Irish Scene March April 2018

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

Vol 20 Number 3

www.irishscene.com.au

March/April 2018

Welcome to Pe rt Jim Daly TD h

e d i u G k e e W 's k c i S t Patr u .a m o .c e n e c s h is r .i w visit: ww

Killarney Killarney Autos Killarney Autos Autos Crisis support:

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BAGGAGE (UNACCOMPANIED) PUBS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS: 90 Aust. International Express 9243 0808 An Sibin Tel: 9328 8930 67 Exportair Tel: Geoff 9477 1080 6 Albion Hotel 9384 0021 BUTCHERS 21 Avoka Tel: 6406 2336 88,96 McLoughlin’s Meats Tel: 9249 8039 93 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 71 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 CAFE/DELI: Dianella Tavern Tel: 9276 1733 35 Mooney’s Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 22 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 CAR RETAILERS: 16 John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 14 Fenian’s/Novotel Tel: 9425 1634 55 Fremantle Club CELEBRANT: 61 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 24 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 CLOTHING ALTERATIONS: 27 Masonmill Gardens - Tel: 9293 5112 Sew Now Tel: 9243 0947 CLOTHING LEISURE/WORKWEAR: National Hotel, Fremantle Tel: 9335 6688 Catalpa Clothing Tel: Shane 0423 455 107 81 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup Tel: 9300 9966 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge 9328 1488 COMMUNITY GROUPS: 13 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 72 Australian Irish Heritage Assoc The Vic, Subiaco Tel: 6380 8222 45 Irish Families in Perth Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 9309 4288 64 The Claddagh Assoc: Tel 9345 1713 26 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 ENTERTAINMENT: REAL ESTATE: 55 Fiddlestick - David 0413 259 547 Professionals Kelly Team Tel: 9344 5544 Fiona Rea Music 0404 831 445 RESTAURANTS FLORIST: 21 Avoka Tel: 6406 2336 Duncraig Florist Tel: 9448 3160 ROOF PLUMBING FREIGHT HANDLERS: 90 Australian International Express 9243 0808 Mick’s Maintenance 0418 917 050 67 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 SHOE REPAIR / NEW SHOES: 51 Reids Bootmakers: Tel 9361 5301 FUNERALS: SOLICITORS & LEGAL: 68 McKee Funerals Tel: 9401 1900 11,75 Kavanagh Lawyers - 9218 8422 IMMIGRATION ADVICE: SPORT - CLUBS AND INFORMATION: 9 EasiVisa: Carol-Ann Lynch 9429 8860 91-94 GAA - 0458 954 052 IRISH FOOD & GIFTS: 95 Irish Golf Club - Peter 0447 258 000 47 Clonakilty Black Pudding 35 Mooney’s Irish Sandwich Bar: 9221 4872 88 Shamrock Rovers THEATRE: JEWELLERS: 77 Irish Theatre Players Tighe Jewellery: Graham 0414 309274 TRAINING & EDUCATION: MECHANICS: Ramsden Training Advance Auto Tune: 9409 9500 TRAVEL & TOURISM: Ian Jeffery Motors Tel: 0498 649 150 69 British Travel Tel: 9285 8182 1 Killarney Autos - Neil 0439 996 764 TYRES, BATTERIES, BRAKES WHEELS: BVM Autos - Mike 0413 889 501 59 Tyrepower Perth City Fiona 9322 2214 PHOTOGRAPHY: WEDDING RECEPTIONS / FUNCTIONS: 17 Storyfully Media Tel: 0409115019 The Celtic Club Tel: 9322 2299 27 Masonmill Gardens - Tel: 9293 5112 THE IRISH SCENE

Publisher/Advertising: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Editor: Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 Proof Reading: Jack Cullen, Imelda Gorman, David McConnell 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 49 AIHA 72 Around the Irish Scene 90 Arthur Kennedy Part 4 23 Ben Tolhurst with Paula 68 Bliain na Gaelige 2018 53 Book Reviews 74 Bunnings and Ireland 46 Café Y Cafeina 65 Carmel Charlton CD Launch 76 Catholic Archives 15 Claddagh Association 64 Claire From Ballindine 69 Closing the Circle 57 Comhaltas Perth 51 Countess Markievecz 26 CY O’Connor Legacy 10 CYOC and Song for Ireland 43 CYOC Memorial Vandalised 16 Darkness into Light 12 Delia Green RIP 59 Denis Burke Famine Memorial 4 Dr Gerardine Neylon 18 Fairbridge Festival 76 Fenian Festival Review 8 G’Day from Melbourne 44 GAA Junior Academy 94 GAAWA 91 Gaba Gabu 32 Gaelic Story with Brid 53 Gerry McEwan & Rovers 88 How Irish are You Quiz 55 Hybrid Nation – Bill Daly 30 Irish Club of WA 61 Irish Consul’s Message 73 Irish Dancing in WA 62 Irish Families in Perth 45 Irish Golf Club 95 Irish Theatre Players 77 Isteach sa Teach 36 JBOR 150th in Bunbury 60 John Steel RIP 37 Land of Milk and Honey 71 Lest We Forget 42 Live Music in Perth 52 Marguerite’s Recipes 70 Message from Ambassador 7 Michael Mac Limmoir 40 Minute with Synnott 85 Padraic Tom Ban 82 Paula from Tasmania 66 Perth Irish Rugby Club 95 Poem: The Dragon Awaits 87 Remembrance Mass 59 Rose of Tralee 38 Sport of Kings 54 St Pat’s Day in New York 1968 86 St Patrick Visitor Centre 84 St Patrick’s Day Parade 28 Storyfully with Mark 17 The escaped Fenians 60 The Finger Post 31 The University of Life 20 Three Lovely Lassies with Marie 34 Torc Ceili Club 67 Ulster Rambles 58 WAGS 80 Waterford Crystal in Cottesloe 39

FAMINE MEMORIAL

built on foundation of community spirit

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Denis Burke and his team laying the foundations of Famine Memorial

Once it had finally gotten the green light for planning to go ahead the Irish Famine Memorial project ramped up to the next stage. It had to be built and the potential for it to be unveiled by the Irish President later in the year added a real sense of urgency to the project. A lot of trades were needed to pull the whole thing together on a tight time frame. As soon as the WA Irish Famine Commemoration Committee put out the call for help they received an overwhelming response from those with the skills, experience and resources to make it happen. Denis Burke of BC Formwork volunteered to help out on the spot.

Hailing from Frosses - a small village about seven miles west of

Donegal town - his family, including his four brothers and six sisters, owned a small farm. “I started working with a builder when I left school. Most of the time I was on the farm before that. My brothers left and went to England when they reached sixteen or seventeen. We had family and a couple of houses in London, and there’s still some of them living there today, where they have brought up their families. Our luck was you went to London and worked as a carpenter. I’d done training with the builder at home but there were no papers at the time for doing that sort of work. So, basically most of what I’ve learned I’ve learned by experience. I’ve worked in Tasmania as a foreman and I had something like 20 carpenters on site and I was showing them what to do, and they were all fully qualified.”

He came to Australia in 1974 with a group of six mates from London. He worked on a couple of jobs in the north west of WA, including at Tom Price and Newman. It was also during this time that he met his wife to be, Linda.

“I came back down to Perth with a few of the lads and we decided to head for Melbourne,” said Denis.

“Linda came over about a month afterwards and we’ve been together ever since. As for the lads, a couple of them are in Melbourne, a couple are back in Ireland and there’s one in Sydney. I’m the only one left in the west.”

After Melbourne they went to Tasmania for a while, where he

Denis, not afraid to get stuck in!

4

worked for a Kerryman on a maritime college and a casino. The couple - who have six girls and a boy - came back to Perth in 1981 and have been here ever since.

Denis said his first port of call in Perth was St. Finbarr's. “I played [Gaelic] football in Melbourne so I got involved with Finbarr’s. And the Irish Club was pretty strong at that time and we used to go there and get to meet other people.”

As well as playing GAA, Denis and some mates set up a tug of war team, which lasted for about six or seven years. After that foray Denis returned to Gaelic football, followed by his entire family.

“Every one of the girls has played with Finbarr’s, the boys and five nephews who came out - including one who captained them for two or three years and was very successful,” added Denis.

“My daughter in law played with the girls and Linda was involved with getting the first ladies team going with Sean Byrnes and Damien McCague. I believe that’s what keeps Gaelic football going in WA, the women’s league. And the grand kids are not far from becoming involved, so I’ll be dragged back in again,” he laughed.

The famine memorial project was in many ways an extension of that sense of giving back to the community for Denis, and others.

“I had no hesitation at all when Peter McKenna asked me to become involved in it. Charlie Smith spoke to me about another sculpture

which had nothing to do with what Peter was doing at that stage. Way back, we had a company called Shamrock Enterprises and we had a lot of Irish lads that worked with us over that time and we probably knew most of the lads who were around in the building game, and some who still are today. When it comes to helping out there are always guys willing to give time and help to those in touble, but this was a bit different, it showed the Irish still cared about our name and the people who went before us. I couldn’t believe the amount of people who wanted to help out, mainly the same guys who are involved in a lot of other things. When I realised John Whelan and Gay Collins involvement in it, and Peters, and Charlie, and Fred Rea’s I knew that it was something worth doing and that I wanted to do what I could to help. When I spoke with Sean King from PC Walls he stuck his hand up and said: “Yeah, I’ll supply the concrete and the formwork, and he did, so that was a big help.”

“Gay Collins of Pipeline Technics done all the excavations, fencing, traffic control and stuff like that while Peter coordinated at the site. There was a lot more involved in it than I realised at the start, with councils, parks etc but it went very smoothly but only because it was well organised.

Peter deserves a lot of credit for getting the project over the line with problems like the marble, and stuff like that. He was down there seven days a week, even with the flu.”

Peter was supported by so many people that Denis wasn’t aware of them all. But he praised the contribution of Eddie Rogan who he had worked with before. “Mick McIlroy from Tyrone came out of retirement to cut the marble stone template when Peter asked him. He just loved being involved and having a little part in it.”

As well as bringing many old friends together for a common cause the memorial also saw some family members work side by side.

“Gay Collins son was involved, which was great,” said Denis. “So was my son who works at BC Formworks. He works with me, its good to have him on board most of the time, it makes it worthwhile going to work when you wonder sometimes what you’re doing it for.”

Through the memorial Denis met up with Nathan Colgan of Colgan Industries and Denis is now doing the formwork for Nathan on another project. The whole experience has been a positive one and something that Denis is proud of and hopes will become something of a legacy for those involved.

“A person who gives their time is not on the agenda of making a fast buck, it's about community spirit” he said. Some people can help out with a few hours work, or giving up a day of their

Orla Boyle (Denis's daughter) Sabina Higgins, President Michael D Higgins and Denis Burke at dedication and unveiling of Famine Memorial

time, while others put their hands in their pocket.

“There are a lot of people in the world who would do the same, but they don’t always have the facility to do it. But I was lucky enough I had and knowing the right people, the likes of Gay Collins and John Whelan, you wouldn’t get two guys anywhere as well set up as them to jump in and provide everything that is required. They don’t seek recognition for it, they are happy enough just to do it. Knowing these guys since they came here to WA or through the GAA these things come up with the GAA as well and helping out with the Claddagh Association and stuff like that. Its the same people all the time that put their hand up.”

The famine had a devastating impact on the people of Donegal and the memorial is an important link and recognition of that period of our history said Denis.

“I was honoured to be asked to be involved. You go through your life and you can count on one hand the really great things you did. This is one to me that’ll be there long after we are all gone. Its important too for the family of the women who came out here and their heritage.”

Peter Mc Kenna and Denis Burke

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St Patrick's Day

Message from Irish Ambassador Is mór agam deis a bheith agam agus ag mo bhean chéile, Carmel Callan, gach dea-ghuí a chur go pobal Gaelach agus Cairde na hÉireann in Iarthar na hAstráile do Lá na Féile Pádraig 2018. Tá súil agam go mbaineann gach duine agaibh ard-taitneamh as an gceiliúradh seo atá oscailte do chách. Is dlúth-chuid do Chlann na nGael na Gaeil thar sáile freisin go háirithe an tráth seo bliana.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to send my best wishes to the Irish community and friends of Ireland in Western Australia for a happy and enjoyable St Patrick’s Day. 2017 was a momentous year for the Embassy and the Irish community of WA because President and Mrs Higgins began their visit to Australia and New Zealand in Perth. While with you in WA, they followed a full programme of community, cultural, political and economic events that did so much to reinforce the already strong ties between WA and Ireland. I want to take this opportunity to thank our Honorary Consul, Marty Kavanagh, and all of you who helped make such a success of the President’s visit.

Irish history, sport and culture enjoy strong and creative support in WA. You also give crucial support to Ireland’s economic interests in Australia.

Indeed, WA must be amongst the strongest regions anywhere on the planet for its pride and celebration of its Irish heritage. I recall with appreciation that in January 2018 WA commemorated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Hougoumont, the last convict ship to arrive in Fremantle, with its contingent of Fenian convicts, so excellently celebrated by WA’s ‘Fenians, Freedom and Fremantle Festival’. As we now know this body of Fenian patriots and their associates in Australia, America and Ireland were, through a series of historic and history changing connections, to have a fundamental and positive impact on Ireland’s path to freedom in the following century.

During his visit to Fremantle, President Higgins also remembered perhaps the saddest and most devastating chapter in Irish history with the unveiling of the poignantly beautiful sculpture in Subiaco to those who died and those who suffered during Ireland’s devastating An Gorta Mór. Caithfear cuimhniú ar an uafás sin! I believe that the circumstances of our history place a particular burden of responsibility on people of Irish heritage to ensure the world does not forget that hunger and poverty afflict so many millions of people today. Even during our moments of celebration of our shared Irish heritage we should find the time and the opportunity to remember 7

that our historic experience of starvation is, sadly and unjustly, the current experience of too many children, women and men across the planet.

I also want to recognise as President Higgins did on a number of occasions during his visit that many among Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples also have Irish heritage and their unique contribution to our shared heritage is valued and a joyous cause of celebration. I would note that Ireland’s diaspora is one of the most extensive and inclusive anywhere in the world, it enriches Ireland and everywhere it is located and impacts.

My dear friends, 2017 set a very high standard in the reinforcement of the connections between Ireland and Western Australia, the challenge to all of us is to match and surpass that standard in 2018. I look forward to working very closely with you all to ensure that 2018 is another great year in our relationship.

Bainigí taitneamh as Lá na Féile Pádraig is nár laga spiorad na nGael in Iarthar na hAstráile go deo.

Breandán Ó Caollaí

Ambasadóir na hÉireann/ Ambassador of Ireland

REVIEW OF FENIANS FREMANTLE FESTIVAL:

A DESCENDANT'S PERSPECTIVE

By Bernie Brophy

My brother Michael, my sister Therese and I came over from Melbourne to attend the Fenians Fremantle Left: Bernie Brophy with his sister Therese and brother Michael.v and Freedom Festival in January, 2018. The festival th th covered 10 days from 5 January to 14 January but we Mazzella and John Reed. Unfortunately we had to had to return to Melbourne on 11th January. The festival leave the festival before the concerts featuring Declan celebrated the arrival in Fremantle 150 years ago of O`Rourke and Lucky Oceans.

A special event was the Poetry and Irish Literature the ship Hougoumont on 10th January 1868, the last convict ship to Australia. It was carrying, among others, Day which included a discussion of the Fenian 62 Fenian political prisoners, including our great-great movement and its legacy, as well as a contribution by Irish poet Tony Curtis as to the part poetry played in the uncle Hugh Brophy.

The Fenians were dedicated patriots who suffered Fenian writings. In fact, on the ship the Fenians created greatly for the cause of Irish independence. They had a magazine called “The Wild Goose” which appeared taken an oath in Ireland to on 7 occasions during the voyage. The original of the Martin Hayes set up an Irish Republic by magazine was displayed at the Gaol on loan from the armed force. The movement Mitchell Library—a great coup by the festival organisers.

Many of the Fenians on the Hougoumont were was a secret organisation which arose from disaffection educated and literate and after being pardoned with British rule in Ireland or escaping they went onto successful careers— following the Famine, the particularly John Boyle O`Reilly who became a well appalling response to it by known writer, poet and journalist in the U.S.A. Our the British Government and ancestor, Hugh Brophy, was a builder and after his the failure of Parliamentary release he set up work as a builder in Perth with politics to address these another Fenian, Joseph Nunan. They built the first bridge across the Swan River, the Convent of Mercy in issues.

The festival included an art Perth and other buildings in the Perth environs. After 3 years, Brophy moved to Victoria and exhibition, concerts from Irish musicians, remained working as a builder until films, Irish dancing, workshops for poets his death at the age of 90 in 1919. He and writers, a Commemoration Walk by took an active interest in the politics the Fenian descendants and supporters of Ireland, especially the Home Rule from the beach to Fremantle Gaol, as Movement. well as a banquet and party to close the Apart from participating in the festival. activities of the Festival, we also As Fenian descendants, we appreciated the opportunity to particularly enjoyed the Commemoration reflect on the aims of the Fenians and Walk. I believe there were in attendance their legacy. approximately 30 descendants of six of The Fenian movement continued the Fenians. They had come from Ireland, in a much reduced state in Ireland Canada, N.S.W and Victoria and it was a after the abortive rising in 1867, but great experience and pleasure to meet Declan O'Rourke and Tony Curtis Irish nationalism continued through and socialise with them. We also had an opportunity to tell some of the stories of our Fenian the Land League, the Home Rule movement and the forebears and to hear interesting anecdotes from family support for an Irish Republic leading up to the Easter Rebellion of 1916. In fact one of the signatories of the members of the Fenians Another highlight of the festival for us was the Irish Proclamation of 1916 was Thomas Clarke, an concert featuring Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill, Kavisha old Fenian. In America, the Fenians John Devoy and 8

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We wish our clients, families and friends a Happy St Patrick's Day.

Jeremiah O`Donovan Rossa were extremely active in raising funds and providing continual support for the cause of Irish independence in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

Independence for 26 Counties was achieved in 1921 after the War of Independence.

On a personal note, I have always been interested in Irish history and politics. I was delighted to attend in April 2016 at the GPO in Dublin the Commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rebellion.

The Fenians in Australia drew attention to the injustices to which their countrymen had been subjected to by the British Government and their fight for independence. We often hear about the Irish influence in Australia and this is manifested in a concern for justice, a fair go for all and sympathy for the underdog.

The festival was an ambitious enterprise involving a substantial amount of organizing. Congratulations should be extended to Margo O Byrne, Joanna Robertson and their committee for what was a very successful celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

The events were well attended and, as one of the Fenian descendants, I was proud to be part of such a memorable occasion.

Fenian Hugh Brophy and his resting place.

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Talking about CY O’Connor’s legacy Charles Yelverton O’Connor was born in Gravelmount, Castletown, Co. Meath and aged 21 the engineer emigrated to New Zealand where – amongst other things – he worked on a major project to open up the gold fields on the west coast and make them more accessible. He came to Western Australia in 1891 and became Engineer In Chief for the colony. O’Connor had a considerable impact on WA and was responsible for the construction of Fremantle harbour, the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme and the railway system, which still influence the modern day state. A TAFE college bears his name as does the federal division of O’Connor (which includes the southern wheatbelt and most of the Goldfields of WA).

Organised by the National Trust the annual CY O’Connor Lecture Series is another way his legacy is celebrated and continues to define Western Australia. The lectures are held on or about the anniversary of his death – March 10 (1902).

The National Trust says O’Connor’s work and personal life were guided by qualities of integrity, innovation, sustainability and equality.

“His projects have stood the test of time and remain a testament to his brilliance,” the Trust states. “It is this sense of courage and purpose and its subsequent legacy, that this lecture series seeks to promote.”

Speakers are invited to deliver the annual address will explore a topic and/or person, historical or contemporary, relevant to their area of expertise that is within the spirit of O’Connor’s legacy. While it is not necessary that topics relate specifically to O’Connor or engineering, it is anticipated that they will present ground breaking research, innovation, best practice or excellence.

Previous speakers include Governor of WA Kerry Sanderson (Do we celebrate our scientists, engineers and innovators enough?)

by Lloyd Gorman

in 2016, former WA premier and chair of the Australian Heritage Council Prof. Carmen Lawrence (Threats to Australia’s heritage) (2013) and Prof. Paul Hardisty, former director CSIRO Land and Water, adjunct Professor UWA (The big water related challenges) (2017).

Neil Bennett – WA Manager of Media and Communication for the Bureau of Meteorology – will take the podium for this years presentation on the topic “Australia’s changing climate”.

“Since 1910, the air and sea temperatures in and around Australia have warmed by nearly 1 degree Celsius,” his introduction reads.

“May–July rainfall has reduced by around 19 per cent since 1970 in the southwest of WA, and the duration, frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have increased across large parts of Australia. In addition, rainfall has increased across parts of northern Australia since the 1970s, oceans around 10 10

Australia have warmed and acidity levels have increased. We have also seen sea levels rising around Australia. These changes affect many Australians particularly those changes associated with increases in the frequency or intensity of heat events, fire weather and drought. Australia will need to plan for and adapt to some level of climate change. The science underpinning these findings will help inform a range of economic, environmental and social decisionmaking and local vulnerability assessments by government, industry and communities. In this lecture, Neil Bennett will provide a background into the science behind these findings and will include new information about Australia’s climate - past, present and future.”

Mr Bennett has worked in the field for 38 years and has spent time in the UK, Germany and Australia.

As an observer he undertook measurements of temperature, rainfall, winds and pressure, whilst as a forecaster he provided forecasts for aviation users, the defence forces, emergency services managers, the media and the general community. In his current role, Neil acts as the spokesperson for the Bureau during major weather events and undertakes stakeholder engagement activities. He has also spent time working with ABCTV as one of their weather presenters.

The 2018 CY O’Connor lecture takes place in the State Library Theatre, ground floor, at 25 Francis St, Perth at 5.45pm on Wednesday 14 March.

Tickets cost between $13.75 and $22.19 and can be ordered at www.eventbrite.com. au/e/2018-cy-oconnor-lecturetickets-42703663808 or contact the National Trust WA - The Old Observatory 4 Havelock Street, West Perth (08) 9321 6088 for details. (see pages 16 and 43)

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The annual Pieta House Darkness Into Light Gathering will take place worldwide on the morning of May 12th, 2018.

The 5k walk aims to promote awareness of self-harm and suicide and provide information on the importance of mental health.

The event starts in the dark of night, with participants standing shoulder to shoulder, their way lit by torch and candlelight. As the dawn breaks, the participants reach the finish line, reminding us all that there is hope, even when all seems lost.

The first Darkness into Light Walk was held in Dublin’s Phoenix Park in 2009 and for the past 7 years has been the symbol of hope and support for families that have struggled with mental health.

Darkness Into Light walks will start in the dark of night and finish just as the dawn is breaking in over 150 locations this year.

This year we are holding our fourth annual event on May 12th in Perth which will take place along the South Perth Foreshore.

The start and finish point will be located at Sir James Mitchell Park with the walk commencing at 6am. The atmosphere and sense of togetherness during these walks is truly heart-warming and uplifting.

We exceeded expectations in 2017 with over 160,000 people registering and taking part in the event worldwide, with almost 1000 of these individuals in Perth. We collected over $26,000 in Perth in 2017 and were then able to donate $12,000 to Headspace and $15,000 to Pieta House.

We would love you to help us make a difference this year!

We need you! We need to fill the South Perth Foreshore with as many people and as much light as possible, bringing awareness and hope to those suffering from all forms of mental illness as well as providing support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

We are also looking for prominent businesses and groups to help with regards to sponsorship donations and creating awareness of the event.

We would also be grateful if you could help promote and create awareness of our Darkness Into Light 5km Walk in your workplace, on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and social media pages. We can email you the link for this event or you can find us on Facebook at Darkness Into Light Perth. This walk is widely known among the Irish community in Perth. We would love more people from Australia and beyond to sign up and take part. Mental Health affects us all.

Registration will be open soon! Keep an eye on our Facebook page Darkness Into Light and Twitter handle #DIL2018 Suicide (in Australia) is the

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biggest killer of women under 35 and men under 45. In Oz there is a suicide every three hours (this is from the Australian bureau of statistics 2016‌ it was one every 4 hours in 2015) Men or 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women (men use more lethal means).

Suicide is under reported by a minimum of 20% (shame, stigma, religion, culture, coroner report it was an accident because there was no note, life insurances-some won’t pay out on a suicide).

These are global statistics: 1 in 500 have attempted suicide.

In a twelve-month period 1 in 20 will have thoughts of suicide (you can get these from the world health organisation).

Paul Tanham (right) organising the entrance to St Patrick's Mass

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SATURDAY 17 MARCH

St Patrick’s Day 2018 St Patrick’s Day Mass 2018

St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth on Saturday 17th March. 10am St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other National Day; it is the most Global National Holiday. Here in Perth it used to be a school holiday for all the Catholic Colleges and Schools.

Many school children would attend the open-air Mass at Subiaco Oval. In Perth for many years the St Patrick’s Day Mass was celebrated at St Joseph Parish Church, Subiaco. The man behind the organising of the Annual Mass was Paddy Costello, we owe a vote of thanks to Paddy for his many years in that roll.

I, Paul Tanham got involved in 2010 and arranged for our Annual St Patrick’s to move to our newly refurbished St Mary’s Cathedral. Our Principal Celebrant in 2010 was the then Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey.

Other Celebrants we have had are as follows: Monsignor Sean O’Shea, Fr Vincent Glynn, Fr Laurence Murphy, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Bishop Donald Sproxton, Fr Vincent Conroy and now in 2018 Fr Greg Donovan I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bowra & O’Dea for their support with the printing of the Mass Book for many years. Special thanks to our small Organising Committee: Fr Laurence Murphy, Louis Byrnes, Fred Rea and now Eimear Beattie, Irish Families in Perth. Paul Tanham, Organiser

Thank you Paul

On behalf of the Irish Community we express our sincere thanks to Paul Tanham for organising the Mass for many years. 2017 was especially tough for Paul with the loss of his wife Sonya a short time before the annual mass. He has done a ‘mighty job’ as they say back home and its time for others to take the reins. Go raibh mile maith agat Paul. Fred Rea

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Trinity Irish Dancers perform at at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm.

Bryan Dalton plays at noon.

Ha’penny Plug 3:30pm - 7pm The Lost Backpackers 7:30pm - late.

Special St Patrick’s Day Menu.

WHAT'S ON IN MAR / APR MONDAYS Mighty McDonnell Chicken Curry $20 TUESDAYS Mighty Parmigiana Night $20 WEDNESDAYS Quiz Night (Free Entry, Giveaways,Cash Prizes) Steak Night $15 Porterhouse Steak & Chips THURSDAYS Mighty Pasta Night $17 FRIDAYS Mighty Slider Night. 3 Sliders $20.00

(Friday Entertainment The Lost Backpackers).

SATURDAYS Mighty Taco Night $17 (Saturday Entertainment alternates between The Lost Backpackers, Bryan Dalton, Jonny Reid, Dave Cummins, Prohibition, Tommy O'Brien & Sue Summers).

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Archives are windows into our past The archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Harold Street, Highgate is a valuable and irreplaceable repository of religious, administrative, legal, fiscal, historical and evidential information and documents that predates the establishment of the dioceses in 1845.

The responsibility of curating and conserving that collection rests on the shoulders of its new archivist, Odhran O’Brien. His own life story and Irish heritage helps give him an affinity and appreciation for the value of the records.

His mother’s family hail from counties Cork and Galway while his father’s side are also from Galway. “Mum and Dad met in Galway in the early 1980s and got married there,” he said. “I came along twelve months later, and we lived in Mountbellew, County Galway, for a few years before moving to Perth.

(Coincidentally, Mountbellew is where many Irish girls came from on the bride ship, Palestine in 1853 following the Famine). When mum and dad came back to Australia, all their brothers and sisters were here. They were a very close family, like all Irish families. Granddad was one of the people who founded the Shamrock Club in Gosnells. We returned to Ireland fairly regularly, so it was definitely an Australian/Irish upbringing.”

Following his Masters Odhran is currently undertaking a PhD in Western Australian history, specifically looking at the relationship between the Catholic Church and the secular government, a story in which Irish immigrants feature heavily. Odhran also wrote a book on Martin Griver, the second Catholic bishop of Perth, who emigrated to Western Australia in 1849 with Bishop Rosendo Salvado, the founder and abbot of New Norcia.

Amongst his achievements here, Griver built the original St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth.

The Irish played a key role in the early Church and its was ex-convict

By Fred Rea

Irishmen who were employed to build some of the important Church places, such as St Mary’s Cathedral and the Convent of Mercy, both situated in Victoria Square in the city. Fenian Joseph Nunan became a master builder and was the main contractor for the Convent of Mercy. Father Griver provided pastoral care for emigrant Irish throughout the Colony of Western Australia and married a lot of the early Irish couples, including women like Elizabeth Carbury, a migrant woman from Galway who would venture as far as Dardanup where she would build a new life and family.

The early priests in Western Australia were largely Spanish but they recruited Irish priests because the bulk of the community in those days was Irish and English.

“We have got a huge amount of records in the Catholic Archives in Highgate, of the early Irish families, that takes the form of mainly sacramental registers” added Odhran.

“One of the main reasons I was appointed was because of my knowledge of Catholic history in Western Australia and to promote the records to people and to encourage research. I am looking to do that in many different ways. Some people might think that the Catholic archives only have information about the Catholic Church but the reality is that a lot of those records reflect the social history of Western Australia, and the Irish are a big facet of that. There is lots of correspondence dating back to 1845 as well as registers records for the baptisms, marriages and deaths of Catholic people in Western Australia. So, they give you nuggets of information and insight about their lives.

With some of the marriage records they will tell you where they came from, so you can trace the arrival of early Catholic emigrants, what county they came from, what their job was and those sorts of things.

So, the records can be used to tell the tale of people’s lives. Many Irish 15

who travelled to Western Australia in those early days were not well educated and many spoke Gaelic, so Church records provide details about them that cannot be found anywhere else.”

Odhran thinks that for the Catholic archives to stay relevant and vibrant it is important to build partnerships and collaborations with other organisations, such as universities. “That will be one of the focuses I have had over the past twelve months. I would love to see a scholarship established focusing on Irish history and those who migrated. A lot came out during the convict periods because transportation started in Western Australia in 1850 and ended in 1867 with the arrival of the Hougoumont. Because of concerns about all of these male convicts populating the colony, there were schemes from the early1850s which encouraged women from poor parishes in Ireland and England to migrate here. We’ve got the records of some of these peo-

ple’s marriages and the birth of their children and you can trace their lives as they unfolded in Western Australia.

I could see that something that looked at the life of Irish emigrants would be a really good opportunity for the Catholic, state and other archives to partner and see how different records all contributed to history.”

“The really good thing about the Famine Memorial is we need these events and these sorts of cultural monuments to remind us of our pasts. They encourage people to delve into history and are a really important part in reminding the current society of our origins and we have developed.

If people contact the archives, I can give them all of the contact details, they can fill out a form if they want a particular record and we can search them, alternatively they can come in and do research. They just need to make an appointment and we often do a search for them prior to them coming in.”

The archives opening hours are 10am to 2pm Monday to Thursday. Appointments can be made by emailing the office: archives@perthcatholic.org.au

C.Y O'Connor statue VANDALISED

by Lloyd Gorman It is not clear exactly when it happened but what appears to be deliberate and severe damage to the bronze statue of CY O'Connor, off O'Connor Beach, North Cogee was discovered on Monday 26 February. The torso off the two metre high sculpture of O'Connor on horseback in the water was cut in half and the whereabouts of the missing section unknown.

The City of Cockburn is investigating the matter and the destruction may become a police matter. WA artist Toby Jones created the water based piece - CY O'Connor Horse and Rider - in 1999 when it was installed about 65 feet off the shoreline, representative of the way and place where O'Connor ended his own life on March 10, 1902. Jones crafted the artwork 'C Y O'Connor Horse and Rider' locally in his studio, which is appropriately enough in the industrial suburb of Fremantle of O'Connor (named in his honour) - said the vandalism as 'gut wrenching' and 'horrific' and that he hoped the missing piece could be found and restored to its proper place.

Fremantle is home to a second - older - statue dedicated to O'Connor's accomplishments, including of course Fremantle Harbour. That sculpture can be found at 1 Cliff Street, Victoria Square in Fremantle. It was erected in 1911 and paid for entirely out of public subscriptions from across Australia, such was the high regard he was held in and a clear show of appreciation for his contribution to WA.

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A high degree of Irish at UWA

By Lloyd Gorman

Dr Gerardine Neylon had two very good reasons to be proud on October 10, 2017.

On that occasion the University of Western Australia - where she is the Masters of Education (Early Childhood) Course Coordinator awarded Irish President Michael D Higgins an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to global affairs and his lifelong advocacy on behalf of minority groups, including the poor, marginalised and underprivileged. She was one of the assembled UWA academics who sat behind President Higgins in Winthrop Hall during the special conferral ceremony. She knew exactly how well he deserved the honour.

“I remember as a young woman in Clare how he opened up the University of Galway, I remember in my earlier years visiting the University to see documentaries he produced, he was outstanding in what he did

at the University,” said Gerardine.

“I was really honoured to sit in the platform with him on that night and I was so pleased that UWA’s law school - which has a specialist in social justice - awarded him the honorary doctorate. Michael D. has a strong human rights record and is an advocate for social justice”.

The way things worked out Gerardine didn’t get to meet Michael D on that occasion but she has met and even interviewed him in the past. For her there was another stand out figure as well.

“I was very proud to be an Irish person while he was here and to hear his challenging speech in the state parliament and for the unveiling of the famine memorial in Subiaco. I must say, sitting on the podium it was fabulous to see his wife Sabina up close. She is his best advocate. She sat focused on his every word. She is a great woman, I was so pleased to be a part of that.”

There was a reception outside the hall after the ceremony at which copious pints of the black stuff were served up. “It was really special to come out and see so many lovely pints of Guinness, which I thought was very generous of the university.

There’s usually a glass of white wine at these things.”

Gerardine has been at UWA for four years now but her academic ca-

reer and interest in Early Childhood Education goes back to the start of her professional career in Ireland.

As well as a Doctorate of Philosophy PhD from the University of Limerick (UL) she also has a Master’s degree in Public Policy & Administration from UL as well as a Masters in Child Protection and Welfare from Trinity College Dublin. She also studied Mutual Business Management in Cork.

Her first accreditation a Diploma in Pre-school Care from Cathal Brugha College, Dublin led to her first job in 1981 in her home town Ennis in Co. Clare.

“I started out working for an agency in the west of Ireland developing community based pre-school groups and I’ve always had a real interest in quality in Early Childhood Education services,” she added. “For my PhD in the University of Limerick I measured the quality of pre-school care in Ireland. I visited a pre-school group in each of the 26 counties. I applied an international rating system to measure quality.

The research findings showed the need for improvement, I titled the work Parish Pedagogies – because quality seemed to differ from Parish to Parish. It was an interesting time in the development of services for pre-school children with the free pre-school year being a big issue in Ireland.”

Gerardine can be seen here top right of this photo of Michael D Higgins receiving his honorary degree from UWA. 18 18

“After I finished my PhD I worked with St. Nicholas Montessori Foundation in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, for a year. I was helping the traditional school move into contemporary pedagogical approaches on top of their traditional Montessori educational philosophy. That was really interesting and as a result of that I was appointed here at UWA’s graduate school of education to co-ordinate a Master’s degree in Teaching (Early Childhood). The qualification is offered to students who already have a degree and we bring them through the policies of pedagogies and supervise their work experience in services for children from birth to age eight.

The students are accredited to work in the Early Childhood sector, Pre-kindergarten, Kindergarten, Pre-primary and up to Year 2 in primary schools. The course is very popular and attracts international students, as well as students from across Australia. We are fortunate that our students attend practical placements in ‘Unicare” the universities’ child care services which is rate as one of the highest in WA. The students are then placed in Pre-primary and Primary schools.

I’m also teaching another Masters programme for School Leadership, the students are mature people who are leaders in school such as deputy principles and principals.

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to promote the importance

of Early Childhood Education and Care at all levels.” Gerardine also supervises Masters Students and PhD students. “The area I’m particularly interested in is quality and I have a student coming in from Vietnam to join my team so it’s an interesting time in Early Childhood Education.

We are developing new courses that will help people - already accredited in teaching - to come and do a conversion course to work in the Early Years”.

“I feel it’s been a life journey, working from developing community pre-school groups in Co Clare, promoting the importance and recognition of Early Childhood Education is something I’ve advocated since graduating from Cathal Brua St in Dublin in 1982. I’ve worked in the field for a long number of years and one of the positive developments I see in Australia is that we are developing graduates to work in the sector and that National policy has developed a National Quality Framework, so children are cared for in every state in Australia using the same curriculum framework – no Parish Pedagogies here!!.

Gerardine’s appointment was confirmed in May 2013 but she didn’t start in the position until October so this gave her and her husband plenty of time to pack up, find a place to life and settle into life in Perth.

“Because my husband is from America we had lived in San Diego

19

for a number of years,” said Gerardine. “There is a lot of similarity between Western Australia and San Diego in that they are both west coast and I’m a west coast woman, from the west of Ireland.”

She also discovered that she already had a friend in Perth, Tom Murphy, the hard working and ubiquitous PRO for GAAWA. Gerardine and Tom studied together in UL and their friendship continues today, with Gerardine and Tom’s partner Diane also developing a close rapport. A keen GAA observer in her own right Gerardine also made a point of getting down to Tom Bateman Reserve in Canning Vale for the championship finals of the GAA’s 2017 Australasian Championships. The event was a roaring success attracting a lot of interest and audiences, an occasion which was enhanced even further by the presence of the presidential party.

As well as a trip back to Ireland late last year for her daughter’s wedding Gerardine has been back

for the last two years to her home town of Ennis which has hosted the Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann. “Being from the town of Ennis I was always interested in traditional music, Irish and the Irish revival of the 1970s. My husband is a musician – mostly jazz and when he came to Ireland 15 years ago he was playing his own fretted instrument, but when he heard the Irish music he took up his piano accordion that he hadn’t played for 30 years and reintroduced that instrument. He was taught the Irish tunes by John McCarthy who is famous for playing East Clare music, the old music of that area.

So my husband goes back to play trad music when he can. He loves it and it’s lovely to go back and hear him playing and attend all the festival events. There have been some really fantastic lectures about the history of the music and the local library have hosted presentations from various academics who come and give papers related to all aspects of society and traditional culture. The old medieval part of town is beautiful, without cars the famously narrow streets of Ennis has been a perfect and colourful venue for the Fleadh.”

On her two trips home for the Fleadh Gerardine has seen Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill playing. She didn’t get to see them perform as part of the Fenians Freedom Festival in Fremantle in January, but she has done her bit to get him here. “I met him at the Fleadh last year and I said to him would he please bring his group The Gloaming to Perth.”

The University of Life

By Lloyd Gorman

The following is a small extract taken from the speech of the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins on October 10 2108 in Winthrop Hall, when he was conferred with an Honorary Degree from UWA.

“I think it must be a special source of pride to this university and all of you who support it that this university was the first university in the British empire to provide free access to tertiary education and the renown of the University of Western Australia for its ethos of fair access today comes thus from the very distinguished foundation.

The importance of offering access to third level education is a policy principle I understand. I was the first member of my family to attend university and it was a great privilege to be a university teacher, not only at the National University of Ireland [Galway] but a number of other universities. At that time when I entered university as an adult a university education was not accessible to many. Indeed, in Ireland a secondary education was a privilege while further education was viewed as the preserve of the wealthy and elite. As you have heard of Sir John Winthrop Hackett this was something he understood powerfully and it is interesting that when he came to Western Australia in 1882, just as the land war was ending and just as grant of land to tenants in Ireland was taking place he infect understood the importance of education. Hackett gave an extraordinary grant to the university for it come into existence was himself a graduate of Trinity College [Dublin].

On entering the doors of university should always be an expression of encountering the fresh and invigorating air of open pluralist thinking and the encouragement 20 20

Michae D Higgins debating as a student at UCG

of both imagination, as well as tradition.

I remember myself the first days of entering a university and I remember in Galway - where I went - how widely it was appreciated when the walls around the university began to be taken down and the people of the city could walk through the university grounds.

[UWA] has so much to be proud of and has achieved such considerable access in opening the gates of possibility from traditionally low participating areas. I salute it for that, for the example it gives here in Australia and Western Australia, but to all universities. And today marks for me, and the Irish people I represent as President (Uachtarán na hÉireann0 the beginning

Michae D Higgin's student card

of a profound connection to this esteemed institute of learning, a place where generations of students have achieved not only degrees as we have said with great distinction, but also an understanding of the importance of independent thought and scholarly engagement, the curiosity that must be at the heart of a university.”

L-R: Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph Mary Plunkett, Seán MacDiarmada, Thomas Clarke, James Connolly, Eamonn Ceannt and Patrick Pearse

Easter Rising 1916

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ARTHUR KENNEDY in the Wide World (Part FOUR)

By Peter Conole During 1861 it became known that John Hampton had been appointed to succeed Kennedy as governor in Western Australia. Kennedy left the colony in early 1862 and Hampton arrived to take his place on February 28. Assessing the Irishman’s successes and failures is no easy task and his departure was marked by some pretty raw comments. The editor of the ‘Perth Gazette’ had the nerve to print the following outrageous insult on January 24, 1862: the governor deserved “every credit for great ability, and for great unscrupulousness in carrying out his plans regardless of public opinion however expressed”.

In general terms the extra money brought in to support the convict system made an expanded public works programme possible and Kennedy did well in creating a workable system of land regulations. However, he was cautious in arranging for extra infrastructure works and built up a treasury surplus to meet unexpected contingencies. The policy was perceived as parsimony, even though he endorsed and saw through to completion of such great projects as land reclamation on the Perth river foreshore (1858).

Kennedy’s main mistake was the Customs Act of 1860, which caused chaos for visiting merchant ships and led the governor to repeal the worst clauses. He also antagonised the colonial elite by removing three justices of the peace who objected to interference by the Executive Council. Regardless of such tribulations, Kennedy asserted that he had raised the prosperity of the colony. After returning to Britain he was made a Commander of the Order of the Bath (CB). Then came the struggle to find a new appointment, for there was much competition for postings among

ambitious imperial officials at the time.

In July 1863 Arthur Kennedy was appointed lieutenant governor of Vancouver Island (west coast of Canada), a position that looked like a demotion. But it was far from being one and the Colonial Office was secretive about it, not releasing the glad tidings until December. For reasons that need not be gone into here, Britain had decided to break up the colony of British Columbia into two. The mainland remained as it was, but Vancouver was hived off and given a separate identity with all the imperial trappings. Kennedy arrived in Victoria, the capital of the new colony, on March 25, 1864 and soon found he had walked into a hornet’s nest. The most difficult years of his life followed.

The local press was happy about the new arrangement because it reduced the power of the bloated Hudson’s Bay Company. However, the island was cursed with a House of Assembly that more or less declared war on Kennedy from the start. Members had various vested interests and wanted to undermine the power of incoming officials.

The Assembly withheld Kennedy’s salary and denied him supplies, an office and clerical support staff. To top things off, because there was no Government House Kennedy and his family had to reside in a hotel.

Public demonstrations followed in Victoria and the Assembly finally gave in and agreed to pay salaries in July 1864. Kennedy was then able to get to work, but he remained in a 23

state of more or less open hostility with the Assembly throughout his time in office.

He encouraged mining exploration in the south of the island with good effect, because certain discoveries increased the value of crown lands.

The Assembly responded by again refusing any grant of funds to start an accountable public service.

However, the governor was able to push through a universal and non-sectarian Common School Act in 1865, which counted as one of his major achievements. Although his move to create an apolitical public service had failed, he struck back by removing existing officials who were corrupt or unqualified and arranged for the auditing of public accounts. By careful management he also secured a large appropriation for the building of a suitable Government House.

In his dealings with the small groups of native peoples on Vancouver Island and lesser islets scattered around it Kennedy was humane and carefully protected their interests.

There was one bad incident, when members of a certain tribe massacred the crew of a coastal trading vessel. Kennedy called for support from the Royal Navy and several of the tribe’s villages were burned in reprisal.

In the end Kennedy’s quarrels with the Assembly brought him down. When plans were put in place to re-unite Vancouver Island and British Columbia, he opposed the biased conditions offered by the Assembly until January 1865.

Attacks on him continued and in September 1866 the Assembly struck the finishing blows: a ‘no confidence’ motion and a refusal to pass a supply bill. A month later the colonies were formally reunited under Governor Frederick Seymour. Kennedy left for Britain

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on October 23, 1866, somewhat battered and no doubt stressed, but by no means disgraced. He was made a Knight Commander of the Bath in London in December, 1867 and offered the position of governor of the West African settlements.

Kennedy arrived in January 1868.

His two main priorities were Sierra Leone and the Gambia. He spent most of his time in Freetown, Sierra Leone and was an efficient and progressive administrator. In 1869 he was appointed a judge in the Courts of Mixed Commission for the suppression of the slave trade, which soon involved more activity in regard to the brutal Islamic trade in Africa rather than the almost defunct trans-Atlantic version.

Among his reform measures was a decision to recruit more Africans for public service positions. However, one carping critic noted that the more senior jobs were usually given to officials imported from Britain. The imputations behind the comments were unwarranted and unfair. Kennedy had to make use of well-educated and experienced civil servants and most locals were, as yet, not ready for high level advancements. Within a few years the situation changed, thanks in part to the Kennedy reforms.

He visited the Gambia just once during his term of service and that was only for ten days. Afterwards Kennedy made one of the worst blunders of his career: he decided the colony cost more money to run than it was worth and tried to persuade the British Government to make a territorial exchange. That is, to trade the Gambia off to France in return for something else. The following political and diplomatic imbroglio dragged on for seven years.

Kennedy was bitterly criticised by officials and traders in Bathurst during 1870 and he responded with equal severity. Local people, ie Africans, then dealt the governor a sharp blow when they drew up a large petition claiming to be proud British subjects and expressing their extreme hostility to the idea of French rule. Tribal rulers also went to Bathurst and one sent an amazing petition to Queen Victoria,

finishing with the words “we love you, as you have exhibited the same disposition towards us”. In short, after much paper warfare, the London authorities finally ruled out any exchange of Gambia “with the hope that no government would again attempt to hand over British subjects to a foreign power without their consent”.

Sir Arthur Kennedy suffered no career damage on account of that messy business and was made a Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1871. The honour was upgraded to Knight Commander in 1881. He left West Africa in January 1872 to take control of a far more prosperous colony, Hong Kong.

Kennedy arrived during April, 1872.

At the time the colony was going through a remarkable boom period and was emerging as one of the commercial power houses of Asia and the Pacific. Governor Kennedy obviously worked out that his main jobs were to maintain the status quo and introduce reforms or changes only when they were acceptable to locals and likely to benefit the economy. He seems to have thoroughly enjoyed his period in office and developed a great and publicly visible liking for Chinese people, which lifted his standing and had repercussions later.

Kennedy proved himself to be a good administrator and brought about the creation of the Hong Kong dollar. It has served as a respected monetary unit for generations. He also examined the west side of the island and decided to expand both residential and commercial activity by establishing a new quarter to the west of the capital, Victoria City. It became known as Kennedy Town and still flourishes today. The citizens of Hong Kong did not forget Arthur Kennedy and at least five public buildings, civic centres or parks have been named after him.

Kennedy was also the first Hong Kong governor to have a statue raised in his memory. He left the colony in March 1877.

Hs last posting as a career Colonial Office man, as was perhaps inevitable, turned out to be a largely decorative one. He took up the position of Governor of Queensland in July 1877. Kennedy was now 25

in his 68th year and presided over a colony that had responsible government. For the most part things went well and won him both popularity and respect. He also renewed a friendship with a one-time opponent, Bishop Matthew Hale, who later spoke of the governor’s humanity, good will and sincerely held Christian beliefs.

As was now expected of largely ceremonial governors, Kennedy involved himself in the cultural, entertainment and educational life of the colony.

Queensland politics could be at times volatile and Kennedy, now lacking ultimate decision making power, had to tread carefully.

He could do nothing to mediate when the Chief Justice of the colony resigned because of the government’s alleged parsimony.

He was also placed in a difficult position during the controversy over Chinese immigration. The drift of political and popular opinion was to restrict it, one core issue being worries about the cheapening of labour. Kennedy did not like the proposal and, being fond of Chinese folk in general, retaliated by employing as many as possible for various positions at Government House. That move caused some annoyance, but in the end he had no option but to put his seal on legislation he disliked.

Towards the end of his time in office Kennedy was involved in an international incident. Premier Sir Thomas McIlwraith decided to annexe eastern New Guinea because the Germans were moving in on the area. The Queenslanders, with ‘behind the scenes’ support and approval from Governor Kennedy, made the daring and illegal move in April 1883. The London authorities let things be, for it was a very good coup in strategic terms.

In May 1883 the governor’s term in office came to an end and he sailed for Britain on the passenger ship ‘Orient’. Sir Arthur Kennedy never made it home: he died off the coast of Aden on June 3, 1883 and was buried at sea. He was, in every way, a remarkable Irishman.

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And sure I could name a hundred So I really think its rich Not honouring a Woman there Like our Countess Markievicz!!!

There’s an empty spot by Larkin At whose side she once walked free Only right that this should happen If ye ask the likes of me!! © Pete St John / Saint Music

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This year is going to be extra special as our celebrations will fall on St. Patrick’s Day itself which is on Saturday 17th March 2018. There will be the wonderful parade through Leederville again, so get your creative thinking caps on and contact us through ESP the Event Services Productions company that we enlist to help us run this amazing day. So if you are a sporting club/book club/in a band/knitting ninja’s anything interesting that will add to the colour and vibrancy of the parade on the day contact jess@eventservicesproductions. com or call directly on 9328 9771 to get an application in, as of course, this day in age even fun stuff needs a paper trail!

The theme this year is ‘The Future’ which was part of a 3 year theme of past, present, future and has nothing to do with the ghosts of Christmas (but if you want to march in the parade dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge just paint the chains green and off you go!), and everything to do with adding to Irish Culture and sense of belonging and community within Perth, where most attending will be spending their immediate future!

The parade and family day itself sor is MajorfunSpon ks totheour Than free and hard working committee pull

out all the stops in getting funding and sponsorship to have this day open for all to enjoy! Anyone who has come along over the last few years will realise the commitment and effort put in to ensure this amazing day takes place!

The parade itself will have many different and interesting (stilt walkers, theater groups, music groups etc.) sometimes very funny (Mrs Browns Boys, St. Patrick himself with real snakes!) so if you can’t take part in the parade, be sure to be there to cheer on all those that do come onboard and put in so much effort! Kick off is at 10am starting from the water corporation car park along Newcastle Street, you can’t miss it, just follow the sea of green into Leederville on the morning! Amazing atmosphere!

FESTIVAL IN MEDIBANK STADIUM The parade nicely leads right into the oval where the rest of the days fun and entertainment takes place! For the kids there is a number of fun activities for all ages from inflatable obstacle courses to skills challenges, face painting, pet farm, previous years we had bucking bull, foam pits, fun bus, and much more, but we can’t reveal all yet for 2018 as we do change it up a bit every year to add something new and interesting so you’ll just have to come along with the family and see for yourself!

MUSIC This year’s entertainment will incorporate many different styles, with traditional and more modern rubbing along nicely and will be guaranteed to entertain all generations and Irish or not you’ll be singing along and tapping along to the wonderful musical talents in store on the main stage and in the bar. If it brings a tear to the eye or a smile to the face, sure haven’t we done our job!

STALLS As always there will be a selection of stalls that specialise in different foods, gifts, crafts, special interest, community focus and information, and this year we are looking to increase to selection of food stalls to cater for all tastes!

Again if you wish to have a stall for your community group/baked goods/business/ Irish interest on the day please contact us to register as increasing our variety will add to the enjoyment of the day!

SPONSORSHIP Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help us undertake this massive project for the benefit of you the Irish Community and your friends and family, we would like to say a huge thank you, and to Fred at the Irish Scene for helping us spread the word for this very important and poignant day in the Irish calendar in Perth. Since to run this event costs half of Ireland’s GDP here’s the cap in hand bit: if you would like to become a sponsor, we have packages available to suit available budgets please contact us for details.

Pretty please!

Look forward to seeing you there, we’ll have a word to the man above this year to hold off on the lightning, although it did add to the electric atmosphere last year!

y l i m a F y a D n Fu

e d a r PaSaturday 17 March &

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e c n i V & d r o Oxf , e l t s a c w e N ille v r e d e e L s t Stree

free event

Thanks to our Major Sponsor

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Hybrid Nation

by Bill Daly

Remnants of a Viking settlement were discovered in Cork City a few years ago in line with development work that was being carried out in this area. This settlement and artefacts are over 1000 years old and once again reinforces the City of Cork as an original centre of Viking settlement and investment.

In the late 1970’s there were many protests in Dublin in order to preserve the very important Viking settlement at Wood Quay. It was the largest settlement of its type ever unearthed and considered a very significant archaeological find for this country. In the height of the Wood Quay controversy a comment was made that if this site had been discovered as a Celtic settlement rather than a Viking one, it would have been much easier to get support and funding in relation to its preservation. Wood Quay could not be saved, and it yielded to become the IFSC Financial Centre.

In the study of Irish history, the Vikings have always been considered as outsiders and have received a pretty ‘bad press’ overall. They are primarily remembered for plundering and pillaging, but we must also remember that at this time the centres of wealth were the Monastic settlements. The Monastic scribes were also the journalists of their day who wrote about and chronicled these events and would subsequently pass into our historical studies for this period. The writings are biased against them, unbalanced, and the overall Viking contribution needs to be viewed in a much broader context.

These early seafaring multinationals, Vikings or Danes, were beginning to come in large numbers to Ireland from the 8th to the 10th centuries and founded the now important cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford.

They introduced the first system of coinage to Ireland, replacing the old traditional barter economy. Apart from the early raiding and plundering of Monasteries they were primarily involved in fishing, shipping and commerce. Viking words which have passed to the Irish language include ‘pingin’, (penny) ‘margadh’ (market) and ‘bad’ (boat).

I have heard recently about our ‘sometimes unwelcome’ attitude to refugees who are seeking asylum in this country. As a race, we are not as pure as we think we are. From the beginnings of habitation on this Island, in the

The Tuatha Dé Danann as depicted in John Duncan's "Riders of the Sidhe" (1911) 30

The weaver’s sword found at the site of the former Beamish and Crawford brewery in Cork city.

Photograph: courtesy of BAM Ireland

Mesolithic period over 10,000 years ago, we were populated in turn by the great Celtic tribes of the Fir Bolg, Tuatha de Danann and Milesian peoples. Each of these would replace and intertwine with each other. In subsequent periods we were forcibly settled by Vikings, Normans and English Colonists. We are, in effect, a hybrid nation of people, conditioned by centuries of intermarriage. The west coast of Ireland was also very much influenced by seafaring contact from North Africa, in particular from Morocco and Algeria. Our ‘shamrock’ plant is now believed to be Moroccan in origin. To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of colour or race is like living in Alaska and being against snow. In recognising the humanity of our fellow beings, we will ultimately pay ourselves the highest tribute of all.

‘Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box’ 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.

Peter Lonergan writes...

I was taken back through the years whilst reading the article “ Time Passage” from Mr Bill Daly and if I may, I will travel a bit further back in the passage of time.

The little garden he mentions has always been a mainstay and as we passed by each day the piggery adjacent would provide its own unique welcome.

However it is the overlooking The Finger Post that has always captured our imagination. Embedded in a beehive shaped pile of stone, it was about fifteen feet high, including the base. Apart from its value as a road sign, many people were not aware of its historic significance. Local man, Phil Carty of Donnybrook had decided Botany Bay in New South Wales wasn’t for him and alas his failed escape resulted in him being hanged on the original Finger Post for his part in the 1798 Rebellion Top: The old fingerpost sign and the Finger and his corpse left Post roundabout in Douglas, Cork with dangling in chains there. thanks to Peter Lonegan For many decades subsequently, men passing by would raise their caps and bless themselves and my earliest recollection is my sisters refused to pass it at night and my role was to go down the village and escort my sisters home as it was said that on a quiet night the dangling chains of “Phil Carty” were audible.

Peter Lonegan

Editor: During my recent visit to Ireland, I drove round the Fingerpost roundabout not realising the significance of the site.

My thanks Peter Lonegan for bringing this to our readers attention and especially to me. On my next visit I will stop and pause and say a silent prayer for Phil Carty. Fred Rea 31

The Finger Post The Finger Post, where walks the ghost Of Phil Carty, the Rapparee, Who hung in chains from its pointing vanes, Is now but a fallen tree.

'Twas in '98, oh! that dire defeat, When they fled to hill and sea; When the bog and glen hid the hunted men Who fought for liberty.

Phil Carty, the, with the captured men From the prison by the Lee, Led to Convict's hulk, by Spike Island's bulk On the voyage to Botany.

He gave one look at old Donnybrook, His home when he was free; The stars were bright, but his mothers light Showed steady and plain to see.

With one blow he laid his foe, On a Yeoman's horse was he; He tore up then through the bushy glen To the home that used to be.

The soldiers fired, the horse was tired, A hit, a crash ? they fall; His heart it bled from the cruel lead, The well-aimed musket ball.

The Finger Post, where walks his ghost, They made his gallows tree; His blood dripped bright, as he faced the light Of the mother he'd never see.

So raise the post for Phil Carty's ghost To stand by his gallows tree; To look at night for his mother's light ?

The light he'll never see.

When the wind blows low, he cheats the foe, When high, on the gallows tree; You'll hear the chains and his last remains ?

So a prayer and a tear give ye.

"The Finger Post where walks the ghost Of Phil Carty, Rapparee Who hung in chains from his pointed vanes Is now but a fallen tree.

'He gave one last look at old Donnybrook, His home when he was free.

The stars were bright, but his mother's light, Showed steady and plain to see.

'When the wind blows low, he cheats his foe, When high on the gallow tree, You'll hear the chains of his ghost's remains, So a prayer and a tear give ye."

By Lloyd Gorman

PERTH TO RIVAL POPULATION OF IRELAND The Irish Government launched Project Ireland 2040, its latest National Development Plan in February.

It plans to spend hundreds of billions of Euros building new roads, schools, hospitals, ports and housing amongst other things. This infrastructure will be

Grafton Street, Dublin

million to eight million. The place must have been teeming, with people everywhere and communal events - such as festivals, fairs and religious feast day events - would draw enormous crowds. All of this happened without large scale infrastructure projects or many

Hay Street, Perth

needed to sustain economic growth and development.

But it is also needed to accommodate a large growth in the population. By 2040 another one million people are expected to live in southern Ireland. The population of the Republic is currently about 4.75 million.

Approximately 1.85 million more reside in Northern Ireland, 6.6 million for the entire island of Ireland right now.

Roughly speaking that combined 6.6 million is about the same as the Irish population in 1850. It has taken 168 years for the Irish population to draw level with that era. Indeed it will take a full two hundred years for the population to pull ahead in a significant way. By 2040 the population of the Republic alone should be 5.75 million.

It is pretty well known that an estimated one million people perished in the few famine years in the mid 1840s, while another one million emigrated in the same timeframe. We might know the numbers but we can only imagine what it must have been like to witness and survive death and loss on that scale.

It is also hard to imagine what Ireland was like at the time. In the span of one life time - between 1780 and 1840 - the Irish population exploded from just three

roads worth talking about. At the time too the vast majority of people would have lived outside the main cities. Now more people live in the cities and that trend is only set to continue, and not just in Ireland.

In fact, metropolitan Perth and Western Australia generally will see this shift of people away from rural and regional living, to urban centres on an even more dramatic scale than what is happening in Ireland.

In February Infrastructure Australia also launched its Future Cities: Planning for our growing population report.

It contains some sobering details about what we – the people of Perth – will be like in the not so distant future.

Indeed, WA’s capital city will see its population explode from about 2.14 million at present, to 4.4 million by 2046. So a baby born today in King Edwards Memorial Hospital or St John of God Hospital or Glengarry or any of the states maternity hospitals will live in a city with roughly the same population of Ireland in today’s terms.

Perth will become more like Melbourne – but with ‘better’ weather! Mind you, climate change and water supply are already headaches for Perth (and many other parts of Australia and the world) as it is so doubling the population in a short timeframe is going to test the

32

ability of governments, planners and industry to expand successfully. Given the collective inability of powerful interests to do this in the past you’d have to light a candle at church for their chances into the future. The number of people expected to be living outside Perth – in all the other towns and cities and country areas – by 2046 is expected to shrink to about 400,000. The divide between city slickers and their country cousins is about to get wider.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE DAIRY

The sight of old collapsed and broken down cottages is so common place in Ireland that it is almost unremarkable. A great number of those date back to the famine when entire families were either wiped out by death or emigration (or both) or cleared from the land by landlords and other circumstances. Surviving relic residences from that era are much rarer in Western Australia but there are a few examples around. In the Northern Suburbs for example, most people will be familiar with Cockman House. Built in 1860 from local materials by the Cockman family it is the oldest original house in the City of Wanneroo, which bought it and turned it into a museum.

Close to Cockman House is the oldest house in the City of Joondalup but most people have probably never heard of it.

The Jack Duffy House sits in the Yellagonga Regional Park, just off Duffy Terrace, which you get to from Woodvale Drive. The homestead on about 25 acres was built in 1911 out of limestone quarried locally by one Frederick John Duffy and took two years to build. At the time it was considered to be the most modern home in the district. Frederick took over the family farm and – according to a heritage report

by Joondalup Council about the house – cleared and cultivated a market garden, producing a wide variety of vegetables. He also kept horses and cattle which were a cross between the Ayrshire and Jersey breeds.

Frederick was the grandson of pioneer settlers Bernard and Sarah (née Campbell) a couple who emgirated from Ireland to WA on the Hamilla Mitchell in April 1859. Frederick’s son John ‘Jack’ Duffy took over the farm from him when he died in 1924.

“After that, the [market] garden was abandoned, so Eva Duffy commenced operating a dairy,” the Joondalup council’s heritage report states. “Jack Duffy recalled: ‘We started with one cow and built up from there. Although we boys ran the dairy, it was still a hard time for Mum.’

33

On leaving school, Jack worked in the family dairy with his brothers. At its height, the dairy milked up to 70 cows a day and sent the milk to Brownes Milk depot in North Perth. In 1941 Jack enlisted in the Australian Army, but was manpowered out in 1944 to help his brother Bob run the dairy. Jack and Bob continued the dairy until it moved off the homestead in 1962. The dairy finally finished production in 1976. In 1982, Jack Duffy was awarded a Shire of Wanneroo plaque in recognition of more than 50 years of continuous living in the Shire.

Jack Duffy never married and lived all his life in Jack Duffy House until his death in 2009, aged nearly 96.”

There is a reason for sharing this story about the Duffy House. It was built not on but with the principals of the Irish family who first came there. Today it is an abandoned and unloved property which deserves to be saved and restored in the same way Cockman House has been. At the time they settled there, and even for generations afterwards that part of Western Australia would have seemed far removed from Perth. Even by today’s standards it is a little bit out of the way.

Urbanisation is starting to encircle it and unless it is given full heritage protection or bought and repurposed for cultural or heritage uses it is likely to be demolished and turned into another housing estate, or golf course or site earmarked for a big development. Is it possible that the early generations of the Duffy family could have ever imagined how much their little part of Australia would change in the not so distant future? Can we? Even when we know big changes are coming!

Frank Murphy presents

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

Three Lovely Lassies

By Marie Moloney

When I lived in London in the 1960’s we had each year, a series of relatives and friends come to stay on holiday from Ireland. On one occasion my mother and her two sisters came, Annie stayed with her daughter Annette and her husband, they lived on the next street to my home. My mother and Aunt Kathleen came to stay with me and my family.

The three sisters were so funny at times, what made it more amusing was, they were unware of this.

These ladies were well respected conservative woman who were conscious of what others thought of them while at home in Ireland.

When in London they allowed themselves to relax more. Annie was the least conservative of the three.

There were times when her sisters were concerned at what they saw as her liberal attitudes. Their favourite attractions were street markets, Church St Paddington and the world famous Petticoat Lane Sunday markets. Their Irish humour was well received and many of the stall holders would respond with tales of their own Irish relatives. Wherever they went these ladies were popular and people were keen to add to the enjoyment of their holiday. The incidents were many and it is hard to decide which were the funniest.

My sister in law a nurse at a local hospital was sometimes given tickets to shows in London’s West End. She gave the delighted ladies tickets to see Alfie, a new play that was showing at the time. On the

way there, Annie bought a large bag of peas in the pods from a barrow boy. At the show Kathleen and my mother were horrified at the content of the play and even more horrified because Annie laughed.

Annie however was not concerned, she watched with great enjoyment while at the same time she popped her peas from their pods. This apparently caused considerable humour to other patrons. On the bus home these three ladies were so animated at the happenings of the afternoon that the whole lower deck of the bus heard the story. One lady laughed so much she fell off her seat, being a large lady, the bus conductor was called upon to help her up.

For the duration of the holiday the topic of conversation focused on what they were going to do about confession. As devout Catholics in an Irish parish there was no hope of hiding their identity. I innocently suggested what I considered to be a brain wave, “Why don’t you go to confession here before you go home”? This was greeted by loud shocked responses “Go to confession in England to a strange priest? How could you even think of such a thing Marie” my mother cried. My assurances that all the priests were Irish anyway was no comfort at all.

Even a trip to the grocery store could become a source of amusement, large families in Ireland at that time meant food items were 34

bought in bulk. The tiny jars of jam in the local London shops fascinated them. They insisted on collecting the empty jars from my friends and neighbours to take home to Ireland.

When it was time to prepare for the return journey home, these were wrapped securely in items of clothing before being packed into their respective suitcases. Upon their entry to Dublin, the diligent Irish customs officers in operation between Ireland and England at that time, suspecting a trio of clever smugglers insisted in removing every item from each case. It is hard to know what they were expecting to find but I am guessing it was not empty jam jars.

Three Lovely Lasses There are three lovely lasses in Bannion, Bannion, Bannion, Bannion, There are three lovely lasses in Bannion, And I am the best of them all, And I am the best of them all.

For my father has forty white shillings, shillings, shillings, shillings, For my father has forty white shillings, And the grass of a goat and a cow, And the grass of a goat and a cow.

And my mother she says I can marry, marry, marry, marry, And my mother she says I can marry, And she'll leave me her bed when she dies, And she'll leave me her bed when she dies.

So I'll send my old shoes to be mended, mended, mended, mended, So I'll send my old shoes to be mended, And my petticoat to be dyed green, And my petticoat to be dyed green.

And on next Sunday morning I'll meet him, meet him, meet him, meet him, And on next Sunday morning I'll meet him, And I shall be dressed like a queen, And I shall be dressed like a queen.

There are three lovely lasses in Bannion, Bannion, Bannion, Bannion, There are three lovely asses in Bannion, To draw me on my wedding day, To draw me on my wedding day.

WE HAVE MOVED

Ma Mooney's Kitchen MON-FRI: 5.30am to 2.30pm SATURDAY: 6.30am to 12.00 SUNDAY: 7.30am to 12.00

New Address: Unit 6/7 11 Hutton St, Osborne Park Facebook: (Ma Mooneys Kitchen)

Telephone: 0415 566072

The following HELPED make it all happen and WE would like to thank them ...

Brian Peers - Pristine Carpentry & Construction Eire scaffolding - Joe Brennan and his crew Norm Peovitis - Landlord & owner WA Seafoods Exports Rudi Barlakoski - Electrical Innovation Services Clement Mason - Mason Contracts Sarah Royal - Designer McLoughlin Quality Meats Gerard Hamill - Hydrotherm Plumber-Gas & Water Mark Ahern - APCG Polished Concrete Harry Livings - Coca Cola Artist Seamus O'Keefe - INSTAGRAM JAMESOK88 (painted the mural of the Halfpenny Bridge on our wall)

The Irish Scene (ongoing support)

ou! ey Y k n a Th Moon

Most importantly each and every one of our customers for the support, it's been unbelievable and we really want to thank them so much

35

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH

Paddy’s Day meets election day!

It was always going to happen, it was just a question of when. It is almost exactly a year now since the Labor party crushed the incumbent Liberal party in the state election, a landslide that ushered in a change of government and almost wiped out the Libs. After such a brutal loss the position of then leader Colin Barnett was always going to be untenable and within a relatively short time the ousted long serving premier did the right thing and stood down as leader of the Liberal Party. But he did a bit of a Tony Abbott, he remained on as a party member and backbencher, continuing to represent the seat of Cottesloe - and sometimes taking public pot shots at his own colleagues. He wasn't always outspoken. Mr Barnett was one of those members of the parliament that turned out to hear President Higgins address their joint houses. But the clock was ticking on his time in parliament and on Australia Day he formally announced what most had known for some time and many wanted to see happen. On January 26 during a citizenship ceremony in Cottesloe - he retired from politics, ending a long and eventful career.

All political careers end in failure it is said. Certainly a report into the spending and financial affairs

of his administration which has just been made public by the new government is damning of his leadership and control of the state's coffers. On a much smaller issue a ridiculous attempt by public health authorities a few years ago to punish JB O'Reilly's pub owner Paul North for displaying vintage cigarette and tobacco advertisements was finally put to bed by Mr Barnett's comments made during a press conference.

Be that as it may about his legacy, there is the question of a by-election. Cottesloe is considered to be a safe blue ribbon (Liberal) strong hold and while that party has selected its candidate, other parties and candidates have come forward to contest the poll - which will be held on March 17. One of the first challengers out of the traps is hoping the luck of the Irish will be with him on election day. Greens candidate Greg Boland toasted news of the by-election date with a pint of Guinness at the Albion

Wetting the shamrock, Greg Boland and friends at the Albion Hotel in Cottesloe.

Photo courtesy of Post Newspapers 36

Hotel in Cottesloe. "It's a very good omen," the Greens candidate told local newspaper, The POST. "It's St Patrick's Day and the Irish love green."

Of course 'The Irish' will have their own political representation in town for Paddy's Day. The visiting member of government for this years festivities is Jim Daly T.D. The former teacher is the junior minister at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People and a native of Drinagh, West Cork. An interesting thing about Mr Daly is that following a TV appearance on Tonight with Vincent Browne in 2012 he was diagnosed with skin cancer by a doctor watching the programme at home.

WA's houses of parliament (Legislature and Council) returned to session in February after the Christmas break. Indeed, on the second day back, February 14, there was very little love in the air for the Barnett government. Labors Amber Jade Sanderson (Member for Morley) had a crack at its record on a number of fronts.

"At a time of record unemployment, companies and businesses were bringing people such as nurses into this state," she told the Legislative Assembly.

"Western Australia already has too many nurse graduates, yet the St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals were bringing in nurses from Ireland.

It was ridiculous that the former government allowed them to do that. That is because it had not taken nurses off the skilled occupation list. We may need to do some tweaking of that policy to address the issue of international students. However, occupations such as bricklaying and nursing should never have been on that list."

The next week in the assembly there was a debate around new legislation for compensation for workers injured or killed at work.

Labors member for Kingsley Jessica Stojkovski said the proposed law would help those affected by tragedy. "In my opinion the bill will relieve some of the stress and anxiety felt by family members of deceased workers and give them some financial security at a traumatic time," she said.

"This bill sees the government stepping in whereas in the past the burden has been borne by the community. In the case of the Irish workers killed in Western Australia a number of years ago, the Claddagh Association stepped into the void to assist the families, not to the same measure as now proposed but just to make sure they could make ends meet." [Isteach sa Teach understands that Jessica's father - former Labor member for Joondalup between February 2001 and March 2013 - will be standing as a candidate in next years Federal

elections for the Federal seat of Moore. Watch this space] The movement of people from Ireland to Australia, and West Australia in particular prompted an observation in the Dail (Irish Parliament). In January, Noel Grealish, TD said towns and villages across rural Ireland were suffering the effects of depopulation. "Many local GAA clubs are not able to field a hurling

or football team due to emigration," he said.

"Recently, a gentleman in north Connemara told me some parishes there cannot field a GAA team. Perth in Australia, however, which had not one single GAA team seven years ago, now has nine."

VALE

JOHN STEEL 1947 -2018

A friend to many far and near, it was with great sadness that Marie told us of the passing of John Steel on the 14th January, 2018.

John was also fondly known as "Geordie" "Steeley" and here in Perth "Tinker". John was born in Sunderland, England. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the young age of 58 and spent the next 12 years in the care of Bethanie Peel in Mandurah.

Marie and John were married 17 years ago in Broome so really only had five years together before this terrible disease struck, but years of laughter music and 'the craic' will live on.

John was a regular at our Toodyay Singalong Weekends until his illness struck. He could sing Scarlet Ribbons with passion like no other and then jump into a rousing song in the next breath.

Unfortunately I was overseas when John passed but he was never far from my thoughts and prayers.

To Marie and John's family, our deepest condolences. He was a very, very, special human being and we all will miss him. Fred Rea

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim, the shades of night are lifting The morning light steals across my window pane, where webs of snow are drifting If I could only have you near, to breathe a sigh or two I would be happy just to hold the hands I love, and to be once again with with you To be once again with with you

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Cottesloe got the Waterford Crystal treatment Ok, so this story happened back in September 2017 and is admittedly

a bit dated to be in the March/April 2018 edition of Irish scene. But just because we didn’t get an invite and only became aware of this event in February it is probably worth putting it on the record, better late than never.

In September Waterford Crystal’s master artisan Tom Brennan came to Australia, hot on the heels of

a trip to America, to spruik and sell the company’s merchandise.

Brennan landed in Sydney in early September and tweeted his way from there to Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast in Queensland and made a quick visit to Toowoomba on September 13. “I’ve never heard of [Toowoomba] but people in their droves turned up for our Waterford Crystal event…. Perth is next”.

by Lloyd Gorman

Brennan’s job is to be an ambassador for the brand and to talk to as many people - including collectors and customers - to talk up the latest crystal range and add some personal value to the line, including the chance for customers to have his signature crafted onto a piece at the end of one of his

presentations. Marketing material for his talks invites people to come and enjoy Irish hospitality while” Tom enlightens us on the magic behind the craftsmanship of Waterford and intrudes the new Waterford “Made in Ireland’ collections. Brennan followed his father’s footsteps into the company in 1986 and he mastered the art of crystal glass blowing and skill of cutting.

His final and very upbeat tweet on the same day he was in Perth - signs off with him talking about what an amazing experience Australia - and its loyal Waterford Crystal fans - is.

“After 1000’s of miles travelled, countless hotel check ins and out, and god knows how many presentations and talks... a thank you to everyone for making this a 39

personal and unforgettable journey.

More fun and laughter next time!

Now for a day off in New Zealand. “ Despite being so chipper about the whole thing and posting a lot of photos, Brennan neglected to give any comment or context to the Perth leg of his trip. It doesn’t even say where the September 16

event happened. The venue - as it happens - was Beautiful Era Gifts, in Napoleon Street, Cottesloe where he posed with some customers.

Another photo appears to show him being a tourist and enjoying the view of the Swan river from Monument Hill in Mosman Bay.

MICHEAL MacLIMMOIR –

THE IRISHMAN WHO WASN’T

By JOHN HAGAN

ly remodeled himself, adopting all Despite my status as an impecunious things Irish, including a new name, student in Dublin during the late 60s and claiming Cork as his birthplace. and early 70s, each term I always manSo why invent a new name and a aged to scrape together enough cash to new persona? Poet, Paul Durcan purchase a ticket for either the Abbey has his own theory. `Think of Casor the Gate Theatre. Living, as I did, in sius Clay, who became Muhammad Dun Laoghaire, I was a frequent visitor Ali, or of Johnny Reidy, who became to our local Gaslight Playhouse, but it Sean O Riada. The story of Alfred was always a real evening treat for me Willmore, who became Micheál Mac to decamp to the city to immerse myself Liammóir, is a great and serious and in the pageantry of Dublin theatre with profound and inspiring parable of all its history, atmosphere and pizzazz. what it means to be really human.

While my visits were biased towards the Alfred Willmore, a suburban schoolAbbey over the Gate, my favourite Irish boy in London, imagined himself in stage actor, Micheál Mac Liammóir, (Milo the world an Irish hero’. Perhaps the O’Shea came a close second) appeared great actor wanted to create a part only at the Gate. What a stage presence for himself, an enduring character Mac Liammóir had. What perfect diction. to play in real life – after all, ‘All the Blessed with a rich resonant brogue, his world’s a stage’. I have no doubt his one-man show (which he also wrote), actor’s well honed ear for language, ‘The Importance of Being Oscar’, captiand his retentive memory, greatly asvated me. I still listen to his long-playing sisted him to become fluent in Irish ‘Oscar’ record, recapturing those nostaland help develop the fine brogue gic memories of a great Irish thespian which was to become his trademark. paying tribute to an Irish literary giant.

Edwards and Mac Liammóir walking It was while he was a member of I never had any reason to question through St Stephen’s Green brother-in-law, Anew McMaster’s Mac Liammóir’s ‘Irishness’. Why would I? He sounded Irish, spoke the language with fluency touring troupe, that the newly minted Mac Liammóir and style, wrote three autobiographies in Irish, found- met English actor, Hilton Edwards, who was to become ed an Irish language theatre and penned plays in Irish. his lover and lifelong companion. With Edwards, he esAnd then there was the name – Micheál Mac Liammóir tablished a Gaelic theatre in Galway. In 1928, the pair – what could be more Irish than that! ‘Mac Liammóir’, or threw themselves into founding Dublin’s Gate Theatre, ‘son of great William’, is, in reality, a simple translation where Mac Liammóir’s designs became key elements in its popularity. It was Edwards’ and Mac Liammóir’s goal of ‘Willmore’ – our Micheál’s real name.

Mac Liammóir was born Alfred Willmore in London, to present the best of modern and European theatre to on 25 October 1899. He took up acting and went on Dublin audiences, leaving the Abbey to stage Irish plays to become one of the leading child performers on the and feature Irish dramatists. But not all went smoothly English stage during the early part of the 20th century. for Edwards and Mac Liammóir, as, by the end of 1930, Willmore made his stage debut in 1911, toured with the Gate was deeply in debt and had to be rescued by Noel Coward, appeared for several seasons as Peter Lord Longford, who continued to underwrite the thePan, studied painting at the Slade School of Art (he con- atre until the 1960s.

It was at the Gate, after lying about his age to Edtinued to paint all his life), and spent three years touring Europe in various productions. It was in 1917, after wards and Mac Liammóir, that the youthful genius of appearing as Lord Cornwallis at London’s Haymarket Orson Welles was discovered. ‘A preposterous energy Theatre, when he decided to settle in Ireland, largely to pulsated through everything he did’, observed Edwards. avoid being conscripted for a walk-on part in the Great Later Welles was able to repay the favour by featuring War. Besides, I suspect homosexuals, like Willmore, Mac Liammóir as Iago in his production of ‘Othello”. might, at that time, have had more to fear from their fel- Unfortunately, Mac Liammóir did not have a notable screen career; motion pictures were not his métier. A low squaddies than the German foe.

Settling in Dublin, Willmore designed and painted minor part in John Huston’s, ‘The Kremlin Letter’, and the sets for the Irish Theatre and the Dublin Drama the lubricious, fruity, narrator’s role in ‘Tom Jones’, were League. It was during this period that he complete- his principal film contributions.

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illustrious Broadway star who featured in over 100 films. While Price proved to be a witty, warm, charming and modest companion, I must admit that I preferred MacLimmoir’s portrayal of the effete, entertainer. To me, Mac Liammóir will always be Wilde.

Micheál Mac Liammóir died on 6 March 1987, by which time both he and the theatre he helped found had become national institutions. During an era when Ireland was staunchly Catholic, Mac Liammóir and Edwards had the temerity, and courage, to openly live as a homosexual couple. On learning of Mac Liammóir’s death, his contemporary, Sir John Gielgud commented, ‘Designer, wit, linguist and boon companion as well as actor, he was a uniquely talented and delightful creature’. Does it really matter that Mac Liammóir was not born Irish? Certainly not to me, who considers him as an immense contributor to our way of life and cultural development. Mac Liammóir was adored both by Dubliners and the Irish in general; he was accepted for himself, and that is the best that any of us can hope for in life.

Editor: Jammet’s was the only French restaurant in Dublin for many years. The place where all of Dublin wanted to eat, and few could afford, Jammet’s opened in 1901 on Andrew’s Street, but moved to Nassau Street in 1927, where it continued to dazzle until 1967.

In “Dublin’s only French restaurant” – a claim sustained for 40 years – W.B. Yeats had his own table, Hilton Edwards and Micheál MacLiammóir were regulars, and visitors ranged from Laurel and Hardy to Walt Disney and Ronald Reagan. The drawing is by the artist Seán Ó Sullivan.

When Egon Ronay, a Hungarian-born food critic who wrote and published a famous series of guides to British and Irish restaurants and hotels in the 1950s and 1960s came to Dublin in 1963 he wrote of Jammet’s: ‘As if by magic the turn of the century has been fully preserved beyond the swing door…Space, grace, the charm of small red leather armchairs, fin-de-siècle murals and marble oyster counters exude a bygone age. Ritz and Escoffier would feel at home here’.

Ronay awarded Jammet’s restaurant two stars – indicating excellence of cooking. After the war, when films began to be made in Ardmore Studios, film stars such as Orson Welles, James Cagney and Tyrone Power converged on Jammet’s. It was the place to be seen during the 1950s and early 1960 when the clientele included the Aly Khan, Rita Hayward and Danny Kaye.

We wonder if any of our reader’s have dined at Jammets?

Padraic Colum, Lady Longford and Michael Mac Liammoir at Jammets

It was Mac Liammóir’s ‘The Importance of Being Oscar’, directed by Edwards, which propelled him to international stardom. I suspect that rarely has an actor and his material been so well matched. Both were larger than life figures, interested in art, eccentric, effeminate and playwrights who basked in adulation and acclaim.

Mac Liammóir’s evocation of Wilde was nothing short of magical; it was a role he was to reprise hundreds of times in countless cities worldwide. The major success as Wilde was followed by a brace of one-man shows, I Must be Talking to my Friends and Talking about Yeats.

Mac Liammóir was also involved in the recording industry, taking the part as narrator in the 1970 offbeat album, ‘Peace on Earth’, featuring the Northern Ireland showband, ‘The Freshmen’.

I had the good fortune to see Mac Liammóir one breezy March morning in Dublin’s Harcourt Street.

What was I doing so far away from my normal student beat? I later learned that Mac Liammóir and Edwards resided nearby in Harcourt Terrace, so that explains his presence in the area. Anyhow, from around a street corner ahead, Mac Liammóir appeared, walking towards me. Perhaps ‘walking’ is not the best word to describe Mac Liammóir’s gait. Rather my memory is that he flounced, pranced, sashayed, commanding the entire width of the footpath. I stood aside as he passed, struck by the rouged cheekbones and smear of lipstick but utterly entranced by the obvious black wig which gleamed like wet coal. I remember his perfumed scent, but I am unable to recall anything of his clothing, just the swagger - and that head! I later found out that Mac Liammóir never appeared in public without makeup or the striking, black, hirsute appendage.

While lecturing in Perth many years later, (I think it was 1980), I was able to attend Vincent Price’s one-man show about Oscar Wilde which he called, ‘Diversions and Delights’. Next day he came to speak to students and I had the pleasure of taking afternoon tea with the

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While the date for Australia Day might be the topic of some debate about its appropriateness as the national day of celebration there is another occasion on the Australian calendar that seems to command universal agreement.

ANZAC Day is held each year on April 25, to coincide with the launch of the Australian’s dawn attack on the Dardanelle peninsula in Turkey, in 1915. That event was commemorated with the first ANZAC (an abbreviation of Australian New Zealand Army Corp) Day in the following year, and since. It has become the national day of commemoration for military personel who served and died for Australia. Ireland has its own National Day of Commemoration for the Irish men and women who died in past wars or on service as peacekeepers with the United Nations, on the Sunday closest to July 11, the anniversary of the date in 1921 that the truce ending the War of Independence was signed.

This fixture does not enjoy the same level of appreciation or involvement of the Irish public as ANZAC Day does.

Millions of Australians - young and old - rise early to take part in hundreds if not thousands of Dawn and morning ceremonies across the country.

There have been Irish men like Victoria Cross recipient Martin O’Meara who signed up with the Australian Imperial Force to fight, or least serve, for Australia and in past years Irish Scene has looked at their stories. However this year I would like to shine the light on the work of a small unit of Irish people based here in Perth who have helped to create the visual landscape in which Australian’s pay homage.

Waterford couple Charles Smith and Joan-Walsh Smith are internationally respected sculptors responsible for creating a large body of memorials, artworks and sculptures that can be found in Ireland, Australia and other parts of the world. Two of their most recent pieces are the Irish Famine Memorial in Subiaco but also a smaller Swan sculpture within the small but symbolically important pond in the Quadrangle of St George’s College, one of UWA’s

Lest we forget

what ANZAC Day is really about

by Lloyd Gorman

residential colleges.

But hundreds of thousands of Australians would be unwittingly aware of their creative abilities each ANZAC Day, and Remembrance Day for the same reason. Multiple memorial artworks they have created over the years are the focal and meeting point for communities coming together to mark the occasion. These include the National Memorial to the Australian Army in ANZAC Parade, Canberra, the Onslow War Memorial in Onslow, WA, the Ocean Reef 100th Anzac Memorial on the grounds of the sailing club, the Swansea RSL Rising Sun Anzac Memorial, The Hugo Throssell VC 100th Anzac Memorial in Northam and the ANZAC Memorial in Joondalup amongst others.

They have created two memorials to the HMAS Sydney II the Australian Cruiser that after a mutually destructive battle with the German Cruiser Kormoran was sunk on November 19, 1941 off the coast of Western Australia with all 645 souls on board lost, making it Australia’s greatest naval tragedy.

As if that wasn’t enough the wreck of both ships could not be found and their final resting place remained a mystery until March 17 2008 when she was discovered in Shark Bay, just hours after the Kormoran was also found.

The Smiths - who met in art school - created a highly visual depiction of the ship, made up of the names of all the lost crew etched onto a glass structure that 42

was unveiled in Shark Bay in 2013.

It was the second memorial to the Sydney they had created.

The first was initiated by the Rotary Club of Geraldton in 1998 and was opened on November 18 2001, with the eternal flame lit the next day to mark sixty years to the day since the vessel and crew were lost. In May 2009 the Australian government announced that the Geraldton memorial had been recognised as a national memorial.

It is a significant and impressive piece of public art, consisting of several complimentary parts. These include the Dome of Souls (with each sea gull representing a lost seaman), the figure of the Waiting Woman, The Stele (which represents the bow of the Sydney, the Wall of Remembrance, the eternal flame and the pool of remembrance.

The solemnity that accompanies special sites like these however has been under a cloud since January when the Greater Geraldton council proposed to build a $400,000 toilet block close to the memorial as facilities for the large number of visitors it attracts every year. The design (or lack of it) and proposed location of the new toilets sparked a strong reaction and public spat about the issue. The council wanted this option instead of the purpose designed toilets envisaged by the Rotary Club and Smith Sculptors.

Mayor Shane Van Styn said that design would cost $1.2 million to build and $4000 a week to maintain.

Former governor-general and retired Major General Michael

Jeffery said the council toilets would amount to a descretion of the sacred site while the director of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra Brendan Nelson said they were a “cookie cutter” fix by the council that would be insensitive to what the memorial represents.

The situation remains unresolved but the Smiths are supporting a local campaign they hope will save the integrity and help to preserve the memorial into the future.

The Geraldton Rotary Club has organised a petition calling on the council to allow it to raise funds to build the public facilities as they were originally designed by Smith Sculptors [tucked neatly into the hillside beneath the memorial]. The petition states: “The City Council has not done this and instead approved a design not in keeping with the significance of the Memorial. This is a very important issue to our Rotary Club at the moment and the more support we can gather on this petition the better chance we have of getting council to reconsider the proposed toilet block that they have on planned. It is important to note that we aren’t asking for permission for the council to charge ratepayers inordinate amounts of money to build it.

We just want permission to raise funds to have the Smith Sculptors beautiful plan for public facilities as per the original design, fitting with the Memorial themes. If you feel strongly about this issue too please forward to all your contacts and ask them to sign as well.”

The petition is still open and can be searched and found online or through the rotary clubs Facebook site.

It will be interesting to see what will happen next with this ongoing issue as April 25 draws closer. It is important that the dignity of the place and occasion is not tarnished by a row over toilets.

“The Unknown Soldier”.

By Noel O’Neil

He was young and green He was just sixteen Seventeen on the first of October With a marching band With a rifle in his hand He sailed off to the seven seas.

He looked back with pride.

While his mother cried Many miles from the port of Fremantle He left memories there In the cold sea air, Where he lived his young life in peace.

Chorus He would fire his gun Till the war was won He would fight for the right to be free No he has no name So we light a flame And we called him the “Unknown Soldier”.

In the blood and sand Out in no man’s land Many fell like the leaves of October In the fields of France Where the devil danced Into hell and eternity Some would cry with fright In the dead of night And they prayed for the war to be over Many fought with pride Many fought and died.

Many fought for the sign of peace.

Through the bombs and guns Till the war was won He would fight for the right to be free.

No he has no name So we light a flame And we called him the “unknown soldier”.

There are memories there Without savoir faire Many miles from the port of Fremantle We remember yet Let us not forget How he gave up his life for peace.

Chorus

CY O’Connor remembered on Song for Ireland Every year after 8 am on March 10th 2018, a small gathering of family and friends of the descendants of the Irish visionary C Y O’Connor gather by the waterside of South Beach to remember and acknowledge the legacy of our extraordinary Meath born engineer in quite a unique way on the anniversary of his tragic death.

Charles Yelverton O’Connor was an Irish engineer who is best known for his work in Western Australia, especially the construction of Fremantle Harbour, thought to be impossible, and the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme and pipeline.

Frank Murphy gleaned this from Mike Lefroy a great grandson of the man many years ago.

“I thought it a highly appropriate way that we open it up to others who could share in this unique tribute with a special Outside Broadcast with ‘Song for Ireland’ on that exact date at 8am to be very timely.

I could not let this one go. I am also keen to have others who may wish to join the O’ Connor family at the beach for this year to share in that special memory” Peter Burke Fremantle author in his new book Wettening Auralia who will be joining Frank along with many others commented “Given that it was over 115 years ago, it’s amazing how there is still a pervasive guilt among our Western Australians. It is now time to celebrate and remember his huge legacy” Dr Ted Walker of Radio Fremantle got behind this unique event immediately.

Gerry Grogan will be directing from the studio base.

“I would love to welcome and chat to any others live at the Beach on the morning” says host of ‘Song for Ireland’ Frank Murphy ‘Song for Ireland’ with Frank Murphy is an Irish radio programme transmitted every Saturday morning from 8am to 10am on Fremantle Radio 107.9FM. It can also be heard live on the web: visit www.radiofremantle.com. You can visit the archives to hear the program if you miss it! (see also page 16)

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’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

y

March 17th and it’s time to deck the halls and everything green, as it’s party time for the Irish worldwide, a time when we unite in spirit and a time to celebrate our patron saint. It is also a time when friends and friends of friends and all others want to be Irish and enjoy this special day. I have been lucky enough to have spent St. Patrick’s Day in a few other countries and I am amazed how big it has grown. I am very proud that so many others wish to join us Irish as it goes to show, no one can throw a party better than the Irish.

Here in Australia we are coming out of one of the hottest summers in a long time and on the other side of the world, our cousins in Ireland are so looking forward to the impending winter thaw. We will be putting on a few extra layers of clothing, some in the colour green and our cousins will be taking off a few of theirs and also putting on some green. We will then, all head out to celebrate Ireland’s day of days on the calendar. This special day is the day our cousins look forward to celebrating, as it is the first real sign of their winter passing and then coming out of hibernation.

As per the article I wrote in the last magazine, (Re my retirement/Stepping down from being a Financial Advisor) I thought I would give you an update on how things are going so far. Well the good news is, I’m still alive and I suppose I can tick that off as a plus.

I shall now tell you some of the things you can look forward to when you get to this stage of life and later I shall tell you a few more things that might help you decide not to retire. Are you ready for your first lesson?

OK let’s kick on from here. Well the first thing you will notice on your first morning after waking up is, you didn’t have to swear at the alarm clock, as its now muted. This was a great start so far, as I won’t have to tip toe around the bedroom in the dark in case I woke my bride of many years. You are wondering why I would have to tip toe in the dark, when I could just switch the light on.

Well the answer to that is I would feel much safer in the dark than risk waking a Bear with a sore head, if you know what I mean. I have to admit that I have fallen over a few times but I class that as minor, compared to being confronted by an angry Bear.

Time to throw out all those cheap watches that you bought overseas as you will find all watches are now redundant and time means nothing. That is until you are running late in doing the chores that were allocated to you by the lovely bride of many years ago. You will have discovered by then that she will have taken on the task of being your new fulltime boss, as far as she is concerned that without supervision you may wonder off into a state of laziness. Of course you will have to be fully domesticated in every way and in some cases you may be pushed to the brink, by wearing an apron while dusting. If this happens I suggest you lock all doors and don’t answer to any callers, just to save yourself some dignity. Don’t be upset if your sport channels are cancelled, as this void can be filled with your bride’s collection of recorded soap operas. Remember when you were at work and went for a coffee break, enjoy those memories.

44 44

From now on you might just have to settle for a cup of chai tea and you will be reminded, that a tea bag makes two cups, one for the bride and one for you the new domestic servant.

If at any time you fail to empty the dishwasher you may have to call on your next door neighbours and politely ask if you can join them for dinner, as your allocated pocket money may not be enough to buy take away.

Assuming you survive those hurdles, it will be time to be introduced to your new best friend, the Vacuum Cleaner. Even this critter makes a lot of noise, noise that have kept men miles away from them for years it is quite harmless. I suggest you tell her it’s too complicated and it needs a better mind like hers to operate, or as a fall back line try, Darling the sound of that gives me migraines. I can’t guarantee that you are going to win her over with those explanations, but give it a try anyway.

My landscaper wife recently introduced me to an ugly looking object that had been lurking in a corner in the garage for years. I was fearful of what it might do to me, if I poked it. She told me it was a lawn mower and that I should get used to it as I would have to learn to bond with it. When I first met her I was very frank, about telling her of my lack of experience in all things relating to gardening, handyman’s work and in house domestic work. Of course this was ignored and it may soon become a subject of a High Court settlement if she peruses in her attempts to domesticate me.

The good news is that grass grows slower in winter and it doesn’t have to be cut as often. The bad news is that some women like watering the grass in summer with a glass of wine in hand to encourage it to grow so they can watch us cutting it later.

You may also be reminded that your new boss is very health conscious and likes to walk at a much faster pace than you ever did at the office or worksite. You will be invited to join her in this morning fun run at an neck braking pace, so she can show you how near she got to being picked for the Olympics. You will be reminded, that you will have to lose all that weight that you put on while lunching and partying at in the workforce. There is no doubt that this comment will bring tears to your eyes, as each pound that you put on has great memories of the fun times you had away from, The dishwasher, vacuum cleaner and lawn mower, but don’t despair there is always the life after to look forward to.

From now on it is worth remembering that the word “I” will not be spoken again in or out of the house until she reads the eulogy at your funeral, that may sound something like this.

Today is both sad and happy day. Sad for him with his passing and glad for Me as I won the bet, that I would outlast him. In trying to overlook my joy, let me try and focus on a few of the memories.

My devoted domestic servant (Ops correction) husband was everything a woman would want as a partner. He was loyal I think, devoted I think, and would do everything I ever asked of him, once I produced the photo of him wearing my lingerie. He was always kind when I threatened to set the dogs on him. Sadly he passed away suddenly after haven eaten some delicious green jelly and something else that fell into the mix. Yes he had a horrible agonising death but in spite of that, I think he enjoyed the jelly.

RIP. Let me ask when did you plan to retire?

Have a great St Patricks Day and don’t forget to wear your Shamrock Be good to those who love you Slainte from Melbourne Mike Bowen

Irish Families in Perth

with Eimear Beattie

Western Australia

Irish families in Perth is a voluntary non-profit organisation with over 14,000 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 social media where topics such as long lost relatives, housing , jobs and social events are covered.

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

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

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

· Develop Irish Culture & heritage. · Help Irish people with any problems that might arise and provide a link to Australian and Irish support services.

You can find us on our facebook page: /groups/irishfamiliesinperth

IFIP MAM’S PLAYGROUP UPDATE

by Linda Morton Delighted to announce that we have limited spaces available on Monday and on Wednesdays at Padbury Playgroup from 9-11 am, which are both very kindly sponsored by Irish Families in Perth. New families always welcome to join our lovely group of Mam’s, whether you’re new to Perth or been here for a while and looking to join a wonderful group, join our page below and you’ll find info on all of the above! Thanks to Triona Clancy, Susan Dwyer, and Linda Wood for helping out.

Facebook: /groups/774916025922214/about

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt - Please check 45

Irish Mams Nor page and our own IFIP page for more details.

Australia’s big green machine breaksdown on road to Ireland

By Lloyd Gorman

Veni, vidi, vici it was not.

Just like the expansion of the Roman Empire before it, Bunnings may fall short of ever reaching Ireland.

About two years ago the iconic Australian hardware chain - which is owned by Perth corporation Wesfarmers - announced it was going to break into the UK and Irish markets (which it abbreviates as BUKI) through its takeover of the local existing chain Homebase. The popular homegrown brand had just defended itself from a credible challenge to its dominant position in the Australian hardware and DIY markets from newcomer Masters Home Improvement. Masters was owned by its biggest rival and competitor Woolworths started the new chain in 2011 with its first store in Braybrook, Victoria.

It was to be the first of 150 new outlets to open in the next five years but the ambitious plans collapsed with less than half that number built, including several in Perth and outside the metropolitan area [Each one on average cost about 17 million to build and open]. Had the two commercial outfits been gladiators Bunnings was the seasoned, experienced and popularly supported champion, with Masters the underdog challenger, always struggling to gain the upper hand. Eventually the one sided fight ended in in December 2016 with only one competitor leaving the arena.

Emboldened by the victory Bunnings management must have thought it was their destiny to charge into the BUKI market and conquer new corporate territory. In February 2017 the first UK Bunnings opened (in St. Albans) with nine more pilot stores to follow that year. At time of going to press the West Australian company had a total of 22 Bunnings across the UK and 251 Homebase stores waiting to be overhauled and revamped as Bunnings. Apparently there’s a lot more to it than just painting their stores green and slapping on a sausage sizzle because the British public just wasn’t buying it. About 12 months in

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from the opening its first UK store the retail giant declared it was writing down debts of $1.3 billion (about the same cost to build Perth’s new - and as yet still unopened - children’s hospital). With revenue of $11.5 billion in 2017 Wesfarmers is worth more than its rival (Woolworths) and BHP Billiton and is Australia’s biggest employer (220,000 employees) but even with pockets as deep as its, the company baulked at the losses.

A review of the growth plans is now underway and could ultimately spell an end to further expansion.

The expensive mistake never made a dent on the Irish market.

Homebase currently has 11 stores in the Republic of Ireland and nine in Northern Ireland, none of which have to date rebadged and operated under the Bunnings logo. They could remain Homebase stores for sometime to come even though they are now under the management of Bunnings and owners Wesfarmers.

2018 could be shaping up to be something of an ‘Annus horribilis’ for Bunnings. Its ambitions to open new overseas stores has proved to be costly, but even opening a store in Australia can be a headache as a local example shows us. Bunnings has a store in Subiaco - on the (ironically enough) Homebase centre site in Salvado Road. It has been there since the mid 80’s and the company wants to keep a local presence. Last year Bunnings paid $13 million to buy a nearly two hectare block of what was council owned land in Hay Street, Jolimont to build a new store to replace the existing one in the area. Details of the $27.5 million plans for the new store started to come out later that year and the reaction was not positive. Subiaco council’s design review panel - a group of experts who make recommendations to the council about projects - looked at the plans twice and said without changes it could not support the building.

Neighbours and residents living around the proposed store raised a plethora of objections and concerns to the development. Of all the hundreds of comments received during public advertising, not one was in support.

Eventually, about late January or early February Bunnings pulled the plug and said it was withdrawing the development application and going back to the drawing board.

Bunnings is an Australian institution but its DNA is distinctly West Australian. This history of ‘the Bunning Brothers’ on the FollowMyRide website opens an informative window into the origins and growth of the company - including how it took over or absorbed its competitors.

sawmill at North Dandalup in 1897. Very little is known about this mill. By the early 1900s it concentrated on the development and expansion of sawmills and timber yards in the south-west of the state. It was cheaper and easier for Bunnings to buy up existing mills that had land concessions than establish their own.

Despite a constant shortage of capital, Bunning established sawmills throughout the south-west, imported the first band-saw in WA to Lion Mill (now Mount Helena) and was the first to instal a timberdrying kiln. In 1907, the company of Bunning Brothers Limited was incorporated and their timber yards were established in Murray St Perth on what is now the David Jones department store site. He also imported a unique locomotive known as ‘Dirty Mary’ for use on steep grades, and was one of the first to use a tractor for log-hauling in the bush. In 1929 he even leased Garden Island for a holiday resort.

In 1936 during a dinner to celebrate his fifty years of business in WA, Bunning collapsed and died while replying to a toast. Bunnings Bros Pty Ltd went back to making bricks during the Second World War. They teamed with the rival Perth group Millars at the request of the federal Ministry of Munitions to became shipbuilders and built the small “snake” boats used by the famous Z force to land on Japanese-controlled territory in Asia.

Bunning Bros Pty Ltd rode the postwar housing boom to become the largest logging operators in

THE HISTORY OF BUNNINGS IS CARVED OUT IN THE FORRESTS OF WA “Robert Bunning (1859-1936) was born in Hackney, London in 1859. He was apprenticed as a carpenter, and in 1886 he and his brother Arthur arrived in Fremantle, and set up as building contractors.

By January 1887, they had won contracts for additions to the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and for the Roebourne hospital. Robert became the driving force in the partnership which built the Weld Club (1892) and Trinity Congregational Church (1893) in Perth and the Coolgardie warden’s quarters (1895). At one time, they claimed to have owned most of the buildings in Barrack Street, Perth.

During 1896-97, a boom in the export of jarrah turned Bunning’s attention to timber. He bought his first

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Australia. In 1946, Bunnings built a workshop at Manjimup for maintaining mill equipment. It was the largest of its kind in the South West. The company went public as Bunning Timber Holdings in 1952 but continued to trade as Bunning Bros. In the mid-1950s Bunning Bros diversified into hardware,

initially to serve the trade, but the company decided it could retail hardware in a similar way as supermarkets sold food. It opened its first retail store in West Perth in 1961, then followed up with the Bunnings’ Super Centre at Albany in 1962. In 1968, the timber yards were relocated to Welshpool, and

SELL THE SIZZLE NOT THE SAUSAGE

So Bunnings may have hit a few snags lately but when it comes to snaggers that’s a different story.

The hardware group has managed to carve out an unrivalled place for itself in the national love affair with barbecued food. Every weekend outside every Bunnings store across Australia hundreds of thousands of people visit their local store to get some tools or materials for their DIY jobs, with many taking the chance to enjoy a sausage sizzle.

Many just come for a snaggier, a quick an easy snack for less than five bucks (typically $2.50 for a sausage and $1.50 for a chilled soft drink can).

Manned by community groups of every shape and size the marquee’s outside the stores take on a life of their own as anyone who has volunteered to work on one will know.

In early January the GAA Junior Academy of WA got the chance to fill a Saturday slot at the Bunnings store in Joondalup, where Irish Families in Perth had also held a sausage sizzle last year. Certain Bunnings stores are apparently busier than others and supposedly the busiest store in Australia including for its sausage sizzle - is in metropolitan Perth. It is hard to imagine anywhere being more full on than the Joondalup store. Before the day was out every sausage was cooked and sold thanks to a relentless queue of hungry customers and hard working mums and dads (and some junior helpers) who made the day a success. As far as fundraisers go the Bunnings sausage sizzle is a beaut. Everyone gets stuck in for the good of the club or cause and shares the burden. Its a good opportunity too to catch up with people and build bonds in a different environment. It is also a great way for a community organisation - be they Irish dancers or Aus Kick kids - to raise a lot of money quickly, but again it depends on the majority of members doing their bit. The rest is easy. The sausage sizzle sells itself really. But the collapse of Bunnings BUKI plans means the Irish public will have to wait a bit longer for this Aussie classic to make a proper entrance.

48 48

by 1970 had expanded into being one of the biggest producers of building materials in the State.

In 1983, they bought out Millars (WA) Pty Ltd and, in 1990, the Alco Handyman hardware operations.

Bunnings Limited was then bought out by Wesfarmers in 1994.”

Michael Cluskey

Talk about getting ahead of ourselves, The Irish government has just announced “Project Ireland 2040” for feck's sake, it would be nice to see today’s major problems being solved before jumping 22 years ahead. Surely current problems like hospital overcrowding and waiting times, homelessness and crime must take precedence straight away.

Sure, having a 116 Billion development plan set for the country over the next two decades is a fine thing, but white washing over the massive cracks that currently exist doesn’t cut it with me.

From being a virtually bankrupt country ten years ago, we are now being held high as one of the big successes within the European community. I’m just afraid that lessons may not have been learnt from those bad old days.

In other news, and you probably knew before me, Galway man Gary Thornton has beaten competitors from around the globe, in the world Marathon Challenge. Securing victory in Miami after completing seven marathons in different locations around the world in seven days including Perth!!

Imagine knowing that you had won a prize on the lotto, what would you do with the ticket??

Well if it was for a few quid, you might have it in your pocket or in your purse or wallet, but for one gentleman from Donegal (who wants to remain anonymous) who bought a quick pick ticket, winning a jackpot of 4,434,994 euro, he left his ticket in the glove box of his car

A View from Home during the day while he went into work for four-and –a- half weeks.

That is one cool dude!

In sad news was the passing of Liam Miller formally of teams such as Celtic, Manchester United, Sunderland, Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar. Liam also played for the Republic. He death was announced on 9th Feb. RIP Liam Miller.

Irish Rugby is going through what seems like the start of a new golden era, with Leinster topping pool 3 of the European Champions cup, Munster topping pool 4 and Ulster in joint second place of pool 1. Not only that but Connacht rugby topping pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup. Congratulations to the Ladies who got back onto the winning trail with a 21-8 win over Italy And with wins over Italy and a last drop goal win over France the Irish team have it in their own

hands to capture the 6 nations trophy. “Mon the boys in green” Till next time!

Happy St Patricks Day!!

Mike

Michael Cluskey was the first smiling face I saw when I arrived in Dublin Airport in January during a short visit home for a family funeral. Michael is the son of legendary poet, Paddy Cluskey. We have included Paddy's poems often in our Irish Scene. It was nice to meet Michael after all these years. I made a promise that next time I will have more time and with a bit of luck meet his mother Peggy. Thanks Michael for taking the time to catch up!

Fred Rea

Is drinking costing you MORE than money?

Help is available!

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution, does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Contact: Alcoholics Anonymous,

24 Hour Helpline Ph: 9325 3566 • www.aaperth.wa.org 49 49

50

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.

Comhaltas Plans for 2018 First I would like to welcome everyone back after the Christmas break. We have booked the camp at Bickley for the 15th to the 17th of June and all are very welcome to attend. We are planning a concert at the Irish Club in October and will let people know as soon as details are finalised.

Comhaltas has a new session at the Kerry Street Pear Tree Cafe in Hamilton Hill. Its on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, from 3pm till 5pm. The last session was a great success and over 12 Musicians turned up. Anyone who wants to join in is more than welcome.

Monday nights music and Dancing classes at the Irish Club are getting bigger and the session is a great way for all to join in. If anyone is interested in learning to play music (or even if you can play) or learning to Set Dancing you are most welcome to come along on a Monday night. Lessons start at 7pm, dancing 8pm. Open session after a cup of tea or coffee. For more information, call the Irish Club 9381 5213or me on 0488149382.

Yvonne

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

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TJ Donovan Peter Murphy of the John Boyle O’Reilly Association in Bunbury brought to my attention a performer TJ (Tom) Donovan who will be appearing at the Music Shack in Donnybrook on St Patrick’s Night.

From their website it says, “The Music Shack promotes quality music in a friendly environment for the local community in Argyle, Donnybrook WA. We aim to have regular concerts during the summer months that bring quality artists in varying genres including jazz, folk & blues”. It’s a wonderful bush setting on a private property and I mentioned to Tom, who is appearing for the first time, that it will be a memorable venue to perform at!

Some years ago, Fiona Rea appeared at the Music Shack and Eric Bogle is a regular performer.

Tom (or TJ Donovan) is a folk artist from Perth, Western Australia who creates music with a distinctive folk flavour.

T.J.’s debut EP is not strictly just six folk tracks, but rather a set of songs that dips its feet into country and even blues waters along the way. Guitar, vocals, harmonica, tambourine, mandolin, organ and stomp box all feature in the release, culminating in one imaginative and sonically diverse debut.

“I was born in Tallaght in 1982, my mum, dad, brother and I moved Perth from Dublin in August 1987; an unknown land that would prove to be one of such opportunity. I’m forever thankful that my parents made such a decision, one that surely would’ve been a scary and unknown one!

They, showed such selflessness in thinking of my brother and I first and foremost and helping me to be where I am today... a singing strummer of the six string and proud father to little legend Rory (named after the other legend Rory Gallagher!).

Tom's father is Denis Donovan who hails from

Skibbereen and is a well-known carpenter around town. He was the one who put in a gate at my place many years ago. And its still standing and will be for a long time if Denis built it! In the past, Tom has also done show reviews for The Irish Scene.

T.J. creates crafty original music with a distinctive folk flavour, as well as classic and contemporary covers. I had a listen to his album on line and its excellent!

T.J. has been entertaining around Perth and our south west as a solo act for a number of years. His debut EP was released in 2016, the cover (at the below Bandcamp link, and CD available by contacting T.J. or at upcoming shows) features Poulgorm Bridge, which connects Union Hall, Skibbereen in West Cork, where his dad Denis grew up, to Glandore, Rosscarbery and Leap. While the back of the EP shows an image of the bog road in his mum’s place of birth, Rossmore in Galway.

TJ has done the hard yards and I noticed on his facebook page him busking in Perth.

T.J. is also looking to get a folk band together, so is looking for other guitarists and singers, a drummer, bassist/double bassist, violinist and maybe even throwing in a banjo and/or mandolin! The craic will be mighty!

TJ Donovan’s Upcoming gigs below:

9 March - Finally Fridays Music Series @ Kwinana (4-6.30) 17 March - St Patrick’s Day @ The Music Shack, Donnybrook 24 March - EnviroFEST 2018 @ Whiteman Park (10-3) 22 April - Beerfarm, Margaret River (2-6) TJ’s Facebook page: /tjodonovan Fred Rea 52

MÁRTA AGUS AIBREÁN 2018 BLIAIN NA GAEILGE

MÁRTA An féile is mó i Márta is ea lá fhéile Pádraig – féile náisiúnta na hÉireann. Dhéantaí Pádraig a cheiliúradh ag amanna eile den bhliain freisin – ar an Domhnach deiridh d’Iúil tugann daoine turas Chruach Phádraig agus thugtaí turas go Mám Éan i nDúiche Seoigheach mar go gcreidtí gur chodail Pádraig ann agus é ag beannú na hÉireann.

Is i dtús an 20ú haois a d’éirigh le feachtas de chuid Chonradh na Gaeilge aitheantas mar lá saoire poiblí a bhaint amach do lá fhéile Pádraig. Roimh an aitheantas sin bhíodh mórshiúl Sheachtain na Gaeilge á eagrú ag an gConradh ar an Domhnach ba ghaire do lá fhéile Pádraig. Mórshiúl ar son na Gaeilge agus ar son déantús na hÉireann a bhíodh ann, mar a bhíonn, den chuid is mó, i mórshiúlta lá fhéile Pádraig anois féin. Ceiliúrtar an lá anois le paráidí, le comórtais spóirt agus déantar é a cheiliúradh in áiteanna éagsúla a bhfuil cuid de shliocht na hÉireann ar fud an domhain.

AIBREÁN Tá tagairtí go leor do Laethanta na Bó Riabhaí sna lámhscríbhinní in Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann agus in an-chuid foinsí eile. Tugtar Laethanta na Bó Riabhaí ar an gcéad trí lá d’Aibreán.

De réir an tseanscéil, mhaigh an tseanbhó riabhach nach maródh aimsir chrua an Mhárta í agus nuair nár mharaigh, thóg an Márta iasacht de thrí lá ón Aibreán chun í a mharú. Deirtear Laethanta na Bó Riabhaí leis na laethanta seo má thagann aimsir fhuar ghaofar i dtús Aibreáin. ‘Trí lá a fuair Márta ón Aibreán chun an bhó riabhach a mharú – lá á bascadh, lá a tógáil agus lá á bléitseáil’.

Ceiliúrtar ‘Lá na nAmadán Aibreáin’ ar an chéad lá den Mhí Aibreán in go leor tíortha. Ar an lá seo ba ghnáth gach gné cleasaíocht a imirt chun amadán Aibreáin a dhéanamh de dhuine.

2018 YEAR OF THE IRISH LANGUAGE The Irish Government has officially nominated 2018 as Bliain na Gaeilge. During the launch of Bliain na Gaeilge, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadker, T.D. announced that 2018 would constitute a special year to celebrate our national language. The year 2018 also marks the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the language revival movement by Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) and therefore 2018 Bliain na Gaeilge is seen as a timely initiative to celebrate the Irish language, both nationally and internationally. An Taoiseach said: “Throughout Bliain na Gaeilge we want to celebrate the Irish language and encourage as many people as possible to get involved. Whether you are a fluent Irish speaker, if you are just learning the language, or if you haven’t used your Irish in years, this is an opportunity to improve your fluency, learn more about the language and encourage your neighbours, friends and colleagues to embrace the language in their everyday lives.”

Here are some suggestions to help you to start learning, or continue using, An Ghaeilge. www.peig.ie (publishes Irish language events in Ireland and around the world). www.duolingo.com (free online course in Irish and other languages). www.bitesize.irish (free one-month email course). www.focloir.ie and www.teanglann.ie/en (online Eng-Irish and Irish-Eng dictionaries). www.gaeilgesanastrail.com (Irish language in Australia website).

• Use your ‘cúpla focal at home, in the pub, in the Irish Club, Facebook, Facetime etc.

• Organise a Ciorcal Chomhrá Ghaeilge (Conversation Group) – it only takes 2 to have a conversation! www.gaelchultur.ie (provides courses and resources). www.clubleabhar.com (book club). www.tg4.ie (Irish Language TV (English subtitles available).

(Leabhar Laethanta, Donla uí Bhraonáin, 2013) Seanfhocal Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh.

Brid

Irish speaking classes every Monday night at the Irish Club. All Welcome!

53

Ádh mór! Good luck!

Aces in the

SPORT OF KINGS

By Lloyd Gorman

Earlier this year a group of Irish mates living in Perth proved themselves to be overnight sensations in the competitive world of horse racing, and far beyond.

Appropriately enough their remarkable story started with a flutter on the nags at Melbourne Cup. The race that stops a nation helped start a new track legend.

In mid January the appropriately monikered Irish Moshie - is out of mare from Victoria and is from the family of Group two winner in L'Alezane - romped home to win at the Ascot racecourse in Perth. The horse was owned by a syndicate of Irish boys all living and working in Western Australia.

The online news service Sports Daily interviewed Stephen O'Neill who has lived in Perth for 14 years - the following day and he told the story behind the win.

"Basically we were at the races, me and Kieran McDonagh (from Monaghan) on Melbourne Cup day and Kieran had just had a win and he liked the look and size of a horse that he was following through online auctions over east and he decided to buy the horse there and then."

Kieran beat 18 other bidders to win her. Irish Moshie was already "light raced" with seven starts for two placings at Warrnambool.

"I said I'd be interested in taking a share and then I said why don't we keep it 100% Irish owned and get a bunch of Irish comrades together and there are 17 Irish owners in it. Most of them are first time owners and it was even the first time at a racecourse for some of them, so that was exciting. when he got it back to Perth about six or seven weeks before Christmas she wasn't in the best condition and we had the

Winners are Grinners!

vet check her over and he treated her for a few things. She's come on in leap and bounds and put on a lot of weight and a heap of muscle. We actually got the horse pretty cheap, she was purchased from auction at $2,000 and so getting her over here and vetted was $5,000 altogether, a bargain in the end. Everyone thinks racing is expensive and I thought this was a perfect opportunity to get people involved, who I knew would enjoy it, into racing and cheaply, and it's paid off. We've even been approached about the next horse and also have people in Ireland saying they'll buy into the horse. It'll give them an excuse to come over for a holiday."

He said it was a case of "fair

54

play" to Kieran for training the four year old mare.

The 17 owners are Stephen O’Neill, Jackie Taylor (Trainers Partner), David Moore, Damien O’Connor, Olan Healey, David Healy, Kieran Cremins, John Patton, Steve Suthridge, Michelle Doherty, Shaun Keogh, Seamus Quigley, James O’Reilly, Gary Patton, Oran Fitzsimons, Daire O’Connell, Gary Helferty and Thomas Tierney.

Their win and story about taking a punt has attracted a lot of media coverage and interest. Kieran and the boys hope to go on and take her to even greater heights. So good luck to them and watch out for the name Irish Moshie!

H

O IR W A ISH R E Y O U

?

1. The Irish alphabet has only 18 letters, name the letters not used?

2. Name the Irishman who wrote the song Red Sails in the Sunset?

3. Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, took a supply of what with him on his travels to Samoa?

4. What was the password for George Washington’s troops in Boston on March 17, 1776?

5. Catherine McCarthy, known as the “jolly Irishwoman of the Lower East Side” was the mother of what notorious outlaw?

6. In 1986, where was 900 year old cheese found perfectly preserved?

7. Where is the world’s most northerly vineyard?

8. In 1999, where was the world’s smallest St. Patrick’s Day parade held. It was just 25 yards long and went from from one pub to another?

9. It was on Christmas Eve in 1601 that the Irish and Spanish armies were defeated in what battle?

10. A holy tree on the Tyrone shore of Lough Neagh was said to bring good fortune to those who hammered coins into its trunk, what did it die from?

11. What animal appears on the FitzGerald coat of arms in tribute to the family pet which rescued the infant 1st Earl of Kildare from a fire at Kilkea castle in the 14th century?

12. Cahirciveen in Kerry was once so inaccessible from the rest of Ireland that it was quicker to send WHAT by mail from Dublin via New York?

Answers: 1.J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y and Z, 2.Jimmy Kennedy, from Co. Tyrone, 3. Guinness, 4.St.Patrick, 5.Billy the Kid, 6.In a Tipperary bog, 7.Mallow, Co. Cork, 8.

Dripsey,Co.Cork, 9. Battle of Kinsale, 10. Metal poisoning, 11.A Monkey, 12.Newspapers. Answer to Can you tell me: The letter "E"

accompanied by Annie Coughlan on the fiddle Friday April 27th 7.30pm

Musical Entertainer / Teacher

David MacConnell

0413 259 547 0doublexx7@gmail.com www.maccdouble.com IRISH SAYINGS: • Drink is the curse of the land: it makes you fight your

neighbor, it makes you shoot at your landlord, and it makes you miss him.

• Whiskey when you’re sick makes you well; whiskey when you’re well makes you sick.

• Drunkenness and anger speak the truth.

• Choose your company before you drink.

55

Dooza Hughes Bar

South Fremantle Football Club Tickets: $10 from Bodkins Bootery 72 High St Fremantle Also on the door Email: freoworkers@iinet.net.au

h t e g Circ n i s o le l C

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Shipped out to Australia in 1947 as a ten year old child migrant Paddy Cannon spent sixty years searching for his mother. In March 2016 the results of a DNA test unequivocally linked him to a third cousin in America and unlocked the puzzle of his family’s identity. Sadly, his mother had passed away in 1975 but he also discovered that he had three brothers and four sisters living in Castlebar, County Mayo.

Since then Paddy - who won the inaugural Terry Humprheys Award in 2015 for his dedication to helping other child migrants trace their families - has travelled back to Ireland twice to meet his long lost siblings and family.

Third time around his loved ones decided to turn the tables and make the journey to see him in his adopted home.

Paddy’s brother John Joe said his brother Mike decided he wanted to come out and that he’d like him to come with him.

“I have three children and they came home one day and said the ticket was booked, “you’re going!”.

Mary, the daughter of Philip, one of Paddy’s brothers in Ireland, jumped at the chance to come.

“I never thought I’d be going on holiday to Australia with two uncles and an aunt,” “I have two sisters in Melbourne and I would have come out there a number of times, but this trip, for me, part of the reason for wanting to do it was John, Paddy’s son, was the only one who hadn’t met anybody, nobody had met him

Paddy Cannon sings for his mother Kathleen

even though we talked regularly on the phone. I thought it would be a nice thing to do and even for Paddy, that it would be a nice thing to do, instead of him having to come to Ireland the whole time.”

John Joe along with Paddy’s other brother Michael and his wife Noreen and niece Mary decided to visit Paddy in Perth over Christmas. They enjoyed the break from the snow and cold of the Irish winter offered by the WA summer, but the real pleasure was the opportunity to spend quality time with Paddy and his family.

John Joe said he was delighted they came for John’s sake. “Because David and Craig, two other sons, have been to Ireland and I don’t think John will ever be in a position to travel to Ireland. So, I think he’s happy, everyone’s happy that we met him.”

The trip has allowed them to create new memories and share his life and explore Perth. Among other things, they had a wonderful day at Tuart Place with Paddy’s mates, attended the Irish Club for the Thursday night session, and kick their heels up in Durty Nellies the day before they left. Paddy, never a shy one, sang I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen at the Irish club for his late mother. He also performed You’ll Never Walk Alone at Durty Nellies and got a rousing ovation. Fred Rea had the pleasure of taking the family out for the day to see kangaroo’s and enjoy fish and chips at the Hillarys marina.

They have all come a long way from the first tentative steps two years ago when the connection was first made. Paddy is an ex-resident of Bindoon and Clontarf Boys Town and is a champion for child 56

migrants and members of the Stolen Generation and can be found regularly at Tuart Place, a help centre, in Fremantle. He has helped others to go through the complicated process of tracing and reuniting with families, but when its your turn the experience is personal. Paddy’s story featured in a previous edition of Irish Scene (Child migrants have to dig deep to find their roots). For unsuspecting family members about to discover for the first time that they have a long lost sibling or relation the experience has its own twists and emotions.

John Joe was on another holiday - to Norway - when the initial contact was made with them through a third party that specialises in this area.

“Michael rang me and asked me what time I’d be back the next day and I asked him if anything was wrong, he said No,” said John Joe. “Michael was at my house when I arrived home and I thought there must be something wrong, its unusual to see him waiting for me and it was he that broke the news to me. I had no idea at all, I was quite shocked at the time and tried to get it into my head, but after a few hours it settled down.

The family members were asked to write a card or letter to Paddy before he met them. Two months later they would get to see each other in person, but again taking baby steps.

“He met every one of the family individually when he arrived. First, he met Mary, the oldest, then Kitty, Bridie, Philip,

Nora, Michael and I was the last one to meet him briefly, for about 15 minutes.

But I knew I’d be seeing him later that night at my sister’s house,” added John Joe. “Its funny, even after such a short meeting I felt like I knew him all my life, I don’t know how, there was something about him you know. He’s a very positive man, he hadn’t an easy life, but he didn’t dwell on that.”

Mary said there was “a little” apprehension for family members. “But I should add there was never any doubt for the family once they had seen his photo, there was never any doubt, there was a resemblance there. The DNA didn’t make any difference. Aunt Kitty was able to confirm the address that granny had worked in in Wales and each family had the same photo, we both had the same photo. When the meeting came I remember saying to aunt Nora, on the first evening how do you feel now, and she said: “I’m on the top of the world and its love at first sight,” was the way she explained it. There was a connection.

As John Joe said it was like knowing someone all their life and everyone has kept up regular contact since. Its just like picking up from somewhere in the past.”

She reflected on the meaning of it all.

“Paddy went through everything with us, such as how did their mother keep this?

We had a nice life in Ireland at the time when there were so many stories coming out about abuse and then its a concern, what kind of life did he have. Emotionally speaking, everything came into it. Even for poor granny, how she held this to herself and took it with her. She came from a generation of people who if they had to keep a secret, they kept a secret, you kept your feelings locked up and that was it. She was a strong woman, she would have been delighted about all this, I think.”

John Joe said it was sad that the connection hadn’t been established twenty years ago instead of two, but they would make the most of the time they had now.

“We’ve had an amazing holiday here and Paddy is coming back to Ireland in June and he can’t wait to get back,” smiled John Joe.

Visit to Tuart Place

At the Irish Club

Durty Nelly's

Hillarys Marina

Real kangaroos!

57

ULSTER

treasured possessions. I am not sure how it got there.

I read all the songs in it again and sang most of them.

They are comic, poignant, humorous and lyrical.

Another time I sang a Percy French song was during my first year at boarding school. In those days we were told what to do less often than we were told what not to do or what we had done wrong. It was a concert and our house master had told us to learn a particular song. He had written it out for us and mercifully he had cut out four of the verses. The song was called Abdul Abulbul Amir. It was some forty years later, when someone in a gig I was performing requested the song and was greatly surprised (so was I) when I sang six verses of it, that I realised that it had been written by Percy French.

The characters (Abdul and Ivan) in the song were (for a 12 year old boy) so rugged and tough.

Rambles

with David

BOUT YEESE ALL AGAIN AND HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY I would like to celebrate this great day by writing about a man, born near the village of Tulsk, Roscommon.

“And what has that got to do with Ulster?’ I can hear you ask. Well, the gentleman himself according to Wikipedia was educated at Foyle School in Co. Londonderry and then went to Trinity College Dublin where he penned his first song. He then worked for some time in Co Cavan which we all know is part of Ulster. If you hadn’t guessed, I am talking about Percy French.

When I was very young, my sister, who played the piano at that time, was given a book of Percy French songs. I think it was one shilling and six pence or 1s:6d if you can remember that kind of currency. Yeah, we had to know twelve times tables in those days.

Money was not too bad but try out length (inches, feet, yards and miles) or weight (ounces, pounds, stones and hundred weights) to name a few. How easy is the subject Mathematics these days but the new generation still must have calculators! I wonder what the next generation will have. Perhaps they will have mathematical robots to count for them!

As Bob Dylan, Donovan, Leonard Cohen, the Beatles and all the pop legends of the sixties came along, this book disappeared. After living in Spain, U.S.A. and England, I found it again a few years ago, in among my

“Young man,” quoth Abdul, “Has life grown so dull That you wish to end your career?

Vile infidel know, you have trod on the toe Of Abdul Abulbul Amir” I mentioned that many of his songs were poignant and funny. Just reading them can make you laugh; how about McBreen’s Heifer which exemplifies this magnificently.

McBreen had two daughters, and each one in turn Was offered in marriage to Jamsey O’Burn.

Now Kitty was pretty but Jane she was plain So to make up the differ, McBreen would explain, He’d give the best heifer he had on the land, As a sort of a bonus with Jane, understand But then Kitty would charm a bird off a bush, And that left the lad in horrid non-plush.

Chorus Now there’s no denyin’ Kitty was remarkably pretty, Tho’ I can’t say the same for Jane, But still there’s not the differ of the price of a heifer, Between the pretty and the plain.

Not sure about the ‘non-plush’ part but it works in the song. I could go on writing here for hours but you need to put down this magazine and go out and do a bit of living. If you are interested in Percy, I recommend that you google Echoes of Percy French; I found it absolutely fascinating.

Unfortunately ‘T’, (my nameless golfing friend) I could not find any connection between Frenchpark and Percy besides that he (like you) was born nearby but you do tell a good story.

Percy went to London for a time and it was there where he penned his most famous song.

‘Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea.’

58

Well I don’t need to write about that one here. The

words and the melody are just magical.

It is a song very significant for me as most of my ancestors are buried in a site near Newcastle which of course has the mountains as a beautiful backdrop.

My good friend from the Falls Road gave a great rendition of it at the last Fiddlesticks Folk Club where the fantastic singer Sean Roche with special guest Phil Beck is appearing for the whole show on Tuesday, the 13th March in the WOODVALE TAVERN. It should be good night so I hope to see you there. Until then may your god go with you.

Oh Percy those songs that you wrote long ago We’re still singing them accompanied by fiddle and bow They tell a good story we’re all sure of that About Abdul, McBreen, Phil the Fluter… your man Pat

Delia Greene

Our condolences to Moira Malone, PJ, Michael, Declan, JJ and families on the passing of Moira's mother Delia (Greene) of Derryvett, Crusheen, Co. Clare.

Delia passed away peacefully at Ennis General Hospital. Deeply regretted by her loving family, son Michael, daughters Moira, Breeda and Rita, daughterin-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, relatives and friends.

In all famous pubs you can hum or sing along The Emigrant’s Letter or A Fairy Song But of all of your great songs one is special to me When I see those Mourne Mountains sweeping down to the sea.

Happy St. Patricks Day. David MacConnell.

R.I.P.

Annual Irish Remembrance Mass Some years ago the Irish Community had a Community Commemoration Mass in Nollamara with Fr Laurence Murphy. It was an opportunity to join with other members of the Irish diaspora in praying for the peaceful repose of deceased relatives and friends in Australia and overseas.

You may not have had the opportunity to say goodbye to your family member, this would be your time to remember and pray for them.

Wanneroo parish priest, Fr John Daly has kindly offered to facilitate a repeat of this service in St Anthony's Catholic Church Dundebar Road in Wanneroo in November. Details and a date are to be finalised. Sean McDonagh has offered to help in organising the Mass.

Tea/coffee will be served afterwards.

For further information or if you would like to help or just attend, please contact Sean McDonagh Co-ordinator on 0431 018 388 or Fred Rea 0418 942 832.

PERTH CITY

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USA Remembers the Escaped Fenians Congratulation to George Thomas McLaughlin and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick who have set a date for the unveiling of the gravestones dedicated to Thomas Darragh and Robert Cranston. The commemoration will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, Greenmount and Most Holy Redeemer Cemeteries, Philadelphia, PA. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick have the $5000 for the gravestones and associated costs! George said, “We have enough for the deposit on the tombstones for both men, Robert Cranston and Thomas Darragh and will be ordering them in the near future”.

They goal was to raise the funds to erect gravestones in Philadelphia for two Fenians, Thomas Darragh and Robert Cranston who escaped from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia on the Catalpa, which is commemorated on the stone and plaque dedicated by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in New Bedford.

“What a death is staring us in the face,” wrote James Wilson in 1873, “the death of a felon in a British dungeon, and a grave amongst Britain’s ruffians.

I am not ashamed to speak the truth, that it is a disgrace to have us in prison today. A little money judiciously expended would release every man that is now in West Australia. Think that we have been nearly nine years in this living tomb since our first arrest, and that it is impossible for mind or body to withstand the continual strain that is upon us. One or the other must give way.” Fenian James Wilson, was imprisoned with other Irish political prisoners in the dreaded Fremantle penal colony in Western Australia.

150th Anniversary of JB O'Reilly's arrival in Bunbury Commemorated To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Irish political prisoner John Boyle O’Reilly’s arrival to Bunbury, our small group gathered at JB’O Park (Tues, Feb 13th) to pay homage to the great man himself.

It was a beautiful summer’s morning, with the bird chorus in the park adding greatly to the moment, as O’Reilly, when working on convict road gangs clearing bush into the Vasse wrote a number of poems mentioning the many bird and parrot species of the region. In more modern times, it would be fair to say that O’Reilly probably would have been referred to as a ‘birder’ or ‘twitcher’.

Peter Buswell, a descendant of Joseph Buswell (the man who supplied the row boat used in O’Reilly’s dramatic escape), while watched on by another Buswell descendant (Julia Pendal Veza), did the honours by unveiling a plaque that paid homage to O’Reilly and his escape accomplices.

Later that evening, we met up again at the Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre where we were joined by more friends and supporters. Together, with song, storytelling, film and poetry, we celebrated O’Reilly’s arrival in Bunbury, his dramatic escape to America and his involvement (years later) in the Catalpa Rescue. Thanks to Fred Rea for charming the audience with his rousing Irish ballads, and to Irish Playwright, Noel O’Neill, for performing his stirring poem, ‘Sound of the Chains’.

CATALPA COMMEMORATION ROCKINGHAM Easter Monday, 2 April at 11am

Annual commemoration of the escape of six Fenian convicts in 1876.

With oration, verse and song at the Catalpa Memorial hosted by Frank Murphy with special guests including Rockingham City Councillors Catalpa Memorial, Rockingham Beach, walking distance south of Township. Adjourn to Latitude 32 Restaurant, Railway Terrace, Palm Beach Boardwalk – walking Distance (Bookings 9592 8881 60

Join LUB THE C

Presidents's Message

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

On behalf of all at the Irish Club of WA we would like to wish all our members, supporters and friends a Happy St Patrick’s Day. It’s a great day to celebrate all that is Irish and be proud of our wonderful heritage. Whether you have a quiet day at home or join in the many celebration across WA we hope you have an enjoyable day.

We welcome you all to the home of the Irish Community in Perth here at the Irish Club in Subiaco.

Visit our website or Facebook to see what’s happening in the coming weeks.

Best regards, Tom Quinn, President.

Irish Club NEW Opening Hours: Mon to Wed 5pm - 10pm Thurs & Fri 4pm - 10pm Saturdays 4pm - Late Sundays 2pm - 10pm

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 2018 President: Rose O’Brien ADCRG Vice President: Eileen Ashley ADCRG & Caroline McCarthy TCRG Secretary: Katherine Travers TCRG Treasurer: Martina O’Brien TCRG Registrar: Jenny O’Hare TCRG SCHOOL CONTACTS: _____________________________ Celtic Academy East Victoria Park & Karragullen www.celticacademyperth.com Siobhan Collis TCRG 0403 211 941 _____________________________ Eireann School of Irish Dancing Como, Jandakot & Rockingham Siobhan Cummins TCRG 0422 075 300 _____________________________

Kavanagh Studio of Irish Dance Maylands www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa Fenton TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Caroline McCarthy TCRG _____________________________ Keady Upton School of Irish Dancing Subiaco, Wangara & Pearsall Samantha McAleer TCRG Kalamunda Lara Upton TCRG 0409 474 557 _____________________________ O’Brien Academy Butler, Mindarie/Quinn’s Rock, Ocean Reef, Connolly, Duncraig www.obrienacademy.com Rose O’Brien ADCRG 0437 002 355 Martina O’Brien TCRG 0423 932 866 _____________________________ O’Hare School of Irish Dancing Doubleview, Wembley Downs & Craigie Jenny O’Hare TCRG 0422 273 596 _____________________________

Scoil Rince Ni 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 trinitystudiowa@gmail.com Eileen Ashley ADCRG 0413 511 595 Katherine Travers TCRG _____________________________ WA Academy of Irish Dancing Malaga Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 9276 3737/0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 0412 040 719

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. Oireachtas Rince na hÉireann - All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships (11th 17th February - Killarney, IE). Congratulations to Perth girls Dakota Courtney (O’Brien Academy) and Dara McAleer (The Academy, USA) who recently competed at the All Ireland Championships in Killarney. Both girls have been training overseas leading up to the prestigious event and achieved amazing results. Dakota placed 4th in the Ladies under 20 competition, and Dara placed 7th in the Ladies under 21 competition.

Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne - World Irish Dancing Championships (24th March - 1st April - Glasgow, UK) Best of luck to the following Perth dancers who are travelling to Glasgow at the end of March to compete in the 48th World Championships.

Kavanagh Studio Brigid Lydon 19-20 years Maeghan Oldfield 18-19 years

Keady Upton School Ciara Stobbie - 20-21 years Jeremiah Oliveri 19-20 years Caitlin Bone 18-19 years Ciara-Mae Crone 18-19 years Ruby Driscoll 18-19 years Caoimhe McAleer 15-16 years Keely McGuigan 15-16 years Medbh Flanagan 14-15 years Sinead Daly 13-14 years Caoimhe McGuigan 13-14 years Josh Johnston 12-13 years

O’Brien Academy Dakota Courtney 19-20 years Cassandra Perkins 11-12 years Trinity Studio Isobel Ashley 15-16 years Stella Ashley 13-14 years

WA Academy Taylor Pymm 20-21 years Brittany Tyson 19-20 years Aimee Chanter 19-20 years Brittany Pymm 18-19 years Adam Robinson 15-16 years

Also good luck to Dara McAleer (20-21 years) who is currently dancing with The Academy in the USA.

St Patrick’s Day: Keep an eye out for WA Irish dancers performing at your local Irish pub this St Patrick’s Day. They will be fundraising to subsidise their travel costs to the World Championships in March, the Australian International Oireachtas in July, and the Australian National Championships in October, so be sure to donate a dollar or ten

Brendan is Minister for Environment; DisabilitySrServices congratulated Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council by the Italian PO Box 2440, SOUTH HEDLAND WA 6722 members 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

Dakota Courtney - 4th at All Irelands

Kavanagh Brigid Lydon, Meaghan Oldfield

Dara McAleer 7th at All Irelands

Keady Upton - Ciara Stobbie

Keady Upton - Ruby Driscoll, Ciara-Mae Crone, Caitlin Bone Keady Upton - Josh Johnston

Keady Upton - Medbh Flanagan

Keady Upton - Sinead Daly

O'Brien Cassandra Perkins

WA Academy - Adam Robinson

Keady Upton Jeremiah Oliveri

WA Academy - Taylor Pymm

Keady Upton - Keely McGuigan, Caoimhe McAleer, Caoimhe McGuigan

Trinity - Stella Ashley, Isobel Ashley 6363

WA Academy - Brittany Pymm, Aimee Chanter, Brittany Tyson

Thank You!

The Claddagh Association and the family and friends of the late Charlie McCarthy would like to thank the community for their generous support of the Go Fund Me appeal for Charlie's family.

The Caddagh Association Inc. has assisted Irish people during times of crisis and trauma since 1997 throughout Western Australia. We are a voluntary non-profit organisation with Gift Recipient Status. We aim to provide, where possible, short term crisis support to people from the Irish community in times of hardship and trauma. We provide a safety net to assist people in crisis situations where all other avenues have been Crisis support: 0403 972 265 exhausted.

Photos from the very successful Charlie McCarthy Golf Day Huge thanks again to Nathan Slane, brother Marc and girlfriend Amii who presented Claddagh Association with an amazing $3,500 cheque, after completing Spartan Race in cruel 30 degree heat!!

John and Marie, parents of Nathan and Mark Slane visiting from Ireland met the newly elected Claddagh Committee.

64

Café y cafeina

By Ciaráin Hoey

A couple of years back I watched a Ted Talk on coffee; at that moment in time it was the second highest traded commodity in the world!

Now I am starting to think that it may be growing beyond “just a cuppa” and into an over-caffeinated society, back in university one girl said on average she would have ten cups of coffee a day Rolling on to now, catching up for a coffee or grabbing one on the go to work, or heading over to the beach or shops on the weekend currently seems to be a regular social staple.

Most of my friends and family enjoy a coffee; as do I! But why do most people consume it? People report that a strong coffee (double shot) makes you feel energetic.

Sure, it’s probably not the highest concern on the spectrum of stimulant substances; should we not have the mental focus in combination with the physical energy and determination to complete tasks or get through the day without being reliant on a substance. I have personally found having a double shot coffee or more than two cups a day may contribute to feeling hyper-alert, irritable, chasing the toilet and in a few hours after consumption

less energetic, leading to a decline in general performance and productivity.

Last year I went without a coffee for 7 weeks, not a remarkable feat by any stretch, it did provide confidence and confirmation that you can go by your day to day without a strong dose of caffeine in the morning or afternoon.

Now I am trying to cut back on coffee, gradually easing off on the quantity and strength is the key. If you’re having three cups a day, have a go one day during the week consuming two cups; or try one of the cups as a single shot as opposed to a double shot. My personal target is to have one cup every second to third day during the week and on the days off substituting the routine and taste for black and other herbal teas, which are just as delicious and soothing to the body and mind… minus the caffeine hit!

Join Oliver McNerney as he gets you in that relaxing Saturday evening mood with his distinctive Easy Saturday Music.

Oliver plays music specially chosen that’s easy on the ears.

Every Saturday 6pm to 8pm Capitol Community Radio 101.7fm Call Oliver and he will play a dedication song for you!

Phone: (08) 9364 9888 einfo@capitalcommunityradio.com

Visit our Website for the latest news

www.irishscene.com.au 65

From Tasmania

Moore McEvoy

Irish musician Eleanor McEvoy tells me it has been about two years since she visited Tasmania and she’s very excited this time around, to be invited to with perform at The Cygnet Folk Festival. I am delighted to be given the chance to once Paula Xiberras again speak to this talented and lovely lady. Eleanor says she loves Tassie and its friendly people. She is a great lover of art but confides to me she believes ‘the genetics or chromosome for the visual arts passed her by’.

The visual arts maybe, but the musical arts have well and truly been conquered by Eleanor. Eleanor started playing the piano at age four and with a musically talented family she was always destined for a career in music. Both of Eleanor’s parents were musical, her brother plays in a band and her sister is a recording engineer.

Eleanor pursued the academic course of music studying at university and becoming a violinist. The academic approach to music, however, didn’t suit Eleanor as she much preferred being a story teller with integrity and honesty who performed in intimate settings, allowing her to ‘see the whites of the eyes of her audience, sign some albums after the shows and generally chill out’.

Eleanor shares that her writing process is a little different to most in that she writes the melody rather than the lyrics first. There was ample time to do some writing on the 30 hour trip to Australia as she sat with her manuscript in front of her.

As for her inspiration it comes from detailed observation skills and those ‘gold dust moments’ in that magical time when one is not quite awake yet not fully asleep. It’s essential of course to keep a notepad by the bed to jot those inspirations down.

Eleanor’s most recent inspiration has been the work of 17th Century Irish poet Thomas Moore, the poems of whom, she is reinterpreting to music.

Some of his works would be familiar to audiences. For example ‘The Minstrel Boy’ and ‘The Last Rose of Summer’.

You can read more about the Thomas Moore project here: http://folkandtumble.com/eleanor-mcevoy-the-thomas-mooreproject/ You can see Eleanor on tour in Australia on the following Tasmanian dates: Friday 12th - Sunday 14th Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet, Tasmania http://www.cygnetfolkfestival.org/ Monday 15th Masonic Hall, Lindisfarne, Tasmania https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=323570& Tuesday 16th Mountain Mumma, Launceston, Tasmania https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=323570&

66

Carr, driving to Tasmania

Jimmy Carr is bringing his ‘The best of, ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits World Tour’ to Australia (which included Western Australia and next week’s dates in Tasmania). A celebration of his fifteen years of stand up joke telling.

Jimmy is well known for his unique laugh, his darker humour and ability to involve himself with hecklers.

The Carr family originate from Limerick, Ireland and continued to keep Kildee and Limerick ties even after settling in the UK. Jimmy proved himself to be academically gifted gaining a degree in Social Sciences and Political Science at university.

In the mid – nineties he found himself working in an office marketing job for an oil company, which only left him, he tells me, feeling ‘sad’.

He attempted to inject some humour into his work life by taking on stand up gigs because he says ‘laughter is the shortest distance between people’. Stand up may be Jimmy’s passion but he has also proven himself a skilled TV presenter and actor and has appeared in an eclectic mix of TV shows, too many to name but some familiar to Australian viewers include ‘QI’ and ‘Top Gear’.

I spoke to Jimmy recently and he told me of his love for Australia because the people are ‘friendly’ and informed me how he enjoys reading about the history of the places he visits so he can put local references into his shows.

He is very excited to be visiting Tasmania for the first time.

Jimmy believes everyone is funny but commitment makes a comedian. Jimmy is not interested in being one of those comedians who ‘open up with

their own storytelling’ but instead is an ‘old fashioned comedian’ who specialises in jokes. Sometimes in the form of haiku’s!

His jokes are testament to his intelligence. They are ‘short, edgy and punchy’ including a great deal of word play that display his breadth of command of the English language.

Although Jimmy sites Billy Connolly and Spike Milligan as influences.

Jimmy plays Tasmania on the following dates:

Unaccompanied baggage

Wednesday, 21 February 2018 8pm Princess Theatre Launceston

Backpackers • Tourists • Windsurfers •Surfboards

Thursday, 22 February 2018 8pm Wrest Point

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to create a statue of Presentation Sister founder Nano Nagle, a woman once voted Irelands greatest and their woman of the millennium.

Venerable Honoria Nagle was lovingly known as Nano.

Born in County Cork, Ireland into prosperity, the young Nano couldn’t reconcile her life of privilege with the poverty around her. After seeing poor people seeking refuge in a church. Nano was encouraged and inspired to educate the poor although she went further and educated adults as well as children and additionally tended the elderly and infirm in their homes when her day work was done. This after hours work resulted in Nano being given the moniker ‘the lady of the lamp’ and this feature is illustrated in the finished sculpture, To create a representation of Nano Ben required the school to select a student to pose in silhouette wearing the clothing of the time. Ben says having a living model is important to the process of catching movement in sculpture.

Nano went on to found her community of workers, the religious order, The Sisters of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary or more succinctly, the Presentation Sisters. While the order began providing education to the poor of Ireland it branched out worldwide, including to Tasmania, Australia. Ben has created a magnificent monument to honour Honoria.

Paving Path to Career in

Sculpture

By Paula Xiberras

Ben Tolhurst still possesses the first brick he carved.

I recently spoke to Ben about his sculpture of Presentation founder, Nano Nagle for St Mary’s College in Hobart.

It was while Ben was paving a brick path at his mother- in- law’s house he searched around to find an implement to cut the brick, or specifically a ‘diamond blade’ or ‘angle grinder’. He began to use these implements to carve symbols on his preferred medium of Tasmanian bluestone (the commercial name for dolerite in Tasmania and which incidentally Ben tells me, can wreak havoc on tools!) before moving on to do work in relief and finally three dimensional sculpture.

Even though he began a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Ben decided university wasn’t for him. With the help of his mentor in South Australia he became a selftaught sculptor.

Before embarking on full time sculpture, Ben had an eclectic career, including working as a deck hand on cray boats and with people with disabilities. His work took him from Canada to New Jersey before finally settling in Tasmania, Ben believes his previous hard physical work has given him an advantage in providing him with the strength to handle what is sometimes 4 tonne of stone!

Ben was recently commissioned by St Marys College

Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 Hillarys WA 6923

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

Tel (08) 9401 1900 • Fax: 9401 1911

Mob: 0413 337 785

68

MEETING PETE ST JOHN During my recent trip to Ireland I spent an afternoon with Pete St John (Fields of Athenry) and Michael Blanch of the ComPete St John, Fred Rea and Michael Blanch mittee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims. Pete and Michael wanted to know all about our Famine Memorial in Subiaco and the unveiling by Michael D Higgins. I was able to fill them in on the whole event and they were delighted that we were able to get the project completed. Pete and Michael asked that I pass on their congratulations to all concerned.

Pete also asked that I publish his latest song Claire From Ballindine which follows. It was very kind of Pete and Michael to take the time to meet me and we discussed among other things, the impending visit to Perth of Liam Dowling, Governor of Arbour Hill prison for our Famine event in August.

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet Pete and we should all say thanks to him as he continues to write wonderful songs in support of the Famine victims and other important causes. Fred Rea

A Little Bit of History’s Fact and Fiction:

Circa 1880. County Mayo in the West of Ireland. The infamous Captain Boycott, an ex-British army land agent on the estate of Lord Erne is ostracised by the people of Ballindine town and environs. Boycott’s reign of unreasonable land rents and brutal evictions in his management of the absent landlord Erne’s properties brings his downfall.

The magic of

IRELAND

At the suggestion of the Irish Land League’s Charles Parnell a total shunning of Boycott is brought about. Every door is closed to him. No contact, no service, no work. Isolation and silence. A scab labour force is brought in to harvest the Lord Erne crops and a large contingent of British soldiers to protect them.

In the midst of all the ensuing crisis in her area the lovely peasant girl, Claire from Ballindine, finds a secret true love in the arms of a young Scots soldier in the British ranks.

Against all odds their love story wins the day!!

Pete St John

Claire From Ballindine His love she came with nothing But a goatskin coat so fine Her beauty was her dowry But their stars did not align Their love was scorned by many In a troubled Ireland time For Scotland’s Jock McGregor And Claire from Ballindine Chorus: Green grows the rushes-o And crooked grows the vine From Arran to Kirkcaldy From the Orkneys to the Tyne The ways of love are gentle They can turn the world around Happy in the morning with the blackbird’s sound

He was a Boycott Soldier In his uniform of red She loved him for his gentle ways Not minding what was said They walked the roads together Making Hate and Love entwine Andrew Jock McGregor And young Claire from Ballindine

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69

So come all you lads and lassies And let laughter light your way Like Claire and Jock McGregor Let us dance sad times away We’ll walk the roads together Aye and twice the world around Happy in the morning With the blackbird’s sound!! © Pete St John / Saint Music

rish Recipes from Marguerite's

Rocket, Goats Cheese and Honey Bruschetta Rocket, goat’s cheese and honey bruschetta Rocket, goat’s cheese and honey bruschetta Rocket, goat’s cheese and honey bruschetta Ingredients (Serves 4) 4 medium slices of a large baguette 1 clove of garlic, cut in half 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 handfuls of rocket leaves 160g goat’s cheese 4 teaspoons honey Place the slices of baguette under a hot grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are lightly toasted. 2. Then rub the toasts with the clove of garlic using the cut side of the clove. 3. Divide between plates and drizzle over the extra-virgin olive oil. 4. Top the toasted baguette slices with rocket leaves, then crumble over the goat’s cheese and drizzle with the honey.

Double Chocolate Mousse Cake

Ingredients (Serves 6 – 8) 1. 50g (2oz) butter, plus extra for greasing 2. 200g (7oz) dark chocolate (55%-70% cocoa solids), chopped, or in pieces 3.

5 eggs 4. 150g (5oz) caster sugar 5. Pinch of salt 6. For the chocolate mousse coating, you will need: 7. 100g (3½oz) dark chocolate (55%-70% cocoa solids) 8. 2 eggs 9. 50g (2oz) butter 1. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Line the base of 2 x 7 inch (18cm) tins with baking parchment and grease the sides of the tins with butter.

2. To make the chocolate mousse cake, put the butter and the dark chocolate in a bowl, and place the bowl sitting over a saucepan that contains a few centimetres of water. Bring the water up to the boil, then take the saucepan off the heat and allow the dark chocolate and the butter to melt slowly. 3.

Separate the eggs. Place the yolks in a bowl with the caster sugar and whisk for a few minutes until the mixture is pale and light.

Beat the butter-and-chocolate mixture into the caster sugar-andegg yolk mixture.

4. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites with the pinch of salt until they form stiff peaks, then fold them into the butter,

chocolate, sugar and egg yolk mixture.

5. Divide the chocolate mousse between the two greased, lined tins and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Insert a skewer into the centre & it should just come out clean - but remember, the mixture should remain moist; it’s not a sponge. Take the cakes out of the oven and allow them to sit for 30 minutes before taking them out of the tins.

6. For the chocolate mousse; Place the dark chocolate in a bowl and place the bowl sitting over a saucepan that contains a few centimetres of water. Bring the water to the boil, then take the saucepan off the heat and allow the dark chocolate to melt slowly.

7. Separate the eggs and beat the yolks into the warm chocolate, then beat in the butter.

8. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold a quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate, egg yolk and butter mixture. Next, add in the remainder of the egg whites, which should be folded in gently.

9. Place the chocolate mousse coating in the fridge for 1-2 hours until it is stiff enough to coat the cake without it falling off. When you’re ready to coat the cake, put one cooled cake upside down on a plate or a cake stand. Spread a couple of heaped tablespoons of the chocolate mousse coating over the top as though you were generously buttering a slice of bread. Cover with the second cake, then spread the remaining chocolate mousse over the top and sides of the cakes. 10. Served with whipped cream.

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

IRISH QUOTES ON FOOD AND EATING:

• A stew boiled is a stew spoiled • • A man is like the bagpipes, he never makes a noise until his belly is full • • Let broth boil slowly, but let porridge make a noise • • If you go uninvited to the feast, carry your own stool with you • • When the belly is full, the bones like to stretch • 70

land of

&

honey

Ireland

ANOIS TEACT AN EARRAIG Well I have done ‘The Ashes” and made promises for “The Give Ups” which, true to tradition, I shall probably not keep fully-never have before no matter how hard I tried.

There was a very enthusiastic ashes distributor this year Black and damp and big. It took me all the way back to Sr. Aquin who made quite sure you bore the mark of the penitent for at least twelve hours.

Australia doesn’t do Lent well, it is too bright and sunny. You need grey drizzly days peppered with icy bursts of easterly winds. You need dark mornings, cloud laden skies and frosty gloomy evenings but most of all you need a Sr Aquin, tall and spare, standing at the top of the class describing, in minute detail, the horrors of purgatory. I always felt she had a friend in purgatory with whom she'd corresponded.

She also led us to believe that you had to work really hard to get to purgatory because, in our case, we were destined for Hell. You found yourself praying that you would be good enough to get to purgatory! I must admit it kept you off the toffee apples and Barbara Cartland novels

for six weeks.

Luckily for the Irish right in the middle of Lent came the feast of Magonus Sucatus Patricius yes, that is St. Patricks real name.

Does not go really well with Hail Glorious...... does it?

Everything brightened for the day. You ate your store of wet bonbons, you read a few chapters of Barbara Cartland and as you got older you went to the Races and the Ceilidh. Then back to Aquin’s Rules. The Sisters were very good at controlling children. They worked on the theory that if you terrified them from the beginning they were well behaved until they left.

Don’t think for a moment I am criticising this method. I was very happy at school, even in Lent -admittedly terrified at times but even when you are young there is that “grain of salt” moment. There are also, wet bon-bons, toffee apples and Barbara Cartland to counterbalance the delights of Purgatory.

I never got over the sheer misery of purple draped statues and the silencing of the bells. On the other

hand, the whole experience instilled in me a great love for Gregorian Chant and the pure anguished voice of a good Cantor Tenebrae terrified me for a year or two but then I grew to love the ritual of it - all those Dominicans prostrated with their Robes fanned out in the Knave. You knew who you were. I am sincerely glad I had the experience and everyone needs an Aquin in their life. Even to this day I try every now and then to be better and not make whatever Saint I am praying to at the moment cry. Aquin said if you didn’t keep your promises your Saint cried. Heaven must have been quite damp from our class at times, but burdened with guilt, you try to do better.

And then lo and behold its Easter and the bells ring and the sun shines and Antoin Raftieri’s poem come into its own with all the joy of Celtic mysticism and a love of Nature.

Anois teact an Earraig beid na la ag dul cun sine, tar eis na Feile Bride dardoid me mo seol Beannacthai na Caisce do garaon duine.

Sally Desmond

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 71

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

CY O’CONNOR OUTDOOR RADIO BROADCAST Sat 10 March Frank Murphy will broadcast his weekly Radio Fremantle programme ‘Songs from Ireland’ live from Robbs Jetty, CY O’Connor Reserve, North Coogee from 8 to 10am. Join descendants of CY O’Connor on the beach for a unique experience in their annual commemoration of his life followed by optional breakfast. Swimmers invited.

O’Connor died 10 March 1902 More details www.irishscene.com.au ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Sunday 11 March, 3pm Denis Bratton who has been president for 10 years wants to step down but is happy to continue on the Board with many of his current responsibilities. This AGM will recognise Denis’ contribution by an afternoon tea presentation. All will take place in a garden party atmosphere at 8 Fourth Avenue, Kensington. Plenty of parking available. Meeting is restricted by AIHA Constitution to members only.

Members nominate. Ring our secretary on 9367 6026 to talk about your area of interest.

Attendees must be current paid-up members. Membership was due on 1 January.

Australian-Irish Heritage Association April 24 ‘The Moth Catcher’ by Anne Cleeves presented by Margaret Ireland Admission Free. All welcome. Light refreshments provided including complimentary tea and coffee Contact Maureen on 9279 5959 HISTORY TALK ON FREEMASONRY, Sun 25 March 3pm Our speaker is Cork born businessman Frank Hayes who is a former International Grand Marshal of the Freemasons. Freemasons have long been seen as a shadowy organisation — complete with secret handshakes and ancient rituals. Regarded suspiciously

by Churches and rarely spoken in open conversation, now is your chance to hear it from the inside from a fascinating and entertaining speaker.

Venue: Irish Club Theatre, Townshend Road, Subiaco Cost: $5 pay at the door, includes afternoon tea catered by Pantry Dolls

SAINT PATRICKS DAY EVENTS Saturday 17 March 10am Annual Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral concelebrated by Fr Greg Donovan. Irish Community groups march behind banners 10am Parade in Leederville though Oxford Street, parade theme is ‘The Future’ 12 noon concert in Medibank Stadium (Leederville Oval) – stalls and entertainment all day. Free admission

CATALPA COMMEMORATION ROCKINGHAM, Easter Monday, 2 April Annual commemoration of the escape of six Fenian convicts on 17-18 April, 1876. With oration, verse and song at the Catalpa Memorial hosted by Frank Murphy with special guests including Rockingham City Councillors At: 11am, Catalpa Memorial, Rockingham Beach, walking distance south of Township Cost: free. Adjourn to Latitude 32 Restaurant, Railway Terrace, Palm Beach Boardwalk – walking Distance (Bookings 9592 8881)

THE FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB Meets last Tuesday of the month with exception of December at 8pm.

Venue Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Time No meeting in February due to Irish Film Festival March 27 ‘A Year of Wonders’ by Fiona by Mariah Geraldine Brooks presented Maureen Hart

MARY DURACK LECTURE, Sun 22 April, 3pm To celebrate the 21st year of the Mary Durack lecture we are expanding the formal lecture with thematically written song and drama. We feel that this is fitting and meets with contemporary audience expectations. It will enhance and compliment the theme of Historian Peter Conole’s brilliantly researched

address “Charles Fitzgerald in colonial Western Australia” on the Fitzgeralds of Kilrush, County Clare who were landlords during the famine time of 1840s. Charles was governor of WA 1848 to 1855.

“We were Never Beggars” by Brian Comerford is based on a true incident in Kilrush Workhouse in December 1849. Live music evoking an emotional dimension to the story will include ‘The Orphan Girl’ by Brendan Graham, and ‘Poor Boys Shoes’ by Declan O’Rourke.

Venue: Irish Club Theatre Subiaco, Cost: Members $10, Non-members $15, includes afternoon tea catered by Pantry Dolls ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION SUBIACO, Wednesday 25 April At invitation of RSL City of Subiaco subbranch, AIHA members carry flags and lay a wreath in remembrance of the Irish ANZACS. Assemble at Subiaco Post Office at 8.00am for short march to Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial at corner Rokeby and Hamersley Roads. Refreshments follow at Subiaco Community Centre, corner Rupert Street and Bagot Road. Enquiries Denis Bratton 9345 3530 ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EDITING OUR PRESTIGIOUS MAGAZINE? Dr Ian Chambers has edited our quarterly journals since 1998 and is seeking a successor. THE JOURNAL is the official library publication of The Australian Irish Heritage Association. It records the work of the association (papers, presentations, stories and events in prose and verse) as well as external articles that fulfill the goals of our organisation. It carries no advertising and contributors are not paid.

It is published free to members.

If you have journalistic and editorial skills and feel interested in celebrating Australia’s Irish Heritage in print please contact our President Denis Bratton to talk it over. Tel 9345 3530

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DUE 1st January 2018 Family membership $65 Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive events, quarterly Journal, voting rights, and opportunities to participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage AIHA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT President: Denis Bratton Vice Presidents: Frank Murphy & John Sullivan Secretary: Tony Bray Treasurer/ Membership – Patricia Bratton Committee: Eleanor Nolan, Carmel Ryan, Heather Deighan, Patrick Gaffney

72 72

Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland

Richard and I are delighted to take this opportunity to wish one and all a very Happy St Patricks Day. St Patrick's Day is the one day of the year when we have our day in the sun and the eyes of the world are upon us. It says much about us as a people and a country that even in this digital age we are admired for our friendliness, positive attitude to life and the ease at which we fit in to communities all over the world. It also says much about our reputation as an innovative and hard-working people.

MINISTER JIM DALY T.D. Every year as the eyes of the world are on us the Government of Ireland sends Ministers throughout the globe to highlight investment and jobs in Ireland. This year we are delighted to welcome Minister Jim Daly T.D. to Western Australia.

Minister Daly is Minister of State at the Department of Health and has special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People.

Minister Daly will have finished a packed program of events with our Honorary Consul General Niamh McMahon and our Deputy Consul General Denise Flanagan before he arrives in Perth where we have an equally packed program focused on trade, jobs, inter government consultation and Community.

Please take the opportunity to catch up with Minister Daly at

business events, the parade, the Irish Club, Mass at the Cathedral at 10am SPD and Evensong at St Georges Cathedral at 5pm Sunday 18 March. Among his many achievements Minister Daly is a very proud Corkman from Drinagh.

There’s no such thing as too many Corkmen.

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

The St Patrick’s Day parade will yet again be a wonderful focus for the Irish community and a very enjoyable event for the Irish and the Australian community. The Government of Ireland has always been a major supporter of the parade, providing significant funds through the Emigrant Support Program. 2018 is no exception and the Government has been pleased to continue the financial support in 2018. On behalf of the Irish community in Perth may I thank all the selfless volunteers who give of their time and passion to a wonderful community event.

PERTH STADIUM GOES GREEN

I am delighted to announce that Perth stadium will go green from sunset to 11pm on St Patricks Day. Many thanks to Venues West and the Government of Western Australia for their support. Please take the opportunity to see the stadium green for a night.

IRISH CLUB

As you enjoy the St Patrick’s Day weekend I hope you have an opportunity to pop into the Irish Club and enjoy food, hospitality and craic that is the Irish Club. It’s in all our interests that the Irish Club continues to thrive, and your patronage is always welcome.

Fremantle Fenian Festival

On behalf of the Irish Community in WA I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to the organisers of the Fremantle Fenians Festival.

By any standard the festival was an outstanding success and I hope there will be many more to come. Well done to all concerned. (see photo below)

Happy St Patrick’s Day. Enjoy yourself and be proud on our national day.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

Perth Office: 165/580 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6004 Tel: (08) 6557 5802 - Fax: (08) 9218 8433 Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Website: www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 - 2.00pm by appointment only 73

CROSSING THE LINE by MARTIN DILLON REVIEWED by JOHN HAGAN

A blast from the past indeed! Celebrated journalist, Martin Dillon, unravels many of the dirty little secrets associated with both the IRA and UVF during the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. Dillon made his name the hard way, reporting on Northern Ireland from both sides of the political divide.

It’s a credit to his impartiality that both the IRA and the Loyalist gangs had him on their ‘death lists’. During his time with the Irish News, Belfast Telegraph and BBC Northern Ireland, Dillon met and interviewed many of the leading figures of the time, including Ted Heath (whom he detested), Gerry Adams, John Hume, John Major, and paramilitaries such as (double-agent) Freddie Scappatacci, John Bingham, Michael Stone, Martin McGuinness and many more. Dillon reveals just how he got Adams and Hume into the same studio to debate just where they stood politically, and how they felt about the conflict.

I especially liked Dillon’s chapter on ‘Balaclavas, Breadcrumbs and Romper Rooms’ in which he recounts how he was trapped in the kitchen of a terraced house on the Oldpark Road while three paramilitaries were preparing for an ambush. With heads covered by balaclavas, the trio endeavour to consume ‘doorstep’ sandwiches of potato crisps, cheese and ham, through the tiny cut allowed for the mouth. He describes how one, ‘was maneuvering a sandwich sideways into his mouth by widening the slit of his balaclava with one hand and shoving the sandwich into his mouth with the other.

Breadcrumbs had accumulated like a mini snowstorm on the wool of his mask’. Arguably, it is the BBC of which Dillon is most critical, launching, in one chapter, a scathing attack on the Corporation’s ethics.

In another chapter he reveals the conniving tactics of a corrupt art dealer in pursuit of a lucrative deal.

Elsewhere, Dillon introduces us to his family, including his great uncle, Gerard Dillon and his association with other luminaries of the Irish art scene such as George Campbell and Arthur Armstrong, together with the

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author J P Donleavy who popularized (or should that be pulverized) Trinity College, Dublin in his irreverent novel, ‘The Ginger Man’. Repetitive and meandering in places, I suspect this book is an amalgam of Dillon’s previous publications. Nevertheless, it sheds a fascinating and incisive glimpse on much of the skulduggery and sectarian violence associated with ‘The Troubles’, which many, like myself, lived through without completely understanding why it was all happening.

Crossing the Line: My Life on the Edge published by Merrion Press is available through The Book Depository (UK) for AUD$30.17 (free postage). www.bookdepository.uk

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE CASABLANCA

by NOAH ISENBERG

REVIEWED by JOHN HAGAN

‘Casablanca’ won three Academy Awards, catapulted its two lead actors, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to stardom, and went on to become one of the most memorable films ever produced. Professor of Film Studies, Noah Isenberg’s detailed research reveals how the film was developed, written, produced, cast, shot and promoted. Initially a modest three-act stage play (‘Everybody Comes to Rick’s’), those associated with the film didn’t hold any great expectations for commercial or artistic success. Yet, under the guidance of studio owner Jack Warner, producer Hal Willis and director Michael Curtiz, it became ‘Hollywood’s most treasured movie’. The script landed on Warner’s desk on 8 December 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and he recognised its potential for production as a war drama.

Nevertheless, movie censorship at the time, determined that a strict code of morals and ethics had to be followed. As a result, the film was forced into a number of revisions by various scriptwriters, in order to meet the United States Public Code of Administration Standards while seeking to champion patriotism and support the Allied war effort. Despite these harsh censorship demands, one of the great triumphs of ‘Casablanca’ is film director Curtiz’s tactful handling of love and romance between the two stars, Rick Blaine (Bogart) and Elsa Lund (Bergman). While Isenberg carefully sheds light on how the two principal actors were chosen (Ronald Regan was in the mix for the part of Rick), he also shines the spotlight on those selected for supporting roles.

Many of these actors were refugees from war-torn Europe (Peter Lorre, S.Z Skall, Conrad Veidt), and who, although big stars in their homeland, were reduced to playing bit-parts in the Hollywood movie machine. Not

only is ‘Casablanca’ a great story told about immigrants, it was also a great film made by immigrants. In the latter part of the book, Isenberg conscientiously traces the impact the film had in spawning other productions such as, Woody Allen’s film, ‘Play it Again Sam’, episodes of ‘The Simpsons’, a ‘Casablanca’ TV series featuring David Soul as Rick, and how a musical adaption was successfully staged at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

‘We’ll Always Have Casablanca’ is a surprisingly easy read, and if, like me, you are a film buff, this book provides a fascinating insight into Hollywood film making in the 40’s, when the movie production houses were in their glory. Maybe ( just maybe) there are better films than ‘Casablanca’, but can there be one so well loved?

We’ll Always Have Casablanca is published by Faber & Faber. $49.9

BEING ME: Jackie Trent

Reviewed by Oliver McNerney The new autobiography “Being Me” reveals the glittering career of the British singersongwriter Jackie Trent.

“Elvis Presley kissed me, and I danced naked at 15 and partied with the Beatles, Noel Coward and Aristotle Onassis”, the 1960s legend reveals in the book. She cowrote some of the biggest pop hits of the past five decades with her second husband, Tony Hatch. The unmistakable theme tune for Australian TV soap opera Neighbours is also hers.

The daughter of a coal miner, she recalls leaving her home in Staffordshire England at the age of 15 to travel alone to London to find work.

Jackie Trent passed away in 2015, but her third husband Colin Gregory has fulfilled his wife’s dream of sharing her life story with the world from her private diaries. There are some outrageous and extraordinary memories in this wonderful book. She and husband Tony were the subject of This Is Your Life in 1991. Trent lived and worked in Ireland and Australia for a period of time and became an Australian citizen.

In 1965 she had a No. 1 hit with ‘’Where Are You Now My Love’’, one of the 400 songs she penned with Tony Hatch, twenty two of them were hits for UK.

I am living in Australia and I have property in Ireland. Can I make a will in Australia dealing with my Irish property?

Yes. However, appropriate legal advice is essential as a poorly drafted will dealing with foreign property may cause problems for those left behind after your death.

For advice please contact Leo Barry

Family Friendly • Family Lawyers 165/580 Hay Street Perth WA 6000 T: (08) 6557 5888 E: reception@kavlaw.com.au W: kavlaw.com.au

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Frank Sinatra, Val Doonican, Shirley Bassey, Perry Como, Sammy Davis Jnr and Petula Clark are some of the household names to have recorded her songs.

As a teenager in London she got her first job working as a singer dancer at the famed Windmill Theatre in Soho. But after hearing that she would have to do a nude cameo appearance on stage, she quit after only three days. Another one of the great events in her intriguing extraordinary career was an appearance on the famous weekly TV show, Sunday Night at The London Palladium.

“Being Me” is a wonderful read, a time capsule of the music of the past fifty years. Through it Jackie Trent shares her glamorous and colourful life and the catalogue of people - famous and infamous - she encountered along the way, all told with the candour and humour for which she was renowned.

Jackie Trent’s book ‘’Being Me’’ is published by Clink Street Publishing, and is available at your local library, book shop, and on-line at Amazon. Thanks to the Daily Express UK for the use of part of this book review, the rest was by Oliver McNerney of Capital Community Radio Perth W.A. Oliver’s radio show Easy Saturday can be heard every Saturday from 6 pm till 8 pm. Oliver can be contacted at Capital Radio on 93469888. Capital Radio can be heard on 101.7 FM. And on Digital Radio Perth, and on line at, www.capitalcommunityradio.com

Seán

Roche Irish Folk Singer

With Special Guest

PHIL BECK

Seán Roche in Concert Tuesday 13th March Woodvale Tavern Function Room Trappers Drive, Woodvale Cost: $10 Pre- Show Bookings: David 0413 259 547

CARMEL CHARLTON IN CONCERT AT THE IRISH CLUB

“We Are Loved”, Carmel’s eleven track new release is a collection about God’s wonderful creation, taking care of the earth, the Aboriginal culture and the unique heritage that we all share in Australia.

The track “Music Can Do That”, is dedicated to her mother Kathleen who never had the opportunity to learn music.

“Out of This World” was inspired by the astronauts who looked back at earth from space.

“Ancient Rock Art” tells of the constant threat of industry upon the petroglyphs (rock carvings) on the Burrup Peninsula, some of the oldest in the world.

“Congratulations on another musical milestone with your wonderfully produced and packaged “We Are Loved”. Paul De Pierres, OAM Author and musician For more details contact Carmel carmel@carmelcharlton.com Tel: 0412777061 www.carmelcharlton. com

CD LAUNCH “WE ARE LOVED’ SUNDAY 8th APRIL FREE EVENT – 3pm – 5pm

Carmel has never been in any doubt where her talents lie. All she ever wanted to do was music and it has played a major role in every aspect of her life. She studied classical guitar at WAAPA and also plays piano and ukulele.

“We knew she would be good, but still it was truly special to be able to experience a performer like her in person. What a beautiful voice. Clean, inventive, delicate guitar and a swag of amazing songs”. Michael Fine, Troubadour Club, Woy, Woy, NSW Also performing at the concert will be raconteur and stalwart of the Irish Scene Fred Rea who will delight the audience with his wonderful music and humour. MC will be Oliver McNerney who presents Easy Saturday Music on Capital Radio.

WISE IRISH WORDS!

Three things you cannot comprehend are: the mind of a woman, the working of the bees, and the ebb and flow of the tide.

Three types of men who fail to understand women: young men, old men, and middle-aged men.

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play script reading sub-committee.

FERGAL BENSON A seasoned actor Fergal has been utilising his talents on stage with the Irish Theatre Players for many years.

This year, Fergal is providing excellent creative and theatrical concepts for projects within the committees marketing endeavours.

What’s up Next

Hello and welcome to the latest update from the Irish Theatre Players!

The Committee heralded in the the new year with some new committee’s members. We welcome Sandi Buckley, Delia Ward, Kate Smith, Fergal Benson, Denise Byrne & Maatakiri Te Ruki who join the seasoned members: President -Claire Wynne, Shannon Murphy, John Spurling & Caroline McDonnell to fulfil the duties and requirements for 2018. The committee are delighted to bring new members on board and are excited to see new skills and experience added to our talent pool.

With the Leederville Paddy’s Day Parade scheduled for March 17, be sure to check us out as we practice our street theatre skills on the parade crowd! The Irish Theatre Players have an extravaganza scheduled so you won’t be able to miss us! Come say hello, we are always interested in meeting new people!

Next Show Announcement

With the new year brings new plays and new key themes coming through in the work of the Irish Theatre Players. Our goal is always to balance the tragedy and the comedy like the famous faces - Greek Muses, Thalia, and Melpomene.

Up first for 2018, The ITP are delighted to be bringing you the two hander theatrical adventure Constellations

by Nick Payne directed by Brendan Ellis. The play has themes of love, free will and friendship and it is great addition to our 2018 season.

“Let's go for a drink. I don't know what I'm doing here anyway. One drink. And if you never want to see me again you never have to see me again.”

Constellations premiered at The Royal Court in January 2012 and transferred to the West End in November 2012, where it ran until 5 January 2013. It has been produced in over 16 countries.

Audition dates will be announced very shortly on the Facebook page. If you are keen to try your hand at acting come along to one of our auditions. We welcome new actors to all auditions. We want to encourage people to get involved and have fun in their community so come along!

Show dates are June 7,8,9,10,13,14,15,16 nightly with matinees on weekends.

A bit about some of our new members:

MAATAKIRI TE RUKI Originally from Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand, a west coast settlement in the North Island. Maatakiri has a background is in radio broadcasting (community radio), Māori Performing Arts, language and culture.

Maatakiri is excited to be joining the Irish Theatre Players.

KATE SMITH Originally from Birmingham in the UK, Kate is at ease on stage having a dance and burlesque background.

With a keen interest to work in stage management, production and also costuming, Kate is a valuable addition to the team. Kate has also sat on a board in the past for both NAWIC in their events and sponsorship chair and also Long Dogs WA as fundraising chair.

DELIA WARD Originally from Limerick, at 30 Delia saw a post on Facebook that ITP were holding auditions for the one act plays and thought 'why not?'. Delia got a part in the 'Mary Lambert RIP' and from there ended up hooked on the acting bug. A true collaborator Delia has said ‘The people involved are so nice and I have met so many amazing people through this community.'

SANDI BUCKLEY Born in Cork but raised as a Lily White, Sandi Buckley trained in Advance Theatre Practice at the Gaiety School of Acting. Beginning a career as a theatrical producer and later moving into Marketing and Events, Sandi has been assisting as a member of the ITP for three years with filming, playwright rights and promotion. Sandi is excited to formally join the team and be part of an NFP board.

DENICE BYRNE The talented and critically acclaimed actor Denice Byrne joins the team to provide some valuable artistic and creative insights to the committee as well as the

VOLUNTEERS If you think you’d like to help out – just a little, or quite a lot – get in touch! All ages, sexes, nationalities etc – all welcome! We’ll think of something for you to do!

We thank you for your continued support of the Irish Theatre Players, and we look to welcoming you to our next production very soon.

Get in touch! itp@irishtheatreplayers.com.au General info; www.irishtheatreplayers.com.au Shows & updates; www.facebook.com/irishtheatreplayers Volunteers & friends www.facebook.com/groups/ friendsofITP 2018 77

name quickly stuck. Indeed, as the songs began to develop, the name started to make even more sense: the music was knocking on doors looking for a home, while the delivery of the songs was hushed to the point where you had to listen very carefully for the beauty of (and melancholy in) them”. I am so looking forward to hearing The Lost Brothers!

20–22 April, 2018

WAs BEST KEPT SECRET!

Irish born Gallie

If you haven’t heard of Melbourne’s Irish born Gallie The Fairbridge Festival is on from April 20 to 22 Fairbridge Festival is back for 2018!

2018 in the Fairbridge Village, South West Highway, until now you’re in for a real musical awakening….

Don’t missWestern another incredible line-up folk, world and roots Pinjarra, Australia just ofover an hour from If you like artists like Billy Bragg, Tom Waits, John music, and featuring authentic Irish and Celtic bands.

Martyn or Wilco, then it is time to embrace the musical Perth.

A Ifamily-friendly favourite,tragic Fairbridge festivalattended camping atthe its talents of Gallie. am a Fairbridge andishave very best.for Theasmusic rich,I the is fresh, theThis beerannual is local With his amazing debut album the Occoquan Festival longis as canfood remember. and celebration the company isofsecond-to-none. family-friendly folk, world and roots River, Gallie has a remarkable talent of imagery that music in a traffic-free, self-contained, heritage-listed can transport you from the bloody battlefields of the village is a must for lovers of all music. This year, American Civil War to the soft comfort of your lovers ong the 80 handpicked own Irish-born Other treats include bed within the length of one tune. almost 100 acts Melbourne’s will entertain you on this magical rtists are THE LOST GALLIE is a true festival SHEELANAGIG, a thumping Gallie’s shows are like no other, he has the escape from everyday life. I ask you don’t miss out on THERS (pictured), direct performer: wowing audiences quintet with a well-stocked capacity to reach a large audience on a one to one WA’s best kept secret been a firm favourite eland, who will hypnotise in recentthat years athas Queenscliff armoury of stringed instruments level and make a large room seem like a small venue, forrazor years km north Pinjarra – onlyand anahour’s their subtle, sharpall just 5Music Festival, of Yackandandah bagful of joint-jumping ony combined deep central Perth. and The National Celtic tunes; the intoxicating due to the warmth that he brings through his songs drivewithfrom and synchronised a contemporary Hughes withand the TOM story telling. The stories are sometimes comical, Youguitars can attendFestival. for aHe’s day or camp for theAminah three-day umph of modern Irish folk troubadour, travelling the world O’HALLORAN TRIO, and CARA, sometimes tragic but the delivery is always from the weekend!

I suggest you camp, you won’t want to go songwriting. sharing his songs and his next with their unique interpretations heart. home. stop is Fairbridge. of the Celtic sound.

His songwriting speaks for itself with critics hailing It is impossible to preview the whole festival because some of the acts and events are impossible his album ‘The Occoquan River’ in their top albums to put into words. The only way is to experience the of the year. Gallie has been drawing large crowds to Fairbridge Festival and believe me, you won’t be his gigs over the last year and has been a favourite at a number of festivals including Queenscliff Music disappointed. I’ll see you there!

Below are just 3 of the acts just to whet your Festival, Portarlington Celtic Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, St Albans Folk Festival and Maleny appetite.

Music Festival.

The Lost Brothers from Ireland

Sheelanagig Folk Fusion

“There is something special about two musicians in unison. Solo artists bear the brunt of pretty much Sheelanagig have become something of a UK everything – be it success or failure, joy or misery, institution for the past decade. A quintet with a wellit is all on their shoulders. Groups, meanwhile, are stocked armoury of stringed instruments – guitar, mostly perceived as ideal examples of democracy, fiddle, double bass – and a bagful of joint-jumping when the reality is that they are governed by a benign tunes, these boys sure know how to get a party dictator (if lucky) or a cruel despot (if not). Duos, on started. the other hand, are clearly in tune (and harmony) with Putting both groove and stomp into a selection of themselves and each other. traditional and original European folk music dating As if proof were needed, take Oisin Leech from the medieval times to present day, it’s difficult – and Mark McCausland as the perfect example. nay, impossible – for your limbs to remain stationary Having had previous lives in major label rock acts when you’re within earshot of them in full flight.

With day, night, weekend, camping and no-camping tickets available, (respectively, The 747s and The Basement), the two The fact that they’ve often play with a knowing it’s easy to enjoy Fairbridge your way. Head to the website now to find out more: Irish songwriters and musicians first met in 2007 after wink shouldn’t obscure their impeccable technique, fairbridgefestival.com.au their bands had slowly slipped off the radar. virtuoso-standard ability that raises the roof in every “We both found ourselves at house parties in place they play. Expect fun, a lot of laughs and some Liverpool,” recalls Oisin, “and discovered that we had great music. the same musical tastes. We started writing songs together for fun – no strategies, no game plan.”

Visit the website and book today!

The musicians’ instinctive gravitational pull presented them with the ‘Lost Brothers’ tag, but the www.fairbridgefestival.com.au 78

20–22 April, 2018

20–22 April, 2018

Fairbridge Festival is back for 2018!

Don’t miss another incredible of folk, world and roots Fairbridge Festivalline-up is back for 2018! music, and featuring authentic Irish and Celtic bands.

Don’t miss another incredible line-up of folk, world and roots A family-friendly favourite, Fairbridge is festival camping at its music, and featuring authentic Irish and Celtic bands. very best. The music is rich, the food is fresh, the beer is local A family-friendly favourite, Fairbridge is festival camping at its and the company is second-to-none. very best. The music is rich, the food is fresh, the beer is local and the company is second-to-none.

Among the 80 handpicked artists are THE LOST Among the (pictured), 80 handpicked BROTHERS direct are THE from artists Ireland, who willLOST hypnotise BROTHERS (pictured), with their subtle, razor direct sharp from Ireland, who willwith hypnotise harmony combined deep with their razor sharp stories and subtle, synchronised guitars combined with deep –harmony a triumph of modern Irish folk stories andsongwriting. synchronised guitars – a triumph of modern Irish folk songwriting.

Melbourne’s own Irish-born GALLIE is a true festival Melbourne’s own Irish-born performer: wowing audiences is a true festival in GALLIE recent years at Queenscliff performer: wowing audiences Music Festival, Yackandandah in recent years at Queenscliff and The National Celtic Music Festival, Festival.

He’s aYackandandah contemporary and The travelling National Celtic troubadour, the world Festival.

He’s a contemporary sharing his songs and his next troubadour, travelling the world stop is Fairbridge. sharing his songs and his next stop is Fairbridge.

Other treats include SHEELANAGIG, a thumping Otherwith treats include quintet a well-stocked SHEELANAGIG, a thumping armoury of stringed instruments quintet with of a well-stocked and a bagful joint-jumping armoury of stringed instruments tunes; the intoxicating and a bagful of joint-jumping Aminah Hughes with the TOM tunes; the TRIO, intoxicating O’HALLORAN and CARA, Aminah the TOM with theirHughes unique with interpretations O’HALLORAN TRIO, and CARA, of the Celtic sound. with their unique interpretations of the Celtic sound.

With day, night, weekend, camping and no-camping tickets available, it’s easy to enjoy Fairbridge your way. Head to the website now to find out more: With day, night, weekend, camping and no-camping tickets available, it’s easy to enjoy Fairbridgefairbridgefestival.com.au your way. Head to the website now to find out more:

fairbridgefestival.com.au 79 79

WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. STARTING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY IN 2018?

Have you decided that 2018 is the year you are going to make a serious start on your family history? Start by writing down or recording the stories from the oldies - before it’s too late. Not just the dates and places of births, deaths and marriages, but the stories of their lives and of their memories of their oldies’ stories. These stories are genealogical gold. Like the early Australian gold prospectors found, not everything that looked like gold really was gold. Not all the stories you are told will be borne out in the historical records. That’s not to blame our living relatives and ancestors. Retelling the stories over the generations can result in changes - poetic licence, failing memories, and sometimes even the need to paper over up an uncomfortable truth to maintain family “dignity”. One good strategy is to talk to a number of relatives about the same events or people.

Even if your parents or grandparents are no longer around, find others – aunts and uncles, cousins – who might know.

If you’d like help to get started the WA Genealogical Society (WAGS) can provide both an introductory course and an orientation to the resources they hold. Surely worth a couple of day’s leave?

January 21 2018 meeting ISIG at tea break

instructions on how to record your findings along with some useful websites to further your research. You can make a day of it by bringing lunch and doing some research in the library afterwards. In 2018 they’re mainly being held on Thursdays: 8 Feb; 7 Apr (Sat); 14 Jun; 9 Aug; 13 Sep; 11 Oct. Free for members, nonmembers $10. Bookings required: Both sessions are held at our Bayswater Family History Centre at unit 4, 48 May Street. T 9271 4311 E activities@wags.org.au

Visiting WAGS

Come visit – opening hours are posted on the website homepage. Non-members are welcome to come and have a look at the library at any time we’re open. Have a chat to one of our friendly library volunteers who will show you what is available in the library.

One Day Visitor - non-members can use the library and computer room facilities for their own research for one day for $15. Longest opening hours are Mondays.

One Month Visitor - non-members can use our facilities for their own research for one calendar month for $25.

Orientation - discover

WAGS Membership

how to get the most out of WAGS membership If you are thinking of joining WAGS, or you’re a new member, this 2 hour session covers the resources available to help with your research - in the library, on WAGS website and elsewhere. Each orientation session includes information and demonstrations on how to use WAGS library and catalogue, what resources are available on our computers, the activities program, Special Interest Groups, WAGSnet, WAGS forum, WAGS website, plus lots more. Orientation sessions are USUALLY held on the third Wednesday of each month, February to November. This year they’ll be held on these days: 21 Feb, 21 Mar, 16 May, 20 Jun, 28 Jul (Sat),15 Aug, 29 Sep (Sat), 17 Oct and 21 Nov. To book E orientation@wags.org.au or T 9271 4311 during library hours

Getting Started - introductory course for those just starting family history research This two hour session provides you with all you need to get started, from how to access birth, death and marriage records, to finding relevant records. Includes

Single membership is $70 p.a. with a $15 joining fee in the first year (waived during National Family History Month in August). Joint membership for two people at the same address, receiving one copy of the quarterly journal is $105 p.a. with a $15 joining fee in the first year. Enquiries E membership@wags.org.au

Irish Special Interest Group

One of 17 Special Interest Groups at WAGS, the Irish Special Interest Group is for people researching their Irish ancestors. We meet four times a year – in January, April, July and October – at WAGS in Bayswater. At the January meeting speakers explained how DNA testing had helped their Irish research. Next meeting is Sunday 15 April 2-4.30pm when there’ll be a demonstration of how to use the Roots Ireland subscription site available at WAGS. In June we hold our annual Four Courts Memorial Lunch to commemorate the loss of genealogical records in the 1922 fire at the Public Records Office in Dublin. Details on the Irish Special Interest Group page.

More on Irish DNA

79 80

Irish-born people may be surprised at the findings of the recently published Irish DNA Atlas project carried

out by researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons and the Genealogical Society of Ireland. Far from the Irish being a single homogenous genetic “type”, the study showed that the genetic background of the Irish living today form 10 clusters which roughly correspond to the ancient provinces, historical kingdoms, and the arrivals of the Vikings from Norway and the Ulster Plantation from Scotland and England in the north of Ireland. Two of the ‘Gaelic’ clusters together align with the boundaries of the province of Munster, and individually are associated with the boundaries of the kingdoms of Dál Cais and the Eóganacht. There are relatively high levels of NorthWest French-like (probably ‘Celtic’), and evidence of West Norwegian-like (probably Viking) ancestry within Ireland.

There is evidence of continual, low level migration between the north of Ireland and the south and west of Scotland. The clusters were more distinct in the west of Ireland, than the east which was more affected by the migrations and arrivals.

Prior to the mass movement of people in recent decades, there were numerous distinct genetic clusters found in specific regions across Ireland.

The study used some of the newest genetic analysis techniques and examined the DNA of almost 200 Irish people who could trace back their ancestors to the same location in Ireland for four generations. Their DNA was also compared with thousands more from Britain and Europe, looking for similarities and differences.

The result is a series of maps of Ireland and Great Britain showing the distribution of shared DNA. See the fascinating map and read more at www.rcsi.

Sean Roche

at Paddy Malones from 5pm

March 18th April 1st April 15th

ie/index.jsp?n=110&p=100&a=11226 Read the scientific article Byrne R P et al., Insular Celtic population structure and genomic footprints of migration, PLoS Genetics Published: January 25, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1007152 Sláinte!

Jenni Ibrahim

Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group, WA Genealogical Society 6/48 May Street, Bayswater 6053 Phone 9271 4311 Email irish@wags.org.au WA Genealogical Society http://membership.wags.org.au Irish Special Interest Group page at WAGS https://tinyurl.com/irishsig

81

An Bhfuil Gaeilge Agat?

HAVE YOU GOT IRISH ON YOU?

Pádraic Tom Bán presents a copy of his book to Brid and members of the Irish Gaelic class held every monday at The Irish Club

A lot of Irish people call Perth home, but the capital may not be home to a lot of Irish speakers. Even if they do exist it is hard to find evidence of them or the language in the wider community. These were some of the observations of Pádraic Tom Bán - brother of popular Irish radio and TV presenter Seán Bán Breathnach (right) - on a recent holiday to Western Australia with his wife to visit his daughter Máiread Walsh who has been living here for three years.

Pádraic is a passionate champion of the Irish language and recently published a book Fear na Cathrach (The Cathair Man). The title tips its hat to Cathair in the Connemara Gaeltacht, where he was born and reared and now lives again after living away from it, including twenty years in the UK. “I was born in the townland of Cathair, two miles past the village of An Spidéal, itself 12 miles from Galway City, in 1942. Irish/Gaelic is my native tongue and is still a living language where I was born.” He went to primary school with the Mercy nuns in Spiddal and said he was lucky that he could go to technical college very close to home, with the college having been built just two years before he started there.

He finished ‘tech’ with his Group Certificate, a valuable qualification for young people entering the work

place. Pádraic remembers that most children left school aged fourteen, most heading for England where there was plenty of work rebuilding entire cities destroyed during World War II. For his part Pádraic - who enjoyed technical drawing went on to do an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic on Volkswagens in Galway City.

“Ireland was the first country in Europe to accept Beetles [which were made in Germany] into the country and because they had a tow bar on them and nearly every farmer owned a Beetle,” he said. “I attended courses on the Volkswagen Distributer Plant in Dublin. My future wife Máire lived nearby whom I had met on a Gaeltacht course in Spiddal.”

“A week after England winning the World Cup in 1966 my young brother and I boarded the mail boat to England or The Bád Bán as it was known. I landed in my uncle’s household in Hertfordshire, 25 miles north of London and had a choice of two jobs within the week.

Within two years I had my own business in a converted hay shed and got married soon afterwards.

We moved back to Ireland in 1984 with our 2 sons to our home which was built on the family land. I got a job shortly afterwards, on 82

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman my doorstep, in a multi-national pharmaceutical company. I spent 26 happy years there until I retired in 1970, employed as a technician/ operator. There are 250 employed there now.

Our daughter was born after we landed, and all three children are living abroad. One lad is living in America, the other lad is living in England and our daughter is living here outside Perth where we are spending three months.”

In the estate where his daughter lives Pádraic said there is a strong Philippino community who spoke their own language at home and in public places, including on trains and buses. He longs to see Irish spoken in the same way but says even native Gaelic speakers in Perth are unlikely to speak to each other in their own tongue about the place.

“English is not my first language, I don’t need to be fantastic speaking it. English is a made up language, the fact that we lost our language in a generation or two is tragic. The fact of the matter is English is still a living language where I live but if the Gaeltacht ceased to exist we would be in trouble, where do you go from there, I think we are in dead trouble. The summer schools in the Gaeltacht are doing great work but as the same time the language is deteriorating, its thinning out for the want of a better word. If the Gaeltacht goes then we are finished.”

He thinks the answer is that more people need to speak Irish and exert their linguistic heritage and identity. “The worst thing that happen in Ireland after the famine was that Irish became associated with backwardness, remoteness and poverty, so its like putting a badge of poverty on you. Before the famine two thirds of the country spoke Irish as their first language.

We got rid of the oppressor, but we kept their language.”

A process of colonisation was

Padraic's daughter Mairead Walsh, Jennie Fallon, Pádraic Tom Bán and his wife Maire enjoying the Thursday night session at the Irish Club

responsible for deliberately wiping out the original names of places across Ireland with English map makers reinventing the names in a way that sounded correct to their ears.

Pádraic also has a theory that anywhere where there was a railway station the Irish language in the area around it was wiped out. “You won’t find native speakers talking on the train here, and why not? We haven’t got the confidence.”

He hopes his book Fear na Cathrach - published by Coiscéim in Dublin - will make a real and lasting contribution to the Irish language. “It was launched in the Autumn 2017 around 270 pages, edited by Pádraig Ó Ciobháin who is from the Kerry Gaeltacht now living in Galway. Padraig was among the tutors in creative writing who encouraged him on and off over a ten year period to write the articles and stories, some of which were published previously.

It contains more than 60 items with explanatory notes at the back, both fiction and non-fiction including chapters on The war in Iraq/Coeliac gene/Dialogue between two work colleagues during a power cut/My uncle on the run from the Black & Tans/Troublesome birth of calf Cow calving on the roadside/My father employed as a coastguard during 2nd World War and The ghost I met in my garage in England and comprises stories about his own life as well as folklore, place names, proverbs and sayings, poetry, travels to Australia and America and stories about the Irish diaspora. It includes photographs of family and old ruins and landscapes, and places he visited including the twinned

city stone of Galway with Seattle.

As well as the encouragement and input of Pádraig Ó Ciobháin the book would never have “seen the light of day” without the help of his wife who went to University (College Galway) as a mature student and got a degree in Irish and history. “I haven’t mastered [English] grammar, I wrote down a draft of everything and she’s put it grammatically correct. She was good grammar, a very clever girl.”

Every university in America with a Gaelic faculty has a copy of the book and Pádraic was going to present a copy to the library University of Western Australia. As well as being a resource for scholars now he hopes it will be used many years down the road by teachers leading students through his part of connemara to discover the places of old mentioned in the book, and their original names.

2018 is Year of Irish During Bliain na Gaeilge

- the first Year of Irish - the Irish language will be celebrated the Irish language through action on five themes: the revival of the language over the last 125 years; the creativity of the language; the vibrancy of the language; the participation of the community; and the value of Gaeltachtaí (Irish speaking communities).

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the language revival movement that was born with the founding of Conradh na Gaeilge – the Gaelic League. To celebrate the Gaelic League has planned a wide range of events in Ireland and around the world. Indeed, March 83

1-17 Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) is an international Irish language festival and one of the biggest celebrations of native language and culture that takes place each year in Ireland and around the world and there will be opportunities to get involved.

Gerardine Neylon, a professor at UWA contacted Irish Scene to let us know about a free online course being offered by Dublin City University.

Irish 101: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture is designed to be an accessible and easy way to get to grips with the basics of Gaeilge. The course will also help participants engage with and understand Irish history and culture through the language.

“On this course, you’ll discover how Irish people drew inspiration from nature to create their own unique script and alphabet,” the course organisers say. “You’ll explore Ireland’s rich culture of dance, Gaelic games, music, storytelling and literature. And you’ll gain an insight into the language of Ireland and the people who speak it. So take the first step on your journey to learn one of the oldest literary languages in Europe.

Bígí linn – join us!”.

The four week course begins on March 26. Go to www. futurelearn.com/courses/irishlanguage#section-overview

Padriag Pearse:

The key to saving the Irish language, Pearse felt, would be a sympathetic education system. To advance this goal and his ideal of an Ireland 'not free merely but Gaelic as well', in 1908 Pearse established St. Enda's School (Scoil Éanna) in Ranelagh in Dublin. Later, the school moved to the Hermitage in Rathfarnham and remained there until its closure in 1935. The building now houses the Pearse Museum, featuring a nature study centre and surrounding parkland.

St Patrick Visitor Centre a site of knowledge and

community engagement

By Caroline Smith

One of the more interesting things about St Patrick is his capacity to be many things to many people.

Perhaps it’s not surprising then that a centre dedicated to him – the St Patrick Visitor Centre in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland – has been able to serve a double purpose, as a source of historical information about the saint, as well as a site for community engagement across the Catholic-Protestant divide.

This is reflected in its own origins – opened in 2001 in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement, with a permanent exhibition on the life of St Patrick, narrated by actor Ciaran Hinds.

The Centre’s Director Dr Tim Campbell said the focus on cross-community engagement was an inevitable development, based not only on the recent history of Northern Ireland, but also the status and story of St Patrick himself.

“I often say to people, what better role model for Ireland than someone from Britain who’s the patron saint of Ireland?” he said.

“He’s really good as a cross-community figure. Perhaps for this

reason, people are starting to have more interest in St Patrick, particularly community groups.”

Patrick – who was born into a Roman family in Britain – came to Ireland in the fifth century and is said to have been buried at Downpatrick’s Down Cathedral, alongside St Brigid and St Columba.

The County Down area holds other points of connection to his life, including the town of Saul, where Patrick is said to have founded his first church.

Dr Campbell – who started his career focusing on Irish country houses and historical restorations – said St Patrick’s story could con-

nect to contemporary social issues in Northern Ireland, particularly through education.

With this in mind, the Centre runs a Cross Community Education Program, inviting hundreds of students across the province to learn about Patrick’s message of reconciliation, and hosts a number of events leading up to his feast day on 17 March emphasising the diverse aspects of his identity and role in Ireland.

It has also sought to foster international interest in the saint’s history through the Friends of St Patrick, an initiative begun by Dr Campbell 84

which has chapters throughout the world, particularly in North America.

The group sends young people regularly to Northern Ireland through its Young Ambassadors’ Program, where they learn about the region’s history and its connection to St Patrick, before presenting a cultural dissertation on the topic.

Reflecting on the tourism potential of rural County Down, Dr Campbell said it was important for visitors to have access to information about the region’s history and the sites linked to it, including Norman tower houses and Viking settlements.

One specific exhibit at the Centre - on Viking and Norman history – sought to rectify this, he added.

“We put that there about five years ago, together with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

They were keen for us to be a hub where people could come, hooked by the story of St Patrick and then go out to the sights having been to the hub,” Dr Campbell said.

“The story of St Patrick is interesting, but it doesn’t really connect to the Vikings and the Normans specifically, so that’s why we created a series of story boards so that people could find out what was happening in the area at the time and afterwards, and then go out and see these sights.

“So, we’re trying to connect the dots, connect it into St Patrick but look at what happened after.”

Sometimes, he added, a surplus of historical monuments could make it difficult for tourists to decide of what to see, particularly since sights like the Giants’ Cause-

With Tony Synnott way and Belfast’s Titanic Exhibition loomed large over others.

“The problem we’ve got at the minute in Northern Ireland is there’s so much to do.

There’s a Viking village near here, but it’s difficult to get people to see it because they’re

rushing to Belfast,” Dr Campbell said.

“The thing about Northern Ireland is that when we talk about historic towns, every town is historic, they’ve all got stories.”

More information on the St Patrick Visitor Centre is available at http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com or on its Facebook page, which is regularly updated.

ST PATRICK A SAINT FOR ALL IRELAND

St Patrick - also known as the Apostle of Ireland - is patron saint to both the Catholic and Anglican Church in Ireland.

Ever smiling PAT MALONEY is a very well liked man in our community. It was a pleasure having him on board!

How far can your memory go back?

When the milkman came around with the horse and cart. He used to let us feed the horse.

You love your Irish company everywhere, why?

I was raised in Balham and then Brixton, London. There was a strong Irish community there. A lot of them took me under their wing and steered me down the right path in life, for which I am truly grateful.

How long have you been in Australia, you must like it, why?

I arrived in Australia (Brisbane) in 1989 on a working holiday.

I travelled all around Australia for a year before returning home. I loved Australia so I applied to immigrate and was back in Australia six months later. I love the lifestyle, it’s great.

You are a bricklayer, how do you find things now?

I loved bricklaying when I was younger. I am getting older now, 60 years old, it’s getting harder. It’s a young man’s game.

What is your opinion of the “Irish Scene” magazine?

It keeps you informed of what’s going on and it’s good to see photos of people you haven’t seen for ages.

What sport do you watch or did you play?

I love watching football. I used to play when I was younger but I was a better spectator than a player.

Would you change anything in your life if you could?

I probably would not have messed around so much at school and learned a bit more.

The Irish play a big part in the Irish Club, why?

Meeting up with a few of the lads.

What is your favourite film and actor and why?

‘On the Water Front” and Marlon Brando. He stood up to all the bullying and corruption in the docks.

If you would visit any country in the world, where would it be and why?

China, to see the Great Wall and the ice sculptures they do in winter.

Do you think Australia will be home, always?

Yes, I regard Perth, Australia as my home now.

85

St Patrick’s Day 1968 New York.

By Noel O’Neill.

I had arrived in New York to live with an uncle and aunt in February 1968. They had come to London to pick me up where I lived restlessly with my Mom, Dad, brother and three sisters. I remember the sound of a taxi outside our house and running down to greet them. My uncle dressed to the nines in a shark skin suit brought faraway tales of New York in his pocket along with a fistful of cash to show us all how successful he was in the land of opportunity, a land we could only see from a distance in a dark picture house. As the night grew longer his tales grew longer as he regaled us with stories of those he had met. He may have even mentioned what the President of the United States said to him one time.

After a few days when he finally ran out of stories it was time to go. I packed my suitcase and said a tearful goodbye to my dad who shook my hand, a hand I had held onto as a child. A hand he never raised in anger to me, a hand he always held out to me to make me feel safe. When I let his hand go I wondered how safe the world would be so far away from him and from the look in his eyes I’m sure he wondered the same thing. My mother hugged me, trying to find the words but in her silence, she said so much and I could almost hear her say “Don’t go”. To this day those silent words pulls the tears from my homesick heart.

After the joy of my first plane ride we landed in Kennedy Airport, we 86

were hustled out of a cold winter night into a warm taxi and taken to Brooklyn. There upon entering a basement apartment I discovered the truth. The apartment was over crowded and was shared with his daughter Colette her husband Danny and three children. My uncle in fact was a superintendent (Handyman) of a forty- four family apartment house who lived rent- free and at night he worked as a porter in Manhattan mopping floors in the swanky Riverside Drive.

My suitcase was taken to the back of the boiler room where a make shift cot was made up under a naked bulb “in case I might want to read”.

I drifted in and out of sleep accompanied by the sound of the old oil burner almost exploding on and off to supply the house with heat. My sleeping companions were the water-bugs and roaches that crawled over me when I finally out the light and scattered when I turned it on.

This was my first impression of New York, and although there are no second chances at first impressions, I knew I had to give New York a second chance.

That chance came on St Patrick’s Day when Danny and I stepped down into the subway where we caught a train into the city. I had never been on the subway before!

I had never been to Manhattan before! It was all a great adventure to me. When we ascended from the subway we were in the heart of the great St Patrick’s Day Parade. The streets were alive with the most tremendous sounds of marching bands and flags of every county in Ireland. Batons were thrown in the air from cheer- leaders from various colleges and schools from almost every state in America. It seemed like everybody wanted to be Irish! Every black and Puerto Rican, Chinese, Japanese wore emerald green. In the Jewish bakeries the bagels were green. There were freckled faced children whose hair was green.

There were hippies with tall green hats and Vietnam vets dressed in green fatigues. Mayor Lindsay rode by on the back seat of an open Ca-

dillac convertible and waved to the crowds. I was introduced to what was once called “the dirty water hot dog” from a street wagon wrapped in a green tissue. It was indeed a great melting pot of people from all walks of life of every race creed and color and they were all joined in the celebration of St Patrick. As we passed each pub, bands played old rebel songs and the people sang along. I could smell the corned beef and cabbage and witnessed pints and pints of Guinness served over the blessed heads where some were baptized by it and eventually and swallowed by the thirsty thriving crowds. Buskers sang on windy cold street corners as flags disappeared into the distance and the sound of the marching bands faded down the long crowded avenue. The March winds blew and we descended into the subway and rode the train back to Brooklyn and I still hold onto that memory as if I was holding onto my Dad’s warm hand.

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

THE DRAGON AWAITS

I stand here in this vale of addiction having passed through the forest of fears As my loved ones stand by burning bridges that I did ignite through the years And again I go chasing the dragon to obtain that incredible high Not caring what damage I’m causing as I cheat and I steal and I lie Chorus: Like a ship sailing on a dark ocean, searching to free all our fears And this ocean grows darker a nd deeper and is filled from the rivers of tears God knows why we poison our bodies to feed this insatiable crave Not knowing the journey we're taking just leads to an earlier grave As we snort it shoot up or inhale it pumping crap round our systems each day While breaking the hearts of our loved ones, what a terrible price we all pay They do anything that they can muster to fuel now this fire of death Not knowing the next thing ingested could lead to their very last breath And family’s all crushed by their antics helplessly stand and await The outcome this poison delivers which destroys at a very fast rate Chorus: Like a ship sailing on a dark ocean, searching to free all our fears And this ocean grows darker and deeper and is filled from the rivers of tears Yes this ocean grows darker and deeper and is filled from our rivers of tears As I try hard to get myself clean now and knowing the pitfalls that wait This journey will be a great challenge filled with pain and rejection and hate But I know I can beat this addiction and am going to give it my best For once and for all I’m going to stand tall and put this dam dragon to rest © Tom Grace Feb 2018

VISITING Ireland?

Gerry & Elsie Tully will give a great welcome!

DIVINE MERCY BED AND BREAKFAST

―Nelson Mandela

Airport Road, Knock Co Mayo Phone: (094) 9388 178 International: 0011 353 94 9388 178

87

SHAMROCK

Rovers

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY McLOUGHLIN'S BUTCHERS MALAGA

Gerry McEwan, Coach Shamrock Rovers 2018

Shamrock Rover's new coach in 2018, Gerry McEwan has a life long love affair with 'The Beautiful Game'.

He was born in Glasgow but raised about eight miles away, in East Kilbride where some of his earliest memories are of kicking a football. “As soon as I moved to East Kilbride I started playing soccer before I even found a new school. I joined a club called Claremont Boys Club. I was very well looked after by the coaching staff there. I spent eight years there.

Then I moved to another club called St. Columba's in Viewpark . They were a good side and a lot of players went on to play at a decent level”.

Gerry played with St Columbus for two years and during that spell represented Scotland School Boys against England and Wales. He played centre defence, more of a sweeper than a centre back. “They changed the sweeper thing, a lot of people didn’t like playing so they ended up playing double centre back (four, four, two) that’s what everybody was playing”.

After that he signed for Hamilton Academicals when he was seventeen, part time playing professional and training as an engineering apprentice. When Gerry was there, Hamilton Academicals were in the Scottish first division and they won first division and got promoted to the Scottish Premier League. “I made my debut towards the end of the season in the Premier League, my first game was against St Mirren, just four weeks before they won the Scottish Cup and I was playing right full back and my opponent was Paul Lambert, who is now the coach of Stoke City”.

The second game he played was against Dundee and marked Tommy Coyne. Tommy Coyne played for several clubs, mostly in Scotland, including Clydebank, Dundee United, Dundee, Celtic and Motherwell. He was the top

goal scorer of the Scottish Premier Division three times, a feat he achieved with three clubs (Dundee, Celtic and Motherwell). Coyne played international football for the Republic of Ireland, qualifying due to his Irish ancestry.

“I thought I would start the next season as a member of the first team, but as professional football goes, it is very unpredictable, the manager had a clear out of some players and brought in some other experienced players.

You are on the fringe of things again and I was still an engineering apprentice and wouldn’t go full time, I was only part time”. Gerry lasted three years and then went to Arbroath in the second division. “That involved a lot of travelling from the west coast of Scotland to the east coast of Scotland, so I only lasted a year there and went and played junior football which is the Scottish equivalent for a non-league. I played Junior Football for ten years before I came to Perth. I moved toPerth in 1998.

Gerry said, “I only started coaching because Michael, my son, was seven and he was at Currambine Catholic Primary School and they advertised for a coach for the new soccer team and little did I know that I was the only one who applied and I took on the job as a voluntary coach and that was my first experience and then while I was playing ECU Joondalup my coach recommended my services to Mike Lyons (the ex-Everton player), who was head coach at ECU Southampton Junior Academy.

I coached there for a number of years and did all my coaching badges.

From ECU Gerry went on to coach at Wanneroo FC where he stared a junior setup. “The club became very competitive very quickly and the seniors won the first division. Wanneroo gained promotion to State PREMIER League during my time there.. “I still keep in touch with a lot of the boys who came through and played senior football”. Gerry's next stop was Subiaco FC where again he enjoyed his coaching.

So now Gerry has taken the reins at Shamrock Rovers. He felt that Rovers, a very successful club historically, hasn’t had the attraction for players to join the senior team. “The club knows that some of the coaching appointment didn’t work as well as they hoped”. Rovers have been trying to organise an under 18 side on a year to year basis. “Going forward, I am happy to support the club as they try and set up a junior club.

When you create a junior setup, I believe long term, the local community will get involved and support the club”.

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 88

Gerry is also hoping that the wider Irish community coming back to Rovers and re-establish the club where they were three years ago. “Then, Rovers were a strong thriving state league side”.

Gerry took on the coaching at Rovers last year when he was told the club needed help and now he has a better understanding of where the club was and has a plan to return the club to success.

“I met with club stalwarts, Mart Burke and Ciaran Launders to discuss the situation”. Gerry didn’t have time to make a great difference but said this year will be different. “We lost many players, some returned to Ireland, some retired while others moved on”. It was difficult for Gerry and Rovers who just didn’t win enough games to move up the league table. “I am more optimistic now for the coming season and I’ve managed to tap into a lot of boys that I coached at junior level at other clubs and they are quite happy to come and play for Rovers. They are very good players”. Gerry said that the players in the club now will give 100% playing and training.

“They are coming to Rovers Football Club because I am there, I am promoting the club to them and the committee want them to be part of the social side of the club, as I do as well. I think some people get lost on why they started playing the game in the first place and I have never lost that love”. Gerry is very impressed with the Rovers committee in the short time he’s been there. “They attend the training sessions and matches, they don’t interfere and supply a lot of support because they really want the best for the

club. They have their heart and soul in the Irish community and especially the Irish soccer community. I am happy to be part of that and the players that are coming to me and this club are happy to be in such a healthy environment and play with a smile on their face.”

I have seen Gerry coach for a number of years and my son Michael played at Wanneroo under Gerry in juniors. The Wanneroo club need a goalkeeper and Gerry invited Willie McNally to the club to help Michael with goalkeeping coaching. Willie is a goalkeeping legend of every sense of the word, the evergreen Willie McNally was playing up until his 48th birthday in 2003. Born in Northern Ireland, he arrived in Perth via New Zealand.

We wish Gerry well in his role as coach of Shamrock Rover, no doubt it wont be for lack of effort this year, he is determined to return the club to its glory days.

Season 2018-19 Join us at Training!

Tuesday & Thursday, all players welcome, new and old. 6:30 start at Harold Rossiter Reserve, Victoria Park.

Call Marty Burke 0410 081 386

Quiz Night for Rovers Wednesday 14th March, 2018 at The Irish Club Great Prizes and Lots of Fun Cost $10 a head Tables of 6 - Turn up at the door!

Enquiries: Marty Burke 0410 081 386

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Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

Life begins at 40 Selena Boyle threw a surprise party for husband Ger's 40th birthday. The The Irish in Newcastle NSW meet every Saturday at Lambton Park for a puck around. See, Irish in Newcastle, Facebook page Dublin couple walked into Avoka in Woodvale on a Saturday night in and see what they get up to! Back L-H: Padraic, Offaly; Mairtin, Belfast; late February to a great reception Damien, Galway; Tim, Cork; Paul, Newcastle. Front L-H: Brian, Newcastle; Roisin, Offaly, Mairtin, Clare; Brendan, Tipperary, John, Cork. from waiting friends and family.

Avoka owners Derek and Valerie Boyle were great hosts and made sure the night went off well and that everybody was looked after. Ger and Selena are pictured here with their children Eoghan and Orlagh.

25th Anniversary

Congratulations to Paul North and JBO'Reilly's who this year celebrate their 25th Anniversary... Where have the years gone? A dollar for every pint gone over that bar!

Christy Lawless spending quality time with his Da on a recent visit to Dublin Frank Smith recently entertained Irish family members from Ireland. Barry Punch and John It was love at first sight for Frank's dog Barney Rubble when he O'Leary I spotted on the banks set eyes on the little pooch! of the Lee during my visit to Cork in January. We had a cuppa Barrys!

Tom Murphy had the mammy over from the Banner county in Jan and had a get together at the Irish club with friends. Congratulations to Tom and Diane Baker on their recent engagement.

I had to make a special delivery to Frank Smith's sister Annette McCormack in Kinvara Galway. A DVD of Frank working on the Famine memorial. They are very proud of Frank!

Met my good friend Dave McGilton in the Cork English Markets. Dave has a new CD out with a lovely track with his late mum speaking. Fabulous album!

Ronnie Collins with green pants! Ah! but a blue top.

Having an each way bet Ronnie!

Congrats to Peter and Deirdre McGorry who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary!

Returning to Ireland?

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Tom Murphy PRO

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

The Executive Committee 2018 The 2018 GAA WA Executive Committee was elected at the January 19th AGM. Meet your team!

L-R; Sean O’Casey (Tom Bateman Facilities Manager), John Lehane (Treasurer), Trevor McGrath (Vice President), Nollaig Trevarthen (President), Orla Fullerton (Asst. Treasurer), Gerry McGough (Tom Bateman Grounds Manager).

Volunteers are always welcome to come on board in areas such as coaching, administration, marketing, event management, organisational and player development, fundraising and social events.

Whether you are a player, supporter or brand new to GAA WA, to get involved, simply drop a line to Nollaig Trevarthen at presidentgaawa@outlook.com.

President’s Address

2017 was an enormous year for GAA WA at all levels. Our successes demonstrate to us that we have the ability to achieve great things when we all come together. Whilst 2017 had a substantial outward focus, we hope to concentrate the energies and drive displayed by our members inwards Rd

GAA GROUNDS

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Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale (entrance off Wilfred Rd)

in 2018, and place emphasis on building a solid foundation upon which to grow our organisation into the future.

At the Executive level we are focused on progressing a number of key strategies; making our association stronger as ‘One GAA WA’ through further integration, improving the branding and marketing of GAA WA, driving player recruitment, ensuring our culture supports our players and volunteers, and looking at ways

to increase sponsorship and funding to maximise development opportunities.

I look forward to seeing what we can achieve over the coming 12 months for GAA WA, to welcoming new players and volunteers and of course to watching another year of great games unfold.

Is mise le meas, Nollaig Trevarthen President GAA WA

Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley 91 91

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia GAA WA Committees & Clubs

GAA WA, comprising of four arms, provides Gaelic Football & Hurling from underage level right through to senior Level.

Sub Committee Key Contacts;

Junior Academy (4yrs to 12yrs); Edel Gibson, Secretary - ggjunioracademy@gmail.com Minor Board (14yrs to 18yrs); Ciaran Gallagher, Chair - minorboardgaawa@gmail.com .

Senior Football Ladies & Mens; Tara Pratarelli, Secretary Football Sub Committee -wagaelicfootball@gmail.com Senior Hurling Ladies & Mens; Cathal Harte, Chair Hurling Sub Committee - secretaryshwa@gmail.com One of our 2018 goals is to establish training and competition for the 13yrs-14yrs age group. For further details or to register interest, please contact Ciaran Gallagher.

Senior Club Contacts;

Western Australia has the second highest number of registered Senior players across the Australasian affiliations of WA, SA, VIC, Tasmania, NSW, QLD, Wellington and Canterbury. Our competition consists of 16 teams within 10 Clubs; 6 Football Clubs and 4 Hurling/Camogie Clubs.

FOOTBALL

__________________________________________________________________________ Coastal Breakers GFC

Facebook: /CoastalBreakersGFC

Email: thecoastalbreakers@gmail.com

Code: Ladies Senior Football __________________________________________________________________________ Greenwood GFC Facebook: /greenwoodgfcperth Email: greenwoodgfc@hotmail.com Code: Mens Senior Football __________________________________________________________________________ Morley Gaels Facebook: /morleygaelsgaelicfootball Email: morleygaelsgfc@hotmail.com Code: Mens & Ladies Senior Football __________________________________________________________________________ Southern Districts GAC Facebook: /Southern-Districts-GAC-Perth Email: southerndistrictsgaa@gmail.com Code: Mens & Ladies Senior Football __________________________________________________________________________ St. Finbarrs GFC Facebook: /StFinbarrsGFC Email: stfinbarrsgfc@outlook.com Code: Mens & Ladies Senior Football __________________________________________________________________________ Western Shamrocks GFC Facebook: /westernshamrocks.gfc Email: westernshamrocks@hotmail.com Code: Mens & Ladies Senior Football 92

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

HURLING

______________________________________________________________________________________ St. Gabriel’s GAA Facebook: /stgabrielsgaaclub Email: stgabrielsperth@gmail.com Code: Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie ______________________________________________________________________________________ Western Swans GAA Facebook: /westernswans/ Email: westernswansgaa@gmail.com Code: Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie ______________________________________________________________________________________ Perth Shamrocks Facebook: /perth.shamrocks/ Email: perthshamrocks@gmail.com Code: Mens Senior Hurling ______________________________________________________________________________________ Sarsfields Facebook: /SarsfieldsHurlingClubWA/ Email: sarshurlingperth@gmail.com Code: Mens Senior Hurling

2018 TOURNAMENTS AND FIXTURES

Check out our website http:// www.gaawa.com.au/forms/ for our Fixtures Calendar. In WA, we play the winter season, which commences in April and runs until August. This year, we kick off midApril with the Perth 7’s, a one day event for Senior Football, Hurling & Camogie, at our grounds ‘The Tom Bateman Sporting Complex’ in Canningvale. Next up is the Fr. Kelly Cup in Football, followed by the League and Championship in Senior Football & Hurling (Mens and Ladies).

For all the latest updates on our onand off-field events, simply like and follow our GAA WA Facebook page.

THE PERTH 7's (Mid April)

The Perth 7’s, our first tournament of the year promises to be a great day out for all; Football, Hurling, on-site bar, good food, and live music into the evening!

The format is 7-a-side, 10 minute halves. The tournament is open to all; teams from within our Clubs and the Community! Get your panel together and contact secretarygaawa@hotmail.com for more details. Stay tuned on Facebook for dates and event particulars.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000 93

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association JUNIOR ACADEMY of Australasia Western Australia

By Debbie Teahan

It’s registration time! We are embracing technology and launching our own ‘app’ it will be used for online registration and it will be one of our main forms of communication this year.

College, Sorrento across from Hillary’s. We will also take registrations on this date and the fee is $120 per year which is very reasonable for families engaging their child in sport. The hurleys, helmets, gaelic footballs etc are provided so all they need is a pair of football boots and a bottle of water and they will be set!

We have plenty of plans in store so once you sign up for the app the news and events sections will keep everyone up to date and as always keep an eye on our facebook page and you can contact us through that too. 2018 will be our 7th season in operation and we are delighted to be going from strength to strength!

Download the ‘Team App’ from teamapp.com

Sign Up, with your email and password and personal details. Then ‘Find Your Team’ type in Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA and GGJA of WA with our logo will pop up. So, tap on that and then you will be asked to ‘become a member of this team’ and then the message you type will be sent to admin and once your accepted you’ll have access to News, Events, Schedule, Gallery, Store, Newsletter, Documents etc. It will be adjusted and updated regularly plus the committee will always be happy to answer any questions.

Our next venture is our Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, we will be marching in the parade again, we are asking all the children to bring their county flags to fly on the day for the big celebrations in Leederville on the 17th March, we will also have fun and skills events in the main oval where the family day celebrations happen Our season start date is April the 8th we are blessed to be at the same venue at Sacred Heart

Dates for you diary:

Sat March 17th: St. Patricks Day celebrations, march in parade plus Oval activities Sunday 8th April: First day back training/ registration day Sunday 15th and 22nd No training- school holidays Sunday 29th training as normal in Sacred Heart

Questions/queries contact the secretary 0458 372 832 or 0406 229 450 Ggjunioracademy@gmail.com Facebook page: The Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA

www.per thirishrfc.com 94

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Perth Irish Rugby Club

Its been another busy few weeks at Perth Irish Rugby club, new coach Damien Wainohu has officially taken over the reins as director of rugby and brought his coaching team to put the players through their paces! Damien brings a wealth of experience to the club and as a former professional player and premier grade coach the players are seeing the benefits already!

Tommy O’Reilly has stepped up to coach the ladies team and they hope to enhance on the success of last year.

Training is continuing at Centenary Park Belmont on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30 and Saturday beach sessions at Whitfords nodes.

As we are a new club we are always on the lookout for players of all abilities (Men’s and Ladies) whether you want to get involved in the social side or want to reap the benefit of some fantastic coaching and develop your game we have a level for you!

Expressions of interest is ongoing for the junior section and we hope to have this up and running over the next few weeks!

We are also delighted to confirm Major Sponsors, “Walsh Clancy O’Neill” and “JB’O Reilly’s” have committed to sponsor the team this season and are delighted to welcome new sponsor “Absolutely Beautiful Noranda” to the Perth Irish Rugby family. We appreciate your support!

Plans are already underway for next season and we are expecting some big announcements in respect of the league structure for next season and announcements regarding pre-season training will follow shortly. Check the Website http://www.perthirishrfc.com. au/ for further details.

Get involved and come along!

Damien Gaughan Vice President, Perth Irish RFC

Above: Kevin Mcgloin accepting ‘Irish Club Cup’ on behalf of Kevin Cormack. From Allan Rowland ‘Captain’ Last weekends game in Seaview.

Peter McKenna will give you info on fundraiser & next outing in meadow springs on 25 March.

Please also add - all bookings to secretary at irishgolfclubwa@gmail.com

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