Irish Scene November December 2013

www.irishscene.com.au AUSTRALIA’S

Volume 16 / Number 1 Nov/Dec 2013

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In This Issue...

• Wolfe Tones Selling Fast • The Joe McGree Story • Yankee Candles in Perth • Daniel O’Donnell coming • Hail, hail Paddy Doherty

• Frank & Gerry at Aras • Alan Joyce chats with Mike • Perth Rose Irish experience • Rosie’s 20th Birthday • Meet Pat and Mary • Sports Reports

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Grounded for Life The Joe McGree Story

by Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman If there is more than one way to skin a cat, then there is more than one way to plant something in the ground and harvest the rewards.

Irishman Joe McGree could easily have made a living working on the land but instead chose to find a way to work into it. He was just 20 years of age in 1963 when he left his native Lisdowney and exchanged the dark, moist earth of Kilkenny for the dust and sand of Western Australia. But before he left, Joe would master the skills on his own turf that he would apply with great skill here, and across the world - building fences and walls.

“I’ve done work on the state barrier fence - what used to be called the rabbit proof fence,” said Joe. “I’m the only person that has inspected the fence from coast to coast, all 11,060km of it. It starts north of Kalbarri on the coast and it comes out at Starvation Bay, west of Esperance. It’s all steel now of course, but it used to be made from pine, which burns very quickly if there’s a bushfire and of course out there in the outback there are bushfires all the time.”

The state barrier fence - or rabbit proof fence of WA as it is more commonly called - was built in 1901 after a Royal Commission was set up into the approaching menace of millions of rabbits from the eastern states where they had been introduced in 1859 for hunting. By 1894 swarm like numbers of them had advanced across the Nullabor Plain and reached WA’s borders.

The rabbits ate every crop in their way, destroyed farmland and their population exploded exponentially.

The fence helped to repel the rabbits and has been called on and modified several times to deal with other out of control pests that threaten to

almost devour the landscape itself. It is one of the most famous fences in the world.

“When I was 15 there was a guy in our village who was building dry stone walls and my father, God rest him, said to me: “You know, you should take up that art, so I went to work for this guy and after the first week was over I asked him for some money and he said: “I won’t pay you because I charge too much experience so you would owe me at the end of the week. So we’ll just leave it at that for the moment. I’ll feed ya and you can stay with me for as long as you want”, so I stayed with him for six months. He was a magic man in the sense that he would walk into a pile of rocks, pick up a stone and put it in its place. The other wall this old guy taught me was a sheep wall. I thought a walls a wall but no. Sheep walls have holes in them. Sheep will not jump over a wall if they can see through it, parts of the wall have holes in them, big enough for them to see through but small enough so they can’t get through. I reckon the skills I learned in those six months have actually benefited me here in Australia with what I’ve done. I was farming until the early 1970’s when I started contract fencing, because there was more money in it.”

Joe said in the beginning he didn’t have much equipment and had to rely on the tricks and techniques he had been taught to get the job done.

One of these involved him installing strainer posts (the first anchor posts of a new fence) that could weigh up to 200 kilos single handedly. “What I used to do was dig a deep hole in the ground, dig a bit of a channel into the hole, it was hard work but then I was able to slip the strainer in and stand it up instead of trying to stand it up and drop it into a hole.”

His tools were a pick and shovel, a hammer and a wirecutters. With these basic but essential items he was able to erect any barrier he was called on to build.

His first five years in WA were spent working on a farm, near Geraldton, doing stock work, and

Joe and Claire McGree on Wedding Day

sheep. It was tough work, but tougher again was trying to ground himself in his surrounds. “I worked sometimes with my uncle on a farm, we had a green grocers in Lisdowney and I also worked in a hardware bar in Thurles,” he said. “There wasn’t much for me in Ireland, so being of a large family (of 12) I thought I’d come out here. When I was saying goodbye to mum and dad, dad said to me “I don’t know much about where you are going but it has to be better than where you are going from. I always remember that. Eighteen months after I got here I felt so homesick I said right, I’m going home, I’ve had enough of this. But liking a few beers I didn’t have the funds to go home so Joe McGree

I decided to knuckle down and either earn enough money to go home or settle in and in the meantime I kind of

settled. In 1969 I met Claire and that was the end of my travels for quite a while. On my daughter’s fourth birthday (1973) I got a telegram to say my father had passed away and in 1979 I went home to Ireland for Christmas with my mum.”

Joe and Claire were married in 1969 in Geraldton. Joe’s brother Tommy, a priest, married them.

“Tommy was one year older than me, he was the priest in Narrogin, Fr. McGree. He did a fair stint in Albany, he came out in ‘66 and was assigned to the Narrogin parish. It was a great relief in a sense to have him here. He went back to Ireland about eight or nine years ago.”

Two other McGree brothers came to WA before Joe. One stayed “a while” but left, while the other still lives in Mandurah where he was the shire foreman for years.

“I had another brother Sean, who was a school teacher in NSW and he came over to WA for a while, he’s gone back to Ireland to live. At one

stage there was five of us brothers here.”

Claire, who was a nurse in Geraldton when the couple met, is of Irish stock, with her grandmother - Bridie O’Connor - coming from an island off the coast of Kerry when he was 16 in the early 1900s. Joe and Claire have three children, Marie, Craig and Sean, who has three little girls.

In 1988 Joe was offered a job as a fencing consultant with Birr Cyclone. When his division was sold on twice, he was asked to remain on as a consultant.

“The company wanted me to teach farmers how to build fences correctly,” he said. “I wanted to make it interesting and fun, so I sat down and worked out the way I should present it and I must admit I’d be known all over the world for the easy way I would present the fence to people and invite them to do what I was doing. I made a bit of an art of joining wire together. Before

I joined Birr Cyclone I had fenced the equivalent to both sides of the road between Perth and Adelaide as a contractor, about 2,500kms, mainly post and wire. I over saw a project in Kenya which was 164 km of game fencing, 2.1 metres high. I designed an ostrich fence for Madagascar - which would allow humans to escape easily from these birds which can be vicious. I also did pig and cattle fencing in Hawaii which went to cattle after the price of sugar plummeted, but there were still a lot of pigs on the island, where you have sugar beet you have a lot of pigs.”

Joe thinks a new fence might be the only way to halt the encroaching problem of cane toads into WA. “I would suggest they have something a metre high with very, very fine wire, like Chicken wire, that would be the only thing that would stop them.”

In February his last five year stint with the company that he set up for himself will be up but retirement does not come easily to Joe who is

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still in big demand in the farming community, with landowners asking him to inspect their fences to make sure they have been put up properly. He has also been designing stockyards for sheep and cattle.

A trip to Ireland to see family - and some of the country he left behind - is on the cards for Joe and Claire, as part of a trip to France to see their grandchildren.

An Irish touch helped to build WA’s most famous fence

The following story is an extract from an original 1929 report included in the publication State Barrier Fence of Western Australia which was produced by the state government for the centenary (1901-2001) of the state barrier fence.

Rabbit Proof Fence

Length of WA Rabbit Proof Fence 3,256 km - Would go round coast of Ireland twice

Big Jack of the Rabbit Proof Fence

“Jack Mullan came from the East at the time the second rabbit proof fence was under construction and he started with the gangs that were working on the stretch from the 169 mile east of Wagin to the 76 mile east of Pingelly. Over six feet high and a mass of symmetrical bone and muscle, he was the type one delights to call “typically Australian.” He was darkhaired with the bushman’s characteristic bronzed complexion. A heavy well cared for black moustache adorned his visage which was clean cut and strikingly good looking, the forehead high and broad and the chin pronounced and pointed. He had a pair of dark expressive Irish eyes that could twinkle and flash with devilry when he became excited - which was seldom, for he was “easy going.”

“The trouble with Jack is that he is too easy going,” his friends used to say, but Jack had a mind that was broader and more far seeing than they dreamed and he was easy-going; when it paid him to be so. He was so easy going that he let them put him off day work on the fence on to the contract work boring holes in posts.

Then it was that the whole length of the construction line rang with his exploits. He became known as “Big Jack, the champion borer on the fence.”

I don’t know what his actual tallies were but I know experienced fencers spoke of his records with wonder and admiration over their camp fires for years afterwards. When they talk about fencing up that way now, his name is a tradition when contract post boring is mentioned.

It was not only his mighty strength of wrist and arm and terrific energy that got him the big money, it was his vast knowledge of every detail of the work.

His brace and bit were exactly suited to his purpose, the crank was short so that his arm had to travel a minimum distance for each turn, the bit was always bright, straight and well greased, and he used to do mysterious things to the point of each new bit with a set of tiny files like those of a clock maker.

He made huge cheques and in spite of his generous Irish good nature, he kept a lot of the money he earned.

There were wild improbable sounding tales of his doings in Wagin and Narrogin while on the spree; of his driving round from hotel to hotel in a cab clutching a huge arm and swinging a lasso with which he had first lassoed the cabman and then a policeman who came to put things in order.

But he never seemed to get into serious trouble.

“You can’t get wild with Jack,” they all said. “You might try to, but you couldn’t do it.

Jack kept a shrewd eye on the country through which the fence crept as he worked and at the 101 mile he struck a patch that reminded him of the rich acres his father owned in Victoria, where he was born, and in the red loam and black-soiled gullies he sensed a promise of productivity equal to that of the volcanic regions that he had seen in his wanderings in New Zealand. He took up 1,500 acres of land like that and when the fence was finished he became a “cocky”.

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residency and in the Will Reid course of things got and son Patrick a job up in Belfast at The Shu Restaurant - formerly known as the Terrace Restaurant on Lisburn Road. “I’d never been up North before,” he said. It would prove to be a very important diversion for him, not that he knew it at the time. “I came back, expecting to spend six months in Belfast but I ended up spending six and a half years. It was there I met my missus, an Ardoyne girl, and it took me all that time to get her back here. Brigid (nee McKee) and myself got married in 1999 and emigrated a month later and Patrick was born a year later over here.” The couple also have another son, Tomas.

Will found a chefing job in Northbridge “I worked as head chef at the Brass Monkey for about 18 months and then with catering company Hyder and Shears in the Perth CBD. After 20 years of chefing it was time for a change, I took up a role as product development manager at the

Compliments of the Chef You might at first find it hard to put your finger on it, but the more you dip into the paper wrapped meal and lick your lips the closer your taste buds get to the answer. The food from Kallaroo Seafood stands out from the usual fare of the ubiquitous fish and chip shop that occupies a place in almost every suburb. But the secret flair isn’t the food, or at least not just the food, there is another ingredient at play - a fully trained professional chef with years of experience with food and feeding people.” I trained at the catering college in Rockwell College, Tipperary,” said Will Reid, a native of Listowel, Co. Kerry raised in Tralee.

“When I finished my training in Ireland I went to the states to work for a hotel group, that was in 1986 and I went for about four and a half years. I came back to Ireland and then worked in London for a couple of years as a chef.

“I came out here in 1992 to visit my sister and thought to myself, this is the place for me’.”

Will returned to Ireland where he would apply for

head office of Red Rooster… I developed new menu items and improvements.

Brigid’s job saw her transferred to New Jersey, in the states in 2008 where they stayed for two years, before coming back to Perth. Will worked a while for another food related business called Lux Foods, retailers of gourmet deli items.

“But I always wanted to see if I could run my a business, my own business,” he said, “then local fish and chip shop in Kallaroo came on the market and this November, we will have been going 12 months. We started out just continuing with the menu to get started but then we noticed we had a few Irish customers coming in and so we started doing things like the Irish batter sausage, from McLoughlins, curry sauce, homemade coleslaw and salads and we’ve slowly built up an Irish clientèle since. We want to expand that and go into burgers and things like that, which means a fit out in the kitchen.”

The decision to run his own fish and chip shop has not been without its pitfalls and lessons for Will .

“This has been a bit of an experiment for me and I’ve learned a lot . I wish I’d done it 20 years ago. I think the long term plan is to get the shop to a certain stage and then buy a place in another location. I’ll see how it goes in the next year and get the kitchen upgraded.”

The fish is the same as you will get in some of the best known restaurants in Hillarys and Will is always on the look out for the best product and food stuff. The range of foods he offers is beyond what you will get in other fish and chip shops, reflecting his chef training and passion for food.

“During the winter we did sea food chowder, garlic prawns and things you wouldn’t normally get in a chip shop,” said Will. “About 90% of what I do is still Aussie fish and chips but we’re diversifying all the time and giving our customers what they want.”

An Irish Christmas Night Oh, come, we’ll twine the holly boughs and deck the house again, And let the glist’ning berries, red’, lay ‘gainst the window pane; And when the golden dawn appears, they’ll sparkle in its light, While you and I old times recall this Irish Christmas Night Now fix the trailing ivies, dear, in garlands ‘bove the door; And don’t forget the mistletoe- love’s mystic wreath’ astore!

Hand down the tile from off the shelf, mavrone, it must be bright; ‘Tis old, but sacred in the cause of Irish Christmas Night Ah, me! If that old tile could speak, ‘twould tell of years gone by, And generations passed away, that in the graveyard lie; Of blood-stained times and martyrs brave, of hunted Soggarth’s flight The mountain cave, the Midnight Mass, and Irish Christmas Night.

The Yule-log’s blazing on the hearth, and in its ruddy glow I still can see two faces dear, we loved long years ago.

There’s Nora bawn; and blue-eyed Kate, oft made the burden light; God rest them in a far off land this other Christmas Night Astoireen, but you’re weeping now; sure, we are left alone; Your, heart beats for the children still, there’s grief within my own.

But they are safe from earthly wile — from care and sorrow’s blight; O’er you and I they’ll vigil keep this Irish Christmas Night.

For you and I are old and grey; we’ve borne the load for years; Together we have lived and loved, and shared life’s joys and tears.

How gladly would we rest us now ‘neath Winter’s snowflakes, white, ‘Longside our dear ones, evermore, this Irish Christmas Night.

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Greg and Arlene of Yokine Lottery & News in Flinder’s Street are excited about the new product they are carrying, Yankee Candle.

This candle has a wonderful history and Arlene told The Irish Scene that it was back in Christmas 1969, seventeen year old Mike Kittredge, too broke to buy his mother a present, melted some crayons to make her a candle. A neighbour saw it and convinced Mike to sell the candle to her. With that small stake, he bought enough wax to make two candles – one for his mom, and another to sell. That was the The Republic birth of Yankee Candle. of Ireland has And now, thanks to Arlene and sales of over $10 Greg, you too can enjoy the million euros a wonders of these candles here in Perth. They carry the largest range year of Yankee of Yankee Candles in Western Candles, making them the most Australia. conspicuous Yankee Candle has become the consumers of the Number 1 most recognised name product in the in the candle business and the world. world’s best selling candle brand by sharing their customers’ passion for fragrance in every product they bring to market.

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“What astonishes our customers is that if it says Fresh Roses on the label, it smells like real roses, and not a pink gooey smell. Same is true for White Gardenia, Garden Sweet Pea, Coconut, Passion Fruit etc.” Says Arlene. Greg added, “It’s great how customers can try all the fragrances with a sampler candle for under $5, or even put a Melt in their fragranced oil warmers, before they decide which is their favourite fragrance”.

Greg said, “We have a very special relationship with Yankee Candle Australia, which guarantees we can get customers the ‘unforgetable’ fragrances.

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Love is a Many Splendid Thing and Moon River, Nat King Cole What is your earliest childhood memory?

First time I sat on a race horse What was the best TV program and why?

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Cahersiveen, Co Kerry It’s true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you’ll find you’ve created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul.

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There is a mystery or two about the antecedents of John Michael Finnerty, a major figure in the Gold Rush years of Western Australia.

His grandfather may have been a soldier of Napoleonic Wars vintage, but that is not yet proven. His father Charles Finnerty (1815-1881) was born in the village of Strokestown, County Roscommon. He joined the army as a teenager and had what can only be described as a spectacularly successful career for a humble Irish redcoat. He rose to the rank of sergeant after only four years service and married Elizabeth Matthews while on garrison duty at Malta.

Charles and Elizabeth parented a rather large family. The second youngest member was John Michael Finnerty, born at the Limerick army barracks on January 30, 1853.

The infant - nay, the child and the young man - hardly got to know his father. Charles Finnerty received a commission and subsequent promotions (Ensign in the 47th Regiment of Foot 1850, Lieutenant 1854, Captain 1857) without purchase and was on overseas service during the Crimean War, 1854-1856. He had fine administrative skills so the army kept him in the great British base at Scutari as an adjutant to the local commandant. Charles won golden opinions and was later despatched to WA as a staff officer in the Enrolled Pensioner Force, arriving with his family on the ‘Sultana’, August 1859.

A few years later Captain Finnerty and his wife made a decision in the best interests of their offspring, including John Michael. Elizabeth and five children sailed for England in January 1865. As a self-made man it is obvious the captain was determined to provide the best possible education opportunities; John Michael and his younger brother Arthur James were enrolled as students at Rugby, the famous reforming public school of the age.

John Michael did very well indeed, both in his studies and the game of rugby, and served briefly with the Warwickshire Volunteer Rifle Corps before returning to WA in 1873.

A few words on family affairs

by Peter Conole

John Michael Finnerty 1853-1913. before the great days of John Michael’s career are outlined would be appropriate. His father Major Charles Finnerty soldiered on in WA, acting as Commandant of the colony during 1871-1872. Charles strove with success to develop a welltrained local militia here and later obtained further promotions that ensured him a dignified retirement with the honorary rank of colonel in 1880. Mother Elizabeth Finnerty lived on into her late 80s as a respected matriarch of the community and died at Fremantle in 1908.

John Michael Finnerty worked for several years as a clerk to Chief Justice Archibald Burt, but then got restless and moved north in the late 1870s to operate as a pearler and trader in the north-west of WA and the Indonesian islands. In the early 1880s he went into partnership with a Monger family member as a pastoralist in the Gascoyne district.

That ended badly in one sense when

12

a stock disease ravaged their lease, but well in another sense as he was commissioned as an Inspector in the WA Police in June 1886, a lateral appointment not untypical of the era.

Finnerty took charge of the vast Kimberley district, with a command centre at Derby. The northern Gold Rush was flourishing, hence the gentry in blue had to arrange gold escorts to the coast and maintain order in outlying settlements. John Michael resigned from the police on August 25, 1887 after winning appointment to the position of Warden and Resident Magistrate the Kimberley Gold Field. He managed the rough and ready northern fields from his ‘capital’ at old Halls Creek.

The Warden and his subordinate officials and police worked from a tent whilst dispensing justice and developing local infrastructure in the region.

After garnering high praise for dedicated efforts as a just and impartial man of affairs, Warden Finnerty was transferred to the Yilgarn Goldfields and held the same public offices there from 1889 to 1894.

The centre of this new jurisdiction was Southern Cross. All the while the exploration and gold discovery activities were moving south and east into ever more parched and awkward desert land. The Warden had to make a critical decision when Bayley’s Find came to his attention in early 1894. John Michael Finnerty inspected the site, agreed it heralded the creation of a new field and thereby helped generate a very great ‘rush’ indeed.

The new fields centered on Coolgardie were proclaimed in April 1894. John Michael moved south yet again as Warden and Resident Magistrate. Kalgoorlie soon entered the picture and the Warden’s labours over such a wide area turned out to be very stressful. As a magistrate he had to work with the police in dealing with street gangs and outbreaks of theft, robberies and sundry criminal activity. Prostitution in its most sleazy aspects also cropped up as an issue. It is essential to note that

Finnerty played a key role in the planning and the development of Coolgardie as a township. Into the bargain he showed great courage and leadership in efforts to deal with terrible outbreaks of typhoid on the fields - which killed thousands of people up to the late 1890s.

The Warden used ‘judicious severity’ to keep things under control and he kept a check on uncontrolled, unlicensed prospecting. But he was notably fair in his decisions and made them without regard to social status. According to local folklore the Warden was quite ready to move behind the ‘court tent’ and offer fisticuffs if somebody objected to a decision. He had acquired boxing skills at Rugby.

Statistics reveal that Warden Finnerty granted 6000 formal mining permits or lease in Southern Cross and Coolgardie up until 1897 – and rejected many more, which implies a huge workload. Kalgoorlie grew in importance and was made a separate jurisdiction when Frederick Hare (later a WA Commissioner of Police) arrived as an additional Goldfields Warden in the late 1890s. It was he rather than Finnerty who dealt with large scale rioting over the supposed rights of alluvial miners, in contrast to the rights of companies which paid the necessary government rates to do business.

As the years went by Finnerty’s role as a great public official during

the most intense period of the Gold Rush gained him the twin rewards of fame and respect. He was a member of the local Freemasons Lodge and of the hugely influential Weld Club back in Perth. Military affairs also attracted the Warden’s attention and in 1900 he was active in forming the Goldfields Regiment.

He maintained the interest and obtained a lot of local support and recruits. Finnerty himself rose through the ranks as the regiment expanded and ended his service years in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Commandant. The Warden was welcomed as a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society for his various roles in the development of the vast

Paddy Hannan and Finnerty

Paddy Hannan second from left

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area encompassed by the fields.

By the year 1911 the Warden’s health had broken down – it was time for him to move on. He did so amid much praise and acclaim and the Goldfields folk made him a life member of Hannan’s Club when he departed. John Michael Finnerty retired to a property near the coastal town of Geraldton. He had married Bertha May Oates - the daughter of a prominent mining manager - at Southern Cross in 1891. They had three children, some of whose descendants probably still live among us. John Michael Finnerty died at Geraldton on December 8, 1913.

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June 16, 1893 Clareman Paddy Hannan sat shivering’ over a fire in a hessian camp in Coolgardie.

The day before he and his mates, Flannigan and Shea had specked several small nuggets of gold in Kalgoorlie.

Hannan, the lightest and most active of the three, had been deputed to ride back into Coolgardie, report the find, and apply for a reward claim.

He was in a hessian camp in which he shivered after his long, weary rain sodden 30-mile ride back from the find. Roused at 4 o’clock on a bitterly cold and wet morning.

Clara Saunders bustled around, got Paddy Hannan a billy of hot tea, some damper,’ and gave him her bed to sleep in till the Warden, John Michael Finnerty, could be seen officially to lode the find.

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Hail! Hail!

Paddy Doherty Recently we learned of the unfortunate and untimely death of our dear friend Paddy Doherty, esteemed member of the Perth Celtic Supporters Club and friend to many. There are no words to describe the sadness that we felt, and we cannot possibly imagine the shock and sorrow that has been thrust on his family as well.

We do believe though that Paddy was doing something he loved. He was on his way to see his beloved Glasgow Celtic.

His good friend, Paul Lusk remembered Paddy fondly and the experiences they both had carrying out tasks in our capacity as Vice President and Secretary respectively of the Perth Celtic Supporters’ Club. One of those fondest tasks Paul recalls was the compiling of the monthly club newsletter “Hail Hail”. “Paddy and I used to meet every month at his place of employment to print, fold, pack and mail “Hail Hail” at times taking up to 6 hours in total.

On one particular occasion, Paddy suggested that we ‘mischievously edit poor Alan Sharkey’s newsletter and alter his script by including a little bit of misinformation and the odd naughty word or two (it was really funny for Paddy and I), sadly, I don’t think Algie quite grasped the funny side of the event and declared when calling me up to voice his disappointment ‘I always forward Hail Hail to my Mammy in Scotland’.”

It was back in 1988 that Paddy and Paul Lusk were first associated,a few months after Andy Gordon formed the Glasgow Celtic Supporters Club of WA. Paul eventually became Secretary of the club, and Paddy was elected Vice President. As Office Bearers under President Tom Carruthers, Paddy

and Paul along with Tom and a fine active committee were involved in the organising of St Patrick’s Dances, Burn’s Night Celebrations, St Andrew’s Day Family Picnics, the inaugural Celtic Supporters Southern Hemisphere Convention, and selling pies on meeting nights at the Irish Club. Paul added, “I remember the season when Rangers were going for “10-in-a-row”, and Celtic under Wim Jansen pipped them at the post by winning our last game of the season against St Johnstone. It was planned that we telecast the game at the Irish Club via the internet, the place was “jam packed” with Celtic supporters and the internet connection failed.

Audio only, the noise was deafening with the happy singing of Celtic songs and there was Paddy on a stool head close to the ceiling and a speaker, and eventually telling (yelling actually) the throng that Celtic were now 2-0 up and the title was surely ours. The Club erupted!!”

“Paddy Doherty, a Gentleman and a Celtic supporter thru and thru!” These are the words of his good friend Andy Gordon, Past President of Perth Celtic Supporters Club. He added, “I had the pleasure of getting to know Paddy many years ago when I started the Perth Celtic supporters club. Paddy was a tremendous committee man who put many long hours into establishing the Celtic club. But it wasn’t all work we had many laughs along the way. At that time we had committee meetings Where in our homes when we all had a turn in hosting the meeting. Who can forget the newsletter that was

15

sent out to members, Paddy was the man along with others who put the newsletter together and that cheeky grin I will always remember. Paddy has gone but not forgotten Hail, Hail, Paddy Doherty”.

Fred Rea’s association with Paddy Doherty goes back to 1972.

Paddy and Kathleen were a great support to him when Fred arrived in Western Australia. It was at St Kiernan’s Catholic Church in Tuart Hill, Paddy and Fred did the folk Mass for the late Monsignor Hogan. Over the years Paddy also made story contributions to the Irish Scene.

Paddy McOnie President of the Perth Celtic Supporters’ Club says: “Paddy Doherty will be sadly missed by all Celtic club members. Paddy’s face was always one that you wanted to see when entering the Club premises at Rosie O’Grady’s in Northbridge. His contribution to the forming of the club as a “Founding Member” can never be under estimated. May I express my deepest sympathy to all members of the Doherty family”.

Rest in Peace Dear Friend Slan Abhaile

Those we love go away Joe sported anddon’t played!

They walk beside us everyday.

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May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May the Christmas Season and New Year bring the best to you and yours!

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Little Christmas

The Day the Boys do the House Work!

Little Christmas (Irish: Nollaig Bheag) is one of the traditional names in Ireland for January 6 - more commonly known in the rest of the world as the Feast of the Epiphany. It is so called because under the older Julian calendar, Christmas Day celebrations fell on that day - under the Gregorian calendar it falls on December 25. It is the traditional end of the

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Christmas season – the twelfth day of Christmas – and the last day of the Christmas holidays for both primary and secondary schools in Ireland.

Little Christmas is also called Women’s Christmas and sometimes Women’s Little Christmas. The tradition, still very strong in Cork and Kerry – is so called because of the tradition of Irish men taking on the very untraditional role of doing all the household duties for the day. Most women hold parties or go out to celebrate the day with their friends, sisters, mothers and aunts. Bars and restaurants serve mostly women and girls on this night. Children often buy presents for their mothers and grandmothers.

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Bang Bang (Thomas Dudley)

By Marie Maloney As I walked the streets of Dublin during my visit earlier this year I frequently thought of “Bang Bang” and wondered if his ghost still walked around the areas he spent so much of his life in. Growing up in inner city Dublin Bang Bang was one of the constants in my life.

His name was Thomas Dudley, but I never heard him called or referred to as anything other than Bang Bang.

He was a popular character who roamed the streets carrying a large black key which was his “GUN”. He ran in and out of every shop “shooting” everyone in sight. The women selling their produce of fruit and vegetables along some streets were popular targets. This usually resulted in amusing repartee as he wove his way between the stalls, occasionally knocking over boxes of fruit which would scatter in all directions.

Much of his shooting was done on buses where he would run up and down the aisle shooting every passenger along the way and, as he was about to alight, it was the turn of the bus conductor. He would then board the next bus that came along and repeat the performance. This was accepted without question, and I never saw or heard a bus conductor refuse to allow him on the bus or to

seek money for the bus fare.

Nowhere was sacred from his rain of fire; more than once I witnessed his performance outside The Clarence Hotel on Wellington Quay, which was a fashionable hotel, just across the road from my home. As tourists arrived by taxi and alighted outside the hotel Bang Bang was there ready to greet them with his gun. The astonished visitors were often immobilised as the agitated concierge ran around trying to restore order; on one occasion his tall hat went sailing into the crowd.

Most of these people enjoyed Bang Bang’s crowd stopping antics, many were happy to join in, sometimes pretending they also had a gun and shooting back as they shouted ‘bang bang’. Often some of us kids would fall down ‘dead’ at his feet in an effort to become part of the game.

“Perhaps some of these tourists thought he was part of the Irish welcoming committee” These daily performances were Thomas Dudley’s life; it was what he did all day every day. He also managed to get into theatres and “shoot” the actors and audiences.

In the 1970’s the Abbey Theatre featured a play titled “From The Vikings to Bang Bang”. He is also mentioned in a children’s skipping song “We all went up to the Mero” written by the Irish song writer Pete St John.

For people of my generation growing up in inner city Dublin,

AAH

The Clarence Hotel Wellington Quay

he has gifted us with memories of the wonderful entertainment he provided for us to enjoy and join in. It is fitting that he is now firmly entrenched in the tourist information and social history of this beautiful old city. An amazing feat for a man who went about his quirky business doing what he did.

Editor added: The Mero by Pete St John We all went up to the Mero Hey! There! who’s yer man?

It’s only Johnny Forty Coats Sure he’s a desperate man!

Bang Bang shoots the buses With his golden key Hee Hi Didelee Hi And out goes she!

(Characters taken from “The Mero” (c) Song by Pete St John/Saint Music) www.petestjohn.com

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Mike Bowen has a chat with the Qantas Boss The names Qantas and Australia fit together like a warm pair of gloves on an Irish icy winter’s day.

The names are inseparable Qantas is Australia’s number one brand globally. It is Australia’s beacon to the world; instantly recognised with the kangaroo on its tail.

The safest airline in the world as quoted by Dustin Hoffman in the movie ‘Rain Man’.

The man who has the responsibility for keeping Australia’s iconic brand the safest airline in the world is Dubliner Alan Joyce, a man who is a high flyer with his feet firmly on the ground. Alan who was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Marketing Director of Qantas on November 28, 2008.

Recently I caught up with Alan Joyce at his Qantas office in Melbourne to give you an insight into his and the Qantas story. He had just flown in the night before from Seattle, where he had picked up Australia’s first state of the art 787 Dreamliner for Qantas’s budget airline, Jetstar.

Alan introduces himself in typical Irish style, just as he had at our last meeting some time ago. He is warm and friendly man with a wonderfully infectious smile and a delightful sense of humour. We sit into our respective chairs in casual style and start to unravel his background and gain some insight into his and the Qantas story. I thank him for taking the time to meet considering he is one of the busiest men in corporate Australia, but again in typical Irish fashion he pushes the compliment aside and say’s “it’s no trouble at all it’s my pleasure”.

We start our conversation with a bit of the Cork and Dublin teasing.

Alan says, Dublin won the All Ireland Football Championship and Cork are the All Ireland Hurling Runners up. Alan wins the first round.

I remind him he owes me a pint from our last meeting and he promises me, he now owes me two.

phenomenal. Membership is up to almost ten million.

Alan Joyce and Mike Bowen

It’s been a fair while since our last chat meanwhile a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and you still don’t have a grey hair in your head.

Yes a lot that has happened, as for the grey hair, I’m sure I have more than one.

When we first met, there was a global financial crisis going on and we had an engine explosion on one of our A380s plus some major industrial disputes. There were also Volcano eruptions that have caused us problems, ash clouds, earthquakes, and tsunamis’. I jokingly said about three years ago that the only thing that was missing was a plague of locust, believe it or not, later that week it happened, a plague of locusts crosses New South Wales. We have had just about everything that you could imagine that’s occurred. My predecessor used to call it constant shock syndrome.

What we do very well at Qantas is keeping focus on the long term strategy while managing the crises as they occur. It’s a phenomenal organisation for doing things like that, sometimes you would think that its two different companies, one managing the crisis and the other managing the strategy and the process.

How has the Qantas model changed over the last few years?

We are only two years into our five-year plan and we have made huge headways so far but we still have a lot more work to do to get the business to where we want it to be. Our business is now four businesses, Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, Jet Star, and Frequent Flyers, with Qantas Domestic being the most profitable. We have had major growth in all sectors; Jet Star is growing from success to success. Qantas International is on track to getting back to break even and our Frequent Flyers program is

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How will the new Qantas Joint venture partnership with Emirates suit the many more thousands of Irish that migrated here recently? Those who work in the mining industry who travel back regularly to Ireland.

Even going through London, we used to have the biggest portion of the Irish market. The partnership makes it all that much easier now, as customers can travel to Dublin with just one stop in Dubai. Customers can also travel to most European Cities one stop with the same top class benefits and using the same Frequent Flyers member card and that is achieved by, every Qantas customer having a Qantas code on every flight out of Australian.

You just arrived back last night with your new 787Dreamliner Aeroplane. Did they give you a key with it?

They did, but it was only a symbolic one as the new aircraft are now all fitted with electronic security.

However, they are sending me the key used at the handing over ceremony.

The 787Dreamliner sounds like something out of a James bond movie, Alan give us an insight.

Boeing makes amazing aircraft and this one is something special.

Seating for 335 passengers and it’s much more fuel-efficient, yesterday flying from Hawaii to Melbourne the pilot told me it saved 8,000kgs of fuel (25%) and we arrived thirty-five minutes early. Customers will enjoy gate to gate in-flight entertainment while arriving more refreshed thanks to lower cabin altitude that reduces the impact of jet lag. The cabin air is not supplied through the engines, as it is in other aircraft; this plane has an electric system that gives a much more refreshing and moister air. It also has larger windows and the fuselage is pressurised to a lower altitude. There is also reduced turbulence taking the stress out of long-haul trips.

Since I started travelling back to Ireland on a regular basis from 1986, if my memory serves me right, I think I paid about $2,200 Australian dollars. Since then inflation has hit everything from housing to the motor car, even the price of the pint. Yet airline tickets have stayed the same and in many cases have become cheaper. Why and how?”

Technology and fuel efficiency has

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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR We would like to thank the Irish Scene for the fantastic support they have given us over the years and to wish Fred and his team, our clients and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2014.

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brought prices down. In1935 when Qantas started flying to London, it took 11 days from Sydney and the cost was the equivalent of 130 week’s salary. Then in 1965 when the 707 was introduced, it took 34 hours and the cost was the equivalent of 21 week’s salary. Now it’s down to 23 hours and less than two week’s salary. Soon Qantas will be celebrating 95 years of continuous services. It is important to have leading edge technology and the right planes at the right time. Ticket prices will rise in the future because airlines can’t sustain these low prices.

Regarding your service to the U.S.A. Qantas used to stop at Los Angeles, now you go all the way to New York.”

Yes we do and it’s a fabulous service we offer to our customers. It’s also great that you can go from New York to Melbourne or Sydney without changing airlines. We now fly to seven continents but only land in six of them as there is no landing facilities In Antarctica. We are the only airline flying to all seven continents.

Are there any plans to make the processing of checking in and out of the airports more efficient?

There certainly is and technology has already improved that quite considerably and it will continue to look for further improvements.”

When you look at our check in system now, we had twenty-two parties working together to put this state of the art system in place. Our staff is no longer sitting behind desks, they are out the front talking to and helping customers. There are no more queues or long delays and baggage drop offs are only a matter of minutes.

How do you see the Aviation Industry in ten years time?

The Asian Pacific reign has become the largest aviation market in the world, in the last two years. Since the Second World War, it used to be the North American market. The Asian market will continue to grow as China and India come on board; that’s why we are setting up Airlines in Asia. We have an Airline in Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam. The Middle East market will also have a large growth. Dubai is now one of the biggest airports in the world larger than Paris and will overtake Heathrow. The Chinese carriers are progressing unbelievably well. By 2020 of the three biggest

carriers in the world, two will be Chinese. A new airport is being built in China the equivalent of every twenty-four days and another two hundred are expected.

Your job must be enormously demanding, it surely has to be 24-7.

You’re right, I’m lucky I don’t have a family for it would be tough on them. The mobile is always on, even when I’m sleeping just in case, then when I get a call at 3am I know its not a ‘how are you Alan’ call? I can tell you I have had more than a few in the last few years.

What’s the difference between the guy who clocks in at the office every morning and someone in your position?

You have to have the drive to succeed and be willing to take risks; it’s not necessarily about the money, but it’s the satisfaction of getting the job well done. The more you achieve the more you want.

So what do you look for in a résumé?

I look for a combination of things, I look for achievers: someone that has thrived on success, someone who wants to do more. I look at their academic and business sides.

In the Qantas senior team, we have people from diverse backgrounds and I think that really works well for us. All have different CVs, different backgrounds and it’s getting that diversity that gives us a really good team.

Are the Irish taking over the airline industry?

Yes, it looks that way, Michael O’Leary is in charge of Ryan Air, Con McCarthy’s at Air Asia, Willie Walsh at British Airways, and a Joyce at Qantas? Yeah you’re right; a hundred years ago the Irish were working on the railways now we run the airlines.

What is happening with Irish airports?

Yes, Ireland was a bit caught out with the growth of the industry but to be honest now Dublin airport is near to one of the best in the world.

Alan the Celtic Tiger has come and gone, how do you see Ireland’s future.

My father says we had eight hundred years of tough times and only eight years of good times.

Ireland is doing it tough now but we are a resilient people and we always get over it, yes we complain but we always get on with the job and rise

22

above adversity.

Would you mind sharing some background of your journey from your younger days through to now, it would be hard for you to deny you’re a Dub?” I am a Dub. I was born in the Liberties, my father had also lived there since he was a lad. Then after a while, we moved to Tallaght just south of Dublin. My dad was a postman, he also worked for Gallagher’s the cigarette company, and he was a glazier for a while. My mother worked as a cleaner at Tallaght Sports Company.

My parents still live in Tallaght.

Lots of successful people are rough diamonds and not academically qualified but you are very well qualified.

My parents were very keen on education and they put all four of us kids through university to get some qualifications to add to our street smartness.

I had a paper run at the age of 12; coming from a working class background my parents always thought you had to earn your money.

As working class kids you don’t expect everything to be given to you and I think that gives you a good balance.”

“I went to the Dublin Institute of Technology and then Trinity to do my Masters”. Alan holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (Physics and Mathematics) Honours and a Master of Science in Management Science, he is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Were you like me in your thinking growing up? One day I’m going to be a movie star or play in a band. What was your dream?

When I was going to school I had no aspirations of working for an airline; my friends were airline watchers and they were fanatical, but I could think of nothing more boring than that. Then a job came up as a Research Analyst with Aer Lingus but once jet gasoline gets into your veins you’re hooked, hence 25 years later!

Alan looking at your C.V. and the position you now hold did you ever think this was possible?

There is no way that I thought I would be CEO of Qantas one day, even though I was in the airline industry. It was such a stretch from there to here; but in saying that, there is the great life foundation that Ireland gives you.

You learn to be street wise which adds

a lot to where you end up.”

Some time back at an international forum in Dublin I met with some wonderful Irish people who have had enormous success out of Ireland it was really inspirational to hear there stories. The Irish seem to step up a couple of notches when they go abroad. The Irish are not fazed when it comes to rolling their sleeves up.

I think it’s a credit to Ireland the attitude it instils in us.

Are you conscious of how your success inspires others to follow?

Yes I am, I was on The Late Late Show some time back and the next morning the taxi driver said ‘I was watching you on the telly last night and what a great story you are, I was so proud you came from Tallaght’.

Then when I got to the airport two Garda’s came over to tell me they had been watching the show as well and again what a great story. One of them tells me he had flown with Qantas and I can’t believe you are the boss of the safest airline in the world!” what a great airline!

Did you do sports in school?

Soccer was my game, but my brothers were all into karate so I joined too. I later stopped karate to study as it was taking up too much time, but my brothers continued. By the time I got back to doing it again my younger brothers were so far ahead they could beat the crap out of me so I decided to call a halt to the sport there and then.

Speaking of sports, Qantas is a major sponsor to the Australian Wallabies, and many other codes!

Yes we are, we get enormous value out of the sponsoring sport.

Australia is a sports mad nation and all identified with Qantas.

What’s your leisure activity?

I jog to keep the stress levels down; I read a lot, particularly when I’m travelling. I am a big Australian rules fan I support Geelong who were champions in 2009 and again in 2011.

I also like the compromise rules game that is played between Australia and Ireland.

Do you get the chance to get back to Ireland these days and does your family come to visit you?

I go home once a year, I was there earlier this year for The Gathering and it was magnificent, there was a

great buzz about it. I went to Galway, The Aran Islands, Sligo Donegal, and The Giants Causeway; I also visited the Titanic exhibition in Belfast, which I found extraordinary. There is never a bad time to go to Ireland. My brothers and their families do come to visit me and so do mum and dad.

If I gave you a ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go to?

Where else but Ireland, I still love the west coast where it is rugged and tranquil, and one of my favourite place is, Kinsale with those lovely cosy restaurants.

The media reported you had a health scare a few years ago and continued to oversee the business from your sick bed.

I was not well at all; I had a prostate problem and was lucky to come through. Like most men, I hadn’t given the prospect of having prostate much thought. I am now urging all men to have a check as it could mean the difference between life and death.

I continue to remind my brothers to have regular checks.

Interviewing the 47-year-old Alan Joyce who is one of the youngest CEOs in the aviation industry is one of the pleasures of life, he is enormously intelligent, witty and good humoured.

He is a man on a mission as tough as nails when it comes to a fight and yet as gentle as the morning dew when it comes to everything else.

Definitely one of the most pleasant and relaxed interviews I have ever done. He is a credit to his profession and his country. I rarely come across such a charismatic person in such a high position; but then again let’s be fair, you have to be Irish to have a personality like his.

I am grateful to Alan who was most gracious to give us a wonderful insight into both his life and the running of the safest airline in the world and the only airline that flies to all seven continents.

I wish Alan many long years at the helm of the safest airline in the world – Qantas!

Until I talk to you again, be good to those who love you and don’t forget to fly Qantas next time!

Slaiñta Mike Bowen mike@globefins.com.au

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Official nicknames of the 32 counties of Ireland.

CAN YOU NAME THE COUNTY? The Royal County The Marble County The Lake County The Model County The Wee county The Thoroughbred County The Garden of Ireland The Faithful County The Metropolitan County The O Moore County The O Farrell County The Dolmen County The Kingdom The Rebel County The Premier County The Deise County The Banner County The Treaty County The Tribesmen County The Wild Rose County The Rossies County The Grey Ridge County The Yeats County The Orchard County The O Neill County The Farney County The Oak Leaf County The Mourne County The O Donnell County The Breffni County The Maguire County The Glensmen County

What County is also called The Sheepslealers: It is said that a common cause of transportation to Australia was sheep stealing, the crime was common in this county as it was easy to cross the River Shannon to raid Westmeath and Longford.

Can you name the County?

What county is also known as The Forgotten County!

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Tralee was Titanic says Perth Rose

by Jean O’Riordain

And the Perth Rose of Tralee 2013 is.... I find myself back in that moment, in Fraser’s Restaurant in King’s Park, last May. It was such an idyllic night,

looking out onto the panoramic view of the twinkling Perth cityscape and surrounded by 20 of my closest friends.

I didn’t think for a second that my name would be called out, but I secretly hoped and prayed with all my might that it would be me! And so started my exciting journey back to my roots, back to Ireland to represent Perth, my new home, in the Rose of Tralee International Festival!

It was a struggle to fit 20 dresses, hats, fascinators, shoes and multiple packets of Tim Tams into my 23kg airline weight allowance but I somehow managed it in my Mary Poppins’ style bag and off I went courtesy of British Travel, on one of the most exciting journeys of any Irish girls’s life!

I can attest that all little girls grow up wanting to be a Rose and suddenly the dream I dreamed as a little girl was about to be a reality! I arrived back in Dublin expecting to catch a bus to stay with my friend but was greeted by my parents holding placards and WA flags to welcome me home. I felt like a celebrity!

I hit the ground running in Dublin Airport because I didn’t even have time to bless myself before the legendary Rose tour started the very next day. We all met each other in the Blanchardstown Carlton Hotel. On the Rose tour, we travelled the length and breadth of the country. We journeyed from Dublin, up north to Belfast and Derry, and meandered our way down the west coast, punctuating our trip with stops in Sligo, Galway and Adare Manor before finally hitting Tralee.

Having witnessed so many wonderful sights and scenes around Ireland, it is only now that I can truly appreciate what wonderful treasures we have on

our doorstep! We got to walk on the sacred turf in Croke Park, marvel at Grace Kelly’s much-coveted dresses in Newbridge, meet the late great Seamus Heaney in Derry and take a trip back in time in the Titanic Museum.

Everywhere we went we were treated like royalty and the warmth and good wishes we received were second to none.

However good the atmosphere was on the Rose Tour, Tralee itself was electric! Never before have I witnessed such excitement amongst little girls except perhaps at a Justin Bieber concert! Who would have thought that anyone would want my autograph?

Yet, everywhere we went, little girls would just appear, with looks of steely determination in their eyes! The rose ball was scheduled for the first evening and at this I finally got to meet my whole family for the first time in what seemed an eternity. I must make special mention

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of my Perth Rosebud Felicity Reay and her family who travelled the whole way from WA to Ireland. I managed to represent Perth, but I’m sure Felicity will secure the real deal and win the whole competition outright some day, watch this space! We danced the night away and the dome looked magical, with the lights overhead twinkling like the stars on a clear night. We had so many wonderful experiences in Tralee, from opening the new bypass, to being special guests at the greyhound track, to participating in the Rose parade on Denny Street. I even got to shave Daithi O Se’s beard off in a photo shoot! The television night itself was just the tip of a massive iceberg of adventures and memories that will never fade. I somehow overlooked the fact that 1.4 million people around Ireland and the world were tuned in, and instead just focused on my family and the audience in front of me in the dome.

There was such an overwhelming feeling of positivity and support which I’ve never experienced before and unfortunately will probably never experience again. Looking back on all my adventures now a few months later, life has gone back to normal, and in some ways it does feel like my Tralee experience was all just a lovely dream, but I have enough memories (and dresses!) to last a lifetime and 31 new friends dotted around the world. I would encourage any Irish woman to chase the dream she had as a young girl and apply to become the next Perth Rose, an experience which will have profound and lasting effects on anyone’s life. I would like to thanks my sponsors Rosie O’Grady’s Bar as well as the Perth Rose committee and judges, who worked tirelessly to ensure a wonderful experience was had by all involved, I am forever indebted to them.

Sunday Session in Rosies Fremantle with The Dublin Rogues

Open from 11am - 10pm with our casual and very affordable ALL DAY GRUB menu with Entertainment from 4pm to 7pm

23 William Street Fremantle • Phone 9335 1645

It’s going to be a cold winter in Mayo!

A few days later the old man called the Weather Bureau and asked for an update. ‘Are you still forecasting a cold winter?’ he asked. ‘Yes, very cold’, the weather official told him.

As a result of this brief conversation the old man went back to the pub that night and told his friends to collect every bit of turf they could find. A week later the old man called the Weather Bureau once more and asked about the coming winter. ‘Yes, yes’ he was told, ‘it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.’ ‘How can you be so sure?’ the Mayo man asked.

The weatherman replied: ‘Because I hear all the lads down in Mayo are collecting turf like bloody crazy.’

This September past in a pub in Mayo, a wise old Mayo man was asked if it would be a cold or mild Christmas. “I’ll let you know tomorrow” was his reply. The old man decided to take a modern approach, and rang the Irish Weather Bureau. ‘Yes, it is going to be a cold winter,’ the meteorological officer told him. Consequently, he went to the pub next night and told the lads to collect plenty of turf, “It was going to be a bitterly winter”.

26

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

We are delighted to report that Kieron Lyons of KPMG, Garry McGrath of the Commonwealth Bank, Dermot Costelloe and Marty O’Callaghan have generously devoted their time to helping the Forum grow and expand. We are currently considering an event in late November 2013. Details to follow. Please keep up to date via

our website irelandwaforum. org. It was disappointing to learn that the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission from Ireland to WA scheduled for October was postponed. We’ll keep you advised of further progress.

Looking forward to seeing you at our November event.

Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibhse.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Forum is keen to lift our overall footprint and activities to a new level. If you are keen to be involved or wish to recommend speakers please do not hesitate to contact Marty Kavanagh on 92188422 or email: marty@kavlaw.com.au

All areas of Family Law, children’s issues,

divorce & property matters financial agreements Wills Restraining Orders

Marty Kavanagh

B.Comm (Hons), Grad Dip, LLB Barrister and Solicitor

2/100 Terrace Rd East Perth 6004 • t: 9218 8422 • m: 0430 960 859

IRISH SCULPTURE PARK, KILLARNEY An Irish folklore enthusiast is seeking 15,000 people to each donate €22 as part of a crowd-funding campaign to build a sculpture park in Ireland.

The sculpture park is to be built in Killarney, County Kerry and is to be based on the 7th Century Irish folktale ‘the Voyage of Máel Dúin’.

The crowd-funding project has just been launched on Indiegogo.com under the heading – Irish Sculpture Park, Killarney.

The project is being spear-headed by Irish cultural enthusiast Tomás MacCormaic. Upon completion the Irish sculpture park will be the largest sculpture park in the world, comprising of 1,500 sculptures.

Tomás MacCormaic has chosen crowdfunding as the avenue to fundraise for the project as it is expected 6 billion Euros will be raised through crowd-funding websites in 2013.

So far this year over 100 companies have each raised 1 million Euro, while 100,000 jobs have been created, with tens of thousands of projects being fully funded.

If the Irish Sculpture Park is successful in its crowd-funding campaign it will create 20 new jobs in the first two years of its formation, and potentially up to 150 in its lifetime.

The current crowd-funding campaign is about getting seed-capital to start the project.

Tomás Mac Cormaic is asking 15,000 people to each generously donate €22, especially those who have an affinity to Irish heritage, the Killarney region, and job creation within Ireland.

For those wishing to donate, you can visit Indiegogo.com, click on the page ‘Irish Sculpture Park, Killarney’, click on the amount you wish to donate, and payments are made securely through Pay Pal. Supporters of the Irish Sculpture Park are also being asked to share this campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and other social-media websites to ensure it reaches its maximum audience and fulfils its fundraising targets.

27

• e: marty@kavlaw.com.au

Full details of the magnitude of the Irish Sculpture Park can be found on the Indiegogo website. Here you can learn more about the Irish folktale ‘the Voyage of Máel Dúin’ and the type of sculptures that are to be erected in the park.

The Irish Sculpture Park will greatly enhance tourism in Killarney and will be a major incentive for contributors to visit the Killarney region, where they admire what they helped to successfully create.

Upwards of 350,000 people are expected to visit the sculpture park annually when it is completed (based on similar numbers in Sculpture parks in England), which could generate as much €7 million for the local economy in Killarney.

To contribute or learn more about the Irish sculpture park visit the Indiegogo website.

Indiegogo.com link: http://igg.me/p/521227/x/4687275 Tomás MacCormaic +353 (0) 857318348 Dal Cormaic Luisc, Clochrua, Contae Chorcaí, Ireland.

C O M M E M O R AT I O N C O M M I T T E E BUNBURY WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Annual Dinner and Commemoration 2014 Dinner Sat 29th March 2014 - 6.30pm for 7pm at Rose Hotel, Bunbury Tickets: $60 pp (Incl 3 Course Dinner and Entertainment) Drinks at Bar Prices BOOK EARLY! Maximum 100 Guests Special Guest: HE Mr Noel White, Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia

COMMEMORATION - Free Event Sunday 30th March 2014 - 11.30am John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial Monument Buffalo Road, Australind

Dinner Booking: Tom Dillon 0417 986 298 Email: bdillon1@bigpond.com Rose Hotel Accommodation: (08) 9721 4533

1860’s Dress Theme for O’Reilly 2014 Commemoration Dinner The 2014 John Boyle O’Reilly Commemoration dinner theme in 2014 is 1860’s. The celebration of the escape and life of John Boyle O’Reilly will be in the presence of HE Mr Noel White, Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia.

This annual event commenced 25 years ago by local Bunbury historian Mr Liam Barry goes from strength to strength. It will be held in the historic dining room of the Rose Hotel in Bunbury. It is limited to 100 people and already rooms and dinner tickets are selling fast.

The evening’s entertainment will comprise an 1800’s period dress theme, with traditional Irish and Australian folk music and poetry to honour Fenian, felon, poet, writer and humanist John Boyle O’Reilly, whose story of escape from Western Australia on a Yankee whaler in March of 1869 has become legendary.

Then join us, along with local dignitaries and historians on Sunday March 30th at 11.30am at the JB’O Memorial Monument on Buffalo Road on the beautiful Leschenault Peninsula for the Annual JB’O Commemoration.

John Boyle O’Reilly was an Irishman who through the circumstances of his early life became involved in the struggle for freedom in his country. A struggle which saw him suffer years of imprisonment and transportation to Western Australia as a convict where his story of escape has become legendary. He escaped on the Gazelle and landed in Philadelphia on the 23rd November, 1869 and John was free to start a new life in America, where he became a respected writer and poet.

Please book early as tickets are selling fast and places are limited. Enquiries Tom Dillon 0417 986 298 or Email: bdillon1@bigpond.com

Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge

“Fiche Bliain ag Fás” 20 Years a Growing

Almost every Irish person who comes to Perth, no matter for how long a stay, or short, will know the name Rosie O’Grady’s. Many, particularly most young people, will Old Victoria Hotel

at one stage or another pass through the doors of the Northbridge establishment in what has become a sort of rite of passage.

It is the kind of place you go for jar or two, sure. But it is also the kind of a place you go to watch a big game at home, to meet old friends or to make new ones, somewhere where a table quiz or fundraiser can be organised and held, a venue for private hire and functions, a sort of halfway house between a community centre and an employment exchange, a forum to swop and share stories or listen to live music - be it local talent like the Charlie and the Bhoys (or major visiting acts like Aslan. And you can

even get your dinner - or breakfast there if needs be.

Rosie’s has evolved to become many things, to many people.

She was born 20 years ago.

The late hotelier Maurice Brockwell gave her life. He took the old Victoria Hotel on James Street, an establishment with a long licensing tradition and reinvented it as an Irish pub. (He was also responsible for creating the Moon & Sixpence, Elephant & Wheelbarrow in Northbridge) Two years before his death in 2002 at the age of 53 Brockwell was hailed for his contribution to the hotel and hospitality sector in Perth. “He had brought imagination and innovation to the industry, leading the way with theme pubs, first with Horsefeathers in the Wentworth Plaza Hotel, and then with a number of Irish theme Pubs - Fenians, Bridie O’Reilly’s and Rosie O’Grady’s,” the then tourism minister Norman Moore said about him when he was entered into the Western Australian Hotel General Manager Hall of Fame.

Hon Irish Consul in WA Michael Nolan was asked to Christen the

29

new arrival by officially opening the venue. Rosie’s was an immediate and automatic success. Its central location

The gang celebrating 20th Birthday

and proximity to local Backpacker establishments meant that it quickly became a popular and important destination in Perth. The WA capital was almost as popular back then as it is now for waves of young Irish people arriving in Australia for adventure, experience and employment.

At the time of its opening Rosie’s boasted a beer garden with a big oak tree which was later covered in to create the Cab Bar. The present Snug Bar was a coffee and cake shop but in later years reverted to being the snug.

There were rumours that the wedding dress clad “Ghost of Mary” appeared at different times in the upstairs of Rosie’s and not long after opening a local girl, one Mary Quigley, dressed

up as a bride to reenact the phantasmal story.

Rosie O’Grady’s has also been haunted for many years by another kind of spirit - the passion and enthusiasm of the Perth Celtic Supporters Club and during the football season live games are shown.

Other Irish sporting clubs and local charities have discretely benefited from the philanthropy and support of the Brockwell family and the pub. Rosie’s also regularly provides the venue and setting for massive displays of Irish identity. St. Patrick’s Day crowds at the pub have been known to top 10,000 on March 17th, a feat which Manager Jon Smith told Irish Scene makes it one of if not the biggest Paddy’s Day gatherings in one venue in the southern hemisphere.

As well as being a sporting, cultural and social outlet, Rosie’s is of co ruse also a well established entertainment and music venue. Those to have played there over the last two decades include The Wolfe Tones, Brendan Grace, Paddy Casey, Des Bishop, John Spillane, Gary Og, Damien Dempsey, Jape, Mundy, Mick Flanagan and Paddy Casey, to literally only name a few. More high profile Irish and international acts are planned to be booked in for appearances at the pub added Jon. The opening of the nearby Perth Arena over a year ago has also helped establish Rosie’s as a good spot for a pre or post event beverage.

Irish Scene would like to congratulate Jon, Scott and the staff for reaching this milestone through their hard work, friendliness and professionalism. Rosie’s has maintained a constant presence in the pages of Irish Scene and it is because of this support - and that of all our regular advertisers - that we can continue to bring out the magazine free of charge, every two months, for the benefit of the whole Irish community in WA. And of course a good place to pick up your next issue of Irish Scene is at Rosie’s. See you there! Lloyd Gorman

Marianne Brockwell, OAM

(nee Megaw) The 11th of September 2013, Marianne Brockwell passed away. Adored wife of Maurice (dec).

To daughters of Esther, Rebecca and Naomi, Brett and Madeline and Zachary we extend our deepest sympathy. Marianne was a generous friend to all in need and a passionate supporter of good causes.

Loved by all who knew her.

Rest in peace.

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Vice Presidents: Hilary McKenna TCRG Eileen Purtell-Ashley TCRG Sec: Aisling O’Brien, TCRG Treasurer: Deirdre McGorry, TCRG (HON)

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Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc.

Western Australia

Congratulations to All Dancers!

AIDA WA would like to congratulate all dancers who have competed recently in the Australian National Championships at the Perth Concert Hall. The standard of the Championships this year was exceptional – well done to all who competed!

A huge thank-you to our volunteers and Championship Partners for making the running of this event possible.

Sinead Daly Sub Minor Girls 8 Years Runner Up Caoimhe McGuigan Sub Minor Girls 8 Years 2nd Runner Up Lachlan Moroney Minor Boys 9 Years Runner Up Griffyn Ryan Minor Boys 9 Years 2nd Runner Up Caoimhe McAleer Girls 10 Years Champion Harry Elkin-Purser Junior Boys 12 Years Champion Luke Hansen Junior Boys 12 Years Runner Up Ruby Driscoll Intermediate Girls 13 Years Runner Up Ciara-Mae Crone Intermediate Girls 13 Years 2nd Runner Up Dara McAleer Senior Girls 15 Years Champion Full Results available: http://aidainc.com/australian-championship-results

For any enquiries regarding Irish dancing in Perth please contact Aisling O’Brien, Secretary AIDA WA aislingfiona@westnet.com.au

Upcoming Feisanna: Elementary Feis, November 10th at Lockridge SHS

Kavanagh Teresa McGorry-Mathers TCRG 9371 8400 / 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG (Hon) 0400 077 892 Osborne Park & Melville

O’Brien Rose O’Brien TCRG/AGCRG Butler, Kinross, Subiaco 9401 6334 / 0423 382 706 O’Hare Jenny O’Hare TCRG Wembley Downs & Os Park 0422 239 440 Saoirse Sinead Hoare TCRG Carramar 0414 647 849 Trinity Eileen Purtell-Ashley TCRG Morley 0413 511 595 WA Academy Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG Malaga 9276 3737 / 0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 9377 5600 Hilary McKenna TCRG 0404 730 532

31

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Unit Unit 1, 1, 771 771 Beaufort Beaufort Street, Street, Mt Mt Lawley Lawley WA WA 6050 6050 RECRUITMENT RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS

STAFF WANTED - MINING - CIVIL - CONSTRUCTION

Win a Trip to Ireland or Win a Trip to Australia Bring over a loved one for Christmas or Go home and visit your family...

y It’s up to

Final Trim Operators would like to say thanks to everyone for all their support over the past few years, so we are giving away a return trip for either a family member in Ireland to come to Australia to visit their son/daughter, or for someone in Australia to go home to visit their family for Christmas!

ou!

aw! r d r e t n To e Just like us on Facebook!

via our website www.finaltrimoperators.com.au

Terms and Conditions: To be eligible for the prize draw, just like our Facebook page before the 23rd November 2013. The owner of the Irish Scene (Fred Rea) will pick one lucky facebook follower by random and we will post the winner on our page. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize before being redrawn. Flights are not redeemable for cash.

admin@finaltrimoperators.com.au admin@finaltrimoperators.com.au

ction ssttrru n o uctiostns C & il n o iv li ts l & C t Specia ing,, C Civim Min en pecialis S MininRgecruit t n e m Recruit

www.finaltrimoperators.com.au www.finaltrimoperators.com.au 32

Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre Whitfords Ave, Woodvale

9309 9992

We can provide all your Christmas Meat and Poultry needs!

We supply an extensive range of products, including: • Irish Pork Sausages

• Gammon Joints – Raw and Cooked

• Irish Pork Cocktails

• Free Range Turkeys

• Irish Pork Sausage Meat

• Turkey Breast Rolls

• Black Pudding

• Turkey Crowns

• White Pudding

• Irish Bacon

CHRISTMAS Turkey and Ham - ORDER EARLY Please place your order in store or by phone as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Don’t forget we have a whole range of Irish smallgoods as well.

Including Barry’s Tea, Chef’s Brown and Red Sauces, McDonnell’s Curry Sauce, Odlum’s Brown and White Flour and our popular Potato and Soda Bread.

We are now also stocking Tayto Crisps.

Please visit us anytime or feel free to phone with any queries.

Shop 14 Opening Hours: Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Ctr Mon to Wed: 8:00am to 6:00pm Whitfords Avenue Thursday: 8:00am to 7:30pm Woodvale WA 6026 Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm (08) 9309 9992 Saturday: 8:00am to 5:00pm meatconnoisseur@bigpond.com Sunday: 11:00am to 5:00pm

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from All of Us to All of You! 33

Irish Session and Classes Every Monday at The Irish Club 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco All Welcome

Perth Comhaltas Music Weekend

Come to the lovely Bickley Campsite again for a weekend jam packed full of workshops in many different Irish instruments, dancing, singing and plenty of sessions!

Absolutely everyone is welcome to attend whether it is just for the Saturday night dinner or to stay for the entire weekend!

7pm Friday 22nd November 2013 – 12pm Sunday 24th November 2013 Bickley Campsite at the end of Hardinge Road, Orange Grove Pricing: Adults (To stay) - $22.00 per night Children (To stay) - $18.00 per night Day pass (Not staying overnight) - $10.00 Spectators - $5.00 Saturday night dinner - $5.00 If you intend to stay the night please remember to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow as beds are provided but not linen. We will be looking for volunteers again to bring along a dish

for dinner on Saturday night as it was so successful last time – if you have special dish you would love to bring along and share please contact Joan Walker on 9397 5152 or email perthcomhaltas@gmail.com A program of events will be released closer to the actual weekend – please contact perthcomhaltas@gmail.com for any queries or head to www.facebook.com/perthcomhaltas

Godspeed!

The nuns at a small convent were happy to learn that an anonymous donor had left his modest estate to them. Each nun had been left $50 in cash to give away as she saw fit.

Each nun announced how she would spend her bequest. Sister Catherine Ann decided to give her share to the first poor person she saw.

As she said this, she looked out the window and saw a man leaning against the telephone pole across the street, and he indeed looked poor.

She immediately left the convent and walked toward the man. He had obviously known better days. The good nun felt he had been sent by Heaven to receive her offering.

She pressed the $50 into the man’s hands and said, “Godspeed, my good man.”

As she left, the man called out to her, “What is your name?”

Shyly, she replied, “Sister Catherine Ann.” The following evening, the man returned to the convent and rang the bell. “I’d like to see Sister Catherine Ann,” he said.

The nun at the door answered, “I’m sorry, but I cannot disturb her right now. She’s in the chapel. May I give her a message?”

“Yes,” said the man gleefully. “Give her this $100 and tell her Godspeed came in second at Belmont”.

8pm Tue November 26th

34

Congratulations to Val Noone

Australia, the Celtic Club of Melbourne, the Higgins Chair of Irish Studies at University of Melbourne, the NewmanSt Mary’s Academic Centre and the Australian Irish Heritage Association”.

Val sent the following to the President of the Australian Irish Heritage Association, Denis Bratton: “This is a great honour and a complete surprise. In accepting with pride and gratitude the invitation I do so on behalf of the many people I have worked with over the years including Joe O’Sullivan and all of you at AIHA. As Joe would say, we are only doing what it is our duty to do’.

The Irish Scene warmly congratulates Val Noone and notes that this award marks long decades of work for the Irish and Irish-Australian community of Victoria and Australia.

The Senate of the National University of Ireland (NUI) has decided to confer the Degree Doctor of Literature, honoris causa, on Dr Val Noone, a fellow of the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. Dr Noone is being honoured “for his contribution to Irish Studies in Australia”. The Chancellor of NUI, Dr Maurice Manning, will confer the degree on 2 December 2013 at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.

Val Comments…

“This is a great honour and a complete surprise. In accepting with pride and gratitude the invitation to accept the honour of a Doctorate of Letters from the National University of Ireland I do so, on behalf of the many people I have worked with over the years. I want to thank especially the members and officials of the community groups of which I have been part such as the production team, subscribers and advertisers of Táin and Tinteán magazines, the Irish Ancestry Group, the Irish Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand, the Irish Language Association of

Source for story: tintean.org.au

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35

D/L No. 6061

THE WRAN BOYS’ QUAINT CHRISTMAS CUSTOM OBSERVED IN IRELAND

In Ireland for many years there is a very quaint old practice, now known as ‘”The Wran Boys;” which is observed on St. Stephen’s Day the term “Boxing Day” not having yet been acclimatised across the Irish Sea. Almost peculiar to the South of Ireland, the origin of this most curious survival of olden Christmas festivities is now very obscure. There is a legend to the effect that once, in a war fare between the English and Irish an English sentinel fell asleep at his post. Profiting by this, the Irish army was coming unawares on the foe, when a wren called in Ireland the “wran” pecked on a drum until the sentinel was awakened, and the situation was saved - for the English. ‘There are some who hold that, on the other hand, that the little bird assisted at the martyrdom of St. Stephen, and must, therefore, be put to death -on his festival.

Let it not be thought, however, that the wren is sacrificed without due and fitting ceremony. On the contrary, his martyrdom or rather assumed martyrdom in these days is surrounded with no small amount of pomp. In most neighbourhoods in the South, the young men and lads made up

little companies of from twelve to twenty. Having provided themselves with a pole or young tree of fair size, they decorate it with a large bunch of holly and paper flowers. To this were once added one or more dead wrens; but of late a humane public opinion has become adverse to the appearance of real birds, and the “wrans” are now, as a rule, make believe. But the “wren boys” remain. Their work begins early on St. Stephen’s morning, and has a sort of family resemblance to the doings of the “waits.”

Each little band starts off with its own “wran” as the decorated pole has come to be called-and outside every house it stops to sing the tale of the wren, who is described as “the king of all birds.” The song is the rudest doggerel, and a couple of the stanzas run as follows:

consisting of four or five notes, to which each line is sung up and down after the style of a beginner’s “singing exercise.”

This serenading begins early in the morning - bringing one out of one’s sleep with a wrench - and-goes on until late in the afternoon. In town and country alike the custom prevails in the South of Ireland, and is looked forward to by the young people. Group after group of them are to be seen - gay and full of fun, even when - as still occasionally happens - their clothes are tattered and their naked legs and feet looked pinched with cold. – Miles they tramp, singing their song, and holding aloft the gaily-decked “wran.”

And the bright eyes and the coaxing voices “have such a deludherin’ way with them” that It is impossible to resist them. But no one wants The wran, the wran, the king of all birds, to resist them, for they are part of the Irish On St. Stephen’s Das he was caught in the furze.

Christmas.

Although he is little, his family’s great; Get up, kind lady, and give us a trate.

Editor: The tradition consists of “hunting” Get up, old woman, and shake your feathers; a fake wren these days, and putting it on top Don’t you think that we are beggars; of a decorated pole. This is an old story and We are the boys that come from play readers might advise us if this custom is still To earn some money on St. Stephen’s Day widespread in Ireland. When I was young we Hurrah l used to have Wran Days on St Stephen’s Day, To be - according to the ideas of the “wran does this still go on? Lert us know? boys’ - properly performed, these lines must be sung at the greatest passible voice, to an air

Then let us be merry and taste the good cheer, And remember old Christmas comes but once a year.

Merry Christmas from Paddy Malones

36

Irish Families in Perth

Western Australia

By Debbie Cashman Teahan

Our online community is still expanding as we have now surpassed 3,900 members of Irish Families In Perth face book page. It has been an invaluable settling in tool for newcomers to Perth and thank you for all the positive feedback we have received.

We are busy organising the up and coming Halloween party in the Irish Club on Sunday the 3rd of November. This will comprise of a disco for the children with some spooky games and plenty of tricks and of course treats for the children. Also our Christmas party is also going to be taken place again at the Irish Club, that will be on the 15th December. There will be a visit from the big man himself to give dole out the presents to the ’good’ boys and girls.

The Christmas party will be a ticket affair as due to its popularity we have to limit numbers. This will be our 3rd year hosting these traditional events, and each year they grow in attendance. Irish Families in Perth (IFIP) are currently looking for volunteers to join our hardworking committee, if you would like to do so, please contact irishinperth@ hotmail.com There is many ongoing activities and events, we have a weekly

playgroup on Wednesday mornings at the back of Karrinyup Sports Centre, which has a little gated playground so the small ones can play safely, newcomers especially welcome! There is a traditional music class for children every Sunday in conjunction with Comhaltas contact Sean Doherty for more information and sincere thanks to Comhaltas and their helpers for passing on the joys of traditional music to the children. We also have a soccer for dads team ‘Jacks Army’ that takes place on Thursday nights in Bouncers Joondalup and new players welcome. The GAA junior academy has finished for the season, for more information consult the Gaelic Games Junior Academy on their facebook page. Cinema, and book clubs are ongoing and posts are put up on the page with dates and venues. The Saint Patrick’s day committee are already planning next years big event in Leederville in association with IFIP, which looks to be even bigger and better than last year!

We also work with the Claddagh Association to promote events, such as the intergenerational events happening for Seniors week. Especially for the Sunday 17th Nov picnic in the park day at John XX111 in Claremont, this is open to all, with food, Gaelic games, music and crafts on display, it promises to be a lovely family day, and definitely something to pencil into the calender!

Speaking of which, here’s a few save the dates: Nov 3rd Halloween party in the Irish Club in Subiaco irishinperth@hotmail.com Nov 11th Celebrating Seniors week at the Mighty Quinn Tuart Hill (contact Claddagh Association) Nov 17th Picnic in the Park (contact Claddagh Associaction) Dec 15th Children’s Christmas Party irishinperth@hotmail.com

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We conduct our business in a sensitive, dignified and efficient manner, allowing peace of mind to bereaved families.

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38

Ronnie’s Singing keeps the kids happy!

Padbury Childcare centre had an open day in October. The Saturday morning social was a great opportunity for parents, children and staff to mix and meet in a familiar setting but with none of the busy daily and routine pressures getting in the way.

The sun shone, snags were barbecued and mums and dads chatted while the little ones were free to do their own mingling and playing. There are a number of Irish families with children at the centre who turned up on the day (and are pictured here) and even some who couldn’t make it on the day. The

chance to get better acquainted or even introduced to other people with Irish accents who you might hear or catch from time to time was great and all the parents - Irish and alike - seemed to mix well.

There was even a bout of Irish lotto on the day.

One of my favourite stories about the centre comes from my wife. On more than one occasion she has gone into the creche and found the children in at least one group bopping away to the sounds of The Dubliners being belted out on more than one occasion, and the kids seemed to munch happily

An Ciarrí Carúl Nollag - The Kerry Christmas Carol

The Irish poem is an evocation of an old Irish custom in which each household would leave a lighted candle in their window on Christmas night.

There was a pious belief that Joseph and Mary and the Child still wandered the roads of the world, looking for a place to rest from the persecution of Herod. That they should show a preference for the roads of rural Ireland was accepted as a given. le Caoimhghín Ó Brolcháin

Translation

Scuab an t-urlár agus glan an teallach, ‘s coimead na grísaigh beo, Ar eagla go dtiocfhaidh siad anocht, Agus an domhan ‘na chodladh go suan!

Brush the floor and clean the hearth, And set the fire to keep, For they might visit us tonight When all the world’s asleep!

Ná múch an coinneal ard bán, Ach fág é lásta go geal .

Go mbeidh siad cinnte ar aon go bhfuil fáilte is fiche roimh cách Sa teach ar an Oiche Nollag naofa seo!

Don’t blow the tall white candle out But leave it burning bright, So that they’ll know they’re welcome here This holy Christmas night!

Léig amach ar an mbord, arán is feoil, Agus braonín bainne don leanbh.

Agus beidh beannacht ar an dtine Agus ar an té a bhruith an t-arán Agus ar an lamh a dhéin an t-obair dian.

Leave out the bread and meat for them, And sweet milk for the Child, And they will bless the fire, that baked And, too, the hands that toiled.

Beidh Naomh Iósaef túirseach, Tar éis an turas fada.

Agus aghaidh Mhuire fann, bánghnéitheach Agus beidh néal codlata aca.

Sar a n-imthígheann siad arís.

For Joseph will be travel-tired, And Mary pale and wan, And they can sleep a little while Before they journey on.

Beidh túirse na mbóthar fada ortha Agus seans aca a scíth a ligint, Ó’s iomai an míle fada uaigneach Atá roimh an dtriur aca Uaidh seo go dtí Beithil.

They will be weary of the roads, And rest will comfort them, For it must be many a lonely mile From here to Bethlehem.

Ó is fada an bóthar ‘tá le taisteal aca, Agus é idir garbh is mín Agus Cnoch Chalvaire mar ceann scríbe aca, Agus chroise adhmad indan.

O long the road they have to go, The bad mile with the good, Till the journey ends on Calvary Beneath a cross of wood.

Ná cur ar an ndoras ach an laiste anocht!

Agus coimead na gríosaigh beó Agus guí go mbeidh siad fén ar ndíon anocht Agus an domhan ‘na chodladh go suan.

Leave the door upon the latch, And set the fire to keep, And pray they’ll rest with us tonight When all the world’s asleep.

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away to the gravely and great voice of the late Ronnie Drew and the musical majesticness of the rest of the group.

Home is where the Heart is...

by Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Pat and Mary Walsh (nee McMahon) have been a long time out of Ireland. In fact they have been gone so long that they have twice been emigrants. The first time from Ireland to the UK and the second to Australia. And through it all they have helped each other to make their adopted countries home.

Pat, a Kerryman, and Mary from Northern Ireland, met each other in the age and the setting of the ballroom of romance days.

“I was at the Irish Club in Birmingham, The Shamrock, when we met,” remembers Mary. “I was at the dance hall, I got on a bus and he was on the same bus but then we met at the club one night. We were dancing the Siege of Ennis and whoever I was with we went flying on the floor and he came down to help me get up, he picked me up.”

It was a love at first sight story for Mary who worked in the laundry of the Mater Hospital in Belfast for over a year before crossing the

Pat and Mary on their wedding day!

Irish Sea. Pat was working in the car manufacturing industry at the time.

A year later they were married.

It was 1957. They were 24 and the

call of Australia was strong for the newly weds.

“It was the kind of thing where a lot of people were going over and far off fields were green and you wanted to see what it was like,” added Mary. “We waited until Sean was born, to see if the new baby - we had already had Elizabeth - was a boy or a girl and then we started on the paperwork. As it turns out we had two born in England and another two - Patrick and Bridie - who were born in Australia. It was snowing when we left London and when we got to Fremantle it was a hundred degrees and I thought Holy Smoke, what have we done,” she added.

She also recalls being given a book about Australia by someone not he boat and reading for the first time about red backs, snakes and all the rest of it. “I was scared to death,” she said.

On their second day in WA Pat found a job on the railways and quickly afterwards they put down a deposit on a house. “We stayed in a hostel for the first bit but not too long after we found a new house that had just been built in South Fremantle. Our neighbours - he was Dutch/ she was Australian were lovely people - and helped us. I stayed at home with the children while Pat worked.” Mary did return to the workforce for a while and was employed at the old “Mills and Wares” biscuit factory in Fremantle In their long time in WA Pat and Mary have also lived in Riverdale and Beverly. They are now residents at Joondalup Lifestyle Village a place where they say everyone looks out for one another. When it comes to this time of year they fondly remember their childhoods in Ireland, sliding not the ice, playing in the snow and getting ready for Santa’s annual visit.

They were last back in Ireland nine years ago on a trip to

40

Europe to see their grandchildren.

Mary thinks the key to a long life and happy marriage is a fairly straightforward one. “The secret of a happy marriage is to make a go of it and overlook the little problems that come up and work them out.”

Pats memory is not the best these days but he remembered following poem referring to the de Valera’s children allowance in Ireland. This was a way in increasing the population. Pat added “there had to be two children before families qualified for the half crown”.

Shure They’re in throught the windows And out through the doors And some from the roof hanging down When the story is told they’re as precious as gold Shure they’re all worth a lovely half crown The following song is all about the same subject and is a wonderful parody explaining one man’s dilema in trying to get the half-crown!

THE HALF CROWN SONG One day de Valera stood up in the Dáil, And he said the population of Ireland was small, And so to improve it and not let it down, Sure for every child born he would give a half-crown.

CHORUS: Tooraloo (tooraloo), tooralay (tooralay), Sure the children’s allowance is comin’ our way.

When I was a young man I was tired of me life, So I traveled the country in search of a wife.

I married a widow and I then settled down, And I did me dang best for to earn that half-crown.

But the job it proved harder than most people think, For the first couple o’ nights sure I ne’er slept a wink, And the wife she keeps at me, she called me a clown, Sayin’, “You’re doin’ nothin’ to earn this half-crown.”

In a week I resembled a half-hungry goose, With the bones in me body disjointed and loose.

Sure when people see me they say with a frown: “Sure the cause of his trouble is that bloody half-crown.”

Then one night we broke an old spring in the bed.

Sure says I to the wife: “Sure I’m nearly half dead.”

She turned to me sayin’, “I’m sixty-three.”

Ah, bedad, then says I, there’s no half-crown for me.

Now all ye young men take a warnin’ from bedad Make sure of the wife’s age before you take her to wed, And don’t let her fool you like she fooled me, You can’t get a half-crown from a three score-an’-three.

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Father Finnegan had an idea that he could only describe in his head as an epiphany after Mass one Sunday morning in late November as the small crowd left the church. He was desperately in need of a Santa Claus. Earlier in the Mass while he was in the middle of his Homily he looked down on his flock and noticed the burly figure of Paddy Crowley. His head was bowed but not in prayer, he had fallen asleep. Paddy’s wife saw the look of contempt in Father Finnegan’s eyes and nudged her husband awake with a sharp elbow in the ribs. Paddy opened his heavy eyes slowly and looked at his wife as if he was home on the sofa, as if to say, “What did you wake me for? I was having a grand sleep” Now at the back of the church as he waited for Paddy, his wife and their little son Tommy, he noticed Paddy’s wife Brenda bow her head with shame as she approached him.

Father Finnegan motioned with his finger to Paddy, as Brenda hustled little Tommy out of the church into the cold winter morning.

“Sorry about the dozin’ off Father I was workin’ late tryin’ to finish a job last night and well you know how it is”.

“I do indeed Paddy. I do indeed. Now you know me, I’m the forgivable sort but every man has to pay for his sins.”

“Oh you don’t have to worry about me on that score Father. I’m payin’ alright, don’t you worry about that” Having lost that point, the priest continued.

‘I was wondering Paddy if you would do me a bit of a favour”?

“A favour? What kind of a favor would you want from me”?

“Well as you know we lost our Santa Claus last year for the twelve days of Christmas” “Twas a terrible loss Father, a terrible loss. The heart went out on him” “Well I was wondering Paddy if you would be so kind as to take his place?”

“Do you mean in heaven Father? I mean to say all I did was fall asleep in the pew” “No I meant would you be our Santa Claus. I mean it would only be for a few hours a day while the children are out of school, and you know how the children love Santa Claus. You’re a fine big man like Michael Maloney was, God rest his soul so I’m sure the suit will fit you. But you must remember you have to be disguised so well that nobody must know its Paddy Crowley beneath that

• christmas STORY •

by Noel O’Neill

Wish.

The

beard and costume. You see its important to me Paddy that the children still believe in Santa Claus” Paddy rubbed the stubble on his chin as he often did when he had to make a decision.

‘Alright so. I’ll do it, and it’ll be the last time I’ll fall asleep in Mass, I promise you that now Father” They shook hands and parted and Paddy joined his wife and child outside while Father Finnegan rubbed his hands together as if he had won a small victory.

November ran into December and Paddy sat in the parish hall dressed in the festive costume of Santa, with black boots and a big flowing beard. And as was his custom whenever life was too much for him, he took an occasional swig from a flask of whisky in his back pocket and like all heavy drinkers, he would keep a packet of mints in his pocket or a small bag of aniseed balls to disguise the smell of alcohol. The children lined up anxiously with Christmas wishes in their heads while their mother’s reminded them with, “Don’t forget to ask him this”, and “Don’t forget to ask him that” as he sat there patiently waiting for the time to pass. Boys and girls of all ages and sizes stood before him or sat on his knee, whispered in his ear and asked him if he could please get them this and that.

He looked down the long queue and there was his Tommy holding onto his mother’s hand and he was pulling her up the line getting closer and closer to him. It seemed like an eternity before the boy reached him and finally spoke to him as his wife Brenda smiled proudly at him. It was a picture for a 42

postcard of Father Christmas and son.

Later that night as Father Finnegan was locking up the Parish Hall he noticed the figure in the red suit sitting on a bench by the graveyard in the cold.

“My God Paddy I thought you had gone home hours ago”?

He could smell the whisky from him but Father Finnegan was not a man who judged people. He understood a man’s failings and men who could not rise above them.

“What is it Paddy?

“Tommy came to see me tonight with his mother” “Well that was good. I hope to God he didn’t recognize you”.

“No” said Paddy “But do you know what he said to me Father? He said “Santa, he said “Do you think you could stop my daddy drinking this Christmas as it makes my mummy sad? Could you credit that Father, from a seven year old?

“From the mouths of children pours the truth alright Paddy, and sometimes the truth is very hard to take” “You’re tellin’ me Father, you’re tellin’ me!

“Well do you think you can grant your son that wish Paddy?”

“I don’t know, sure I’m after drinkin’ myself sick over it” “Well, let me tell you something Paddy, we all fall but we have to get back up on our feet again. It’s expected of us and we have to live up to those expectations or we will end up crawling through life and sure life is too much of a gift to be disregarded that way.

Now Paddy I know you can get back on your feet if you love your son, as I know you do, I think you can, I know you can. Now come on inside so you can change into your clothes.

I’ll make a nice strong pot of tea so you can go home with a little dignity” The two men went back inside the hall and drank the tea in silence. Before Paddy left the hall he shook the old priest’s hand.

“Thank you Father” “Thank you Paddy. You made an awful lot of children happy this year” Christmas morning when Father Finnegan read the homily he looked down on his flock and he noticed Paddy Crowley was wide awake and smiling but not because he promised the priest he would stay awake but that he had granted his son his Christmas wish and would continue to do so every Christmas.

Fáilte Roimh to all readers of The Irish Scene!

If you require legal services, Renee O’Callaghan can help you.

Renee is a Senior Associate with Robertson Hayles Lawyers and is married to an Irishman who migrated to Perth from Newry in 2011. She says that being married to an Irishman has brought great passion and excitement to her life and she has taken his surname, O’Callaghan. The surname means descendent of Ceallachan who was the King of Munster from AD 935 until 954. The personal name Cellach means ‘bright-headed’, truly an apt surname for Renee.

Renee told The Irish Scene, “I grew up in the country in Far North Queensland where my parents were sugar cane farmers. From young, I had great ambition to further myself and through sheer dint of hard work, I put myself through law school and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from James Cook University, Queensland in 2004.” Thereafter, Renee earned her spurs in a busy practice in Cairns, Queensland and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2006.

Like many Irish who have sought greener pastures in migrating to Western Australia, Renee moved to Perth in 2012 in search of new challenges. She joined Robertson Hayles Lawyers or RHL, an established law firm with more than 50 years of service to the Western Australian community. She is now a Senior Associate and is kept busy with a variety of legal work. Renee has an infectious enthusiasm for her work, “I have experience in criminal law, business law and family law and enjoy my work tremendously.

The most important thing for me is helping my client achieve a good outcome in their legal matter. This is the motivation that keeps me going.” Renee is also active with the WA Chamber of Commerce and was a volunteer lawyer with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Renee told The Irish Scene that what makes Robertson Hayles Lawyers different from other legal practices is the way its lawyers approach their relationship with their clients. “Each lawyer in our legal practice believes that commitment to a client and service of the highest quality is the key to a lawyer building a long-term relationship. This focus in going the extra mile for our client sets our lawyers apart from other law firms”.

In an era where solicitors increasingly provide legal services within a narrow field, RHL have on board a complement of solicitors who are able to provide expertise in a wide area of the law affecting individuals, families and small to medium sized businesses. Renee says that this collective knowledge and experience enables RHL to deliver integrated solutions to their client’s legal needs.

Give Renee a call on 9325 1700 or send an email to her at reception@robertsonhayles.com if you require legal advice.

Area of Legal Practice Business and Commercial Law Criminal Law Traffic Offences Family Law Property and Business Settlements Personal Injury Inheritance Claims Probate Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning Debt Recovery Street Location Ground Floor Irwin Chambers, 16 Irwin Street, Perth WA 6000 Postal Address PO Box Z5403 Perth WA 6831 Contact Details Call Renee O’Callaghan Phone : (08) 9325 1700 Fax : (08) 9221 2962 reception @robertsonhayles.com.au Special Discount We provide a special discount to all readers and subscribers of The Irish Scene in all business and commercial matters.

43

By Lloyd Gorman

Pollies can be very Liberal with your money but only grafters have the power to give There is a saying that money attracts money. In the same sense a crowd will always attract a bigger crowd, drawing in more people curious to see what all the fuss is about. Combine the two and you get gold rush fever. It was a bit like that at the University of WA in October when mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his wife announced they would donate $65 million to the university to help attract the best minds and intellects in the world to come to the Perth college.

UWA is already ranked in the top 100 universities in the world but the ambition is to get a place in the top 50 in coming years.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott flew in for the announcement. He joined his state equivalent and fellow Liberal party mate Premier Colin Barnett for the cash splash.

They must have been delighted with themselves. Now that the elections are out of the way they have a clean run over the next few years to run the country and state as they see fit. Before he got to UWA Abbott was already sitting on a plan to privatise the university fees debts of Australian students and raise billions of dollars for his cash strapped administration. Barnett too has had a go at trying to squeeze cash out of the children of 457 visa

workers to bolster his government’s ailing budget.

So when someone comes along and throws ‘free’ money at the education sector you can be sure political snouts will get stuck into the trough as soon as possible.

There was a lot of hullabaloo about the philanthropic gesture by the Forrests – which is fair enough under the circumstances, $65 million is a lot by anyone standards and will no doubt do a lot of good for the academic environment and economic prospects and progress of the state.

UWA Chancellor Dr Michael Chaney, said their extraordinary gift echoed the foresight of Sir John Winthrop Hackett, who founded the University as its first Chancellor 100 years ago with a £425,000 ($37.7 million in current dollars) donation “to advance the prosperity and welfare of the people” of WA. What the Chancellor didn’t say at the time was that Hackett was Irish, he was born in Co. Wicklow in 1848. We have seen the Hackett story in Irish Scene before, but a brief reminder might not hurt. He came to Australia aged about 25, after graduating in law from Trinity College Dublin. He spent many years in Melbourne, Sydney and elsewhere trying many different things before he found success and established himself in WA. He died in 1916 and part of the fortune he amassed here was the foundation on which UWA was built. He also choose the location for the college campus and it was his vision that guided it in those early years and helped it to become the academic institution it is today.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland in the same week the University of Limerick had a good news windfall

44

of its own. It received a $52 million donation designed to make it a world class research facility and attract the top minds in the global research sector to UL. Who knows, they may even go head to head with UWA to try and make sure they attract some of the best and brightest around.

The money was given by The Bernal Project which is designed to give Ireland the edge in research in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and energy sciences. It is a philanthropical organisation set up in the early 1980’s by Charles “Chuck” Feeney, the son of modest blue collar Irish American parents who worked hard to give their family a good life in New Jersey.

Their ancestry can be traced back to County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. As a boy Chuck would do whatever he could to make a buck, including selling Christmas Cards door to door and shovelling footpaths during snowstorms.

Throughout his life he worked tirelessly to be successful and to share that success.

There has been a lot of press in recent months about certain state and federal politicians abusing and exploiting their parliamentary entitlements, expenses and allowances for personal ends. They are not all the same, I am certain.

But it does not inspire confidence in the political system when its deputies who are meant to serve the public good will readily claim a few hundred here or five thousand there of taxpayers money purely because they can. Compare that with the generosity of spirit these benefactors show for the wider community, without any strings attached. If money talks then the philanthropics and not the pollies might be worth listening too.

The Celtic Club •

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R E S TAU RANT

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

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FUNCTIONS

room can comfortably seat 125 delegates theatre style or 120 for a banquet.

The Club’s impressive Jarrah lined President’s Room can seat up to 30 guests theatre style and is ideal for private business luncheons for up to 24 guests.

The Club’s central location makes it the ideal place to host a meeting or special event, meet colleagues, develop new business partners or simply relax in comfort with today’s newspaper, the latest business publication or lifestyle magazine.

Becoming a member of The Celtic Club certainly has its advantages and now is the perfect time to join one of Perth’s premier business clubs.

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

Drop into the club and say hello!

In addition to the bar and restaurant, The Celtic Club members have exclusive access to our outstanding function facilities, fully coordinated by our professional staff with an extensive range of catering options. Located on the first floor, the main function

For an incredibly Romantic Wedding Reception

Located near the beautiful Kings Park Gardens, the elegance and old worldly charm of the Celtic Club will be exclusive for you and your guests.

Set Dinner, Buffet & Cocktail style are all catered for and it is a commitment to guests that all food will be delicious and plentiful.

48 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Phone (08) 9322 2299 Fax (08) 9322 2899 E-mail: celtic.club@bigpond.com • www.celticclubperth.com

Irish Community and Bunbury lose a great friend!

It is with sadness that we heard that Dr Ern Manea passed away on 16 October 2013 aged 86.

Dr Manea was born in Albany, Western Australia to an Irish mother and a Greek father. Later Dr Manea did his medical training at the University of WA and University of Adelaide and completed his internship at Royal Perth Hospital. Dr Manea served as a GP to the Bunbury area from 1952 in a large practice before striking out on his own in 2002 at the ripe old age of 76. Dr Manea was also involved in countless groups and community organisations ranging from the South Bunbury Football Club to the World Trotting Association. Dr Manea served two terms as Mayor of Bunbury from 1966 – 1972 and then from 1988 – 1997. His impact on the development of Bunbury, and indeed the greater Bunbury region is significant.

His support of Liam Barry and the annual John Boyle

O’Reilly Commemoration was always much appreciated by the Irish Community in Western Australia. His quoting of O’Reilly’s Cry of the Dreamer shall live in our memories for many a year. Dr Manea is survived by his wife of 60 years Snookie, sons Mark and Denis Manea, Sydney Jackson and five grandchildren.

To them we express our deepest sympathy. Slán a Chara.

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The Cry of the Dreamer by John Boyle O’Reilly I am tired of planning and toiling in the crowded hives of men; Heart-weary of building and spoiling, and spoiling and building again.

And I long for the dear old river, where I dreamed my youth away; For a dreamer lives forever, and a toiler dies in a day.

PJ Malone hands over the cheque to the Fitzpatrick family

18,500

Amazing Generosity!

It all started by a chance remark (during choir practice). Some six weeks later the fulfilment of that comment from PJ Malone “that we should do something for that little girl” came to pass. Charlotte Maria Fitzpatrick was the beneficiary.

In short we started a fund raiser, in the form of a golf day at Joondalup Golf Club, for this young girl who had recently being diagnosed with ‘Rett Syndrome’, a rare form of Autism that affects young girls almost exclusively.

According to the ‘National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’ (NINDS) It is characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability.

Early intervention can make life better. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy have helped Charlotte to get back some of her functions such as standing and even taking a few steps. The cost of this early intervention is way beyond the normal family’s income.

As well as paying for the above, special equipment is essential e.g. a wheelchair with sensors, an adapted motor vehicle with lifts and a ‘Tobii Eye Gaze” package.

Our combined efforts raised a staggering total of $18,500. Thanks to the instigator PJ Malone, aided and abetted by Alan Flaherty, Tom CKearns and Bob O’Shea.

When we approached businesses for donations, they did not hesitate to support us. We thank the following

contributors for their patronage and generosity; P & M Malone fencing, iinet, DVM Fencing, The Bailey Bar & Bistro, Focused Recruitment, WA Limos, Killarney Autos, The Kingsley Tavern, The Irish Club of WA, JB O’Reillys, Tom Cairns, Joondalup Financing, Paul McLaughlin’s Northside Meats Malaga, WA Hurling, Sarsfield Hurling, St Gabriel’s Hurling, Domal Plastering , Reoright Pty, M & N Engineering , DF Bricklaying, N.W Project Management, Jim Egan, The Irish Scene, UON Power Air Water, ODH Mechanical, Galleria Toyota Morley, Metro Hardware, ABM Golf, Eamonn Fitzpatrick, Mike O’Callaghan, Aiden O’Sullivan, Mick Connolly, Thomas Tierney and Padge Sullivan (these latter four handed back their winning prizes).

These were subsequently auctioned for over $400.

The novelty prizes were donated and awarded by Jim Egan. The Charlotte Cup was presented to the tournament winners Mike Connolly and Aiden O’Sullivan by Charlotte’s father Mark. The raffle after the golf was a special occasion as Charlotte and her family attended. We were all humbled and privileged to be able to help in such a worthy cause; this beautiful child who was held in her mother Caroline’s arms. This effort to thank the supporters was greatly appreciated and there was not a dry eye in the house.

The family had opened a Bankwest account where all monies were lodged. It’s BSB 306 114 A/ C No. 0269386.We hope, with the permission of the Fitzpatrick family, to do a repeat performance next year.

46

The Mother Who Stumbled

By Peter Murphy - Aug 2013 She stumbles, child on breast, Another at her feet, Lips parched, eyes sunken, Bloated bellies, legs skinny.

She stumbles, as barque sways Along skeleton way Across a crimson sea; Further than Albatross fly.

She stumbles, beneath her bare feet, Shreds of torn grass; That stained hungry mouths; Now silent as mist ore a meadow.

She stumbles, spray ore her stoic face; Worn too proud for sympathy, While grim faces with sunken eyes Stare at children’s scrawny frames.

She stumbles, while on quay, A coffin-ship beckons; God only hopes to where; Crops bloom, hungers no more.

She stumbles - down gangway, Skinny neck strained, For faces half familiar, Or outstretched arms to bosom safe.

She stumbles, from deck a shimmer; Neither land, nor ocean wide; Only bloated floating shapes Laid-fourth like stepping stones.

She stumbles, on foreign soil; God only knows to where, Only child at her bare feet.

She stumbles, but dares not fall.

47

48

49

By Lloyd Gorman

Irish films could fill small and silver screen SBS3 aired a Celtic Thunder concert on August 20, and exactly a week later again. On the night of August 27 another SBS channel, SBS Two treated us to a little bit of RTE. Russell Howards Good News Week show – which is always entertaining and interesting – is made up of bits and pieces of news programmes, articles, internet videos and the like.

On this occasion we saw the bould Brian Dobson, one of the Irish state broadcaster’s news anchor men, giving us the news about the fall of Gaddafi.

A really, really good movie Kings was also shown on SBS3 on August 25. This bilingual (Irish/English) award winning film tells the story of six Irish immigrants in 1970’s London in their search for fame and fortune.

Great cast, great film. Worth a watch any day of the week.

St. Patrick’s Day popped up in various American comedy’s show here, including The Simpsons, The Office “St Patrick’s day, as close as the Irish will get to Xmas” Stephen Wells, 30 Rock “Taking the underground on St. Patrick’s Day is classed as a dangerous activity” Liz Lemon, How I met your Mother and Cheers in which the famous Boston bar gets blocked up (with breeze blocks) because of a lost bet.

Always a howl Tommy Tiernan was the featured talent on Just for Laughs from Montreal, on Channel 10, September 8.

Another Irish funny man Jason Byrne put in an appearance on Channel 10’s The 7pm Project to promote Father Figure a new sitcom

on BBC and RTE that was being launched a week later. Haven’t seen or heard much about it since, so not sure what to report on that front.

But if his sceal on 7pm Project was anything to go by – what it was like to grow up in 1970’s Ireland – it should be good. Byrne also popped up two days later on the This Weeks show, for the same reason.

Talking of growing up in Ireland and funny incidents, courtesy of Rude Tube on 7Mate – a countdown show about 20 of the funniest or most watched clips from You Tube – we get to see brothers Dylan and Darragh Murphy climbing between the frame of the sitting room and one of them falling. The show even travelled to Dublin to interview the boys and their hilarious hi jinx. (Type door frame, kid and Ireland into YouTube and you should find the clip).

Three days later 7Two matineed Flight of the Doves – that classic Irish children’s film which might appeal now to people of a certain vintage before it would kids of today, but hopefully not.

On September 22, ABC3 had two more Irish made programmes for children. The really excellent Roy for older kids and Fluffy Gardens for the smaller ones.

Frank and Mike of American Pickers (7Two) are likely to find anything on their travels across America in search of trash and treasure. On September 25 the pair of pickers found a rare ‘Irish Mail’ – a very old children’s cart named after an Irish mail train which was reputed to be the fastest of its kind. Something

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I didn’t know and probably deserving of a bit more research at some point in the future I think.

Also on 7Two (September 30) the show about car boot sales, auctions and the like, Bargain Hunt turned up an old leather briefcase that belong to a member of the Order of St. Patrick and was connected with the formation of the Irish Free State. A real little interesting gem that in the end auctioned for 540 pounds – bargain alright.

A busy hotchpotch of Irish content on September 26, with the 7PM Project showing a segment about Moira Kelly the remarkable Irish woman in Melbourne who shot to prominence a couple of years ago because of her work to save her adopted conjoined twins. The show looked at how she adopted other children from Iraq years ago and how her sons are thriving despite a host of handicaps. A real inspiration.

Its a date, a series of short films about dating in Australia, had a nice Irish touch about the romance of an elderly couple living in a retirement home. At the conclusion of the story, the lady’s door closes and a plaque on the door has the words ‘Tir Na Og – Land of the Young’.

The 26th was also the final of Vikings – the really well made historical drama made in Ireland (and Canada) about the Norsemen. If you haven’t seen it yet then look out for the new season. It will blow the beard of your face (if you have one).

Speaking of joint Irish Canadian efforts, Republic of Doyle, on ABC2, was shown very late at night

and an unexpected find. It stars Irish actor Seán McGinley as Malachy Doyle. Plenty of Irish music and feel to this show, but it has a very low profile and is hard to find on the box.

Kay Noonan, an senior citizen and actor, was interviewed as part of Derek: The Making of on ABC1. Kay plays the role of one of the residents in the new Ricky Gervais comedy.

Good to see a veteran face on screen and she seemed to enjoy the whole thing.

On the subject of seasoned Irish actors. The lavish 1962 making of Mutiny on the Bounty saw a (then) young Richard Harris, and more senior Noel Purcell in key roles on the crew. Chips Rafferty, who was a very well known and popular Australian actor for many years, also played the part of the character Michael Byrne in the movie. Byrne was from Kilkenny and practically blind but he joined the famous ship (but not in with the mutiny) for his fiddle playing powers. So a nice bit of history and Irish Australian cross over happening there. Just as a point of added interest William Bligh – the ships cruel captain – also lived in Dublin and is said to have designed the North Bull Wall at the mouth of the River Liffey.

On 7Two October 12 we saw Martin Clunes travel to Rathlin Island as part of his tour of the Isles of Britian. The night before, we were also off the coast of Northern Ireland again for DiveWWII on SBS3, a very good documentary about the search for wrecks of convoy vessels sunk by German U boats and the role the Irish coastal communities played in the conflict and for survivors.

ABC2 on October 13 transmitted Knuckle as part of its Sunday Best documentary series. It took 12 years to make this hour and a half long documentary into the world of bare knuckle fighting in the travelling community in Ireland and the UK. A real eye opener for anyone watching it and an eye closer for the men whose faces get pummelled and bloodied in the fights – which are surprisingly well refereed and staged.

Media Watch – the ABC1 weekly show about the media – produced on October 14 what I think might be a first for the long running, well watched and regarded programme, a section about an Irish local

newspaper. It opened with a tongue in cheek story from the Dundalk Democrat about the local soccer teams manager who almost lost his jumper in a café, but didn’t. A real light hearted and funny story that has gone viral for the local paper.

The next item wasn’t as much fun but it did have an Irish angle. One of the main – and lazy – commercial TV stations did a so called under cover story about doctors issuing sick notes to workers who didn’t need one. The GP in this case was an Irish doctor (in Melbourne I think) who did issue the fake patient with a sick note, but because he believed the patient needed it. Media Watch tried to get all the footage to clarify some of its claims, and to verify the innocence or otherwise of the medico, but the TV station would not hand them over. Another example of shoddy journalism and lack of standards at play.

Which brings me to my own writing and question of standards. On foot of a review about Mrs Browns Boys in the last Telly Nation Telly Station I got the following response from a reader: “Your penetrating critique of Mrs Browns Boys will cause significant comfort to the “Irish Bead Brigade” but for the family’s who are up to their ears in debt, kicked while down by the bankers and snubbed by politicians these are the people that Brendan Carroll causes to smile and give them a break from reality for 40 minutes or so.”

This is the second time a reader has been critical of me for my opinion of MBB. Perhaps I was a bit harsh, but I have also made some positive comments about it too. But I am delighted both people contacted me to let me know their views. All feedback and any comments you might like to make are welcome.

I can’t recall the date, but the Indigenous station NITV aired a great little movie in October, called Beneath Clouds. First released in 2002 it is the story about two young people – Vaughan an angry Aboriginal man in trouble with the law and Lena who is part Aboriginal but who goes in search of her Irish father – whose paths cross and they end up travelling across much of the Bush on their individual quests.

Lena carries a book of photographs of Ireland with her and in one of

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them her father is standing in an ancient Celtic stone site, something which speaks strongly to the troubled Vaughan. “I never thought of White Fella’s having sacred places before,” he told her. This film explores issues of identity amongst others and is as much a film about Ireland as it is about Australia. It is also the story of creator Australian director Ivan Sen and his experience of two worlds, growing up in Inverell NSW, born to an Aboriginal Mother and an absent father of European origin.

This production – Sen’s first cinematic offering – deservedly won a number of Australian and international awards. I was lucky to catch this film at all, as I was channel hopping and almost missed it entirely. That is so often the way with these things. We could follow the lead of the Italians, the French and the Germans and have an Irish film festival with multiple movies screened in Perth over a specific period of time. There is more than enough qualityIrish based material – new and old, short films and full length movies – to make it worthwhile. It would give Irish nationals and Australian’s alike a chance to fill their boots on a bit of cinematic Irish culture in one sitting.

NITV will also be responsible for bringing one of the most exciting and interesting developments on Australian TV for some time. Starting on October 27, at 8.30pm, it will screen the Irish language series Corp agus Anam, the story of a determined TV crime reporter to get the story. I am no gaelgoir but I will relish the opportunity to watch some independently produced programming from Ireland and to hear Irish being spoken on the box.

In fact the channel - which was launched a little over a year ago is at the forefront of a lot of original stuff that you will not see getting made elsewhere. That includes Irish stuff.

The night before Corp agus Anam gets broadcast, for example, NITV (which stands for National Indigenous TV) showed a documentary about the Indigenous Rules All Star Team that toured Ireland not very long ago.

Terrific stuff and there is more of this refreshing material to come from this TV fountain I’m sure.

Dining Guide

Sponsor: Northside Meats with Danielle O’Leary

Danielle finds another gem!

We sat down at the Sen5es Restaurant and Wine Bar, situated in the lobby. A busy hotel, the setting is perfect for people watching and offers a constant atmosphere. After reading the extensive and impressive wine list, we instantly regretted coming for lunch as we could have stayed for hours. Nestled in a booth, we were looked after impeccably well by Derek, the restaurant manager and Jim, manager of the well-loved Fenian’s Pub. Perth has suddenly become a city of bars hidden down unassuming laneways and restaurants nestled on top of buildings. Change is good, but it can easily make you forget what you once loved. For this food review, my companion and I went to the Novotel Perth Langley. I have been to this venue countless times; whether attending the Rose of Tralee Ball before it moved venues, meeting up with the International Combined Rules Irish Team or celebrating my Holy Communion all those years ago. The Langley features in so many memories, so turning up for a Thursday afternoon lunch was a treat.

The lunch menu is surprisingly extensive, and offers a range of light to big meals. We ordered a variety of food that, in my opinion, were such great value for money. Top of our favourites was the grilled Barramundi served with salad, tartare sauce and fries.

The serving was generous and the fish was deliciously fresh and perfectly cooked. Along with the Barramundi, we ordered the Flour Tortilla Chicken Wrap - Cajun spiced chicken, mayonnaise, young spinach, avocado & fries.

It was an impressive approach to what could be a simple meal – the char-grilled style of presentation

A family tradition since 1954...

Phone: (08) 9249 8039 Fax: 9248 1753 • E: info@northsidemeats.com.au • 58 Westchester Rd, Malaga, WA 6090 • 52

was effective and, again, the serving was so generous I could not finish the meal. We also ordered a side of indulgent Deep Fried Brie with cranberry sauce and salad and, my favourite Chicken Wings glazed in Smokey barbeque sauce, blue cheese and sour cream.

Looking at the dinner menu, I know I will be back soon.

With two courses for $57 or three courses for $69, the value is unlike many other places in Perth. With impressive meals, such as this entrée - Jasmine tea poached scallops, minted pea puree, prosciutto, shiso and baby basil or this main - Double lamb cutlet and pressed Lamb shoulder eggplant caviar, enoki mushroom, mint jelly and pumpkin spaetzle.

The menu offerings are creative, innovative and fresh; heralding a confidence not often seen in many restaurants.

Sen5es is ideal if you are looking for a hidden gem in Perth. You get value for money, creative and fresh food and wonderful service. It may bring back a lot of memories, like it did for me.

A SONG FOR IRELAND AT THE

By Frank Murphy in Dublin Flip a Coin the year is 1957. Sean T. O Ceallaigh Uactaran is joined by Taoiseach Eamon de Valera at the Holy Trinity Church in Cork to welcome home the final interment of legendary Capauchin Fathers from South Africa. Frank Murphy and Declan Davis are holding the thurible and crucifix with trepidation and awe.

Flip a Coin Frank Murphy and President its 1973 I’m a Michael D Higgins member of the crew for RTE television as the lonely journey to Glasnevin is all too real for the burial of Eamon de Valera.

2001 flipping the coin and I’m shaking hands with President Mary McAleese at Murdoch University. We spoke in Gaelic.

October the 16th the last coin is flipped and I am again chatting comfortably in Gaelic once again but in a far more relaxed vibe accompanied by Gerry Grogan, Charlotte O’Byrne and my brother Noel Murphy. We are at the Grianan of the Aras, seated sipping tea and eventually something stronger for over two and a half hours.

We didn’t see too much of the State rooms of the Aras by choice. The craic and the chat were much more inviting all-round. This home has across the decades welcomed leaders, peacemakers and humanitarians to Irish shores; it’s been host to extraordinary writers, sporting legends or local heroes.

Though it was all completely informal the eye wonders and the memory clicks in who are the people who have been sitting in the chairs that we are now occupying. Their presence is all around us. It is reflected in the complex and varied past The producer eventually history of this building gets to golden chair.

which has transitioned and transformed itself through many centuries and ultimately our independence. It constantly has had to reinvent itself.

On this afternoon it was our little window of opportunity.

Charlotte and Sabina chatted woman to woman. I was really pleased that Sabina specifically referred to the Bloomsday on Radio Fremantle and noted how much we appeared to tidy up the interview section. Take a bow producer Gerry Grogan. Noel and Sabina had a lot in common in terms of the RTE rep and common friends in Bunratty Castle. President Michael D Higgins continued to perform his more formal affairs while dropping in and out of the Library to us to catch up. Two items that we discussed in detail were the John Boyle O’Reilly plaque and C.Y O Conor and how overdue the epic films were. I made a point of pursuing this with him and he offered me some invaluable advice.

Songs for Ireland had arrived as a new horizon. May I take this opportunity to thank both Michael D and Sabina for agreeing to appear on our Christmas special and we wish our listeners a Nollaig Shona from our little wireless show Song for Ireland.

On the terrace Frank Murphy, Charlotte O’Byrne, Sabina and Noel Murphy

Frank Murphy looks at the the John Boyle O’Reilly plaque

In Aras library, Charlotte O’Byrne, Frank Murphy, President Michael D Higgins, Sabina, Noel Murphy and Gerry Grogan

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with Marguerite O’Dwyer The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

Barbecued Turkey with Honey Macadamia Stuffing Ingredients: 60g butter 1 small brown onion, finely chopped 100g Macadamia nuts, finely chopped 80g Fresh breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary 150ml Orange juice 5 tablespoons Honey 1.6kg single turkey breast, skin on Gravy, to serve

Traditional Shortbread Ingredients 250g butter, at room temperature 100g caster sugar 300g plain flour, sifted 90g rice flour, sifted

1. Preheat oven to 150oC. Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter to grease. Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy.

2. Gradually add the combined flour, beating on low speed until almost combined. Use your hands to bring the dough together in a bowl. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and 1. Melt half the butter in a medium frying pan over knead gently until smooth medium heat. Add onion.

3. Divide the dough into 2 Cook, stirring for 5 minutes or until softened. equal portions. Use your Add nuts and cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes hands to shape 1 portion until golden. Stir in the breadcrumbs, orange of dough into an 18cm rind, rosemary, 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1 diameter disc. Transfer to 1 tablespoon honey. Stir until combined. Remove of the prepared trays. Use a from heat and leave aside to cool. flat bladed knife to smooth 2. Place remaining butter, orange juice and honey the surface. Pinch the edges in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to create a fluted edge. to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, Use a small sharp knife to for 3 to 4 minutes or until mixture has slightly score the disc into 8 wedges thickened. Cool. and use a fork to prick the 3. Place turkey, skin-side down, on a board. Using a dough all over. Repeat with sharp knife, make a deep cut along one side of the the remaining dough to breast being careful not to cut all the way through. make a second disc.

Open breast fillet out. Place stuffing along centre 4. Bake the shortbread in at one half of breast. Roll to enclose stuffing. Tie up oven, swapping the trays turkey with kitchen string 2cm intervals to secure. halfway through cooking, 4. Preheat barbeque (with hood) to a medium heat for 40 minutes or until with hood closed. Place turkey, skin-side-up, in a light golden. Set aside for large disposable foil baking tray. Brush turkey with 10 minutes to cool before half the butter mixture. Season with salt & pepper. transferring to a wire rack 5. Cook turkey, using indirect heat, with hood to cool completely. closed, basting occasionally with remaining butter 5. Cut into wedges to serve. mixture, for 1 hour 30 minutes or until cooked through (cover loosely with foil if over-browning Merry Christmas during cooking).

Marguerite O’Dwyer 6. Remove turkey from barbeque. Stand for 10 The Cure Tavern Irish Bar & minutes. Thinly slice. Serve with gravy.

Restaurant 54

St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Fun Day is set to return in 2014 The date is set. March the 16th, 2014, will see the St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family fun day return to the streets of Leederville. The City of Vincent will once again turn its streets green in support of the every growing Irish community here in Perth. Newly crowned Mayor of Vincent, John Carey, said ‘it was a real pleasure to attend the parade last year and watch it go off. I’m looking forward to it getting bigger and better in 2014 and for the City of Vincent to celebrate this event once again.’ John also eluded to his own Irish heritage with his ‘Great grandfather being Irish’.

St Patricks Day WA INC had there AGM on the 18th of October and where delighted with the new interest among the Irish Community to use their skills volunteering to make this event even more successful. Sponsors; Shannon Power Management Limited, iiNet, Kingspan, Monford Construction, Killarney Autos, Northside Meats and Currency fair have already pledged their allegiance to next year . The committee are seeking sponsorship from companies who would like to support the St Patricks Day 2014 or if you would just like to donate please contact us.

The hugely popular White Collar boxing Fundraising event is set to return in early March and if you are willing to throw your hat in the ring get in contact with us fast. We are also looking at hosting a ‘Take me out’ dating night that might interest our most eligible bachelors out there.

With the question on everyone’s lips ‘Who will open the Parade this year’?

How do you top Bob Geldof. We will have to wait and see. Please check out our website www.stpatricksdaywa.com or email

stpatricksdayperth@hotmail.com

Christmas Message FROM Irish Ambassador

Mr Fred Rea Editor ‘The Irish Scene’ Dear Fred Thank you for giving me this opportunity once again, through the pages of the ‘Irish Scene’, to send greetings for Christmas and the New Year to the Irish community in Western Australia.

The Irish community in WA continues to grow, with increasing numbers of skilled immigrants in particular, arriving in the State. I am very pleased therefore that 2013 saw the re-establishment in Perth of an Honorary Consulate serving the Irish community.

I am deeply grateful to Marty Kavanagh for taking on the role. Marty is of course well supported by Richard and Lynda, and their presence on the ground, with the backing of the Embassy, will provide a solid platform from which to strengthen the delivery of consular services in the area into the future.

In March this year I had the

pleasure to introduce Mr Paul Kehoe TD, Government Chief Whip, to the Irish community in WA, during his visit as part of the official Saint Patrick’s Day programme. The Minister received a warm Irish WA welcome wherever he went. I am especially grateful to the local GAA for providing a splendid opportunity to meet many of its members, and to the Irish Club and all those who turned out there to meet him.

Due to commitments elsewhere, the Minister was not in Perth to see at first hand the wonderful celebration of our national day around the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Great credit is due to all those involved in getting this major project off the ground.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the individuals and organisations who continue the great tradition of looking out for and supporting those members of the community in need. In particular, I would like to pay tribute to the Claddagh Association for its dedicated frontline work. I am pleased that the Government, through the Emigrant Support Programme, has been able to provide ongoing assistance again this year.

On the economic front we continue to work hard to create the conditions to grow the economy; to create jobs; and to prepare a successful exit from the bail-out programme at the end of this year. With that in mind it is worth noting that two-way trade between Ireland and Australia has never been stronger. Also, ‘the Gathering’ has given an important

boost to the tourism sector, with record numbers of Australians choosing Ireland as a holiday destination. Promoting trade, business and investment with Ireland will continue to be a priority for the Embassy in 2014 and beyond, and I expect that WA will play an important part in that effort.

Finally, 2013 has also been the year that the Embassy has taken its first tentative steps into the world of social media.

Through our twitter account (@irlembaustralia) we hope to strengthen contact with the Irish community right across the country. This platform complements the Embassy website which remains the reference point for up to date, comprehensive information, in particular on travel advice.

I would invite and encourage the community to make use of these important channels of communication.

On a personal note I would like to thank the Irish community again for all the support and encouragement that it has so generously and graciously extended to me and to my family since our arrival here in Australia. I am most grateful indeed.

With very best wishes to you and to the Irish community for a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, Yours sincerely Noel White Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia 55

Irish Scene in Tasmania

things, Club Ceol runs the Fleadh Ceol in March and Fleadh Nua in September Hobart which always attract For those who manage to make it all the great talent and good crowds. It has also been way over to Tasmania, be sure to drop in involved in getting to The New Sydney Hotel in Hobart where Irish music out into the wider community, as there’s a warm and friendly session every Saturday afternoon. It’s a mixed session with demonstrators as well as community service.

It is also focussed on drawing in younger tunes and songs and some fine players on players to ensure a healthy future for Irish hand with plenty of room for intermediate music in Tasmania. and beginners, you’re very welcome.

Every third Wednesday of the month The ‘New Syd’ strongly positions itself as an Irish pub, but don’t expect to find one there’s a performance night, ‘The Guinness of those ‘plastic paddy’ places we encounter Folk Club’ (formerly ‘The Craic Is Back’) all around the world. There’s a huge warm a chance for local as well as visiting performers to exercise their art to a very (bloody hot) fire of a winter, Guinness on appreciative pub audience. You may want tap, zero pokies or video screens of any kind, good meals, and the publican Alistair to perform yourself. Support from the pub Derham enthusiastically supports the session and Guinness Australia allow us to have a as well as other events throughout the year, full sound system and professional sound engineer on deck all night and our Craic year after year after year.

With the dismantling in June of the long team is on hand to make sure everything runs as smooth as clockwork. That standing ‘Irish Association of Tasmania’, a new entity was formed to accommodate the culminates in December where the names of everyone who has performed during the various Celtic music activities. The name year go into a hat. They’re drawn out 5 at chosen was ‘Club Ceol’. Among other

Evolution of the IRISH Constitution Louis was the King of France Before the revolution Until he got his head chopped off Which spoiled his constitution.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 laid down the provisions for the Constitution of the Irish Free State, which came into force in 1922.

The King of England was to govern Ireland through a Governor General, who would live in a Vice Regal Lodge, situated in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

An executive council (or cabinet) lead by a Prime Minister (or Taoiseach) appointed by a democratically elected Parliament (or Dail) would run the country. However, before taking up their seats, every TD and Senator had to swear on an Oath of Allegiance, pledging loyalty to the King of England.

These arrangements were implemented by the first two Governors General, Tim Healy (1922 to 1928) and James Mac Neill who succeeded him, but in 1932 Fianna Fáil won the general election, and Eamonn DeValera became Taoiseach, in an effort to force him to resign, Mac Neill soon found himself marginalised and excluded from all public and official ceremonies.

When he refused to do so, DeValera advised

King George the 5th to dismiss him.

Domhnall O’Buachalla, the third Governor General, was a 1916 veteran and a former T.D. He immediately set out to downgrade the office.

He took the title of Seanascal (or Chief Steward), lived in a normal suburban home, rather than in the Vice Regal Lodge, accepted a drastically reduced salary, travelled around on his bicycle, rather than in an official car, never hosted official functions, or attended official ceremonies.

In 1933 O’Buachalla abolished the hated Oath of Allegiance, and introduced three amendments to the Constitution of 1922. These did not require a referendum, but could be amended by legislation.

1. The Governor General was deprived of the power to interfere with taxation or public funds.

2. He was deprived of the power to withold his signature from bills which had been passed by the Dail pending referral to the King for signature.

3. Judgements of the Irish courts could no longer be appealed to the Privy Council in London.

King George the 5th died in January 1936, and was succeeded by his eldest son, the uncrowned King Edward the 8th, whose relationship with an American divorcee lead to a British Constitutional crisis, and he was forced to abdicate on December 10, 1936.

Recognising the weakness of the British

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a time and in 4 weeks they have to form a one-shot-band to perform a ‘set’ at The Christmas Craic. Chaotic but excellent fun and it throws folks together who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do so.

Don’t think that’s all that goes on in Tassie though, there are things folky and Irishy happening all over the place, and we’ll cover more in the next edition. Tasmania itself is widely considered a good tourist spot as well so get yourself on over there.

Mike Shegog The New Sydney Hotel: 87 Bathurst St Hobart TAS 7000 (03) 6234 4516 newsydneyhotel.com.au The Guinness Folk Club: mike.shegog@bigpond.com The Fleadh Ceol / Fleadh Nua: Peter Grubb grubbco@netspace.net.au Club Ceol: Facebook search “club ceol” Governments’ position, DeValera rushed emergency legislation through the Dail, transferring all the powers of both King and Governor General to the Executive Council.

This effectively removed the King from the Constitution of 1922.

The new constitution of 1937 was approved by referendum and came into force on December 29 of that year. Both the words “King” and “Republic” are missing from this document, however, article 49 deals with the powers which DeValera had transferred to Executive Council in 1936, by transferring them again – this time to the people of Ireland!

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 laid down in Article 6, that until the Free State was able to conduct her own Coastal Defence, the Ports of Cobh, Berehaven, and Lough Swilly would be occupied and maintained by British Military Forces. Under a new Anglo-Irish agreement, concluded in 1938, the Treaty ports were unconditionally handed over to the Irish Government. This enabled Ireland to provide or her own defences and to keep her neutrality.

The general election of 1948 brought in a coalition Government under John A Costello (TaoiSeach) and Seán MacBride (Minister for External affairs) in 1949 the External Relations Act was repealed and the republic of Ireland left the Commonwealth.

-Ormonde D.P. Waters.

CHRISTMAS RHYMERS

By JOHN HAGAN For centuries past, around the Festive Season, Christmas Rhyming remained a steadfast, popular tradition eagerly anticipated in many parts of rural, and urban, Ireland. During early December, and sometimes as late as Christmas Eve, parties of eight to ten young men, generally labourers or farmhands, would visit local homes, and pubs, to present ‘an entertainment’. These groups of Christmas Rhymers could sometimes be a trifle boisterous, and their coming was occasionally, “regarded with trepidation by some elderly ladies or timid maidservants”.

But where did the tradition come from, who were these rhymers, and what kind of ‘entertainment’ did they present?

As with many Irish rituals, the real naissance of Christmas rhyming is something of a moot point, although anthropologists and folklorists have, over the years, furnished theories as to the source.

It is now generally accepted, with dramatis personae such as Oliver Cromwell and Saint George, who appear in some versions, that rhyming plays, and their characters, were introduced to Ireland in the 17th century by English settlers.

However, the plays may also contain a tinge of indigenous influence. The ancient Irish practice of mumming, (communication merely by gesture and facial expression) from which rhyming is derived, can be traced back to King Conor (Conchobar mac Nessa), who lived at the royal fort of Emain Macha (near Armagh), around the time of Christ. Our Scottish neighbours may also have had a hand in molding the tradition, as the extensive use of straw in the costumes of some rhyming characters, may be reflective of the former straw-clad guizards (masked dancers) of the Shetland Isles. Sadly, no matter the origins and influences, the proud tradition of rhyming in Ulster/Ireland, has markedly declined, particularly during the last half century, to the

point where the practice is now virtually extinct.

While the performances always provided good, uproarious fun, their principal aim was to gather funds to assist local elderly or handicapped people. The donations collected would be spent on bags of coal, or hampers of groceries, to assist the neighbourhood’s less fortunate enjoy a happier and more comfortable Christmas. Any money left over was used to stage a community dance or social.

Rhyming troupes usually took great care with their dressing and make-up, although some were not so particular. Irrespective of which part of Ireland the play was being staged, costumes were generally fairly standardised. The doctor generally wore an old frock coat, with either a bowler or top hat.

Oliver Cromwell usually sported a cardboard false nose, Saint George, as befits his status, was attired in something regal and carried a wooden sword. Jack Straw, as the name suggests, used plenty of straw in his costume (especially in west Ulster), while Beelzebub could wear anything - the more fearsome, the better – and was often armed with an old brush. Saint Patrick, if he appeared, was normally attired in green, while Johnny Funny, habitually the smallest member of the party, was charged with the precious collection box, which was vigorously rattled to collect funds from the captive audience.

The theme of rhyming plays is that of hero-combat, death and revival. In structure, each play consists of three phases, each usually lasting less than four minutes.

Phase one features boasting and altercation between two champions leading to physical combat and the slaying of one. A wonder-working doctor then appears bringing the fallen champion back to life.

This resurrection is followed, as phase three, by the appearance of a succession of characters, who deliver lines to encourage donations.

While Christmas rhymer presentations from various Irish districts, such as in the north of County Dublin, County Wexford, around the village of Swords, east Derry, Forkhill (Co Armagh), and West Tyrone, had much in common,

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they also displayed marked differences. In Wexford, for example the rhymers exhibited a nationalistic bent, with traditional characters, such as Saint George, Turkey Champion and Oliver Cromwell, replaced by Irish luminaries like, Colmcille, Brian Boru and Robert Emmet. Wexford mumming differs from all others in that the highlight of the performance is an intricate sword dance performed by 12 players, each brandishing a wooden sword. In west Ulster, the plays were longer and more involved than those favoured in east Ulster. Despite the widespread nature of rhyming in Ireland, it was arguably strongest and most popular in Ulster.

Around South Down, performances were generally presented in farmhouse kitchens with each of the cast entering in turn, so that only at the end of the play was the entire troupe assembled in the room. However, in parts of Antrim, performers entered as a group, forming up in a line or semi-circle from which each player stepped forward to deliver his lines.

On completion of his discourse, each player retreated to their original position. Almost without exception, performers were men or youths, but younger boys, or even girls, could became involved. Such was the case at Newtownhamilton Secondary School (Co Armagh), where, in order to keep the tradition

alive, I used to stage a play each year prior to the Christmas vacation.

More than 75 different play texts are known to exist in Ulster and Leinster, some longer and more involved than others. The version (reproduced below), performed at Newtownhamilton, is relatively brief and was sourced from Lawrencetown (Co Down).

First rhymer: Room, room, brave gallant boys, Come give us room to rhyme, For we come here to show you fun Upon a Christmas time.

Act of young and act of grace If you don’t believe what I say Enter in St George, and he’ll clear the way.

St George: Here comes I, St George, From England I have sprung, One of those noble deeds In value to begin.

I fought them all courageously Still I gain my victory.

Show the bloody man Who dare you stand.

I’ll face him. I’ll cut him down With my courageous hand.

Turkey Champion: Here am I, the man who dare you stand, And his courage is so great, And with this sword, I’ll make you snarl and quake.

St George: What are you but a poor silly lad?

Turkey Champion: I am a turkey champion, From Turkey land I came To fight you The Great St George by name.

St George: I’ll cut you and I’ll slice you And I’ll send you back to Turkey land.

They fight with swords, during which the Turkey Champion is slain.

Spectators: Oh doctor! Oh doctor!

Ten pounds for a doctor, Is there not a doctor to be got?

Doctor: Here am I, a doctor most pure and good, And with this medicine, I’ll bring you back to life.

The Turkey Champion arises, and the doctor packs up.

St George: If you don’t believe what I say Enter in Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell: I am Oliver Cromwell With my long copper nose.

I have conquered many nations, As you may all suppose.

If you don’t believe what I say, Enter in Beelzebub.

Beelzebub: Here comes I wee Beelzebub, And over my shoulder I carry a club, And in my hand an oul’ saucepan.

I count myself a jolly old man.

If you don’t believe what I say, Enter in Dibbly Dout.

Dibbly Dout: Here comes I, wee Dibbly Dout.

If you don’t give me money, I’ll sweep yous all out.

Money I want and money I crave.

If you don’t give me any money, I’ll sweep you all to your grave.

If you don’t believe what I say, Enter in Johnny Funny, and he’ll clear the wayJohnny Funny: Here comes I, wee Johnny Funny, I’m the man who collects the money.

All silver, no brass.

Send your farthings to Belfast,

Get old weemin. Shake your feathers, And do not think that we are blethers, For we are here to show you fun, Upon a Christmas time.

Johnny Funny shakes his box and offers it to the audience to collect small money donations. The entire cast then ends the performance in song.

The decline of Christmas rhyming in Ireland is undoubtly due, in no small part, to the advent of more sophisticated forms of entertainment, although some small pockets of rhyming still exist, for example in south Armagh. The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (near Belfast) and the National Museum of Ireland (Dublin) collect and exhibit, rhymers costumes (and play versions) from this bygone era in an effort to preserve some remnants and reminders of a once proud tradition.

If you have any recollections of Christmas rhyming, either as a participant or of witnessing a performance, I would be interested to hear from you. jhagan@internode. on.net

Danny deconstructed, Reconstructed An emigrants lament

Visiting Derry in the 1950’s I came across the following lines. The author, unknown, claimed they were original verse.

I never forgot them. Little did I know how meaningful they were to become, after spending 40 of my 80 years in Australia.

“Oh Erin Dear my thoughts are with you ever No other land can steal my heart like thee Why did I from my friends and loved ones sever To make my home so far across the sea I miss they noble sons and winsome daughters I miss the children on the village green I yearn to hear the rushing of thy waters But most of all I miss my faithful sweet colleen.”

Maybe one of your readers can recall these subsequent verses which I have forgotten.

Many thanks for the Irish Scene.

Barry O’Reilly Albany, Western Australia (antagh@hotmail.com)

58

Martin McGuinness launches Atlas of County Donegal

by Grainne McCool “It’s a real privilege to be here”, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said on the launch night of An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of Donegal at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. “Your beautiful county that is Donegal: This Atlas will showcase what’s best in the county: the scenery, beauty and most important it’s people” said McGuinness. The Deputy First Minister spoke of his family, many of whom are from Donegal, “my mother is from the Illies, just outside Buncrana”. He is clearly impressed with this work and recommended that all households should have one!

The Atlas is edited by Jim McLaughlin and Sean Beattie, both natives of Co. Donegal.

These two men clearly believed that their county was a forgotten, almost desolate part of Ireland.

This production will wave all such thoughts and beliefs. It firmly puts Donegal on the Ireland and indeed the world map!

This is an all inclusive book. Jim McLaughlin, a political geographer and Sean Beattie, an historian, have successfully compiled some 77 chapters, by a variety of authors (all experts in their own areas). One learns something new with the turn of every page. One looks forward to both the reading and illustrations with each new turn.

The book is divided into 6 sections: Physical Environment, Wildlife and Climate; Prehistory and the pre-Colonial Period; Dislocation and Transformation; Making of Modern Donegal; Cultural Traditions, Music and Sport and Art, Literature and Architecture. Each section covers detailed areas and uses artistic photography throughout. Its detail

is spectacular at every angle.

Being a Donegal girl I absolutely love this collection. Living in the county for most of my life it is easy to forget and ignore the beauty that surrounds me. In recent years, I’ve sacrificed annual foreign holidays to explore my native county, and discovered that it was no longer a sacrifice but an honour and a privilege to holiday at home.

Sean Beattie said at the launch, “The Atlas will safe keep our modern history”. Jim McLaughlin believes that every Donegal home should have “The Bible, The Book of Kells and the Donegal Atlas”!

Perhaps in time they will!

The physical environment, social history, religion, philosophy,

59

folk life is all covered throughout the book. Nothing is alien. Martin McGuinness aptly said that it is indeed ‘”A work of art and of scholarly achievement. A wonderful, marvellous book”.

This book is indeed a virtual encyclopaedia of Donegal!

An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of Donegal is available from all good bookshops nationwide and from www. corkuniversitypress.com priced at 59 euros

Irish Theatre Players Present

N E K J U O G R B

By John Banville

Directed by Ivan Motherway

A juicy, raunchy, judicial, scandalous comedy!!!

Set during the Irish Famine!!!

“Really???”

PERFORMANCE DATES:

November: 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd. at 8pm Matinee Sunday 17th at 3pm.

The Irish Club Theatre, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco.

Tickets: Full $20.00, Concession $15.00 Bookings: Lucy / Jim Tel: 9401 0964 Email: itpbookings@@ @ iinet.net.au

For more information: The Irish Theatre Players contact us at 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco or Ph 9401-0964 www.irishtheatreplayers.com.au

60

Around the Irish scene... Compiled by Fred Rea Our Cover Photo: Hugh and Molly Gorman get in the Christmas spirit with baby brother Ewan.

Tom Cunningham was familiar face at the St Patrick’s Day Mass in Western Australia for many years. Tom’s health has not been the best lately and this is just to remind him that his contribution to the annual Mass was appreciated by the Irish Community of Perth.

Jessica Ferguson, daughter of Alan and Mary (dec) passed away in October 2013 and left behind many broken hearts and a beautiful son. Please keep her in your prayers.

Bail ó Dhia ort.

Who is this man?

Happy 75th Birthday Brian Donnelly. Brian celebrated with friends recently and then headed off to Ireland for a nice holiday.

Brian Hannon has a burning desire to be on the cover of our Irish Scene.

Brian there is every chance JUST HANG IN THERE!

Happy 60th Joe!

Congratulations to Mags O’Flaherty from Co. Kerry and partner Chris McKenna from Co. Tyrone on the birth of son Cody McKenna on the 5th March 2013. Cody was christened on the 1st September 2013 in Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Nollamara.

Does anyone recognise these 3 young men?

Yes, it is Jimmy Rogers, Con O’Sullivan and Tony Sheehan.

Not sure when it was taken but it arrived by email from Wexford. Get well soon by the way Jimmy, we are all thinking about you!

61

Lyn Barry, Kathleen Walsh, Joy Shanahan and Liam Barry about to enjoy a pint in the Halfway Bar. It was taken during Liam amd Lyn’s recent Irish visit.

We also believe that Liam met up with Tony Costa during the trip home.

Marty is it 40, 50, 60 or 70? We have made enquiries but alas have not been successful in finding out! Happy birthday mate and enjoy your celebration in November. Top bloke our Marty!

Bob you never lost the knack of attracting beautiful women and the above photo is proof of that! Taken at The Irish Club of Western Australia. On Ya Bob!

“Ceol, Caint agus Craic” Senior’s Week Irish Events

For the very first time there will be a strong Irish presence during the Seniors Week festivities in Perth. The Claddagh Association Inc., a voluntary non-profit organisation that supports Irish people throughout Western Australia, is holding two exciting events during Seniors Week to reach out to Irish people in their autumn years.

The first event “Ceol, Caint agus Craic” (Music, Talk and Fun) will be held on Monday 11th November from 10.00am – 3.00pm. At this event, seniors will be invited to attend a two course lunch hosted at the Mighty Quinn Tavern in Tuart Hill while being entertained

by Irish Music and some brilliant storytelling. Irish people are known worldwide for their storytelling abilities; seniors will be encouraged to swap stories of settling in Australia and tell jokes and tall tales, renewing old acquaintances and making some new connections. There will be representatives present from the Australian Irish Heritage Association, who specialise in storytelling to get the ball rolling. The cost for this event is $10 per person which includes food and entertainment. Bookings for this event must be made by calling Rachael on 0406 418 862 by Monday 4th November.

The second event is a free intergenerational fun day open to all the community, bringing all the generations together. This non-alcoholic event will be held at John XXIII College, Mt Claremont on Sunday 17th November from 11.00am – 4.00pm. It will be a day filled with entertainment for all including Irish Dancers, Irish Musicians and displays of Gaelic football and hurling.

The Claddagh Association would love for people to bring their children, grandchildren and their senior neighbours and friends who may have lost their Irish connections a long time ago. It will be a day to create new connections and to show the older generations of Irish that there are people who care and value them. So come along, bring a picnic and enjoy a day filled with lots of entertainment and fun!

Joan Ross, President of the Claddagh Association

May you never steal, lie or cheat. But if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows.

And if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life.

And if you must cheat, then please cheat death, because I couldn’t live a day without you. - Old Irish Blessing

explained their motivation for holding the events “There has been an influx of Irish families settling in Perth once again, due to the economic downturn in Ireland, similar to the Irish Families coming in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s during recessionary times.

Many of the new wave of Irish emigrants are keen to connect with the Irish who emigrated many years ago as well as Irish people, whether first generation or third generation, who may no longer have the connections, support and friendships they once had”.

The Claddagh Association is particularly keen to reach out to Irish seniors who may be isolated and will assist people with transportation if required.

For more information contact Rachael on 0406 418 862 or visit www.claddagh.org.au

Weddings and Funerals

Registration No: A13566

Marian Byrne Civil Celebrant Ph: (+618) 6150 1901 Mob: 0410 345 224 marianbyrne90@hotmail.com

Types of ceremonies:

• Wedding Ceremonies • Commitment Ceremonies • Naming Ceremonies • Birthday ceremonies • Renewal of vows • Funerals

trueloveceremonies.com.au 62

Honorary Consulate of Ireland | Western Australia 2/100 Terrace Road East Perth WA 6004 www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au Office Hours: 11.00am – 2.00pm Monday to Friday by appointment only Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Phone: 08 6557 5802 Fax: 08 9218 8433

Martin Kavanagh Honorary Consul Of Ireland

It is a great pleasure to wish the Irish Community in Western Australia, particularly those in regional areas a very Happy Christmas.

Christmas is a time of year we all reflect on family and home. For many of us WA has become our new home. However, we maintain a great affection and connection to Ireland. We retain our fierce pride in being Irish. For those who have recently arrived, being away from Ireland can be difficult and sometimes lonely. I hope that we can all enjoy the lifestyle and opportunities that WA offers during Christmas 2013 among friends and family. When it comes to looking after Irish people who experience difficulties it is important to acknowledge the fantastic work of the Claddagh Association and I would encourage you to support the Claddagh at every opportunity. The experience of the Irish in WA is all the better for the dedication of everyone associated with the Claddagh and of course the Irish club of WA which remains steadfast in its commitment to the Irish in Perth.

Hon Consul Martin Kavanagh with visiting dignitaries at the Opening of the Australasian Irish Dancing Championships in Perth

Championships, the Rose of Tralee, Enterprise Ireland and Ireland Forum events and the many happy sporting and cultural events at the Irish Club and the Celtic Club. We’ve been delighted to have the benefit of the wisdom and friendship of former Consul General Michael Nolan and Eleanor. Ambassador Noel White and Nessa Delaney, Deputy Head of Mission Sarah Mangan and the hard working and dedicated team at the Irish Embassy in Canberra have been of invaluable help and assistance and we are very grateful.

Passports are currently taking 8-10 weeks so I hope your passport is up to date if you are planning to travel this Christmas.

2013 has been an exciting year for the Honorary Consulate. Richard and I have been delighted to meet so many people in the Irish Community, whether it’s at the Honorary Consulate for passports, or in the community. Particular highlights have been meeting seniors at the Irish Club, the Hurling finals at Morley, the Australian Irish Dancing

All the very best for Christmas and New Year to you and yours and the 18,000 Irish born and 182,000 people of Irish descent currently in WA. Marty Kavanagh Honorary Consul of Ireland

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia The Irish Scene would like to express our gratitude for your continued support and encouragement over the past year.

To our advertisers and story writers Go raibh míle maith.

Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit.

(A happy and a prosperous Christmas to you!)

63

land of

&

Ireland

honey

by Sally Desmond

An Nollaig – In My Mind’s Eye...

As I start to write I am conscious of the Jacaranda tree outside the window swaying in the breeze, shedding little purple flowers, Messiah is on the radio and I am suffering from my annual flulike attack of nostalgia. It is a mezzanine state, living in Perth dreaming in Ireland.

It is most discomforting and is best done in coffee shops hiding behind a book. It is, without doubt, an incurable virus and one learns to live with it. The symptoms of the latest attack were lying dormant since the 22nd August this year when I walked into Selfridges basement in London with my friend Myrtle. Lo and behold we were surrounded by a Christmas wonderland – silver trees, green trees, elves, fairies, twinkling stars, gingerbread houses and a large throne, empty admittedly, ready for Santa Clause’s arrival!! I ask you, when did Santa Clause ever have a throne? He came out of a little doorway under a cotton wool roof in my day, and there wasn’t a sign of him until the first week in December and rightly so. The whole performance has gone much too far and is becoming tasteless. The virus became full blown recently when I tried to elicit from various small and not so small children what they were hoping for at Christmas – they didn’t know!! Why? Because they had everything. So it is back into the fray, through aisles of talking plastic, being accosted by ugly monsters, and exhorted to “have myself a merry little Christmas” by invisible choirs.

I grew up in Cork in the years after the war (second world)! Christmas was one of the highlights of life, the other being the summer holidays but Christmas was the best. I don’t think we were ever aware that times were hard and people were not affluent. We tailored out dreams to the

possible. Maybe we were gently shepherded in the direction of the affordable but I never remember Christmas being a disappointment. One of the first intimations of the coming season was the arrival of the Dealers in the Coal Quay in the city.

This was an open market and from early December carts of red berry holly started to appear and you were warned to get it early, “very scarce this year Misses – twill be gone in no time”. Now everyone knew you had to have red berry holly or there would be no luck for the year so, of course, it was done in no time and if you missed out it meant a trip to Inniscarra and into the woods armed with a little saw. Bringing home the holly was always great fun, you were cold, damp and full of prickles but it was the start of Christmas. I don’t know if the rest of the world has ever heard of a “diddle-um”, but they were a fact of life in Cork. They started in January every year usually in workplaces but also in family groups. Someone was appointed Treasurer and on the first week everyone put in a small amount of money and every week for the year the subscription increased until the second week in December when the “diddle-um” ceased to exist and the money was distributed and “ The Christmas” was financed. Some of these diddle-ums started with as little as a penny but by the end of the year there was enough to ensure the family had “The Christmas”. So many customs come back as I sit thinking, the presents of candles and cakes from the establishments where you shopped, the buying of the Christmas Raspberry, which was a Cork drink made especially for Christmas. Several mineral water factories made it but we would only have Daly’s a “far superior cordial” my mother insisted. Turkish delight and crème 64

de menthe had to be ordered from Hadji Bey who had the most wonderful shop in McCurtain Street. All along the glass counter were little dishes of samples and the whole place was redolent of the mysterious east. I have had a lifelong passion for rosewater scented goodies acquired in a shop owned by an Armenian in a small city in Ireland in the 1940s – thus the world wags.

Christmas presents, of course, played a part in the whole season, but you worried how far you could stretch your pocket money to cover the presents you wanted to but for your mother and father and aunts just as much as you wondered what you would get on Christmas morning. You knew Christmas was for giving and being together and lighting candles and listening to the choir soaring at the Midnight Mass and drinking Raspberry from pink glasses and watching your father stuff the turkey. When you awoke on Christmas morning the presents were wonderful, your favourite books and annuals, a game, shiny new pennies and as you grew maybe a manicure set in a little pretty case. Yes, of course, some people got more presents, a big doll might arrive from America but, on the whole, there was a common thread of satisfaction running through families and nobody could afford to go overboard.

I sincerely do not want the coming generation to go back to hard times but I don’t want them to have a plastic life either. Nasty stuff, plastic!! I want them to have a world beyond gadgets where their best friend is not a little green man in a cyberspace pad. I want them to be able to smell the heady candles of “The Christmas”.

•

IRISH IRISH MUSIC MUSIC

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Breac-Ghaeilgeoir i mBéal Átha an Ghaorthaigh - Frainc O Sé (...ar lean)

EVERY TUESDAY

Is cuimhin lion cailín do mhíniú dhúinn go raibh sí ag dul go dtí Oifig an Phoist chun “beirt stampaí” a cheannach. Is cuimhin liom múinteoir a bhíodh tamall roimis sin ag múineadh algébair dom féin d’fheicsint agus é ar na stárthaibh meisce ag iarraí rinnce a dhéanamh.

Rith an smaoineamh liom gur phótaire algébrach é, mar gur chualas é á rá nárbh eol dó cé mhéad piúnt a bhí ólta aige (=X, an uimhir anaithnid), ach shíleas go raibh sé lag go leor sa chéimseata, mar nár thuig sé gurbh é an bealach ba ghiorra idir dhá phointe ná dronlíne. Ach ná cuireadh an dhá chuimhne san agam bac ar einne atá ag smaoineamh ar a chlann a chur chun na Gaeltachta ag foghlaim na teangan. D’fhoghlaimíos féin focal amháin Gaeilge an chéad oíche bhíos i mBéal Átha an Ghaorthaidh. Ag trácht ar chomharsa éigin dó, dúirt seanfhear go raibh “cnubaire maith airgid” curtha i dtaisce aige, agus dá bhfaghadh an Rialtas san amach, nár dhóichí go mbeadh aon phinsean le fáil aige. Bhí mo chara úd an bháid faram.

“Cnubaire?” ar seisean.

“Dornán maith airgid,” arsan seanfhondúir.

Chuireas chugam im’ aigne an focal chun go bhféadfainn é tharrac isteach sa chómhrá uair éigin chun a thaispeáint a mhéid is a bhíos i dtiuín le canúint na háite. Fé mar tharla, bhíos ag caint i dtaobh fhear an chnubaire arís níos déanaí, sa lóistin.

“Airím,” arsa mise go heolgaiseach, “go bhfuil cnubaire breá mór aige.”

“Tá,” arsa bean an tí, “Mhaise an bhean bhocht tá sí titithe i bhfeoil go dona le cúpla bliain anuas.”

(Tá an sliocht seo tógtha ón ‘Comhar’ Lúnasa 1960)

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The Irish Quiz Wiz!

PLUS! a.k.a. Dermot from Lesmurdie on ABC radio Nightlife program.

As we approach the end of 2013 I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2014. At this time we also come to the Melbourne Cup when all the horse experts come into their own. With the quiz this time I would like to test your equine knowledge.

Q 1. Nelly is the stable name of which champion race horse?

Q 2. what was the name of the winged horse of Greek mythology?

Q 3. what was the name of the first Irish horse to win the Melbourne cup in 1993?

Q 4. what was the name of Steptoe & Sons horse?

Q 5. can you name the only horse to have won the Melbourne cup three years in a row?

Q 6. on which English racecourse is the Grand National run?

Q 7. what was the name of the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup? Q 8. before Ireland went decimal and adopted the Euro as its currency, on which Irish coin was a horse depicted?

Q 9. what was the name of the Lone Rangers horse?

Q 10. which English king offered his kingdom in exchange for a horse?

Answers 1. Black caviar, 2. Pegasus, 3. Vintage crop, 4. Hercules, 5. Makybe Diva, 6. Aintree, 7. Archer, 8. The half crown, 9. Silver, 10. Richard 3rd

65

ULSTER

Rambles with David MacConnell

My Trip to Ulster brings back memories The incongruities in Ulster in general and Belfast in particular have never ceased to amaze me. As I travelled through Belfast recently, I avoided ALL the places where

I would never have gone in 1968.

Fortunately my good wife (yeah, the one from Dublin 4) did not live in Belfast in 1968 and actually took me places I had never been to. Well they were all dangerous areas in the sixties. One of the places she found was in Bridge Street, where the Northern Whig was situated. It is a fancy cocktail bar/eating house as you can see from the picture.

Now in the 60’s The Northern Whig was a newspaper, not that I read any newspapers in those days. I reckoned they all contained “news”, mostly bad news and we all had enough of bad news at that time.

The original Northern Whig Club was formed in Belfast in 1791 by the Society of the United Irishmen. They met in various locations around the Bridge Street area in Belfast. In

1795 various members including Theobald Wolfe Tone and Henry Joy McCracken met at Cavehill to the north of Belfast, a meeting that was a pivotal step towards the 1798 Rebellion.

In 1819 construction began on the current Northern Whig building in Bridge Street, taking its name from the original club. The foundation stone was laid on St. Patrick’s Day, and the building was completed in 1821 as a hotel and gentlemen’s club! I can only wonder at who the “gentlemen” were in 1821!

In 1823 the newspaper, the Northern Whig was founded, and was owned for a period by John Arnott, founder of the Arnott’s department Stores. In 1922 the company moved to the Bridge Street building, where they remained until 1963 when the newspaper ceased production. Along with much of nearby High Street, the building was damaged during the Belfast Blitz in 1941. After this period the company then became a commercial printing firm and moved to north Belfast to their present site on the Limestone Road.

From 1963 until 1997 the building housed offices. In 1997 it was bought by the Mooney family’s Botanic Inns, and after extensive renovation turned into a bar.

Now I can confess I frequented the “Bot” and the “Wellington Park Hotel” in the late sixties so I expected much the same sort of thing, but I was totally wrong. The Northern Whig bar boasts thirty cocktails besides all the usual beers. So where does this incongruence come about that I was talking about earlier. Well, it ALSO features a number of Soviet era statues! Well why not you might ask. Quite large they are as well as you can nearly see from my (very average) photograph top right.

Once communism was secured as the ruling order in Czechoslovakia in 1950, the party commissioned the statues to be carved by three leading

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“Bob Dylan” type singer with his very own version of “The Black Velvet Band”

Czech sculptors; namely Svata Halerova, Irena Kodymova and her husband Ludvik Kodym. I can only guess what a pair the latter two made!

The statues were at that time located across the top of the Communist Headquarters in Prague.

They were designed to depict “the exploits of the October 1917 revolution” or so my erudite waitress told me in a great Ulster accent.

Her detail or lack thereof got me interested and I learned (later) that all the statues were made from twotonne sandstone blocks though I could not find out where these large blocks came from. Nowadays we would know that they came from China!

Apparently the statues are of extremely high artistic quality (who am I to judge) and so carved that no moisture is able to settle anywhere on them. (I think I am missing the point here.)

On a visit to Prague prior to the fall of Communism, the “Velvet Revolution” in 1991, a man, called Drummond Shaw noticed these statues and hearing of their impending fate, made an offer to an agent. Subsequently, his offer was accepted and he brought them to England. I wonder what his wife

www.dan-dooley.ie 66

thought when he placed them in the sitting room!

In November 1998 the statues changed hands again.

(Those monstrosities are not staying in my house I can hear his wife proclaim). This time they came to Ulster having been secured by Botanic Inns and they now stand proudly on specially designed plinths in the Northern Whig bar/restaurant as you can see in the photograph below.

Unaccompanied baggage Backpackers • Tourists • Windsurfers •Surfboards Somehow I found them out of place. I do not remember any of my friends being big on Communism but maybe I am in the minority here. Certainly if anyone had told me that Stalin would be overlooking my pint of the Arthur’s variety, I might have laughed.

But there I was, pint in hand, with the statues nearby and the cocktail list in the corner and a “Bob Dylan” upstairs singing “The Black Velvet Band”. Yeah ….. only in Ulster.

May I wish all readers a whopping great Christmas and a successful 2014

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Colin Merrey’s

s w e i v e R

you can’t get the books that I recommend from either these or your local bookseller (which can of course happen on occasion) you can contact the publishers direct via their BOOKSbooksbooksbooks respective websites. Now read on!!

This is the last issue before Christmas Firstly, to my book of the month so I hope you all have a good read and – I have chosen this one, because make your selections for presents for I believe it is time that more was your loved ones from the following said and learned about this sad selections. I have toiled long and and sometimes maligned musical hard to give you a lot to choose from instrument. especially for that purpose so here goes.

THE UKULELE HANDBOOK Some of you have asked where I go – GAVIN PRETOR-PINNEY AND to get hold of some of the books that TOM HODGKINSON I read or want to add to my personal Bloomsbury Paperback $24.99 collection. In answer to them I This is an ideal way thought I would give you a quick to start your Christmas heads up on my personal favourite break and a good way booksellers in the Perth area – of to get an introduction those selling new books, I tend to to the ukulele. It is patronise Dymocks at Whitford City something I have a lot – I particularly found Tracy to been meaning to do be extremely helpful when trying myself for a while now – arguably to source the latest book recently to since it was reintroduced a while add to my personal collection. They back by such musical luminaries have a good selection of titles and as George Harrison (remember the are very friendly and helpful and also Beatles???) and one of my all time have stores in Subiaco, Belmont (all favourite musicians and inspirations part of the same franchise holder’s the wonderful Joe Brown – so I was “armoury”) and Fremantle amongst delighted when I found out about this other branches both city and stategreat little book. wide. I also look to Mark at the It contains a history of the Corona Books shop at Warwick instrument, stories of some of Shopping Centre for good service its noted players and even better – I found him, too, to be extremely still a little tutor to give you the helpful and obliging with a good rudiments of how to play it. I will knowledge of books and authors. He also pay tribute to my good friend is very amenable when it comes to and drummer extraordinaire Trevor getting in hard to get novels, too.

Warner who has recently taken up the In the realm of Second Hand book instrument. If you would like to get a sellers, you can’t go past Pulp Fiction copy of the book, then I suggest you – they have stores (again) at Whitford might get one from either your local City and also at Floreat Forum bookshop of another good friend of Shopping Centre. A close second the Irish Scene, Lionel Cranfield of (for me at least) is the Elizabeth’s Zenith Music who is also a devotee Bookshop chain which has shops in and aficionado of the ukulele. He Fremantle, Perth City (Murray Street), can of course also supply you with Nedlands and Subiaco to name but the ukulele of your choice from the a few branches. I also look to the extensive rang of the instruments held Guildford Book Exchange for good at each of his shop premises. service.

Read and enjoy this lovely little book Also please remember to let the and I wish you happy strumming. various stores know who pointed you in their direction. The feedback And now to continue………. is great for them and it shows me that you are actually taking the AUSTRALIAN COASTAL time to read what I prepare for your GARDENS – MYLES BALDWIN enjoyment with each issue. Then my Murdoch Books Hardback $89.99 work will not have been in vain, as it Myles is a leading horticulturalist were! and one of Australia’s leading Please also remember that, if landscape designers. He is also the

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curator of the Australian Garden Show – Sydney.

Here he takes on a tour around many of Australia’s coastal gardens – from the Mornington Peninsular and Sydney’s Dover Heights to an old copper mining town in South Australia and beyond. The book is finely illustrated with the magnificent photography of Sue Stubbs, one of Australia’s finest photographers.

Thoroughly fascinating and enjoyable book that should be of great interest to all of you out there who are budding gardeners (a bit like myself!) and those of you who like to dream of visiting such beautiful places throughout this our native and/or adopted homeland. Loved it!

IF I TELL YOU I’LL HAVE TO KILL YOU – EDITED BY MICHAEL ROBOTHAM Allen and Unwin Paperback $24.99 What a brilliant title! This great little book (edited by Michael) is a collection of short articles by some of the world’s leading crime writers (think Kerry Greenwood, Barry Maitland.

Peter Corris, and Michael himself, amongst others) which outline their various methods of putting pen to paper and writing the outstanding novels that they produce in this most fascinating (to me at least) genre. If you are a fan of crime fiction, then I am sure you will absolutely devour this collection of essays which individually and collectively provide laughter, understanding, insight, ideas, and maybe also inspiration to encourage you to embark on your own journey into the realms of writing crime fiction. After all – who knows?

You may become a best selling crime author, too as have all of these luminaries. Really good value and as I said truly inspirational.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S STAR WARS – IAN DOESCHER Random House Hardback $22.95 Every so often, a comedic book comes along that catches me completely unawares. This is one such book. It is subtitled “Verily A New Hope” and is a rewriting of the first Star Wars movie (Episode 4 in the

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known. Indeed his best known song (Wild One) has been recorded by many leading International musical figures including Suzi Quatro, Bobby Rydell, the Crickets (featuring Jerry Allison AKA Ivan) and Jet Harris, late of the Shadows, to name but a few.

This is arguably the definitive story of this larger than life personality – read it and learn about this superno mega star who died far too young at the age of 43 years following a massive heart attack. A really lovely book and a great addition to my personal and permanent collection.

her own words.

From the beginnings of her story in Toowoomba, Queensland, Meshel takes us on a humorous trip through her years current Star Wars saga) in the style spent “surviving” and poetical language of the immortal Catholic schooldays surrounded William Shakespeare. This is a by “frenemies” to her move to brilliantly conceived and written book Melbourne and development of her and I loved every minute of it! As the comedic talents on the Melbourne blurb says “MAY THE VERSE BE stand up scene of the 1990’s where WITH YOU” - enjoy she has shared memories of her contemporaries such as Wil Anderson, THE BOOK OF MEDIEVAL Julia Morris, Dave Hughes, Rove Mc PUZZLES – TIM DEDOPOLUS Manus and Alan Brough to name but Murdoch Books Hardback $24.99 a few. With regard to the title, you’ll Those of you who know just have to read the book to find out me reasonably well are what that is all about! already aware of my love MY BRIEF HISTORY - A This is a hugely entertaining book of crosswords, mainly MEMOIR – STEPHEN HAWKING and one that I really enjoyed reading cryptic ones, and puzzles Bantam Press Hardback $29.95 – a good insight into a sparkling in general. So I thought First let me say that Stephen personality and wit. Loved it!

I’d give you an insight Hawking is probably one of the most into this wonderful world important scientific THE GUTS – RODDY DOYLE by introducing you to this lovely little figures of the twentieth Random House Paperback $24.95 book. century and indeed our This is Roddy Doyle’s follow up, as I have tackled several of the puzzles lifetime. With his book it were, to the Commitments. Here, contained therein (this is a great “A Brief History of Jimmy Rabbitte, hero of that story, collection of conundrums, riddles Time”, he came to our is now forty-seven years old with a and enigmas – check details of these notice in a big way and loving wife, four kids….and in your dictionaries – that all have a changed our thinking bowel cancer! He doesn’t topical basis in the Medieval period of with regard to the origins of the know whether or not he is history – think Byzantium; the Black universe and gave us the concept of going to die from his cancer.

Death; the Crusades; just to name a the Big Bang Theory and expanded Here, he is re-united with few). I have as yet not completed our collective knowledge regarding two of his comrades in arms them all – I am saving the rest for black holes. from the Commitments in my Christmas break when I will This then is Stephen’s story – from the shape of Outspan and THOROUGHLY enjoy tackling them his post war childhood in London Imelda and together they go from and hopefully completing at least to his being diagnosed with motor scrape to scrape to the inevitable SOME of them. The ones I have tried neuron disease at the age of twenty yet surprising finale of this dark but already were a little tricky to say the one years to his current international sometimes humorous book. least. status as one of the world’s leading I am very fond of Roddy’s works and This is a great collection and theoretical physicists. loved the Barrytown Trilogy. Hope one which will give you a really This book has been expanded from you enjoy this one. great intro to this fascinating and a lecture that he gave (with the same satisfying (when you get them right) name) and gives us an unprecedented DRIVE BY – MICHAEL DUFFY or frustrating (if you get them wrong) insight into this remarkable man and Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 genre. ENJOY!!! his most remarkable achievements, Michael Duffy is a noted notwithstanding his life as a motor investigative journalist who has JOHNNY O’KEEFE – JEFF neuron disease sufferer. A wonderful worked for the Sydney Morning APTER Orion Paperback $35.00 and indeed inspirational book.

Herald and the Herald Sun Johnny O’Keefe was an Australian to name but two of his rock music legend – you don’t need THE FENCE PAINTING employers over the years. me to tell you that, I suppose. This FORTNIGHT OF DESTINY Here, he uses his vast tribute book/biography has been – MESHEL LAURIE wealth of knowledge issued to commemorate the 40th Allen and Unwin Paperback $27.99 from real-life crime and anniversary of Johnny’s amazing Meshel (formerly Michelle) Laurie the criminal fraternity to comeback at the Sunbury Music is an Australian comedian who I first weave a fascinating story Festival in 1973 and tells the story discovered on that wonderful ABC set in Sydney’s Western Suburbs. The of the human dynamo, nay rock and TV Show “Spicks and Specks” – she plot centres around a fictional Muslim roll powerhouse that was the late and is an amazing and I believe under Lebanese-Australian crime family truly great J O’K, as he is always rated talent and this is her story told in that operates in that area and the tale

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Abbey” and introduces to the story of the servants who wait on and care for the Bennets at their house “Longbourn”.

At times this is a opens with John Habib, one of the romance, at other times a compelling many sons of the family’s patriarch, costume drama. I loved it – it made who works as a mechanic. Of his a welcome change from the murder brothers, one is a fundamentalist Muslim, one is in a maximum security and mayhem etc that I am wont to prison and one is on trial for a murder enjoy as a prime reading source.

Hope you enjoy this one – great light that he says he did not commit.

We follow John’s search for the truth entertainment for your leisure hours! against the backdrop of a flawed legal system and several corrupt cops to an STRANGE BODIES – MARCEL THEROUX Faber Paperback $29.99 agonising conclusion.

Well – what an absorbing and yet Great story and very well told disturbing book!! I thoroughly – totally engrossing – I enjoyed it enjoyed it but I must say it is a most immensely. unusual read altogether.

Nicholas Slopen calls on an old PRESUMED GUILTY – BRET girlfriend – what’s CHRISTIAN strange about that Hardie Grant Books Paperback you may ask. Well Bret is an investigative journalist – Nicholas has been who began his career with Perth’s dead for several Daily News before moving to months. What is the Melbourne and Sydney. purpose of this visit?

He subsequently Who is this guy really? returned to Perth to From the secure unit found his own suburban of a psychiatric hospital he begins to Post newspapers group. tell the tale of an attempted forgery This is the culmination that draws you to an extraordinary of years of research truth – a metaphysical conspiracy that into several murders lies between madness and death. where, say, one person This is a very strange book (as the was “presumed guilty” and who title suggests) but I found it most subsequently following extensive thought provoking and extremely well further work and many appeals by written. defence personnel, etc was proven in fact not have been guilty in the first NOT THE SAME SKY place.

– EVELYN CONLON The book’s primary focus is on Wakefield Press Paperback $24.95 the likes of the Cottesloe killings, Evelyn is acknowledged the wrongful death sentence of as one of Ireland’s truly Darryl Beamish (for the murder of Melbourne socialite Jillian Brewer) to great creative writers and this lovely book certainly Perth’s Lloyd Rayney case. bears this out for me.

This book is a real eye-opener and Here is the story of four one that I found hard to put down young Irish girls who take – they say that truth is stranger than fiction – well this book certainly goes passage to Australia, a a long way to demonstrating that fact. country that is crying out for female workers, to escape the Famine that devastated the country in the 1840’s LONGBOURN – JO BAKER and 1850’s.

Doubleday Paperback $32.95 Here we learn of the trials If you enjoy reading the literary experienced by the girls during their classics of the likes of Jane Austen, voyage and their life as they become a in particular “Pride and Prejudice”, you are going to love this one. Jo has part of the emerging young Australia expounded on the story of the Bennet of this period and attempt to come to terms with the Ireland and families family that was the centre of the that they have left behind them afore mentioned book in the style of I loved this story – it was a “Upstairs Downstairs” and “Downton

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fascinating one – at times harrowing and at others a little humorous.

If you enjoy historical sagas, then this one is for you. Buy it and enjoy it as I did.

MONA THE BODY IN THE BOG – LORETTO LEARY Like her other books, this one is self published via CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform and the book is available from Amazon UK via their website at a cost of GBP 9.29 plus postage etc. Loretto is Irish born but now lives in the USA with her husband and son.

This is an ancient Celtic love story and murder mystery that unfolds using the methods provided by modern day forensic science practices. In spite of this, science is unable to tell us everything we need to know in this regard. The lives of two women unfold here – one in Celtic and one in modern day Ireland as a bog body is discovered and the brutality of her death is revealed.

The book poses the question – is there now has there ever been a perfect society for women. If you enjoy stories in this genre of writing then this book is for you. It is well worth getting hold of from Amazon – I don’t know if it is yet available in Australia but I would hope that if enough of us get behind it then it may become available here in the future.

Enjoy!!!

THE SCREAMING STAIRCASE – JONATHON STROUD Random House Paperback $24.95 Meet Lucy Carlyle – she is a young psychic investigator who, in the hope of a meaningful career, joins Lockwood and Co. This is a firm of psychic investigators headed by the very charismatic Anthony Lockwood.

When one of their cases goes terribly awry, they get the chance to redeem themselves – BUT this involves spending a night in the most haunted house in England.

This is a lovely little book – at times amusing and at others quite scary. It is the first in a new series of Lockwood and Co books and I for one can’t

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s w e i v e R wait to read more of these fascinating characters. Hope you enjoy it – I know I did!

THE BONE SEASON – SAMANTHA SHANNON Bloomsbury Paperback $24.99 This is Samantha’s first book.

Incredibly, she wrote it when she was just 19 years old – it has already been sold in 18 languages and has been options for movie rights.

No mean feat for a first timer!

“The Bone Season” is the first book in a planned series of 7 stories that feature Paige Mahoney – this, the first, is set in 2059 where Paige is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London where she is based in Seven Dials. She is a clairvoyant or “dreamwalker” as she is known, and all goes well until she is attacked, drugged and kidnapped. She is transported to the secret city of Oxford where she must allow herself to be nurtured in a prison if she wants to regain her freedom.

Here is a writer with a very vivid and creative imagination – this is a marvellous little book and should prove a great place from which to build a successful career in the world of fantasy fiction writing.

I enjoyed this one – although it is not a favourite genre of mine – but I could come to like this genre if there are more writers like Samantha Shannon.

the prior books in this series. Suffice it to say that it moves at a cracking pace and is a mighty read.

Buy it and enjoy it.

MISTRESS – JAMES PATTERSON with DAVID ELLIS Cornerstone Paperback $32.95 If you haven’t heard of James Patterson or read any of his books before, then you must be living in a ONE BY ONE – CHRIS CARTER Simon and Schuster Paperback $29.99 vacuum or a cocoon! He is one of the World’s most prolific and bestselling Here we have yet another story writers and I always enjoy reading his from the pen of that brilliant writer, books as they are released.

Chris Carter - the latest in his series Here we have a new character by the featuring Joe Hunter. name of Ben Casper who is a political This time Hunter is journalist. On his way to visit his faced with tracking girlfriend, who works for the CIA, he down the source of an sees her body plummet to its death internet website that from her sixth-floor apartment. Being shows someone who is CIA related, the case is kept heavily being held captive and under wraps and Ben finds that all giving viewers of the is not as it seemed regarding his site a choice of allowing girlfriend who would appear to have the victim to go free or by choosing been leading a double life. the method of his/her death.

Suddenly he realises that if he This is therefore the ultimate voyeur continues to investigate the death, situation – is this real or is it a set-up then his own may be next! Phew!!! for publicity purposes? When the What a great storyline – will it all turn first body turns up, the race is on for out right in the end? Maybe – but Hunter to find the killer before he there are some unexpected twists in strikes again. This is real edge-ofthis fast-paced tale that make that your-seat stuff – very fast paced and edgy in the extreme. Loved it. Buy it outcome questionable to say the least.

Hope you like it as much as I did. and enjoy it too.

DEATH ANGEL – LINDA FAIRSTEIN Little Brown Paperback $29.99 If you haven’t read any of Linda’s books before (that is in spite of my previous recommendations in the Irish Scene) then you should start with this one. The main character is Alexandra (Alex) Cooper who is an assistant DA in New York and this is the latest thriller in the series in which she is featured.

When a young woman’s body is MURDER MYSTERY AND found in New York’s Central Park, MAYHEM…….PLUS Alex and the police don’t know NEVER GO BACK – LEE CHILD whether this is the first victim of a At last – a new Jack Reacher book madman or the latest in a long list of from the wonderful Mr Child. This murders that dates back over many is the latest in this compelling series years. She follows the trail through and is set in North Eastern Virginia, the many twists and turns of the Reacher’s old army base. He is there Park itself and also of the ageing to meet the new CO – but finds she is mansions that surround it. Is the killer not there – in fact she is in jail and he a resident in one of them or merely finds HIMSELF on a criminal charge a homeless person, perhaps, who is for things that he had been involved in killing opportunistically? in the past.

This is a great story that is intricately I know I don’t need to tell you any woven and which I found utterly more of the story to suck you right in unputdownable. Loved it and so will – especially if you are familiar with you.

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IF YOU WERE HERE – ALAFAIR BURKE Faber and Faber Paperback $29.99 Alafair Burke is the daughter of multi award winning and best selling author James Lee Burke – a writer who was introduced to me by Peter Newman, Curtin Radio Breakfast announcer and devotee of crime fiction – as a footnote, he and I exchange leads on authors from time to time which helps me to keep up to date with new developments in this favourite genre of ours.

With her outstanding pedigree, you would expect that Alafair has a great talent for writing – indeed she has and I must say that I find her equally as compelling a read as her famous father. One of her main series characters (that I have told you about in the past in these pages) is Samantha Kincaid but this time we have a newie in the form of McKenna Jordan who is a magazine journalist.

A young pickpocket is rescued from the tracks of a New York train station by an unknown woman who vanishes before he can thank her. McKenna

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CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION – PETER ROBINSON Hachette Paperback $32.99 At last – a new watches some video footage of the Inspector Banks book from the incident and thinks she recognises wonderfully prolific pen of Yorkshire the rescuer as Susan Hauptmann, the born and raised Peter Robinson who woman who introduced McKenna now resides in Toronto in Canada. to her future husband. But Susan This time, Alan Banks is confronted disappeared without a trace some with the body of a disgraced college years earlier – so how can it be her? lecturer which has been found on a So McKenna sets out to solve the disused railway track. How did he mystery. This is quite an involved get there? And why does he have story line and has many twists and GBP 5,000 in his pocket when he turns – mostly unexpected by me I must say – to a nail-biting conclusion. is supposed to be broke? There are Absolutely loved it and know you will so many possibilities for Banks to follow – so many potential suspects love it too – give Alafair a go and, if that for a time he doesn’t know you haven’t already, give James Lee which way to turn. Again there are Burke a go too – you won’t regret it many red herrings for him to follow if you do – in fact quite the opposite in this twisted and tortuous tale that – you will have found a new literary the ending sort of creeps up on you love. without your realising it has done so.

I love Peter’s books and writing and THE KILL LIST – FREDERICK eagerly await each new one’s release.

FORSYTH This one will stay in my library for a Bantam Paperback $32.95 long long time and in a year or so’s Remember “Day of the Jackal”, a time, I shall re-read the Alan Banks brilliant film and book series in order – they are that good! from the pen of this Hope you agree with me on this world renowned writer? because I shall be very surprised if Well this is another from you don’t. Incidentally, I nearly made Forsyth’s prolific pen and this one the book of the month – I one that is set in the same decided instead that I would make it genre of international the lead book in this section of this espionage. In Virginia issue’s reviews. Great book – great USA, there is an agency called Technical Operations Support Agency read – truly great and unforgettable writer.

(TOSA) – the mission of this agency is to track down, find and eliminate anyone who is a deemed danger to the THE RAVEN’S EYE West – they operate using the Kill List – BARRY MAITLAND Allen and Unwin which documents the names of all of Paperback $29.99 these “threats to civilisation”.

Brilliant!! That’s the There is a terrorist known only as only way to describe this the Preacher – he is on the list – but taut, fast paced thriller he suddenly is lifted to the top of the list when he kills the father of TOSA’s from the pen of Barry Maitland. It’s the latest top hunter. The hunt is on – the case in his crime series featuring Kathy takes him through largely uncharted Kolla and it is an edge of the seat waters – he doesn’t know the thriller. When a woman’s is found Preacher’s identity – what he looks dead on a houseboat on the Thames, like or anything about him – but now it appears she died in her sleep as a it’s personal – VERY personal. result of an unflued gas heater. As This is a really good read and it you can imagine all is not necessarily moves along at a cracking pace – I as it seems and Kathy, together with loved every minute of its twists and DCI Brock, have their work really cut turns to the inevitable but slightly surprising conclusion. Hope you like out to solve this mystery.

They are being hampered in their it as much as I did. task because a new task force has been set up to augment and streamline

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police procedures – this is also a severe cost cutting exercise.

Do they sort out the problems in the end in spite of the Task Force’s intrusions upon them? You may guess that they do – but how they do it is where all the “fun” happens.

This is a brilliant book throughout and I can thoroughly recommend it to the discerning readers of crime novels – in particular British based crime novels (which you may have guessed over the years are my favourite source of reading pleasure.

Loved it.

WITNESS THE DEAD – CRAIG ROBERTSON Simon and Schuster Paperback $24.99 I read a couple of Craig’s books a while ago and enjoyed them so much that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one as soon as it became available. In this one, which is set in Glasgow, the police are called to the Necropolis (one of Glasgow’s cemeteries) where the body of a young woman is found stretched out over a tomb.

The police realising that this is similar to the notorious Glaswegian Red Silk murders from the past, Danny Neilson, who was a detective that had worked on the original cases, teams up with a police photographer and DS Rachel Narey to unearth the clues that will help solve this recent spate of crimes – that altogether strange – because the man who committed the Red Silk murders is still in jail in Glasgow!

Such an involved storyline with many an unexpected plot twist – I must admit it wasn’t until almost the end that I solved this one – just about the time that the Police solved it (I must add!). Loved every word and every minute – a worthy addition to this most glorious of genres (in my humble opinion).

WATCHING YOU – MICHAEL ROBOTHAM Sphere Paperback $29.99 This book is the latest instalment in the Joe O’Loughlin series and here, Joe, a clinical psychologist, is approached by a young wife, Marnie Logan, to find her missing husband, Daniel, who has

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s w e i v e R been missing for over a year. Marnie has the feeling that she is being watched – but she can’t quite put her finger on why or by whom.

This is a real page turner – it is completely unputdownable and I must say I read this one virtually in one sitting. I found it really engrossing.

Suffice it to say that the ending will surprise you – all is not quite as it seems - I loved it.

WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO – LIAM McILVANNEY Faber and Faber Paperback $29.99 This is a really good read – the story is centred around a reporter on the Glasgow Tribune who suddenly finds himself investigating the suspicious death of a fellow journalist. Not only that but the fellow journalist was his replacement on the crime desk – and there is a VERY dark cloud thrown over this death – was he corrupt or was he not?

This is a great story and just as I like them – fast paced with a lot of plot twists that you really don’t always see coming. Loved it immensely – you will too.

WRONGFUL DEATH – LYNDA LAPLANTE Simon and Schuster Paperback $29.99 Last but not least comes the new Anna Travis thriller from Lynda LaPlante – and it is certainly a corker to say the least. This time, Anna and DCS Langton are sent to the FBI Headquarters in the USA on a series of training sessions – but she is in the middle of the Josh Reynolds case. An FBI agent is sent over on secondment to London to assist with the case in her absence – Anna is not altogether happy with this but has no choice but to go along with the arrangements.

This is another great page turner in this wonderful series and I really

enjoyed this one. It has many surprising twists and turns in the plotlines so be aware that all is not as it may seem!

Read and enjoy – you won’t regret buying this one I can assure you.

Irish music throughout the World.

It is called “Nadur” and has some great new material on it – some lovely songs written by Moya Brennan, oldest member of the band Well that’s it for books this issue. (as you know this is Remember, if I haven’t heard of the Brennan Family an author before or if it is a new Band) and others by author, I hope you will take my some of the other family members. recommendations into consideration Standout tracks for me were Moya’s when selecting your reading matter “The Song in your Heart” and her and give them a good go. I will say brother Ciaran’s “Fishing Blues”. no more at this juncture and wish This is a great listening album with you happy reading, and see you all in some quiet and some slightly livelier the next issue. I hope you enjoy my material. I must admit I had it on recommendations as much as I have repeat in my car for some weeks and enjoyed reading them on both your am thoroughly enamoured with it. and my own behalf.

I can heartily recommend it to you and I know that I am looking forward to seeing the band in concert on 1st November at the Astor Cinema in Mount Lawley. Hope to see you there – you can always buy the CD at the concert and get it signed afterwards As it is almost Christmas, I thought by the Band – when I spoke to Moya I’d give you a quick heads up about a while back, she said that the band some books that I have yet to read always makes itself available for a that will be covered in the January/ chat after a gig and looks forward to February edition of the Magazine and returning to Perth after not having which you may find of interest. been here for a while.

So with that, I’ll take my leave Waking From a Dream – the new of you for another issue and look one from Lawrence Clarke forward to catching up in the next Cluetopia – the history of the edition in a month or so’s time. In crossword puzzle (which celebrates its the meantime, hope you catch up 100th birthday this year with Clannad at the Astor Cinema All the Songs – the story behind all of and Damien Leith who will be at the Beatles recorded output Ellington’s Jazz Club in Beaufort The Ways of the World – the new Street Inglewood on 1st and 2nd of one from British writer Robert November this year.

Goddard Restaurant Babylon – lifts the lid Don’t forget that Celtic Woman will of the British restaurant trade (in a be at the Perth Arena on 25th January humorous way) next year – the September concert had Cross and Burn – the new Tony Hill to be postponed due to scheduling thriller from Val McDermid conflicts. Maybe I’ll see you there.

Thankless I Death – the new JD Robb thriller As a postscript, I will be talking Fork Handles – a selection taken to John Connolly (renowned Irish from scripts written by the late Ronnie author) shortly and will tell you about Barker that next time.

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS

There I hope that has whetted your appetites for you so until next year I wish you very happy reading.

MUSICMUSICMUSIC

This issue, I have a great CD to tell you about. It is the new one from Clannad – that great ambassador for

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All the very best to you and yours from me until the next time and I wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and happy reading, watching and listening.

Slán go fóill FAREWELL UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

By Colin Merrey

At this juncture, I would like to mention some sad news that we have had over the last few weeks and/or months in regard to literary and musical luminaries who have either passed on or have had to cease working as a result of pressing health problems.

Firstly, we said goodbye to the wonderful Irish poet Seamus Heaney (left) on 30 August this year. He was born Seamus Justin Heaney on 13 April 1939 and lived in Northern Ireland where, after attending university in Belfast, he became a lecturer there, and began to publish poetry. He was the recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature amongst all of the many prestigious National and International awards that he received. He lived in Sandymount, Dublin, from 1972 until his death Robert Lowell called him “the most important Irish poet since Yeats” and many others, including the academic John Sutherland, have echoed the sentiment that he was “the greatest poet of our age”. Robert Pinsky has stated that “with his wonderful gift of eye and ear Heaney has the gift of the story-teller”. Upon his death, The Independent described him as “probably the best-known poet in the world”.

We also said farewell to American novelist Tom Clancy (left) on 1st October this year. He was probably best known for his technically detailed espionage and military science storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War. The large majority of his novels

were bestsellers, and more than 100 million copies of his books are currently in print.

On his death, The Chicago Tribune quoted Pulitzer Prizewinning author Stephen Hunter as saying, “When he published The Hunt for Red October he redefined and expanded the genre and as a consequence of that, a lot of people were able to publish such books who had previously been unable to do so.”

John Grisham, a co-author and researcher with Clancy on several books attributed Clancy’s death to heart problems: “Five or six years ago Tom suffered a heart attack and he went through bypass surgery. It wasn’t that he had another heart attack, [his heart] just wore out.”

I recall also that, in the aftermath of the terrible 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001, Tom Clancy was interviewed on several occasions in regard to the method used by the terrorists concerned since in his 1994 novel Debt of Honor a vengeful, diehard Japanese airline pilot crashed a jetliner into the U.S. Capitol building during a joint session of Congress attended by most senior U.S. government officials, including the President. Quite a coincidence you might say.

I have always enjoyed reading Tom’s books which were extremely well written ad researched. I will miss reading such wonderful books as these in the future – I will miss him as will I feel thousands upon thousands of people throughout the World.

I am also sad to report that Linda Ronstadt revealed quite

74

recently that she will no longer be able to perform as she is suffering from Parkinson’s disease which as you probably all know is extremely debilitating. This is a sad loss to the music world – I am very fond of her work and often have her CD’s playing in my car when driving.

I shall miss her and her wonderful voice.

Do you remember Bobby Vee (right) , 1960’s American pop superstar, who had such hits as “Rubber Ball”, “The Night has a Thousand Eyes”, “Run To Him”, etc? He has revealed that he is no longer able to perform as, like music legend Glen Campbell, he is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

A farewell poem for Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney once stated he wanted ‘...to die gratefully’ - ‘...just slipping out’ is preferred to making a big fussy exit and possibly spoiling the party, was described.

An ‘Irish Goodbye’ Helpless by a clinical Blackrock I lie and listen as they scrub and chatter Now with no voice or famous Digging Pen I wonder if I pass what will it matter With no-one here to hear the last I’d say I gladly closed my eyes and slipped away....

MOYA BRENNAN –

VOICE OF A NATION

By COLIN MERREY A while back I was invited to have a telephone chat with Moya Brennan, principal vocalist and harpist of Irish super group Clannad and also, as far as I am concerned one of the best voices in contemporary Irish music.

Moya stayed up til all hours so I could speak to her at a reasonable time (for Perth people that is) – 8am! Nonetheless, we spoke at some considerable length about her life and career, both inside and outside of Clannad – I had been prewarned that she was a very garrulous person and I might not be able to get a word in edgeways (a problem that I think our own Frank Murphy had when she spoke with him on the Radio Fremantle Show “Songs for Ireland”) but I must say that I didn’t have that problem myself.

We began talking and after a while I found that Moya had begun to interview ME!!!

What a turnabout – we had quite a chuckle when I said “Hey – I’m interviewing YOU!” to her. She took it in good part and we continued unabated for quite some time after.

Moya is the oldest of nine children, all of whom are very musical – Clannad consists of three siblings and two cousins and is essentially the same lineup now as from the Band’s beginnings when it performed in the Brennan family’s pub Leo’s Tavern in Meenaleck, not far from the family’s home. For a while in the late 1970’s Moya’s younger sister Enya worked with Clannad but went off to do her own thing to astounding success in her own right.

I asked how Clannad got their big break and Moya said that, when writer Gerald Seymour had completed the three part TV series that was “Harry’s Game” the BBC were looking for some appropriate theme music. Seymour had heard an early Clannad album and thought that the haunting aspect of the Band’s music would suit the series.

Moya and the band were asked to write the theme song and, not having written to order before, they asked if

Review

The Villages, Andrew Strong and The Commitments

they could use one of their other songs. Gerald said an emphatic no and “Harry’s Game” was born. This was to launch the band onto a worldwide audience and resulted in their being asked to write the music for “Robin of Sherwood”, another BBC drama series. This then gave us Clannad’s “Legend” album.

We talked about other collaborations and solo projects and I mentioned the song “You’re the one” she did with Shane MacGowan that was played over the end credits of the movie of Maeve Binchy’s wonderful “Circle of Friends”.

She said that Shane had wanted to record the song with a rockier backing but she held out and the song became one of the standout tracks and much requested in the succeeding years. One of my personal favourites is “I Will Find You” which was used as the theme for the movie “Last of the Mohicans”.

We had an extremely good and as I said long chat and I found her to be a very frank and engaging person and very easy to talk to. I told her I would look out for her at the concert at the Astor and we said our farewells.

A great chat with a great lady.

Hope you got to experience her at the Clannad concert on 1st November. I was there – with bells on!!!!

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After the disappointment of a summer marred with the cancellations of the Drop Kick Murphys, Glen Hansard and, of course, The Boomtown Rats, August proved a bonanza for fans of Irish music. Playing a set somewhere between The Smiths, Bell X1 and Tom Waits, the Dublin folk rockers The Villages played to an enthusiastic audience at Fremantle’s Fly by Nite. Performing songs from their studio album (Awayland), watching The Villages is like waiting for a permeation to occur. Experienced well beyond their years, Conor O’Brien, the bands enigmatic front man is only in his early 20s; their act leaves you with the expectation that something big is about to happen.

Not big within a commercial sense, but an impression that these still heady days are going to remembered.

In an age dominated by samplers and gimmicks there is rawness here worth savoring. Standout tracks on the night included “My Lighthouse”, “(Awayland)” and O’Brien’s guitar and voice on the haunting “The Bell”.

Ironically, later in August we had an unexpected bonus upon missing Glen Hansard when his lead man from Alan Parker’s film version of Roddy Doyle’s novel The Commitments, Andrew Strong, aka Deco Cuffe, played at the Metropolis. Fresh from a season of sold out arena tours in Ireland and Britain, and by no means a consolation prize, Strong played an infectious set of tracks from Parker’s film score and tunes that have given him the status of what one reviewer recently described as “Europe’s best blues man”.

The Metropolis show not only brought back many fond memories of Parker’s film and scenes of a melancholic Dublin about to be mauled by the Celtic Tiger, but Strong’s incredible versatility as a singer/ musician. Lacking none of the voice that rocketed him to fame in the early 90s’ with heartfelt deliveries of ‘Take Me To The River”, “In The Midnight Hour” and everyone’s favorite karaoke number, “Mustang Sally”, Strong’ s lead guitar work was nothing but exceptional. Throughout one of the most enjoyable sets played in a long time, Strong demonstrated with both voice accompaniment and guitar that at the still relatively tender age of 39 (seems hard to believe) his career is set for new heights.

Paul Carpenter

by Lloyd Gorman

Isteach sa Teach Politicians Pirates Pioneers and Presidents “I will not try to speak like a pirate today, unlike some of my colleagues in the house. Some would say I already speak like one, but that is not the case. I assure members that this is how Irish people speak.” For a couple of days in Parliament some senior ranking pollies tried to be funny by putting on silly accents in honour of International Speak Like a Pirate Day (September 19). Irish born Member of Parliament (MoP) Stephen Dawson as his quote above shows, was not one of them.

Things got so ridiculous in the Chambers that the President of the house (imagine a teacher in charge of an unruly Stephen Dawson classroom) had to remind them that: “This is a house of Parliament, not a pirate ship!”.

As we saw in the last issue of this column Dawson was one of the most outspoken critics in the House of the governments decision to slap a $4000 fee on the children of 457 visa workers for primary education. The issue was hotly debated in parliament and eventually, in no small part, due to a lot of public demand, the provisions of this charge have been lowered and delayed - but only by another year. So this cost - which will affect a lot of Irish parents and others - hasn’t quite been lifted and

will remain an issue for some when it is imposed.

The Irish Wolfhound got a rare but slightly confusing - mention in parliament in October. Green MoP Lynn MacLaren who represents the South Metropolitan Region brought up the distinctive canine during a debate about the Dog Amendment Bill.

She was speaking about Lynn MacLaren pit bulls when she made this comment: “We have not defined it as a restricted breed, but it is defined elsewhere as a restricted breed. There are five restricted breeds. It would be treated as a restricted breed, but it would have that same opt-out clause that greyhounds have. The breeding prohibitions would remain and the dangerous dog (declared) provisions would still be enacted if it was indeed dangerous. Like any other dog— Jack Russell terrier, Rottweiler, Irish wolfhound—that is declared a dangerous dog, if someone’s pit bull is declared a dangerous dog, all those safety provisions that have been established to protect the community would be applied.”

If Irish wolfhounds are a restricted breed then you would not know if from the little information that is available about the legislation/regulations. I wasn’t able to find anything about their

76

status in WA but I did discover a March 2012 government report (the NWS government that is) that used council statistics to rank the number of dog attacks and types of dogs involved in those incidents.

According to this source the Irish Wolfhound ranked 14th in its league table. There were 15 attacks involving these dogs out of a total Wolfhound population of 1,349 in the state (about 1%).

The Irish wolfhound - the tallest breed of dog in the world - was used for hundreds if not thousands of years as a hunting dog, so small wonder then that it would also come to be used in Australia by some as a kangaroo hunting dog.

The outcome of the September 7 Federal elections - while probably in the main were never in doubt - for the Canberra based parliament have created a few new political realities.

It is interesting to note that three - perhaps even four - of WA’s 15 seats (called Divisions) have Irish links.

The Division of O’Connor is named after C Y O’Connor, who was born in Gravelmount, Castletown, Co. Meath in 1843 and came to CY O’Connor WA in 1891 (after a stint in New Zealand) where he would famously design and build Fremantle Harbour and the Goldfields Pipeline and also sadly take his own life, aged 59. The Division of O’Connor was created

in 1980.

Fremantle shares a strong association and connection with the next constituency of interest. The Division of Curtin was created in 1949 and is named after former Prime Minister of Australia John Curtin. Before 1949 much of this area belonged to the Division of Fremantle, which Curtin represented from 1928 until his death in 1945.

Curtin is today still highly respected by all sides of politics for his courageous and brilliant leadership of the country through WWII (he stood up to John Curtin Churchill for example) Curtin was born in Creswick, Victoria, and named after his father, a Cork man. His mother Catherine (nee Bourke) was also from Cork. Curtin’s association with WA dates back to 1917 when he moved here as a journalist and he is the only Australian PM to have represented a WA seat in the House of Representatives.

Another family of Irish origin to have a massive and ongoing impact on their adopted homeland are the Duracks, who were early pioneers and settlers of this state. The story of the Duracks has been told brilliantly

by Mary Durack in Kings in Grass Castles (which was made into a very popular TV series here) and Sons in the Saddle. The Division of Durack was created to replace parts of the divisions of Kalgoorlie - which was abolished - and O’Connor and its first member was elected in 2010.

Durack covers a whopping 1,587,758 km2 (613,036.8 sq mi) and borders most O’Connor, another massive district covering 908,954 km2 (350,949.1 sq mi).

Between them they cover the vast majority of the landmass that is WA. A fourth may have some Irish heritage if a Enda Kenny name alone is anything to go by but I have been unable to trace any connection for Edith Cowan.

Meanwhile, a couple of interesting developments back in the Irish political system. Taoiseach Enda

Kenny’s bid to abolish Seanad Éireann from the Dail (the upper house of the Irish parliament) was defeated by referendum and lives to fight another day. We might return to this issue in another edition. Perhaps of more interest to the Irish community abroad are the moves to consider giving Irish nationals living abroad a vote in the Presidential elections.

A convention made up of various political and society groups has been asked to look at this issue.

Mary Robinson was responsible for renovating an otherwise dusty Mary Robinson old office of state that had been the preserve of retired politicians and turning it into a vibrant and practical instrument of a modern nation – including using it as an opportunity to connect with the Irish Diaspora. I predict that if they give us the vote the international Irish community will jump at the chance to have a say in picking our head of state.

You that would judge me, do not judge alone this book or that, come to this hallowed place where my friends’ portraits hang and look thereon; Ireland’s history in their lineaments trace; think where man’s glory most begins and ends and say my glory was I had such friends.

William Butler Yeats

Frank Murphy presents

107.9fm Fremantle Radio

Saturday 7am to 9am

Irish Music • Interviews • Local & Irish News

77

Play Preview Black Swan State Theatre Company presents Midsummer (A Play with Songs)

by David Greig & Gordon McIntyre 9 to 24 November 2013 at the Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, 174 William St, Perth Helena (Georgina Gayler) is a divorce lawyer who can’t keep her hands off other women’s husbands. Bob (Brendan Hanson) is a small time crook who is getting far too old to be on the wrong side of the law. They meet in a bar on a Friday night. They have nothing in common and should never sleep with each other. But they do. Their one night stand turns into a crazy and wonderful weekend full of ruined weddings, bags of money, car chases, Japanese rope bondage, sex and stubborn hangovers.

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Punctuated by devious and wistful songs and with a live four piece-band, Midsummer (A Play with Songs) suggests that anyone can reinvent themselves and take their life in a new direction, if they only chose to do so.

“Exhilarating … you float out laughing as if you’ve just swallowed sunshine on a spoon.” The Guardian

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“Pretty much a perfect evening in the theatre.”

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Kate Cherry, Artistic Director, Black Swan State Theatre Company

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Visiting Ireland?

Gerry & Elsie Tully will give a great welcome!

Divine M e r cy BED AND BREAKFAST Airport Road, Knock Co Mayo Phone: (094) 9388 178 International: 0011 353 94 9388 178

You can help Christina Noble by Helping Lorraine

Dubliner, Lorraine Curran has to raise $6,000 in six weeks so she can travel to Cambodia to see the amazing work of Christina Noble. “I’m raising this money for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation as I highly admire the work she does.

Lorraine had a fundraising event in October and her 16 year old daughter Michaela launched her own CD. She also ran a Marathon (21kms) and cycled 30kms.The marathon is called the Angkor half marathon and Mekong Delta cycle. Lorraine is asking the Irish community to help her by donating. “It doesn’t matter how small or big just please support the Noble Foundation and most important the children”. If you would like to donate you can do so via the Christina Noble Foundation, Commonwealth Bank BSB No: 062000 Account Number 1070-6062.

Please quote Lorraine Curran as a reference. “Thank you for your support and please spread the word”.

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79

There’s No Escaping This History As well as belonging to the history of Western Australia the story of the Georgette is also the family history of at least one of Irish Scene’s readers. While respected WA historian Ormonde Waters offers a factual account of the details of the famous break for freedom, Mrs Pat Hackett (Collins) shares some insights into her family’s link and lore to the greatest escape story in WA. Captain Michael O’Grady

An Unsung Hero

by Ormonde Waterss

Fenian agents John Breslin – alias James Collins – and Thomas Desmond, aka Tom Johnson, left San Francisco on September 13 1875 and travelled via Sydney and Melbourne. The last leg of the journey from Albany to Fremantle was on the coastal steamer Georgette, a ship which was to figure prominentely in later events.

She was captained by an Irishman, Michael O’Grady. The Georgette and her passengers arrived into Fremantle on November 16, 1875.

Upon their arrival in Western Australia, Breslin and Desmond kept their distance so as to avoid suspicion of their plan to break six Irish patriots – the compatriots of John Boyle O’Reilly – who had himself escaped some time before from WA. Breslin stayed in Patrick Maloney’s Emerald Isle Hotel in Fremantle, posing as a wealthy investor, while Desmond lived in Perth, where he worked in his trade as a carriage builder.

The voyage of the Catalpa from New Bedford to Bunbury took about two months longer than had been anticipated, which meant the two men had to maintain their roles for over four months, while planning the rescue. During this time, Breslin took an extraordinary risk by having an affair with Mary Tondut, a chamber maid who worked at the Emerald Isle Hotel.

Now Breslin’s lover Mary’s sister Eulalie was married to Michael O’Grady’s brother Henry, so Breslin and O’Grady were, in a sense, related.

The Catalpa arrived in Bunbury on March 28 1876 and the following day Breslin was on his way to see Captain Anthony, and to make arrangements for the rescue. The Georgette was due

to arrive in Bunbury with mail form Albany, on Saturday April 1, and in order to familiarise himself with the coastline, Captain Anthony travelled with Breslin on the steam ship to Fremantle.

On the overnight voyage of April 1-2, Anthony was introduced,

by Breslin, to Captain Michael O’Grady and at once started to cultivate his friendship. On the morning of Sunday, April 2, from the deck of the Georgette, Captain Anthony noted the positions of Rottnest, Garden Island and other local landmarks.

The escape was scheduled for Easter Monday, April 17, 1876. The O’Grady family tradition states that Captain Michael O’Grady had forewarning of the escape, and that he co-operated with Breslin and Captain Anthony by creating obstacles to hinder the employment of the Georgette by the government.

The Georgette had left Fremantle on her regular mail run to Champion Bay (Geraldton) on April 7, returning early on Easter Monday morning, very low on fuel.

Instead of replenishing his ship’s coal bunkers, Captain O’Grady immediately set off up river to Perth to attend the Regatta. He had a long and leisurely lunch at his club, before being summoned back to Fremantle

by Governor Robinson, who had commandeered the Georgette for pursuit duties.

The captain was apparently somewhat less than cooperative and took his time in making the return journey to the port

80

city.

When the Georgette first made contact with the Catalpa, she was so low on coal that she had to break off and return to Fremantle. Her absence enabled the escapees in the whaleboat to reach and board the Catalpa in safety, after their Ormonde Waterss 28 hour ordeal. By the time she had refuelled and set out again, complete with cannon, it was just too late.

Michael O’Grady was disciplined by the authorities after the escape, losing command of the Georgette which was the most important mail and passenger ships in these waters at the time. For some years after the daring Catalpa rescue he corresponded with Captain Anthony in the United States.

Captain O’Grady was not in command of the Scottish built vessel when it broke up nine months later off a beach near Margaret River. Some 12 people were drowned in the sinking

of the Georgette but many lives were saved in one of the most dramatic and courageous rescue bids in the maritime history of Western Australia.

A Proud Family Tradition

by Mrs Pat Hackett (Collins) John O’Grady and his wife Charlotte (Southwell Keeley) and their six children arrived in Fremantle on-board the “Raleigh” in 1852. The O’Grady’s – from Killballygowen, Limerick – had two more sons born here. Their five boys all went on to become sea captains and were known the length of the state’s coastline and as far away as Hong Kong and Singapore. All five played a part in the escape but two – John and Michael – had a leading role in the breakout.

Escape day was timed to coincide with Regatta Day, a public holiday which provided opportunity for cover and

confusion. The O’Grady siblings – who each had a boat docked in Freo harbour at the time – took their vessels into the ‘smoke’ of the regatta to make themselves unavailable to skipper the Georgette – then the fastest ship around – to chase the Catalpa.

“John O’Grady was no doubt the one who didn’t succeed in that ‘smoke’, although in the immediate family, it is maintained it was Michael who was to be one at the ‘helm’ of the Georgette.

History tells us it was the former.

Michael was later to be relived of the captaincy of the ship, why?

History has it that it was John who couldn’t have hid well enough, whether it was John or Michael, it nevertheless meant these Irish patriots were not going to go out of their way to catch the Catalpa.

A human twist – a romance – was to come out of their “Great Escape” between John Breslin (Collins) and Mary Tondut (my great aunt). She fell pregnant to John but this romance not being able to go anywhere, saw her being

81

sent into hiding in New South Wales where she gave birth to baby John Breslin. Later she was to marry a watchmaker in Sydney by the name of Thomas.

John Breslin Mary Tondut was Captain Henry O’Grady’s sister-inlaw. Henry – my great grandfather and his wife Eulalie Tondut was my Great Grandmother – was the eldest of the Irish boys.

Only in recent years a relative of the Thomas clan contacted the writer seeking Mary’s family here. The result Professor Richard Cowan’s history book written by him was to take the heading of “Mary Tondut, the Woman Behind the Escape of The Fenians”.

If you have a family connection to this, or any other interesting aspect of WA’s history, please get in touch to share it with Irish Scene readers.

the Races Irish Day at

82

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association Welcome back Cecilia and Tony Bray from their “Gathering in Ireland’’, also Julie and Brian Corr.

Apparently the very good weather experienced by all those returning home this past Northern summer, was still going strong. Naturally the doom sayers are predicting a horrible winter to follow those sunny days of summer. Perhaps it’s in the Irish nature to be wary of such good fortune with the weather. Our definition of our usual summer weather is in with very little sunshine and warm rain!

Atlas of the Great Irish Famine: The Association was delighted to entertain Mike Murphy, one of the editors of this recently produced publication, although Mike and fellow editors, John Crowley and William J. Smyth readily acknowledge the impossibility of adequately representing the Great Famine. This beautifully produced, seven hundred and ten page book, weighing in at 4KG, has certainly left most other histories in the shade.

Michael gave us an illustrated review of the planning and production of this atlas which had its germination at an exhibition titled Famines Yesterday and Today: The Irish Experience in a Global Context, which was mounted in Boston in 1996. Work began on this Atlas 2009 and was published in 2012. So popular was the Atlas that it was reprinted twice in the same year and again in 2013. Apart from lots of new

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

information concerning the Great Famine and many new illustrations, there are copious maps which are easily understood and serve to enhance the written word. A very big attraction was the number of contributors, 58 to be exact, from many countries where green is worn.

You may think that at 710 pages it might be as complicated as a Joyce novel, but no. Each contributor is responsible for a chapter so one can dip in and out of it without the thought of having to wade your way through too many pages at each sitting.

Tony Curtis, Poet. We were very pleased to welcome once again our own Poet Laureate who last visited us some three years ago. He was showcasing his latest work, Pony.

As always he put on a great reading interspersed with great anecdotes and accompanying song. His spiritual humanity shines through in all aspects of his work and I’m sure that all those who attended his session were affected by his grace and humility and left for home feeling he had opened a door for them to feel that much better about the world we live in.

John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial Rockingham: The AIHA is pleased with the outcome of a visit we undertook to meet with representatives of Rockingham Council to bring some closure

to some of the work that had not been completed since the monument was erected. We were pleased with the reception we received, and the outcome is that they are going to proceed with the completion of the tablets that will be fixed to the seven pillars that have remained unfinished. Joan and Charlie Smith, Fred Rea and yours truly were ecstatic on the success of our visit.

Events UPCOMING

Durack Lecture:

Sunday 24th November 3.00pm Notre Dame University Tannock Hall, Cnr. Croke & Cliff Street, Fremantle This is one of our keynote events of the year and this year will be presented by internationally well-known Irish artists Joan and Charlie Smith.

Yeats Gathering:

Sunday 8TH December At the home of Joan & Charlie Smith (setting for 1st Yeats gathering) 906 Reen Road, Gidgregannup.

Full information will follow closer to the date.

The AIHA Committee would like to wish our Members and Friends, Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Australian-Irish Heritage Association

Non Political-Non Sectarian-Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583 Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530. Email: aiha@irishheritage.net

www.irishheritage.net

Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Membership Due on 1st January.

Family membership $60, Concession $50, Distant (200 kms from Perth) $40 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20

83

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa (and reader), How’s the form ?

Wha’ a year, eh ? You’ve done good this year, I’ll give yeh tha’.

The best teams win “SAM’ and ‘LIAM’.

– Christmas 2013

can do berrer – or else …. ! Nidge and de Boyz are only a text away !

CAUTION Gurrier at work

Even the Rebels are happy, they have a song for next year’s Eurovision – ‘Do the Jimmy Barry Murphy’ ! There’ll be subtitles an’ anyway and Dustin - Corcaigh Douze Pointe

Wear it with pride....

Dustin will be the singer to give it more appeal. How good is tha’, two turkeys for the price o’ one ? United are back in the winners enclosure and God is in His heaven ! Wear it with pride indeed. Grand. Speaking of things equine, my doctor told me to watch what I eat, so I went out and bought tickets for the Grand National this year Heffo! Ger it ? haha lol. We’ll A Brilliant Mind talk abou’ the Boys in Green larer. Amn’t I righ’ to suggest ye

I

Calm under Pressure by Davy Fitz

trun tha’ in to prove I’m no dinosaur with tech, g’wan with yeh.

Have a dekko - # Up the Dubs, # coybib !!! Wha’ do ye tink ??? haha lol.

‘Heffo – A Brilliant Mind’ biography by Liam Hayes will be on every Dubs Crimbo list. We’re goin’ Take yer point-Jack for the trilogy next year.

Davy and the Banner finished off the year in the best possible way. I’m just waitin’ on his bewk ‘Calm under Pressure’ Ronaldo solo run to bring me down from the ceilin’ like ! Mind you, Anthony Daly done good wit’ the Dubs again.

Being one of us now, we call him ‘Anto’ !

The Cats are no’ takin’ Happy Christmas this lying down, no way.

Coach Cody is scourin’ the countryside lookin’ for new lads for next year. Spruce Bringstein An optical delusion (Ed: It’s Bruce Springsteen ye eejit) was seen at Nowlan Park this summer.

He’s go’ to be a shoe-in, wit’ What a puc up! songs like ‘Born in BallyK’, ‘Lark in the Park’, ‘Gorey Days’, ‘Streets of Phibsboro’ and especially ‘ Born 84

Sir Arrogant hangs up his hairdryer

to Solo Run’ ?? Is he the one what writ ‘Mulligan’s Tyres’ ? (Ed: Please read our disclaimer at this point. Corrections are as follows: Born in the USA, Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days, Streets of Philadelphia

and Born to Run. NO – Mull of Kintyre was .. oh forget it !). Jack Nicklaus and Ronaldo paid flying visits. I don’t tink there’ll be many stepovers from th’ latter, no’ wit’ Tommy Walsh around.

The suntan ? No Mamma Mia !!!

Fleadh in Brazil...

wuffin furries, everyone go’ a suntan a’ home this summer.

It’s no’ an optical delusion ! Jack’ll be grea’ for long frees an’ puck outs ! Speaking o’ puck outs, what a ‘puc up’ for

Mickey Mouse defence

Theatre of Dreams...

poor Limerick minors wit’ Hawkeye !

Have they no’ go’ enough to contend wit’ already ????

Back Four or wha’

We’ve had a few milestones along the

way. No more ‘Fergie time’ or ‘squeaky bum time’ or ‘hairdryer treatment’ from Sir Arrogant. We’ve said arrivaderci compadre to St Mamma Mia, the Boys in Green are no’ goin’ to the Fleadh in Brazil and Drico is on

Eamon Dunphy The Rocky Road

new king at the Theatre of Dreams. We migh’ look like we have a ‘Mickey Mouse’ defence but we’re in

September Sundays bewk and cd

goal they’d be deadly, in more ways than one ! Nuttin’ would ge’ a past tha’ lot !

Saints take the Premier League and the Cup is between the Bit

O’Red and the Drogs. Fair play to ye, you’ve been very even-handed. Joe Schmidt will take us to RWC2015 after delivering the RaboDirect for Leinster in his final game there an’ Bob the Gob is goin’ into space. Sean Kelly Hunger

an’ we could follow tha’ up wit’ Aimin Dunphy’s ‘The Rocky Road’. A good buke, not a great buke comes to mind for some reason ….! You can put it on the bonfire after, while the usual SAM13 and LIAM13 dvd’s will always please.

You can tie us Dubs up in Blue for good measure ! Grand. ‘September Sundays’

Our first astronaut Bob the Gob

the last lap. As us latin scholars sayz - ‘sic transit gloria swanson’ (us Dubs is bisexual as well yeh know, one language is no’ enough these dayz !). David, son of Alex, is the

The Lions Raw

The only downside is he’s comin’ back ! Speaking of space, the Curiosity Rover is on Mars over a year now. So far, it’s no’ found any spuds, beer, Setanta Sports or The Sunday Game.

I’m confused. How could men come from Mars ?

Forging a Kingdom Tied up in Blue...

good hands. Martin O’Neill or ‘Saipan’ Mick look like being anointed by the blazers at the FAI. Could I suggest Nidge an’ the ladz would make an ideal ‘back four’ ? Wit’ Dano in

Green is the Colour

Freestyle Hurling

Now, wha’ abou’ some Crimbo presents for the man cave this year ? Any good fillums, bukes or prezzies to look forward to ?

‘Infallibility – The Pope and I’ by Joe Croke Park - A History Brolly won’t take long 85

I’m the one in blue will bring some great memories from the best GAA year in ages and ‘Green is the Colour’ will sustain us until the qualifiers for Euro2016 start next year.

I’ll keep takin’ the tablets until then !

Could a subscription to Setanta Sports be a welcome stocking filler for the Irish sports nut ? Sean Kelly has ‘Hunger’ for the skins brigade and I know it’s not sport but ye can’t go a pas’ Roddy Doyle’s ‘The Guts’. Barrytown lives on an’ that’s good sport to me !

It was a good year for the best of the best Irish rugby players wit’ the Lions conquering all before them in Oz. Don’t miss out their dvd ‘The Lions Raw’. Do yourself a favour and check out Freestyle Hurling on Youtube. #IAMHURLING. You’ll be suitably impressed. ‘Forging a Kingdom’ and ‘Croke Park – A History’ will be perfect for afters. Your Jameson and toblerone will be in the usual spot a’ the gaff. Geh some o’ tha’ Dublin Coddle down ye before ye leave. It beats sambos any day ! Have a safe trip an’ don’t forge’ the nosebag for Rudolph this time. He slobbered all over the floor last year ! Must go, judgin’ by the fryin’ pan tha’ just flew a pas’ me head, I done somethin’ wrong. I can’t wait to find out wha’ it was !

Sláinte.

See you on the Hill (I’m the one in blue !)

Your friend in sport

David Isaacson, The Dynamic Dub

‘Wood nymph’ plays that Irish magic

By Sarah McNeill Fresh from working on Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, their world tours and recording with the Radio Telefis Eireann Orchestra, violinist Máiréad Nesbitt was taking a break to write music when she was invited to play on a one-night-only TV special.

The event, directed by Riverdance director David Downes, featured a female group with four singers and Máiréad (it rhymes with parade) on violin.

The group was Celtic Woman and since that one-night performance in 2004, they have become the most successful Irish girl group of all time and one of the world’s best-selling Irish acts.

Their first album stayed at the top of the Billboard World Music charts for a record 81 weeks, only knocked to No. 2 by their second

album. And the group, which occasionally changes singers but always has Máiréad on her violin, tours the world for 10 months of every year.

Last year, they were No. 1 on Billboard’s World Artist chart for the seventh time.

In response to Irish media claims that Celtic Woman is the “Cinderella of Irish music” – having a ball everywhere but Ireland – Máiréad said: “We like it that way!

“The Irish are famous for making sure you’re never too high and mighty. I find it refreshing.

“Ireland doesn’t really mind about us, they’re not fussed with fame. You can walk down the street in Dublin and no one will take any notice, but in New York we’re overawed by the response when we buy a cup of coffee!”

Máiréad began playing the violin when she was six. She was an all-Ireland fiddle champion, has performed with Nigel Kennedy, Van Morrison Sinéad O’Connor and Emmylou Harris, and is the featured soloist on Disney films, Tinker Bell and Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

Her musical “voice” is an integral part of Celtic Woman’s sound and she is the energetic one on stage, bounding around, as one reviewer wrote, “like a sexy wood nymph”.

Máiréad laughed: “They

wouldn’t be saying that in Ireland now, would they?

“I am energetic. If the music moves me, I move with the music.”

Changes to the group’s line-up of singers, as girls have left to pursue solo careers or start families, do not faze Máiréad.

“When new girls come in, it’s always fantastic,” she said.

“They’re great artists in their own right and they know what’s expected of them on stage.

“It’s off-stage that is the most challenging. It has to work off-stage for it to work on stage.”

Máiréad, who often travels with her husband, a lighting director, said a 10-month “rock’n’roll” touring schedule every year meant everyone had to make the effort to remain friends.

While singers Chloë Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden were her friends, “we actively engage in making sure we create a supportive and nurturing environment,” she said.

“The unmistakable blend that is Celtic Woman depends on us getting on.”

Celtic Woman’s new CD and DVD, Believe, is out now.

Celtic Woman performs in Perth at the Riverside Theatre in the Perth Convention Centre on Friday, January 24, 2014. Book through Ticketek.

Sarah McNeill is Arts/features editor for POST TimeOut in POST Newspapers

To enter the draw just email your name and address to fred@irishscene.com.au

erney N c M r ive

Ol

Every Saturday Evening 6-8pm

CD & dvd

Enjoy Irish Ballads and Showband Hits www.capitalcommunityradio.com

For all your favourite musical memories

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Drawn on 15 December and winner will be announced on our facebook and website

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of WA Inc.

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

What will season 2013 be remembered for?

Will it be the hurling final which saw Perth shamrocks beat favourites Imokilly or will it be remembered for Finbarr’s ladies going through season 2013 undefeated? It might be the introduction of Morley s second ladies team or southern districts winning back to back consul cups.

Either way whichever way one remembers season 2013 it will be remembered for all the right reasons.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank this year’s committee for all their hard work and effort throughout the year. Thanks to Sean O’Casey again for working tirelessly all year long. He deserves a good break so he can recharge for next year.

I’d like to say congratulations to the WA hurling squad who travelled to Sydney to successfully defend their Australasian title. I would also like to say, well done to the minor team and their management for representing Western Australia like true professionals. They did us all proud and only just missed out on the title narrowly losing to Victoria in the final. Well done to both teams.

Finally I’d like to congratulate all clubs who participated in all leagues in season 2013. We as an association are growing every year and I’d like to thank all the club committees for all their hard work during the year. Hopefully they will carry on this good work in season 2014.

So to all members, friends and family, I hope ye have a great Christmas and a happy new year.

See you all at the Annual General Meeting.

Rob O’Callaghan. President

Rob O’Callaghan President GAA of WA

WA Hurlers Victorious in Australasian Championships 2013 The team put in a superb effort all week, winning 3 of their 4 group games and beating Victoria in the final on a score line of 2-16 to 0-13.

Match report from final: The 2013 hurling final between WA and Victoria began with both sides taking a while to settle. Both sides exchanged a couple of points in the first 10 minutes. Ciaran Flannery finished a well worked move to the back of the net started by Mark Culleton after 18 minutes. This saw WA take a 5 point lead into the half time break.

WA pushed on early in the second half with some great points by star forward Eoin Guinan. A spectacular goal by Seanie Carey after 20 minutes gave WA a bit of daylight. In the end WA retained the trophy they first won last year in Perth on a score line of 2-16 to 0-13.

Best on the day for WA were Ronan Larkin, Shane Coleman and Eoin Guinan.

Special mention should also go to Ronan Larkin who was awarded player of the tournament.

Kieran A Lyons

B/R: John Loughnane, Alan Flaherty, Ciaran Flannery, Brendan McGourty, Shane Sweeney, Damian Sheridan, Shane Coleman, Willie Power, Ronan Larkin and Stephen O’Keeffe. M/R: Kieran Lyons, Kenny Lyons, John Glynn, Mark Culleton, Aidan Burke, Brian Leen (Captain) and John Whelahan. F/R: Kenny Walsh, Liam O’Sullivan, Gavin McAvinchey, Ray Regan, Martin King, Willie Bolger, Seanie Carey, Eoin Guinan and Jason Whelehan.

gfhwa.com.au 88

Junior Academy Update

By Debbie Cashman

We are wrapping up another season of the Gaelic Games Junior Academy, and we still have new members signing up every week! We have now become stronger as a group, and more formal, and organised since our inception last year. We are also more involved in the Irish Community on the whole and have been invited by the Claddagh to do a demonstration at the main event of Seniors Week on Sunday the 17th November. This is a intergenerational event, where young and old get together for a BBQ compliments of Paul Mc Loughlin from North Side Meats which alone would draw a crowd, to enjoy a picnic in the park, there will be music, art and craft and other activities and we are delighted to be a part of the sports line up. It will be lovely for the older generations to see the younger ones wielding a Hurley in the hand and playing GAA as they may not have had the opportunity to do so for decades. It is open to all and will be held at John XX111 in Claremont, many thanks to the Claddagh Association for thinking of us!

Our own end of Season compromised of a family fun day, with puc fada, and kick fada, tug of war, egg and spoon race, three legged and many other traditional family fun activities. Medals were awarded to winners, so as before the competition was fierce! Believe me, the parents are terrible cheats!

Our Junior Development officer Gerry Crowley (also our president!) will once again be bringing the games to the masses at Sacred Heart School in Thorlie twice a week in term 4. It is great to see the Aussies and other nationalities joining in the games as we recently had a gang from South Africa up at the northern Academy

in Tapping wondering about this crazy Irish Sport the kids were being taught at Lake Joondalup Baptist College! It all helps spread the word so if anyone is interested in joining in playing/coaching etc. see our face book page Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA or contact the secretary Debbie Cashman 0406 229 450. Many thanks once again to the tireless coaches and committee members, and we’ll look forward to another successful year next season!

The 12-15 year old football will still be taking place in Tapping Primary School until November and we are still taking registrations for that so please pop along Sundays from 2-3p if the older ones want to play some Gaelic football! Contact Martin Brady 0405937233 if interested.

Thanks again to all whole contributed to make another successful season for the GGJA especially the coaches, hope to see you all involved again next year!

Well done to all the kids who came every Sunday, their skills have come on leaps and bounds and thank you to the parents for driving them there, and the parents who go in goals- who incidentally need some serious goalkeeping training themselves!

We will be launching our own ‘WA Junior Academy Kit’ which will comprise of jersey, socks and shorts. So come along on Nov 17th to John XX111 in Claremont to the ‘Senior’s week’ event and we can have your child all kitted out and ready to go for next season!

Keep an eye on our face book page for up to date information, and season’s greetings from all here at the Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA! 89

WA GAA Minor Team do us Proud at Championships Congratulations to all the WA Minor Gaelic Football squad and mentors on a wonderful Australasian Championship campaign in Sydney.

Everyone involved was exemplary both on and off the field.

The Championships kicked off with the first game between SA and WA Minors. WA came out winners in a very fast game of football with the FT score WA 3-06 to SA 2-07.

The next day WA played Victoria. WA came out on fire to get off to a flying start and completely bewildered the Vics in the first half.

However in the second half Victoria showed why they had won the previous 4 Championships. They settled and gradually whittled down WA’s lead. WA did really well to hold them out until a brilliant goal in the dying seconds gave Victoria victory with a FT score of 4-06 to

4-05.

The following day saw WA play NSW in a hard fought match with the FT score being WA 5-07 NSW 1-08, meaning The Final would be between Victoria and WA. The Final on Saturday saw Victoria get off to a good start.

Although WA were competitive all over the field their shooting skills had deserted them. However their competitiveness eventually started to pay off and with 2 minutes to go WA fought back from 6 points down to draw level. However the fightback took its toll injurywise and WA needed a lucky break to take the lead. Unfortunately that break went to Victoria who then took the game with a FT score of 0-13 to 1-07. A deserved win to Victoria but an admirable effort by WA. The outcome of such effort saw

WA rewarded with 7 players being picked on the Australasian All-Stars team.

The WA Minor Board would like to thank all our families, friends and helpers without whom we could not have fielded this team. A special thanks must go to Shane Toohey, our trainer, who worked tirelessly to keep our boys on the park.

A big Thank you to our primary Sponsor Catalpa Formwork who sponsored the players playing kit and for this we are very grateful.

Our thanks to those who sponsored a player/players to travel.

Killarney autos, Solofin Cranes, Irish Club Of W.A. Talco Group, Gallagher Migration, Forge Group, Bankwest, Commonwealth Bank, The Children’s Garden, Kavanagh Painting, Stephen Dawson, Easi Visa, John Little/Fibber Magees and Denis Burke.

We have also had wonderful support throughout the year in our fundraising endeavours from the following. Forrestfield florist, Taste 32, Candy Cakes, Wild West Driving School, Fred Rea and The Irish Scene and Marty Power.

Without all of your support this trip could not have happened for these boys.

Please support these people who so gladly support our Irish community events.

WA MINORS

Presentation Night The Irish Club of W.A. November 15th at 8pm.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

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

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SHAMROCK Shamrock Rovers Season 2013 Shamrock Rovers Soccer Club capped off a very successful season in Western Australia when they picked up the two major individual awards at the Football West Annual Awards Night at the Crown Metropol Perth on Saturday 12 October.

Rovers State League Players Paul Concannon (State League 1, Player of the year) and Ciaran Byrne (State League 1 Golden Boot winner with 27 goals) added the icing on the cake to successes for the Sunday Amateurs who won Sunday Div 4 in both first and Reserve grade as well as taking out the Sunday Cup by beating Premier Amateur Champions North Beach 3-2 in a pulsating final. The winning goal scored by Sean Morgan was an absolute belter from 30 metres in the 95 minute.

In addition the Sunday Social team won their league.

As a footnote, Club Secretary Bill Byrne was named in the top 4 contenders for State League Club Administrator of the year.

The Club is now looking forward to 2014 as its 30th anniversary year and is hoping to build on this year’s success.

The club will hold its AGM on Saturday 2 November at the Irish Club in Subiaco where the current committee are expected to renominate and it is hoped that additional committee members and volunteers will come forward to take on some of the many roles that are needed A challenge match against Hibernians (Singapore) is due to be played at Lockridge on Sunday December 15th. Details will be published on the Club Facebook Page and the Club website As always CLUB SPONSORS are urgently needed and any who wishes to support the Hoops for 2014 should contact the club Secretary.

Rovers

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

Rovers Div 4 Champions

Byrne and Conacnnon with committee & coaches

Bill Byrne, Secretary 0439 953 957 bill.byrne@hotmail.com

www.shamrockrovers.com.au 91

Paul Concannon (left) and Ciaran Byrne

How the West was won and lost - Goalball style WA Goalball came of age when it hosted the Australian Goalball Nationals four day tournament at Mercy College in Koondoola in October. The club has only being in existence since 2010, compared with Queensland and New South Wales which have many years of experience and tradition behind them in this team sport for the blind and visually impaired.

For a small club WA did extremely well entering a team in all categories and despite a few player setbacks they took out the coveted Goalball Australia shield - an award for the club with the best performance across all categories; junior, youth, men and women.

Our junior team of Alex CarmichaelHillian, Chloe Larney, Darren and Murron Coyle dominated their grade throughout the tournament never losing a game and winning the final in a comprehensive fashion WA 10 – New South Wales 0. They were expertly coached by Colette Carmichael-Hillian, Tash Cugley and managed by Lois Crowley. Spare a thought for the South Australian juniors who drew with NSW in the semi-final 11 each only to lose by a goal in extra time.

It was a similar story for WA youth who drew against NSW in the final 4 goals each only to lose by the narrowest of margins in extra time.

Steffan Nero, Bradley Brider and Mitchell Smith should feel very proud of their performance and congratulations to NSW on their win.

The powerful Queensland side took the honours in the Women’s Senior competition dropping no points in the four days, they defeated NSW 5 goals to 3 in the final.

The WA girls went down to NSW in the semi-final 4 goals to 2 having drawn 2 – 2 with them in an earlier round, Natasha Cugley, Rachel Henderson, Kaitlin Larney and Vicki Dilley did beat Victoria to add another bronze medal to their

national tally.

The WA men’s team were the surprise team of the tournament.

Having notched up no medals at any previous nationals they stormed confidentially and successful through their round robin games.

Eyebrows were raised when they beat the Queensland team (9 – 7 in game 18) who have, apart from last year, dominated the competition for the last decade.

But alas, like Fremantle in the AFL grand final, it was a different team that showed up on the day and while lady luck had smiled on them in earlier rounds, she now dropped out for a coffee. The element of surprise had helped WA in the previous encounter but this was not the case in their second bout and Queensland were not going to underestimate the “black and gold’s” a second time.

Congratulations to them on their win (13 – 3). That said, the WA men will surely be a force to be reckoned with in Adelaide in 2014.

Our thanks and appreciation go out to Mercy College for use of their marvellous facilities and the

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students who volunteered their time and enthusiasm to help run a first class tournament, sponsors BAM, Bendigo Bank, Stirling Lions Club, Healthways and ABWA. Our respect goes out to the teams and athletes that travelled interstate across the Nullabor to take part, the Nationals organising committee, referees, coaches, managers and supporters who made this tournament such a success.

Gerry Crowley WA Goalball Project Officer Mobile 041 504 8425 gerrycrawley@westnet.com.au www.goalballwa.com.au

St Gabriel’s Hurling & CamogieClub Our Second year in existence has come to an end and our third is around the corner. St. Gabriel’s WA Hurling & Camogie Club has grown rapidly in Perth. We would like to thank all the Club Officials, Team Mentors and “New Members Welcome” Players for their huge input in making the second year of the club such a to join contact.

Hurling: Steve 0408 940 265 success and we look forward to their in the coming year.

Camogie: Bronagh 0405 582 123 support 2013 saw a lot of newcomers and Facebook: St. Gabriels Hurling WA beginners to the sport joining our club, commitment and development over the last number of months has most Our definitely paid off.

Major St Gabriel’s retained the WA Sponsors: Camogie League title for their second m o nf o r d year in a row and also made their mark, by winning the first ever 15 a side Camogie Championship title in WA. 2013 saw our hurlers exit the competition to Sarsfields.

Our club was represented recently at the NSW State Games, with a number of the hurlers selected on the States hurling team. We would like to congratulate both our club members

and all who took part in successfully retaining the State Hurling Championship.

A number of our club members received All-Star awards at the competition and our own Ronan Larkin took out the Player of the Tournament award, well done to all.

Our end of year social took place at the Palm Pacific on Friday the 1st of November. On the night a number of awards were presented to players from the club. Brian Leen and Martina Conroy received the Players Player of the Year, John Glynn and Carmel Breen received the Managers Player of the Year, Most Dedicated was received by Eoghan McKeigue and Clodagh Glynn, most improved in camogie went to Christina Connolly. The club also presented two awards for the Person of the year in both Hurling & Camogie, these were awarded to Martin King and Bronagh Morgan.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the night, which was enjoyed by all that attended, we look forward to see you at next year’s event.

m o nf o r d Construction & Mining Contractors - Earth Moving Contractors Monford Group is a group of three companies, Monford Plant Hire, Monford Labour Hire and Monford Constructions, performing works Australia wide.

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Monford Group has worked on some of Australia’s largest projects, namely; Pluto LNG Karratha, Sino Iron Cape Preston, FMG Solomon, Devils Creek Karratha, Perth City Rail Link Alliance Perth, Rapid Growth Project Port Hedland and the Nurrumbidgee to Googong Pipeline, NSW. Monford’s Clients include John Holland, Abi Group, Decmil, Georgiou, Kentz, AGC, Murphy Pipe and Civil and Construction Industries Australia.

McIntosh & Son is proud to be a major supplier of Case Construction Machinery to the Monford Group.

For more information please check out Monford’s website www.monfordgroup.com

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In 1938 a group of 22 young Irish women who came to Western Australia on board the SS Otranto arriving at Fremantle on the 20th December. Sixteen year old Elizabeth Maria Hanlon from Ballinderry, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath was amongst them.

They entered the Sisters of Mercy Victoria Square on the 8th January 1939. Elizabeth was given the name Sr. M. Eugene and made her first profession of vows in January 1943 and final profession three years later.

In 1940 Elizabeth was appointed to St. Anne’s Hospital Community Mt Lawley where she spent much of her nursing service.

She trained and worked as a nurse and midwife in Melbourne, Sydney and in WA at the Sunset Hospital and Curtin University.

Elizabeth was drawn to mothers and babies among whom she made many lifelong friends. She

Sr. M. Eugene

(Elizabeth Maria Hanlon) 1922-2013 excelled in the ante and post natal clinics, labour wards and nurseries where she meticulously taught the midwifery students the practical side of nursing - her quiet reassuring nature soothed many a hectic moment of which there were many. Elizabeth was always aware of women needing practical support and would ‘quietly add items to their

maternity kit which they could not afford.

It also gave her great joy when her own family came to WA, including her sister Bridie, also a nurse, and her husband Tommy Cunningham with their young family came to live in WA. She had the joy of seeing nieces and nephews grow up here and later marry and have their own families.

When her time at St. Anne’s finished Elizabeth moved to Victoria Square Convent in 1981 to nurse elderly and ill sisters. In the autumn years of her own life Elizabeth went to Donnybrook and then later to Mercy Aged Care Wembley in 2012.

Elizabeth – was a gentle, faith-filled lady who loved people and was always very kind and hospitable – passed away peacefully in October and has gone to God. Taken from Eulogy

Irish Golf Club of WA

Paul and Staff of JB O’Reilly’s wish readers of The Irish Scene a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

99 Cambridge Street, West Leederville, WA Ph: 08 9382 4555 94

Dick Smith Memorial Country Trophy

Secret Harbour Golf Course - Sun 15 September Winner: Eamonn Fitzpatrick pictured being presented with trophy by Captain Mike Byrne 2nd: Mike Byrne on 38 points 3rd: Tom Tierney on 37 points Lowest Gross: Jack Ebbs N.T.P hole #3 Jack Ebbs, #8 Martin Sheehan, #14 P J Kenny, #16 Jack Ebbs L/Drive Men: Keith O’Callaghan L/Putt: Mick Connolly 2 Ball: Jack Ebbs (Par 3 - birdie)

Irish Business Contacts / index Music Schools: baggage (unaccompanied) Cottage School of Music Tel: 9312 2200 67 Exportair Tim 9477 1080 Pubs, Clubs & restaurants: Butchers 38,52 McLoughlin’s Northside Meats Tel: 9249 8039 Bailey Bar & Grill Joondalup Tel: 9300 0633 90 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 33 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 30,34,48,49,59 Carnegies, Perth Tel: 9481 3222 CAFE/DELI: 45 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 Donovans of Floreat - Phone 0450 319 320 37 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 Mrs O’Brien’s Irish Chipper Tel: 9388 6669 3 Fenian’s / Novotel, Perth Tel: 9221 1200 10 Taste32 Mt Hawthorn - 0448 328 112 Friar Tuck’s, Wannanup Tel: 9534 4788 Car Retailers: 96 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 35 John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 94 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 Northside Nissan - 0416 344 399 7 Kallaroo Seafood Tel: 9401 9141 celebrant: 14 Mooney’s Irish Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 62 Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 41 Paddy Maguire’s, Subiaco Tel: 9381 8400 Lorna Aylward Tel: 0419 926 830 36 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup/Alexander Hgts civil engineers: 26 Rosie O’Grady’s Fremantle Tel: 9335 1645 78 Neo Infrastructure Tel: 0407475033 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge Tel: 9328 1488 Counselling 11 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 Fiona Carberry, Counselling Psychologist 24 The Cure Northbridge Tel: 9227 9055 carberrycounselling@westnet.com.au 15 The Shed, Northbridge Tel: 9228 2200 Tel: 0439 549 481 13 Voyage Kitchen Tel: 9447 2443 employment: Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 9309 4288 32 Final Trim Operators Tel: 1300 083 599 65 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 Entertainment: Real Estate: Fiddlestick - David MacConnell 0413 259 547 17 Professionals Kelly Team YokineTel: 9344 5544 Them Little Secrets: Fiona Rea 0404 831 445 31 Peard - Valerie Boyle Tel: 0404 864 932 Finance/advice: 11 The Loans Café-Nik Silsby Tel: 0402 284594 Solicitors & Legal: 27 Kavanagh Lawyers - Tel: 0430 960 859 PTR Asset Finance - Tel: 9322 1229 43 Robertson Hayles Lawyers Tel: 9325 1700 Freight Handlers: Sport - Clubs and Information: 67 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 88,89 GAA - Rob O’Callagahan 0407 421 224 Funerals: 91 Shamrock Rovers - Bill Tel: 0439 953 957 37 Hetherington Funerals Tel: 9459 2846 93 St Gabriel’s Hurling Club -Stephen 04088940265 furniture: Irish Golf Club of WA Martin 0419934681 6,79First in Furniture Joondalup Tel: 9300 9010 THEATRE: irish gifts & homeware: 60 Irish Theatre Players-Ivan 0417 903 256 Green Envy Living - Tel 07 5309 5640 training: immigration advice: 47 CertPlus Training Tel: 9278 2531 21 Carol-Ann Lynch 0402 514 741 Travel & Tourism: 8 ASC Migration Tel: 93015905 30 British Travel - Jenny Allen Tel: 9388 3114 Visa4U - Tel: 0416 727 787 4 Flightworld Michael Deering Tel: 9322 2914 Irish Food: tyres, batteries, brakes wheels: Taste Ireland Sydney - Tel: 02 9386 5522 14 Tyrepower: Perth City - Fiona: Tel: 9322 2214 Jewellers: WEDDING RECEPTIONS: Sean Carroll online: seancarroll.com.au 45 The Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 Mechanics / car sales: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil Lenihan 0439 996 764 window (timber) renovation: BVM Autos - Mike Barton Tel: 0413 889 501 81 Ventroller Tel: 1300 309 646

Trades+ Maintenance Concrete & Walls PC Walls Contact: Sean King Tel: 0418 949 292

ELECTRICIANS Iluka Electrical Contact: Tom Bowe Tel: 0422 440 588

GARAGE DOORS Buckley’s Garage Doors Contact: Kevin Buckley Tel: 0425 125 889

car MECHANICAL Killarney Autos Contact: Neil Lenihan Phone: 9309 4445 BVM Autos Contact: Mike Barton Tel: 0413 889 501

KERBING

AAH Captain Kerb Contact: Noel Steenson Tel 0412 679 652 or 9405 8948

PLUMBING

Charlies Plumbing & Gas Services PL8223 - GF014437 Contact: Charlie O’Hare Tel: 0400 484 933

ROOF PLUMBING Mick’s Maintenance ContactL Mick Tel: 0418 917 050

SKIRTINGS

Contact: Ken McLoughlin 041 544 6122

The Irish Scene

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

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Every Sun

-1pm to 4pm.

The Irish Club

(except on match days at Pattersons Stadium, Subiaco)

Christmas Dinner Dance

Jane & Fiona

With Live Music

...the golden voices of Fiona and Jane

will entertain you while you enjoy your lunch at the club. They are brilliant artists with a wonderful repertoire of Irish and other songs.

Friday 20th December at the Irish Club from 7pm until late.

$40 per person

There are four choices of main course on offer (including a vegetarian option) at $18 for adults and $9 for children. Dessert is just $5

Menu:

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday

buys you a three-course meal

Shrimp Cocktail Roast Turkey & Ham served with roast & creamed potatoes & fresh vegetables Christmas Pudding with Brandy Cream, Tea & Coffee (includes your first pint of beer or glass of wine)

All welcome to join in.

Live music from 7pm.

Book your Function at the Club!

Bookings essential by 15 December to Nick on 9381 5213

Contact the club on 9381 5213.

We have 3 function rooms and can cater for up to 200 people!

Full bar and catering options are available.

Come and enjoy the Christmas Craic, you might even win a spot prize!!!

WANT TO ORGANISE A CHRISTMAS PARTY? WHY NOT CHOOSE THE IRISH CLUB? CONTACT NICK ON 9381 5213

MOTOWN MAGIC 3RD FRI OF THE MONTH Contact Nigel on 0487921687

Senior’s Lunch

first Friday of each month.

Bar open from 12 noon. Lunch at 1pm.

DJ Oliver McNerney & Guitarist Joe Carroll

OPENING HOURS & ACTIVITIES

MONDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late / Comhaltas - Music Lessons & Set Dancing from 8.00pm followed by the Seisiun TUESDAY: Bar open 4pm until late WEDNESDAY: Bar open 4pm THURSDAY: Bar open 4pm until late / Pint and Pie Night / Music session 7.00pm FRIDAY: Bar open 4pm until Late / Kitchen open 5.30pm - 8.30pm SATURDAY: Bar open 4pm until Late / Kitchen open 5.30pm - 8.30pm SUNDAY: Bar open from 12 noon to 10pm. Kitchen Open from 12.30 to 2.30pm and live music from 1pm to 4pm.

NORTHERN SOUL 1ST SAT OF THE MONTH Contact Pete on 0417920263

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

61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, WA 6008

Tel: +61 8 9381 5213 irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

96

Fax: 9381 9764 www.irishclubofwa.com.au