Irish Scene May June 2018

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

Vol 20 Number 4

www.irishscene.com.au

IN THIS ISSUE • Darkness into Light • Linda Launders... Volunteer • JB's and Rosie's are 25 • Irish Anzacs • Jim Daly TD Visit • Famine Commemoration • Rob's new CD • Rose of Tralee

ARY RS E 8 V NI - 201

AN

May/June 2018

1998

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BUSINESS CONTACTS

BAGGAGE (UNACCOMPANIED) 95 Aust. International Express 9243 0808 67 Exportair Tel: Geoff 9477 1080 BUTCHERS 88,96 McLoughlin’s Meats Tel: 9249 8039 71 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 CAFE/DELI: 35 Ma Mooney’s Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 CAR RETAILERS: 19 John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 CELEBRANT: Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 CLOTHING ALTERATIONS: Sew Now Tel: 9243 0947 COMMUNITY GROUPS: 45 Australian Irish Heritage Assoc 42 Irish Families in Perth 64 The Claddagh Assoc: Tel 9345 1713 ENTERTAINMENT: 58 Fiddlestick - David 0413 259 547 Fiona Rea Music 0404 831 445 FREIGHT HANDLERS: 95 Australian International Express 9243 0808 67 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 FUNERALS: 85 McKee Funerals Tel: 9401 1900 IMMIGRATION ADVICE: 9 EasiVisa: Carol-Ann Lynch 9429 8860 IRISH FOOD & GIFTS: Clonakilty Black Pudding 35 Ma Mooney’s Tel: 9221 4872 JEWELLERS: Tighe Jewellery: Graham 0414 309274 MECHANICS: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil 0439 996 764 BVM Autos - Mike 0413 889 501 PUBS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS: An Sibin Tel: 9328 8930 Albion Hotel 9384 0021

93 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 Dianella Tavern Tel: 9276 1733 22 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 14 Fenian’s/Novotel Tel: 9425 1634 61 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 6 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 27 Masonmill Gardens - Tel: 9293 5112 81 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup Tel: 9300 9966 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge 9328 1488 13 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 76 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 REAL ESTATE: Professionals Kelly Team Tel: 9344 5544 RESTAURANTS Avoka Tel: 6406 2336 ROOF PLUMBING Mick’s Maintenance 0418 917 050 ROCKING HORSES 79 Flanegan Heirloom Rocking Horses Grant Flanegan 0407 117 972 SHOE REPAIR / NEW SHOES: 51 Reids Bootmakers: Tel 9361 5301 SOLICITORS & LEGAL: 11 Kavanagh Lawyers - 9218 8422 SPORT - CLUBS AND INFORMATION: 90-92 GAA - 0458 954 052 95 Irish Golf Club - Peter 0447 258 000 88 Shamrock Rovers THEATRE: 77 Irish Theatre Players TRAVEL & TOURISM: 69 British Travel Tel: 9285 8182 TYRES, BATTERIES, BRAKES WHEELS:

55 Tyrepower Perth City Fiona 9322 2214 WEDDING RECEPTIONS / FUNCTIONS:

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THE IRISH SCENE

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

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Page Index A minute with Synnott 76 A View from Home 49 AIHA 45 An Irish Australian 41 Anzacs in Ireland 65 Around the Irish Scene 94 Award for Irish Senator 82 Badlands 70 Bill Daly Early Mentor 30 Bill Maloney RIP 48 Book Reviews 74 Claddagh Association 64 Comhaltas 51 Cormac O’Keefe Crime writer 17 Denis Bratton retires 47 Derrick Buckley Donations 7 Dervla McTiernan Author 15 Fairbridge 78 Famine Commemoration at UCC 23 Famine Commemoration in Subi 24 Flanagan’s Heirloom Horses 79 G’Day from Melbourne 44 Gaba Gabu 32 Gaelic Girls and Conor Colgan 4 Gaelic Sports 90 Heather Henderson honour 11 Hon Irish Consul 73 Irish Club 61 Irish Couple big win 59 Irish Dancing 62 Irish Families in Perth 42 Irish Golf Club 95 Irish Story with Brid 53 Irish Theatre Players 77 Isteach sa Teach 36 Jim Daly TD Visit to Perth 72 Joe Colleran’s Uncles 68 Land of Milk and Honey 71 Learning from Lessons 84 Letter from James McCluskey 83 Linda Launders Volunteer 89 Live Music in Perth 52 Marguerite’s Recipes 55 Marie Moloney writes 34 Martin Sheehan Golf in Bush 25 Meet President of AIHA 46 Orson Welles in Ireland 40 Pat Carroll VC 18 Paula from Tasmania 66 Peter McKenna Brendan Award 8 Poem: A letter home 33 Quiz 35 Rob Zielinski CD Launch 50 Rose of Tralee 43 Rosie’s and JBs are 25 56 Shamrock Rovers 88 Slainte in Temple Bar 60 St Patrick’s Day review 38 Ulster Rambles 54 WAGS 80 WAIFC 28 Wild Goose in Freo Prison 31

A HUMONGOUS THANK YOU to the Gaelic Girls and the Broken Pokers.

It’s because of all of their fundraising efforts that Gaelic Girls managed to feature on the cover of thismonth’s edition of the Irish Scene.

After winning an international dance festival in Malaysia they were invited to perform at another festival in Italy. To raise funds for their travels they put on various fund-

Conor Colgan with Danny Green raising events. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, and they have graciously decided to donate their funds raised to other causes. ​They have split their money between the Shamrock Rovers Football Club, the Western Australia Irish Famine Memorial, the Claddagh Association, and Pirate Day Friday. Pirate Day Friday raises money for research to find a cure for childhood brain cancer. Over the past few years I have been lucky enough to be part of this country wide campaign. It’s a day where people in schools and work places across the country get to dress up as a pirate for the day. This year we expect to

have more than 500 schools and 100,000 kids participate.

Around five years ago, a little boy named Conor Colgan was diagnosed with brain cancer. His family as you’d expect were devastated and over the following few years Conor underwent several surgeries including radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. One of the hardest things for a family in their situation to deal with, is the feeling of complete helplessness at the hands of this terrible disease. I think this is what spurred Conor and his family on to decide to hold a fundraising party with family and friends. As the local childhood brain cancer charity called ‘The Adventurers’ had

Conor at a JBs Fundraiser

Conor Colgan with the Gaelic Girls a pirate mascot (a favourite of the young boy Elliot Parish who passed away from brain cancer in 2011), the family decided to host a pirate themed party. Nathan, Conor’s dad, who tends to err on grand expectations, decided to order 2000 pirate eye patches to hand out to family and friends on the night. By the date of the party there was a slight communication error with the overseas contact and all of the eye patches arrived in a Sydney instead of Perth. The fundraising party was a great success but now the family were left with 2000 eye patches and not a pirate to wear one.

A couple of months later an employee who worked for Nathan put forward the idea of Conor’s school having a Pirate Day and all the kids could wear the patches. They contacted the principal at Francis Jordan Catholic School who happily agreed to hold the day. The feedback was great, and it turns out the teachers loved the day as much as the kids. Conor’s family decided

You can sign up for Pirate Day Friday and find out more information on:

www.piratedayfriday.org.au 4

choices like a lot of adult cancers.

Their only hope lies in finding a cure.

Everyone can be involved in Pirate Day Friday. Please get your school, workplace, friends and family involved. Everyone who participates will be helping Conor and his family beat Conor receiving treatment this terrible disease by dressthat if it was so much fun for one ing up as a pirate for the day school then maybe other schools on Friday June 8th, 2018. would enjoy it as well. Nathan, Connie (Conor’s Mum) and all of the family got together and wrote, emailed, and phoned over 7000 primary schools across the country.

The Adventurers joined in as well, along with the pirate mums of Ocean Reef, and hosted a 4000km Pirate walk from Sydney to Perth, Australia. On June 10th 2015, the first Pirate Day Friday was born and almost 80,000 kids became honorary Pirates for the day. Since then, every year on the second Friday in June, schools from every state in Australia have been hosting this special day.

Childhood brain cancer is responsible for more childhood deaths in Australia than any other disease. It isn’t caused by lifestyle

We can all make childhood brain cancer Walk the Plank!

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Derrick Buckley donation to WAIFC and Shamrock Rovers In Feb, 2017, Derrick, Toby and Ben from The Broken Pokers hosted a Quiz night at Orla’s Wee Snug in West Perth to raise money for them and the Irish dancers from the Gaelic Girls Irish Dancing Troupe to go to an annual International Folk Festival in Sardinia, Italy in July 2017.

The band and dancers had teamed up in July 2016 to go to Malaysia to take part in the 11th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2016 in Kota Kinabalu, representing Ireland. After taking the top prize, beating out Malaysia, South Korea, Estonia, Australia, Indonesia, India, The Philippines, Republic of Sakha Yakutia, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, they were invited to participate in the competition in Italy and funds were needed to make it happen.

Thanks to Liam and Orla from Orla’s Wee Snug, they had the venue sorted and many Irish businesses in Perth put up prizes and support for the Quiz night, not to mention all the people who attended on the night and made it a great success. $1,600 in total was raised on the night and that was the start of the “Italy fund 2017”.

In the heel of the reel (pardon the pun), the Italy trip had to be cancelled as the dancers struggled to meet the minimum number of dancers required to be eligible to enter a team. Although the fundraising effort was going well, arts grants that were applied for didn’t come to fruition and other logistical issues cropped up. It became increasingly more apparent that there wasn’t enough time to get everything in place to attend the event, so the call was made to skip the Italian festival and channel the money raised into another music and dance excursion.

As time passed, The Broken Pokers focussed on their local commitments and the Gaelic Girls took a wellearned break. In Feb 2018, the call was made to release the funds raised after a year of no activity and the lads from The Broken Pokers sought out a way to give the money back to the Irish community that helped to raise it, in a way that would make a good impact. Shamrock Rovers who are in need of funds to develop a junior team were singled out, along with the WA Irish Famine Commemoration committee who have many more projects and research to conduct to honour the Irish workhouse young women who came to W.A. after the Great Famine.

On Sunday, March 4th, Derrick, Toby and Ben attended the 2018 Shamrock Rovers Golf Classic at Maylands Peninsula Golf Club and presented Shamrock Rovers with a cheque for $1,000 and WAIFC with a cheque for $600. The lads pulled out their instruments and treated the participants to 40 minutes of music, before heading off to a gig.

A week before the event, Derrick contacted The Irish

Scene to see if we would publish a wee article to let people know what happened to the fundraising money and to thank the many people and businesses who raised it.

So on behalf of The Broken Pokers….

THANK YOU

• Liam and Orla ex Orla’s Wee Snug • Derek and the team at Fenians Irish bar • Lyndsey & gang from Masonmill Family Restaurant • Ciaran from Irish in Business, Perth • Liz from Kentz • Liz and Joan from Claddagh • Tom and Niamh from Danmar • Adrian from Inflatable Pub Company, Perth • Gavin from The Albion, Cottesloe • Neil from Killarney Autos • Dan from Durty Nellys • Tom and Rob from The Woodbridge Hotel • Sharon from Hettys Scullery • Dermot Byrne from dermotbyrnequizmasterextraordinaire.com • Paul from McLoughlins Butchers and everyone who made the fundraising quiz night a great night.

Derrick presenting cheque to Jim Egan of the WAIFC

Derrick presenting cheque to Marty Burke of Shamrock Rovers 7

The Monument Man! BRENDAN AWARD FOR PETER MCKENNA

By Lloyd Gorman

L-R: Denis Bratton PP AIHA, Peter McKenna, Heather Deighan President AIHA and Tony Bray Secretary AIHA

Peter McKenna at the Famine Memorial

Northern Ireland native Peter McKenna is the 2018 winner of the Australia Irish Heritage Association’s Brendan Award. There are any number of reasons why Peter is a deserving winner of this honour, one of the Irish community’s most prestigious prizes in Perth and WA. Take your pick!

Most recently Peter – who was born in Hannahstown, Belfast but has been in Perth since 1973 – was a project manager for the An Gorta Mor sculpture and Irish Famine memorial project. But even more importantly he was project manager and instrumental in the great effort involved in pulling together the multiple trades and skilled volunteers, materials and everything else that went into building it. Probably fair to say that without his single-handed determination and preparedness to be on site every day – even when he was sick – that President Michael D Higgins may not have had such a spectacular monument to unveil on the day.

Peter has a strong and long track record of philanthropic work through sponsoring and donating services

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and support to organisations through his electrical services business DP McKenna Pty Ltd. The AIHA committee said Peter meets all the criteria to win the Brendan award for his commitment and leadership as a committee member and volunteer to multiple sporting and social groups over 40 years. And he is still an active and involved member of the community who goes the extra mile to help others.

“Peter has a high profile in the Australian Irish community despite never taking the limelight as a leader,” the AIHA citation states. “He is a person of action who uses his influence to achieve objectives and is highly respected by all who know him. He provided jobs in his electrical contracting company for young newly arrived men to get them started. If he wasn’t in a position to employ, he used his networks to help secure a job.”

In this interview Peter recalls some of his earliest memories and highlights of his life. “I was born on 15/10/1950 and lived at No.1 White Row, Suffolk, Dunmurry, Belfast,” he said. “We had no mains water in the house and had a communal pump on the street. The row of houses backed onto a river and a glen known as Colin Glen as we lived at the foot of Colin and Black mountains, part of the Antrim Hills. The river and glen were our play grounds where we fished and chased rabbits and wood pigeons until coming to Australia.”

He attended Hannastown School - which was mixed - from 5 to 15-year-old. “By the time I was 11 we had a new CBS open on the Glen Road which I attended as a first-year student in the year the school opened. I followed my brother Hilary into the electrical trade starting with James Kilpatrick and Sons in Belfast in September 1995 my first construction site being The Students Union Building at Queens University. When I was 13 we lost a brother to what we now understand was cancer in his blood, [Leukaemia]. To have Hilary at home for his last two years we had to move to a house in Anderstown which had hot and cold water etc. Our mum nursed him for near two years before he passed away.”

Peter said they arrived in Australia on Friday, 18/2/1971. Aged 20, turned 21 the following October.

He started work ten days later as an electrician with H.H. Green.

“As I could not drive I was collected and dropped off

sold it to build a new house in Noranda which was just being developed. They started their first business (soft furnishings) from home in 1976. “Following an accident in December 1979 we started our electrical contract company in March of 1980,” he added. “The electrical business added telecommunications and in 1984 we were the first ever company in Australia to install computer networking cabling, now referred to as a “open wiring system”. We then went on to supply and install fibre optical cabling to enhance computer networking. In 1989 I had an offer to invest in a powder coating business which we did, and eventually sold B & D Powder coater, then investing in a metal fabrication business known as AEM. We targeted the communications market in WA with our range of products landing a contract with Amcom communications, Optical Data Systems and the PTA for the rail stations from Mandurah to Nowergup. In 2009 we sold the electrical business and in 2010 sold our share of the fabrication business. I’ve supposedly been retired ever since.”

On arrival in WA his first contact was with a cousin, Frank, who lived in Bicton. “We also knew that Neil McCague was in Fremantle but due to a mail strike in WA we were unable to contact either to let them know of our arrival. On the Sunday after our arrival we visited Frank and his family in Bicton and not long after that Neil was in contact. Vince Cunningham delivered milk in East Fremantle and that was how the news travelled.

Through Neil we met Davy and Annie Ross and many

Peter McKenna and Denis Burke

by the leading hand on the site which was the Woolworth distribution centre in Welshpool. I took driving lessons and bought my first car from Naughty Don Rodgers in Victoria park in June 1971. We lived in a flat on 10 Ave, Inglewood and shared our cups and plates with a Scottish couple we met on the flight as their stuff did not arrive for three weeks after they did. We moved to Newcastle street in August 1971 by which time I was working in Pinjarra staying in the construction camp later car-pooling and driving every day. After a few trips home eventually settled in Bassendean sharing a house then buying our first house in Devon Road.”

The family renovated the house and three years later

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other's too many to recount.”

Frank, Neil and Davy were very influential in our induction into the then smallish Irish community with visits to dances in Saint Patricks in Fremantle, the Irish Club then at Highgate Parochial Hall and of course the Gaelic Football then played in a very informal way behind the Ozone Hotel in Adelaide Terrace in the City. Everyone turned up with a pair of boots and the teams were picked from the attendees on the day.

“We made friends with people from all over Ireland most being from places I had only ever seen in an atlas in school. I myself did not play until 1974 as I sustained a bad shoulder injury from late 1970 while playing for Lámh Dhearg, my home club from Hannastown. By 1974 there where 30 people turning up on Sundays regularly and as a progression a committee was formed with people like Neil, Noel Colgan, Peter McGorry, Tom Cairns and others getting involved. In 1976 St Finbarr’s was formed and fielded a team for the first time in an organised competition. In the early years of development we played games in Midland West Rail Festival, at Castledare in Sports.”

Some of the prominent people involved with St Finbarr’s at the time he said were Neil, John and Tony Reilly, Mick Kennedy, Dennis Bratton, Sean Casey, Dermott Rafferty, Peter McGorry, Liam McSherry, Mick Morgan and Davy Ross. In years following Danny Rice was to join us as was John and Irene McGovern, Ann and Pop McMahon, Mick O'Connor, Willie McNally, Paul Dillon, Sean Byrne, Vince and P J Kenny, Adrian Magennis, Tom Quinn, Dennis Burke, plus a few Auzzies with John Della, Lee Tilbrook and Dwayne Wilson.

“I continued playing and coaching up until 1990,” added Peter.

“Some twenty-five years on I was asked by the club to help out with a Golf Day as a fundraiser. Since then I have been in regular contact and attend Bateman Park to watch the games. In 2016 I was involved

with a forty-year celebration since they were formed as a club. With input from Tom Quinn we were able to contact many of our past players making the night one never to be forgotten. Regrettably since then [2016] we have lost one of our greatest players and advocates for our games with the passing of Steve O'Sullivan.”

Over the years Peter and Co. have been and still are great supporters of the Irish Club in Subiaco. “I have been a committee member there on numerous occasions and enjoy the comradery one finds so often there. The venue is now being used as a meeting place for many of the diverse Irish groups which now call Perth home.”

As part of his association with the Irish Club and especially Tony Kelly, Tom Cairns and Tom Quinn, they identified the need for a support group within the ever-growing Irish community.

“Up to then assistance and support had been given mainly through members of the club in an ad hoc manner,” said Peter. “In late 1996 an informal meeting took place in the Irish Club to gauge the support within the community to set up a organisation with the main objective being to assist where possible with in the broader Irish community in WA. With strong support and encouragement, a meeting was called in January 1997 at which a committee was formed and the name, The Irish and Support Association of W.A. was adopted. I was privileged to be the first Chair of the association,” he added. “Some years later with advocacy from then Irish Heritage president Joe O'Sullivan we changed the name to the Claddagh Association which has recently passed their twenty-year milestone.

Over the twenty years I have kept active with the Claddagh and this year hold the roll of Vice Chairman.

“Since my football days have passed my interests turned to golf as with so many of our past Gaelic Football and Hurling players. I play with the Irish Club golfers for the enjoyment and craic one gets. Leg10 10

Peter with his great mate the late Steve O'Sullivan at a Golf Day! ends of our sporting past such as Eamonn Fitzpatrick, Billy Kavanagh, Jack Ebbs, Bob O’Shea, Louis Byrnes, Martin Sheehan, Sean Byrne, are regularly seen in pursuit of the little demon white ball on Sundays once a month. In 2017, I was invited to assist the WAIFC with a project, to build a memorial to commemorate The Irish Famine. This was successfully completed in October 2017 and unveiled by Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland on his official visit to Australia.

Peter McKenna, as project manager, was the driving force in the construction of the memorial.

Just another speech by Peter Mc Kenna at a fundraising golf day...

Thank you Peter on behalf of the many Irish organisations you have supported!

Heather Henderson Subiaco Freeman of the City Subiaco mayor Heather Henderson was recently made a Freeman of the City of Subiaco for her 26 year’s service to the council - including 13 years as mayor - and the community. In her acceptance speech Heather spoke about some of the many highlights of her career in local government.

"My work as a Mayor of Peace has resulted in the installation of the peace pole," she said. "I also worked with the Irish community in the installation of An Gorta Mór and had the great honour of welcoming his excellency Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland who dedicated this monument."

The President's visit to Subiaco for the unveiling of An Gorta Mór famine memorial was his first official engagement of his tour of Australia.

It was also the final public event that Heather attended in her capacity as mayor.

The Irish community of Western Australia congratulates Heather on her well deserved award and thank her for her encouragement and support in the planning and installation of An Gorta Mór.

City of Subiaco Mayor, Cll Penny Taylor makes presentation to Heather Henderson

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How to make crime pay, as a writer

by Lloyd Gorman/Fred Rea

Most people might have a book in them, but only a very small number of individuals seem to get it out of themselves and into the world. Dearbhla (Dervla) McTiernan believes that more people could do it because she came from their ranks and has had her first novel The Ruin a best seller published in several countries and is already working on two sequels. She has come a long way in a short time and she hopes that her own story and success will serve as an example to anyone out there who harbours a desire to get published and is happy to share some clues on how to break into this exclusive club.

“I had no contacts and I had no clue,” Dearbhla told Fred Rea. “I didn’t know anybody in publishing and I didn’t have a publishing history, the only thing I had was being shortlisted for this little short story competition.”

Dearbhla had dabbled with writing bits and pieces from time to time but never followed through with the pieces, including a 40,000 word story that would sow the seeds for The Ruin.

“I had been writing for a while and not finishing anything and was kind of discouraged and then I thought I need a deadline to finish something.”

Around that time she got wind of a short story competition called The Scarlett Stiletto, organised each year by the self styled “Sisters in Crime”, a group of women who support Australian crime writers.

“It was three weeks away from the deadline and I said, “Right, I’m going to write a short story and send it off and no matter what it's like at least I’ll have finished something, so I wrote a short story called ‘Room mate’ and sent it off. About a month or so later I got a phone call to say I’d been shortlisted. I didn’t win the competition, I didn’t even come close to winning the competition but that short listing was enough. It was the extra bit of validation that gave me a bit of confidence to say “Ok, somebody thought something in this short story was decent or worthwhile so I’m going to keep going, that’s enough for me to keep plugging away, so I went back and I finished the book (40,000 word piece) and then I rewrote the book again and again and kind of went on from there.”

Write what you know is an age old adage in the writing/publishing game and her book - while a crime thriller - is best in settings she is very familiar with. The Ruin is the story of Cormac Reilly, an experienced detective who moves to Galway from Dublin when his partner gets a job there. He is a new and unknown quantity in the Garda station where he is based and is given cold cases to investigate. One of them dates back to an earlier case he worked on but as a much less experienced

Dearbhla (Dervla) McTiernan at a book signing and meet the author event at the Subiaco Library recently

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policeman. A mother and two children were found dead in a country house in Galway. As a veteran officer and detective he now sees things not obvious to him before, including a suspicion that members of the force could be implicated. Who of his new colleagues can he trust and how does he solve the crime?

Dearbhla knows the places intimately where the story is based. She was born in Cork and lived in Carrigaline until about the age of six when they moved to Dublin for a year and half, before going to Limerick for another six years. “My dad was in the bank, that’s what it was like for him in those days. I was 13 when we moved to Galway where I went to secondary school and university and then I moved back to Dublin for work and then back to Galway and settled there when I was 26, until we moved here. I studied corporate law in Galway and met some great people but never felt like I fitted.”

She started a small business at the age of 27 which was successful but when the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) hit in 2009 it wiped out her company and those of many of her clients.

At the time she was already a mum to a daughter with another baby on the way. “Ireland was a grim place during the recession and we were wondering what we would do next,” she said. They considered Dublin but in 2011 opted for Perth and a fresh start in life. “We got to get on a plane and this time we got to do it our way, no more law and I said to myself, I am going to write.”

But writing a book and getting it published are two different things. Dearbhla had a book and a boost to her confidence but didn’t know what the next step was

Dervla at Subiaco book signing

or how to take it. She needed to do some homework.

“There is a lot of information online about how to query literary agents, particularly in the States and there are different blogs about how to write a query letter and how to submit and all the agents have their different submission guidelines on their websites, so if you are coming from the outside like I was and don’t know where to start, that’s where I began. I learned to write a query letter from an American website and because of that I decided that I would mainly query American agents because my understanding was that different agents in different countries look for different things, so I figured I’ve got an American query, I’m going to start there.”

A query generally consists of a short (about 200 word) description about the plot and a sample of the book itself, submitted by email. “In most cases you might get an email back in about a month saying it's “not for us” and sometimes you’ll get an email saying I like it, send me a full manuscript and then you wait another six months and it goes on from there.”

The first sign of interest came from an agent in New York in the form of an email alert on her phone.

Dearbhla said its protocol to make other agents who have a manuscript aware there is a deal on the table and to give them a week to get back.

“So the first offer came in and then a second, and then my agent in Sydney - Tara Wynne - the only Aus-

tralian agent I had queried and with who I had hit it off with and I felt we would communicate in the same way, we had these conversations offered. It was a crazy situation to be in to be choosing an agent and I was lucky enough to be in that position so I went with Tara. She brought in another American agent and a UK agent to represent me overseas and then Tara sent out the book on submission on a Friday evening and the following Tuesday we got a pre-emptive offer from a publisher and I wanted to accept it straight away because I knew how hard it is to get published and I was excited.

Tara said to wait a little while and see what else comes in, even if that meant losing the pre-emptive, and we did. Within a week and a half we had five other offers, so I got six offers of publication in the end.

It was one of those moments when you can’t begin to process it, like it never happened, so you know how ridiculously lucky you are and a lot of that must be timing.”

With one book out and more coming there is a lot of demand and interest in Dearbhla’s writing.

“Crime readers tend to be strong readers,” she said. “They read a lot, they are not going to read a book a month or two a year, they are going to read maybe three books in a week. So the appetite for good crime is massive and there’s a lot of bloody good crime writers now.”

Success brings its own pressures and Dearbhla who works with the Mental Health Commission on a part time basis is fast approaching something of a junction in her professional and personal lives. “I really enjoy my job and it took me so long to find a job I enjoy,” she added. “As well as that I’ve been working now for a long time and I’m slow to give it up. All my life I dreamed about being a full time writer but the full time writers I’ve met are under a lot of pressure and it changes their relationship with the writing, because you have to rely upon the writing to pay the bills, it changes things.

You can’t work on the book you want to write, you are more focused 16

on how it’ll be received and the timing of everything. As a writer you control virtually none of that, its very dependent on your publisher, very dependent on the market, and luck. Over the last few months its got to the point where its harder to balance work and writing. As I get closer to that I’m moving away from the idea of being a full time writer and for that reason, I don’t want to find myself in that situation a year or two down the road, stressed about it you know. I’m going to try and maintain my job and the writing as much as I can even if I don’t know how that’s going to work.”

At present Dearbhla works in the early part of the day, picks the kids up from school and does all her writing at night, when the little ones are tucked up and asleep in bed.

“They’re eight and six, they expect to have some of my attention, they are not at the age where they want to disappear into their rooms,” she laughed.

Being the (Irish) mum of young kids who are growing up in Australia and a popular writer helps her to appreciate what that means for her family.

“I meet a lot of people at events like the Perth Writers Festival and other panels and there are always a lot of Irish people,” she said. “It's really nice to talk to them and not just the first generation, but the second and third generations as well. They still feel that strong connection with Ireland and they’ve been to Galway, or are planing to go, or have a family member there and decided to read the book because it connects that place to them. As someone with young children who will grow up in Australia it gives you a different perspective on that. My eight year old daughter was only two when we came here and she feels she is Irish and in her heart that’s what she connects to. But it's nice to get the insight of people who are first and second generation and what it was like to grow up that way.”

Dearbhla uses Dervla, the anglicised version of her name, on the book to make it easier for a wid-

er audience to say. “In Ireland I’m an Irish writer while in Australia I’m an Australian writer,” she said.

You could say she is a writer for all lovers of the crime genre. On the evening of April 23 she was invited to give a talk at the library in Subiaco, by the council. The event quickly took 110 bookings and and there were many more enquiries about places right up until the day itself.

Cormac dips his toes into black waters of crime writing

When the doors opened at 6pm a large crowd filed into the library with everyone enthusiastic about the book and getting a chance to hear the author speak. The local branch of Dymocks on Rokeby Road had a stand at the event with plenty of copies of The Ruin for sale. The lady from the book shop had raved about the book - having had the benefit of getting an advance copy

- while the store owner was also a big fan and came in especially for the occasion on his day off. Despite sporting a shoulder injury and her arm in a sling Dearbhla carefully and slowly signed copies for fans who approached her. If she has created this much excitement and loyalty amongst fans with her first book imagine their appetite for the next and future instalments!

grit in their mouths,” said the writer. “But, I wanted to do it through the human story of a boy, who is sucked into a crime gang, his football coach, who is struggling to save him, and a detective, who wants to bring the boy and his gang to justice.

And I wanted to set this tale within a shady, and thrilling, police war on gangs. I am absolutely delighted Black and White decided to take my novel on and I am really excited to

be working with them.”

Cormac lives close to the Grand Canal. At one stage I lived just around the corner from his place when we were both students at UCD and were on friendly enough terms at the time. We were also both aspiring journo’s, so its great to see him reach his goals and spread his wings. I hope he has great success with Black Water and becomes an established crime novelist.

By Lloyd Gorman Cormac O’Keefe is another new and promising name to the crime novel genre, but he is not a newcomer to the world of publishing or crime. Cormac’s name will be familiar to newspaper readers in Ireland, particularly of the Irish Examiner where he is the papers security correspondent. For about 20 years he has been reporting on crime, drug and gangland issues for the Examiner and seen first hand the impact this trade has on individuals, communities and society. But more recently Cormac used the benefit of all that experience and knowledge to cover the subject in a new way. In mid April his first novel Black Water (published by Black and White) hit the bookshelves.

Black Water follows the fate of Jig, a young boy being groomed into the gangland world by crime boss Ghost, and the efforts of Jig’s football coach Shay to save him. Tara Crowe is a young and driven detective on a mission to root out the gangs that run the neighbourhoods around Dublin’s Grand Canal.

“I wanted to drop readers into an authentic gangland community - one where they could taste the

Say to the advertisers who support our Irish Scene 17

The Wild Irish man with a shy streak

By Lloyd Gorman

John “Jack” Carroll (1891-1971) was given two monikers by his Australian army mates. On the one hand they called him “the wild Irishman” but they also nicknamed him “Referendum Carroll” because it was unusual for him to say anything other than yes or no in conversation. But it was for his actions that Carroll - the Australian born son of Tipperary couple John and Catherine (née Wallace) would become a West Australian and Australian war hero exactly 101 years ago between June 7/11 2017.

IRISH PARENTS

Carroll was born on 16 August 1891 to Irish parents in Brisbane who moved to Western Australian, first Donnybrook and then Yarloop when he was just two. When he was about 14 the family moved too and settled at Kurrawang - a town between Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie - where father and son worked as labourers for the Goldfields Firewood Supply Company. Standing 5’9” tall and well built John was a good athlete and a member of the local football club. He was working as a railway guard on the Kurrawang line when he ‘did his bit’ and enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial force on 27 April 1916. [Slap bang in the middle of the Easter Rising] He followed in the steps of his older

brother (Michael) who was amongst those to fight at Gallipoli, while a third brother (Martin) also signed up.

In August he was shipped out from Fremantle with reinforcements for the 44th Battalion and was transferred to the 33rd Battalion (Infantry) where he went into active service on the Western Front in France. It was during the Messines offensive that he distinguished himself. On 7 June and for the next 96 hours during the battle of Messines Ridge he rushed a German trench and bayoneted four enemy soldiers before rescuing an Australian solider (Digger) who was in trouble and killing another enemy soldier in the process. Later in the offensive Carroll charged an enemy machine gun nest, killing three crew and capturing the gun and again - despite heavy shelling and firing - dug out two mates who had been buried by a shell explosion. On each of the four nights he was in the fight, Carroll would go out “wiring” between the trenches and brought a number of other wounded comrades to the safety of the Australian lines. It was recognised that he “displayed most wonderful courage 18 18

and fearlessness” and in September he was awarded the Victoria Cross and promoted (Lance Corporal). In the following month he was badly wounded during the second battle of Paschendaele, which effectively ended his time on the battlefield and would see his return to Australia in August along with nine other VC winners, to take part in a recruitment drive for new soldiers.

A LARRAKIN The Victoria Cross was - and still is - the highest and most sparingly given military decoration any soldier of the Imperial (now Commonwealth) forces can get for ‘gallantry in the face of the enemy’.

Carroll’s record shows that he was not always the perfect soldier. On the ship out of Fremantle he was absent without leave from a roll call (for a night) for which he was given seven days detention and deducted nine days pay. On another occasion he failed to turn up for parade and was given two days ‘field punishment’. Another time he was found to be deficient one smallpox respirator (gas mask) worth 12/6d and punished for neglecting his equipment.

He was known to be a happy go lucky character and these blemishes may say more about his being a ‘larrikin’ more than any flaw in his personality. Indeed, on three occasions he missed the investiture and had to be sent for on the fourth time.

The awarding of a VC was as important and exciting news to the civilian community, as it was military community. A Cablegram was published that said a Victoria Cross had been awarded to Australian Private John Carroll. While this was not an uncommon name John’s mother suspected it was their son and she had her suspicions confirmed a week later with a personalised cablegram.

An article in the Kalgoorlie Min-

er (dated 28 October, 1918) reveals more about the return of a local war hero and his personality.

HOMECOMING

“Lance Corporal J.Carroll, V.C, received a splendid welcome from the residents of the goldfields upon the arrival of the trans-Australian passenger train at the Kalgoorlie railway station last Saturday morning.

The manner of his reception was more or less of a spontaneous character, for the news of his expected home-coming to his parents at Kurrawang had not yet made public until the eleventh hour consequently there was no time to frame a reception programme on a more elaborate scale, though nothing could have exceeded the enthusiasm or welcome he received. He had booked to reach West Australia with other Anzacs coming round from Melbourne by boat, but, with characteristic modesty, he left the vessel at Adelaide, and took the train for Kalgoorlie, in order that they might

avoid the public functions at Perth and Fremantle. The weather conditions for his home-coming were ideal - a pleasant sunny day, without dust laden winds. The railway platform was crowded with spectators - men, women and children - who had gathered to welcome the V.C. winner to his home, kindred and friends on the goldfields. The family greetings had been exchanged at Parkestown directly the trans-Australian train arrived at the depot, whither Lance-Corporal Carroll’s father and mother, and other members of his family, had travelled by the train which left Kalgoorlie half an hour previously on its way to Port Augusta.”

A swag of local dignitaries and VIPs formed the official reception committee while the large crowds cheered again and again for him.

“These greetings were exchanged amid an accompaniment of ringing cheers, which were continued as the lance-corporal, with a member of his family hanging

to every button on his tunic, so to speak, walked up the platform. The cheers gave place to laughter when the young soldier was gripped by a couple of stalwart fellows who hoisted upon their shoulders, and carried him to the main entrance of the station. There his appearance was the signal for a further outburst of cheering, which was renewed when he drove off in the mayoral motor car to the Kalgoorlie Town Hall, where a public welcome was accorded him”. A welcoming speech by the Kalgoorlie mayor - including reading out the citation for his VC about how proud they were of Carroll ended with cheers for him, and the mayor calling for three cheers for his parents. (To which someone in the crowd shouted - what about his sisters?) “Cheers were given for Lance-Corporal Carroll’s three sisters, his brother, M Carroll (returned wounded soldier) and the third brother, who is still on active duty. The Mayor resumed by saying that he was reminded of a little in-

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must indeed be intensely proud of the noble boy who had won distinction on the field of battle.”

After the mayor had spoken at length (and to many rounds of cheering) it was the turn of Carroll to address the event.

“The V.C hero made a vain essay to rise to his feet and respond,” the article continues. “He looked at the spectators, and they watched his every movement. His hands uncon-

he would rather face a few Germans than this public meeting. You must look desperate, indeed, if that be the case. (Laughter) We understand his feelings, however, and honour him for it. (Renewed cheers). Lance-Corporal Carroll rose to attention. The spectators cheered. He doffed his cap and donned it again. Cheers were given for an unuttered speech.

Voices : “Come on Jack”. Lance-Corporal Carroll’s expression suddenly become one of set determination.

He advanced a step or two towards the audience and spoke thusly: “I don’t want to say anything”. Then he retired to his chair. The Mayor: “The hero’s mother will set the example.

(Appreciative cheers). Mrs. Carroll stood up amid manifestations of public approbation, as if to make a fairly long speech. All she said was, “I am very glad to see you all here to welcome him”. (Applause) The gathering sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’, and the singing of the National Anthem bought to a close a function which will long live in the memory of those who were privileged to participate in it.”

DANGEROUS WORK BEING A CIVILIAN

cident, so very typical of this brave soldier. When it was announced that Lance-Corporal Carroll would report at Perth, he said: I am not going to parade in Perth I am going back to the town in which I enlisted. I don’t want any public recognition, or to take part in any public function; but I want to meet my own people and let them be the first to congratulate me [Prolonged cheers]”.

A MAN OF FEW WORDS

The article reveals that the authorities put a carriage at the disposal of Carroll’s parents to take them to Parkestown, so that “the first to welcome the hero on his arrival home were his father and mother. The father and mother

sciously gripped the sides of his chair. He seemed half spell-bound.

The mayor leaned towards him. The mayor (to the assemblage): He says that he has a cold. This palpable excuse was too much for the gravity of the onlookers, who laughed in boisterous good humour. Voices (to the V.C.): “Come on Jack!”. “Jack” merely smiled. The mayor: “I know you will pardon him, but he told me coming along in the motor car that 20 20

Just over a year later tragedy struck the Carroll family. On December 4 1919 the Kalgoorlie Miner reported that John Carroll - father of John Carroll V.C. - came to an untimely end. “It appears that the deceased, who had been employed as a guard on the Kurrawang woodbine for a considerable time, was directing the shunting of a rake of trucks to the sawmill siding, and was standing on the brake of one of the trucks to do so. The fireman in the engine was receiving the signals when he saw Carroll fling up his arms and disappear. The train was immediately stopped, but it was too late, the wheels had severed both legs below the thugs, and injured his head. Death must have been instantaneous.”

The report said Mr Carroll was about 56 years old and a well known and “universally respected

and admired” identity in Kurrawang where he had lived for a long time. A later report on December 22 about the funeral said he was a native of Borriscane, Tipperary who had arrived (via Queensland) in the West 28 years ago earlier. “He was employed by Mr. Hedges on the Bridgetown railway construction, and had been continuously employed by Mr. Hedges’ company up to the time of his sad end. He was well-known and held in the highest esteem by his fellow workers and all who came into contact with him. His kindness and charity were marked qualities.

Much sympathy is felt for his wife and family of three sons and three daughters.”

Each of them would have felt the loss as a family unit, and individually. If John had worked with his father before signing up for the army then the two men worked together afterwards too. After the fuss and excitement of his return had subsided John Jnr worked as a guard on the Kurrawang line and as a railway truck examiner at Hoffman’s Mill, Yarloop. Less than ten years after his father died, John nearly suffered a similar fate. On 1 November 1927 he slipped while boarding a train during shunting operations. His right foot was crushed and had to be amputated. Despite the serious injury he continued to work as a labourer for many years to come. He married Mary Brown on April 23 1923 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.

They had no children.

ed to the Kalgoorlie Returned Services League branch. But because they were considered too valuable to display they were kept in a safe.

In 1989 they were presented to the Australian War Memorial, a move which the family objected to, claiming they had not been consulted about, but were unable to stop.

THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR WA’S ‘IRISH’ VC WINNERS

Carroll was the third West Australian Digger to ‘win’ a Victoria Cross medal in WWI and interestingly all three had Irish heritage.

The first was by Hugo Vivian hope Throssell who got his VC for actions in Gallipoli. Throssell was born in October 1884 in Northam, WA, one of 14 children to George Throssell who would become a successful businessman and even Premier of WA for a brief period. George Throssell was born in May 1840 in Fermoy, Co. Cork and was taken to Western Australia by his parents when he was just ten. He built a mansion on a hill overlooking Northam and called it Fermoy. Throssell Jnr fortunes after the war - which had turned him

ONCE A VC, ALWAYS A VC

As a VC medal holder John took part in a number of major ANZAC services and events (Melbourne (1927) (Perth (1929) and London (1956).

He died at the Repatriation General Hospital on 4 October, 1971 and was buried with full military honours at the nearby Karrakatta Cemetery (one of nine VC’s to be buried there).

After his death his service medals - including the VC - were donat-

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into a socialist and pacifist - deteriorated to the point where he shot himself on 19 November 1933 in Greenmount Perth so that his wife and 11 year old son would get his war service pension. People close to him linked his depression on an attack of meningitis from Gallipoli and blamed it as the cause of his suicide. Throssell was buried with full military honours in the Anglican section of Karrakatta cemetery.

Martin O’Meara was awarded Western Australia’s second Victoria Cross medal for bravery while on the Western Front, in August 1916.

Regular readers of Irish Scene will be familiar with Martin’s story.

Born in Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, in 1885 he came to WA in 1911 and was working as a railway sleeper cutter in Collie when he enlisted for the Australian Imperial Force in August 1915. Over the course of about four days Martin rescued more than 20 Australian soldiers from noman’s land often under heavy fire.

Unforunately upon his return to Australia in 1918 he was hospitalised and passed away in Claremont Hospital in 1935.

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Irish Famine Commemoration at UCC 2018 The 2018 National Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday 12 May in University College Cork (UCC) and will be hosted jointly by University College of Cork and Cork City Council.

Prior to the Commemoration, the Centre for Global Development at UCC are holding a major conference, Global Hunger Today: Challenges and Solutions on 10th and 11th May 2018.

Famine and chronic hunger exist across much of the world today, posing a major challenge for global development and human rights.

Ireland’s historical experience, and prominent role in addressing contemporary food security issues worldwide, provide a strong basis for developing new approaches to overcoming an age-old problem.

At the conference internationally-renowned scholars and practitioners will address multiple aspects of contemporary global hunger and the challenge of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of food security for all.

Major new online resource to be released

by UCC as part of 2018’s National Famine Commemoration

The focal point of the 2018 commemoration will be the launch of The Great Irish Famine Online.

Speaking at the official announcement, UCC President Professor Patrick O’Shea said: “The University has supported and invested in research on the Great Irish Famine for over twenty years. The awardwinning publication The Atlas of the Great Irish Famine is internationally regarded as the most original and insightful publication on this topic.

“This research continues as reflected in the Famine Online Project led by Mike Murphy, Cartographer, UCC. This flagship collaborative project includes colleagues from the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Education and Skills. It will result in the creation of a new digital resource of global significance of which all the partners can be immensely proud.”

Outlining the benefits of the initiative, Professor O’Shea said, “The project will make unique information globally available and for free.

It will facilitate people across the world to explore and analyse the information pertaining to the famine for each of the 3,000 parishes and 1,600 towns across the entire island of Ireland.

“The Great Irish Famine Online is a fascinating new resource that will make important contributions to new understandings of our past.

This is one of the biggest contributions to Irish famine knowledge, research and education. It will allow people to explore this tragic event like never before, made possible by the use of modern technology”.

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The Irish Famine When the crops began to fail in 1845, as a result of P. infestans infection, Irish leaders in Dublin petitioned Queen Victoria and Parliament to act—and, initially, they did, repealing the so-called “Corn Laws” and their tariffs on grain, which made food such as corn and bread prohibitively expensive.

Still, these changes failed to offset the growing problem of the potato blight. With many tenant farmers unable to produce sufficient food for their own consumption, and the costs of other supplies rising, thousands died from starvation, and hundreds of thousands more from disease caused by malnutrition.

Complicating matters further, historians have since concluded, was that Ireland continued to export large quantities of food, primarily to Great Britain, during the blight. In cases such as livestock and butter, research suggests that exports may have actually increased during the Potato Famine.

In 1847 alone, records indicate that commodities such as peas, beans, rabbits, fish and honey continued to be exported from Ireland, even as the Great Hunger ravaged the countryside.

The potato crops didn’t fully recover until 1852. By then, the damage was done. Although estimates vary, it is believed as many as one million Irish men, women and children perished during the Famine, and another one million emigrated from the island to escape poverty and starvation, with many landing in various cities throughout North America and Great Britain.

Famine Commemoration in Subiaco 2018 The first Famine Commemoration held in Western Australia at An Gorta Mor, Irish Famine Memorial in Market Square, Subiaco will be held on Saturday 12 May 2018 at 4.30pm, the same day as the National Famine Day in Ireland.

The event will include laying of wreaths by various Irish community groups in Western Australia.

The purpose of creating an Irish Famine Memorial here in Perth, was to fulfil a long standing desire of the West Australian Irish Community to express and commemorate the soaring spirit and astounding resilience of their Irish forbearers in overcoming this enormous disaster, that while decimating the population of Ireland, had vast consequences globally. It therefore also commemorates the ‘Great Irish Diaspora’ that followed and the shocking, disproportional impact that this ‘outpouring’ of desperate people out of Ireland from the 1840s onwards, had upon subsequent world affairs.

The memorial also remembers the many young Irish women who were forced to leave Ireland following the worst of the Famine in the early 1850s. These women spent time in workhouses and were offered the opportunity to travel

to Australia to start new lives. We especially remember the girls who travelled on the ships Palestine and Travancore to Western Australia in 1853.

A group of 33 young girls were transported to Australia on the Palestine ship from the Mountbellew workhouse. It was renowned that these brideships, carried destitute girls from orphanages, poorhouses or those who had a sponsored fare after the Great Famine.

The Mountbellew workhouse at that time, August 1852, had 418 inmates and 130 able-bodied females. In November 6, 1852, there were 392 inmates and 124 able bodied-females. On November 20, 1852 there were 401 inmates in the workhouse, 134 able-bodied females, though 32 able-bodied females were discharged during this week (presumable the 30 for assisted emigration).

These young women from the Palestine went on to make enormous contributions to the development of Western Australia, then known as The Swan River Colony.

“The famine left hatred behind.

Between Ireland and England the memory of what was done and endured has lain like a sword.

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Other famines followed, as other famines had gone before, but it is the terrible years of the Great Hunger which are remembered, and only just beginning to be forgotten”. This statement by Cecil Woodham-Smith is a vivid example for one of the long-run effects of the Great Famine on Irish population and politics. By interpreting the inadequate measures of the British government to help the Irish people during the Great Famine between 1845 and 1849 as an attempted genocide, nationalist movements stoked hatred against the “blackhearted” ruling class and such receptions of the Famine entered folk memory. It does not have to be mentioned that this hatred and these allegations had a further effect on Irish-British relations as well as on Irish politics.

Members of the Irish community are invited to attend and commemorate with the Western Australia Irish Famine Commemoration the historic event.

LUMPER SCHOOLS PROJECT IN IRELAND

Michael Blanch of the Committee for the Commemoration for Irish Famine Victims (CCIFV) sent us information on the launch of the Lumper Schools Project (LSP) at Scoil Santain Tallaght Co Dublin in April 2018. The event was attended by local dignitaries and Michael Blanch. Tallaght Gaelscoil, Scoil Santain was the first school to receive the lumper potatoes and the program is now available to schools throughout Ireland. The LSP is sponsored by The Glens of Antrim Potatoes. Michael McKillop resurrected the Lumper from near extinction. The Lumper potato is a living artefact history teacher that resonates with schoolchildren and teachers alike.

Schools will recive Lumper packs and booklet. The “Famine” knew

Michael Blanch of the CCIFV with a Lumper Pack no borders or boundaries, didn’t discriminate, Orange or Green, young or old man or woman.

This project unites the country and connects the Irish family at home and abroad Walking in the footsteps of history connecting the past with the present through the children and the Lumper.

Schools throughout Ireland will have an opportunity to sow Lumper potatoes this spring as a way of remembering the victims of the famine of the 1840s. The Committee for the Commemoration for Irish Famine Victims (CCIFV) have teamed up with Glens of Antrim Potatoes to make seed potatoes available to all schools in Ireland. One of the iconic symbols of the Great Famine in Ireland is the Lumper potato, the very variety upon which so many Irish people depended. Its destruction by blight from 1845 onwards led directly to the outbreak of the Famine. The potatoes should require very little care, and the process of planting, tending and hopefully eating the crop will be an interesting way to help pupils to commemorate and remember the victims of An Gorta Mór, and those who suffer in famine and hunger today.

Source: Tallaght News

Crazy Golf Anyone?

By Lloyd Gorman Depending on the weather, Mar- world’s most unusual courses, the tin Sheehan may not always have a Nullarbor Links. Spanning 1,365 km shadow, but he will always be close- from the first hole to the 18th it is ly followed by a set of golf clubs. unquestionable the world’s longSoccer used to be his main game and est. A game of golf on an ‘average’ in his younger days he earned the course will normally take about name “Fada” as a player with Cork four hours, this par 72 will take four Hibernians because of his height. days to finish, a treat for the true These days it's more about golf balls golfer. But the Nullarbor Links has more than footballs. something for golfers of all abilities During a recent road trip in and the tourist looking to take part April Martin experienced one of the in one of the most unusual sporting

25

activities on the planet.

Depending on which side of the world’s longest golf course you start your crossing of the empty expanse of the Nullarbor you will begin in the goldmining town of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and finish at the coastal town of Ceduna, South Australia, or vice versa.

The shortest hole is Brumby’s Run at the Madura Pass Motel in WA, at just 125 metres (par 3). The longest is Dingo’s Den 538 metres (par 3) in South Australia. Hole 12 is called Skylab, named after the NASA satellite that fell out of orbit and crashed in flaming chunks around Balladonia in July 1979.

Indeed, it is said that the idea for the whole course was hatched over a bottle of red wine at the Balladonia Roadhouse by local businessmen Alf Caputo and Bob Bongiorno, who also were leaders in the Eyre Highway Operators Association, sometime around 2004 It became a reality in August/October 2009 and has been helping travellers to break the monotony and “race track mentality” of drivers over the long trek ever since, and local businesses (namely roadhouses) to attract customers.

The course covers a fair bit of Irish Australian history along the way too. Hole 8 (par 4, 330m) for example is called the Watering Hole from the Mundrabilla Motel where the tee is called McGill & Kennedy.

Mundrabilla was named after one of the first sheep stations to be settled on the Nullarbor Plain. On the 20th November 1872 Irish brothers Thomas and William Kennedy, together with William McGill and his 21 year old wife Annie trekked 800 arduous miles from Albany with 800 ewes and four bullocks and eight horses to select grazing land.

The Government were giving out grants for leases for up to 100,000 acres of crown land. The Kennedy’s and McGill settled at Mundrabilla Homestead where they found good grazing lands and sufficient water for their stock. Examples of the reality of settling into unknown territory Annie McGill was to die during

childbirth in 1879. Tragically Thomas Kennedy was later speared and never fully recovered dying some years later. Both graves of Annie McGill and Thomas Kennedy are on the station property. Other Irish names litter the course. At Hole 16 - called Silver Lake the tee is named after sporting and community hero Kevin Higgins who arrived in Kambalda in 1967 with his family. The tee at Hole 12 (Skylab) in Balladonia is Pat Prendiville, named after the modern day pioneer of Balladonia who purchased the Motel in August 1965 when he and his wife Paddy had a need to provide for their growing family of 11 children.

Pat gave up his position that year as one of Western Australia’s leading amateur golfers and moved to Balladonia for what was to be a five year stint but ended up directly and indirectly 45 years later (2009). The final two holes both at Kalgoorlie Golf Club have good Irish heritage.

Hole 17 is at the Kalgoorlie Golf Club and is named the Golden Mile in honour of the discovery there by Paddy Hannan in 1893, that created the town and sparked one of Australia’s biggest gold rushes. The tee for this one is named after Bob Bongiorno, who helped create the links as a novel way for people to

cross the expanse. Hole 18 is called C Y O’Connor after the Irish engineer who helped build the regions famous pipeline.

Martin Sheehan with the certificate to prove he completed the course!

"Hold the flag for me skippy!"

26

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Ireland Western Australian Forum

Promoting business, professional and cultural links between Ireland and Western Australia

The IWAF is an organisation committed to promoting business, professional and cultural links between Ireland and Western Australia.

The focus of the Forum is on Western Australia and Ireland. Being present in WA is the important issue.

Being Irish or of Irish heritage is an added bonus but not a prerequisite.

www.irelandwaforum.org

"One thing we have looked at is maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door, so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in the future. Pay-per-pee. If someone wanted to pay ÂŁ5 to go to the toilet, I'd carry them myself. I would wipe their bums for a fiver."

"Do we carry rich people on our flights? Yes, I flew on one this morning and I'm very rich."

To a Ryanair employee who dared to join the Twitter Q&A: "Get back to work you slacker or you're fired."

Michael O'Leary'of Ryanair 28

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Early Mentors

Bill Rosney

By Bill Daly

of acute intelligence and I am all the better for having known him all those years ago. No matter what accomplishments we achieve in life, somebody always helps us along the way.

Jack’s house could be seen across from the bay window in the hotel restaurant and I have a lovely memory of seeing him cycle home from work in the evenings and his dog running out to lovingly greet him. Maybe we can all take a trip down memory lane to reflect and remember those people who gave of their valuable time and got us started on our own journeys.

Some years ago, when I worked with The Douglas Post in Cork, a lady dropped some information for publication into the office early one afternoon. I happened to be around at the time, picked up on the surname, and asked was she possibly related to the late Jack Rosney? She said that Jack was her father. It can be a small world at times. Nuala then came back to us in the I hadn’t a clue what poppad- ‘Everybody dies, but great souls afternoon with a photograph of her father, ums were at the time and I was resurrect in our memories’ which was very thoughtful. lucky to make the last bus back - Michael Johnson.

Jack’s name certainly stirred up memoto Youghal. Jack gave me his usuries for me when I worked in al glare and smile for the Hilltop Hotel in Youghal being so late but suc- Bill Daly: Originally from between Intermediate and cessful!

Tallow in West Waterford, ‘Everybody Leaving Certificates, over We all have people Bill spent 30 years in Cork forty years ago now. Jack along the way who as a Senior Manager dies, but was originally from Kildare have made an impact in the Electronics and worked for many years on us and we tend to Manufacturing industry great souls as Manager of the L&N in remember them al- with such companies as Youghal. After retirement, resurrect ways in our future ca- Apple, EMC and Logitech. he worked in the Hilltop Horeers. I was lucky to He has been working on in our his own as a Consultant/Contractor tel, managing the stores and get Jack at the start of in Manufacturing Operations and ordering the purchases. Bemy own career and he memories’ Materials for the past 18 years. He also cause he came from an older infused me with a cer- attended UCC and has a BA Degree in school of ethics and mantain logic and wisdom Archaeology and Geography. Bill is now ners, he was always referred that I incorporated resident in Connemara, Co. Galway to as ‘Mr Rosney’. I was a bit apprehensive into my own armoury from then since 2009. of him at the start as he didn’t seem to have on. Jack was a fine gentleman a lot of time and patience with the younger guys. Young barmen, full of their own self importance were labelled as ‘Little Lord a poem by William Butler Yeats Fauntleroy’s’ strutting around the place!

However, Jack seemed to take a liking Now must I these three praise So changed me that I live to me and we became very good friends.

Three women that have wrought Labouring in ecstasy.

He took me under his wing as the sun What joy is in my days: And what of her that took was beginning to set on his management One because no thought, All till my youth was gone career and mine would start to rise a few Nor those unpassing cares, With scarce a pitying look? years later. He was a very experienced and No, not in these fifteen How could I praise that one? wise manager who ran the stores with a Many-times-troubled years, When day begins to break military style precision. His office wasn’t a Could ever come between I count my good and bad, nice place to be if you were a young chef Mind and delighted mind; Being wakeful for her sake, or waiter who had taken an item of stock And one because her hand Remembering what she had, without permission!

Had strength that could unbind What eagle look still shows, I remember he sent me to Cork City one What none can understand, While up from my heart's root Saturday morning to buy poppadums for What none can have and thrive, So great a sweetness flows some very important guests that evening.

Youth's dreamy load, till she I shake from head to foot.

Friends -

30

HISTORIC FENIAN NEWSPAPER ON DISPLAY AT FREMANTLE PRISON

By Margo O’Byrne O’ReiIIy, by J.E.K. (Kelly) Registered for transmission abroad.’

Father Delany, the Catholic chaplain, provided paper, pens and ink and was himself a contributor to the later issues.

The Effect of the Wild Goose on the Fenians Writing and producing the newspaper, brought the men together and kept up their spirits. In his diary, Cashman wrote of his work on the paper: ‘This occupation pleases me very much - it passes the time and takes me from my thoughts which at times are rather gloomy’.

And in a dedication to a poem written for his friend John Flood, O’Reilly spoke openly of the cementing of affection between the Fenians involved in the journalistic enterprise: ‘Hereafter, when our exile is ended [these lines] may recall to memory, the beginning of our friendship, and the many pleasant (and busy!) days we spent together over our little “Wild Goose”.’!

On publication day the paper would be read by O’Reilly, to the Fenians below decks, maintaining the element of performance.

When the Fenians disembarked at Fremantle, John Flood held the only complete run of The Wild Goose. This was considered to be his own property and was kept for him until his release. Following his death in Gympie Queensland in 1909, the manuscript passed to his daughter, and then to a grand-daughter. The Wild Goose was purchased by the State Library NSW in 1967, from Shelagh Johnson.

To read the Wild Goose on line, go to the State library of NSW website www.sl.nsw.gov.au click on Research and Collections; click Manuscripts, Oral History and Pictures Catalogue; scroll till you find John Flood papers; click view media files.

Transportation is a free exhibition in the public section of the Fremantle Prison and will be on display until March 2019 www.fremantleprison.com.au

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to view the original newspaper, written by the Fenians on board the Hougoumont 150 years ago The Wild Goose: a Collection of Ocean Waifs.

Thanks to the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, the McCusker Foundation and untiring efforts from both the Fremantle Prison the Fenians Fremantle and Freedom Committee, this historic document is on display as part of the outstanding Transportation exhibition at the Fremantle Prison until March 2019.

This expertly curated exhibition presents stories of men, women and children forcibly sent to convict sites around Australia and explores the social tragedy of the convict system as a whole. It displays key historic artefacts such as the 1881 Ticket of Leave of Hougoumont convict William Bartlett, on display to the public for the first time and convict material from the WA Museum and the Prison’s own collection including a copy of the Life of John Boyle O’Reilly written in 1891 by JJ Roach and a copy of ‘Songs, Legends and Ballads’ signed by JB O’Reilly himself.

But the item of great interest to Irish visitors is The Wild Goose (courtesy of Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW).This is a rare opportunity to view this document, which is usually held in archives in Sydney.

About the Wild Goose The Fenians and the priest on board the Hougoumont devised a project to boost morale. Meetings were held to organise a regular newspaper. John Flood was appointed editor, John Boyle O’Reilly sub-editor, John Edward Kelly manager and Denis Cashman the illustrator. Cashman also kept a shipboard diary where he describes the newspaper’s heavily inked blocked capitals heading as... ‘a wreath of shamrocks with the name peeping thro it’ Other Fenians closely associated with the project included Cornelius O’Mahony, Thomas Duggan, John Sarsfield Casey, Michael Cody, Joseph Noonan and Eugene Lombard. Lombard, who acted as ‘copy-boy’, wrote home to his parents that publication of the journal had been ‘the greatest joy and relaxation of the 62 Fenians on board the Ship.’

Saturday was publication day at the ‘Printing Office’, which was at Number 6 Mess, in the Civilian Fenian Quarters: ‘Printed and published, at the Office, No 6 Mess, Intermediate Cabin, Ship “Hougoumont”, for the editors, Messrs John Flood and J.B.

31

By Lloyd Gorman

THE NEVER ENDING BANK HOLIDAY Nobody needed a royal commission to realise they didn't like or trust the banking sector. But it was needed to force the extremely powerful industry to walk into the sunshine and finally admit to its sins. One member of federal government called their indiscretions "atrocities", and as we have seen there have been many serious breaches of the law and common decency.

Knowingly stealing from customers, they knew to be dead - sometimes for years - is about as depraved as a corporation gets. When, a few years ago, journalists from the News of the World were caught hacking into the mobile phone account of a missing teenager and giving false hope to the parents of the girl who turned out to be dead there was rightly widespread revulsion.

The scandal was enough to shut down the tabloid owned by one of the world's most powerful and wealthy media moguls.

Without a government inquiry with the power to summon and cross examine the leadership of the big financial institutions do you think these same well-paid executives would ever have come forward of their own free will and admitted to the things that they have allowed - maybe even encouraged - to happen on their watch.

Like a stinky onion being peeled back with every hearing at the royal commission the stench of corporate wrong-doing becomes ever more unbearable. From what we are hearing the whole industry is rotten to the core. The billion-dollar profit margins all four banks in Australia have continued to notch up over the years at the delight of their shareholders have always aroused my suspicion. How is it possible to increase profits that much legitimately?

Not all their practices are squeaky clean we know now.

The problem of bad banks seems so widespread that there seems no hope of their redemption. Major change - indeed radical change - is needed, but will we get it? Let's hope so, but the evidence is that once the scandal and spotlight change things will go back to normal, or something similar. Big financial institutions have rat-like instincts for survival. We have seen this very clearly in Ireland. The Celtic Tiger years of the Irish economy were created in no small part because the banks recklessly lent large sums of money they knew they shouldn't to developers and hardpressed consumers and homebuyers. When the bubble burst and these loans couldn't be collected a lot of people lost their homes and businesses. Many had to

32

walk away from houses they couldn't afford to live in and the banks took possession of a lot of property in those and subsequent years. The banks were also bailed out by the Irish government - using tax payer money - to the tune of hundreds of billions of euro.

The banks were too big and important to the economy to allow them to fail the public were told by the government who did everything in their power to prop them up.

There was eventually a government inquiry into the Irish banking sector which also found shocking evidence of widespread wrong doing and mind-boggling arrogance. In one case an AIB executive described his $1.4 million salary as being "silly".

The inquiry reported back in January 2016 with a range of findings to pull the banks into line.

Guess what, Irish banks are still ripping off their customers. Banks are notoriously unscrupulous at seizing homes and properties when lenders - normally mums and dads - default on their mortgage repayments.

Thousands of families have lost their homes in recent years because the banks insist on taking their houses to securing their investment.

Right now, in Ireland there are at least 37,000 customers - and quite possibly more - of all the main banks who have been ripped off by them while the financial institutions made a profit.

The Central Bank of Ireland has confirmed that the banks have now paid out $459 million compensation to customers affected by their "failings" in the overcharging scandal that could top $700 million. A probe found that mortgage holders should have been given the option of a cheaper 'tracker' mortgage that followed the low European Central Bank rate, or even a lower rate. It appears that banks - in Ireland, Australia or anywhere for that matter - can't help themselves which means we as consumers, customers and taxpayers will be forced to keep them honest as much as possible.

A banker is a fellow who lends you an umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.

Mark Twain

THE LETTER HOME Dear mother if you’re reading this it means I won’t be home But don’t you worry, don’t be sad I’m not here all alone For I’ve fallen with my comrades as we tried to make a change And fight a war that from the start we should never have engaged For in war there’s just one winner and that’s the ones who sell the arms Making profit from peddling destruction, and gain from killing and harm Please don’t cry now mother remember the good times past And let us pray that this dam war will be the bloody last

Telegrams now will speak of the glory how we died bravely fighting a cause But the price of a life can’t be measured by medals and silent applause Too many young people have died now And most it would seem in vain For when you weigh up the cost of what’s won and what’s lost It just proves that all wars are insane The hardest thing I’ve done in life is writing this right now But to put this pen to paper makes it easier somehow And knowing that you’re reading this makes you feel quite near And so I can go on my way with somewhat lessened fear So goodbye to you dear mother you’ll be forever in my heart And always know I love you so even though I now depart © Tom Grace 2018

Frank Murphy presents

107.9fm Fremantle Radio Saturday 8am to 10am IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS 33

And Your Name is……

I am writing this by torchlight. It was as I was sitting in the dark that I once again began thinking about my sister in Australia. But then, I began telling myself that perhaps it was all a dream and she does not exist. It would help if I could think of her name but however hard I try I cannot remember. I am so cold, today has been the coldest day we have had this winter. I wish I had an open fireplace instead of an electric heater then I could burn some of the furniture to keep warm, oh why can I not remember her name. Will I ever feel warm again? My feet feel like icebergs and even the thick blanket I have wrapped around me in not enough to warm my body.

If I could only remember if you are real, then I could distract myself by thinking of you sitting on a warm beach with the ocean lapping at your feet. Only joking, the lights have come on and the fire is on, the power cut is over. How wonderful, my dear husband has just brought me in a cup of tea and some Marie Biscuits. Yes you do exist I remember now, your name is Biscuit.

Early morning is when I do my writing. With a cup of coffee at my side and my mind still free of the intrusions of the day I sit at my laptop for a couple of hours. A few days ago I had been doing this for about 30 minutes when suddenly I was plunged into darkness. Torch in hand a quick check confirmed my worst fears, the electricity was off. Synergy informed me it could be 09.30 am before power was restored, three and a half hours without power! No lights, oh well manageable I suppose, no Wi-Fi, I felt transported back in time. But this was different, I now know and enjoy the benefits of modern technology.

As I look forward to celebrating fifty years of living in Australia in 2019, I think of then and now. I remember the joy of spending time walking around places like Fishing Boat Harbour in Fremantle, a beautiful spot which has Marie Moloney always been a favourite of mine. So much to see, so much happening, all in an area which is so small except for the great sweeping Indian Ocean which gleams in the sun and stretches as far as the eye can see. Trying to describe this and the many other beautiful places in Western Australia As I look back on my life in letters, taking photographs which then had to be I find myself wondering... taken to a store to be developed before posting them, Did I remember to thank you was often a task too hard. Receiving letters was always for all that you have done for me? something to look forward to but life was so busy I For all of the times you were by my side was not good at replying. Family members left behind to help me celebrate my successes also felt the loss and longed for more contact. Now and accept my defeats? modern technology has changed all of that, emails Or for teaching me the value of hard work, and short messages on social networks are quick and good judgement, courage, and honesty? easy to send. A click of the camera in a mobile phone I wonder if I've ever thanked you and within minutes photographs are being viewed by for the simple things... friends and relatives thousands of miles away.

The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

For many years my sister Teresa who lives in If I have forgotten to express my gratitude Dublin sent letter after letter keeping me informed of For any of these things, happenings in Ireland. She would sometimes mention I am thanking you now... how wonderful it would be to have more contact from and I am hoping that you've known all along, me. It was probably about twenty five years ago that I how very much you are loved and appreciated. found a letter between the pages of an old book. It was one of Teresa’s letters sent about thirty eight years ago.

Alicia Page It read Hello, my electricity supply has been cut off so

AS I LOOK BACK...

34

H O IR W A ISH R E Y O U

?

1. Which Society, also called the Quakers, was at

the forefront of famine relief?

2. Which Rule movement was led by Parnell?

3. Who was the first High King of Ireland?

4. What was John Barry known as?

5. Which famous Irish siege lasted from

18 December 1688 to 28 July 1689?

6. When did Dublin celebrate the Millennium of its birth?

7. Who was known as the Liberator?

8. On whose tombstone are the words "He is now

where fierce indignation can no longer tear his heart"?

9. In which Italian City did Daniel O'Connell die?

10. Where would you find the historical site of Newgrange?

11. Who did Joseph Plunkett marry just before his

execution following the Easter Rising of 1916?

12. What does 'Erin Go Bragh' mean?

13. What is the most northerly county in Ireland?

Answers 1.The Society of Friends, 2. Home Rule, 3. Brian Boru, 4. Father of the American Navy, 5 Derry, 6. 1988, 7. Daniel O'Connell, 8. Jonathan Swift, 9. Genoa, 10. County Meath, 11. Grace Gifford, 12. Ireland for ever. 13. Donegal How many Squares? 40

IRISH PHRASES....

"What's the craic?"

Irish greetings like "Any craic?" and "How's the craic?" most likely confuse people because craic is pronounced like "crack."

The most straightforward definition is fun or enjoyment, and it can substitute for "How are you?" A typical response is "divil a bit," which means "not much."

"Quit acting the maggot."

In Ireland, if your friends are getting rowdy or making a fool of themselves, you'd say they are "acting the maggot."

This phrase could also be used to talk about anything that isn't acting properly, like if your phone is on the fritz or the trains are running way behind schedule.

35

Ma Mooney's Kitchen

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By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH Pollies let their hair down for St. Patrick’s Day fun Last year the WA Parliament was a St. Patrick’s Day free zone. Fresh out of a major landslide victory in the March 11 state election the Labor Party had plenty to celebrate but needed to knuckle down immediately. In opposition Labor had for a number of years organised a bash for the occasion and invited members of the Irish community. But in all the rush and rí rá agus ruaille buaille of setting up government March 17 was too close on the heels of current events to get a look in.

A year on from being swept to power things returned to ‘normal’ on March 29 when the annual St. Patrick’s Day reception made a return.

“It’s great to be back,” said Dublin born Minister for Environment and Disability Services Stephen Dawson. Also fronting up for the occasion were Alannah McTiernan, Minister for Agriculture and

Jessica Stojkovski and Stephen Dawson

Regional Development, Alannah Clohesy MLC and parliamentary secretary, and the “fantastic new member for Kingsley” Jessica Stojkovski, MLA.

by Lloyd Gorman

of Tralee were also on hand. “This (event) is an official judging event for the Rose of Tralee (competition),” said Mr Dawson. ‘The Rose of Tralee is more than a lovely girls competition, it's a celebration of Irish culture and Irish women in

Heather Deighan and Alannah McTiernan

“As many of you will know Jessica has been involved with the Rose of Tralee for many years and it's great to have her in parliament.”

Jessica’s father Tony O’Gorman,

Alannah McTiernan with Perth Rose Entrants

particular. I wish them well for the competition. This (event) is a celebration of Irish culture in WA and Tony O'Gorman, Eleanor & Michael Nolan

the former member for Joondalup and the current Labor candidate for the seat of Moore was also there.

Minister for Emergency Services Fran Hogan was there and is an Irish citizen while Sabina Winton, the member for Wanneroo sported a green dress for the occasion. Former Senator and MLA for Wanneroo Jim McKiernan and his wife Jackie.

Past and present honorary consulates, Michael Nolan and his wife Eleanor, and Marty Kavanagh also attended. As did MLC for the Agricultural Region Darren West.

Candidates for the Perth Rose 36

Alannah Clohessy & Dennis Liddelow

you are all here because you play a significant role in the Irish community in this state.”

He also thanked Ceoltas for providing live traditional Irish music for the event.

Hon Irish Consul Marty Kavanagh

Alannah McTiernan joked that the only thing she can say in Irish is Sláinte, but she had plenty to say about the Irish.

“I can celebrate the contribution of the Irish to Australia,” she said. “I think that contesting is a part of the Irish character. I remember around the family dinner table we’d fight sorry have discussions (laughter) - about absolutely everything. I do believe that develops a robustness and a vigour to go out there and debate, which is an essential part of democracy. I don’t think it's any

accident that we have got so many people of Irish heritage who are involved in the political process here in Australia. I do think there is something fundamental about that Irish culture that really helps us participate in that debate. The role of Irish women and the independence of Irish women in Celtic society, the ability for Irish women to depart from their husbands and go where they wanted, what was part of the very unique Celtic marriage laws, has been something that has been very powerful in producing so many strong Irishwomen. So it's not an accident that patch of turf managed to produce so many people who are confident and be really active and creating in taking society forward. I think there is a lot to celebrate in Irish culture.” She paid tribute to the “fantastic” Roses.

Hon. Consulate Marty Kavanagh praised the hosts for all their efforts to make the visit of Irish President Michael D Higgins a success. “I think we all enjoyed that visit enormously and there are ministers here who went the extra mile and the fact that our president spoke for so long to parliament is a great credit to parliamentarians here on both

Perth Rose of Tralee entrants with Judges

37

sides and we were really thrilled,” Marty said. “In fact, I know the president told me personally that this was one of the highlights of his visit and he was even more impressed that he was able to finish within one minute of the time allotted to him.

It is deeply appreciated what you do every year and thank you so much, we are indebted to you.”

Photos: Courtesy Jessica Stojkovski, MLA

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Speaking in the Legislative Council on 21 March Alanna Clohesy, gave a comprehensive account of the events and personalities involved in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day activities. “As members would know, last Saturday was St Patrick’s Day and there were great festivities throughout Western Australia, particularly in Perth. It was a weekend that seemed jam-packed with events. To kick it off, on Friday night I had the honour of attending the St Patrick’s Day reception hosted by Ireland’s Honorary Consul in Western Australia, Mr Marty Kavanagh,

“jam packed”

By Lloyd Gorman

“Future” and was the final theme in the three-year concept of the past, present and future. The parade featured local businesses, sporting clubs, marching bands, Irish dance clubs, community groups and one brave little tractor. This year’s grand marshal was Joan Ross, the immediate past president of the Claddagh Association, in recognition of Joan’s huge contribution to the Irish community here in Western Australia.

A few other notable identities

Official party at the St Patrick's Day Parade in Leederville

and his partner, Richard Matias. It was a really lovely evening with the former Rose of Tralee Nyomi Horgan as the master of ceremonies, and Fiona Rea, Jon Edwards and Val Cutter providing some great music. On Saturday, I joined the large Irish diaspora of Perth at the St Patrick’s Day parade and family fun day in Leederville. The theme of this year’s festival parade was

in the parade included Minister Alannah MacTiernan; Minister Stephen Dawson; the member for Perth, John Carey; and the Mayor of Vincent, Emma Cole. It was a fantastic parade and I have been told that it has now become the biggest St Patrick’s Day celebration in the southern hemisphere. I would like to get some figures on that but it certainly seems like a pretty good

38

Jim Daly TD speaking at Parade

claim and I am going to stick to it!

I would like to thank St Patrick’s Festival WA and the sponsors of the festival including the City of Vincent. In particular, I would like to thank all the volunteers who participated in setting up and supporting this fantastic event at Leederville not only on the day, but also over the months and weeks of planning that took place. Without those volunteers, the festivities and the parade would not have been the success that they were.

I was also pleased to join Ireland’s Honorary Consul, Mr Marty Kavanagh, and Minister Stephen Dawson in meeting Minister Jim Daly, TD, Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People. It was a really productive meeting and we had much to talk about, with both countries having similar issues for people with mental illness. I was very pleased to hear that just before he arrived in Australia the minister had opened a new recovery college.

Minister Daly’s itinerary during his stay in Perth also focused on trade, jobs, intergovernmental consultation and community. Australia still

imports much more than it exports to Ireland, but that does not include the fabulous people. In 2016–17, our imports from Ireland were valued at $2.3 billion but our exports were only valued at $101 million.

Members can see that we have a little more work to do on our trade with Ireland.

I would also like to recognise the Irish Famine Memorial, which was officially unveiled by the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, during his tour of Australia in October last year. It is Western Australian’s first Irish Famine Memorial and highlights the impact Irish migration has had on countries throughout the world. There are also memorials in Melbourne, Sydney, Dublin and New York. The Western Australian Irish Famine Commemoration Committee was the driving force behind the construction of the memorial. The 2018 annual Brendan Award was presented to Peter McKenna. The Brendan Award was inaugurated in 1997 by the Australian Irish Heritage Association to honour those who have given outstanding service to the Irish community in Australia and especially Western Australia. Peter McKenna was the project manager for the development of the Irish Famine Memorial. Peter is a founding and current member of the Claddagh Association. He has served on the committees of the Irish Club of WA and the Irish Golf Club of Western Australia and was a founding member of St Finbarr’s Gaelic Football Club. While we are talking about the Claddagh Association and the Australian Irish Heritage Association, I would like to thank and acknowledge the work of Denis Bratton, the outgoing president of the Australia–Irish Heritage Association. Mr Bratton ably led the association for many years and I recognise his great contribution to the community. I would like to congratulate all those involved in the St Patrick’s Day festival for making sure that last weekend and last week’s St Patrick’s Day events were such a success.

39

His photograph graced the cover of ‘Time Magazine’ when he was 23, and by 26 he was heralded as a great film director. Yet his illustrious film and stage career was based on lies told to obtain work in a Dublin theatre.

ORSON WELLES IN IRELAND

By JOHN HAGAN

Born in Wisconson in Edwards was searching for an actor to play a major role 1915, Orson Welles’ moth- in his forthcoming production of ‘Jew Suss’ and Welles er died when he was nine seemed to fit the bill. The aspiring 16 year old claimed and his father passed away to be 18 and boasted that he was already an established six years later. Guardian- player on the New York stage. On the basis of these ship of the young tyro fell fabrications, Edwards hired him. Unfortunately, not to Maurice Bernstein, an everyone at the Gate was as enthusiastic about Welles eminent Chicago doctor. as Edwards. Micheal MacLiammoir, also a co-owner of In the summer of 1931, the theatre, and Edwards’ romantic partner, saw the when Welles left school, dashing young Welles as a rival for Edwards’ affections, Bernstein hoped to send and perhaps someone who might upstage him as an achim to Harvard to obtain tor. MacLiammor’s ill-feeling was not improved when a degree, but Welles had Welles, on his first night, received a standing ovation. other ideas, wishing to ‘It was thunderous and totally unexpected’ Welles latpursue an acting career. er told his biographer, Barbara Leaming. ‘I got more After much wrangling with an increasingly frus- acclaim for that than anything I’ve done since’, he contrated Bernstein, the two struck a compromise Welles fessed. Of his Gate debut, Welles liked to joke that he was to go on a grand tour of Europe prihad ‘started at the top and worked my own ‘Look, I love or to his future again being discussed. way down’.

He sailed from New York aboard the SS Over the next few months Welles apIreland, I Baltic, disembarking at Galway, where peared in a number of minor roles at the he set off on a ‘painting tour’ around the Gate before eventually, in 1932, leaving love Irish West of Ireland. He hired a cart, and a Dublin to pursue his acting career in New literature, donkey named Sheeog, and proceeded York. Despite the slights he received from in stately fashion through the wilds of MacLiammior while at the Gate, Welles I love Connemara, painting by day and sleepalways held fond memories of the theeverything ing under the stars by a turf fire each atre and indeed of MacLiammoir, with evening. His paintings, which he dewhom he was to collaborate on two future they do’. scribed as ‘hideous abortions’ failed to projects. While in Dublin, Welles recalled sell, even on the island of Inisheer where meeting many literary celebrities, includhe spent some time, and where he was fondly remem- ing W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory. bered for his enthusiastic dancing at the local hall. ReJust ten years after his Gate debut, Welles directed, calling these occasions many years later, Welles claimed and starred in, ‘Citizen Kane’, widely acclaimed as one of that he ‘could hardly draw breath’, such was the amo- the finest movies ever made - a cinematic masterpiece. rous attention paid to him by the island women. ‘Those He went on to direct ‘The Magnificent Ambersons’, in great marvelous girls in their white petticoats, they’d 1942, and star in ‘Touch of Evil’ (1958). During the ingrab me. Off the petticoats would go --- with all the hus- tervening years he resumed his association with the bands out in their skin-covered canoes’. Welles’ pecca- Gate, starring in the short film, ‘Return to Glennascaul’ dilloes incurred the concern of the parish priest. ‘I had (1951). In this, Welles played a tourist driving through another confession [about adultery] this morning’, said Ireland, a trip which led to spooky experiences when the priest to Welles. ‘When are you leaving?’ he picked up an Irish hitchhiker. Written by Edwards, With finances rapidly dwindling, and much as he and directed by MacLiammoir, the film was largely shot loved the Aran Islands, Welles did leave, heading east to in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. The previous year (1950), Dublin. On his second night in the city he bought a ticket Welles had cast MacLiammoir as Iago in his film, ‘Othto see a play called ‘The Melians’ at the Gate Theatre. In ello’, and in 1954 he again featured MacLiammoir in his the cast he noticed a young actor he had previously met TV production of ‘King Lear’. Throughout his career, in Connemara – a suitable pretext for Welles to present Welles always paid tribute to Edwards for inspiring himself backstage, where he was fortunate enough to him to stage bold, over-the-top, theatrical productions meet the Gate’s co-founder, Hilton Edwards. At the time, of Shakespeare, which helped propel him to the notice 40

Experience as an Irish Australian

By Ciarain Hoey

Hilton Edwards Orson Wells and between them is Eartha Kitt.

of the Hollywood movie moguls.

Welles returned to Ireland numerous times and in 1960 he brought his production of ‘Chimes at Midnight’ to the Gaiety (not the Gate) Theatre. The show would eventually become Welles’ last notable film.

In 1938, Welles terrified the United States with his ‘War of the Worlds’ radio broadcast. He so convinced US radio listeners that Martians had landed, that thousands fled their homes in mass hysteria. In less than two decades it was Hollywood’s film bosses who were fleeing in panic at the sight of Orson. Due to Welles’ wayward behavior, overbearing self-belief, spendthrift habits and poor box office, he became almost unemployable and was virtually reduced to commercial voiceovers, bit parts on TV, and documentary narration. He flamed out almost as rapidly as he rose to prominence, but he always retained a soft spot for Ireland and the Irish. ‘Look, I love Ireland, I love Irish literature, I love everything they do’.

If I had a dollar for every time another human being pronounced or spelt my name wrong I could be retired! This is because my parents decided to continue the Irish culture flowing and present by naming my sister Sinead and myself Ciarain. When I was a kid I used to whine and ask why they could not have called me Jack or something fecking easier to spell!

My parents are from the South side of Dublin, my Dad Thomas is from Rathmines and Mum Maura is from Ranelagh. They emigrated to Perth in 1989 to start a new life due to the concerning economy and lack of employment opportunities in Ireland.

As a family on St Patrick’s day many years ago we would travel down to Fremantle for the parade, it was great fun! Mam and Dad would regularly bump into familiar faces; when I was 10 and Sinead was 8 we made an appearance on the news in our Irish attire. However back then I did not overly identify myself as Irish and when the International Rules was on I would cheer for Australia. In recent years, the Parade has changed its venue to Leederville where the club that I play for Shamrock Rovers marches in annually.

Over in America the Chicago River is dyed green; this year on March 17th the Optus Stadium went green. For a population of 4.7 million, the nation has produced people of high calibre across diverse fields of sport, human rights and entertainment: Bob Geldof, U2, Conor McGregor, Sinead O’Connor, Roy Keane and Paul McGrath and over to writers of James Joyce and Oscar Wilde to name a few.

People I have met and interacted with over the last two decades in Perth acknowledge their Irish heritage or ancestry. American Hip Hop Artist Macklemore has a song titled “Irish Celebration” where he says in the song he is proud to be a Haggerty. In South America there was a warm reception when I mentioned I was of Irish heritage in my broken Spanish!

I think there are similar values of hard work, mateship and deep interest in sports embedded in Aussie and Irish culture. The Irish are very well embraced and accepted in Australia too. I am proud to be of both Irish and Australian Heritage, nowadays I embrace my unique name and have switched nations to support the Irish in the International Rules!

"I'm not a walking extra in a Chekhov play; I'm no Slavic gloom or Irish gloom. I mark only the happy hours, like the sundial, because otherwise I would have gone nuts. To quote from my script for 'The Dreamers', never expect justice in the world. That is not part of God's plan. Everybody thinks that if they don't get it, they're some kind of odd man out. And it's not true. Nobody gets justice — people get good luck or bad luck".

ORSON WELLES 41

Irish Families in Perth

with Eimear Beattie

Western Australia

Irish families in Perth is a voluntary non-profit organisation with over 14,000 members.

You can find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/irishfamiliesinperth/

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 MAM'S PLAYGROUP UPDATE*

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

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

• Develop Irish Culture & heritage.

• Help Irish people with any problems that might arise and provide a link to Australian and Irish support services.

by Linda Morton Delighted to announce that we have limited spaces available on Monday and on Wednesdays at Padbury Playgroup from 9-11 am, which are both very kindly sponsored by Irish Families in Perth. New families always welcome to join our lovely group of Mam's, whether you're new to Perth or been here for a while and looking to join a wonderful group, join our page below and you'll find info on all of the above! Thanks to Triona Clancy, Susan Dwyer, and Linda Wood for helping out. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/774916025922214/about/ Eimear Beattie Founder & President Irish Families in Perth Non Profit Organisation Email: irishinperth@hotmail.com 42

in association with Upcoming Events Perth Rose of Tralee Quiz Night

Perth Rose of Tralee Selection Ball

Friday 25th May from 6:30pm Novotel Perth Langley $15 pp (tables of 8) To book: https://www.trybooking.com/377572

Saturday 2nd June from 6:00pm Pan Pacific Perth $175 pp To book: https://www.trybooking.com/362574

Proudly Sponsored By:

43

’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

y

For this addition I thought I would try something different like a few thought provoking poems that I wrote.

HEADLINES

So, you want to be a pop star You want the glory and the fame You want to see the tabloids Just to see your name

You want the chauffer-driven car The champagne and the fun You want to win the marathon But you just don’t want to run

Well just remember getting there Isn’t all lights and cheer For those on top have worked non stop And that’s what got them there

FANTASY AMBER

Come on Fred lets go out tonight I’m in the mood to fly my kite Let’s go down to the pub and have us a ball Pick up the phone and give John a call Grab the old Kingswood and I’ll grab some beer Let’s jump in the car and get out of here Keep your eyes on the road, I hope we’re not late Jesus Fred mind that old gate.

John’s looking drunk, but I’ve had more than him It must be after slipping him that Micky Finn Fred let me drive I know the way Let’s go to the disco down by the bay That moron in front doesn’t know how to drive I’ll toot the ol’ bastard see if he’s alive Isn’t this fun mate I’m having a ball O Jesus Fred we’ll hit that wall Did you know them well, the policeman said I’m afraid young man, Your mates are dead

"Look at the state o'you!"

A popular exclamation used in inner Dublin, "Look at the state o'you!" implies that a person's attire, personal hygiene, intoxication level, or general demeanor is worrisome.

One might describe his drinking companion as being in a "bleedin' state" if he "gets DRUNK" or "wrecked" at the pub.

THE OLD MAN OF DINGLE

The elbow getting sore The barman fills his glass once more The caipín covers his weathered brow Wondering where his mates are now Arthur Guinness is his only friend Another pint his way I send He leans across the bar to see I catch his eyes look at me He becons with a gentle smile So much grace, so much style He told me of the days gone by And told me soon that he would die But before he went someone should know Before the undertaker laid him low He told me of his days at sea He emphasized every point to me He told me of his younger days As I looked on quite amazed Dingle he said was his only love As he held my hand like a glove His shillelagh held his stance with grace As I saw the past in his face His loves, his life; I knew it all As I reached to hold him from a fall I wonder where he is today As I head back Dingle way I can sense his presence all around As if this was his holy ground

THE SILENCE IN THE OUTBACK

There was an eerie feeling in the outback, the day-old paddy passed away You could have cut the silence, for no one had to say He was Irish stubborn through and through, but he was dinkum to the core When he crawled across that No Man’s Land, to face the dreaded Boer We hailed him as our hero, as he fought them hand to hand For paddy was no fighter but a tiller of the land Yet he fought the Boer’s for king and crown and did it with such pride I recall the times he got shot and the times he nearly died Yet not a word crossed his lips, about those dreaded days For paddy was a humble man and he had different ways He loved the soil and loved the land, that he had come to know And I often heard old paddy say son, you only reap what you sow I heard him speak of Ireland and the loves he left behind He told me of his mother and his father who was blind He said he came across the world, to find his crock of gold And all this was fulfilled, with the Aussie green and gold I’ve never met another man, with so much heart and pride I can understand the silence in the outback, the day poor old paddy died.

44 44

NEW PRESIDENT ELECTED AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

At the AGM on 11 March Denis Bratton brought to an end eleven continuous years as President of the AIHA. Newly elected President Heather Deighan was born in Belfast from country folk, her father from Fermanagh and mother from Monaghan. She lived most of her life in Magilligan, Co Derry, co-owning and operating a tourism resort at Benone Beach before moving to Perth in 1990 with her family as business migrants.

Heather brings to the AIHA a background in business, scholarship and therapeutic practice. A great listener she is known for her approachability, warmth and hospitality and love of conversation and storytelling. Denis is continuing as Immediate Past President.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The AIHA was founded 25 years ago and much has changed since in the world of communication and socialising. The Board of AIHA are convocating in a planning session on Saturday 19 May from 12 noon to 5 pm to review the future of our organisation, its role in promoting an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage and ways of delivering on this that engages wide support of the community. We invite and welcome submissions from readers.

The 4th TUESDAY BOOK CLUB

Book for May 22 is ‘Underground Railroad ‘ by Colson Whitehead. Set in the American Civil War times.

Meets Irish Club Committee Room at 8pm. All Welcome. Includes homemade cakes. Tea/Coffee donation. Enquiries Maureen 9279 5959

BLOOMSDAY

Saturday 16 June

Celebrate the works of renowned Irish author James Joyce. Mark your diary for Breakfast event in Fremantle.

Details to follow in May.

Australian-Irish Heritage Association AIHA Supporting Australian Irish Heritage – Music We are proud to be associated with fiddle player Rob Zeilinski and his debut CD ‘The Day Dawn’ which was launched at Fairbridge music festival on April 21. Rob not only composes and plays but he also builds and restores fiddles and is regarded as one of the great fiddle players of our time.

AIHA to Launch new Heritage Trail Maps

The Board are finalising the launch of a set of Heritage Trail Maps split into North and South of the city. They depict locations of historical significance of Irish Australia in Perth and environs.

BRENDAN AWARD

The Brendan Award was introduced in 1997 to recognise persons who have made an outstanding contribution to Australia’s Irish Heritage.

The first recipient of this annual award was President Mary Robinson in 1997. This year’s award was presented to Peter McKenna in a surprise presentation at the Claddagh Saint Patricks Day Golf Tournament in Maylands Golf Club on Friday 16 March. Peter was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is a founder and current committee member of Claddagh Association active in WA since 1997.

Peter was awarded honorary membership for his services to the Association. He served on the committee of the Irish Club of WA at various times and on the committee of the Irish Golf Club. He was a founder

member of St Finbarrs Gaelic Football Club. Peter was on the committee as project manager for development of the Famine Memorial in Subiaco unveiled by President of Ireland Michael D Higgins on 9 October 2017. He is known for philanthropy through sponsorship and donated services to many of these organisations. You can read about Peter on page 8 of this Irish Scene.

An honour Board of recipients is on display at the Irish Club of WA.

THE JOURNAL silver anniversary edition

The current AIHA quarterly members publication of The Journal is a souvenir 25th Anniversary edition. It was released on 23 April and is available on request. Editor for past 20 years Dr Ian Chambers has now stepped down and this adds to the significance of this edition.

We acknowledge Ian’s great work and high standards in making this a respected publication which has recorded the work of the AIHA – lectures, stories, news, histories, poetry, people and events.

Contributors are welcome.

Board of Management 2018/19 President: Heather Deighan Immediate PP: Denis Bratton Secretary: Tony Bray Treas/Members: Patricia Bratton Committee: Frank Murphy.

Eleanor Nolan, Carmel Ryan WEEKLY RADIO: 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

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 45

If you want a job done ask a busy person!

By Lloyd Gorman After many years at the helm of the Australian Irish Heritage Association Denis Bratton recently stepped down as president of the organisation he has helped to shape and develop over the years. The mantle of leadership now passes to another Northern Ireland native who is looking forward to taking on the top job and putting her stamp on the association.

“I think of myself as a woman of passion and purpose, who loves life and lives fully on many dimensions,” Heather Deighan said. “I consider I will bring to the AIHA my background in business, scholarship and therapeutic practice and an aptitude to broaden our membership by an awareness of the challenges of life in a global context of rapid change and challenge. I am known as great listener, for my approachability, warmth and hospitality and love of conversation and storytelling. I feel truly privileged and honoured to be elected as President of AIHA. As I settle into my presidency, my current focus is to listen to the passions and concerns of AIHA members and those interested in what it means to be of Irish heritage and this fascinating dynamic of “Irishness”. The AIHA Board are engaging in a Convocation and planning session in late May and I look forward to sharing my vision and goals for myself, the Board and the Australian Irish Heritage Association.”

Heather considers herself fortunate to have lived a challenging and charmed life one that began in Belfast. “My father was from Fermanagh and my mother from Monaghan,” she added. “I am the eldest of three girls, each given a male nickname by my dear Dad”.

One sister is still in Ireland while her youngest sibling is in Canada. “I used to think I lived in an isolated place in the northwest of Northern Ireland and now round the world travel is how I nurture and care for my close family connections. I have two daughters, both married, one grand-daughter in Perth and two grandsons, in Sydney.

I lived most of my life in Magilligan, Co Derry, lulled to sleep at night by the sounds of the Atlantic. For 20 years I co-owned and operated a tourism resort at Benone Beach, just seven miles from Magilligan Prison before moving to Perth in 1990 with my family as business migrants. Living most of my life in an area of outstanding scenic beauty just 15 miles to the west of the Giants Causeway finely tuned my awareness of the needs of remote and rural communities.

Living in Northern Ireland through the Troubles and operating a tourism business could be an entire interview exploring the challenges and joys of what I often term my great apprenticeship.”

Heather was educated at The Methodist College Belfast and thinks herself fortunate to have attended an interdenominational and co-educational institution with a long tradition of commitment to pastoral care and great emphasis on the moral and social welfare of their pupils in addition to their intellectual, physical and cultural development. The college was founded in 1865 and began taking students in 1868. “There the passions for social justice, social change and social causes modelled by my parents were further developed and an appreciation of the importance of ecumenicalism, a cornerstone of my life. An example 46

Heather Deighan, President AIHA

of my capacity for outreach and social development my fund-raising exercise out of my school desk when selling donated items and raising money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children”.

She is a graduate of The New University of Ulster and undertook post-graduate studies at The University of Ulster, Curtin University and Monash University.

Upon coming to Perth, she lectured in Public Health at Curtin University of Technology. She describes herself as a multi-disciplinary academic working mostly on state, national and international projects from a university base, Curtin University, Monash University and the University of Western Australian.

She also has a strong business acumen. Not long after their arrival in Perth 28 years ago, together with her former husband, the couple created Fremantle Brewery Brewing Mariner and Mariner Light, boutique crafted award winning beers. “My entrepreneurial flair has enabled me to lead and develop innovative and pioneering, allied health and family and community services,” she added.

On top of her professional interests Heather somehow manages to find enough time for

herself, family, travel and charity as well.

“Living most of my life beside Benone Beach I am happiest when near the ocean. I enjoy water skiing, canoeing, and snow skiing with my young grandchildren, Kaelan 10 in Perth, and Brody five and Dylan one year, in Sydney. I enjoy the Australian bush, fourwheel driving or by motorhome.

Over one July school holidays, for two weeks I rented a motorhome, heading north to Monkey Mia with my grand-daughter then only seven as my expert navigator. A special joy is reading to my grandchildren even across the country or oceans, wrapping my loving arms around them from afar as I balance the phone to show them the pictures of the story.

Being a grand-parent is such a privilege across the narrow window of early childhood and a great joy to which I devote much time and energy especially when a country or oceans separate us. My youngest daughter has recently returned from a three year posting in San Diego. I love to travel and once spent a year travelling to all seven continents enjoying a Guinness both at the Arctic Circle and as far south as the ship could travel.

During this year I travelled for six months in a Winnebago motor home across USA and Canada. I love getting away as far as possible into the Australian bush either four-wheel driving or travelling by motorhome.

Travelled from Cape Leeuwin to Cape York, undertaking the Great Australian Trek in a Land Rover and celebrating their 50 years and following a 1948 model. Camping and the challenges and beauty of the Gunbarrel and Heather highways beckon me and are on my bucket list again. Cooking on a campfire is such fun and I’ve mastered many even gluten free baking and a yummee chocolate and Guinness cake. Stories around a camp fire and a wee hot toddy, there is nothing quite like a star light night and crackling logs out in the Aussie bush”.

Working for many years both in prisons and in community in family and domestic violence, she knows who important self-care is for her own wellbeing, and those around her. “I am committed to enabling individuals, families and communities to celebrate and maximise their greatness, my work has spanned state, regional, national and international social development and community building projects in Ireland, the Southwest of WA, and particularly Africa and India. The healing vibes of music and swimming either floating in the ocean or dancing are key de-stressors and enlivening hobbies, along with knitting, cooking and reading. I enjoy water sports, water skiing, canoeing and paddle boarding. Snow skiing with my young grand-children is a great joy and counterbalance to the deep call of home. I miss my Benevenagh mountain which my kitchen window looked upon.”

DENIS BRATTON RETIRES! A farewell afternoon tea for retiring president of the Australian Irish Heritage Association, Denis Bratton was held at Tony and Cecilia Bray's home. It was an opportunity to thank Denis for his service to the AIHA and to the wider community. A magnificent selection of cakes and other goodies was put on by the AIHA and music was provided by Rob Zielinski and Fred Rea. On behalf of the wider Irish community thank you Denis for your wonderful contribution. Although Denis reminded us that with Patricia still involved, we would not be seeing the back of him.

Go raibh mile maith agat Denis.

47

Farewell Bill (Liam) Maloney Pat Maloney has told us that sadly his cousin Bill Maloney pasted away on the 12 February 2018. Pat asked if we would acknowledge Bill in our Irish Scene.

Bill arrived in Australia the same year as myself and no doubt we would have crossed paths in the early days.

Bill was born in Kilbeggan, Westmeath Ireland, (where my aunt lives) on the 17th March 1949.

Bill arrived in Perth, Western Australia in 1972 with his younger brother Michael on a ten pound passage scheme which was around in those days.

They travelled Australia before settling back in Perth, where they rented a shack in Coogee Beach with some friends. One of Bill’s first jobs was up north as a security guard at the Argyle Diamond Mine in the Kimberley’s. Then with his machinery skills he obtained growing up in rural Ireland, he started working in Kalgoorlie in the mining industry.

In the early days Bill would return to Fremantle as a home base.

When back in Fremantle, Bill and his brother Michael and friends would socialise at the Clancy’s, Rosie O’Grady’s, Naval Base in

Fremantle also The Irish Club and Fenian’s Irish Pub in Perth.

When in Perth, Bill would love going out on the boat he owned, very brave for a man as he could not swim. He never married but was very close to his brother’s children Chloe and Paul.

Sadly Bill’s brother Michael died of cancer in 1992.

Bill moved to Kalgoorlie permanently 25 years ago, returning to Perth only for family gatherings.

His favourite hobby in Kalgoorlie was prospecting for gold with his metal detector. Bill worked hard as a foreman for a company in Kalgoorlie called Hampton Transport and then moved to Coolgardie the last five years.

Kalgoorlie had 3 famous Irish prospectors in the early days, Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan O’Shea who found gold where now stands the Golden Mile gold

Bill the Foreman

pit. Bill was in good company prospecting.

Bill was well liked by his work colleagues and local friends, one friend, Victor, wrote a poem about him which follows this story. Bill was also very generous giving to many charities.

Bill would have been 69 year old on St Patrick’s Day so his work colleagues and friends had a memorial day for him at the Flanagan’s Hotel in Kalgoorlie on St Patrick’s Day. Bill leaves behind (in Australia) his niece Chloe, nephew Paul, sister in law Penny, cousin Patrick and extended family, and in Ireland five siblings Paud, Josie, Kathleen, Martin, Lizzy and many extended family.

Bill will have half of his ashes buried with his brother Michael at Rockingham Cemetery and half will be returned to his beloved Ireland.

Pat Maloney

Old Bill the foreman stood his ground, a ritual kind of stance He’d heard it all a thousand times, each man an even chance So tell me ‘bout yer driving skills, here in this mining game The big dumpies and the dozers, the ones you’ve come to tame The new bloke lit himself a smoke, with practice from before He’d bluffed his way across the land, and this should be one more On rubber tyres or iron tracks, from biggest to small With diesel running through my veins, I’ve come to conquer all Now I hear you mention dozers, of rip and push and skim Why old man I’d shave your shadow, cut back to final trim I’ve worked inside the deepest pits, up in the iron ore A born natural eye for levels, production is my score” Now you can see with modesty, of men among my trade We’re life support of industry, the finest of the grade Old Bill relaxed an inward smile, the brazen to absurd Truth here was torn from sanity, on every stolen word Well I don’t know yer brand of smokes, or if yer roll yer own But yer seem to have some habits, older blokes have outgrown I don’t know what yer drinking son, or if yer really should Don’t know what brings yer happiness, but strewth it’s sounding good So just by choice we’ll pass you by, no reference to your name Go try the mob that’s up the road, enjoy the road of fame Each man must walk his destiny, his pathways is his track And seems you’re still a way to go, before you’re turning back “Old Irish” Rest easy my friend for you walked with clear vision and left big foot prints. Thank you for the friendship.

Vic and Julie 48 48

Michael Cluskey

Wow, what a couple of months since last we spoke.

The whole country was brought to a standstill with the arrival of storm Emma. Now as you know, us Irish have a tendency of let’s say embellishing up some facts. But honest to God!! It really was a wild week or two. With snow drifts up to 10 feet, known as the beast from the East, the storm hit the whole of Ireland with the east and the south of the country getting the brunt of it.

Most of the country was on lockdown with many places cut off, indeed with Dublin Airport shutdown the whole country was.

Not in living memory were conditions such as these known.

It’s really true that us Irish come together in adversity. Neighbour helped Neighbour, community helped community as did the farmers who did a sterling job in using their tractors and machinery

A View from Home to dig out rural communities cut off and stranded. Airport workers stayed and cleared 1000s of tonnes of snow off the runways and took care of passengers stranded in both terminals.

It was back to the old days for many people, no power, little fuel and a food shortage. Indeed, the national joke going around was that a bread was being used as currency.

If only the spirit of community that was being felt during this time remained, the world would be a much better place!

April saw the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, one of the most historic agreements to have ever been reached here.

Former US President Bill Clinton, and former US envoy to Northern Ireland Senator George Mitchell both received the

Freedom of Belfast in recognition of the extraordinary contribution they both made while in office to the peace process.

With deep sadness it was announced that “Big Tom” McBride had passed away on Tuesday 17th of April, in a statement released by his family it said “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father Big Tom McBride this morning, Dad passed away in the company of his family, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace”.

His wife of 50 years Rose passed away in January. A native of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, ‘Big Tom’ was the first inductee into the Irish Country Music Awards Hall of Fame.

If you get a chance take another listen to the epic Big Tom and 4 country roads. R.I.P. Till the next time Best Regards, Mike.

Big Tom

Is drinking costing you MORE than money?

Help is available!

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

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

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

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

Contact: Alcoholics Anonymous,

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

elusive and I now realise this is what led me to hold off releasing an album until now".

Robert says the ancient Shetland Island piece the Day Dawn became the obvious title track and inspiration. "It took me a year to piece together this large jigsaw puzzle with the help and advice of many friends and family.

Then one day it clicked and the selected tracks just seemed to fit into their place".

Robert says he believe albums should be a composition in themselves. "When I realised the album was done it dawned on me that the many recording sessions had not been in vain and that this was the way this album needed to have been made or at least it has made it what it is".

The Day Dawn was recorded on six different fiddles, two of which he made in six different studios between Australia and Ireland with five different accompanists.

Peter Grandison has done an amazing job of mastering these tracks, keeping the integrity and sound of the original recording. "I can’t thank him enough. I now sincerely hope you, the listener enjoy it and get something from it. For me an unimaginable weight has been lifted from my shoulders upon its completion".

Memories of Krakow stood out for me. It’s a slow air and was recorded in the Wesley Uniting Church in Albany by Andy Davis. “I wrote this tune many years ago for my Grandfather Stefan Zielinski. I had been in Poland and visited all my cousins for the first time and they told me many stories about my Grandfather and what he endured during and after the war. This was recorded on the last fiddle he made".

My favourite track is The Boys of Barr na Straide / Jolly Tinker. Robert kindly played this for me at the CD launch.

So many people have given him so much over the years that it would be impossible to name them all.

"A special thank you to the Australian Irish Heritage Association for their generous support and also my brother Brian, Mick Doherty RIP, Sean Doherty, Andy Davey RIP, PJ Hayes RIP, Sean and Mary O’Driscoll, Jeremie Le Grand, Michael McMahon RIP, Megan King for graphic design, Greg Bargman, Joe Fowler, Dave Robinson, Andy Davis, my uncle Dave Rivett, my parents Ed and Lilliana, not to mention all the fine musicians who played on it and technicians who recorded it".

Well done Robert, this is a beautiful collection of tunes close to your heart and thank you for taking the time to collect and share with us, the listener.

D NEW C ED! CH LAUN

Robert Zielinski's The Day Dawn has been a culmination of over twenty years work and it’s true to say that so much of his life until today is contained in his CD. "The first recordings were made in Co Kerry when I was twenty three and the latest one this year in Albany, Western Australia".

Robert tried on many occasions to record an album but the sessions have always seemed to fall short of the mark. "I grew more and more frustrated as time went on. It was then my brother Brian stepped in, suggesting perhaps I’d already made the album and I should gather up all the recordings I’d ever made and see exactly what was there".

He hadn’t kept many of the recordings, so set out to gather them up from all four corners. Friends and sound guys started digging though old hard drives and pretty soon he realised his brother might be onto something.

"I remembered and searched for the takes where something musical happened in the performance.

Where myself and my accompanist were just playing for the sake of it, forgetting we were being recorded or in a studio. I personally have until now found this to be very

The CD is available on Robert's new website www.robertzielinskimusic.com On the website you will hear the The Boys of Barr na Straide and no doubt this track alone will encourage you to get a copy of the CD, I did.

Well done Rob!

There is nothing Robert likes more that chatting with old musician friends... it is what the CD is all about!

50

Fred Rea

WEEKLY SESSION

Seán Doherty Branch

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

Page Sponsored by: Reid’s Bootmakers

EVERY MONDAY AT THE IRISH CLUB

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

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

Comhaltas Perth playing at the Fairbridge Festival for the Hilary McKenna Ceile Comhaltas members enjoying the Monday night session at The Irish Club. It is great to see a mixture of the young and the 'old' at the seisiun.

Rob's new CD

Congratulations to Comhaltas stalwart, Robert Zielinski on the release of his much anticipated CD 'The Day Dawn'. It was released at Fairbridge Festival and it was great to see Irish traditional music at the festival, not just accepted, but Rob got a standing ovation. Copies available at the seisiun. Well done Rob.

WANT TO SPEAK GAELIC?

Join Brid and the Irish class every Monday at the Irish Club at 7pm and don't be saying...

Gabhaigí mo leithscéal. Tá mé an-déanach!

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

51

The music al Life of Br yan

By Fred Rea

Dublin Born singer songwriter B R (Bryan) Dalton has been living and travelling around Australia, eventually deciding to settle in Perth and then Fremantle. For the last ten years here he has certainly been “doing the rounds”. Since he got here from Ireland, he has been performing on street corners, festival stages, pubs and intimate theatres all around Australia, bit by bit honing a spectacularly intimate collection of songs that only get better upon revision.

He performed with the Perth Symphony Orchestra as part of the 1916 commemorations in the Perth GPO in Forrest Place and has shared the stage here and at home in Ireland with the likes of Damien Rice (his first cousin as it happens), The Coronas, Declan O’Rourke, Stu Larsen and The Once. He has also toured Australia with Adelaide singer/songwriter Sam Brittain and Amistat and has

forged his own unique sound that captures stories of emotion laid bare for all who choose to witness. Heartfelt stories of love and loss to the happiness of a jolly Irish troubadour. His performing takes you on a journey that captivates everything that folk music should, he will pull on your heartstrings but most of all make you glad you came to listen. In 2012 recorded his debut EP ‘Lazy Days’ with Oisin MacNally and Jason Hales at Lonewolfe studios in Fremantle and followed by a hugely successful launch night at X-wray in Fremantle. But now he has further consolidated his musical presence with his debut album Blood & Gold, which he released in old school format – on vinyl – at the Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle on Saturday 14th April. I attended the launch and to see him perform songs from his new album in at such a wonderful venue surrounded by his family of muso friends – and ably supported on the night - by Fiona Rea and Sam Brittain – was most enjoyable.

At the opening of the

album you are greeted by the gentle and raw plucking on an acoustic guitar signalling the opening moments of the album’s title track ‘Blood & Gold’. It would be natural to expect that another modern-day singer/songwriter conglomeration of songs about heartbreak and self-reflection is to follow, however you would be dead wrong. The album explores themes of love, loss, heartbreak and complete utter dissolution even touching on the political spectrum shifting at key moments to Irelands ferocious battle for independence. Embellished with world class string arrangements, double bass, hauntingly distorted and fuzzed out electric guitars and lush harmonies it’s hard to imagine this album was conceived whilst on tour in Adelaide with every fragile vocal and guitar captured live in an Air BnB. A hugely dynamic and captivating experience from start to finish BR Dalton’s debut is a slow burning listener’s album reminiscent of early Swell Season records, in fact it’s hard to ignore that this artist’s authenticity is undoubtedly cut from the same thick cloth as the likes of Glen Hansard and Damien Dempsey.

Too often our local singers don’t get the opportunity to ‘do their thing’ in settings such as Kidogo where they have the opportunity, to connect with the audience. Bryan surely did that!

He is a wonderful performer and writes songs with passion.

Visit his website and get your copy of Bryan’s Vinyl album: www.brdalton.com

52

Mo Scéal Féin XXX Obair Chosanta na Gaeilge

Ansin, an deichiú lá den tarna mí den bhliain míle ocht gcéad cheithre fichid a haon déag, chuir an tEaspag litir chugamsa á rá liom dul im shagart paróiste go paróiste Chaisleáin Ó Liatháin. Táim anso ó shin.

Is dóigh liom go rabhas dhá bhliain anso nuair a thosnaigh obair na Gaeilge, dáiríre, i mBaile Átha Chliath.

Thuigeas ón gcaint a bhí ar siúl, agus as na fógraí a thagadh amach, go raibh socair ar an nGaeilge bheo a bhí i mbéala na ndaoine a shaothrú. Bhí fhios agam go dian-mhaith gur mar sin ba cheart an obair a dhéanamh má bhí sí le déanamh in aon chor. Bhí leabhair Eoghain Uí Chamhraí agam agus an graiméar Gaeilge a scríobh Ó Donabháin, agus bhí fhios agam ná raibh aon bhreith ag leabhair den tsórt san ar oiread agus aon lá amháin sa mbreis a cur le saol na Gaeilge. Bhí fhios agam gur admhaigh na fir sin féin ná raibh uathu ach oiread agus d’fhéadfaidís den Ghaeilge a bheith socair daingean i leabhair acu, i dtreo go mbeadh an méid sin di le fáil sna leabhair sin nuair a stadfadh muintir na hÉireann d’í a labhairt. Chonaic Ó Donabháin agus Ó Chamhraí go raibh sí ag imeacht, ag imeacht go réidh, ach ag imeacht go deimhnitheach, agus thuigeadar go maith ná raibh aon bhreith ag an obair a bhí acu féin á dhéanamh ar aon chosc a chur leis an imeacht san.

Tá sé daingean im aigne, áfach, nár thuigeadar an díobháil a bhí san imeacht san. Is dóigh liom gur thuigeadar, agus gur thuig a lán nárbh iad an uair sin, agus i bhfad ina dhiaidh sin, gur thairbhe mhór a dhéanfadh an t-imeacht. Bhí cúiseanna troma acu féin agus ag daoine eile lena thuiscint go mbeadh tairbhe san imeacht. Na daoine a bhí beo in Éirinn an uair sin agus gan acu ach an Ghaeilge, is amhlaidh a bhí ceangal na gcúig gcaol ar a n-aigne chomh fada agus chuaigh gnóthaí saolta. In aon tsaghas gnóthaí dlí, cuir i gcás, bhí fear an Bhéarla ábalta ar an ndubh a chur ina gheal orthu agus ar an ngeal a chur ina dhubh orthu, agus ní raibh aon chaoi acu ar iad féin a chosaint. Dá n-insidís a scéal féin as Gaeilge ní thuigfeadh aon duine iad, ach amháin, b’fhéidir, an fear a bheadh ceaptha ar an éagóir a dhéanamh orthu. Bhíodh an fear teangan acu, ach dá mbeadh breabh glactha ag an bhfear teangan san, conas a bheadh an scéal acu? Pé taobh óna bhféachtaí isteach an uair sin sa chuma ar a raibh an duine ná raibh aon Bhéarla aige, chití go raibh sé i gcruachás go tubaisteach.

Sin é fé ndear do Dhomhnall Ó Chonaill a rá gurbh

fhearr leis go mbeadh an Ghaeilge seacht míle síos fé uisce na farraige thiar. Chonaic sé os chomhair a shúl an éagóir uafásach á dhéanamh ag fear Shasana, coitianta, ar an Éireannach, agus gan ar chumas an Éireannaigh aon fhocal a labhairt chun é féin a chosaint ach focal ná tuigfí.

Dhein Domhnall Ó Conaill féin obair mhór ag cosaint na nGael ar an éagóir a bhí á dhéanamh orthu. Thuig sé go hálainn ná bheadh aon bhreith aige ar an obair sin a dhéanamh mura mbeadh an Béarla bheith chomh mhaith aige, agus é bheith ábalta ar lucht an Bhéarla a throid as a gcaint féin, as Béarla.

Níor chuimhnigh éinne ar an dá theangain a chur ar siúl in éineacht. Mheas gach éinne nár bhaol ná go mbeadh tuilleadh agus a dhóthain Gaeilge ag gach Éireannach pé Cuma ina ngeobhadh an saol i dtaobh Béarla. Ní raibh ach lucht machnaimh, mar Ó Camhraí agus Ó Donabháin, a thug fé ndeara go raibh an Ghaeilge ag imeacht. Níor thugas-sa féin fé ndeara go raibh aon bhaol uirthi go dtí gur chuas isteach sa choláiste, agus go bhfacas buachaillí éirithe suas agus gan aon fhocal Gaeilge acu.

Thuig lucht machnaimh, agus lucht faire aimsire, go raibh an Ghaeilge ag imeacht. Thuig lucht gnótha poiblí, agus lucht cosanta na nGael ar an bhfeall a bhí á dhéanamh orthu ag muintir an Bhéarla, thuigeadar dá luathacht a bheadh an Ghaeilge imithe agus an Béarla i mbéala na nÉireannach go léir gurbh ea ab fhearr é. Níor thuig éinne an uair sin an díobháil bhunaigh a dhéanfadh sé do chine Gael an Ghaeilge d’imeacht uathu; gur mhar a chéile dhóibh é agus a nádúr féin d’imeacht astu amach.

Níor thuig éinne an léirscrios marfach a bheadh déanta ar an aigne Ghaelach nuair a bheadh an Ghaeilge imithe, agus gan i gcroí ná i mbéal an Éireannaigh, ó Dhomhnach Diagh go Tigh Mháire, ach Béarla briste.

Sliocht as an leabhar ‘Mo Scéal Féin’ le Peadar Ó Laoghaire (1839-1920), Brún agus Ó Nualláin.

Ba ball den Conradh na Gaeilge é. Tá muid ag ceiliúradh Athbheochan na Gaeilge le 125 bliain anuas i mbliana agus mar sin tá sé oiriúnach a shaothar a chuimhniú.

Seanfhocal: Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste.

Bríd

All Englishmen and the Irish dwelling among them must use English surnames, speak English, and follow English customs. If any Englishman, or Irishman dwelling among the English, use Irish speech, he shall be attainted and his lands go to his lord till he undertake to adopt and use English."

- Statutes of Kilkenny, 1366 53

ULSTER

Yes, a total of twelve medals; one gold, seven silver and four bronze which put us twentieth in the overall standings.

Now we used to always win gold in boxing and shooting (or fighting as my students always suggested) but what a surprise when our gold this time was in the gym.

Rhys McClenaghan, the teenager from Newtownards, created the shock of the 2018 Commonwealth Games by beating Olympic champion Max Whitlock in the pommel horse final. In the greatest sporting moment of his life, so far, the young gymnast, who pursued his discipline in Bangor, decided to dedicate the gold medal to those who had helped him most, namely his Mum and Dad. At nine, he began receiving support from the Mary Peters Trust. His Mum remembers: "Mary gave him a chocolate medal with his first monetary award and now he has turned it into gold."

Rhys was given the honour of carrying the flag in the closing ceremony although for some reason (apologies came later) no athlete entered the stadium.

Another surprise was a sprinter, Leon Reid, who came 3rd in the 200 metres. Kevin Seaward brought NI's participation in the Commonwealth Games to an end with an impressive fourth-place finish in the marathon.

The Belfast athlete clocked a superb 2:19:54 in hot conditions in a race won

by Australia's Michael Shelley who ran past Callum Hawkins after he collapsed twice and was finally taken to hospital. He was two minutes ahead at the time with only a few kilometres left of the race; such is sport.

Of course we did win medals in boxing though none of the six finalists were able to convince the judges they were the best and we did win a medal in shooting. No comment here though sorely tempted.

I decided then to look up our overall performance and was surprised by the results.

Yes, thirty gold, thirty-nine silver and fifty-five bronze for a total of one hundred and twenty-four medals; a lot more than I expected. The first column gives us

Rambles

with David

ULSTER (well not quite) in the Commonwealth Games.

I have always had a great fondness for sport since a time I can hardly remember, so when the Commonwealth Games came around once again a few weeks ago, I was enthralled by many of the events. Now the Commonwealth as we all know is a bit of an enigma but who cares; sport is for everyone and if you have to pay something to join the club …. Well I say go for it. Quite a few countries have.

I know that Northern Ireland is NOT Ulster but in this case, I am going to ignore that fact as well. No apologies so let me get on with it.

I do not usually watch the opening ceremony at these events, but I could not resist watching the entry of the athletes this time round. For a start, it is educational; some of these countries I had never heard of. I had to look up Tuvalu and the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as Niue and Kiribati. How geography has changed since my youth when I was made to learn every country in the world and their capitals. Now there are dozens of “new” ones. In the games there were 71 countries represented (I was led to believe there were 54 countries in the Commonwealth… perhaps you can join up for the fortnight… surely, they can find a spot for Ireland!) with almost 4500 athletes participating in 275 events over 19 different sports. To please some people and keep up with modern day values, there were an equal amount of events for men and women and the para-sports were included in the main events. Caroline O’Hanlon was the flag bearer for Northern Ireland in the opening ceremony. I believe she is a top netball player.

This was the final table for N.I. 54

the number of times we participated. Now twenty was one less than England and Australia so a little investigation told me that in 1930, the whole country of Ireland participated! We sent five athletes to Canada. Bill Britton from Cavan came second in the hammer, Jack O’Reilly from Galway came ninth in the marathon and Patrick Eustace from Dublin ran in the hundred metres…. Ooppps yards! Spare a thought for W.A. Dickson from Bel-

fast and M. O’Malley from Westport who were disqualified due their ship being delayed and their heats were over in the 880 yards by the time of their arrival. Perhaps they should have run the marathon instead!

In the end we are ranked a very creditable fourteenth. Not bad for such a small part of the world. I did try to find out who won these medals and in what sports. No success here, so if you have a relative who won or you have further knowledge, please let Fred (our great editor) know. The final mention of course goes to my great hero or can I still say heroine (who I have written about in the past), Mary Peters who led the cheers on her fifteenth commonwealth games appearance; not all as a competitor I might add though she still won 3 gold and a silver in her day.

It represents Northern Ireland's best medal tally in a Commonwealth Games held outside the United Kingdom. Of course, we are always told that it is the participation that counts. Try telling any Australian that and I am not going to mention the cricketers here. Now it’s off to Birmingham; a lot closer to home.

I wish I was still at that school, so I could boast about a few medals that were not in the “fighting category.”

rish Recipes from Marguerite's

Rustic Pear & Hazelnut Tart

(Makes: 4) Ingredients: 5 Firm Ripe Pears Juice of ½ Lemon 1 Tbsp Plain Flour 1 Heaped Tbsp Light Brown Sugar 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon 50g Skinned Hazelnuts, Roughly Chopped 1 Egg, Beaten, to Glaze Icing Sugar, to Dust Crème Fraiche, to Serve For the Pastry: 225g (8oz) Plain Flour, Plus Extra for Dusting Pinch of Fine Salt 150g (5oz) Butter, Chilled and Diced 3 Tbsp Caster Sugar Large Egg, Lightly Beaten Method 1. To make the pastry, place the flour in a large bowl with the

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55

salt and rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, then bring the pastry together with the egg (it may also need 1 tablespoon of cold water if it’s a little dry).

Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 2 large baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

3. Peel, core and slice the pears and put them in a bowl. Toss them in the lemon juice, then toss with the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon.

4. On a lightly floured board, cut the pastry into 4 even-sized pieces.

Roll each piece of pastry out to a rough circle about 15cm (6in) in diameter and no more than 5mm (¼in) thick. Carefully transfer to the lined baking sheets.

5. Arrange the pears in the middle of each one and scatter the hazelnuts on top, leaving a 2.5cm (1in) border. Using the sides of the baking paper to help lift the pastry, fold the sides up and over the pears.

6. Brush with the beaten egg and bake for 30–40 minutes, until the tarts are cooked through and golden.

7. Dust with icing sugar and arrange on plates. Add a dollop of crème fraîche to each one to serve.

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

NORTHBRIDGE

A good year for two of Two of Perth's best known Irish pubs share a birthday of sorts. Rosie O'Grady's in Northbridge will shortly celebrate its 25th birthday, a milestone JB O'Reilly’s on Cambridge Street marked earlier this year.

Scott Fraser from Rosie's and Paul North from JB's clearly remember those early heady days and were keen to share their memories and stories with Irish Scene readers.

"I've been with Rosie's since it opened on June 2, 1993," said Scotty.

"Maurice Brockwell had the Moon and Sixpence but it was his first Irish pub. It wasn't a big place back then and when I came over it was just an empty shell, they refurbished the whole place. Before we took it over I think it was called Milligans and the Victorian in the old days. I remember the opening, everybody was here, half of West Australia were here."

Michael Nolan, the then Honorary Consulate, officially opened the new venue. He remembers how hard it was to get into the premises which had a large crowd in it. To gain entry he had to pull rank and let people know he was there to open the place. Michael spoke for three minutes while the late owner Maurice Brockwell spoke for five.

Michael went on to open seven pubs for Maurice, three in Melbourne, two in Hobart and two in Perth.

Maurice loved the Irish noted Scotty. The embassy in Canberra started to take note and because the ambassador at the time was keen to fulfil the role Michael and wife Eleanor had to be more discreet for the opening of the Toorak Irish pub.

Scotty was the pub's first cellar man and is today 'the last person standing' as he says himself. "Everybody else has come and gone. The original manager was Bob Jerome and the assistant manager was a chap called Bobby Mates. He was Irish. I went to his going away party in Melbourne, that's how I came to 56

be the cellar man over here. Bobby rang me up two weeks later and asked me if I wanted a job in Western Australia. I was just a back packer back then and I was busy enjoying myself. I'm an electrician by trade but when I came here they took me on a course and it was the first time I worked in a cellar and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've been in the industry now for 25 years."

Scotty went on to become assistant manager and then when Bob Jerome went to South Perth he became general manager. Apart from a break of four years Scotty has been with Rosie's.

"People say what's a Scot doing in an Irish bar and I say I call it a Celtic Bar, do you know what I mean, we're kissing cousins, the Irish and the Scottish."

A lot of other staff tend to stick around for a long time, some have been there eight or ten years.

But it has been much more than just a workplace for him and many others who have passed through it down the years. "I was probably the original romance at Rosie's," he said. "My wife Annie was the original sous chef in the kitchen and when I was introduced to her we hit it off straight away and I've been married to her for the last 24 years.

So that was the first romance in Rosie's and then everybody I know met their future partner there. I could rhyme them off for you. All my nephew's and nieces, this is where they all came and where they met.

Everybody in my family has met their loved one in Rosies."

Back then Irish pubs - and Fenians was already around at the time

Perth's vintage pubs and JB's was new - were the place to meet, to find a job, to find a loved one, it was the centre of the community. So it's a stepping stone for people who get off the plane and to meet friends and contacts. Irish bars were the way to go. In fact that was my first port of call when I came over (from Melbourne) The Irish Club."

The love affair with Rosie's isn't just for the staff, punters too have a soft spot for it. Scotty said it is not uncommon for people to ask to buy a barrel from the venue because it is where they met and they want a souvenir in their garden or bar.

Celtic FC fans also hold the place in high regard. For at least 12 years now the Perth supporters branch has been meeting weekly in the Celtic room upstairs. And whenever visiting fans are in town they pop in as well.

The pub also played a small part in the rise of a well recognised AFL player. "About eight or ten years ago we sent a young GAA West Australian team to Melbourne, a young Jack Darling was on the team, he now plays for the Eagles."

And of course it has played host to quite a few Irish celebrities including Aslan, Des Bishop, Damien Dempsey and John Spillane.

The origins and start of JB O'Reilly's was a very different story to Rosie's. "We didn't have an official opening, we didn't have anything," said owner Paul North. "The first day I think I took $37, the second day it was $58 and the third day I took $30. I mean it was quiet, there was nobody here. A pint at the time was about $3.20."

Paul - who hails from Wexford came to Australia in 1992, harbouring the hope of setting up his own pub, an ambition that came close to never being realised. "I came out with my darling ex-wife and two children on a British airways flight," he said. "She wanted to come back to Australia so I said right, we'll give it two years and give it a go. We were looking and looking and look-

ing for jobs for a good six or seven months. I met up with a fella called Patrick O'Toole from O'Toole Realty.

He drove me almost everywhere in WA looking to buy a pub. One day he said to me "Paul, you don't have enough money to buy a pub" and I said "I know, I thought I might get lucky". Then he said we were going to look at a fish and chip shop up in Nedlands and I was about to sign for that when he rang me and said "Paul, I found a place for you" and it was here. That was January 6, 1993.

I hadn't seen the books. I hadn't even seen the kitchen. I took it on the blind and when I got it it was a really hard struggle for the first two years and then it just kind of took off."

Before it changed hands and became an Irish pub, the watering hole was known as 'The Hare and Hound'.

Like most things with Paul there is a bit of a story to the name he chose for his pub. "When I came here first I was doing a bit of reading and I came across the story of John Boyle O'Reilly who I had never heard of before. His story fascinated me and I thought it was a connection between Ireland and Western Australia, Perth and Fremantle, so we called it John Boyle O'Reilly's but it abbreviated itself to JB O'Reilly's.

The other choice of name was Paddy Redneck's - just as well I choose JB O'Reilly's isn't it," he laughed.

The original JB O'Reilly's looked a lot different to the way it does today. "The main bar had a stainless steel floating ceiling, so it was pretty low and of course he had smoking in those days which meant the place was always terribly smoky. So I took the ceiling out and dumped it. I couldn't believe the height of the main ceiling."

The upstairs section has always been a restaurant area but for the first six months of his ownership Paul didn't use it. "I just didn't have the finances to do it," he added. "Just before I came in, I met Cormac Mahon who was a chef and John Allen 57

Friday Agreement. We rowed over, two Irish men and two Englishmen."

When they landed at the island they were met by an officious police officer who told them they couldn't take it on shore. "I said I had passed it by the Superintendent, by the Rottnest Island Authority, by the pub, by the marine people and eventually he allowed us to take it. One of the guys was going up the hill with the big gas cylinder with beer gas written all over it and the copper said, "where are you going with that?" and he said [in a thick Cork accent] "to do a bit of scuba diving tomorrow, boy!". I nearly died laughing when he said that."

St. Patrick's Day is naturally a big day for JB’s, but Paul recalls one of his biggest days there ever.

"Gerry Adams came for a book signing in the pub and we had people queuing the whole length of the restaurant and out the front door waiting in line for him to sign his book. I had an old school map - one that you pull down if you know what I mean - of Ireland that I used as a backdrop. This particular map was printed in 1887 and I knew it would be the first thing he was going to say to me, "Look at that, no border".

Paul doesn't know how many people he has employed over the years but reckons it must be a couple of thousand anyhow, mainly backpackers.

"They've all been very good, some have been exemplary. Now his daughter Aja - who is in the running to be the Perth Rose of Tralee for 2018 - is working at the family business. "I'm delighted Aja is working here, she'll see me out of the place. We've had a great journey and it's been a fantastic time with ups and downs, ins and outs. JB's has known a lot of great people but Sean O'Rourke was a very special man. He was a larrakin, right up to the last day. I liked that. We waked him here and it was amazing. We just let the taps flow to send him off, he would have been proud. I know Stephanie was.

I've got a lot of people to thank for getting me into this terrible situation I'm in," he joked.

Both Rosies and JBs have continuously supported The Irish Scene since we first published. Their support has made it possible for us to continue to publish and distribute our mag free to you our readers. Even through the ups and downs of business they have continued to advertise and for that we are very grateful.

The Irish/Australian community should take the time to mention this to Scott at Rosies and Paul at JB's and say thanks.

the pointer down in the Irish Club and Cormac said I'll come and work for you. So, he did, and he was the first chef we had. A couple of years later he leased it out for a time and then wanted to do something different, so I kept it on."

Anybody who has frequented this venue will be familiar with the way it is heavily decorated with Irish paraphernalia and memorabilia, which includes some original Celtic artwork by the late Jim Motherway. "I had brought some of it with me with the intent of getting a bar and then I went on a trip back to Ireland and bought a whole lot of stuff and put it in a container and brought it over. But the rest of it has been accumulated over the years."

No doubt Paul gets some artefacts from a donor in the hope of gaining a pint or ten in return but most people just want to see something they like and enjoy shared with others in public.

Some of the many antique metal signs in the pub sparked an unlikely row in early 2016. During a site visit to make sure that all the paperwork etc for the pub to sell cigars (but not cigarettes) was in order an overzealous Department of Health official noticed some of the signs were advertisements for tobacco and cigarettes.

Even though they were original signs for brands that no longer were made and could not be bought anywhere, let alone WA, that had been on the walls for 20 years, the bureaucrat took this to be a breach of the law regarding modern tobacco advertising rules punishable by a $40,000 fine.

Paul was ready to argue the toss and fight the department, but the story gathered a lot of media and public interest and the issue was settled when the then premier Colin Barnett was asked for his opinion during a press conference. Mr Barnett took the side of JB O'Reilly's and that was the end of that. For once logic prevailed In interior decoration language the 'hero' of the main pub area is the full scale traditional Irish Currach hanging from the ceiling. Paul takes it down regularly to clean it and make sure it is attached safely.

It is more than a decoration or curio he picked up along the way.

Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Musical Entertainer / Teacher

"I've got two others just like it, so if anybody wants to buy a currach get in touch," he said. "A friend, Ray Lee, a mad Dubliner, who had made his own, came in and we got friendly and made it between us. Its made of Canadian maple, pine, hessian and tar. We took the first keg of Guinness to Rottnest in it, it was just after the Good

David MacConnell

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

58

IRISH COUPLE WIN

$2.25 million WA jackpot

By Lloyd Gorman

Never in a million years did Merriwa couple David Walsh and Aileen O’Toole expect to receive the phone call that interrupted their sevenmonth-old son’s bedtime routine on Wednesday (April 11). It was a call to tell them they had just won the MSWA Mega Home Lottery Grand Prize. An incredible $2.25 million prize package, including a $1.65 million Webb & Brown-Neaves Sorrento Show Home, a Range Rover and $500,000 cash. A prize that will set up the tight knit family of three forever.

“I was on the phone to my mate and he kept asking if I had received a phone call. He didn’t say anything else and then my call waiting started to beep, so he told me to hang up and answer the call, and for once I listened to him,” said David.

“I had no idea what was going on, but the lady on the phone said she was calling from MSWA and they had just drawn the lottery. I put the phone on loud speaker, as Aileen was in the room, and then we got the news. We had won the big one, the big prize. I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t speak. Aileen was tearing up and screaming and I just couldn’t speak. I thought it was a joke, a hoax. To own a home without a mortgage, that’s the life goal. Its the dream.” Dave added.

Having worked in the disability and aged care sector for many years, Aileen knows first-hand how important and well used the money raised

by MSWA Mega Home Lottery area.

“We’ve entered the lottery for a number of years, but you never think you’re actually going to win. It’s for an amazing cause and we’re just glad we could help out where we could,” said Aileen.

“We’re so grateful, and it really couldn’t have come at a better time.

It’s a huge weight off our shoulders. If anything should ever happen to us, our son Peter will be set. We’re taking him back to Ireland for a holiday to meet his grandmas, and we’re so excited to be able to celebrate with them.

Receiving the call was the second-best day of our lives,” Aileen said.

“We don’t know what we’ll do with the prize yet. It still feels surreal, so we’ll take a little time to let it all sink in,” declared Aileen.

“When I heard David and Aileen’s story I was absolutely thrilled for them,” said MSWA CEO Marcus Stafford AM. “It’s a life-changing prize 59

for a beautiful young family and I wish them all the best for their bright future. It’s because of the generosity of supporters like David and Aileen that allows us to make a huge difference to the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions in Western Australia. With the incredible support from fundraising activities this year we’ve been able to invest a record breaking $2.6 million dollars into research, committed $8 million to build a new high-support accommodation facility in Butler, as well as providing more than 680,000 hours of essential services. So, to everyone who bought a ticket, thank you for your wonderful and ongoing support.”

This article and photograph was first published on the website of Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australian on April 17, 2018. More than 10,000 winners were drawn in the 2018 MSWA Mega Home Lottery.

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative neurological condition that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS), the brain and spinal cord.

It is thought to be auto-immune, where the body’s own immune system appears to attack the myelin, a fatty protective sheath, which surrounds the nerves in the brain, spinal cord and the optic nerves.

An MS attack results in inflammation and the development of one or more lesions, resulting in scarring or sclerotic plaques, forming on the nerves. These lesions interfere with the nerve messages sent back and forth through the brain, and spinal cord.

Every person diagnosed with MS will experience slightly different symptoms, depending on the location, size and number of lesions formed, and the type of MS. For some, sensations are altered, while others experience difficulty with muscle strength and movement. Lesions in the brain can affect a person’s capacity to process information and also affect their emotions.

Visit: mswa.org.au

SLÁINTE

music runs deep.

It was a Friday night, after a long first week of busking so I headed towards Temple Bar, naturally getting lost along the way. Eventually I found a little pub to grab a drink in and unwind. I walked inside and sat down at the end of the bar, next to a gentleman who I figured must have been in his eighties, wearing a blue tweed suit. The first thing I noticed about him was the bright pink straw in his pint of Guinness. I smiled to myself and figured I had better say hello. His name was Jim and over the course of the evening he shared a bit of his story with me. Sadly for Jim, he had come from his youngest sister’s funeral that day and worse yet, she was his last remaining sibling, the last of his family. What fascinated me about Jim was that despite the grief and loss he was coming to terms with he was still smiling and happy to sit and talk with me for a while. It is this kind of random encounter with a complete stranger and their stories that I treasure the most. That is why I love what I do. There is a lesson in all of them, for better or worse. Jim took a little time to teach me one simple phrase in Irish, Sláinte, which means ‘good health’. We raised a glass and then I carried on pretty well as expected. The opportunity to take stories like Jim’s and collaborate with other people with a common goal in mind is something undeniably special. To take an emotion and hopefully make it translatable through music, that’s what keeps the gears moving. I thank God my parents put a guitar in my hands when I was four year old.

My life could have turned out very differently if they hadn’t.

I have been back to that bar a few times since, when visiting Dublin but I haven’t crossed paths with Jim again. Who knows, maybe one day. In the meantime, this one’s for Jim".

Fred Rea

A chance meeting in Temple Bar I had the pleasure of hearing Sam Brittain at Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle at the launch of Bryan Daltons vinyl album. One of the songs performed by Sam was Slainte and the story behind the song will, I am sure be of interest to our readers… The following is taken from Sam’s introduction to the song on You Tube…

Sam Brittain busking in Grafton Street

"At the end of the day it is all about people really, for me at least. Something in the balance, when a voice, some words and a collection of instruments can come together and harmonise on the same truth.

Somewhere in the space between the notes there is a thing that is existential and pretty hard to define. It is like a secret recipe that can close the gap, void language barriers and bring people together from entirely different walks of life, even if just for a little while.

The moment I experienced that from music, I was hooked. On the first day here (in Dublin) I definitely felt that all over again, so I

thought why not stay for a while.

I first travelled to Dublin in 2014 with the sole ambition of going busking on Grafton Street, a place that has played such a pivotal role for many artists I admire. I guess I just wanted to immerse myself in the city and its culture for a while and see what it brought out in me. There’s an energy to the people here, regardless if they’re from Dublin or not. It is something quite special. The transient nature of this city means people are always coming and going but an obvious common thread seems to be an inherent love for music.

You make real connections fast here and the passion for

To hear this beautiful song and amazing lyrics go to You Tube and enter Sam Brittain Sláinte 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 _____________________________

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Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne World Irish Dancing Championships (24th March - 1st April - Glasgow, UK)

Congratulations to all our Perth dancers who recently travelled to Glasgow for the World Championships. Special congratulations to the following dancers who placed at the prestigious event: Josh Johnston (Keady Upton) 17th place - Boys 12-13 Years Sinead Daly (Keady Upton) 14th place - Girls 13-14 Years Caoimhe McGuigan (Keady Upton) 29th place - Girls 13-14 Years Ruby Driscoll (Keady Upton) 24th place - Ladies 18-19 Years Ciara-Mae Crone (Keady Upton) 31st place - Ladies 18-19 Years Jeremiah Oliveri (Keady Upton) 13th place - Mens 19-20 Years Dakota Courtney (O’Brien) 6th place - Ladies 19-20 Years Dara McAleer (The Academy, USA) 6th place - Ladies 20-21 Years Taylor Pymm (WA Academy) 23rd place - Ladies 20-21 Years

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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Link Conference Last week three representatives of the Claddagh Association

joined delegates from Australia, including the Irish Embassy in Canberra, from our own Honorary Consulate here in Perth, and from the Honorary Consulate in New Zealand and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland at the annual LINK Conference. Sydney's Irish Support Agency were this year's hosts.

The conference is an opportunity for Irish support organisations working in different states in Australia and New Zealand to get together and share information and experiences on the assistance we provide for our clients.

We discussed the common issues facing Irish people living in Australia and ways in which we can work together, and with organisations based in Ireland, to address these issues through the development of new projects and programs.

Among this year’s line-up of speakers were the Commissioner for Victims Rights, International Office of Migration, Anglicare, Women's and Girls Emergency Centre, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas.

We covered issues including guiding seniors with wills and bequests, supporting victims of family and domestic violence, empowering communities to help each other through mental first aid, supporting victims of crime, and supporting workers, volunteers and board members through self-care among many others. The event was well organised and each of the organisations involved learned a great deal.

Our thanks to the Irish Support Agency and to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, The Irish Embassy in Canberra and the Irish Consulate in Sydney for supporting this important event.

Heather McKeegan President Claddagh Association

Claddagh Seniors – Activities March and April

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

by Marie Moloney On 12th March seventy-five Claddagh seniors gathered at he Mighty Quinn for an early St Patrick’s Day celebration lunch.

Six Claddagh volunteers were there to ensure our enjoyment of the occasion. Joe Carroll did a wonderful job as entertainer.

There were the usual games of heads and tails and several happy prize winners. There was a great session of music and song from Joe. A delicious lunch was served by the Mighty Quinn staff. One lucky man won the door prize of a lovely hamper which included goodies from Hetty’s Scullery.

The coach trip to Moore River on Monday 9th April was a great success. The day was cloudy but warm. Upon arrival we seniors settled ourselves in the area just inside the sand bar to enjoy the magnificent view of the Indian Ocean in the distance.

In this wonderful setting forty-two Seniors enjoyed a beautiful lunch served to us by the five Claddagh volunteers who accompanied us on the trip. We had a sausage sizzle, cold meats and salad with brown bread and apple pie and shortbread from Hetty’s Scullery.

Connecting with other seniors on these occasions is part of the enjoyment and we celebrated John O’Connor’s birthday, complete with cake and candles.

The expected rain did not start until we were on our way home.

64

Honouring ANZACs in Ireland

by Lloyd Gorman

ANZAC Day is widely commemorated across Australia but also marked in other parts of the world.

In Ireland the occasion is centred on Grangegorman Military Cemetery. Even though it's been a graveyard for more than 140 years most Dub’s would struggle to tell you anything about it or know where it is, but if you head up the eastern edge of Phoenix Park, go past the Garda headquarters and McKee Barracks, you’ll find it.

The cemetery was opened in 1876 as a burial site for British service personnel and their families, which explains in some part the reason for its obscurity. There are some 613 Commonwealth soldiers and relatives buried there from the first and second world wars.

Seven of those graves belong to seven Australian soldiers.

Private Arthur Murphy was the first to be buried at Grangegorman (on June 2, 2018) but four of the Diggers were laid to rest on the same day in 1918. Privates Joseph Barnes (28), Edwin Carter (33), Joseph Gratton (28) and Michael Smith (25) were all buried together on October 10, 1918 Three days later Private George Bardon was buried there while a month later (November 4) Private Charles Byrne was placed in the cemetery.

The 2018 annual ANZAC Day dawn service was held at 6.30am on Wednesday 25 April at Grangegorman Military Cemetery. It lasted about 30 minutes and was followed by a ‘gunfire’ breakfast. Members of the public were welcome to lay a wreath at the end of the service.

The Australian Embassy tweeted that it was honoured to host the annual dawn service. According to the embassy more than 6,600 Irish born men and women served with Australian forces during WW1.

None of the Diggers buried at Grangegorman are West Australians but there is a grave at St Michael’s Church of Ireland which belongs to a soldier who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in West Australia. Originally from Surry, England Thomas Paget Sudlow and his older brother Francis moved to WA as teenagers. They signed up together at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia

in September 1914. They both served at Gallipoli, but Francis was killed in action in May 1915 and buried at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Turkey. Thomas would go on to fight in France where he was wounded in July 1916 and was later moved to England where he died on August 12 1916 in a military hospital.

His body was sent to his sister Miss Sudlow, care of Rev. Webster, Blackrock, Cork and he was buried locally three days later.

It was not unusual for the bodies of ANZACs to be repatriated from the UK to Ireland. Private John Parnell Darmody was a railway worker in Queensland before he enlisted with the AIF in May 1915. He left Australia for Egypt in August 1915 and by March of the following year he was fighting in the Western Front, France. Private Darmody was wounded in the legs and shoulder during at attack on Pozieres Heights on 5 August 1916 and was evacuated to a hospital in Birmingham, England where he died from his wounds on 24 August. He was just 25.

His remains were sent to relatives at Ballanvoher, Powerstown, Clonmell for burial. His name is included on the Darmody family headstone.

Tasmanian born Ambrose Haley followed a similar path, enlisting in the AIF to do his bit for the war effort.

Unfortunately, during the Passchendaele campaign one of the bloodiest of WWI - Gunner Haley died on Christmas Day 1918 from cancer. He was 26. His body was taken to Ireland where it is buried in the family plot of relatives at Rosary Church in Midleton, Co. Cork. Three years later Ambrose’s cousin Timothy Christopher O’Sullivan was the next person remembered at the plot, when he was killed while serving with the I.R.A. at the Clonmult Ambush on 20th February 1921, at the aged of 28.

There may well be other individual Australian or New Zealand soldiers buried in Ireland. Given the strong and many links between Irish and Australia families and the large number of casualties of the war it would seem almost certain. These few examples were highlighted by the Australian embassy through its social media sites.

Lest We Forget 65

From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

Altan-ertive Music

by Paula Xiberras When I first call Altan’s Mairead Nimhagonaigh I get her answering machine, her soft, lilting voice speaking in her native Irish.

It seems fitting that this very traditional fluent Irish speaker should also be traditional when it comes to music.

When we finally connect Mairead enthuses about Australia, calling it ‘a lovely place’ and although Tasmania is not on the schedule for Altan’s tour, Mairead impresses me with the knowledge of Tasmania’s history as a former penal colony and the Irish that found their way here.

An accomplished fiddle player Mairead was taught to play the fiddle by her dad, in the Donegal style. If you are unfamiliar with what the ‘Donegal style’ means. It is explained by Mairead as like a person from a different country or even just a different area, having a different sound of speech.

Altan’s songs are very much accented in the Donegal style. The band’s name itself, refers to a lake in Donegal and was suggested

by Mairead’s father. The name ‘Altan’ was deemed appropriate for its direct and distinctive, Irishness but at the same time easily pronounced by non- Irish speakers.

Altan’s songs are inspired by Donegal’s beauty veiled in constant rain and other worldly mist and mystery. Altan lake cannot be

reached by car but instead the journey must be made on foot, adding to the mystery. The stillness of the water could be a metaphor for the band itself, a music to fine stillness and contemplation in as well as movement.

Mairead, a former teacher visits schools sharing Altan’s music. Mairead also has strong views on education believing it should aim to educate the whole person and shouldn’t be narrowed into specialised subjects and cites the Finnish model of education which recently eliminated subject boundaries. Mairead also believes the most important skill to teach students is communication, a skill required in whatever way their careers lead them, from the academic to the vocational because whatever the job it requires the employees to be clear in their communication. Communication is something that is of course essential to music, which in Altan’s case communicates to audiences, hearts and minds, touching and in some cases even healing them.

You can experience Altan at the following date and venue 16 June - Fly By Night, Fremantle

Celtic Caruso’s

by Paula Xiberras ‘Softly softly catchy monkey’, Matthew Gilsenan reminds me, is not a purely Irish phrase, it does however, refer to patience winning the day. Perhaps it signals it’s time for us to move more slowly and stop and savour the moment. Which makes it the perfect time to savour some superb Irish music performed by Ireland’s tenor-iffic trio ‘The Celtic Tenors’ when they arrive in Tasmania this weekend. The Celtic Tenors are Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson.

Several weeks ago I received a phone call from one of the tenors, Matthew Gilsenan and with a love of the Irish language myself I was ready to answer with the Irish greeting of ‘dia dhuit’. Matthew is amazed and impressed.

He explains to me through the history of The Celtic Tenor’s interviews the guys have had no one greet them in their native language. Matthew goes on to talk about Ireland’s growing multiculturalism and how he was pleasantly surprised to witness a young child from a Chinese background 66

prove themselves to be a best Irish speaker in their class at school!

Keeping with the topic of education Matthew himself trained to be an excellent engineer but with all his siblings musically inclined and his own love of music, it was no surprise when he engineered a move into music.

Music has taken Matthew around the world and that includes Tasmania. I’m pleasantly surprised to learn that he has visited Tasmania before as part of a cruise. He remarks to me how impressed he was by Hobart’s beautiful old buildings.

It’s arguably agreed that The Celtic Tenors do the best version of Danny Boy, ever! But it’s not all Irish songs in the group’s repertoire, they sing an eclectic mix of Irish, classical, folk and pop, serious stuff you might think but when I spoke to Matthew, he is quick to assure me these Celtic Caruso’s like to include an equal measure of comedic quips in their shows to lighten the mood. Those soft melting accents are there and so is the twinkle in those smiling Irish eyes.

Matthew tells me at the start of this whole experience of ‘The Celtic Tenors’ they promised themselves they would always choose good songs, including hybrid ones. For example we have an Australian song by a Scottish/Australian artist in Eric Bogle.

Of course there will be an Irish songbook which includes such favourites as ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Caledonia’, ‘Song for Ireland’ and ‘You raise me up’, ‘Spanish Lady’ and ‘Mairi’s wedding’ (Scottish Gaelic hybrid). We come full circle in regard to multiculturalism when Matthew reminds me that one of their songs ‘Forever Young’ will be a version of the Irish blessing, based on a ballad written by Bob Dylan making it an Irish song written by a Jewish American.

The three tenors each come from different religious backgrounds one is a Southern Catholic another a Northern Protestant and another, a different Christian denomination but together and through their careful selection of songs they prove that music is able to blur boundaries.

The Celtic Tenors, Matthew, James and Daryl performed in Tasmania in Devonport and Hobart in April.

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COURAGE AND CHARACTER ON THE FIELDS OF BATTLE AND GAELIC GAMES

By Lloyd Gorman

number of Free State soldiers killed and injured.

Lt Surgeon McQuaid went to the aid of a Corporal William Collins of Co. Galway who was mortally wounded. The surgeon put out the Red Cross flag to show he was a medic while he treated the dying man.

Despite identifying himself as a non-combatant he was shot and seriously wounded when a bullet perched and ripped open his rib cage and lodged in his right lung.

At this point Lt Colleran volunteered to carry Lt Surgeon McQuaid to safety where he could receive medical treatment. To do that he would have to carry the badly injured man over a mile of rugged terrain under enemy fire.

Before they began the evacuation bid the two men recited an act of contrition.

On at least three occasions during the desperate dash McQuaid asked Colleran to stop and lay him on the ground and told him how to push his right lung back under his rib cage with his fingers.

When they reached a make-shift field first aid post Lt McQuaid was still conscious. His rescuer - whose uniform was drenched in blood - went back to his comrades who were in action. When reinforcements

People often ask where we get a lot of the stories we publish in Irish Scene. The short answer is from everywhere. Quite often they stem from somebody approaching us with something they know which they hope will be of interest to our readers. The origins of this story started on a golf course. Sligoman, Joe Colleran, a regular golf buddy of Fred Rea said his family had recently discovered a 94 year old letter about an amazing story of courage and loyalty that happened to one of his uncles during the Irish Civil War. The letter was written by the late Archbishop of Dublin, Rev Dr John Charles McQuaid. The powerful church leader was writing to Lieut. Edward (Ned) Colleran from Currocunane, Curry, Co. Sligo in a very personal capacity. He was writing to thank him for his efforts to save the life of his younger brother, Eugene W. McQuaid.

Eugene had volunteered as a surgeon with the Western Command of the new Irish Free State Army.

On February 22, 1923, Eugene McQuaid was part of a contingent of soldiers travelling along the road at Shramore, Newport when they were ambushed by a large force of Anti-Treaty (Irregular) soldiers.

A six hour battle ensued in which there were a

The Sligo Football team of 1923 included the four Collaran brothers

68

arrived, the Irregulars retreated from the fight.

McQuaid was taken to Claremorris Military Hospital where - fully aware that he was dying - he dictated a letter to his mother. One of the things he told her was that he wanted her to write to Lt Colleran to thank him for his “courageous act in risking his own life for my sake”.

Just hours before he died on Sunday February 26 Eugene was visited by his brother Rev John Charles McQuaid, and a cousin Dr Mary Connolly.

He was buried with full military honours in Cootehill, Co. Cavan in what was the biggest funeral the town had ever seen.

The media and Red Cross roundly condemned the killing of a medic.

Edward Colleran survived the ambush which came just three months before the end of the civil war. He went on to take his place on the Sligo senior football team, where his brothers Paddy and Bernie were already established and respected players.

Edward was honoured by being selected on the All-Army football team that defeated All-Ireland champions Dublin for a set of gold medals in Croke Park later that year.

He resigned from the army in 1924 and in the following year he joined An Garda Síochána as a

detective. A farmer at heart he resigned from the Garda in 1931 to take over his aunt’s farm in Collonacool, Co. Sligo. He died in 1979.

Joe said his uncle had played an important part in the fight for independence and later as a member of the national army and then police force.

Edward Colleran never sought reward, payment or favour for his service to the Irish state. He considered it to be his patriotic duty to do so.

JOE COLLERAN WITH PHOTO OF HIS UNCLES At a recent Irish Claddagh Association senior's function at the Mighty Quinn, Fred Rea presented Joe Colleran with a photo of his 4 uncles in the Sligo team. Joe did not have a copy and was delighted to receive it.

No doubt it hangs proudly in Joe's home now, and so it should.

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The Main gig room has a 500 capacity hosting the hottest local, national and international, live music shows in town every Friday and Saturday night until midnight with DJ’s kicking on afterward until 2am. All shows are ticketed.

The “Hen House Live room” – small in size but maximum voltage. See some of Perth’s best up and coming bands smash it out in this great little dive bar room.

Great venue for your next party!

Visit.... https://badlands.bar/

Hermitage Green

Hermitage Green have built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe thanks to their captivating and unforgettable live sets. Playing gigs in South Africa, Australia, New York, Canada, Dubai, France and London, the band self-re70

leased the album ‘Hermitage Green- Live At Whelans’ in 2013 to the delight of their followers and captured the power of the band on stage.

Their unique arrangement of instruments that includes the bodhrán, djembe, rhythmic guitar and banjo sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish Music. They have already played alongside the likes of Gavin James, Josh Ritter, Walking On Cars and The Pogues and 2016 will see them bring their music to many, many more. You can catch them at Badlands on November 10... Book early... it will be a sellout!

Damien Dempsey

Damien Dempsey’s voice is all Dublin, yet wholly distinctive. It’s almost clichéd to say it, but he is part of a rich bloodline of Irish singers from Luke Kelly to Ronnie Drew, Christy Moore to Andy Irvine. To describe Damien Dempsey’s music to someone who hasn’t yet been exposed to it would be to take some reggae, fuse it with traditional Irish music, add in rock and folk and put it all through a grounded working class worldly aware yet caring consciousness, and you’re some bit of the way there.

Dempsey now has legend status in Irish Rock music and it will be a huge gig at Badlands on November 11, so book early for this one...

Fred Rea

land of

&

Ireland

honey

An Irish Airman foresees his Death

By William Butler Yeats

I know that I shall meet my fate Somewhere among the clouds above; Those that I fight I do not hate, Those that I guard I do not love; My country is Kiltartan Cross, My countrymen Kiltartan’s poor, No likely end could bring them loss Or leave them happier than before.

Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, Nor public men, nor cheering crowds, A lonely impulse of delight Drove to this tumult in the clouds; I balanced all, brought all to mind, The years to come seemed waste of breath, A waste of breath the years behind In balance with this life, this death.

Yeats wrote the poem in honor of Major Gregory, who fought and died in the air war against Germany in World War One. Major Gregory was the son of Lady Gregory, an Irish aristocrat who was a strong supporter of the arts (especially Irish arts) and a very close friend of Yeats. Kiltartan, mentioned in lines 5 and 6 of the poem refers to the region that Lady Gregory lived in.

Yeats writes the poem as though he is the aviator, about to meet his demise. The first two lines prepare the reader for what lies ahead. The pilot will die. Yeats doesn't dally with that point because he has more important thoughts to convey. He moves on to establish the pilot's motives. The pilot chose to fly and fight in the war, not because he hated the Imperial Germans, nor because he loved his country; and he didn't do it for fame or fortune. The pilot flew for one reason only; the sheer joy of flying. Yeats does not try to portray Major Gregory as an heroic character, sacrificing life and limb for the greater good of mankind. Again, for Yeats to emphasize this would defeat the purpose of the poem.

With the line, "I balanced all, brought all to mind," Yeats begins to tell the reader what Major Gregory has to tell us about life and death. But let us linger at this line a moment. In it, Yeats is not merely saying that Major Gregory saw his life pass before his eyes. He balanced ALL, brought ALL to mind. Important news is at hand! Indeed! It is a waste of time and energy to live in the past, as well as to live always for what might be (the future). In reality, and especially at that moment before death, all that matters is the present. Perhaps that moment before death is the only moment when one can truly realize and wholeheartedly believe that. For it is exceptionally difficult to look at one's own life without hoping it will be better in the future or thinking about "how nice it was when . . ." Indeed, I don't believe that one should live wholly in the present. Both the knowledge of the past and the extrapolation to future events are extremely important guides through life. But what Yeats is trying to convey, is that any moment may be your last, so live it to it's fullest. Live like you mean it!

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

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Minister Jim Daly giving the President's Mesaage at the St Patrick's Day Mass

Minister gets a warm welcome in Perth

and older people - also met with the West Australian government’s Minister for Health Roger Cook and shared Ireland’s experiences in those fields.

The minister also visited WA’s Irish born Minister for Health and Disability Services in Parliament House. The minister also paid his respects at a special ceremony in Kings Park to Tipperary born Martin O’Meara, who won a Victoria Cross in World War 1 with a West Australian unit. The minister also visited St John of God Subiaco Hospital - which recently celebrated its 120th anniversary of being

By Lloyd Gorman and Fred Rea

Ireland’s minister of state at the Department of Health Jim Daly TD, swapped his constituency of West Cork to West Australia for a few days on his recent tour of New Zealand and Australia for St. Patrick’s Day. Fresh from a successful TransTasman visit the minister touched down in Perth for a busy three days of engagements and meetings with state, local and community representatives and members of the Irish diaspora that coincided with Perth’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival.

Mr Daly delivered President Higgins annual St. Patrick’s Day message at the traditional ass in St. Mary’s Cathedral. He was a guest of honour at the parade and festival - the biggest of its kind in the southern hemisphere - and later that night visited Perth’s brand new, state of the art $1.2 billion Optus Stadium which - along with other landmark Wreath at Martin O'Meara's memorial buildings and in Kings Park locations in the city and across the world - was bathed in green light for the first time in honour of Ireland’s patron saint.

Minister Daly - who has special responsibility for mental health

Visit to Parliament House.... Stephen Dawson, Jim Daly, Alanna Clohesy and Marty Kavanagh.

established by Irish nuns - to learn more about how the hospital uses systems from Irish technology company Sonru in its recruitment process. Minister Daly - who was a primary school teacher before becoming a TD in 2011 - also visited An Gorta Mór famine memorial in Subiaco and also addressed a reception in the Irish Club.

“Its been a very fleeting visit, but a very memorable three days with a very warm welcome,” Mr Daly said at the Irish Club event. Having been appointed to a ministerial position by Taoiseach Leo Vadarkar just nine months earlier he said he was excited to find out where he would be sent to represent the Irish government. “I have never been to this part of the world and I was down in New Zealand and I had a really, really impressive six days down there, a lot of travelling and an awful amount of the Irish there and was truly impressed by the sincerity and genuine warmth of the welcome. People were so eager, willing and open to just meet and chat and to raise issues and be 72

Minister Daly with Tom Quinn, President of The Irish Club

helpful to me. I met some ministers there whose departments mirror my own and I got to share ideas and we were able to do lots of deals with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, the companies they support and to open up markets and benefit trade.”

Minister Daly said the strength of the Irish community around the world was the envy of other countries. “I remember when the now Premier of China Xi Jinping when he was Vice Premier - visited Ireland and the one thing he asked when he was leaving he said, “There is one thing I would like to know, how do you create community?”.

He said Ireland was unique in its ability to create communities and it's really impressive to see the same ability out here, so it doesn’t

Minister says a silent prayer at the 'An Gorta Mor' at the Famine Memorial in Subiaco

Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland

Minister Daly's visits to various events around Perth...

Minister Daly with Michael Nolan, former Hon WA Irish Consul

have to do with Ireland, it has to do with the Irish people who create communities. It's obviously more challenging for you here but probably more rewarding in other ways to create that community out here, to support and to protect and to direct people. If they are a young person coming out to a land of dreams and hopes and ambitions, or whether some tragedy befalls you or if it is in your later years you need help, assistance, comfort or companionship. Whatever you require it's very good to know that the Irish citizens are being looked after by people who genuinely care and are contributing in such a myriad of ways through these organisations and clubs and the contribution you are making to Irishness in Australia. I sincerely want to thank each and every one of you for your involvement in your organisations or groups and for flying the flag with such dignity and ensuring we can all on the island of Ireland hold our heads high and we can travel anywhere in the world, even far flung parts, because of the reputation you have created for us as Irish people the world over. It is my official duty and responsibility to thank each and every one of you for what you have done for the Irish family here, down through the years and the different organisations that are promoting our Irishness.”

He said it was also a real pleasure to have been there to share the success of the Irish rugby team at Twickenham winning the 6 nations and the triple crown. “I was here last night, and my feet were stuck to the ground, watching the game. What an amazing victory and incredible feeling on St. Patrick’s Day and the rugby to crown it all off. Go Raibh Maith Agat go leor.”

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

The Ruin

By Dervla McTiernan

Reviewed by Danielle O’Leary Cork born, Perth based writer Dervla McTiernan is a breath of fresh air on the Australian and Irish writing scenes. Her debut, The Ruin, is considered to be the most addictive crime fiction of 2018.

The novels opens on young, trainee Garda officer Cormac Reilly who responds to a call on a winter’s night in the far west of Ireland in 1993. He finds two children, 15 year-old Maude and five-year-old Jack Blake, sitting in the dark while their mother, Hilaria, is dead upstairs from a drug overdose. While at the hospital, questions are raised about whether the overdose was selfinflicted, and Maude disappears.

Twenty years later, the reader meets Jack again who is now engaged to a young doctor, Aisling, who just announced her pregnancy. Cormac Reilly returns to Galway after a successful career in Dublin to find he is working on a 20-year-old cold case of Hilaria Blake. Jack goes missing and Cormac questions the coincidence.

Maude returns from Australia, and along with Aisling, comes many stories about corruption, history and family.

And that is just the opening. It is impossible to predict what is to come.

The novel is set in Ireland, with character links to Australia and America. It truly is, in every sense, an Irish novel. The links to other countries make it a distinctive piece of Irish writing – rarely is a novel focused only the homeland. Links out, to other countries, is important.

McTiernan’s novel spans an interesting time in Ireland. The novel opens in 1993, just before the election of Mary Robinson, and returning to 2003, in the height of the Celtic Tiger.

Setting the novel in such a fascinating period in

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Ireland is not accidental. There is a sense of diversity in this novel not often seen in previous Irish writing, but it a sign of things to come. The change felt in Ireland is hinted at in an effortless and subtle way; whether it is a mention of a migrant food shop, or an allusion to scandals surrounding the Catholic church. These are all small markers of larger change in the nation.

And what McTiernan does best: she shows the reader the change in an engaging yet subtle way, rather than tells them explicitly about it. It seems McTiernan has something to say about these changes. She is definitely the type of woman I’d like to have a tea (or wine) with.

As a debut, it is incredibly strong. It shows a style and restraint that is not often seen in a first novel. What I love most about McTiernan’s style is the ease of writing – she doesn’t let superfluous words or unnecessary description get in the way of what is a great story.

Instead, she lets you, the reader, fall into the lives of multiple characters. McTiernan’s attention to detail is so realistic and enthralling that, sometimes, you need to remind yourself that it is fiction.

You know, I often dislike when people ask me what they should read next. It can be a tough ask as your taste may not line up with theirs. With The Ruin, if you love a good story that will leave you questioning everything and wanting more, it is easy to recommend.

And if you love it, you’ll be happy to know that the next book is out in March next year. McTiernan is leading the charge for female crime writers, and I think her writing will, somehow, only get better.

The Ruin is Published by HarperCollins $32.99

The Story of Looking

By Mark Cousins

Reviewed by John Hagan Over a lengthy and illustrious career, film star Kirk Douglas must have given thousands of media interviews. The one which the Hollywood legend considered his best ever was that conducted by Belfast born, Mark Cousins.

For five years, Cousins presented the BBC2 series Moviedrome and Scene by Scene, which focused on film, and included interviews with celebrities such as Scorsese, Polanski, Steiger, Lynch and Douglas.

In this, his latest, well illustrated book, Cousins voyages at length across the art and science of film, painting, photography, urban development, technology and religion. His approach to these topics reminded me of John Berger’s ground-breaking, Ways of Seeing.

Cousins begins his book surmising how an infant homo sapiens might have seen the world, concluding, some 400 pages later, meditating on the visual impressions of

painter, Paul Cezanne. As a film buff, I was interested to see how Cousins – famous for his book, The Story of Film – relies on cinematic stills as visual images to illustrate his view of the world.

Covering so much ground as he does, the best parts of the book are in the detail and not in the wide ranging scope of topics and subjects considered.

It may also be a bit confusing to use ‘looking’ in the title, since the book is mostly about things being ‘looked at’. For media and/or art students, The Story of Looking will undoubtly prove to be an informative reference book.

The Story of Looking is published by A&u Canongate. $49.99

Tomny

O’BRIEN

Bloody January

Special Guest performer:

TOMMY O’BRIEN WOODVALE TAVERN Function Room Trappers Drive, Woodvale Cost: $10

By Alan Parks

Reviewed by John Hagan Detective Harry McCoy is summoned to Scotland’s infamous, Barlinnie Prison where he is told that waitress Laura Skirving is soon to be murdered.

Despite his best efforts, McCoy is unable to prevent Lorna’s killing, or that of her executioner who shoots himself immediately after her death. McCoy sets out to discover just why Laura was shot, and what led her assassin to commit suicide.

Set in Glasgow during the 1970s, this novel might be considered as fairly standard ‘Tartan Noir’. The cops are drunken, foul mouthed, and sometimes corrupt; clients of the local vice girls are judges, lawyers, aristocrats and polis (cops); the city, in all its gritty ugliness, is seemingly awash with drugs, dropouts, protection rackets and violence.

While the plot is not the most original, Parks’ central character, Harry McCoy, seems destined to join the heady ranks of Scotland’s first hard-man cop, William McIlvanney’s Jack Laidlaw, amongst the pantheon of memorable, crime-busters. Not that McCoy is a cop of great moral rectitude; he likes sniffing drugs, consorting with prostitutes and gangsters, and while he may drink too much, he is very much old-school polis, driven by an innate sense of justice and fairness.

Bloody January is Parks’ initial novel, and like many first books, the author seems determined to pack in as much detail as possible, while attempting to lure the reader into a hectic, page-turning, frenzy.

Parks will undoubtly write better McCoy tales than this, but be warned, this novel is not for anyone who gets easily offended by strong language, explicit violence and misogyny.

Bloody January is published by A&UCanongate. $29.99

Tues 8 May 7.30pm

Pre- Show Bookings: David 0413 259 547

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I like most movies and actors. I do like ‘The Quiet Man’.

What is your impression of the ‘Irish Scene’ magazine?

I love the Irish Scene. You get to read about all walks of life and it keeps you in touch with what is happening around Perth, loads of information as well. I often send a few magazines home to family and friends, which they enjoy.

What is your profession?

I worked for the disability Services Commission for around 40 years. I retired ten years ago. I still do some casual work with them which I love and it keeps me in touch with everyone who has been a huge part of my life.

Did you ever play a sport, if so what sport?

I have never played sport, I just wasn’t the sporty kind of person and not a lover of watching it either.

Will you ever go back to Ireland to live?

I have been asked many times if I would like to move back home to live. My life is here and I am very happy with it. Perth is a great place to live.

What hotel is your favourite watering hole?

The Mighty Quinn is my favourite watering hole. I have been to most of the Irish pubs and the Irish Club.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I am not very fond of travelling, Perth will do me!

With Tony Synnott

Maisie O’Mara

Sister of the late Nancy O’Mara works in care and loves her job. Maisie still gets called on to help-out but as she added with a smile “I’m an old lady now at 75”.

Maisie still has lots of energy and keeps herself very fit!

When did you leave home and where to?

I left home at the age of 20. My cousins and I were going to go to New Zealand but we did not go as I had never left home and my family were worried I would get homesick. I came to Perth and love it here.

How far back does your memory go?

My memory takes me back to around four years of age, when I was sent to school.

What type of school did you go to?

It was a very small mixed school. One teacher and a lot of the times were without a teacher. The school was in Glensaul in Co. Mayo.

The Irish Club is great for the Irish, what about you?

When I first came to Australia the Irish Club was one of the first places I went to. We met a lot of Irish and made a lot of friends. It was like home away from home, a great meeting place.

What made you come to Perth and how long ago?

My sister Nancy and I came to Perth the last day of 1974. We had a cousin Fr. O’Mara who was the Parish Priest in Dianella. We stayed with him for three months. He always used to say, “come to Perth, you’ll love it”, and he was right. I am here now around 43 years.

Do you go to the Cinema, what’s your favourite and film and actor?

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Irish Theatre Players Inc., are a not-forprofit, volunteer group who exist entirely to entertain both Irish and local audiences here in Perth. If you’d like more information, or like to get involved, please check out our website – www.irishteatreplayers.com.au email itp@irishtheatreplayers.com.au or visit our facebook page; www.facebook.com/irishtheatreplayers.

A Message from President,

Claire Wynne

We look forward to seeing you soon!

You may have noticed that Irish Theatre Players have been quieter than usual, so far this year! Unfortunately, our usual venue - the Irish Club in Subiaco - was unavailable to us for our usual first season. However, all systems are now go for our next season.

'Constellations' Coming Soon!

Opening on June 7th, we’re excited to bring you “Constellations” by young English playwright, Nick Payne. This simple, yet complex 2-hander play, directed by Brendan Ellis, sees the welcome return of our “Best Actor 2017” award winner, Paul Davies, and newcomer to ITP, Madelaine Jones. “One relationship – infinite possibilities…”. Tickets are now on sale online via www.trybooking.com/VLKA or on our booking line; 0404006005.

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20–22 April, 2018 Fairbridge Festival is back for 2018!

Don’t miss another incredible line-up of folk, world and roots music, and featuring authentic Irish and Celtic bands.

A family-friendly favourite, Fairbridge is festival camping at its very best. The music is rich, the food is fresh, the beer is local and the company is second-to-none.

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

Melbourne’s own Irish-born GALLIE is a true festival performer: wowing audiences in recent years at Queenscliff Music Festival, Yackandandah and The National Celtic Festival. He’s a contemporary troubadour, travelling the world sharing his songs and his next stop is Fairbridge.

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

It was a brilliant celebration of folk, world and roots music 78

TROJAN HORSE for

St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

by Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Flanegan Heirloom

Rocking Horses

Handcrafted in Dwellingup

by Grant Flanegan 0407 117 972 Grant.flanegan61@gmail.com View Rocking Horses Display at Crossroads Gallery, Dwellingup Find us on Facebook

Grant Flanagan makes handsome handmade wooden rocking horses that can harbour family secrets for future generations. The master woodworker is also something of a trojan horse himself, with an internal yearning to discover and explore his own family heritage.

He was born in Bordertown, South Australia but moved to Koolan Island, off the Kimberley coast of WA (nearly 2,000km north of Perth). After five years there he went to Paraburdoo in the Pilbara where he went to high school and also learned his trade as a carpenter and joiner. He left there in 1983 and has been in Dwellingup since. So, he is a true-blue Aussie and West Australian, but he is experiencing a dawning of his heritage and hopes to share his gift with the Irish community.

“I’ve never been involved with the Irish Club or group like that, but whenever St. Patrick’s Day came around I always felt I’m missing out, and that I should be amongst my people, because probably somewhere along the way there’s a whole lot of cousins of mine out there I didn’t even know exist. Because being a Flanagan, with an E, when we came along there was either a spelling mistake or something else. Apparently one of my relations jumped ship to stay in Australia, he didn’t want to go back on the boat. My brother and sister, Shane and Julie, have both been to Ireland and researched our links and found connections over there, but for myself I’ve never been.”

Grant says he choose to come to Dwellingup four years ago because of the vast abundance of timber grown in the region. He has made a lot of furniture for people but grew tired of building “boxes” that people no longer tended to pass down the generations and wanted to explore his creative side.

“I had this incredible craving to build something and I wanted to leave a legacy,” he added. “About six years ago I found myself building little rocking horses for people and it escalated from there. I’ve been able to create these horses.” A prolific worker and a perfectionist when it comes to detail Grant quickly found that he could make a ‘small’ horse very quickly and that he wanted to create even larger and more detailed and intricate versions. This lead him to develop a signature feature of his creations. “I wanted the bodies to look like the body of a horse, not a flat box kind of thing, which is normally the way they are made. That didn’t look right to me. I began to think about how to expand the bodies in thickness, length and height.”

In trying to avoid having a flat underneath Grant devised a way to build a hidden chamber inside the ‘box’ of the horse.

“They can be ridden as you would expect but all my horses have a time capsule,” he said. Inside the chamber families can stow away family trees, photographs another precious memorabilia which grandparents or parents might want to share with future generations. This feature, and the quality of the horses, with practically every part being handmade and crafted by Grant and his friend and co-worker Jenny Dickinson who makes saddles and bridles, has made them a popular gift and enduring heirloom.

“I’d like one to be part of the St. Patrick’s Day parade,” he added.

“I’ll make one and put it into a stance and paint it exactly the right colours and shamrocks and then probably put it out there in a raffle.”

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WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. DNA Testing

- it’s all the rage!

If you watch any TV you’re sure to come across those Ancestry advertisements for DNA testing. The ads encourage you to discover your so-called “ethnicity” through spitting in a tube and posting it off to the lab.

Family history researchers have mixed feelings about these ads. On the one hand, the more people whose DNA is registered with Ancestry, the more chance you have to match a distant cousin who has critical information that breaks through that genealogical dead end of yours.

The big “but” is that “ethnicity” is not the way to find a distant match and is not a very reliable indicator of where your ancestors come from, especially the origins that you only have a small percentage of.

Six people appear before you in identical clothes.

You are told the countries they come from: one is from Ireland, one from Sweden, one from Germany, one from Wales and one from England. Your task is to tell which is which. You’d have a hard time doing it accurately. It’s a bit like that with DNA. DNA doesn’t come labelled with its geographical origins.

To produce an “ethnicity” estimate the DNA testing companies have to compare your DNA with that from a number of reference panels of people whose families have come from the same location over 4-5 generations, about 150 years. But our DNA comes from all our ancestors, not just over the past 150 years (roughly to your great great grandparents). What happened before that?

In Europe, for example, we know there was a lot of migration on large and smaller scales going back hundreds and hundreds of years. In school you no doubt heard of the arrival in England of Vikings, Romans, Normans, and so on. This happened in other countries too. The invaders left their DNA of course!

Other groups migrated for trade, security, opportunity and other reasons. Just like today. National boundaries formed and were changed, but DNA was ignorant of such formalities.

We get roughly half our DNA from each parent, who have each got half from each of their parents, and so on. The reference panels for some locations is not

79 80

large. So the laboratory test results do not always carry a degree of accuracy that you can rely on, for say, 1% Scandinavian. It will depend on the size and range of the relevant reference panel and how far back this ancestor was in your tree.

I should interrupt this little rant to mention that this applies to autosomal DNA tests, which analyse the DNA from your chromosome pairs numbered 1-22, excluding the 23rd pair. The last are the sex chromosomes - either two Xs (females) or an X and a Y (males). Autosomal tests are the most common. Ancestry holds by far the biggest database of autosomal DNA results with over 7 million worldwide. Five other companies are working hard to catch up: Family Tree DNA, 23andMe, My Heritage and Living DNA. You might then question what use is DNA testing? Is it just to make the testing companies rich? In addition to “ethnicity”, DNA test results give something far more valuable to family history researchers: lists of people who have some of the same DNA as you and the size of the matching DNA segments. With this you can spend the coming months (years?) trying to work out how you are related with some of these people you match with. As long as the match is a decent size, you must be related. DNA does not lie.

By way of illustration I’ll tell you my Talbot story.

My paternal grandfather was a mystery. Though I knew him till he died when I was in year 12, what he told the family about his origins “did not prove to be very accurate”. A nice way to say that he lied. Over many years I discovered that his maternal grandmother had Irish parents and I set about finding out more about them. Their names were William Kirby and Euphemia (Effie) Talbot, both born about 1800, probably in Dublin. With more years of digging, and as more Irish records were digitised, I discovered that they married in 1823 in Dublin and later moved to Liverpool, England with their three sons. Even after 20 years of searching I have still never seen any record of Effie’s birth. But I guessed that her father was John Noble Talbot, who was an excise clerk at Customs House and at one time lived nearby in Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin. He married in 1800 and again in 1825, and died in 1828 aged just 56.

As they were Protestant lots of their records probably went up in the 1922 fire in the Public Records Office.

So much of my evidence is circumstantial; there were several men called John Noble Talbot in Dublin then and it was easy to mix them up. Anyhow, I reasoned, they were probably connected. I guessed that Effie’s father was born about 1772.

Imagine my joy then, on discovering in August 2017 that a new match to my DNA was a Frances Talbot, living in Dublin. Talbots, in Dublin! Woohoo! Four generations before her had lived in Dublin, she said, when I contacted her. The amount of DNA we shared was not large. We’d be about 4th cousins by Ancestry’s estimation. She was just starting out on her family history and had a small online family tree that neatly

fitted into mine! This confirmed I was on the right track.

We may make errors with the paper records - but the DNA doesn’t lie. One DNA testing project has revealed that documented 4th cousins share between 0 and 127 centimorgans of DNA, with an average of 35 cM. For 5th cousins the range is 0 to 94, with an average of 25.

Frances and I share just 20 cM, well in the range for both 4th and 5th cousins. Not only that, but Frances also shares about the same amount of DNA with my brother, increasing the chance that this is a real match.

We can now confidently trace our ancestors back six generations to John Noble Talbot and Mary Chappell, our most recent common ancestors, our great, great great, great grandparents. This makes us 5th cousins.

Amazing! The power of DNA testing combined with record-based family history research.

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.

In 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!

Jenni Ibrahim Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group, WA Genealogical Society (retiring April 2018)

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

To learn more

Thank You Jenni

WAGS DNA Special Interest Group https://goo.gl/ sy2s3h Genie1, Louise Coakley’s website www.genie1.com.au/ International Society for Genetic Genealogy https:// isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA Facebook group - Using DNA – Australia & NZ

Jenni Ibrahin has been writing for The Irish Scene for a number of years on behalf of WAGS. Jenni is taking a rest and we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her contributions over a number of years.

He support and encouragement is appreciated and we wish her well in her future endeavours.

Fred Rea, Publisher

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,

Where strangers are friends you just haven’t met yet.

Pub grub, plus trivia, live music and sports, in a boisterous Irish tavern with outdoor seating.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am–11pm Fri: 11am–12am Sat: 11am–12am Sun: 10am–10pm

bia maith I Fionn Maith I amanta maithe

Joondalup 9300 9966 paddymalones.com.au

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Ireland’s Senator Frances Black receives an international humanitarian award in Washington Singer, charity CEO and politician, Senator Frances Black, was chosen as the Arab American Institute Foundation’s (AAIF) recipient of the 'Award for Individual Achievement' at its 20th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards.

Senator Black travelled from Dublin to Washington to receive the prestigious award at a black-tie ceremony on April 26 in Washington, DC, which was presented by NBC’s Vivian Salama.

Through its annual awards ceremony, AAIF recognises those individuals, organisations and communities whose work, commitment and support make a difference in promoting coexistence and inclusion in all walks of life. They are named after Lebanese writer and poet Kahlil Gibran, whose message of human endurance and triumph was so evident in his life and work.

The foundation said that Frances was chosen in recognition of her "steadfast commitment to public service and tireless efforts on behalf of those struggling with addiction and their families." Previous recipients of the award she received include former Irish president, Mary Robinson, Queen Noor of Jordan, singer/songwriter Sting, actress Salma Hayek, and former Polish president, Lech Walesa.

“Her compassion for the vulnerable and forgotten and her consistent dedication to social justice is what makes Senator Black a positive change-maker,” said AAIF president, James Zogby. “She has the courage of her convictions to challenge government-processes when they fall short, and that makes her a trailblazer and role model for all those who pursue justice wherever it is needed. Her career is a great example that an individual’s call to service can take many forms.”

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Frances received her award at a gala event that brought together approximately 600 attendees, including leaders from every industry, members of the House, Senate and Administration, journalists, academics, media and celebrities.

“I am deeply honoured to have received this award and would like to thank AAIF for this huge honour,” says Frances. “I’m blown away at receiving international recognition for my work in Ireland and will continue to fight for the rights of others, particularly those who are marginalised, underprivileged and oppressed.”

Letter from James McCloskey To his cousin, Peter McKenna Project Manager of An Gort Mor Famine Memorial in Subiaco

Hi Peter, I checked out your Subiaco Famine Monument you sent me on the link, what a beautiful sculpture. I have been privileged to have seen more than a few of Ireland’s sculptural tributes of the famine. But the one image from this historical tragedy, which will always stick with me we came across on a family holiday in Dingle Co. Kerry. We had arrived not knowing how popular a place with tourists it was, stopping off at the information centre, the girls sent us to a B&B at a farmhouse up in the middle of the hills. It was a little bit off the beaten track, but it was ideal for the kids as the owners had a couple of their own around the same age.

After a few days of doing the tourist attractions Ring of Kerry, out on the boat to see the dolphin, and the like, I was sitting outside having a smoke one evening enjoying the last of the sunshine (a good summer for a change).

The owners and their older kids were on the tennis court

(proper built court in the middle of nowhere?), when the father came out to ask how we were getting on? I had to say that this was in the day before they had these digital cameras. I had been fascinated by the lines upon lines of vivid red running up though the hills and along the roadsides locally, so I asked him the significance of it all.

He told me that as they made their way to get out of the country during the famine, people in their thousands made for the coastal ports to get a boat. He said that the surrounding hills and roadsides where full of people waiting for boat’s and ship’s, for many this also was as far as they would get.

In the hills and roadsides ditches they buried their dead friends and family who died along the way. Without the means to place any headstones they’d mark their dead with broken pieces from the honeysuckle bush. In that warm evening sunshine as I gazed upon the thousands upon thousands of honeysuckle bushes that clearly defined the area, I could not imagine the horrors these people found themselves in. He added that in the surrounding area people will add a cutting from the honeysuckle bush to the coffin of 83

a family member.

Thanks to the internet and the energies of Irish emigrants around the world, stories from the Irish famine are being told.

I do find it surprising, that there was a failure of the English government of the day in allowing this to happen. I suppose it should not have been a surprise to find out that, this moment in history wouldn’t be taught in English schools. Most recently I was following a thread on twitter, in which someone was talking about the famine. The other person had idea that ship’s continued to be loaded with grain and other foods as thousands of starving an hungry watch through locked dock gates.

I don’t know about your school days Peter, but it wasn’t really a subject that was expanded upon by any teacher while I was attending school. Maybe we just couldn’t grasp the magnitude of the event?

The Wild Honeysuckle

By Philip Freneau

Fair flower, that dost so comely grow, Hid in this silent, dull retreat, Untouched thy honied blossoms blow, Unseen thy little branches greet: No roving foot shall crush thee here, No busy hand provoke a tear.

By Nature’s self in red arrayed, She bade thee shun the vulgar eye, And planted here the guardian shade, And sent soft waters murmuring by; Thus quietly thy summer goes, Thy days declining to repose.

Smit with those charms, that must decay, I grieve to see your future doom; They died— nor were those flowers more gay, The flowers that did in Eden bloom; Unpitying frosts and Autumn’s power Shall leave no vestige of this flower.

From morning suns and evening dews At first thy little being came; If nothing once, you nothing lose, For when you die you are the same; The space between is but an hour, The frail duration of flower.

Learning the lessons of free secondary schooling in Ireland

By Lloyd Gorman

The introduction of free second-level schooling in Ireland 50 years ago was marked locally in Perth recently. Professor Tom O'Donoghue from UWA's Graduate school of Education has published a new book 'Teacher Preparation in Ireland: History, Policy and Future Directions published by Emerald Publishing Ltd. (UK). The publication examines how the quality of teacher education has affected and continues to affect the quality of education in Ireland and can inform future policy development around the world.

Since the initiative was announced in 1967, secondary education completion rates have risen from only 50% to now more than 90% of Ireland’s population, one of the highest rates of completion in the European Union.

Professor O’Donoghue, who co-

wrote the publication with Professor Teresa O’Doherty, Mary Immaculate College Limerick (MIC) and Professor Judith Harford, University College Dublin (UCD), said without a clear understanding of the history of teacher education we can’t be properly informed when making policy decisions.

“This book is only the first in a large series," said Prof O'Donoghue.

"The next volume will be on Australia, followed by Singapore, New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, Zambia, France, Scotland and England.

Each will be written by an international scholar in the field”, Professor O’Donoghue said.

“It is only by coming to an understanding of the situation in a wide variety of other countries that we can come to a comprehensive understanding of the situation in our own country.”

While 'Teacher Preparation in Ireland' is a subject matter he knows well and is the first cab off the rank in the planned series of reports, Tom is also proud of it for another reason.

"It is my 30th book with an international publisher, which is rather pleasing after all of my years here at UWA," he added.

Tom was born in Lismore, County Waterford and attended primary and secondary school there. He went on to graduate with an honours BA from he University of Limerick in 1975, being in the first ever group to graduates from there.

From then until 1989, he was a school teacher in Ireland, a Master in Education student (graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1984), a Master of Arts student (graduated from University College Dublin in 1986) and a PhD student (graduated from the National University Ireland in 1988).

From June 1989, until the latter half of 1991 when he came to Australia, Tom was a leading teacher educator in Papua New Guinea, involved in curriculum development across that nation. This work laid the foundation for much of his later international work. During this pe84

riod he expanded his interest and research in his leading area of scholarship (history of education) to a broad range of international topics in the field. His work is largely informed by theoretical perspectives from the social sciences. The outcome is that he has played a major role in helping members of the educational community in various parts of the world come to understand their present-day concerns.

He describes himself as a specialist in the history of education in the English-speaking world, with particular reference to the history of teachers and the process of education in faith-based schools. This includes, but also extends well beyond, studies on Ireland and Australia.

"Another strand in my work is concerned with examining the historical antecedents of various contemporary educational issues," he added.

"Again, this focuses on Ireland and Australia, as well as on education in post-conflict societies in various parts of the world."

In his spare, non-academic, time he also writes a lot in Irish, having grown up with parents who passed on to him the 'Deise' dialect of Irish, which he also has succeeded in maintaining through frequent visits 'home'.

Gathering in Wanneroo

Jim Daly TD at The Irish Club

VISITING

Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 Hillarys WA 6923

Ireland?

Gerry & Elsie Tully will give a great welcome!

DIVINE MERCY BED AND BREAKFAST

info@mckeefamilyfunerals.com.au

Airport Road, Knock Co Mayo Phone: (094) 9388 178 International: 0011 353 94 9388 178

www.mckeefamilyfunerals.com.au

Tel (08) 9401 1900 • Fax: 9401 1911

Mob: 0413 337 785

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SHAMROCK

Rovers

SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY McLOUGHLIN'S BUTCHERS MALAGA

Shamrock Rovers has commenced its season for 2018 with our under 18's, reserves and first teams competing in State League Division 2. Across the squads there are new faces, with a strong injection of youth and promising talent under the guidance of head coach Gerry McEwen.

We would like to introduce our new President Marty Burke, who has been heavily involved with the committee and coaching for 20 years. The club is urgently seeking volunteers on match days for the following roles: • Ground marshals.

• Canteen and food preparation.

• Washing kits.

• Social Media and Fundraising.

• Physiotherapist/Sports trainer.

• Bunnings Sausage Sizzles: 13th May & 4th June (Public Holiday).

• Match Day set up.

We are also seeking new committee members with fresh ideas to promote and build the club within the community.

Our goal for this year is to successfully set up junior teams for the commencement of the 2019 season..

We would like to thank former president Mick Manning for his many years of service and wish him well for his future.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Marty Burke: 0410 081 386 Thomas Hoey: 0419 859 348 Ciaran Launders: 0430 361 178 Paul McLoughlin : 0409 099 486 Paul Doyle: 0430 080 019 Patrick Caffrey: 0403 608 656 COACHES: Gerry McEwen: 0414 296 716 Adam Walsh: 0404 561 695 Gary Delaney: 0499 084 946 Dean Keatings: 0415 534 204

Under 18s

Reserves

Seniors President Marty Burke with sponsor Gay Collins of Pipeline Technics

Our Coaches

McLoughlin Butchers Malaga Drop in and see our range of Irish prepared meats 58 Westchester Rd, Malaga WA 6090

mcloughlinbutchers.com.au Like us on facebook 88

Linda Launders

A FOOTBALL

VOLUNTEER

Linda Launders moved to Perth with her family 15 years ago. Like all people who moved it took her and her husband Ciaran and their two children Sarah and Martin time to settle.

However, Linda’s love of football especially Glasgow Celtic, meant travelling in to the Perth Celtic Supporters Club at Rosie O’Grady’s to watch games and meet fellow Celtic supporters made her feel at home.

When her son Martin started playing for Wanneroo City FC, she soon became a volunteer at the club and then on to the junior committee and so began five years of committee work.

Hail, rain or shine, for five years she opened the canteen on Sunday mornings with Steve Hallam and the other committee members staying till the last junior game and the sausage sizzle was finished. When finances were done in the afternoon and 10 cents went missing nothing got done in the Launders house till it was accounted for. That was Linda! After five years Linda stepped aside due to work commitments but was happy that things were happening at Wanneroo especially the new club rooms and lights.

After this her son Martin went to Shamrock Rovers and when husband Ciaran along with Tom Hoey joined the committee she once again started to help in the back ground. She organised a very successful race night at the Irish Club and when Rovers had a sausage sizzle at the St Patrick’s Day Festival, it was Linda who stepped up to organise it.

Sadly two years ago she got diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer, but Linda faced it head on. The first year she had 18 sessions of chemo and 24 radiology sessions. After six weeks of remission it came back and once again she took it on. Even sitting in the chemo chair, she would talk about how to make Rovers a better club. Sadly, Linda passed away on the 16th of October 2017.

To remember Linda, when Shamrock Rovers play Wanneroo City 3pm on Saturday, June 23rd at Harold Rossiter Park, Etwell Street, East Victoria Park it will be a fund-raising event for Breast Cancer Western Australia.

Rovers will wear pink on the day so come down and help put a smile on Linda’s face.

What do they say of Volunteers, they are gift to the community, the heart of the community, they are love in motion and of course, they do it for free. Those of us who were blessed to have known Linda know that she met all the criteria and was a wonderful community minded person. Hug a volunteer today and say thanks!

COME ON THE BOYS IN PINK.

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Linda & Ciaran

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER? One in eight women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

More than half of all breast cancers in Australia are discovered by the woman herself or her own doctor.

Early detection saves lives – the earlier a cancer is discovered, the greater the chances of successful treatment. Nine out of ten breast changes are not due to cancer, but you should see your doctor to be sure. Breast cancer is also diagnosed in men (although the chances of this occurring are much lower than for women).

If you want to know more visit… www.breastcancer.org.au

How to make a Donation (Donations over $2 are tax deductable) You send your donation direct to: National breast cancer foundation BSB: 032000 Account Number: 304684 Deposit Reference Number: 4524145

Thank you for your support Ciaran Launders

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia Thank you to all the teams who participated and to the many volunteers who dug in to help out, both in the lead up to the event and on the day. Our Referees, Adrian Maguire, Robbie O’Callaghan, Alan Burke and Diarmuid Flanagan deserve special mention, they barely had time to breathe between refereeing and coaching or playing themselves!

Congratulation to our winners; Western Shamrocks Ladies overcame St. Finbarr’s in extra time, while St. Finbarr’s Mens won out against Greenwood GFC.

Fr. Kelly Cup - Football The playing season always takes off at pace as fixtures are set, teams ramp up recruiting and training, and we come together to get the grounds ready for the upcoming season.

In Football, the 2018 season kicked off with the Fr. Kelly Cup on Sunday April 15th at Tom Bateman Reserve.

Perth Combined 7’s (Tim Hickey Memorial 7’s & The Football 7’s) Tom Bateman was a sea of colour under a clear sky on April 21st as 17 teams across Hurling, Football and our Minors put on an incredible display of action packed, thoroughly entertaining, fast paced sport. After the guts of nine hours on the pitch and our winners determined, the Broken Pokers took over and lit up the clubhouse, amplifying the energy of the day to another level. We wish to sincerely thank everyone; players, coaches, referees, volunteers, the Irish community and many many more for your contribution to what was a true celebration of all things GAA in WA.

Congratulations to our best player recipients and to each of the teams taking home the top honours!

Player of the Tournament Ladies Football - Eileen McElroy (Western Shamrocks) Camogie - Laura Norris (Western Swans) Mens Football - Barry Shannon (Morley Gaels) Mens Hurling - Alan Lynam (Sarsfields) Tournament Champions Camogie: Western Swans - Captain; Laura Norris Mens Hurling: Sarsfields - Captain; Jerry Callinan Ladies Football: St. Finbarrs - Captain; Seanan Mallon Mens Football: Morley Gaels - Captain; Justin Mulhair

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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.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Ciaran.

For further information contact minorboardgaawa@gmail.com or phone Ciaran on 0414 498 910.

Minor Football A note from our Minor Board Chair - Ciaran Gallagher Exciting times ahead for 2018. This year we will be sending one team to participate in the Australasian Championship in Melbourne over the October school holidays.

Trials will start in the July school holidays with times and venues to be confirmed. Players need to turn 18 on or after the Championship starts. At the moment this competition is just for boys, however we hope this may change in the near future.

This year we will also kick-start competitions for boys and girls aged 12-15 (school years 7-9). It will be a 7-9 a

GAA GROUNDS

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Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale (entrance off Wilfred Rd)

GAA WA in the Community On the evening of the Perth 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, our Football Clubs presented donations of $1,000 each to both the Claddagh Association and the Famine Memorial, for the incredible work they do to support and recognise the Irish in Western Australia.

Alan Burke, 2017 Chair of the Football Sub Committee & Tom Quinn of The Claddagh Association

Alan Burke, 2017 Chair of the Football Sub Committee & Sheila Murphy, PRO, WAIFC

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Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley 91 91

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia Volunteers It’s always a good time to get involved with the GAA here in Perth, be it as a coach, in our canteen or bar, helping us with marketing, running events, fundraising, you name it, we need it. If you are interested in being part of the team in any way, contact Mairead at secretarygaawa.com.

REFEREES GAA WA are always keen to bring new referees onboard for Hurling & Camogie and Mens & Ladies Football. Contact Mairead at secretarygaawa.com to find out more about upcoming courses.

GAA WA & IWAF GAA WA were delighted to participate in IWAF’s April Sundowner Networking Event at the Stables Bar in the CBD, where President Nollaig Trevarthen spoke on the ‘Ethos of the GAA’ and how this ethos intrinsically brings us all together as players, supporters and volunteers; how it brings us together as a community.

As partners to IWAF, we see huge benefit in bringing the members of both of our organisations together to create opportunities to build business growth, given we know many of our members run their own businesses, and we understand how much business is conducted as a result of relationships.

It is also an incredible forum to bring employers and potential employees together. GAA WA has a high volume of educated young people who can provide immense value to employers here in WA, while on the flip side, having direct access to personal career growth opportunities is of huge value to our members.

Listening to Minister Jim Daly speaking during his St. Patrick’s week visit, he talked of how the Irish go out and create communities and how important they are to not only the diaspora but to the local economies. This is exactly what IWAF are doing. They are bringing different community groups together to mutually benefit and support each other in business and at personal levels.

We encourage our members to check out upcoming IWAF networking events or to contact IWAF directly to see what opportunities may present in your professional world via this network. Their next event is June 14th at The Globe on Wellington Street. Come along and look out for Michelle from IWAF or your GAA WA rep who will help make introductions for you.

THE GAA FAMILY

Football Clubs

What a lovely moment! This is what the GAA is all about, enjoying our sport, creating good times and sharing them.

Well done Tilly.

Greenwood Mens Senior Football greenwoodgfc@hotmail.com Morley Gaels Mens & Ladies Senior Football morleygaelsgfc@hotmail.com Southern Districts Mens & Ladies Senior Football southerndistrictsgaa@gmail.com St. Finbarr’s Mens & Ladies Senior Football stfinbarrsgfc@outlook.com Western Shamrocks Mens & Ladies Senior Football westernshamrocks@hotmail.com Hurling Clubs

St. Gabriel’s Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie stgabrielsperth@gmail.com Western Swans Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie - westernswansgaa@gmail.com Perth Shamrocks Mens Senior Hurling perthshamrocks@gmail.com Sarsfields Mens Senior Hurling sarshurlingperth@gmail.com 92

JUNIOR Gaelic Football & Hurling Association ACADEMY of Australasia Western Australia By Debbie Teahan Well we’re off!

Into another year of little ones swinging hurleys and kicking gaelic footballs. Not at the same time, mind you, but that might make an interesting task for the coaches to set as a skills challenge!

Sundays in Sorrento, at Sacred Heart College across the road from the Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club, we have the privilege of training and playing at a pristine iconic venue along West Coast Drive.

THIS YEAR WE ASKED PARENTS TO DOWNLOAD THE ‘TEAM APP’ Search for the GGJA (Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA) registrations and payments can be made all online, and messages can be sent for any queries, and so far so good, most mums and dads came on board with our new system we have over 130 members already, and we will add to the functions along the way, like registering kid Sport recipients names and adding to our calender for the season. There is a part of the app where it has ‘upcoming events’ and it has all our regular training dates and our table quiz and other planned events can easily be seen by parents, as with everyone’s busy life we make it simple to see whats happening in the land of the GGJA. We have a couple of new coaches this year and thankfully plenty of familiar faces back with us, we thank you for putting your hand up and helping out, without you giving up your free time at the weekend, these kids would be missing out on the opportunity to play our traditional sports, where the enthusiasm of the coaches is passed on and comes out in the smiles on the children’s faces.

A number of years ago when we were getting started and some parents would come along for a look and a chat, now has turned into a social gathering where familiarity and comfort go hand in hand and parents bring their picnic chair and sit and relax and watch their kids in a much more comfortable manner than they could ‘at home’.

We are always happy to welcome children from the age of four so come along for a looksee to check out if sport in the relaxed, safe, fun atmosphere is just what your little ankle biter is looking for! Sundays from 12-1.30pm/2pm, no equipment necessary as all is provided, and thank you to our new sponsors this year - the Irish Club in Subiaco and for coming onboard for another year - Solas Orthodontics in Wembley.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000 93

Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

Oliver McNerney and his wife Stella with Gilbert O'Sullivan during his recent concert in Mandurah.

Oliver told us there were 1200 people at the concert and he gave a wonderful performance.

At the JB O'Reilly commemoration in Bunbury, The John Boyle O'Reilly Association unveiled a reflection seat at the memorial site dedicated to Liam Barry. Lyn Barry and her family were present for the unveiling. It reads: "Dedicated to the late Liam Barry, for his tireless work in bringing the story of John Boyle O'Reilly and his Fenian Comrades to the masses". We say about Liam.... "Glory O to a Bold Fenian Man".

Irish couple, Angelo and Lyla Forte recently presented Tom Quinn, President of the Irish Club with a hurley with aboriginal art on it. Lyla is Principal of Sacred Heart School in Beagle Bay. Lyla was Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Nollamara, Perth. Angelo, who is groundsman at the school, told us that they are very happy about being in Beagle Bay. "The school and wider community have been very welcoming" .

Gilbert O'Sullivan proudly wore his Celtic Club Honorary Memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s badge during the concert presented to him by the President of the Celtic Club, Bob Johnston. In the photo is Gilbert's daughters and Bob's wife, Robyn.

The boys are back in town... The Colonials, Alan Ferguson and Russell Clarke are back together and available for gigs... keep an eye out for them, getting better with age someone said!

During the last very cold spell in Ireland, Andy Kavanagh and his mates visited and helped the local seniors. Their help was very well received.

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During a recent visit to Perth, the Golden Boys from Cahirsiveen in Co Kerry took the time to visit the Famine Memorial in Subiaco. Their ancestor, Johnny Golden was one of the Fenians transported on the Hougoumont in 1867.

Breda Bolger at the Hillarys Marina with the family of Paddy Cannon from Co Mayo. We had their story in our last edition and it was nice Breda and friends took the time to say hello.

Irish Golf Club St Patrick's Day Fundraiser Golf Day was held on 16 March at

Tony Synnott holding his great gandson Ollie along with his son Ged and grand daughter Keeley. Ollie came into the world on March 14th. Congratulations all round from all of us the Irish Scene!

Maylands Golf Club. Great turnout of golfers and was a very successful day.

Funds raised were donated to local organisations and groups. Thank you to our sponsors listed below.

The Winners....

Winner: Eamon Fitzgerald / Bick Brazier Runner up: Paul Jenkins / Derek Boyle NAGA: Martin Convoy / Michael Cowie Sponsors: Avoka Café Allied Air Express All Force Labour RCR Concrete Pantry Dolls

NAME THE GAMES THEY ARE PLAYING?

Pre TV, computers, iphones, ipads and computer games, this is how kids enjoyed themselves. If you can name the games you are as old as me!

Look who's 21!

Can you guess who it is, she is an Irish dancer and a very good one!

While in Donnybrook I helped my good friend Fil Barreca at Barrecas Wines. Fil promised the first bottle for me! You should try their wines... barrecas.com.au YUM!

Returning to Ireland?

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Air, Sea & Road Transport Quick, Efficient & Reliable Contact our Sales Team (08) 9243 0808 sales@aiexpress.com.au www.aiexpress.com.au

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C.L.C. Carpentry Woodbridge Hotel The Mighty Quinn An Sibin The Springs Tavern The Irish Scene

McLoughlin’s Butchers J B O’Reilly’s Pipe Line Technics Ciaran Gallagher Gary Connor

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

OUR RANGE: • Bratwurst Sausages • Irish Pork Sausages • Lamb & Rosemary Sausages • Mild Italian Sausages • BBQ Sausages • Bacon Hock • Champagne Leg Ham • Gammon Ham • Pork & Fennel Sausages

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• Chicken Kiev • Beef Ribs • Lamb Ribs • Marinated Roasting Beef Pieces • Beef Steaks • Corned Silverside • Black Pudding • Black Pudding Slices • Pickled Pork

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in association with

Quiz Night!

25th May 2018 from 6:30pm Novotel Perth Langley 221 Adelaide Terrace, Perth

$15 per person Tables of 8 BYO food for your table!

Raffles

Full bar facilities available Spot prizes

Win a nights accomodation at the Pan Pacific, Perth!

To book: https://www.trybooking.com/377572 Proceeds from the night will go towards the Perth Rose of Tralee!

Thank you to our Sponsors: