Irish Scene September October 2015

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The Coronas

Volume 17 Number 6 September/October 2015

The Riptide Movement

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2

IRISH BUSINESS CONTACTS / INDEX

BAGGAGE (UNACCOMPANIED) 76 Australian International Express 9243 0808 69 Exportair Tim 9477 1080 BUTCHERS 58 McLoughlin’s Northside Meats Tel: 9249 8039 60 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 CAFE/DELI: 28 Mooney’s Irish Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 CAR RETAILERS: 26 John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 CELEBRANT: Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 CIVIL ENGINEERS: Neo Infrastructure Tel: 0407475033 COMPUTER System Engineering: Nick McNamara | MCN Technology Tel: 0424 515 337 COMPUTER REPAIRS: 39 Pals Computer Repairs 0452216552 DRAFTING: Eala Drafting Tel: 0478 593 643 EMPLOYMENT: 64 All Force Labour Solutions Tel: 0457824916 38 Final Trim Operators Tel: 1300 083 599 19 Reliance Professionals Tel: 1300 224 222 ENTERTAINMENT: Fiddlestick - David MacConnell 0413 259 547 ENGINEERING: Green Engineering Tel: 0419911 737 FINANCE/ADVICE: 51 The Loans Café-Nik Silsby Tel: 0402 284594 FLOORS: 20 Floorit WA Tel 0417602359 FREIGHT HANDLERS: 76 Australian International Express 9243 0808 69 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 FUNERALS: 47 McKee Funerals Tel: 9401 1900 FURNITURE: First in Furniture Joondalup Tel: 9300 9010 HAIR & BEAUTY: Elma Lauren Hair & Beauty 94448381 IMMIGRATION ADVICE: 8 ASC Migration Tel: 9301 5905 17 EasiVisa Carol-Ann Lynch 9429 8860 32 McGovern Migration Tel: 6161 8854 Gallagher Migration Tel: 04140498 910 IRISH FOOD: Taste Ireland Sydney - Tel: 02 9386 5522 Essence of Ireland Tel: 9301 5485 15 Hetty’s Scullery Tel: 0416365099

Mrs Brolly’s Confectionary Tel 0497105763 JEWELLERS: 6 Master Jewellers: Graham Tighe 0414309274 MECHANICS: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil Lenihan 0439 996 764 59 BVM Autos - Mike Barton Tel: 0413 889 501 ORTHODONTIST / DENTIST: Solas Orthodontics Tel 9383 7600 PUBS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS: 93 An Sibin Tel: 9328 8930 92 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 10 Carnegies, Perth Tel: 9481 3222 47 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 46 Danny Murphy’s Bar & Grill 9342 4818 45 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 Friar Tuck’s, Wannanup Tel: 9534 4788 96 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 Paddy Maguire’s, Subiaco Tel: 9381 8400 37 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup Rosie O’Grady’s Fremantle Tel: 9335 1645 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge Tel: 9328 1488 13 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 27 The Cure Northbridge Tel: 9227 9055 22 The Skye Bar, Northbridge Tel: 9228 2200 Voyage Kitchen Tel: 9447 2443 29 Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 9309 4288 56 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 REAL ESTATE: 41 O’Rourke Real Estate Tel: 9341 6611 16 Professionals Kelly Team YokineTel: 9344 5544 ROOF PLUMBING Mick’s Maintenance 0418 917 050 SHOE REPAIR / NEW SHOES: 57 Reids Bootmakers: Tel 9361 5301 SOLICITORS & LEGAL: 11,83 Kavanagh Lawyers - Tel: 0430 960 859 SPORT - CLUBS AND INFORMATION: 91 GAA - Barney McKenna 0408 904 419 89 Shamrock Rovers 94 St Gabriel’s Hurling Club 95 Irish Golf Club of WA Martin 0419934681 THEATRE: 65 Irish Theatre Players TRAVEL & TOURISM: 31 British Travel - Jenny Allen Tel: 9388 3114 5 Flightworld Michael Deering Tel: 9322 2914 TYRES, BATTERIES, BRAKES WHEELS: 30 Tyrepower: Perth City - Fiona: Tel: 9322 2214 WEDDING RECEPTIONS / FUNCTIONS: 47 The Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299

Well, what a hectic two months it’s been. Our wedding anniversary a trip to Ireland and no sooner had I landed back in Australia and it was back to the grindstone again. Jetlag, what jetlag? No rest for the wicked is what they say.... Ireland gets better and better for me every time I return . With the economic issues surrounding Ireland and Europe, there were a lot of negative vibes but things have really started to turn around.

Dublin was never a favourite place for me when I lived in Ireland but I must say I didn’t know what I was missing. It’s a vibrant modern city with lots to do and this was the second time I decided to spend a few days in the Fair City. Lilly and I loved it. (Don’t tell my Dub mates).

I always had a soft spot for Galway and this trip surely re-enforced that belief. It a great city, getting a bit busy but still a wonderful nightlife and the local seafood chowder is worth the trip.

For the first time we decided to make Blarney a base for a week and we were not disappointed, a great spot with great cafes and restaurants.

The Muskerry Arms was our place of abode and the black pudding breakfast... Yum! Fantastic staff and service.

You should think about staying there.

So much more I would like to tell you about, I’m going back next year for out 41st wedding anniversary… any excuse will do!

Wonderful events coming up in Perth, The Irish Race Day, The Riptide Movement, The Coronas, The Rubberbandits, dance shows and so much more, might see you there!

I’m off to bed as I think that jetlag just set in. Enjoy life and if you can afford it travel at least business economy... You will be well treated!

Fred Rea

THE IRISH SCENE

Publisher/Advertising: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Editor: Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 - gormanlloyd@hotmail.com Proof Reading: Jack Cullen, Imelda Gorman and Colin Merrey 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.

3

MOUNTJOY A captivating past

E

ach year tens of thousands that exist quietly in a room behind of people visit Dublin’s a locked door. Accompanied by a Kilmainham Gaol and marvel small group, Fred was given access at its extensive and often harsh to these remarkable relics and stories about them. history.

“One of the oldest pieces we Built in 1798 the County of Dublin Gaol as it was known held count- have goes back to 1800’s, its a jackless souls - many of whom would be et, given to convicts with the broad transported to Australia - and was used to intern and as the place of execution for some of the leaders of the 1916 Rising.

It was closed down in 1924 by the government of the Irish Free State and was threatened with demolition and being turned into a museum on more than one occasion over the years, before eventually being restored from the 1960’s and turned into the impressive museum it is today.

Because of its connections with the Easter Rising the Irish Government is investing millions into readying it for the centenary next year of that turning point in Irish arrows on it,” said Sean. The coarse history.

But on his recent trip back to material of the jacket was meant to Ireland Fred Rea found himself restrain prisoners, and to stop them in another of Dublin’s best known from tearing off clothes that might prisons - Mountjoy. The visit was identify them as convicts in any organised by his good friend Mark escape bid. “A while ago we got a O’Brien from Arbour Hill Pris- call from a film crew who said they on. Inside the walls of this medi- needed a straight jacket but couldn’t find one and asked if um security prison in we had one, so they Phibsborough on the used it and returned North Side of Dublin it to us dry cleaned.”

Fred discovered some The ‘museum’ is links with Western littered with objects Australia and a curious from a past most little museum that is in now could hardly danger itself of becomimagine. It is home ing a relic. to a chalice from “Mountjoy opened on 27 March, 1850, Silver Chalice from Spike Island the chapel in Spike Island, in Cobh, Co. for the sole purpose of sending prisoners to Australia, Cork, to where many Mountjoy that’s what what it was built for,” prisoners were sent on their way to said Sean Reynolds. Sean, a former Australia. Amongst the penal paraprison officer at the ‘Joy’ from 1976 phernalia there are other items such until 2006 when he retired, now has as wrist irons, tobacco, cell door another role at the jail which hous- keys, cat of nine tails (whip) and an es the largest prison population in autograph book of prisoners things Ireland. He is the voluntary curator that you would expect to find in a of a respectable collection of Irish prison.

“That’s where the expression, military, penal and social artefacts

4

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Punishment pieces from prisons.

there’s not enough room to swing a cat (of nine tails) comes from, from needing the room to swing the whip,” said Sean. “ The last flogging here was in the 1940’s and the last hanging here was in April 1954.

Michael Manning, a 23/24 year old from Limerick murdered a nurse, Catherine Cooper the year before.

Manning was the last to be hanged and up until 1964 there were quite a number that were sentenced to death, but they were all commuted.”

Perhaps the real surprise of the Mountjoy museum - apart from the

Hanging ropes. One of these ropes was used to hang Irish patriot, Kevin Barry.

fact that it exits at all - are some of the other treasures and stories that it houses.

“What you are looking at now is a World War I German machine gun, a Maxim machine gun. It was designed by an American in the

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to 1945, the period of the Second World War, which was commonly known in Ireland as ‘The Emergency’. In the late 1940’s or early 50’s the gun was decommissioned and they were building a new prison kitchen out the back and they fired the gun into the foundations, backfilled it and put a building on it. In 2006 they demolished that to make way for a medical centre and they found the barrel of the gun. A chap called Davey Brennan found

salvage a piece of important military history. “The chaps in the Curragh said the gun was made in 1908 and they reckon it saw action in four major battles in World War I, including the Battle of the Somme. A lot of stuff was taken from the Germans afterwards, it was probably brought back to Ireland by an Irish regiment as a war trophy.” The museum also holds what most people would recognise as standard German helmets from WWII. “Believe it or not, the Irish army wore these up until 1939, they were painted Green, and they were made by a company in England called Vickers (who also made

in S

Maxim Machine gun

it. “I was with Davey the day he found it. It was in a very bad state,” said Sean. The machine gun itself and its history was pieced together by Sean, like minded colleagues and even with some help from past and present inmates. Prisoners in Mountjoy’s metal workshop helped to bring it back to life and where their skills and abilities to restore it and the museum was able to turn to the Ordnance School in the Army School in the Curragh, Co. Kildare.

“They had it for about nine or ten months and they gave it back to us in that state, they did an awful lot of work on it.” [Former Office Public Works Commissioner] Tom O’Neill, from Spike Island had a lot to do with the restoration too.

From a former Republican prisoner at Mountjoy in the 1950’s Sean got a first hand account of the time when the gun was thrown into the foundations. A machine gun belt for the Maxim was donated by another Irish army officer and while its not exactly for that make, it completes the look.

Sean is proud they were able to

Col

1890’s who sold it to a number of armies around the world. The British didn’t want it, but the German’s did. This particular one was manufactured in 1908 and it was on the front steps of Mountjoy from 1939

Malcolm St

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the machine guns) They are very collectable.”

The museum also has gas masks and an artillery shell that was dredged out of the nearby Royal Canal by an Inland Waterways worker who gave it to his son, who is a prison officer at Mountjoy. It could date back to the Irish Rising, or even further back.

Sometimes history can come in an unusual or expected form. “I held Kevin Barry’s head in my hands,” said an emotional Sean. The popular IRA leader - for whom the song of the same name was written - was detained, tortured, executed and buried in Mountjoy with some of his fellow fighters in 1920. Their bodies were exhumed and reburied more than ten years ago. “I just happened to be there at the dig one day and there was a girl moving bones and I said to her, do you mind me asking? is there much weight in a human skull and before I knew it she handed it to me, it was Kevin Barry’s head, there was no weight in it, it was just a shell but a very emotional experience for me.” In 1996 a Celtic Cross was erected in Glasnevin cemetery to commemorate them and, in 2001, 80 years after their deaths, the Irish government gave permission for their bodies to be exhumed and reburied.

On October 4th 2001 Kevin Barry and the other 9 executed were afforded full state honours with a private service at Mountjoy Jail, followed by a requiem mass at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. The cortège passed through the centre of Dublin and was witnessed by tens of thousands of people. Nine of the ten, including Kevin Barry, were buried in Glasnevin cemetery. Patrick Maher, according to his wishes, was buried with his family in Ballylanders, County Limerick.

A rope, believed to be the one from which Barry swung from the hangman’s gallows, is also held in the museum. Armbands - emblazoned with the numbers 1916 - are another precious and valuable link to the past. They would have been worn and displayed at Easter time by inmates who were veterans of the Easter Rising or supported it.

“The likes of that stuff Kilmainham would give their eye teeth for, but it belongs to the prison and everyone that has loaned stuff out to us would want their bits and pieces back if the museum is broken up,” said Sean. “The idea for (all this) was from Jim (Pettowitch), it was Jim’s idea to get this going and hopefully it can survive. There’s no space here and I’m running out of space for items,” said Sean.

For as long as he can Sean will protect this collection of important items, but he is only one man, who

volunteers his time on a part time basis. For artefacts with such a strong and distinguished past, the future is uncertain.

Sean Reynolds gifted Fred with an Irish Prison guard hat and other pieces. Fred promised to pass them on in turn to a local WA prison service.

Following the museum visit Fred was also afforded the opportunity to enter the main (and still active) Mountjoy Gaol. He was taken to the site where Kevin Barry and his comrades were exhumed and given a proper burial in Glasnevin Cemetery. A very emotional experience for Fred. Sean also said that one body still lies in the area in Mountjoy, that of a Black and Tan english soldier who was hanged for murder during the Irish troubles.

7

Hats Ahoy

By Marie Moloney The river Liffey flows from the Dublin Mountains and through the city of Dublin on its journey into the Irish Sea. Much of my time as a child was spent gazing into its murky waters fantasizing about the freedom of its gentle journey.

Although it was just meters from my home, access to the river bed was not available. There is now a walkway along the north side of the Liffey wall and tour boats are a frequent sight cruising up and down the water.

During school holidays I spent a considerable amount of time at my paternal grandparent’s home in Inchicore, a suburb about four kilometres out of the city. Mother and Ta Kelly as they were known to us grandchildren were kind and loving to all of us. Many of my best memories of childhood are of time spent with them or involve one or both of them.

Mother Kelly was a kind woman who loved all of her many grandchildren. Much of her time was spent cooking treats for us, or taking us out to various places. When I was about eight years old she took me to join the local public library on Emmet Rd Inchicore. I was, from an early age, an avid reader and subsequent visits to that library were a valued part of my time with her. On these

occasions she would call out “Get ready Marie, we are going to the Library”, as she put on her hat and coat.

Women’s fashions in the 1940’s were more formal than in today’s world. Common attire for women, when going out, was a coat and a hat. There were a variety of styles but in the socio-economic status my family were part of, unobtrusive designs were the norm. Mother Kelly’s everyday hat was black with a very large brim. A long lethal looking hat pin with a black knob was inserted through the back of the hat and a portion of her hair, to hold the hat securely in place. This pin was a source of great curiosity to me. However, gaining access for a closer look, was impossible as when it was not on Mother Kelly’s head the hat lived on a high shelf in the coat cupboard.

On one of the many occasions when I had been staying with my grandparents Mother Kelly was taking me home on the 24 bus, which we boarded on Bulfin Road just a short walk from her home. While on the bus I got into the seat behind her and carefully removed the pin from her hat. She didn’t notice this as she was having a conversation with a man sitting opposite. At last, the chance of a lifetime, I stroked the pin wondering if there could be a way for me to keep it. Suddenly the bell rang and the bus lurched to a stop, it was time for us to get off.

It was a wet windy day, and as we walked along Wood Quay toward Grattan Bridge just meters from my family home in Parliament Street, the hat rose up above my grandmother’s head, and in a flash was flying over the river Liffey at great speed. It then lost its momentum, landed in the water and happily went sailing toward the Irish Sea. Mother Kelly was distraught at the loss of her beloved hat but I was enthralled at the sight of this black hat sailing merrily down the river. Although more than sixty six years have passed the details of this event are still crystal clear in my head. I am ashamed to say that the memory of it still creates feelings of great amusement for me. Each time the memory comes into my mind my feeling of glee returns in full force. And no I was not allowed to keep the hatpin.

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8

Incarnate Honesty (Part One)

By Peter Conole

W

illiam Henry Mackie, a notable but unassuming member of the West Australian colonial community, died on November 24, 1860 at his home in Henley Park, an Upper Swan valley hamlet. Local officialdom and the press said much of him, all of it very flattering. One admirer was inspired to write a sonnet glorifying the late magistrate, some of the opening lines being as follows: “Not of the crowd, nor with the crowd, did he Labour, but for them...His nature was incarnate honesty”.

As Dr Samuel Johnson noted in the 1700s, anyone writing a positive obituary is not under oath to tell the exact truth. Wil­ liam Mackie made major contributions in the development of law and civil administration in our State, but he was a complex and sometimes enigmatic figure, not a secular saint.

His origins have remained obscure unto this day, so tracking down this Irishman’s exact background was very testing indeed.

The Mackies were in origin a Galwegian family from south-west Scotland. Sir Patrick Mackie of Larg, in Galloway, moved to the north of Ireland in about 1609 and acquired considerable land holdings in Donegal. That is, he was part of the contro­ versial Plantation of Ulster in the reign of King James the First. Things did not work out well for Sir Patrick and a great noble – the Earl of Annandale – obtained possession of his land holdings well before 1640. Mackie of Larg and many of his followers returned to Scotland.

However, some Mackies remained and prospered, especially in the professions. One such family settled in the town of Raphoe, Donegal. A Church of Ireland clergyman, the Reverend

Sir Andrew John Mackie, held the position Clarke, of Rector of Mevagh in the Diocese 1873

of Raphoe. By his wife Mary he fathered at least two sons, one of whom entered the medical profession. That Dr William Mackie obtained qualifications as a surgeon and married Ellena Hamilton, probably just prior to accepting a position in the East India Company about the year 1795.

The Company had obtained control of the important port of Cochin (now Kochi) and needed to set up administrative structures there. William Henry Mackie, the subject of this series, was born at Cochin on November 11, 1799. Dr William Mackie did well for himself in career terms and went on to become head of the medical board of the Bombay (now Mumbai) Presidency of the Company. He later returned to County Derry and died some years after 1831.

As for the child William Henry Mackie, his parents decided that a potential war zone like the south of India was no place to raise him.

They sent the boy back to live with relatives in Ulster, perhaps with an uncle’s family. Young William began formal learning at a thennotable school run by Toby Macklin in the city of Derry. He completed his basic education at Twickenham in England and went to Cambridge University, where he studied at Trinity College from 1815. The chronology is worth marking: he was then only in his 16thyear and must have had a high powered intellect to gain acceptance from the masters of Trinity.

William Mackie received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1821 and – possibly after taking ‘time out’ in Ireland – was admitted to the Inner Temple in London during

9

November 1822.

The ancient and venerable Temple was the most important centre for the preparation of lawyers in Britain.

After the usual year of training William was not ‘called to the bar’, meaning that he could not work as a barrister in the court system. He was able to practice as a solicitor.

Distant opportunities beckoned in 1829 when the Swan River colony was established. It is possible that William’s cousin Captain Frederick Irwin of the 63rd Regiment of Foot, soon to be Commandant here, suggested that he try out life in the new outpost of empire. William Mackie embarked on the ‘Caroline’ and arrived in WA on October 12, 1829. The voyage was not tedious as he made friends amongst the passengers because of his learning and good humour.

Fellow voyager Henry Camfield (later a powerful figure in colonial public life) described him as “a very amusing, entertaining man, has read a great deal...and always has something to say to the purpose withal” .

After arriving in the colony William entered into partnership with relative Frederick Irwin as the joint proprietor of over 10,000 acres of land on the Upper Swan and Avon River valleys, but of that more anon. Administrative and legal matters soon thrust themselves upon him.

When James Stirling established the West Australian settlement he had permission from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to set up “a court of arbitration for the decision of such questions of civil right as may arise between the early settlers”. In his Proclamation of June 18, 1829 Stirling stated said British law would apply (naturally) and within months he recognised the need for

some appropriate structures. He noted that people of the “loosest description” were starting to arrive; petty theft and hard drinking were a source of concern.

Stirling’s response was a decision to appoint magistrates and a body of constables in the colony, plus courts to deal with matters of civil law and criminal law. On December 29, 1829 he selected eight men to be Justices of the Peace at Perth, Fremantle and the Upper Swan. The trouble was that most of the men appointed had little discernible training for such work, estimable gentlemen though they may have been. Law books were badly needed (and obtained), plus a regulated system and some consistency in practice. The colony was fortunate in that two men with solid legal training were available.

The Irishman William Mackie was one of them.

He was appointed Chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions in that same government notice of December 1829. The court was intended to meet in January, April, July and October of each year and deal with serious cases. The two Fremantle JPs - George Leake and James Henry – were more or less junior partners to Mackie in hearings. The only other real lawyer in WA was Alfred Stone, who moved to the Upper Swan and may have been more interested in private practice during his early days in the colony.

In addition Courts of Petty Sessions – which are not well documented – operated in Fremantle, Perth and Guildford on a more frequent basis to the Quarter Sessions. Minor cases of larceny and squabbles between masters and servants brought before the Petty Sessions occupied the time of the purely local JPs. Mackie and the Fremantle JPs had the glory of presiding over sittings of the Court of Quarter Sessions at Fremantle for the first eight years of the colony.

The court was situated in the office of the Deputy Harbour Master at Arthur’s Head. In 1835 it seems to have been moved to another building just south of the Round House. Mackie travelled down river when the court was in session and would obviously have had to seek alternative lodgings during prolonged hearings.

The case load was not overwhelming and – to be frank – some convictions were dealt with by simply transporting the guilty persons to the penal settlement of Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania). All the same, William was a realist: he supported the building of a local gaol – the Round House – and devised decent and adequate diet and clothing arrangements for prisoners.

Perhaps the most dramatic court hearings in the early days were proceedings against three settlers after the notorious Clark-Johnson duel of August 1832.

In that messy case another man of the law, solicitor William Nairne Clark, challenged his business partner George Johnson to a pistols-at-dawn duel on a point of honour. Johnson lost his life and Clark and his two seconds in the affair were charged with manslaughter.

William Mackie presided over a special court hearing that acquitted Clark and company.

Mackie called on all the JPS to attend a special meeting at Fremantle in early 1830 to formalise a system for selecting juries. One outcome was a decision to pay jurors seven shillings a day. Stirling gave his approval to the proposed arrangements and the first Quarter Session sitting was held at Fremantle in July 1830. The innovation was a legal milestone in Australia and deserves to be better remembered, as WA was the first colony to create a true jury system. South Australia only fell into line seven years later, followed

by New South Wales.

Besides running the Court of Quarter Sessions William Mackie also operated on a formal basis as Advocate General of the colony, a post which made him the Government’s advisor in matters of law.

The position was formerly recognised by officials in England in May 1831, who supported Governor Stirling’s comments about Mackie’s integrity and also noted his “probity and legal knowledge”.

The position had the added effect of making William a member of the Governor’s Executive Council and a key figure in deliberations on all colonial affairs. He was eventually paid the then princely sum of 290 pounds per annum for his work, a stipend which was sufficient for him to maintain a comfortable household in William Street, Perth. His large land grants on the Canning and Avon rivers did not seem to interest him much, but they played a role in William’s later life for more than one reason.

10

Shooting Through A Short Story

by Lawrence Clarke

In my last story, I told you readers about my great lost love and how my cousin, Derek, and I decided to become £10.00 immigrants. It was an easy decision, apart from the gone girlfriend, because we were in the fire brigade and The Troubles were just getting off the ground. Neither of us wanted to win a posthumous medal of valour. We preferred to be cowardly and live long lives. In less than six weeks, after signing the papers, we were on our way, following tearful goodbyes with our mothers (You may have guessed they were sisters).

On that July day of our departure, the sun was shining, and it

shone for six weeks. There were even water restrictions introduced in Belfast for the first time. Perhaps Mother Nature was preparing us for the Australian climate.

The Belfast to Heysham ferry carried us across the Irish Sea and we rode a train from Liverpool to London. We stayed overnight in a Notting Hill Gate Bed and Breakfast.

That last night in the northern hemisphere, and for some years to come, was spent in a pub drinking pints of Tartan Bitter while already feeling slightly homesick. Pussies we were, when I think about it.

The following day, we flew out of Heathrow. I’ll skip the trip because I don’t want this story to become a travelogue. Suffice to say, we met two English lads on the flight, Tony and Ken, and that friendship would become invaluable down the road.

Tony was a plasterer with smelly feet and Ken seemed to have more money than the rest of our stashes combined.

We flew with Qantas but, instead of landing in Perth, we were diverted to Sydney because of a fuel strike.

Apparently, there wasn’t enough fuel

in Perth to reach Sydney or, maybe, the unions forbade them to load what was available. I really can’t recall.

The passengers were bussed to a migrant camp in Parramatta where we four young men were placed in what was little more than a fourbed, tin, rabbit hutch. We spent two nights there. It was mid-July and brass monkeys doesn’t describe how cold we were. Luckily, the lady who ran the internment camp was from Belfast and was quick to organise extra blankets for her ‘Protestant boys’.

On the second afternoon, we decided to sample Aussie beer. Now, our mothers, that’s Derek’s and mine, had bought us these garish, roll neck shirts (sixties’ style which closed at the back with Velcro strips) in four separate colours. We loaned one each to Ken and Tony. Red, blue, green and yellow. The four of us looked like right ponces but thought we were cool.

When we were ready to leave our hutch, I stepped outside and at the bottom of the steps stood two young, adolescent girls. The other guys came out behind me and one of

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11

the girls innocently asked, “Are you guys a band?”

Tony, the Geordie, was a bit of a smart-alec and answered, “Yeah. Ever heard of The Small Faces?” Their eyes widened and they ran off, giggling. We went walking and found a big, vacant, typical (for those times) Australian pub - probably The Parramatta Arms or something - and sauntered to the bar. Tony ordered four pints. Heads turned, some swivelled, to regard the four fools wearing clown shirts.

Finally, an old digger approached us. “Let me guess; you just arrived in the country and this is your first drink?” We nodded. “Nobody orders pints except new poms. Schooners, middies, glasses or ponies are the norm.” (Course, that’s changed nowadays). We made some new pub friends that day whom we never saw again after de-camping.

We walked back to the internment camp and, on approaching our hut, we were confronted by around 50 to 100 teenagers wanting autographs. The Belfast camp commandant was waiting at the front door with arms folded. “Well, well, if it isn’t The Small Faces slumming in our little migrant camp.” We were too tipsy to be embarrassed but had to withstand the jeers from our legion of fans and, later, a rock through the window. The following day, we were transferred to a five star hotel in Central Sydney (not because we were The Small Faces, rather because we were supposed to be housed in a hotel in the first place). We sang a few numbers while boarding the bus to leave internment but our vocal renditions received a noisy round of boos.

The hotel was pure luxury and we had separate rooms. In the bar, to where we naturally gravitated, we met up with a group of American Marines on R and R from Vietnam. A few were carrying light wounds like the odd missing arm, leg or eye. But, boy, they were there to have a good time since it could, very possibly, be their last. The four of us were non-paying guests in the hotel for four days and I don’t think we saw a sober minute. Naturally, I can’t remember much about that time except for arriving and leaving.

My cousin and I landed in Perth, on July 18, with about 50 cents apiece. We were housed in a Hay Street hostel and were given two pieces of advice. Find somewhere to live and enrol with Centrelink (although I think it was called The Commonwealth Employment Service in 1968). We couldn’t find work nor did we have any money to rent a flat until Ken came to the rescue.

The best we could get was a top floor, single bedroom flat in a block without a lift. It had a large open space, part of which was the dining and the other half, the lounge area. Another serious problem was the unfurnished nature of the place, and the bare timber floor.

For a week, we slept on the floor wearing three outfits, one on top of the other. We bought two newspapers everyday to be used as insulation. The hot shower every morning was more to defrost than any form of cleanliness. We washed our clothes in the bath tub and hung them over the balcony. (It was on the day, one year later, when we were vacating the flat that we discovered there was a laundry at ground level which contained four washing machines and two driers. Hey, come on,

12

we were from Belfast) After a week, Ken found an auction house in Hay Street and the four of us trooped down there (when an auction was being held). We bid six dollars for four vinyl easy chairs (without arms). No-one else bid, which wasn’t surprising. Like the shirts, they were all different colours; black, blue, red and yellow. Now, we had the problem of getting them home.

At the rear of the premises, we found a delivery truck and driver. After telling him how close the flat was, he agreed to deliver the stuff (Ken paid him five dollars). “Just point out what is yours and we’ll load it together,” he said. Ken was a Londoner and had a few moves now and again. When the truck left the auction yard, we had a single bed, a double mattress and spring, a small kitchen table, a sideboard, the four honestly paid for chairs, a huge rug, some bedding and a coffee table. There were other knickknacks, like a smoothing iron that didn’t work (when we ironed, we heated it on the gas stove), an electric heater that didn’t work, a fridge, various items of cutlery and crockery, and so on.

No one ever came to accuse us of theft and we figured they were happy to be rid of the useless crap.

We weren’t short of relations in Perth but didn’t want to start a new life by pleading poverty to them. We socialised with uncles, aunts, cousins and my younger sister but we didn’t beg. A kind aunt gave us extra bedding and among the items was a large square of multi-coloured material, sort of like Joseph’s coat of many colours. It served as a bedspread, at night as a curtain, as a table cloth and, because we used the kitchen table as an ironing board, Joseph’s coat (as we christened it) was employed as an ironing board cover. When we left the flat 12 months later, if you jabbed a finger at the cloth, it went straight through, no bother.

My first job was in a company called Southern Cross Machinery. I was a storeman and windmill erecting assistant. It was harder graft than I was used to (harder even that tank cleaning when I was a deck apprentice in the merchant navy). I lasted until the new year. During that time, Tony left to work as a plasterer in Albany and Ken went working up north. We never saw Tony again but Ken returned twice before he, too, disappeared into the wide, blue yonder. Even to this day, I can still see their smiling faces. The snap is of we four. Ken, Me, Tony and Derek.

Derek, after slaving in a flour mill (and coming home looking like a snowman), procured a job in a men’s retailers in the city. I moved on to work at Goodyear and then Bunnings. Both of us, for we were alone by then, finished that first year employed by a suit hire firm.

After the departure of Ken and Tony, we were befriended by a group of girls who had a ground floor flat across the street. We were more often over there than at home, but it was all innocent good fun, my word on that.

One late night, from our perch on high, where we had a clear view of the street outside the girls’ place, Derek spotted a man acting suspiciously. He was checking the

street and, when the coast was clear, this moron would jump the wall and try to peer under the blinds. Well, we armed ourselves with a shoe and a beer bottle and went into battle (good weapons, eh).

I came from the north and Derek from the south. We timed our meeting perfectly, stopped and took an arm each. “What the hell are you doing out here at midnight, peering in those windows?” one of us said.

He looked terrified and stammered, “I … I … know the people in there … and was just checking to see if they were home.”

“Why not knock the door? In fact, they are friends of ours so why don’t you give us a name and we’ll waken them up?”

He proceeded to cry and slaver. “Please don’t hurt me. You guys are Irish, aren’t you. I’m English.” Here was a grown up, peeping tom, whimpering for mercy.

It was too much trouble to waken anybody. I gave him a hard crack on the back of his head with my shoe and Derek hit him in the solar plexus. “We don’t give a rat’s ass what nationality you are, you tosser. Tonight, you got lucky but if we ever catch you around this area again, the bottle will be broken and you will be marked for life. Now, f*** off!”

“Oh, thank you,” he said. I gave him one more crack with my heel and he ran off. And, naturally, we were heroes when we told the girls later that day. Well, from dimming memory, I think we were. Shortly before we left Belfast, we had caught another peeping tom and took him to the police, and a few years after our second nabbing, Derek actually apprehended one in his home (he was on his second marriage by then; Derek, that is, not the peeper).

One night, we were having a beer in The Railway Hotel, and there were a group of Maori soldiers on their way home from Vietnam. There was a guitar and I strummed a few songs. At closing time, we invited these soldiers to our flat. Little did we know how many were in the crowd. It ended up where we had 73 New Zealand Maori soldiers and one large Maori woman in a one bedroom flat. An extra taxi had to be hired to carry the beer. The police arrived at about 3.30 am and it was party over. We barely survived eviction.

I was working in Bunnings at the time and procured some timber offcuts. Derek, great with his hands, built a cocktail bar where we stacked 300 empty bottles (ends facing out) and filled them with fairy lights, then closed in the rear. It must have been a bitch to dismantle that thing. We didn’t do the job and left it standing as a monument to our time in that place.

There were a lot of other eventful happenings during that first year, including meeting our first wives, Jan and Beth, but they are stories for another day. Forty-seven years later, I am still here and my cousin lives in Bishop Auckland, near to his family.

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9349 9600

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salad garnish for only $13.90 Thursdays: Pasta Night $18.00 Fridays: The Mighty Slider Night $18.50 Friday Music: Jonnie Reid plays Friday 4, 11, 18 & 25 September.

Jonnie Reid plays Friday 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October Saturday = Surf & Turf Night $34.00 Porterhouse Steak served with Crumbed Prawns, Chips, Salad & your choice of sauce.

Saturday Musicians ; Saturday 5 September = Bryan Dalton Saturday 12 September = Barney Saturday 19 September = Bryan Dalton Saturday 26 September = Barney Saturday 3 October = Barney Saturday 10 October = Lost Backpackers Saturday 17 October = Barney Saturday 24 October = Lost Backpackers Saturday 31 October = Bryan Dalton

The Mighty Winter Warmer Special

(every Friday, Saturday & Sunday) Slow Cooked Braised Beef Cheeks served with Potato & Winter Vegetables. $26.00

Sunday: Traditional Irish Music Session starts from 7pm.

Roast dinner/potato & vegetables $17.00

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Principal at LITedit dip. English and English Lit. www.belfast68.com lawrenceclarke@y7mail.com Member - Society of Editors (WA) inc. http://www.skillpages.com/lawrenceclarke Phone 92474371 Mobile 0437863577

13

HELL ON EARTH Witnessed by Irish nun Japan, and the world, remembered a truly global event last month.

August 6 was the 70th anniversary of the Sr Julia Canny dropping of the world’s first atomic bomb - Little Boy - on Hiroshima. In a war of unbelievable savagery and atrocity America used the most horrific of all in an attempt to bring the worst war in history to an end quickly. The Enola Gay B29 bomber dropped a single warhead equivalent to 20,000 tonnes of TNT on the unprepared Japanese city and its unsuspecting population.

One of those to see and more importantly survive the blinding flash and mushroom cloud - the first time such a thing had been seen by civilians - was a 51 year old Irish Sister.

Julia Canny was born in Clonbur, Co. Galway, in 1894 and in the 1930’s, at the age of 39 the Irish woman joined the Sisters of the Holy Souls in New York.

Seven years later in 1939 she got on a boat bound for Japan.

It was the last vessel out of San Francisco before Pearl Harbour was bombed by the Imperial Japanese Navy and airforce and before hostilities between the two nations were declared. Upon arriving in Japan she was placed immediately into a concentration camp for the nationals of enemy countries. The Irish sister was mistaken for an American citizen, perhaps even a spy by her captors, but was eventually (six months later) released after they were convinced she was a citizen from a neutral country. (During World War II Taoiseach Eamon DeValera resisted immense diplomatic and political pressure from America and England to shut down any Japanese and German diplomatic representation in Dublin).

She spent the war years as a nun in Hiroshima and she was saying her morning prayers in the garden of the convent of the Society of Helpers of the Holy Souls when the bomb was dropped.

She reported seeing a huge blinding flash of light in the sky and then being knocked to the ground. She got up and ran inside, looking for shelter. She was a little more than a mile from the epicentre of the bomb. By the

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Sr Julia Canny with Japanese friends

time she reached the inside of the convent, at least 50,000 people had been incinerated and tens of thousands more would perish horribly in the following hours, days and weeks. The convent saved her, and other sisters, from the worst of the radiation blast but they were forced to flee it’s protection had to flee from it when it went on fire.

Outside must have been the very depiction of hell itself.

Without warning or judgement it was as the world they lived in had been reduced to rubble, ruled by chaos and had been dipped in brimstone and fire while bodies were burned or charred, people stripped of their clothes, with burns, sometimes stripped of their skin. Some were obliterated where

they stood and shadows burnt into concrete was all that was left of them. The stench of burning flesh would have been inescapable and horrendous to bear.

The Irish sister and her brethren made their way to a Jesuit Novitiate outside Hiroshima where the priests had set up a makeshift hospital. It was just a four kilometre journey but it took them hours to get there. At every stop they passed dying and dead people for whom they could do little or nothing. An hour after they made it to the Novitiate a giant typhoon rose out of the river and swallowed hundreds of survivors waiting to be helped.

Julie Canny never returned to Ireland and spent the rest of her life rebuilding the city and its people that had become her adopted home and family. She passed away just one month shy of her 94th birthday in 1987, on All Saint’s Day. Japan and Ireland will mark 60

years of diplomatic relations in 2017 but the two countries have a long and colourful association through the travels and travails of Irish people such as Robert Jansen, an Irish sailor who visited the country in 1704 or John William Fenton (born 1828), the Irishman who penned the music for the first version of the Japanese national anthem.

Histories of these figures and others can be found on the page of the Irish embassy in Japan under the section ‘History of Ireland-Japan Relations’. The Japanese Gardens in the National Stud in Kildare, were created between 1906 and 1910 and were designed by a Japanese craftsman, Tassa Elda and his son Minoru.

The gardens are a tranquil and beautiful place that remains a popular tourist attraction to this day and a cultural link between Ireland and Japan.

The Prayer of Hiroshima

Hibakusha say simply, “I met with the A-bomb.” Perhaps they use this expression because the event they “met with” defies description─an instant of massive destruction, mind-numbing death and injury, and the grief of watching helplessly as family members, relatives, friends, and neighbours died in agony. They also say, “It’s painful even to remember.”

The A-bomb witnesses have overcome that pain and are passing on their experiences of that day. They feel duty bound to tell the world why nuclear weapons must never be used again. The continual prayer of the A-bombed City Hiroshima is to unite humankind toward our common goal, genuine and lasting world peace.

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15

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16

WA’s first choice when it comes to sound migration advice

VISA HOLDERS and the AUSTRALIAN TAX OFFICE The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is on a mission to track down visa holders, sponsors (company sponsors and partner visa sponsors!) who have breached their tax and social security obligations!

The ATO has recently issued a hard-hitting government gazette notice, which sets down a cunning data matching program designed to help the ATO identify tax non-compliers and social security fraudsters.

So what does this mean for a visa holder? If your tax affairs aren’t squeaky clean – it could mean quite a lot!

The ATO is collecting a huge amount of financial information from the Department of Immigration and the Department of Social Security.

We understand that the financial records of almost one million individuals will be under scrutiny!

The ATO will be looking at all sorts of information, which will include: • Address history for visa applicants and sponsors • All contact history for visa applicants and sponsors • All visa grants and types of visas held Visa grant status • Migration agents details (visa application preparer who assisted with the visa) • All international travel movements for visa holders (arrivals and departures) • Sponsor details (457) • Information about education providers for holders or past holders of student visas

Data matching is intended to reveal: • Unlawful employment of visa holders with no work rights (such as visitor visa holders) or people without visas.

• Multiple tax frauds • Fraudulent social security claims (e.g. single parent payments where a partner visa has been lodged or granted) • Students who have worked more than the hours permitted by their visa conditions • Working holiday visa holders who have worked more than 6 months with the same employer • Illegal earnings and tax noncompliance • 457 visa holders (employees) who do not declare their wages • 457 sponsors (employers) who are paying less than the nominated 457 salary • Employers not paying superannuation • People working on ABN who are really employees The ATO has already started cancelling ABNs for businesses falling foul of the tax rules and the Department of Immigration aims to cancel visas where visa holders are discovered to have breached work or other visa conditions.

If you are worried about the ATO’s data matching program (which could have a serious impact on your future in Australia), please feel free to call us and we’ll be happy to organise a confidential chat about your particular situation. We are working closely with visa holders and visa applicants keen to get their house in order as soon as possible.

The ATO and the Department of Immigration do not mess about when it comes to serious matters like tax and fraud!

Carol-Ann P. Lynch LLB MMIA Principal Registered Migration Agent O: +61 8 9429 8860 E: carol-ann@easivisa.com A: Suite 5, 19 – 21 Outram Street, West Perth, WA 6005 Phone our team of experienced migration professionals for a FREE FIRST CONSULTATION

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17

CHANGES TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY COMMITTEE

After many years supporting the Irish community and parade committee members, Karen Hennessey, Rob Hennessey and SallyAnn McDonald have stepped down. It will be mission impossible to replace these members but all good things come to an end. All have promised to still be involved in activities so they are not getting off that lightly. We would like to formally thank all three for their hard work plus all other past members, in running what can only be described as a spectacular landmark family event in WA. Without their dedication, enthusiasm, vision and passion this would not have been possible. Planning and running an event of this nature takes a certain type of person and we do not say it lightly when we say we have big shoes to fill.

Thank you Karen, Rob and Sallyanne and all past members of the committee, sponsors and volunteers for all your work, it has not gone unnoticed. The Irish community in Perth has been enriched and celebrated because of your efforts and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.

So let me introduce you to the new committee who will endeavour to hold a parade that lives up to the high expectations and standards that have been set.

Both Tom and Zoe have been actively involved in proceedings previously so we are in good hands.

CHAIRPERSON: Tom Tierney

tom@stpatricksfestivalwa.com

VICECHAIR: Zoe O’Brien

zoe@stpatricksfestivalwa.com

TREASURER: Rob Ingle

rob@stpatricksfestivalwa.com

SECRETARY: Rachel Rafferty rachel@stpatricksfestivalwa.com With many members of the Irish community leaving to return home it is imperative that we all support and promote our Irish culture and heritage and make 2016’s Parade bigger and more inclusive (if possible). Please feel free to get in touch with the committee members if you have any suggestions for the Perth 2016 St. Patricks Day festival. Please like our page on Facebook also and help grow our Irish roots. We look forward to this exciting journey and

18

hope to get the backing of the Irish to hold yet another amazing parade and family fun day.

This is a landmark year for Irish all over the World as we also celebrate/commemorate the 100th Year Anniversary of 1916. We will be looking forward to incorporating this anniversary into our celebrations this year.

I would like to thank you for all your support and encouragement on behalf of the new committee.

Rachel Rafferty Secretary St. Patrick’s Day Committee.

19

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They will personally come out and inspect your concrete pad prior to installation, this insures that you know everything involved with getting a new timber floor and to make sure that everything will run smooth in the day of installation.

Stephen Gilhooly is 28 years old and from Drumkeerin County Leitrim. His parents are Ann and Seamus, brother Shane and his eight year old daughter Hayley. He has been in Australia four years and qualified as a carpenter for the past seven years.

Gavin McGowan, also 28 years old is from Kiltyclogher in County Leitrim. His parents are Detta and Paddy, brother Ronan and Ciaran and sisters Natasha and Carly. He has resided in Australia for the past 7 years and is also a qualified carpenter of 8 years.

We hope that you will think of Floorit (WA) Timberfloors when flooring work is desired in your own home or those of friends and neighbours. (See advert page 20).

Call Stephen or Gavin @ Floorit (WA) Floorit (WA) Timber Flooring was established in 2014 by Gavin McGowan and Stephen Gilhooly. In a very short time they have built a reputation of upholding quality, offering timely service, fair pricing and the backing of all of their products and workmanship.

Floorit (WA)’s experience in wood flooring is unsurpassed. Having completed numerous jobs in the Perth area, they know what to expect from every type of floor. Gavin said “We know what to expect of flooring hidden under carpeting or tile. We are experienced in the repair of wood floors and sub floors and do offer disposal facilities. References are always available on request. Floorit (WA) installs engineered, laminate, solids, bamboo and raw timber. Stephen added, “We work with the customer in designing a particular look which appeals to that customers preference whether that be the colour variation, durability, cost or finish that suits their stage of life When it comes to steps and staircase, these guys have built up a strong network inside the flooring industry which allows them to supply the general public with top class bespoke timber stair nosings to suit all your steps and staircase needs across all range of laminate engineered, bamboo and solid timber floor boards.

They use specialised skills and techniques which they have acquired back in Ireland which are not used here in Australia and are exclusive to their company. This is just another thing that separates Floorit from their competition.

Stephen and Gavin have worked in timber flooring industry in Western Australia since 2010, obtaining sponsorship as timber floor layers until gaining residency in 2014.

Gavin said, “We noticed an opening in the market, due to an increased number of concrete pads which did not meet the industry standard. We then decided to invest in grinding equipment that is designed for concrete preparation which needs to be carried out prior to installation of all types of timber flooring, as the levels and flatness of concrete pads are crucial to the integrity of your floor”.

The business is quickly blossoming and they have recently employed a fellow Irishman from Co. Clare and they have also had labourers working casually from all corners of the globe.

“Through our connections in the flooring industry we can now supply and install some of the best quality flooring brands available in Australia. When you deal with Floorit (WA), you take out the middle man to save money on your timber flooring installation”.

This month’s Guest...

Aiden Bolster

with Synnott

Well known entertainer known as “Billy the Busker” from Cork, plays every instrument and electrified each instrument himself.

What was your first job?

Putting Guinness labels on bottles at 2 and 6 a day.

Do you have an iphone or laptop? ipad What has been the best year of your life? 1970, got married.

What is your favourite sport and sporting hero?

Sport: Hurling – Hero: Roy Keane What is your favourite song and singer?

Song: Bold Fenian Men. Singer: Eddie Corcoran What is your earliest childhood memory?

Riding in a motor car at 3 years of age.

What is the best TV program and why?

Catalyst – interesting and topical Do you use social media and if so which one?

Face Time and email If you could be anyone famous for a day, who would it be?

Enda Kenny so as to abolish water charges!!

What and who are you most afraid of?

Kilkenny, even on a bad day.

Where do you get your news from (eg TV, internet, papers)?

Internet and Irish Scene Who is your favourite actor and film?

Actor: David Jensen – Film: Wind that Shakes the Barley If there was one place on earth you could visit, where would it be? Darwin, Northern Territory 21

22

Business push to make it easier for

Irish in Australia to Return Home

by Lloyd Gorman

J

ust two per cent of Irish migrants in Australia believe the Irish government has done or is doing enough to help them return to Ireland, the other 98% think more needs to be done.

T

hat’s the finding of a new survey and study in May by the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce called ‘Strategies to help support Diaspora seeking a return to Ireland”.

More than 60% of those who took part in the IACC poll said government assistance would be very important or somewhat important in deciding to go back to Ireland.

it is obvious that a significant number of Irish Diaspora living in Australia have a desire to return home to work, to start businesses and to raise their families. Our survey reveals a sizeable majority of respondents feel that the Irish Government is not doing enough to develop those pathways to return. The main considerations in the decision to return home are the availability of employment, high relocation costs and support while searching for employment. We have made recommendations which address these issues and which we believe should form part of government future policy. We believe there is a role for the IACC in supporting our members who wish to return to Ireland. We want to contribute, in a practical way, to facilitate their return and for this reason we will initiate a returners program which will address the issues raised by our members and support them while they readjust to life back in Ireland.”

Most Irish in Australia are happy with their life but have a clear aspiration to return home and are optimistic about the possibility of returning, with 76% hoping to go back in the next five years while 60% believe they have a realistic chance of doing so. Some 20% would like to return in the next twelve months and 13% believe they have a fair chance The business lobby group recogof doing so. nised the fact that its survey was carThe IACC says its membership has ried out before the announcement of grown significantly in recent years the Irish government’s Global Irish as Irish emigrants came to seek Diaspora Policy earlier this year, the employment and economic oppor- first plan of action by any Irish adtunities in Australia. They say they ministration that sets out a plan for are committed to listening to their dealing with and recognising the inmembership and responding to their ternational Irish community, and so needs. that those who took part in the sur“We believe we have a role to play vey would not have been aware of it. in promoting Irish business inter- “This survey was conducted as the ests in Australia as well as assisting global Irish Diaspora policy was Ireland’s economic recovery,” states published therefore many respondTom Mullarkey, board sponsor of ents may not have been aware of the the white paper research project. recently launched initiatives which “The Irish economy has shown address engagement, communicasome encouraging signs of recovery tion and support for the Diaspora. since exiting the bailout program in However a 98% dissatisfaction rate late 2013. This improvement has al- clearly demonstrates that the govlowed emigrants to realistically con- ernment must follow through on sider returning home for the first the stated aims and objectives of the time since the economic downturn. Global Irish Policy or risk alienating We have undertaken a survey of our a large number of the Irish Australimembers to understand whether an Diaspora,” the IACC added. they want to return home and how the government can help. We have As well as providing a statistical received a very strong response and picture of the intentions of mainly young Irish in Australia (80% of

23

respondents were below age of 44 while 55% were under 34) the study collects a number of comments from those who took part, and makes a number of recommendations.

One person suggested that the setting up of a ‘Return to Ireland’ advisory service in Australia, while another recommended providing facilities for businesses in Ireland to be able to hold video conference interviews that would help people find employment. Someone else suggested that tax breaks could be provided to employers who source workers from the Diaspora.

“I think that the Irish Government should work with the banks to ensure that we have some opportunity of being able to receive a mortgage without having years of payments,” said another. “Most of us returning home will have some decent savings to put towards a mortgage, however even if both myself and my partner get full time jobs in Ireland when we get back and we have a sizeable deposit the banks may still decline us for a couple of years as there’s no history of our payments. They should be made to take into account our savings record in Australia.”

The IACC also makes the following recommendations: 1: The government must consider returning migrants in its short to medium term economic strategy and consider ways that it can help them return. Many highly educated and skilled Irish people work abroad.

Their skills and experience gained working in different cultures will be valuable in creating the conditions for economic recovery. Returning migrants can be drivers of the continued recovery rather than just beneficiaries when the tide turns.

2: Government should increase support for initiatives and programs aimed at helping returning migrants to re-integrate back into Irish society. The IACC will pilot our first “Returning Migrants Program” in

2015/16 in conjunction with partners in Australia and Ireland to provide practical support in this arena.

We would seek to have participation in this program recognised by the Department of Social Protection as supporting the satisfaction of Habitual Residency requirements.

3: Set up a dedicated team within the group of Deciding Officers in the Department of Social Protection and the Health Service Executive who can better implement the operational guidelines to assist returning migrants, some of whom may present with incomplete paperwork, in a supportive manner.

4: Taxation policy should be used as a lever to encourage migrants to return home. Provide incentives and/ or tax breaks to cover the cost:

a) To employers of recruiting Irish people based abroad and;

costs where social welfare is not claimed by the migrants.

b) Offer relocation expenses for returning migrants

8: University fees for children of returning migrants should be the same as those of residents and not subject to EU rates or time barring.

This is emerging as a significant barrier to return for families where parents could be significant contributors to both national capability and the Revenue Commissioners.

5: Provide tax exemptions to those who wish to return home to create new businesses in Ireland such as exempting income earned from Irish and overseas activities for a period of time (for example the 40,000 Euro/ two year threshold used in the Start Your Own Business scheme) or extending the scope of the SURE program.

6: Provide an accelerated writedown on assets purchased by businesses set-up by returning migrants for the first three years.

7: Provide a tax credit on earnings, in respect of savings used by returning migrants to cover relocation

9: The First Time Buyers’ access to 90% LTV should be available to returning migrants who have not on any previous occasion, either individually or jointly, purchased or built on his/her own behalf a house in Ireland.

The full IACC survey and white paper can be found at: http:// i r i s h c h a m b e r. c o m . a u / _ l i t e r a ture_193581/Returning_Migrants_ White_Paper

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

BOOK YOUR SPOT AT THE IWAF TABLE AT IRISH RACE DAY!

The Irish Western Australia Business Forum have arranged an exclusive IWAF $80 package for a limited number of places at the Irish Race Day event on the 10th October at the Belmont Race Course. To reserve your place please book online at: https://renewals.perthracing.com.au/reg/reg_p1_form.aspx?oc=10&ct=IRISHDAY&eventid=8070 Included in the package: General admission & race book, 3 course plated lunch, Entertainment – Decoy; A 4 piece party band who have jammed with the best. Exciting 8 race program, Cash bar facilities, Prizes and Complimentary Stout on arrival, Tote Facilities, Opportunity to meet likeminded Irish business people NB: To ensure that you or your group are seated with fellow IWAF attendee’s please state “IWAF Forum” in the booking name field on the aforementioned booking webpage. We look forward to meeting everyone on the day and wish everyone the very best of luck.

The Irish Western Australian Business Forum will also be hosting their next networking event in November. Details will be available shortly on the IWAF website.

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

A large multinational head office was based in Dublin. The new Australian CEO was not impressed with the productivity of the Irish staff and decided to fire all the slackers. A few days after he fired the majority of the staff, he came into to the office and found a man leaning on his desk doing nothing. The CEO walks up to him and asks “what are you doing?!” He replies, “I’m waiting to get paid”. The CEO says “Okay, how much do you get paid in a week?” The man thinks for a second then answers “About 300 euros.” The CEO takes out his wallet, gives him 1200 euros, and says “Now go away and never come back.” The man walks away. The CEO turns to the rest of the office and shouts

“Will somebody please tell me who the hell I have just fired?”

A broad Dublin voice from the back shouts back “Youse just tipped the pizza fella 1200 euros.”

24

Casey’s cast of colourful Irish characters K

evin Casey has been writing histories for some time now, but it is only relatively recently that the former teacher has researched and written his own Irish heritage.

In making the journey into the story of his ancestors Kevin also discovered a few other (unrelated) Irish characters of interest, which has lead him to his latest book, which is something of a personal project and homage to some of all our forebears.

“I come from a very Irish background, on both sides of my family,” Kevin told Fred Rea. “My paternal great grandfather came out for the Victoria Gold Rush in the 1850s. He tried his hand at prospecting and failed and then bought a pub and became a very successful publican.

My maternal grandparents (Denis Coffey) came out to WA in the 1890s, he went off to the gold fields and failed as a prospector, bought himself a pub and became a very successful publican with pubs in Katanning, Beverley and Fremantle. Denis Coffey’s son (with the same name) took over the Commercial Hotel. So I’ve had an interest in my Irish background for sometime although I never really explored it in any great detail until recently.”

Up until now Kevin has used his research and writing skills to produce a number of history books for professional, rather than purely emotional, reasons. He has penned a history of the Claremont Football Club (The Tigers Tale), Parkerville Youth Care, the Lady Lavery Cottage and the St. Vincent de Paul in WA. Kevin’s self published book of short biographies, “From Clare to Claremont: Irish people who have made a difference in Western Australia” is a gradual interest in Irish characters.

“I was particularly interested in Fr. John Fahey, because I was an altar boy for him back 65 or 70 years ago in Cottesloe. Even from my memo-

by Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman ry of him then he was definitely an unusual character and then I found out (later) he was a war hero, so I explored his life and background and that lead me onto other interesting characters. Fr. Fahey was a Renaissance man because he was rough and tough in a muscular Christian sense down in the timber mill fighting with the blokes, having boxing matches and all sorts of things but he was also a towering intellect. He told one of his curates that he used to go to bed reading ancient Greek.

Fr. Fahey was the reference for the university’s classics department, they would send their masters students who were doing work on areas of Greek and ancient history and Latin to him, and he didn’t have any university qualifications.

One moment he could be reading that stuff and the next he’s having a boxing match with the blokes at the timber mill.”

The personal connection with Father Fahey who died in 1959 (age 76) led Kevin to discover the fascinating story of another Tipperary man. “I knew nothing of Martin O’Meara until I had finished with Fr. Fahey. I think there was an oblique reference to him in something I read about Fahey and then I thought, Martin O’Meara, a Victoria Cross winner, a war hero, he must be very interesting. I didn’t know it was going to be a tragic story, I just thought that it was going to be interesting, given that he came from Tipperary, like Fr. Fahey. So my interest in Martin O’Meara was in direct relationship to Fr. Fahey.

(Martin O’Meara, who was awarded the military’s highest decoration for courage in the face of the enemy by saving at least 20 Australian diggers by pulling them from no-man’s land between the opposing trenches would spend the rest of his life locked up in a mental asylum when he returned to West-

25

ern Australia from the war) Kevin worked with Dr Philippa Martyr a researcher in the Claremont Mental Hospital who gave a lecture about O’Meara in Cottesloe last year. Although the pair worked closely together on researching O’Meara, Kevin was not convinced by the argument put foreword by Dr. Martyr, that O’Meara’s mental breakdown was not caused by the war, rather that he had carried a mental condition with him as a result of his Irish background and other factors. “I don’t know about that, I wouldn’t agree. It was quite evident before the war that he was a bit unsure if he was doing the right thing or not, even when he got to the war and did his amazingly brave act it was written in a report that he was concerned if he had done the right thing, even though he had rescued all these people. I wondered if it had anything to do with the changing attitudes of a lot of the Irish in 1916, with the Irish rebellion and the execution of the leaders of the Easter Rising. He would have heard about it, a lot of the men who were pro British in the first world war changed their minds after that, so was he sure he was doing the right thing or not as an Irish man, I guess we’ll never know for sure.”

Of all the “interesting” characters profiled in his book, Fr Fahey and a nun rank as his favourites.

Sister Alphonsus Daly was the most amazing person. This tiny little St. John of God nun went up to the Kimberley, she was a magnificent teacher, especially of music. She came back to Perth to get a nursing qualification when the leprosy plague went through and she nursed at the leprosy area that the government had built in the early 1940s.

While there, in the space of about a year, she formed a 40 plus piece symphony orchestra out of Aboriginal lepers, none of whom could read

or write, or could read music. To me that’s the most amazing achievement I’ve ever heard of. I’m educated myself, I’ve come though teaching and university and I couldn’t believe how someone could take 45 or so uneducated, illiterate and diseased people and turn them into a symphony orchestra that played for visiting ship loads of people coming from Derby and even a Vice Regal concert. They played Beethoven, Bach and other classical artists, it was amazing. If you go to the St John of God heritage centre in Broome (which was featured in a previous edition of Irish Scene) you will see a grainy 16 mm film of the orchestra playing.

That’s what I loved about writing this book, the achievements of these people were just incredible, against all the odds.

Little by name, but certainly not by nature, Thomas Little is another one of Kevin’s interesting characters. “He was employed by a powerful English family with big connections in India, Little was sent out to Western Australia to set up a horse stud so that he could breed horses for the Indian army. So Lit-

tle came out to WA and set up a farm in the sandy area that is now known as Australind, which gets its name from putting Australia and India together. He wasn’t particularly successful at the horse stud so he moved inland and bought a lot of land in what is now known as Dardanup, so he owned all that area. He then subdivided it into smaller lots and gave them to lots of Irish people coming out from the famine and he gave them to ticket of leave prisoners (convicts who had served their sentence). The condition was that they didn’t have to pay him any rent or anything until they started to make some money out of their farms. So what you ended up with was this totally Irish community in Dardanup where he built the church (still standing) and school.

Little has been linked to helping John Boyle O’Reilly to escape by allowing him to hide out in a well in Dardanup and while this is a good distance from the area he escaped from, there are links between him and the people directly involved in the break out, so it is possible Little had a hand in it, or at least knowl-

edge and perhaps support of it.

Kevin deliberately wanted to avoid writing about the best known examples of successful or the most high profile Irish people and families in Australia, the likes of the Duracks, and CY O’Connor for example. “I wanted to look at the next level of interesting people who have made a real contribution to Western Australia.”

His professional insight as a historian and his personal experience as a proud Irish Australian feed into Kevin’s biggest historical project, one he hopes will never fully end.

“An old aunt of mine was a real repository of knowledge about Ireland but I was a young person and I wasn’t interested enough to ask her about it. She could have told me so much about Ireland, about my people. I’ve written about my family history and what I really want is for one of my grandchildren in 50 years time to add to it and hope that stays in the family for generations.”

The book is out of print now but we do hope Kevin prints another run.

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27

Did you ever hear of

Mooneystown in Glencree?

A few years ago an interesting story was recorded in the Schools Manuscripts held in the National Folklore Collection in UCD. It was recorded in the late 1930s at Annacarter School near Roundwood: “There was a partial clearance about 70 years ago of 70 families out of part of Glencree now known as Mooneystown from the number of persons of that name (Mooney). They were squatters on the mountainside.

Having built rude edifices of clay, wood and bracken and reclaimed small patches on the bleak mountainside, they were beginning to enjoy small comforts when they were unexpectedly visited by the Lord Powerscourt agent who demanded rent for their little holdings. The women were terrified under threat of eviction and entreated their husbands and brothers to comply with the agent’s demands, which seemed most moderate, only a few pence a week being at first demanded. This was to establish the land lord’s title to the holdings. When this had been secured English law was soon put into operation. The sheriff soon appeared and all were evicted. The night following the evictions the infuriated heads of families assembled and burned the old shacks to the ground.” (NFC 917/253).

In any good story there is always a twist. By the time of the 1901 census a Walker family continued to hold much of Curtlestown Upper. However, what is more interesting is that only two people lived in the entire townland; Brigit Gallagher, a 16 year old apprentice from Leitrim, who lived with none other than one Catherine Mooney (aged 66), described as a widow and labourer.

Drinking, eatin’ (especially eatin’) loving, singing and fighting are the favourite occupations of the Mooney’s.

But perhaps, the influence of their ancestors being so strong, he loves a scrap best. At the end of a recent St Patrick’s Day, a diminutive little fellow (a Mooney) who weighed not much more than his work boots returned to a construction camp in a foreign land (Perth Australia).

His nose was broken and lay over on his right cheek.

His lips were split. One eye was closed, the other full of blood from a cut eyebrow. His hands were swollen, with no skin left on the knuckles. He smiled with his broken mouth, which had lost several teeth, and said happily, ‘Ah, the blessed St Patrick. I’m just after havin’ a wonderful, wonderful day.’ He then finished off his black pudding and pork sausage roll he bought from you know where?

I drink to your health when I’m with you, I drink to your health when I’m alone, I drink to your health so often, I’m starting to worry about my own!

28

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29

The strength of community feeling

by Fred Rea Making the journey to Australia to set up a new home for yourself and family can be a daunting task.

Only last week I spoke to an Irishman who arrived in Perth 4 years ago with no plans or accommodation. He told me it was tough finding his way and his first night was spent in a cheap hotel in the city sharing a room with 10 others. Not a nice introduction to Australia.

He has gone on to make a good life for himself in Perth.

For Pat and Mary Rooney who came to Australia in the late 1960’s it was also a brave move as they didn’t know a soul Down Under but they didn’t leave Ireland entirely unprepared for their arrival in a distant place.

“We didn’t know anybody, we had an introductory letter and the address of a couple who had come out from Dublin, friends of ours in Dublin, were friends of theirs and they told us about them. So we got in touch with them, they were the first people we knew from Ireland and it was them that told us about an Irish community club in Highgate,” said Pat. The couple who gave them their first start in their new life was the late Tom and Rose O’Rourke, the parents of successful Perth real estate guru Rory Tom and Rory O’Rourke O’Rourke. They recall how welcome they felt by Tom and Rose and also when they walked through the doors of the club. “Everybody brought their children, there was no alcohol, just cups of tea and biscuits or something else if someone brought them, that was 1968/69” added Pat. “There were live bands on stage, a couple of fiddlers, it was somewhere to go, somewhere to socialise.” One of the musicians may have been former president of the Irish Club and accordian payer, Paddy McCormack who met his late wife Laura at one of these functions.

Before it opened in Subiaco in the 1970’s, the Irish Club was based out of the Highgate Church hall and then the Osborne Park Agricultural Hall said Pat. In those days Osborne Park had a strong Irish population, with many dairy farmers children there who had immigtaed from Kilkenny early in the 1900’s.

They integrated into their new Australian life and the Irish community quickly. “We were only here two months and we bought a house in Scarborough,” added Mary. Mary was an Irish dancer and Pat was asked to judge traditional dancing competitions something he did for 14 years.

Pat said there has been a big change in the way the Irish in Perth gather and socialise now. “All these new

Irish pubs have sprung up around the place now and The Irish Club has to compete with them. Perth was a smaller city back in our time and it was easy to get the Irish community together for ceili’s Pat and Mary Rooney and the like,” he said. “Its wonderful now that we have the Irish Theatre Players who bring in plays and culture from Ireland and that’s good and the GAA also seem to be going very well”.

We all have stories about our journey and settling in Australia. Pat is just one of these stories. He is now enjoying his retirement in the northern suburbs with Mary and his children have gone on to have very successful lives in Australia.

“Sense of community is a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together” (McMillan, 1976).

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may the luck of the Irish be with you Belmont Park - Irish Race Day -10 October 2015 May the luck of the Irish be with you? We hope so and you can test this when Ireland comes to Belmont Park Racecourse for the annual Irish Race Day . Don’t miss the chance to back a winner with the luck of the Irish on your side!

Perth Racing has a wonderful package for $80. It includes admission ticket and race book, 3 Course plated luncheon, Exciting 8 race program, cash bar facilities, Entertainment, prizes and giveaways and complimentary Guinness on arrival.

For table booking please contact Perth Racing on 9277 0777 or visit website perthracing.com.au Music on lawn from 12:30pm. The band Proof is a vibrant, fun, engaging and immensely versatile 10 piece party band with a live horn section, plus Decoy, a four piece party/rock band that prides itself on excellent live performances. Decoy have jammed with the best; Hoodoo Gurus, James Reyne, Shannon Noll and Justice Crew.

There will be Irish dancing with the Irish Dance Academy and this show starts at 1:30pm.

This gorgeous and passionate traditional Irish Dance troup will bring Irish Day to life and are crème de la crème of the Irish Dancing in Perth.

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Dermot Byrne

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

And so we come to the first month of Spring, so for the Quiz this time I would like to see how many of the other Firsts you can remember.

(1) Who was the first President of Ireland?

(2) Which human body part was the first to be transplanted successfully?

(3) Which vegetable was the first to be canned?

(4) Which weapon of war was first used in 1916?

(5) Who was the person to reach the South Pole?

(6) What year was the first postage stamp issued?

(7) What is associated with a first Wedding anniversary?

(8) Who was first woman to win a Nobel Prize?

(9) What country was the first to elect a woman as head of State in 1960?

(10) In what year did Concorde make its first commercial flight?

Answers: (1)Douglas Hyde.(2)Kidney.(3)Peas.(4)Tank.(5)Roald Amundsen.(6)1840.(7) Paper.(8)Marie Curie.(9)Sri Lanka.(10)1976.

32

PERTH

CENTRE

Our own wonderful Perth Rose, Denise Lynch looks on as Daniel O’Donnell sings The Rose of Tralee.

neck before taking her finals in school and the shock when she was diagnosed with cancer.

“It felt like being hit by a double-decker bus,” she said.

“It was a huge shock. The first thought with cancer was, ‘I’m going to die.’

“I was given the news that I was in complete remission in February of 2013,” she told host Dáithí Ó Sé. “Two and a half years later, I’m happy and healthy and in a course that I love.”

Despite the cancer treatments, Brennan got into medical school and is entering her third year. Her ambition is to be a pediatrician.

She says she has a passion “for all things song and dance.”

Last year’s winner Maria Walsh was on hand to crown the new rose.

Cancer survivor wins International Rose of Tralee in emotional victory Cancer survivor Elysha Brennan was crowned the winner of this year’s Rose of Tralee contest on Tuesday night. She suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma but survived the cancer and is now is a medical student. The Rose of Tralee is annually the most watched program on Irish television as 32 women from all over the world compete.

Elysha Brennan is the Meath Rose. She is 22 years old and from the beautiful coastal village of Bettystown.

“I spent an amazing 6 years at Gormanston College Co Meath where I graduated with a student of the year medal”.

Elysha is a second year medical student in the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin. “I adore what I am studying although during exam season I always consider alternative career options, such as joining the circus. I have a keen interest in working with children and am involved with the RCSI Paediatric Society. I have also volunteered for the Irish Cancer Society, and plan to partake in a volunteer mission with a local parish in Lourdes”.

Elysha said, “I have been involved with musical theatre from an early age, and have a passion for all things song and dance. I have been lucky enough to have taken part in the Olympia Theatre Dublin Christmas pantomimes and a Michael Jackson tribute show. I made a bucket list two years ago and am slowly ticking things off, including visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York, Greek island hopping and now becoming the Meath rose.

Brennan described how she noticed a lump on her

“Come away, O human child!

To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.” ― W.B. Yeats, The Collected Poems

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IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS

33

My Great Grand-uncle brought to life on stage in Galway

By Noreen O’Meara

In August I was lucky enough to attend the first two performances in Ireland of “Under Any Old Gum tree”, a play written and directed by Noel O’Neill, featuring performances by Kieran Garvey and Rex Gray.

The play tells the story of Martin O’Meara, the Tipperary–born man who was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery while serving with the Australian Army at the battle of the Somme during the First World War. Over a period of four days Martin rescued at least twenty fellow soldiers from no man’s land, and fetched ammunition and supplies for his embattled battalion, all under the most intensive artillery and gunfire. Despite Martin’s heroism, his story does not have a happy ending; his war experiences caused him such mental trauma that he spent the remainder of his life after the war in a series of psychiatric hospitals.

The play has its origins in West Australia, with several performances taking place in the state, including in Collie, the town where Martin O’Meara was based when he enlisted with the 16th Battalion AIF in 1915. The play received high praise and picked up several awards at Dramafest 2014, the West Australian State One Act Drama Festival.

The story of Martin O’Meara is a familiar one to me as he was my great uncle, and during my childhood my father often talked to my three sisters and me about his uncle’s heroism. His stories of Martin’s incredible bravery and his sad end seemed a little far-fetched; we found it hard to believe that one man could act in the almost super-human way that

Noel O’Neill, Kieran Garvey, Noreen O’Meara and Rex Gray

my father had described. It was only when we reached adulthood that my sisters and I realised that our father’s stories about his uncle were not exaggerated. Outside our family, Martin’s story was virtually unknown; it almost felt like a family secret. In recent years however the story of Martin O’Meara has become better known, as a result of a renewed interest in the First World War. The play “Under any old Gum Tree” has played an important part in ensuring that the story of Martin O’Meara is more widely known.

The title of the play has its origins in an interview that Martin gave when he arrived back in Australia at the end of the war. When asked where his home was his reply was heartbreaking, “Where is my home? Why I haven’t one. Under any old gum tree is the best way to describe it.”

Following several highly successful performances in West Australia, the play was performed over several evenings at the recent Galway Fringe Festival. As I live in the south of England this was my first opportunity to see the play, so two friends and I made a special trip to Ireland to attend.

The play features just two characters, Martin and the attendant, and is set in a hospital ward; the set is suitably stark and gloomy. Martin reminisces about his time on the Western Front and describes how he braved the battle to rescue his wounded comrades. At other times he rages to the attendant about the cruelty and barbarity of his incarceration in the hospital. The play

34

contains glimpses of black humour, most notably Martin’s description of meeting King George the Fifth for the presentation of his Victoria Cross, but it also has some harrowing scenes. Kieran Garvey gives a powerful, truly remarkable performance as Martin, at times perfectly lucid, at other times rambling and ranting at the unfairness of his plight. As a descendant of Martin, I found the play very moving and poignant, and it made me wish dearly that Martin had received more compassionate treatment when he returned from the war. I also feel that the play has a particular relevance today and conveys an important message, given that many service men and women returning from active service still find it difficult to access treatment for conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder.

Following the second performance of the play, the audience was treated to a bonus; Fred Rea (who first suggested the idea of the play to Noel O’Neill) and Dave McGilton gave an impromptu performance of two songs, one of which was Dave’s own stunningly beautiful song, “From Collie’s Banks to No Man’s Land”.

I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the play, and also thank them for a truly memorable occasion for me personally. There are plans for further performances of the play in Australia and Ireland, and I can thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is interested in understanding the terrible consequences of war, or to anyone who appreciates excellent writing and first class performances.

35

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH

W

IRELAND SHOWS THE WAY FOR WA CRIME AND PUNISHMENT DEBATE

A’s police minister Liza Harvey has been paying close attention to the way Irish authorities are tackling the illegal drugs trade and looks set to take a page out of their book.

On August 11 members of parliament debated the 2015 Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Psychoactive Substances) Bill. This Bill deals with a range of offences including the promotion (by social media etc) of psychoactive drugs, the sale of substances through ‘legal high’ shops and loopholes that make it easy for dealers to avoid having their product being banned.

David Templeman, Labor MP for Rockingham asked the police minister if the legislation being put forward was up to the job of tackling a drugs scene that was complex and rapidly changing. “If it does not pass the test of time, we will end up having to come back to amend this legislation because it did not quite capture the original intention. Does the minister have a comment on that concern?,” he asked.

She replied: “Yes, I do, member for Mandurah, and I thank you for raising it. In Ireland, where this legislation has been tested, we are starting to see that the amount of psychoactive substances in that community is being driven down

significantly, so the legislation appears to be working. This legislation covers substances that induce a psychoactive effect or are marketed as though they are going to produce a psychoactive effect, or substances sold that induce a psychoactive effect, regardless of whether or not they have been marketed that way. We think we have covered everything, but, clearly, if we look at history, we will find that at some time we have not covered everything. The culture may well change, and these drug dealers will come up with a different way to try to circumvent the system. However, if we look at the experience in Ireland, where very similar legislation has been in place, it has been effective. It is driving down the prevalence of psychoactive substances in the community. Indeed, as I understand it, most of the shopfronts there have been shut down, which is our intention here in WA.” Meanwhile, the relationship between the state’s top watchdog and police is under scrutiny in the House, with an all party committee working on a report called “Improving the working relationship between the Corruption and Crime Commission and Western Australia Police”. The CCC has oversight of a large number of public sector bodies, but its role in policing the police is a complex often conflicted one that requires extra sets of standards to be applied to misconduct by officers.

Nick Goiran, a former bar-

36

rister and solicitor at the Supreme Court of WA, turned MP for the South Metropolitan Region, sits on the parliamentary body examining the issue. “The committee was told in its briefings of the importance of an agreement between the Independent Police Complaints Commission in London, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission in the Republic of Ireland, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner in Scotland, which allows each police oversight agency in these four jurisdictions to make special requests to each other for an independent review of a critical incident that might affect public confidence in their respective organisations,” Mr Foiran said. “In that report, the committee recommended to the CCC that it investigate such an arrangement with similar police oversight bodies in other Australian jurisdictions, as such an arrangement might be more speedily put in place than making amendments to the CCC Act.” Mr Goiran added: “the Committee found that the police in Ireland, Northern Ireland and England schedule regular meetings between their Commis-

sioners and the Chairs of their respective oversight agencies. More frequent operational meetings are also held by senior staff from the police and their oversight agencies.

These meetings are an important factor in allowing these agencies to resolve any important differences they may have with each other.”

By having these agreements in place the different police forces can call on their counterparts to hold internal reviews, a move which helps ensure public confidence in the forces not to investigate themselves, and the outcomes of those probes.

Finally, an article about the number of female directors in the top 200 Australian firms by Sydney Morning Herald journalist Judith Ireland got some legs in a debate (August 20) about the number of female Labor MPs in the House on the Labor side. The gender issue flared up as a racial one. North Metropolitan Region MP Elizabeth Behjat said the Liberals had 48 members in their party room, representing 11 ethnicities, includ-

ing British, Italian, Greek, French, German, Croatian, Eastern European, South African, Lebanese and American.

“Let us move over and do a comparison with the Labor Party caucus,” she said. “Of the 33 members who sit in that party room, I have been able to identify nine who have those ethnic ties that I have discussed, representing two or at best three ethnicities—depending on whether we classify British and Irish as one or two—let us say it is two.

Labors Ken Travers, another MP for the Metro North Region, told her: “Hon Ken Travers: You can tell which ones have an Irish background on our side” Behjat responded: “Okay, I will give (you) that one, it is two.”

Her remarks sparked what was in danger of becoming a shouting match when the President of the

House had to step in and told the members to settle down.

“Order,” said the President,” We do not want to start any civil wars”.

Before she spoke on the issue, Mining and Pastoral region MP Jacqui Boydell had to put the record straight.

“I will make (it) very clear to Hon Liz Behjat that there are definitely two. I am standing up for my Irish heritage, we are not to be considered as one with the British, that is for sure”.

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riginally from Wexford, Ireland, Lucy Whelan and her family have now made Perth home.

With more than 20 years technical experience in the computer industry Lucy has brought with her a wealth of knowledge to continue to build her previous business locally.

Lucy’s skills developed in Dublin working as an IT Network Administrator for the US Embassy and HSE (Health Service Executive) before spending time in Sydney where she enjoyed 4 years in similar roles with Ray White (Real Estate) and Marist Youth Care.

“After moving back to Ireland to be married I established a successful business, Lucy Morrissey Computer Repairs”.

The business serviced residential, small businesses and primary schools in the Wexford and Waterford area including maintain-

ing the smooth running of school network systems.

In 2011 the family decided to move back to Australia.

Lucy said, “I established PALS Computer Repairs and I’ve been servicing both the residential and commercial markets in Western Australia”.

Speaking to Lucy, one can understand how her personality and customer service skills along with extensive technical ability has been the key to her business success.

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39

Lucy Whelan

courses with FAS (An Foras Áiseanna Saothair - Training and Employment Authority) and runs small individual training sessions when required.

“I have decided that Perth offers the ideal environment for my family and business to grow and develop and I am very excited about the future for both.

We wish Lucy every success and have no doubt that she will do very well in Perth. You can call Lucy on 0452216552 if your need assistance with your computer problems.

Fred Rea

ROBERT ROSS – THE ULSTERMAN WHO TORCHED THE WHITE HOUSE

By JOHN HAGAN

Only a notable few with Ulster battalion. Unlike most other comheritage have been proud occupants manders, when not in battle, Ross of Washington’s White House. Rob- kept his men busy with rigorous ert Ross, from Rostrevor, County exercises and maneuvers, making Down, was one of those, although them the fittest troops in the Brithis occupancy was the antithesis of ish Army. It was his dedication to the democratic process. Ross was detail, and care of those under his commander of the British troops command, that endeared him to his who marched into Washington on men and made them such an effithe night of 24 August 1814, set- cient and effective fighting unit.

Action at Maida and Corunna ting fire to what was then the Executive Mansion of the President of saw Ross awarded two gold medals the United States. This residence, for outstanding service and gallantry, and he was initially painted with elevated to the rank lime-based whitewash of Major General in 1798, to protect the in 1813. By the folporous stone against lowing year, the war frost, soon acquired with the French in the nickname, ‘White Europe was over.

House’. It has remained However, since white ever since, al1812, the British though it was not forhad been in conmally dubbed ‘The stant conflict with White House’ until the United States. In September 1901, when order to help resolve President Theodore the situation, Ross Roosevelt made it offiRosss tomb in Old Burying cial.

Ground Halifax Nova Scotia received command of a 3400 strong Robert Ross, born Canada brigade and was orin Rostrevor in 1766, was the second of three sons of dered to conduct raids on the dissiMajor David Ross and Elizabeth dent colonials.

On arrival in Bermuda in July Adderley, half-sister of the Earl of Charlemont. Ross followed his 1814, Ross’ force was augmented by father into the army and, in 1789, another 900 men and all were transwas commissioned as an ensign in ported, in British warships, far up the 25th Regiment of Foot. He later the Chesapeake River. They landed purchased the rank of major in the at the village of Benedict, with the 19th Regiment, subsequently trans- objective of attacking Washington. ferred to the 20th Regiment, and was To his amazement, he encountered later deployed to Holland as part of no opposition from the Americans, the Anglo-Russian Army. In 1801, who seemed to have melted away he was given command of his own on learning of his arrival. In the

40

village of Nottingham, on the route to Washington, there was not a soul to be seen, and in the ovens of some houses bread was still baking. To ensure that his men became acclimatized to the summer heat and dust, Ross moved slowly forward towards the village of Bladensburg, the last defensible position on the way to Washington. As the British neared the settlement they encountered a 7000 strong militia under the command of Brigadier General William Winder. The battle lasted just three hours before American resistance collapsed and the militia fled. Ross lost 64 men in the skirmish.

On learning of the outcome of this battle, Washington, just 25km away, was in chaos. The President’s wife, Dolly Madison, was hurriedly evacuating the ‘White House’, taking with her it’s most treasured possession, the valued portrait of George Washington. Two hours later, she, and the President, crossed the Potomac River to the safety of Virginia.

Ross entered Washington at 8pm on 24 August. Accompanied by a party of officers, he rode in to reconnoiter, with the intention of offering surrender terms. Ross hoisted a flag of truce and declared, ‘that such inhabitants as remained quiet in their houses, their property should be respected’. However, in the first street he entered, Ross and his party were fired upon and Ross himself narrowly escaped injury when his horse was killed. In the light of this attack the decision was taken to ‘burn and destroy everything ---- connected with government’. Private property

was to remain untouched.

Having eaten dinner about 11pm, it is recorded that Ross helped the soldiers stack up the President’s furniture as the ‘White House’ was set alight. The Treasury, Supreme Court and War Office were also torched along with the Military Barracks, gunpowder stores and remaining weapons. Such was the blaze that, according to one of Ross’ junior officers, Lieutenant Gleig, ‘the sky was brilliantly illuminated by the different conflagrations’.

Next day, threatened by signs of a resurgent American army gathering on the outskirts of the city, Ross and his troops departed Washington as quickly and silently as possible under cover of darkness. By the evening of 29th of August, the troops were safe in Benedict where a British fleet awaited.

Ross was relieved that all had gone so well, and next day in a letter to his sister-in-law he wrote, ‘It was never expected that an army of 4000 men could march with little or no difficulties, take and have at

its mercy the capital of the United States’. The capture and burning of Washington created a sensation and made Ross famous both in England and his native Ireland.

Unfortunately, there was to be no rest for the conquering hero and his army. Soon after arrival in Benedict, Ross was ordered to sail north and attack the American stronghold of Baltimore. Ross knew that this would be a much more formidable task. Firstly, the Americans thought the British would attack Baltimore before Washington and were prepared for this with 6000 militiamen at the ready. Secondly, both approaches to the city were well defended by American forts and gun emplacements.

On the morning of 12th September 1814, the first shots of the attack were fired and Ross, as was his custom, rode forward to assess the battle and direct his troops. Under sniper fire he was mortally wounded and died while being carried back to the British ships. Fellow Irishman, Colonel Francis Brooke, assumed

41

command, but given the entrenched position of the Americans, it was decided to withdraw and the attempt to take Baltimore was abandoned.

The bombardment and defence of the city provided Ulster-Scot, Francis Scott Key with the inspiration to write a patriotic verse which, in 1931, was later adopted as the American national anthem. The tune was taken from a popular Northampton, UK drinking song, “To Anacreon in Heaven”.

After Ross’ death, his body was stored in a barrel of Jamaican rum aboard HMS Tonnant and later transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he was interred in St. Paul’s churchyard on 29 September 1814.

Memorials to Ross were erected in St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), in Cork and in his local parish church at Rostrevor. He is also commemorated by a 30 metre, granite, obelisk, erected in 1826, on the shores of Carlingford Lough, near his home village of Rostrevor. His sword and medals are on display in the Ulster Museum, Belfast.

Local News of Interest from the Past

ECHOS OF THE PAST RE SE ARC HE D

Freeman’s Journal, Sydney, Thursday 9 July 1914Next issue

“I knew Patriot Rossa”

To the Editor, Sir, — He sleeps well, I hope, and I pray that his soul may rest in peace, that, his faults and sins “lie gently upon him.” He loved his country when it was treason to love her. He suffered a “galling load,”-’ the most inhumane, treatment in the prisons of England for that love.

I knew the deceased patriot in the early fifties, in the town of Skibbereen, whither he had come from his native town, Rosscarbery (from which he took his pen name ‘Rossa’) to start life. He kept a store and stationer’s shop in Bridge Street. No young man in the town commanded or received more respect than ‘Rossa.’ He was kind, courteous, and charitable to all.

When a case of distress occurred in the town or in the neighbourhood, his was the hand that drew up the appeal for charity. He enlisted the school boys from O’Brien’s National School, and those of Brickley’s High School who used to frequent his shop for their stationery, to aid the work by giving lists for subscriptions. He was a boy with those boys, telling them stories about the Indian Mutiny and the Crimean War then (1854) raging. On one occasion he told them how Guy Fawkes’ day was celebrated on the battlefield— “Remember, remember, the fifth of November Sebastopol powder and shot, When General Liprandi charged John, Pat and Sandy, And a jolly good licking he got.”

On another occasion he stimulated the boys’ patriotic sentiments by reciting some stanzas of his own. He was indignant that no prize was offered for potatoes at the West Cork Agricultural Show held in Skibbereen in 1855. He expressed his indignation in verse placed over a large sack of flounders

BY

FRED

News Published Every Two Months

REA

in a conspicuous part of the Show It is an illustration of the humour, mixed with a deeper feeling, which ground:— was so characteristic of O’Reilly.

“Unprized, forgotten, yes I feel, The letter runs thus:— That basely I’m offended, “Dear Rossa,—I want you to send me, By you for whom my owner helped, dozen poems of yours, including Jillen To make your fortune splendid.

Andy,’ which I read many years ago You now give prizes to all roots, and was much impressed with. Send me Grown for the brute creation, also a brief sketch of your life, mainly And leave unprized the choicest food, dates, birth, trials, hangings, shootings, On Paddy’s dear plantation. etc., etc., say a “stickful of biography”.

Give to my Pat a tenant’s right, And believe me, dear old bomb-thrower His labour put no tax on, and disturber of meetings and abuser of And I’ll engage he’ll take the prize me in your—old firebrand paper, that I From any bull-fed Saxon.” love you and think you a better poet than While I knew Mr. O’Donovan many who have great names. Send them his life was a “daily beauty,” flowing to me at once, dear Rossa, or I cannot with the milk of human kindness, get them into the book; and I want to see except when he looked on evicting you in quiet company before you die.— and rack-renting landlords. It was I am, faithfully yours, after I left in 1857 that he developed “JOHN BOYLE 0’REILLY” into a great Fenian organiser and Freeman’s Journal Saturday 13 June 1896 conspirator. It was his sufferings Death of ‘The GALTEE BOY’ at Dartmoor and other prisons Coroner John Sarsfield Casey, “the that turned the gentle ‘Rossa’ into Galtee Boy,” died at Mitchelstown, a dynamite devil. “Fenianism,” as on Thursday morning, April 23.

Lord Russell (then Sir Charles) of The deceased served five years’ Killowen, said before the Parnell imprisonment for treason felony Commission, “was not a party of in connection with the Fenian assassination, but that it was a movement, and had O’Donovan revolutionary party which looked Rossa and John Boyle O’Reilly as to physical force for the redress of companion political convicts. He Irish grievances.” The Grand Old was one of the defendants in the Man of England, Mr. Gladstone, famous trial of Bridge versus Casey wrote once— “It is one of the most in 1878. His letters to the Press on grievous factors in Irish history that the subject of the Galtee tenantry led at the end of the last century her to the starting of the Land League, rebels were in many cases the very of which Mr. Casey was the pioneer. flower of her children.”

He contested the representation — Yours truly. C. B. of Tipperary, but was defeated by Advocate (Melbourne, Vic. : 1868 - 1954)

the late Mr. E. D. Grey. Much,

BOYLE O’REILLY AND sympathy is felt for his widow, who O’DONOVAN ROSSA is a popular and estimable lady, and A HUMOROUS LETTER from for his young family.

Australian Newspaper 1920 JOHN BOYLE O’REILLY. THE late John Boyle O’Reilly on one occasion, requiring for a work he was engaged on some particulars of the life of O’Donovan Rossa, wrote hilarious letter, which has since his death been made public by Rossa.

42

‘Rossa’ and the Irish Famine (AN GORTA MOR)

The great famine commenced with the failure of the potato crop the following year, and Jeremiah O Donovan Rossa’s ‘Recollections’

contain many striking incidents of that fateful period. In 1846 the potato crop again failed, and in order to afford some relief to the peasantry, the Board of Works laid out new roads in the affected areas.

The elder O Donovan was put in charge of a gang of men working on a new road through Rowry, but in the beginning of 1847, when distress was most intense, he died, and Jeremiah O Donovan Rossa was given his place. It was a terrible time for the small farmers and labourers of the country, and it is difficult to say which class suffered most. The famine fever swept away whole families in the shortest imaginable space of time. The people who died were buried (uncoffined) by undertakers by contract, and the briefest possible time was allowed to elapse between death and burial. O Donovan Rossa himself caught the fever through burying an old woman named Mrs. Hayes, better known to the villagers as Jillen Andy. One of his most touching poems describes the burial of the poor old creature. His hardy constitution, which he ascribes in no small measure to the fact that he was a total abstainer, stood by him and after ten days he was up again.

We’ll dig not deeper, I can watch her here A month or so, sure none will do me wrong.’

Four men bear Jillen on a door – ‘tis light, They have not much of Jillen but her frame.

No mourners come, for ‘tis believed the sight Of death or sickness now begets the same.

And those brave hearts that volunteer to touch Plague-stricken Death are tender as they’re brave.

They raise poor Jillen from her tainted couch And shade their swimming eyes while laying her in the grave.

I stand within that grave, nor wide nor deep, The slender, wasted body at my feet.

What wonder is it if strong men will weep O’er famine-stricken Jillen in her winding-sheet!

Her head I try to pillow on a stone, But it will hang one side, as if the breath Of famine gaunt into the corpse had blown And blighted in the nerves the rigid strength of Death.

‘Hand me that stone, child.’ In his hands ‘tis places.

Down-channelling his cheeks are tears like rain, The stone within his handkerchief is cased And then I pillow on it Jillen’s head again.

‘Untie the nightcap string,’ ‘Unloose that lace,’ ‘Take out hat pun,’ ‘There now, she’s nicely –rise, But lay the apron first across her face, So that the earth won’t touch her lips or eyes.

Don’t grasp the shovel too tightly – there make a heap.

Stale down each shovelful quietly, let it creep Over her poor body lightly; Friend, don’t weep.

Tears would disturb old Jillen in her last long sleep.’

And Thade was faithful to his watch and ward, Where’er he’d spend the day, at night he’d haste With his few sods of turf, to that churchyard, Where he himself was laid before the month was past.

Then Andy died a-soldiering in Bombay, And Charlie died in Ross the other day.

Now, no one lives to blush because I say That Jillen Andy went un-coffined to the clay.

E’en all are gone that buried Jillen, save One banished man who dead alive remains, The little boy that stood within the grave, Stands for his Country’s cause in England’s prison chains.

How oft in dreams that burial scene appears, Through death, eviction, prison, exile, home, Through all the suns and moons of twenty years, And oh! How short these years compared with years to come.

Some thing are strongly on the mind impressed And other faintly imaged there, it seems; And this is why, when reason sinks to rest.

Phases of life do show and shadow forth in dreams.

And this is why in dreams I see the face Of Jillen Andy looking in my own, The poet-hearted man, the pillow case, The spotted handkerchief that softened the hard stone.

Welcome these memories of scenes of youth That nursed my hate of tyranny and wrong, That helmed my manhood in the path of truth, And help me now to suffer and be strong.

JILLEN ANDY

By Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa ‘Come to the graveyard if you’re not afraid, I’m going to dig my mother’s grave. She’s dead, And I want someone that will bring the spade For Andy’s out of home, and Charlie’s sick in bed.’

Thade Andy was a simple spoken fool With whom in early days I loved to stroll.

He’d often taken me on his back to school And make the Master laugh himself, he was so droll.

In songs and ballads he took great delight, And prophecies of Ireland being freed, And, singing them by our fireside at night I learned the songs from Thade before I learned to read.

And I still have by heard his ‘Colleeen Fhune,’ His ‘Croppy Boy,’ his ‘Phoenix of the Hall,’ And I could ‘rise’ his ‘Rising of the Moon’ If I could sing in prison cell – or sing at all!

He’d walk the eeriest place a moonlight night, He’d whistle in the dark, even in bed.

In fairy fort or graveyard Thade was quite As fearless of a ghost as any ghost of Thade Now in the dark churchyard we work away, The shovel in his hand, in mine the spade, And seeing Thade cry I cried myself that day, For Thade was fond of me and I was fond of Thade.

But, after twenty years, why now will such A bubbling spring up to my eyelids start?

Ah! There be things that ask not leave to touch The fountain of the eyes or feelings of the heart.

‘This load of clay will break her bones, I fear, For when above she wasn’t over-strong.

43

Martin Kavanagh Honorary Consul Of Ireland

on the number of proposals submitted, it may not be possible to fund all those received. It is also unlikely that the Embassy would be able to fund the full cost of a project.

Centenary of the Easter Rising

List of allowable and excluded expenditure for activities under the Ireland 2016 Fund.

Allowable expenditure • Flight and accommodation costs for speakers/ artists/performers – flights must be economy class irrespective of flight time/distance, and accommodation costs should be moderate

2016 sees the Centenary of the Easter Rising. Already, I am delighted to report that a very enthusiastic group of people have had two meetings at the Irish club to discuss their ideas and plans for events to commemorate the Rising. Everyone is welcome to attend. The next meeting is planned for October. Please keep an eye on the Honorary Consulate’s website for meeting details.

The centenary is very much driven by the people. If you are planning an event please let me know so we can publicise a calendar of events. The Government has made some funding available for 2016 events.

The deadline for applications to the Embassy is 13 September 2015. Please see more detail below.

• Transport and insurance costs for instruments/ stage equipment/props/art works • Venue hire • Hire of necessary audio-visual or other technical equipment • Fees for performance rights • Event publicity - all publicity must acknowledge the support of the Embassy and include the Embassy logo • Honorarium/per diem payments to artists/ performers - honorarium/per diem payments should be set at a reasonable level

Call for proposals for the Ireland 2016: Global Programme

• Local publication / printing costs for exhibition materials • Excluded expenditure

The Embassy of Ireland, Canberra invites the submission of funding proposals for events in Australia and New Zealand to form part of the international programme to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising. The deadline for submission of proposals to canberraembassy@dfa.ie using the application form is 13th September 2015 available online.

Events should fall within the framework of the overall Ireland 2016 programme (available at www. ireland.ie) and be aligned with one or more of the five themes: Remember; Reconcile; Present; Imagine; and Celebrate. Taking the 1916 Rising as a starting point, projects with a community, commemorative, cultural, academic, or educational focus will all be eligible for funding.

The Embassy will put forward a shortlist of proposals received to the centrally administered fund. Depending

• Catering/receptions • Commercial fees – the Ireland 2016 Fund is not intended to subsidise commercially profitable performances abroad by Irish artists. Nor should any fees be paid to artists’ agents or other intermediaries.

• Funding to Culture Ireland-supported events – exceptions may be made where Culture Ireland has funded an Irish cultural event in a particular city and the Embassy believes there is value in supporting the staging of the same event in a separate city.

•Accounting and Reporting requirements Payments must be receipted. Successful applicants must acknowledge, in their publications and public announcements, the support received from the Embassy

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

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia 44

make up the numbers “We’re not going to participate, we’re going to dominate!” was the war cry at celebrations for Meadowbranch DJ’s latest victory.

The Inter Dominion Championship sees Australasia’s best horses fight it out in a $1.8 million carnival over three heats and a final. No horse has ever come as far as Meadowbranch DJ to compete in the series, but leading NZ trainer Cran Dalgety – trainer of current favourite Christen Me – says Meadowbranch DJ would be in the Top 5 prospects coming into the series.

‘The DJ’ will line up at Gloucester Park for the first heat of the Inter Dominion on November 27 before heading to Bunbury on December 1 for heat night two.

He’ll be back in action in Perth December 4 for heat night three and if the luck of the Irish is by his side, he could line up on December 13 and compete in the $1.3 million final.

For more information on Meadhowbranch DJ, and the 2015 TabTouch Inter Dominion, head to www.perthinterdominion.com.au

IRISH INVADER SET TO SIZZLE IN PERTH

by Scott Hamilton

There is a new name in Harness racing in Perth, and it hails from Portmarnock Ireland - Meadowbranch DJ. The seven year old pacer has just beaten the best horses in the UK to win a trip to Perth to compete against Australasia’s superstars in the world’s richest pacing event, the 2015 TabTouch Inter Dominion.

Having scored the most amount of points over four heats, and with two track records in his last four starts, the striking race horse is in career best form. “This horse is only getter better and better” says trainer Mark Flanagan, and according to his owners, he isn’t coming here to

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OPEN (Irish) University

UWA held its annual open day on Sunday August 8, a great day when every faculty opens its doors to the general public, who come in their tens of thousands to have a gander around the picturesque campus.

Irish Scene editor Lloyd Gorman took his seven year old son Hugh along to try and broaden his horizons about future possibilities.

While there we met this impressive young man from Dublin, who has been at UWA for just over two and a half years, Wes (didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get his second name) a PhD student who is involved with some amazing research into new ways to diagnose

and tackle breast cancer. The mind boggling work of improving medical science by hundreds of times beyond what already exists could be ready to hit the market in a couple of years and could promise to save the lives of

y a d n SuCarvery

countless numbers of people. Good luck to Wes and his colleagues as they crack on with some amazing work. While there we spotted this jeep with a distinctly Irish number plate.

Of course the ultimate Irish connection with the university is the fact that it was established largely thanks to the determination of one man, John Winthrop Hackett. Born in 1848 near Bray, Co. Wicklow, Hackett studied law at Trinity College Dublin and tried many ventures in Australia, before making a success of himself in WA, becoming a member of parliament, editor and owner of the West Australian and of course founder and first Chancellor of UWA. The college marked its 100th anniversary in 2013 and is counted as one of the best universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the world.

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

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

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The two function rooms have a comfortable sophistication that lend themselves to a variety of uses such as presentations, training events, Annual General Meetings, Boardroom Meetings. Fully fitted with Wi-Fi, ceiling fitted projectors and screen and speaker system.

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“Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”

W.B. Yeats, The Wind Among the Reeds

to an apparent influx of bands coming from Ireland to tour Australia.

This is partly thanks to the arrival of a new promoter, Global Irish Acts, founded by former RTÉ 2FM DJ Dusty Rhodes.

“Every time I’m in Australia or America people complain that not enough Irish bands come to see them, and when they do, it’s the same names over and over” say Rhodes. “We’re here to do something about it by taking bands with a great track record and fan base at home and making sure our Irish friends around the world get in on the action too”.

“We’re so proud to start with The Riptide Movement. They put on a great about that. We’ve had so many lovely show with lots of audience interaction messages from people who have said this and craic that has you up all night!” song has got them through tough times.

For us this is what making music is all about.”

“I guess the cherry on top is that it has turned out to be a huge hit record. It was a massive song in Ireland last year, one of the most played songs on Irish radio. It was also used by the Irish Tourist Board for their TV and radio ads which we are very proud of.”

The Riptide Movement continue to break out across Europe playing major festivals in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Spain including GlasSo here is your chance to tonbury and Electric Picnic.

Now Australia is about to get win tickets for you and your a full-on taste of the movement.

Their single “All Works Out” has Sports Team, Club or Pub just been released here. It’s already to come for a night out with picking up airplay in advance of a The Riptide Movement at The full Australian release of the album “Getting Through” with headline Astor Theatre on Saturday Oct 31st. tour to accompany in October.

“We’ve never, ever taken ‘no’ for an answer,” says Mal. “If there’s some- To win, share the Riptide thing we want to do or achieve, we just sit down and say ‘How are we going Movement picture on the to make it happen?’ and it happens. I Irish Scene Facebook think that positivity and pull-together page at spirit comes through in our music.”

The tour, starting in Brisbane, facebook.com/irishscene makes its way to The Astor Theatre Best comment with the Perth on Saturday 31st October and is guaranteed to be one of the biggest share before 25th Sept Irish party nights of the year! You’ll get videos, venues and more on the special tour website www.AllWorksOut.com.au WORTH OF TICKETS! The Riptide Movement date adds

Riptide Movement to RIP UP PERTH

I

reland’s hottest new rock exports are on the way to Australia this October.

Hot on the heels of Hozier, The Script and U2 are The Riptide Movement, boasting a kind of rabble-rousing, blue-collar rock ’n ’roll that is instantly catchy and uplifting. The band is another shining example of how Ireland punches way above its musical weight on the world stage.

Their music has been described as somewhere between The Gaslight Anthem and The Stereophonics with songs about hometowns and hedonism to accompany fists punching the air. The boys are big fans of Bruce Springsteen and, like the Boss, they pretty much lift the roof off everywhere they play.

At home, their first major release for Universal Records “Getting Through” was a #1 Gold status album. It spawned the hits “All Works Out”, “You and I” and “Animal”. It was also honoured with a nod for the Meteor Choice Music Awards; Album of the Year.

The lead single “All Works Out” is a passionate, chiming, sing along anthem of positivity. It’s accompanied by a striking video starring Irish actress Amy Huberman, wife of rugby hero Brian O’Driscoll, and has already racked up a quarter of a million views on YouTube.

“This whole song kind of wrote itself” says lead singer Mal Tuohy. “I love being in a band but it can be quite testing on relationships and that song is

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48

With Fred Rea

The Evergreen Alan Ferguson Member of local band, Gang of Three, Alan Ferguson was born in Dumfries, Scotland. His father is a proud Stuart from Edinburgh and younger brother to Peter who fought against the Black and Tans during the Irish troubles in the early 1900’s.

Alan’s mother from Edinburgh and her grandparents on his mother’s side were from Donegal.

The grandparents on his father’s side from Peterhead. Alan was educated in Glasgow then Edinburgh.

“Well, without question it was indeed a likeness to the song The Orange and the Green on Sundays in our home. But this had good bearing on us three kids to have respect for other people’s views on religion”. Alan said Alan recalls his dad going to the Club in Glasgow on a Friday evening for his pint with the boys.

“It was only much later that I found out that he had just enough money for the pint and that would last him 2 hours”.

He added, “My mother was always at home cooking and cleaning and dinner was always on time in the early evening, simple as it was”.

Alan remembers that every Christmas the family would have a

recorded 2 albums and a live tape at Albert’s Tavern. A compilation chicken. “Can you believe that?... album of the Quarefellas is available So you don’t have to guess that we on the web but alas no royalties, were not in Tony Abbott’s circles”. they signed away all that as they At the early age of 12 he learned consumed the 44th carton of Swan to play bagpipes. “And not too Lager! Would you believe, there was badly, but still banished to the loo”. only one beer in Perth back then!

Then at age 13 Lonnie Alan moved on later to form The Donegan’s skiffle was enough to Settlers with Sean Roche and again capture Alan’s attention and with to jammed sessions playing eight the paper round that he had, bought gigs a week... “if you haven’t got his first guitar. “And, an escape enough fingers.... we did two gigs from the confines of the loo!” on Sundays, crazy times!”

“It was then that my dad infused “We travelled throughout the old Scottish songs which I Australia promoting Celtic music grasped with glee then mum, not to and song”. The Settlers recorded a be outdone, introduced me to the wonderful album Bound for Western Irish songs. Just wonderful!”

Australia which sold enough copies Later, what followed was the to reach Gold status. “I have the Celtic takeover in Alan’s life, The gold disc and plaque at home for Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, anyone in doubt”.

The Corries etc, they all had an Next for Alan came the Bonza inspiration on his Celtic music Creek Bush Band. “This band too status. was extremely successful with “In the early 70’s when I many bookings at dances and pubs. migrated to Australia I then joined The main players here were Les local band The Quarefellas . Mick Helfgott on fiddle and Joff Davies McAuley was front man, with Anita on bodhran”.

Webb on fiddle, Colin Merrey on Then it was on to The Colonials. tenor banjo and mandolin and Fred “There was Russell Clarke and Rea guitar. All five of us could sing Colin Merrey and did we have some well and contributed to rousing fun with our music. Johnny Horgan choruses. We had tons of rollicking joined the band when Colin decided fun at Railway Hotel in Barrack to move on and so it continued...

Street for Frank Riley and then it both by day and by night… Celtic was on to the late George Sassella’s, music”.

Albert’s Tavern under the old Boan’s Next was Kilkenny. “I played building”. The band played every electric guitar and bass and Annie Friday, Saturday and Sunday Coughlan on electric fiddle and a session to massive audiences. “You drummer and me trying to keep could drink and drive then, but up”. The band played to enjoyable not too much. I still meet people packed sessions at Rosie O’Grady’s who went to hear the band at these in Northbridge. venues and they recall many great “It was after this that I bought stories”. The Quarefellas studio a beef cattle farm in Chittering 50

and decided to do solo at the local wineries, golf club and pub. It started out OK but I was losing interest playing music on my own and I longed for the opportunity to play with a band again”.

Alan then joined the Gang of Three and is still going with Tom Percy on bass, Joff Davies on whistles and bazouki, Matt Singleton on a fired up fiddle and Alan on rhythm guitar, all with strong vocal ability playing at, mainly The Paddington Alehouse, Mt. Hawthorn on Monday evenings. Alan is still pushing ‘the music’ to this day. Drop in and say hello!

In between all that, Alan also joined the very successful Southern Cross Bush Band with Les Helfgott on fiddle and Maurice Archinaul playing any instrument he got his hands on but mainly 5 string banjo.

“We play Australian songs and call dances at birthday functions, weddings, divorces, funerals, schools etc, and still going”.

They may have been other bands Alan played with during the last 40 years plus and if you can recall, please let him know, it was all a haze he told me and all passed so quickly!

Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end!

Alan at a recent reunion lunch of The Quarefellas.

L-R Colin Merrey, Mick McAuley, Fred Rea, Anita Webb and Alan Ferguson.... Fergie paid for lunch!

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Are you coming or going?

Molly, my five year old daughter, recently felt the effect of a growing phenomenon she could hardly begin to comprehend. She lost Matilda, her best friend ever, to reverse migration. Matilda - who became like a second daughter to us - and her family recently moved back to Ireland having called Perth home for some time. A few weeks later a boy called Lachlan left her class and school, to return to Ireland with her parents for who Australia has been home for about ten years. Another Irish family we know at the school will return to Ireland this month (September). Wherever you look or whoever you speak with everyone seems to know someone who is going back to Ireland, or planning a return. Returnees come (or go) in all shapes and sizes, some with a limited amount of time spent Down Under while others have invested good chunks of their lives.

At the height of the mining boom the government and mainstream media were keen to tell us that between 1,000 and 1,500 people a week were streaming into Western Australia, in pursuit of economic opportunity, employment and even the enjoyment of a sun kissed lifestyle. Many of those came from other Australian states but a lot also came from overseas countries, including Ireland of course. Some came out as backpackers and stayed as long as they could while others like 475 visa holders and others came out with longer term plans, while others arrive on a wing and a prayer.

We came in large numbers and a

Girls just want to have fun... Making friends and seeing them go back to Ireland are some of the ups and downs of being Irish in Australia

lot of attention was lavished on the arrival of these migrants, a lot of it good, but not all of it was positive.

The re-emergence of the St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day parade in 2013 was one way the community expressed that it was here, and proud.

Where once there seem to be an incoming tide that trend seems to be ebbing. Not that you will hear or read about it. An increasing population was used as justification for major infrastructural works by the militantly pro development state government and the property sector.

To them people leaving the state did not suit that agenda and would not be a constituency that they would interest themselves in either.

It was always inevitable that with so many Irish coming out, a lot would eventually head back. That was always gong to be the case but given the cluster and concentration

52

of returning people it feels like a collective bout of homesickness has set in. People have as many reasons for going back as they did for coming out in the first place. The fact fewer people now seem to be coming out and the economy at home seems to be on the mend - at least in the bigger towns and cities - makes it an easier decision, but the recovery still has some way to go and things are unlikely to ever return to the levels seen during the Celtic Tiger years. Certainly the current Irish government - which has done more for the international Irish community than previous administrations - can do more, such as removing bureaucratic obstacles and restrictions to citizens returning home, to make them feel welcome and able to integrate back into Irish society.

No doubt some who return to Ireland will know they have made

the right decision while others might regret leaving Australia. A lot who remain in Australia will always be grateful and appreciative of their new home while eternally harbouring a soft spot for the country of their birth.

Making the decision to come out to Australia – especially when it is with a view to being a permanent relocation – is a major commitment. But deciding to go back ‘home’ to Ireland is at least as big a decision, if not even bigger as it might make giving it a second chance out of reach. We have all heard about the Ping Pong Pommes, British expatriates who relocate to Australia but can’t settle in their adopted home and go back again, only to return in many cases. I haven’t seen any evidence to support the idea that there are Ping Pong Paddy’s (to borrow a phrase) but there probably has been a profound change for this generation of Irish people in their relationship with Australia. Historically there has always been a strong connection between our two countries but history alone only goes so far.

Most people would be more influenced by personal experience. In the last five to ten years hundreds of thousands of Irish people have come out to visit, work, experience, live in Australia. The Australian experience will be one shared and shaped by big numbers of people of all ages in almost every part of the country.

Ireland will be a bit different now for it, and Australia too.

Next year for Christmas, my wife and I with the kids hope to go back to Ireland for a holiday and intend to catch up with Matilda’s family so that the two BFF’s can rekindle their young friendship.

An Gorta Mór

FOR WHOM THE BELLS MAY TOLL – FAMINE VICTIMS TO BE REMEMBERED The following story written by Mary Dennehy and appeared in the Dublin Echo newspaper was sent to me by my good friend Michael Blanch of the CCIFV. Mary writes….

A Tallaght Co Dublin family is behind a historic proposal which could see every denomination of church, across the entire island of Ireland, toll their bells together on September 26 – to remember the victims of the Great Irish Famine.

Raheen resident Michael Blanch and his family are the drive behind the Committee for the Commemoration of Irish Famine Victims [CCIFV], a Tallaght-based lobbying group which is responsible for the introduction of a National Day of Remembrance in 2008 by then-Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.

Since a National Day of Remembrance was introduced in 2008, CCIFV has been lobbying the Government for a fixed time on the national calendar for An Gorta Mór Sunday – with the group suggesting that the second Sunday in May should be fixed for the national day which remembers the victims and emigrants of the Great Famine.

Despite the CCIFV’s lobbying, the Irish Government has yet to commit to a fixed date for the day of remembrance and this year the significant event is being held on September 26.

Despite expressing his disappointment over the Government’s lack of commitment to a fixed date, Michael is looking ahead and hoping that this year, every church will toll their bells at the same time on September 26 in remembrance of those who lost their lives or left Irish shores during An Gorta Mór.

Michael said: “As far as I can recall, this

53

will be a first for Ireland – the first time that churches across the whole island of Ireland, off all denominations, will reunite in remembrance.

“I have made contact with every Christian church in Ireland and I am now starting to approach other faith leaders.

“While not all religious denominations have bells to toll, it’s important everyone is given the opportunity to be part of the remembrance in their own way.”

He added: “We are all descendants of those who lived through the famine or lost their lives or emigrated, so this day is also a celebration of life.

“This will be an historic day where everybody will be united in the light of peace.

“It will show the universality of the famine, Protestant, Catholic and dissenter lie in mass graves side by side on the island of Ireland and we should now stand side by side in remembrance.

“We must also not forget those today in hunger, poverty, conflict and displacement from their homes and homeland.”

In correspondence to the CCIFV, the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin said: “I have forwarded a copy of your request to the Executive Secretary of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Gearóid Dullea, with a request to bring your correspondence to the attention of the conference.”

Many Australian has ancestry that goes back to the Famine days in Ireland when, for one reason or another, Irish men, women and children made the long journey from home never again to see the land of their birth. We ask readers to diarise the 26th of September and take a moment on that day to remember them!

The Perth Bell Tower has come on board. They will ring the bells for the Irish Famine Victims on 26th September. Details will be on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/irishscene Fred Rea

Irish Families in Perth

Western Australia

e Updat

Who are we?

Irish Families in Perth (IFIP) contribute to a cohesive Irish community by working in conjunction with the many wonderful groups in Perth that support Irish culture and heritage.

Every Wednesday, they meet for a play at a local park, at the moment it’s Mawson Park in Hillary’s, from 10am for a chat and a play.

There are also other activities during the week.

For the Mums, they have a night out planned in Hillary’s mid September and a family weekend event in October too, plus the Halloween party in Go Bananas on Sat 31st Oct is set to be a great day for the smallies.

“Irish Families in Perth” is a voluntary, non-profit organisation with nearly 10,000 members.

We provide Irish emigrants with advice on how to best assimilate into the Western Australian culture and lifestyle. We communicate with our subscribers through a social media where topics such as housing, jobs, visa enquiries and social events are covered. It is a vibrant, active forum that provides a wealth of knowledge to young families and single individuals emigrating to Western Australia.

of toys for the older kiddies, not to mention an Irish cuppa and a friendly welcome. Great mixture of ages from bumps to 5 years old.

‘Irish Mams Perth (NOR)’ run by Linda Morton and Maria Horman, who run a playgroup in Padbury on Monday mornings from 9.30am12.30 in Padbury Community Kindergarten, Caley Road Padbury.

Featuring a lovely inside space for the little ones with an attached fenced shaded playground with lots

The other mums page we have links to is ‘Irish Mammies Perth’ which is run by Maria Byrne, hosts activites and a playgroup that meets twice a week at ‘Playgroup WA’ in North Perth and also other get togethers in Chipmonks etc.

Social nights out for the mums are often held and they are having a big Christmas boat party including the dads, so lots to look forward to on the run into summer in Perth!

IFIP aims to:

• Co-ordinate Irish family events around Perth Including weekly playgroups • Support Irish families along with The Claddagh Association • Develop Irish culture and heritage: Gaelic Games, Irish Dancing, Irish Language and Irish Folklore • Help Irish families with any problems that might arise by providing a link to Australian and Irish support services We have close links to other Face Book Irish social groups such as

Email: irishinperth@hotmail.com You can find our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/irishfamiliesinperth/ Irish Families in Perth - 9,551 members 54

By Lloyd Gorman

The 1965 epic movie Giant was screened on GEM (August 23/24. A big movie with a big cast - which includes the likes of Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, Dennis Hopper to name a few - it tells the saga of a Texas family from just after the end of World War I until after World War II. The opening scene is of Hudson’s character ‘Bick’ arriving into a tiny and remote train station, a dot in the vast American landscape. On the side of the diminutive station is the name of the station and place, Ardmore, Oaklahoma, named by the railway company that built it after the original Ardmore in Co. Wicklow.

It’s not only places that can be traced back to their Irish origins. A new season of Who do you think you are? returned to SBS on August 4, and opened with well known Australian actor Geoffrey Rush who seems to have had a hundred famous roles on screen. From the outset he is aware of a descendant who came out from Ireland in the 1820’s, but nothing more than that. Quite quickly he is able to build up a comprehensive picture of John Thomas Rush, who aged 47, was transported as a convict on a charge of stealing cash in 1822. He is able to follow his

progress into Australian life, and even history. Who do you think you are also featured Irish comic Brendan O’Carroll on August 15.

(It is possible to watch these on the ABC’s website) I didn’t get to see this one at the time but Dara O’Briain, interviewed his boyhood idol Stephen Hawking on SBSOne, July 18 but the interview and encounter can be seen on You Tube. O’Briain spends time with the world’s most famous scientist and his family to get to beneath the man’s skin. It is a fascinating insight into a brilliant mind. I once almost met Hawking. As a reporter for the Irish News of the World in Dublin we got a tip off that the man himself was in a nearby shopping centre and I was dispatched with a photographer to find and interview him. When we found him he was in an open restaurant, being fed soup by his helper. I couldn’t bring myself to approach him mid meal and decided to hold back at least until he was finished.

Unfortunately security spotted me and particularly the photographer who was angling for a shot - and we were expelled from the premises. It would have been something to talk to this towering intellect on his brief visit to Dublin for a conference, but alas it was not to be.

Grand Designs on July 19, ABC, was in Northern Ireland, Maghera, Co. Derry to be precise, to follow the progress of farmer and architect Patrick Bradley, 34, who designed and built his own house on the family farm, using shipping containers.

55

His unusual home was recognised in April of this year with a Royal Institute of British Architects excellence awards.

The IT Crowd, a comedy show that will grow on you, features Irish actor Chris O’Dowd and written by Fr. Ted creator Graham Linehan, toyed with the idea of his character (Roy) and that of his best friend Mos being ‘married’. It was a playful and harmless twist that coincided with the recent referendum in Ireland on same sex marriage. This topic was explored (on the same night and channel - July 9, ABC2) by another Irish comic genius on Australian TV, with Dylan Moran making a typically sardonic appearance on The Weekly, with Charlie Pickering.

ABC’s Foreign Correspondent went to Ireland and produced a thoroughly good documentary about the build up and aftermath of the same sex referendum, shown on July 21.

Dara O’Briain and Ed Byrne took on an epic journey as they travel along one of the world’s greatest roads, the Pan American Highway.

This three parter started on July 6, on SBS. Along the way the boys have a lot of fun and a few hairy moments of course, but also learn some interesting new facts, such as the original masked wrestler for which Mexico is fa-

mous, was in fact an Irish man.

A very young Sinéad Cusack, appeared alongside Peter Sellers in the 1971 film Hoffman. Cusack, born 1948 in Dalkey, Co.Dublin, looks and sounds freshly Irish in this movie which has an adult theme. Cusack is now heading towards the other end of her long and distinguished acting career so it was a relatively unusual chance to glimpse her in an early role.

Irish actress and comedian Sharon Horgan played the role of Sharon, a teacher, who falls pregnant during what starts out as a casual fling with an American. Catastrophe (ABC Thurdsay nights in August/ September) and is very funny and well worth a watch if you can. (Episodes can be watched on iView) I don’t know what nights it was on, but Irish language drama produced by TG4 Corp Agus Anam was repeated on NITV. Your Irish doesn’t have to be up to scratch to enjoy this

as the story is well told and the sub titles go a long way to filling in the blanks of comprehension.

Today tonight on Channel 7 took a look at the Irish in Perth on July 3.

The daily current affairs programme (which shares the same name as the RTE programme that was broadcast between October 1980 and August 1992) took a look at why so many Irish were coming to Perth, and at the Irish community already here – past and present. As part of this short programme they interviewed Fred Rea, Lena and Paddy Costelloe former presidents of the Irish Club, Nick Henihan who manages the Club. A good little plug for the Club and the Community to a wider audience.

Every time TNTV appears another new Irish made cartoon seems to have popped up on Australian TV. This time its I’m a monster, a short cartoon produced in Ireland, with help of RTE.ie and others, on ABC3 in June. It adds to the long list of Irish made cartoons, including, Puffin Island, Bubble

•

The Fiddler of Dooney

My Land

by Thomas Osborne Davis

She is a rich and rare land; Oh! she’s a fresh and fair land; She is a dear and rare land– This native land of mine.

No men than her’s are braver– Her women’s hearts ne’er waver; I’d freely die to save her, And think my lot divine.

She’s not a dull or cold land; No! she’s a warm and bold land; Oh! she’s a true and old land– This native land of mine.

Could beauty ever guard her, And virtue still reward her, No foe would cross her border– No friend within it pine!

Oh! she’s a fresh and fair land; Oh! she’s a true and rare land; Yes! she’s a rare and fair land– This native land of mine.

IRISH IRISH MUSIC MUSIC

SESSION

W.B. Yeats (1865–1939) from: The Wind Among the Reeds (1899)

When I play on my fiddle in Dooney, Folk dance like a wave of the sea; My cousin is priest in Kilvarnet, My brother in Moharabuiee.

EVERY TUESDAY

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I passed my brother and cousin: They read in their books of prayer; I read in my book of songs I bought at the Sligo fair.

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When we come at the end of time, To Peter sitting in state, He will smile on the three old spirits, But call me first through the gate;

Every Tuesday: Guinness $6 from 6pm

For the good are always the merry, Save by an evil chance, And the merry love the fiddle And the merry love to dance:

Woodbridge Hotel

And when the folk there spy me, They will all come up to me, With ‘Here is the fiddler of Dooney!’

And dance like a wave of the sea.

50 EAST STREET GUILDFORD

9377 1199 56

www.facebook.com/perthcomhaltas Comhaltas Perth has a long and proud history of providing inspiration to children and young people to learn and love Irish music and dance.

For many years the club provided lessons on Monday nights taken by Sean Doherty. In a corner of the large open space at the Irish Club Sean could be found teaching a mixed class of fiddlers, banjo and flute players, accordion players and Irish whistle players. Players with little prior experience were never rejected

by Sean and people of all ages were accommodated as they learned traditional Irish tunes.

In addition Sean always had another 20 or more students each week who came to his home for individual lessons to improve their skills. More recently Sean gave lessons on Sunday afternoons in Victoria Park to a range of young people is whistle and fiddle.

A key mark of the success and endeavour of Comhaltas has been the emergence of some of Sean’s students (many of whom began to learn at 8 years or younger) as tutors at Comhaltas.

A notable example of this is Robert Zielinski (right) a highly accomplished traditional fiddle player who after early lessons from Sean spent 14 years in Ireland learning from the older generation of Irish fiddle players. In 1996 Robert won Ireland’s Michael Coleman Traditional Fiddler of the Year.

Robert taught traditional Irish

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fiddle in the home of music before returning to Western Australia. Describing himself as a lifelong student Robert also learned from the late Mick Doherty.

Although now highly sought after as a performer and an outstanding violin restorer, Robert still makes time to come to Comhaltas at the Irish Club on Friday nights to pass on his skills to players young and old. His popular classes attract fiddle and whistle players and are usually followed by a session.

Other adults who gained their skills from Sean Doherty and Robert Zielinski who have also given their time willingly to teach at Comhaltas are Sean’s son Brendan and Maureen Walker. Both have given outstanding service teaching the senior’s group ( Brendan) or the younger students (Maureen).

Maureen also taught with Sean on Sundays at Victoria Park.

All these tutors and others give their time unstintingly at the annual Comhaltas camp at Bickley.

Song is not neglected either and Tommy Kearns has long given singing lessons at the camp.

Irish dancing is extremely popular with younger Comhaltas Perth people and Hilary McKenna and Marina Scully-Ward provide enthusiastic now meets on Friday lessons for young nights. Come and people. Dancing is learn a tune 8pm in always popular at the the committee room camps and dancers or join in the session never want for players ( starts off slow). You to play while they practise their steps. don’t have to be a Comhaltas is member of Comhaltas proud to be keeping to join in. There is the Irish music and also set dancing most dance tradition alive Friday’s about 8.30 in Perth. As groups of youngsters finish pm. It’s great fun, school and move off beginners welcome. to University, to travel or to work, the club often Irish language classes sees the disappearance of its talented young people. are still on Monday However, we always welcome them back whether nights at the club it’s just to play or to pass on their skills by teaching at between 7 and 8pm.

Comhaltas.

WEEKLY SESSION EVERY FRIDAYS AT THE IRISH CLUB

Are to be logged!

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Dining Guide

Sponsor: McLoughlin’s Butchers

with Danielle O’Leary

Old Mother Hubbard awaits your visit…

Sometimes in Perth, you feel like you know all that is out there.

You know all the good spots for dinner and more importantly, you know all the spots to avoid.

When asked to review Old Mother Hubbard Café on Aberdeen Street (where the old Shed used to be), I had no idea what to expect, I had never heard of it; and no wonder, as it was only open four weeks. Walking up to it on a rainy Monday night, every expectation I could have had was exceeded and more.

Old Mother Hubbard is a lovely house meets sophisticated café. A number of tables placed between mix-matched comfortable couches are scattered inside and in an alfresco area. Thankfully, the café ignores the recent Perth trend of trying to squeeze as many tables as possible in a space – I need

room to gossip, I don’t want the people next to me listening to my conversation!).

Old Mother Hubbard has everything you could possibly want from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. Remember the amazing sandwiches made in front of you in Ireland? You will find that here. Craving a delicious homemade cake and a ridiculously good coffee after 5pm? Again, you will find that here. The Dimattina coffee, a local Perth supplier, is one of the best blends I have had in a long time. And the lovely Molly makes one of the best coffees I have ever had in Perth.

The dinner menu is extensive and reasonably priced. For our entrée, we shared the Buffalo Chicken Wings served with chef ’s salad. The wings were fantastic; delicious and messy, the way wings should be. A generous serving of six full wings; your guilt is amended by the perfectly complimenting salad. Make sure you have extra napkins, though!

For our main dinner, we ordered the Barramundi Special – served on a bed of sweet potato mash and broccolini. The fish was perfectly cooked and the sides of vegetables rounded out a brilliant special dish. We also ordered the Slow Braised Lamb Shank Bourguignon served in red wine jus with mashed potato

and seasonal vegetables. This dish was the best lamb shank dish I have had in Perth – the infusion of the French flavours made it sophisticated whilst being comforting and homely.

The serving was generous and even though I struggled to finish the meal, I was left wanting more. As much as we wanted to, we could not fit in dessert – but we would have definitely ordered the Raspberry Pana Cotta.

I cannot recommend Old Mother Hubbard more. Since our night there, I have told every one I know about it. It is a refreshing inclusion on the Perth scene – it is honest, delicious and offers great value for money. The staff, also, are fantastic – Stephen and Molly have the perfect level of professionalism and friendliness. If you love food (and if you are reading this, I know you do), head to Old Mother Hubbard as soon as you can. Make sure you get those ridiculously good chicken wings…

Old Mother Hubbard 69-71 Aberdeen St, Perth Bookings: 9228 2200

McLoughlin Butchers Malaga Proud Supporters of the Irish Scene Drop in and see our range of Irish prepared meats mcloughlinbutchers.com.au Like us on facebook

58

The Australian-Irish Heritage

Association HISTORY MEETING

Yeats

Exhibition

T

his year sees the celebration of Yeats 2015 in Ireland, being the 150th Anniversary of his death and as the advertising advises us, it will be an International Celebration of the Life and Works of W.B. Yeats, across Ireland, across the World, across the Year. Through the good offices of Consul Marty Kavanagh, the AIHA and Notre Dame University are organising a Display to honour that great Irish Man of Words. The exact date will be announced as soon as the material arrives from the Eastern States. It is planned to have the exhibition over a two week period.

Our History Meeting on 20th August proved to be a precursor for next year, as Former President of the Association, Brian Corr gave an excellent presentation on the Assassination of Michael Collins. Brian’s talk much new information gleaned from several recent books and studied interpretation of recently released government papers by the Irish and British Governments. His insightful and studied assessment of all the information was very well received and I am sure laid to rest some of the grey areas surrounding that tragic event. Spirited debate ensued.

THE FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB Next gathering will be Tuesday 22 September at 8pm in the Irish Club, Townsend Rd Subiaco.

Book: Last Orders by Graham Sweet.

Free. All welcome. Contact: Maureen 9279 5959

1916 COMMEMORATION CELEBRATIONS

At the first meeting chaired by Marty Kavanagh, Honorary Consul of Ireland, many groups were represented and lots of ideas were put forward for consideration. The second meeting was disappointing in numbers, but hopefully the absentees were in a huddle formulating and planning their idea. The AIHA is in planning mode and hopes to get its application in for funding soon. We are hoping to run a Seminar in July 2016 on the effects of the Rising with input from noted historians and also commemorate with an Ecumenical Service.

All Irish groups should seize the chance to display our “Irishy” in many different ways.

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We welcome enquiries to: AUSTRALIAN-IRISH HERITAGE ASSOCIATION Non Political-Non Sectarian-Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583 Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530. Email: aiha@irishheritage.net Web Page: www.irishheritage.net Membership Due in 1st January.

Family membership $65, Concession $55, Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 The Australian-Irish Heritage Association was founded in 1993 as an inclusive organisation which encourages and promotes an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage and Culture. To this end, the AIHA creates opportunities for all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive heritage.

land of

&

Ireland

honey

Towards Easter Monday 2016 I

reland has not forgotten. The question now on everyone’s lips contemplating a journey is “Are you going home for ‘The Rising’ celebrations?” In more cases than not the answer will be “Of course I am”.

There will be a flow into Ireland for Easter Monday, the Proclamation will be read and old differences will be discussed and debated. Due honour will be accorded those whose blood was shed and long into the night old stories that never made the headlines will be taken out of the memory box and shared. Wonderful old stories, they are, of individual acts of bravery, compassion and star crossed love and sacrifice, and as foretold Ireland will not forget because “They left us our dead”.

What a foolishly misguided fortuitous act that was.

Down the centuries every skirmish, rebellion and Eirigh Amach has involved lrish women. History would have you believe that they played minor roles but this case is not at all

proven and indeed though they might not always have been centre stage their influence and power in the strangest of ways, far outweighed the roles allotted them.

The 1916 Rising is a case in point. A lot of powerful women, some of whose influence wasn’t that apparent, bestrode the scene and left a lasting legacy. There were prominent figures like Hannah Sheehy Skeffington, Kathleen Clarke, The Mc Sweeney sisters and many, many more. Then, of course there was Lady Agusta Gregory, Maud Gonne and Constance Gore Booth - The Countess Markevich. Now these last three ladies had an advantage. They were not only Ascendency but they had captured their own Troubadour - William Butler Yeats the Nobel Laureate probably the most highly acclaimed poet of the era. He did them proud. He enshrined their efforts and sacrifices in some of the most beautiful poetry and drama of the times. He stayed at their wonderful houses, indeed he overstayed

at their wonderful houses. He felt madly, deeply in and lust with one of them and made her his Muse for all time. He allowed another one to feed him, cosset him and give him free run of a glorious estate. The third lady was so truly beautiful with a most wonderful house Lissadell that she inspired some of his most beautiful, lyrical poetry. W.B. not only really liked beautiful ladies; he really, really liked beautiful houses. These three women, whilst definitely not the only women, punched above their weight for varied reasons. They were not a peasant stock but like the newly converted they passionately believed in what they were doing. They are interesting with a mixture of motives and that inalienable instinct of people who know just who they are. It is only six months to the centenary so we should be able to have a vignette of each for the next three editions.

So let’s start next edition with Lady Agusta, the lady who reinvented herself.

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Geraldton: The pipes, the pipes are calling

by Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman When the men of Geraldton marched off to war in World War I leaving the safety and familiarity of their home town they were accompanied for the first step of their journey into danger and duty by the sounds of an Irish uileann pipe. As the town’s fresh faced raw recruits boarded the train at Geraldton Railway Station, bound for Perth, and ultimately Egypt, Gallipoli, Belgium, France and Palestine, John Smithwick Wayland presumably piped tunes such as Waltzing Matilda but perhaps also some exotic Irish airs. Wayland, born at Gould’s Cross, Co. Tipperary, on June 25, 1868, the tenth child of Palliser and Martha Wayland. He was later recognised and rewarded for his service to the young men with a gold medal that was subscribed for and struck

by the readers of the local newspaper, the (Geraldton) Guardian’.

Captain W C Robinson presented the medallion - with the inscription “Presented to J S Wayland, Piper to the Geraldton (WA) Recruits for the Great War”. At a recruiting rally held at the town hall on 5 January 1916. (Later in life, around 1938 there is an emotional and poignant account of him playing the lament ‘The Flowers of the Forest’ on Anzac Day. He was a new arrival to the town, having just landed in the area in 1913, but became an instant icon and institution thanks to his musical skills. During the war years (19141918) dressed in a green waistcoats and mauve knee-britches Wayland was regularly seen and heard playing the uillean pipes outside the Club Hotel, at the train station or on the town’s wharf or providing music for community functions and events. St Patrick’s naturally was a special occasion and excuse for him to play native Irish airs and tunes to his adoring Australian audience.

He had only come to Perth and Western Australia in 1912. The Daily News reported his arrival (on October 1, 1912) under the headline Famous Irish Piper A Visit to Australia. “Included among the passengers who landed at Fremantle today was Mr. John S. Wayland, the famous Irish bagpipe player. He is on a visit to different parts of the world for the purpose of reviving public interest in old Irish music and step-dancing. He will spend a couple of months in Western Australia for the purpose of instructing the local Irish Pipers Band.

Mr Wayland formed the first Irish Pipers Club in the world. He is a native of Co. Tipperary, near Rock of Cashel, which is the famous castle of kings, which was the city of Kings long before Dublin and Cork were built. Accompanying Mr Wayland is Miss Maisie McCarthy, champion stepdancer of Ireland. She was the winner of the challenge silver cup at Dublin in open competition recently, 79 others competing. Previous to that she had won thirty other priz-

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es. Mr Wayland and Miss McCarthy were met at Fremantle by Father Crowley and Mr J Monaghan and many others Mr Wayland plays on the Irish Union bags, which are 130 years old.”

Wayland was invited by Father Crowley, the founder of the Perth Irish Warpipe Band, to come to WA in 1912. He was warmly welcomed and well received in Perth but decided to move to Geraldton in the following year. There he taught shorthand, tin whistle, fiddle and step dancing and set up the town’s first pipe band.

In 1898 Wayland had founded the Cork Piper’s Club, the first of its kind in the world. His prowess on the pipes was widely celebrated and known.

He even had a double brush with royalty, in the UK and in Australia.

Wayland had played at the investiture of the King Edward VII at Carnarvon, Wales in 1911. The two men met again in 1920, when the English monarch toured Australia, and held a friendly and long chat.

If Wayland had had a big impact on his arrival to WA, sadly his final days were marked by obscurity. His death in Nazareth House, Geraldton, on 29 May, 1954, went unnoticed and he was buried in Utakarra, just outside Geraldton, in an unmarked grave.

This unfortunate amnesia was reversed on the fortieth anniversary of his death, when a plaque recognising his contribution to the community was unveiled at his grave.

This is the piper John Smithwick Wayland, who founded the Cork Pipers’ Club (www. corkpipersclub.com) in 1898, and some young female musicians from the club

Vale MOLLY HEALY

JOHN FALVEY

Molly who passed away peacefully on Sunday 2 August after a long illness was the devoted wife of Joe Healy (deceased) and loving mother of Mary-Anne, Gerard, Patrick and Michael.

February 8, 1960 – July 28, 2015 It was sad to hear of the passing of John Falvey while I was in Ireland. At a gathering in the Rob Roy pub in Cork, George and Mary Foolkes along with Sean Roche, Lilly, myself and friends toasted John with a drink.

John had just returned from Ireland where he attended a family reunion.

To Seamus, Matthew and Lillian and extended families we extend our deepest sympathy.

Slan Abhaile a Chara.

Fred Rea

The family wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of St Rita’s Nursing Home in North Perth who looked after Molly with dignity and respect over the past five years.

Molly was a kind and gentle woman.

May she rest in peace

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trip through the complexities of love human foibles.

Over the Top is a more sombre tale set in the trenches of the First World War, written by Rodney Quinn and directed by Katie Galvin. We are introduced to two soldiers, Jack and Tommy, old hands at war and suitably jaded. The arrival of two young new recruits, Witter and Billy, begins a conversation which reveals the true reasons behind each man’s presence in the trenches. As we are taken through their stories, we are introduced, albeit briefly, to the people they have left behind, giving the play a feeling of wasted youth and lost hope.

The cast work well together, and Katie Galvin has managed to express the futility of war whilst retaining the humanity of those involved by highlighting the quick wit and sharp humour employed by the men.

The final scene of the two soldiers going “Over The Top” is an excellent example of how good lighting and sound can solidify the excellent performances. The silhouettes of the two soldiers, black against the white glare of the exploding bombs around them as they charge to certain death leaves an indelible snapshot of young lives wasted and is the perfect ending to a moving and thought provoking play.

The third play in the trio is WAG, written by Gemma Doorly, is the story of a confrontation between the wife and mistress of a famous footballer.

The casting is excellent with the chemistry between the two actors adding to the tension on stage. Woman A and Woman B play to each other perfectly with the dialogue alternating between rapid fire accusations and sarcastic retorts to moments of total silence that only serve to highlight the predicament the women find themselves in. By the end of the play the audience feels for both characters and the situation they have found themselves in, which is no mean feat as both women have a fair number of unlikeable character flaws. This is testament to the flawless acting and character development of the actors.

Director Caroline McDonnell has shown a true talent in her interpretation of this play and it is especially

One Act Plays Season Reviewed by Elizabeth Quigley

In Theatre Land One Act plays can be a hard beast to tame. The knack is to combine plays of a nature dissimilar enough to keep an audience’s attention yet blended in such a way that you don’t feel like you were just made to watch your Nanna learning to pole dance.

The Irish Theatre Players have pulled this off in their most recent production; a series of three one acts covering topics as diverse as the trials of war, randy footballers and the contents of a very busy fridge.

Thanks to the combination of skilful directing and excellent acting these topics were seamlessly joined in a thoroughly enjoyable fashion.

Each play is performed against the backdrop of a large black curtain and the sets are all simple but completely effective in conveying the atmosphere of the individual productions. From ramshackle sofas to sackcloth and tin hats; each prop fits perfectly. There’s even a framed photo of David Beckham – who could argue with that?

The first play is “Voice in the Rubble” an absurdist comedy written by Darren Donohue. The action centres on the lives of married couple Avril and Tony and begins with Tony entering the room declaring how bad his day has been. This seems normal enough but when the reason for his unfortunate mood is discovered to be the fact that he was discovered having “sexual intercourse” with his secretary and was consequently fired for his poor performance, you know this isn’t going to be your run of the mill comedy.

The pace is fast and tight, thanks to the excellent direction of Lisa Reilly and the story progresses with the discovery of a previously thought deceased initially unknown half naked man falling out of the fridge, the future version of Tony turning up to lay claim to his wife and Avril trying desperately to seduce her present day husband whilst he tries to avoid her advances with the subtlety of a fourteen year old schoolboy.

The acting is great, with the players perfectly in tune with one another, making what could have been a rather confusing play in the hands of the wrong cast a hilarious

65

impressive considering this is her first one the ‘other side of the curtain’.

So, all in all, if you missed them, give yourself a good kick and make sure you get your tickets for the next production from the Irish Theatre Players; a troupe of talented and dedicated people who make a night out at the theatre about as far from watching your Nanna pole dance as possible.

Congratulations all round to for the wonderful new stairs entrance to The Irish Club. Not just the stairs but also the bar area of the Irish Club Theatre. It is much more welcoming and its great to see Claire and her team continue the fine work of former president, Fiona Murphy. Bouquets all round!

For information on future productions visit... www.irishtheatreplayers.com.au or email to itp@irishtheatreplayers.com.au or by phone on 0406 085 620.

Noel O’Neill’s plays at Galway and Edinborough Fringe Festivals During my recent visit to Ireland I attended the performance of Noel O’Neill’s Under Any Old Gum Tree at the Galway Fringe Festival. Noel, Kieran Garvey, Rex Gray and John Spurling are to be congratulated for putting on another wonderful performance of the play about Martin O’Meara VC under very trying circumstances. The venue left a lot to be desired and was very poorly organised. But as the saying goes, “The Show must go on” and that they surely did. I am sorry to say but if it was me I would have up stumps and gone home. They deserved better. Martin O’Meara’s

grand niece saw the play for the first time and said it was very emotional for her.

Noel, Rex and John went on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Noel’s play Holly and Ivy. Here is the 4 star review from TV Bomb in Edinborough....

“A “Merry Christmas” sign hangs on the wall and in front of it a table with a christmas cloth, a pot of tea and two sisters, Holly and Ivy. Such

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seasonal wishes remind the audience that this is meant to be a time of joy and laughter, yet deaths can’t be planned and family trauma provides a poignant contrast. Simple but effective. The minimalist set allows the acting and content to shine.

Following the death of their mother, the two sisters powerfully relive their memories, grieving in entirely different ways. Tensions run high as the sisters battle out their

Under Any Old Gum Tree at Galway Fringe

Rex, Noel and Kieran with Kieran’s parents contrasting emotions. Just because someone is dead does that mean your real feelings towards them should change?

Beautiful Scottish accents add to this moving drama. The two sisters are joined briefly by an old family friend, adding a change in dynamic. Noel O’Neill is just as convincing as a Scots man as he is a drunk, whilst Catriona M. Coe (Holly) and Sandra Sando (Ivy) deliver strong performances with real emotion.

A story of misunderstandings, secrets and guilt. Emotive and funny at times, the play unfolds with a shocking twist. This wonderfully presented one act play delves deep and reminds us that not everything in life is a straight forward as it may seem.

An engaging and delightful portrayal”.

Well done Noel and I know that people are starting to take notice of your wonderful craft to bring your plays to stage.

Fred Rea

Rose Mannion from Lorrha, Noel and Noreen O’Meara Sasha, Rose and Kieran

Noel with Martin O’Meara War Medal

Fred Rea and Noreen O’Meara 67

A car load of tourists, holidaying in Ireland, decided to do a bit of deer hunting.

They had heard about this in the local pub. The folowing morning off they went looking for a place to hunt and pulled into a farmer’s yard in County Waterford.

The driver, Wally, went up to the farmhouse to ask permission to hunt on the farmer’s land.

The old farmer said, “Sure you can hunt, but would you be doing me a favour? That old donkey standing over there is 20 years old and pretty sick, but I don’t have the heart to put her down.

Would you do it for me?”

Wally replied, “Of course I will,” and strolled back to the car.

While walking back, however, Wally decided to play a trick on his hunting friends. He got into the car and when they asked if the farmer had said if it was alright, he said, “No, we can’t hunt here, but I’m going to teach that old bugger a lesson he won’t forget.”

With that, the Wally rolled down his window, stuck his gun out and shot the donkey.

As he shouted, “To be shure, that will teach that grumpy old farmer,” a second shot rang out from the passenger side and one of his hunting mates yelled, “I agree and me, begorrah Wally, I got the cow.”

ULSTER

Rambles with David MacConnell

FROM ULSTER TO MUNSTER We occasionally travelled to Donegal from Belfast in the early seventies but that was usually for a rugby game. They always gave us a great time. The craic was mighty and we would stay the night.

We would also travel to Galway for the Easter rugby sevens. We all thought this was an event not to be missed. I occasionally visited my relations in Kells Co Meath and in Cross Keys between Cavan town and Ballyjamesduff. But if you wanted to go from Donaghadee ( yeah the one that’s supposed to be six miles from Bangor) Co Down in Ulster to Doolan, Co Clare in Munster, you would not have found it an easy trip.

“From Ulster to Munster ……. And a lot to see in the middle ……”

I recently looked it up on the map and to be honest, it is not that far from Galway. Well not on the map I looked at. With the new roads in the South, it is now best to go via Dublin taking you four and a half hours at the very least.

Now strangely enough, that is almost the same time it takes to drive to Geraldton from Perth. It is 424 km from Dohaghadee to Doolin and it is 427 km from Perth to Geraldton via the Brand Highway and 419 via the coast. I had a gig there (in Geraldton NOT DOOLIN) a few months ago to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Mid-West Irish Club.

Stan the man (complete with his bass) collected me early one Saturday morning and we loaded up his jeep for the journey. Stan is great to travel with. He has certainly kissed a lot of

girly Blarney Stones in his day and listening to his stories soon passed the time. Now I did get my own back on the return journey and so we declared it a draw.

We arrived in Geraldton and participated in a bit of lunch before looking for the club. Well I can’t deny our first reaction. “Let’s go home!” said Stan. “We can’t play music in there”. We were looking at the front of the place as per pic on right.

Luckily, we drove a little further to find out there was a large extension Continued on page 69

The Mid-West Irish Club

By David MacConnell Well Stan the man from Fiddlesticks and myself to be sure Set off from Perth to Geraldton to be there before four But when the both of us saw that tiny tinny shed hub Luckily around at the back was a great wee Irish Club From Ulster to Munster and Geraldton nowhere near there From Catholic to Lutheran…. hay, who or what or where?

Near Howard Street and Fourth Street lies a strange little Irish pub Where the craic is more than mighty in this Mid-West Irish Club Now Jack was at the back with Kathleen his wife They’d survived ups and downs they’d lived a helluva life They’d managed this wee club for an awfully long time They’d always talked the talk guzzled the beer & drank the wine Now Paddy Monaghan before them had showed them most of the way And Frank our friend Kelly he always had his say And of course Eileen Martin she worked behind the scene And I’m sure quite a few others worked so ever hard in between But the man of the moment well Murphy was his name Eoin to some of his friends with his pretty partner Elaine They are the young ones that they hoped would take over To make sure the beer sold so that no one a ‘tall was sober.

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at the back which turned out to be most conducive for Irish music. The place was almost full and that was at four o’clock! There was a great atmosphere as you can see from these pictures.

Now in the same area where the club was situated was another unique building. It was a little church of great charm especially for someone who comes from Ulster. Morning mass was held quite early but within half an hour of this finishing, it magically (mythically) transferred into a Lutheran Church. Oh if I could only take it back to Co Antrim or even Co. Armagh. I had to write a little song about this (see page 68).

Thanks to all the crew in Geraldton for their kind hospitality. Keep that old spirit going me lads. David

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Northern Ireland’s newest tourist attraction: The Gobbins. Located in Islandmagee along the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, this dramatic 2 mile cliffface walk will thrill intrepid Australian travellers, giving them the opportunity to walk just meters above the crashing waves of the Irish Sea below.

Originally built in 1902, this newly restored Edwardian marvel features a series of bridges, caves and tunnels carved through the County Antrim basalt.

Traverse your way along the winding path taking in the stunning views, heritage, and flora and fauna of this geologically diverse landscape.

Visitors will be able to walk its full length, through tunnels and over thrilling water-splashed metal bridges and gantries.

Northern Ireland’s tourism minister Jonathan Bell visited the path on Tuesday.

He said: “I am certain the restoration of the historic coastal path and the development of the new visitor centre will help put this stunning coastline back on the tourist map.

Tours will begin from the new Gobbins Visitor Centre which also offers an interpretation and exhibition area, tourist information point and a shop offering local crafts and branded memorabilia.

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Around the Irish scene in Ireland ..

Compiled by Fred Rea Courtesy of Tourism Lilly and myself have just Ireland we returned from a wonderful did the Hop trip to Ireland. I thought I on Hop Off would take this opportunity Bus Dublin to show readers what we tour.... got up to and the wonderful Brilliant... people we met during our Here we are travels. Looking back now, I at the am in awe as to how much historic Four we covered, so here goes..... Courts on the Quays.

Try it!

Trinity City Hotel concierge was very helpful!

On arrival at Dublin Airport we picked up our Dan Dooley trustworthy hire car made our way to our first stay, The Trinity City Hotel in Pearce Street in Dublin. This was recommended by Tourism Ireland and it was excellent.

Centrally located behind Trinity College, it is close to all the tourist spots in Dublins Fair city.

No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to to see Molly Malone.

She had been moved but we found it.

1916 events are starting now and 2016 will be huge...

Book your trip and digs early!

Pete St John also organised a visit to The Mansion House and a meeting with The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh. The Mayor told us she had an uncle living in Perth. More about this visit in later issue.

Carmel and Mark O’Brien brought us to their local and a fine feed we had too.

No trip to Dublin would be complete for Lilly and myself without a visit to my good friend the legendary, Pete St John. We had lunch with Pete and had a wonderful chat about his plans for the 1916-2016 commemoration.

On hearing that we were celebrating our 40th Wedding anniversary, the management of the Beaumont presented us with a bottle of Pete’s Rare Old Times Whiskey.

Thank you Pete for making us so welcome.

Met Ex-Pat Ken McKeon and he sends good wishes to his many Perth friends.

We handed over all our photos and files of the late Mons O’Shea to his niece, Brid McCarthy.

Shared wonderful memories of the great man.

Valerie and Andy Kavanagh kindly took us to the highest pub in Ireland, Johnny Fox’s.

Every OZ visitor must go to this pub in the Dublin Hills. Its amazing!

I attended the Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa Commemoration in Glasnevin and heard Red Hurley perform Pete St John’s Spirit of the Gael song for the first time. This is another classic from Pete and it will be sung all over the world next year when we remember the 1916 Easter Rising. I will have more to say about this in future issues.

Below: Fred Rea, Red Hurley and Pete St John.

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Mayo is a beautiful spot and Knock is where you will find regular Perth visitors, Gerry and Elsie Tully. They own the Divine Mercy B&B and made us very welcome. The knock on the door in the local pub at 1am in the morning was a classic, who locked the guests out????

Kinsale is a grand spot and the Blue Haven is where you will find Noel and Tess Colganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Madeline. We will have that cuppa next time!

Dave McGilton took us to the Speckled Door in Garretstown for lunch.

Dave is a brilliant song Kinsale is also where we writer and was very much caught up with Breda and involved with the Roses Jacinta McCarthy. Breda from the Heart convict is the mother of Regina women project with us McFadden who was involved in that awful bike some years ago accident some years in Fremantle. Regina is doing very well now and sends her love to her many Perth friends.

Great to catch up with Tom Gilmore at Galway It was onto Cork and staying Bay FM. We took a stroll at The Muskerry Arms in on the Long Walk in Blarney. What a great spot Galway. You should do it and across the road from the sometime, you might meet Blarney Castle. Blarney was the Galway Girl! where we had an Australian night organised by Sean Roche & Live Music Promotions. If you are heading to Ireland you should consider the Muskerry Arms in Blarney, great food and great pints!

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Went to the Committments stage show in London... I do hope it comes to Perth... Its a ripper of a show. Thanks for recommending Gerry and Frank!

We had lunch in Clifden in Galway with Tom and Ann Kearney and they told us wonderful stories about their son Thomas who tragically lost his life as a result of an attack in Perth last year.

We visited Lorrha, the home of Martin Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara VC. Rose Mannion and Mary Walsh (mother of Derek at Fenians) took us on a area tour and to the home where Martin was born.

My Irish home in Cork...

49 Shandon Street...

Happy Days!

My Heaven

by Nóirín Ní Loingsigh, Commons Road, Cork Winged cherubs floating on white fluffy clouds.

Angels in white, plucking continuously on harp strings.

Heavenly choirs in full voice on high.

Bearded saints troll aimlessly by.

That is not my Heaven.

MINA

M. C. WATERS

Born Castlebellingham Ireland 1922 Died Perth Western Australia 2015 Wife of the late Ormonde DP Waters

The White Rose

by John Boyle O’Reilly

The red rose whispers of passion, And the white rose breathes of love; O, the red rose is a falcon, And the white rose is a dove.

But I send you a cream-white rosebud With a flush on its petal tips; For the love that is purest and sweetest Has a kiss of desire on the lips.

To Annette, Ormonde, Adrian, Mina and Families we extend our deepest sympathy Slan Abhaile a Chara

No! Put me on an island, within sight and sound of waves.

Let me hear the lark as it flutters up from the ground and the cuckoo as he calls from afar.

Show me the night sky unadulterated by the city lights.

And let me ponder the thousands of stars.

I want to meet friendly people who make me welcome through the ever open door.

Sit me with them around the warm fire in the company of musicians.

Let me listen to the singers, who answer the ‘noble call’, And players in the corner whose music switches from dance tunes to slow airs.

Then let all rise to take part in the dance.

For we would never again feel old and tired.

Give me good books to stimulate, and good talkers to entertain.

Above all I would have around me those I love and who are special.

And then I would know that I had reached my Heaven!

Irish Old Time Music plus original songs

David MacConnell

A S S O C I AT I O N B U N B U RY W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A

VALE

Mina Waters On behalf of the John Boyle O’Reilly Association.

It is with deepest regret to hear of the passing of Mina Waters; especially so soon after the passing of her husband Ormonde.

Mina (like Ormonde) was a grand ambassador of the Catalpa and the John Boyle O’Reilly stories. She will be sadly missed by her family and the Irish community; especially her and Ormondes’ Christmas cards sent diligently each year and delightfully peppered with yarns, songs and poetry that makes us who we are: Oh God be with the circling joys, beneath the beech tree shades, Where merrily dances our country boys and happy bright eyed maids, When Mickey, throned on chair on high, with fiddle tautly strung, Made hearts and feet dance gay when I and friends I loved were young.

Excerpt: ‘Aghern Cross, Conna, County Cork’

by Patrick Newton (1884-1947)

2016 John Boyle O’Reilly Weekend in Bunbury April 2 & 3

Visiting Ireland?

Gerry & Elsie Tully will give a great welcome!

Musical Entertainer

DIVINE M E R CY

Phone: 9409 9572 Mob: 0413 259 547 Email: wdmacc@bigpond.net.au Web: www.maccdouble.com

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

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COLIN MERREY

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

Hello, and welcome to the Spring 2015 edition of our wonderful Magazine. As always, I have done a fair amount of reading over the last few weeks and the results of this can be seen below! So without further ado, I’ll continue by reminding you of my favourite booksellers - don’t forget that if you should have any problems finding a good new- or second hand bookseller, you can try any/all of the following – For new books, you can’t go wrong with the following dealers Corona Books shop at Warwick Shopping Centre – ask for Mark – he is extremely helpful with any book queries and orders you may need assistance with.

Stefen’s Books in Shafto Lane in Perth City. Stefen is very helpful and a good supporter of the Irish Scene Dymocks at Whitford City – ask for Tracey (and other locations throughout the State and Metropolitan Area) In the realm of Second Hand booksellers (who are very useful in getting hold of hard to get or back catalogue books – you know, the ones that may be out of print from time to time) I generally go to Pulp Fiction – who have stores (again) at Whitford City and at Floreat Forum Shopping Centre – the proprietor is John who is a good supporter of our magazine.

Warwick Second hand Books at Warwick Shopping Centre Elizabeth’s Bookshop chain, which has shops in Fremantle, and Perth City (Hay Street) to name but a few branches.

Guildford Book Exchange on the front in old Guildford When I get South of the River I make a point of visiting the New Edition bookshop in Moat Street

Fremantle (for new books ) and Bill Campbell in High Street Fremantle for second hand books – Bill is very helpful in locating hard to find books that are now out of print.

Please remember too to let the various stores know who pointed you in their direction. The feedback is great for them and it shows me that you are actually taking the time to read what I have prepared for your enjoyment with each issue. Then my work will not have been in vain!

Also, if all else fails, there is the Internet (for those of you who are computer literate and have access to a computer, Ipad, etc.

You will appreciate that I don’t relate any of the books’ contents in these review notes as I feel that it would spoil your own voyages of discovery into the stories as they unfold GUDINSKI – STUART COUPE Hachette Paperback $32.99 Michael Gudinski is rightly called the godfather of Australian Rock ‘n’ Toll – he was part of the promotion organisation Evans Gudinski - who were instrumental in bringing to Australia some of the greats of the International music and theatrical scene – and the founder of Mushroom records. The Quarefellas met him when we did the support for Makem and Clancy back in the 1970’s and found him to be a very easy to get on with person.

This is his story as told to Stuart Coupe. I enjoyed finding out about this influential man and know you will too if you enjoy biographical books.

QUEEN – PHIL SUTCLIFFE Allen and Unwin Paperback $35.00 This is a revised and updated edition of the wonderful illustrated coffee table book dedicated to one

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of the best British bands of recent times, Queen, and its members including its flamboyant front man the late Freddie Mercury. A wonderful addition to your libraries – and a good read, too.

DYLAN – DISC-BY-DISC – JON BREAM Murdoch Books Hardback $39.99 This is yet another wonderful coffee table book to add to your collections – this time one that dissects, studies and analyses all of the great man’s studio albums in depth for your future edification. I found it very informative and a cracking good read. Love him or hate him, Bob Dylan is one of the seminal figures of American and World music from the 1960’s to the present day and this is a well researched and written book about the Man’s music.

Loved it – hope you enjoy it, too RIDDLEDOM – DAVID ASTLE Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 This is a lovely little book that sets out 101 riddles for you the reader and explains their origins, etc and contexts. I am fascinated by this type of book and if you are too then this is a fascinating way to spend your Spring and Summer evenings when there is little to interest you on the telly.

Loved it.

DORK DIARIES – DRAMA QUEEN – RACHEL RENEE RUSSELL Simon & Shuster Paperback $16.99 Here’s one for the younger readers this time. It is the latest chapter in the notso-fabulous-life of Nicki, our heroine, and is sure to be a big hit for Christmas gifts this year. I know my 2 grand daughters will love this one – hope your young family members do to!

PRICK WITH A FORK – LARISSA DUBECKI Allen and Unwin Paperback $29.99 This is a wonderful title for this hilarious book which is an expose of the restaurant business by Larissa – the self styled worst waitress in the world – who went on to be a respected restaurant critic,

which she has been for the last ten years. Loved all the quirky little tales told here. I know you’ll enjoy it too.

STRANDED – VAL McDERMID Sphere Paperback $24.99 This is a quite different one from her usual books – here we have a collection of short stories which are sometimes chilling, sometimes strange and sometimes quirky and funny.

I am a big fan of Val’s work and enjoyed the nineteen stories contained herein. This is a reissue of an earlier collection that I must admit I hadn’t read before but loved altogether. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

WILD LANDS – NICOLE ALEXANDER Random House Paperback $32.99 This is the latest book from the pen of ones of Australia’s queens of rural historical fiction and a great story it is too. This time, she has based her tale in 1838 New South Wales at the time of the Waterloo and Myall Creek massacres and which is inspired by her own family’s life on the land (Nicole being a 4th generation grazier).

It is the story of the coming of age of Kate Carter on her family’s farm, Wild Lands. I won’t tell you any more – it will spoil the story for you – but this is a good and well written story of these turbulent times and one that I enjoyed immensely.

Know you will too.

BETWEEN SISTERS – CATHY KELLY Hachette Paperback $29.99 This is the latest in quite a long line of novels set in modern day Ireland and is a little gem of a story that captures well her trademark which is warm Irish storytelling about modern life which always displays an uplifting message, a good sense of community and strong female characters throughout. I enjoyed this one as I have all of the Cathy Kelly stories I have read.

A TIME FOR FRIENDS PATRICIA SCANLAN Simon & Shuster Paperback $29.99 Patricia’s books have been likened to those of the wonderful Maeve Binchy, who was her great friend. I

must say I agree with that sentiment – I have read quite a few of Maeve’s and Patricia’s over the years and have enjoyed them all.

This is the story of Hilary Hammond and Collette O’Mahony who have been friends since childhood.

And then – the event that threatens to challenge that friendship and potentially destroy it. Does that happen? Well. I’ll let you read on for yourselves to find out. Great little book – I enjoyed.

MY MOTHER’S SECRET – SHEILA O’FLANAGAN Hachette Paperback $29.99 The latest story from the pen of Sheila O’Flanagan begins with a romantic holiday in sunny Rome and promises to be idyllic for three children who think they know their parents – but they don’t!

An anniversary party is planned by the children for their parents but this is disturbed by the exposing a long term secret held by their mother. Can’t say any more but you will need to read on to see for yourselves what happens. I think all of you who like this type of book will absolutely love this one. I know I enjoyed it.

FIRMAMENT – LAWRENCE CLARKE This is one that I told you about in the last issue – I said I had received it and would tell you about it once I had read it. I took it on holidays with me and honestly couldn’t put it down – I read it virtually in a single sitting.

It is the 3rd book in the series that features Jenny Bullin who we first met in Lawrence’s first book “The Wire Child”. She is now a Detective Inspector and now has to solve the strangest case she has come across in her career to date.

She is faced with two girls who have been murdered, their grieving parents and the mysterious Mr Raine who appear to have strange mystical powers.

Lawrence has again surprised me with his multi faceted plot which goes from what appears to be normal to the paranormal, fantasy and supernatural. I absolutely loved it – I must admit that he asked me not to review the book

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unless I enjoyed it – well – I did and I hope you take the time to contact him via www.xlibris.com.au – or via myself through the Irish Scene if you don’t have internet access.

I must say that with this man’s talent, I am gob smacked that he has not been snapped up by one of the major publishers so that he can get exposure to a larger audience. It would seem that there is no justice in a world where wordcraft such as this goes by virtually un noticed.

THE KILLING LESSONS – SAUL BLACK Hachette Paperback $29.99 This is a debut novel from Saul and I sincerely hope that he doesn’t leave it too long before he publishes another – I loved it. His tale is set in America’s Western States and begins when two strangers turn up at a Colorado farmhouse and slaughter its occupants – the family of Rowena Cooper – inadvertently leaving a survivor – a ten year old girl.

Hereby begins a trail of slaughter that extends across several states until Detective Valerie Hart is given the case to follow up. Does she catch the killers? Yes – in the end – after lots more murder and mayhem and via a VERY tortuous plotline.

As you must know by now, this is my type of book and with commendations from the likes of Jeffery Deaver, Lee Child and Linwood Barclay behind it, I know it will do very well, thank you, in the commercial literary world.

Read it alone at night – go on – I dare you!

CLOSE CALL – STELLA RIMINGTON Bloomsbury Paperback $29.99 Stella is a former head of MI5 in Great Britain and as such is an absolute full bottle on spies and International py networks. I always look forward to reading her stories which are almost invariably well thought out and well researched.

The central character of a lot of her books is the “current” head of MI5, one Liz Carlyle, who is tasked with foiling a major arms deal that is exposed after the attack on a

CIA operative in a Middle Eastern souk. There then commences a race against time to beat the countdown to the deal’s going down and the chase proceeds via Paris and Berlin to thwart the enemy.

Her work is reminiscent of some of the greats – the likes of Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene and John le Carre. And this one, as her others in the same vein that I have read have, is well crafted and well told. I absolutely loved it. If you like spy thrillers with guts then you will love this one too.

KINGDOM OF THE STRONG – TONY CAVANAUGH Hachette Paperback $29.99 Cavanaugh’s central character is Darian Richards, the retired head of Victoria’s homicide squad who left the force when he became sick of the nastiness and corruption, etc that he encountered in that position. But they keep calling him back to help with homicide cases that are too hard for those in the force that followed after him or need his special talents (including his uncanny intuition in such cases).

This time it is a puzzling cold case that requires his special talents – this time concerning the death of a lady that received an open finding from the coroner and which still, twenty years later, has a cloud over four police officers who were there with her when she died.

A great read and an author who never fails to please and surprise me with each new book. Loved it.

A QUIET END – NELSON DEMILLE Hachette Paperback $29.99 This is the latest in the John Corey series that gave us “The Lion” and “The Panther” – both code names for Yemeni terrorists who Corey has neutralised in these previous tales.

This time, Corey has been sidelined and with the aid of his agent partner, Tess, is tasked with surveilling some Russian diplomats. All goes well until they slip the net – and Corey and Tess are caught up in the chase to find them and find out just what they are up to. Great story – many many

plot twists and turns – just as I like them – and a really explosive ending that will knock your socks off!

A truly brilliant read – I have been hooked on Nelson DeMille’s books since reading “Cathedral” quite a long time back. Enjoy.

THE FORSAKEN – ACE ATKINS Murdoch Paperback $29.99 I discovered Ace Atkins a while ago now and, with his central character Ranger Quinn Colson have been through many adventures.

Now, Quinn is the sheriff of a small in Mississippi called Jericho – one day, a stranger walks into town with nothing but the clothes that he stands up in. Shortly after, he is accused of rape and murder and lynched by certain of the townspeople. Was he guilty? If not, will the real killer(s) be brought to justice? It is up to Quinn Colson to find out the truth.

How he did so will give you a brilliantly fleshed out story and features some of the most troubled characters you are likely to meet. If you haven’t read any of Ace’s books before then let this be the first – and please seek out his earlier books – they are real gems – as is this one.

Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.

NO CURE FOR LOVE – PETER ROBINSON Hachette Paperback $29.99 By now, you will know (or at least should know) about one of my favourite authors – Peter Robinson. He is perhaps best known for the DCI Banks series of books some of which have been adapted for television and have been seen here o the ABC (much to their credit). At the time I interviewed Peter a year or so ago, I asked him about a book that was in his bibliography that I couldn’t find in any bookstore here. That book was this one – “No Cure for Love” which he told me was only available at that time from a bookshop in Toronto in Canada. Now it has finally been released here, this time with a foreword by Michael Connelly.

I took his advice and got a copy of it from that shop and absolutely devoured it! It was a stand-alone

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novel (ie not a DCI Banks series one) set in Los Angeles in the 1990’s and tells of the star of a hit US TV Cop Show who keeps getting strange letters. Enter Arvo Hughes who works for the LAPD Threat Management Unit who is tasked with identifying and catching the mysterious stalker. Usually there is a pattern to this type of stalking – but not this time – Arvo’s task is seemingly an impossible one. How does he win out in the end? You’ll just have to read it for yourselves.

I know you’re going to enjoy it – glad to see it is finally getting International release and I wish Peter every success with it now it has finally done so. I know you’ enjoy it too.

Well that’s it for books this issue. I hope you will take my recommendations into consideration when selecting your reading matter for your Spring and Summer reading delights and indeed for the future and give them a good go. I wish you all very happy reading, and see you all in the next issue. I must say that I hope you enjoy my recommendations as much as I have enjoyed reading them on both your and my own behalf. See you next time!

A linguistics professor at Trinity College was lecturing to his English class one day. “In English,” he said, “A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative.” A voice from the back of the room piped up, “Yeh, right”.

touch wih young Guy who can organise copies for you.

Incidentally, several of the tracks hereon are listenable on You tube so give them a listen – I know you’ll love it and want a copy for yourselves.

By COLIN MERREY I have just received but have not yet had a chance to listen to (having as I said earlier just got back from an I have two CD’s for you this issue – I obtained both overseas holiday) so I will tell you all about it in the (amongst other CD and book gems during my recent next issue. overseas jaunt and thought I’d tell you about these In the meantime, I thought I’d include here for your two). edification the press release for its release which was in The first is a double CD and single DVD set called July this year.

“YES…..THOSE WERE THE DAYS.” The CD’s “LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF” is a collection feature a lot of Liam Clancy’s songs some of which he of some of the best songs from Irish country sensation re-recorded in the 1990’s plus some that are early gems Derek Ryan. After forming his first from his career – some band The Ryan Brothers at twelve with his brothers and years old with his brother Adrian, Tommy Makem and a he then became a star on the pop rare “Rocky Road to music scene in the early 2000s as Dublin” where he is a member of chart-topping Irish accompanied by the boyband D-Side. equally late and much When Derek went solo in 2006, he lamented Luke Kelly. turned his attention to the country music roots of his The DVD was a live childhood and began writing his own songs which lead concert filned at the to winning his first songwriting award for “A Song for Olympia Theatre in Dublin in 1993 – this combination Carlow”. In 2013, his album “Country Soul” peaked at makes a great keepsake for lovers of Liam’s music. I #2 on the Irish Country Music Charts and won Album got my copy from Gus O’Connor’s pub in Doolin Co. of the Year at the Irish Country Music Awards. Then, Clare but I know it’s generally available from music last year, Derek’s album “The Simple Things” reached shops all over Ireland and via the likes of Amazon and #1 on the Irish Country charts, beating many huge no doubt Itunes, although I don’t know if the DVD names to the top spot. would be available from Itunes – you’ll need to check.

Following Ryan’s highly successful 2014 Australian The second I was given by one of the group’s tour, LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF is an members – a fine fiddle and mandolin player called Australia/New Zealand first and exclusive release, Guy Fletcher who is very prominent on the British folk showcasing a selection of his finest songs. scene. He has played with many of the great folk bands “It’s very exciting to be releasing ‘Let Me Introduce there including Little Johnny England and the Albion Myself ’ in Australia and New Zealand. After a brilliant and Morris On Bands. His father, Graham Fletcher is tour down under last year, I can’t wait to get another one of my all time greatest friends who you may recall I planned for the future!” says Derek Ryan. talked about last issue when I told you of “the gig that The album features original tracks such as “Perfect never was” for the Idiom Folk Group – if you haven’t Days” and “God’s Plan” as well as popular covers read it yet, then please do so including “It’s Friday” and “Wake Me Up”, a footthen you’ll know who I talking tapping rendition of “The House that Jack Built,” about. You may recall him and the hit single “Welcome Home (The Gathering)” earlier when I told you all he a song that Ryan wrote about Irish emigrants in was the artist who many years Australia. ago created the drawing that has become my signature logo for the Irish Scene magazine.

But I digress – Guy’s current musical venture has produced a CD called “Cautionary We can help you with the move!

Tales by TRAD arrr”. TRAD arrr has evolved partly Air, Sea & Road Transport as an offshoot of Little Johnny England and features Quick, Efficient & Reliable a great musical treatment of a lot of traditional folk Contact our standards from the British Isles. My favourite tracks Sales Team are “Glenlogie”, Whitsun Dance and “Derwentwater’s (08) 9243 0808 Farewell” this last being a variant of the one that sales@aiexpress.com.au I learned some years back from the singing of the www.aiexpress.com.au Corries, a wonderful Scottish duo one of whom and Export to Door composed what is seen to be (by the Scots at any rate) • Import • Door and Intrastate Door to Port • Interstate • the Scottish National Anthem – “Flower of Scotland” Freight deliveries • Sea • Urgent Brilliant CD all round and one worthy of your Freight • Air • Priority Road Freight Economy • Remote Destinations • Hot shot services collections. You can get it (I believe) via Amazon, • • and possibly Itunes or if all else fails I can put you in

CD Reviews

Returning to Ireland?

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NotFadeAway

By COLIN MERREY

I am again saddened to have to tell you about some more notables of the entertainment industry who are no longer with us. This is the column that I least enjoy writing – because it means that some of my favourite people have passed and are no longer with us.

The most recent of these is the lovely Cilla Black (dubbed Cyril by the late John Lennon) who carved out a long musical career after being discovered by Brian Epstein (manager of the Beatles) while she was working as a cloakroom attendant at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Her breakthrough single was “Anyone who had a heart” closely followed by “You’re my World” and “Alfie” to name but a few.

She continued on TV for many years as a chat show host and TV presenter until quite recently.

She passed away her holiday home near Estepona, Spain, on 1 August 2015, aged 72 as a result of a stroke following a fall there.

She had previously said that she wanted to die when she reached 75. According to a friend, she had recently said that she was approaching death, complaining of failing eyesight and hearing as well as arthritis. She will be sorely missed – she was a great favourite of mine.

Another of my favourite actors was George Cole who I remember as a lad in the radio series “A Life of Bliss” but he will be best remembered as the inimitable Arfur Daley in Minder where he starred with Dennis Waterman. He had a distinguished TV and film career possibly best remembered (by me at least showing my age a bit) as Flash Harry in the St Trinian’s films. He passed away on 5th August this year at the age of 90 years.

A lot of you may not remember Stephen Lewis by name but you will I think remember his most famous TV persona – he played Inspector “Blakey” Blake in the TV and movie series “On The Buses”.

He was a very talented and experienced actor who had a long and distinguished professional career. He died on 12th August after a long illness. He was 88 years old.

Omar Sharif (born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub) was an Egyptian actor who began his career in his native country in the 1950s, but is best known for his appearances in both British and American productions.

His films included Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Funny Girl (1968). He was nominated for an Academy Award. He won three Golden Globe Awards and a César Award Apart from his movie career, Omar was an accomplished Contract Bridge player and was once ranked among the world’s top 50 players, and played in an exhibition match before the Shah of Iran.

He had a triple heart bypass in 1992 and suffered a mild heart attack in 1994. Until his bypass, he smoked 100 cigarettes a day. He quit smoking after the operation.

In May 2015 it was reported that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

On 10 July 2015 he died after suffering a heart attack at a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. He was 83.

Lynn Rene Anderson was a multi-awardwinning American country music singer known for a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most notably her 1970 country-pop, worldwide megahit “(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden”.

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Lynn Anderson lived in Nashville and at the time of her death she had been in a relationship for 26 years with songwriter and producer Mentor Williams.

She died on July 30, 2015 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee from a heart attack at the age of 67.

She had been hospitalized due to pneumonia after returning from a trip to Italy.

Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ was an English actor, singer, author, and World War II veteran. With a career spanning nearly 70 years, Lee initially portrayed villains and became best known for his role as Count Dracula in a sequence of Hammer Horror films.

His other film roles include Francisco Scaramanga in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Saruman in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (2001–2003) and The Hobbit film trilogy (2012–2014), and Count Dooku in the final two films of the Star Wars prequel trilogy (2002 and 2005). One particular favourite of mine was his role as Doctor Fu Manchu, which he played to perfection in several movies in the 1960’s.

Lee was knighted for services to drama and charity in 2009, received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2011 and received the BFI Fellowship in 2013.

He died from complications of respiratory problems and heart failure in a Chelsea hospital on the morning of 7 June 2015 at the age of 93.

James Last, also known as “Hansi”, was born Hans Last on 17 April 1929. He was a German composer and big band leader. Initially a jazz bassist (Last won the award for “best bassist in Germany in each of the years 1950 - 1952), his trademark “happy music” made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom, with 65 of his albums reaching the charts in the UK alone. His composition “Happy Heart”

became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark. He is reported to have sold an estimated 200 million albums worldwide in his lifetime.

In September 2014 Last learned that a “life threatening” illness had worsened (the exact details were never disclosed), and in early 2015 he announced his retirement from touring would take place following a final “goodbye tour”, which commenced in Germany and ended in London. Last died less than three months later, on 9 June 2015 in Florida at the age of 86.

Daniel Patrick Macnee known professionally as Patrick Macnee, was a British and American actor. He was best known for his role as the secret agent John Steed in the television series The Avengers although this wasn’t his only significant part – he was an exceptionally talented actor and acted in a lot of leading and cameo roles on TV and film. I recall his hilarious cameo in the Rob Reiner mockumentary “Spinal Tap” which was a small but pivotal role for him.

On 25 June 2015, he died at

Music Across the Waves Pauline O’Connor

A WEST AUSTRALIAN PIANIST Compiled and edited by H. P. Belviso Published by Hesperian Press WA

Information and purchases: ubelviso@yahoo.com The story of Pauline O’Connor is one of an Irish-Australian girl who defied convention, left home at fifteen and travelled the world. Her natural talent for music first brought her to Sydney and then to Italy, where she studied under the great Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. A winner of several piano competitions, Pauline performed both as a soloist, and with orchestra and chamber music groups all over Italy and other European

Rancho Mirage, California, his home for the past four decades, at the age of 93.

Some of you may not remember Bruce Rowland but he was a much respected English rock drummer best known for his memberships of Joe Cocker’s Grease Band and folk rock band Fairport Convention (with whom I saw him perform in the 1970’s at the Perth Concert Hall. He was also a prolific session musician.

He later quit the music business and moved to Denmark. He spent his later years in Brixham, Devon where he had a paint business that he later sold to retire and concentrate on creating a retirement home for himself and his wife Barbara, his long time partner who he married not long before his death on 29 June 2015 of cancer, aged 74.

Ron Moody (born Ronald Moodnick was a British actor, best known for his Golden Globewinning and Oscar-nominated performance as Fagin in Oliver!

countries. Pauline returned to her home town of Perth, Western Australia in the 1970s, after an astonishing, twenty-year-long journey.

Music across the Waves is also the story of a woman ahead of her time; a passionate artist who had a profound effect on all those around her, and still does.

The book focuses primarily on Pauline’s story from birth (1936) to her eventual return home to Perth in the 1970s with a young family.

The gifted pianist first left Perth in 1952 to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and then journeyed to Italy in 1957; a gruelling sea voyage that lasted forty-five days at a time when migrants

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He holds the distinction of having portrayed Merlin the wizard in two Disney films, Unidentified Flying Oddball and A Kid in King Arthur’s Court. For me, his best role was as the scheming uncle of the Dove children in the movie adaptation of Galway man Walter Macken’s wonderful children’s book “The Flight of the Doves” in which he co-starred with his “Oliver” co-star Jack Wild in 1971.

He was also offered, but declined, the lead role in Doctor Who, following the departure of Patrick Troughton from the part. He later told many people (including Doctor Who companion Elisabeth Sladen) that declining the role was a decision he subsequently regretted. He died in a London hospital on 11 June 2015, aged 91 on the same day as his great friend, actor Christopher Lee. His death leaves Shani Wallis, who played Nancy, the last surviving adult from the motion picture Oliver!

May your gods go with you.

were flocking down under.

Pauline instead, ventured the other way.

Music Across the Waves is the tale of a woman who touched all those around her with her generosity, charity and talent. The book hopes to be a source of inspiration to those in their adolescent years, those wishing to travel and study, and to those who simply enjoy reading and delving into history to learn about the lives of extraordinary individuals.

distinctive grace and style for which Celtic Woman has become known.

Celebrating an incredibly musical journey, Celtic Woman’s 10th Anniversary World Tour offers a one-ofa-kind concert experience that will enchant long-time fans and newcomers alike. Celtic Woman 10 Years – Join the Celebration!

The Perth date: Friday, 25 September 2015, Perth Arena. Concerts also in all major cities in Australia.

This is not their first visit to Australia and I was delighted to get the opportunity to see them in their last visit here in January 2014. It was a brilliant show and I certainly won’t be missing this one in September. I’ll no doubt see some/all of you there! You can obtain your tickets from www.ticket.com.au if you haven’t already got them.

I am also still eagerly awaiting (as I told you last issue) the new CD of originals from Fiona Rea led local band Sparrow.

I will also in the next issue give you a follow up to my recent stories on my first band “The Thunderbolts” and “The Gig that never was” for the Idiom Folk Group.

Time constraints preclude me from telling you about my recent UK visits in this regard at this time.

If any other events come to my notice after the magazine has issued you can check on the Irish Scene’s Facebook page or website.

UPCOMING

By COLIN MERREY On 25th September this year, we will be welcoming back to our shores the wonderful Irish singing sensation “Celtic Woman” for their 10th Anniversary World Tour If you were not already aware, it was a decade ago that Celtic Woman first introduced millions of new fans to the group’s fresh fusion of Irish musical tradition, contemporary song craft and state-of-the-art stage production.

The 10th Anniversary World Tour showcases four gifted Irish women – three world-class vocalists and a brilliant Celtic violinist – whose talent and charisma bring centuries of musical and cultural tradition to vibrant life. Under the direction of Emmy®-nominated music producer David Downes, the anniversary performances will honour Celtic Woman’s musical history while looking to the future.

The shows will feature a selection of fan favourites, encompassing Irish classics, contemporary standards and classical favourites alongside memorable original compositions, bridging the past and present with the

Rubberbandits

Coronas

Rubberbandits return to Australia with The Cane Toad Cuddles Tour Multi award-winning comedy and hip-hop duo famous for concealing their faces with plastic bags, the Rubberbandits return to Australia this Oct/Nov. With sold out runs from London to Edinburgh to New York the Rubberbandits have gone from online phenomenon to an established international TV and Live comedy act. The lads currently boast 36 million Youtube views and have a Channel 4 pilot under their belts. Hailing from Limerick, Ireland, the duo was formed by Blindboy Boatclub and Mr Chrome.

“The Rubberbandits, comedy musical duo of Horse Outside fame, took the leap from “very funny” to “actual genius”” The Telegraph.

Appearing Sat 7 Nov - Capitol, PERTH

The Coronas touring Australia and NZ this Nov/ Dec. After a sell out Australian tour in Feb 2014, Ireland’s favourite sons The Coronas return for a tour taking on Australia and New Zealand, with their incredible new album The Long Way. After a recent signing to Ireland Records UK, the boys are back and better than ever. If you missed their 2014 shows, or if you were there, you will know this is a tour not to be missed! There is a limited amount of discount early bird tickets available.

Sat 5 Dec - Metropolis, PERTH

For both concerts booking and details visit www.troubadour-music.com 79

From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

Cars and Cornflakes Carve Out a Creative Career

I recently spoke to author Roisin Meaney from her home in Ireland. Roisin is excited about her twelfth novel ‘Two Fridays in April’ being the first of her books to get widespread release in Australia. Amazingly, unlike a lot of Irish people Roisin has no relatives in Australia but does have a cousin in New Zealand.

We are chatting about how Roisin, who worked as a teacher for 6 or 7 years, entered the world of writing. Roisin tells me she owes it all to ‘cornflakes and cars’, well, actually cornflake box competitions.

A compulsive reader like the majority of writers, Roisin said she was consciously reading the cornflake box when she noted a competition for a Ford Fiesta car, the competition required writing in a concise number of words why you desired the car .

Roisin entered and won. With a talent for writing concise, compact language Roisin’s cousin encouraged her to enter the world of advertising, even providing her with a book on the subject. Serendipity intervened seeing her gain a copywriting position in the UK which she worked at for several years.

Soon it was time for Roisin to try her hand at something even more challenging, writing a novel. Again a competition came into the equation where

would be writers were asked to send in their first three chapters, if successful they were offered a three book deal. Roisin was successful again and while staying in San Francisco with her brother, Roisin wrote her first book.

Roisin, although she is now a full time author, hasn’t left her teaching career totally behind, still attending schools and libraries regularly to read books to the children.

‘Two Fridays in April’ Roisin’s latest novel begins with a sadness that impacts on the interlocked lives of a number of characters and the novel deals with how, over a year between two Fridays in April they are healed. Connections are important in Roisin’s novel and it is these connections between characters that ultimately repair the broken lives.

As to the original names of some of the characters in ‘Two Weeks in April’ such as the ‘Darlings’ and the ‘Quirks’ Roisin says there is no particular reason relating to the names of her protagonists except to say she likes to use stand out unusual names for her main characters, leaving the more familiar names for her lesser characters.

Speaking of names Roisin’s surname ‘Meaney’ means ‘treasured or beloved’ and it would seem that this first widespread release of Rosin’s novel will see her become a treasured and beloved author to Australian readers too.

Pleasing news for Australian readers is that Roisin is working on a new book which features an Australian character, a girl from Brisbane who is visiting her sister in Ireland.

‘Two Weeks in April’ is out now published by Hachette.

Fiery James’ Fancy FOOTWORK

Last week I spoke to James Keegan of ‘Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games’.

He is excited about visiting Tasmania as part of the upcoming Australian tour, in fact he calls it an ‘extra bonus’. James doesn’t know much about Tasmania except ‘where it is’ but senses an ‘exotic’ feel to a place so far away and he’s looking forward to doing some sightseeing while the troupe is performing in Tasmania for a week.

The Keegan name means ‘descendent of the fiery one’ and James, who plays the young lord of the dance, is the new good lord after the demise of the previous one in the original production.

James brings his fiery footwork to this latest incarnation of The Lord of the Dance production subtitled ‘Dangerous Games’.

James explains to me the story is familiar to original ‘Lord of the Dance’ but also different. The same battle of the good lord and evil lord continues. The story is explained in the beginning of the production by the character of the dark lord himself and the production takes the form of a big dream of which the characters are part. In the dream the dark lord reminds the other characters of the destruction of the previous good lord and how they are playing dangerous games coming back with a new one.

Other similar strains from the previous Lord of the Dance are the characters of the good girl and the bad girl. The latter wears soft shoes to cover her footprints so she can move around without notice. Entwined in the story of the battle between good and evil is a love story.

Interestingly James may never have been the new good lord or even the first Lord of the Dance because early on he had his own battle of the choice between dancing or a career in football. Living as he did in Manchester football seemed to be the right direction until injury sideTo enter draw email lined him and once he was picked for fred@irishscene.com.au the original ‘Lord of the Dance’ he was and tell us why you would like as he says ‘a young lad on the way’ and now 12 years later he’s having’ a wonthis book.

WIN A COPY OF ROISIN’S BOOK!

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derful time’.

Traditional Irish dancing before Riverdance was a more prudent affair with no movement allowed in the arms as they were held stiffly to the dancer’s sides but with Michael Flatley’s innovation of Irish dance there was ‘an explosion of movement’ as he freed up the arm movement to allow dancers to do and explore more, making Irish dancing more exciting visually for the audience by also introducing fancy and impressive footwork. James says now, even young dancers in traditional competitions have also evolved incorporating some of Michael’s innovations in to their dancing.

James says Michael is keen to take on ideas from the senior dancers and passionate about developing new talent. Michael will often take someone from the back of the line and bring them to the front, pushing them to do their best. Nowadays the dancers are not ‘hobbyists’ who do Irish dancing as a pleasant past time but are instead trained athletes.

James says that one can sense a difference in ‘Lord of the Dance Dangerous Games’ matinees, which are heavily populated by children who are quite vocal in ‘cheering’ the hero and ‘booing’ the bad lord but in the evening production, when it is mainly couples who attend, the reaction is distinctly ‘mellow’. The differences in reaction and reacting to it says James, keeps him both literally and metaphorically on his toes!

You can see Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games at Enterwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart, from Thursday 10 September and Perth Crown on 19th September 2015.

The Irish Club became....

This year’s major St. Finbarr’s GFC fundraiser event was a spectacular Craggy Island Carnival in the Irish Club on July 11!

The main feature of the night was The Lovely Girls competition, where the finest Craggy Island specimens put their skills to the test to be crowned The 2015 Lovely Girl, let’s hope they all have lovely bottoms!

Of course there were loads of tea (cocktails) and ham sandwiches, a spinning wheel of fortune and other ‘attractions’ such as a holy stone, a raffle for a chance to win a Rover 213, tarot card readings with Mystic Ria and prizes for the best dressed male and female.

Congratulations to the organisers and everyone who attended on the night to make it a huge success. Lloyd Gorman

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An Irishman’s Diary sheds new light on Sean O’Casey’s ‘The Shadow of a Gunman’

ON THE TRAIL OF THE REAL DONAL DAVOREN

by JACK HANNA The Irish Times. Printed with permission.

Alan Woods brought this story to our attention. It prompted us to contact his father Brendan and he in turn was able to supply photos and a copy of the letter. It is an amazing story and when you read the letter, paints a picture of Dublin early in the last century following the uprising and the Troubles.

A

production of The Shadow of a Gunman in the 1950s initiated a correspondence between Dublin woman Rose Woods and the ageing Sean O’Casey, then living in Devon. Family legend has it that Rose was indignant that the portrayal of poet-poltroon Donal Davoren, the “shadow” of the play, was a slur on the character of her long-deceased brother, also Donal Davoren.

Rose must have softened her tone because the author sent a cordial handwritten reply, informing her that he had met her brother several times in the early 1920s – and had asked permission to use his name for the main character in the play he was writing at the time.

O’Casey’s vivid recollection of the real Donal Davoren (above) is marked by his anger at the conditions of the Dublin poor. Davoren had called to O’Casey’s North Circu-

Sean O’Casey’s home in Dublin

lar Road tenement house seeking to enlist the struggling playwright in his insurance society.

O’Casey continues: “I do not hold with privately-owned insurance societies, but joined his out of sympathy with a lad struggling for a living within a fight against the scourge of consumption.”

‘Handsome lad’ He remembered Donal Davoren as “rather a handsome lad, tall, slender, quiet-spoken; making a brave effort against the disease by working as much as possible in the open air”. They met about six or seven times before the writer’s departure for England in 1926. However O’Casey had not much hope for the young man. “The look on his face showed me the ailment had a grip on his lungs.”

Rose’s letter informed him of her brother’s death. O’Casey comments: “So he died in 1927. I’ve seen many in Dublin go down with tuberculosis, so many, so many, because of the rotten life they had to live.”

O’Casey then turns to fonder memories, recalling Donal as “an intelligent lad” who was a supporter of de Valera rather than Cosgrave.

In his sketch notes for the Shadow (set during the War of Independence), O’Casey describes Donal Davoren as caught in “an eternal war between weakness and strength”. Davoren is dreamy and idealistic and spends his time struggling to compose songs and poems

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Jack Hanna and Brendan Woods

whose gushing lyricism is a parody of O Casey’s own lapses into rhapsodic excess. Davoren believes in “the redemption of all things by beauty everlasting”.

The tenement dwellers are depicted as living a miserable and cramped existence with the young Davoren in particular sensing the imminence of death. Though not explicitly named in the text, the scourge of tuberculosis hovers over his life.

Into this maelstrom of poverty and violence steps Davoren’s nemesis Minnie Powell, a young woman with “a force and assurance beyond her years” and beyond the ken of most of her neighbours.

Minnie is full of fervour for the revolutionary gunmen and, through a series of misunderstandings, comes to believe Donal Davoren is deeply involved. He is smitten and flattered by the allure he has suddenly garnered in her eyes; he does nothing to disabuse her of her illu-

sions.

Davoren’s complicity in Minnie’s fancy leads inexorably to her death and his lamentation: “Oh, Donal Davoren, shame is your portion now that the silver chord is loosened and the golden bowl be broken.”

It is easy to sympathise with Rose Woods getting upset at a character strongly resembling her late brother (known in the family as “a bit of a writer”) and bearing his name being shown up as a vainglorious coward despite having many noble and refined sentiments.

It is clear that she was more than happy with O’Casey’s respectful portrayal of the reality of her brother’s character and how he had asked permission for the use of the name.

An exchange of Christmas cards continued for several years, only terminating with a sad typewritten note from O’Casey’s son Breon in January 1957 apologising for his father not writing as he was upset by the death of his other son, Niall, a few months previously.

The original letter (in my possession) from O’Casey to Rose Woods concludes on a playful note: “By the

way, Rose, he [de Valera] didn’t succeed in teaching you Irish. Your picture card is Italian; your verse-card is pure London. Mo náire thú.”

There is a strand of continuity in the story. Rose Woods was the mother of my late wife, Brighid.

Our son Davoren Hanna, poet and visionary about disability, was named in honour of the Davoren heritage of her family, although I think it was the connection with the Annals of the Fours Masters that she had most in mind rather than the idealistic Donal Davoren walking the streets of Dublin selling insurance to ward off the ravages of consumption.

From a Shadow of a Gunman...

DAVOREN. No man, Minnie, willingly dies for anything.

MINNIE. Except for his country, like Robert Emmet.

DAVOREN. Even he would have lived on if he could; he died not to deliver Ireland. The British Government killed him to save the British nation.

MINNIE. You’re only jokin’ now; you’d die for your country.

DAVOREN. I don’t know so much about that.

MINNIE. You would, you would you would – I know what you are.

DAVOREN. What am I? MINNIE [in a whisper]. A gunman on the run!

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Irish Seniors' CLADDAGH CHRISTMAS IN JULY AT MIGHTY QUINN A GREAT SUCCESS!

Stamps Please!

‘A elderly woman went into a post office to buy some stamps for her Christmas cards. What denomination do you want ? asked the lady at the counter. ‘Good God!’ she replied, Has it come to this? I suppose you’d better give me twenty Catholic and twenty Anglican and one Salvos.

The Claddagh Association was proud to host another Christmas in July for our Seniors. We were delighted to have over 100 of our Senior’s in attendance at the Mighty Quinn for an afternoon of food and festivities.

Brian Corr was our MC and together with Joe Carroll and Fiona Rea they kept the crowd entertained. A highlight was the appearance of Santa who was happy to be photographed with all our guests. We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers who help us organise and manage the event on the day. We were fortunate to have been donated a number of raffle prizes from within the Irish Community and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Should you wish to join any of our Seniors events or know someone that would be interested please contact us at admin@claddagh.org.au Dont forget monthly Senior’s Lunch at Irish Club. First Friday of the Month.

Dear editor On Monday, July 27 the Perth Irish Senior’s celebrated Christmas in July with lunch and a sing-a-long performance by Fiona Rea and Joe Carroll. We joined about one hundred people and enjoyed the wonderful food provided by the Mighty Quinn Tavern in Tuart Hill. Brian Corr conducted the day as mc and a good time was had by all.

We even had a free raffle with prizes provided by supporters of the Joan Ross and Claddagh Association.

It was nice to see many of our old friends at the event.

It was a great day and we look forward to the next gathering with great anticipation.

Jack Thank you to the Claddagh Association Special thanks to Niamh Bratton Palmer for the photos.

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fond of Africa. I’ve been doing some work for Irish Aid (The Irish government’s programme for overseas development) in South Africa, consultancy work, and post retirement work.”

All up Mairtin spent more than 12 years in a row as the Irish government’s go to man and representative in Uganda, Argentina and Australia. Such service comes with its own rewards but demands certain sacrifices.

“Diplomacy is more than a career, it’s a way of life,” he added. “It’s a great life with lots of hard work in it, and rewards. I’m enjoying retirement but I miss the work, I miss the routine of it, now it’s a different routine, picking up the grand children from school and as I’ve always had staff all my life I’m trying now to supervise my wife and that’s causing all sorts of problems in the house,” he laughed.

“It’s a great career, it’s a pity we are required to retire at 65, but once you’re 65 that’s it. A standard term for an ambassador is four years, I did five in Australia.

I did five there because I was coming near retirement so I extended my term rather than go home and do something different for a year and a half. I stayed a year longer and that brought me up to retirement more or less. The current ambassador (Noel White) who took over from me must be coming to the end of this time there. Everybody in Ireland has somebody in Australia.

I have to say when you meet people socially they say they have a nephew or a niece or a cousin or someone out there or Johnny so and so from up the road and ask if you met them? There are a lot of new connections with Australia that have blossomed over the last ten years, in the bad times, a lot of personal connections that weren’t there before.”

One of his final acts as Irish ambassador to Australia was to put together a short list of candidates for the role of Honorary Consulate in WA as a replacement to Michael Nolan who tirelessly carried out this responsibility for decades. He identified the holder of that job now, Marty Kavanagh, as one of two or three candidates. “I left my successor to make the final choice,” he added. “I must say Marty had a lot going for him and I’d say he was the right choice okay, they were all good people, but he was the right choice. I see from the Irish Scene that he’s very active and involved in the Irish community. He’s a younger man as well,

Fred Rea and Mairtin O Fainin

AN AMBASSADOR FOR IRELAND – at home and abroad

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

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t the end of a diplomatic career that spanned several continents former Australian Ambassador Mairtin O Fainin came close to being involved in an international terror incident that shocked the world.

Two years ago, on September 21, a gang of unidentified gunmen stormed the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi in Kenya launching the start of a three day attack that saw more than 60 innocent people gunned down and another 175 people wounded. The men who were later identified as being from Islamist extremist group al-Shabaab were all killed by the Kenya army.

The shopping centre was targeted in part because it was used by wealthy Kenyan’s and foreigners.

“I just missed that attack,” Mairtin told Fred Rea as the two men caught up for a cup of tea and a chat in Ireland recently. “I just got out before that, I used to do my shopping there every week. I was working with UNEP (United Nations Environmental Protection on behalf of the Irish government.”

Despite the relatively close call with terrorists Mairtin - a former ambassador to Uganda - recalls that it was “a great return to Africa. I’ve always been

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sometimes the Honorary Consulates can sit there when they are getting older and might not have the same energy, but that’s no reflection on (Marty’s) predecessor who was very good right up to the end. I must say that Marty was genuinely honoured with the approach and very willing.”

Retirement is giving Mairtin a chance and time to reconnect with his own family, country and himself.

“I must say it’s good to be back (in Ireland), and my wife is glad to be back home too” he said. “The country has turned a corner again economically, there’s a bit of a bounce back, morale and the mood is a bit better. For the first few years (when I came back) things were difficult, there was a lot of doom and gloom about the place, but thankfully we are pulling out of that in the last year or so and unemployment is now at single digits, about 9% and falling, having been at 14 or 15%. The cranes are back up on the skyline where they had been before but disappeared. We are enjoying being back at home, it’s great family wise, our family were all at home while we were abroad continuously for 12 years, so none of our kids lived with us during that time, so I miss them. But now it’s great to have them around and just up the road, had the grand-kids.”

Mairtin has continued going to the gym, as he did in his working life but now he can extend his interest in keeping fit to a more leisurely pursuit. “I have a good social life and I’m keeping fit. I don’t play golf; I’m a bit of a refugee from golf. I do trekking, in the Wicklow mountains.

I’ve found that trekking groups are full of refugees form golf, people who can’t seem to take to golf go trekking.”

Mairtin asked Fred to extend his warmest wishes and greetings to many of those in WA that he came to know and befriend during his time in Canberra, and his condolences to those who he admired who have passed away or who are ill, such as Ormonde and Mina Waters, Ernie Manea. He sent special good wishes to Liam and Lyn Barry.

Blood Sweat & Gears Drive Martin’s charity cycle

By Lloyd Gorman Napolean Bonaparte said a man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights and county Mayo born carpenter turned computer entrepreneur Martin Howley is a man with an interest to fight, and the right to fight it. Over two days in October (17-18) Martin will take part in the 200km MACA Ride to Conquer Cancer through WA, a fundraiser for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in the QEII Medical Centre in Nedlands, a centre that is on the frontline of the ongoing war against cancer.

“I was inspired to do this ride in memory of my loving girlfriend and my dear mother who passed away from breast and lung cancer, so I’ve taken it upon myself to do this bike ride and give something back,” he said.

The Conquer Cancer ride will see scores of people with similar passion take to the saddle and while it is not a race to the finish line in any way Martin is in the top pack of riders who have raised the most money so far.

In fact, with pledges of just over $25,000 his is the second highest amount raised for the event so far and he still has some way to go.

“Its going great at the moment, people have been very nice, very generous, I’m just over $25,000 and I hope to double it by October, please God. I just want to keep going and get as much as I can for those poor people here at the Harry Perkins Institute. They are doing a great job trying to find cures but they need money badly, so all donations are really appreciated.”

Martin moved to Perth in 2011 to take up a ‘dream job’ in the mining sector and has happily made WA his home. Last year he changed career and is now an agent for an online franchise called MOBE. It was through a business associate with the company that he got his first major donation. A colleague had promised a $1,000 handout but when it didn’t materialise Martin was determined to hold him to his word. “I found out that he had an agenda, he had made a promise six months earlier to give away $10,000 to charity if he failed at what he was doing, and he failed. Unbeknownst to me he had my charity in mind.” His business benefactor “pranked” him into coming to his Kuala Lumper offices on other grounds, a trip Martin was reluctant to make because of the expense that could distract from his new mission in life. After a routine business visit his colleague appeared out of nowhere with a cheque for $10,000. “I was shocked, overjoyed and he inspired me to keep going and to see if I could make it $20,000, now I’m just past $25,000 and the lead fundraiser for the ride has raised about $37,000 and its my ambition and rive to beat him come October, and reach $50,000. Its not for me, its for a great cause but I would get a sense of achievement out of reaching that target.”

Martin said he would appreciate any donations that people in the Irish and wider community might want to make. “It could be the price of a cup of coffee, a meal or a pint, its not how much is donated, its the number of donations that will count.”

Donations and more information at www.conquercancerwithmartinhowley.com 86

WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. Catholic Parish Registers online!

The big news in the Irish family history community is that since 8 July digitised images of Catholic parish registers have been available at the National Library of Ireland’s dedicated site http://registers.nli.ie. This is the culmination of years of work by the National Library. All their microfilms of Catholic parish registers (made long ago in the 1950s) have been turned into 373,000 images, viewable FREE from the comfort of your home computer. You no longer have to travel to Ireland and spend hours scrolling through them with a microfilm reader and crossed eyes. The records cover 3,500 parish registers from 1,086 parishes in Ireland and Northern Ireland. They start from the 1740/50s in some city parishes in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, to the 1780/90s in such counties as Kildare, Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny. Registers for parishes along the western seaboard do not generally do not begin until the 1850/60s.

The bad news is they are browseable, but not searchable. That is, there has been no transcription or indexisation. This means there is no list of transcribed surnames you can search. No, you still have to spend hours scrolling through them - but in Perth instead of Dublin. The writing is often hard to read, but don’t be put off! Join one of the numerous online Irish family history groups, for example, Irish Genealogy on Facebook, and get help deciphering the old handwriting.

To get any benefit from this massive breakthrough you obviously need to have Catholic ancestors. And you’ll need to know the Catholic parish where they are likely to have been baptised or married. Burial was not a Catholic rite, so burials are not usually given.

There are various aids to help you convert a townland, placename or civil (Church of Ireland) parish name into the relevant Catholic parish name. Try the excellent site www.swilson.info for heaps of useful Irish family history gen. This page turns a specified town in a particular county into the corresponding Catholic parish www. swilson.info/twnparsrch.php . Happy hunting!

What happened to non-Catholic parish records?

Sadly, many were destroyed in the fire and explosion at the Four Courts Building in Dublin on 30 June 1922. The WAGS Irish Special Interest Group recently commemorated this event with the inaugural Four Courts Memorial Lunch at J. B. O’Reilly’s West Leederville. There are still some non-Catholic records available at the Representative Church Body Archive (Church of Ireland), Dublin and a number of other places. However there is no one repository. The Irish Genealogy Toolkit website offers lots of ideas about where to look for them.

Irish Special Interest Group Meetings

The Irish Allsorts presentation to the Irish Special Interest Group by Irish born Perth resident and Irish Scene contributor, Sally Desmond had to be moved to October. So you haven’t missed it yet. Bring your Irish placenames and personal names to the next meeting and find out the proper way to say them. It’s on Sunday 18 October from 2-4.30pm at the WA Genealogical Society, 48 May Street, Bayswater. More information on the WAGS webpage under Events. Visitors and new members always welcome.

Slainte!

Jenni Ibrahim Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group Email irish@wags.org.au Irish SIG webpage http://membership.wags.org.au/specialinterest-groups-mainmenu-47/irish-sig WAGS website http://membership.wags.org.au Online Forum http://membership.wags.org.au/forum/irish-sig (free registration, open to anyone)

Irish Special Interest Group at JB O’Reilly’s

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Salmon and Spinach en Croute

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

Best ever Irish Coffee

Ingredients (Serves 2) 75 ml double cream (well chilled) 2 tblsp light muscovado sugar 2 tblsp whiskey 2 tblsp baileys 2 tblsp kahúla (coffee liqueur) 300 ml freshly brewed piping hot espresso coffee Pinch of ground nutmeg, to decorate 1. I’ve perfected this recipe over time and believe it really is the best ever Irish coffee. Heat the glasses (to keep the coffee hot for longer), by pouring boiling water over them from a kettle, and turning them carefully so that they do not crack.

2. Place the cream in a bowl and lightly whip, then chill until needed. Heat a small, heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat.

Sprinkle the sugar over the base of the frying pan and heat for 1 minute, without stirring - the sugar will caramelise.

3. Pour in the whiskey and quickly light with a match or flambé - the sugar will seize and harden, but don’t worry as it will melt again once the flames die down. Stir in the Baileys and Kahúla and cook over a high heat for 3-4 minutes until smooth, stirring constantly to help the sugar dissolve.

4. Divide the alcohol mixture between two hefty, thick-stemmed glasses, (both about 250ml/9fl oz in capacity) and then carefully pour in the coffee.

5. Then, over the back of a metal spoon, carefully pour a layer of cream on top (the spoon trick really is worth doing as it helps prevent the cream from sinking). Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg and serve at once.

Ingredients (Serves 4) 100 g unsalted butter (softened) 2 tblsp chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tblsp chopped tarragon leaves 1 tblsp chopped dill 1 garlic clove (peeled and crushed) 500 g packet all-butter puff pastry (thawed if frozen) Plain flour (for dusting) 4 (175g each) organic salmon fillets (2.5cm/1” thick, skinned and boned) 50 g baby spinach leaves 1 egg (beaten) Salt and cracked black pepper Salad leaves lightly dressed with french vinaigrette, to serve 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas 6). Place the butter in a small bowl with the parsley, tarragon, dill, garlic and some salt and cracked black pepper, and stir until well combined. Spoon the butter on to a sheet of cling film or non-stick baking paper and shape into a roll about 2.5cm (1in) thick, wrapping tightly. Chill the butter in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to firm up (or refrigerate for up to 48 hours, if time allows).

2. Cut the pastry into eight evenly sized sections and roll each out on a lightly floured work surface to a rectangle of 13 x 18cm (5 x 7in), trimming the edges if necessary. Arrange four of the rectangles on baking sheets lined with non-stick baking paper. Place a salmon fillet in the centre of each one.

3. Unwrap the garlic butter, and cut into 16 equal slices. Arrange four slices on each piece of salmon in an overlapping layer.

Cover with the spinach leaves and season with salt and pepper.

4. Brush the edges of the pastry bases with a little beaten egg and lay a second sheet of pastry on top, pressing down to seal. Crimp all around the edges of each parcel by gently pressing the pastry with the forefinger of one hand and between the first two fingers of the other hand, until completely sealed.

Use a sharp knife to make light slashes in the top of each parcel, being careful not to cut right through.

5. Brush the parcels with the remaining beaten egg and bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is cooked through and golden brown. Place on warmed plates with some dressed salad leaves.

Marguerite O’ Dwyer The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

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MULLINS’ CHESTER CAKE

or DONKEY’S GUDGE or DONKEY’S WEDDING CAKE

Ingredients: 340 grams Stale Bread / old cake 225 grams Flour 60 grams Margarine 225 grams Sugar 450 grams Fruit / 2 Eggs ¼ tsp Nutmeg ¼ tsp Mixed Spice ¼ tsp Cinnamon 1tsp Baking Powder 1tsp Treacle or Cocoa or Coffee to darken 450grm Shortcrust Pastry / or use frozen short crust pastry sheets – enough to line base and put on top of mix to cover.

Method: Remove crusts from bread and cover with cold water, squeeze out after about 1 hour. Sift flour and baking powder, rub in the margarine, add in the sugar, then add spices. Mix in fruit with bread and then turn into flour mixture. Beat for a few minutes. Add wellbeaten eggs and stir in well.

Divide pastry in half, put in greased tin. Spoon mixture into tin. Damp edges of pastry and cover with the other portion.

Slice tin - Bake at 180 degrees for 1½ hours.

Leave in tin to cool. Can be iced if preferred. ENJOY!

SHAMROCK Well it’s coming to the business end of the season at State level with 5 games to go. Unfortunately we won’t reach the great heights of last season with the first team currently sitting in 5th position. The best we can hope for is a top 4 position. Our State Reserves have had a mixed season so far but have just come out of a bad spell with two wins on the trot, and if they continue this form could make the top four. Our under 18 team under the guidance of Alec Robinson have more than held their own in their first season together.

Many of the boys will be eligible to play under 18s again next year, and a top 4 position is not out of reach.

This season our Amateurs First and Reserves are both challenging for top spot in Division 2 with 6 games to go. They are sitting in second position on the ladder. The Social teams are also in a good position to take honours. The First team is sitting in second position and the Reserves in 3rd place in their respective ladders. It’s all to play for in the last 6 games.

Our Under 9s continue to improve under the guidance of Alex Robinson of TFA. Alec will be hosting a junior Tournament at Grimrey Reserve on 20th September.

If last year’s tournament is anything to go by it will be a great day

Rovers

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers and UWA Nedlands in memory of Eleanor who was club secretary for a number of years, and a valued member of the club until her untimely passing.

Round 14 saw us play UWA at McGillivray Oval, Shamrock Rovers winning a very competitive game

so come along and enjoy the day.

The photo above shows Patrick O’Connor being presented a photo of Shamrock Rovers’ very first State League squad in 2011 (in which Paudie was captain) by club president Mick Manning.

Patrick joined the Hoops in 2008 and was vice captain in the club’s 2010 premier league title which laid the pathway for the club’s entry into the State League. Patrick played State League for Rovers for 3 years and then re-joined the club’s amateur set-up in 2014 where he was part of the 3rd division amateur championship first team. Patrick leaves Shamrock Rovers mid-way through the season with the amateur side on top of the league and attempting to win 4 leagues in succession.

We wish Patrick, Audrey and the family the very best in their return to Ireland.

Every year we hold the Eleanor Reinecke Memorial match between

3-1.

Picture of Mick Manning presenting the Eleanor Reinecke Memorial trophy to club captain Will Pender.

Our end of season function is in the Pan Pacific in Perth, 7th November. Tickets $160, includes dinner, drinks and entertainment. More details on the website http://shamrockrovers.com.au/ Thanks to our sponsors for 2015 – Bluescope Distribution, CFMEU, Northside Meats, Killarney Autos, Cellarbrations Duncraig and Tom Hoey. And thanks to Fred Rea and City of Swan for their continued support of the club.

C’mon the Hoops!! Marty Burke

www.shamrockrovers.com.au 89

ST. FINBARRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GAELIC FOOTBALL CLUB WA LADIES LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 2015

Let the Games Begin!

The Australasian Hurling and Football Games 2015 will be held in Lower Hutt, a short distance outside the city Wellington.

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and is located on the south-western tip of the North Island.

Despite its status as New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital, Wellington is a relatively small city with a population of about 450,000. Roughly 200,000 people live in the city centre while the remaining 250,000 are in the greater Wellington region. The greater Wellington region comprises Wellington City, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt.

Western Australia will be represented by a Ladies Gaelic Football team this year. Unfortunately the other teams were unable to travel for different reasons. We wish the ladies all the best and hope they have a very successful tournament.

Visit www.wellingtongaa.com and find out more about the New Zealand GAA.

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

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Gaelic Games Junior Academy Update

By Debbie Cashman Well, we did it! We ran the Cul Camps during the July school holidays! It was a huge success with 65 children taking part. It was great to see online posts go up in Ireland and Perth to see children on opposite parts of the planet enjoy the same games and traditions, even wearing the same Kellogs Cul Camp GAA Jerseys and T shirts! We even had a fair lash of Irish weather to add to the authenticity!

Damien Sheridan who came over from Ireland to lend his experience running the camp, also coached Gaelic Football in schools in the Perth Metro area, he has said it was taken up with great enthusiasm and the Phys Ed teachers now have more tools to carry out their own lesson plans in coaching GAA to the Australian children.

Even though we are getting late in the season (we finish on the 20th Sept) we still have children joining the academy, which is lucky for them as Damien Sheridan also ran coaching courses for our wonderful coaches to make them even better! So armed with more fresh ideas, games and fire in the belly to see out the season.

We have a few bits in the pipeline, with sausage sizzle after the next session, Fathers Day Finals and BBQ in Tom Bateman on the 6th Sept plus prizes to be given away, and the academy kids display their skills from 1pm on the main pitch.

We will also have a fun day to round off our 4th year of Junior Academy. We have many big plans for the future but the fact we are still going and attracting new members is fantastic.

We train every Sunday from 12-1.30/ 2pm in Kingsway sporting complex. Look for the Black and Amber colours (which represents WA, not Killenny…just saying). Many thanks to all our coaches, especially Martin and all the Brady bunch, Ruairi, John, Tony, Roseanne (the minions coach), who are there week in week out, also committee members, sponsors, parents and of course the children themselves!

As we look forward to the October school holidays it will be a well deserved rest time for everyone involved, and next year there is talk we might run another ’camp’ during Oct 2016!

In term 4 Gerry Crowley is planning to so more schools coaching and organise a blitz with the Academy so we look forward to that.

Keep an eye on FB our page is Gaelic Games Junior Academy of WA just click ‘like’ for updates to come to you, or for queries our

secretaries number is 0406 229 450.

Good luck to all the Kerry football mad people flying back for the final, fan is short for fanatic… also here’s to Galway sorting out the Kilkenny Cats…Cork people never hold grudges!

A few County Jokes for you....

• Two old men fishing in a remote part of West Kerry. One turns to the other and says “Cork have lost again”. The other replies “How do you know?” and he answers “Shure its a quarter to five!”

• Tyrone farmer turns to his Derry neighbour in early spring, Paddy Joe have you sown’ your spuds yet? Yes Mickey Joe why? Just making sure you have something to lift in September.

• What do you call a Dublin man with an All Ireland medal?

An antique dealer.

• Oxo are releasing a new type of cube in recognition of the Clare Hurlers season. Its called ‘Laughing Stock’ • What do you say to a dub on All Ireland Final Day? “Two hotdogs please”.

• DJ Carey was caught for speeding on his way to Croke Park today.

“I’ll do anything for 3 points”, he said when questioned.

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Hurling and Camogie Finals

17th of August 2015. Joanne Cunningham, PRO Western Australia Hurling Association.

WA’s hurling and camogie season has officially come to an end with Perth Shamrocks Hurling Club and Western Swans Camogie Team taking home the most desired Kentz ( as a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group) Championship Cup. The season started how it ended, with a great display of hurling technique and ability along with perseverance and determination from each player.

Spectators and opposing teams were given a taste of what this season had in store at the Tim Hickey 7s Tournament. The tournament provided an exhibition of hurling brilliance as each team fought hard to be champions. The Western Swans Hurling and Camogie team identified themselves early on as a formidable force and the ones to beat, as they entered the Kentz Championship League as the winners of the tournament.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for the Western Swans Hurling Team as another team dominated the league, Perth Shamrocks Hurling Team. The final battle of the season allowed the men of Western Swans one last chance to take the cup, but it wasn’t to be, Perth Shamrocks fought hard and pushed back therefore taking ownership of the coveted Championship Cup. The Western Swan ladies maintained their domination and faced St Gabriel’s Camogie team for one last battle, each team, pulled hard, played hard and fought hard.

Gabriel’s gave it their all, giving a great display of skill and determination but unfortunately it wasn’t their year as the Championship Cup was placed firmly into the hands of the Captain of the Western Swans Camogie Team.

This season could not have taken place without our major sponsors Kentz, whose support has made this Championship a possibility. A big thank you is awarded to all of the volunteers who have sacrificed their time and effort to attend meetings and functions, without this help the tournament and league would not have been a success. Only time will tell us who will be the governing force of 2016 as this season ends with a great display of hurling, proving hurling to not only be a sport but also a form of art.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

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

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St Gabriel’s Hurling & CamogieClub Upcoming Events

St Gabriels Club End of Year Party coming soon, see our facebook page for details. All Welcome….

Hurling Sponsors Monford Group: Declan 0450 421 859 www.Monfordgroup.com.au PTR Asset Finance: Simon 0423 032 014 www.ptrasset.com.au PERI Australia Pty Limited: John 0418 885 604 www.periaus.com.au

MONFORD

Camogie Sponsors Duffy & McGowan Formwork, Concrete & Steel Fixing: St. Gabriel’s Hurling & Camogie Peter 0497 370 542 or Jimmy 0412 903 947 GAA WA Club are currently rolling An Sibin Irish Bar, Northbridge Shane 0404 784 102 into our 4th Year in existence.

With the club’s continuing growth Player Contact List: Camogie: Danielle McInerney 0405 418 809 Hurling: Ronan Kilroy 0439 979 237 we would like to welcome back FaceBook: S.t. Gabriels Hurling WA / StGabriels CamogieClub all current and past players for Website: stgabrielsgaaclub.com 2015 and welcome all new players to our great club.

St Gabriel’s GAA Club caters for players of all levels of ability, including those who have never played the sport before. Joining the club is a fantastic way to get fit, meet new people and be involved in lots of fun social activities…..

With the league and championship wrapped up for the year, the hurlers ended their season at the quarter final stage. The camogie team had narrow defeats to Western Swans in both league and camogie finals. The club would like to thank all players, team management and sponsors The equipment for their contribution to the club for the 2015 season. finance specialists …..Thanks to all involved for 2015……GAB’s Abu……

• Specialists in the finance of all forms of business equipment and machinery GOOD LUCK AND • Experts in dealing with high growth business CONGRATULATIONS • Flexible, innovative and competitive finance solutions To club hurlers Eoin “Boggie” • Personalised, tailored approach to our clients Coyne, Noel Lawless and Eoin • Over 20 years experience in the finance industry McKeigue who recently got • Focus on long term client relationships engaged to their partners, Susan, PROUD SPONSORS OF ST.GABRIELS HURLING CLUB WA Sarah Louise & Laura. Hurling Club Secretary Ray Coughlan If you are looking for an experienced support partner to who recently got married to Eva. expand your business Special good luck to Camogie please give Simon Mell at PTR Asset Finance a call: Player Aileen Hogan who gets 2/138 Main Street, Osbourne Park, WA6017 married in September and Ph: (08) 9322 1229 Fax: (08) 9322 1292 congratulations to Martina Mobile: 0423 032 014 Conroy who married in July.

PTR ASSET FINANCE

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Secret Harbour Golf Club Sunday 16 August What a beautiful winter’s day for the 32 players in the field. Saturday 15 August had hit 27 degrees – unbelievable for the

Bombs Away old chap!

You do mean four?

Nedlands Golf Club Sun 12 July

1st Andy McDonald, 2nd Billy Kavanagh, 3rd Paul Jenkins NTP: Jon Stanmore, Kieran Brophy, Sean Byrne, Andy McDonald LD: Mens - Patrick Rafferty LP: Andy McDonald Well done Andy!

middle of winter!

We bid farewell to Anthony Ryan who was returning to Ireland on Tuesday 18th August – Anthony, best wishes to you for the future and remember that you are always welcome back here in the West (well by the Irish Golf Club anyway).

1st Phil Archer 40pts, 2nd Mick Connelly 37pts, 3rd Andy McDonald 36pts Gross: Billy Ross, 2 Ball: Phil Archer Ladies LD: Sally Ann McDonald, Men LD: Billy Ross NTP: Martin Sheehan, Dominic Hyde, Andy McDonald, Gerry Kelly LPutt: Sally Ann McDonald Well done to a worthy winner in Phil Archer.

Mike O’Callaghan Secretary

Is drinking costing you MORE than money?

Help is available!

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

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution, does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Contact: Alcoholics Anonymous,

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

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Some people take their golf extraordinarily seriously. One such group of diehards were the proprietors of the Richmond Golf Club in Surrey, England, who drafted an interim set of rules explaining what players must do should Nazi aircraft bomb the greens mid-game.

These darkly demure guidelines were implemented after an Axis bomber hit one of the club’s buildings — such a course hazard makes hungry bull sharks look tame. The rules were as follows: In 1940, an English golf club wrote rules explaining proper conduct should Nazi bombs suddenly fall.

1. Players are asked to collect Bomb and Shrapnel splinters to save as these are causing damage to the mowing machines.

2. In competitions, during gunfire, or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.

3. The positions of known delayed-action bombs are marked by red flags placed at reasonably, but not guaranteed safe distance therefrom.

4. Shrapnel/and/or bomb splinters on the Fairways, or in Bunkers within a club’s length of a ball may be moved without penalty, and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidentally.

5. A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.

6. A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole without penalty.

7. A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. The penalty is one stroke.

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday All welcome to join in.

Live music from 7pm.

Club Events September to November 2015 SEPTEMBER

Friday 4th at midday:- Senior’s Lunch; bookings 9381 5213 Friday 4th at 7pm:- Comhaltas Irish Ceile Dance *Saturday 6th:- 5.40pm, Eagles vs Saints at Domain Stadium Saturday 6th at 7.30 Northern Soul - tickets at the door, contact Pete 0417920263 Saturday 12th at 7.30pm – Columbian Dance Night, contact Sergio 0401530202 Friday 18th at 7.30pm, Motown Magic -contact Nigel on 0487921687 for more information Tuesday 22 September at 8pm AIHA Book Club (Last Orders’ by Graham Swift,) Contact Maureen 9279 5959

GAA GAMES DIRECT FROM IRELAND EVERY SUNDAY EVENING IN SEPTEMBER FROM 10pm

OCTOBER

riday 2nd at midday:- Senior’s Lunch; bookings 9381 5213 F Sat 3rd at 7.30pm:- Northern Soul - tickets at the door, contact Pete 0417920263 Saturday 17th at 7.30pm – Columbian Dance Night, contact Sergio 0401530202 Sunday 25 at 3pm:- AIHA presents a History of Ceile Dancing Tuesday 27 at 8pm:- AIHA Book Club - Contact Maureen 9279 5959 Friday 30th:-Fleetwood Mac at Domain Stadium — Club open from 2pm ITP’s production of Noel O’Neill’s play, Last Bus to Contrition Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Saturday 31st

NOVEMBER

ITP’s production of Noel O’Neill’s play, Last Bus to Contrition Sunday 1st (Play matinee), Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th, Friday 6th , Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th Friday 6th at midday:- Senior’s Lunch; bookings 9381 5213 Sat 7th at 7.30:- Northern Soul - tickets at the door, contact Pete 0417920263 Saturday 14th at 7.30pm – Columbian Dance Night, contact Sergio 0401530202 Tuesday 24th at 8pm:- AIHA Book Club - Contact Maureen 9279 5959 Fri 27th and Sun 29th:- AC/DC at Domain - Club Open from 2pm both days.

AS WE DO NOT KNOW THE END RESULT OF THE AFL LADDER, WE CANNOT SAY HOW MANY HOME FINALS WILL BE PLAYED AT DOMAIN The Club will open three hours before each AFL game and food service will start two hours before each game

Irish Music every Friday evening with Comhaltas Irish Language Classes each Monday at 7pm Pie and Pint Every Thursday Night from 5.30pm. Live Music from 7.00pm.

NB. MAKE A NOTE IN YOUR DIARY FOR FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER WHEN THE POLICE PIPE BAND WILL PERFORM AT THE IRISH CLUB’S THEATRE. Details will be posted on the Irish Club Website!

61 Townshend Road, Subiaco WA 6008

Tel: +61 8 9381 5213

irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

www.irishclubofwa.com.au

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OPENING HOURS & ACTIVITIES MONDAY: Bar: 4pm - 10.30pm Irish Language Classes TUESDAY: Bar: 4pm - 10.30pm WEDNESDAY: Bar: 4pm - 10.30pm THURSDAY: Bar: 4pm - Midnight Pint and Pie Night Music from 7pm FRIDAY: Bar: 4pm - Midnight Kitchen 5.30-8.30pm Comhaltas Music Lessons Set Dancing 8.00pm followed by the Seisiun SATURDAY: Bar open 4pm - Late SUNDAY: Bar: 4pm - 10pm The Irish Club is a members only club, and we welcome new members. Application forms can be downloaded from the website irishclubofwa.com.au