Irish Scene January February 2017

Western Australia’s

Vol 19 Number 2

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BUSINESS CONTACTS BAGGAGE (UNACCOMPANIED) 84 Aust. International Express 9243 0808 70 Exportair Tel: Geoff 9477 1080 BUTCHERS 96 McLoughlin’s Meats Tel: 9249 8039 63 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 CAFE/DELI: Adams Lunch Bar Tel: 93498287 24 Mooney’s Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 CAR RETAILERS: John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 CELEBRANT: Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 EMPLOYMENT: 67 All Force Labour Sol. Tel: 0457824916 ENTERTAINMENT: Fiona Rea - 0404 831 445 27 Fiddlestick - David 0413 259 547 FINANCE/ADVICE: 58 The Loans Café Tel: 0402 284594 FREIGHT HANDLERS: 84 Australian International Express 9243 0808 70 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 FUNERALS: 57 McKee Funerals Tel: 9401 1900 IMMIGRATION ADVICE: ASC Migration Tel: 9301 5905 9 EasiVisa: Carol-Ann Lynch 9429 8860 17 McGovern Migration Tel: 0457 580402 IRISH FOOD & GIFTS: Clonakilty www.clonakilty.com.au 24 Mooney’s Irish Sandwich Bar: 9221 4872 JEWELLERS: 6 Tighe Jewellery: Graham 0414 309274 LIGHTING: Tilly’s Lighting Phone 9242 5160 MECHANICS: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil 0439 996 764 47 BVM Autos - Mike 0413 889 501 PUBS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS: An Sibin Tel: 9328 8930 Bailey Bar & Bistro Tel: 9300 063392 92 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 Carnegies, Perth Tel: 9481 3222 57 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299

20 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 18 Fenian’s/Novotel Tel: 9425 1634 Friar Tuck’s, Wannanup Tel: 9534 4788 61 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 38 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 National Hotel, Fremantle Tel: 9335 6688 Orla's, West Perth Tel: 0449 168 667 78 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup Tel: 9300 9966 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge 9328 1488 The Heights Bar & Bistro Tel: 6161 3333 12 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 The Cure Northbridge Tel: 9227 9055 The Skye Bar, Northbridge Tel: 9228 2200 53 The Vic, Subiaco Tel: 6380 8222 Voyage Kitchen Tel: 9447 2443 Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 9309 4288 14 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 REAL ESTATE: O’Rourke Real Estate Tel: 9341 6611 15 Professionals Kelly Team Tel: 9344 5544 ROOF PLUMBING Mick’s Maintenance 0418 917 050 SHOE REPAIR / NEW SHOES: 56 Reids Bootmakers: Tel 9361 5301 SOLICITORS & LEGAL: 13,83 Kavanagh Lawyers - 9218 8422 42 Your LegalHQ Tel: 94459200 SPORT - CLUBS AND INFORMATION: 90,91 GAA - 0458 954 052 88 Irish Golf Club - Peter 0447 258 000 93 Shamrock Rovers St Gabriel’s Hurling Club THEATRE: 86 Irish Theatre Players TRAVEL & TOURISM: 34 British Travel Tel: 9285 8182 TYRES, BATTERIES, BRAKES WHEELS: 27 Tyrepower Perth City Fiona 9322 2214 WEDDING RECEPTIONS / FUNCTIONS: 57 The Celtic Club Tel: 9322 2299 29 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 and Imelda Gorman Publisher: Gaelforce Promotions, 12 Dysart Court, Kingsley WA 6026 Email: fred@irishscene.com.au Tel/Fax 9309 3167 www.irishscene.com.au Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by contributors in articles, reproduced articles, advertisements or any other printed material contained in Irish Scene magazine or on www.irishscene.com.au are those of the individual contributors or authors and as such are not necessarily those of Gaelforce Promotions. The publisher and editor reserve the right to accept, reject, edit or amend submitted material in order to make it appropriate or suitable for publication. Irish Scene welcomes submissions, ideas and suggestions for articles and features as well as photographs of events happening around and within the Irish community in Western Australia.

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Index Is there a problem - Margo O'Bryne 4 Kidogo Arthouse 7 Irish Consul Message 14 Minute with Synnott 16 Dermot Byrne - Irish Quiz 17 Marie Maloney - Cost of Migration 19 Peter Conole - Paths of Glory 21 Fr Paschal Kearney 25 Tyrepower Dealer of the year 27 Irish Families Christmas Party 28 John Hagan - From Galway to Glory 30 Eugene O'Connor Eulogy 32 Ulster Rambles 33 Isteach Sa Teach 35 Michael Cluskey - A view from home 37 JB O'Reilly's Last Thespians Photos 39 Gaba Gubu 40 Echoes of the Past 43 G'Day from Melbourne 45 Ausytalian-Irish Heritage Assoc.

47 Daniel O'Donnell - Tom Gilmore 48 St Patrick's Festival 50 Visitors to Ireland 51 Live Irish Music in Perth 52 Tele Station Tele Nation 54 Comhaltas 56 Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust 58 Irish Club News 61 Irish Dancing 62 Land of Milk & Honey 63 Claddagh Association 64 Paddy Cannon finds his family 66 Sean McDonagh - Immigrant Tales 69 Marguerite's Recipes 72 Rose of Tralee 73 Maureen Teague Marketer 73 Irish News from Home 74 John Murphy-War without end 76 Bold Kerryman Tour 79 Paula.... From Tasmania 80 WA Genealogical Society 81 Around the Irish Scene 84 Irish Theatre Players 86 Book Reviews 87 Tim & Phil in Peru 90 Peter Farley - Golf in Ireland 91 Sports Pages from page 92 Irish Golf Club 95 Stones in His Pocket 95

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Margo O’Byrne

Is There a

PROBLEM?

By Margo O’Byrne

Christmas is a great time for parties and catching up with old friends. I recently caught up with my good friend Jack and his wife, who I’ll call Mary. They are a great couple, energetic and always fun to have around. We all know that Mary likes a drink.

She’s generous, kind hearted and always up for a good time.

She can get a bit argumentative when she’s had a few, but on this particular night she went too far and seriously offended our host.

Over the next few days, there were phone calls back and forward as one friend talked to another about Mary’s drinking.

Everyone agreed that it was getting worse. What’s interesting is that none of us talked to Mary about it! I guess we knew she’d deny it or at best not remember what she’d said. What’s more interesting is that while everyone feels sorry for Jack, and what he had to put up with, no one knows what to say to him, so we say nothing.

Sound familiar? It’s a common enough story and there’s no harm in a few drinks, but in my head, alarm bells were going off. You see, I grew up as the child of an alcoholic mother. Not only do I recognise the behaviour, I also carry the life long scares of the consequences of out of hand drinking. Let me give you a bit of context.

My father, Willie O’Byrne emigrated from Co Wexford

in 1948 to join the Queensland Police Force. He found fellowship with his countrymen at the local Irish Club and became the drum major of the Queensland Irish Pipe band. My mother Jean, who was a highland dancer, was the only daughter of Scottish immigrants. She was charmed by the gregarious Irishman and despite her mother’s objection to his Catholicism, they married in 1950. My brother and I were born in the first couple of years of the marriage and my father was promoted to a one-man station in rural Queensland. Life was good, they made friends and the police work was not too onerous.

My mother got pregnant with their third child but sadly he was still born. This news was given to her in a callous, mater-of-fact way and she was not able to see or hold her baby. There was no grief counselling, no acknowledgement of my parent’s loss and no support. She slipped into depression and couldn’t sleep.

That’s when someone suggested that a stout in the evening might help ‘settle her nerves’.

Well it did that, but unfortunately Jean was one of those drinkers who, once they’ve got the taste for alcohol, just can’t stop. My father, who didn’t mind a pint himself, had no family in Australia to turn to and was at a loss to know how to help his wife.

One of the nuns at the school later told me that he thought to put her in a ‘care home’ – which 4

I imagine was some 1950’s form of rehabilitation - but there were none in the district and he was afraid that we children would fret too much if she was sent more than 500 miles away to Brisbane for treatment. No doubt he hoped and prayed that things would get better.

But things didn’t get better; in fact they got much worse.

Desperate for a drink, Jean eventually ‘borrowed’ a small amount of cash from the Police office. Detectives investigating another matter confronted my father with the financial anomaly.

He felt trapped and with his police revolver, took his own life.

What a tragedy!

I was 7 and my brother 6 when we were left with our depressed and now guilt ridden and grief stricken mother. Needless to say, the only comfort she found was in the bottle.

Our life became completely dysfunctional and we literally staggered on for a few years until the welfare intervened. We were made Wards of the State and sent to St Vincent’s Orphanage. I’ve told the story of how my brother and I survived in my book, Left Unsaid.

In hindsight, I wonder if my mother could have recovered, if someone, anyone, with the right kind of help had the courage to intervene.

So back to my friends Jack and Mary. Having lived with these consequences, I decided that instead of talking about Mary’s

drinking and feeling sorry for Jack, I’d talk with him. It wasn’t an easy conversation. It took him a good while to acknowledge the problem and to reveal how it affected him. He told me that none of their friends came to the house anymore and that she’s become rigid and judgemental about everything he did. I found some resources and stories of how loved ones, armed with the right information and some ongoing support, had learned to intervene. It took courage, but I figured it was better to take the risk and possibly fail, than to live with the grief later.

One of the best sources of information and support in Western Australia is Holyoake http://www.holyoake.org.au/

Some helpful websites:

http://www.alcoholscreening.org/learn-more https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/worried-aboutsomeone-elses-drinking/ http://www.breakingthecycles.com/blog/2014/02/16/ what-to-say-to-someone-with-a-drinking-problem/

Alcoholics Anonymous Do I drink too much?

Could I benefit from AA?

Try this drinking Quiz.

1. Am I sick and tired of being sick and tired?

Have I had enough of the way things have gone wrong in my life?

Yes/No 2. Do people bug me, who drink and don’t get into trouble? I seem to be different from most people, I drink and things get worse?

Yes/No 3. Do I lose much money because of my drinking? Money never seems to last from pay to pay. Yes/No 4. Do little things in life become big traumas?

Other people seem to breeze through life: I find it all a great hassle.

Yes/No 5. Do I drink to relax? I get uptight and angry, and need to drink to escape the pressures of life. Yes/No

Left Unsaid

6. Do I have loss of memory? Or blackouts?

How often did I end up somewhere and did not know how I got there, or did things I did not remember doing. Yes/No

...a triumph of sibling love over parental neglect and institutional care

7. Have I ever got into trouble with the law?

Through drink-driving, violence or other criminal activity?

Yes/No

by Margo O’Byrne

Left Unsaid by local Perth writer Margo O'Byrne is a memoir about the growing up years of Margo and Micko O’Byrne. Their father emigrated from County Wexford to Queensland in 1948, but died tragically when the children were young. His wife, Jean, took to the drink and the little family struggled from one disaster to the next until the State intervened and the children were sent to Nudgee orphanage.

The truth of their childhood story was hidden and lied about until years later, living in Western Australia, when their mother disappeared. That’s when these two young adults delve into their past and transformed it from a confused knot of shadows and secrets into one they could accept.

Commended, Best Creative Non-Fiction, Australasian IP Picks 2009.

Books cost $27.95 and are available from Kidogo Arthouse or from the author’s website www.margoobyrne.com.au

8. Have I felt the need to drink before going to school or work? Some days I need a lift to get me going, or make me feel good.

Yes/No 9. Have I lied about my drinking? I don’t want people to know how much I really do drink, so I hide my drinks.

Yes/No 10. Would I ever have the guts to admit I have a problem with drink? I feel ashamed of the way I am, and think I am the only one with this problem. I hear of many people getting well; could AA help me.

Yes/No 11. Did I ever try to stop at one drink, or for a short period of time, and failed? Many times I have tried through controlled drinking, or other means, like praying or counselling etc., and it has not worked.

Yes/No 12. If I stop drinking, do I know I would not have all this misery? When I look back on my life, if I am honest with myself, do I realise that my life will get better without drink?

Yes/No If you answered yes to four or more of the above questions you are probably in trouble with alcohol.

Why not come to a meeting?

If you would like to talk to someone about your drinking: Phone: 9325 3566 or 1300 222 222 24hr ANONYMOUS HELPLINE aaperthwa@iinet.net.au www.aaperthwa.org 5

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By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman Joanna Robertson was born in the second city of Tanzania and the east African state’s major commercial port on the coast with the Indian Ocean. For more than 20 years now another second city on the far side of the Indian Ocean has been her home and she has travelled far and wide in between. But in very many ways hers was a very traditional Irish upbringing and one she carries with pride to this day.

“I’m Irish, I was born in Dar-esSalaam, Tanzania,” Joanna told Fred Rea. “My father - Claude Robertson - was the first Irish honorary consul to Tanzania. He was from Kilkenny and had gone out there after the end of the Second World War to work in Africa in business. When he was back in Dublin on leave he met my mum - Noreen Tabuteau - who was studying at Trinity College. They had a whirl wind romance, he proposed to her and she went out and married him in East Africa. He was out there for about 26 years and so I was born there and grew up there.”

Like the children of other ex-pats Joanna attended an international school, an experience she enjoyed in no small part because it exposed

her to people and friends from many different parts of the world.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “But when you got to be about 12 years old you went back to your country for boarding school. So like all of the other Europeans who returned to France, or England or wherever, I went to boarding school in Glenageary (outside Dublin).

It was called Hillcourt School at the time, but whilst I was there it merged with two other boarding schools, Park House and The Hall School, in mid 1973 and it became Rathdown, when I was about 13.

While she was back in Ireland, forces were at work in Tanzania that would ultimately see her parents return home. The company her father worked for (Tanganika Cotton Company) was bought out by Lonro - The London Rhodesia company which was soon after nationalised by the Tanzanian government.

“So a lot of us left Africa and went back to the country’s where we came from,” added Joanna. “My family all moved back to Carlow.” She was in 7

Ireland for the formative years of 12 to 17 and sat her Leaving Cert in Dublin. “I finished on the Friday and on Saturday I started work at Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, near Middleton, county Cork, as a trainee to Mrs Allen in the kitchen.

It didn't have the cookery school at that stage but it was a very well known Michelin star restaurant.

They had accommodation there and my parents had been there to stay. They met Mrs Allen and said their daughter was interested in cooking and she told them to send me down to help out in the kitchen.

She took on about three girls who were friends of friends to work in the kitchen, just helping and to learn about food. On Saturdays the chefs would prepare lots of food and put it all ready for a buffet Sunday lunch and then the chefs would have Sunday off and Mrs Allen, Darina Allen, and her daughters in law and myself would all put out the food for

the buffet. It was just the family, no staff, and they became really good friends of mine. In fact Rory Allen, one of the sons, is the Godfather of my daughter and he set up the Grainstore at Ballymaloe, which is a phenomenal live music venue in Ireland, it's an amazing venue one of the best anywhere.

“So I did that, and then spent a year in France to learn the language before going to the National College of Art and Design in Dublin where I did a five-year degree in Fine Art, majoring in drawing and painting. I was lecturing a lot in Dublin and very much involved in the Irish art scene. I was in my early twenties and I thought, “Oh, is this it? I can just carry on exhibiting in major exhibitions and winning the odd prizes, but I wanted more from life”. I wanted adventure. I had an amazing time and did well. I decided to apply to come here to Australia as an professional artist and at the time they had the list of professions they wanted but they also had a category for people who had outstanding artistic or sporting achievements and I got residency in that category. But on the way here I spent two years in America when I was invited to be artist-in-residence in North Carolina. That was a wonderful time because the Nth Carolina Arts Council had a programme that was the leading artist-in-residence programme in the United States. It started in 1972 and every county in the state either had an opera singer, blue grass banjo player, someone from the Appalachian mountains, like a Cherokee folk artist, I was the only European.

Our job was to give talks, have exhibitions and run collaborative events with the other artists-inresidence in the state and we also did a fantastic collaborative project in the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC of music, poetry & art. I arrived in Perth at the end of September 1989 and was immediately offered lecturing hours at what is now Edith Cowan University and Central TAFE, where I started to teach. In

Ireland I had developed specialised techniques in painting and colour mixing and paint application, and all these old techniques that no one was teaching any more, and so I started to run extra curricular courses and set up my own art school after hiring Curtin University and Claremont School of Art in the holidays and developed courses to help people get into university.

So I was doing all that when this particular building - Kidogo Arthouse - came up for tender.

Kidogo is a Swahili word which means “small”. I tendered for and took over this building 20 years ago and I proposed that it could become an arts centre. It had been all sorts of things before me. It was built originally to store dangerous goods for the City of Fremantle, such as the kerosene for the street lights.

So it was just a store really but then it was used for boat building for a while, and then Joan Campbell used it as a pottery for the 27 years before I took it over and set it up as an arts centre.”

Joanna is proud of what she has achieved in that time. She thinks it is the only arts centre in Australia which isn’t government funded with taxpayers money. “This is my business, it's a private operation” she added. “I have built it up and it has become very well known internationally and we do a lot of events here. We always have new exhibitions and often fantastic book launches. People can book the galleries in the evenings or the weekends to do a wedding, or cocktail party or a corporate event.

We also have a lot of beautiful music house concerts. Because it's an old shed it's got incredible acoustics and we have had the likes of Paddy Keenan, Sean Tyrell and other Irish musicians, including singer songwriter Enda Kenny, who have performed here. In the summer I run a pop-up bar in the back studio, which we call the “Kelp Bar”. It's probably one of the more eccentric bars in Fremantle and it's probably the only bar where you can actually have the sand in your toes with no road between us and the view of the sun going down and the ships out at 8

sea. It's highly popular.

Joanna hopes Kidogo can help give important upcoming events a home. “ 2018 will be the focal point of the John Boyle O’Reilly commemoration and the Hougoumont (the last convict ship to transport convicts 270 of them including O’Reilly and his Fenian comrades - to Australia) that arrived into Fremantle on 9th Jan 1868.

“Because I’m Irish I’ve got a strong interest in the story and so have many people that I know,” added Joanna. “I have the perfect venue to be the showcase for what happened in that historic time.

I think we could do ten days of celebrations. We could have poetry and invited musicians between now and then to write music to either O’Reilly's literature and written work, or to compose their own songs. We could urge people to think who do they know that would be interested in the story who could be invited to come along and get involved, anybody whose got ideas, anybody whose got connections to Boston (where O’Reilly escaped too from Western Australia) or to Ireland or Canberra or anybody who is good at fundraising. This is an important event that changed the course of history for Australia, not just a few Irish people. I think there’ll be massive interest, it's a fantastic story. It would be great if we were able to get at least one tall ship on the horizon and have a gang of boats rowing out to it and maybe we could have top musicians play on the tall ship, parked in the bay, maybe one of the concerts could happen on the tall ship in the bay that’s free for the public to invite the young people to come and celebrate and learn about the story of the Hougoumont and John Boyle O’Reilly. I really like the idea of doing something cultural and historic.

As well as being a beautiful spot, the location of Kidogo Arthouse also lends itself to the occasion she thinks. “This particular beach here where we are, is one of the most historic and significant Continued on page 10

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places in Australia, certainly in Western Australia.”

Joanna wants anyone with an idea, or contribution of any kind to act on it and get in touch (with her directly or through Irish Scene) and to pool the collective will and mind power of the community to create something special.

“Its going to be great,” she said.

KIDOGO ARTHOUSE

Opening Hours: Wednesday - Sunday (11am-4pm) or by appointment.

Bathers Beach, Mews Road, Fremantle, WA 6160 Tel: (08) 9335 9636 Mob: (+61) 0401 333 309 Email: info@kidogo.com.au

150th ANNIVERSARY

Last Convict Ship to Australia

The Hougoumont was the last conwho were court martialed for failing to vict ship to arrive in Australia. It was report or stop the treason and mutinous employed as a convict transport for acts of the others.

Western Australia and left London, Following the Fenian uprising in IreEngland on October 12, 1867 (150 years land and after two years in English prisago in 2017) bound for the Swan River ons John Boyle O'Reilly along with the Colony (now Western Australia). She other 61 Irish political prisoners was carried the last of 37 shipments of male transported with sixty-two other Irish convicts destined for Western Australia. expatriates on the Hougoumont, arrivThe voyage took 89 days and the Houing in Western Australia on 9 January goumont arrived in Fremantle on Janu1868. ary 9, 1868 with 108 passengers and 279 The story of O'Reilly's escape on the convicts.

Gazelle from Bunbury and the escape of The only death recorded on the conthe six Fenians from Rockingham has vict shipping and description lists was been told many times. for Thomas Cochrane (9689) and other Joanna of Kidogo is planning to comsources say he died near Africa on the John Boyle O'Reilly 1871 memorate the arrival of the Hougouvoyage out. There were 280 convict mont in January 2018. She is very keen to talk to those numbers assigned for the voyage ranging from (9644 who may be interested in joining the commemorato 9923) and this time agreed with the other sources tion. and said that 280 convicts embarked and 279 arrived.

In the picture below Joanna is standing very close This voyage has gained even to the place where the Hougoumont landed all those more repute over time as among its years ago. It is appropriate that this event is held at cargo of 280 convicts were a group Kidogo, a stones throw from the landing spot. of 62 Irish political prisoners refEnquiries: Call Fred Rea on 0418 943 832 ered to as the "Fenians". They were all convicted for treason and some of them were military men

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We keep our finances totally separate... so we’re not de factos, right?

Not necessarily. How you both manage your finances may be only one factor to be considered by the court.

Being in a de facto relationship brings great benefits but it also can involve serious obligations.

For advice please contact Louise Muhling

Family Friendly • Family Lawyers 1/100 Terrace Road EAST PERTH WA 6004 T: (08) 9218 8422 F: (08) 9218 8433 E: reception@kavlaw.com.au W: kavlaw.com.au

13

Martin Kavanagh Honorary Consul of Ireland

The Honorary Consulate of Ireland-Western Australia is located at 1/100 Terrace Road East Perth- a five minute drive from the Perth Central Business District. The Honorary Consul of Ireland in Western Australia is Marty Kavanagh. Our main objectives are to provide consular help and assistance to Irish citizens in Western Australia and to provide information and assistance to Western Australians about Ireland and the Irish.

We hope you find our website a useful source of information. Maybe you require information about Irish Passports, perhaps you are planning a holiday to Ireland or maybe you wish to do business in Irelandwhatever you require we’ll do our best to be of assistance.

If you are an Irish citizen resident in Australia, you may find helpful information on the consular services we provide.

If you are one of the many Working Holiday Visa holders visiting Perth, we hope you will enjoy your time in this beautiful city. Please remember to stay safe and that the primary responsibility for ensuring a safe journey abroad rests with you.

Bhliain nua sásta a thabhairt duit go léir.

Happy New Year to you all.

Marty Kavanagh

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

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with Synnott

Tony Synnott chats with Ed Cassidy, a proud Dubliner

NEVER TOO OLD TO BE YOUNG You sit all alone by your window And you watch as the world passes by Dreaming of times far away in your mind That in turn bring a tear to your eye You say now your life’s nearly over Your race it is finally run But never lay down or give way to a frown Because each day your new life’s begun

Ed is well known in the Irish community in Perth. A keen sportsman in his time, he is a great personality. He regularly gets the “Ireland’s Own” magazine from home and shares it with his many friends. He tells me he loves going on cruises with his wife. A great man, I am proud to know him.

Chorus: You’re never too old to be friendly Or too old to sing an old song You may feel you’re too old to be bothered But you’re never too old to be young You stare at those faded old photos That hang all around on your walls Do you still hear the laughter still feel the pain As they call out to you from behind those old frames You’re friends and you’re family are gone now Don’t just sit there awaiting your turn It’s easy to go if you just want it so But maybe you’ve some more to learn

What was your memory of your young life?

My first day at school and meeting new friends How long did you stay at school and college?

Until I got my first pair of long trousers What was your first job?

Messenger boy after school to make pocket money Was sport is high on your life’s agenda?

I loved soccer and Shamrock Rovers At this stage of your life would you change anything?

No. I’ve had a good life and a happy one Did you have a hard life growing up?

I was one of a very special loving family Are you a user of Social media?

Yes, I have to keep up to the times and friends What do you think of our Irish Scene magazine?

Can’t wait for every edition, a great publication Does the magazine tell of life back in Ireland?

It brings back to my mind many happy memories of home Perth is a great place to live, what’s your opinion?

I am so glad I settled here and I love the place What is your favourite film and actor?

“Some like it hot” and Jack Lemmon There are many Irish pubs in Perth, what’s your favourite?

JB O’Reilly’s in Cambridge Street If you were to visit anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?

The Baltic States and Russia

Life’s never too short so go on now As you know you have much more to give And if you had your life to live over again I’m sure it’s the same life you’d live So never give up ‘cause you’re older And inside to your self be true As no one can take that knowing away That inside you’ll always be you You’re never too old to be friendly Or too old to learn a new tune Be honest and true each day start life anew Then go out and reach for the moon You’re never too old to be friendly Or too old to sing an old song You may feel you’re too old to be bothered But you’re never too old to be young © Tom Grace I heard Tom Grace recite this poem at the Singer's Club at the Mighty Quinn. Very poignant words and Tom is keen to put it to music. If you have ideas please contact us and we will pass on your details.

16

Phone: 0457 580 402

Dermot Byrne

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

And so we come to the start of 2017. How did all the resolutions you made for 2016 go? Never mind, have another go this year.

1. What is 2017 in Roman numerals?

2. Which animal is on the Chinese calendar in 2017?

3. Which numbers are on either side of 17 on a dart board?

4. What happened in Paris on the 14th July 1789?

5. Where were the 17th Olympics held?

6. Who was the 17th Prime Minister of Australia?

7. On what day this year is St Patrick's Day celebrated?

8. What was the name of the German composer who had the first performance of the Messiah held in Dublin in 1742?

9. Which Saint’s feast day is on the 14th February?

10. What battle is celebrated on the 12th July?

Answers: 1.MMXVII, 2.Rooster, 3.3&2, 4.The French Revolution, 5.Montreal, 6.Harold Holt, 7.Friday, 8.George Fredrick Handle, 9.St.Valentine, 10.The Battle of the Boyne .

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The Cost of Migration

By Marie Moloney

As I approach 48 years of living in Australia I still have a clear memory of arriving in Perth with my family in January 1969. The strangeness of being a nuclear family in a country where we did not know anybody, was at times difficult, anonymity can be an unwelcome companion. Making friends and determining one’s place in the scheme of things takes time. Now many of the people who became valued friends have died.

Detailing one’s life is a huge job; the course of that life, how it evolved, why it happened that way and of course the “What ifs?” Looking back, it is quite common to wonder “How did I get from there to here?” The very nature of being migrants means some things are missing from our lives. When remembering, we need to cover experiences that are almost like two lifetimes; before and after. The scales of loss and gain are constant companions in life. I am now viewing those scales with interest and more than a little sadness. The personal journey of a migrant can be ongoing. However much we might love our adopted country and not want to live anywhere else, there will always be times when we are aware of the cost that is a part of migration.

That first year I experienced the sometimes almost desperate longing for family and friends, this was all the more poignant because I already knew I never would return to live in Europe. The laconic Australian humour and down to earth helpfulness suited me and I straight away wanted to belong to it.

The climate, plus the outdoor life permitted by this, meant we dressed differently. Also we soon became accustomed to the fact that social life centred more around entertaining at home, or at the homes of friends.

I now think of my family of origin, peers and others, whose lives have gone in diverse directions, geographically, otherwise or both, and wonder

sometimes about their stories. I have spent time with each of my siblings at various times in the past forty seven years, but there has only been one occasion when we have all been together.

The highest number of settlers to arrive in any one year since World War II was 185,099 in 1969–70. It is vital to remember the Irish among those who came to Australia 40 or 50 years ago. When migrating we leave a place but we take with us, not just the cutlery and the linen, but the essence of who we are. We brought different skills with us but we have contributed much to the present society through the diversity of abilities and professions of our children and grandchildren. It is wonderful to meet young Irish people now working in various situations around the city and contributing to the cultural ethos of Australia. The culture I grew up in is still part of who I am and is being absorbed through future generations of my family into the local ethos. It is a strong reminder that I have retained my cultural identity and integrated it into my life in my chosen society. I now think of my family and feel a deep sense of pride at my contribution to my adopted country. No longer that lone nuclear family, we are a constantly widening ripple, a definitive footprint in the Australia of the future.

Immigration Poem by Banjo Paterson

Now Jordan’s land of promise is the burden of my song.

Perhaps you’ve heard him lecture, and blow about it strong; To hear him talk you’d think it was a heaven upon earth, But listen and I’ll tell you now the plain unvarnished truth.

Here mutton, beef, and damper are all you’ll get to eat, From Monday morn till Sunday night, all through the blessed week.

And should the flour bag run short, then mutton, beef, and tea Will be your lot, and whether or not, ‘twill have to do, you’ll see.

Here snakes and all vile reptiles crawl around you as you walk, But these you never hear about in Mr. Jordan’s talk; Mosquitoes, too, and sand flies, they will tease you all the night, And until you get quite colonised you’ll be a pretty sight.

Here are boundless plains where it seldom rains, and you’ll maybe die of thirst; But should you so dispose your bones, you’ll scarcely be the first, For there’s many a strong and stalwart man come out to make his pile, Who never leaves the fatal shore of this thrice accursed isle.

To sum it up in few short words, the place is only fit For those who were sent out here, for from this they cannot flit.

But any other men who come a living here to try, Will vegetate a little while and then lie down and die.

Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.

John Ed Pearce

19

20

General Thomas Francis Meagher formally assumed command of his Irish Brigade on February 6, 1862.

Months of preparation brought the soon-to-be-legendary unit well up to standard by the onset of the campaigning season. In the beginning it consisted of three Irish regiments, the 63rd, 69th and 88th New York volunteers. By May about 2250 officers and men were in the ranks. They were soon joined by the 29th Massachusetts, a mostly ‘yankee’ regiment. For nationalist reasons Meagher preferred to command only his own kind. Later in the year the 29th was replaced by the largely Irish 28th Massachusetts, for which Meagher supposedly designed a nice battle flag. The 116th Pennsylvania, also very Celtic, completed the picture.

Meagher was a popular commander who “loved sport and joviality”. Thus wrote the brigade chaplain, Jesuit priest Father William Corby. On the downside military orders of the day and circulars frustrated the general, as did most mundane but necessary

(PartThree)

by Peter Conole administrative work. Corby noted that Meagher sometimes imbibed too much when socialising, although he was no drunkard and “loved his faith and assisted in making religion take a front rank.”

The high morale and raw courage of the troops soon became apparent to friend and foe alike. A legend was born over the next 12 months. One regiment – the ‘fighting 69th – is still part of the American armed forces.

21

The war cry of the Irish Brigade was ‘vaugh a ballaugh’ (ie, clear the way). Green standards were much in evidence during battles, although one historian suggests the first such banner only appeared when the 29th Massachusetts arrived on the scene in June, 1862. Whatever the truth the great Confederate leader General Robert Lee said the men of the brigade “enobled their race by their splendid gallantry”. He added that during a particular attack one of his senior officers exclaimed “there are those damned green flags again!”

The senior Union commander in the critical Virginia campaigning area, General George McClellan, was ordered to move against the Confederates by way of the Virginia Peninsula in spring, 1862. The huge army, Meagher’s brigade included, moved at a glacial pace once underway, partly because of McClellan’s caution. The Irish were blooded at the battle of Fair Oaks on the first day of June. Under chaotic circumstances the brigade held firm while others retreated and Meagher received praise for his role by the often hostile press.

Within a few weeks the newly appointed General Lee launched a massive southern counteroffensive. His army pushed the Union hosts back down the peninsula in the course of seven days of vicious, costly fighting. At Gaines Mill on June 27 the Irish Brigade helped prevent a complete disaster by plugging yet another gap caused by the flight of other troops. Meagher was later proud of the business and marked it as a brigade ‘finest hour’. During the last battle of the campaign (Malvern Hill, July I), Meagher’s men stood firm under severe artillery fire while shoring up the right flank of the army. Several companies met some old foes – the Confederate Irish battalion known as the Louisiana Tigers – and fought with them hand-to-hand using clubbed rifles, fists, knives and pistols. Both sides then fell back and later tacitly agreed it had been a draw.

Meagher and his unbeaten men had impressed everyone despite the failure of the campaign and General McClellan ordered Meagher to go back to New York and recruit: “we want many more wild Irishmen”. The brigade stayed on the peninsula during his absence.

Their commander did his best in the city but fine, passionate speeches were to no avail. The Federal administration and assorted politicians were not doing the Irish any favours; Meagher could only enlist 300 more men.

General Lee brought things to a head when he moved north into Maryland on September 4.

Meagher’s men went into action at the battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862 – the bloodiest day of the war. Lee decided to fight against great odds rather than fall back quietly. Meagher’s divisional Commander, Israel Richardson, ordered him to lead a full-scale attack across a cornfield and drive enemy defenders from a strong position in a sunken road. The result was carnage. The Irish went down in large numbers but kept up the pressure. Other troops followed on across their broken bodies and those of the enemy to capture the road. By the end of the strife about 60% of the officers and men in the brigade were dead, wounded or missing. The undefeated Lee stayed on the field one more day to make his point to General McClellan and then calmly withdrew into Virginia.

During the fray yet another horse was shot from under General Meagher. Concussed and bruised, he had to be carried from the field.

His corps commander commended such zeal and devotion, but that did not stop political enemies from falsely accusing him of being drunk at a critical moment. There is, however, good evidence he took to alcohol when severely stressed.

Meagher was in fine company: quite a long list of heavy drinkers among senior brass of the contending armies could be compiled.

The main armies licked their wounds after the battle and

Meagher was able to relax and socialise a little even in camp. We know he took a heap of books with him on campaign and continued to write poetry. At some point his unofficial secretary, a young private named William McCarter, saw the general fall over when drunk. He noted in his diary that no such thing ever happened again. Meagher’s wife Elizabeth (Libby) helped him relax more by paying visits and organising social events with their friends while the army was in camp.

A new Union commanding general, Ambrose Burnside, had arrived on the scene. He decided to go on the offensive in winter. On December 10, 1862 the northern hosts moved forward across a vital river, overran Fredericksburg and confronted Lee’s army, then

entrenched in heights above the town. On December 13 Burnside launched a frontal assault and the Irish Brigade, as usual, was at the sharp end of things.

Meagher moved around on horseback at the head of his troops, scattering sprigs of green for them to wear in their caps and addressing them in the grand manner to fight like mad. Chaplain Corby said the brigade went uphill like lambs to the slaughter and the result certainly was awful, not just for them but 22

for many other troops involved.

Acting under orders to dismount Meagher (who was nursing a knee injury) advanced on foot with his men. Private McCarter said he was then flattened by a ‘cannon ball’ (that is, a shell exploded nearby) and wounded in the thigh. Whatever happened the general somehow found a horse and turned back to try and assemble his remaining Irish lads. According to one estimate only 280 men out of 1200 in the brigade who crossed the river were ready for duty after the disastrous attack.

Thomas Meagher returned to New York for medical treatment. He also spent precious time with his family. After recovering he lobbied hard in Washington for leave to be granted to the remaining men in the brigade and – most critically – for

permission to recruit others to fill its depleted ranks. Various officials, including Secretary of War Edward Stanton, ignored his requests. The unfortunate Meagher returned to duty In April, only to have the displeasure of leading his men in yet another bumbling attempt to crush Lee’s Confederates. The Union commander in the latest failure was General Joseph Hooker, who came to grief at the battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863.

Meagher and his reduced brigade did fine work preventing assorted troops from fleeing in panic and rescuing abandoned artillery pieces. As Hooker stated, Meagher performed his duties “faithfully and well”.

The praise cut no ice with the general. Meagher could no longer tolerate the refusals to rest his remaining men, to fill gaps in the ranks by recruitment and to promote deserving officers in the brigade. Furthermore, he was probably disgusted by high command incompetence. General Meagher resigned from the army on May 8, 1863. Expressions of anger and discontent followed from the Irish community. It is doubtful whether they made any difference, for Meagher was simply not a man who could withdraw from public affairs in such a time of crisis. He had one more race to run: the declining years of his career in some ways, but full of drama and high adventure.

After Meagher's death, T.D.Sullivan wrote a poem in his honour. The following is a verse from that poem

Ah! Would to God his grave had been On mountain side, in glen or plain, Beneath the turf kept soft and green By wind and sunshine, dew and rain; That men and maids, in after years, Might come where sleep the true and brave, And plant and wet with Irish tears The shamrock on his grave.

Quotes

Thomas Francis Meagher • The glory of the old Irish nation, which in our hour will grow young and strong again. Should we fail, the country will not be worth more than it is now. The sword of famine is less sparing than the bayonet of the soldier.

• The dependence of one people upon another, even for the benefits of legislation, is the deepest source of national weakness.

• But it so happens, and it will ever happen so, that they who have lived to serve their country - no matter how weak their efforts may have been - are sure to receive the thanks and blessings of its people.

• A good government may, indeed, redress the grievances of an injured people; but a strong people can alone build up a great nation.

• I now bid farewell to the country of my birth - of my passions - of my death; a country whose misfortunes have invoked my sympathies - whose factions I sought to quell - whose intelligence I prompted to a lofty aim whose freedom has been my fatal dream.

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Father Paschal Kearney

A PRISONER to his CONVICTIONS Recently I approached Fr Paschal Kearney and asked if he would officiate at our Famine Commemoration in Bunbury and Dardanup in 2017. I met Fr Paschal at the John Boyle O’Reilly commemoration in Bunbury and have kept in touch ever since. He was a great supporter of the late Liam Barry at the O’Reilly annual event.

Fr. Paschal is a priest of 57 years standing and in his life of dedication and service he has seen the horror of famine and war at first-hand. Here we have a chance to meet this special priest, a wonderful and caring human being.

Fred Rea

Fr Paschal, the much travelled priest tells his story….

Here in Western Australia, when people hear my accent, they ask ‘what part of Ireland are you from’ and I invariably answer ‘from Antrim town in Northern Ireland’, and that is not quite true, because I was born in Clones, Co. Monaghan on 4th December 1935. However my parents, Margaret and Tom Kearney, moved to Antrim when I was two years old, and so all my memories of that time are only of Antrim.

It’s there I attended primary school, went to church, played football, and attended dancing classes – all the normal things kids did in those days. We lived at 62 Oriel Rd. The teachers I remember – M/s Kit-

ty O’Doherty, Cassie O’Neill, Downey and Frank Harman – those were the days of two to three classes in one room! The parish priest was Father Vincent Davey.

I have very happy memories of those days – a loving and secure family life, and close friends that I retain to this day. But they were also the war years and so memories are laced with the bombing of Belfast, refugees on the roads, Belgium, British and American soldiers (the first black man I ever saw), rationing of food, gas masks etc. It was in those early years that I became aware of the religious and social divides in Nothern Ireland.

I am the second eldest of five children – Seamus, Ann and Pauline still reside in Antrim - and I was undoubtedly the most troublesome.

My mother’s frequent and persistent words to me were: ‘one day you will go to jail’! I was among the first group to sit the 11+ examination.

That allowed me to join the other Antrim students who were educated by the Christian Brothers in Belfast – good memories there, though the Brothers had a reputation for being ‘tough’! We, along with the girls who attended Fortwilliam Convent School, took up the top-deck of the bus. At times we were a rowdy lot – on one occasion, ending up at the local police-station because a window had been broken – everyone claimed innocence!

1953 was my final year at school, and a time of decision. I sought advice and was encouraged to follow a 25

Fr Paschal Kearney speaking at the Annual John Boyle O'Reilly Commemoration in Bunbury

priestly/ missionary vocation. And so, somewhat unsure and anxious, and to the surprise of my family and friends, I entered the seminary of the Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans in Dublin.

Those were the days of abundant vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life – the days when the Irish Catholic Church was seemingly secure in its beliefs and practice. I say seemingly because today’s scene, which is so very different, has to question the real situation in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

On 8th July my class of 26, was ordained in Dublin. On the following day, I celebrated my first Mass in St. Comgall’s Church – and in the Tridentine Rite!! Sadly my father was not there – he had died two years earlier. All this was before the Council of Vatican II had started – a significant factor in my life!

In October 1963, my ordination class were sent to different parts of West and East Africa and South America. Eleven of us ended up in Nigeria, and I to part of a parish

where Fr. Davey had worked from 1922-32. He was still a legend there when I arrived! It was a time of hope, promise and great excitement. The Vatican Council offered a new vision of being Church – summed up in words and slogans like ‘People of God’, ‘collegiality’, ‘dialogue’, ‘inculturation’ and ‘co-responsibility’.

Unfortunately other events were to overtake us in Nigeria – the Biafra war, which began in 1967 and lasted for more than two years. It resulted in the deaths of some two million people, mostly children, who died of malnutrition and disease. Our mission became a battlefield and our parishes were feeding-centres. Sadly for those of us who were there at the end, the result was detention, trial, imprisonment and deportation.

My Mother’s words were fulfilled, 'one day you will go to jail'.

For most of 1970, I lived at home in Ballymena Rd, but worked full time in the parish, that was a special time. Sadly Fr. Davey died in that same year, and is buried in a plot beside my parents. By early 1971, I was back in West Africa – in Sierra Leone, where I lived until 1991.

Those were difficult years as the political scene was very unstable.

There were several military coups – some benign and others very bloody and, like Biafra, it descended into civil war.

There were the good times – especially in the 1980s.

I still think of that decade as one of the best and most fruitful periods of my life. For 10 years, I lived in a remote part of the country and in an area where no priest had lived before. There were lots of new beginnings which were coupled with ‘that new way to be Church’

which Vatican II called us to envision. The communities that I lived among really did accept and believe that ‘they were the Church’ – that the Church is not primarily an institution but a ‘community’ that shares in Christ’s Priesthood, giving us common responsibilities and responsibilities because of baptism. Those were wholesome times!

But there was the prolonged civil war. I won’t go into details – they are well documented.

In 1991, I went to a mission in the Gambia, leaving there and Africa in 1997, I took a year of sabbatical, and then worked in a Retreat Centre near Navan. 1999 saw me travelling again – to Western Australia and to a parish called Albany. I was parish priest there until 2006 when I ‘retired’! Well retired from parish appointments – no more administration and church politics. There are lots of the latter here in Australia!

My life in retirement is very full – I am involved in hospital visitation and various local groups. I taught for several years in the Adult Faith Education Centre in Perth, gave retreats seminars and Mission Appeals. I can still play a reasonable round of golf (one has to hit something) and I am a chaplain in the local prison – yes, I am still going to jail!

I'm in too deep

Love is a scrambled nest egg to detangle The concrete walls of my heart are 25 feet So don't dangle me hope Love can't see hope from my angle My freedom is steep Steeper than nineteen years of ink shy of life Bleeding from letters sent faithfully With answers seldomly received This story was conceived from my scars Emotions are razor wired and barbed Feelings no longer deceive me You can shiv me with I miss yous And I'll survive every hoodwink To talk phone calls Talk letters and talk visits But we both know talk is cheap Even spare time is a luxury I'm in too deep. ..Carlos "Sundiata Ibn Islam" Brown Taken from Between the Bars Prison Poetry Workshop website.

26

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Tyrepower Perth City are flying the flag when it comes to service.

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Fred Rea

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Tyrepower have 50 branches throughout the state of Western Australia and this award is much sought after by the different branches.

In March 2016, for the third consecutive year, Tyrepower Australia has been awarded the Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers title in the Tyre Retailers category.

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FROM

GALWAY TO GLORY?

John Hagan examines the selection of Ireland’s Robert Burke as leader of the Victorian Exploring Expedition.

‘Oh Mr. Burke ‘Tis risky work To seek the northern coast Then have a care Or else prepare To be a desert ghost’.

Mr. Burke did indeed become that ghost. He died on 30 June 1861, in the inhospitable Australian desert under the shade of a Coolibah tree, his trusty Colt pistol clutched in his right hand.

And yet his great adventure had all begun so auspiciously, and with such great fanfare.

On Monday 20 August 1860, the Victorian Exploring Expedition (VEE) was preparing to leave Melbourne, charged with traversing, from south to north, the driest inhabited continent on earth. What strange beasts, rich ore deposits, extraordinary trees and plants, or lost civilizations, might be discovered? The excitement around Melbourne’s Royal Park was palpable. By lunchtime the crowd of onlookers and well wishers had grown to 15,000, and, as the Age newspaper remarked, ‘Never did an expedition set forth under ---

brighter auspices. Everything that could possibly be furnished --- has been given it’. At the centre of the hullabaloo was the expedition leader, Robert Burke, a tall, robust and flamboyant Irishman, with flashing blue eyes and a resplendent black beard.

Robert O’Hara Burke was born in St. Clerans, County Galway in 1820, the second of three sons of James and Anne Burke, Protestant gentry and extensive landowners.

Educated at Woolwich Academy, Burke took the unusual step of shunning the British military to enlist in the Austrian Army in 1847.

He served in Italy as a lieutenant, in Prince Reuss’s Seventh Huzzars, but unfortunately, later that year, went ‘absent without leave’ to escape insistent creditors over large gambling debts. Regulations should have seen Burke court-martialed, but strangely, he was merely 30

allowed to resign.

With any military career now terminated, Burke returned to Ireland, and in November 1849, joined the Irish Constabulary as 3rd sub-inspector in Kildare. To Burke, Kildare appeared a trifle dull, and he was soon transferred to Dublin to join the mounted police. This new beat was more to his liking, as he was able to indulge himself in his favoured pursuits of gambling, chasing women, hunting and dancing. Burke was also something of a linguist being fluent in Italian, French and German. It was in Dublin’s bars that Burke began to hear tales of fabulous gold strikes, excitement, adventure and opportunity on offer on the other side of the world.

Such enticement proved so attractive that, in November 1853, he arrived in Australia at the height of the gold rush. With the Colony in desperate need of police officers to maintain a semblance of law and order Burke enlisted, and was soon made acting inspector at Beechworth (Victoria). In November 1858, he was promoted to police superintendent in nearby Castlemaine. Keeping the law and order in the Colony was not easy.

Bushrangers roamed the highways, cattle rustlers haunted the ranges, petty thieving was widespread and fist fights amongst garrulous and often drunken miners were commonplace.

While in Beechworth, Burke fell head over heels in love. The object of his affections was Julia Matthews, 16 year old star of the melodrama Spoiled Child, a leading lady whom critics described as ‘gay and bewitching’. Over the three weeks while she was performing, Burke purchased a front row seat for each and every show, becoming so besotted with the young starlet that, on her last night, he went backstage and proposed. Julia’s mother was appalled and forbade her daughter to have anything to do with such an aged (he was 38) lothario. Julia, apparently, did not need much persuasion, rejecting his advances before returning to Melbourne to star in an opera. Yet Burke never forgot Julia’s sparkling beauty, and his leadership of the VEE may have been an ultimate attempt to both

impress and entice her back.

To the inhabitants of both Beechworth and Castlemaine, Burke’s antics must have seemed outlandish and amusing. For example, in Beechworth, Burke had a workman dig a pit which he used as a bath, often ‘sitting in it reading a book, his only covering ---- being a helmet and several mosquitoes’.

At home, the walls of his house were inscribed with his private letters, poetry, official business and general memoranda. ‘I cannot keep any record in a systematic manner, so I jot down things like this’, he explained. Rowdy parties, drinking, carousing, gambling and athletic pursuits, all liberally punctuated his time in Castlemaine.

Inexplicably, Burke seemed not to own a police uniform and often had to borrow appropriate clothing when dignitaries visited the town.

When not on duty, he was often seen wearing baggy, patched, check trousers, sporting long hair and dribbling down a scruffy, unkempt, beard.

The opportunity to better himself, and escape from the drudgery of Castlemaine, presented itself with the arrival of railway tycoon John Bruce, who had been awarded a £3,500,000 contract to construct the first stage of the Melbourne–Bendigo railway. The two men soon became firm friends, with Bruce greatly impressed by Burke’s ‘manliness of character and determined energy’. The tycoon encouraged Burke to smarten up his image and then proceeded to introduce him to Melbourne society.

Burke became a member of the prestigious Melbourne Club, where he rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, and where he was able to indulge his penchant for gambling.

In Melbourne, he became a noted ‘man about town’, so when the Royal Society advertised for a leader of the VEE, Bruce encouraged Burke to apply. Success, Bruce pointed out, would likely see Burke knighted and the recipient of a large tract of land, while if he failed, he would be comforted by the fact that he had done so while pursuing ‘a glorious national enterprise’. And why should he not lead the expedition, given his education, military and constabulary leadership

experience, family background and bravado? Added to these were his outstanding physical attributes.

According to the press, ‘He was tall, well-made with dark brown hair; his broad chest was decorated with a magnificent beard; he had fine intelligent eyes, and a splendidly formed head’. Another reporter dubbed him as ‘a gentleman in the prime of life’ who was ‘a perfect centaur as to horsemanship’.

According to Frederick Standish, the Chief Police Commissioner for Victoria, Burke possessed, ‘indomitable pluck, energy, [and] great powers of endurance’.

However, the likelihood of Burke leading the VEE was patently absurd. He had no exploration experience, he was not a surveyor, nor was he a scientist, and his capacity to get lost was legendary.

The Mount Alexander Mail revealed that, ‘he could not tell the north from the south in broad daylight, and the Southern Cross as a guide was a never ending puzzle to him’.

His fellow officers at Beechworth were often required to form search parties to rescue him, while his bank manager caustically recalled, that once, ‘when he was returning from Yackandandah to Beechworth he lost his way, although the track was well beaten and frequented’.

Others pointed out that Burke had ‘no practice whatever as a bushman, never having camped in the bush, and never been in any part of Australia where there were no roads’. Even some of his friends reportedly thought that his temper was too hasty and judged that he was ‘totally unfit [to lead] from his want of self-control’. There were also criticisms about his manmanagement and inter-personal abilities.

So why was Burke selected from a field of better qualified explorers to lead such a prestigious and nationally important expedition?

The answers lie with a small clique of rich, powerful and influential members of the Melbourne Club, together with an elite coterie convinced of their own superiority and judgment. It was these same groups which, when the expedition was seen as a ‘failure’, sought to preserve their reputation by elevating Burke, and thus deflecting 31

blame.

Of the 19 men who departed Melbourne Park that August day, only three (Burke, William Wills and John King) made it to the Gulf of Carpentaria, with just one (King), finally returning to Melbourne. On his desert deathbed, Burke wrote a letter to his sister Hessie revoking his will in which he had bequeathed his estate to Julia Matthews. He asked King to remain with him until he died and added, ‘it is my wish that you leave me unburied as I lie’. King was later rescued and Burke’s body was returned to Melbourne, where he (with Wills) received a State funeral on 21 January 1863. Over 100,000 mourners filed past his catafalque. Following the cortege, were leading Irish members of the Colony: Sir William Stawell, John O’Shannassy, Ambrose Kyte, Richard Ireland, Frederick Standish, Sir Francis Murphy together with the expedition’s sole survivor, John King. The entire cavalcade took almost three hours to travel the five kilometers to the Melbourne Cemetery, where a police guard fired three volleys of shot over the grave as a mark of respect.

While Burke’s journey may not have fulfilled the lofty goals set for the VEE, Burke himself has achieved legendary status. He, and the expedition which came to bear his (and Wills’ name), has been commemorated in countless monuments, films, books, poetry, paintings, photographs, drama and opera.

Next edition: John King – forgotten hero.

• VA L E •

Eugene O’Connor

1942 - 2016 In the eulogy given by his son Patrick many of us were surprised to hear of the sporting prowess of Eugene O’Connor as we mourned the passing of a great friend. He never spoke much about his sporting career.

In the eulogy, Eugene's son Patrick shared the sadness of his passing by all of us, but we can also celebrate his life and the memories that we all hold dear.

Bernie, one of Eugene’s brothers in Ireland, provided some memories from Eugene’s childhood and his life in his homeland of Ireland for his eulogy.....

Eugene was born in 1942 in Ballintemple, Cork to Timothy and Margaret O’Connor. Eugene attended Blackrock Primary School till the age of nine and was the last of six brothers to enrol in the North Monastery Christian Brothers Schools.

Up to when Eugene finished his education, he captained every team he played on, and represented Cork in Minor, Junior and Senior Matches.

He was successful against Kerry in Munster Minor Final, but was beaten in the All Ireland Final by Galway. I found footage of the match for the family on YouTube.

Bernie speaking to friends in later years, has told it was said of Eugene, he would remind you of Kerryman, Mick O’Connor one of the greatest, if not the best footballers of all time.

Austin McCarty who played with Eugene said Micko could not ‘tie his boots’. Others, who played with him, held similar views.

At 16 years, Eugene was “picked”

Eugene third from right second row with Norh Mon Harty Cup team

to play Hurling for ‘The Mon’ and was successful in winning The Dean Ryan Cup, the following year won two of the greatest prizes in College Hurling, a Harty Cup and an All-Ireland Medal.

Eugene’s club was Lees, they being “the Country Boys” in the City.

For them, he played in every grade under 15 to senior in the one year.

Bernie summed up “Eugene, you were some Performer!”

Eugene met Joan in Ireland and they set out on their life together, married in London with the addition of myself to the family. Eugene and Joan arrived in Australia in April 1965. Eugene landed a job the first week in Perth at The West Australian Newspaper. He remained there for twenty five years.

During his time at The West, he sought to advance himself by attending night school and gaining a Diploma in Accounting and Business Management.

The challenges of being in a new country with no relatives was never a reason for Eugene and Joan not to make sacrifices and provide the loving support, education and opportunities for their children and ulti-

mately for their grand-children.

Eugene was a member of the Irish Club and served as the treasurer and committee member. He also presented on the Irish Programme for a number of years until they decided to take a long trip around Australia.

Eugene’s fight over the last two years has shown us all something of his true character. Eugene rarely complained of the pain as he went through his treatment.

The last time I saw Eugene was at Steve O’Sullivan’s funeral and he made a great effort to get there and say farewell to a fellow Cork footballer he knew when he wore the red jersey.

Patrick went on to say that Eugene was truly grateful to the many people who provided help and care and particularly the loving and caring support of Joan and Margaret through the difficult times.

To Joan, Margaret, Dympna and Patrick and grandchildren Jack, Liana, Anthony, Kalin, Claire, Gabrielle, Eloise and Matilda we extend our deepest condolences.

For me, it was an honour to be asked to sing ‘The Banks’ at his funeral.

Slán go fóill a chara. Fred Rea

KIERAN KELLY 1937 - 2016

Kieran was a great soccer man and supporter of the local Shamrock Rovers.

He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

May God hold you in the palm of His hand

32

ULSTER

s e l b m a R

were fed up with an establishment that promised wealth and prosperity in the EU when they were experiencing the opposite. Many in Ulster did not vote for exit as they had no problem with immigrants from Europe because in the main, there weren’t that many.

with David MacConnell

IS THE BORDER MAKING A RETURN?

It certainly seems that way.

I love Irish humour. When something goes fundamentally wrong, we can laugh at it; we can even laugh at ourselves!

That is why so many of the good short punch-line jokes are of Irish origin. If I try to change the joke using an Australian character, well they are simply not funny.

How is Ulster going to cope with Brexit?

The EU now has 1GB of free space. If that gives you a wry smile, I am sure that better jokes will be along – Brexit has a lot of potential to go wrong.

Talking to my sister in England and friends from Ulster, I got an idea of why so many people voted for Brexit and how difficult it will be for Ulster, Britain, Europe and even the rest of the world.

Recently, the world learned that Donald Trump had won the US election. The outsider had beaten the establishment. It felt as if Brexit had happened again. For me, Trump’s biggest asset was that he didn’t stand for going on with business as usual. Trump’s voters in the US wanted a change, and so did leave voters in Britain. They

Looking to Hire a Car in Ireland?

Control of their own borders was a principle demand of those who campaigned for Brexit. As a majority of voters in Northern Ireland voted to remain and are presumably happy for current border arrangements with the Republic to continue, surely the only acceptable solution for controlling entry into the UK is to treat Northern Ireland as a special case and introduce border controls at the entry points between it and the rest of the UK. • Increased UK/Irish collaboration makes perfect economic and geographical sense. Just as France has officers at St Pancras, in London, assisting UK counterparts, it makes sense to have UK officers in Dublin assisting their Irish counterparts, and Irish officers at London airports assisting their UK counterparts assuming that system actually works of course.

I don’t think that UK border controls on non-EU migrants to the UK at Irish ports will obviate the need for a “hard” border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. Goods flowing across the Irish border will be subject to tariffs and regulation, and without control points at the Irish border on the movement of these goods, a smuggling free-forall might well develop. To me, it would appear that only a hard border would ensure that lorry-loads of EU goods driven by EU citizens, rolling off the ferries in Dublin, don’t head north unimpeded to cross the “invisible” border. We can assume that there will have to be a hard border. The movement of goods from the EU to and from a post-Brexit UK requires it and what will that do to the peace process that was so difficult to obtain.

Perhaps they could adopt a policy similar to the Canada/U.S. crossing where you can obtain a

www.dan-dooley.ie 33

special permit after being fully vetted.

This Irish border question has the alarming potential to undermine much of the painstaking progress that has been made in Anglo-Irish relations, shifting the emphasis away from reconciliation and common interests, and back to what divides. Anyway time will tell.

I wish all the readers a successful and prosperous and most of all a HAPPY NEW YEAR. After Trump and Brexit I wrote this little Irish song about being stuck in the middle. I even turned it into a you tube video which you can see at https://youtu.be/ahWw4ac7PS0

WHY? Because you deserve it!

d

lan e r I to

Contact our team today! res@britishtravel.com.au 1300 857 434 Travel agent agent Lic 9TA1055

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE / WITH YOU NOT IN SIGHT

britishtravel.com.au DID YOU KNOW THIS?

The Brits had a vote to get out or stay in A close contest it was a very narrow win But the aye’s beat the nay’s and now they’re getting out For better or for worse they said leaving everyone in doubt

Chorus: America to the left of me Britain above and to the right It's been that way for many's a year that’s all just black and white Donald to the left of me Brexit to the right Here I am stuck in the middle with you not in sight.

Now Donald not the duck as I’m sure you all know He made his presence felt in that Presidential show His rhetoric is foolhardy but it seems to please some folk for better or for worse well we thought it was all a joke.

Chorus

Now David Cameron he got it wrong it’s now so plain to see He just could not change that immigration policy Teresa May took over with a difficult task ahead For better or for worse and more was what the people said Chorus

When Donald Trump arrived no one gave him a chance He seemed at times ridiculous a businessman in clown’s pants But he had a faithful following many people did not perceive For better or for worse they said especially when you don’t believe America to the left of me Britain above and to the right Its been that way for many's a year that’s all just black and white Donald to the left of me Brexit to the right Here I am stuck in the middle with you not in sight.

David MacConnell 34

It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon on old warships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the problem. The storage method devised was to stack them as a square based pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which rested on sixteen.

Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem... how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others.

The solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called, for reasons unknown, a Monkey. But if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make them of brass... hence, Brass Monkeys.

Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would come right off the monkey.

Thus, it was quite literally, cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. And all this time, folks thought that was just a vulgar expression?

You must send this fabulous bit of historical knowledge to at least a few intellectual friends.

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE IN LABOR

TO BE A BIT IRISH

For good historical, economic, social and political reasons the Labor Party and many of its members have close ties with Ireland or Irish heritage.

Names such as Jim McGinty, former Labor leader and MP for Fremantle, political all rounder Alannah McTiernan and Dublin born Stephen Dawson, who is the member for the Mining and Pastoral Region are all names that easily jump to mind.

But the current WA opposition party (who will no doubt be working as hard as possible to flip that position after the March 2017 state election) do not have a monopoly on the Irish market. Some members of the WA Liberal Party have their own Irish roots.

Former health minister and deputy leader Dr. Kim Hames, who was first elected to parliament in 1993, bowed out of political life in late 2016 having lost his ministerial place in Cabinet in March. His time in government was not without its ups and downs, including his resignation

as tourism minister in 2013 after accusations he had abused a generous accommodation allowance. On November 16 Dr Hames gave his valedictory speech to parliament, his final address to the House as the member for Dawesvile. A chance to reflect on a members time and experience in parliament and have their say about pretty much anything they want.

Dr Hames fell back on some of his Irish ancestry during his last speech to parliament. “The great satisfaction you get as a member of Parliament is to do those things—to see your constituents’ lives improved and even saved by the efforts of yourselves or your staff,” he said.

“There are not too many people who leave this place voluntarily unless they are long-serving members like me. We certainly do not stay for the pay or the working hours, as most of us could do better outside this place.

But we still do it, and we still want to do it because we love it. When I came to this place, I changed from being in one of the highest regarded 35

professions to one of the lowest— going from a doctor to a politician.

Why is it that the public have such a low regard for members of Parliament? I think it must be in our genes as, even for me, my partIrish background demands that I have a negative overall reaction to politicians. The great news for us all is that those who actually know us do not think that way.

We are okay; it is just all the rest of you that are bastards!

Despite the negative view of politicians, we are always in great demand to attend functions, open events, or meet constituents and we are always treated with great respect when we attend.”

On his first speech (in 2008) to the WA parliament, Nedlands MP Bill Marmion paid tribute to his predecessors in that role, including former Premier Sir Charles Court. He said they were all men of great substance, principle, sound judgement, vision and believers in free enterprise.

“I am here today because my

great-great grandfather was such a man,” Mr Marmion told the Legislative Assembly. “His name was Patrick Marmion, and in 1841, at the ripe old age of 25, he migrated from Northern Ireland to Fremantle. Although Fremantle and Perth had been settled for only 12 years before Patrick arrayed, his energy, drive and commercial nous must have suited the times. Officially, ship’s records list his occupation as a clerk, with one historian suggesting that he arrived as an indentured servant. Even so, he managed to develop a successful merchant business in Fremantle, along with a whaling station up the coast, close to where the suburb of Padbury is now located.

He died in 1855, leaving his wife, Charlotte, and son, William Edward Marmion, to continue the family business. William went on to make his mark in other ways. He was the first member for the seat of Fremantle, and was Minister for Lands in the first Forrest cabinet. He served in the Legislative Council from 1870 until 1890, when he moved into the Legislative Assembly.” Mr Marmion declared that we could all be proud of our heritage and said everyone could learn from history.

Certainly, Ian Blayney, the Liberal member for Geraldton, could see a lesson for modern day agricultural from Irish history. Mr Blayney had a lot to say about the issue during a debate for the genetically modified crops free areas repeal bill in October. “[GM] technology is of particular use when a plant characteristic is controlled by a single gene. It is quite useful if it involves a small number of genes, but of course it becomes more difficult if a trait relies on a large

number of genes. The technology allows a cross to be made. If it is known that a plant characteristic is influenced by a single gene, all the progeny of that cross can be screened to find out straight away if that gene is in the progeny. That collapses the breeding time from seven years to three. That is the real advantage of this technology.

If there is an epidemic of a specific pest or disease with a single gene—the classic case used is the potato blight famine in Ireland—it can be identified straight away and a resistant gene can be put into the species, which collapses the time it takes to address a particular problem that quickly arises.”

Global studies have shown that over the last 20 years, genetically modified crops have resulted in a 37 per cent reduction of pesticide use and also resulted in a large reduction in Co2 emissions equivalent in 2013 alone to taking 12.4 million cars off the road, he added.

On November 10 the Legislative Council (upper house) debated a public transport ban on alcohol advertising.

Former minister and member for East Metropolitan Helen Morton said the Australian Capital Territory

Just Joking...

had such a ban and South Australia would be introducing one in mid 2017. There were many other parts of the world which had done the same, including Russia, 18 states in America and Finland.

“Ireland has passed legislation banning alcohol advertising on public transport,” she added. Maybe it was the mention of Ireland that whetted her whistle because the next thing she said betrayed a fondness for an Irish tipple or two. “From my point of view, this is not about stopping anyone from drinking,” Mrs Morton said.”I like to drink, I like a Bailey’s (Irish Cream) after tea and I like to drink wine with my meals. I brought back some dutyfree whiskey for my husband and sons after a recent trip to Japan.

My family certainly enjoys their alcohol.”

During a recent debate into reforming outdated laws the very Irish sounding Simon O’Brien revealed that he - and other MPs - had gone on a fact finding mission, which included a visit to Ireland. “We did find out, when we sat down with people in Dublin and other places, that we in Western Australia at that time, and presumably still today, had a better handle on all this than people anywhere else did,” said the Liberal member for the South Metropolitan area. “They all wanted to pick our brains.”

A local Liberal politician is out jogging one morning, notices a little boy on the street corner with a box. Curious he runs over to the child and says, 'What's in the box mate?' To which the little boy says, 'Kittens, They're brand new kittens.' The polie laughs and says, 'What kind of kittens are they?

'Liberals', the child says. 'Oh that's lovely,' He smiles and he runs off.

A couple of days later the same polie is running with a colleague and he spies the same boy with his box just ahead. He says to his colleague, 'Watch this.' and they both jog over to the boy with the box.

The polie says, 'Look in the box mate, isn't that cute? Look at those little kittens. Now young fella, tell my friend what kind of kittens they are.'

The boy replies, 'They're Socialists.'

'What?' He says, 'I jogged by here the other day and you said they were Liberals. What's changed?

'Well, 'the lad says, 'Their eyes are open now.'

36

By Michael Cluskey

For the first time in many a year, the air of confidence back home here in Ireland is palpable.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still problems, but set against what we have had to deal with over the past number of years, they seem slight.

From an almost extinct building industry only a couple of years ago, to where we are today with a new rejuvenated building sector and seeing the building of new homes and infrastructure.

It seems that everywhere at the moment is being dug up for the laying of all new communication systems, which will see high speed broadband brought to all areas.

A rash of new cars, and the purchasing of high end consumer goods, doesn’t exactly spell the end of the economic slump, but surely it goes a long way to prove that the Irish people believe that we are on the upturn.

A View from Home Now if we were anyway clever we will keep in mind that everything could change, with the recent world changing events that have happened such as the election of Mr Trump, who has promised to pull back on US worldwide investments. Also Brexit which at this moment could mean anything.

Both of these could easily derail our burgeoning economy.

I don’t want to sound boring, but this could be the defining moment of our lifetime.

For such a small country, we are punching well over our weight.

Let’s keep it that way.

From home, I wish you all well!

Mike PS Right is another gem from my father’s book of poetry.

LITTLE BOOK OF GREEN.

By Paddy Cluskey This is my story Take it for what it’s worth, It’s my greatest asset, My Irish passport.

With it you can travel, Four corners of the earth, On it your photograph, Your address, date of birth.

Never had any trouble, With this book of Green, Welcomed everywhere, In every Airport I have been, On the cover is a Harp, The emblem of our land, Gave one to Roger Casement, On the lonely Banna Strand.

We were always respected, At the Airport or the Dock, With the Harp on the cover, Many doors it would unlock, Something to be proud of, And not to be sold, When in foreign places, Worth its weight in gold The new one is different, Much smaller in size, Colour is not the same, To change it, was it wise, Once it looked so Irish, Now it’s European, Lord how I cherished, My little book of Green.

For your diary...

IRISH FAMINE COMMEMORATION 2017 WESTERN AUSTRALIA

BUNBURY: Sat 20 May 2017 at King Cottage dedicated to Bridget Mulqueen.

DARDANUP: Sun 21 May 2017 at Dardanup dedicated to Elizabeth Carbury.

Enquiries: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Email: fredrea@iinet.net.au 37

Perth’s Finest Irish Pub & Restaurant Eatin’ and Drinkin’ Emporium “May your heart overflow with health and happiness” JB O’Reilly’s is Perth’s best Irish Pub and Restaurant where you’ll always find a warm welcome. Located in Leederville, JB’s is a place where you can enjoy the craic whether you fancy a few rounds with friends, a spot of lunch with colleagues or a cosy meal for two.

At JB’s you’ll find live music, frequent events, promotions and and sport to lift your spirits... where the banter flows as freely as the Guinness.

JB’s is one of those rare pubs and restaurants that can be both a local haunt and a tourist destination!

Just drop by and make yourself at home

38

The Last, Last, last Thespians at JB O'Reillys

we think!

ory of In Mem at our gre nd friend a proud n, Irishma Sean ke O'Rour

39 39

By Lloyd Gorman

SUBIACO OVAL

A little bit Irish from beginning to end Time is running out for Subiaco Oval (Domain Stadium) as the state’s main sporting stadium and the home of footy. Barring some exceptional circumstances or a similar string of cock ups and delays similar to those experienced at the new children’s hospital both projects incidentally were costed as $1.2 billion projects - the new Perth stadium is expected to be ready for the start of the 2018 AFL season.

The 2017 AFL season will kick off at Subiaco in a game between local side Fremantle and Geelong on March 26 and culminate 21 games later on August 26 when the West Coast Eagles face the Adelaide Crows. Technically that could be the last time AFL is played there, having first started in 1908 as the home ground of the Subiaco Football Club. But that may not be the last big sporting fixture played out at Subiaco. That fixture could well be an International Rules Test between Ireland and Australia if the WA Football Commission has anything to do with it. Commission CEO Gary Taylor confirmed they are bidding to host one of two compromise clashes set for 2017.

“It is a pretty exciting opportunity,” Taylor was reported as saying. “We would be very keen to host it again. Last time we put together a package with Eventscorp and Tourism WA to make sure we maximised the whole event.

We had an Irish festival prior to

the start of the match. We turned it into a bigger event than just the game. We are really keen to see if we can build on that again. We see it as really significant and a great way to say goodbye to Domain Stadium if it is the last major event there.”

Subiaco has hosted several Ireland Australia on field battles over the decades. Myself and my wife Imelda and a bunch of Australian friends were lucky enough to be there on a sun kissed day in 2014 when a top team of AFL players won the showdown against an Irish side that did us proud. The atmosphere was electric and the 43,500 seat stadium was pretty full. The occasion took on an extra dimension with a touching tribute to Jill Meagher and pledge against violence to women before the two sides faced each other on 40

the 191m x 132m grassed surface that Subiaco council is now trying to have heritage listed.

For a bunch of Irish blokes to take the field - shouted on by thousands of their countrymen and women from the sidelines and stadiums - would be quite an apt final chapter for Australia’s oldest stadium that has a long and interesting Irish history of its own that can be traced back to the oval’s origins.

The Subiaco Hotel was built in the late 1890’s and its first licence was a colourful Irishman called John Murphy. The flamboyant Irish born hotelier became heavily involved with the Subiaco Football Club and a sponsor. Many of the clubs events were held in his hotel and according to newspaper reports from the time sounded like they were quite good parties.

St Patrick's Day on Subiaco Oval in the 1950's

ment and location of Subiaco Oval.

“They [SFC] should endeavour to get a good recreation ground,” Murphy is reported as saying at a club meeting. “There was the old sand patch, which was central and of large area and could be made suitable to the purpose. The question would have to be faced sometime and the sooner they took it in hand the better. (Cheers) He would do his utmost to further the interests of the Subiaco Club. (Cheers).”

The Club was originally based in Shenton Park - which was then called West Subiaco where they played their early games near the area now called Lake Jualbup. But in 1908 league football games were transferred from there to Mueller Park, which is beside where the Subiaco stadium stands today. The first league game was played there on 9 May 1908, Subiaco Oval was born.

By that time Murphy was no longer running the Subi, but as it happens another Irishman filled his shoes at an important time in the clubs history.

We know this thanks to Subiaco council who commissioned a local heritage architect Prue Griffin from Hocking Studios to compile a history of the sports grounds in 2015. She unearthed that the president of the Subiaco Football Club in 1907 was one James (Jack) Flannery, born circa 1858 in Co. Clare. As it happens Flannery was linked to another Subiaco hotel, the Victoria Hotel - known simply as The Vic which is even closer to the oval than the Subi hotel, between 1908 and 1911.

Having helped position this part of Subiaco as an important sporting location the site would take on a distinctive Irish flavour at least once a year for many years after. The oval became the gathering point for thousands of school children from neighbouring Catholic schools who poured into it for St. Patrick’s Day. Predominately Irish born clergy led the children to and around the oval where they would parade, dance and demonstrate sporting prowess and hear mass in scenes that repeated themselves over the course of decades.

Those rallies would eventually stop but the Irish would remain connected to the oval as it grew. The stadium’s three tier stand was built in 1969 and it would be 1981 when the two tier stand opened. About halfway between those two big developments in the stadium's development the Irish Club opened in nearby Townshend Road. Its close proximity meant the Club was something of a favourite watering hole for game (and concert) goers before and after events.

The Club also benefited from members of the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers signing up as members so they could be assured of getting in and having a drink. The impending shift away from Subiaco Oval is one of the challenges facing the Irish Club today, and many other Subiaco bars and businesses.

Irish supergroup U2 are also amongst the many artists to have played at Subiaco over the years. In

These reports show he was held in high esteem by the team and supporters but he may well have had a wider impact on the game.

One article gives us a hint that Murphy may have even had some influence in the eventual establish41

December 2010 they ended the Australasian leg of their 360 Degrees tour in Perth, packing in nearly 60,000 fans over the course of two nights. Some of the money raised by ticket sales for the event was shortly afterwards put into re-turfing the oval surface which was probably in need of updating anyhow before being trampled underfoot by thousands of Irish concert goers and other followers of Bono and the boys.

A generation of sports scientists from University of Limerick will also have fond memories of Subiaco Oval. For quite a few years now UL students have been joining up with the West Coast Eagles – for whom Subiaco is (still for now at least) their home ground – for a work place internship programme, getting first hand experience and insights into the sporting world and AFL in particular.

Personally speaking I’m not much for sports but I have a real soft spot for Subiaco Oval. One of the very first jobs I did not long after arriving in Perth was to hand out free copies of the West Australian to spectators as they streamed out of the stadium after a game. Thanks to an amazing present from my wife several years ago I flew over Perth in a Tiger Moth biplane and in the distance saw the Oval from on high.

It looked like a Celtic brooch that had dropped from the tunic of a warrior god. I would be lucky enough to find a job I love at the Subiaco Post and have spent much time in, around and talking about the stadium ever since. One of my favourite times there was in early 2015 during a council organised walking tour of

Lloyd Gorman on Oval with U2 stage being set up

the place. My mate Tom and his son William joined me and my son Hugh for the occasion. A larger than normal group of about 100 people rocked up for the free event, proving a lot of people are interested in it.

The boys in particular loved darting between the jets of water from the sprinklers on the oval. On another occasion, this time with Hugh and a Irish buddy of his Luke who returned with his family to Co. Mayo not long afterwards. Unable to get tickets for a big game involving the Eagles – which Luke followed – we started at the Irish Club and then hovered around the stadium for a bit to soak up the atmosphere. A security guard agreed to let the two boys in and watch the game for a couple of minutes while I waited nearby and close enough to keep them in sight. When they came back a couple of short moments later they were stoked by the experience and even got involved in a bit of a kick around with some other boys, including some Aboriginal kids, of their own age afterwards. It was all good stuff, the stuff of memories.

Arial view of Subiaco Oval 42

Local News of Interest from the Past

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

B Y

F R E D

News Published Every Two Months

R E A

Reports from old Australian Newspapers on Irish Events Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), Saturday 2 April 1898, page 6

JOHN BOYLE O’REILLY’S GRAVE COVERED WITH IRISH FLOWERS AND PLANTS

W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), Saturday 6 April 1912, page 10

PRICE OF GRAZING -LANDS IN COUNTY TIPPERARY.

On Saturday, March 2nd, one of the farms on Sir John Carden’s estate, Barnane, TemPletnore; which were recently allotted to tenants, was put up for sale by auction by the occupier. The farm contains only about 20 Irish acres, the annuity being £36 odd, and after some keen competition. It reached the remarkable price of £806.

The memory of John Boyle O’Reilly (says the Boston Globe) still lives. The grave of the poet in Holyrood Cemetery, at Brooklyn, constantly bears floral emblems, mute testimony of a lingering affection. The ample burial lot, which is 88 x 40 feet in extent, is located in the handsomest spot in Holyrood. It is planted with Irish grass, while the red shamrock and the beautiful Irish daisy grow round it in profusion. The lot is shaded with shrubbery transplanted from the poet’s native land. Among the trees are golden cedars from Newtownards, Irish junipers, Irish yew trees, rhododendrons, and many young Irish purple beeches. The bed beneath the shrubs and trees is studded with a wealth of pansies and forget-me-nots. Nature herself, however, has given O’Reilly his most appropriate monument in the tremendous rock springing from the ledge underlying his burial lot. This huge pentagonal mass of stone, springing 12 feet in height, and weighing about 75 tons, represents better than any work of art all that O’Reilly’s life and nature meant.

His face implanted in the rocks makes as complete an emblem of remembrance as could be desired.

The one hundred ivies from Louth Castle, the poet’s native home, planted three years ago, together with the two ivies from the grave of Martha Washington, have clambered around the rock in mingled profusion, giving the boulder the appearance of a huge green bush.

The poet sleeps beneath a luxuriant floral bed, a few feet in front of the bronze medallion, and at Freeman’s Journal some distance from his grave two bronze vases are to be filled with palms and towering plants of all kinds. The scenery around the grave is very attractive. It is altogether one of the most beautiful of graves.

Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Friday 12 December 1930, page 1

BUTTER WAR IRELAND v. AUSTRALIA

DUBLIN, Thursday. “When Australians found that Ireland had a butter trade with Egypt, they built cold stores at Cairo, dropped portion of their butter cargos at Port Said and lured the trade from Ireland,” said Mr. F. Daly, a Cork butter exporter to-day, when discussing exports to Wales and elsewhere. Mr. Daly said it would be impossible to compete against Australia if they had to pay the Irish, instead of the international market price for butter required in the winter.

Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), Wednesday 16 October 1929, page 8

RECIPROCAL TRADE. Australia and Ireland.

DISTINGUISHED VISITOR’S HOPE.

FREMANTLE, Tuesday. Hopes of increased reciprocal trade between Australia and Northern Ireland were expressed to-day by Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, who arrived at Fremantle by the Otranto today. Lord Craigavon, who is accompanied by Lady Craigavon, is on purely a holiday visit. He will divide his time between Western Australia and New Zealand, leaving for home again in February. Lord Craigavon said he was tremendously keen on trade within the Empire.

Northern Ireland purchased largely Australian and New Zealand goods, and he would like those Dominions to increase their purchases from Ireland.

The future position of Ireland, he said, was stable.

There was the best of feeling between the parties and between North and South. Lord Craigavon has been continuously in office for 13 years. He has represented Co Down continuously since 1906.

Daily Post (Hobart, Tas. : 1908 - 1918), Friday 28 April 1916, page 5

REBELS KILLED IN MOTOR ACCIDENT.

A motor car jumped over a bridge into the river Saune, near Killorglin (in Co. Kerry), and three passengers were drowned. Two of the bodies have been recovered, and were found to have revolvers, ammunition, and Sinn Fein badges on them.

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Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), Saturday 7 April 1923, page 6

NED KELLY’S MOTHER DEAD.

The death occurred last week at Greta West of Mrs. Ellen King (formerly Kelly), mother of Ned and Dan Kelly, the ruinous bushrangers. For 40 years the late Mrs. King, who was 95 years of age, lived in the seclusion of the hills at Greta West. Born in Antrim, Ireland, she came to Australia with her parents in 1841.

She married John Kelly at Ballarat in 1851. Her husband died at Avenel, and she subsequently married George King. Mr. James Kelly, a familiar figure at the Wangaratta stock sales, is her surviving son. The exploits of the Kelly gang held public interest during the stirring period from 1878 to 1880.

Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), Friday 21 June 1918, page 20

YOUNG IRELANDERS IN W.A.

One of the most progressive and promising institutions yet established in our State saw the light one evening about seven weeks ago, when the Young Ireland Society was launched into existence (says the “W.A. Record”). Since the inaugural meeting it has gone ahead by leaps and bounds. The meetings are held every Monday night in the rooms overhead the “W.A. Record” office and judging from the flourishing state of the society just now it looks as if greater accommodation may soon be wanted. The objects of the society are most praiseworthy.

There is nothing revolutionary or wild about them. Here young Irish-Australians will have an opportunity of learning something about the language, and literature, music, and dance, as well as the history of the old land on which they still have a claim, and which still has a title to their devotion. Many Gaels

in and round Perth desire to have a common camping ground where they may live the old home life over again.

And the Young Ireland Society will answer his most sanguine wishes. The meetings, which are of a social nature, sparkle with fun, merriment, and goodfellowship. On these occasions everybody seems to be quite at home.

The interest taken in the study of the Irish language by born Australians is unique, and there is no department more ardently longed for than the Gaelic class, which lasts half an hour. Speeches usually lasts half an hour. Speeches and songs, recitations and folk-lore, as well as exhibitions of Irish dancing, brighten the evenings.

Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1886 - 1942), Friday 6 April 1923, page 1

I R I S H LY R I C P O E M

In the literary section at Lismoro's Irish Musical Festival Miss A. Wright of Ballina, shared first prize with the Rev Mother Angela, of Cowper Convent, for the best Irish lyric poem.

Mrs. Wright was highly complimented on her effort by his Lordship the Bishop while Mr. Mallett, M.A., the adjudicator in

the literary section, passed some gratifying remarks on the poem, strongly advising its author to have it set to music for rendition at next Festival.

Herewith: — Oh, to be back in Erin!

At the time when the spring is there, When the fields are green with shamrocks, And the hawthorn hedge is fair.

Just to be back in Erin!

When the lark sings sweet in June, And with scent of dying roses, Sweet summer flies too soon.

Oh, for the mirth and laughter!

When the busy harvest's o'er, And the merry lads and colleens, Trip it light on the old barn floor.

And oh, for the chimney corner, On the bitter winter's night, With loved ones gathered 'round me, And the peat fire burning bright.

Ireland, my treasured mem'ry!

Thou gem on the ocean's breast, Were my feet on thy verdant grasses, My longing heart would rest.

Visiting Ireland?

Gerry & Elsie Tully will give a great welcome!

DIVINE MERCY BED AND BREAKFAST Airport Road, Knock Co Mayo Phone: (094) 9388 178 International: 0011 353 94 9388 178

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’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

Another year has come and gone but some things never change. Came home the other day, turned on my computer and for the umpteenth time, I received a flood of emails from young Russian women offering me their hand in marriage. They must all be related to one and other as they all had the same story, only different names.

I was flattered when I opened the first email but when I got as far as the eighteenth I started to get a bit suspicious. I know I had a bit of a reputation as a young lad back in Ireland years ago but this is ridiculous. Then I thought, maybe the frenzy romantic exploits of my youth have now become folklore in the backwaters of Russia, stories carried by Irish migrants to Russia.

Or maybe the new wave of Russians coming to Ireland who heard stories in dark pubs in West Cork or Sligo of my debonair wondering ways as Ireland's Don Juan of the sixties and seventies. Maybe those migrants had decided to document my past deeds in letters to their lonesome single female friends back home in

y

the land of depleted nuclear bombs.

I took it upon myself to respond to one of the girls named Olga, because that was the only name I could pronounce. I told her I was flattered that she would give up everything in her poverty stricken native village to warm my bed for me and I was very touched that she would devote every second of her remaining time on earth to making me happy. However I told her there were a few points that should be stated by me up front as a point of honesty.

Firstly I don’t think my wife would take too kindly to Olga taking her position in the matrimonial bed, then there was the matter of who would hold the household purse, as my wife is not the kind of person who hands over anything to anyone unless they have a gun so the chances of her ever getting any money for anything from my wife would be like trying to get a song out of a dead man.

I tried to explain in my best Russian which is zero that the language barriers would also be a

problem as would the fact that there was about forty years difference in our age. However, I did tell her not to give up hope as there is always light at the end of the tunnel and if at any time in the future, should my wife decide to move on because she found someone more perfect than me I would be only too happy to reconsider her offer and I hope she would keep the picture I sent her to use as a screen saver for her computer.

As if all that wasn’t enough I turned my computer on the next day to check my emails only to discover, Ivan wants me to send him my bank details so he can check if they have my correct details and Lena wants to know if I want to buy some shares that are going to quadruple in the next two days. Boris wants me to share part of a twenty two million windfall with him just because some very respected business associate of mine passed on my name to him and I sound like an honest guy, he says.

Someone named Catrina got wind of my medical records and offers me a shipload of Viagra tablets at a dollar twenty a tablet almost as cheap as the ten tablets Moses got from God. I’m definitely going to contact Catrina and accept her offer of that shipload of Viagra only if she comes with it – sorry for the pun. In reality, there is not enough women in the world to justify me buying a shipload of Viagra.

For Goodness sake who are these mugs and how stupid do they think we are? I shouldn’t gratify those idiots by giving them names – let’s just call them Do Do’s. They must have the IQs of peas and that’s giving

The John Boyle O’Reilly Association announces that the 2017 Weekend will take place on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th March 2017 as this is a busy weekend in Bunbury we advise people attending to book accommodation as soon as possible.

Futher details will come soon when plans are finalised.

45

them too much credit. So now ninety percent of my emails are Do Do’s.

Two days ago I went to the mail box to check who was sending me Bon Voyage cards and long overdue cheques. I don’t accept bills or disgruntled letters; I have them re-directed to my next door neighbour who looks like a more tolerant type for that sort of mail. I don’t know about you but I notice every time I go to the mail box I have to take a wheelbarrow to carry all the junk mail back.

No wonder we have very little rainforests left as I’m sure they have been relocated to the recycled paper bin in my backyard.

Anything you would ever wish to buy is in one of these pamphlets, brochures or booklets, everything from a pound of sausages to an electric organ. Beauty products showing perfectly shaped dollie birds to pimpled faced adolescent puberty developing young boys, all telling me if I use such and such face creams I will get my youth back again, a bargain at any price. But what happens if I get my good looks back and my old legs can’t keep up with the demand of all the young girls chasing me? No problem, I can buy a motorised buggy at a 40% discount to escape the pursuers, but if I happen to be unlucky and get overrun by gorgeous young ladies, then that’s something I will suck up and live with.

However I better check first to make sure that the cream on their faces isn’t covering their true identity, for they also may be victims of this junk mail propaganda that cramps up my mail box daily.

If I laid all the junk mail I receive in a year side by side I bet you I would be able to wall paper every houses in Ireland and have some left over. If the volume of junk mail gets any bigger, I’m thinking of taking on a full time person just to clear and sort the junk mail; ninety percent of my mail is junk mail from Mr Junk and no doubt delivered by I suppose you could call him or her a Junkie.

I think I’ll send Ivan my editor’s bank details, just to give him something to keep him busy. I’m going to forward Lena’s offer of quadruple shares to Bill Gates; he seems to do that sort of thing regularly as for Boris and his generous offer of sharing his twenty two million I will inform him when I spend my fifty million I will be in contact with him as I would feel greedy if I were to put my hand in his pocket now so to speak.

What of the emails? I will write to Bill Gates and ask him is there any hope that before I go to sing with the heavenly choir that sanity might return to my computer and he could teach all computers to eat SPAM instead of throwing it up on our desks.

Am I the exception or are you as inundated with this sort of nonsense as I am? I wonder.

Until we speak again soon, Slainte from Melbourne

Happy 25th Anniversary

Rose O'Brien of the O'Brien Academy of Irish Dancing, celebrated 25 years of teaching Irish dancing at a surprise party. Well done Rose from all of us!

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HERITAGE

Australian-Irish Heritage Association Irish Famine Commemoration

AIHA Summer Outdoor MOVIE CLUB

Wednesday Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1 at 7.45pm Featuring Irish cinema with short comedy/documentary and tea interval - $10 donation for catering Venue: 8 Fourth Av, Kensington Details AIHA website or ring Denis on 9345 3530

FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB

BUNBURY: Saturday 20th May 2017 at King Cottage dedicated to Bridget Mulqueen.

DARDANUP: Sunday 21st May 2017 at Dardanup Catholic Church dedicated to Elizabeth Carbury.

Enquiries: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Email: fredrea@iinet.net.au The event is dedicated to the young women who came to Western Australia on the Travancore and the Palestine following the Famine years of 1845 to 1848. Some came from workhouses in Ireland. They were destitute and some had lost their parents and families.

Many were 'orphans' and others were simply unable to support themselves within the family.

Presented by the WA Famine Commemoration Association

Reading John McGahern’s ‘Memoir’ This is the story of John McGahern's The Irish Club presents childhood, his mother's death, his father's Australia Day anger and violence, and how, through his discovery of books, his dream of becoming a Irish/Australian Songs and Poetry writer began. At the heart of Memoir is a Thursday 26th January - 12noon - 3pm son's unembarrassed tribute to his mother.

FREE ENTRY His memory of walks with her through the Sausage Sizzle $5 a head - All Welcome narrow lanes to the country schools where Singers and performers please call Fred Rea 0418 943 832 she taught and his happiness as she named for him the wild flowers on the bank remained conscious and MEMBERSHIP due 1st January unconscious presences for the rest Family $65 For families living under one roof of his life. A classic family story, Concession $55 Centrelink Concession card and unwaged students told with exceptional restraint and Distant $45 For members living more than 200 kms from Perth tenderness.

Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Tuesday 24 January, Irish Club Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive Committee Room at 8pm events, quarterly Journal, voting rights, and opportunities to Admission Free. All welcome. Light participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s refreshments provided.

Irish Heritage Contact Maureen on 9279 5959.

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AUSTRALIAN-IRISH HERITAGE ASSOCIATION Non Political-Non Sectarian-Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583 Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530.

Email: aiha@irishheritage.net Web Page: www.irishheritage.net Membership Due in 1st January.

Family membership $65, Concession $55, Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association was founded in 1993 as an inclusive organisation which encourages and promotes an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage and Culture. To this end, the AIHA creates opportunities for all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive heritage.

Daniel O’Donnell, Perth and the Ned Kelly connection.

By Tom Gilmore

As Daniel O’Donnell prepares to play in Perth’s Riverside Theatre on Saturday March 25th he talks about his family links to Perth while his wife Majella talks about her relation the Australian-Irish outlaw Ned Kelly.

Daniel has no hesitation in saying that Perth is one of his favourite places in Australia to play.

“I have been playing Perth for 23 years since we first started to tour in Australia and while I love to also walk around the city I also have family links here as my first cousin and his family live here,” says Daniel.

“My first cousin Connie O’Donnell moved here, from Perth in Scotland over 20 years ago and there is also a large contingent of people, many of them youngsters, from my home county of Donegal who have also made Perth their home,” says Daniel.

“So when I play here, or walk around the streets of Perth it is like a home-away-from home for me as I get to meet so many people from Daniel and Majella

not just Donegal but from all over Ireland and the UK as well and it is a great feeling to finish our Australian tour over in this beautiful city every time we tour here,” he added.

While he is familiar with walking around different areas of Perth, Daniel and the band are so busy nowadays that they have little or no spare time to relax in the surrounding areas.

“Sometime I would love to have a few days off after the concert here and travel to places such as Fremantle but it will not be this time as we have to fly on for two concerts in Colombo, Sri Lanka after the one in Perth,” says the Donegal crooner who is just after having one of his most successful years ever in 2016 at home in Ireland, in the UK and North America.

“Many of the fans travel from places such as Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and even as far down south as Albany to our Perth concerts. In the early days of touring over here we played in Bunbury also and sometime in the future I hope to go for a visit to those places again.

“But there is nothing that I like better than to walk around the streets of Perth as it is such a lovely clean city with blue skies and it is one of the few cities in the world where, if you have the time, you can take a leisurely walk to almost any part of it,” he added.

“There is always a good atmosphere at our concerts in Perth because the crowd are in such good humour and believe that feel-good factor and the friendly interaction from the crowd enthuses us as entertainers to play and sing better.

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“On one of my previous concerts it seems that somebody videoed a section of the show and they put it up on the internet and when I was alerted to this I got to look at it a few times and even though it is just a short segment of the show it captures that enjoyable atmosphere very well,” says Daniel.

His wife Majella also loves to travel to Australia and New Zealand for her husband’s tours and she has a sister Moira who is married with two young children in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Majella and her sister say they are also very proud of another family link with the Southern hemisphere as they are cousins of the infamous (some would say famous!) Australian-Irish outlaw Ned Kelly.

“Ned Kelly would have been our second cousin, three times removed – if you can work that one out,” says Majella O’Donnell with a laugh.

“Our great-great grandmother, Kate Kelly and Ned Kelly were second cousins,” added Majella O’Donnell who is a native of Tipperary and she is the girl that Daniel sings about in his hit song “The Tipperary Girl”.

Daniel is back touring in Australia and New Zealand for the first time since 2012 and looking forward to it more so than ever this time as he has a new band with extra members while his long-time singing partner Mary Duff is also the support act.

“When I took some time off the

road after Majella was recovering from her serious illness a number of members of my band from the past 20 – 25 years decided to move on and do different things on the music scene at home while others, such as Ronnie Kennedy decided to retire.

“So we took our time putting together a new band with my musical director Steve Milne still very much part of the group and as they are all very experienced musicians who have come from other Irish bands they have become a huge hit with the fans since we started back doing live shows at home last August and then in the following months in the UK, the USA and Canada,” he said.

Indeed one of the band members, Jim McVeigh has played piano and accordion with other Irish stars over the years such as Brendan Shine, Dominic Kirwan, for 11 years and in more recent times with the Nathan Carter band, looks so much like the retired Ronnie Kennedy that some fans have mistaken him for Ronnie.

“I have known Ronnie Kennedy for years and many a time I had

to convince people that I Daniel O'Donnell and Tom Gilmore wasn’t Ronnie. I wish him well in retirement and good health in the future and I will do my best to try and fill his shoes in Daniel’s band,” says Jim who is from Downpatrick in Co. Down.

Just before Christmas Daniel and the band played three sold out concerts at would need the entire Irish Scene The Convention Centre in Dublin magazine (almost) to list them all! and one of the shows was filmed He has just enjoyed his 29th and televised on Christmas Eve chart hit album in 29 years in the as the main programme on RTE in UK Pop charts before the Christmas Ireland. Daniel and Majella were with his latest one titled “I Have A also chosen by TV3 in Ireland to go Dream” and that is a record number head-to-head with Queen Elizabeth of chart hits in the UK Pop album in the UK by giving the Christmas charts that even the Beatles or the Day message to the people of Rolling Stones have not equalled.

Ireland for 2016.

“But for now our focus is on this They will also be featured in their tour with the new band in Australia second series of Bed and Breakfast and New Zealand. The Perth date is reality-type TV shows on RTE in usually the icing on the cake every March having won an IFTA award – time we play in Australia and I am the equivalent of the BAFTA awards sure that, as usual, our concert in in the UK or their first series of B&B The Riverside Theatre on March road show series on UTV last year.

25th will be another very enjoyable Daniel has appeared in, or hosted experience – but hopefully most so many other TV shows in Ireland of all for our many fans in West and the UK in the past year that one Australia,” he concluded.

Daniel O’Donnell WITH SPECIAL GUEST

Mary Duff

Saturday 25 March Riverside Theatre BOOK AT TICKETEK.COM.AU OR CALL 13 28 49 danielodonnell.org

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St Patrick's Festival 12th March, 2017

St. Patrick’s Day WA Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation established to promote and celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Perth, Western Australia. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is marked by tradition and culture, and across the world on March 17th people don a shade of green and celebrate their own sense of ‘Irishness’.

Please contact the following to discuss becoming a sponsor or partner of the 2017 St. Patrick’s Festival of WA. Tom Tierney - 0416 074 109 tomstpatsfestival@gmail.com Niamh Bliss - 0458 759 931 niamhstpatsfestival@gmail.com Alan Marshall - 0416 442 563 alanstpatsfestival@gmail.com WORDS FROM OUR CHAIRMAN This event costs over $170,000 each year and cannot happen without your help and support. Please consider this for 2017 and help us celebrate being Irish and our family and giving culture.

Tom Tierney

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VISITORS TO IRELAND

Where are they visiting?

Irish newspapers report that a new survey revealed the most popular counties in Ireland with millions of international visitors who came to the country last year.

The number of overseas visitors grew by 14% to more than eight million people last year with total tourism industry earnings exceeding €7 billion for the first time.

Dublin led the way with 4,938,000 visitors, remarkably (or sadly if you are a Corkman), more than three times the number of tourists that visited Cork at 1,449,000 according to the Fáilte Ireland Survey of Overseas Travellers.

Galway, which in August was named along with Dublin as one of the six friendliest cities in the world in the annual Condé Nast Traveler reader survey, had 1,354,000 visitors.

Irish counties with a city performed well with Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick all placing in the top six.

Counties along the Wild Atlantic Way also performed admirably with Cork and Galway closely followed by Kerry (1,026,000 visitors) Clare (597,000 visitors), Limerick (537,000 visitors), Mayo (302,000 visitors) and Donegal(289,000 visitors).

The least popular county in terms of visitor numbers was Longford at 30,000, despite plans to open a €232 million Center Parcs holiday village in the Midlands.

Offaly and Roscommon only attracted 50,000 overseas visitors each respectively, while Laois and Leitrim fared marginally better with 57,000.

Dublin landmarks such as The Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo and the National Aquatic Centre undoubtedly enticed visitors to the capital, while the Cliffs of Moher is a renowned draw for visitors along the western seaboard.

In terms of generating tourism revenue Dublin also unsurprisingly thumped the other counties amassing a massive €1,726m and significantly more than Cork €558m and Galway on €475m.

Other counties in the top ten included Kerry €234m,

Limerick: €212m, Clare: €127m, Kildare: €89m, Donegal: €83m, Wicklow: €82m and Mayo: €80m.

Speaking about the figures a Fáilte Ireland spokeswoman said: “Fáilte Ireland is committed to growing tourism in an equitable manner and to ensure the benefits of growth are spread as far and wide as possible.

“Fáilte Ireland is particularly keen that we harness the great brands we have developed to drive greater regional growth and a longer season for many businesses.”

So with Dublin winning the All Ireland football and top of the list for tourists the Lord save us, we’ll never shut them up!

Here's the list…

13. Kildare: 214,000 14. Sligo: 186,000 15. Tipperary: 180,000 16. Cavan: 144,000 17. Meath: 134,000 18. Louth: 125,000 19. Westmeath: 116,000 20. Monaghan: 65,000 21. Carlow: 62,000 22. Laois: 57,001 23. Leitrim: 57,000 24. Offaly: 57,001 25. Roscommon: 50,000 26. Longford: 30,000

1. Dublin: 4,938,000 2. Cork: 1,449,000 3. Galway: 1,354,000 4. Kerry: 1,026,000 5. Clare: 597,000 6. Limerick: 537,000 7. Mayo: 302,000 8. Donegal: 289,000 9. Kilkenny: 267,000 10. Waterford: 263,000 11. Wicklow: 248,000 12. Wexford: 221,000 It’s interesting to note the discrepancy between visitor numbers and money spent in two middleranking counties. Kildare is the 13th most visited, for instance, but the 7th highest-earner from overseas tourism, with €87 million last year.

Conversely, while Kilkenny ranked as Ireland’s 9th most visited county in 2015, it was the 16th highestearner, drawing just €45 million from overseas visitors.

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On Sunday November 20 last I went along to the Jackadders Music Club in Woodlands to hear my 'old' friend Maria Forde perform live on stage. Maria from Victoria is a fine singer and a gifted songwriter. Like all good songwriters her lyrics often reflect an understanding of, and compassion for the human condition, with all its triumphs and disasters, all its bright peaks and dark corners. Maria was at her best and at her performance presented her songs with sincerity, passion and more than a dash of humour, and these very human attributes, along with her fine singing voice, is why she invariably establishes such a seemingly effortless rapport with her audiences. She was brilliant and a beautiful person.

Ken Nicol was also performing at Jackadder's. I must admit I had not heard Ken perform previously and those present were entertained by an exceptional musician. As a guitarist, he is one of the most skilled and exciting players anywhere today; as a singer he evoked a wide range of emotions in his audience. His music on the day covered the spectrum from blues to rock, and effortlessly takes in folk, jazz, ragtime, ballads and more along the way. Amazing! Ken was a member of the legendary Albion Band from 1997 until September 2001 when he left in order to spend more time on other projects. In December 2002 he successfully joined forces with Steeleye Span, working with the band for eight years, most recently on their 2009 40th Anniversary Tour, visiting the USA and Australia. During his time with Steeleye he recorded four albums with the band.

Suffice to say this performer has the runs on the board.

What were really enjoyable for me were the song stories before each was performed. Both were wonderful yarn tellers and really got you into the lyrics and the music.

All this was for just $8 a head for members.

On this page you will find a list of venues where you can hear wonderful live performers. Get out to them especially the folk club and believe me you won’t be disappointed.

I must mention the FlyByNight in Fremantle as well.

They have some the world’s best performers and have The Seamus Begley Trio on Saturday 25th March 2017 on stage. There is a review elsewhere in our magazine but don't miss the best of Irish Traditional music.

Fred Rea

Comhaltas Perth, Sean Doherty Branch

The Irish Club of WA, 61 Townshend Road Subiaco. Every Tuesday from 7pm Facebook: @perthcomhaltas Call (08) 9397 5152

Wanneroo Folk Music Club

Corner Dorchester St & Dugdale St, Warwick 2nd Fri 8 pm. $10 (WAFF $8) Email: John Ralph johndralph@hotmail.com.

Jackadders Music Club

Woodlands Reserve Hall, Teakwood Ave, Woodlands 3rd Sunday 3pm. Adults $8, WAFF - Children $2 Email: carmel@carmelcharlton.com Carmel Charleton 9446 1558

Hills Folk Club

Falls Farm, Cagney Way, Lesmurdie.1st Friday 8 pm Pauline Tonkin-Saunders 9291 6026 Mundaring Folk ‘n’ Blues Club Mundaring Sporting Club, Coolgardie St 3rd Friday 8pm www.mfnbc.iinet.net.au

Mandurah blue grass jam sessions

32 Ronlyn Road, Furnissdale, Pinjarra/Mandurah 3rd Sunday 1-4pm. kayj4u@gmail.com

Woodbridge Hotel (The Woody)

50 East St, Guildford. Every Tuesday Night Irish Music Session / $15 Pie'n'Pint / $6 Pings Guinness from 6pm

Mighty Quinn Tavern

112 Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill Mighty Irish Session from 6pm

Victoria Hotel

226 Hay Street, Subiaco. Sunday Session from 3.30pm every Sunday

Durty Nellies

Shafto Lane, Perth. Live Irish Music every Sunday with The Hold from 5-7.30pm.

JB O'Reilly's

Cambridge Street, Leeerville. Live Irish Folk'n'Rock Music every Friday Saturday and Sunday

Fenians Irish Pub - Langley Hotel

221 Adelaide Terrace. Live Irish Session Every Thursday with Derek and Broken Pokers from 6pm

Rosie O'Grady's Northbridge

205 James Street, Super Sunday Session Backpacker Food & Specials with The Healy's & Big Ears playing every alternate Sunday.

52

Support our Advertisers 53

By Lloyd Gorman

TeleStationTeleNation TSTN landed back in Ireland for a month’s holiday on December 16.

After the gruelling flight, jet lag and need for rest the following day was the first chance to catch a bit of TV in our hotel room. Interestingly it was an Australian comedy that came on screen in the form of the 1988 movie Young Einstein, written and starring Aussie actor Yahoo Serious. It was quite a catchy and popular little flick that gave the greatest mind of the 20th century a distinctive outback/Down Under flavour. Sitting in front of the goggle box won’t be a major part of the trip home but it will be interesting to see how much Irish TV is made up of Australian content… more of that perhaps in the next edition of TSTN. As we were getting ready to fly out and with so much to be done to get there we stuck on the box for the kids to keep them occupied.

ABC is the best of the lot for quality

children’s programmes and on this occasion there was a string of Irish produced cartoons and animated shows. These included Baby Jake, Brain Freeze, Sydney Sailboat, Bing and The Day Henry Met....

Throw into the mix other cartoons like Peter Rabbit, Octonauts and Matilda Bay which are also Irish made and you get a good sense of how much of this stuff is coming

out of Ireland right now.

On December 8 ABC also showed episode one of a two part series Devils Dust. The story of asbestos and its impact on the workers of building firm James Hardi. A real eye opener into the shenanigans and attempts to cover up the dangers of this potentially dangerous material this drama documentary was very good but I didn’t get to see part two. As it happens, following the fallout from the asbestos scandal it helped to create James Hardi moved out of

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Australia and eventually set up its global HQ in Dublin, where it remains today.

On December 4, again on ABC, Escape to the Country was helping an Irish family to relocate across the Irish Sea to find their perfect English midland cottage.

War of the Buttons (1994) was on Channel 9, December 3. A great family movie set in a time that will probably be familiar to a lot of older Irish migrants especially but a film everyone can enjoy.

On November 28 on the Food Network saw Season 1, Episode 7 of Follow Donal to Europe. On this episode – set in Lisbon, Portugal Irish food writer Donal Skehan darts around the place sampling local fare and sharing in the local customs as well.

Braveheart (1995) was on again on Chanel One on November 24.

Made largely in Ireland and with some strong Irish content (and actors) this Mel Gibson movie is worth a re-watch if you happen to come across it.

The Australian made Dancing Down Under (November 8 on ABC ME) was in Dublin for the World Championships and as always presents an interesting insight

into the competitive world of Irish dancing.

Brendan O’Carroll’s Mrs Brown's Boys was on 7Two on November 6, same ould stuff but it goes down well with a lot of people, so fair enough.

Black Books is another TV comedy that’s been around for a while but might not be one you would think of necessarily as being Irish. But Irish comic Dylan Moran, as well as being a major player in the success of this show

is joined in making it a winner by Graham Linehan, who helped write Fr Ted. When you look at Black Books closely enough it is possible to see some of the genes of Fr. Ted. On ABC2 on November 3 Hard Quiz had a contestant (Alan) whose speciality subject was the Irish Civil War and War of Independence and Michael Collins. It’s not every day you see an Australian with such in

depth knowledge of Irish history and sure enough Alan was the one to win the night.

Oranges and Sunshine (2010) was on October 28.

The story of child migrants (many of whom were Irish of course) and the Trust that emerged to serve and help them this was a really hard hitting and emotive drama and a real Australian story too. This is the first time TSTN has seen it on the telly in the six or seven years since it was released but hopefully it will be on again, this is a story worth telling and as many people as possible should know about it.

Finally, after what feels like a very long wait, Vikings is set to return to SBS on January 11.

Made (largely) in Co. Wicklow, this historical action drama is easily one of the best things on telly (anywhere) in years. Australian actor Travis Fimmel does an

incredible job of portraying Ragnar Lothbrok, the leader of the fearless and ruthless Norsemen. Fans will be delighted to see it back on their screens and if you haven’t yet seen it (and don’t mind a generous helping of depicted violence and some naughtiness) you should really, really give Vikings a go!

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New Υear’s Reality Check Αnother year, Αnother chance Tο start οur lives Αnew; Τhis time we will leap οld barriers Tο have Α real break Τhrough.

We will take οne little step Αnd then we will take one mοre, Οur unlimited pοtential We will totally Εxplore.

We will show off Αll our Τalents Εveryone will be Ιnspired; (Whew! While Ι am writing Τhis, Ι am getting νery tired.)

We will give up Αll bad Ηabits; We will read Αnd learn a lοt, Αll our goals ωill be Αccomplished, Sigh…οr maybe nοt.

Happy New Year from the Team at the Irish Scene

WEEKLY IRISH TRAD MUSIC SESSION

Seán Doherty Branch

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

Page Sponsored by: Reid’s Bootmakers

Comhaltas Perth, Sean Doherty Branch had a great Christmas windup on Thursday 15th December 2016. Lots of music playing and everyone had a chance to get up and dance! Mia and Marina Ward did a lovely ‘Broom dance’ which is on the Facebook page.

EVERY TUESDAY AT THE IRISH CLUB

Comhaltas Perth meets on Tuesday nights.

Come and learn a tune.

7pm in the committee room or join in the session. You don’t have to be a member of Comhaltas to join in.

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

The Comhaltas Committee would like to thank everyone who assisted with music lessons, Gaelic language classes and dancing in 2016 and we are looking forward to lots more fun in 2017.

There will be a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Homebase Wembley 25 March and 27 May, 2017.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY….

Music Camp 12-14 May 2017.

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

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History:

Bar & Restaurant

The Celtic Club has a proud history spanning over 100 years. Presently the Club has a membership of approximately 700, and appeals to a wide range of individuals, all of whom enjoy the friendly and personable hospitality of a private member’s Club.

The impressive Jarrah lined Presidents Room can seat up to 30 guests theatre style or up to 24 guests for a private luncheon.

HAY ST

HAY Rich

ard

ORD

son

ST

St

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Christmas Break!

The Club will re-open Monday 23rd January 2017.

On behalf of the President, Committee and staff we wish you all a Happy New Year.

Located on the first floor, the main Function Room can comfortably seat 125 delegates theatre style or 120 for a banquet.

RS

48 Ord Street, West Perth, WA 6005 9322 2299 celtic.club@bigpond.com www.celticclubperth.com

ST

TNO

The Club is a great place to network, meet new people, entertain clients, or just get away from the office to have a brainstorm session.

• BAR • • R E S TA U R A N T • • FUNCTIONS

VEN

Doing Business

• Perth •

ST

The Clubs central location in West Perth with onsite parking and close proximity to Red and Green CAT bus routes makes it easily accessible to everyone.

Celtic Club

The two function rooms have a comfortable sophistication that lend themselves to a variety of uses such as presentations, training events, Annual General Meetings, Boardroom Meetings.

Fully fitted with Wi-Fi, ceiling fitted projectors and screen and speaker system.

M AS

Location

The

O

The Club welcomes new members so please feel free to call in and have a look at our facilities or ask for a membership application form. We have several types of membership available including Retiree, Ordinary and Corporate.

We also work in conjunction with other local business to offer additional external benefits such as discounted gym packages, corporate teambuilding and wine of the month. We also have affiliated membership with other organisations in other cities so you can still enjoy the benefits of membership when on the move.

Function Rooms

TH

Membership

Our superb restaurant serves an a la carte style lunch Monday to Friday and the bar area, with separate lounge, features a number of speciality beers on tap, and is ideal for relaxing, a light luncheon or coffee.

Start enjoying this great Club and become a member today!

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 57

Oldie but a goodie!

On New Year's Eve, Mary stood up in the local pub and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living. Well, it was kind of embarrassing. As the clock struck, the bartender was almost crushed to death.

COLIN AND THE COMMITTEE

by Lloyd Gorman

When they are not in Chambers debating and voting “We were lucky, I suppose, in that we did not get on legislation MPs - or TD’s (Teachta Dála) in this case - a cold call from America,” Colin told the committee. can be regularly found sitting on various parliamentary “Kevin had gone out there to his friend, who is Vinny committees. The work engines of the and Caroline’s son. When he heard assembly these committees are made the news that Kevin had been killed up of a balance of members from the he contacted his mother and told her various political parties and are given to break the news to us.” Well known the task of running a fine tooth comb and long established in the Newry through complex issues. Their role community he recalls how when is not as visible or as high profile as the news broke of Kevin’s death debates in parliament itself, but some the whole town went into a frenzy might say they are where the real work of fund-raising. “It was amazing. At gets done. Critics of the system say a pub quiz on the Tuesday night, they are nothing more than talk shops, £42,000 was raised. On the Thursday furnaces of frustration where a horse night, there was a fun run and walk, became the proverbial camel thanks to from which £20,000 was raised. the interference of a committee.

Kevin had been in Australia and a A man who is all too familiar with fund-raising event was held there.

Colin and Eithne Bell, who set Perth experienced what it is like to deal There were also fund-raising events up the Kevin Bell Repatriation with one of these forums recently. Colin in New York. Essentially, Kevin’s Trust in memory of their son.

Bell, the father of Kevin and founder of employers paid for his body to be the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, addressed the Joint brought home and so we were left with the massive sum Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade in Leinster of £150,000 that had been fund-raised in less than a House, Dublin on September 22, 2016. Mr Bell gave fortnight to bring Kevin’s body home. About a fortnight the committee of eight a short history of his marriage after Kevin’s death, a young man from Carryduff was in July 1984 to Eithne and how they quickly had seven killed in Thailand. We contacted the family and offered children - including two sets of twins - under the age to pay to have their son’s body brought home and that of five. He then jumped to the events of 15 June 2013 is how the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust came about. when he was preparing for a day of celebration with We decided to use the money we had been given to help family and friends for his 60th birthday. He had been in other families visited with the same tragedy as us.” the back garden with tow of his sons erecting a gazebo The Bell family wanted this to be Kevin’s legacy and when he was called into the front room of the family they set about setting it up as a charity. Because they home where his wife and two friends were waiting for were from County Down they applied to the Charity him. Colin and Eithne were told to sit down and were Commission for Northern Ireland for charitable status given the news that their son Kevin had been killed in a and in January 2015, about 18 months after they hit-and-run in New York the night before. applied, they got it. “The reason our application took

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so long was because the commission circumstances. wanted us to means-test people while “We are very much a family-run in the depths of despair and we were charity and none of us gets paid,” he unwilling to agree to that. We were said. “None of us expects to be paid or eventually given charitable status on a wants it. Everything we did was from “relief of stress” basis. In other words, the kitchen table, with filing cabinets in when a family contacts us we relieve the bedroom; the house was taken over them of the stress of arranging the by it so on 5 September, we moved to an repatriation of their loved one and we office and employed an administrator. also pay for it.”

That is our only expense. Our trustees Kevin’s father was asked by a include chartered accountants, a credit member of the committee about its union manager and Kevin’s friends. status as a charity on the other side They are all professional people. The of the border, in the Republic. The governance is very tight. We meet process with the Irish authorities monthly and everybody is well aware and processes was even slower and of where the money is going….I have more difficult it emerged. “We applied quoted a figure of €30,000 per year. In for charitable status in the South 18 the first year that would go to kitting months ago,” he told them. “When we out the office, as well as paying its met the then Minister of State at the running expenses and those of the Department of Foreign Affairs and part-time staff. The same €30,000 next Trade, Deputy Deenihan, he said that year would get me either a second he would do what he could to fastpart-time staff member or one fulltrack our application but nothing has time staff member. The service we give Kevin Bell happened. Every now and again, we to the Department is good and I am not inquire about charitable status. I think we satisfy all of asking too much.” the qualifying criteria.

In the three years since it was set up the Trust has In a scene that you might expect to see in a TV brought home more than 212 bodies to Ireland, with all programme like The Dragons Den (Shark Tank in the work being done by members of the Bell family on a Australia) Sean Barrett the TD for Dún Laoghaire 100% voluntarily basis. congratulated Mr Bell on the work of the Trust but Colin and Eithne have been to Perth on two occasions pressed him hard to explain why it had not made a now. Kevin had spent time here and the work of the formal application for funding from the Department Trust that bears his name has had a remarkable impact of Foreign Affairs and Trade which has an emigrant here. support programme and funding in place. Mr Barrett “Members may recall that in November last eight said there were some discrepancies in the information young people died in Perth in Australia in the space of available to the committee and that he was anxious for two weeks,” Mr Bell told the committee. “All of those the Trust to be registered. killed were young people and the deaths were totally Mr Bell said there were no inconsistencies and that unrelated, including two young lads from Omagh and the department was very aware of the Trust but there Coleraine who were killed when a slab fell on them, a was a good reason why they were not in a position to suicide, a young man killed in a car crash and another apply. Mr Bell said: “We got a form from the emigrant young man following a fall from scaffolding. Not only do support programme. The trust is a young charity and we pay for the repatriation, we will arrange it. We take was only recognised as a charity in the North last January the process out of the hands of those who contact us… so its first set of accounts do not have to be submitted We work on a 32-county basis. We have taken people until January 2017. That meant we had no accounts home to the Falls Road and to the Shankill Road and and, therefore, were unable to furnish accounts thus do not discriminate. If people need our help, we will precluding us from availing of the support programme. help them in any way we can. Costs vary, even within We will have accounts shortly. We do not seek an awful the same country. As a result of the expertise we have lot of money, to be honest.” gained and because Australia has operations like Mr Bell told the politicians that they do not do any the Claddagh Association in Perth and Irish Welfare fund raising themselves, that this is done week in week Associations, whenever somebody dies in Australia, we out, case by case, by GAA, cultural and church and are contacted. As the numbers are so great, we will have community groups. Every cent raised and donated is used certain undertakers previously who know us and spent on bringing home the remains of loved ones who the operation will run quite smoothly.” passed away suddenly abroad he told them. Some small If the Trust has hit some be bureaucratic brick walls level of funding from the department would help them along the way then it has also had some wins and proves to meet some inevitable costs to help others in dire that there can be a better way to get things done.

59

Committee member Noel Grealish, TD, sympathised with Colin on the loss of his son and added that every deputy in the house got a phone call from loved ones of a constituent who died abroad. “The first call is to us and then we call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I acknowledge the tremendous work the Department does for families that have lost a loved one abroad. There is a huge Irish community in the UK, Australia or the United States and the community rallies around and provides tremendous support to the family of the person who has died. Unfortunately, however, that support is not there in far eastern countries and there is a great deal of red tape. Sometimes, as Mr. Bell rightly said, we do not have consular services in the country and one might have to contact another country.

It is great to know that one can contact somebody with Mr. Bell’s experience.”

Committee chairman Brendan Smith said he was familiar with a number of families in his constituency of Cavan-Monaghan are appreciative to Mr Bell and his family for their help when they lost loved ones abroad.

Senator Mark Daly said his experience of trying to help get a body back to Ireland had not always been good and that delays can be traumatic and make the situation even worse for families.

“Delay adds to the trauma,” Senator Daly said. “When somebody has to wait, it heightens the sense of loss.

Obviously, the person has flown out from Ireland to another country, they know nobody and often there is no support network, because the Irish embassy or even a consulate can be far away. It might not be an English speaking country so translators and the like, which might not be provided by our consulate, should be provided. I would welcome anything Mr. Bell can tell us on how we could provide a standardised system. I could not believe the response I received from our consul. Most of the service has been excellent, but there should be a standard whereby a citizen of the State can and should expect certain actions to be taken by our consulate in a country when a loved one passes away. They should not be told that there is nothing it can do. That is unacceptable. Mr. Bell’s work has been outstanding and we are delighted to support him.”

Mr Bell said he understood and appreciated the need to get the remains back home as quickly as possible.

“I believe this is an Irish trait, to get one’s loved one home as quickly as possible. The longer it takes, the less chance one has of seeing the loved one and getting some type of closure. If it takes over two weeks, the chances of having an open coffin are very poor. I am aware of that myself. We were so lucky. Kevin was killed on the Sunday morning. My wife Eithne’s cousin, Neasa Ní Dhomhnaill, lived in Manhattan. She knew many people and would not take “No” for an answer. His post mortem took place on Sunday afternoon. He was with the Armagh Gaelic team and its members drove her to every office that had to be visited. She would not leave each office until she got what she wanted. Kevin was

brought home on an airplane on Tuesday night and was in our house on Wednesday morning, which was three days later. The relief to his mother of being able to hold his hand, the sense of calm and the sense that he was home and safe were just amazing. If a family does not have that, it is an awful loss.”

As a result largely of their own efforts every Irish embassy and consulate around the world now has the number for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and back at head office in Dublin their number is also given to families who contact the government department.

“When the family contacts us, that is when we do our business,” Colin told the committee. He also said that the next day he would be attending a Unionist mayor’s ball in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim because he had brought his grandson home from Australia. In every corner and part of Ireland the tireless and difficult work done by Colin and his family is matched by amazing levels of fundraising by families, groups and communities. “We are a different type of charity because we do not have to employ people to fund-raise to get money for research,” added Colin. “Every charity exists to fulfil a need. The trust is family-based and that is the whole ethos of our charity. That is the only reason I ask for money.”

Kathleen Funchion, TD, said he was brave to take on this task and that she supported the work of the Trust.

“It is important that when people donate that they know 100% of their money goes to the cause. I can see why Mr. Bell wants to have the administrative side covered.

Given that embassies give people the contact details for the trust, there is an onus on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide funding. The trust only seeks a small amount of money. The trust is doing excellent work to assist people who find themselves in difficulty.”

In fact, by the end of his appearance before the committee Colin had done much to convince the members of the merits and value of the Trust. The committee told him it would write to the charity regulator to try and help fast track its application for charitable status.

The chairman, Brendan Smith, summed up the sentiments of the committee when he said: “The work done by the trust is of great importance to Irish society in general and particularly to our diaspora.”

60

A Word from Sean Daly

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

Happy New Year to all our members and to the Irish community of Western Australia!

Join Fred Rea and Friends for

Australian/Irish Songs and Poetry Thursday 26th January 12 noon - 3pm Singers/Performers Welcome

McLoughlin's Sausage Sizzle $5 and a few Aussie Surprises

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday

As readers would know, 2016 was a somewhat difficult year for the Irish Club, but the doors are still open, and we are looking forward to moving ahead in 2017 and engaging further with the community to find out how we can better meet the needs of our members and community organisations.

Best Wishes for a great 2017!

Sean Daly President

Join UBar L C E TH s at the b Form

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

Functions & Fundraisers Contact Club:

re-commences Feb

After a short break over Christmas, we are now open again for business for 2017. Our January trading hours, in the downstairs bar only, are 5.00pm-9.00pm Tuesday – Saturday, so why not pop in for some cooling refreshments if you are in the area! The upstairs bar and the kitchen will resume operating in February.

Tel: 93815213

Irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

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

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

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

AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2017

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc.

SCHOOL CONTACTS

their costumes and packed away their dancing shoes for the holidays. It has been a full and exciting year for our dancers and their teachers but for now we all need to rest up and make plans for the new year.

In September 2016 An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelecha held exams in Brisbane.

A huge congratulations to Siobhan Collis, Katherine Travers and Martina O’Brien on passing their TCRG exams and qualifying to become Irish dancing teachers. And congratulations to Eileen Ashley who passed her ADCRG exams and qualified as an adjudicator for Irish dancing competitions.

We look forward to a busy and exciting 2017 with the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, the Australian International Oirectas in Queensland and the McAleer and Pacific Belts Feis’s in Melbourne. In 2017 we also celebrate our 50th Australian Irish Dancing Championships which will be held in Adelaide in September. Please contact a member of the executive if you would like any further information or sponsorship application for this Championships.

There will be many extra events run during the week of the championships including a welcome reception after a dance presentation on the last 50 years of Irish dancing in Australia. There will also be an exhibition of memorabilia and costumes and a Ball at the end of the week.

If you’d like to try Irish dancing or would like to bring your child to try a class please refer to the contacts list on this page.

President: Hilary McKenna ADCRG Vice President: Eileen Ashley ADCRG Vice President & AIDA Inc Delegate: Teresa Fenton TCRG Secretary: Samantha McAleer TCRG Minute Secretary: Kara O’Dea TCRG Treas./Booking Secretary: Deirdre McGorry TCRG Venue Sec: Sinead Hoare TCRG Registrar: Caroline O’Connor TCRG The Irish dancing Christmas concerts and parties are now over and the Grade Exam Co-ordinator: Irish dancers of Perth have hung up Rose O’Brien ADCRG SCOIL RINCE NI BHAIRD Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG - 0427 273 596 SCOIL RINCE NI CEIDE/UPTON Subiaco, Wangara, and Pearsall Samantha McAleer TCRG Alison Johnson TCRG 9405 6255 / 0414 188 784 Lara Upton TCRG Kalamunda 0409 474 557 EIREANN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Como, Jandakot & Rockingham Siobhan Cummins TCRG 0422 075 300 KAVANAGH STUDIO OF IRISH DANCE Osborne Park www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa McGorry TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Caroline McCarthy TCRG O'BRIEN ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Butler, Ocean Keys, Connolly/ Ocean Reef and Karrinyup www.obrienacademy.com Rose O'Brien ADCRG Martina O'Brien TCRG 0423 932 866 / 0423 382 706 O'HARE SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Wembley Downs & Osborne Park Jenny O'Hare TCRG 0422 239 440 THREE CROWNS SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE Wangara & Padbury www.threecrownsirishdancing.com Eleanor Rooney TCRG 0449 961 669 TRINITY STUDIO OF IRISH DANCING Morley - Eileen Ashley ADCRG Katherine Travers TCRG Siobhan Collis TCRG 0413 511 595 WA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Malaga - Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 9276 3737/0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 9377 5600

Sr Brendan is Shadow Minister for Mental Health; congratulated Disability Services & Child Protection by the Italian PO Box 2440, SOUTH HEDLAND members WA 6722 of the stephen.dawsonmp@mp.wa.gov.au community (08) 9172 2648 • 1800 199 344 (toll free) 62

SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

land of

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Ireland

William Butler Yeats Nobel Prize Winner 1924

On receiving the Nobel Prize the Freeman's Journal in Sydney reported the following…

T

he Nobel Prize annually awarded by the Swedish Academy for the most remarkable literary work 'dans le sens d'idealisme' has this year been given to William Butler Yeats. This is the first time that the honour has been conferred to an Irishman and the choice of Mr. Yeats is regarded not only as a personal tribute but as a commendation of the entire Celtic renaissance. Mr. Yeats is never considered as standing alone in superb isolation; he has identified himself with a movement and his literary ideals and aspirations have beaten in unison with those of Synge and Lady Gregory and AE Estimates of Mr. Yeats' poetry and drama are as variable and uneven as his own productions. Of some of his work, there can be no word spoken in dispraise, but in regard to other writings, silence is charity. G. K. Chesterton, writing in 'America' in 1916, conceded to Mr. Yeats 'the first place among poets now writing worthily,' summed him up in a couplet:

anything that is dazzling, and yet the mists have grown thick and impenetrable about him.' Someone has offered the statement that there can be no true Celt who is not Catholic. But Mr. Yeats does not profess this, for he has consistently quested the Celtic spirit and tradition that antedated Christianity. His work has been to idealise the pagan Celt and to this tradition he probably referred in 'Per Amica Silentia Lunae' when, after telling how deeply he was affected by the writings of Catholic posts like Claudel and Jammes, he asks, “Have not my thoughts run through a like round, though I have not found my tradition in the Catholic Church, which was not the church of my childhood, but where the tradition is, as I believe, more universal and more ancient?”

The- worker of sad silver and pale gold Who built the seven gates of fairyland.

This latter appreciation is confirmed by Theodore Maynard, in his article in 'America' in 1920, when he states that 'nine-tenths of his value is to be found in nothing more substantial than atmosphere.' According to Mr. Maynard, in his younger days Yeats was 'misty yet dazzling,' but in later years, Yeats abhors

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Claddagh Seniors' Christmas Party at the Mighty Quinn The Christmas party for our seniors was again a wonderful success.

To Joe Carroll and the seniors’ organising committee well done. Entertainment this year was by Frank Glackin (Frankie Boy) and he had the room singing all their favourite Christmas songs. Joe Carroll did a great job as MC for the day. Father Christmas was there of course and Denis Bratton donned the red outfit for the day.

Special thanks to Bill and staff at the Mighty Quinn. The food was excellent and the service second to none.

The 100 people in attendance all went home happy and in good spirits knowing that they again received wonderful value for their day with the Claddagh.

Thank you to all those who supplied raffle prizes and helped make it a memorable day.

Crisis support:

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CLADDAGH ASSOCIATION AGM Following the AGM last night the 2016/2017 Claddagh Association Committee is:President - Joan Ross Vice President - Heather McKeegan Treasurer - Patricia Bratton Secretary - Kevin Brady General Committee - Tom Quinn, Ciaran McKeown, Neil Rahill, Peter McKenna, Barry Doyle, Darren King

If you can lend a hand to the Claddagh Association in any way, donations or as a volunteer, please call the office. PO Box 3069 /193c Flinders St, Yokine WA 6060 (08) 9345 1713 admin@cladddagh.org.au • www.claddagh.org.au

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Claddagh Seniors' Christmas lunch at Mighty Quinn

65

Child migrants have to DIG DEEP TO FIND THEIR ROOTS

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

years.

In September this year I took my two younger sons and eldest granddaughter with me to Ireland to meet my family. My eldest son was unable to make the trip, but spoke to everyone regularly on Skype. I had a wonderful meeting with my family. It was a very emotional time for all of us.

Next year I turn 80 and I am going back to spend more time with my family. I have many new found Irish nephews and nieces some of who plan to visit us here in Perth.

On his return from Ireland, we couldn't wait to catch up with Paddy and share in his excitement…

Fred Rea asked Paddy to tell us his story….

“I arrived here in 1947,” Paddy told Fred Rea. “I went to Bindoon Boys Town for a year where I worked and went to school. When I got ill and they sent me to Clontarf (a former Christian Brothers orphanage in the Perth suburb known today as Waterford).

Paddy stayed there until 1953 when at the age of about 16 he was able to leave the centre. He went back to do farming work - milking cows, feeding pigs and looking after horses - just as he had done at Clontarf without wages.

An official from the Department of Immigration during an inspection told the brothers they could not keep him there and he had to go and work outside the home. So he found more farming work but it never suited him and he was

Like the vast majority of child migrants Paddy Cannon’s life has been consumed by an endless search for his mother and father, brothers and sisters. He has also dedicated himself to helping kindred spirits to do the same thing. Paddy knows that years of longing and looking can often go by unanswered while fate and a bit of luck can help put together the pieces of shattered puzzles and families torn apart generations ago.

I have known Paddy for many years and of his search for family, so when he sent me the following piece I felt so happy for him…

It has taken me 60 years of looking to find my mother. I was born to an unwed mother in Ruthin Wales, UK, in 1937. Over the years I searched for my mother in Wales and England. After my birth, I was in the Nazareth house orphanage Bristol for 10 years until 1947.

Then I was shipped to the Christian Brothers Bindoon Boy’s Town in Western Australia, under the Paddy's Mother child migrant scheme. After a year Catherine in Bindoon, I was sent to the Clontarf Boys Home where I stayed until 1954.

I very much appreciate the great work the child migrant trust did searching for my relatives over the last three years. They put my DNA on the international data in March 2016 it was matched with a third cousin in the USA. I never got to meet my mother because she passed away in 1975. But I discovered that I had three brothers and four sisters living in Castlebar, County Mayo Island.

Sometime after giving birth to me, my mother returned to her home in Ireland and married a local farmer, Philip Derrig, raising my brothers and sisters over the next 20

Right: Paddy Cannon looking at the photo of his brothers and sisters

Paddy's brothers and sisters: L-H Michael, Norah, Phillip, Bridget, Mary, John Joe, Catherine 66

destined to go in a different direction and start building a life for himself.

I used to sing a lot of country music in those days when I was a kid,” he added. “I won a competition, it was called amateur hour on 6WF on Sunday night.

I won the WA competition singing country music and I went across to the final in Sydney.

I went back to school at the age of 22 or 23 because I didn’t Paddy in the 60's get any real education from the Christian brothers. I joined a theatre group in Sydney, but I couldn’t do any acting or singing because I wasn’t educated. I couldn’t read my lines you see, so I went back to school for a year and a half and did some part time work. I got myself together and got confident with my music.

Then I came back to Perth and did a bit of music and worked at the Theatre Guild in Perth, His Majesty’s Theatre for three to four years. I was stage manager there for a while. I was doing that and running band booking agencies for quite a few bands. I spent the next 20 years being successful between promoting

and singing myself.”

In his mid to late 20’s Paddy got married to Celia and they had three boys, John, David and Craig and they lived in Woodlands. Now he Paddy and family enjoying the craic in has grandchil- Castlebar wearing his Mayo jersey... dren. Taking two of his sons and a granddaughter back to Ireland with him to see his long lost family last year was “absolutely wonderful”.

That journey started with a phone call from Margaret Humphreys of the Child Migrant Trust.

“She said they wanted a meeting, they had some good news but that they couldn’t tell me over the phone,” remembers Paddy. “She said she was coming to the Trust office in Perth in a couple of days for a meeting, so I took my boys with me, and a granddaughter. Margaret said bring your family. They told me they found three brothers and four sisters in Castlebar, County Mayo and they have accepted that their mother, my mother didn’t tell them I was born out of wedlock four years before them.

Letters were exchanged between Paddy and his

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new found siblings. “One of the letters from Nora, my sister, which said: “my older brother I didn’t know, mummy didn’t tell us but we are so looking forward to you guys coming to join us.” They made us feel mind bogglingly welcome. We had a great time” Paddy said he could not express enough his appreciation to the Trust for what they had done for him and his family. “I want to thank the Trust,” he said. “I had tried various different organisations over 40 years to find my family. About 10 years ago two of my sons Craig and David and I went across to the UK. I got the information about my mother living and working in Wales between 1937 and 1939.

I met the family she worked for, but the only one left was one of the younger nieces who remembered my mother working for her mother.”

Paddy said the OBE awarded to Margaret Humphreys for her tireless work helping the child migrants was very well deserved indeed.

Over the years as other former child migrants were reunited with family Paddy said he was delighted for their happiness, but at the same time found the desperation and seemingly futile attempts of his own search to be traumatic. “I tried for years and years,” he said. “I had a big file of information and everything I had collated over the years and I gave it to them. The Trust only had it for two or three years and they had success.”

If they were deprived of the right to grow up with their families at home then at least the children’s shared experience in a new world meant they developed lifelong bonds and support networks with each other and even other vulnerable social groups.

“We old boys formed an Association,” said Paddy.

“We called ourselves FACT (Forgotten Australians Coming Together) and Former Child Migrants. Late last year they organised an Aussie style get together in Tuart Place in Fremantle.

Tuart Place is a resource service for adults who were in out-of-home care (care leavers) during their childhood. They provide counselling and support services, assist with family tracing and obtaining records, help in lodging complaints and provide support in learning computer and life skills.

“About 100 turned up for the BBQ,” said Paddy.

“We’ve got a lot of volunteer people working down there and the only funding we get is from the Lottery Commission of WA, we’ve applied to Canberra for funds but we haven’t been able to get it. So we had the Clontarf and Bindoon old boys, the Joey girls (St. Joseph’s school), Nassie girls (Nazareth Order) and also a lot of Maltese boys. It’s very cosmopolitan, it’s a big support group Australia wide with some of the boys over East now forming their own associations.

At the BBQ Paddy got a blast from the past. One of the members relayed a message to him from a Paddy Delaney: “If you see Paddy Cannon get him to contact me”. I hadn’t seen or heard from him for 40 years. Paddy Delaney, came out with me in 1947, he’s in Victoria, but

Outside Cannon's Pub in Castlebar

his name was Paddy Walsh, now there’s a thing. Some of the nuns changed our names because there were too many Delaney’s they changed his name to Walsh and he didn’t know his proper name until he got his birth certificate.”

Paddy arranged for the other Paddy to meet him at Tuart Place. “We’ll try to get his family, he hasn’t found family and he’s just two years younger than me. We are going to pass him onto the Child Migrant Trust.”

Also at the BBQ Paddy heard the sad news that another old friend Laurie Humphries had passed away.

“He was a former child migrant and he and I and about four or five other old boys formed this Association, a friendship society for former child migrants. We started with the men first, the old Clontarf old, Bindoon boys, Castledare Boys and Tardun Boys. Norman Yeats lived in Collie and found his family years ago. He lost his his wife and his sister rang me about a year or so ago. I got him on the books to go to England to meet his sisters.

He had never met them. The council invited me to go to naming of a memoir park for him in Cockburn shire, he was a deputy mayor of Cockburn, a very high profile man.”

The group also reaches out to another founding member of the Child Migrant Friendship Society, Shelia Pearce, in Mandurah who is prevented from travelling by ill health.

“We go down just to keep in touch.”

Congratulation Paddy on finding your family for the unselfish years of helping others on their search for family.

Paddy's Mother 68

Fáilte abhaile Padraig (Welcome home Paddy)!

Tales from an

By Fred Rea

Sean McDonagh recently retired from his role as Accountant at Mater Dei College in Joondalup. Sean is one of my friends I play golf with weekly and over a coffee, he at times shared his many life experiences.

These stories have had us in fits of laughter and are worth sharing with you, our readers. They will bring a smile to your face.

Sean was born in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon in Ireland. “I went St Nathy’s College and in 1967, with a few of the lads, set up Ballaghaderreen United soccer club”. He will tell us more about this, and their reunion, later.

Sean is one of 11 children, “I have 8 sisters and 2 brothers”.

Sean’s sister, Breidge, married in 1966 and moved to Birmingham in the UK. “During the Summer holidays I went to Birmingham for work and I was only 15 at the time, but headed to the local employment office to register for work”. They told Sean he was too young and he had to be at least 18 years of age. This did not deter Sean, and he had what he called “a brainwave”.

He decided to write to his friend in Ballaghaderreen and ask for his friend’s birth certificate. “I had his birth certificate sent over and got registered for employment under his name, Duffy”. This resulted in Sean getting a job as a bus conductor. “I went on a course for 4 weeks and qualified as a bus conductor at 15

years of age”.

“Each morning at 4am, we conductors would be collected and taken to the depot at Ackocks Green Garage . One morning I was in the depot having breakfast and a cuppa. Suddenly over the loudspeaker came an announcement, ‘Mr Duffy, bus 11 is now leaving”. Of course Sean’s name is McDonagh and he ignored the request. Sean said with a laugh, “After 5 minutes the penny dropped and I realised that they were calling me under my assumed name and I went screaming down 4 flights of stairs only to find the bus was gone to the first stop”. The sight of Sean (Duffy) running through the streets of Birmingham trying to catch his bus must have been hilarious and he did catch up, eventually.

Sean was new to the area and received many requests from passengers to be dropped off at such and such a place. “I was a stranger to this city and didn’t have a clue, God help the poor devils,” Sean said with his usual laugh.

Sean had another experience where he would do some overtime later in the day. “We would go into the Bullring in the City centre on number 30 bus, and once in the Bullring one would change it to 31 and go straight back to the garage”. On one particular day, Sean forgot to change the number and he had a bus full of wrong passengers. “By the last stop the driver could see the bus was full with wrong passengers, we dropped them off in the middle of the road and other buses were called

Sean and Flavia with children and grand children 69

to take them to their destinations”.

Sean returned to Ireland with plenty of money dressed as he said “with all the mod gear”. The following year, 1967, Sean again went to the UK, this time to Manchester with a friend Brendan Flanagan. Brendan’s twin brother Mel went on to play GAA football for Roscommon.

“A local from Curry county Sligo (The Blue Kennedy) had a major contract with the Manchester Gas Company and Sean and Brendan secured a summer job with them”.

Never having lifted a shovel in his life, they were assigned to a ganger from Connamara who Sean said, “Didn’t like us.” As Sean and Brendan knew the owners of the company the Ganger couldn’t do a thing about it.

On one weekend Sean and Brendan went to the local disco and met these two lovely girls. “We told them we were engineers and we did well with them”. About a week later the boys were out in the middle of Salford lifting up these slabs and digging holes for the gas pipes right in front of a hair dressing salon, “and who was looking out the door but the two girls we met the previous Saturday. The sight of the two engineers doing manual labour must have been a surprise to them and a shock to us, two engineers digging holes!!!”

Sean has been a Manchester United supporter ever since those days.

Having acquired all these worldly experiences, Sean returned to Ballaghaderreen in 1967 and being a United supporter, decided with his friend Padraig Duffy and a few of the lads to set up a soccer club. “I was playing for St Nathy’s junior team at the time and the ban was in place. If you played soccer, GAA was out of the question”. Sean was banned (cold Shouldered) and this made him more determined with others to set up the soccer club. St Nathy’s went on to great things and played in an All Ireland schools final against a Cork team. Sean said with his unique laugh, “We were beaten 14 nil in our first game and one of the team characters suggested with five minutes to go, that we might win yet. Happy days”. Sean loved soccer and still does.

“Ballaghaderreen United recently celebrated 40 years reunion and my brother Noel captained the team that won the Roscommon Cup in 1975.”

“This final year of my Leaving Certificate, I decided to head back to the UK and this time London,” Sean says.

“A few girls I knew were going over to London after taken their Leaving Certificate and I asked them if they would write and tell me what it was like in London”.

They did write back and told Sean there was plenty of work in London. So London was his next port of call.

Before heading off on his new adventure, many families who had children living in London gave him addresses to call in to say hello. “I landed in London at Euston Station on the same day man landed on the moon, July 20, 1969 with a few English pounds in my pocket and a battered suitcase”. “ I got a taxi down to where the girls lived in Ladbroke Grove and enquired

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where was I going to stay. “Not here,” the girls said “it’s a girls’ hostel”. This was one thing Sean didn’t finalise before he left home - accommodation!

Fortunately one of the people from Ballaghaderreen had given Sean their aunt’s address, and she lived just round the corner from where the girls lived. “There was me, 11 at night knocking at the door, bang, bang! “Who’s there” came from inside the house, “Sean McDonagh from Ballaghaderreen, Tommy McDonagh’s son”. The door was unbolted and of course the two girls bolted as well and the two ladies kindly put Sean up for a week.

“Lovely people who knew my dad well”. Sean was on the couch for a week and still remembers watching man landing on the moon in that house. My contact from home also had a son who was a priest (Father Jack Madden) in London and within a week he had taken me to his parish in Catford and put me up in a bed and breakfast. Great friend, recently deceased. RIP.” Sean got a job with a large Insurance firm in London doing accountancy. “I trained as an accountant through that company, going to night school, and spent six years in London”.

It was during this time Sean met his late wife Flavia. They knew each other back home going to school. “Flavia was not keen on me in Ballaghaderreen, thought I was stuck up, with all this English gear on me. We met in the famous Galtymore Dancehall in 1971. I met a girl who knew Flavia and was training as a nurse with her. I was known as John McDonagh in London and I asked her to say hello to Flavia from John McDonagh who would be at the dance in the Galtymore the next Saturday night.

The following Saturday her girlfriends convinced Flavia to go to the dance and of course I was there. We had a history and I wasn’t feeling confident asking Flavia for a dance. In those days, if a girl danced with you for two or three dances you knew you were good for each other and Flavia and I never looked back after that night. Six months later we were engaged and when Flavia finished her nursing training we got married in 1974.”

All this was happening to Sean from 15 years old to 23 so much at a young age.

“But that was the reality of the time and you had no choice but emigrate to find work and your way in life and nothing much has changed in small towns in Ireland since ”, Sean added.

Following Ireland joining the EEC IN 1973, Sean and Flavia returned to Ireland in ’76 because there was a boom going on. “They were asking people to return home and that was why we returned”.

Sean worked in Dublin from 1976 until 1988. “Our eldest boy, Sean, was born near London and the other two boys Paul and Diarmuid in Ireland. Diarmuid’s arrival into this world is a great story and all we can tell you is that it was in a doctor’s house hallway in

Dunmore on the way to Galway on a cold winter’s night on the 29th of December. They went to Tuam hospital and Flavia’s 13 year old sister Sandra was carrying the baby Diarmuid, and they put Sandra in the wheelchair with the baby and poor Flavia had to walk in!” Sean said with his usual laugh!

In 1988 Sean and his family headed for Australia because Sean already had two sisters and a brother living here. “My sister Angela used to sing at home with the Johnny Flynn Showband back in the 1970’s”.

Sean and Flavia set up their own business, Kitty O’Shea’s Bakery in Perth in 1992. “Flavia had a recipe from her Mother for Soda bread and we used to bring it to BBQs and it was very popular. We decided after research to go into production and it was available widely around Perth for many years. We had eight varieties of soda bread and were in 60 supermarkets from Karratha to Albany. Gerry Gannon was a great help in promoting and providing marketing advice to us”.

Sean unfortunately suffered from some health issues and sadly put an end to their adventure.

Following his recovery Sean went back to accountancy, and Flavia to nursing. “It took us 3 years but we bounced back and have never looked back”.

The three boys have done very well and Sean is now blessed with eight beautiful grandchildren and three beautiful daughters in law.

After 42 years of marriage, sadly Flavia passed away in 2015.

Flavia loved to hear Sean play his tin whistle. In memory of Flavia, Sean made a CD with the help and encouragement of staff and friends from Mater Dei College.

This CD ‘Passing Memories’, dedicated to the love of his life Flavia, has raised thousands of dollars for local charities such as the St Vincent de Paul .

Sean has worked in various roles as an accountant during his years in Australia and has just retired from Mater Dei College.

Sean’s philosophy in life is ‘ Lord if it's right for me let it happen, and if you are nice to people, people will be nice to you’.

Flavia and Sean with good friends Miv and Jim Egan 71

rish Recipes from Marguerite's

Spiced chicken skewers with shredded salad Serves 4

Juice of ½ lemon 2 garlic cloves, crushed 6 heaped tbsp. natural yogurt 3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander 1 tbsp freshly grated root ginger 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp grapeseed oil 500g boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into 2cm cubes Lemon wedge, to garnish 8 wooden skewers For the shredded salad: ½ head of red cabbage, core removed and shredded 2 carrots, cut into julienne or shredded ½ small red onion, thinly sliced 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Juice of ½ lemon ½ tsp honey Pinch of ground cumin Pinch of ground coriander Pinch of ground turmeric Pinch of paprika Sea salt & ground black pepper 1. Soak the wooden skewers in water.

2. Mix together the lemon juice, garlic, yogurt, fresh coriander, ginger, spices and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a shallow nonmetallic dish. Season with pepper and stir in the cubes of chicken, then cover with cling film and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Heat a griddle pan until it's smoking hot. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, then brush the griddle pan with the remaining tablespoon of oil and put the chicken skewers on the pan. Cook for 12 – 14 minutes, until the chicken is just tender and cooked through, turning regularly.

Season lightly with salt.

4. To make the salad, place all the vegetables in a bowl. Mix together the oil with the lemon juice, honey and spice, and use to dress the salad.

5. Serve the shredded salad alongside

WE ARE ALL ON THAT TRAIN JOURNEY Life is like a journey on a train, with its stations, with changes of routes and with accidents.

the spiced chicken skewers and garnish with lemon wedges and chopped fresh coriander.

Real fruit jelly Serves 6

450g (1lb) raspberries or strawberries, quartered 250g caster sugar / Juice of 1 lemon 6 gelatine leaves 1. Place the berries in a heatproof bowl with the sugar and lemon juice. Cover tightly with cling film, ensuring there is an airtight seal, and set over a pan of simmering water. Cook the fruit mixture for 20 minutes, until the sugar has completely dissolved and all of the juice has come out of the fruit.

2. Strain the warmed fruit mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a large jug, but be careful not to press it down too much or you will end up with a cloudy jelly.

3. Place the gelatine in a bowl of cold water and set aside for 10 minutes.

Drain and gently squeeze dry. Place in a small pan with a little of the juice that has come out of the fruit and heat gently, until dissolved.

4. Pour 375ml of water into the strained juice, then stir in the dissolved gelatine mixture. Pour into a 600ml jelly mould or use 6 x 100ml jars. Place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, but overnight is best. The jelly will keep in the fridge for up to two days.

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

We board this train when we are born and our parents are the ones who get our ticket. We believe they will always travel on this train with us. However, at some station our parents will get off the train, leaving us alone on this journey.

As time goes by, other passengers will board the train, many of whom will be significant – our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.

Many will get off during the journey and leave a permanent vacuum in our lives. Many will go so unnoticed that we won’t even know when they vacated their seats and got off the train!

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, good-byes and farewells.

A good journey is helping, loving, having a good relationship with all co-passengers… and making sure that we give our best to make their journey comfortable.

The mystery of this fabulous journey is: We do not know which station we ourselves are going to get off. So, we must live in the best way – adjust, forget, forgive and offer the best of what we have. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to leave our seat, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

Thank you for being one of the most important passengers on my train.

Don’t know when my train will come, don’t want to miss saying: “Thank you” 72

Anon

Maureen Teague Australian Young Marketer of the Year

Carl and Marie with 2016 entrants

Carl Coordinator of Perth Rose of Tralee 2017

Carl Holmes was born in the village called Tallaght on the south west side of Dublin. Carl is a local business man who, along with his wife Marie own and operate Masonmill restaurant nestled in the Perth Hills. This is Carl’s first year as a Rose of Tralee Coordinator, having previously been a judge and a sponsor of a number of entrants. Carl was keen to get more involved and is excited to be taking on the leadership role this year.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals, celebrating 58 years in 2017. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, Ireland for a global celebration of Irish culture. The festival also includes street entertainment, carnival, live concerts, theatre, circus, markets, funfair, fireworks and Rose Parades.

This competition gives young West Australian women an opportunity to enjoy and celebrate their cultural connection and the fact they are proud of their Irish heritage. The Rose of Tralee is televised live in Ireland through RTE, and also streamed live worldwide on the internet.

The Perth Centre has been involved in the International Rose of Tralee Competition since 1986 and has been privileged to have had two Perth Roses crowned the International Rose of Tralee; Nyomi Horgan in 1995 and Lisa Manning in 2001.

Some of the qualities the judges look for are personality, charisma, sophistication confidence, great communication skills and presentation. Entrants also need to be themselves, be relaxed and enjoy the experience.

If you would like to be an entrant in the 2017 Perth Rose of Tralee selection or need more information about entries or sponsorship please contact us at perthroseoftralee@gmail.com.

We wish Carl all the best for this year and with his experience have no doubt it will be a roaring success.

Fred Rea

The HIF team is celebrating after Senior Digital Marketing Consultant, Maureen Teague, was named Australian Young Marketer of the Year (YMOTY) by the Association for Data-driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA).

In 2016, Maureen captained Southern Districts Gaelic Footballers to their first Woman’s championship title in 16 years and also won an Australian All Star at the Australasian State Games in Brisbane.

The YMOTY title is awarded annually to a highly successful marketing professional aged 30 or under. Maureen was the only finalist to be shortlisted from Western Australia, and she scooped the national title at the prestigious ADMA Australian Creativity & Effectiveness Awards gala in Sydney.

“Since joining our team in 2012, Maureen has worked on wide range of marketing and brand activities including social media campaigns, television commercials, print, press, radio, event management, brand activation, digital content strategy and more”, said HIF Managing Director Graeme Gibson.

“Her ideas and initiatives have contributed to us generating significant growth in memberships, high levels of engagement and an enhanced brand in the Australian community. Maureen is an exemplary brand ambassador for HIF, both personally and professionally.”

In addition to her trophy, Maureen’s prize includes an all-expenses-paid trip to New York to meet some of the world’s brightest marketing minds.

Congratulations Maureen! Well done!

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could see sparks coming out of the chimney. That’s when it dawned on me that my chimney was on fire. I frantically dialled 999 and asked for the Fire & Rescue Service and alerted my neighbours in the houses next to me”.

Must have had hot chillies on it!!!

Carlow farmer with unusual hat!

nd

Irela m o fr

Pizza box set fire to Chimney in Keady

Retired county Armagh teacher, Kathleen Hughes, from Keady in Northern Ireland has recalled the moment throwing a pizza box on her fire nearly set the house alight.

She is sharing her lesson in fire safety and urging householders to get their chimneys swept to protect themselves from fire.

Kathleen recounts how a simple Saturday evening spent beside the fire with a takeaway ended with her standing by helplessly as she watched firefighters tackle a fire in the chimney breast of her home. “It had been a cool Saturday evening in May and my son and I had enjoyed a pizza by the warmth of the fire.

He headed off out and I tidied up throwing the pizza box on the fire expecting it to burn. “Immediately the pizza box was sucked up the chimney. I’ll never forget the noise – I can only describe it as a loud ‘whoosh’. Sparks, embers and smoke started to billow out of the fire. The whooshing noise continued. I knew something was wrong. “I quickly ran outside and

If you were watching the Six One news in Ireland recently you might have noticed a new viral sensation. A farmer from Carlow was interviewed in relation to controversy surrounding Eddie Downey and calls for him to resign as president of the Irish Farmer’s Association. It seems that RTÉ later removed the clip from their online player but not before a few people managed a snap of the farmer and his rather unique choice of hat.

Only in Ireland.

Traffic delays in New Ross reduced to just five years.

A recent report by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has found that traffic delays in New Ross have been reduced to just five years. Minister Paschal Donohoe spoke to The Wexford Townie: “We’re glad to see that traffic delays in New Ross have dropped so significantly during the course of this government. When we came to power back in 2011, there were multiple cases of people being stuck at the Kilkenny side of New Ross bridge for more than a decade. In one particular case, we found that three generations of one family had lived their entire lives in a car that had gotten stuck outside of a garage in New Ross.” Another comment…

“I’ve been stuck here since 2009, so it’s wonderful to think that I could get to see my children again. I just hope that my wife doesn’t think that I died.” Don’t ye just love it!

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Leper Colony!

Do you know that the town of Enniscorthy is Ireland’s only remaining leper colony! Every year, thousands of tourists visit the town on purpose-built buses, just so they can see the natives shaking their bells and shouting the word “unclean”. And During a survey in 2013, 82% of Wexford couples admitted to having met one another on Anne Street. Brilliant!

Money Meters to be installed at Leinster House to track waste

Bowing to public pressure the Irish government has agreed to install money meters in the seat of Parliament; Leinster House after it was revealed the State has spent close to €2 billion on Irish Water.

Money meters will work in much the same fashion as water meters, in that they will be removed and tampered with, but in this case by politicians wary of a system which accurately tracks what they are wasting public funds on. “It’s true that Ireland’s water system was and is woefully inadequate with 60% of the supply being lost through cracks in pipes at one point, but I mean…€2 billion, bloody hell,” confirmed expert on something Felim O’Connell.

Newspaper Upside Down Because It Was Australian’, Defends McGregor

UFC Champion Conor McGregor has today defended an Instagram picture of himself reading an upside down newspaper, with the absolute legend revealing it was actually an Australian publication. The picture, which clearly shows Conor sitting on a private jet while intently reading the paper, went viral on social media over the weekend, with several online news sources mocking him as it was upside down,

stating he wasn’t reading, or was in fact unable to read the broadsheet.

“Who’s laughing now?” the 28-yearold later posted, “yis all thought Mystic Mac couldn’t read, when in fact I’m fluent in Australian, American, British and Canadian languages. I can read side-ways, backwards, upside down, inside out, anagrammatically; whatever way it is presented before my very sharp and focused eyes. No one can read like I can”. Ya!

Winter Vomiting Bug Wins Prize for “Most Accurately Named Disease”

A recent survey has awarded the Winter Vomiting Bug (WVB) the title of ‘most accurately named disease’ for the fifth year running, praising the illness for its nononsense approach to titling. So named because it is a bug you get in winter-time that makes you vomit, the WVB can affect any age group or gender, rendering them unable to keep food in their stomach for a 48-hour period or so.

The pleasing simplicity of the disease’s name made it a firm favourite among those polled, who all knew straight away what was being explained when they heard the name of the bug. “You’ve got your Parkinsons and your Hepatitis Cs, which quite frankly could be anything really,” said Frank Coleman, who headed up the survey. Bring it on or as they say bring it up!

Pensioner held in Donegal brothel swoop

A 75-year-old man was among the suspected clients questioned by gardai when they raided a brothel.

Some of the “customers” were allegedly caught in the act when officers burst into the premises in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, after a week-long surveillance.

500 year old skeleton!

Trouble in Mayo!

A Belcarra man who caused damage to the Taoiseach’s constituency Investigations into the skeletal office in Castlebar has paid €150 remains of a teenage boy discovered in compensation to the Fine in a cave outside Ballyvaughan in Gael party. Liam Heffernan of Co Clare five years ago have shed Kilnageer, Belcarra, appeared new light on the life and death. A before Castlebar District Court on human skull discovered by cavers two criminal damage charges and in the Burren in 2011 prompted a four public order charges. Though rescue archaeological excavation Mr Heffernan told the court that funded by the National Monuments he would prefer the money go to Service of the Department of charity, the compensation was Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural lodged to the court to be given and Gaeltacht Affairs. The full to the political party. Judge Mary scientific investigations of the Devins said she imagined the skeleton have just been published party would give to a charity of revealing incredible details about its choice. The court had heard the youth, who died in the 16th or that on December 13, 2014, Mr 17th century. Tooth samples were Heffernan caused damage to the sent to two different laboratories Fine Gael constituency office sign for ancient DNA analysis and both and was charged with three public confirmed the individual was a order offences: intoxication in a teenage boy. The DNA laboratories public place; threatening, abusive were at the University of Surrey or insulting behaviour in a public in England and the Max Planck place; and failure to comply with Institute for the Science of Human the direction of a member of An History in Germany. Radiocarbon Garda Síochána. On Ya Liam! dating in Queen’s University Belfast revealed the teenager had died sometime between 1520 and 1670. Top 10 Surnames in The Clare gardai are on the job!

Ireland

Woman Rang 999 to complain about chips Back in 2012, the Sligo Champion reported: A woman described as “bold as brass” by Judge Kevin Kilraine admitted she called the cops because she didn’t like the chips she had just bought. Only in Sligo!

Farmer Refused to Plough Field After Seeing Ghost

Westmeath Topic reported in 2013: A farmer from Westmeath saw a ghost in the field where he was ploughing. He said it “looked like a soldier with lots of chains around its neck, It took out a cross and blessed itself six times.” Believe it or not!

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Whether you are Irish or IrishAustralian, you're probably immensely proud of your surname.

Many Irish families declare their roots by displaying the crest of their clan in their homes. But which last names win in the battle of Irishness? IrishCentral took a look at the most common surnames in Ireland in order to come up with a top 10 list.

1. Murphy – The Sea Battlers 2. Kelly – The Bright-Headed Ones 3. O'Sullivan – The Hawkeyed Ones 4. Walsh – The Welshmen 5. O'Brien – The Noblemen 6. Byrne – The Ravens 7. Ryan – The Little Kings 8. O'Connor – Patrons of Warriors 9. O'Neill – From Niall of the Nine Hostages 10. O'Reilly – Descendants of Raghaillach

WITHOUT END Tipperary man John Murphy celebrated his 21st birthday with a bar of chocolate and a tin of spaghetti and meatballs in the middle of a battlefield in Korea. He was one of the youngest soldiers in an Australian uniform at that time to stand against an unrelenting and determined Chinese force bent on invading and occupying the place John and many other young men like him had orders to defend. In October 2016, aged 87, John was one of a small group of veterans invited to return to Korea for the 6th anniversary of the Korean War and to recognise their service and sacrifice for what is sometimes called ‘The Forgotten War’.

“I knew quite a few that were killed I left Australia with them, I was going there to lay poppies at some of their graves,” said John. “That was quite emotional because we lost a lot of blokes.”

John was born in Tipperary in 1929 and as a young man worked in the hospitality sector before joining the Irish army where he served as a non-commissioned officer. “I was in the Irish army, only for 10 months because (John) Costello got into government and the first thing he did as Taoiseach was to reduce the size of the Irish army by so many thousands. He said: “the war (WWII) is over, what you want an army for?”

Thrown back into civilian life John was at least free to suit himself and decide for himself what he would do next. He chose to emigrate to Australia. It was

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

1950. If he wasn’t needed by the Irish army then John could hardly have known that the Australian army did.

In the post war years of WWII as the world was trying to put itself together again another major conflict erupted.

“All of a sudden the Korean war broke out,” said John. “Australia didn’t have a permanent big army. They did have a battalion in Japan as part of the occupation force there with the British and Americans, but they didn’t have enough troops, so they called for volunteers, guys who had army experience or WWII experience. I had my time with the Irish army and I was out here on my own and so I volunteered (with K-Force).”

John served with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) between March 1951 and April 1952. In that time he took part in two of the biggest actions of the conflict involving Australian troops.

“I was an infantry man, light machine gun, Bren gun, a ripper of a weapon that could fire 30 rounds pretty quick time. I was involved in both of the battles - Kapyong and Maryang San. Kapyong was a three day battle and Maryang San was a six day battle. We stopped the Chinese from coming down to Seoul down the Kapyong valley.

The Australian’s had a lot of casualties, nearly a 100 casualties but did well. One platoon I was in lost 17 out of 30 men on the one

John Murphy 76

night we lost about 100 men, that is quite a bit for a battalion.”

John remembers that one of his mates was a Peter Atkinson from Albany, an older soldier who had fought in WWII and looked after the younger and less experienced men. “In the battle of Kapyong he was about two feet from me, reading a letter from home while there was a lull in the fighting. We had just got some mail. I heard a noise and he was dead, shot in the head. That shook me, I couldn’t believe it, a sniper got him.”

“I was wounded at Kapyong,” he added. “A Chinese grenade bowled me over. My hearing was going and one of my eyes was gone and couldn’t be fixed. As soon as I was wounded they sent me back. I was discharged in Swanbourne after 12 months.”

John can’t say if he was the only Irish born man in the battalion but there were a lot of Australians with Irish names and even a Sgt Murphy who was killed in action over there.

John took up several jobs but none suited him and because he had no relatives around he moved around for a bit before going back to a business he did know, hotels.

“I had worked in a few hotels before then, the Carlisle, the Kings Hotel in Perth, Coronation Hotel and from about 1959 until 1966 I managed the Rottnest Island

Hotel. Then I was the licensee of the old Adelphi Hotel in St. George’s Terrace” When the owners of the Adelphi built the Parmelia Hotel he was asked to come across there as the licensee. “I said why not and I was there for 20 years.”

John retired in 1988 and enjoys walking and playing golf and bowls. He is also proud of his service and is president of the Cambridge sub-branch of the Returned and Services League.

When the call went out last year that former personnel were needed to return to Korea once again John put up his hand.

“Korea wanted to commemorate the 65th anniversary,” he added.

“The Korean War is called the forgotten war but the South Koreans take much more notice, it’s their war, it saved them from the North Koreans and the Chinese. If the United Nations troops hadn’t driven them out of South Korea they would have been the same as the North Koreans, a communist country.

“The government gave the Vietnam veterans a good run recently, and they thought the old Korean War veterans were being forgotten again and there couldn't be too many of us. I’d be one of the young ones at 87. So they said they’d take eight veterans and go to commemorate the 65th

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anniversary but also those two battles the Australians fought in.

A circular went out to all the exservice organisations calling for nominations for people willing and healthy enough to go. So the Royal Australian Regiment here sent me a message to see if I was interested and I said put my name down and see what happens.

Three weeks later we got a letter saying I’d been selected to go.

There were eight of us, two army, two air force, two navy, a nurse and a doctor, all veterans. They had a service first in Sydney to get us all together and a bit of a farewell with the Minister for Veterans Affairs Dan Tehan - whose parents by the way come from Galway - at the Cenotaph in Sydney.”

The veterans were supported by a large team of doctors, nurses and serving service people to act as an honour guard for them and even a military band.

“There were 35 people looking after the eight of us, it was pretty good and you couldn’t fault the way they looked after us,” said John.

The veterans and their support crews flew to Korean with Korean Air and after arrival in Seoul they found themselves at the National Memorial for the more than 175,000 South Koreans and their allies killed in the conflict. Some 18,000 Australians fought in the

and the treaty was signed. “ John had mixed emotions, and memories, about returning to Korea. He believes the Korean War became known as the Forgotten War because it followed on closely to the end of WWII and a time when most of the world wanted to forget about the horrors of war.

“When you’re my age you are more focused on things than you are as a young fella. I was only 20 and full of excitement the first time and going back again had some excitement but it was more subdued this time. Before I left I contacted the RSL sub branch in Albany and asked would they mind contacting the relations of Peter (Atkinson) - they used to come up to Perth for Anzac Day ceremonies and I met them to tell them I was going to lay a poppy at his grave in Bus an and they were quite happy with that. That’s the kind of thing that happened there. Going to the graves was a major thing for me. It was nice to get over there and remember what happened.”

Given his life experience John can reflect now on what happened to him and the war. “If war has to be fought, it has to be fought,” he said. “That time I was only young and communism was taking over a lot of European countries and was leap frogging in Asian countries. Being a young Catholic fella from Ireland, communism was totally against our way of life, so I just volunteered.”

war and 340 of them were killed and buried there.

“We laid poppies at each of the graves that were there and then we went by bullet train to Busan City and another cemetery where some Australians are buried. It happened to be UN Day as well so there were a lot of American troops and ex-servicemen, Canadians, British and South Koreans. It was quite a big ceremony for UN Day. Some 23 countries had troops in Korea, so they wanted to invite them back for the commemoration.”

The mayor of Busan presented all eight with a commemorative tribute, including a piece of the original barbed wire from the time the North Koreans and Chinese and South Koreans and their allies came to a halt at the 38th parallel - often called the world’s most dangerous border - in 1953 and a treaty was signed.

“Then we went to commemorate the battle of Maryang San. We could only view it from the demilitarised zone because the battleground is in Chinese/North Korean hands on the other side of the Korean Demilitarised Zone. We have no idea what they have on the North Korean side, but they don’t have rusty wire anymore. There are tanks lined up ready to go on the North Korean side, it shows North Korea could attack anytime, even after 65 years they still haven’t decided to end the war permanently, the truce is still on. Two armies still face each other. We visited the rooms where the peace talks were held

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less ornamentation before making a sudden key change into a bitter-sweet air, sung or played on the accordion. His style is unique and he is the finest player of the dance music of West Kerry.

“Begley seems to have successfully married all the wilderness of West Kerry with a sublime talent for the feather light touch, when required.” He was awarded a TG 4 Gradam Cheoil Singer of the Year in 2013.

Dezi Donnelly - Fiddle

Séamus Begley Trio

Bold Kerryman Tour In Australia for the Bold Kerryman Tour, The Séamus Begley Trio brings together the musical gifts of the Irish artists - Seamus Begley, Dezi Donnelly and Matt Griffin. One can experience the passion and intensity that these performers bring to the stage combined with an intimacy and warmth that will make you feel part of the performance. What sets them apart in the first place is their beefing-up of the rhythmic side of the music while maintaining a purity in the melodic playing and instrumentation. Edgy in their delivery, tunes and songs are given a powerful, dynamic new flavour. This is a celebration of Traditional Irish music and song that you have to experience. Their concerts provide stunning arrangements of traditional Irish masterpieces.

Dezi Donnelly, a Manchester based fiddle player, is one of the founder members of the legendary band 'Toss the Feathers'. He has collaborated with Sharon Shannon, Stockton's Wing, Jerry Douglas, Ali Bain, Phil Cunningham, Donal Lunny, James Taylor and flautist Michael McGoldrick.

His critically-acclaimed album "Welcome", was described as a unique musical experience. The album is a masterpiece of improvised brilliance.

Matt Griffin - Guitar

Matt Griffin is a multi-instrumentalist based in Dingle, in the West Kerry Gaeltacht of South West Ireland. He is a rhythm powerhouse, using his guitar to drive and energise the momentum to its limits. Born in London of Irish parents, Matt grew up playing and learning music within the capital’s vibrant traditional Irish music scene, teaming up with other young local musicians to form the group Mise. (see ad below for details)

Séamus Begley Accordion & Vocals

Séamus Begley is regarded as one of the finest Traditional Irish musicians and singers, having reshaped Irish traditional music over the last two decades. He has won Ireland's prestigious National Entertainment Award for Traditional Music for his acclaimed CD Meiteal (Working Together), recorded with Steve Cooney. His album with guitarist Jim Murray “Ragairne” was acclaimed Folk/Traditional album of the Year by “The Irish Times” and “Hot Press”, the leading music magazine in Ireland.His latest work, The Bold Kerryman is an album of songs, produced

by John Reynolds (who has worked with Damien Dempsey, Seun Kuti, Sinead O’Connor, Passenger, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Brian Eno and David Byrne) Séamus is the quintessential Irish musician - an eager storyteller known for his sharp wit and famous for pumping out tunes. He plays with an energy that is alarming, bringing a frisky spontaneity to his box-playing, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of reck-

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Irish Author reigns in Australia

From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

This year I had the pleasure of talking to author Adrian McKinty about his book ‘Rain Dogs’ and his career as a crime writer.

Adrian, who resides in Melbourne, loves Hobart which he describes as ‘absolutely gorgeous’ and its waterside ‘reminiscent of a Scottish port’. It is not unknown for Adrian to take a flight to Tassie to escape Melbourne’s heatwave.

I ask Adrian what drew him to becoming a crime writer and he tells me perhaps the catalyst was the reading material in his ‘rather old school’ in Ireland that was ‘bloody boring’ concentrating on very serious fiction such as Tom Hardy, Thackeray and Trollope. Adrian says there were only so many descriptions of ‘Hardy heaths in autumn’ that he could stand! Adrian went searching for more interesting reading material and it was at the library he was seduced by crime writing in the form of a Raymond Chandler novel with its exciting storyline, not to mention its racy cover of a woman in a sexy dress and a detective in a fedora.

Adrian’s latest novel ‘Rain Dogs’ is ‘a locked room murder mystery’ about a young woman who falls from the top of the 8000 year old Carrickfergus castle.

‘Rain dog’ is a term coined by Tom Waits on his album of the same name.

A rain dog is literally one caught in the rain which has washed away the dogs trail home.

Carrickfergus is the home of his detective Duffy but is also the part of Ireland where Adrian himself lived.

Adrian says he chose the castle as his setting for this novel as Duffy had lived nearby for seven years and the castle had never been utilised in a storyline.

Adrian explains that having grown up in a time when fiction was the reserve of the upper classes he likes to populate his books with working class characters.

Even though Adrian has carved a place in crime fiction he is not averse to trying other genres, and as a confessed fan of Highlander, wouldn’t mind trying romantic fiction.

Rain dogs is out now published by Allen and Unwin.

Witches and Their Cats

When I speak to Edele Lynch from the pop group B*witched who are embarking on a tour of Australia including Tasmania in February, I’m curious to know what Edele knows about Tasmania. She replys ‘the Tasmanian devil’. Edele also tells me she is open to meeting the said Tassie devil when she visits Tasmania.

It will be a fairly tight schedule and Edele says after what will be an hectic tour the band usually feel ‘knackered’ and ready for the opportunity to play tourist.

Luckily there will be some free space before and after the concerts to do this.

For those who are not familiar with Edele a couple of interesting pieces of trivia are she is indeed one part of identical twins, her sister Keavy also being a member of the group. Edele, prior to music was a child gymnast that was part of the Irish gymnastic squad. How then did the switch to music come about? It had its origins in the family’s regular trips to Portugal.

Sitting in the car as a 12 year old Edele remembers singing ‘Eternal Flame’ and her mum and sisters remarking on her ‘incredible voice that gave one butterflies in the tummy’.

Her incredible voice was noted by others as well because in 1998 Edele became part of the pop band B*witched.

With such songs as ‘C’est la Vie’ and their wholesome image the girls became a pop success. You can relive some of those moments when B*witched appear with Atomic Kitten, East 17, S Club 3 and the recently announced Liberty X at the Wrest Point Casino on Wednesday 15th February 2017.

DID YOU KNOW?

About half a million Irish people are believed to have left their homes between 1788 and 1921 to begin the long sea passage to Australia.

Today, Australia is the most Irish country in the world outside Ireland.

Most came directly from Ireland but some (12% of the total) were transported after conviction in England and a few, such as those tried as soldiers in the British Army, arrived from places like India.

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WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. GRIFFITHS VALUATION (1847-1863)

Now, on the face of it, this sounds like a dry old topic. But it’s a must if you are researching your ancestors in Ireland in the middle of the nineteenth century. Since the early nineteenth century censuses were carried out every 10 years throughout England, Scotland, Wales and all of Ireland. The census information indicated every person in each household, their name, address, gender, age, marital status, occupation, birthplace and their relationship to the household head.

A rich source of information that not only provided the government with a snapshot of the population at the time, but also a treasure trove for generations of family historians. We can see who our ancestors were living with, whether they were married and had children, where they were living, what jobs the householders held and so on.

Very sadly, many of the Irish census householders’ records did not survive. Some were destroyed during the nineteenth century by government order while others were burnt during the explosion and fire at the Public Records Office in 1922. So Irish family historians must turn to “census substitutes” to try and track down their ancestors in the nineteenth century. Many of our ancestors left Ireland in the nineteenth century so these substitute records are invaluable.

The Griffiths Valuation (184763) (also called the Primary Valuation of Tenements) and the earlier Tithes Applotments (1823-1838) are the two most comprehensive census substitutes covering nineteenth century Ireland. Griffiths covers the period

of the 1851 and 1861 censuses.

Even so, they are nowhere near as fruitful as the lost census records.

This article covers just Griffiths Valuation. There is more to be said about the Tithes Applotment in a future column.

The best thing is that access to both Griffiths and the Tithes is free!

Yes, Ancestry and Find My Past do include both these record sets but you can search both independently at no charge. The websites are listed below.

The next piece of good news is that the indexes to Griffiths Valuation link to digitised images of the original nineteenth century printed survey pages, as well as to old and new maps of each area.

And all this is free too.

Before you rush off to have a look at Griffiths do finish reading this column. Without understanding what this land

traced your Irish ancestors back to about 1860-1870. This respects the first principle of genealogy – start from what you do know, working backwards in time, one generation at a time. From details about you to your parents, to your grandparents, to their parents and so on. This becomes even more critical if you want to get any joy out of the Griffiths Valuation.

The most disappointing thing about the Griffiths Valuation is that it lists only the head of each household occupying land and buildings, the name of the landlord, and the area and value of the property. Each piece of land is listed along with the relevant parish, barony or poor law union.

The purpose of the survey was taxation, not social planning or family history! All households were covered - whether Catholic or Protestant.

With so many people having identical or similar names you are going to have an uphill task working out which Patrick Murphy is yours. Or did Patrick Murphy have three tenancies in the area?

No other family members are given to help you confirm the right

survey was about you will not know whether it’s even possible to include details of your ancestors - or how to find them. There is a great video on the Ask About Ireland site that shows you how to search effectively.

Here are some important cautions. Firstly, do not jump into these record sets before you have

household. No age or birthplace either. Most household heads were males; women are almost invisible in Griffiths. So you need to research backwards to a particular place your family was associated with, particularly a townland. Even then you may not easily pin your search down to just one listed piece of land above.

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Well known Irish genealogist John Grenham, said this about Griffiths Valuation: … the name widely given to the Primary Valuation of Ireland, a property tax survey carried out in the mid-nineteenth century under the supervision of Sir Richard Griffith. The survey involved the detailed valuation of every taxable piece of agricultural or built property on the island of Ireland and was published county-by-county between the years 1847 and 1864.

The process of valuation was painstakingly thorough, involving multiple visits by valuation teams to analyse all of the factors influencing the economic status of the property: the chemical and geological properties of the land; average rents paid in the area; distance from the nearest market town. The aim was to get as accurate as possible an estimate of the annual income that each property should produce. This is the “Net Annual Value” figure (in £ s d, pounds sterling, shillings and pence) in the far right column of each valuation record. This was then used as the basis for local taxation, and continued up to the 1970s.

The local authorities decided on a percentage of the Annual Value to be paid every year and usually expressed as “pennies to the pound”.

For example a rate of 3 pennies to the pound meant that someone in possession of property valued as £10 would have to pay 30 pence, or 2/6.

The individual in economic occupation of the property was responsible for payment of the local taxation based on Griffith’s, with one exception: tenants with a holding valued at less than £5 annually were exempt, but their landlord was liable for the tax. This liability was a powerful incentive for landlords to

get rid of smaller tenants in any way they could and certainly contributed to the wave of evictions that took place throughout the second half of the nineteenth century.

There’s a list of when each county’s survey was completed, so if your ancestor had already left for Australia or Canada before they started surveying your county, you won’t find them there. The tenement valuations of County Dublin were the first to be published on 5 May 1853 and the last were the valuations of County Armagh on 1 June 1865.

Other records associated with the Griffiths Valuation that have survived, including field notes,

Valuation revision books up to 1900 for the Republic can be viewed on microfilm via Church of Latter Day Saints Family History Centres where you must order the film in before you visit. This can also be arranged for members at the WA Genealogical Society.

ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY PENSION RECORDS A little pre-Christmas gift arrived from Find My Past, one of the subscription sites, when they announced the addition of 486,000 pension records from the Royal Irish Constabulary covering 1816-1922. If your ancestor was among them find out about your policeman and their family. WA

Old map showing Dunmahon townland, Co Cork cancelled books, and current land Genealogical books. Revision books detail all the Society has a subsequent changes to ownership subscription and occupation of land and to Find buildings following the Primary My Past Valuation overseen by Sir Richard accessible to Griffith. These were updated members and regularly right up until the 1970s! day visitors.

The Revision Books for As there Northern Ireland are digitised are limited and available at the Public Record computers you need to book ahead.

Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). A small charge is involved for

Researching advice: Don't put off until tomorrow doing what you can do today. If you like doing it today you can do it again tomorrow. Do it for your children and your childrens children! because you know, be kind to your children for it is they who will decide which retirement home you end up in.

82

non-members. WAGS reopens after the Christmas break on Monday 9 January. It is closed every Tuesday, Sunday and public holiday.

IRISH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP IN 2017

In 2017 the Irish SIG will meet on these Sunday afternoons: 15 January, 23 April, 16 July and 15 October at the WA Genealogical Society. All start at 2pm except for the April meeting which begins at 10am. New members and visitors are welcome. Please come along with whatever you know about your Irish ancestors. Gold coin donation for afternoon tea.

There’s also the Four Courts Lunch at an Irish pub on 30 June 2017 commemorating the loss of valuable Irish family history records when the Public Record Office was damaged by fire on 30 June 1922 during the Irish Civil War. Because of this loss the Griffiths Valuation becomes – well – valuable.

Jenni Ibrahim Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group, WA Genealogical Society 5/48 May Street, Bayswater 6053. Phone 9271 4311 Email irish@wags.org.au Irish SIG and DNA webpages http://membership.wags.org.au Online Forum http://membership.wags.org.au/forum/irish-sig (free registration, open to anyone) More https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffith's_Valuation basic information incl. survey dates www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/valuation-books.html about the valuation books www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/support-files/gv-yearsofpublicationmap.pdf map of publication www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/irish-genealogy/what-is-griffiths-valuati/ more about Griffiths Valuation including instructional video www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni Revision Books for Northern Ireland (1864-1933) http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp Tithes Applotments Image credit By The Thunderer - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=5162714

Dear Ancestor

Your tombstone stands among the rest; Neglected and alone.

The name and date are chiselled out On polished, marbled stone.

It reaches out to all who care It is too late to mourn.

You did not know that I exist You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you In flesh, in blood, in bone.

Our blood contracts and beats a pulse Entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled One hundred years ago Spreads out among the ones you left Who would have loved you so.

I wonder if you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew That someday I would find this spot, And come to visit you.

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

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

For advice please contact Leo Barry

Family Friendly • Family Lawyers 1/100 Terrace Road EAST PERTH WA 6004 T: (08) 9218 8422 F: (08) 9218 8433 E: reception@kavlaw.com.au W: kavlaw.com.au

83

Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

They're flying it now... Irish couple Ray and Gemma Cashman pictured with Deputy Mayor of Joondalup City Council, Cr Russ Fishwick, JP, have both been working in the aviation industry for a long time now but they only recently earned their wings as Australians in late 2016. Ray, a native of Whitegate, East Cork and Gemma - nee Curley - from Loughrea, Co. Galway have called Perth home for the last five years, following a stint beforehand of a few years in New Zealand. Son Caedon and daughters Siofra and Kya also became new citizens with mum and dad in a ceremony at Joondalup council. They later celebrated becoming Aussies in true local style by having a BBQ with friends!

Marie (Annie) Hicks from Collie at the headstone of The Fighting Priest Rev Fr John Fahey in his old Cottesloe parish church.

Fr Fahey gave the eulogy at the graveside of Victoria Cross recipient Martin O'Meara and Marie lays a wreath at Martin's memorial in Collie every Anzac Day. Well done Marie!

Santa Clause (Jim Egan) enjoying a pint before his big appearance at the Irish Club Christmas Party. Made for the part Jim... Well done!

The question is "Why is PJ Malone surprised?" Maybe it's because a Tipperary friend bought him a drink or is it simply PJ sInging My Lovely Rose of Clare for Moira!

What do you think?

Sean McDonagh was joined by friends at the Sovereign in Joondaluo for his retirement. Didn't know you had so many friends Sean! Enjoy your free time friend!

Martin and Noreen Sheehan recently celebrated a big wedding anniversary. Congratulations to you both, you havn't aged one bit!

Orla of Orla's Wee Snug in West Perth enjoying the company of friends. I believe the Christmas lunch was a beauty. Drop in some time and try the bottom up beer!

This photo of Joan Weldon was taken in Norwich in September when she went over to England to be with her brother as a post-cancer celebration. Joan said..."I wrote to Daniel O'Donnell to again thank him for phoning me and that I would endeavour to meet him after the concert. I cried shamelessly when I saw him again and the photo shows his reaction. Hope all is well with you. "I am doing OK, still keeping regular visits with Oncologist etc. in case anything untoward happens and generally enjoying life. Best wishes, forever in your, and Tom’s, debt". Tom Gilmore and myself organised for Daniel to call Joan in Donnybrook after her operation. She is looking forward to his Perth concert in March.

84

Tony Sheehan with his sisters Margaret and Veronica at his 70th Birthday at Durty Nelly's. It was a great night with great food and great company.

He was joined by many friends for the occasion.

And we even had him sing Crosshaven by the Sea. Priceless!

Returning to Ireland?

We can help you with the move!

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Marian Byrne and Niall O'Toole have not made these pages for some time.

I know how much Niall likes our Irish Scene especially when his face is included. There you go Niall, you are back in favour!

Raymond & Michelle O'Hanrachan of Friar Tucks with their pride and joy Thomas. Thomas has just taken on a customer service role at the Irish bar and doing a fine job as well.

Live at Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge…

Akmal: Trial & Error

Come and see Akmal as he tries out new material for his forthcoming new show at the 2017 FRINGE WORLD Festival from 24 January - 5 February (excludes Mondays and Australia Day) at Rosie O’Grady’s - Cabaret Bar in Northbridge. Known for his incredible ability to deal with hot topics in a hilarious and slightly offensive way, Akmal promises this year to deliver a show that is punctual and jam-packed with words... some of which he will be using for the first time. Experience the workings of one of Australia’s best comedy minds in a one-off and highly unique night out. Will any of it make it into his new show? We don’t know, but what we do know is that either way it will be entertaining!

What a happy lot!

They're happy because they were enjoying the dulcet tones of ballad singer Sean Roche and Annie at Paddy Malone's Joondalup

Lawrence Mooney… Like Literally

Following a sell-out tour of the critically acclaimed Moonman, Lawrence Mooney is coming to Rosie’s the 2017 FRINGE World Festival from 30 January - 5 February, 8.30pm. Wank is everywhere; politics, wine, blogs, relationships, food, Billy Joel, coffee, art and Mooney is going to tear into it like only he can. Lawrence Mooney has become synonymous with sharing his titled view of the world with his audience that combined with an innate ability to carefully craft a story allows him to take his audience on a journey. Following on from three successful years of sell out shows, critical acclaim and a little controversy Lawrence has cooked up a show that lays his soul bare, oh and you’ll laugh until tears and wee come out.

2017 FRINGE WORLD Festival is a summer smorgasbord of entertainment with shows taking place in venues across Perth from 20 January - 20 February 2017.

To book for these events or for more information, visit the festival website www.fringeworld.com.au 85

A Message from President,

Claire Wynne I’d like to start by thanking you all, our loyal audiences, volunteers, sponsors and crew, for your kind support throughout 2016 and for helping us make it such a successful year for the ITP. We welcomed huge audiences for our Centenary celebration production of "The Plough and The Stars”, directed by Hellie Turner. This play went on to be nominated for three awards – Best Costumes, Best Front of House and Best Supporting Actor (Stan O’Neill) at the Independent Theatre Awards in The Heath Ledger Theatre in December 2016. We then broke the ITP mould by bringing you the inaugural production of Ballroom Blitz, our beginners’ Ballroom Dance competition, with thanks to Killarney Autos, and then continued to go against the grain with our fun selection of Shakespeare inspired One Act plays, all written by US based playwright, Bruce Kane. Most recently we had the pleasure of production Award Winning Playwright and Director Noel O’Neill’s newest work, “Kalamunda Here I Come” which followed Dublin Nurse, Lulu, as she struggled with her decision to leave her mad but loving family and move to Western Australia – a story so many of us can relate to.

So, 2016 was a great year indeed, but 2017 is looking even better here at Irish Theatre Players.

We’ve a host of new Directors and brand new plays to keep you entertained all year. Firstly, starting in March 2017 we’ll have “The Real McCoy” written by Tubbercurry native, Tommy Marren and directed by award-winning Actress and Director, Denice Byrne.

“The Real McCoy” is set in Ireland in 1964, there are a series of sub-plots which add spice to the mix of two love-stories, a gormless postman, Ireland’s two nosiest neighbours, a confused curate and a frightened husband - it’s a show that is appealing to young and old and, with classic one-liners and a plot that will keep you guessing right to the last scene.

This is a must-see show!

Irish Theatre Players will be holding an Auditions night on Tuesday 24th January at the Irish Club of WA at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to turn up and give it a shot! Check out our facebook page for updates, or email itp@irishtheatreplayers.com.au to be added to our Auditions mailing list.

Later in 2017 we look forward to bringing you a fantastic play by Frank McGuinness – “Someone

Who’ll Watch Over Me". Opening in May, this play focuses on the absurd and sometimes humorous trials and tribulations of an Irishman, an Englishman and an American who are kidnapped and held hostage by unseen Arabs in Lebanon, and their individual struggles to maintain their sanity under the scrutiny of their captors, as well as they comrades.

We are so excited to welcome award-winning Director Andrew Baker, whom we were fortunate enough to collaborate with on the epic “A Man of No Importance” in 2015 at Playlovers Theatre.

Ballroom Blitz will be making a welcome return in June 2017, with our Second Annual Beginners’ Ballroom Dance Competition.

Anyone who’s ever fancied treading the boards is welcome to get involved, raise funds for a cause of your choice, and compete for the title of The Ballroom Blitz Killarney Autos Cup Winners, 2017!

In August of 2017 we’ll have our One Act Season, where we love to give new or little-known Playwrights a chance to have their short plays performed, and new Actors & Directors a chance to test their skills. Then, in November 2017 we’ll bring you another fantastic play by Frank McGuinness – “Factory Girls” – which will be directed by another award-winning Director Ryan Taaffe, President of the Independent Theatre Association.

As always, if you’d like to get involved with the Irish Theatre Players, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always happy to welcome new people, both on and off the stage. If you’d like to volunteer for Front of House, or perhaps you’d like to get involved with the production itself – acting, directing, lighting, set-building – or perhaps you’ve got a play you’d like to submit, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us on at itp@irishtheatreplayers. com.au or facebook.com/ irishtheatreplayers.

We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year, and we look forward to entertaining you in 2017.

86

Kalamunda Here I Come...

moments in the history of the parish and the surrounding area.

But Mr Fitzsimons said his research journey had begun six years earlier, when he came to the end of a university degree in architecture.

“A bad recession had impacted the work experience available, so as a new graduate the first project which I worked on was a heritage trail between Strangford and Portaferry,” he said.

“I became enthralled and consumed by the history of the Under the Shade of area. At the same time I began to Our Lady’s Sweet look into the family tree.

“When I discovered that the Image family has been living at the Reviewed by Caroline Smith same address since the midFor more than a decade, 1700s I began the Northern Ireland has been search for clues growing in stature as a about who we were. tourist destination, in no In my search I found small part due to its unique a unique collection history: in particular the of photographs of troubles of modern times clerics, and some of the and its role in the building missions in the parish of the Titanic in Belfast. also.”

More recently, the While today Lecale filming of TV series Game is mostly known for of Thrones has sparked farming, fishing and interest in rural areas of the beauty of its green the province, with scenes at coastline, its history Winterfell, the Dark Hedges is also written in the and Iron Islands all being Norman tower houses set there. that dot its landscape.

But with a heritage These include Kilclief stretching back to the Castle, Dundrum Castle Duane Fitzsimons Vikings and Normans, and and Ardglass’ Jordan’s including the story of St Castle, all of which were set up Patrick, this region – known as the after 1177 when Norman knight Lecale Peninsula - is also a jewel John de Courcy settled the area. in historic terms, as local writer The region’s churches – often Duane Fitzsimons discovered. dating from the same time - held Mr Fitzsimons – whose family their own attractions and secrets, name has been prominent in as Mr Fitzsimons discovered.

County Down since the Norman His story begins with the arrival period – drew on this connection to of de Courcy, who sought to gain research a particularly interesting the lands for himself, but as a angle of local history, its churches god-fearing man, also dedicated and parishes. His investigations himself to setting up local abbeys. focused specifically on the parish Downpatrick was put on the map in of Ardglass and Dunsford, but also 1185 when at his encouragement looked at the context of Christianity the remains of Ireland’s patron in the area from the Norman period saints Patrick, Bridget and Colomba onwards. were rediscovered.

This resulted in the publishing Another church was established of his book, Under the Shade of at this time by a compatriot of de Our Lady’s Sweet Image (Clive Courcy, Rogerus de Dunesford.

Scoular, 2016), which was launched It was dedicated to St Mary, with in October, which describes key 87

a statue – Our Lady of Dunsford – being carved a century later to reflect this.

The statue – which was later removed from the church during the Reformation, when the building was transferred to the Church of Ireland – held a unique significance as an example of medieval stonework in Ireland.

“When I studied the carving on the statue and the quarry it came from I realised something very important. Our Lady has always been a central figure in Christianity but it was during the Crusades that her importance rose as an intercessor for mercy,” Mr Fitzsimons said.

“This statue was more than likely carved around 1291 and would thus be a contemporary of all of the statues which adorned the streets of Europe’s oldest cities.

Even more surprising is the sheer lack of such statues in Ireland.

“A handful of wooden ones survive and are preserved in museums. Our Lady of Dunsford is the last stone one and is unique in that it is preserved in the parish in which it was put up 750 years ago.”

Mr Fitzsimons added that his greatest surprise came at the end of his research journey, when he discovered evidence indicating a previously unknown status of the Ardglass and Dunsford parish within the Irish church of the medieval period.

“I had drawn a map of the area to show the churches which were recorded in the area in the taxation of 1291, and when I showed the map to local priest Father Gerry McCloskey and he had a eureka moment,” he said.

“During a visit to the Vatican in the late 1980s, when the Raphaelo corridor was under renovation, the group he was with were granted exclusive access to it, and in one of the frescoes was a map of Ireland.

On this map there were three ecclesiastic courts: Armagh, Dublin, and Ardglass.”

With Fr McCloskey’s help, Mr Fitzimons was able to uncover the reason for Ardglass being mentioned.

“At that time bishops could not travel through the diocese

of another bishop to attend the ecclesiastic court they instead had to go by boat, and the churches in the area lined the route from the ecclesiastic court to the bishop’s court,” he said.

“While they were detached portions of neighbouring parishes who wanted land near the bishop: they were also there to impress international delegates.

“All of this information had been lost for centuries due to the destruction of the Reformation.

It is now thanks to modern technology that one of the most important areas of Ireland has been rediscovered.”

In addition to his writing, Mr Fitzsimons also runs a website (www.lecalepeninsula.com) and Instagram account documenting interesting features of the region, and offering historical tours.

Under the Shade of Our Lady’s Sweet Image is available by contacting him at lecalepeninsula@ live.com.

The Letter Under the Pillow delves into history of Josephite Order

Reviewed by Caroline Smith Religious orders have played an undeniably significant role in the development of the Catholic faith in Australasia. Coming from far across the seas – from Ireland, Spain, Italy and elsewhere – they have helped grow established Catholic communities and have helped build new ones.

A recent book by Sister Clare Aherne - a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart outlines a number of these stories, knitting together the historic contribution of the Josephites, including their connection to Saint Mary MacKillop and their emotional experience of emigration.

The Letter under the Pillow: 150 years, 2 continents and 840 Heroic Irish Women was released in 2016

by Carrowmore Publishing and presents easy-to-read snapshots of the lives of religious women, their sacrifices, and the challenges they faced in a variety of Australian

The third part is dedicated to the stories of women who went back to Ireland – either for short visits or permanently – after spending many years in Australia. The stories include discussions about the women’s homesickness and feelings about Ireland, the struggle of returning, changes they faced in the old country and with family, and the experience of leaving again. The book also recounts the tale of Sr Mary Agnes Gormley, who died in 1943 in Australia, and whose body was taken back to Ireland in 2015 by her family.

The tradition of Irish emigration generally – and the sacrifice and sadness connected to this – is a thread running through the book.

Sr Aherne uses an alternative narrative voice, the ‘Spirit of Erin’ to represent it. In the introduction, and at the end of each individual story, the ‘Spirit of Erin’ summarises the sacrifices made by women travelling to Australia, often never to see their families again, together with their contributions to the Author of The Letter under the growing Josephite communities.

Pillow, Sister Clare Aherne, with RTE television presenter Mary Kennedy.

The author of the book herself Photo: Supplied. left Ireland at the age of 16 to join the order, and later worked as a communities. primary, secondary and tertiary Among these are tales of educator, including 30 years living working alongside Saint Mary in remote Indigenous communities.

MacKillop in Adelaide, establishing After 47 years in Australia, Sr schools in rural areas of both Aherne returned to her homeland, Australia and New Zealand, and of and is now part of the Josephite’s the opposition from local bishops, Irish Region. who wanted Josephites to work The Letter under the Pillow offers under their jurisdiction instead of a detailed outline of how a diverse following a centralised law for the group of women helped develop a order established by Saint Mary religious order in countries far from MacKillop herself. their Irish home, contributing in a The book is divided into three wider sense to the education and parts: the first traces the stories social support of local people. of 27 women who left Ireland for As well as documenting history, Australia to join the Josephites – the book also touches on the or those already in Australia who emotional lives of these women, joined - from 1867 to 1907. and their experience of emigration The second part looks at specific in particular – in doing so, it groups of women who were underscores their sacrifice and recruited in Ireland to join the order humanity. in Australia, going to particular The Letter under the Pillow is locations with a specific mission. available from the Mary MacKillop This part of the story began in the Gift shop at the Mary MacKillop 1870s, but stretches out to the Centre, 16 York Street, South Perth, 1970s. Each chapter includes a or by emailing lmcartyy@sosjwa. table listing those recruited for the org.au, telephoning (08) 9334 0999 mission, together with their ages or contacting Sister Maree Riddler and where in Ireland they were rsj on mriddler@sosjwa.org.au from.

88

THE WONDER

Reviewed by John Hagan Dublin born Emma Donoghue’s previous novel, Room, was an international best seller and an award winning feature film for which she also wrote the screenplay. So there were great expectations for her new book, The Wonder. Set in mid-19th century Ireland, The Wonder draws inspiration from European tales of ‘fasting girls’, who were supposed to be able to exist without food for long periods of time.

Young English nurse, Lib Wright, who served in the Crimea under Florence Nightingale, arrives in the Irish midlands to take up a new, and mysterious, post. Her ‘patient’ is 11-year old, Anna O’Donnell, who apparently has not eaten anything for four months, and is seemingly surviving on a diet of prayer and water. Lib is charged, in conjunction with a local nun, of watching over Anna, the daughter of a poor tenant farmer, to see that the girl is not being secretly fed. Is it all a hoax or a genuine miracle? Initially, Lib thinks Anna is ‘a little fraud’, and that the whole affair may be a ruse to elicit money from pilgrims who flock in to see, and receive a blessing from, this ‘living marvel’.

On reading a few chapters I found that Lib began to get on my nerves. Her priggish, snooty, superior attitude to the village inhabitants, their customs and superstitions proved irksome, as did her apparent reluctance to seek answers to some basic questions.

Why did Lib not know exactly what her task was to be before she left England? What had happened to Anna’s older brother? What is the significance of the prayers the child keeps uttering?

With the help of an Irish Times reporter, Lib slowly realizes that she has, in effect, been engaged to nurse Anna until her death. Although

the solution as to how Anna is managing to survive in not entirely credible, as the novel progresses, Lib undergoes a remarkable change (I even began to like her), as she embarks on a determined search for truth, while conflicted by ideals of love, duty and responsibility.

Medical details and symptoms of Anna’s condition are, at times, unnerving and precise, providing clear insights into the theory and practice of a Nightingale trained nurse.

Throughout the novel, Donoghue manages to maintain tension and pace, deftly drawing the reader into the detailed world of post-famine Ireland, its rhythm of life, religious customs, folkloric traditions and environment. The narrative’s final resolution is both believable and satisfying.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue is published by Picador. $29.99

and deteriorating condition secret from the small fear-ridden community and employs a poor girl from another village to help her care for him.

After getting no help from the doctor and even less from the priest, Nora turns to The Good People (fairies) as she desperately searches for a cure for her grandson.

The tension slowly gathers as various forces in the village come into conflict.

The Green Road

Reviewed by Judy Ewing Anne Enright won the Man Booker prize in 2007 for her novel The Gathering, about a family reunion.

Family is also at the centre of her latest novel, The Green Road, a 30-year collage of the lives of The Mulligans, from an imaginary town in County Clare. The story starts The Good People in 1980 and culminates in a tense Reviewed by Judy Ewing family Christmas reunion in 2005.

Young Australian writer Hannah Stage centre is matriarch Rosaleen, Kent has chosen Ireland as the a difficult and powerful woman. scene for her latest novel.

The lives of her four children, She has used a snippet about a two boys and two girls, unfold real crime that took place in a separately, in snatches, with secrets mountain village near Killarney in left untold. The author is inviting 1825 to create an atmospheric and the reader to fill in the blanks. fascinating read.

Hannah has immersed herself in the The Irish diaspora sees one son caught up in the AIDS epidemic in folklore that, along with the priest, New York in the 1980s. The other ruled the lives of the superstitious son lives it tough as an aid worker villagers. in Africa.

Nora is mourning her husband, One daughter marries and has Martin, who has died suddenly children but never really leaves soon after the death of their only home while the other struggles as daughter, Johanna. an actress in Dublin.

Nora is left alone to cope with her The writing has chattiness young grandson, born normal but growing more and more disabled as reminiscent of Maeve Binchy but this is lyrically written novel with a time passes. gritty edge.

She tries to keep the boy’s strange 89

d n i F l i h P d n Tim a n i m e G h s i r I an

Peru!

Johnnie Fox’s, the famous Irish Pub in the Dublin Mountains boasts at being the third highest pub in all of Ireland at 910 feet. How high you ask? 910 feet! Ah, but have you

been to Paddy’s Irish Pub on Plaza de Armas, Cusco in Perú? And it's altitude – 11,156 feet, 12 times higher than Johnnie’s!

There is a craze around the world these days, Irish Pubs.

They are everywhere and a friend from Croatia told me that you can’t turn a corner in his country without finding one. Australia is doing its best to service this ever popular demand and Perth is doing its bit also.

I know some people hate them, some people love them. But I read on the net of one bloke who travelled to over 60 countries, and says Irish Pubs are always the most welcoming, best decorated, most enjoyable and best experience of any type of pub in the world. We’ll all drink to that and who are we to argue with him!

Paddy Flaherty’s (often just called ‘Paddy’s’) claims to be the highest Irish owned pub on the planet. It may well be, but the same bloke on the net said the Wild Rover in Bolivia’s La Paz, is clearly situated at a much loftier altitude. None the less, Paddy’s in

Phil Beck and Tim Mullins

Cuzco, Peru want to claim something, so let them have their moment.

So why am I telling you all this, because unless you include this on your bucket list and you are a retired rich Irish or English Australian, it’s off the radar! But not for old mates, Tim Mullins from Newcastle and Phil Beck from Perth! During a trip to South America, they experienced the lofty heights of Paddy’s in Peru and lived to tell the tale. We have the photos to prove it! Not sure how many of you know the lads but I can tell you they are known to drink copious amounts of Guinness and wherever they might be they will find a pint of the black stuff.

Paddy’s of Cuzco is an Irish owned pub, isn’t that a change and was established in 1996. It offers Irish staples such as Guinness, Jameson Whiskey and Irish coffee as well as a number of ales on tap to appreciate in cozy surroundings. If you are in the mood for our all-day Irish breakfast (Not sure if McLoughlin’s export pork sausages to Peru but it might be an opportunity for Paul McLoughlin).

Sports fans will be delighted with the large plasma screens showing football, rugby, and American football daily. Not sure about GAA! You don´t have to choose between Machu Picchu and the match anymore, at Paddy´s you can even ask our friendly English-speaking staff to record and replay the sporting event of your choice. What service, not sure if that is offered in Perth!!!

Did you know? The Inca founded their capital, Cuzco, in the navel of the world.

Did you know that the Plaza 90

de Armas, which Paddy´s overlooks, is said to be the place where the last Inca, Tupac Amaru, was executed? Or that his great-greatgreat grandson (also called Tupac Amaru) was beheaded in the same square? Lovely stuff!

And Saqsayhuaman, the ruins which stand on the hill above the plaza, was the location of one of the bloodiest battles the conquistadors faced. From here, Manco Inca rained down stones, spears and arrows on the Spanish below. There must have been a few Irish lads in that scrap!

These days, it is more likely to be Inca stout than Inca blood spilled in Cuzco´s central plaza, which remains the centre of the city and the locus of the numerous festivals and concerts that take place here in the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas. And if you have had your fill of the canned Guinness (forgot to tell you, it comes in cans), why not go up to Paddy´s (11,156 feet), and order the local brew: Cusqueña. I can feel the hangover coming on! St Patrick’s Day must be a hoot in Cusco!

So, add Paddy’s in Peru to your bucket list. As they say, your time on this planet is not a practice run, this is it and I suggest you make the best of it, Tim and Phil did!

PETER CAME TO

IRELAND FOR

GOLF BUT FOUND

GOLD Subiaco man Peter Farley travelled to Ireland in late 2016.

It was his first time to go Irish on a holiday but it may not be his last. Here Perter explains why he decided to go there and shares his

experiences and photographs of his trip.

“Why did I go to Ireland?

That’s a good question. Some months ago, I was watching Rory

Mcllroy win the Irish Golf Open and I thought “Ireland seems like a good place to go and play golf”.

So, as my annual visit to the UK

was coming up, I thought - go via Ireland (Dublin) in 2016 before moving onto the UK. I had never

been to Ireland before, so now seemed like a good a time to start. However, deciding where to stay and where to play golf

way back to Perth for this part of the holiday.

It would be hotels in the centre of Dublin and visits to the tourist sites / places, not forgetting a pint or two of the local brew.

Dublin weather for the return visit was very good. We stayed at the Maldron Hotel, Smithfield and then the Arlington Hotel ,

came as a big surprise. There were so many hotels and golf clubs around and near Dublin – I could not believe it. I have been

to lots of capital cities around the world and Dublin must have more hotels and golf clubs than most.

I stayed at the Castleknock Hotel & Country Club – about 15 km from the airport and Dublin centre - for the golf. The weather during my stay was good, a very slight drop of rain on one afternoon – a very good hotel and golf course.

As I was going to the UK via Dublin, I decided to go back the same way. My wife Deborah would be flying out of Perth two weeks after me – arriving at Heathrow Airport, London. We had about three weeks together in the UK and would return via a week in Dublin - no golf on the 91

O’Connell Bridge. Both of these hotels were very good and well located. We went on a one day guided tour by train to Kilkenny and Waterford – this included the Waterford Crystal Factory. Both places were very interesting and enjoyable. The rest of the time we were in Dublin, a very busy city, lots of people and cars and buses in the town centre. It was also a good walking city, lots of interesting buildings, things to do and places to see.

I would certainly recommend Dublin as a place to see and visit. I shall be going back to see more of Ireland."

Lloyd Gorman

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

The West Australian GAA family come together for a great cause and to remember...

On November 2015, two men from Northern Ireland were killed by a falling concrete slab at an East Perth construction site. Joe and Gerry were in Perth from their homes in Northern Ireland and working in the construction industry.

To remember the two lads and to help raise funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and the local Claddagh Association, a match between Derry and Tyrone was organised on November 27th 2016 at Shirley Strickland Reserve in Perth.

It was an amazing gathering of the Perth Irish community and thousands of dollars was raised for the two welfare associations.

The WA Claddagh Association and Kevin Bell Foundation work closely together to help when tragedy occurs in the Irish Community in Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

AGM

18th January, 2017 at 7pm at the Irish Club 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco

Western Australia.

The huge crowd were treated to a fine match and even though a cup was presented to the winner, it was never about competition it was a fine group of individuals doing something really worthwhile in our community.

We hope and pray that the funds raised will not be needed in 2017 and the ‘Irish’ working away from home are kept safe from harm in the coming year.

To organiser Stephen McGinn, to all those who helped on the day and to the sponsors thank you, you are a great bunch and your efforts were appreciated not only by the welfare associations but also Joe and Gerry’s families in Ireland. Thanks to the Claddagh Association and Bell Foundation, the two lads were repatriated back to their families in Ireland. (See photos next page) Fred Rea

W.A. Under 18 Gaelic Football Team

Gaelic Football Under 18 Schools Competition 17th March 2017 If any teachers or players would like more info, contact Ciaran Gallagher 0414 498 910.

The squad are in need of funds to participate in the Australasian Finals in 2017. They have the most culturally diverse team ever with 12 high schools having members in our squad. Please help support our talented young men compete at the highest level. Every donation no matter how small is greatly appreciated. If you can help contact Ciaran Gallagher 0414 498 910

Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley 92

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000 93

SHAMROCK

Rovers

Annual Golf Day

SEASON 2017 IS HERE!

NEW SEASON & NEW COACHING STAFF!

CALLING ALL NEW & EXISTING FOOTBALL PLAYERS • STATE LEAGUE MENS • • AMATEUR LEAGUE MENS • • UNDER 18 BOYS • • UNDER 16 BOYS •

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

The 2017 Shamrock Rovers Golf Day will be held at the magnificent Penninsula Golf Course on Sunday 29th January 2017.

Last year with the help of all our sponsors and players we were able to raise much need funds to run the club.

You are welcome to join us for the Golf Day to help us continue to support the fine work done by Rovers and help us make us a club the Irish community will be proud of.

For more information about the Golf Day, call Mick Manning 0418 917 050 Martin Sheehan: 0419 934 681 John Allen

0411 453 565

Marty Burke

0410 081 386

TUESDAY 5th JANUARY AND EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY THEREAFTER TIME 6.30PM Harold Rossiter Reserve. East Vic Park. Cnr Etwell Street & Kent Street CALL HEAD COACH DECLAN BYRNE: 0412 726 545 Shamrock Rovers Perth MORE INFO ON:

OR shamrockrovers@outlook.com

www.shamrockrovers.com.au 94

Pat Hickey presents the trophy to winner Graham Wilson

Tim Hickey Trophy Golf Day

1st: Graham Wilson 38pts 2nd: Sean Byrnes 37pts 3rd Alan Flaherty, 36pts.

Low Gross: PJ Kenny (21).

Winner of the Visitors: Huge Secombe, 38pts, runner up, Brad Rohan also on 38pts.

Nearest the pins: Maisie Masterson (2), Mick Connelly, John Donaldson.

Long Drives: Shelia Kavanagh and Geriod Clancy.

Two Balls: Sean Byrnes and Mick Connelly.

Show Preview

Stones In His Pockets @ Subiaco Arts Centre

Stones In His Pockets is the hilarious and moving tale of a quiet Irish community turned upside down by the arrival of a Hollywood movie shoot. The film’s story of a budding romance between a rich girl and a local farmer is played out in stark contrast with the growing friction that develops between the locals hired as extras on the film and the Hollywood big shots. The performance features Sean Hawkins (Howie the Rookie directed by Toby Schmitz) and Jamie Oxenbould (Dapto Chaser & The Literrati) who play 15 characters between them - from the two Irish extras looking for a brighter future on the silver screen, to the young local, bitter about being rejected for a job on set, to the gorgeous Hollywood superstar.

Event Date: Friday 21 April 2017 to Saturday 22 April 2017 Place:Subiaco Arts Centre, Subiaco, WA Here is a link to buy tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=STONESIN17

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From everyone at McLoughlin's Butchers Happy New Year

From everyone at McLoughlin Butchers

Proud Supporters of the Western Australian IRISH COMMUNITY Products available at our Malaga address Freeselected Range Hams & Turkeys, and IGA and Coles and a great selection of fresh meat for all• your • Chicken Kiev Chorizoholiday needs!

OUR RANGE: • • • • • • • • •

Bratwurst Sausages Irish Pork Sausages Lamb & Rosemary Sausages Mild Italian Sausages BBQ Sausages Bacon Hock Champagne Leg Ham Gammon Ham Pork & Fennel Sausages

• • • • • • • • •

Chicken Schnitzel Chicken Parmigiana Lamb Burgers BBQ Steak Sausages Beef Burgers Bacon Rashers Boiling Bacon Italian Sausages Smoked Bacon Bones

• Beef Ribs • Lamb Ribs • Marinated Roasting Beef Pieces • Beef Steaks • Corned Silverside • Black Pudding • Black Pudding Slices • Pickled Pork

Please visit our website to see our excellent range of products & cooking ideas for your Christmas feast.

58 Westchester Rd, Malaga, WA 6090 McLoughlinButchers.com.au 08 9249 8039 96