the grandson of bog Irish peasant farmers, and I am" Mr Back said. "The interesting thing is in the mind of the person levelling that allegation, do they have any idea as to whether I felt humiliated, insulted or offended? How can they know my response would be to the fact that both my maternal grandfather and my maternal grandmother came from, respectively, Galway and Tipperary? Mr Acting Deputy President Pernardi, you would know that, far from being offended, insulted or humiliated, I am absolutely overjoyed. I and members of my family, when we went to the north-eastern wheat belt area of Yelbeni recently, placed a plaque on a piece of granite, recognising the centenary of my grandfather taking up that land. He was the first farmer in that district. My extended family and I recounted all of the areas where their many grandchildren and now great-grandchildren have found themselves in professions around the world, around Australia and Western Australia, contributing to the wellbeing of this place. Yet the words of that person,

in calling me the grandson of a bog Irish peasant farmer, may well have been offensive, insulting or humiliating, but in no way did it stop me going about my daily business."

Another Irishman in the Federal parliament – this time the House of Representatives – used a slot dedicated to constituency statements to events in Ireland.

“I want to reflect upon the passing of Martin McGuinness, who was instrumental in forging peace in Northern Ireland,” said Brendan O'Connor, the Labor member for Gorton, Victoria. “Martin McGuinness had a very controversial background. He was in the IRA in the 1970s, and in 1972 he, along with Gerry Adams, met with the British government in secret after 14 people were killed in the Bloody Sunday protest. From that point on, they were seeking to find a pathway to peace. In those circumstances, it was sometimes harder to forge peace and find a parliamentary solution to the troubles in Northern Ireland than it was to take up the option of sectarian violence. No-one is pretending that there were not misgivings about the conduct of Martin McGuinness in his life. But it is true to say that his life's journey—from being in a conflict in Northern Ireland to finding, oddly, a remarkable relationship with his nemesis, Dr Ian Paisley—says something about what can happen to people in their lives. In fact, Martin McGuinness had a very close relationship with Dr Paisley, who was also a firebrand but on the other side and who showed very little tolerance to republicans and Catholics for many years. Nonetheless, the two became close and worked together on trying to develop an ongoing peace in that ravaged part of Ireland. You could say, madam acting deputy speaker, that the troubles in the 1970s and beyond were a manifestation of a conflict between two countries that, arguably, stretched back 800 years.

And yet Martin McGuinness—as Bill Clinton said in the eulogy he gave at McGuinness's funeral—said that he had fought, and then he made peace, and then he sought to make change. Perhaps the most instructive comment that I have heard was made by Ian Paisley's son, who said that Martin McGuinness 'not only saved lives but made the lives of countless people better'.

That came from Dr Paisley's son, and shows us that, ultimately, Martin McGuinness made a very important contribution to Northern Ireland.”

38

Irish Families in Perth

Western Australia

by Eimear Beattie

Irish Families in Perth” is a voluntary, non-profit organisation with over 13,000 members.

We provide Irish emigrants with advice on how to best assimilate into the Western Australian culture and lifestyle. We communicate with our subscribers through a social media where topics such as housing, jobs, visa enquiries and social events are covered. It is a vibrant, active forum that provides a wealth of knowledge to young families and single individuals emigrating to Western Australia.

Irish Families in Perth (IFIP) contributes to a cohesive Irish community by working in conjunction with the many wonderful groups in Perth that support Irish culture & heritage.

IFIP aims toCoordinate Irish family events around Perth including weekly playgroups.

• Support Irish families along with The Claddagh Association • Develop Irish culture & heritage: Gaelic Games, Irish Music, Irish Language & Irish Folklore • Help Irish families with any problems that might arise by providing a link to Australian & Irish support services You can find our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/irishfamiliesinperth

IRISH PARTY NIGHT AT THE WOODVALE TAVERN, AUGUST 11TH.

Irish Music from Irish Bands and Irish Dancers with former world renown Riverdancer Eleanor Rooney and

her Three Crowns Irish Dance School.

Sure to be a great night of song and dance! Best raffle prizes around including Hettys Scullery Food Hampers , Boxes of Tayto Crisps , boxes of wine included. Spot prizes include the best dressed/ best non professional dancer / best for the 'craic' on the night!

Tickets $20 ($21.50 incl booking fee) Grab your tickets online now !

All in aid of the WA Irish Famine Memorial. www.stickytickets.com.au/organiser/520240/events

Irish Mam’s Perth (NOR)

A fantastic group of Irish Mam’s providing day to day support to each other, both online and face to face. An opportunity to create new friendships not only for ourselves but also for our little ones which is so important when most of us are new to Perth, and far from family and have partners who are working away.

We have a purpose built playgroup centre, with a covered/shaded playground around the building, which is fenced with a locked gate. There is plenty for the older ones to do outside and a playroom set up with lots of toys inside alongside another room for our babies along with a kitchen for a cuppa and a baby changing room with toddler toilets!

We have a great mixture of ages from bumps to 5 years, all are welcome.

We meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9am at Padbury Playgroup, Caley Rd. WA 6025. We also have evening and weekend events for Mam's and families.

Recent Wine Tour for Mammies

Irish Families In Perth Not for Profit Organisation would like to thank most sincerely our valued sponsors who help fund our ever growing group. All money received goes back into the Irish community and helps fund our various playgroups and events.

Please support their businesses.

Ciaran Gallagher– Migration Specialist, Neil Lenihan- Killarney Autos, Wrightway Road Training, Vicki Buckley- Legal Aid Walshe, Clancy & O Neill Financial Group Masonmill Restaurant - Carl Holmes Last but not least Fred Rea and all at the Irish Scene for promoting us.

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IRISH WOMEN IN PERTH

My name is Joan Ring from Roscrea Ireland. I emigrated to Australia 28 years ago with my husband and 11 month old daughter. When we arrived in Perth I only knew one couple from home and another family who emigrated at the same time. It was all exciting at first then reality hit in after a few weeks. Trying to get work and a place to rent, then not having family to talk to , however we got on our feet and we both worked hard to get where we are today. This was my reason for setting up a group and called it Irish Women In Perth. Irish women in Perth is a Facebook group which was set up almost two years ago. The aim is for women from Ireland living in, or on holidays here in Perth to meet for a coffee,chat and make new friends.

Two years ago a lady advertised on ‘Irish Families In Perth ‘looking for ways her mum could meet new friends as she was feeling a bit lonely not knowing many Irish. I made a comment saying, I was in an Irish friend group years ago before Facebook. I started receiving messages from a few Irish ladies saying they would be interested. I arranged a coffee date where twelve ladies rocked up and it was like we knew each other for years.

This is when I realised it was time to set up a group on Facebook which I called Irish Women In Perth. I never expected it to get as big as it is with over 250 members of which at least 30 or more have attended either a cof-

fee, lunch or dinner date. Anyone who has met up keep saying oh what a great group of women you are and can't wait to meet again.

At our Christmas night out in December I asked the ladies to bring non perishable foods on the night to make up a hamper for a family in need. I was overwhelmed on the night and there was enough food to support two families, which we donated to the Claddagh Association. Thank YOU. Eimear

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By Lloyd Gorman

From Brexit to WAxit Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop dropped into the offices of the local newspaper where I work a couple of months ago. The POST is based in Shenton Park and covers the western suburbs of Perth while Ms Bishop's electorate office is just up the road in Subiaco and her constituency (Curtin) overlaps with our distribution area. She might be the foreign affairs minister and deputy leader of the Liberals but like all members of parliament - including ministers - they know it is important to keep a finger on the pulse of what happens in their political backyard and you can’t get much more backyard than the POST. She is a consummate politician when it comes to working a room and is well able to launch into a fullblown conversation at the drop of a hat with anyone, a good quality for the job she’s in. I asked her how she fared during a two-day trip to Dublin back in February.

She said it was the first time she had been back to the Irish capital since the 1980’s when she visited during a trip to the UK. It had changed a lot and was a wonderful place she said - and she even managed to squeeze in a jog which gave her another opportunity to have a look around.

Being there helped give her a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the Irish perspective

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and issues involved in Brexit she said. Being the only English speaking country left in Europe could be a big advantage for Ireland she said. Same too for the country’s established international financial sector.

And while she hoped Ireland would do well she wasn’t able to predict with any certainty what the outcome would be. Brexit, she suggested would be either good or bad for Ireland, but it was hard to know.

It is exactly a year since a (slight) majority of UK voters said they wanted out of Europe in a referendum that made the world sit up and take notice. The win by the out camp took everybody by surprise, including those that campaigned to leave.

The last twelve months have been fractious and in some ways fruitless.

Very little progress seems to have taken place but the actual negotiations between the UK and EU only got underway in late June and they have two years to sort things out.

One of the things that Enda Kenny should be recognised for as Taoiseach was the diplomatic and political lobbying his government undertook to convince the EU leadership and the heads of the other 27 EU member states that while this was an issue that might affect all of them, Ireland in particular was in a vulnerable position, because of Northern Ireland and the border, the fact that Ireland’s single biggest trading partner is the UK and other reasons, including the ability to travel and work between the two countries without a passport or visas.

This would be a lot to lose and quite what benefits - if any - that might come as a result of the UK leaving Europe are harder to identify or quantify.

Brexit reminds me of the scare over the Y2K bug. There were Doomsday predications about how computer systems around the world would crash on the strike of midnight 2000, a bit like how things went wrong for Cinderella. A lot of work was done and money spent on consultants - including many retired computer scientists and programmers who were pulled out of retirement to help understand how to deal with the potential crisis - to make sure the advanced world didn’t come to an end.

Brexit has generated a lot of heat but not necessarily created a lot of light. A hell of a lot of work has and continues to be done about it behind the scenes and in public. Again Ireland - in this case Northern Ireland - has a special place in these shenanigans.

A majority of voters in Northern Ireland voted to stay within Europe in the July 2016 referendum. Northern Ireland voters then faced another election in March and again in June when UK Prime Minister called a snap election in a bid to strengthen her already strong mandate in government to negotiate Brexit. Of course, she got the opposite result to what she expected and weakened her ability to bargain.

Her attempts to prop up a now minority g ove r n m e n t with the s u p p o r t of 10 MPs from the Democratic Unionist Party have - at time of writing - still not gone smoothly and look like falling over. Even if she does strike a deal with the DUP quite how the Conservative party leader might be able to convince the other political parties that it won’t affect her administrations ability to be impartial in matters relating to the North and the peace process is difficult to imagine. There was talk that there might be another election but the political parties must realise that forcing the public to go back to the ballot box again so soon for their shortcomings could produce an unpredictable backlash that nobody will like.

Enda Kenny’s successor as Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, will have to deal with the fallout from Brexit. He has softened the rhetoric and said Ireland never wanted the UK to leave Europe. Is he leaving the door open just enough for the British government to have a rethink? When Irish voters rejected the Treaty of Lisbon (to establish a constitution for Europe) in June 2008 the EU and Ireland’s membership of that club was thrown into crisis, so much so that the Irish government called a second referendum in October 2009 and this time it got the result it wanted.

During the election campaign to elect the Western Australian Parliament in 2017 Premier McGowan made a lot of noise about the raw deal the state was getting

at the hands of the current carve up of GST. The then opposition leader made the veiled threat that unless WA was given a better share of the wealth it created for the nation it might consider pulling out of the Commonwealth and holding onto its own cash.

Breaking up with the other states and territories of Australia and throwing up a border (maybe the existing rabbit proof fence) with the rest of the country might seem like a remote prospect but then again, so did Brexit, and would be our version of Brexit. Are we ready for WA-xit?

Light of Ireland

By Tom Grace They are leaving by the thousands From their native Irish shore In search of wealth and happiness And maybe something more We catch them boarding ships and trains And continental flights So would the last person out of Ireland Please turn out the lights.

They are heading now for Boston New York and Botany Bay Will they ever come back home again Maybe some sweet day For old Ireland holds no hope for them No jobs no prospects bright So when you turn will you please ensure That someone turns out the lights And if we should come back home Who would greet us with a smile And ask us how our life has been Far away from Erin’s Isle We’d sit up late and sing our songs And joke into the night Before we’d retire we’d all make sure That someone turned out the light. © Tom Grace December 1992

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Danny Spooner, Sean Roche and Phil Beck at Greenhills

VALE DANNY SPOONER

Damien Dempsey releases New CD and heading for Perth!

Seventeen years into an astonishing career, Damien Dempsey released his seventh studio album, his most exciting work to date, Soulsun.

The lead single and opening title track gets straight to the point. Soulsun is accompanied by a colourful and life-affirming video directed by legendary rock photographer Steve Gullick, who has shot iconic images of Nirvana, Beck and Nick Cave over the years, just to mention a tiny few.

"As ever, people can take their own meanings from it, but for me, it is about the sun that shines from within,” Dempsey explains.

Soulsun sees the man affectionately known as Damo team up with a stellar cast of female guest vocalists, who are referred to as ‘the mighty Celtic Warrior High Queens’.

Dido, who sold 21 million copies of her debut album, No Angel, sings on a tender love song entitled ‘Beside the Sea’. Fellow Dubliner Imelda May appears on ‘Big Big Love’ and ‘Pretty Bird Tree’ features Dingle singer Pauline Scanlon.

Soulsun was recorded in long-term producer John Reynold's studio in north London. The striking cover image was created by renowned Dublin graphic artist Maser, who Dempsey worked with on large-scale mural works.

Amidst all the plaudits Damo has won over the years, one of the most notable is contained in Morrissey’s Autobiography. The legendary singer describes Dempsey performing at a session in Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel.

"Damien captivates and enchants with all the love of one blessed and unselfish," Morrissey writes. "I see myself crying at his funeral, missing him already.”

“I’m not sure exactly what I did to deserve such praise," Dempsey says. "I had absolutely no idea I was in it until the book was published, but it’s nice to be appreciated by such an incredible artist and writer who's unquestionably an absolute genius."

Damien Dempsey doesn’t hesitate in identifying the most satisfying aspect of his career. “Seeing what the songs mean to people is mind-blowing. There's music for everything; getting up and dancing having a good time, music to think deeply to…you name it, absolutely everything under the sun. There’s music for all situations, but my music is about healing and hope.”

Damien Dempsey is appearing on Sunday 17 September - Badlands Bar, Perth

16.12.1936 - 3.3.2017

It was only a short few years ago we enjoyed the wonderful Danny Spooner in Greenhills when Sean Roche and Phil Beck were the owners of that establishment.

Sadly Danny passed away peacefully in early March this year. Loving husband of Gael. His singing warmed the world of folk music. Much loved, Will be much missed. A devourer of social history and an inspirational explorer of the lives of ordinary people, celebrated in strong fine voice and the concertina. Generous in life, his gift of music, his boundless sense of fun and his strong messages of advocacy for the common man. Vale to a man who taught us much about the musicality in life: its heroes and its ne'er-do-gooders, its myths and legends, as well as his strong advocating for workers. Thank you for giving me the chance to follow in your path. I will always think of you as I play the music you loved and taught us to love.

These words were taken from one of Danny's many obituaries from a friend Paddy. Slan abhaile a chara.

Phil Beck releases New CD

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Speaking of Phil Beck, he has a new album out, Ye Lovers All. Phil Beck is an English folk singer now living in Perth WA and is a regular performer at the Top Half Folk Festival and Tamar Valley Folk Festival in Tasmania. Phil has a fondness for both traditional and contemporary folk songs which he elevates with his dextrous finger-picking guitar style and fine voice. He is also a regular at folk clubs around Perth and the odd Thespian gathering.

His new album is excellent and I particular like his covering of the Cork classic I Know My Love and Richard Thompson's Beeswing.

Phil has been known to write a line or two for our Irish Scene and a fine writer he is! He has just headed off overseas for a few months and on his return no doubt he will be selling his CD. I have no problem recommending it, it's well put together by our own Erik Kowarski. Well done Phil! Fred Rea

Irish Club Seniors' Lunch

Wanneroo Gathering

Seniors Events: IRISH CLUB

First Friday of the Month @ 12.30pm 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Bookings: 9381 5213

NORTHERN SUBURBS GATHERING St Anthony's Church Hall Wanneroo Third Monday of the Month from10.30am Bring a Plate. Bookings: Jim Egan 0413 866 320

Is anybody interested in organising an Irish Seniors' Group in the Fremantle area?

CLADDAGH

CHRISTMAS IN JULY Mighty Quinn Tavern, Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill Mon 24th July - Lunch, Lots of Fun. Music and Santa Bookings: Claddagh office: 9249 9213

It is long overdue!

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We will Remember Martin By Lloyd Gorman

Martin O'Meara receiving his Victoria Cross

On July 21 it will be exactly 100 years since Irish born Australian Digger Martin O’Meara was personally decorated with a Victoria Cross medal by King George V at Buckingham Palace. In researching his book about O’Meara West Australia author Ian Loftus discovered original footage of that moment and was able to bring that brief moment in time to a wider audience today. It is impossible to know exactly the mind of a person we know so much but also so little about, but it is tempting to speculate that it must have been a highlight for this quiet and private individual.

Certainly the people of Lorrha in County Tipperary where he was born and raised were proud of his achievement.

The Victoria Cross is the highest decoration for bravery that any Australian, British or Commonwealth could win and is only awarded jealously. VC winners or rather recipients - are an exclusive and elite group with high regard for them. O’Meara was a private - the lowest rank in the army - when his actions earned him the medal. Despite his low rank all other soldiers and officers and even the top brass would salute him. As well as personal prestige the medal also brought honour on the regiment of the service man to whom it was given.

I seem to recall somebody telling me – I think it might have been Fred Rea – that O’Meara had told his mother that he was going to win a Victoria Cross medal for her. That may or may not be true and while we don’t know exactly what O’Meara thought about his VC but he would have been acutely aware of its value to him and those around him - even if he chose not to use it in that way. The army routinely used VC winners to promote the war effort and drive enlistment campaigns. O’Meara enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Collie, WA where a rose garden was dedicated to his memory and service on Remembrance Day 1990. He signed up because he wanted to do his bit. It was the saving of life rather than killing that earned O’Meara his VC. By the time he signed up and was shipped out to

war O’Meara had missed the Gallipoli campaign, but he arrived in time to take part in the fighting on the Western Front which was a much bloodier and costly conflict.

During four days of very heavy fighting and bombardments in early August 1916 (9 to 12) at Mouquet Farm O’Meara went into “no man’s land” again and again, each time carrying back wounded Australian soliders who otherwise would have died in the mud and blood of the murder zone between the opposing trenches. O’Meara’s life was in constant

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danger from shell bursts, snipers or stray bullets, landmines and the terrifying risk of being swallowed whole by pools of quicksand – made up on water and mud – into which many were lost and never found again.

Between his mercy dashes into no man’s land O’Meara also volunteered to carry ammunition and bombs to parts of trenches under ferocious bombardment by the Germans.

O’Meara was injured during his time at Mouquet farm and again twice in April and August 1917 at Bullecourt and Messines respectively.

It was around this time and after he was decorated by the King in Buckingham Palace that O’Meara was able to return to Ireland and his home, for what would be the last time.

The Lorrha community made a big fuss about his return and organised a collection for him from the local and surrounding parishes. O’Meara – a devout Catholic – donated the money towards the restoration of Lorrha Abbey but because that project was too big, it went instead to repairing the existing parish church. O’Meara was feted during his visited back to Lorrha in October-November 1916, but seems to have received much less of a welcome when he returned again in 1917. The money was raised during his 1916 visit.

After a relatively short visit he slipped away quietly and eventually wound up coming back to Western Australia in November 1918. Unfortunately his return to Australia marked the beginning of a terrible and lonely life for the Irishman.

Signs of mental health problems – no doubt as a result of the strain of war – started to emerge as he and other soldiers were kept in quarantine at Woodman Point upon their return, because of fears of spreading Spanish Influenza.

O’Meara would spent the rest of his life in local asylums and hospitals. A parliamentary inquiry was held when it was revealed he was restrained in a straight jacket for 17 years.

But the probe succeeded in changing very little. His time in a straight jacket only in very early 1920s – he was mostly unrestrained during most of his hospitalisation.

He died on December 20, 1935 aged 50, unmarried. He received a war hero’s funeral with full military honours in Karrakatta cementery and was reported in the press. His coffin was carried by a number of other VC medal owners.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Museum of Western Australia, Fremantle and a mess in the nearby Irwin Barracks is named after him.

On Saturday July 22nd at 3pm, a special service will be held at his (now) heritage listed grave in Karrakatta cemetery which is open to anyone who would like to attend. A similar event a few years ago involving the Irish and Australian communities proved to be very moving. Please refer to the Irish Scene website or facebook page for details closer to the time.

For anyone who would like to learn more about Martin O’Meara I would suggest reading Ian Loftus’s 2016 book: “The most fearless and gallant soldier I have ever seen : the story of Martin O’Meara, Australia’s only Irish-born Victoria Cross recipient of the First World War” or googling more about him.

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'For most conspicuous bravery.

During four days of very heavy fighting he repeatedly went out and brought in wounded officers and men from "No Man's Land" under intense artillery and machine gun fire.

He also volunteered and carried up ammunition and bombs through a heavy barrage to a portion of the trenches, which was being heavily shelled at the time.

He showed throughout an utter contempt of danger, and undoubtedly saved many lives.'

100th Anniversary Commemoration Karrakatta Cemetery Saturday 22nd July at 3pm at the Graveside of Martin O'Meara

Page sponsored by

PERTH CENTRE

Jessica Stojkovski MLA

Laois looks to Australia for its Roses

By Lloyd Gorman/Fred Rea The locals of the Irish midlands county Laois have good reason to be optimistic about their prospects in the 2017 International Rose of Tralee festival in August.

Indeed, the folk of Mountmellick in particular have twice as much to celebrate than normal - and Australia has more than a small part to play in their hopes.

Kerrie-Ann Barnes was one of ten young women to put themselves forward as candidates to become the Perth Rose in 2017. “I work at the Cottesloe Rugby Club, there’s loads of Irish there. I don’t play but I do support.

I work at the bar, they were happy when I said I was putting my application in and they were delighted when I said I won to represent Perth,” Kerrie-Ann said.

If the rugby club community were thrilled for her, then her family - and extended family in Mountmellick - were also more than a bit excited about her selection as the Perth Rose.

Kerrie-Anns father is English and she was born in Plaistow in East London but her mum - an O’Neill - is from Mountmellick and her grandfather is from Portalington, also in Laois.

Her mother moved to England at the age of 17 and they have been livMaeve Dunne the Sydney Rose ing in Australia for the also from Laois

Kerrie-Ann Barnes celebrates with with her sponsors from Legal HQ, Lindsay Ahern and Vicki Buckley

last 12 years. “Its been about that time since I’ve been back to Ireland,” she added. “I was six or seven last time I saw the Irish side of the family. I’ll go over a bit earlier, at the start of August to spend time with family. There’ll be loads of hugs in Mountmellick. Mum is going, mum’s sister, nanny is going and my dads’ mum and her friend and a couple of other people are going as well, so I’ll have loads of support. Mum and dad's phones haven’t stopped ringing. I was shocked when I was selected at the Perth Rose, I didn’t know what to expect but now I’m really looking forward to the whole thing, the whole experience and being a part of something that is really special. Over the last three motions and taking part in events here in Perth has already been amazing. I’ve met such a lovely group of girls who I know I’ll be friends with for a very long time. We’ve had a lot of events to-

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

SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMIT

Y

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gether including an amazing boat trip and lots of bonding sessions. Its been really good a sisterhood type event, not your typical pageant king of thing.”

That special connection extended to another Australian Rose with whom this teacher in training shares another commonality. “I’ve talked with other Roses, the Sydney Rose through instagram and stared to connect a lot more and starting to follow each other on faceboook, before we go to Tralee, building up a friendship. For the first time ever, the Laois Rose is from Mountmellick and she happens to be my cousin’s really good friend. So we have two girls from Mountmellick and the town is really happy.”

Maeve Dunne is the Sydney Rose. The 26 year old beat stiff competition from 15 other girls in the selection finale in the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel in May. Maeve - a NUI Galway graduate - returned to Ireland recently after spending two years living and working in Sydney. No doubt the two ‘Aussies’ will be a formidable twosome. Watch out Tralee!

Kerrie-Ann thanked everyone involved, from her employers - the Cottesloe Rugby Club and Priceline - and their customers/patrons for their support with a special thanks to her Rose sponsor Your Legal HQ. She also paid tribute to the Carl Holmes and the Rose committee for their tireless work and commitment and everyone involved in organising the Rose Ball which was a tremendous and well attended function. She said her mum had influenced her to try in the first place and she said she loved the support of her family and friends. But she also said that while she looked forward to representing Perth she would also be representing the other Rose candidates who had become her friends.

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Confirming Our Heritage

By Marie Moloney

I have recently returned from a visit to Dublin, where I was born and spent the first 18 years of my life.

Walking through the streets of inner Dublin my mind often drifted back to childhood memories. My mother and her sister Kathleen who were inseparable, each had a commitment to “respectability”. A decent hat and coat for Sunday mass, funerals and any other special occasions that occurred, were a must. These were replaced after several years by new items and relegated to everyday use. Another proof of this respectability were the homes of the sisters and their families, two small rooms each, one on Wellington Quay the other on Parliament Street, both in houses with closed hall doors. This elevated them from the many tenement houses in the area which all had open hall doors.

Many of the tenement houses have been replaced by apartment buildings. Ireland is now also a country with a large migrant population contributing their culture to

1960’s and 70’s. Some of these have passed away but there are still many who are alive and now elderly.

Ageing can bring various challenges to many of us. For migrants, there can be the additional sadness of thinking of relatives and friends far away, who are also old or have already died. Sometimes as migrant’s age they think more about their country of origin and reminisce about the past. The people who were dear to them, the places they miss, the poignant acceptance that the place we left is not the place we return to visit. The country we leave is never exactly the same when we return, it has changed and we have also changed, although we may not be aware of the changes in ourselves. Sometimes these facts are only slowly realised in later years. The gain is so obvious and something that most of us would not change, but part of being a migrant is being aware of

Dublin Airport in the 60s

The Epic Museum

the local ethos.

One of the highlights of my time in Dublin was a visit to a new museum which celebrated its first birthday on the 6th of May 2017. The Epic Museum is the story of people who have left Ireland to settle in various parts of the world, and the impact they have made. There are about 70 million people around the world who claim Irish heritage and ancestry. This museum is an amazing testimony of the influence we Irish have wherever we go. We do not shed the culture of our country of origin like a skin when we move to live in another country.

That is why Australia has the rich diverse and ever changing ethos for which it is renowned. The richness of Irish culture brought here by Irish migrants from first settlement to present day is evident in our community.

A significant number of Irish people came to Australia during the period of high immigration in the

the loss of that place that is gone forever.

Loss of family experiences is also part of the fabric of the migrant life journey, alongside the knowledge that it was a necessary part of the gain we have achieved.

Thoughts of people who have been a part of our lives for a while, family ties that were never forged. But the culture we grew up in is still part of who we are, and is being absorbed through future generations of our families into the local ethos. This Irish contribution to Australian culture has been ongoing for generations.

Now after forty eight years I know that migrants pay a big price for the choice to live the Australian way of life. There are so many stories that could be told for the benefit of future generations of Australians to enlighten them of the lives of their ancestors and provide more than a name on a birth certificate.

Editor: Marie got me interested in the Epic Museum in Dublin and it has some wonderful evocative artwork.

The story on page 51 is from the website by Jerome Devitt has a very interesting take on Ned Kelly….

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Ned Kelly & Billy The Kid: Folk Heroes or Villians

By Jerome Devitt

‘Should we feel a duty to side with them as children of Irish migrants, even though their victims were also often Irish?’

Trying to decide whether iconic figures from history were heroes or villains can reveal a lot about the type of historian you are. Your decision will depend heavily on the types of source that are available to you, and how you interpret those sources. You’ll need to decide if you find the idea of an underdog using violence to fight against the authority of the state appealing, or whether the story should be told with the lawmen, like Pat Garrett in New Mexico or Superintendent Hare in Glenrowan, Victoria, as the central figures.

Both the Kid and Kelly had troubled youths and are easy to sympathise with, having lost parents in their teens. Both slipped into criminality early; Billy was a ‘cattle rustler’ and Ned a ‘bushranger’ and bank robber.

Both resorted to vigilante justice, which in modern terms is highly questionable, but at the time was far more common, perhaps even understandable on the ‘wild’ frontiers.

Should we feel a duty to side with them as children of Irish migrants, even though some of their victims were also Irish? Do the dozens of movies, ballads and novels about both men distort our views in a way that makes an objective decision almost impossible?

The ‘lawmen’ they were up against were no angels either. Australian Constable Fitzpatrick, who testified against the Kelly gang, was known as ‘a liar and a larrikin’, whereas Garrett shot Billy the Kid twice from the shadows rather than risk the fugitive carrying out another jail break.

The jury at Garrett’s inquest decided his actions were a ‘justifiable homicide’, and the Las Vegas Daily of 18 July 1881 thought he was ‘truly worthy of a handsome reward’ for ridding the country of a ‘desperado’. There were few neutrals in either story.

Ultimately, trying to answer this kind of question might reveal far more than you think. If you’re more interested in working out the reasons their parents were forced to leave Ireland in the first place, how those emigrants were received in their adopted countries, or want to understand the broader context of those

societies, then you’re probably a historian.

If all you want to do is tell a glitzy story of a plucky underdog that uses violence to get their way, you’re probably better off looking for work as a film producer.

There’s likely to be more money in that anyway…

Visit the website epicchq.com or better still on your next visit to Dublin visit the museum and take a “Journey Through Irish History”. You will find “Jim Stynes – how a Rathfarnham boy became an Australian icon”, and you will read: At the First Congress of the French Language in Quebec City, on June 25th, 1912, Thomas Quinn thanked the FrenchCanadian people for their generosity. In a speech entitled “Une Voix d’Irlande” (A Voice of Ireland), he declared in French: “It was in 1847. A famine, even worse than the one which had preceded it, threatened the Irish people with total extinction. The most astonishing part of the awful spectacle was, not to see the people die, but to see them live through such great distress. Like walking skeletons they went, in tears, seeking hospitality from more favoured lands. Stirred with compassion, FrenchCanadian priests, braving the epidemic, contended for the glory of rushing to their relief. I still remember one of these admirable clergymen who led us to the bedside of my dying father. As he saw us, my father with his failing voice repeated the old Irish adage, ‘Remember your soul and your liberty’.”

The Epic Museum is just 8 minutes-walk from O’Connell Bridge. Walk east from the Bridge along Eden Quay with the River Liffey on your right. Continue along Custom House Quay straight past the historic Custom House until you see an arch on the left, beside CHQ. The entrance to EPIC is beside this arch.

Fred Rea

“I don't blame you for writing of me as you have. You had to believe other stories, but then I don't know if any one would believe anything good of me anyway.” ―Billy the Kid 51

VALE Vin Garbutt 1947 – 2017

British folksinger and musician, Vin Garbutt has died aged 69. Vin was a regular visitor to Australia and was last here in February 2016 where he played a memorable concert at the Fly by Night Club in Fremantle.

I had the pleasure of presenting Vin in many concerts, first in the UK Folk Clubs in the 60s and then here in Australia from 1980 onwards.

Vin was a one off unique in many ways. What you saw is what you got.

He was the same person on and off the stage talking and laughing with people who bought his CDs after the concert. Vin always had time for people posing for photos and explaining songs. His joviality was infectious.

Vin songs were written with great sincerity and compassion and often had an edge of protest in them. His introductions to his songs were delivered with insanely funny ramblings and deftly cared out plots and twists which often

brought delighted applause before he had sung a note. Vin was an extremely warm person and was always generous in giving other artists songs and bringing them to the attention of club organisers and promoters.

Vin would always raise his glass up to the audience and say “All the best!” Well he was one of the best.

His songs, his musicianship and his humanity along with his wonderful sense of humour . I doubt we will see his like again and he will be sorely missed.

Vin is survived by his wife Pat and four children.

Richard Collins Editor: I concur with Richards comments. Along with Lilly who I add was reluctant to go to the concert in January 2016 we were mesmerised by Vin. There was something about that concert that told me it might be our last chance to see this beautiful man.

Early in his career he visited Ireland, where his mother was from, all the time learning reels, collecting songs and honing his style. From an obituary I read… ‘He could sing the most sensitive, painful song, about unemployment, injustice or green

issues, but often prefaced it with a long, witty monologue that had his audience in fits of laughter’.

One of his finishing songs was “Your welcome was so warm” performed with lots of emotion and one could sense that he was saying goodbye!

Thanks to our daughter Fiona for gifting us the tickets to Vins's concert.

One of Vin's songs...

Your welcome was so warm I never did expect it I was wary of life’s winter With the spring yet undetected And your welcome was so warm Its so many years in truth That I travelled that great distance Just a sad and lonely youth When I first met your acquaintance And your welcome was so warm Well Vin, that photo I took of you in Fairbridge and you so kindly signed hangs proudly in my home.

I was delighted to make your acquaintance and your beautiful music lives on.

Slan abhaile a Chara!

Fred Rea

Photo at Jackadders Lake in Woodlands during Vin's last visit: L to R: Richard Collins, Vin Garbutt, Helen Collins and Pat Garbutt.

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Maria Forde Perth

As an Irish- Australian, Maria Forde has always straddled both sides of her heritage in her songwriting.

Incorporating the sweet melodies, that are the trademark of the Irish musical heritage, with observations of Australia, along with her personal experiences, Maria has blossomed into one of Australia’s premier songwriters. Her first album – ‘Will you dance with me’ featured the title song, written for a friend’s wedding, that has become a theme for weddings, in Australia and internationally, by Maria’s original and various cover versions.

The trend, in Maria’s writing, to incorporate both her Irish origins and Australian sensibilities, are heralded by ‘Waltzing Matilda, My Darling’ - a song about the torn spirits of the immigrant to both

their country of birth and their adopted land, Australia.

Her sophomore release, ‘Dark Island’ like the title, exhibited noir attitudes, as Maria broached topics such as child abuse, the innocence of childhood, and family relationships. Since relocating to Trentham, in rural Victoria, Maria has begun to incorporate more of the wonder and fragility of the Australian bush into her work. Throughout her career, Maria has toured constantly, performed at numerous festivals and built a solid and dedicated fan base, both

in Australia, and internationally.

In April 2015 Maria was awarded ‘Performer of the Year’ by the Koroit Celtic Festival

Maria appearing at: Wanneroo Folk Club - 14th July 2017

Dorchester Hall (Cnr Dugdale) Warwick and doors open 7:30pm music from 8pm $10 ($8 WAFF Members) Email: John at johndralph@Hotmail.com AND

SHAMROCK & THISTLE CONCERT

Saturday, July 15th, 7.30pm. Doors open at 7.00pm The Irish Club, Townshend Road, Subiaco - Tickets - $20 To Book: https://www.trybooking.com/QMIX / https://www.trybooking.com/289559 Also available at the door if not sold out.

Contact Jamie on 0418334513 for further information

Dermot Byrne

The Irish Quiz Wiz! a.k.a. Dermot from Lesmurdie on ABC radio Nightlife program.

So how did you go on the Pot Luck questions? As I said you can have it when there is nothing else. This time we’ll try questions on the human body and as most of you have one of those, you should be alright. Dermot 1. What bodily function can reach speeds of 200 MPH? 2. How many bones do you have in your hand?

3. How many times thicker is blood than water?

4. What was George Washington’s false teeth made of?

5. What did Otto Titzling invent?

6. What is the Most frequently broken bone in the body?

7. Who would you use the Heimlich Manoeuvre on?

8. What does the Binet Test measure?

9. What was Viagra first developed to treat?

10. What do nictitating women do to men?

Answers: 1.A sneeze,2.27, 3.6 times, 4.Wood, 5.The brassiere, 6.The clavicle or collar, 7.Someone who was choking on food, 8.Intelligence, 9.High blood pressure, 10.Wink at them

53

By Lloyd Gorman

TeleStationTeleNation

Docos, cartoons, talkshows and movies with an Irish accent

By Lloyd Gorman

It is hard to believe but in September it will be five years since Irish woman Jill Meagher lost her life so brutally in a murder that shook Australia - and Ireland.

Conviction on ABC on May 2 was a an intensive and riveting study of how detectives brought her killer to justice. The doco was also winner of the 2017 Logie for the most outstanding factual or documentary programme. A heart breaking subject but one which the film makers dealt with well.

The 1997 movie The Devils Own is about an IRA man (Brad Pitt) who goes into hiding and is taken in (unknowingly) by an Irish American cop (Harrison Ford).

The opening action scene is set in Belfast (1972) but was actually shot in Inchicore in Dublin and of course there is a strong Irish theme throughout. The dying words of Pitts character to Ford’s are: “I told you, its not an American story, its an Irish one”.

Aussie station Channel 9 bought the rights for Garda Down Under from RTE last year and started

screening the documentary series about former Gardai now in the employ of the West Australian Police Service on May 7.

Later that night there was a familiar face on One, as part of Freddie Flintoff’s latest TV series The Gloves are off. The former English cricketer pushes his sporting abilities to the max by getting into the boxing ring. He is coached and trained by (Finbar Patrick) Barry McGuigan and his son. McGuigan was born in Clones, County Monaghan and his late father Pat used to sing “Danny Boy” before his boxing matches.

McGuigan - who boxed as an English national - became a national hero in Ireland in the 1980’s and 1990’s for his prowess and victories in the ring.

The Food Channel (May 10) showed another episode of Australian TV chef Lyndey Milan’s Taste of Ireland where she picked up a local recipe for seafood chowder.

Her Irish show takes her from Belfast to Cork, Mayo, Fermanagh, Waterford, Galway, Dublin and finishes with her returning to Australia where she puts some of the know how she picked up in Ireland into cooking up a feast for friends.

Dublin ‘comedian’ Brendan O’Carroll was a guest on the Graham Norton Show on TEN, on May 12. This was the episode where Norton (who hails from 54

Cork) shows O’Carroll how fanatical some of the fans of Mrs Browns Boys are, including one guy who had his back covered in tattoos of the sitcoms main characters.

“It looks like we’ve signed them but we haven’t, they’re not our signatures” said O’Carroll. “He must have got them off something else and tattooed them in every way. I mean, that is, if he’s watching get a f**cking life.” The audience and panel clapped and laughted initially but O’Carroll - quite rightly I think suffered a major backlash on social media in particular for slagging off a big fan.

The Science of Stupid on GO (May 15) is presented by former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond and uses funny clips taken from the internet to explain scientifically why things go the way they do. One of the clips they used in this episode was taken from the Maid of Lough Erne Festival in Kesh, of a box car crashing out of control. The same episode also showed some footage of some kids goofing around in what was the then ACE cinema in Subiaco. A new hotel and office block is now being built there.

Foyles War was also being shown again on 7Two on this day.

A couple of seasons of this war time drama are shot in Ireland (if you look closely you might recognise some locations) but the new season which is coming out soon is filmed back in ‘Blighty’.

On May 22 back over on the Food Channel we were ‘Following

Donal’ (Skehan from Dublin) to Italy where he was discovering exotic and interesting ingredients and recipes such as Beetroot gravlax with crisp breads and picked cucumbers. The 1981 movie Excalibur was on new station Viceland on May 24 which features a number of Irish actors and faces, including a young Liam Neeson.

English filmmaker John Boorman made this film in the National Film Studios (Ardmore, Bray, Co. Wicklow), and shot it in parts of Wicklow, Kerry and Tipperary whose mountains, lakes, forests and landscape made a perfect backdrop for this fantasy flick.

Boorman obviously enjoyed the setting because he chose to live in Ireland. He still lives in the picturesque and semi-reclusive Annammoe, in Co. Wicklow near Glendalough. He is a neighbour of Daniel Day Lewis who has also

lived there for a long time, and who just recently announced that his acting career - which includes the brilliant My Left Foot - has now finished.

Back on the Graham Norton Show (TEN, May 26) actor Michael Fassbender - who was born in Germany but raised in Killarney Co. Kerry - had cause to remember and then re-enact some Breakdance moves, which he was quite good at. He remembered that there was a breakdance club in the part of

Kerry where he grew up, while a younger guest on the panel didn’t know what Breakdance was. Still

with the GNS on June 2, Irish singer Imelda May launched her new album Life Love Flesh Blood. She told quite a funny story about how her father took the family on a trip to Europe and how they camped underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Released in 1954 Fire Over Africa had Maureen O’Hara in the lead female role as the character of Macdonald Carey, a spy in Tangiers. Looking at her then it is easy to see how the beautiful and smouldering red head was one of the biggest celebrities and sex symbols of her time.

Interestingly the boat at the start of the film that carries her is called “Banshee”.

On June 5 NITV ran a really excellent film ‘Black and White’ (2002) about the true story of Aboriginal man Max Stuart who was convicted (wrongly) for the murder of a white child. The job of defending him against immense odds was taken up by an Irish lawyer who had recently moved from Dublin to Australia, David O’Sullivan.

The character of O’Sullivan was played

by Scottish actor Robert Carlyle who has had roles in everything from Trainspotting to the Full Monty. While the Scottish and Irish accents are not a million miles apart it has to be said - and my wife agreed - that the Dublin accent he put on and held throughout was impeccable. As a Dubliner, myself I’d have been hard pressed to find fault with any of it, the inflexions and language were done brilliantly.

On June 7 House Hunters International was back in Belfast 55

(the show was in Dublin and Belfast in the last edition of TSTN) with Belfast boy and academic Ciaran Burke looking for a home for him and his American wife Sydney.

While I have been dipping in and out of Michael Portillo’s Great Railway Journeys on SBS I didn’t catch the one where he is in Ireland.

An old neighbour and friend who called in told me it had been on in early June. It is possible to see some or all of the former British politician through the SBS website or searching for it on YouTube.

On June 14, Irish stand-up comedian Andrew Maxwell was a guest on Russell Howards Comedy Central on ABC 2.

Maxwell is a seasoned comic and genuinely funny. Meanwhile, on June 24 another Irish comedian, this time an emerging talent Chris Kent from Cork was also on the same show.

A pretty good story from this newcomer about growing up with his brother. Its always great to see a new crop of talent emerge. Just in case you are interested Russell Howard will be doing two shows in Perth at the Riverside Theatre ion June 15 and 16. Without doubt he is one stars of the comedy world at the moment and a favourite of my wifes, so I think he does appeal to both the male and female markets.

The big action movie with an even bigger cast - The Expendables - on 7Two on June 19 rounded off with a live version of Thin Lizzy’s The Boys are Back in Town which I haven’t heard before.

Just a word to recognise the large number of cartoons and kid’s programmes which have been on

our screens lately and which are or have been made in full or part in Ireland. These include Peter Rabbitt, Octonauts, Driftwood Bay, Sydney Sailboat and the Skinner Boys (Irish and Australian), The Day Henry Met…. and Little Roy. Baby Jake and Captain Flynn and the pirate dinosaurs. Go Jetters were in Ireland visiting the Giants Causeway while a recent Simpsons break out into a full rendition of Riverdance in an episode comparing Protestan Heaven and Catholic Heaven.

Funny stuff again.

Thanks to RAGE on ABC got to see the video for Ed Sheeran’s Galway Girl.

Have to say I really enjoyed the video and the really good exposure and sense it gives of the City of Tribes and Saoirse Ronan is well cast as the female love interest. Sheeran is obviously a talented singer and songwriter but unfortunately, I wouldn’t rate his Galway Girl as a great song at all.

Mundy’s song of the same name is much better. But if you’d like to see the music video - for either song just search for it on YouTube.

Sadly, this column ends of on a sad note with the sudden death of Darren Simpson in late June. The Northern Ireland chef started worked in the Roscoff restaurant in Belfast, starting as a teenager, from 1992 to 1999. He was then headhunted to become the head chef of Aqua Luna Bar and Restaurant at Sydney’s East Circular Key. Simpson made a name for himself outside the kitchen and was a popular and regular judge and participant on TV shows such as My Restaurant Rules and Ready Steady Cook.

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper’s chief restaurant Critic, Terry Durack, praised Simpson’s influence on the local food scene, saying “he brought something new to Sydney”.

“He brought that cocky Irish charm to everything he did, but was actually a big old softie inside,” Mr Durack wrote.

The cause of death of the 39 years old was reported as an alcohol addiction related illness. He is survived by his wife Julie and sons Angus, 14, and Hamish, 12. RIP.

Ireland Never Leaves You © Tom Grace

I saw a mother crying in an airport yesterday She was crying for her children they were going far away And I wondered how old Ireland feels with this happening day and night On boats and other transport as the plane flies out of sight.

Chorus: Oh cry not Mother Erin and listen unto me Though they’re leaving your green shores now In their hearts you’ll always be.

Excited now but saddened as they leave their native home In search of some employment as around the world they roam They may find it there in London, New York of Sydney town But their hearts are feeling heavy as they bank their first earned pound.

If only work was plenty in the place where they were born They would never have to wander or face the homesick storm But listen while I tell you, a statement Oh so true You might be leaving Ireland but old Ireland won’t leave you.

She’ll grow and hold onto your heart with a grip as strong as steel To guide you through the lonely days for she knows how you feel And when the memories keep on coming back of fun fill days now gone With you drinking pints of Guinness, the session and the song Just remember all the sad times too with you queuing for the dole If you hadn’t moved out when you did you might have lost your soul.

Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 Hillarys WA 6923

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

Tel (08) 9401 1900 • Fax: 9401 1911 • Mob: 0413 337 785 56

WEEKLY SESSION

Seán Doherty Branch

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

Page Sponsored by: Reid’s Bootmakers

EVERY MONDAY AT THE IRISH CLUB

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

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

The Comhaltas Music Camp was held 12th – 14th May, 2017 at the Bickely Outdoor Recreation Camp.

It was a great day for all the family with music sessions and workshops going on almost non-stop. Marina also ran other fun (but non-musical) activities for the kids. Thanks to all who help with workshops.

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

57

appears that everyone there is aware that the local Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), a socially conservative group dedicated to keeping Northern Ireland tied to Britain, is in talks with Theresa May to prop up her Government. It appears that some people in Northern Ireland are not happy about this situation. Well they wouldn’t be would they? With the vote for Brexit being around 50%, no matter where they go from here, a lot of people are going to be unhappy; a typical Northern Irish situation, I would say. Of course the D.U.P. is pro- Brexit and this is not a good outcome for those who are anti-Brexit.

Gerry Adams has already approached the British Prime Minister Teresa May telling her of his misgivings of this alliance and further suggesting that she is “in breach of the Good Friday agreement” by trying to agree a deal with the DUP to support her minority Tory Government in the House of Commons.

Twenty years ago, this deal would have led to a lot of trouble and I have heard from various friends that political tensions in the North are quite high at present. The power-sharing arrangement between the DUP and their republican rivals Sinn Fein in the local assembly broke down earlier this year and still hasn’t been restored. It will be interesting to see how far the province has progressed in this regard.

Some people think that the controversy over the deal will depend on what the DUP demand from Theresa May; money, of course and probably aid for roads, schools and hospitals; the usual demands. Surely they

ULSTER

s e l b m a R with David

UK hung parliament puts Northern Ireland unionists in the global spotlight

In all my time writing for the Irish Scene, I have earnestly tried to avoid politics. Why, you might well ask? Mostly because I believe the topic should be discussed, rather than written about. Of course you need to read a lot to understand what is going on and even then, when talking about Ulster, it may not be that easy to comprehend.

I was very disillusioned when I ran for a political position at Queens University in the late sixties. I was up for the position of House Secretary; an executive position and quite prodigious (the position I mean).

I was politically naïve and completely apolitical at the time and was upset when later I discovered that I had won, not on my ability but on a religious ticket.

Bernadette Devlin was on the same committee if you can remember that name from so long ago and Rory McShane was our president.

After that experience, I have never delved into politics since so it is with great reluctance that I write about it today. I have always believed that you need to ‘live” in the country if you are going to express a worthwhile opinion about it. Therefore I hope to keep this article suitably vague.

The headlines from over there at the time of writing are as follows.

UK hung parliament puts Northern Ireland unionists in the global spotlight.

In Belfast’s biggest market, everyone’s got an opinion on the United Kingdom’s hung parliament....

Now why, I ask myself would they rely on peoples’ opinion from a market, no matter how big. I suppose it was meant to be as close as you can get to a random sample.

The election is big news in Belfast and the North, which has been thrust into the international spotlight after the shock election outcome in the U.K. It

have enough sense not to go backwards and ask for silly rules over flags and parades.

Lastly what about the border? It is difficult to imagine how Brexit could work without one, yet everyone agrees that it must be avoided at all costs. Certainly it will take a lot of cooperation from all sides if any plan has a chance of success.

Over the years of writing for the Irish Scene I have mentioned the towns of Downpatrick, where I was born and the nearby town of Killyleagh where I lived until eleven years old. Nowadays, this undulating country route heading south from Killyleagh to Downpatrick crosses an invisible unionist/nationalist divide over which Theresa May’s precarious, political future is now suspended. The town of Killyleagh is the last predominantly Protestant settlement in the Westminster constituency of Strangford. At the general election, the seat was held by the Democratic Unionist party MP Jim Shannon with an increased majority.

Looking to Hire a Car in Ireland?

www.dan-dooley.ie 58

Six miles further on, the road enters the mainly Catholic Downpatrick, in the constituency of South Down. Once held by Enoch Powell, (left) the former Conservative minister who became an Ulster Unionist MP, it was captured for the first time last week

by Sinn Féin. Responses to May’s proposed “marriage” with the DUP diverge sharply between the two towns – from enthusiasm to derision – but on an island where deal-making and coalitions flourish, there is acknowledgement that the accord has parliamentary precedents. Some people think that it will bring in more money for the Province but many others are sceptical of this idea.

On Killyleagh’s main street where lamp-posts are festooned with union jacks and Northern Irish flags, (if there is such a flag), a DUP voter hoped that a deal would deliver more jobs and maybe solve the breakdown in Stormont.

Personally I always thought that Unionists and loyalists fly the Union Flag and Ulster Banner to show their support for the union and/or their allegiance to Northern Ireland. Irish nationalists and republicans fly the Irish tricolour to show their support for a United Ireland. Some people are appalled at British media attacks on the DUP and the way everyone in Northern Ireland was denigrated but equally others think that it will showcase to the world just how daft the DUP is.

I always thought that the province was a particularly insular part of a small island on the very west of Europe. Not many people travelled ‘abroad’ fifty years ago. To get anywhere, you had to go to the mainland first. Things are different now. Travel is so much easier and less costly so everyone is just that little bit more educated and of course the media makes sure there is little that happens in the world we don’t know about.

The goodwill of the people of Northern Ireland may ultimately influence the longevity of any parliamentary deal: DUP politicians, close to their voters, are sensitive to grassroots opinion. Ironically, both sides are contributing to the prime minister’s survival.

The road south from Killyleagh skirts the edge of Strangford Lough, passing over drumlin fields – switchback hillocks carved by glaciers during the ice age. Beyond rich agricultural land, the Mourne Mountains, wreathed in cloud, rise up. The route is celebrated by Van Morrison (right) in his song Coney Island, which I wrote about recently. It ends with the euphoric line: “Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time?” Well we can all see that change is imminent.

We can only hope it will be change for the better.

On the hill beside Downpatrick’s Church of Ireland cathedral, where yours truly attended as a boy, stands the ancient reputed tomb of St Patrick.

An explanatory panel records that he was captured by pirates near his home in Britain in 432 and “sold into slavery” in Ireland. Some British voters may consider a DUP/Conservative deal in similar terms.

Others may point out that St Patrick’s adventures had a more positive outcome. There are always two very opposing sides in the North of Ireland and the majority in between.

Most of the above may well be moot by the time you read this as I do not expect Teresa May to be Prime Minister for very long. I also worry that people are getting tired of present day democracy. The old political system is dying. Most of the recent elections have turned up unlikely results. We have Trump in the U.S. Macron in France, Varadkar in Ireland, May in the U.K. and Turnbull in Australia and it appears some of these leaders are not likely to last long. But what do I know?

I predicted no sensible person would vote for Paisley and recently I predicted that no sensible person would vote for Trump.

Having said that, perhaps I have it wrong and Teresa and Arlene (Foster) will turn out to be successful bed-fellows although I do not see them getting out of this terrible mess the U.K. has got itself into. Thank goodness time heals all wounds if you let it run its course. I hope it will be sooner rather than later.

David McConnell

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59

The Elements of Life

strong tea and soda bread at about 3am in the morning.

This feasting was also interspersed with discussions on life and all of its complexities.

These were important nights and they have been forever ingrained in the databases of my brain.

Sometimes, when we are doing and enjoying the little things we don’t realise how important they were until we start to look back afterwards with the great power of hindsight. Life is very short and it is vitally important that we hammer the best out of it at every opportunity rather than standing back and marking time. Time wastes our bodies and our intellect, but we also waste time, so that makes us about even.

‘What is money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night - and in between does what he wants to do’ - Bob Dylan.

By Bill Daly

I came across an article recently which said that the European male, especially those in middle, senior management and self employed positions, are now working far longer hours that they used to previously.

They are spending less time with their families and more time with their work colleagues. I know that there are times when businesses are surging and the long hours have to be put in, but there is usually an antidote where hours can be relaxed back again.

One of the disturbing aspects of the latest findings is that, given a choice, more people want to spend longer time at the office. We need to watch this as we are mortal beings with a designated life span and the film of our lives can never be rerun for a second time. It brings to mind a little story conveyed to me some years ago by my Mother’s cousin.

In New York during the 1950’s he was invited to spend some time with friends who were servants in a large and prosperous house. At 11am on the first morning he was sitting in the indoor heated swimming pool with his friend, the Butler, and his wife the Housekeeper, enjoying some martinis. He was a bit puzzled and inquired as to where the owners of the house were. ‘Oh, replied the Butler, ’They haven’t got time to be here, they’re up in Wall Street trying to make more money’. The tragedy was that the servants were living off this life of luxury and the people that should have been enjoying it weren’t. Sometimes we have to stand back a mile and ask ourselves: ‘When is enough, enough?’

Billy passed away some years ago and I attended his funeral in a small country Church on a cold January morning a few miles outside Tallow in Co. Waterford.

During the Mass I reflected on how we had interfaced over the years and how he had also given me something for my own life. He was one of the generations who were forced to leave Ireland in search of work, and he spent the majority of his working life in England, New Zealand and Australia. Having never married, he returned home after 25 years to the people he had grown up with.

His passions were hunting, fishing and music and his cottage was like a little museum to house these pursuits.

I remember nights when my Brother and I would go flyfishing with him, many years ago, and afterwards return to Billy’s cottage where the freshly caught fish would be carefully cooked and served with copious amounts of

Bill Daly: Originally from Tallow in West Waterford, Bill spent 30 years in Cork as a Senior Manager in the Electronics Manufacturing industry with such companies as Apple, EMC and Logitech.

He has been working on his own as a Consultant/ Contractor in Manufacturing Operations and Materials for the past 18 years. He also attended UCC and has a BA Degree in Archaeology and Geography. Bill is now resident in Connemara, Co. Galway since 2009.

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half-light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet, Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

W. B. Yeats He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven.

NEED A HOME LOAN?

Call Nik Silsby on 0402 284 594 Lic No 387131

60

nsilsby@loanscafe.com

Join LUB THE C

the Pantry Dolls and their wonderful food. The increase in numbers coming in for dinner has enabled us to reinstate live music on Thursdays and Sundays, and at times it feels like the club I first joined some 15 years ago. It is great to see families and children in on a Sunday evening enjoying the food and the atmosphere!

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

From Sean Daly President of The Irish Club

As a gesture of appreciation for the support of the community through this difficult period, we have reduced the membership fee to $20 for the 2017-18 year. We hope to build our membership base again and draw more people into the club on a regular basis, as this is what will ensure the long term viability of the club.

Since the AGM last year, the energies of the committee have been completely absorbed by our efforts to stabilise the financial situation of the club. Although things were extremely tight at times, happily, we are now in a far better position than before. After exploring various options and some lengthy but unsuccessful negotiations with banks, we eventually managed to refinance through a private lender. This was finalised in March and allowed us to consolidate our finances into one loan with more favourable terms than our previous mortgage and overdraft arrangement with BankWest. We subsequently cleared most of our debts which was a great relief to all on the committee, and have even been able to spend money on upgrading the air conditioning! Full details will be available in the Treasurer's report at the AGM in August.

Going forward, we ask the Irish community to get behind the club and keep the momentum going.

There will be an AGM in August and this will be your opportunity to put your hand up and play a more direct role in the Irish Club. Most of the current committee have been there for at least three years and it is time for most of us to step aside and pass the baton to a new committee with the energy and enthusiasm to build on the progress made this year.

As always, members are welcome to call me on 0421 614 417, or just grab me for a chat sometime in the club. Look forward to seeing you all there!

Sean Daly President

The club is currently trading comfortably. The AFL season always brings more custom, but the biggest boost to bar takings in recent months has clearly been as a result of the positive response to

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

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday

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

Functions & Fundraisers Contact Club:

Tel: 93815213

Irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

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

61

IRISH CLUB SENIORS

SENIORS’ LUNCH

FREE TEA & COFFEE

available upstairs every night

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

Lunch at 1pm.

Bookings 9381 5213

AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2017

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

SCHOOL CONTACTS

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

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. Congratulations to the very successful Western Australian team of Irish dancers who competed in Queensland and Victoria during the months of May and June.

PACIFIC BELT FEIS Melbourne VIC - 27 - 28 May 2nd Orna Cawley 3rd Sahara Donelan 10th Layla Barnes AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL OIREACHTAS Gold Coast QLD - 2-4 June Sahara Donelan 2nd Georgia Western 7th Layla Barnes 9th Zoe Cahoon 1st Trad. Set Isabella Campeotto 3rd Stella Ashley 12th Niamh Mathers 23rd Adam Robinson3rd Isobel Ashley 12th Nancy Holohan 9th Trinity Ryan 13th Brittany Pymm 8th Dakota Courtney 1st Taylor Pymm 4th Aimee Chanter 6th Brittany Tyson 2nd Sian Fitzgerald 9th Shannon Kennedy 3rd McALEER FEIS Melbourne VIC 10-11 June Orna Cawley 1st Oisin Flannigan 1st Sahara Donelan 2nd Isabella Campeotto 2nd Sinead Daly 2nd Caoimhe McAleer 2nd Medbh Flanagan 9th Layla Barnes 10th Brittany Pymm 3rd Taylor Pymm 1st Brittany Tyson 2nd

Also congratulations to Isabella Campeotto who placed 1st at the Hong Kong Championships and 2nd Eire Championships.

If you would like to come along and see some of these amazing champions in action then please join us at one of our up coming premier events: WA STATE PREMIERSHIPS Saturday 29th July 2017 at the Morley Recreation Centre, Wellington Rd, Morley WA STATE TEAM & CEILI CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday 30th July 2017 at the Morley Recreation Centre, Wellington Rd, Morley WA STATE SOLO CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday & Sunday the 19th & 20th August 2017 at the Newman College Marist Auditorium, 216 Empire Ave, Churchlands For more information please see our Facebook page: /AIDA Western Australia

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

SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

Unaccompanied baggage Backpackers • Tourists • Windsurfers •Surfboards If you would like your baggage, suitcase, backpacks, windsurfers sent back to your home country/city while you tour australia 25 .

eople to e are the p

W

contact

YEARS EXPERIEN CE

We have been in the Perth International Airport for over 20 years and offer a money back guarantee service.

Please be aware the airlines will not accept any check-in baggage that weighs more than 32kgs in one item nor can you carry more than 7kgs on the aircraft.

EXPORTAIR UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE & CARGO

Phone: (618) 9477 1080 Fax: (618) 9477 1191

Phone Jarrad Lewis Mobile: 0411 081 311 jarrad@exportair.com.au

www.exportair.com.au 63

MEMBERSHIP Our new Membership year starts on July 1st, For a mere $10 you can become a member of Claddagh and support the work we do. Visit our website www.claddagh.org.au and select membership and join online.

WHO DO WE HELP?

The aim of the Association is to provide where possible support to the Irish Community and any person that may be associated with the Irish Community in Western Australia. We provide assistance with

Date for your Diary

Our Temporary Resident Support Project incorporates New Permanent Residents and those returning home to Ireland. We are hosting a FREE information event on Saturday 15th July at The Irish Club from 10am to 1pm. This is your opportunity to gain free advice on visa matters, tax issues, superannuation advice as well information on how to survive as a temporary or new permanent resident in WA. We will have a representative from Crosscare in Dublin also present to answer all your questions on returning home to Ireland. Come along and speak with the experts and meet other Irish community groups. Book your place at https:// claddaghassoc.eventbrite.com.au/

• Visits to hospitals, homes and prisons • Advocate on behalf of our clients • Host Seniors events and visits seniors at home and Program • Temporary Support Program • Repatriation • Support family/friends who come to visit the sick, injured, imprisoned

We are happy to talk confidentially to anyone struggling in WA and see how we or another organisation can offer assistance and operate a 24/7 support line – 0403 972 265.

Game of 25

A friendly game of 25 is held in the Irish Club each Monday evening from 7.30pm.

Liz O’Hagan, Coordinator

Crisis support:

0403 972 265

Senior’s Christmas in July Lunch The Mighty Quinn - 112 Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill Monday 24th July 2017 - 11.30am to 2pm Live Entertainment Members $10 - Non Members $20 Bookings at Claddagh office 9249 9213

CLADDAGH NEW OFFICE Our new magnificant office was opened by Hon Irish Consul Marty Kavanagh on Friday 23rd June.

(See photos of opening on next page).

The new office is at

Unit 13, 15 Bonner Drive in Malaga

New phone number is 08 9249 9213. admin@cladddagh.org.au

www.claddagh.org.au

Office hours are 9.30 to 5pm Mon to Friday.

Drop in for a cuppa.

Congratulations to co-founders of the Kevin Bell Repatraition Trust, Colin and Eithne Bell who have dedicated their lives to helping bereaved families after the death of their son.

They won £1 million in EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker.

McLoughlin Butchers Malaga Drop in and see our range of Irish prepared meats 58 Westchester Rd, Malaga WA 6090 mcloughlinbutchers.com.au Like us on facebook 64

At the opening of our new office Hon Consul Marty Kavanagh said that the Irish Government is very happy to support Claddagh and will continue to do so in the future. He added that we are seeing a bit more of people in trouble with the law, I suppose what is happening is that people are losing their jobs, the economy is gone and then losing their visa status, that creating a problem in itself.

Committee member, Tom Quinn spoke on behalf of the Claddagh Association President who was unable to attend.

In welcoming the Hon Consulate, sponsors, volunteers and supporters he emphasised that the committee are all volunteers and Claddagh have the equivalent of one fulltime staff member. He added: "We are now at the stage of being able to run an office for people to visit and utlilise. We have come a long way in 20 years and the environment we are working in continues to change".

Committee member, Peter McKenna again thanked all the sponsors for their ongoing support.

NEW OFFICE IN MALAGA OPENING

In conclusion, Liz O'Hagan, Coordinator said: "Our Temporary Residents Support Project which is aimed at temporary residents, new permanent residents and those looking to return to Ireland. The projects is to arm people with information so they can manage their lives during this period of temporary visa status and the like. Claddagh is being proactive in the hope we can reduce the number of people who find themselves in bother as a result of visa status. There will be a free information session on 15th July from 10am to 2pm at the Irish Club. Come along to our informal setting at any time between 10am and 2pm and chat to our experts about tax, visas, superannuation, returning to Ireland etc. Thank you to the Irish Government Emigrant Support Program for the funding for this project".

65

Award winning director Keith Farrell’s new movie features a daring art theft by two Irish students

COUP DE TATE

T

By JOHN HAGAN

he two young priests drew little attention as they strolled along the London streets that overcast April afternoon in 1956. Some of those they encountered smiled, others greeted them with a muted ‘Hello Father’, but luckily, no one approached them for a blessing or any spiritual advice, for these apparent clerics were art thieves in disguise - and on the run. A few days previously, Dubliner Paul Hogan and Galwegian, veterinary student, Bill Fogarty had perpetrated one of the greatest art heists of all time, from the Hugh Lane Collection at London’s prestigious Tate Gallery. They had stolen Berthe Morisot’s impressionist masterpiece, Jour d’Ete ( Summer’s Day ), which in today’s terms is valued in excess of $10 million.

Hugh Lane, a successful art dealer, and a former director of the National Gallery in Dublin, originally bequeathed his 39 work art collection, including Jour d’Ete, to Ireland. Later he made a second will in which he left all his paintings to London’s Tate Gallery. However, before he died on the Lusitania, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915, Lane wrote yet another will, maintaining that all his works were to remain in Ireland. Unfortunately, because this testament was unwitnessed, English courts refused to recognize it and so the paintings remained at the Tate. Dubliner, Keith Farrell, believes the English were quite arrogant about what they perceived as their rights to the paintings, saying things like, ‘We feel that they [Irish people] are not culturally aware enough to appreciate these works’. Over the decades which followed, there were numerous unsuccessful attempts by both the Irish art community and the Irish Government to have the collection returned to Ireland.

Forty one years later, Hogan and Fogarty decided to correct what they saw as unjust treatment by the English establishment. Hogan recalls the initial planning was based on the premise that normal behaviour attracts little attention. ‘I was an art student’, he recalls ‘--- and I had established certain rights in the [Tate] gallery --- I was a familiar figure so I was allowed to move through the gallery’.

According to Irish actor, Stephen Hogan, a nephew of Paul, the 66

painting Jour d’Ete was selected ‘because it was such a beautiful and powerful image and he [Paul] immediately connected with it’. The two would-be art thieves cased the building, noting the number of gallery attendants, when they took their tea breaks, how long the tea breaks lasted, and most importantly, how to escape with the painting. After all their researching, mid-morning of 12 April was chosen as the appointed date and time to strike.

Initially, Paul attempted to remove the painting from display, but because he couldn’t manage it before the attendant returned, both the robbers sat back down again and pretended they were just admiring Morisot’s masterpiece. When the attendant again departed, the painting was successfully removed and placed inside Hogan’s large portfolio container. Unhurriedly, they strolled through the Tate’s corridors and out the front door without any challenge. They had done it!

In order to gain the maximum publicity from the heist, the two students had arranged to have a photographer on the steps of the Tate to record the event. ‘They’d been smart enough to let the Irish news agency know they were going to do a political protest’, states Farrell. Captured in the historic photograph is Paul Hogan, wearing his brother’s coat, striding down the steps with the impressionist work of art under his arm. ‘I thought I would probably be overpowered’, he recalls, adding that, ‘We thought we might spend a few days in jail, but that would be it’.

With Hogan still cradling the painting, Fogarty hailed a passing cab and the two friends stepped in. Euphoria and relief coursed around their bodAuthor at King ies as they reclined on the back seat and laughed. information board in Moy

It was only when the taxi arrived at Piccadilly regrets about the escapade. ‘The whole point of the thing Circus that panic set in. What would they do was to kick-start negotiations’, he stated. ‘Because of what with the Morisot? Where could they hide it? we did, talks had to start and a settlement resulted. It is It was then that Hogan thought of the Irish the reason that some of the most famous paintings in the woman, Mary, he had met the previous night. world now hang in the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin’.

They headed to her flat and she agreed to Keith Farrell informs me that the script for the movie stow the picture under her bed as a short term has been written by Oscar nominated Irish writer Michael measure. ‘We didn’t want to keep it’, recalls Creagh, and the film will feature Irish actors Fionn O’Shea Hogan. ‘The whole point of the robbery was to in the role of Paul Hogan, with Sarah Greene as Mary. Farget people talking about the situation’. rell is hoping to go into production early next year, deNext morning, ‘the you-know-what hit the pending on funding arrangements. The film is scheduled fan’, reports Farrell. A photograph of Hogan exto be shot in Ireland, Liverpool and London. iting the Tate, painting under his left arm, was splashed across the front pages of the national, and international, broadsheets. To make matters worse, Paul Hogan was recognized as being the son of a prominent Irish, senior civil servant, Sarsfield Hogan, who was unappreciative of the publicity which his son’s ‘prank’ had brought on him and the family. Paul Hogan was now a wanted fugitive, as was his companion, Bill Fogarty. Time to don priestThe lights come, up the concert over the artist waves a last goodbye ly attire in the hope they The youthful audience applauds, excitement shining in every eye would not be recognized.

Their souls overflow with joy of music as they reluctantly realise they have to go Time to think as they padThey laugh and chatter and once more relive, their special moments in the show ded the lonely streets. At Their hearts are full with love of living as they walk out through that fateful door this juncture, Mary came to Hearts of youth, hearts of hope, taken, gone forever more their assistance by depositing the painting at the Irish Hidden in the milling crowd, a youth stands alone eyes cast down Embassy in London, which Intently staring at the bag by his feet on the ground was, at least symbolically Death’s dark shadow hovers, then stretches forth its vicious hand ‘Irish soil’. Jour d’Ete was Once again we bear witness to the depravity of man inhumanity to man subsequently returned to He looks up for a brief moment, a gaze of anger, malice, hate the Tate. With restitution Those close by feel foreboding but by then it is too late complete, Hogan and FogaA loud explosion that in an instant transforms joyful faces into fear rty were not charged with Taken in that fatal moment, gone forever, those so dear any criminal offence.

By 1959, three years afThe world becomes aware in silent horror, aghast at what has taken place ter the heist, agreement was Mums and dads in bewildered panic desperately searching for their children’s face reached between Ireland The agony of those sleepless hours, erratic heartbeat fuelled by fears and the UK that the paintThen the dreaded words are spoken, hope drowns in floods of tears ings would be shared, and Humanity looks on in helpless anguish, the mirrored shards of piercing pain in 1979 Hugh Lane director, The injustice of the loss of innocents, gone forever, never seen again Barbara Dawson, negotiated a ‘rotating arrangement’ The misfits and the malcontents are fertile ground for evil minds for the works. Six years later, Jour d’Ete was finally Promises of martyrdom for inhuman acts how can these fools be so blind displayed in Dublin, along If there is a paradise, beyond this existence in this increasingly so sad world with the 38 other pieces The only comfort that we can take, they are already there, those boys and girls in the original collection.

The man who walked this earth with love two thousand years or so ago Bill Fogarty passed away in Must hang his head in deepest despair at the heartlessness of this world we know 2002. Paul Hogan, now employed by Ireland’s Exports Sean Healy Promotions Board has no

In memory of Manchester

67

Where you can get Fine Art Irish Paintings in Perth?

In a previous issue of the Irish Scene we told the story of local Irish Fine art painter, Henry McLaughlin.

Henry’s career started as a Constable serving in the Northern Ireland in 1959. During his time in Londonderry, Henry met well known artist Arthur Twells, who proved to be one of the early inspirations for Henry’s artistic pursuits.

In Australia Henry joined the West Australian Police Force in 1970. Henry’s talents as a landscape artist were soon recognised by Mr. Athol Webb, Commissioner for the West Australian Police Force and thus Henry was given his first commission to paint a collection of works detailing Western Australia’s Historic Police Buildings which now hang in Police Headquarters and form part of Western Australia’s history.

Henry retired from the Police Force in 1982 to pursue his passion for creating fine works of art full time. His inspiration comes from such masters as Arthur Streeton, Hans Heysen and Leonard Long.

Henry’s skill has been fine-tuned over the years

and now includes works in acrylic, oils and watercolours and his works are collected throughout Australia and overseas.

Recently the Applecross Gallery and Henry agreed to do a joint show with Terry Cousins titled “People & Places” which ended on June 25th.

Five of Henry’s works were sold before the opening of the show with the largest selling for $15,500.

Henry has a loyal following and his Irish works are sort after and unique in that there are no other artists that paint Irish scenes in Western Australia.

When the former Irish Ambassador to Australia, HE Noel White returned to Ireland last year a gift of two of Henry’s paintings were presented to him and his wife Nessa Delaney. The Ambassador was overjoyed with the gift and they now proudly hang in their home in Ireland.

Owner of the Applecross Gallery John Platt told the Irish Scene, “We have been dealing with Henry for some 10 years under John & Angies Art and have had great success selling his paintings, they are much sought after”.

Pictured are some of Henry’s fine art paintings and you can view them at Applecross Art & Framing, 30 Ardross Street, Applecross or phone 0313 133 776.

British Travel are proud sponsors of the Perth Rose of Tralee and Congratulate 2017 winner KERRIE-ANN BARNES

Contact our team today for your next travel booking! res@britishtravel.com.au 1300 857 434 www.britishtravel.com.au Travel Agents License: 9TA 1055 • Travel Compensation Fund Member Australia: 7059 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Member: (AFTA) • ABN 65 08 124 5098

68

VALE

Noreen Sheehan

Ann McMahon

Pat Cullinane

You toiled so hard for those you loved.

You said goodbye to none, your spirit flew before we knew, your work on earth was done.

We miss you now, our hearts are sore, as time goes by we miss you more.

Your loving smile, your gentle face: no one can fill your vacant place.

Your life was love and labor.

Your love for your family true.

You did the best for all of us.

We will always remember you.

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!

I follow the plan God laid for me.

I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all...

I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way.

And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...

Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.

Don't shorten yours with undue grief.

Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

Devoted wife to Martin, beautiful mother to Frank, Nina, Aoife, Martin and Rachael and a loving grandmother of nine.

The world is a little sadder with Noreen's sudden and unexpected passing.

To Jack, Sean, Cathal and grandchildren Keenan and Erin our deepest condolences.

Ann was a larger than life character whose humour and kindness touched everyone who crossed her path. Her presence will be forever in our hearts.

Pat was a faith filled lady who will be sadly missed.

No doubt she will now be enjoying the company of her friends Nora and Sonia.

Rest in peace Pat. You will be sadly missed by your family and your many volunteer friends.

1947 - 2017

1949 - 2017

1944 - 2017

It is said, towards the end of our lives, we all ask ourselves the same three questions, in quiet reflection – did I live? did I love? did I matter? These three ladies lived, brought joy and fun everywhere they went with their humour and good nature. They loved – shared with their love their family and friends.

They mattered by touching the lives of those close to them, especially their family and there will be echoes and ripples in their legacy that will exist across generations to come.

R.I.P. 69

land of

&

Ireland

honey

Aut umnFires

I

By Sally Desmond

t’s that time of year again when my Mind’s Eye takes over and I live on two Continents. In one l am physically present but that is all- my subconscious mind is on the other side of the world. It’s a time when your friends start to look at you strangely as you burst into little snippets of long remembered verses like “Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness” etc.

It has been a glorious Autumn made better for me by the smell and the smoke of burn-offs. I know people don’t really like them but for me they evoke crisp days with a tinge of frost in the air and the smell of the first fires of winter on the mountains, the yellow gorse and the gathering of the swallows for their annual going. It all makes a special kind of magic.

There is a Mere locally with long avenues of many hued trees lining the water and as I walk there on a smokey crisp morning I always expect to see Tadg Sullivan and Timmy Leary looming out of the mist on their daily argumentative walk to the lake shore. That’s when uaigneas sets in and I have to have a serious talk with myself and realise that the leaves are not falling in Ireland “Get sense” I say, “go and live in your mind’s eye until the seasons change”.

I find everything more intense in Autumn maybe because it heralds an ending of the year. I seem to have been to enumerable funerals lately, some very sad and some that were celebrations of a life well lived. As the

Bible says, “God made everything suitable for its time”. He certainly got Autumn right.

Any of that dreaminess has very little recognition or meaning in the world of Cyber Space and every few days I have people ringing me to warn me that my world is going to come crashing down if I don’t allow them to upgrade my computer. Considering the Powers that Be cannot manage a census or keep peoples data safe or for that matter, keep trains and planes running, it ill behoves a little man telling me my world will come crashing down without his interference. Let’s all go back to the time people recognised a wrong answer even if it came out of a computer. These things are not Deities. They are only as good as the information fed into them, I was in a new four-wheel drive car last week. It did not have a key to start it because it recognised the driver. It had seat warmers and coolers and maps and a lady who asked you who you would like to ring because, of course, the car was connected to your phone?? Now obviously all the numbers you were likely to want had to be fed in but when my friend asked for a number the nice lady produced another one entirely- obviously didn’t recognise the tone of the voice. Wouldn’t that frustrate you if you were trying to contact someone on a journey. Not fool proof- any of this definitely not always right. l am going back to misty mornings and possible looming friends. Anyway, who in the name of all that is holy needs seat coolers in a car.

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

9309 9992

Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre Whitfords Ave, Woodvale 70

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

HERITAGE Australian-Irish Heritage Association IRISH CINEMA IN PERTH – INTERNATIONAL REVELATION FESTIVAL Irish Australian Film Festival sponsored by AIHA has partnered the Revelation Perth International Film festival to screen three new Irish films at Luna SX in Fremantle and Leederville during July 6 to 19.

Director of Irish Australian Film Festival Dr Enda V Murray will be special guest together with Hon Irish Consul Marty Kavanagh at opening of the Festival on Friday 7 July at Luna SX Fremantle, 6pm. Festival program has been selected from over 350 submissions.

A DATE FOR MAD MARY. 2016, 82 min Tough and tender love story about friendship, first love and staying sane in small town Ireland Luna Fremantle, Fri July 7, 7pm, Luna Leederville, Fri July 14, 6.30pm, Tuesday 18 July 18, 5pm MATTRESS MEN, 2016, 81 mins Dublin mattress business men combine marketing glitz with the best of Irish storytelling Luna Leederville, Sun July 9, 7pm Luna Fremantle, Wed July 12, 6.45pm BOBBY SANDS: 66 DAYS, 2016, 95 mins Explores personal story of Bobby Sands and his 1981 hunger strike, and issues of morality, violence and radicalisation Luna Leederville, Sat July 8, 4.30pm Luna Fremantle, Sat July 15, 6.45pm

WEEKLY RADIO SONGS FOR IRELAND with Frank Murphy, Radio Fremantle, 107.9fm Saturday 8 to 10am. Also available on archive for 7 days on: http://www.radiofremantle.com/archives.html THE IRISH SHOW Radio Hobart FM 96.1 – tune in to former AIHA president and member Brian Corr who relocated to Hobart with his wife Julia last year.

Broadcasting ‘The Irish Show’ on the net Tuesdays 6 to 7pm, WA time. http://www.hobartfm.org.au/program-guide.html

WRITING COMPETITIONS FOR 2017 Deadline 31 August - 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: “Freedom”.

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: “Freedom” Entrance Fee $10 for all competitions. Deadline 31 August, 2017.

Enquiries to Denis Bratton 9345 3530 THE FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB Meets fourth Tuesday of the month with exception of December.

Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco. 8pm.

Book for July: The Light Keepers Wife by Karen Viggers Admission Free. All welcome. Light refreshments provided. Tea and coffee from the Bar $2. Contact: Maureen 9279 5959 VALE ZENA O’SULLIVAN We were saddened to learn of the passing of Zena age 97 on the 26th May. She was the wife of our founder the late Group Captain Joe O’Sullivan MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DUE 1st January 2017 Family membership $65 Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive events, quarterly Journal, voting rights, and opportunities to participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage AIHA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT President: Denis Bratton Vice Presidents: Frank Murphy & John Sullivan Secretary: Tony Bray Treasurer/ Membership – Patricia Bratton Committee: Eleanor Nolan, Carmel Ryan, Heather Deighan, Patrick Gaffney

71

SOME THOUGHTS ON BLOOM IN PERTH

By Frank Murphy.

The day of JUNE 16 1904 is the date when Leopold Bloom steps out from his home in 16 Eccles Street Dublin and walks into global literature is now a global event.

Since the first ever Bloomsday back in the 50s when poet Paddy Kavanagh, Ben Kiely, and Flann O’Brien didn’t get too far with the planned visit to Martello Towers from Sandymount to Sandycove, but decided instead to stop off the special bus at every pub on the way, is the stuff that myths are made of.

Tales we heard of this drinkathon were always elaborate in the telling... with what we thought were huge embellishments until the grainy 8mm film of the trip appeared on YouTube a few years ago and there they were so ‘well oiled’ even before the pilgrimage began, having been hosted by John Ryan at Davey Bynes to send them off, meant that they scarcely remembered the day at all!

But they had created something magical. They made a precedent that has gone on to be acknowledged not just by Dubliners and Trinity students dressing up in Edwardian clobber and reading favourite extracts from Ulysses, to a global celebration of the work in cities and towns in the most unlikely places. We called them in Clonkakilty last year LIVE on radio and it was in full swing, We also caught up with the Joycean group in Croatia, where it

seemed to have an artsy flair to it. My friend Roger Commiskey just gathers a cluster around him on the beach in Fuengeoela and they just read in the sun.

This year we spoke to Dr Frances Devlin- Glass who had devised a huge sort of circus with Molly on the high wire in spangled costume declaiming the ‘yes’ from on high to the Melbournian mortals below.

I have no doubt that the original Bloomsday innovators would had heaps to say, either approving or saying that ‘All had over done it’.

The old begrudgery factor would be alive and well.

That’s for sure!

So, when the idea was mooted very quietly after last year’s humble offering to a very small audience of 14 mortals at a local hostelry many questions and doubts appeared.

When this reluctant director and writer rang one of the frequent performers I was asked “Had James Joyce and Perth not run its course in the natural cycle of events?”

Such wisdom may be the truth I asked myself for one half hour.

Maybe it had.

The completed script lay before me., The willing inserts generously offered to me

by Dr Frances Devlin-Glass had all come together with my own attempts at contextualizing the extracts in some form of entertainment, but the lingering questions and doubts remained.

Within a few days a clarion call went out albeit a muted one former ITP Marian Byrne and the stalwart Niall O’Toole called, then Noel 72 72

O’Neill shouted that he ‘was in’. The legendary Caroline Mc Donnell put her welcome hand up. I approached one of Perth’s very loved and accomplished actors, Alide Chaney. Krysia Wiechecki followed through with an enthusiastic call.

Tony Bray was a given from get go as were Fiona Mariah and Gianluca Loreeggian.

We began to walk, sometimes stagger through the epic, Artist and

Choreographer Seamus Hughes added his breath of knowledge and after one last minute call to the beautiful 2017 Perth Rose of Tralee, Kerri-Ann Barnes we ‘had a show’.

Massive relief all round as we spurred each other along through one long night of reading, tweaking and with the eye of John Spurling ever willing to throw his vast expertiise behind us.

We began to take off.

No high wire. And no safety nets.

We were on!!!

rish Recipes from Marguerite's

IRISH BEEF STEW

Hearty and wholesome, my slow-cooked beef stew is the ultimate taste of Ireland.

Ingredients (Serves 6) 1½kg stewing beef, cut into cubes 175g streaky bacon 3 tbsp. olive oil 12 shallots, peeled 18 button mushrooms, left whole 3 carrots cut into quarters or 12 baby carrots, scrubbed and left whole Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp. chopped thyme 2 tbsp. chopped parsley 10 cloves of garlic, crushed and grated 425ml red wine 425ml chicken or beef stock For the roux 50g butter 50g flour Champ, to serve

Method: 1. Brown the beef and bacon in the olive oil in a heavy saucepan.

2. Transfer the meat to a casserole dish.

3. Toss the onions, mushrooms and carrots into the heavy saucepan, one ingredient at a time, seasoning each time.

4. Place these into the casserole dish, along with the meat, herbs and garlic.

5. Cover with red wine and stock and simmer for one and a half hours or until the meat and vegetables are cooked.

6. To make the roux, in a separate pan melt the butter, add the flour and cook for two minutes.

7. When the stew is cooked, remove the meat and vegetables.

8. Bring the remaining liquid to

the boil and add one tbsp. of roux.

9. Whisk the mixture until the roux is broken up and the juices have thickened, allowing to boil.

10. Replace the meat and vegetables, and taste for seasoning.

11. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with champ

GOOD OLD RHUBARB & CUSTARD

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6) For the rhubarb 800g rhubarb, washed and cut into 8cm pieces 4 tablespoons caster sugar Zest and juice of 2 oranges 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar For the custard 500 ml organic semi-skimmed milk 568 ml single cream 5 tablespoons caster sugar 1 vanilla pod, scored lengthways and seeds scraped out 8 free-range egg yolks Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC 2. Place the rhubarb pieces in an ovenproof dish or tray and sprinkle over the sugar, orange zest and juice, grated ginger and balsamic vinegar. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the rhubarb has softened.

3. Have a taste and add more sugar if it is too tart for you. Pop the foil back on top to keep the rhubarb warm while you make the custard.

4. To make the custard, mix the milk, cream, 3 tablespoons of caster sugar and the vanilla pod and seeds together in a saucepan.

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5. Bring just to the boil, then remove from the heat and leave for a couple of minutes to cool slightly and allow the vanilla flavour to infuse. Discard the vanilla pod.

6. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the 2 remaining tablespoons of caster sugar until pale.

7. Ladle a little of the hot milk mixture onto the eggs and whisk immediately. Continue to add the milk, a ladleful at a time, whisking each well before adding the next.

8. Pour this mixture back into the warm saucepan and cook very gently for a few minutes, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. The eggs should cook just enough to thicken the custard, but not enough for it to scramble. If you start to see flecks or lumps of egg in your custard, don't panic – just take it straight off the heat and pour into a cold saucepan to cool it down then strain through a sieve into a clean jug.

9. Serve the rhubarb at the table with a good drizzle of your warm delicious custard.

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

Vale

ANN CREMIN

who passed away on 30th June. United again with her beloved Jack.

R.I.P.

Nuair a bhí mise óg, bhí fear ina chónaí ar an bhaile seo arbh ainm dó Dónall Gorm. Comhráiteach mór a bhí ann agus ar an ábhar sin, ghníodh sé áirneál fada.

Oíche amháin bhí sé ag tarraingt ar an bhaile i dtrátha an mheán oíche. Bhí oíche réabghealaí ann agus gan tuaim le cluinstin ach crónán na mara i mbéal na trá. Bhí sé ag tógáil na mála fá ghiota den teach nuair a mhothaigh sé an marcshlua ag teacht ina dhiaidh.

Amharcaidh sé thart agus tchí sé na marcaigh ag déanamh air ar cosa in airde. Sheas Dónall gur tháinig siad a fhad leis. Thuirling an ceannfort a bhí orthu agus d’fhiafraigh de an mbeadh sé leo go Connachta, go raibh siad ag dul a fhuadach cailín a pósadh an mhaidin sin.

Dúirt Dónall nach raibh capall ar bith aige agus nach dtiocfadh leis a bheith leo.

Bhuail an ceannfort buille de shlat na draíochta ar bhuachallán bhuí agus rinne sé each caol dubh de.

Ansin chuir sé duilleog chopóige mar dhiallait air agus d’iarr ar Dhónall dul a mharcaíocht.

Ní raibh Dónall i gConamara riamh roimhe agus ba deas leis ruaig a thabhairt siar. Chuaigh sé de léim a mharcaíocht ar an each chaol dubh. Shín siad leo agus níor tharraing srian go raibh siad i gConnachta.

Thuirling siad fá ghiota de theach na bainise. Nuair a bhí siad ag druidim leis an teach d’iarr an ceannfort ar Dhónall, ar a bhfaca sé riamh, gan ainm Dé ná Muire a lua a fhad is bheadh siad istigh.

Chuaigh siad chun an tí. Sheas siad seal bomaite taobh istigh den doras. Ansin chuaigh an ceannfort de léim san anraith agus lean an chuid eile é. Ní fhaca aon duine iad.

Bhí tábla mór fada fairsing i lár an urláir agus coimhthiolán mór daoine ina suí thart air. Bhí togha gach bia agus rogha gach dí ar an tábla agus na daoine ag ithe agus ag ól. Bhí Dónall ina shuí i nglaic an chúpla agus uisce lena chár ar mhéad is bhí de chíocras air ag amharc ar an iolmhaitheas ar bord.

Fá dheireadh rinne an bhrídeog srónfach. An slua a bhí sna creataí, bhruid ‘ach a’n fhear acu an fear eile.

Rinne an cailín an dara srónfach, agus sular chuimhnigh Dónall ar an chomhairle a thug an ceannfort dó, dúirt sé go leathíseal: “Dia is Muire leat!”

Leis sin, mar bhuailfeá do dhá bhois ar a chéile, thit sé anuas ar an tábla. Scaipeadh an bia agus doirteadh an bhiotáilte. Thit an bhrídeog i laige agus thug an chuid eile a bhí istigh iarraidh ar an doras. Bhí an doras róchúng leis an iomlán a ligean amach i gcuideachta.

Bhí siad cruinn ansin i lár an dorais ag brú agus ag streachailt, ‘ach a’n duine ag iarraidh bheith amuigh ar tús. Loiteadh cuid acu sa chúnglach, ach de réir a chéile

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bhuaigh leo dul amach.

Nuair a fuair Dónall Gorm an bealach réitithe, thug sé léim amach ar an doras. Bhí sé stróicthe, gearrtha, nimhneach ón leagan a baineadh as anuas ar thábla na bainise. D’amharc sé sna ceithre hairde fichead ach ní raibh an marcshlua ná a each caol dubh le feiceáil aige.

Bhain sé na bonnaí as chomh tiubh téirimeach agus a tháinig leis ar eagla go bhfeiceadh aon duine é fán áit.

Shiúil sé ar feadh trí lá agus trí oíche ag tarraingt ar an bhaile. Fá dheireadh bhain sé a theach féin amach, agus go dtí an lá chuaigh sé i dtalamh thug sé faichill mhaith nár bheir an slua sí arís air amuigh go hantráthach san oíche.

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Walk of the Ancestors

By Ann Golden

From Kells to Fremantle and Gerringong to Kells The story of Golden, we’ll continue to tell.

A story of loss and of love and of lore The Goldens spread forth on a far distant shore.

In April this year, the Walk of the Ancestors celebration took place at Kells, near Cahersiveen in Co. Kerry.

The weekend long event commemorated the 150th anniversary of the 1867 South Kerry Fenian Rising, with a particular focus on one Fenian, John Golden.

John was born at Kells in 1845 and on becoming a Fenian, he was twenty-two years old when a national Fenian rebellion was set for the 12th February 1867, with the expectation of a successful seizure of arms from Chester Castle in England. When this plan failed, the Fenian Rising was proposed; however, due to a breakdown in communications, the Fenians of South Kerry did not receive news of this postponement and so rose in arms, alone, on that fateful Shrove Tuesday night.

The Rising included the raiding of Kells Coastguard Station and it was here that John, “golden-haired and slight, the youngest and most active of them all”, played a leading role. From Kells, the Fenians marched on for Killarney but upon realisation that they were rising alone, they disbanded before returning to South Kerry and going into hiding.

John attempted to escape to America but was captured on board the Propontis ship as it docked in Cobh.

Following his arrest in July 1867, he stood trial, charged with Treason Felony. Upon return of a guilty verdict, John was taken from the docks, at which point he is said to have waved unconcerned, and smiled to his associates in the gallery.

When convicted, John received five years imprisonment and transportation to Fremantle. The brown haired, blue eyed, 5’ 6½” tall, famer’s son was transported, along with 61 other Fenians, on board the Hougoumont which docked in Fremantle in January 1868. John was imprisoned here until he received a free pardon in May 1869, after which he settled in Gerringong, NSW, where he married Ellen, the daughter of Tipperary born landowner John Feehan.

John and Ellen had seven children before John died at the young age of 38. Ellen lived for another 55 years before her death, aged 90, in 1938. Ellen kept John’s memory alive and through her connections and those of subsequent Golden and Robinson family members, the strong connection continues to exist between John’s Australian and Irish families.

To celebrate this connection, ten direct descendants

of the Fenian visited Kells from Australia for the Walk of the Ancestors weekend. The three day commemoration was officially opened by the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency, Mr. Richard Andrews and a lecture series included talks by Dr Shane Lordan (University College Dublin), John Sheehan (University College Cork), former government minister John O Donoghue, Pádraig Ó Concubhair, and descendants of John, including his great grandson, Chris Robinson.

The Walk of the Ancestors event saw over three hundred family members, friends and locals come together in celebration of the extended Golden family. The weekend saw participants, under glorious sunshine, complete a “Walk of the Ancestors” from John’s birthplace to Kells Coastguard Station. A plaque to honour the Fenian was unveiled at Kells, and a commemorative song, From Kells to Gerringong, was composed for the occasion. The event was a huge success and saw many friendships and family connections rekindled. The Walk of the Ancestors weekend was a unique way of reconnecting John’s legacy with the childhood home he was never to return too, as “he sleeps tonight where far away waves wash Australia's shore”.

Download From Kells to Gerringong: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/glennmcdonald2 Order your DVD: http://www.walkoftheancestors.com/wp/shop/ Visit our website: http://www.walkoftheancestors.com/wp/

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Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland

JFK centenary of his birth celebrated at The Irish Club

Perth Office: 1/100 Terrace Road East Perth WA 6004 Tel: (08) 6557 5802 - Fax: (08) 9218 8433 Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Website: www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 - 2.00pm by appointment only

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia 76

The American President who changed Ireland forever

By Lloyd Gorman

The life and death of JFK was compared to the story of Michael Collins in a special event at the Irish Club in early June.

Had America’s 35th president not been assassinated on November 22, 1963, aged 46, and lived out the rest of his life John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy would have turned 100 on May 29. The occasion was celebrated across America - and here in Perth with an evening dedicated to the late President, hosted by the local American and Irish consulates.

“I think it is the fact President Kennedy was cut off midstream that colours so much of what we think about him today,” said Marty Kavanagh, Honorary Consulate of Ireland, WA. “There’s no point in being Irish as (former member of the United States Senate) Patrick Moynihan said unless you know some day the world is going to tear your heart apart. Its that sense of “if only” that leaves us wondering, many Irish people ask the same question about Michael Collins, “what if”, “if only”, we’ll never know. Michael Collins was killed at the age of 31. Perhaps it is the sense of lost youth and charisma that explains why Kennedy is ranked more popular by the American people, than he is by historians.”

Marty said he was born in 1963 (in Cork), just a few months before Kennedy was assassinated. “My name is actually John, but in that

peculiar Irish way I’m known by my second name, Marty.”

Irish ambassador Breandán ó Caollaí, Ms Rachel Cooke, US Consul General and Marty Kavanagh, Honorary Irish Consul

If he died at a young age - and less than three years into his presidency - then his vision and values endured.

“What does a president who died long before I was born mean to me personally? I have to say, so much!,” said American consulate Ms Rachel Cooke and co-host for the evening said. “He inspired not only his own generation, but certainly subsequent generations to take responsibility for their government and for their role in the world, with political and social action, he went on to bat for civil rights. He sent the National Guard down to our Southern states to enforce desegregation at our universities. He created civil rights leg77

islation that would absolutely transform America. He encouraged us all to lift up people who were maybe in a situation that could use some assistance.”

In fact, that was probably one of the first ways that the diplomat was influenced by Kennedy’s presidency, without even knowing it.

“When I was six years old, I saw a TV advertisement of young Americans who were building bridges - both physical and metaphorical - with people all over the world,” she said. “It was an advertisement for the US Peace Corps which is our volunteer federal service, that was set up by JFK and from that magical moment on I didn’t stop talking about the Peace Corps, much to the annoyance of my parents. When I was 15 I found a phone number for the Peace Corp office in Washington DC and I called and said “I’m ready, I’m sick of high school, send me to Africa, send me to Asia, I will go wherever you want me to go and they said “we think you should go to university”. Then in my last year I applied and got to spend two years using my marine biology degree to work with fish farmers in rural Thailand and that experience absolutely set me on the trajectory that brought me here to Perth and that is what JFK means to me.”

Ms Rachel Cooke has strong Irish heritage. She said while the pop-

ulation of Ireland was about 4.5 million there were some 33 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry, herself included. Her great grandfather emigrated to the United States at the beginning of World War One and then her maternal grandfather, Robert Neville, was the first born in America in his family. “So I guess that makes me 25% Irish, and they say if you are lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough,” she smiled. “And I’m extra lucky because I also have my very own Irishman.

My husband’s parents emigrated to the United States from counties Clare and Galway in the early 1960’s and then they had Martin Cook as the first born in America in their family. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was also very proud of his Irish heritage and this combination of being raised with American values and very present Irish roots made him the global lear that we know.”

His vision of putting a man on the moon and bringing them home safe was another of his major achievements, and one that linked America and Australia. “He never stopped thinking about moving into the future,” she added. “In 1969 we achieved that, I say we because it was the Carnarvon tracking station, right here in WA, that made it possible to be able to co-ordinate the lunar landing of the Apollo mission, and also it was the primary location that helped the spacecraft re-enter earth orbit.” The Parkes Observatory outside Canberra also played a vital role in the mission, and was the location which first received imagery of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, footage which was then re-transmitted around the globe.

But the two nations shared an even earlier space encounter during Kennedy’s presidency, during an early space trial to reach that goal. “In 1962, during JFK’s administration, Perth became known as the ‘City of Light’ when John Glenn (the first American astronaut to orbit the earth) was passing overhead in his spacecraft and famously said “I can see the lights on the ground, I can see the lights of Perth along the coast”. The Daily News called it a “WA handshake to America”, and that’s what JFK means to us.”

As part of the event the audience

was shown original footage of Kennedy’s first speech as president and footage of his time in Ireland, addressing the Dail and in Wexford.

Not long before his assassination Kennedy had accepted an invitation to visit Australia and New Zealand.

Unfortunately that would never come to pass but Western Australia does have a strong connection with another American president with a golden touch. Herbert Hoover said Ms Cooke who had started out as a mining engineer lived and worked in Western Australia goldfields (Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie) and Australia (Broken Hill), but that is a story for another day.

Irish ambassador Breandán ó Caollaí was a member of the panel that took part in a Q&A session. A former consulate general in Boston and New York he said one of his favourite events during his time in America was a visit to the beachside Kennedy home in Cape Cod. The impact of Kennedy cannot be underestimated. “JFK’s visit to Ireland was transformative. Ireland was a very poor country in 1963, we’d been independent for 41 years and still had huge emigration. I think what he did was give a vision to Irish people, a sense of pride in what we could achieve at a global level and probably inspired a lot of our foreign policy and a lot to do with our commitment to the country's poorer - while we weren’t wealthy but inspired us to look beyond ourselves and despite the very obvious failings of the stat at the time…to get someone of the calibre of John F Kennedy to come and say all thesesfantastic things was incredible. He proved the American dream - the dream of any Republic - that every citizen has the right to be president.

I think he inspired a lot of progressive movement in Ireland that is coming now to fruition and direct input into Northern Ireland and across Ireland. He inspired us in so many ways I can’t even remember but I’m sure even my commitment to my work.”

One person at the event was able to testify personally to just how empowering Kennedy’s Irish visit was.

Jenny Buckley watched the American president - a born statesman - land and get out of a helicopter in 78

Cork. “It was very inspirational,” she said. “It made me feel and think that she - as an Irish person - could do anything.”

AFTER HIS IRISH HOMECOMING JFK WENT ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

JFK’s spectacular four-day Irish visit did not quite end with his departure. He might have had one last Irish encounter before returning to the America. As much as we remember it now as a homecoming of sorts for one of our own Kennedy was not just on a genealogy jaunt rediscovering his Irish heritage. He had been in Germany (Federal Republic) and then West Berlin for four days for meetings with the Chancellor and other officials and public events and speeches before coming to Ireland.

(Indeed it was originally planned to just be a trip to Germany, but the list of countries where he was expected to visit became longer than expected) After his darting around Ireland (Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Galway and Limerick) he flew out to the UK where he spent two days with the British prime minister at his home in Sussex. From there he went to Rome and Naples where he met the Italian prime minister and attended talks with NATO. Kennedy’s very last overseas engagement that he attended personally was in the world’s smallest state. On July 2 he had an audience with Pope Paul VI. It was the only meeting of a Roman Catholic US President and a reigning Pope so it was an historic event in its own right. It was not exactly the meeting that had been originally planned. Kennedy had expected to meet Pope John XXIII. Pope John (the first Pope in 500 years to take the name John) had offered to mediate between the Kennedy and Nikita Khruschev during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. The gesture was deeply appreciated by the opposing leaders in the greatest threat the world had ever known.

But the pontiff - who became known as “Good Pope John” - died on June 3, 1963 from stomach cancer. Kennedy offered to cancel the visit to the Vatican out of respect but was persuaded by the Italian government and others to continue.

Pope Paul VI was elected on June 22.

If it was Kennedy’s first time to meet a Pope, it was not his wife’s.

In 1962 the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, had had an audience with the “Good Pope”, so there was already a personal connection between them. Jacqueline - wearing a black veil - was at Kennedy’s side when they met the new papal father.

An America Magazine article (September 2015) by Joseph McAuley describes the Kennedy entourage as follows: “(The audience was conducted in English; since Pope Paul VI was fluent in the language, no interpreter was necessary; accompanying the president at this audience were his sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, the chief of protocol Angier Biddle Duke, presidential speechwriter and aide Theodore Sorensen, press secretary Pierre Salinger and the two members of JFK’s “Irish mafia,” David F. Powers and Kenneth P. O’Donnell.)

“After President Kennedy had met with Pope Paul VI and solemnly shook hands with him, he then went to visit the North American College, where selected seminarians from various dioceses throughout the United States lived while studying for the priesthood. It was there that JFK met Cardinal Cushing, his fellow Bostonian and accomplice in all things Boston-Irish.”

Kennedy was not the only head of state to meet the new pontiff on that day. Irish president Eamon de Valera also met the Pope who famously called Ireland the most Catholic country in the world on July 2. Perhaps the paths of the two American born presidents de Valera was born in New York in 1882 - crossed again on this special occasion.

heart, illuminated above all by the unflinching fidelity of its people to this Apostolic See, in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.

Indeed, the high winds raised by these and other difficulties merely fanned into more brilliant flame the fire of Faith enkindled by Saint Patrick, giving rise to a most fervent spiritual and religious life in

President John F Kennedy Pope Paul VI

your own land, and a burning zeal for the conversion of souls, and the spreading of the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ to every corner of the earth.

So ardent is the faith of the Irish that they not only provide their own

From President Kennedy's speech to the Dail: "The world is large," wrote John Boyle O'Reilly.

The world is large when its weary leagues two loving hearts divide, But the world is small when your enemy is loose on the other side.

The world is even smaller today, though the enemy of John Boyle O'Reilly is no longer a hostile power. Indeed, across the gulfs and barriers that now divide us, we must remember that there are no permanent enemies. Hostility today is a fact, but it is not a ruling law.

The supreme reality of our time is our indivisibility as children of God and our common vulnerability on this planet.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE ADDRESS THE POPE GAVE TO THE IRISH PRESIDENT ON JULY 2, 1963.

Mister President, As we greet you today with a heartfelt welcome, we recall with the happiest of memories Our own visit to Our beloved Ireland, and Our meeting there with Your Excellency.

The vision of your Island of Saints and Scholars glows brightly in Our

dear Island with sufficient vocations, but also give of their choicest and best to leave home and country, and to work as priests, as Brothers and Sisters, in the most difficult fields of apostolic endeavour. Innumerable are the missionaries who left your shores to bring the light and warmth of the Gospel to those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death; incalculable the harvest of souls they gathered in the white fields of the missions.

Our knowledge of your marvellous history, and Our personal experience of the warm, friendly, generous heart of the Irish, combine to strengthen Our paternal affection and special benevolence towards the Emerald Isle and its people.

Through your good offices, Mister President, We send them a most loving blessing, and We pray that God and Mary love them, and ever prosper and protect the Irish nation. To Your Excellency and your family, to the Government and citizens of Ireland, we impart from Our heart Our particular affectionate Apostolic Benediction.

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WAGS

Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc.

FAMILY HISTORY NEWS

IRISH FAMILY HISTORY SEMINAR 28 MAY 2017

On Sunday 28 May the Irish Special Interest Group hosted the Irish Family History Seminar at the State Library of Western Australia.

Our visiting speakers were Fintan Mullan, Executive Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation and Gillian Hunt, its Research Officer.

For over five enthralling hours they shared their wide knowledge of records available to help in that ever so challenging conundrum of discovering our Irish ancestors.

By the end of the evening we were

exhausted but inspired to carry on the search, with many new ideas of where to look.

The handouts provided by the presenters can be downloaded from the Irish Special Interest Group page (see link below).

They covered: • Census substitutes (apart from Griffiths Evaluation and Tithes Applotment, discussed in this column previously) • Tracing eighteenth and nineteenth century ancestors in landed estate records - even if they were not landed gentry • Registry of Deeds, a little used but valuable resource • Seventeenth century families and the Ulster Plantation • Printed sources like old newspapers, directories, maps

NATIONAL FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

Every August is National Family History Month and special events are held in WA. This year is no exception. If you want to attend all of them you’ll need some stamina.

On Tues 8 and Wed 9 August from 9.30 till after 4pm there will be 12 free sessions on the theme Grow Your Family Tree, put on jointly by the State Library of WA and WA Genealogical Society, and held at the State Library. For instance, on Wed 9 August from 12 81

noon - 12.45pm there’ll be three short presentations on Overseas Research: Canada, US, Germany and Ireland. You’ll need to book for any of the sessions as places are limited E nhfm@slwa.wa.gov.au T 9427 3111.

More details including the full program: pick up a brochure at WAGS or the State Library or online www.slwa.wa.gov.au/whats-on/ family-history/national-familyhistory-month-grow-your-familytree On Sat 26 Aug from 9.00am - 4:30pm, also at the State Library, there’s the Unlock The Past Roadshow, a seminar on Researching Abroad - Finding European and British Isles Ancestors. Speakers are Chris Paton, a UK based genealogist, on finding your ancestors in the British Isles and Dirk Weissleder on finding European ancestors with emphasis on German research.

Again you’ll need to book and also choose as they are parallel sessions.

It’s cheaper to pre-book than pay on the day ($57; $60). Book here www.unlockthepast.com.au/ events/researching-abroad-britishisles-european-ancestors-perth WAGS Open Day on Sat 26 Aug from 10.00am - 4.00pm at 48 May Street, Bayswater, when you can come and chat to people at any of the 17 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) about your family history queries. You might think there’d be no point joining WAGS because you don’t have Western Australian ancestors. But WAGS is there to help people research their family - wherever in the world they came from. Our SIGs meet regularly and currently cover these topics: Convicts, Computer, DNA, Eastern Australian, Enrolled Pensioner Guards, European, India and South East Asia, Irish, Legacy User (software), London and South of England (including Wales), Military, North of England, Scottish, South Australian, The Master Genealogist (software), Western Australian, Swan River Pioneers.

JOINING WAGS

In the earliest days of WAGS, 38 years ago, the Society was a unique resource centre with a collection of family history records in books, CDs, microfiche and microfilm. Now, with much (not all) that information online, you might wonder why you’d want to join WAGS. The Society still hosts a unique collection – but a collection of people - friendly and helpful volunteers who give their time to help others learn how to do family history and find family records - wherever they may be. You’ll always learn something from our volunteers – our most precious resource.

Among many other benefits, WAGS membership gives you access to • WAGS air-conditioned library open 30.5 hours over five days a week, including Monday evening and Saturday afternoon. It houses a large worldwide collection of books, CDs, microfiche, microfilms, maps and other material. Much can be borrowed by members. Check the opening hours and catalogue online • 12 computers provide access to 8 subscription genealogy websites, including Ancestry, FindMyPast and Scotland’s People. All are free for members’ use (except Scotland’s People, pay-per-view) • Friendly library assistants help you research and print out what you discover Orientation sessions held on a regular basis. Check the Events Calendar online Activities and Education Program - free activities and courses, a few fee-based ones Microfilms from the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints (Family Search) - order and view at WAGS 17 Special Interest Groups providing rich pools of knowledge and experience to draw on Publishing your research interests in the WAGS online directory where anyone in the world might see them WAGS’ well stocked bookshop Our journal Western Ancestor, issued 4 times a year, online and hardcopy Data on the Members Only area of the WAGS website Online mailing list, WAGSnet There’s a summary of membership benefits here http://membership.wags.org.au/membershipmainmenu-44/about-membership.

The joining fee for individuals is $80, which includes a one-off $15 joining fee - discounted if you join in August, Family History Month. Reduced rates for couples. Non-Members are welcome to come and have a look at the library any time it’s open, and have a chat to one of the friendly library volunteers who’ll show you what’s available.

Non-members can use any of the library facilities as a Day Visitor for their own research by paying $15.

If you join WAGS within a month of paying this fee, the normal joining fee is waived - so hang onto your Day Visitor receipt.

FOUR COURTS MEMORIAL LUNCH

By the time you read this the Four Courts memorial lunch will be over! We’re gathering at Rosie O’Grady’s, Northbridge on Friday 30 June 2017 to commemorate the loss of valuable Irish family history records when the Public Record Office in the Four Courts Building in Dublin was severely damaged by fire on 30 June 1922 during the Irish Civil War. Come along next year – on or about 30 June. Details on the Irish SIG page.

IRISH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP IN 2017

We are now half way through the Irish Special Interest Group activities for 2017, two meetings, a seminar and a social event down, two more meetings to go. The next meeting of the Irish Special Interest Group will be on Sunday 16 July from 2.00-4.30pm.

The final meeting for 2017 will be on Sunday 15 October at 2pm. We begin in 2018 in January.

New members and visitors are welcome. Please come along with whatever you know about your Irish ancestors. Gold coin donation for afternoon tea.

Jenni Ibrahim Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group, WA Genealogical Society 6/48 May Street, Bayswater 6053 Phone 9271 4311 Email irish@wags.org.au WAGS http://membership.wags.org.au Irish Special Interest Group page at WAGS http://membership.wags. org.au/special-interest-groups-mainmenu-47/irish-sig Online Irish SIG Forum http://membership.wags.org.au/forum/irishsig (free registration, open to anyone) WA Genealogical Society’s open Facebook group www.facebook.com/ groups/FamilyHistoryWA/

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Churchlands Trad Irish Concert with The Robert Zielinski Trio

The Churchlands Concert Hall is having an Irish Traditional music gig coming up at 20 Lucca Street, Churchlands on 7pm Wednesday 26 July, 2017.

Rehearsals are underway for the third concert in this year’s Concert Series at Churchlands, featuring Traditional Irish Band; The Robert Zielinski Trio.

You’ll be in for a real musical treat with such a wide collection of Irish and Scottish jigs, reels and ballads played for the first time on the Churchlands Concert Hall Stage.

The concert features music of the iconic Doherty family of fiddle troubadours from Co Donegal, plus famous flute and fiddle music of Co Sligo.

At seventeen Robert travelled to Ireland where he spent fourteen years immersing himself in the music of the older players as well as exploring Scotland and the Shetland Isles.

Robert taught for three years at the Galway School of Traditional Irish Music and won Ireland’s Michael Coleman Traditional Fiddle Player of the Year Award in Sligo. He also toured in the USA and in Europe.

Be sure to grab your tickets here: www.trybooking.com.au/JXWF

Drivers!!!

My neighbour was working in his yard when he was startled by a late model car that came crashing through his hedge and ended up in his front lawn. He rushed to help an elderly lady driver out of the car and sat her down on a lawn chair.

He said with excitement, “You appear quite elderly to be driving.”

“Well, yes, I am,” she replied proudly. “I’ll be 97 next month and I am now old enough, that I don’t even need a driver’s license anymore.” He asked “How do you know?” “The last time I went to my doctor, he examined me and asked if I had a driver’s license. I told him, yes and handed it to him.” He took scissors out of the drawer, cut the license into pieces, and threw them in the waste basket, saying, ‘You won’t need this anymore.’ So I thanked him and left! May the Lord save us!

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A Message from President,

Claire Wynne

It’s hard to believe we’re half way through the year already, but, what a year it’s been for Irish Theatre Players. We’re just finished

Brilliant Cast of "Someone Who'll Watch over Me"... Paul Davey, Manuao TeAotonga and Grant Malcolm

our second successful production of 2017, “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” written by Buncrana native Frank McGuinness.

We had the great honour of welcoming award-winning Director Andrew Baker on board for this production, along with a fantastically dedicated and talented cast consisting of Paul Davey, Manuao TeAotonga and Grant Malcolm. Audiences were wowed by the intensity of this play, and enthralled by the magic of McGuinness’s writing brought to life with Andrew’s direction.

We loved hearing the feedback from the happy audiences leaving the theatre each night, and we thank you all for trusting in us as we take some risks to bring you such broad array of plays - now and in the year ahead. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our record number of volunteers and crew who are absolutely crucial to us here at ITP, and we appreciate all their time and energy immeasurably.

Right now at ITP, we are in full swing - excuse the pun with dance rehearsals for our 2nd Annual Ballroom Dance Competition. With thanks to our kind sponsors, Killarney Autos in Wangara, we’re delighted to bring this fantastic event back for a second year. Our amateur dancers have been paired up and are busy learning routines which will be displayed at our Ballroom Blitz Competition which starts on Friday 28th July, at the Irish Club. It was a fantastic night out last year, with (some!) great dancing, live music and great entertainment value - so we highly recommend that you book your tickets soon and come along to cheer on the contestants.

In the meantime, our next ITP event is the auditions for our One Act Season. If you’ve ever thought of giving it a shot, the One Act Season is a great time to do it! We bring you three short plays each night, for a short run, starting in late August 2017. The auditions will be held on July 4th in the Irish Club at 7pm. The One Act Season 2017 brings you a variety of themes, with “Bingo Gymbo Wings” by Elizabeth Quigley, “The Loan” by Noel O’Neill and “Mary Lambert RIP”

by Siobhan Wright. Make sure to check out our facebook page or website for upcoming details on ticket sales and show dates. Also, as part of the fundraising efforts for the Irish Famine memorial statue to be erected in Subiaco, we will be hosting a special One Acts performance where all funds raised will go to this fund. To find out more about the statue, check out www.waifc.org , and keep an eye on our updates for news on our fundraising event.

We thank you for your continued support of the Irish Theatre Players, and we look to welcoming you to our next production very soon.

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Bríon enjoying the

West Coast EXPERIENCE

By Fred Rea

Bríon Moriarty is from Limerick and at present with the West Coast Eagles. Bríon grew up in Limerick and lived on the North Circular Road. He attended the John F. Kennedy Memorial School and Ardscoil Rís is a voluntary/state-funded, all-boys, Catholic secondary school also in Limerick.

Bríon said, “I’m at college now at the University College of Limerick studying sports and exercise science and that’s what brought me out here to the West Coast Eagles”. The Eagles have had this program in place for many years and Bríon is one of a long list of Limerick University students who have made the trip to Perth to improve and learn new skills. “Every year the Eagles bring out someone to learn more about sports science and using GPS in training is one of the skills I am working on here”.

Bríon is a keen sportsman and in Limerick plays soccer and rugby. “I play for Coonagh United soccer club back home and also played rugby for the famous Garryowen Rugby club”. He told us that when he was in 6th year, Ardscoil Rís got into the rugby senior cup final but unfortunately were beaten 21-7.

Being a keen sportsman, and Bríon said sports science was the right choice for him.

Bríon said he knew very little about Aussie Rules Football before coming to Perth. “I never even seen a game so I was watching all the YouTube videos to get my head around it”. He has fallen in love with the game now and loves watching it and said the Eagles are a great club to be involved with and they are very good

L-R: Josh MacKenzie and Brion Moriarty

to him.

The skills Bríon is learning will be invaluable as he moves forward with his chosen career. “What I do mostly is GPS work and all the players use GPS’s during training and matches. We do a lot of load monitoring and this is the way forward and all sports teams are going down the same road”. He told us the different sports have different technologies. “This is the first elite sport I have been involved in and the knowledge I am getting here will help me so much in the future”.

Bríon finishes up on August 21st and then starts his final year in college at Limerick University in September.

He will be going back to his parents, his father Tom from Kerry and mother Siobhain along with his brother and sister, Ronan and Sharon.

While in Perth, Bríon is playing soccer with Wembley Downs as their centre forward. “90% of the team is Irish, its like home away from home and I’ve made great friends as well”.

When he has completed his College studies Brian hopes to go on and do a masters in strength and conditioning. “This work is limited in Ireland and I may have to go abroad but I have no idea yet but many who qualify have to head overseas”.

We wish Bríon well and have no doubt he will be a wonderful asset to any club following his experiences with the West Coast Eagles.

SPORTS QUOTES:

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Roy Keane Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision. Muhammad Ali Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead.

Roger Bannister

Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that. Bill Shankly 85 85

Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea Tony, Mick and Peter enjoying the hurling in Morley

Paddy Cannon celebrated his 80th with family in Perth and then went off to Ireland to celebrate with his Irish family.

Congratulations Paddy!

Tommy O'Brien & Ann Marie are off to Ireland to get married.

Many readers may remember the wonderful Avalon Homestead weekends in Toodyay many years ago. Then owners Bebe and Kevin Carroll now reside in Queensland and send greetings to their many friends in the Perth Irish community.

Aidan McDonald recently celebrated his 70th with wife Liz, daughter Nora and Eilish. Also there, Noel and Brenda Neff along with Sheree and Ian Beaton who have all been friends since 1976 when they met at Graylands Hostel.

Well on the mend, Paddy Costello who had a spell in hiospital. You can't keep a good Galwayman down.

Former Irish Club President Frank Smith with his best mate, Barney Rubbles getting ready for the bush The Donnelly's. Robert, Brian, Kieran, Garry, Lena and Jackie enjoying a celebration. You made the Irish Scene Lena! trip. Frank is in a happy place!

Left: Gay Collins enjoying an Irish breakfast at Avoka Cafe in Woodvale. What's that they say about a well fed man! He told us it was an amazing brekkie!

Jim McKiernan has a few battles as well and just to let you know Jim we are thinking about you.

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Celtic Club president, Bob Johnston found a Celtic Club on a visit to Victoria recently

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On this tour you can expect some new songs by Les but of course Les assures me all the hits will be canvassed as well.

You can see Les and The Bay City Rollers at The Wrest Point Casino on Wednesday 19 July 2017.

And also at the Astor Theatre Perth on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 16th of July.

From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

From real Estates to Real estate

by Paula Xiberras

From Ballymena to Bay City

by Paula Xiberras

It was a great experience recently, to have a chat with Les McKeown of Scottish band ‘The Bay City Rollers’. I was delighted and surprised to learn that Les has visited Tasmania before, has friends that reside here and is looking forward to the bands upcoming tour. Another surprising fact Les told me was that his family had their origins in Ireland, eventually leaving Belfast to set up home in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Les tells me he was definitely always going to be a singer and perhaps slated for a career in music literally from birth, as he recounts to me a subconscious memory of his mum who sang with the Belfast Girls Choir, singing to him as she carried him around the house.

Although Les's mum was a talented singer, his dad was left deaf due to nerve damage sustained in an incident and would experience his wife’s singing only by vibration. Sadly he would not hear Les sing. Both Les’ mum and dad worked in a Belfast factory, his dad as a tailor and his mum as a seamstress. His dad’s ability as a tailor would be utilised to great effect when Les joined The Bay City Rollers.

When a card from a fan arrived depicting an illustration of the guys in the band dressed in superimposed tartan jackets the guys saw the wearing of the tartan as an excellent way to pay homage to their Scottish homeland. It was Les’ dad who created the boys stage costumes including yellow flares and tartan jacket and cuffs.

An interesting piece of trivia about the band was how they got their name, the guys themselves decided to throw a dart to a map of the US which landed on Bay City.

Rosemary Peterswald has made the journey not just from Ireland to Australia but from living in real estates, in the form of big houses and a castle in Ireland, to working in real estate here in Tasmania.

We might claim Rosemary as a Tasmanian even though she no longer lives here her family’s legacy continues in the form of Charlotte’s Peterswald.

Real Estate. Presently, Rosemary and her husband sail around the world writing about seafood and wine and the places they dine! I caught up with Rosemary to have a chat about her autobiography ‘Can my Pony Come Too?’ which recounts her early childhood in Ireland and subsequent immigration to Australia and later Tasmania.

Rosemary known as ‘teeny’ to her family, owing to her fifth child status in the family, was familiar with

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Glendalough, in her home of Wicklow Ireland. Glendalough is the place of St Kevin’s monastic settlement and the famous rock called St Kevin’s chair, where it is said by sitting on it you can cure illness.

In her book Rosemary visits some of the pivotal places of her childhood including paying a visit to Haughton Castle once owned by Rosemary’s family, the Esmonde’s. She meets its colourful inhabitant, a lady who is one of the few people who can boast she conversed with both WB Yeats and Mick Jagger when they stayed at the castle. The castle is also famous for its celebrities of another era in the form of ghosts including the first wife of Lord Esmonde, Ailish O’Flaherty who was the granddaughter of Ireland’s pirate Queen, Grace O ‘Malley. The ghost of Ailish appear in section of the castle that she stood to wait for her husband’s return from war.

Far away from this fairy tale world, Rosemary and her family set up life in Australia with characteristic resourcefulness that saw them take on a number of different jobs , however, perhaps the most difficult job was probably coping with the snakes and bats in Australia, the former of course unknown in Ireland!

An additional difficulty was adapting to the peculiarities of their new land. Rosemary recounts some examples of her mum’s grappling with the language such as being asked to ‘bring a plate’ to an evening out and doing so quite literally but an empty one! On being

asked by a neighbour to take care of the children and ‘hoping they don’t get in the road’ Rosemary’s mum was quick to answer that she always kept a keen eye on them and they wouldn’t ‘get out on to the road’.

Rosemary met her husband through her Duntroon trained brother. After marriage Rosemary and Rob were posted to New Guinea. After returning to Australia a casual meeting encouraged them to move to Tasmania where they set up an apple farm. This produced its own apple anecdotes such as the time a representative of the Jewish community on the mainland interested in purchasing some apples came to observe the farm. Fortunately he nodded off during the visit and didn’t see the pigs interacting with the apples!

Later on Rosemary and Rob entered another career change, this time real estate in the form of Peterswald.

Eventually it was time for this eclectic couple to explore new horizons, literally, as they began sailing Australian and international waters, experiencing the cultural, seafood and wine resulting in a number of coffee table books.

Tasmania still holds a special place in Rosemary’s heart hence her launching her autobiography here.

‘Can the pony come too!’ is out now published by Ballynastragh Books.

You can read more about Rosemary here http://ballynastraghbooks.com.au/index.php/ about-rob-and-rosemary-peterswald

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MCGREGOR Why Dublin fighter Conor McGregor will go down as a sporting immortal

division. It seems Conor has a tremendous quantity of ambition and is always considering ways to adapt in performance and evolve holisitically as a fighter.

Part of his growth mindset consists of his positive outlook; after a defeat to Nate Diaz, he was humble and respectful, as opposed to making excuses, blaming external factors and being bitter about the overall result. Also when Jose Aldo pulled out due to a bruised rib, Conor himself was under an injury cloud but made it clear, that was no way he was pulling; stating some fans had saved and sacrificed a great deal of money to fly over to Vegas for the event; which may be a once in a life time holiday. This again is not usually said or considered by athletes, Conor went on to defeat Chad Mendes in the second round.

As the only UFC fighter to be world champion in two different weight divisions concurrently. Before he knocks Floyd Mayweather and after four years in the UFC, he is already in the history books as one of the immortal athletes.

McGregor and Mayweather are scheduled to fight each other on August 26 in Las Vegas.

By Ciarain Hoey The first time in 2014 when I watched an interview on Conor McGregor, I was captivated by his unshakeable self-belief and conviction when he spoke. His charisma and ability to market himself is sensational, from collecting welfare payments to being estimated a net worth of 4.4 billion dollars to the UFC. What further distinguishes him from the roster is his determination to remain focused on an objective and his ability to capitalise on opportunities.

Conor has a knack in re-iterating the importance of hard work, dedication to your craft and showing up to challenges; as opposed to shying away/running from.

His ability to draw attention and numbers is hugely impressive, having stated before of viewers wanting to tune in and watch whether you love me or hate me. At previous weigh-ins, conferences and fights the global magnitude of support from Irish fans are incredible, chanting the “fighting Irish”, “were not here just to take part were here to take over”, “if one of us goes to war we all go to war”.

The energetic and passionate Dub on camera regularly and genuinely looks like he is having fun, cracking jokes and laughing along the way, despite the intense requirements of discipline and conditioning to compete at an elite level. I have never seen another athlete so clinical in getting inside the opponent’s head, some viewers may be offended by what he says with his abundance of insults. One thing is for sure is that he holds himself accountable, backs up what he says he is going to do with his accurate prefight predictions. Despite his vibrant persona; he has a clear emphasis on remaining calm in the cage. A key behaviour and mindset that is often overlooked throughout all aspects of life.

I feel like Conor McGregor is similar to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of his professional approach and mindset to training. After becoming the world feather weight champion, he didn’t rest on his laurels and was plotting next to “take over” the lightweight

89

The Magnificence of Exercise

by Ciarain Hoey

When fully engaged in exercise, you enter a state of immersion a feeling of intense and total focus.

At the heart, exercise is a form of self-expression and is a fabulous tool to push and stretch yourself physically and mentally; further an avenue to discipline yourself by surmounting through pain, adversity and fatigue.

With profound and proven benefits of improved coordination, gross motor skill development and balance. It’s no wonder why your brain secretes dopamine: A chemical in your brain responsible for eliciting sensations of feeling, calm, energetic and focused.

For me there is not a better activity to connect the body and mind; in this day and age with the abundance and ever growing presence of technology

and distractions. I feel like it is undervalued and has been found to increase the speed in your ability to process information within the brain. Not only is it awesome in lowering blood pressure (which is the greatest risk factor/cause of stroke). It strengthens and provides greater range of movement to the muscles and stability to the joints.

So not only is it sensational for your physical and mental health; it is pivotal cog for your brain functioning and development. A concept that could be addressed further in the education sector.

Being involved in team sports facilitates the understanding and engagement in a specified role; it enables you to unlock and release energy; being passionate and aggressive whilst encouraging, supporting, empowering and

battling on with your team mates.

In times of breaks from work or starting your day; it is the best from of activity to collectively stimulates your senses, systems, organs and each cell throughout your body; providing clarity to the mind. It’s rare as I find it one of the only activities where you are totally engaged and present in the moment.

Socrates has a quote about the shame of not discovering and seeing the true strength and capabilities of the human body.

So, keep moving the human frame in any form to keep your brain active; and stay curious with various movements to choose from for optimal health and wellbeing!

Ciarain plays football for Shamrock Rovers FC and has been active in sports since the age of six. He says he has always been curious about human movement and is now a qualified Occupational Therapist graduating from and working at Curtin University.

IRISH SPORTS QUOTES

We're taking this match awful seriously.We're training three times a week now, and some of the boys are off the beer since Tuesday. Offaly hurler Is the ref going to finally blow his whistle? ...No, he's going to blow his shaggin' nose! Radio Kilkenny I love Cork so much that if I caught one of their hurlers in bed with my missus, I'd tiptoe downstairs and make him a cup of tea. Joe Lynch, actor Pat Fox has it on his hurley and is motoring well now. But here comes Joe Rabbitte hot on his tail.

I've seen it all now - a Rabbitte chasing a Fox around Croke Park! Micheal O Muircheartaigh 90

Tom Murphy PRO

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

son Rd

Nichol

turnout of children aged from 4 to 12. All of the Senior Football & Hurling Clubs in Western Australia have sent their members up each weekend to impart their knowledge and skills to our future stars.

A highlight of the season to date has been a Junior Team from St FOOTBALL: Finbarr’s & Western Shamrocks playing each other in Tom Bateman The Football season in Western Australia Reserve on Sunday the 11th June. On the day St Finbarr’s came out is well underway with matches in Round 2 on top on a score line of 1-03 to 1-02. A Junior Team from Sarsfields of the League taking place. The last sets of Hurling Club matches in Round 2 are due to take place played a Junior over the weekends of the 24th 30th June & Academy Team th 9 July with Championship starting on the at RA Cooke Sunday 16th July from 10an. All fixtures Reserve in times and dates are available on www.

Morley on the gaawa.com.au/forms Saturday the HURLING: 17th June. On the Hurling in Western Australia has reached day Sarsfields Round 2 of the Championship with great triumphed on a games being served up by all clubs. The score line of 1-00 championship continues every Saturday to 0-00. Photos from the 24th June right up to Finals day of both events will be posted on the on the 12th August. All fixtures times and GAAWA Facebook page. The Junior dates are available on www.gaawa.com.au/ Academy is busy preparing for their Cul forms Camps in July and further information can be found at www.gaawa.com.au/ MINORS: junioracademy Minor Trials to pick a squad to represent Western Australia got underway on WA TROPHY CABINET: Day the 5th June with a good turnout GAAWA is delighted to announce of players. two further trials will take that a new trophy cabinet has been place on Monday the 3rd and 10th July installed at Tom Bateman Reserve respectively and all boys aged between 15 and has been named after a great and 18 who are interested in representing Gael Steven O’Sullivan. The trophy Western Australia at the 2017 Australasian cabinet itself is dedicated to all Championships are asked to attend. of the great Gaels of Western Further information from Ciaran Gallagher Australia who have gone to their on 0414 498 910 or get in touch through eternal reward. GAAWA gratefully the contact form on www.gaawa.com.au acknowledges the work & effort put in by Sean O’Casey towards JUNIOR ACADEMY: this project. GAAWA also Junior Academy training continues to extends its sincere thanks to Mr take place every Sunday at 12 Noon in Peter McKenna and members Sacred Heart College, Sorrento with a big of the Irish Golf Club for the fundraising they undertook to GAA GROUNDS Hi gh bring this project to fruition.

Tom Bateman Reserve Rd Cnr Bannister & As part of their fundraising, Nicholson Rds, the Irish Golf Club held a Golf y a Canning Vale hw Hig Day at Maylands Golf Club on (entrance off Wilfred Rd) Roe d St Patrick’s Day with all funds wy R H d ach re o Le ilf <t raised being split between W The Claddagh Association, d R er ist The Western Australia Irish n n Ba Famine Commeration, The Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Charlotte Foundation and Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale GAAWA. Thank you Irish Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley Golf Club! lso

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91 91

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia CLADDAGH ASSOCIATION TEMPORARY RESIDENTS SUPPORT PROJECT:

GAAWA representatives will be in attendance on Saturday 15th July in the Irish Club as part of the Temporary Residents Support Project (TRSP). This project, organised by The Claddagh Association aims to provide information about support services in areas such as Australian Immigration and how to access Legal Services if any member of the Irish Community needs them.

On the day GAAWA will be joined

by The Claddagh Association, Visa Specialists and Legal Professionals and GAAWA would encourage any of our members and their families/ friends to come along on the day.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA IRISH FAMINE COMMEMORATION MEMORIAL: A memorial to victims of the An Gorta Mor â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Great Hungerâ&#x20AC;? will be unveiled in Subiaco in the next few months. This memorial will cost $50,000 with the City of Subiaco contributing $25,000 and the sculptor donating his services for free. That leaves $25,000 to be raised. Two fundraising events have been organised so far, a Quiz Night in the Irish Club on the 21st July organised by The Claddagh Association & The Irish Golf Club.

Tables cost $20 a head for a table of six and if tables of six are not available people will be matched up. Further information from the Claddagh Office on 9249 9213.

The second fundraiser is an Irish Night in the Woodvale Tavern on

Saturday the 11th August. Featuring Irish music, dancing and Irish hampers it promises to be a great night. Further information at: www.waifc.org PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY COMMEMORATION: GAAWA was delighted to attend a commeration to mark the centenary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy. The commeration took place on the 6th June in the Irish Club.

The commeration consisted of films, talks and a Q & A with an expert panel and sincere thanks is extended to Honorary Consul of Ireland Mr Marty Kavanagh and Consul General of the United States to Western Australia Ms Rachel Cooke for their kind invitation. www.gaawa.com.au www.facebook.com/gaainwa www.twitter.com/gaainwa www.instagram.com/gaainwa

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Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia - JUNIOR ACADEMY

By Debbie Teahan

THE GAELIC GAMES JUNIOR ACADEMY

This year is the shaping up to be the best one yet for the Junior Academy! Thanks to the hard work from the committee, the commitment from parents and enthusiasm from the Clubs to be involved, we are flat out with clubs sending us players to play alongside the kids, which amazes them to see ‘real life hurlers’ and footballers and makes our little GAA players up their game when they see how it’s done by the experts!

We have had players from Sarsfield Hurling Club and St Finbarr’s Football Club who even brought their cups and silverware and showed off their achievements, so the kids are being bribed early to join their clubs! We also have had players from Southern districts, Western Shamrocks, Gabriels, Western Swans and Morley Gaels. It is really great for the kids of the academy to create links to the senior clubs and for the bridge between the kids and the senior players to become closer.

This year we have hit more ‘firsts’ for milestones, with the first Gaelic Football derby game between a junior Western 93

Shamrocks and Junior St. Finbarr’s and this was achieved by the clubs ordering kits and the club fixtures allocating times to bring on board the junior academy with times for us to play between senior games in the home of Gaelic Football in WA Tom Bateman Reserve.

Our junior Finbarr’s won to the fierce excitement from parents, children playing and players from those clubs and other clubs onlooking. We were very proud of the children’s efforts on the day.

The fun was rounded off by a free sausage sizzle, bouncy castle and face painter so all smallies went home very tired and very happy!

The hurler’s, also signed up and organized a game to happen in the home of hurling in WA, at RA Cooke Reserve, Morley. Sarsfield and Perth Shamrocks arranged jerseys and a McLoughlins sausage sizzle and the children had a challenge match and Sarsfield were the victors on the day! Gabriels and Western Swans have also ordered kits for the children to represent The committee of the academy are so grateful for all those clubs coming on board and making the GAA experience much more of a community feel and for us and the families involved much more a part of the GAA of WA.

Not that we are going to rest on our laurels, we have another match in Tom Bateman and back in Cooke reserve in Morley again in August. So this year we finally get the competition element that we were gearing towards for years! We are hosting CĂşl Camps in July in Karrinyup and at the end of the season we are planning a compromised rules blitz between the Academy and 8 AFL Auskick clubs to round out our year! As Bertie Ahern used to say, a lot done, a lot more to do!

Rugby ladies tackle body Sports and Remedial Massage and soul gave the girls a good rubbing

The Curtin Irish Ladies rugby team have come far in a short time. From a pre-season start in Janaury with just a handful of experienced players they took to the pitch three months later for their first game ever and then onto their first win.

To reward the 'warrior princesses' the coaching team of both clubs sponsored a team building day, on June 4. The day long bonding session to build a sense of belonging and family kicked off at a chilly 7am in City Beach by the water. Fred - a teddy bear - was to be taken care of by the girls who would have to pay fines for not looking after him. MJ - an excellent pilates instructor from beachpilates.com. au - got everyone warmed up for the first hour long workout of the day. The grunting and groaning gave way to better sounds as we limbered up under MJ's watch. Next it was a round of relay races, throwing and catching eggs (which had to be carried around with a ten litre container of drinking water) and diving in the sand for an hour.

Breakfast at Clancy's (fish and chip cafe) was an excellent way to enjoy some excellent food and service and mark the start of phase two of the day.

From there they drove back to Belmont, the home of Perth Irish Rugby.

To soothe the bumps and aches of the previous weeks four therapists from Game on

down for some welcome deep massage therapy. This session included an introduction to the benefits of sports massage and four ladies who were late for the session had to stand on one foot as 'punishment'.

The ladies were also introduced to long term player development and the principals behind it. It was a chance for each of them to reflect on their own past performance and development, strengths and weaknesses and self assessment. Each player will sit down individually with the coaching team for a comprehensive look at their current capabilities and to develo a personalised development plan.

Then it was time for four hours of excruciating fitness drills and a demonstration of the training needed to get fit as a rugby player.

The group then heard a talk from Rob Canella about mental health, a very important subject and one that has had a lot of publicity in recent times. The 30 minute talk focused on personal issues and thoughts of taking one's own life. The aim of this talk was to ensure the girls knew there is a pathway and support for any players who need it. With just themselves in the room they had another 20 minutes to talk about any issues and share thoughts.

Feedback from this was one of the best sessions of the day.

The girls then put in a game of touch rugby before it was time for dinner, (Irish) dancing and drinking. Thanks to everyone who took part.

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ST PATRICK'S DAY AT MAYLANDS

SPONSORED BY THE IRISH CLUB GOLF SOCIETY

April Event The Secretaries Trophy held at Lakelands Golf Club Winner: Stephen Mahon 39Pts. Runner up: Shane Cody 38pts Third Place: Mark McLaughlin 33pts Low Gross: PJ Kenny May Event: The Irish Club Cup held at Rockingham Golf Course Winner: Tom Barr 36pts Runner up: PJ Kenny 34pts Third Place: Mick Connelly 33pts Low Gross: Jack Ebbs

The Ambassadors Trophy Seaview Golf Club Winner: Paul Jenkins 40pts.

Runner up: Bill Ross 38pts Third Place: Eamonn Fitzpatrick Low Gross: Stephen Mahon.

Novelties were shared between, Stephen Mahon, Scott Poole, Davy Doyle, Ger Stenson, Brendan Flanagan, Eamonn Fitzpatrick and Peter McKenna.

Ambassador's Cup Winner...

The event was a fundraiser for four beneficiaries WAIFC, Claddagh, Charlotte Foundation and the GAA The GAA funding went to a first ever trophy cabinet which has been installed at Bateman Reserve for all Gaelic codes to house their Silverware.

The competition on the day was Two Ball Ambrose Stroke.

Results on the day.

THE CLADDAGH CUP Winners: Eamonn Fitzgerald/ Mick Brazier [58.75] Runners up: Eoin Monaghan/P J Kenny Third Place: Shane Sweeney/ Mark Craven NAGA: Lawrence/Elliot Also on the Day we presented the Charlotte Cup to the best Gross winners.

Bill Ross/Kevin Cormack Novelties on the day were shared between, Mark Craven, Lance Bryan, Eamonn Fitzgerald, Jason Larkin, Stuart Holier and Mick Brazier.

A big thank you to all our sponsors....

• Masonmill Restaurant • McLoughlin’s Butchers • Borders Real-estate Agents • Gaelforce Promotions • A Taste of Ireland • Alicia Delights • A1 Express Air Cargo • CLC Carpentry • The Golf Wizard • Maylands Formworks • Avoka Café Restaurant • Smart Building Group • Pipeline Technics • UON Power and Energy 95

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