The Irish Scene July August 2018 by Fred Rea

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

Vol 20 Number 5

July/August 2018

Legend Bill

DEMPSEY "Dear Frankie"

PREMIERE

Welcome

Luke Kelly Show Tony O'Gorman Fenian Fear

JIM RYAN

Paddy Hannan

Book Reviews GAA Sports

Linda Launders Day

LIAM DOWLING Failte!

MEET THE O'MAHONY'S

8 1 0 2 e le a r T f o e s o Perth R aCannon Laur

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Page Index A minute with Synnott 76 A Passionate Game – Peter Conole 23 Around the Irish Scene 86 A short Trip Home – Fred Rea 58 A View from Home 49 AIHA 31 Around the Irish Scene 86 Bill Daly - Word Weaving 30 Bill Dempsey - Aussie Legend 7 Brian Sprint of Eagles 11 Brid Irish Gaelic Story 53 Book Reviews 74 Claddagh Association 60 Comhaltas 51 Dear Frankie Review 20 Fenian Fear - Peter Murphy 46 Fiddlesticks Folk & Blues Club 35 G'Day from Melbourne 42 Gaba Gubu 32 Gaelic Sports 90 Hon Irish Consul 73 Irish Club of WA 61 Irish Dancing 62 Irish Families in Perth 44 Irish Golf Club 94 Irish Seniors in WA 26 Irish Scene Wake 57 Irish Theatre Players 77 Isteach sa Teach 36 IWAF 28 Jim Ryan for Perth 48 Lakelands Golf Club 95 Land of Milk and Honey 71 Luke Kelly Show Preview 72 Marguerite's Recipes 25 Michael Corcoran-Passionate Patriot 23 Mountbellew Famine Girls 78 O'Mahony Clan Get together 39 Paddy Hannan Descendants 68 Paula from Tasmania 66 Paddy Brophy returning to Ireland 12 Paula from Tasmania 66 Perth Rose of Tralee 4 Plenty of Skin in the Game 75 Oliver McNerney new Gig 67 Quiz 35 Reborn on 4th July-Noel O'Neill 52 Rejoice - John Hagan 15 Remembering "Frankie" 20 Rose of Tralee 64 Shamrock Rovers 88 Tady Kiely's Funeral 16 Tele Station Tele Nation 84 Tony O'Gorman for Moore 40 Troubadour Music presents 34 Ulster Rambles 54 WAGS 80 WAIFC 28 What Next – Marie Moloney 13

PERTH CENTRE

Donegal's LauraCannon…

Perth Rose of Tralee

Laura Cannon, 24, a native of Letterkenny, County Donegal, will represent Perth in the 2018 Rose of Tralee Festival in August. Laura was plucked as the winning Rose from the bouquet of contestants at the Rose of Tralee Ball in Perth’s Pan Pacific Hotel in June. She was humbled and honoured to be crowned the Rose for Western Australia, a role she could barely have believed would be hers. “I saw the application on Facebook and I told mum about it and she really wanted me to do it, as every Irish mother does, so I did,” said Laura. “I didn’t think anything else after that, I forgot all about it and then I got a great surprise that I was with the other girls.” She quickly found out that there was more to this Rose of Tralee business than meets the eye but is excited about the next step. “I hadn’t a clue what I was getting into,” she added. “There’s a lot of events and organising goes into it. We went to Parliament House for an evening, we were on the radio and we did the Darkness into Light as a group and you’ve got something

different on every week, it's great, it gives you a chance to know the girls and you make good friends with them.” Win or lose, Laura said that aspect of the contest has been very important to her personally. “When I moved out to Perth I didn’t know anybody really and anybody I did know was through work. I found it hard when Charlie was working all the time. So, this has given me

a whole different group of friends. The Rose candidates are all scattered over different areas and we go and see each other in different parts and meet up. The friendship is a big part of it for me.” Laura came out to Australia four years ago on a holiday and will have been living here for two years in August. She came out to her partner Charlie McElhinney who is from “just down the road” outside of Letterkenny, from her family home in Coolboy. Charlie has his citizenship while Laura has her residency. “It feels like I’ve been here a few weeks,” said Laura. “My parents came out for five weeks recently and can understand why we want to stay.” In fact, Laura’s parents returned to Ireland a short time before she became the Perth Rose. “We missed the big event, but we had a fabulous time and really enjoyed every minute of it,” dad Liam, told Frank Murphy on Songs for Ireland on Radio Fremantle, which Laura co-hosted about a week after becoming the Perth Rose. They have been flat out ever since the good news trying to arrange accommodation at the busiest time of the year in Tralee for the group of at least 20 family and friends who will travel south to join her and cheer her on for the special occasion, which has created a lot of excitement. “Laura has always been bubbly and forward and likes a challenge and has the confidence to go with it,” added Liam. “So, I suppose if you’ve

L-H: Lindsay Ahern, Stephen Dawson, Kickie Buckley, Laura Cannon, Nyomi Horgan and Jessica Stojkovski. 4

got a combination of confidence and you like a challenge, you’ll take on things that other people will shy away from, she’s always had that from very young. There’s a real buzz and the local papers carried the story about her winning and people have been coming up and asking for her and sending their best wishes. She’s very loved in her community, everyone knows her, she’s bubbly and fun.” Mum, Isadore - born on April 4 (St. Isadore’s Day)- agreed. “Laura is a darling girl, she wears her heart on her sleeve and what you see is what you get, that’s how I would describe Laura,” she said. Liam said Laura grew up in a loving, family orientated home. “Isadore stayed at home when they were very small, Laura is the second of four, so Isadore stayed home and cared for four kids while I was out doing the bread winning during the formative years and there was a great emphasis on family and family values.” With both parents being open minded the Cannon household was one where they did not shy away from talking about events and issues in the home, school and community openly and directly. “We were very family orientated and we always had discussions around the dinner table about different things or if there was something in the news,” added Laura. Dad Liam said their field of expertise was one that has really grown here in Ireland in the last 15 to 20 years. “Mental Health has become a major issue around the world and there are more and more people open to coming to see people like us and working through stuff.” Hardly surprising then that Laura has ended up working in the medical field. She is a nurse at St. John of God Hospital in Subiaco. “I recently started my new job in Intensive Care and Coronary Care where I am learning and developing new skills every day. I really love my job, it's very interesting. I worked in surgical in Letterkenny University Hospital, it’s a very busy surgical ward and then I came out here with a years’ experience and I worked with a nursing agency first

and I was going everywhere. I could be in intensive care one day, on the surgical ward, or medical, anything and everything. Then I saw an advertisement for intensive care and coronary care, so I gave it a go and that’s where I am now. Those opportunities wouldn’t have been open to me at home.” As it happens Laura is continuing the tradition of the Irish sisters - most of them who were young women just like her - who first established St. John of God Hospital in Subiaco over a hundred years ago. Returning to Ireland as the Perth Rose will unlock new experiences for Laura but also give her a chance to catch up with loved ones and friends, including her two brothers Ashling - a school principal in London - and Anrai, who works in occupational health and safety. Sarah is her youngest sibling. “Sarah is the only one still at home, so I feel bad for leaving her really,” said Laura. “I don’t know what’s ahead of me, but I got my information pack from the Rose of Tralee committee. I’ll be having photos taken and going shopping before I leave for Ireland. Over there the load of us will be taken around the county on a bus. I’ll have a roommate, another Rose, so I’m looking forward to that. And there’ll be plenty of events, some of them for judging, some will be for our enjoyment. We’ll be treated like celebrities,” she laughed. “I’ve never seen the Roses in Donegal, which is a pity, but it’ll be good, and I’ve never been to Tralee, so I’m looking forward to that. People say Ireland is so small you’ve probably seen all of it, but I haven’t. I’ve probably seen more of Australia than I have of Ireland.” Talking of travel, Laura’s corporate sponsor is British Travel. Laura also passes on her thanks to the Perth Rose of Tralee committee, all of the Rose entrants, her family, friends and everyone for all their lovely messages, good wishes and support. “Special thanks to Charlie my partner for all his encouragement”. The International Rose of Tralee starts on Friday August 17 and ends August 21. 5

2017 Perth Rose Kerrie-Ann Barnes congratulates Laura Cannon

Laura Cannon and her partner Charlie

Laura Cannon is congratulated at St John of God hospital by Sr Romanus Dee originally from Kerry

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Bill Dempsey...

An Aussie legend with an Irish heart By Fred Rea

Back in 1972 when I decided to emigrate to Australia I left behind my sporting heroes. Names like GAA stars, Jimmy Doyle, Ollie Walsh, Charlie McCarthy and soccer icons the like of Johnny Giles, Martin (Fada) Sheehan and Dave Wigginton. These names may not mean a lot to most readers but being a keen sports follower, they meant the world to me. On arrival in Perth, I quickly embraced Australian Rules football. I also had a whole lot of new sporting heroes to admire, such as players like Barry Cable and John ‘Irish’ Hayes, whose parents came from Ireland. It was a tough, hard sport then and I attended many local leagues matches. Lilly, my wife of 40 year’s plus and counting, was and is a supporter of Swan Districts football club and I went to many of their matches. At the time Swans had a tough ruckman in Ron Boucher and an equally tough full forward, Gary Sidebottom. No doubt I went to see Swans when they played West Perth. West Perth were known as the 'Garlic Munchers' because of the strong European influence in their playing squad. They were also known then as 'The Cardinals' but are now known as The Falcons, and play out of Joondalup, north of Perth. So, with all this in mind I was delighted to get a phone call from fanatical Subiaco Football Club supporter, Tony Costa saying he would like me to meet a good friend of his, Bill Dempsey. I replied, “Yes, THE Bill Dempsey of West Perth fame?” was Tony’s answer and we can meet to at the Greek brothers Tastings Cof-

Bill Dempsey with Tony Costa

Bill Dempsey with Mel Whinnen at West Perth fee House in Rokeby Road, Subiaco, a place I have had many coffees with Tony. By the way, if you do drop in for a coffee, don’t be surprised to hear an Irish accent, Tastings like to employ Irish kids! You will surely be asking, “Who is Bill Dempsey?”

William Brian 'Demo' Dempsey is a member of the Western Australia Football Hall of Fame. He played between 1960 and 1976, for West Perth 343 and Western Australia. He won premierships in 1969, 1971 and 1975. He received the Simpson Medal 1969 for best player on ground in the Grand Final, he was Premiership captain 1975, West Perth Club fairest and best 1966 and a member of West Perth’s team of the century. Bill also received an MBE for services to football 1976. The following was taken from the WA Hall of Fame website… Bill was a key figure in a Golden Era for West Perth in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. His tally of 343 games is the second highest for just one club in WA, beaten only by team mate Mel Whinnen. The pair were outstanding in the team’s 1975 premiership and have a gate named jointly in their honour at Subiaco Oval and a grandstand named after them at Arena Joondalup. Big crowds and big occasions seemed to suit Dempsey. He was a fixture in the ruck or as a defender standing/resting ruckman in WA teams. He reserved some of his best performances for grand finals. The 1969 climax to the WAFL season was played in front of a then record crowd of 51,385 people. West Perth routed East Perth 21.21 to 10.14 with Dempsey winning a Simpson Medal playing in front of his mother, who the club had brought down from Darwin. There were another 42,000 there in 1975 as Dempsey, Whinnen and West Perth demolished South Fremantle 23.17 to 7.9. So now you know who Bill Dempsey is but what I would like to tell you now is the story of his Irish ancestry. After he retired from football, Bill and his wife went to Ireland to trace his ancestry. “When we arrived in Dublin and not knowing where my ancestors came from, I asked where I could find a Dempsey. It was then I realised there are so many Dempsey’s there and one comment was take a pick!” Bill and his wife hired a car and travelled around Ireland and said they had the best time. I asked Bill about his Irish background? “Many years ago, I forget what year it was, my grandfather Jack Dempsey and his brother John, came

by ship to Australia. When they landed in Melbourne the first thing they did was to get transport central Australia, to Alice Springs. Bill said when he heard this story, he was concerned and thought that maybe they were crooks or something hiding in central Australia. It wasn’t true of course! “Anyway, my grandfather Jack met and fell in love with an Aboriginal woman called Maud. Maud who came from a place called Utopia which is just out of Alice Springs”. Jack went to the authorities and said to them “Look I have fallen in love with this lady and I want to get married”. They asked where she came from and he told them Utopia. They asked if she was Aboriginal and when he said she was they told him he could not marry her because he is a white man and it was not allowed. Bill said he was told the following account. “What he did was, he found out where the local Catholic priest was and took him to the pub and they were having a good old yarn and a few drinks, and he told the priest that he had a favour to ask of him and could he marry me to the woman I love”. The priest said, “Oh well no worries we’ll organise that”. Jack said he didn’t want a big ceremony, he just wanted to formally marry her. We were led to believe that is what the priest did. They had three children, Bill’s father William Dempsey who he was named after, Ivy Dempsey and Lily Dempsey. Bill Dempsey sign at Subiaco Oval. “My father died when I was three. I never met the old bloke, Jack. I wish I had because they took me away and put me in a he wasn’t called Patrick! “There used to be a guy who mission called Retta Dixon Home in Darwin”. Bill be- barracked for West Perth, his name was John Broderick. came a ward of the state and his mother could not get A one-eyed West Perth supporter, when he found out it him out of the mission. “My grandfather was coming to was my birthday on St Patrick’s Day, he used to send a get me in Alice and he got my cousin, but he was too late cab to my house to pick me up and take me to the tavern to get me. and tell the staff that what ever this bloke wants, give Old Jack took my cousin to the market garden he him, he is my special guest, it’s his birthday today and owned on the outskirts of Alice but he missed me for his name is Dempsey”. Interestingly, there is a link to some unknown reason. And that is the history of my Rosie O'Grady's pub on James Street. Until fairly recent grandfather”. times this pub was the Victoria Tavern but thirty-odd Bill added jokingly, “When I looked up my ancestry years ago it was known as Broderick's Tavern. There in Dublin and people asked who my grandfather was I is an upstairs function used to tell them my grandfather was Jack Dempsey the facility with the original famous "The Manassa Mauler" and people believed me”. Broderick brass sign on The trip to Ireland about fifteen years ago was really the wall. Owned by the enjoyable, “Sitting down in pubs listening to music and same John Broderick meeting people and they were sort of intrigued with who befriended Bill me listening to my accent. “They said, you are not a Dempsey. white man are you and I said, well half! Bill’s grandfather Bill added, “The weird and wonderful thing about Jack knew quite a lot me is that I was born on St Patrick’s Day”. Surprisingly, people in Alice Springs who spoke very highly of him. “When I visited Alice, none of the people I met knew a lot about his history. He wasn’t a hermit, but he used to At a match in 2014 West Perth be out and about and wore a special story-telling never really lived in Al- jumper with the white stars lined ice. He had a market gar- up as three-four-three, representing the 343 games Bill den and used to supply Dempsey played for club. all the shops with vege- Photo Courtesy West Perth website tables. It was sad I never met him, but at least I knew my father. Dad died when I was three, and that is when the stolen generation came Photo above taken from a YouTube video about Bill Dempsey into play and why I went to Darwin”. profiling the team of the century. West Perth Football Club brought Bill down from Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFHNfrbuEwI Darwin when he was seventeen. “I made my debut with 8

West Perth before I was eighteen. I had a good career. John ‘Irish’ Hayes of East Perth was a mate of mine. We used to play opposite one other and hated one other on the football ground but after the game we would drink together”. Bill was a ruckman and John was a ruck rover. “We would call people names on the ground, but they didn’t know what to call me. Somebody thought I was a Greek, all the Slavs adopted me and changed my name to Dempsovic. So, when people would call me a wog or garlic muncher, I would say I’ve got news for you! There is another Irish connection in Bill’s life. “When I came to Perth in 1960. I found a place for me to board in Loftus Street, Leederville and it was run by an Irish lady, Mrs McKavanagh. She just loved me. She said you must have Irish blood in you with a name like Dempsey. I am not worried by your brown colour, you can have your pick of the boarding house rooms. Bills first coach was Arthur Oliver and played under four coaches. At the time many West Australian footballers went to play in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Bill was more that good enough but never made the move. “I didn’t want to go to Victoria because circumstances being that I was the eldest in my family and the bloke that was married to my mother wasn’t my father, but he cleared out and left her with four kids. With me being the eldest, and until my mother got on her feet, I used to send all my football money home to her to help her raise my brother and sisters and that worked good too. I used to work, go to training, play on Saturdays and for five years, go to night school to finish my year twelve and study accountancy. Eventually that helped me run the scaffold business of which I was a part owner”. It was an absolute pleasure meeting a legend of Australian Football and the day I met Bill he had just been to visit a local prison to mentor young incarcerated young aboriginal kids. “I have had a good life and I am just giving back!” Says a lot about Bill!

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The best small bar with the big coolroom... and an unmistakable Irish feel! From the time I arrived in Western Australia, East Perth has seen a massive transformation with accommodation and eating places springing up regularly. And now a new venue on the waterfront, Five 6 Eight has added to the area. Five 6 Eight is set up to be a great location for those who like great beer (including Guinness), amazing cocktails and lovely wines. They also have a number of low or no-alcohol options for you.

every Wednesday from 6pm, with other local favourites booked on weekends. In case you are wondering about the name â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Five 6 Eight is the amount of millilitres in a standard British and Irish pint. No Schooners here! Licensee, Irish Lass Kelly Fitzgerald said, "We're your proud new local small bar in the heart of East Perth, or as we like to say, shrunken pub! We have a range of international & local tap beers, along with an amazing selection of wines and cocktails for you to enjoy". Their contemporary menu of Irish and British specialties, such as Breakfast Rolls, everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite Curry Chips, and Irish Sausage and Mash, is a nice taste

Boasting regular live music from the talented Paper Moon band, Grand Remedy, Jonny Reid and more, are certainly attracting great crowds already! Paper Moon, with Fiona Rea and Lachlan Gear, provide smooth jazz & soul sounds

10 10

of home. There is a range of daily lunch and dinner blackboard specials, a tapas menu and of course your staple Aussie classics. Five 6 Eight is a short 15 minute walk over the new Matagarup Bridge to Optus Stadium and a mere 10 minute walk from both the McIver and Claisebrook train stations, making this venue a great choice before and after all events at the Stadium. "We are extremely community focused and want nothing more than to make you feel at home while you're enjoying our bar". Please don't be shy, drop in say hello, pull up a chair and tell Five 6 Eight your story! Fred Rea

BRIAN HELPS PUT A SPRING IN THE STEP OF EAGLES By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Whenever they train at Subiaco Oval or face an opposing side in a competitive game in the current AFL season the movements of West Coast Eagles players are closely studied by one young Irishman in particular. A native of Westport, Co. Mayo, Brian Spring can be found close to the action. Brian is a second-year sports science student at the University of Limerick. As part of the course students get hands on work experience in the industry. “I’ve always been fascinated with sports and always love it, so I thought it would be something I’d enjoy doing and sports science at UL would be a good option. So, I went to do it and loved the course and Limerick, it’s a nice spot. I applied for a few places, one of the options was with the West Coast Eagles in Perth, so I applied for that,” said Brian. “I went through the interview process and ended up getting it. So, I came over here in January and I’ll be here until the end of August.” His job is to help collect and collate the GPS data generated by the players during training and games. “It involves going into all the training planning meetings, going to the games and going to the East Perth Football Club, which is the Eagles feeder club, once a week to do the GPS there. So, I put the GPS units on the players backs, set up the real time and watch what they

Brian Spring and West Coast Eagle's player, Josh Kennedy

are doing. I love it,” he added. “It's a lot more physically demanding than other sports. An average game would go on for 130 minutes compared with a game of soccer or Gaelic at 90 minutes. So, it’s a lot more demanding, they cover a lot more ground than soccer or Gaelic.” The University of Limerick has a standing arrangement with the Eagles for the local Perth team to take one of their sports science students every year. Brian has been lucky enough to be attached to the Eagles in what has been one of their best seasons in many years with the prospect of them reaching the Grand Finals a real possibility. But even if they continue the trend to its ultimate conclusion Brian will not be around to take part in what is Australia’s biggest sporting event. “After Round 22 I’m going home on August 22, so I’ll miss the Finals unfortunately, but I’ll watch it at home definitely.” Brian confesses that he didn’t know much about AFL before he came out but is now a convert. Soccer is his game. “I never played any Gaelic, just soccer,” he added. “I played soccer with Westport United. I met Brion - the UL sports science student who was here before me - and he put me in touch with a soccer team here - Wembley Downs - that he played with, so I’m playing with them, as a 11

centre mid-field. I hear Brion did really well last year so I’m trying to fill his boots, so I’m enjoying that. It’s a good group with a lot of Irish lads as well as from England and Australia. Brian said he was well looked after at the Club and thanked those in particular who he worked with and who helped him to learn so much. The use of GPS technology and sports science generally is becoming increasingly prevalent and important in the Irish sporting sector. “Most county teams would be good now with sports science,” added Brian. “They’d have GPS monitoring. At last years All Ireland Final in Croke Park (Mayo player) Lee Keegan threw his GPS unit at the Dublin player (Dean Rock) trying to distract him and throw him off taking a free. So, there’s definitely a lot of potential and opportunity for that technology in Ireland.”

Brian Spring with Chris Feehan at West Coast Eagles. Chris organises the interviews each year at the Eagles for our Irish Scene... Thank you Chris!

Paddy Brophy at the West Coast Eagles Photo from WCE website

Ireland, Kildare and GAA called Paddy Brophy home By Lloyd Gorman

West Coast Eagles ‘Irish experiment’ Paddy Brophy has called time on his bid to become the club’s first international rookie to play senior football. Brophy finally made his decision to return home to resume his Gaelic football career, with Kildare County, one day while he was standing on

the golden sands of City Beach. He was in his third year with the side in Perth and had given it his all. A popular member of the club he was a valued part of the club’s squad and has performed strongly at WAFL level but did not win the opportunity at the elite level. He played primarily off half-back with East Perth and captivated staunch Royals fans with his dash and dare. “It’s disappointing that Paddy has decided to go back to Ireland, but he has been a valuable member of the playing squad,” general manager of football Craig Vozzo said today. “Paddy came to the club as our first international category B rookie and did very well to adjust to our game and the oval ball. He has always enthusiastically embraced the challenge of tackling a foreign game but could not quite reach the level to play elite football. “He did play regular senior football at East Perth and always

Paddy Brophy playing for Kildare Photo from Twitter

gave himself the best chance of success. We thank Paddy for his contribution over the last three years and wish him every success with the next phase of his life. “It is difficult relocating to another country, adjusting to the lifestyle here as well as the game itself, but Paddy totally committed to everything required.” Brophy has played his last game for East Perth, opting to sit out last weekend as he contemplated his future before informing the playing group of his decision to return to Ireland on April 24. 12 12

“It’s disappointing it’s over, but it’s time,” Brophy said. “I am going home for personal reasons, including homesickness, but I have really enjoyed my time at the club. “I will always be grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity. It has been a great experience, but I’ll go back home, continue my university studies and play Gaelic football. “I’d like to thank everyone at both West Coast and East Perth for their support. I have made some life-long friends and have really enjoyed the experience.” Brophy finished third in the ‘Best and Fairest’ list for the seconds in his second season but the opportunity to step up the major league disappointingly eluded him. “I had been going through a phase for three or four months deciding what to do,” he explained at an Eir Sport launch in May. “I was trying to get back to enjoying football, enjoying what I was doing. I was hanging on there for a good while. I was getting to a stage where I was playing decent football. I didn’t see the spot opening up for the first team, didn’t get the opportunity. From there I thought to myself, ‘I don’t see myself breaking in this year. I don’t really want to hold on for much longer’.” From an early age - when he starred for Kildare at underage level and played 20 times for the seniors by the time of his departure in 2014 - Brophy was a noted talent in GAA. He’d played big games in Croke Park in front of huge crowds and banked the memory of what it was like to claim 1-1 against the Dubs at HQ. His last game of Gaelic until recently had been Kildare’s extratime qualifier loss to Monaghan in Croke Park. Being a new arrival in the fiercely competitive and established footy scene in Perth Brophy never won the recognition on the field he deserves but will be hoping to retake his place as a Gaelic footballer.

WHAT NEXT?

The older Irish Australians in our community have made a valuable contribution to our adopted country. Stories of our lives growing up in Ireland would be a wonderful gift to leave for our future descendants. A museum of stories of bygone days. The advantages of modern technology are many and varied. Then there are the disadvantages. I frequently travel from my home to the city by train. Sometimes I spend my entire journey watching small children swing from the hand rails above our heads or race up and down the carriages while their parents concentrate on their mobile phones. On other occasions I have had to almost climb over a mobile phone clutching person to reach the produce on the shelves in a supermarket. Toddlers sitting in pushchairs can swipe an iPad

with an amazing level of expertise. Technology is constantly creating new ways of living. It reinforces my wish to leave a record of my experiences of growing up for my Australian descendants. An effort to describe a lifestyle that future generations could not imagine, while they live a life which we could not begin to comprehend. Inner city living during my childhood in Dublin meant one or two rooms in one of the many big houses scattered across the city. These houses had once been beautiful homes inhabited by wealthy influential families. By the time I am describing they were dilapidated with one toilet, no bathroom and one cold water tap. Often, they were home to six or more families. A common sight on the city streets each day was mothers pushing large prams from shop to shop along the street, no supermarkets or undercover shopping centres then. No fridges or freezers to keep perishables fresh or storage space for other items. This made daily shopping a must. Toast was made by sticking bread on a fork and holding it close up to the coal fire. Clothes were washed by hand in a bucket. The iron was

heated on the gas cooker before use. In winter my mother would iron the bed clothes, so I could get into a warm bed. The men did not need to come home from work and ask their wives â&#x20AC;&#x153;What have you been doing all day?â&#x20AC;? The streets were our playgrounds and the cognitive skills of children were developed by their efforts to create games for entertainment. These games were many, they were also funny and sometimes naughty. A favourite was to tie string between two adjoining hall doors and knock on both. Then retreating to a safe distance to watch the bewilderment when occupants tried to open the doors. Hours were spent skipping up and down with a skipping rope. Boys would sometimes manage to acquire an old tyre and spend hours just running along pushing it with a stick. The statue factory which was adjacent to the church and school was where we got our chalk from, (bits of broken statues) to draw boxes on the pavement for piggy beds, a game of hop scotch. We used an old shoe polish tin filled with soil to kick around the squares. Even that simple piece of make shift equipment presented a challenge in our world of concrete roads and pavement. The only available soil in the vicinity was in the church gardens, getting in there and filling the tin without one of the priests chasing us away was a feat of considerable magnitude. At school we did our school work with a pen and liquid ink. In our current world the lives of children are so different, imagination and creativity are not required, just press a switch to watch games being played on a screen. No need to do it themselves. What will be the normal activity for children in fifty yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time!!!!!!! Will our descendants be amazed at what they think of as our archaic way of living? A record of the lives of their Irish ancestors is vital. A Museum of stories would provide that. Marie Moloney

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HE’S COMING BACK - BLOOMING MARVELLOUS!

By JOHN HAGAN

leb that I am, my favourite James Joyce publica- an’s Wake’ which was published in 1939. tion still remains his ‘Dubliners’, a compendium The University at Buffalo began acquiring Joycean of fifteen short vignettes focusing on the inhabi- memorabilia in 1950, nine years after Joyce’s death in tants of the city in which he was born. His portrait of Paris. The princely sum of $10,000 was paid for the auDublin is not always flattering with thor’s family portraits, manuscripts and the aura of urban decline and decay private library which Joyce abandoned pervading every tale. Nonetheless, I following the Nazi invasion of the city. keep returning, rereading and being ‘Buffalo was the only place that bid in enthralled by the strong characters the auction’, states Trinity College lecliving and working in his seemingly turer, Sam Slote. Over the subsequent bleak city. Like many, I have attemptfifteen years, Joyce’s associate, BW ed to understand his most acclaimed Huebsch, together with Sylvia Beach, novel, ‘Ulysses’, but without great who published the first edition of ‘Ulsuccess. My first effort was while I ysses’, contributed more memorabilia was a university student in Dublin; to the burgeoning Buffalo collection. my second stab was many years later, The forthcoming exhibition will seek to during the early eighties as I recall, display how Joyce created ‘Ulysses’, and after I had emigrated from Ireland to will be augmented with the author’s Nora and Joyce on the day they settle in Perth. My failure to complete early notes on Leopold Bloom’s perammarried in 1931 the novel, I suspect, may be due to bulations around Dublin. The whole dismy inability to come to terms with play, according to Maynard, will greatly Joyce’s innovative ‘stream of consciousness’ style and assist in ‘humanising the writer’ and help demonstrate his experimental narrative approach in describing that ‘how carefully wrought and crafted his final documents fateful 1904 Dublin day. were’. To mark the centenary of the publication of ‘Ulysses’, In contrast to the small sum paid by the University plans are well underway to stage an exhibition of Joy- at Buffalo, the National Library of Ireland outlaid some cean memorabilia in Dublin in 2020. Strangely, the bulk €12.6 million for a large cache of documents, which inof this collection does not reside in Ireland, but is to be cluded the ‘Ulysses’ manuscripts. These too will form found in the keeping of the University at Buffalo, in up- part of the proposed display. state New York. ‘It is the largest and most comprehenA location for the Dublin exhibition is still to be desive Joyce collection in the world’, says James Maynard cided, with venues such as the Museum of Literature who curates the Buffalo compilation. The manuscripts, and Newman House on St. Stephen’s Green under active first editions, page proofs and personal items scheduled consideration. for exhibition will help illustrate Joyce’s writing process and working habits, spanning the author’s entire writ- You can visit and search the James Joyce catalogue at ing career from the age of 20 to his final opus, ‘Finneg- https://library.buffalo.edu/jamesjoyce/

“If Socrates leaves his house today he will find the sage seated on his doorstep. If Judas go forth tonight it is to Judas his steps will tend.’ Every life is many days, day after day. We walk through ourselves, meeting robbers, ghosts, giants, old men, young men, wives, widows, brothers-in-law. But always meeting ourselves.” ― James Joyce, Ulysses 15

Tady Kiely’s Funeral By Joe O’Sullivan

ost people know that mushrooms can give a person hallucinations, but I had never heard of blackberries having this effect until the day I met the old lady on the road to Blarney Castle; and even now I am not sure if it was a hallucination. I met her soon after I set out to walk from Dublin Pike to Blarney Castle, “about five miles as the crow flies,” the barman told me; “you could make it easily before dark but be careful now, you never know what you’ll meet after dark in that country.” I knew all about that country, ‘famine country’ the old people called it, the route which famine victims took to reach the port of Cork where ships awaited to take them to England, Canada, America, anywhere away from the accursed land where overnight, green fields had turned into putrid desolation, signalling the grim message that the people would have ‘to get out or starve'. With my usual lack of concentration when somebody gives me directions, I lost the way. By the time I got back on the right track it was getting too late to reach Blarney before dark, so I decided to make for the nearest pub and

telephone my brother-in-law, with whom I was staying, to pick me up. Walking along the boreen, one of the ‘little roads’ that traverse the Irish country side, I feasted on the blackberries growing in profusion along the hedges. Blackberries are a particularluxury for a person from Australia, where the bushes are classified noxious weeds, seldom reaching fruition and even then, the fruit is likely to be drenched with poison. These Irish blackberries were ripe and heavy with sugar and soon my mouth was full of the rich dark juice and my hands and face were sticky with the stuff. I was so busy gathering the fruit that when I looked up, I was startled to find myself being appraised by a pair 16

of grey eyes set in the brown, lined face of a little old lady. I was even more startled when I saw that she was dressed from head to foot in a hooded bombazine cloak lined with scarlet and edged with a ruffled trim. I remembered seeing pictures of my great-grandmother dressed in similar fashion, but I had never seen anybody actually wearing this kind of clothing. When I recovered from my surprise I asked her the way to the nearest village. She replied, “Whites Cross” and continued, “ You go down now to the end of the boreen and when it peters out, follow the hedge for about a mile and you’ll find yourself on the White’s Cross Road. But what are you doing, walking all by yourself, where are the others?” As though the last word had acted as a trigger, she began to sing the wordless song the Irish call keening, the mourning song which dates at least from the Celtic times, and probably earlier. Even today, professional keeners will perform the task at wakes and their song can be heard above the

sounds of the mourning feast at which the corpse is traditionally the host. The old lady’s song seemed to fill the little road and to come from all around and not just from this one, small body. When she paused, to draw breath, I thanked her in the few words of Irish I remembered. Immediately, she gave a radiant smile and burst into a torrent of words, most of which were beyond comprehension. She was now in full flight and I thought that she would never stop so in desperation I uttered the Irish farewell; “Slan Leat,” I said but it was obviously the wrong thing to say. She gave me a quick, curious glance, turned on her heel and without another word walked quickly down the road, going the opposite way to where she had directed me. Whatever her strange behaviour, the old lady’s navigations were precise. Reaching the end of the boreen, I turned into the field, as she had directed and followed the faint path which ran alongside the hedge. The blackberries here looked even

more luscious than the ones I had picked earlier so I stopped and making myself comfortable I lay down on a patch of the warm grass and gorged myself on them. I reflected on my strange encounter with the old lady and let my mind wander back to my boyhood, before the family moved to Australia. I was my grandfather’s favourite and every Saturday he would take me and his Irish setter for long walks which invariably finished up in The Black Man public house where he would have a Murphy’s stout and I would be given a red lemonade. The dog’s treat was a packet of crisps which he would open by biting gently at the fastening and returning the opened packet to grandfather. “Potatoes”’ the old man would say as he fed the crisps to the dog. “Potatoes, the saviour and the ruination of the Irish. Before the Great Famine a working man would eat a stone or more of them and nothing else every day... and the Irish were the strongest men in Europe. But when the blight came,” and here he would pause to sip his stout, “when the

blight came, they starved to death because there was nothing for the ordinary men and women to eat except the potato.” He would pause and concentrate on feeding the dog before continuing. “Do you know that the first instance of blight was reported in the Freeman’s Journal on the day that Parnell was born? Parnell, the saviour of Ireland. D’you see the connection Teddy?” he would ask. “The potato and Parnell, the curse and the saviour, but don’t ask me which was which.” At other times he would tell me stories of the Famine, stories that came back to me now as I rested by the path along which so many of its victims had straggled. His mother had kept a flour and meal store on the outskirts of Cork and he had helped her prepare great vats of stirabout, a thin porridge made from maize which the Quakers had donated to feed the people after the potato crop failed. “More than the Queen of England gave,” he would mutter, “ten pounds was all she could afford, ten pounds.” He had helped to fill pannikins of the stuff and told me that he

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would never forget the look of utter despair on the faces of the refugees, eyes staring from pale gaunt faces, their weary limbs barely able to drag their emaciated bodies foot by painful foot towards the port of Cork and safety. Some were even too weak to eat the gruel and the port road was dotted with piles of rags where weakness had dragged the refugees down and left them where they had fallen. But there was nobody left to bury them and the stones which their companions had thrown over them were not enough to prevent dogs and foxes from devouring the pitiful corpses, “not that there was any flesh on them worth the eating,” my grandfather added. My grandfather maintained that the Irish are meticulous about funerals, and the ceremonial connected with them because of the feeling of guilt that remains with them from the Famine times when they were unable to give their dead a Christian burial, or any kind of burial at all. He believed that the ghost stories which abound in Ireland are based on truth and refer to relatives of Famine victims searching endlessly for their dead to give them a proper funeral. My great grandmother’s people came from Skibbereen, one of the worst affected places, and as the weary columns trooped past the store she would ask my grandfather to “look now and see if your uncle is coming down the road.” When the follow of refugees had slowed to a trickle and the brother, her only relative, had not been sighted, she had told my grandfather to harness the trap and drive her along the road to Skibbereen. He said that he would never forget the sight that met his eyes. He had got used to the dead and dying in the city but what shocked him were the sights and sounds of a dead countryside.

Nothing moved, not a bird, not a beast, not a human being disturbed the eerie calm of a stricken country, except that here and there a faint sound arose from what seemed to be the very bowels of the earth. It was the sound of survivors grieving for their dead and their ruined land. Nearly seventy years later he told me that he could still evoke that sound, but it was the smell which remained in his memory, the smell which overpowered even the sweet stench of death. It was the stink of blighted potato haulms. Even though they had driven all the way into the charnel house which, was the town of Skibbereen, they could not find his uncle and the few shocked survivors they questioned could throw no light on his whereabouts. Afterwards, when the Famine was just a part of the sorrowful past, the mystery of the missing uncle remained, to be lodged in the family’s memory, growing fainter and fainter as time passed. I and my sister were probably the last to remember the search for my great-uncle. My reverie was interrupted when I neared the end of the field and could hear the sound of voices on the other side of the hedge. I listened and, with my limited knowledge of the language, identified the words as Irish and the prayer as the Rosary, the mantra of Irish Catholics. I followed the sound of voices until I reached the end of the hedge row and came out into an open space. There I saw a coffin being unloaded from a rough cart and a priest in threadbare vestments waiting for it to be lifted onto the shoulders of six men, dressed in drab and muddied clothes. People were lining up to follow the cortege and I moved closer but none of the people so much as glanced at me. The procession

moved on and the murmur of the Rosary changed into the de profundis psalm as the mourners passed through two iron gates and were lost to view. I wanted to follow but decided against it and continued on my way until I reached the road with a sign pointing to White’s Cross, as the old woman had predicted. When I reached the hamlet, I made for the first public house, a typical Irish country pub, bleak and stark as befits the land where historically, drink was an evil to be suppressed, unlike England where drink was a pleasure to be regulated. A few people were in the bar, two old men by the fire, a young woman reading a book and the landlady herself, a buxom woman with red mottled cheeks. The Irish order whiskey by brand name so mine was “a large Paddy” in response to the landlady’s query. She let me take my first sip before asking me if I had come very far. I told her and then asked who was being buried that day. She gave no answer but moved quickly to the other end of the bar and began polishing glasses. I waited until she returned in response to my gesture that I was ready for another drink. I repeated my question. “Don’t you be making fun of me now,” she said, “sure there’s no funeral around here today; besides, we don’t bury people on a Saturday. You must have imagined you saw one.” Before I could reply she moved away and I could see her speaking vehemently to the young woman who had by now given up trying to read her book in favour of this latest excitement. They both looked at me surreptitiously but averted their eyes when they saw me looking their way. On my way to the telephone to call my brother-in-law, I passed the two old men, who dropped their voices

WHAT IS A BANSHEE (Bean-Sidhe)?

Banshee means ‘Faerie woman’. A Banshee is known in Ireland as a female spirit who wails outside a home to warn of the imminent death of a family member. Often heard before she is seen, her wailing is that high-pitched that nobody would dare to willingly attempt to witness this terrifying spirit. In Ireland, the Banshee does not bring or cause death but warns loved ones that a death is near which gives the family a chance to prepare. Some believe that she acts as an escort to ensure that their loved one passes safely to the other side. 18 18

as I approached. I felt distinctly uncomfortable, so I decided against having a third drink and stood outside to savour the gentle time before twilight and await the arrival of my brother-in-law, Michael. In the distance I could see the battlements of Blarney Castle above the luxuriant woods surrounding it; homecoming crows were making a final foray before dark and a pack or wood pigeons flying fast and low flopped into the safety of the copse that marked the boundaries of the village. The light had almost gone when my brother-in-law drew up and after I had taken my seat, asked me how my walk had gone. I told him of my experience. An engineer, with the mind of a calculator and the good manners of the perfect host, he listened carefully to what I was saying and then said, “There’s only one way to answer to this. We’ll go and have a look.” Leaving the village, he turned left, but I corrected him. The place where I had seen the funeral was

on the right, leaving the village. He looked at me and said quietly, “Ted, I don’t know of any cemetery this way; are you sure?” “Positive,” I replied and guided him to where I had been that afternoon, but it was my turn to be surprised. In place of the open space, there stood a field of furze, the prickly Irish gorse that covers the fields with a cloth of yellow in the Spring. Instead of gates leading into the cemetery, there was a rusty bedstead hanging from two untidy stone pillars, and what I had thought was a cemetery was a wasteland of grass tussocks stretching into the distance. “Come on,”” said Mike, “let’s have a look anyway.” Leading the way with his torch, he made a careful way between the tussocks. “Ah!” I heard him exclaim, “Over here.” He was kneeling-down and shone the torch onto a patch of freshly dug earth and a rough stone as I joined him. “Can you read this?” he asked. I peered at the writing on the stone but could not decipher it. “What does it say?” I asked. “It’s

in old Irish,” said Mike. “It says Thaddeus Kiely, August 1846.” Neither of us spoke as we made our way back to the car, and we maintained our silence on the way to my sister’s house. She looked at our expressions and went quiet when I told her our story. Later that evening, when we were alone she asked, “Do you remember the story our grandfather used to tell us, about the time when he and his mother went searching for his uncle in the Famine?” I nodded, half afraid to hear the answer. “Tady Kiely,” she said, “that was his uncle’s name.” She repealed the name to herself, “Thaddeus Kiely.” Joe O’Sullivan (c) 1995

Authors Note: This was published in The Craic magazine in October, 1995. The writer was the late Joe O’Sullivan, founder and Chairman of the AustralianIrish Heritage Association (WA) Inc. Thanks to Peter Lonergan for bringing the story to our attention.

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it may not be your problem today, but it could be someday A play by

NIAMH GLEESON Directed by

. eland.. From Ir n Premiere lia Austra

FRANK MURPHY

Starring

Alide Chaney as Frankie

Kidogo Art House at Bathers Beach, Fremantle A GROMURPH PRODUCTION Performance dates August 15,16,17,18,19 Matinee at 2.30.pm. August 22,23,24,25,26 Matinee at 2.30pm ALL EVENING SHOWS at 7.30pm â&#x20AC;˘ Tickets $25 â&#x20AC;˘ Tickets www.trybooking.com

REMEMBERING

It was the voice. As a kid, we would make sure to be still at home after the news at 1pm, at Lunchtime. Dear Frankie was prime time commercial radio in Ireland from 1963 to 1985. Every week she would dole out and chide, advise, be witty and also could be very tongue in cheek with her advice as to affairs of the heart. In Niamh Gleeson's work we hear many authentic letters. Some are profoundly moving, others absurdly funny, even pathetic. But the tale is told through a very contemporary prism. Nor does one have to ever have heard that voice to witness this piece of theatre.

Frankie Byrne (Used with permission)

It is fast moving. It has three actors playing all of 70 voices and individuals, Frankie the central character is played by Alide Chaney, an extremely loved and well known face around Perth Theatre Community. both as actor and director. As the Jacob's Biscuit show took to the air with, the homely title of Women's Page it began to reach into the hidden Ireland of the taboo and the secrets. We get to visit the Mag20 20

dalene Laundry as well, and some letters could well be as relevant to today's society as Gleeson crafts the present in. Neither does the audience member have to have been an integral part of the Ireland of the 60s through to the 80s to understand the play's strong and forceful message. It has a universality embedded within the writing. Both Mike Anthony Sheehy and Jennifer McGrath have the incredible challenge of inhabiting many lives at the turn of a body. The real Frankie was highly complex. Some days after working at RTE studios I would be asked to join herself and Esther. She always sat back and sometimes could look straight at somebody, without flinching. behind it all, in that Dublin 4 manner, as it is known today. But I did notice the edgy way that she commented on some matter. There are some things that really bright nail varnish could not mask. Frankie came across as never being quite relaxed, there were giveaway signs.

On one occasion we asked her to review the Kitty Kelly unofficial biography of Frank Sinatra for the Gay Byrne Show. Frankie Byrne knew her Frank Sinatra, arguably more in depth than Kelly. She had an open love affair in her imagination with Sinatra. She was an expert on his life, his music and she distinctly influenced her producer Jimmy McGee to how much Sinatra was needed to mirror or comment on any single letter. Niamh Gleeson has sprinkled exact tracks of Sinatra in direct contiguity. It is akin to a music score. I did not know that this woman who in real life was the doyenne in PR had handled the entire John F. Kennedy trip to Ireland in 1963. No computers, mobiles, just a bank of phones and a wing and many prayers. She also launched the Jacob's Awards, the equivalent of our Logies and much politicking surrounding Frankie. But she delivered on the RTE LIVE Jacob's Award Frankie was battling her own demons with alcohol and her personal life. The public face and the private person were always distinctly different I would regard this as one of the most challenging pieces I have undertaken for many years. This is an Australian Premiere. Five years ago, it packed the Gaiety in Dublin for a huge extended run and then toured, such was the reception and the appeal. Frankie ended up lonely and with dementia. She like many other women had cruel and difficult decisions to make. I wanted the work to be dedicated to such women. Therein lies the global truth. Dear Frankie is at Kidogo Art House at Bathers Beach, Fremantle. Season opens August 15, 2018 Tickets: www.eventbrite.com.au Frank Murphy

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Readers may remember an extensive series published in the Irish Scene some time ago about Thomas Meagher. He was an Irish nationalist and an influential one who survived a death sentence, exile and numerous tribulations in the USA to emerge as a hero of the Union in the American Civil War. In fact he was promoted to general during that conflict. He had many friends, allies and even rivals among various Irish communities in the crowded cities of the north. One in particular cries out for a little attention. The gentleman was no great orator or intellectual, but a dedicated and rather intense man of action. Like Meagher he supported the Irish cause well before circumstances forced him across the ocean. In the Civil War his contributions were of great consequence: Meagher gave President Lincoln the Irish Brigade, whereas Michael Corcoran gave him the Irish Legion. Corcoran was born at Carrowkeel in Sligo, September 21, 1827. He was the son of Thomas Corcoran - a former officer in the British Army who had served for several years in the West Indies - and his wife Mary McDonagh. Because of marriage linkages going back to at least 1746, the Corcoran’s were descendants of the great Fitzgerald family and also of Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, the celebrated defender of Limerick in the 1690s. The young Corcoran received a good education, but the family were by no means very wealthy. Michael joined the constabulary in 1846, the revenue police section to be exact, and served for three years in Donegal. Obviously he laboured throughout the worst period of the Great Famine and the sights he saw, the deaths and the intense suffering, thoroughly radicalised the young man. The details are murky. It seems clear he worked with the Ribbonmen at night while putting on a show of upholding the law in his daytime job. His nocturnal activities did not necessarily mean the use of violence, for the main aims of the

The Passionate Patriot By Peter Conole

Michael Corcoran

Ribbonmen were to dissuade or browbeat landlords from evicting or rack-renting tenants and to prevent unreasonable tithe enforcement. However extreme things sometimes happened, such as the Dolly’s Brae strife in Down during July 1849. Some say dozens of Catholics died, others claim just a handful. The incident is still a source of ill feeling and much folklore. Corcoran served nowhere near the place, but for him it may have been the last straw. He resigned from the constabulary in August that year and sailed for New York. The young man flourished amid the strong Irish community there. He obtained employment in clerical positions and joined the 69th Regiment of New York militia as a private in 1851. Michael 23

married Elizabeth Heany in 1854. There are solid indications he was winning friends and influencing people by then. He may already have been on cordial terms with the already-famous Thomas Meagher. Corcoran involved himself in the torrid and sometimes corrupt political life of New York city. He became a Tammany Hall politician and obtained well-paid positions as a post office clerk and then as a more senior man in the city registry office. Underneath the surface he also continued to labour for the Irish cause. He was a founding member of the Irish Brotherhood in 1858. It later emerged that In the course of 1859 Corcoran also obtained some sort of position as a military commander of the Fenian Brotherhood. Rather ironically, he had already risen through the ranks of the 69th New York Regiment to that of major. After the position became vacant he was promoted to colonel on August 25 of that same year. By then Michael Corcoran and everybody else in New York were distracted by the great sectional issue, the divide between northern and southern states over slavery and other matters. ‘State rights’, for example, was one clarion call. Another was ‘preserve the union’ and that seemed to work for Corcoran because there is no clear evidence he had strong feelings on the slavery question. By early 1860 he was an influential figure in the city. In a rather dramatic way he then collided with higher authority in a big way. Edward, Prince of Wales – the son of Queen Victoria – was on an extended good will visit to the USA. The young royal was a great success, but Colonel Corcoran was not impressed. In order to honour the prince a military display was arranged in the city, but Corcoran of the 69th had other ideas. He flatly refused to parade his regiment for Edward on October 11, 1860. He proclaimed that “in the Prince of Wales I recognize the representative

of my country’s oppressors”. Corcoran was immediately suspended from duty pending a court martial and spent many months enduring lots of criticism. Most New Yorkers were not of Irish origin and thought differently. Thomas Meagher defended him vigorously but the general public remained hostile. Time and military necessity changed everything. The advent of open hostilities between north and south led to the collapse of court martial proceedings. All charges against Colonel Corcoran were dismissed on April 4, 1861. He resumed command and one day later issued a general order stating that his “first duty after being released from his long arrest’, was to order the regiment to uphold the constitution and laws of the United States. Soon afterwards the wife of Mayor Daly (also Irish) of New York presented the regiment with a flag. The troops then moved out, with a decorated wagon bearing the slogans ‘Remember Fontenoy’ (an old success of Irish troops in French service) and “no north, no south, but the whole union”. The regiment built a makeshift stronghold on Arlington Heights near Washington and named it ‘Fort Corcoran’. Thomas Meagher joined the colonel and his men soon afterwards. In July 1861 came the inevitable date with destiny not far south of Washington, a humiliating defeat for the Union army at the first battle of Bull Run. As the history books emphasise, the battle was no disgrace for the Irish lads of the 69th Regiment. The officers and men retreated in good order, with Corcoran leading a staunch rear guard action. Two standard bearer were shot down in turn during the fighting around Corcoran, who was then wounded in the leg and captured. As one Confederate officer wrote “the Irish fought like heroes and did slowly retire”. The defeat and his misfortune took the colonel out of the war for quite some time. Although the Confederates may have been impressed by Corcoran’s stand they were not willing to let him go until favourable prisoner exchange conditions were offered. In addition, as one historian has noted “Corcoran became a pawn in a game played by the Union and Confederate authorities: he was reserved for reprisal in the event of the execution of the crews of captured privateers by United States authorities”. Colonel Corcoran was held in a Richmond prison for some months and then moved around a bit, eventually spending his last days under durance at Charleston, South Carolina. He was not mistreated, but food was very basic and he endured a severe bout of typhoid fever which had a permanent effect on his health. Michael Corcoran was released and returned north in August 1862, to much acclaim on his arrival and the happy news of his promotion to the rank of brigadier general. He spent quite some time sorting out his new brigade command, which was (unofficially) referred to as the ‘Irish Legion’ in order to match the title of Thomas Meagher’s ‘Irish Brigade’. In the end it consisted of one veteran and three newly raised regiments: the 69th,

155th, 170th, and 175th New York. In January 1863 Corcoran and his men went south to join the garrison of Suffolk, a vital Union outpost in the south-east of Virginia. Before they left a New York delegation came to present him with a new sword in front of the troops on January 19, 1863. Corcoran’s men fought an indecisive action with a small enemy force nearly two weeks later. Soon afterwards they found themselves confined to the town with the rest of the garrison when it was besieged by a largish southern army. An ugly incident in April may reflect some deterioration in Corcoran’s judgement. He tried to pass through an area held by another Union regiment, did not give a password, quarrelled with its commander (Colonel Edgar Kimball) and shot the man dead when threatened by him. A court martial acquitted the general of wrongdoing. After the Suffolk campaign ended the ‘Legion’ was sent to a new posting near the capital, Washington. General Corcoran went to New York and consulted a medical man; he had been prone to fevers since his imprisonment and was feeling weak and unwell. In October he was assigned command of an infantry division - a good omen - and towards Christmas he entertained his old friend General Meagher at Fairfax. The two went riding with a group of staff officers. Corcoran galloped ahead and then suddenly fell from his horse. By the time his companions reached him the general was dead. The cause was a broken skull. The fall may have resulted from a fainting fit due to old ailments. Michael Corcoran is an obscure figure now, but an Irish monument honouring him and the 69th Regiment now stands in Ballymote, Sligo.

rish Recipes from Marguerite's Boxty

A traditional potato cake that you can serve as an alternative to mashed or boiled potatoes, or even as a light breakfast or supper with perhaps a fried egg. Ingredients: Serves 4 1 egg ¼ cup cream 9 ounces of Royal Blue potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated 2 tablespoons cream flour 1 tablespoons butter Salt and freshly ground black pepper Method: 1. In a bowl, lightly whisk together the egg with the cream 2. Add the potato & flour. Season with salt & pepper and stir to mix. The mixture will be slightly runny 3. Melt the butter in a frying pan over a medium heat 4. Add the potato mixture and cook for 8 – 10 minutes on each side, until the surface is golden brown and the potato is cooked through 5. Remove to a serving plate. Cut into wedges & serve.

Chocolate & Guinness pudding

Ingredients: Serves 4 75g butter (plus extra for greasing) 100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 4 egg yolks 2 whole eggs 45g dark brown sugar 45ml Guinness 45g cream flour Icing sugar, for dusting You will also need... 4 individual pudding basins / large ramekin dishes 1. Grease the individual pudding

basins / large ramekin dishes with butter 2. Put the butter and chocolate into a large heatproof bowl, then sit the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water until the butter and chocolate melt, stirring occasionally 3. Remove the bowl from the pan and whisk in the egg yolks. Set aside to cool slightly 4. Meanwhile, whisk the whole eggs, sugar and guinness in a large bowl using a hand held electric mixer on high speed for 4-5 minutes, until very light and thick. Sift in the flour and fold it in gently using a large metal spoon. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and fold in. 5. Share between the pudding basins or ramekins so they are ¾ full. Chill for approx. 30 minutes 6. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, fan oven 180 degrees 7. Bake the puddings for 7-8minutes 8. Run a knife around the edge to loosen the puddings, then carefully turn out onto serving plates 9. Serve, dusted with icing sugar Marguerite O’ Dwyer Pantry Dolls 0415 723 380 www.facebook.com/pantrydolls/

A poem to which us baby boomers can relate! I remember the corned beef of my childhood, And the bread that we cut with a knife, When the children helped with the housework, And the men went to work, not the wife. The cheese never needed a fridge, And the bread was so crusty and hot, The children were seldom unhappy, And the wife was content with her lot. I remember the milk from the bottle, With the yummy cream on the top, Our dinner came hot from the oven, And not from a freezer, or shop. The kids were a lot more contented, They didn’t need money for kicks, Just a game with their friends up the road, And sometimes the Saturday flicks. I remember the shop on the corner, Where biscuits for pennies were sold Do you think I’m a bit too nostalgic? Or is it….I’m just getting old? Bathing was done in a wash tub, With plenty of rich foamy suds But the ironing seemed never ending As Mum pressed everyone’s ‘duds’. I remember the slap on my backside, And the taste of soap if I swore Anorexia and diets weren’t heard of And we hadn’t much choice what we wore. Do you think that bruised our ego? Or our initiative was destroyed? We ate what was put on the table And I think life was better enjoyed. Author, Unknown… Who else can remember these days?

Reaching out to our Irish Seniors! The Irish have been coming to Australia since the first settlers.

Irish Club Senior's Coordinator Tom Quinn has invited John Flood to take on the role of Senior's Coordinator for the Irish Club Senior's Group. John has kindly accepted the volunteer role and is looking forward to helping with programs for the monthly lunch. Since 1991, John has established himself as a radio and public relations entity around Perth. He was actively involved in presenting Radio Lollipop at Princess Margaret Hospital. "I feel it is time to get more involved my Irish community" John told The Irish Scene. Tom Quinn and the Irish Club are delighted to have John on board and look forward to working closely with him to make the club the Home for our Seniors.

The Irish Club Seniors' Group has been established for many years and meets on the first Friday of each month at the Club, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco. Booking are essential to help with catering and you can call the club on 9381 5213.

But the ones we should be focusing on are the generation who came in the 40s, 50, 60s and later. These men and women raised families and were instrumental in providing the skills, energy and expertise to the economy in Western Australia. They created a pathway for future generations of Irish who would make Western Australia their home.

Many achieved success and prominence. Many, now in their latter years are out there somewhere and maybe incapacated and lonely.

The Irish Scene has been talking to local groups to find a way to reach these members of our community. In my work as a performer for seniors I do come across them from time to time. They generally come up and say hello and tell me where they are from in Ireland. I have noticed that many came here in the 80s and 90s to join their familes in Australia. So how do we reach out to them?

A suggestion was to send a copy of The Irish Scene to them!

So the challenge for you the reader is to tell us if you know of any Irish seniors who you think would appreciate having the Irish Scene posted to them on a regular basis. This will tell them that they are not forgotten! EMAIL FRED: fred@irishscene.com.au Fred Rea

CLADDAGH SENIORS

Christmas in July Lunch at

THE MIGHTY QUINN Monday 30 July 2018 12 noon- 2pm Live entertainment featuring Fiona Rea Free raffle Visit from Santa Members $15 Non-Members $20 Bookings Essential RSVP: 9345 3530 or 0417099801 by Thursday 26 July 2018 The Claddagh Seniors Committee Supporting the Irish Community in times of Crisis

The Gathering in Wanneroo

Happy Birthday Lena Costello

Northern Suburbs Seniors – The Gathering

CHRISTMAS PARTY

13 December at 11.30am to 2pm @ Wanneroo Villa Tavern Function Room 18 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo - 2 Course Meal + Entertainment - Cost $30.00 Payment in full by 20 September (Instalment payment accepted of $10.00 – July, August, September ) Please advise by 19 July meeting if you would like to attend- Numbers limited. Enquiries : Sean McDonagh-0431 018 388 Jim Egan 0143 866 320 27

Promoting business, Ireland professional and cultural between Ireland and Western Australian linksWestern Australia Forum Sundowner at Globe

IWAF held another very successful Business Sundowner on June 14th at The Globe in Perth. This was another opportunity for local Irish business people and community groups to connect with the community.

Sabina Higgins presenting a bowl of Shamrock to Arbour Hill Governor Liam Dowling outside the prison. Photo from Aras website.

Next Meeting...

Our next function is a Meet & Greet with the Governor of Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin. This event will be held on Thursday 9th August at The Irish Club in Subiaco at 6.30pm. Mr Dowling was invited to Perth by the local Western Australia Irish Famine Commemoration committee and will be making a special presentation to the City of Subiaco on Friday 10th. Arbour Hill Prison is a closed, medium security prison for adult males. The prisoner profile is largely made up of long term sentenced prisoners. The workshop in the prison make Immigrant historic Travel Boxes for the Famine project worldwide. One of the boxes will be shipped to Australia and presented to the City of Subiaco in appreciation of their support of 'An Gorta Mor' Famine Memorial in Market Square, Subiaco.

t a r e t n

Come and join us for the colder months, warm up with our hearty flavoursome food, fresh pints and great hospitality!

WHATS COMING UP AT MASONMILL THIS WINTER?

Steak on the Stone Friday & Saturday nights $36 including a glass of house wine or middy

Kids Eat Free!

Every Friday night and all day Saturday for children under 12 with every paying adult

Broken Poker Saturdays!

Come join us for dinner and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ol ceol agus craic!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; with The Broken Pokers! Saturday July 7th | Saturday September 1st | Saturday November 3rd 40 Masonmill Road, Carmel | 08 9293 5157 | masonmillgardens.com.au 29

WORD

WEAVING By Bill Daly

I happened to be walking around one of the shopping centres in Galway recently. While I was there, I noticed an amount of communication mechanisms taking place. As I passed the post office, some people were mailing letters. Further down at the library there were a number of people sitting in front of computers and connected to broadband. On the seats outside the library, a group of schoolchildren were updating their friends on social media and texting furiously on their mobile phones. As all of this was going on it struck me that the written word had returned to us again through advances in modern technology! There was a time when the old-fashioned letter was a very important and coveted source of information. It was particularly so for young people who emigrated from the shores of Ireland and would not return for a very long time, and sometimes not at all. These letters were read and read again until the voices of their loved ones came alive in them and they became a tremendous source of comfort for many generations. Many of you may still have bundles of these in your attic from relatives that may have since passed away. If you get a chance, why not dust them off and read through them once again, as they can be a tremendous source of therapy after such a long time. After a while, the letters began to be replaced by the telephone. This was an effective medium for passing on information but never adequate for passing on emotions, and the majority of conversations were quickly forgotten after the receiver was replaced after the call had ended. Thanks to the advances in technology over the past decades, we now have E-Mail, and the explosion of texting and social media interaction. We are once again challenging people to construct sentences to carry information and convey emotion.

The written word is back and any modern technology that promotes this is well worth having. If it helps the younger generation to construct well-meaning sentences and give their opinions, it will be of major benefit to us all, and also for the continuity of civilization as a whole. No matter how far we expand on the technology front, mankind’s innate desire for expression in words, painting and sculpture will always remain with us. We have seen examples of this in our prehistory and later history from the cave paintings at Lascaux in France, the Egyptian hieroglyphics, ogham stones, and the painstaking work on the Early Christian manuscripts. There was an opinion some years ago that newspapers, magazines and books would cease to exist in their current form and that we would be reading them online. This will happen to an extent but never fully. Books are much more than books, they are a testament, in words, to generations that have since passed out of living memory. How could we possibly live without the smell of books, to hold them in our hands, and make notes on them as we happily progress through the pages and chapters. ‘Bookworms are the most precious worms in the world when they are humans, feeding upon the paper’s body with their starving minds’ – Munia Khan.

Bill Daly: Originally from Tallow in West Waterford, Bill spent 30 years in Cork as a Senior Manager in the Electronics Manufacturing industry with such companies as Apple, EMC and Logitech. He has been working on his own as a Consultant/Contractor in Manufacturing Operations and Materials for the past 18 years. He also attended UCC and has a BA Degree in Archaeology and Geography. Bill is now resident in Connemara, Co. Galway since 2009. 30

From the Editor:

Thanks Bill… I agree and there is still a place for the Irish Scene. I have been asked many times to put our magazine on line and forget about printing copies. When I ask the majority of readers this question, younger and older ones, they all say that it should remain in the printed format! In what seems like a million years ago back in my native Cork, I was the recipient of the Con Kelleher Award for Exceptional Ability in Typography. One of my heroes when I studied was the famous typographer, Beatrice Warde. Beatrice Warde was a typographer and propagandist for fine printing. Her manifesto, ‘This is a Printing Office’, was produced as a broadsheet in 1932 following years of work under the persona “Paul Beaujon,” whom she described as “a man of long, grey beard, four grandchildren, a great interest in antique furniture and a rather vague address in Montparesse.” When the executives at the Lanston Monotype Corporation in London offered Mr. Beaujon the post of part-time editor by mail in 1927, they were flabbergasted when Beatrice arrived in their offices to accept the position. She was promoted to publicity manager in 1929, which was virtually unheard of in publishing at that time, and held this post until she retired in 1960.

THIS IS A PRINTING OFFICE

Crossroads of civilisation Refuge of all the arts against the ravages of time Armoury of fearless truth against whispering rumour Incessant trumpet of trade From this place words may fly abroad not to perish on waves of sound Not to vary with the writer’s hand but fixed in time, having been verified by proof Friend, YOU stand on sacred ground. This is a Printing office BEATRICE WARDE

The Fourth Tuesday Book Club

Book for June 26 was ‘Conclave’ by Robert Harris. Drama over election of new Pope. Book for July 24 is ‘The Ruin’ by Dervla McTiernan. Perth-based Irish author debut hit novel set in Galway City. Already sold film rights. Book for August is ‘Force of Nature‘ by Jane Harper. A Mystery set in the country / forest of Victoria. Meets Irish Club Committee Room at 8pm. All Welcome. Includes homemade cakes. Tea/Coffee donation. Enquiries Maureen 9279 5959 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

AIHA Coming Events

We invite expressions of interest for a morning ‘Day Dawn’ BOAT CRUISE on the Swan River, Sunday October 21. The three hour cruise will depart from and return to Point Walter. It is themed on the new CD by master fiddler Rob Zielinski who will perform live during the cruise. Ticket price also includes an Irish morning tea. Cost $50, Enquiries Heather 0417 594 237 Limit of 40 persons, dress smart casual You have watched The Voice on national TV. Now we invite you to THE VERSE – an afternoon of poetry, Sunday 12 August, Irish Club theatre at 3pm. If you have a favourite poem you would like to read (one you may have written or one you want to share) then email your expression of interest to aiha@irishheritage.net by no later than 28 July. No entry fee. Door admission including afternoon tea $10. Enquiries Tony 9367 6026. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Writing Competitions The Joe O’Sullivan Writers’ Prize honouring the memory of

the Organisation’s late founder, worth $1,000, limit of 2,000 to 4,000 words - prose, fact or fiction. Open to residents of WA only

Australian-Irish Heritage Association Topic: “A Knock on the Door”.

Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize honours Joyce

Parkes who is a well-known poet living in WA. She is the patron of the prize, which aims at promoting and encouraging women writers in Australia. Limit of 1,000 to 2,000 words – Prose, fact or fiction. Prize Money: $500 Topic: “A Pleasant Memory” Entrance Fee $10 for all competitions. Deadline 31 October, 2018. Enquiries to Denis Bratton 9345 3530 Winner of Joyce Parkes Writers Prize for 2017 was Gina Dawson with ‘Leaving Home’. Winner of the Joe O’Sullivan Writers’ prize was Guy Salvidge with ‘The Centre Cannot Hold’ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

VALE Sandra Piggott and Phyllis Gaffney

We were saddened at the loss of Sandra Piggott who was wife of life member and former president Ed Pigott. They had retired to Bunbury some years ago. Denis and Patricia Bratton travelled to Bunbury on behalf of AIHA for the funeral service on Monday 18 June. Phyllis Gaffney wife of recent Board Member Pat Gaffney passed away on 8 May after a long illness. Phyllis attended our AGM and the afternoon tea tribute to past

president Denis Bratton on Sunday 11 March. We extend our deep sympathy to Ed and Pat. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Interested in the Irish Fenian story in WA?

Jim Ryan, great grandson of Captain George Anthony who skippered the Catalpa Whaling Ship that took six fenian escapees to America in 1876, will be in Fremantle where he will deliver a lecture at the Maritime Museum on Saturday 28 July at 2pm organised by the Fremantle Fenian Festival Committee. Admission by donation at the door. Jim lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts and owns a large collection of artefacts from the Catalpa. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– AIHA Board of Management 2018/19 President: Heather Deighan Past President: Denis Bratton Secretary: Tony Bray Treas/Memb: Patricia Bratton Committee: Frank Murphy. Eleanor Nolan, Carmel Ryan –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WEEKLY RADIO SHOW - SONG FOR IRELAND with Frank Murphy, Radio Fremantle, 107.9fm, Saturday 8 to 10am. Also available on archive for 7 days on: www.radiofremantle.com/archives

Be proud of your Irish Heritage

Australian-Irish Heritage Association - Non Political Non Sectarian Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583, Subiaco 6904 Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Treasurer: 08 9345 3530 Email: aiha@irishheritage.net Web Page: www.irishheritage.net Look us up on Facebook Membership Due 1st January – Family $65, Concession $55, Distant (200kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Check out events on http://www.irishscene.com.au/calendar-of-events.html 31

By Lloyd Gorman

Blink and you’d easily miss Ireland’s ambitions for Australia Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

In late June the Irish government announced an ambitious plan to double the country’s presence around the world over the next seven years. Global Ireland, Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025 is the government’s answer to powerful forces (past and present) that have and will shape the Irish nation for us, and generations to come. “Ireland is emerging from what has been a lost decade for many of our citizens, and it is clear to me that we are emerging with a greater sense of self-confidence and ambition for what we can do as a country,” Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar states at the start of the report. “That national self-confidence requires that we always be ambitious, visible and active in promoting the interests of our nation on the international stage.” The Taoiseach talks about the importance of Ireland’s place in Europe, Ireland’s relationship with the UK in the face of Brexit and touches on the changing dynamic of the politics in America. Climate change, security, technology and taxation are also cited as drivers of change for the future. “As global economic and political power shifts east and south, Ireland will respond by making new friends and improving long-standing relationships across Asia and the Global South,” Mr Varadkar added. “Although geographically a small island on

the periphery of Europe, Ireland’s people and our outlook are global, influenced by connecting with people and events around the world.” To do all this over the next seven years, the Irish government says it will open at least 26 new embassies and diplomatic missions which will help it to influence the policies, law and budgets of the EU and UN as well as other big institutions such as the World Trade Organisation. Irish arts and culture will get a major boost with big investments and expansions of these type of programmes planned for the US and UK and other parts of the world. Exports to Ireland’s main trading partners will be doubled, as will the number of tourists visiting. Irish universities and other providers will do their bit to increase the economic output and value of education to the economy. It also promises to: “Develop a new policy and strategic approach to supporting our citizens overseas and diaspora networks internationally, including our traditional, affinity and return diaspora, including the publication of a new diaspora strategy in 2020.” It is a big plan for a small country that sets out an aspirational path and time-line into the near future. The Irish diaspora, the 70 million people around the world with Irish heritage or ancestry who are part of our global family, are also identified as an important resource and advocate for Ireland’s global presence and reputation. “We also, of course, look after Irish people who get into difficulties when away from the country,” the strategy adds. “Providing consular support to individuals and families at what is often an enormously stressful time for them – whether through death, injury, imprisonment or other tragedy or mishap – is a vital part of the work that our embassy network does on our behalf. As people travel further for longer, providing that vital support becomes more difficult.” If it measures up to its own standards this strategy will accomplish much for the country. It is a good plan, but it falls significantly short of the mark in one important area. The 73-page document talks at length about its

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at launch of Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025

relationship and plans for Europe, the Americas, Asia, Middle East, Gulf and North Africa and even Sub-Saharan Africa. Australia and New Zealand are also discussed, but only just about. The section for our region of the world is so small - just 67 words - it can be tucked into the pocket of this column and easily reproduced here, as follows: “Australia and New Zealand are advanced economies with which Ireland has close and long-standing connections, underpinned by strong people-to-people links. We envisage a deepening relationship with both countries in the context of ongoing trade negotiations with the EU. Under this initiative, we will: • Open a new embassy in New Zealand later in 2018 • Augment our diplomatic presence in Australia • Deepen Enterprise Ireland’s presence in Australia”

An Irish embassy in New Zealand is probably long overdue and badly needed and will be an important step for the Irish community there. But the Irish government’s commitment to Australia is surprisingly light on detail or substance. For such a comprehensive strategy Australia hardly factors. Like you might say about driving quickly through a small Irish village, “blink and you’d miss it!” Compared with every other region outlined in the Global Irish strategy Australia appears to lag behind everyone else, by a long stretch. Yes, the Irish Australia relationship is a strong one, and generally speaking we are friends on the international stage, but like most relationships needs constant work to keep it that way, and this strategy takes it for granted. The Global Irish 2025 strategy and approach to Australia is a bit like giving somebody an invite to a party, but telling them they might not be able to go, if another guest turns up. It would be churlish not to wish the strategy well. It is in everyone’s interest to see a strong Ireland at home and abroad, but I can’t help shake the feeling that it does not try very hard to reach out to the Antipodeans.

Frank Murphy presents

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IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS

TROUBADOUR MUSIC PRESENTS EGEN THE L

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in -dubl

22 JULY

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ASTOR THEATRE

SUNDAY 11 NOV

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SAT 24 NOV CAPITOL PERTH Tickets from www.troubadour-music.com 34

H O IR W A ISH R E Y O U

Brain Teaser...

Two candles are the same length. Both are lit at the same time. The first candle (No 1) burns six hours before it extinguishes itself. The second candle (No 2) burns three hours before it extinguishes itself. Question : During how much time must candle No 1 burn before it is twice the length of candle No 2 ?

Who wrote the music and lyrics of the song "Ride on"?

In U2 which instrument does the Edge play?

Which famous city was James Galway born?

Who is singer Eithne Ní Bhraonáin better known as?

Lady in Red is most famous for which Irish singer songwriter?

Who wrote Sinead O'Connor's hit 'Nothing Compares 2 U'?

What skin is traditionally used on the Irish drum, the bodhran?

Who are Finbar Wright, Antony Kearns and Ronan Tynan?

How is Christopher John Davison better known?

10. Who was once the lead singer of Them? 11. Why did the Saw Doctors member hit the headlines in 1993? 12. Which Irish singer was born on the Falls Road in 1966? 13. Who wrote The Town I Loved So Well? 14. The theme to which TV series gave Clannad a worldwide hit? 15. Who wrote The Fields of Athenry? 16. Who played singer Deco Cuffe in The Commitments? 17. Which legendary guitarist died 14th June 1995? 18. What is the stage name of singer Barry Moore? 19. What was the spoof Irish Eurovision song used in an episode of Father Ted and sung by Dougal? 20. Who wrote and sang 'The Island'?

Answers 1.Jimmy McCarthy, 2.Guitar 3.Belfast 4.Eyna 5.Chris de Burgh 6.Prince 7.Goatskin 8.The Irish Tenors 9.Chris de Burgh 10.Van Morrison 11.He won Lotto 12.Brian Kennedy 13.Phil Coulter 14.Harrys Game 15.Pete St John 16.Andrew Strong 17.Rory Gallagher 18.Luka Bloom 19.My Lovely Horse 20.Paul Brady. BrainTeaster: 2 Hours

“There are no makeovers in my books. The ugly duckling does not become a beautiful swan. She becomes a confident duck able to take charge of her own life and problems.” Author Maeve Binchy 35

The Fiddlestick Folk Club is gaining momentum in the Northern Suburbs. At present there is a stout band of followers but there have been up to almost fifty in the audience for certain entertainers. Fiona Rea got it off to a great start some six months ago and after a few “singers” nights we had the great Sean Roche back on a tour from Ireland and Phil Beck; a real folk artist originally from Southampton. Then a magical night with Tommy O’Brien and recently a top night with Joe O’Flaherty and Ken McLaughlin of the Thirsty Travellers. Thanks also to Suanne for playing fiddle and Joel for his help as a competent sound engineer and as the sole roadie. Thanks are due of course to Fred Rea for all his help in promotion and of course performing every time he attends. The next one will include the Fiddlesticks Band with lots of friends adding their talent. It is on Tuesday 10th July which is of course the second Tuesday in the month. The venue as always is the Function Room in the WOODVALE TAVERN, Trappers Drive in Woodvale. They have some good food there so if you are going to eat, come along early.

The club begins at 7:30 sharp so aim for 7:20. Hope to see you there and bring a few friends. They WILL enjoy the evening.

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH Mysterious vanishing act for photos of Pauline Hanson’s visit to Dáil Éireann! sector that can tend to be dominated by older men in suits). Apparently the Aussie pollies spent about two days (June 13/14) around Leinster House - the Houses of Oireachtas - in Dublin. They sat in on public sessions of the Dáil and Seanad Éireann (but we don’t know for how long) and met staff and members of the Irish parliament. There was an “formal exchange of views” between the Cathaoirleach (Chairmen) of the Dáil and Seanad Éireann (Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD and Senator Denis O’Donovan), we well as Pat the Cope Gallagher TD and Mr Ryan. “This was followed by round table discussions with members of Oireachtas Committees,” a statement from the Oireachtas about the event stated. “The delegates discussed parliamentary security with Paul Conway, Superintendent and John Flaherty,

Pauline Hanson watches on!

Pauline Hanson, the unmistakable leader of Australia’s One Nation political party was in Ireland recently, and in Perth not long after that but that’s not the interesting thing for discussion. Hanson’s brand of right wing nationalistic politics has kept her in the public eye and a position of political influence on and off now for a long time and given her a media profile above and beyond the true strength of her self styled political party, although the way parliament is split she can sometimes command and dictate what the Malcolm Turnbull government is able and not able to achieve. Her very presence is normally enough to create a media crush, but not always it seems. In any case, Mrs Hanson stepped outside the realm of domestic politics and into the international political scene in June. She was a member of a delegation of Australian members of parliament on a “study visit” to Dáil Éireann (Irish parliament) lead by seasoned Liberal Senator Scott Ryan from Victoria. But as well as being the only woman in the visiting group Mrs Hanson was probably the only politician in the whole group that most people would be able to pick out of a crowd and identify correctly (no doubt part of her appeal in a

Boy's Club and Pauline Hanson

Captain of the Guard. They also met Helen Dixon, the Commissioner for Data Protection and Sherry Perreault, Head of Ethics and Lobbying Regulation, Standards in Public Office (SIPO).” As you would expect Senator O’Donovan (who is from Bantry, Co. Cork) extended a “very warm welcome” and wished them every success on their visit to Ireland. The ‘leader’ of the Senate, Senator Jerry Buttimer (another Corkman) added his own welcome, adding that it was “very important we acknowledge their presence and congratulate them on their recent historical achievement regarding

senior figures, official engagements and lavish meals (probably paid for by the Irish taxpayer) thrown in for good measure. It will be the kind of fare their Irish counterparts can expect when their turn comes to visit Canberra. In another very ordinary and everyday action, the group also took a few snaps of themselves with their Irish counterparts, and posted them on social media. From memory those pictures were shared on the twitter sites of the Irish and Australian embassies in Canberra and Dublin respectively and on the Dail’s twitter feed. That’s how I knew the group - including Pauline Hanson - were in town on a junket. As well as being instantly recognisable Mrs Hanson was dressed in a bright red coat and the only woman in sight. Still, nothing extraordinary about the photos, or was there? The question has to be asked because all the photos save one - a file image of an Irish and Australian table flag - that were posted online were taken down from all those various sites at the same time. Even more interestingly it appears that they were removed outside

Irish Pollies and Aussie Pollies shake hands!

marriage equality. I commend them on their bravery.” Interestingly, not everyone in the Australian delegation used their political position to support legalising same sex marriage in Canberra. Mrs Hanson was an outright critic of the change and fought against it. Australia’s ambassador in Ireland Richard Andrews was a part of the delegation. He tweeted of the “excellent hospitality” shown to them from both houses. “Excellent discussion about the ties that bind - values, kinship and opportunities for mutual benefit. Great potential for commercial partnerships and working together in support of a rules-based international order,” Ambassador Andrews tweeted. “a visit that underlined how much our vibrant democracies have in common. Looking forward to the reciprocal visit to Australia happening before too long.” Mr Ryan, the leader of the Australian group, hand wrote and signed the following message into an official ‘visitors book’ to mark the occasion. All of that is the bread and butter stuff you would expect of any exchange of its kind, welcoming words, platitudes and even a bit of flattery, talks with

Patt Rabbitte greets Sean Ryan

Ireland's ambassador in Australia Breandán Ó Caollaí - right of - PM Malcolm Turnbull and other EU ambassadors in Canberra on June 19 37

of normal business hours, over a weekend (June 23/24). How do I know? Because I looked at them and printed them off and downloaded them on the Friday and could not find them again on the Sunday night when I went looking for them again. My interest in them was refreshed by another tweet about the Irish visit posted (at 2.38pm on June 14) by one Nial Finegan from Melbourne who was responding to a tweet by the Australian ambassador in Ireland. In his short message Mr Finegan simply said: “Usually very proud to see Australia/Ireland matters but there’s something about this picture makes me a bit sad.” The image in question was the one of Scott Ryan signing a book, with Pauline Hanson over his shoulder and an Irish harp logo in the background. Mr Finegan’s succinct expression of opinion was hardly damning in its language or tone. It was certainly not what you might call ‘uparliamentary’. But was it enough to be considered some kind of

voter would not see the value in her being half way around the world, out of reach. But the captain of the Australian team would - you would think - want to bang the drum a bit and let his followers know what he is up to. Again, no. Not a jot. Indeed his twitter account is totally blank between May 15 and June 19, which of course includes his time in Ireland. I would check the accounts of the other Australian delegates, if I knew who they were. If a list of their names exists in the public arena I have not been able to find it. How many of them were with Mr Ryan and Mrs Hanson I couldn’t tell you. How much the excursion cost taxpayers may be something that is never known. The purpose of the trip has not been explained. Quite how this experience and all it entailed will benefit the Australian taxpayer and electorate is uncertain. Perhaps one of the members will refer to their knowledge of a situation in Ireland in relation to some issue of debate in the House, and that will be enough to justify the whole thing. I can tell you that the same delegation were in the UK for a similar reason on about June 4. Where they went in the approximately 10 days between visiting the UK and Ireland is also unknown. Maybe they were performing other official responsibilities, but you could be forgiven for being skeptical they kept such a heavy schedule. These are all legitimate questions about the use of public resources. But quite why the photos, as published here, were removed is the most perplexing of all? Meanwhile, Mrs Hanson flew into Perth about a week after her outing to Ireland. She was local to WA briefly to help spruik the chances of Rod Caddies, her party’s candidate in the Darling Range by-election. She might have stayed at home in Queensland and saved herself a trip. In the end a large majority of voters opted for the Liberal party candidate Alyssa Hayden and taught the Labor government a lesson. One Nation were never a serious contender once counting of the ballot papers began.

Message written in Dail book!

an attack and for that photo - indeed all of them - to be taken down. Much harsher things are said about established political figures like Mrs Hanson every day in the mainstream media. It is hard to imagine that even Mrs Hanson herself would have enough exception to the sentiment that she asked for it to be removed. She has a thick political skin from decades of defending some uncontroversial views and policies. So who removed them, and why? It would seem that even the trip itself was not particularly significant or important to Mrs Hanson, or even Mr Ryan for that matter. Neither of them tweeted a single word at the time or since about the “study trip”. Mrs Hanson's twitter account didn’t even skip a beat and continued to see updated messages about domestic political matters in her absence. In fact it sort of makes sense that she would not brag about being overseas, away from her electorate. The typical Pauline Hanson/One Nation

“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.” ― Groucho Marx

Musical Entertainer / Teacher

David MacConnell

0413 259 547 0doublexx7@gmail.com www.maccdouble.com 38

Getting the clan together By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman The East Fremantle Bowling Club was the unlikely setting for an event with a strong Irish flavour in June. Greg Mahony from Brisbane honoured a pledge he made a decade ago. “My grandparents came out from Co. Cork in 1880,” he told Fred Rea. “I’ve been trying to trace their descendency and I got involved in the O’Mahony Society in Ireland which likes to promote Irish culture and history and to assist those with unknown family history, and for 15 years I’ve been having clan gatherings of the O’Mahony’s in various states and New Zealand. I promised one lady whose husband Ray Mahony is a DNA relative that I’d have one in Western Australia. That was over ten years ago and now we’ve made it to WA. It was a wonderful reception and people who came along to see their clan and help themselves to trace their family history and we’ve found two groups who were relatives of each other and never knew each other. That has happened at a few of our clan gatherings. People come along, and they give the history of their family and others realise they are a relative and they get connections and that is what we are trying to do for the diaspora so that those who are tracing their family can have some history of other families and maybe within those family history’s there will be some connection. We had a lovely response today, and a great time.” The plan in the near future is to put the details of clans and family histories contributed by people onto a website for researchers worldwide to use as a resource. Naturally enough, wherever there is Greg O'Mahony an O’Mahony

story, Greg is interested. One Cornelius O’Mahony was amongst the more than 60 Fenians transported to Western Australia in 1868 on-board the Hougoumont, the last convict ship to the colony. “I knew his grandson, Gerard, unfortunately he died a few years ago, just short of his hundredth birthday. A book about his life and history is being written in Melbourne and I was able to supply a photograph of him that came out of the Record - the Catholic Church magazine in Perth. When I go to Ireland, to his home town of Macroom, Co. Cork, we’ll ask around if anyone remembers that family. Cornelius was a school teacher and when he was pardoned he went to Melbourne where he died at a young age unfortunately. They erected a monument to his honour. His family line is a nun and a priest, the one son, Gerard, the man I knew. Unfortunately, there were no other children, so the line is now extinct.” The Irish community in Western Australia can claim a connection to the O’Mahony story. “Frank Murphy Pope O'Mahony (presenter of Songs for Ireland on Radio Fremantle on Saturday mornings) was a young journalist at RTE and he worked with the Pope O’Mahony (Above), who started the clan gatherings in Ireland in 1955,” added Greg. “I never met the Pope O’Mahony, but I met his niece. She is quite active. He’s buried in a cemetery in Cork city and recently the Society placed a monument and restored his Celtic Cross headstone. He was a very interesting character, a bit of a scallywag.” Visit: www.omahonysociety.com

Tony wants to get more for Moore by Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Australia is hurtling towards a national election. Exactly when that happens is still unclear. As long as he remains Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will ultimately decide when the Australian people go back to the polls to elect the next Federal government. The electorate in Australia's 150 electoral 'Divisions' - 16 of which are in WA - will once again get an opportunity to decide if they want to return the incumbent administration or throw them out and give the opposition a chance to lead. A Labor Party stalwart and a veteran of the state political system Tony O'Gorman appreciates the value and vagaries of what lies ahead and has nominated as the Labor candidate for Moore. But in order to do that he did something which was not required of him as a state MP. Members of parliament in the West Australian parliament can be elected and hold office if they are Australian citizens and are also entitled to be citizens of another country. Current Environmental Minister Stephen Dawson for example was born and raised in Dublin but moved to Australia with his family as a teenager. As a state MP Tony's cultural heritage was not an issue. He was born in Birmingham, England, to Irish parents and as such was entitled to both Irish and British citizenship. He and wife Bernadette migrated to Australia in 1981 and in 1992 Tony became an Australian citizen. Following preselection by the Australian Labor Party in December 2017 Tony immediately lodged his application to renounce both his Irish and British Citizenship. Official renunciation of his Irish Citizenship was confirmed in February 2018. Renunciation of his British Citizenship was confirmed in April 2018. Documentation confirming this has been provided to the ALP and also seen by Irish Scene. "Back in 2013 when I lost the seat of Joondalup, it wasn't a seat that we as the West Australian Labor Party were expecting to lose," said Tony, who represented Joondalup in the Legislative Assembly from 2001. "Particularly in my seat we were reasonably confident of holding it, so I wasn't really prepared to not be in parliament. Its been one of those things that have been gnawing at me ever since, that I should still be in parliament, that I should be doing stuff for my community. Then in the 2017 state election my eldest daughter Jessica Stojkovski had a huge swing of 15% to take the seat of Kingsley, a seat we never thought we could win and a seat that she won quite comfortably in the end. So that played on my mind and I thought, 'you know

what?', if we are getting swings like that there's no reason why we couldn't topple Moore in a federal election." It will take a significant swing of 11% of local voters - approx 90,000 people - against the Liberal Party incumbent Ian Goodenough for Tony to win the seat, but he is confident it can be done, and the mood is for change. "With the way the Turnbull government is going at the moment, and the way the sitting member is going, I think we have a good opportunity of toppling him at this election. That stood out for me about this time last year when a young girl, 17, from Duncraig Senior High School had the backbone to stand up and return an award she was given for inclusivity because she reckoned the current member wasn't inclusive, particularly because of his stand on same sex marriage. That kind of gave me the inspiration to think, 'you know you have to stand by your principles, you have to stand up for your principles." "With the way the Liberal Party is at the moment they are very strongly for church orientated candidates and the current member for Moore is a church candidate and it worries me that churches make a concerted effort to have members of parliament, so they can influence social outcomes, I don't think that's right," he said. "Australia is a multi-cultural and multi-denominational society, we should not have any one religion - no matter how big or small - trying to influence social policy on that basis." Tony said he was motivated to make a political comeback for these and other reasons. "I think the time is right for me and its right for my family and I've got a great boost with my daughter being in state parliament because she understands the part of the electorate I've never worked in, which is the Kingsley electorate, the suburbs of Kingsley and Woodvale. In my time as the member for Joondalup and running in Hilaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in 1996 I had campaigned in just about every suburb in the Moore electorate, except for Kingsley and Woodvale." The Australian Electoral Commission describes Moore as covering most of the City of Joondalup and a small portion of the City of Wanneroo. It includes the suburbs of Burns Beach, Connolly, Craigie, Currambine, Duncraig, Edgewater, Greenwood, Heathridge, Hillarys, Iluka, Joondalup, Kallaroo, Kingsley (part), Kinross, Marmion, Mullaloo, Ocean Reef, Padbury, Sorrento and Woodvale. Tony plans to work hard on the ground, doorknocking and working with the networks and knowledge he

has built up in the community as a local member and said he will also have the backing of an energetic election campaign team throughout with a strong presence at each of the district’s 35 polling booths to help secure a strong finish to the electoral race. "We are going to put up a campaign that hasn't been mounted in Moore for 20 years," he said. He has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve as the member of parliament for Moore. At least one local issue keeps cropping up constantly when he talks with people in the community. "If we can get a Federal Labor member in Moore and with the three Labor state members in the electorate it gives us that bit more power to go to Canberra and ask for money, because what we are trying to do is to get more for Moore. I've been living in the northern suburbs since 1981 and since then the Ocean Reef Marina has been talked about," he explained. "In the Gallop Carpenter government year’s we put some money up to get surveys and work like that done. Now the McGowan government has put money in and have started to move ahead with that. But it’s over a billion dollars’ worth of infrastructure that has never been lobbied to the federal parliament, so I'd like to take that to the federal parliament and lobby on behalf of that. It may not be something we can convince our federal colleagues to be a part of but it is something that needs to be raised to a much higher level. " He said a lot of people, especially senior citizens, do not believe that they will see the Ocean Reef Marina developed in their time. "I want to make sure they do see it built," he said. "Because there is a big call for it in the northern suburbs. When Hillarys Marina went in there was a lot of disunion about it, but look at it now, it's probably one of our number one tourist attractions and its an economic hub for the northern suburbs. We need to replicate that at Ocean Reef, replicate the harbour but have different things there and probably do a bit more residential accommodation down near the harbour, rather than just have it as businesses so that there is a nucleus of people there all the time and make it a success in as short a time as possible." He said the City of Joondalup has had many great ideas for the project over the years but has not been in a position either financially or economically to do it. "So, its going to take at least state government intervention and hopefully if I get elected to convince the federal government that they should be putting money into projects like the Ocean Reef boat harbour." Funding for major road infrastructure projects is another area he would hope to make a difference. "When we were in government Labor built the freeway up to Burns Beach Road and not one dollar came from the federal government," he added. "Everytime we got money for the freeway from a federal Liberal government it came under a state Liberal government here in WA. We need to be making sure that every kilometre of freeway we put in we have a federal contribution." With the looming prospect of an election both Mal-

colm Turnbull and Bill Shorten were in Perth earlier this year, getting an early start on the campaign trail. "Now both parties are committing to funding the Freeway to Romeo Road, but Labor was the first cab off the rank. Labor knew earlier too it was needed to put $154 million into Joondalup Health Campus, that's something we've been canvassing for many years. Since 1996 we've been canvassing on the Joondalup Health Campus to get better services, better facilities, to upgrade it and to start thinking about the future and to get ahead of what we've been doing. What we've been doing is playing catch up and we are still playing catch up, we need more mental health beds there, we need more emergency department beds, we need more observation beds, we need more paediatric beds, there are lots of things we can campaign for on Joondalup Health Campus alone." Getting JHC classified as a tertiary facility would be a major step towards getting better funding and more services for the health complex and the people who depend on it. The southern suburbs have Fiona Stanley Hospital while Perth has the Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. "There's no reason why we shouldn't have a tertiary hospital in one of the highest population areas in Perth," he added. In the 2013 election Tony lost his place as a member of parliament but not his calling as he found himself in the middle of a career change. "With my job at the Shire of Dandaragan I'm the Community Services Co-ordinator Club Development Officer, so I really haven't moved too far away from what I did as a politician," he added. "I've been working with community and sporting groups and helping them to future plan to work out the best ways to do their finances. Interestingly enough, we've been doing a lot of work on constitutions to get them signed over to the new act that came in about eighteen months ago. It just means you've never ever left, you still understand how it works, how the community groups are always trying to find a way to get more volunteers, get more money and deliver more services. Its about achieving for young people, providing services to older people and making sure people aren't lost in the community. Realistically that is what politics is, from my point of view its about looking after the community, its about making sure that everybody gets a fair go and making sure that everybody has what they need to live comfortably." In his latest role Tony has been based in Jurien Bay and despite being a two-hour drive north of Perth remains strongly connected to the area he hopes to represent. "Joondalup Health Campus is our local hospital for Jurien Bay," Tony said. "So while I'm still up there I still have a connection. " If elected he would return to live in the northern suburbs where his adult children - including Jessica also live and represent the constituency in Canberra. 41

WA could potentially have two Gormans batting for it in federal parliament Tony is not the only Gorman with ambitions to represent a West Australian seat in the national parliament. Patrick Gorman is the Australian Labor Party's candidate for Perth, and is likely to be a shoe-in for the position. The by-election for Perth will be held on July 28, alongside four other by-elections in the Fremantle, Mayo, Longman and Braddon constituencies, on what is being called 'Super Saturday'. Perth became vacant because local lawyer Tim Hammond resigned as MP for family reasons whereas the others are as a direct result of fallout from the ongoing dual citizenship scandal that has claimed multiple high profile political scalps - including former Nationals leader and deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce temporarily before another scandal overtook him - and almost toppled the federal government. It also exposed the weakness of Bill Shorten's hubris that his party's checks and policies were so thorough that no Labor MP or Senator or candidate would be caught out by the constitutional clause (Section 44) that prevents dual citizens from sitting in federal parliament. Incidentially, the entire crisis was sparked by the keen legal mind of a 79 year old Perth barrister John Cameron who spotted the legal problem for some sitting members in the constitution. The first federal MP to fall foul of the dual citizenship issue was WA Senator Scott Ludlum, because he was born in New Zealand. While he may not be a household name Patrick Gorman is very well known in political circles. He has been the brains behind the election of a number of other federal Labor MPs and was a staffer and right hand man to former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and state secretary for the WA Labor Party and is highly regarded within the Labor movement as a "tireless fighter". His election is almost a foregone conclusion for at least two reasons. Perth has been considered a Labor stronghold since 1983. So much so that the Liberals - the only party with any prospect of breaking this stranglehold - are not even fielding a candidate, a decision which has ruffled feathers of many within the Libs. Lloyd Gorman is not related to Tony O'Gorman or Patrick Gorman.

’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

A few years back I wrote many articles on the Global Financial Crisis detailing the stupid situation of people investing/giving their money to institutes in the hope of making a profit. I have spent thirty four years plus a few months in the finance industry, explaining and showing people how not to be duped into giving their money to so called financial experts. Sadly in some cases my advice has fallen on deaf ears. I have now reached the point of having to say for the umpteen time, I told you so. I will remind you again of lessons not learned from the history of dealing with those who supposedly know more about the investment world than you. Please don’t put the paper down yet as this just might be the best bit of information that you will ever get and if taken, it just might also save your financial future. Don’t dare say that it’s too complex for you to understand, for if you take that stance you might be giving away your future to some financial gurus who don’t give a twopenny hoot about your future, but more worried about their take and feathering his or her own nest. Let me repeat a few tips to help you not fall into the trap of giving your trust and monies to those who caused the financial crisis. When seeking advice, it is important to ask those questions first before you indulge in any transactions. Assuming you are dealing with a financial adviser, not in any particular order, don’t be afraid to ask, is your advice independent, what are your qualifications, how long have you been in the industry, have you ever been sued or disciplined by the regulators, can I speak with a few of your long time clients to see how they have increased their investment value, do you have debts and where have you invested your money. If those questions are not fully answered, then I recommend that you find someone who can answer them and if not be prepared to accept that your future wealth is at risk. Those are very important questions for you, the investor to ask, regardless of the type or investment you are looking for, be it managed funds, pension, property or shares. Please remember that the Global Financial Crisis was caused by the financial industry, not plumbers, electricians, butchers, carpenters and so on. It was greed along with the seduction of bonuses that drove the financial world into a massive black hole. Here in Australia the ongoing Royal Commission has exposed massive flaws in the industry and no doubt there will be more blood spilt before they finish their findings. So, let me ask you again, what was learned from the crisis of a decade ago? The answer to that is nothing, as greed has risen its ugly head again and why, you may ask. Simply because you the investor gave those people your trust and money without asking the important questions. Do you really expect those who are driven by targets and bonuses to be giving you their priority? Well they should, but in too many cases they don’t. A needle that has bothered me for years, is the trustworthyness of the research houses to do the job expected of them. In many cases they are far short of what is required. By them not supplying the right information to the fund managers and the fund managers not making them accountable, can lead to disaster. I hope this information helps to keep you from future disasters, as they will continue to raise their ugly head again and again. 42

in an era of throw away marriages, Pete and Rosie are in an exclusive club of sixty plus years, that is a rarity nowadays. It was that look, when both their eyes met that captured me as I had not seen that look of passion in anyone for many years. Their love extends over much more than smiles and kisses, theirs is a love of life and all that it brought them. You won’t find a more human and romantic story like this anywhere on this planet; for their story is a love extraordinary. Every time they had a knockdown they got up again and got on with life. Every time they had success and made money, they went and spent it. They had the right attitude to money, spend it and enjoy life, as they say, THERE ARE NO BANKS IN HEAVEN! Theirs is a story of love adventure and challenge, always looking on the bright side of life, even when life wasn’t being kind to them. There were no such words in their dictionary called failure or don’t try. I was hooked and determined to find out how can they be in love after all those years and still look like it’s the first time. Is it something in the water or in their genes or is there a magic formula to help couples keep it together? Well if so, Pete and Rosie have the answer and I wanted to know. A week after the celebrations we met, and they agreed to tell me their secret and life story, resulting in me writing the adventures of their lives. The book, titled ‘The Adventures of Pete and Rosie’ is released this week and can be bought through Amazon. Until next time. Be kind to those who love you and Slainte from Melbourne You can catch me on mjbowen@iprimus.com.au

Remember the old cliché, if it’s too good to be true, then it is. After my years in the finance industry I can tell you that there is no easy money to be made, but wise and considerate decisions go a long way to a bright future. Remember a fool and his money is soon parted.

On a totally different subject, I would like to share a story with you...

As a writer I am often asked where do you find stories? I usually reply I don’t, they find me! This amazing story found me on Sunday January 1st 2016 when I was invited to Pete and Rosie Greenhalgha’s ‘Sixtieth plus one day’ wedding anniversary. Over many years I have seen and experienced love, but seeing the love in Pete’s eyes, as he strummed his guitar while singing in a low husky tone to the love of his life Rosie, who had tears of joy running down her cheeks and having that look. You know ‘that’ look, the one when you just know that this is the one you want to be with for the rest of your life. I found it amazing to be seeing two people so in love after sixty years of marriage. I expected to be seeing blood on an occasion like this, not tears of joy and a couple with stars in their eyes as if they were teenagers who found love for the first time. It looked like their two worlds collided there and then, resulting in an abundance of love filling the air, just like stars exploding. I can’t remember when I saw two people more in love, than at that moment. I found it amazing and a privilege to be in their presence on this special anniversary of theirs. We live

PADBURY PLAYGROUP

Irish Families in Perth

with Eimear Beattie

Western Australia Irish families in Perth is a voluntary non-profit organisation with over 14,000 members. We provide Irish emigrants with advice on how to best assimilate into the Western Australian culture and lifestyle. We communicate with our subscribers through social media where topics such as long-lost relatives, housing, jobs and social events are covered. It is a vibrant active forum that provides a wealth of knowledge to young families and singles emigrating to Western Australia. IFIP contributes to a cohesive Irish Community by working together with many of the wonderful groups in Perth that support Irish culture and heritage. IFIP aims to · Coordinate Irish family events including twice weekly playgroup. · Develop Irish Culture & heritage. · Help Irish people with any problems that might arise and provide a link to Australian and Irish support services. You can find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/ irishfamiliesinperth/

44 44

In 2015 Linda Morten arrived in Perth WA with her husband and two young children. She initially arranged meet ups with the intention of meeting other likeminded mums and families to help establish herself and family in the northern suburbs of Perth. Those initial meet ups took place at beaches and playgrounds north of the river. A more permanent venue was sourced, finally obtaining a place at Padbury Playgroup. Such was the demand for places, two sessions are now offered on both Mondays and Wednesdays. Padbury playgroup is a purpose-built playgroup centre which has undergone recent refurbishment. It has a bright indoor area and a small kitchen complete with small fridge, microwave, tea and coffee making facilities. Outdoors, there is a covered playground attaching to the building and the outdoor area is fenced with a locked gate ensuring the safety of our little ones. It also has a large selection of indoor and outdoor toys ensuring that each child is kept busy. As any member of the Irish community would recognise, leaving your family, friends and your old life behind in Ireland to live on the far side of the world is an extremely daunting experience. IFIP playgroup at Padbury has been so beneficial for all involved. Everyone who has attended, parents, caregivers and children alike have benefited from the Irish community ‘Cead mile failte’. For our children, the playgroup has provided the opportunity of learning through play, developing new skills, shared experiences through play, problem solving and social development. Research has shown that children who attend playgroup are less likely to be developmentally vulnerable when they start school (2012 Australian Early Development Census) which is even more important considering the absence of family support for the majority of us raising families in Perth, WA. IFIP playgroup at Padbury has equally been important for parents and caregivers. It has encouraged an inclusive and collaborative environment, the opportunity to make new friends in the community thus reducing isolation, the sharing of ideas and parental knowledge and has offered support with the challenges faced living so far away from home. Playgroup sessions have also encouraged taking time out of busy life to participate and observe our children play in a wellequipped venue. Essentially, IFIP playgroup sessions have promoted connectivity of the Irish community in a home away from home environment. There are approximately 37 members who attend our Monday and Wednesday playgroup sessions with their children. Advertising is mainly done through social media and our playgroup ensures every warm

welcome to potential members. There is also a great social aspect attaching to the playgroup sessions, namely; busy bees, BBQs, fundraising activities, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween and Christmas events and the obligatory wine tours and nights out. We would like to express our gratitude to IFIP (our sponsors) for the support throughout the year as without it our playgroups would not be possible and also to Linda Morten through which her legacy of IFIP playgroup remains. What our current members have to say about IFIP playgroup at Padbury: I joined the IFIP Playgroup at Padbury in January 2018 after having my first baby in November 2017. I was a bit apprehensive about joining a new group with a 12-week-old but all the mothers were so welcoming and friendly. Luca was initially one of the youngest in the group but all the older kids are brilliant and play with him and include him in activities. The Irish Padbury Playgroup is a fantastic support network for all Irish and UK expats abroad and I am delighted I joined the Monday group. – Shauna Lynch. With three kids under the age of five, I find the IFIP playgroup at Padbury to be such great support. All the mammies are great craic and so friendly. It’s great for the kids to mix in such clean and safe surroundings. I love Mondays now. – Rachel Shields. IFIP playgroup at Padbury has been an invaluable resource for both my children and I whilst out on maternity leave. I have been privileged to meet such supportive, caring and friendly like-minded mammies, to share great conversation and laughs over a cup of tea. My children have equally benefited from play and socialisation in a safe environment. – Allison Baxter I’ve recently joined IFIP playgroup at Padbury after having my second baby in January. The mammies were all so friendly and welcoming, and it was great to have some adult conversation while on maternity leave. Mia is 3 ½ and loves attending playgroup to see all her friends on Monday mornings. I am delighted to have joined this group and look forward to seeing everyone on Mondays – Michelle Murphy (+Mia and Noah) I joined Playgroup in 2015 with my first child and it’s become like a second home! All 3 of my kids have attended and there’s great excitement when the older ones get to come back during school holidays. I can honestly say my kids and I have made lifelong friends there. It’s an amazing asset to the Irish community abroad and welcomes new members with open arms. – Karen Forde I joined playgroup about a year and a half ago and was encouraged by a former committee member to join the committee. I found it fab, as I had to give up work for the first time in my life it was the perfect opportunity to fill my time with new adventures. I love the girls in my Monday group and I have made new friends for life.

New baby by Sue Dyer

One of our nana's that comes when she visits

– Susan Dyer (group leader) 45

In 2014, due to my Australian/Irish background, I began researching for a book (Irish Lives in Australia) those contributions Irish people, had down the decades, made to the fabric of Australia’s heritage and culture. And although I uncovered hundreds of stories and anecdotes relating to amazing gold-finds, engineering, aviation, maritime, agriculture, building, rebellion, religion, politics, art, music, literature, drama, sport, war and peace, nothing intrigued me more than those of a group of unwilling Irish immigrants known as Fenians and the role they would play in helping shape Australian society. However, in order to get a grasp on who exactly were these Fenians, we have to go back to Ireland during the mid-nineteenth century when the Great Famine (An Gorta Mór) was at its peak.

Rise of Fenianism

The term Fenian hails back to ancient Celtic times (1000 years ago) when pagan tribes ruled Ireland. One tribe that stood out was the Fianna, led by a warrior named Finn Mac Cool - who in legend - was said to be the fiercest and most respected Fianna of all. Back in those times Ireland was constantly being invaded from tribes from the north of Europe and it was Mac Cool and his Fianna called upon to repel its invaders. It was during the Irish Famine (1844 - 1852) that the true seed of Fenianism was sown. Prior to the ravages of the famine, Ireland’s population was believed to be in the order of 8 million soles. However, by the time the famine had run its rapacious course, Ireland’s population sadly had fallen by almost half of that.

Starving and homeless, hundreds of thousands of Irish fled their devastated country to safe havens in North America, England, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

By Peter Murphy On reaching their adopted countries, some, due to the horrors they’d experienced during the famine, decided ‘enough was enough’ and it was time their English landlords - who at the height of the famine according to custom export records - had shipped (under military guard) scarce food grown on land stolen from the Irish to their estates in England while they starved would one day pay dearly for their inhumanity.

With most famine survivors finding refuge in North America, the Fenian Brotherhood (FB) was formed in New York; while survivors in Ireland would form the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Members of both groups including their sympathisers would collectively become known as Fenians. Groups of Fenians were referred to as cells or circles of up to 10 individuals. The leader or centre of a circle was known as an ‘A’. Under ‘A’ were 9 (individuals) ‘B’s’ or sub-circles, under ‘B’ were 9 ‘C’s’, while under each ‘C’ were 9 ‘D’s’. A complete circle could therefore number up to 820 individuals. An ‘A’ in a circle was considered equal in rank to a colonel, a ‘B’ to a captain, a ‘C’ to a sergeant, while the ‘D’s’ were mostly made up of rank and file members. To become a full fledged Fenian, it was expected by new recruits to swear an allegiance to the Fenian oath:

‘I, A B, in the presence of the Almighty God, do solemnly swear allegiance to the Irish Republic, now virtually established, and that I do my very utmost, at every risk, while life lasts, to defend its independence and 46

integrity; and, finally, that I will yield implicit obedience in all things, not contrary to the laws of God, to the commands of my superior officers. So help me God. Amen.’ Only 2 witnesses could be present during reciting of a Fenian oath: recruiter and recruited. This was done so that a third party couldn’t give evidence of the taking of an oath. The oath was usually sworn holding a small prayer-book, as a Bible was deemed too bulky to carry to such clandestine rituals.

Sourcing most of their financial and political support from within North America, the FB and IRB would form Fenian chapters (societies) in Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia.

Fenianism in Australia

Australia’s history is littered with attempts by Irish immigrants, political prisoners and convicts to rise-up against their English colonial masters and take control of their own destiny; something they’d never been able to achieve in Ireland for over 600 years. The Battle of Vinegar Hill in New South Wales (1804) and Eureka Stockade Rebellion in Victoria (1854) saw many Irish take-uparms in endeavour to overthrow their colonial masters, while in the Hawkesbury region of New South Wales during the Black Wars period (1795 - 1816), some Irish emigrants joined with Australian aboriginals in what was to become a long and protracted bloody war with English colonists over land rights, while across the length and breadth of Australia, private wars between Irish Catholics and English Protestants were daily played out in communities who had still strong allegiances to their respective country of origin and religion. And while the Catholic Church’s role in Australia was to reach out to those Irish Catholics

disfranchised by the Irish famine, to some it wasn’t enough, and that a stronger force was required to ‘right the wrongs’ of Ireland. Also disillusioned with the Catholic Church reluctance to throw its weight behind Home Rule for Ireland, other famine survivors would look to Fenianism as a possible physical force to help them achieve something they’d been fighting for over 600 years: freedom from the shackles of the English Crown.

By the mid 1800s, Fenian societies had sprung-up in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmania, while across the continent in Western Australia; the port town of Fremantle would become an enclave for Fenians and their sympathisers.

When it was announced that 62 Fenians arrested in the 186677 Irish uprising were being transported to the Swan River Penal Colony of Western Australia on the convict ship Hougoumont in Oct of 1867, Fenian Fear began to spread amongst those colonists still loyal to the English Crown. Perhaps their fears were well founded, because out of the 62 Fenian political prisoners to be transported, 17 were military men who’d fought for the British Empire in India, China and the Crimea, while the rest were civilian Fenians; men well versed in guerrilla warfare.

Fearing that these Fenian prisoners would overtake their captors, and along with local Fenian sympathisers, ransack the colony of Western Australia, several wellheeled colonists would plead with the Governor to request a ‘Men O War’ vessel be sent from their sister colonies on the eastern seaboard to protect them from annihilation. Meanwhile, back in England and Ireland, Fenians had carried out attacks on British military installations in Dublin, Cork, Manchester and Clerkenwell resulting in civilian casualties on both sides, while across the

Atlantic, came news that antiFenian campaigner and Irish born Canadian politician Darcy McGee had been murdered by an alleged Fenian assassin in Ottawa. These rebellious attacks would send a clear message to the British Empire: until Home Rule for Ireland was resolved, Fenianism was a force to be reckoned.

The Mad Irishman

Back in Australia, another rebellious conspiracy was about to unfold. Irishman and alleged Fenian assassin, Henry James O’Farrell, would in March of 1868 at Clontarf, Sydney, attempt to murder Queen Victoria’s second son Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Fenian Fear was now part of the Australian psyche. O’Farrell’s attempted murder of Prince Alfred, while helping stir religious sectarianism between Catholics and Protestants also became the catalyst for the introduction of some of the most draconian laws into Australia’s fledgling democracy. During O’Farrell’s trial, it was claimed by his prosecutor that his murderous act was the work of a desperate Fenian killer, while his defence counsel claimed his crime was carried out by a man bereft of any legal or moral responsibility. Once O’Farrell had paid the ultimate price for his crime, much evidence of his true state of mind when he committed his crime would surface later; albeit far it too late to save his neck. And while much has been said and written on an incident that would shake the very foundation of the British Empire, very little is still known about exactly who was Henry James O’Farrell including his true motivation for wanting to murder a member of the Royal family. O’Farrell, it is said was ‘highly intelligent’ yet he suffered greatly from epilepsy, delirium tremens, paranoia, hallucination, delusions and heard voices in his head. He was also committed to a number 47

of mental asylums, and for his own safety (and others), was restrained in a strait-jacket. Was O’Farrell also part of an orchestrated Fenian conspiracy to murder a member of the Royal family and ransack the Colony of New South Wales, or was he the fall-guy for a larger conspiracy yet to unfold? And was his trial, as some historians have claimed: ‘a miscarriage of justice’?

There is no doubt O’Farrell was ‘stark raving mad’ when he attempted to murder the Duke of Edinburgh but, what was really going on in his ‘unhinged mind’ during the period before and after he pulled the trigger on that fateful day? And what about the draconian laws introduced into the New South Wales Parliament as a result of O’Farrell’s act of madness; aimed specifically at Irish Catholics? Is there a lesson to be taken for an event that took place 150 years ago we today should heed?

Fenian Fear (the novel)

In endeavour to help understand more about O’Farrell and his motive for wanting to murder a member of the Royal family including a period when sectarianism in Australia was rife, I decided to put on hold my research on ‘Irish Lives in Australia’ and concentrate more

on the O’Farrell story itself by self-publishing Fenian Fear. However, where I’ve deviated from your regular ‘history book’ is that I decided to play ‘devil’s advocate’ and get inside O’Farrell’s deranged mind and tell his story ‘from the inside out’. I’ve also taken liberty in exploring O’Farrell’s prison confidant, Father Thomas Dwyer including role he played in the

whole murky affair. And although a work of fiction based on true historical events, Fenian Fear is a timeless story that echoes even louder today, especially during a time when our civil liberties are constantly under threat from conservative political forces.

Fenian Fear I hope will encourage the reader to, read more widely, see more clearly, think more deeply and challenge themselves.

Fenian Fear will knock you back $25 + POSTAGE and can be ordered by emailing: kiahcreek@bigpond.com or by phoning 043 997 6507. For more information on the Fenians and their influence on the fabric of Australian society, go to www.fenianfear.com

“It was the right thing to do” Captain George Anthony

When A Clan na Gael member named James Reynolds purchased a three-mast whaling bark ship called Catalpa under his name for US$5,500. George Anthony recruited 22 crewmen and The Catalpa set sail from New Bedford, Massachusetts on 29 April 1875. Anthony had to rely on his own navigation, since he discovered too late that the ship’s marine chronometer was broken.

Most of the crew were unaware of their true mission, except Dennis Duggan, an Irish Fenian friend of John Devoy. They sailed to Fayal Island in the Azores, where they off-loaded 210 barrels of sperm whale oil. However, most of the crew deserted and three sick men had to be left behind. Anthony recruited replacements and continued his mission toward Western Australia. Captain Anthony was an American Protestant who had no blood ties to Ireland, yet his greatgrandson Jim Ryan later said “It was never about money or even adventure … my great-grandfather said … ‘It was the right thing to do’ “. George Anthony

Thanks to the efforts of Brendan Woods, Jim Ryan will grace the shores of Western Australia in late July and it is planned to have Jim speak about his great-grandfather at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. Margo O’Byrne of the Fenians, Fremantle and Freedom committee is

Jim Ryan & Brendan Woods at the George Anthony headstone

organising Jim Ryan’s itinerary. I know Jim has requested a visit to Fremantle Gaol, the Wild Geese memorial in Rockingham and the Bunbury John Boyle O’Reilly memorial. A meeting to the Mayor of the City of Rockingham, Barry Sammels is also on the agenda as well as a meeting with Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith, sculptors of the Wild Geese memorial.

No doubt this will be a very Catalpa homeward bound emotional experience for Jim and his family who will be accompanying him. We all look forward to hearing about his great grand-father, Captain George Anthony! Fred Rea 48 48

Michael Cluskey

A View from Home

My oh my, sizemolic changes seem to be taking place here in Ireland on a daily basis. The latest being the Referendum to Repeal the Eighth Amendment on Abortion. This evoked a bitter battle between the yes and no campaigners, culminating on May 25th where a Yes vote of 1,429,981 (66.4%) took the vote against the No vote 723,632 (33.6%) meaning that after 35 years after the Eighth Amendment was inserted into the

Photo from YouTube

Skinnydipping in NT

An old farmer in the Northern Territory had owned a large station for several years. He had a large billabong in the back, fixed up really nice, along with some picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some MANGO trees. The billabong was properly shaped and fixed up for swimming when it was built. One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five gallon bucket to bring back some MANGOS. As he neared the pond, he heard IRISH voices shouting and laughing with glee. When he came closer, he realised it was a bunch of young women Irish backpackers skinny-dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end to shield themselves. One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!" The old man frowned and replied, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked." Holding the bucket up he said, "I'm here to feed the CROCODILE."

constitution, the country has voted decisively to repeal it. I don’t think I’ve ever been so torn on what way to vote. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that this was a historic vote for Ireland, and that the country had voted for the next generation. It’s nice to hear of feel good stories and one of those happened on Tuesday 5th of June when a syndicate of 32 people from a hardware shop in Thurles, Co Tipperary won the EuroMillions Lottery jackpot of 17 Million Euro, with each member set to receive 531,000 Euros each!! Now as most of us know, if we here in Ireland get two sunny days in a row, it’s classed as a summer, well so far this May and June it’s been nearly all wall to wall sunshine, with temperatures most days into the High-20s UNBELIVABLE!!!! And to back this up 2,505 ladies broke the world record for the world’s largest skinny dip at a beach in Co Wicklow all in aid of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie cancer charity. The ladies had to spend at least 5 minutes in Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength the water for the record to count and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. and they did! Now let’s see who had held The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues the record for this?? No way was or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. it really the ladies from Perth had AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution, does held the record with 786 set at not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. South Beach in March 2015.

Is drinking costing you MORE than money?

Help is available!

Until next time! Regards, Mike.

Contact: Alcoholics Anonymous,

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

Legendary Craig Lowndes visits

Tyrepower West Perth Fiona and Adrian of Tyrepower West Perth had a VIP visit in May. Australian racing driver competing in the Supercars Championship, Craig Lowndes dropped in! Fiona said, “Such a nice guy and he chatted to everyone about his career and races; lots of autographing and drew the great prizes for attendees on the day”. Fiona wants to say thanks to all those who came to meet Craig. “It was overall a great turnout with a fantastic display of vintage and performance cars and of course dedicated Craig Lowndes’ fans!” Fiona and Adrian want to say a huge thank you to the Swan River Rowing Club who put on a Sausage Sizzle to raise money for their clubhouse. Fiona said she was amazed at the questions put to Craig about past races and specific events that happened. It was a great day and as they say at home, “More power” to ye both!

PERTH PERTHCITY CITY

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Thanks you to all who turned up for our Craig Lowndes visit... It was a great day!! PERTH CITY 35 Troode St (same street as the Licensing Centre)

West Perth 6005

9322 2214

perthcity@tyrepower.com.au www.tyrepowerperthcity.com.au

WEEKLY SESSION

Seán Doherty Branch

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

Page Sponsored by: Reid’s Bootmakers

EVERY MONDAY AT THE IRISH CLUB

Come and learn a tune 7pm in the committee room or join in the session. There is also set dancing most Mondays about 8.30 pm. It’s great fun, beginners welcome.

Great Weekend at Bickley!

Once again, the Bickley Camp was a great success thanks to all the wonderful musicians who took part in the workshops and the people who helped in the kitchen cooking and washing up, we couldn’t do it without them. We had a great crowd at the Saturday night Session with Singing and Dancing. It went on well into the early morning and safe to say it was a fabulous weekend. Stalwart, Sean Doherty had the young musician’s competition which was very well received. If you would like to join our Perth Comhaltas family of musicians, please drop down to the Irish Club any Monday night and introduce yourself. Beginners and experienced are all welcome! Yvonne Jones, President Comhaltas Quiz night The Irish Club, 11th of August at 7.30pm

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

Reborn on The Fourth of July By Noel O’Neill

I had only seen and heard of Independence Day, the Fourth of July in the dark old picture houses I haunted in London when I was young. What comes to mind is James Cagney dancing around stars and stripes as George M. Cohan in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and even though the movie was in black and white I could almost see the colours of the red white and blue flags waving above him. When the curtain closed I would leave the darkness of the picture house and dance down the grey unforgiving rain drenched streets of London singing, “ I am a Yankee Doodle Dandy! Yankee Doodle Do or Die! Dancing and prancing under the street lights along Green Lanes, down our road, through the gravel into the alleyway, leaping over the alley cat, down into the dilapidated house, around the kitchen table until finally out of breath, I would fall into the armchair by the crackling eternally lit coal fire that seemed to lick flames of red white and blue.

I must have been all of thirteen years old, crawling to school and running home to my daily routine that consisted of changing out of my school uniform and working in the local greengrocer shop where I would polish apples, wash the black dirt from the celery, pick the eyes out of the old potatoes and sweep up. I would walk home with my wages, a bag of fruit under my arm, my Dad used to say, “We are among the rich and the chosen few, we have fruit on the table”, then to bed, to dreams on my pillow of America and becoming a Yankee Doodle Dandy. A few years passed and my dream was about to come true.

I celebrated my first Fourth of July weekend in Brooklyn in 1968 and I remember great American flags unfurled in every park and outside almost every house a little flag was flying with stars and stripes. I remember the pride of the immigrants in the neighborhood who had travelled from all corners of the earth to dream the American dream, who came from war torn Poland, Germany, Italy, with many from Ireland, Sweden and Norway and so many other countries from all over the world who showed how thankful and grateful and proud they were to be American, especially on this day, this Independence Day. The fourth of July will always be of great significance to me. I became an American citizen on St Patrick’s Day and remain a little Irish and a little American.

"I have an idea that the Irish possess a built-in don't-give-a-damn that helps them through all stress." — James Cagney in his 1976 memoir, "Cagney By Cagney" 52

Mo Scéal Féin An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire Obair Chosanta na Gaeilge (ar lean) Cad é an tairbhe a dhéanfadh saothar Uí Chamhraí, nó saothar Uí Dhonabháin, don duine nach mbeadh de chaint ina bhéal aige ach Béarla briste, agus nach mbeadh de mhachnamh ina chroí aige ach an machnamh a thabharfadh an Béarla briste dó.? Is dócha gur mheas Domhnall Ó Conaill, dá mbeadh an Ghaeilge seacht míle faoin bhfarraige, agus an Béarla i mbéal na nÉireannach go léir, go mbeadh an Béarla acu chomh maith agus a bhí sé aige féin. Má mheas, dhein sé dearmad. Gan amhras bhí Béarla briste go tiubh in Éirinn le linn Dhomhnaill Uí Chonaill, agus níor chuir an Béarla briste sin aon dealús aigne ar an muintir a bhí á labhairt. Níor dhein, agus cad ina thaobh nár dhein? Níor dhein mar bhí saibhreas álainn uasal forleitheadúil na Gaeilge istigh ina n-aigne acu, laistigh den Bhéarla briste. Tá an saibhreas sin imithe anois ón méid de mhuintir na hÉireann a bhfuil an Ghaeilge imithe uathu. Tá roinnt acu a thuigeann an chreach, agus tá iarracht acu á dhéanamh ar an saibhreas a chruinniú chucu arís. Is fusa go mór scaradh le saibhreas ná teacht suas arís leis. Dá ndéanfaí an dá theanga a shaothrú in éineacht ón uair a thosaigh muintir na hÉireann dáiríre ar an mBéarla a labhairt eatarthu féin, chabhródh an dá theanga lena chéile, agus chuirfidís neart ina chéile agus cruinneas nárbh fhéidir a bheith in aon teanga acu ina haonar. Níor deineadh sin. Bhí a rian air. Nuair a mheasc an dá theanga ar a chéile agus gan saothrú á dhéanamh ar aon teanga acu, is amhlaidh a bhí a lán daoine ag dul amú i ngach teanga acu. Sin é faoi deara do Dhiarmaid Ó Muineacháin an focal úd a rá:

‘Na daoine is lú ciall in Éirinn Daoine gan Bhéarla gan Ghaeilge!’ Ach d’airigh mé an chaint agus na ráflaí, ó Bhaile Átha Cliath, a rá go raibh buíon le cur ar bun chun an Ghaeilge a shaothrú agus chun í a choimeád beo, mar chomhrá, á labhairt as béal na ndaoine. Bhí áthas mór orm nuair a d’airigh mé an méid sin. D’airigh mé, leis, gur sagart óg a bhí i Maigh Nuad ba bhun leis an iarracht. Ghluais na blianta. Ní gá domsa aon tuairisc a thabhairt anseo ar obair agus ar chúrsaí na mblianta sin. B’fhéidir, áfach, nár mhiste dom aon fhocailín amháin a rá i dtaobh na hoibre. Chonaic mé ag tosú na hoibre dúinn, gur ar an aos óg a bhí ár seasamh i gcomhair na haimsire a bhí romhainn. Ag machnamh dom air sin thuig mé i m’aigne nach raibh aon rud in aon chor againn, i bhfoirm leabhair, le cur i lámh aon linbh chun an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh dó. As mo mhachnamh shocraigh mé ar leabhar faoi leith a scríobh dár n-aos óg, leabhar a mbeadh caint ann a bheadh glan ó na lochtanna a bhí i bhformhór chaint na bhfilí; leabhar a mbeadh caint ann a thaitneodh leis an aos óg. Sin é an machnamh a chuir d’iallach orm ‘Séadna’ a scríobh. Thaitin an leabhar le gach aon duine, óg agus aosta. Léadh é do na seandaoine agus thaitin sé leo. D’airigh siad rud nár airigh siad riamh go dtí sin, a gcaint féin ag teacht amach as leabhar chucu. Thaitin sé leis na daoine óga mar bhí cosúlacht mhór idir Gaeilge an leabhair sin agus an Béarla a bhí ina mbéal féin. (Mo Scéal Féin, *An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire (1839-1920), Brún agus Ó Nualláin.) Seanfhocal Dá fhada an lá tagann an tráthnóna. "Read over the English matter carefully. Take all the ideas into your mind. Squeeze the ideas clean from all English froth. Be sure that you allow none of that oozy stuff to remain. English is full of it. You must also get rid of everything in the shape of metaphor. When you have the ideas cleared completely of foreign matter put them into the Irish side of your mind and shape them in the Irish language, just as you would if they had been your own ideas from the start".

Peadar O’Laoghaire

*An t’Athair Peadar O’Laoghaire

Canon O’Leary, known nationally as An t’Athair Peadar O’Laoghaire, was parish priest of Castlelyons Co Cork from 1891-1920. He was a prominent worker for the revival of the Irish Language and wrote many books in Irish. Before the Gaelic League was formed he was almost unknown but with encouragement from the League, especially from Seosamh Laoide whom he met in 1894 he began to write. The League gave great prominence to his work and backed him financially. His writings made a great contribution to the development of moderm Irish Literature. One catalogue of his work lists almost 500 items to his credit. Nothing came from his pen before the age of 55 and he continued to write up to the time of his death at the age of 81. 53

ULSTER

Rambles

with David

I dropped into Killarney Autos up in Wangara last week and there sitting on the floor was a large poster board with the heading MURHPY’s LAW. It listed a number of events which were governed by this well-known law. “If anything can go wrong, it will”. Of course there are a number of stories about who originally proposed this law. One of them suggested that it was discovered at Edwards Air Force Base in 1949 at North Base in Southern California. It was named after Capt. Edward A. Murphy; an engineer working on an Air Force Project designed to see how much sudden deceleration a person can stand in a crash. One day, after finding that a transducer was wired incorectly, he cursed the technician responsible and said, “If there is any way to do it wrong, he’ll find it.” The contractor’s project manager kept a list of “laws” and added this one, which he called Murphy’s Law. Actually, what he did was take an old law that had been around for years in a more basic form and give it a name. While I admit that the name of Murphy’s laws is a pleasant one as is the story of how it came to light, but if you were from England, the original name for ‘if anything can go wrong it will’ was sod’s law because it would happen to any poor sod who needed such a catastrophic event the least. Incidentally, a lot of Brits think that Murphy’s Law is an Irish joke. Murphy is an Irish name of course, and the Irish have been the butt of jokes from Brits for a long time. Anyway, a lot of Brits seem to think that what Murphy’s Law refers to is that the Irish are to blame for things going wrong because they are careless or stupid or both, at least according to British mythology on the Irish. How good is it for us letting them believe this statement? Many people known to be “unlucky” or “followed by a black cloud of misfortune” are the sad victims of

the fact that Murphy’s Law is demonstrably unfair. I reckon that this is the essential reason behind why computer problems only exist until you try to show them to someone else; ditto automobiles. Now let me talk about the Physics and Psychology of Murphy’s Law, where it came from and why it happens so often. Here’s a short story which might help explain. I recently booked a flight to Europe for July and it reminds me of the time Murphy struck with his law when I made the same trip some five years ago. Everything was going as planned until I arrived in London, somewhat weary after the long flight. My two and a half grand guitar was part of my luggage and I did not want it sitting beside the carousel belt for any length of time so I was in a hurry. A kind attendant observed me in my rush and after a cursory glance at my passport, suggested I join the shorter of the two queues. I reached the desk fairly promptly only to be informed that I was in the wrong queue. I ran back to the attendant hoping to be advanced in the waiting department but with great apologies was told that she was unable to help. The queue by this time was immense. It took me some forty five minutes to emerge on the other side but I did find my guitar. Well seemingly Murphy had gone to sleep by the time I made it through passport control. I promptly took a taxi to my hotel only to find that there were three Holiday Inns in the area and I was not at the right one. The next taxi got me there but I was so exhausted and stressed out that I dropped my wallet on the way to the room. No porters to help in that cheap hotel. I ran down to the desk but nobody had handed anything in. I retraced my steps but no sign of a wallet. I don’t like to mention what was in the wallet; everything! After a nasty time sitting on my bed contemplating a solution, I knew I had to get some cash and cancel the credit card. Could I fool Murphy this time? I did. I could go on here but you get the idea. Although it has been in popular use for over half a century, controversy abounds as to the origins of Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong it will. The philosophy behind the phrase, if not this exact wording, has been around since before written history. These earlier forms are usually referred to as Sod’s Law or Finagle’s Corollary. (“Sod” of course refers to any poor “sod.”) So we know where the phrase came from. What we don’t know was why it happens so often. Well twenty years ago I wasn’t annoyed so often by Murphy as today and even less twenty years before that. Why not? The reason might be due to the fact that the world is constantly getting more complicated and human nature predisposes us to look for occurrences of Murphy’s Law. It’s universally understood that the more complicated a machine or system is the more likely it is to break down. Now think of the modern world. It’s packed with

unbelievably complex machines and systems. Take a look at your latest devices. Odds are you have a HD/TV, a surround sound system, DVR, DVD players, a blu-ray player, iphone, electronic notebooks and wi-fi for most of the above, along with blue-tooth. Each of these boxes are extremely complex and controlled not by you but by thousands of lines of computer programming. While they are designed to be as reliable as possible every once in a while something goes slightly wrong and they don’t operate as expected. Now apply this to the hundreds of devices that not only surround us but upon which we are dependent and you begin to get a feel for just how complicated, and therefore unstable, the entire system is. Take the Windows operating system for example. Broken down into its basic level it represents millions of lines of code that have evolved over the last two decades... and it’s getting more complicated every day. I recently bought a new computer and the first time I turned it on I got informed that 159 updates needs to be added since it was released. With so many changes to such a complex system bugs are bound to slip through testing. This means there are little Murphy’s Law time bombs in every computer waiting for the right set of cues to be activated and break down.

ing coffee while listening to the radio and talking on the cell phone; well some of us! The more things we do the more likely something’s going to go wrong.

Windows is only one example. Everything in the world is controlled or supported by computers or similar systems which created a net of such unprecedented complexity that breakdowns are getting more and more common. Am I bad mouthing computers? Not at all; they allow me to do things I never dreamed possible in my youth. But, the complexity they represent means that there are many more ways in which something can go wrong today than twenty years ago.

Cars are also more complicated as are washing machines. Televisions are more complicated, in fact everything is more complicated. All this adds up to a world that is less stable or reliable than it was decades ago, with the result that things go wrong more often. And it’s not all the fault of the number or complexity of the objects around us. We ourselves are inviting Murphy to have his way with us as never before. People are more active now. We have more devices around us allowing us to do more different types of actions than ever in history. Two hundred years ago a man would ride a horse to work. Today we drive a car while drink-

Truly, Murphy’s Law isn’t out to get us. Rather, the complexity of the world and the increased number of things we do in a day are actually inviting it to visit us more often than ever before. A psychologist once explained to me that humans have a natural tendency to focus on bad things that happen to them. This isn’t a reflection of cynicism but genetic programming designed to help us survive in the primitive conditions under which we evolved. Bad things that happened, or were about to happen, to us were more likely to kill primitive man than good things. People who focused more on bad things that those who didn’t tended to live longer, have more children, and in so doing pass this survival trait to the next generation. In today’s modern world we no longer have to worry about sabre toothed cats jumping out at us but the tendency to worry about the negatives in everyday live is still active. Because of this when something small goes wrong we dwell on it and remember it longer than when something good happens. This skews our perception of the events affecting everyday so that it feels like more negative things happen than good. In the context of Murphy’s Law, this means we’re more aware of the number of times it’s evoked than the number of times we dodge a bullet. Have you ever noticed how often Murphy’s Law strikes in waves? Something goes wrong, quick on its heels you’re slammed with an entire string of unfortunate events. I believe this cascade effect is largely psychological. If something bad happens, we get upset, angered, or frustrated and we’re more likely to hurry, lash out and make weaker decisions. In this stressed mental state we make mistakes that may appear to be heaped on us by cruel fate but are really self-inflicted. If you want to reduce Murphy interfering with your life, here are a few suggestions. Do One Thing at a Time and try to simplify your life. Plan Ahead and try to be more organised. Will these stop Murphy’s Law from getting to you? No. But they will reduce the number of times we invite him to our door. Give them a try and I’m sure they’ll pay off. Good Luck! Now I am going to talk a little about Maths and Physics here. I am saying this in case you want to skip the next paragraph. Most of the law can be explained by the laws of physics and the laws of probability. ‘My goodness,’ I can hear you say, ‘What’s he on about now.’ Well, I was a maths and physics teacher in days gone by…OK I will leave that for another time.

Let me end with a short poem I wrote for my upcoming visit to Ireland. I might even visit the Province. HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELLED BACK TO IRELAND Have you ever travelled back to Ireland On the great Saint Patrick’s Day I wonder what luck you might find there And what the people you meet might say Would you find that famous magic rainbow Would you always understand the ould brogue Would you still find that Shamrock or clover Or would you sing “The Old Bog Road” Would you find some elves or a leprechaun Would you try to kiss that bleak Blarney Stone Would you march with those Ulster Orangemen Or hear a piper play all on his own Would you traipse on down to Limerick Would you proudly wear the orange white and green Would you ask a priest for an Irish Blessing Or simply tell them about the Perth Irish Scene.

Now is the Brexit issue in the province going to be ruled by this law? Very likely and quite possibly it will be. It appears that we might even be headed for a United Ireland. When I left Ireland around the seventies, this event would have been described as a miracle. Certainly there would have been consequences…. I have tried to keep up with the consequences of the exit vote without success. From what I have read and what I have heard, I do not believe that anyone can foresee what the future holds for what was/is the British Isles and Ireland. Perhaps Scotland and all of Ireland will join the E.U. and possibly Wales as well. I personally think that the U.K. should backtrack and have the status quo. If I had to sum it all up in a word, FIASCO comes to mind.

David MacConnell

Annual Irish Remembrance Mass

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IRISH IRISH MUSIC MUSIC

SESSION EVERY TUESDAY

7PM -11PM

Some years ago the Irish Community had a Community Commemoration Mass in Nollamara. It was an opportunity to join with other members of the Irish diaspora in praying for the peaceful repose of deceased relatives and friends in Australia and overseas. You may not have had the opportunity to say goodbye to your family member, this would be your time to remember and pray for them. The Wanneroo parish have kindly offered to facilitate a repeat of this service in St Anthony's Catholic Church Dundebar Road in Wanneroo in November. Details and a date are to be finalised. Sean McDonagh has offered to help in organising the Mass. Tea/coffee will be served afterwards. For further information or if you would like to help or just attend, please contact Sean McDonagh Co-ordinator on 0431 018 388 or Fred Rea 0418 942 832.

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for a minute’s silence before the mourners headed to Rosie O’Grady’s for the first of many drinkies! After much persuasion, the party reassembled outside Rosie’s for the short trip to The Bog, where they bumped into Bernard and Delores of All Perth Plumbing, who decided to join them the remainder of the wake. Fr Michael of Paddy Hannan’s fame had tears flowing down his face as the cortege passed Mike Anthony’s Hair Salon in Stirling Highway. Zenith Music staff threw roses at the now slightly inebriated party as they passed. It was time for another drink! Bridie O’Reilly’s in Subiaco was the next stop. Maurice Brockwell gave every party member a Guinness or two, and even put on a bit of music with the Kilkenny Kats. Someone mentioned the Irish Club just around the comer, so the mob, now very much scuttered, staggered off in that direction. Kathy, the manager, advised that very little parking was available because of Subi Council restrictions. She slipped a few cans of Guinness into the hearse and bade us farewell. Someone sang A Song for Ireland, and then it was on... the singing that is. All concerned stopped for a quick meeting, and it was decided to have a drink in every Irish pub in Perth: JB’s, Rosie’s, Durty Nelly’s, Fenians, The Breakwater, Sherlock’s, Moondyne Joe’s, Paddy Hannan's - now that was a mistake it was a helluva job getting them all together again, with the Casino and all that. Tony O’Toole at The Harp served drinks on the house and we couldn’t hold them back-they were off to The Blarney... At Karrakatta, a large crowd of mourners joined the procession to say a last goodbye. As the coffin disappeared from view there came a muffled voice from within: “If only they had support of more advertisers...” You could take out an annual subscription? Do you remember some of the venues... they may have passed on...

The Irish Scene Wake! The following was printed in the Irish Scene in 1999…. Today was the last day of The Irish Scene. The Irish Scene, which played a big part in the lives of the Irish in Western Australia, was cremated in a ceremony conducted by Mr Kevin Murphy of Bowra & O’Dea. The cause of death was described as being due to a broken heart from a lack of support from some businesses in the Irish Australia community. The coffin, made by O’Donovan Carpentry, was transported by Chess in a hearse with wheels supplied by Shamrock Tyres. The cortege stopped outside Fremantle Prison

20 years on… We still need your support!

A short but busy trip to Ireland by Fred Rea Some months ago, like many of us who live away from home, I made a trip to Ireland for a family bereavement funeral. Following the funeral, I took the opportunity to do what like to do on any trip anywhere, catch up with friends and walk the streets. I know many readers will agree when I say that there’s nothing I like more and especially when you walk the streets where you once lived. It’s been 46 years since I left Ireland and even though I have returned many times, I still see the changes, especially in the areas outside the city. It was January and it was bitterly cold but that didn't deter me. But before I got to Cork it was Dublin that welcomed me. I was accompanied on my journey by my good friend Joe Carroll who, at the last minute, decided to make the trip with me. Joe had just found a sister he never knew existed and was determined to meet her. We were a great comfort to each other due to our Fred & Michael Cluskey different circumstances for our journeys. Thanks to Jennie at British Travel for getting a seat for Joe and at a great price as well! At Dublin airport we were greeted by Michael Cluskey. Michael writes a column for our magazine "View from Ireland" and we enjoyed a cuppa in Dublin airport. Mike showed us where to get our hire car and lo and behold it was the same model as the car I drive in Oz. Although the controls were the opposite sides! It was off to the O’Brien family. Friends, Mark and Carmel O'Brien invited us to stay the night

Fred with Mark O'Brien

at their home in Swords, not far from the airport. The following day, after a big hearty Irish breakfast, Mark organised a visit to Arbour Hill prison and the grave sites of the 1916 Irish patriots. We saw the

Joe Carroll

making of the Famine Travel Boxes in the prison workshop and visited the 1916 grave sites. Following handshakes and hugs, it was time to hit the road for Castletownshend near Skibbereen

Jack Lynch, Helen Sheridan & Joe Carroll

where Joe was to meet his sister Helen. The roads in Ireland are wonderful these days, unlike 1972 when I left the shores. We arrived late afternoon and I witnessed a beautiful reunion of two people who immediately bonded as 58

brother and sister do. They had spoken on the phone prior to the visit but it was still very special to be there! I headed to Cork for my family commitment and Helen and Joe made the journey to the city the

Barry Punch & John O'Leary

following day for the funeral service to give me support for which I am ever so grateful. It was then time to catch up with Fred & old friends, Steve Carey John O'Leary and Barry Punch, Steve Carey who had returned to Ireland after 50 years in Australia and Dave McGilton. I met Dave in the English Markets, a favourite place for Royal visits these days. The smell of the coffee and the wonderful fresh produce is so good, I could have spent the day there. Fred & Dave McGilton It was time to head to Kinvara in Co Galway. I had told Frank Smyth that I would visit his sister Annette and give her videos etc from the Famine memorial in Subiaco. Frank played a major role in its construction and his family are very proud of this! After a few days in Galway, (my favourite Irish city). a cuppa with Tom Gilmore in Tuam, and a quick visit to Valerie Kinsella in Castle-

blakeney where Mary Ann Taylor came from. Mary Ann was one of the girls we dedicated the memorial in Subiaco to, along with the other girls on the Palestine who came to WA following the Famine. The next couple of days were spent in Dublin and Valerie Kinsella again an opportunity to meet friends. I had working lunch with Pete St John (writer of The Fields of Athenry) and Michael Blanch of the Committee for the Commemoration of the Famine Victims. It was an opportunity to thank them for their support of the Famine project and present some gifts from the WA Famine commit-

tee. My stay in Dublin was courtesy of Tourism Ireland. I must thank Aoife Finnegan Annette & Fred in Kinvara for organisng my stay in the magnificent Trinity City Hotel. It is centrally located on Pearse Street and just behind Trinity College. I could not recommend it highly enough, the service and food excellent and I was made very welcome.

Pete St John, Fred Rea and Michael Blanch

I did get a media pass from Tourism Ireland but the weather was not the best but I did take advantage of a visit to the GPO museum. At the GPO museum is the story of modern Irish history and the 1916 Easter Rising in this spectacular interactive and immersive setting. Winner of the European Museum Academy Awards, of the GPO Witness History, the judges said that this is a centre of peace and reconciliation and said that it demonstrates how highly controversial events can be interpreted in ways that encourage social and political cohesion and understanding. Anyone visiting Dublin must visit the GPO museum, you won’t be disappointed. I enjoyed the walk down Grafton Street, hail, rain or snow it’s a must for any Dublin visit. There is so much to see in Dublin, one would need a month to

Fred & Regina McFadden

take it all in. I suggest you plan ahead, visit the Tourism Ireland website where you will find many links to helpful ideas. When in Dublin, I also caught up with Regina McFadden. Regina took me to dinner to L. Mulligan Grocer in Stonybatter. The pub is owned by friends of my daughter Fiona and comes highly recommended. I loved the food and their stout was ‘too nice’, say no more! When one visits 59

Trad session in Dublin

a city, it can be a problem to know where the craic is. Well Regina knew just where to go and we headed down laneways until we found a small pub that was heaving with Irish music. It was packed to the door but it's amazing how they find room for more people, we got

GPO Dublin Museum

in even found a seat and enjoyed the trad music washed down with more Guinness. You can imagine the state of me when I returned to my hotel! Dublin is buzzing at the moment and that’s the thing about Ireland, you can have the husstle and bustle of the big city and a few miles down the road, a quiet village. Love it! With directions help of the Trinity City Hotel concierge, I was on my way to Dublin airport and there in 20 minutes. There was sadness in the trip but also a time to link up with old friends. I am blessed to have such beautiful people in my life! I will be back in Ireland in 2019 for a family wedding and another opportunity to do what like to do best, walk the streets. Grafton Street, Dublin

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Claddagh Senior's Bus Trip to Mandurah On Monday 18th June our Seniors were on the road again, this time to Mandurah. Despite the weather warning, we managed to miss the showers while having a fun time and a delicious lunch at Murphys where the welcome was warm and friendly. We emerged once again to sunshine to explore Mandurahâ&#x20AC;Ś..another great day out for our Seniors. Seniors Committee The Claddagh Association Inc. was established in Perth, Western Australia in 1997. A group of concerned members of the Irish community formed the support group in 1997 to assist Irish people in crisis. Two of the original members of this group still serve on our committee. We are a voluntary, non-profit organisation with Gift Recipient Status. We aim to provide where possible, crisis support to people in the Irish community in Western Australia in times of hardship and trauma. We provide a safety net to assist people in crisis situations where all other avenues have been exhausted.

13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090 Crisis support: 0403 972 265 All other enquiries: 08 9249 9213

In recent years the association has experienced a significant increase in the number of referrals from the Irish Embassy in Canberra and from the Irish community on the ground in Western Australia. These referrals range from assisting the Embassy with the repatriation of bodies back to Ireland to visiting people in hospital or prison. We provide financial and support services to those that are injured, ill or imprisoned.

The committee consists of ten committee members. In addition Claddagh has a team of dedicated volunteers. Fundraising events throughout the year ensure continuity of available funds together with donations from individuals; Irish associations/groups and businesses whose generosity have kept the association with sufficient funds to carry out our mission. The Claddagh Association Inc acknowledges assistance received annually from the Emigrant Support Program. The Claddagh Association (Inc) is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. 60

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

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. Our recent AIDA WA Feis saw the introduction of a Green Canteen Initiative. Reusable crockery & cutlery were provided instead of single-use plastic and styrofoam, as well as a recycling bin and a food scraps bin to help separate and reduce waste. Well done to our WA Irish dancers and families for getting on board. Thanks to Western Earth Carers for the use of their Washing Without Waste event kit. We are now heading into our busy time of the year, with the Perth Premiership and State Championships coming up over the next couple of months. We would like to wish all dancers competing the very best of luck, and looking forward to an amazing display of dancing! For more information on upcoming AIDA WA events head to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AIDA-Western-Australia-834457676654596/

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

Scoil Rince Ni Bhaird Fremantle & Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG 0427 273 596 _____________________________

Three Crowns School of Irish Dance Wangara & Padbury www.threecrownsirishdancing.com Eleanor Rooney TCRG 0449 961 669 _____________________________ Trinity Studio of Irish Dancing Morley trinitystudiowa@gmail.com Eileen Ashley ADCRG 0413 511 595 Katherine Travers TCRG _____________________________ WA Academy of Irish Dancing Malaga Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 9276 3737/0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 0412 040 719

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

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At a meeting of the Rathkeale (County Limerick) Union in the 1800s, says the 'Cork Examiner, the clerk, mentioned that a deputation of tramps waited on him and handed him a piece of poetry. Who would read it for the board if they did not consider it a waste of time. The Chairman: “Read it anyway”. The clerk then read the following lines... Song of te Tramps...

Song of the Tramps (Ode to an Irish workhouse)

We are the tramps of Ireland, And we do not care a straw, For any spalpeen hirelings Who boss the ould Poor Laws; The guardians think they’ll break us down But we will let them feel That we are going to fall into line From Antrim to Rathkeale Hurrah for the tramps of Ireland! Hurrah, horroo, hurrie, And down with the spalpeen hirelings Who wear the P.L.G.

Now, tramps, beware, and do not care But stand forth to a man – For we must get our buttered bread, Our mutton, cheese and jam – With beef and pork and chicken choked, And porter, likewise ale, With malt and wine, we’ll end our time In the workhouse in Rathkeale.

On the last night in October, We’ll be there for to be seen. With our knapsack on our shoulders, Upon the Fair Hill green. The sow will play the music, And the boneens they will squeal. And off we’ll go when the cock will crow To the workhouse in Rathkeale.

6363

P.L.G. = Poor Law Guardians Boneen = Young Pig Spalpeen = Wandering landless labourer

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places around Hobart from The Fahan School which Eva attends to St Virgil’s College and St Mary’s College where another of the female line, Gerda studies. There is also the familiar police headquarters on Liverpool Street where Tony is based, to The Royal Hobart Hospital opposite the station where Tony’s one time nursing girlfriend works. While Hobart readers will enjoy the familiar references they will also be challenged to believe in the impossible, summed up when Ornice asks Connery about his beliefs. ‘Believe in everything’ he replied. ‘To the sea’ is out now published by PanMacmillan.

From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

Sea-ing is believing

by Paula Xiberras It’s a joy to read a book that contains familiar references to the place you grew up in. and Christine Dibley’s first novel ‘To the sea’ is a perfect melding of the myths of Ireland’s seas stretching south to the furthermost reaches of Tasmania and the city of Hobart. Christine is of Irish heritage but now lives in Hobart, with her mum hailing from Mayo in the Irish speaking Gaeltacht region. This provides the perfect basis for a novel mixing myth of both Ireland’s west and modern day Hobart. Irelands west is an area where conventional religion can co-exist to a degree with the belief in the ‘fairy folk’ or ‘good people’ so much so, that it is not unknown for some agricultural lands to be protected lest farming there disturb a fairy fort. When I chat to Christine she jokes that her interest in Irish and Scandinavian mythology is in no way suggestive of her stalking Hannah Kent whose most recent release also deals with the topic of the good people. While her novel may contain smattering of the supernatural world Christine tells me that it can co-exist with the known world and Vikings and dragons are not compulsory! One of the main protagonists of the novel is Hobart police officer Tony Vincent. Tony is assigned the case of missing teenager Zoe Kennett, whose family have reconciled to her unusual disappearance. Zoe’s mum Eva is confident that her daughter has come to no harm in her disappearance at sea because ‘she swims like a fish’ in spite of the inhospitable freezing nature of the water. Eva and Zoe’s relationship is close as they are the only two in the family who are able to converse in Eva’s native Irish. In the course of Tony’s investigation, the supernatural enters the story as we learn that Zoe’s family has a curse upon its daughters, which began with Zoe’s female ancestor Ornice from County Mayo. Ornice attempted to drown herself to escape an unhappy marriage but was rescued by the enigmatic Connery who in due course she would marry and so begin the family line that leads to Zoe in modern day Hobart. A real treat of this novel, especially for Tasmanian, particularly Hobart readers, are the many references to

Ash from Downpatrick continues upward climb

by Paula Xiberras Irish band Ash began their musical journey as teens and now are glad to be back in the music scene, together again after some time taken away to enjoy family life. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Tim Wheeler from the group about their new album. Tim says they have enjoyed visiting Australia, having taken part in the 1989 Big Day Out which they loved playing at. Talking to Tim from the guys base in the US, he tells me he thinks the band’s new album ‘Islands’ is the classic they wanted it to be and that it stands up to any of their best work to date, high praise indeed for a band that has produced two number one albums and eighteen top 40 singles. The new album ‘Islands’ deals with all the weighty issues, love, loss, friendship, betrayal and redemption. The title ‘Islands’ may be representative and a metaphor for the insular feelings of isolation we have with the loss of a friendship or a relationship. With the aim of writing a song every hour to really feel the isolation of being an island the songs were written at various islands around the world. I mention to Tim maybe then they could have included the island of Tasmania. How small a world it is was proved to me once again when Tim mentions that once on tour they met a Tasmanian character who was a ‘so together guy’. One question I want to ask is how the group got their name. Tim tells me as a fan of one syllable named bands like ‘Blur’ and ‘Suede’ he wanted something in a similar vein. Opening a dictionary starting at ‘a’ he didn’t have to read too long until he found ‘Ash’ and so the band was born. The album ‘Islands’ by Liberator music is out now.

OLIVER & THE SWAN VALLEY COMES ALIVE WITH IRISH MUSIC

Unaccompanied baggage

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After many years with Capitol radio, Oliver McNerney has started a new radio show “The Country & Irish Show” on Radio VCA in Ellenbrook on Wednesday the 4th July. The show goes to air weekly from at 10am till noon. Oliver will be playing lots of Irish artists, including showbands plus Australian and American country on the show. If Irish Scene readers would like a request played they can contact the station at 92971088 or text Oliver on 0450 459 217. You can also like them on facebook. Radio VCA are a not for profit Community Radio Station broadcasting to all areas within the City of Swan in Western Australia. They broadcast 24 x 7 providing music, entertainment and community information to a diverse listening audience from many cultural backgrounds. They also promote events for not for profit organisations as well as other community activities. Oliver told The Irish Scene that the station is run by enthusiastic community volunteers with an interest in music and entertainment, along with a Management Committee made up of experienced and energetic office bearers. The photo of Oliver was taken in 1970 in London when he worked on Walls Meat Company Radio Show, “I was only 25 then. it was my first ever radio show”. Oliver said, “I am really looking forward to hearing from the many Irish who live in the Ellenbrook area and I have a wide range of music that will suit most tastes”. So, give Oliver a call with a request!

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Meeting the descendants of

PADDY HANNAN By Lloyd Gorman

Some Aussies - but certainly every West Australian - worth their salt will know or at least be familiar with the story of Paddy Hannan and his discovery of gold along with traveling companions Thomas Flanagan and Dan O’Shea - that would spark the biggest gold rush in Australian history at a time of national economic depression and lead to the creation of Kalgoorlie. On June 17, 1893 Hannan - who was born in Quin, Co Clare, Ireland in 1840 - rode his horse into Coolgardie with about 100 ounces (3.1kg) of gold the trio had collected in a matter of days, to stake their claim.

Paddy registered the claim with John Michael Finnerty (18531913), Coolgardie mining warden and magistrate who was born on 31 January 1853 in Limerick, Ireland. Michael and his family arrived in Western Australia in 1859 and his father was staff officer of enrolled military pensioners at Fremantle.

Mia Davies MLA, Stephen Dawson, MLC, Jacqui Ellen Boydell, MLC and Dennis Liddelow at the 125th Anniversary Ball

Finnerty’s connection with the Fenian’s Catalpa escape, that’s for another story!

The next day following Paddy’s claim, the Kalgoorlie gold rush began. That moment in time 125 years ago and its legacy to the locality (and the rest of Australia)

were celebrated in Kalgoorlie in late June with a week of special events, including at the Town

Miv Egan and Lilly Rea

Hall which was adorned with photos of Paddy Hannan and other miners from the 1890s. Those

“I’ve known about Paddy Hannan all my life in Melbourne, because mum always talked about Uncle Paddy,” Mary Conlon from Melbourne told Fred Rea who was

Kyle McGinn, MLC with Paddy Hannan

who attended were asked to wear Victorian era formal dress. Many dressed up and fitted into the ambiance of the old town hall and its high ceiling and old architecture. State Minister, Stephen Dawson was in attendance and reflected on Paddy Hannan and the many others who blazed the trail to the goldfields all those years ago.

But one small group of Australians’ (and Irish people) have an extra special connection to Hannan, the Co. Clare born historical figure. One of the highlights of Fred’s visit to Kalgoorlie/Boulder was to meet Mary Conlon. Paddy was her great grand uncle. Fred met Mary and her daughter Laura in Ashok Parekh’s Palace Hotel in ‘Kal’. 68

Mary Conlan and her daughter Laura at the memorial where Paddy Hannan found gold in 1893.

in ‘Kal’ for the special anniversary occasion. “My Mum met Paddy who died in 1925, at the age of 85 when she was about nine”. Mary remembers her mum saying she met this old man living in Melbourne a couple of times, because her mum, Paddy’s niece, (Mary Hennessy, nee Geran) was with Paddy the night he died, she was minding him. “There were people looking after him in his

last days including two relatives, who were his sisters and mums mother Mary was rostered on the night he died. She was sitting by his bedside”. Laura, Mary’s daughter (Paddy’s great, great grand-niece) who lives in Kalgoorlie, said Paddy was already middle aged when he made his famous discovery and came back to Melbourne in his 70’s. “Apparently, he was a lovely quiet

Paddy Hannan's home in Melbourne.

was quiet and considerate of other people,” she added. “They were talking in the historical society about when he was in Melbourne where he lived for about 20 years before he died - that he would go walking most days. There were little kids in the Paddy Hannan's Miners Right he received neighbourhood and they’d when he registered the gold find in 1893. all be sure they were out the to the Hannan primary front of his house because he’d school and the many other places give them tuppence or sixpence or are named after him. Back in something and in those days that Melbourne no-one’s heard of Paddy, was like giving a kid fifty dollar’s but everyone knows who he is here. today.” My eldest daughter was born here The next and new generations of in Kalgoorlie while the other two the Hannan descendants are proud were born in South Australia. The of their link to Paddy. kids spend quite a few years out in “Its good being here, we never the bush when we were working heard about him growing up as on stations, so they can understand well and as mum said in Melbourne what it was like for Paddy Hannan, it doesn’t really mean anything traveling and walking without all (over there),” said Mary’s daughter the luxuries.” Angela. “The first I came to ‘Kal’ I was 21 and mum said you have to see him, so I took a photo (with his statue) and that kind of thing. It wasn’t until we moved back

man, a gentleman. He didn’t drink much, and he and his partner Flanagan traveled a lot together. Dan O’Shea joined them not long before they found the gold. Paddy was able to buy a house in Brunswick, Melbourne, which is still there and has a plaque outside it. I think he was married briefly and I don’t know if the child was his, or if the child was the woman’s, that’s something The value of the gold mines in the first 90 that’s still being researched. Only yesterday I heard there was years following Paddy's find! a daughter who didn’t die. He helped bring the daughter up, so permanently at the end of 2010 I’m still learning about him. And and the kids went to school that when I was looking at the visitor’s we started to learn more about book yesterday (in the historical him and its nice. It’s good to have society in Kalgoorlie) there’s a girl a connection with the history of from Victoria who signed it in July the town and the fact that even 2017. I haven’t heard of her and though I grew up in Melbourne and she’s got grand-niece of Paddy I’m now living here, there is that Hannan, so she might be of that family connection and my children line. She’s probably the same era love it. They get a kick out of being as me.” related to him and talking about him in school, because they live “I think he must have been an in a suburb called Hannan’s, go amazing gentleman too because he 69

Tess Thompson and Mary Conlan

Tess Thompson has written a book “Paddy Hannan. A Claim to Fame” that’s give an insight into Paddy’s life. Tess spoke at length to his relatives in Melbourne during

Mary Conlan with Tim Cudini, Heritage Officer, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

his generousity during our weekend in Kalgoorlie. The Palace Hotel is a great stay and if you are heading to Kalgoorlie you would not find a better place. Also thanks to Tim Cudini for making Fred and team so welcome. His guidance and love for heritage is a credit to him. Keep up the good work Tim!

The House of Finnerty

By Victor Churchill Dale (February 2000) www.victorchurchilldale.com.au her research and Mary said that the family were very happy how Tess told his story.

On the return journey, Fred called into Michael Finnerty’s homestead in Coolgardie and it was very moving to stand in such an historical site. John Michael Finnerty The house is situated alongside the Aboriginal waterhole for which Warden Finnerty is said to have named Coolgardie. Fred met Peter Carey, the home caretaker who shared wonderful stories about the home. One yarn stood out. Peter said when they were constructing Finnerty’s home there was a shortage of water (the CY O’Connor pipeline was yet to be constructed) and Peter said beer was used instead of water to mix with the cement. (See photo above and the area above the verendah where the beer was used). In 1895, the residence was built for Coolgardie's first Resident Magistrate and Mining Warden, Limerick man John Michael Finnerty. At the entrance of the home saw the poem printed on right by Victor Churchill Dale, a local poet. Victor has given us persmission to reproduce the poem and in discussion with he said that he could not find in the records anyone with a hard word about Finnerty. A very fair and popular magistrate! Finnerty was transferred to Kalgoorlie in 1900, marking the decline of Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie’s rising prominence as the centre of WA’s eastern goldfields, but his house remains on ‘Montana’ Hill overlooking the town. There were more than twenty hotels/pubs in the town and so its understandable why beer was used! One of the pubs was owned by Irishman Hugh Mahon who was also a JP and who knows maybe he supplied the beer for the home construction! Records show that Mahon and Finnerty crossed paths many times in the Coolgardie magistrate’s courts. If readers visit TROVE, the wonderful Australian computer research site and find the Coolgardie Miner newspaper, also owned by Hugh Mahon, you will find lots of information about life in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie at the time of the goldrush! Fred would like to thank Ashok Parekh for

It is with the warmest of heart So far from the land of their birth I bid you good people welcome With all that a handshake is worth To honour Ireland's proud sons Who praised and preserved our liberty For truly no example be finer Than here in the house of Finnerty Let there be no secret of past When cruel was the rule of England 'Twas many a poor lrish soul Found themself in a colonised land The day we raised the Southern Cross When our infant history was made It was with the proudest of truth Irish men stood the Eureka Stockade To live in this land without water Leaves the bravest of hearts despairing Triumphant when the courage of O'Connor Pumped water up from Mundaring The mines that banked West Australia Proud founder of the rich Golden Mile Today the humble king of Kalgoorlie An Irishman sits in grand style I’ve no doubt the role of our future How strong the challenges appear We’ll deal with it same as the past With a touch of old Ireland here For courage takes all people forward And wisdom flows with serenity May we view tomorrow with distinction Today in the house of Finnerty.

Palace Hotel Kalgoorlie 70

land of

honey

GOD SAVE OUR.........

Ireland

For the last five weeks I have been nursing cracked ribs. The convalescence is quite easy, really, you sit on a sofa with a lot of cushions and try very hard not to breathe, It is remarkable on how few breaths the body can survive especially when each breath taken is like a knife to the heart.

the best show in town you are, believe me, in deep trouble. The antics of these highly paid individuals are mind blowingly awful and, what’s more, we the people have voted for them - but did we? I don't think so. We are presented with individuals chosen by warring factions and exhorted to vote for someone we don't know. That's where the Irish system has it all over Australia. Everyone in Ireland knows all the backgrounds back to Brian Boru or at least six generations.

When parliament turns out to be

Just when you are sick of the antics of these pugnacious bullies you switch in disgust to news headlines and lo and behold there is an arrogant man being gazed at adoringly by a beautiful woman. You have to restrain yourself from shouting" He is a megalomaniac lady, run far, run

All this enforced rest resulted in an intense relationship with my television. You can only read so many books without losing track of the narrative and, in any case, the television is opposite the sofa. Well, welcome to La La Land. If you exclude the “Yes I will marry you" and “I chose No 5, the one with the tattoo and the muscles" you are really just left with the news, parliament, and sports. You soon learn that if there is a ball game anywhere in the world, no matter how insignificant, all docos and discussions are cancelled - sans notice. You also learn that printed television programmes are today's fairy tales.

The best way to watch Question Time in parliament is to turn the sound off and watch the grotesque antics of the “Honorables". Bad day at the Zoo. Behind all the front benchers there is a line of people nodding in assent every thirty seconds - never dissent- just assent. I reckon they have little buttons in the back of their heads which go off every thirty seconds.

fast" It seems that every President, Prime Minister or Dictator must have a female gazing adoringly at him. Now, at the moment, in the mix of World Leaders, we have psychopaths, manipulators, murderers, megalomaniacs and one or two allout lunatics. Stunning mix and they all have adoring spouses!! I am convinced, after careful observation, that one of these women is an Android. Nobody is that perfect. She is without doubt "A Siri".

The few female leaders in the world don't seem to need adoring males gazing at them- Royalty of course just does not do it. So these are my observations from "The Couch" Deep stuff eh? Luckily the soccer will end soon, and we can all go back to a little train journey between interesting villages or watching the remaining population, if any, of Midsomer being murdered. As for the lack of sophistication of our "elected" members, to quote a certain unfortunate jacket....

"I really don't care - Do You?" Sally Desmond

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Celebrating the memory The Dublin Minstrel From Dublin streets and roads and down the years and music of a true Came great musicians and balladeers There was a special one, a red haired minstrel boy Irish musical legend. And when he passed away, Back in the 1960s, I saw the Dubliners for the first time. It was in the Savoy Cinema in Cork, Coincidently, I was talking about this last week to Jim Egan, also from Cork and he was at the same concert.

I remember clearly when Luke walked onto the stage, you knew something special was going to happen, and it did! Top of my list of unforgetable concerts would be Luke Kelly, Tom Paxton and Leonard Cohen. All have a stage presence that has the audience engrossed in every thing they perform and it's all in their demeanor. This present generation can only see Luke Kelly on YouTube but let me tell you it was something really special to see him live. When Dublin grieved the early death of Luke, one of the greatest, no! the greatest traditional singer Ireland has seen, an indelible mark was left upon the Ireland's folk music scene. To commemorate and celebrate the memory of this Irish music legend Chris Kavanagh will perform The Legend of Luke Kelly this July 22nd in the Astor Theatre in Mt Lawley. I saw Chris during his last visit to Perth and he has a remarkable resemblance to Luke Kelly and an immense singing talent that captures the depth and passion of the great man, Chris Kavanagh has been performing to critical acclaim at shows which have been attended regularly by Luke Kelly’s family. Get a taste of what a Luke Kelly performance was all about when Chris Kavanagh brings this striking show to PERTH! ‘A beautiful blast from our beautiful past’, Eamon Dunphy ‘You might find that you have to pinch yourself’, RTE’s Open House ‘A Must!’, The Irish Times 72

a city mourned its favourite son

All around the markets and down the quays The sad news it spread to the Liberties The minstrel boy is gone, he'll sing no more And Luke somehow you know, we'll never see your likes again He liked to laugh and sing; he loved a jar And his songs rang out in many city bars. I walk by the old canal near which he used to live, Down Raglan Road I'm sad, as he'd so much left to give All around the markets and down the quays The sad news it spread to the Liberties The minstrel boy is gone, he'll sing no more And Luke somehow you know, we'll never see your likes again The show is over, the curtain's down A flame no longer burns in Dublin Town While the Liffey flows beneath the Ha'penny Bridge You'll be remembered Luke for all your songs and all you did All around the markets and down the quays The sad news it spread to the Liberties The minstrel boy is gone, he'll sing no more And Luke somehow you know, we'll never see your likes again Song was composed by Declan O'Donoghue the Irish horse racing correspondent for the Irish Sun.

Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland

Passport Update The online passport renewal project has been a fantastic success. You can now renew your adult passport online. It’s easy and even Luddites like me can master the technology. First time passports and children’s passports still require a trip to the Honorary Consulate. Yvonne and Lynda are always happy to help. It gets quite busy at times but please leave a message and monitor your email as we strive to get back to everyone

within 24 hours. Dublin is planning to expand the online passport system and we’ll keep you updated. The passport office is doing an amazing job given the introduction of the online system and the increased demand from Brexit. Passport applications overall are up 8.5% on last year and the Irish Times recently reported that the passport office in Dublin recently topped 10,000 applications in one day. Unfortunately, we are victims of our own

success and 35 day turnarounds are not uncommon. If you are traveling soon here a few things to remember: • If you are heading to Ireland for Christmas make sure your passport is valid. • If you travel on your Irish passport remember to have a valid Australian visa at all times. • Make your passport application early. • Always have 6 months validity on your passport- or your holiday will not happen. • The 6-month rule particularly applies to Bali as the Indonesian authorities will not accept temporary passports or passports less that 6 months validity. In short, think ahead and act now.

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

LET ME LIE

by CLARE MACKINTOSH REVIEWED by JOHN HAGAN Clare Mackintosh’s third novel certainly poses an intriguing teaser on the cover. Between the large print of book’s title is the subscript, ‘The police say it was suicide – Anna says it was murder – They’re both wrong’. Anna Johnson, the book’s principal character, has, in the course of a year, lost her wealthy parents to apparent suicide. First her father, then her mother a few months later, have seemingly taken their own lives by jumping off Eastbourne’s Beachy Head into the ocean far below. In order to cope with the anguish she feels following her mother’s death, Anna seeks help from grief counsellor, Mark Hemmings. Gradually the two fall in love, Anna gives birth to daughter, Ella, and Mark moves in to Johnson the family home. While still adjusting to motherhood, Anna’s suspicions and feelings of unease over the suicide verdicts are further heightened when she receives a card, on the anniversary of her mother’s death, containing the words ‘Suicide? Think again’. She goes to the police where, Murray Mackenzie, a semi-retired CID officer, agrees to reexamine the case. As Anna and Murray begin to dig into the past, it becomes clear that someone is trying to get them to stop, but they are both determined to pursue the matter despite looming danger. Sometimes it’s just safer to let things lie ….. While author, Clare Mackintosh, is a former police officer with 12 years experience on the force, including a spell in CID, this book is much more complex, ingenious and thought-provoking than just being a procedural police who-dun nit. Mackintosh has carefully crafted believable characters, fascinating people who do not react unrealistically in moments of heightened drama – and there is an abundance of this whirling around the Johnson household and environs. Told through the medium of multiple narrators, including Anna and Murray, the narrative is taut with twists and turns, keeping the reader in suspense right up to the final few pages. Let Me Lie is published by Hachette. $29.99

TIME PIECES

by JOHN BANVILLE REVIEWED by JOHN HAGAN Part travelogue, part memoir, part history, John Banville’s new book features Dublin, and the importance of the city in his life. For years Banville avoided writing about Dublin (‘the place was of no use to me as a backdrop for my fiction’) until he began (under the pseudonym of Benjamin Black) featuring the city in tales of 74

his surly, rakish, consultant pathologist, Quirke. As a boy, living in Wexford, Banville recalls how he used to make the annual pre-Christmas train trip to Ireland’s capital to buy presents and visit relatives. Later, as a struggling, and prissy, young author, he willingly relocated to the city, lodging in his maiden aunt’s house in Upper Mount Street. In Time Pieces, Banville reveals some of Dublin’s key moments and its continually evolving history. Accompanied by his friend Cicero, he locates the head of Nelson whose column was blown up by the IRA in 1969; visits the lost docks at Ringsend, pays respect to Dublin’s Georgian architecture and theorizes how the city developed to accommodate its population. He recalls the unrequited love of his first real girlfriend, Stephanie Delahaye , describing the time they spent together at the theatre, in secluded Iveagh Gardens and unfashionable Fitzwilliam Square. Time Pieces is replete with Banville’s masterful similes, metaphors and arresting imagery. He recalls, ’the din of Grafton Street outside, where the sunlight rolls its golden hoops among the busy legs of the passers-by’, and describes the female shop assistants in Clery’s store as ‘being brisk and competent in a martyred sort of way, like an order of secular nuns’. Banville has lost none of his skill in turning what seems mundane and commonplace into something rich and strange. Through this book, we learn as much about Banville, progressing from would-be journalist to his present position as an esteemed and respected author, as we do about Dublin. Tastefully illustrated by Paul Joyce’s haunting black and white photography, Time Pieces helped me fall in love with Dublin all over again. Time Pieces is published by Hachette. $49.99

THE COW BOOK

by JOHN CONNELL REVIEWED by JOHN HAGAN Want to know what life on an Irish farm is really like? If so, this is the book for you. John Connell offers an unflinching look into the grueling work to keep a County Longford family subsistence farm afloat. ‘Farming is a walk with survival, with death over our shoulder, sickness to our left, the spirit to our right and the joy of new life in front’. Connell, who studied journalism in Dublin and Sydney before becoming an Honorary Research Fellow with the Australian Centre for Investigative Journalism, is also a distinguished Walkley Award-winning radio reporter. On discovering that city life and working in the media was not for him, Connell returned to the comforting, and often demanding, cadences of farming days at ’Birchview’, the family smallholding. It was a baptism of fire. He recounts his struggles to keep animals alive and safe from scout, bloat and orf, afflictions unknown to most. He agonises

PLENTY OF SKIN IN THE GAME

over his lack of farming expertise, rows with his father (often), Googles to seek farming advice, while keenly observing birth, death and the local community in the modern Irish landscape. Interwoven with accounts of his daily regime, Connell traces the history of the cow, illustrates its crucial place in society and also highlights how the animal has affected our diets, while helping shape migration around the world. His observations about the cow in relation to Irish crime are also pertinent. ‘Since the collapse of the Celtic Tiger—lawlessness has increased in rural Ireland. People no longer feel safe in their homes, for gangs roam the once-quiet countryside. In the last three years, over 10,000 cattle have been stolen – butchered hastily and their meat sold’. Even for those with no farming background, or experience of country living, there is something compelling about Connell’s narrative describing the trials, and occasional joys, of Irish farming in the 21st century. The Cow Book is published by Granta. $29.99

by Lloyd Gorman

The recent spate of fine weather in Ireland has seen plenty of people there shed their normal clothing and dress for that unusual meteorological event - an Irish heat wave. But one group of women had another reason to go one step further and stripped down completely over the weekend. On Saturday (June 9), some 2,505 Irish women - each affected by cancer in different ways - gathered on the sands of Magheramore beach, Co. Wicklow for the world's largest skinny dip attempt. Guinness World Records official Lucia Singigagliesi adjudicated the "Strip and Dip" event which saw the massive concentration of females swim in the 12 Celsius sea for five min-

OYSTER by Michael Pedersen Oyster is the second collection from prize-winning Edinburgh poet Michael Pedersen. From Grez-sur-Loing and festive nights to sizzling summers stretched out in the Meadows and Portobello, Michael Pedersen’s unique brand of poetry captures a debauchery and a disputation of characters, narrated with an intense honesty and a love of language that is playful, powerful and penetrative; he vividly illuminates scenes with an energy that is both witty, humourous but also deeply intelligent. Oyster is iced, spiced, baked and beaming for your pleasure. Oyster features bespoke illustrations from Frightened Rabbit lead singer and songwriter Scott Hutchison. About the Author Michael Pedersen is a prize-winning poet from Edinburgh. He also dabbles in film-scripts, plays and pop songs. Michael has performed all over the world and is the co-founder of micro publisher and record label Neu! Reekie!. Michael has won a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship and The John Mather's Trust Rising Star Award, is a Canongate Future 40, and a Callum McDonald Memorial Award finalist. About the Illustrator Scott Hutchison is a Scottish singer, songwriter, guitarist and artist. He is best known as the founding member and primary songwriter of the indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, with whom he has recorded four studio albums. Hutchison is also a member of the musical collective The Fruit Tree Foundation, and has released one solo album, under the moniker Owl John. Hutchison studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art. Oyster is Published by Birlinn General , Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited $22.99

utes to set a new world record. But records are meant to be broken and this one was beaten by a good "country mile". The milestone they smashed was set back in March 2015 at South Beach in Perth when 786 women simultaneously swam nude for the Butterfly Foundation, a group that helps people affected by eating disorders. The Irish swim has been an annual event since 2013 when it was started by Dubliner Dee Featherstone within months of her own mastectomy. It has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the charity since and can now add a Guinness World Record and massive world wide publicity to its list of accomplishments for the cause. Guinness – the start of many a good yarn As it happens the origins of the original world famous Guinness 'Book' of Records story can traced just a few miles further south from Magheramore beach in the neighboring county, Wexford.“The idea came about in the early 1950’s when Sir Hugh Beaver (1890—1967), Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery, attended a shooting party in County Wexford,” the Guinness World Records website states. “There, he and his hosts argued about the fastest game bird in Europe, and failed to find an answer in any reference book. In 1954, recalling his shooting party argument, Sir Hugh had the idea for a Guinness promotion based on the idea of settling pub arguments and invited the twins Norris (1925—2004) and Ross McWhirter (1925—75) who were fact-finding researchers from Fleet Street to compile a book of facts and figures. Guinness Superlatives was incorporated on 30 November and the office opened in two rooms in a converted gymnasium on the top floor of Ludgate House, 107 Fleet Street. After an initial research phase, work began on writing the book, which took 13 and a half 90-hour weeks, including weekends and bank holidays. Little did the McWhirters know that taking shape was a book that would go on to become an all-time best seller and one of the most recognized and trusted brands in the world.”Over 60 years on, and a book that was first published to help solve arguments in the pub has become a globally recognised and trusted household name around the world and a best-seller each year. 75

went home, got my bike and rode to Dublin (40 miles). I tried to sell my bike with no luck. I paid fifteen shillings to send my bike home by train I caught the boat to Holyhead that night. 7. Where in England did you end up and find work? I met a man on the boat and he said he would get me a job in the Dartford Tunnel and a room I his house, which worked out great for me. 8. Where did you go from there as you say you were not happy? As the air was compressed, we could only work for three months as we all got asthma from no oxygen, but we got thirty pounds per week and I saved enough to get a boat to Australia at last, for ten pounds more (thank God). 9. You said you never went to Australia FIRST, why? I got a job in the Ford Motor Company in Dagenham. The money was great, steady work and good conditions and still saving for Australia. 10. When did you get to Australia? I got my ten-pound fare together after five years and travelled by ship to Australia. We landed in Fremantle, after a few days we went to Perth (what a beautiful city), but we had to go to Sydney to get our papers signed and get clearance to stay here. 11. Did you find out if Australia was all that you wanted? Yes, I get a job in Holden Motor Company and a flat in Bondi, four of us Irish, as we do, we still had Perth in our heads as our destination. We bought a 1956 Vauxhall Ute in readiness for the trip across the Nullarbor to Kalgoorlie. 12. How long did you stay in Sydney? I met a man called John Conlon from Monaghan. We were great friends, so we headed off, but the ute broke down (the back axle), we were stuck and not happy. 13. You got to Perth and you are still here and married. Yes, I got to Perth at last, met all the Irish lads in the Kings Hotel. I knew I was where I wanted to be. I worked in plenty of mines up North, met my wife and we have a boy and a girl. 14. Do you read The Irish Scene? I can’t wait for the “Irish Scene” to come out as I have had a bad stroke which curtails my movement. The magazine keeps me in touch with what’s going on in Perth.

With Tony Synnott A Minute with Synnott Tom O’Hanlon is from Carlingford Loch, Co. Louth and I must say again that its wonderful to have the opportunity to meet such lovely people willing to share their story with me. Tom is blessed with a wonderful memory, as sharp as a tack and a great Australian success story. 1. As you lived on a farm, what way did you start your day? We bred draught horses, at four years I fed them fresh hay and vegies and water. They all knew me. 2. How old were you when you went to school and where? I started school at six years in Lordship Village, a mixed school, all farm kids. We only had the one only teacher. 3. How long did you stay at school? Did you enjoy school? I did enjoy school, but my father died when I was twelve, so I had to look after the farm, dig spuds, cabbage, turnips, feed the fowl and horses, long days - ready for bed. 4. How many of the family were there? Did they not help? There were two boys, two girls. My youngest brother went to college and is now the head teacher there. The girls looked after house, cooking, cleaning and lots more. 5. At what age did you leave home and get your first job? I went to work for Bord Na Mona, I had to go to Laois to dig turf seven days a week for five pounds a week and pay two pounds for food and lodgings. “Hard times”. 6. When did you emigrate and where did you go to? I saved thirty pounds after three months with Bord Na Mona, 76

day August 10th, 2018 at the Irish Club. This event has been such great fun, for both participants and audience members in the last 2 years, and we’re excited to see what this year will hold. We take up to 8 teams of 2 (partners provided if necessary!) so, if you feel like you’ve missed out, get in touch via Facebook or email – it might not be too late to take part! If you’re interested in watching our competing couples spin around the floor, keep an eye out for the event on our Facebook page or website. A great night’s entertainment, kindly sponsored by Killarney Autos, is absolutely guaranteed! Also this month, we held our “One Act Reading Night” on June 21st. Everyone and anyone was invited to come along, enjoy a drink and some nibbles, and help us to read some of the plays we’ve short-listed for our One Act Season in September this year. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, this is a great way to casually meet us, have a bash at reading, and see how the whole process works! From this, we’ve taken the popular vote and chosen the 3 plays which will be performed – so now we just need some actors and directors! Watch out for our Audition Notices and call-outs on our Friends of Irish Theatre Players group on Facebook as well as all our social media platforms. Tickets for our One Act Season will be on sale in mid-August, and for just $25 per person, or $20 with concession, you get to enjoy 3 great new, short plays, and the usual Irish Theatre Players hospitality.

A Message from President,

Claire Wynne No sooner had we finished our successful run of “Constellations” by Nick Payne, but we’re straight in to organising our next event, Ballroom Blitz 2018 – no rest for the wicked here at Irish Theatre Players! Constellations was very well received by our generous audiences each night of its 2-week run at the ITP Theatre here at the Irish Club of WA. “A not-to-miss performance”, “Thoroughly enjoyed every minute”, “Highly recommend it” and “One of the year’s top performances” were just some of the written reviews we received. Irish Theatre Players would like to sincerely thank the team, Director Brendan Ellis, actors Paul Davey & Madelaine Jones, and the creative team of John Spurling, Daniel Toomath, Laura Heffernan and Caroline McDonnell for the 8 long weeks of intense work that went in to creating such an incredible show. As another happy audience member stated “The ITP are building a reputation for high class productions”. As part of the Constellations season, we were delighted to host a fundraising event for the GAA Minors on Sunday 10th June, which raised funds to send the U18s team to the Australasian Championships in Melbourne in October of this year. Best of luck to all involved! So, immediately after Constellations closed on Saturday 16th June, we hosted our “Ballroom Blitz Beginners’ Dance Competition Information Night” on Tuesday 19th June. This was a casual meet-up for anyone who may be interested in strapping on some dancing shoes and learning some routines to perform at our 3rd Annual event on Fri-

Remembering the girls from Mountbellew

WHO TRAVELLED TO AUSTRALIA Paula Kennedy said, "We were honoured with the presence of His Excellency, the Australian Ambassador, Richard Andrews and his wife, Minister for the Diaspora Ciaran Cannon, County Councillors Michael Connolly and Aidan Donohue, MC for the day Eamon Kitt, whose grandfather was the last Master of the Mountbellew Workhouse, Michael Blanch of the Committee for the Commemoration of Irish Famine Victims, Governor of Arbour Hill prison, Mark O'Brien of Arbour Hill, Mary Kennedy and RTE's Nationwide team, as well as many local heritage groups and local community".

When Paula Kennedy came up with the idea of remembering the girls who left Mountbellew Workhouse in 1852 and asked Kathleen Connolly who had researched one of those orphan girls, Mary McLoughlin who had helped massively over the years with Genealogy and Martin Curly professional genealogist to form a small committee to research, none of us could possibly envisage what that would culminate in within just over 18 months.

On the Sunday, central to the commemoration were the descendants of the workhouse orphan girls themselves and their Irish cousins. The wonderful warm welcome given to the Bill Marwick and Australian Ambassador, descendants by the Richard Andrews. large congregation of locals and visitors was amazing and will leave deep lasting memories. The Irish and Australian flag were flying high outside Mountbellew Church. Watching the instant connection between Australian and Irish cousins separated by 165 years and 16,000 km was deeply emotional.

On Friday, May 4th there was a welcome for Australian descendants and Irish cousins of Mountbellew workhouse orphan girls. The venue was Ruaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pub, Paula Kennedy and organising committee. Glentane, in Castleblakeney. This pub is steeped in local history and perhaps the oldest public house in the province. Entertainment was hosted by Fohenagh district historical society - Rambling House, where local musicians, singers, poets and storytellers performed. The next day, Saturday there was a conference/talk in Portumna workhouse. Speakers included from Perth, Bill Marwick (who was accompanied by his daughter Donna) descended from Mary Ann Taylor workhouse orphan girl, Paula Kennedy researcher with project and a great line up of speakers.

Adding to the ambience of the day was the wonderful folk choir, the amazing contribution of the O'Reilly family of Moylough especially Michael's singing and his daughter Amy whose interpretative dance poignantly represented the lives of the workhouse orphan girls, the local school children placing Rosary beads in the Orphan Travel box made by Arbour Hill prisoners while the orphan girls names were called out and the wonderful contribution of Fr Karl in making the Mass personable and memorable.

Paula Kennedy making presentation to Ambassador

Following the church service all walked over to the adjacent Pastoral Care Centre, where people mingled, and descendants chatted over a cup of tea with their new-found cousins. Then as people took to their seating

ous with her time and welcome, as she had a room open that allowed everyone to see and feel the history of the place as well as its present educational contribution in ensuring that the history is an integral part of her student's experiences. The Australian Ambassador to Ireland laid a wreath in memory of the all that passed through the workhouse.

Mark O'Brien telling Mary Kennedy of RTE about the Travel Box project.

Eamon Kitt officially launched proceedings and introduced his excellency Australian Ambassador to Ireland to say a few words. He was then presented with Galway crystal glass in honour of the occasion and his wife a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Minister Ciaran Cannon talked about the importance of the Irish Diaspora and the connections we keep no matter where we are in the world.

Michael Blanch at Famine Marker.

Sunday was the culmination of many, many hours Donna Marwick-O'Brien and Bill Marwick of dedicated work behind the scenes by Paula, Kathleen, Mary and Martin as well as many others in Australia, including Jenni Ibrahim of the WA Genealogical Association, her collaboration with the team and elsewhere who, moved by the story of these workhouse girls offered their skills and resources to spread the word. It was lovely that one of Australian research volunteers Mary Lambert also was a part of the Commemoration along with her daughter Julia. It is hoped that while much as been done, in the words of a famous quote, there is also more to do. This was an amazing opportunity for all, especially for the descendants as it culminates full circle. What a legacy these girls have left.

Bill Marwick descendant of Mary Ann Taylor spoke briefly about her and stirred the hearts of all present about her life the rest of Mountbellew workhouse orphan girls.

REMINDER: A Famine Travel Box similar to the one in this story will be presented to the Mayor and City of Subiaco by the Governor of Arbour Hill Prison Mr Liam Dowling on August 10th 2018 in the Council Chamber.

At the Workhouse itself, which is now the excellent Colaiste an Chreagain secondary school and centre for further education, Ann Marie Carroll, principal, was gener-

Australian Ambassador's wife Mrs. Saovanee Andrews, Paula Kennedy, Michael Blanch of CCIFV, Mark O'Brien, Bill Marwick, Australian Ambassador Richard Andrews and Governor of Arbour Hill prison. Liam Dowling 79

WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. FINDING P AT R I C K By Elissa Livingstone Irish research has long been considered problematic at best and nigh on impossible at worst because the ‘’all the records were destroyed’’ at the time of the fire at the Four Courts building in June 1922 during the Civil War. The latter oft-stated reason for giving up or not even engaging in tracing Irish family history has gradually been debunked over the past decade or more. The reality is that the records may not be in Ireland but elsewhere. Despite the initial difficulties and after many years spent cowering behind a genealogical brick wall I have been able to find all the milestones of my great-great-grandfather, Patrick Gurney’s life, but not in Ireland. I had known about Patrick’s existence since my schooldays when my father related the bare facts to me; that Patrick Gurney was a soldier in the British Army who served in Quebec before coming to Western Australia as an Enrolled Pensioner Guard after his discharge. The only other information forthcoming was

that they lived in the British Army barracks in Montreal. This was the sum of my knowledge for a long time. Every attempt to find out more about Patrick resulted in a dead end but eventually I realised that the key to finding out more about Patrick lay with the British Army records. Online records were almost non-existent then, and even the Internet was in its infancy, but through the auspices of online mailing lists and other research groups I found a British Army history classic called In Search of the Forlorn Hope: A Comprehensive Guide to Locating British Regiments and Their Records (1640-WW1) by John M Kitzmiller II. Although I still didn’t know Patrick’s regiment I

79 80

did know which regiments served in Quebec. Over time I discovered online an ex-WA librarian who had researched all the Enrolled Pensioner Guards and she gave me the vital information that Patrick was in the 17th Regiment of Foot, one of the regiments that served in the Eastern provinces of North America, not known as Canada until 1867. With further information from another online researcher that prompted me to send an email enquiry to the UK National Archives, which had begun to put many records online. This resulted in the hitherto unimagined possibility of receiving a copy by post of Patrick’s army service record for the unbelievably small sum of 2 pounds. These records, some five A3 pages, told me that Patrick was born in 1819 in County Kildare; that he enlisted in Naas Co Kildare in1838 and served over twenty years out of a total of more than twenty two years, in the Eastern provinces of North America, and detailed transfers to various other regiments; his physical description and conduct. Regarding the latter there was a reference to a court martial in 1857 but no explanation was forthcoming except that the penalty was a fine of a penny a day for sixty days. This suggests a minor offence related to drunkenness, which was a common misdemeanor at the time. His discharge date was given as 1859 in County Limerick. As more records became available online I looked for my great-grandfather, William John Gurney’s baptism records in Canada and those of his two older siblings, James and Susan, all born in the 1850s. This information was on the 1897 Western Australian death certificate of their mother Ann Gurney. But enquiries

about baptism and marriage records made to the Canadian archives were unsuccessful. Eventually the Drouin Collection, a compilation of French-Canadian Catholic records became available on Ancestry and bingo the very first record I saw was that of my great-grandfather, William John Gurney’s baptism on January 6th 1859 at St Patrice Catholic Church in Montreal. This encouraged me to search for the marriage record of Patrick and his wife Ann and the baptism records of the other children. I had a rough idea when the other children were born but a search of all the Drouin Collection baptism records during the 1850s revealed nothing. I have yet to find the baptism records of his siblings. Again an online researcher with access to local records came to the rescue. Whereas I had been looking at Catholic records for Patrick Gurney and Ann Devany’s marriage, they were in fact married in 1848 at the St James Street Methodist Church in Montreal. I suspect that they married in the Methodist church because Patrick was Protestant and that Ann was Catholic. The above-mentioned baptism record for William John notes that Patrick was absent at the time. Did Ann take the opportunity to baptise William in the Catholic Church while Patrick was stationed away from Montreal? So while Patrick was born in Ireland, and so probably was Ann Devaney, all the records I’ve found relating to the significant events in his life were discovered else-

where; in England, Quebec and here in Western Australia. I learned not to make assumptions about where I might find the information I was looking for. Elissa is a member of WAGS Irish Special Interest Group Irish Special Interest Group One of 16 Special Interest Groups at WAGS, the Irish Special Interest Group is for people researching their Irish ancestors. We meet four times a year – in January, April, July and October – at WAGS Family History WA Research Centre in Bayswater. At the January meeting speakers explained how DNA testing had helped their Irish research and in April we learned about getting the most out of the RootsIreland subscription site. Next meeting is Sunday 15 July from 2-4.30pm, when there’ll be a short meeting followed by “research day” activities. At the end of June we hold the annual Four Courts Memorial Lunch, commemorating the loss of genealogical records in the 1922 fire at the Public Records Office in Dublin. Details on the Irish Special Interest Group page. Sláinte! Robyn O’Brien

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

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Claddagh volunteers receiving their appreciation certificates at the he Volunteers Breakfast in the Irish Club. President Heather expressed the thanks of The Claddagh to the volunteers for their continuing support of the Association. Heather thanked all volunteers who help continue the good work of Claddagh. 82

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TeleStationTeleNation

Tommy Tiernan ‘knows’ when his last day on earth will be - and he’s still laughing “A Man Called Horse” is not a film you see repeated on TV too often, but it was shown on WTV on the night of June 26. Made in 1970 this Indian (no cowboys) movie is superbly produced and a real reminder of the brilliant acting abilities of the late Richard Harris from Limerick.

He did justice to every role he portrayed and in this film about an English aristocrat who is captured and enslaved by a tribe of Sioux indians carried it well. The scene in which he is initiated into the tribe through a ceremony in which he is hung from the rafters of a large communal tepee by hooks in his chest (in which he takes the native name “Shunkawakan” or “Horse”) must rank as one of the best original scenes in movie history. The Eagle (2011) a film about a young Roman officer on a mission to restore his father’s honour in Britain is a good action film, but also includes a fair smattering of spoken Irish as the native tongue of the Scottish (Pict) tribes they

come into contact with. It is such a rare thing for the Irish language to feature on main stream TV that when it does happen its good to hear it.

The night before, over on 7Mate, We Were Soldiers (2002) with Mel Gibson was based on the first major battle fought in Vietnam in 1965. The American regiment involved was the 7th Calvary, the same one under the infamous General George Armstrong Custer that was wiped out in the American Indian Wars, a fact that is alluded to more than once in the plot. In any case, the story has an Irish connection. The phrase “Garry Owen” is also scattered throughout the film and the song also used in the soundtrack. The song ‘Garry Owen’ is an Irish drinking song dating back to the late 1700’s. Apparently General George Armstrong Custer heard the song among the Irish troops of the 7th Cavalry and liked the cadence. The beat accentuated the cadence of marching horses.

It was the last song played for Custer’s men as they left General Terry’s column at the Powder River and rode into history. House Hunters International was back in Ireland (Dublin to be precise) on June 19, trying to find a place for an American gay couple to live. It was also back on air at June 26, this time with a couple 84

(she from America) trying to find a place to life in her partner’s native Belfast). The lifestyle programme has been to Ireland a few times this year already. People who take part are shown three properties to choose from and must choose one of them. Jason Byrne was one of the guests on Live at the Apollo on ABC Comedy on June 16. Byrne played the Regal Theatre in Subiaco just over a month earlier as part of the Perth Comedy Festival. He is a cracking comic talent and had the whole place - Irish, Aussies and whoever was there - in bits laughing. A great night out and worth watching whenever you get a chance. On Live at the Apollo on June 9 young Dublin comedian Al Porter was one of the stand ups. Again, a very funny guy with a wicked sense of humour.

A new - but somewhat familiar face - popped up on the ABC News on June 9 as well. A Catherine Murphy presented the sports news - including the results of the Ireland Australia rugby game earlier that day. As well as an Irish accent Murphy had a recognisable ‘RTE’ voice and can also be heard on the

radio.

Tommy Tiernan was a guest (again) on “Untitled” with Alan Davies, a show where four or five comedians or personalities sit around a table and talk without any script or format except to discuss themes that come up in conversation. One of Tommy’s stories was about how he knows a Bill Sheeran (uncle of Ed) in the West of Ireland. Bill Sheeran is an astrologer and when Tiernan asked was able to tell him the date and circumstances of when he would die. Tiernan put a fair amount of store in the prediction, but, wasn’t sharing any of the details on this occasion. Still, made for an entertaining and slightly different yarn. On June 2 there was an episode of The Simpsons in which Homer and

the rest of his clan travel to Ireland as part of his father’s (Grandpa’s) wish to return there. Poked plenty of fun at how much Ireland had changed and some old perceptions of it too, without being offensive in any way. On May 17 on ABC Comedy in the American version

of The Office the co-workers celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in the workplace. The same thing

PS I Love You the American drama set in Ireland and America was on GEM, 18 May.

Four Corners on ABC on April 30 broadcast a hard-hitting documentary about why Australia has no sugar tax that might curb the most dangerous health crisis facing the Australian population and health system (basically the sugar lobby) is well financed and

happened a week earlier on May 11 on 30 Rock. Again, plenty of clean and harmless shenanigans. On the same night over on GEM

Blown Away made in the 1990s features is the story of a maverick IRA bomber who goes after this former compatriot who has left that past behind him. As well as plenty of Irish references (and some dodgy brogue accents) the film also has a soundtrack made up of traditional ballads like A Nation

Once Again and a rake of U2 songs. Even the Wiggles got in on the St. Patrick’s Day vibe and dedicated one of their shows to Irish dancing and song on ABC Kids in May.

On May 15 on SBS Australian actress and singer Justine Clarke tracked her ancestry on her father’s side to her convict ancestor.

VISITING

organised and has learned a lot of lessons from the experience of the tobacco sector. As it happens (the very next day) on May 1 Ireland’s sugar tax was finally introduced into law after a long battle to make it a reality. Another piece of social policy in which this diminutive nation is a world leader. On May 22 the news programme Dateline on SBS dedicated a whole documentary to the Irish referendum on the Eight Amendment.

Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 Hillarys WA 6923

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Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

Mark Hoey and his mates from Bunbury enjoying his stag night at Durty Nelly's recently. The wedding is in Bali on August 10th and no doubt these lads know how to enjoy themselves and Bali will know all about it when the Bunbury Mob arrive!

Did Brian Mooney have the red and white Rebel county balloons outside his cafe in Osborne Park? He was wondering why the Dubs were avoiding him! His good friend John Newman of Party Plus 'Fixed the problem' by presenting Brian with the tricolour balloons. Up the Rebels!

My Cutting Rules Belfast born barber Noel Annesley has worked at his Subiaco barbershop for about a year and a half and recently took over the business. A well-known TV personality stumbled into the Rokeby Road Traditional Barbers a few weeks ago, to get his moustache waxed. Noel said he was cutting another customers hair at the time when he noticed My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel on the premises. “He just wandered in and was looking at the pictures on the wall,” said Noel. “I looked up and saw him and went ooh, Bonsoir. “My French isn't great and Bonsoir actually means good evening and it was morning time, but he didn't correct me, he was very friendly and happy to take selfies with the customer and me.” Mabye next time Colin Fassnidge, the hit show's Dublin born judge, might pop in to have his curly locks lopped.

Pictured at northern suburbs June’s Gathering in Wanneroo is John and Mary O’Connor originally from Dublin and Co. Meath with John Flood, a volunteer with the Gathering function. Both Johns worked in a pharmaceutical company in Finglas, Dublin, in the late ‘70s to early 80’s and this is the first time they met since 1982.

Egan, McDonagh and mates going through the Friday drinks ritual at Paddy Malones. Is that a pint of Kilkenny in front of Sean? Ah! Lent must be over or he's practicing for his trip home!

In our last Irish Scene we had a story about the opening of Rosie O'Grady's in Northbridge 25 years ago this year. Alan Ferguson found this photo of "Kilkenny" the band playing at the opening. L-R: Annie Coughlin, Fergie and Louise Bavin. 86

VALE Paddy Hartnett

Thank you Paddy for the many chats we had over the years. Your spots at JBs and The Irish Club will be remembered for years to come. A geat man for the worker it's now time to rest Paddy.

At a recent Senior's Lunch at the Irish Club, Tom Glynn handed me a photo of his eary days in Australia. In the photo Tom is pictured with a friend. Can you pick Tom?

Slan Abhaile a Chara!

Shelagh Mary TREVENA 0/8/1951-16/5/2018

Born Ballybunion Co Kerry Shelagh passed away after short fight Perth W.A. Loving wife to Graeme, devoted mother to Shaun and Julie, doting nanna to Caelan and Ryder. "To the world you were one but to us you were the world. We were blessed with the times we had with you and our memories will never fade".

PJ Malone had his sister Peggy visit recently from Ireland and what better place to take them but Paddy Malone's in Joondalup. Pictured is Peggy and Tom Clancy with Daughter Attracta Roach, Moira & PJ Malone and Declan and Valerie Malone.

Our condolences to Graeme and Family. Bail รณ Dhia ort Johnny Bravo and friends having a mighty time at J.B.O'REILLYS on Saturday. Not sure what they were celebrating but these boys can party.... couldn't we all one time... make the best of it lads it wont be long passing!

Frank and Mary dropped in on Jimmy Rogers in Rosslare Harbour recently. Jimmy is looking quite the man in his old years.... Looks like he could play a part in a good movie!

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Mary McAleese 87

"The immigrant's heart marches to the beat of two quite different drums, one from the old homeland and the other from the new. The immigrant has to bridge these two worlds, living comfortably in the new and bringing the best of his or her ancient identity and heritage to bear on life in an adopted homeland".

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Rovers and Wanneroo support Linda Launders

be really honest we are also afraid that it will hit us. We have two options, we can be paralysed by fear or we can liberate ourselves from our fear and do something about it and Kieran had two options when he lost Linda. Grief is a very powerful thing and I remember my namesake the poet, Patrick Kavanagh on Raglan Road and he said ‘let grief be like a fallen leaf on the dawning of the day’. I think that Kieran is to be congratulated because rather than Marty being absolutely taken back with Kavanagh his grief that he has struck back and said I will do something about cancer and I will fund raise for it and I won’t be cowered by it. As I am on poets, there is a Welsh poet, Dillon Thomas said “Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, rage against the dying of the light”, and that is what we are doing here today. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Linda but from what I hear she gave her heart and soul to volunteer for the community. It is strange to hear an Irish man quote Margaret Thatcher, but Margaret Thatcher once said that there is no such thing as society and it won’t surprise you that an Irish man would disagree with Margaret Thatcher. There is such a thing as society and you are looking at it here today. People coming together, not for our own glorification, not because there is something in it for us, but because it is the right thing to do. So, I ask Linda & Ciaran you, along with the other speakers, to dig deep today, do the right thing in memory of a fine woman”. It was a tough week for Ciaran Launders because he had just returned from Ireland a few days earlier following the passing of his mother. Sincere condolences to Ciaran, Sarah and Martin and his family in Ireland. We know that Linda would have told Ciaran that there was a job to be done and to do it well. This he did and thanks to his efforts and a close bunch of friends many thousands

Ciaran Launders and Shamrock Rover would like to say thanks to those who supported the “Go Pink for Linda Day”. The story of Linda Launders fight with breast cancer and her volunteer work for Wanneroo City and Shamrock Rover was in the last Irish Scene. To remember Linda, Shamrock Rovers and Wanneroo City played their league match as a fund raiser event for Breast Cancer WA. At a lunch organised before the match and, Rovers club president Marty Burke was introduced by MC Robbie Burns and he paid tribute to Linda’s volunteer work at the club. “Linda was involved with Wanneroo and then when her son came to us she came down and got involved with Shamrock Rovers. To put it mildly, Lindy was a very single-minded Marty Burke person, if she put her mind to something, it was done. No matter who got on board, she directed the traffic all the time. She was an excellent lady and will be sorely missed”. Dean Bell, the Wanneroo City President also had kind words to say about Linda. “Linda was a big part of our club. I think Linda will be looking down on us and saying we are doing all the right thing. As a club, we are very proud to be here today, it is going to be a great day and thanks to everyone involved who have put a lot of work into today”. The Honorary Irish Consul Dean Bell in Western Australia, Marty Kavanagh was a special guest at the Fundraiser and gave an inspiring talk. “When I was thinking of what I was going to say, the word cancer is enough to put fear into all of us. I think it puts fear into us, one because the person who receives the diagnoses and if we are to

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City of Wanneroo Mayor, Tracey Roberts presenting Wanneroo City captain, Captain Ashley Corker with the Linda Launders memorial Cup!

L-R: Ciaran Launders, Danny McNally (who raised $1000), Sarah Launders, Mikey Steven and Martin Launders.

of dollars were raised for the Cancer Council. Thanks to the Hon Irish Consul Marty Kavanagh for coming down and also to the Mayor of City of Wanneroo, Cllr Tracey Roberts for attending the presentation and presenting the cup to Wanneroo City. The day was not about winning but remembering someone who gave so much to both clubs and to the Irish community. Thank you Linda! Rovers would like to thank the following sponsors equally for making it a great day: Bendigo Bank Fremantle, Prime Trophy’s Malaga, Fred Rea and the Irish Scene, Celebrations, Duncraig, Paul North from J.B.O’Reilly’s, Perth Celtic Supporter’s Club, Neil from Killarney Autos, Woodvale Tavern, Derrick Buckley & Broken Pokers, Robbie from Kinell Design, Bob @ UK Central, Damien Keating from Express Bins, Dan from Danmar Homes, Brian from Ma Mooney’s Kitchen, Eimear from Irish Families in Perth, Stephen Dawson MLC, Mike from Acclaimed Catering Malaga, The Cutting Garden Hairdressers, Caesar from Evolution Sports Malaga, Sharon from Hetty’s Scullery.

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SHAMROCK ROVERS

Support Rovers!

Shamrock Rovers is looking for help to help rebuild Shamrock Rovers, to make this club bigger, better and stronger than before and to put it back on the map. This club has gone through some great highs and great lows. The past is the past and we only look back to learn for the future. Your support is more than welcome and badly needed. 89

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia Australasian State Games Championships 2018 It is that time of year again where we are prepping for this season’s Australasian Championships which take place in Melbourne from October 3rd to 6th. After the excitement of last year in Perth, teams across Football and Hurling and our Minors are keen to compete to retain titles and bring new ones home. The 2018 Games are also qualifiers for the selection of the Australasian panels to play in the GAA World Games in Dublin in 2019. Previous years saw GAA WA represented in 2015 by Sarah Donnelly (Southern Districts) and Laura Shaughnessy (Western Shamrocks), and Sharon Cassidy (Western Shamrocks) and Sarah Donnelly (Southern Districts) in 2016. We hope to have a couple more players follow in their footsteps, Ireland bound next year. With Management teams in place, the focus now is bringing interested players together for training and trials sessions. Please contact Mairead at secretarygaawa@hotmail.com for further information.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITES

We are always extremely grateful to the sponsors who get behind our State Teams each year. Your support pushes us even more to do our very best. To find out about State Team sponsorship please contact Nollaig at presidentgaawa@outlook.com. Best wishes to our management teams and to all those competing as they put in the hard yakka over the coming months. We can’t wait to see you don the Black and Gold and represent us all at GAA WA!

GAA WA Hurling and Football League Day at Tom Bateman With the sun still shining and the craic of the Perth 7’s fresh in our minds, Hurling and Football both took to the fields once more at Tom Bateman on May 19th, where they each played legs of their respective Football and Hurling Leagues (Mens and Ladies). Another great day - thank you to the Hurlers and Camogs for coming down.

Hurling and Football Championships - Lock the dates in the diaries! The Hurling and Camogie Championship Finals take place at RA Cooke on Saturday July 14th, with the Man of the Match and Player of the Tournament Awards taking place in The Irish Club later that evening. The Mens and Ladies Football Championship Finals take place at Tom Bateman on Saturday August 25th, with the after match presentation and end of season hooley taking place in the Tom Bateman Clubrooms. Good luck to our Junior Academy teams who will attend on both days, donning the Senior strips as they play out their own on-field battles. We invite all codes and supporters to Tom Bateman on the 25th to wrap up the GAA WA business end of the season before our players knuckle down for the last legs of training ahead of the Australasian Championships. Our entertainment for the night will be confirmed shortly! Check out our GAA in WA Facebook page for more details. Minors - Under 14’s Competition

This year, the Minor Board will kick-start competitions for boys and girls aged 12-15 (school years 7-9). It will comprise of a 7-9 a side comp played in Wembley, where you can enter a team, or ask to be allocated to a team. Nobody will be left out and each team will have a Gaelic Football Coach allocated to them. Like and follow the Minor Board Facebook page for more details - Minors GAA WA Gaelic Football, or contact minorboardgaawa@gmail.com Junior Academy Training - Sacred Heart College Sorrento - Sundays 12.30pm to 2.30pm Big shout out to our Senior players who have taken time out to help coach at the Junior Academy Sunday sessions. From what we hear, it is as close to being a Rockstar as you can get! Feedback from the children is fantastic, both at a skills and cultural level. Keep up the great work as these young players are your Club’s future and we are already hearing of sworn allegiance!

Football Clubs Greenwood Morley Gaels Southern Districts St. Finbarr’s Western Shamrocks Hurling Clubs St. Gabriel’s Western Swans Perth Shamrocks Sarsfields

CLUB DETAILS Mens Senior Football - greenwoodgfc@hotmail.com Mens & Ladies Senior Football - morleygaelsgfc@hotmail.com Mens & Ladies Senior Football - southerndistrictsgaa@gmail.com Mens & Ladies Senior Football - stfinbarrsgfc@outlook.com Mens & Ladies Senior Football - westernshamrocks@hotmail.com Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie - stgabrielsperth@gmail.com Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie - westernswansgaa@gmail.com Mens Senior Hurling - perthshamrocks@gmail.com Mens Senior Hurling - sarshurlingperth@gmail.com 91 91

Perth Rose of Tralee

Well done from all at GAA WA to Aja North of Southern Districts who competed so well in this year’s Perth Rose of Tralee Festival. Aja is pictured above with her escort, Daithi Fitzpatrick.

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia GAA WA Supporting Perth Darkness into Light - May 2018

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GAA WA supporting Mental Health through Sport.

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We were delighted to see so many of our members and teams support the Darkness into Light initiative as volunteers and participants. Kudos to our own Mairead McDonald, GAA WA State Secretary, who put in trojan work on the DIL organising committee. Darkness into Light promotes an incredibly powerful message; 'It's ok not to be ok'. At any one time, someone in our GAA community will not be ok. It's ok to reach out - to talk to someone. Pick up the gear bag and head out the door. Go to your mates, to your sport, to somewhere that can and will look after you.

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

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000 92

JUNIOR Gaelic Football & Hurling Association ACADEMY of Australasia Western Australia By Debbie Teahan We are travelling along nicely with one of our first round of hurling matches complete where our academy kids went long to RA Cooke reserve in Morley and competed against each other as little versions of the senior clubs! Mini jerseys'n all! Sarsfield and Perth Shamrocks and others like St Finbarrs, Western Shamrocks, Saint Gabriels and Morley Gaels all get mini me’s! It’s a fantastic way to let the children know about the senior clubs in Perth and let them be inspired by watching senior games to give them the incentive to keep training to improve their own! We also had an 11 year old visitor Thiqui Kennedy train with us recently from Killarney, she was on holidays visiting for a few weeks with her family and wanted to see what the GAA for children was like in Perth. They were blown away by the set up, how it was perfectly geared for appropriate age groups with the little goals for the smallies and the soft headed hurleys (the indoor type have a rubber head) great for injury prevention on small shins! The space lay out for the older groups is working really well, giving them plenty or running room for games and skills. The little lady had fallen out of love with the GAA at home but her enthusiasm was renewed after a couple of sessions with us in Sacred Heart in Sorrento! It was great to hear such positive commentary from fresh eyes, especially people from such a GAA obsessed tribe as the Kerry crowd! Our numbers are still climbing, and we are lucky to have more parents put up their hands to help, along with our amazing coaches and hard-working committee keeping the whole academy in tip top shape! As always, thanks to you all! Lots planned for the rest of the season so keep an eye on the team app for up to the second information, and thanks to all who supported our quiz night, it’s a great way to get parents and coaches to socialise together without the kids vying for attention, finishing a sentence without interruptions is still a novelty for most parents! This year we asked parents to download the ‘Team App’ Search for the GGJA (Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA) We are always happy to welcome children from the age of 4 so come along for a snoop to check out if sport in the relaxed, safe, fun atmosphere is just what your little future all star is looking for! Sundays at Sacred Heart in Sorrento from 121.30pm/2pm, no equipment necessary as all is provided, and thank you to our sponsors...

Erin Teahan and her cousin from Kerry Thiqui Kennedy

THE IRISH GOLF CLUB OF WA

Everything for sale at Subiaco Oval - even the kitchen sink

by Lloyd Gorman Subiaco Oval has had a long and colourful history. For 109 years it was the home of “footy” in Western Australia and an Aussie institution. But the stadium also had a bit of Irish heritage of its own. The first Irish operator of the Subiaco Hotel was influential in the Subiaco Football Club moving its grounds to the present location at the very start, which sowed the seeds for the stadium it would become. For decades the grounds were used as the meeting point for massive St. Patrick’s Day celebrations by Catholic schools in Perth. Ireland clashed with Australia on the oval in the International/Compromise Rules series on more than one occasion, including in the very last competitive game played there in November 2017. The turfed playing surface itself will remain in place but the grandstands and much of the 43,500 seater stadium will be redeveloped as a new residential area, to be known as “Subiaco East”. Part of the redevelopment process involves a major clearing out of the contents of the stadium. A date for an auction to sell off the oval’s stuff was announced in late June. The first big sell off will happen onsite, at 10am on July 7. There will be some football memorabilia and collectables at the auction but mainly it will be an affair that will attract chefs and caterers more than footy fans. The list of items for sale on that occasion will include the following items, combi ovens, grill/hot plates, brat pans, deep fryers, dish and pot washers, ice machines, hot and cold baine maries, stainless steel benches, utensils and chopping boards. There will also be tables of every size and sort, chairs, table clothes, TV’s, shade sails and even retractable crowd barriers. Most people hoping to get their hands-on items more traditionally associated with football and Subiaco Oval as an icon will have to wait a little bit longer for their chance. There will be two more auctions on August 2 and 23, both starting at 10am with possibly another one on September 22 depending on how much stuff is left to flog. The WA Football Commission said it was still working out a sales strategy for memorabilia at the stadium and expected that process to be finalised later in the year. Auction catalogues including photos of each item available from the website of Ross’s Auctions approximately one week prior to each auction. For further information specific to the Auction, please contact: Dave Crofts from Ross’s Auctions on 0418 945 349 or email dcrofts@auctions.com.au All other enquiries can be directed to Subiaco Oval on 9381 5599 or email reception@wafc.com.au

Jason is the winner! The Irish Golf Club and another great Golf Day at Meadow Springs in Mandurah. This is the best time of the year for golf and winner of the Ambassador's Trophy, Jason Whelahan with 42 points will agree (see photo). Runner up was Tarvi with 38 points and coming in third the ever reliable, PJ Kenny with 37 points. The usual longest drives and nearest the pins added to a great day and wonderful socialising after the the magnificant Meadow Springs Golf Club. About the club...

Based in Perth Western Australia we are a golf society that meet for a stableford tournament on the third Sunday of every month. Once a year we also host our stroke play club championship tournament, which is played over two consecutive Sundays. We play on different golf courses each month and try to balance these between courses North and South of the river Swan. Being a non-profit organisation we aim for green fees of $35 dollars for members and $40 for visitors where possible. This typically covers the prizes on the day as well as the green fees. Any surplus money we accumulate is usually donated to charity and/or used to subsidise a round of golf course such as Lakelands. The number of players usually range from 24 to 40 depending on the time of the year.

If you are interested in joining The Irish Golf Club of WA, please contact Peter McKenna on 0447 258 000 or visit our website www.irishgolf.com.au

Paul Kelly invites you to Lakelands Country Golf Club

level of golfer. For those that enjoy a quiet walk, there is plenty of time to take pleasure in a relaxing 9 or 18 holes. For golfers with a competitive streak, there are competitions midweek, Saturday and Sunday. “We have a fully licensed clubhouse, features bar and social facilities open 7 days a week and with newly completed members facilities and fully stocked pro shop, the golfer is treated to a pleasurable golfing experience”. Sub Juniors are a category for children looking to learn the game aged 5 – 11 years. Every Tuesday a free clinic is provided with a PGA Professional. After the clinic, the Sub Juniors can play the course under strict supervision by a member or parent. Paul added, “At Lakelands Country Club, we strive to encourage our juniors to be the best both on and off the golf course”. Lakeland Country Club prides itself on providing one of the most comfortable and inviting membership experiences. “Our golf course is of the highest standard, and with a new state of the art clubhouse about to be built by 2020, coupled with the relaxed atmosphere our members all share the love for the game of golf and the enjoyment of calling Lakelands their home club”. With very affordable membership prices it makes Lakelands the preferred choice for membership. Phone Paul now and ask about the membership package that suits you: 9405 4888

Located in a tranquil rural setting just 30 minutes North of Perth City and 8 kilometres from Joondalup and Ellenbrook, the Lakelands Country Club in Gnangara is a truly private golf club that caters for the competitive and social golfer. Club General Manager Paul Kelly said, “We offer you one of the most welcoming and enjoyable Clubs to be a part of in Western Australia, catering for golfers of all levels”. Recent course improvements have been completed under the watchful eye of course architect and multiple tour winner Terry Gale. Paul said, “If you want to improve and enjoy your golf, Lakelands Country Club is the place to be”. The course offers 18 unique holes in beautiful, peaceful surrounds featuring greens that will test any

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Proud Supporters of the IRISH COMMUNITY of Western Australia Products available at our Malaga address and selected IGA and Coles

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