Irish Scene September October 2017

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

Vol 19 Number 6

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Coming Even Damien

DEMPSEY

GHermitage reen

www.irishscene.com.au

Sept/Oct 2017

GAA Championships AUSTRALASIAN

IRISH RACE DAY

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STATE IRISH DANCING CHAMPIONS 2017

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SENSE IRELAND OF

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Famine Memorial Unveiling

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THE IRISH SCENE

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

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Page Index

A View From Home 33 AIHA ‘A Sense of Ireland’ 72 Around the Irish Scene 89 Arthur Kennedy by Peter Conole 21 Brian Burke’s Autobiography 84 Changing Your Colours/Bill Daly 60 Claddagh Association 64 Comhaltas Perth 59 Damien Dempsey 27 Dermot Quiz 52 Echos of the Past 43 Egg Throwing Competition 9 Fenian Lunch at JB O’Reilly’s 83 Fenians Freedom Festival 18 Fiddlesticks Folk/BluesClub 54 G’day from Melbourne 45 GAA Reports 91 Going on the Pull 29 Hermitage Green 26 Hon Irish Consul 75 In Conversation with John Hagan 76 Ireland & WA Links 5 Irish Club of WA 61 Irish Dancing 62 Irish Families in Perth 40 Irish Golf Club 95 Irish Hotelier in Perth 67 Irish Language 74 Irish Race Day 32 Irish Recipes with Mags 71 Irish Seniors 80 Irish Theatre Players 79 Isteach sa Teach 36 Joan Ross Retires 4 Jonathan Swift Wit 50 Land of Milk and Honey 70 Lee Behan – MasterChef 34 Les Murray Tribute 78 Live Music in Perth 53 Looking Back – Cork 1958 13 Looking Back 10 Years ago 2 3 Meet Paddy French 16 Dara, One Step Beyond 51 Padraig McCaul, Irish painter 65 Paula from Tasmania 87 Perth Glory Irish Connections 10 Rose of Tralee 47 Shamrock Rovers 90 Technology Overload by Ciarain 28 Tele Station, Tele Nation 55 The Holy Ghost by Moloney 49 Ulster Rambles with David 58 WA Famine Commemoration 7 WAGS 81

Billy and Joan Ross

A constant friend to those in need All good things must eventually come to an end. Northern Ireland native Joan Ross was one of the original group of concerned people who came together to form the Claddagh Association twenty years ago and who has served it tirelessly ever since, including for many years as president. But she recently announced she had decided to retire from the committee behind the non-profit organisation which has helped hundreds of Irish in times of trauma and hardship. “I am so proud to have been associated with this organisation from its inception in January 1997,” said Joan.

“Over the years I have been very fortunate to have met many people from the Irish community, both here in Western Australia and in Ireland. I have experienced times of great sorrow and sadness to times of great pride in our Irish family in WA.” There are a lot of people and groups deserving of mention and gratitude she added. “I thank you all for your support, which never ceased, you always came up with the funds to help us to help those in crisis. Thank you to the committee members who over the past 20 years have and continue to give unselfishly of their time to support Claddagh. Special thanks from me to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Ireland, Canberra staff, Emigrant Support Program. But also to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Marty Kavanagh, WA Irish Consulate and all the other Irish Clubs and associations in Perth who have enabled

the Claddagh Association to carry out their mission, to support the Irish community in Western Australia in times of crisis and trauma. Thank you all.”

Tributes poured in from those who know her or worked with Joan and even some of those who she has helped over the years.

“Joan, what an amazing contribution you have made to the Irish expat community in Perth,” said Jackie McKiernan. “With Bill at your side, you have provided a great team to ensure the very best results for everyone. You really do stand tall amongst your peers.

You have sought no accolades, but they have come. You and Bill deserve a long and happy future, albeit a phone call away - when your guidance is needed. Go well.”

Irish Families in Perth organiser An Ghirseach said it was hard to believe she was going. “Thank you for your support of all things Irish and especially helping IFIP get off the ground. Here’s to enjoying a fun filled retirement with Billy.”

On behalf of her family, Patricia O’Dywer wished Joan, Bill and their family a long retirement filled with great joy and many blessings. “Not a day goes by that we don’t think of you all in the Claddagh Association” she said.

For Eimear Boland Joan was a true inspiration. “You gave me your time five years ago when I came to Perth to sit and tell me of the work that Claddagh do. Many years wanting to get involved with helping throw a few coins here and there. It’s great now to be more involved in the Claddagh and I look forward to my journey ahead. You have helped so many people over the years and it’s sad to see you retire but great for you and the family. Joan enjoy this time and your new experiences. Thank you and God bless you”.

Nathan Slane said Joan was a credit to the Irish community and her retirement was well deserved and she should enjoy every moment of it. A sentiment echoed by Sinead Doherty.

Daughter Rachel Ross agreed. “Well done mum for your hard work and effort all these years. Time to relax and enjoy retirement with daddy (and have your grandkids more often)”.

Eithne Morgan passed on “much love” from Eithne, Colin and family and everyone involved with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Joan is a grants manager with the Commonwealth Department of Health and has also worked in aged care for the past 20 years.

For her selfless service to the Irish community Joan was presented with the Australia Irish Heritage Association’s Brendan award in 2016. She was a constant champion for the Claddagh, and the community. In April 2013, for example, Joan met with then Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness (RIP) at Stormont to launch a new information booklet to help Irish people thinking about making the move to prepare properly for the migration experience.

We at the Irish Scene also pass on our good wishes to Joan and Bill for a happy and long retirement.

Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat.

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Ireland and Western Australia Famine links

By Lloyd Gorman

Western Australia and Ireland share cultural and historical links that Michael D Higgins - President of Ireland/Uachtarán na hÉireann - is well placed to appreciate and understand.

Within the first year of his election as the ninth president of Ireland in 2011, he was presented with the John Boyle O'Reilly Literary Award in Dublin.

A respected poet and author in his own right Mr Higgins thanked the awards committee for their efforts to encourage awareness and appreciation of the historic Irish figure who was an intellectual, poet, writer and humanitarian born in Dowth, Co. Meath in 1844. O'Reilly is Uachtarán na hÉireann a figure the president knows more Michael D. Higgins than a bit about.

Not long before he won the liter- theatre in Ireland.

All of this flowed from what the ary award the newly elected president had visited Boston. He found President said was "a bold and darthat American city which would be- ing escape from Australia".

It was Western Australia, just come O'Reilly's home had an immense appreciation for his work and outside Bunbury, in particular that O'Reilly escaped from. He legacy and contrihad enlisted in the 10th bution to the civil Hussars in Ireland but rights movement in dedicated himself to rethe United States. cruiting his fellow solPresident Higdiers to the cause of Irish gins said O'Reilly freedom. For this he was was a popular masfound guilty of mutiny ter of ceremonies and was to be shot on July when at events or9 1866, a sentence which ganized to welcome was commuted to life imsuch Irish leaders prisonment and later to as Michael Davitt twenty years penal serviand Charles Stewtude. He languished in art Parnell when English prisons for two they visited America. Oscar Wilde Michael D. Higgins with years before he was transJohn Boyle O'Reilly ported - along with sixcame to America to award ty-two other Fenians - on ask O’Reilly to publish his mother’s poetry under the board the Hougoumont, arriving pseudonym “Speranza”. When WB into Fremantle on January 1868. In a Yeats travelled to America, he had little more than a year in the colony one mission and that was to talk to O'Reilly had - with the help of many O’Reilly about setting up a national in the local Irish community 5

planned, organised and effected a daring and successful escape for himself in February 1869. He absconded to America where he would work with others to orchestrate the getaway several years later (1876) of six of his Fenian comrades who were still being held at Fremantle Gaol.

If O'Reilly spent a relatively short time in Western Australia then his legacy has endured and is still celebrated. O'Reilly was as much a man of letters as he was of action and like the Irish president - was a poet of some note. When American president John Fitzgerald Kennedy addressed the Dail (Irish Parliament) during his official visit to Ireland he quoted O'Reilly’s poetry in his speech.

President Higgins is aware of the fact that the renowned Hungarian-American the newspaper publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, commissioned O'Reilly to write a poem for the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty.

O'Reilly was born into the Famine known as the Great Hunger, a subject Mr Higgins has spoken about eloquently and with passion on several occasions, and one that he also has a strong West Australian connection.

In January of this year President Higgins was presented with a Famine era travel box typical of the chests used by many of the 4000 young women and girls sent out to Australia on the Earl Grey Scheme, and other schemes to send women to fledgling WA colony.

The replica travel box was built by inmates of Arbour Hill prison and given to the president by Michael Blanch, the chairman of the Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims and Mark O'Brien, assistant chief officer of the Irish Prison Service.

tionally high standard and what was created is a beautiful and poignant reminder of the stark choices faced by young women, such as those who participated in the Earl Grey Scheme, who found themselves orphaned, dependent on the workshop for survival and with very few options in life.

“These boxes remind us of those calamitous times and the desperate plight of these women and millions of others like them. I would like to commend the men who made this chest for their act of solidarity with these women, and for their understanding that the story of these women should be remembered. The chest I was presented with will go on display in here in Áras an Uachtaráin.”

Fred Rea and the WAIFC introduced the Travel Box project in Western Australia two years ago and several of these boxes have been dedicated and donated to several Irish and WA recipients. These include the Castleblakeney heritage centre in Galway, Mountjoy Prison, Carrickmacross Workhouse in Co. Monaghan and the Dunbrody and Jeannie Johnson Famine ships in Dublin and Wexford amongst others. In WA boxes are now a part of the York Heritage Museum and heritage centres in Dardanup and Bunbury.

President Michael D Higgins, Mr. Mark O’Brien and Mr. Michael Blanch

President Higgins showed his appreciation for the gesture in a letter.

“This box was one of several that have been made by Irish prisoners and which have been placed throughout Ireland, the US and Australia as reminders of the desperate plight of so many in the dark years during and after the famine,” President Higgins wrote.

“I would like to thank the men who were involved in making the box. Their workmanship was of an excep-

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W E S T E R N

A U S T R A L I A

IRISH FAMINE

COMMEMORATION Dedicated to remembering the Irish immigrants who left their homeland as a result of the Famine AN GORTA MÓR (The Great Hunger) In Association with The Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims

C.C.I.F.V

Famine Memorial for Subiaco A lasting connection will be formed between Ireland and Western Australia that will be celebrated on October 9th with the unveiling of a memorial An Gorta Mór in the heart of Subiaco.

The years 1845-52 mark that terrible period in Irish history that we have come to remember and call An Gorta Mór - 'The Great Hunger' The proximate cause of the famine was a potato blight that ravaged crops throughout Europe. But the impact in Ireland was disproportionate as one third of the population was dependent on the potato for a range of ethnic, religious, political, social and economic reasons land acquisition, absentee landlords and 'corn laws'.

The famine was a watershed in Irish history; it changed the island's demographic, cultural and political landscape; it became a rallying point for nationalist movements; it highlighted ethnic and sectarian tensions between many Irish and the British Crown. This was a legacy carried by emigrants to the USA, Australia, Canada and elsewhere. That same legacy came to Western Australia in 1853 on such ships as the Travencore and the Palestine. Many Irish girls between the ages of 18 and 23

were sent from workhouses in Ireland to Western Australia in the 1850s and 1860s.

With the support of the City of Subiaco and the generosity of local Irish sculptors, Joan Walsh-Smith and Charlie Smith of Smith Sculptors the memorial will be an abiding tribute and destination for the Irish/ Australian community in Australia.

Our sincere thanks to our local Irish community for their support of this project. In our next edition will will list in detail the tremendous support of the Irish business's in Western Australia.

The monument construction has been managed by Peter McKenna and he has put in long hours to to get the project completed. We are indepted in Peter.

We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude the Mayor Heather Henderson and the staff of the City of Subiaco giving the site and financial support.

The memorial pictured as a figure is of a kneeling mother keening for her lost children. This is expressed by the hollow, empty womb.

It also expresses the loss of all the children of Ireland through the forced emigration caused by the Famine.

To support the project please visit our website:

www.waifc.org

or Call Fred Rea 0418 943 832 7

This memorial will be a lasting legacy for the Irish/Western Australian community. Together we are telling the story of the Irish famine and its connection to Australia but without you, it just wouldn’t be possible.

Fred Rea, Chairman WAIFC

W E S T E R N

A U S T R A L I A

IRISH FAMINE

COMMEMORATION

MEMORIAL SUBIACO WESTERN AUSTRALIA

An Gorta Mór The Great Hunger

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Book online: www.ianjefferymotors.com.au Ian Jeffery brings his Irish skills and service to Perth!

By Fred Rea and Lloyd Gorman

Irish mechanic Ian Jeffery wants to take the hard work and guess work out of the equation for customers. The Galway man has a deep pride in the work he does and a desire to give his customers the best service he can.

"We are looking at doing quality services and knowing who you are getting your car serviced by, rather than just dropping it off somewhere and not knowing what happens to it, to have that local mechanic feel, bringing the quality back, using quality products and getting value for your money," he said. "Rather than feeling when you drop off your car and pick it up again and you don't feel any difference. We do every form of mechanical servicing, repairs, clutches, gearboxes, air conditioning, tyres and lots of auto-electrical work, which is something we are keen on."

Established earlier this year, Ian Jeffery Motors might be a new kid on the block in Malaga but in reality, it is just the latest incarnation of a proud family tradition with deep Irish roots.

"I served my time as an appren-

tice in with my Uncle Framton Jeffery in Lee Garage on South Terrace in Cork City, which was originally my granddads Donald Jeffery Garage, which opened in 1926 on Merchants Quay and it moved to South Terrace in the 1960's. Then I had my own little business in Ireland for a while, in Carrigaline (Cork), called Ian Jeffery Motors."

Ian came to Australia about five years ago and was sponsored by Hitachi Construction Machinery. He is now with Roy Hill, an iron ore mining, rail and port operator in the Pilbara in WA. "With the good roster, I'm on - 14 days on and 11 days off - we decided it was time to open another Ian Jeffery Motors and Malaga seemed like the right place in Perth to do it."

Because of the quality of his training and his experience Ian said his company is well placed as a one stop shop to help customers with whatever issues they have.

"I'm a dual trade, I'm a car mechanic originally, now I'm a heavy Diesel mechanic in the mines."

Because they open for business on Sundays he is able to stand out from the competition and help customers when they can't normally get to a garage.

"It's crazy how busy we have been, we had six customers call in two hours from our Google ads, we 8

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are the only workshop open on a Sunday in Malaga. Its quite strange no-one else has done it."

When Ian Jeffery Motors opened in June it was largely friends who brought their cars in to the fledgling garage but good service and word of mouth quickly helped it to establish a reputation in the area.

Ian said Mobil 1 Oil (Statewide Oil) have also been supportive and helpful to get the business up and running.

"Mobil 1 is a big well-known oil company and John from Statewide Oil have kindly come on board to sign-write the garage and give us our uniforms and hats, supply our oil products and to look after our waste oil, service stickers and all our consumables, as well their involvement with promotion, marketing and sponsorship of events, which has been great.

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The following appeared in a localChoctaw Perth newspaper in March 1980. Makes interesting Indian... reading and as for egg throwing, you couldn't find a better man that Louis Byrnes. The question is who is the man who wore the egg on his face?

How far can you throw an egg with a Crack-up?

A practice throw by Louis Byrnes (above), of Wembley, and, splash… an egg slips through the hands of ???? and splatters over his face. They were practising for today’s attempt on the world egg throwing-catching record.

Members of the public are invited to attempt to break the record, which stands at 350ft (about 106m), during today’s

Gaelic Sports Carnival starting at Claremont Oval at 9.30am.

The carnival is being held as a family affair to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) will provide thrower and eggs for people wanting to attempt to break the record.

Other novelty events will include Gaelic football, hurling, a hole-in-one golf competition and various races for children.

This is the best job when you’re involved in an eggthrowing competition.

Here’s how to get egg on your face. When you’re at the receiving end it’s a good idea to make a clean catch!

9

Perth Glory and A-League Irish Connections!

By Fred Rea

Dubliner and Irish International soccer player, Andy Keogh has played in the English Premier League with Wolverhampton Wolves and at all other professional levels of English football with eight other clubs. He scored 12 times in his first A-League season with Glory. After a stint in Thailand, he re-joined Glory in January of 2016 and banged in 22 goals. In 2006 Andy played for Republic of Ireland B team, 2006–2008 played U21 and 2007–2012 played full internationals for Republic of Ireland and made 30 appearances.

Andy was kind enough to donate one of his Irish team jerseys for the Irish Families in Perth recent Irish night at the Woodvale Tavern fundraiser for the Famine Memorial.

I took the opportunity to call Andy and thank him for his support and also to discuss the Perth Glory and the coming season.

He told us that last season was up and down and he said, “We were very inconsistent, when we were good we were very good and when we were bad, very bad!”.

Perth Glory have recruited well for the coming season and Andy said that will help the club achieve their goal of finishing top two.

Andy likes finding the net and this coming season he hopes to continue that success in previous A-League seasons. “Our attack was never in question last season as we scored the most goals in the league and now that we have recruited more experienced defenders it

should solve our leaking goals”.

Controlling the game and better defending is the clubs aim this year and the attacking side should show through he said.

Congratulations also to Andy as he has been appointed to a leadership role for the coming season.

Now armed with his permanent residency Andy has more options for the future in Australia. “Its enjoyable here at this time for myself, wife and kids, especially when the weather improves”.

He is very impressed with the quality of the football in Australia especially the facilities. “Melbourne City have set the standard and with plans to have a home at Ashfield with state of the art facilities, it all goes well for the coming years of Glory”. Of course, this will create more jobs and more involvement in the game. “Perth has the highest kid activity of any sport and if we can create a home of football we can nurture that talent”. With Fremantle creating a home in Cockburn and the Eagles in Lathlain, the Glory will also have a home if the plans come to fruition. “I feel this is long overdue and to have a home for training but our games will continue to be played at Perth Oval”.

Andy feels soccer in WA could be better organised but with everyone working towards one goal to encourage young players to play for Glory it can only improve the game in WA. Andy said he is looking forward to the coming season and the team 10 10

is aiming at finishing top two which will get them into the Asian champions league and, also a chance of playing in the A-League Grand Final.

“We want to concede less goals and if we continue to score and shore up the back, who knows what the coming season will hold for us!”

Andy has spotted the Irish flag in the crowd at the Glory matches, something he’d like to see even more off. “There are a lot of Irish in Perth who like their football and it would be great to get more of them along to the matches, especially myself being Irish, it would be good to see more of them around”.

Andy reminded me that he isn’t the only Glory player with good Irish credentials. Teammate Shane Lowry’s parents are from Dublin.

Lowry himself was born in Aus-

tralia but began his international career with the Republic of Ireland under-17 team. He represented Ireland up to under-23 level before, in September 2009, opting to make himself available to the Australia national team for his senior career.

The other Irish connections in the Australian A-League are Corkman, Roy O’Donovan who has signed for Newcastle Jets from Central Coast and of course ex Glory player, Brandon O’Neill of Sydney FC whose parents Lorraine and Myles are from Dublin.

I, like Andy, am looking forward to the coming season with great anticipation. To have an Irish International playing in Western Australia is wonderful and we should be supporting them.

Good luck to Glory for the coming season and who knows, Andy might get the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals, I can tell you it won’t be for the lack of trying! Andy gives 110% whenever he plays!

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Long ago-in the land of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghosts where the banshee’s cried at night as we shuddered in our nightmare troubled beds, and when the sun tried to show his face through cloudy skies, day dreaming as we shuffled off to school. Looking back now it seemed as if I always lived in fear of ghosts and the guilt that lay under the shadow of the church. But in the light of my innocence, my only escape was rock ‘n’ roll music and the “pictures”.

I remember one cold November Saturday afternoon, wearing out the polished floor, standing by the front door waiting for my sister like a pound-puppy waiting to be walked.

I stood there, washed, pressed and ironed, hair all greased, teeth scrubbed with salt, shoes polished, pockets filled with sweets and my heart filled with high expectation.

My sister dressed in summer best in polka dots the color of apricots, singing like a jail- bird through the quaking house, rocking around the sleepy clock to Bill Hailey and the Comets on the wireless. Slipping into low heels, wishing they were high, kissing me on the cheek with the promise of “We’re going to see Howard Keel in the pictures. I saw it four years ago when it first came out and I want to see it again. You’ll love it. It’s a cowboy picture, and they’re singing in it too. Let me see now, Comb, purse, money and keys, coats and scarves in case we freeze.”

Then I, taken out by the trembling hand onto the double-decker bus into the pounding heart of the city, past the butchers and bakers, the smell of potatoes, the tinkers, the sailors, the out-of-work failures.

The hurdy-gurdy down and dirty, bell ringing street singing voices filled with sadness and long ago lost hopes. Children in rags singing to the rhythm of skipping ropes, “House on fire, chimney smokin’. Miss O’Leary’s nose is broken”. There were choirs of angels singing somewhere from a church or a school with a chorus of madness in the streets from idiots and fools. From high above my window seat I watched ragged children of my own age acting out

Looking Back.

By Noel O’Neill

Cork 1958 games of cowboys and Indians, with cobblestone alleys as their open stage. I was prince among players safe inside the warm old smoky bus, sucking lemon drops looking out at every stop, at smiling neighbors wringing mops and old pawnshops where my mother’s wedding band played ring around the not so rosy when times were sad, when times were mad, when times were bad. Old women gossiped with tongues running free, lonely men sat by the River Lee, staring into the dark waters of what never was and would never be. Young dogs chased old cats while young wives shook out old worn out welcome mats.

I was taken out and taken away by what was all around me. Out among the rag and bone, Molly Malone streets. I was in tune to the peeling church bells and the convent cells and the rattle of rosary beads of prayers for all good deeds as the nuns floated past as in possession of a black and white procession. I saw fat men in fancy cars with trilby hats and thick cigars. I passed the private houses where the wealthy walked proud and the public houses where many men stumbled. I could see from where I sat the tired hands of ‘Mangans’ clock slowly turning and time slowly passing through my bittersweet Irish life.

The Assembly House picture house stood there like a temple to the gods, the false gods my sister believed in her head and in the stars that shone from the walls around her bed. Elvis Presley, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Johnnie Raye, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis.

Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones……

There were musicals that danced in her head and sprang from her voice 13

as she danced and sang around our sad old house. Songs from Oklahoma, Carousel, Show Boat, High Society, Calamity Jane, Annie Get Your Gun, Guys and Dolls” and all those songs she knew so well.

I was her partner on the kitchen floor, a stumbling Fred Astaire crashing into doors while Ginger Rogers tapped on the pots and pans with spoons in her hands. We were Jack and Jill and Don and Phil Everly harmonizing through “Kathy’s Clown” And here we were then holding hands waiting with the rest of the fans pushing through the turnstile, ushered by torch-light shining up a dark night down row upon row down among those who watched show upon show, past the giggling couples in the back row, down into the twilight smoky picture house until he finally found two seats. We were two out of hundreds sitting there in anticipation looking for hope and salvation in color from the black and white dreariness and deprivation. Looking to escape from our ordinary world of reality, into the magic extraordinary world of make-believe.

Matches were struck and cigarettes were lit, some men swore while other’s spat. The giggles and the slap and tickle from the back row stopped and no longer allowed.

There was a hush from the crowd.

The general chatter and we barely looked around and all voices ceased as the house lights went down. We were all spellbound in admiration as if God was about to appear as the curtains opened. The screen came alive and my sister and I were transported into another time, from our black and white lives into the land of living color. It was “Seven Brides and Seven Brothers” filled with song and dance and fights and beautiful sights. We sat through it twice as you could only do then and I knew if we could, we would watch it again.

She found some change in her purse and I left my seat as a woman with the tray of ice-cream wafers and sweets and smiles came down the aisles and stood in the front of the curtain in the intermission as I shuf-

fled in line” What’ll you have luv?” “Two wafers please”.

It was a journey in itself overshoes and sore feet trying to find my way back to my seat as I stepped on toes in the wrong rows while my sister sat there laughing at my embarrassment. We ate our wafers, careful not to drip or let the ice-cream slip on our selves and threw the sticky papers under our seats. We laughed at The Three Stooges and The Looney Tune Cartoons and watched the action of the coming attractions and talked about what we were going to see next as we stepped out into the cold dark streets. We walked back home, kicking tin cans, throwing stones. Then we started singing to one another whatever lyrics we remembered, the rest we made up. We were stared at as if we were mad, but in our hearts we were no longer sad, we were glad. In our minds we were in a musical, I was Howard Keel and my sister was Jane Powell and that was all that mattered, that was all we needed to take us away from the alley cats and the river rats and the city noise and the ‘Teddy Boys’ the drunken fights and the fading lights and the sad endless futility all around us.

We took our time without reason or rhyme. There was no rush home. My sister stopped and windowshopped and adored the things she could not afford but could one day dream when things were good when she dreamed of Hollywood. Then the rain came down to dampen but not to drown her dreams as she broke into “Singin’ in the Rain” and I was Gene Kelly splashing about in the puddles. We were drenched when we got home. Mom put another shovel of coal on the fire while my sister dried her hair. Dad dropped a book he was reading as he dozed with his glasses on his nose in his

chair. I knew Mom envied our adventure as she took off my wet shoes, put them by the fire so my sister and I, bursting to tell her, instead played it down as if we had turned down her favorite song on the wireless. I looked out the window as I changed into my pajamas and the rain was coming down in grey sheets and washed all the color out of film we saw and we were black and white again but in the bedroom next to mine I could hear my sister singing “ Goin’ Courtin’ as Jane Powell had sung in ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” until my dad woke up from his slumber and shouted from the bottom of the stairs “BE QUIET UP THERE”! Her sweet voice faded soft and deep as she drifted off to sleep.

I sit here now in the Land of Oz, her tin man, a little more rusted a little more heart broken with only the ghost my beloved “Dorothy” skipping around me. And when her birthday comes around, I pay my respects.” If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why oh why can’t I? There are bigger television screens now and my eyes are not what they used to be. I have a front row seat now and row upon row of musicals to pick from, and I do. I look back and on her birthday my screen comes alive and the gods are still young and kind so they sing to me, they sing to my sister and from somewhere back in time I hear her sweet voice singing along.

My memories come alive and I find myself singing along as if it were just the two of us again splashing around in the dark streets of Cork again “Singin and dancin’ in the rain”.

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Meet Paddy French

You are one of the oldest members of the Irish pensioners at 91. What are your first memories as a boy or baby?

I went to school very young.

First the National School in where I lived, Crumlin Village. The elderly lady teacher there had a smell.

It probably was perfume, which my mother did not use. I do remember her telling me, I was a fool.

You lived in Dublin, what was it like in your times, as times were hard those days?

Poverty was very high, particularly in the city tenements as my Daddy came from the “liberties” (an old part of Dublin). I had aunts and uncles there. We used to visit them in their tenement homes (they did smell) not like mummy, who was a good manager of money. They would send their children (of which there were many) down to the shops to buy something to eat, on a meal by meal basis, depending on the money they had then.

As you were a bricklayer, where did you serve your time and how long for?

Bricklaying was controlled in Dublin then by The Ancient Guild of Incorporated Brick and Stone Layers, established 1670 (pre unions). They regulated the numbers of apprentices and their training. As my grandfather and father were bricklayers, I had first choice. I sat for an

16

examination to get into Bolton Technical School. They took ten apprentices every year. It was a two year course which counted off the six years apprenticeship.

You were taught other school subjects. That changed me from being a fool.

Did you come from a big family?

Yes, six children, three girls and three boys. I was the eldest boy.

What year did you get married and how old were you at the time?

Married 22nd August 1951. I was twenty five years of age.

How did you get from Dublin to Australia in those days?

Got married in the morning, got a plane to Liverpool (they had planes then), got the train to London, then boat S.S. Oronsay from Tilbury next day. We paid fifty nine pounds each. That was a lot of money then.

Was Perth your city of choice?

We planned to live in Melbourne. We stopped in Fremantle and paid for a conducted tour. We were taken through the posh riverside suburbs. It left a big impression on us. We found Melbourne big and drab by comparison. After a few months, we came back to Perth.

You live in Fremantle but you always make it to the Irish Club, why?

I like the Irish Club for its ambience and camaraderie, that Irishness feeling there.

Does the Irish Scene magazine bring back memories and what is your opinion of it?

It’s been said before, we are very fortunate having the Irish Scene in Perth. Fred and his colleagues keep us all informed about what’s happening. It’s also nice to see one’s photo there, occasionally.

Do you have a favourite film or actor?

I am not much of a picture person. There is an Australian TV film that I have seen and enjoyed many times called “The Castle”.

You have great friends in W.A. would you ever go home again on a holiday?

In recent years I have been able to afford to go every few years. I was in Dublin for the 1916 celebrations. It was great to be there.

What would you like to be remembered for when you pass away?

With fond and loving memories.

Would you have chosen any other place if you could go back in life?

I was going to Canada before Australia. I am glad I changed my mind. Perth has been a good town to bring up and rear a family.

It is always a pleasure to meet you at any time, why are you always happy?

I consider myself a ‘lucky bastard’. I enjoy good health, I have a very supportive and loving family (as they say in Ireland ‘Thank God’).

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FE

FREEDOM

The Hougoumont Project

The Fenians, Fremantle & Freedom Festival will be a tenday cultural festival in Fremantle, starting on Friday 5/1/2018 and running until Sunday 14/1/2018.

As well as being a commemorative event to honour the Fenians and others transported to Australia - one of the greatest stories in Australian history it will be a celebration of Irish culture and influence in Australia.

Information night and first practice of the new Irish Community Choir was held at the Irish Club in Subiaco on Monday the 26th June. It was a chance for all to meet up and exchange ideas as well as singing up to six songs on the night!

The Irish Choir will officially start their first term after the school holidays.

There will be a weekly session on a Wednesday starting on Wednesday the 12th July and time for the regular sessions will be confirmed on the night.

For more information please email Audree at audreepoff@gmail.com Audree Grennan, organiser

FREMANTLE

S N NIA

FESTIVAL

January 10, 2018 marks the 150year anniversary of the arrival of the last convict ship to Australia - the Hougoumont. This ship anchored near Rottnest Island on the night of 9th January and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia on 10 January 1868.

Onboard the vessel were 280 convicts including 62 Irish political prisoners known as Fenians. The Fenian movement or the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) flourished in Ireland during the 1860’s fighting for Ireland’s freedom from English rule.

The English defeated the rebellion and two groups were charged and convicted – civilians and those who had served in the British military.

The arrested civilians were treated as political prisoners while the military men were treated more harshly as criminals, and charged with treason for betraying the British army. All were transported to Western Australia. While the civilians were able to become ticketof-leave men, the military Fenians were sentenced to prison for at least 20 years and some for life.

Many of the Fenians were educated and wrote poetry and articles onboard the Hougoumont.

Two of the Fenians - John Flood, a journalist and John Boyle O’Reilly, 18 18

a poet - published 7 editions of a ‘newspaper’ on board the Hougoumont to ‘keep up the spirits’ of the prisoners on board. They called it the Wild Goose and the original copy survives in the Mitchell Library, NSW. Another Fenian, Denis Cashman, wrote a diary during the voyage. A transcript of this is in the Battye Library, Perth.

The administrators of the Swan River Colony were not keen on these new arrivals, who they considered to be dangerous. The Fenians were literate, educated and less trouble than most of the convicts in Fremantle prison. Those who remained in the colony contributed greatly to Western Australia, while others, including John Flood made significant contributions to Australian society.

John Boyle O’Reilly was transferred to Bunbury where he worked on a road gang and later delivered mail in the district. He was a keen observer of local flora and fauna, an advocate for the

preservation of a large Jarrah tree and one of the first people to contribute to the literature of WA. His observations of the treatment of Aboriginal people and his story about the bushranger, Moondyne were published in the USA some years later.

John Boyle O’Reilly, together with members of the local Irish community and a Catholic priest, Fr

McCabe, plotted his escape aboard the Gazelle in 1869. Once in the US, O’Reilly became the editor of the Boston Pilot and worked to organise for the American whaling ship the Catalpa to undertake a daring rescue of the remaining military Fenian prisoners from Western Australia in 1876.

The Festival aims and purposes.

• To honour and commemorate the Fenian prisoners on the 150th anniversary of their arrival in Fremantle, Western Australia;

• In a spirit of reconciliation, and with the blessing of the Noongah people of the south west of WA, to reach out to the descendants and relatives of everyone involved – Noongah people, Fenians, whalers, pensioner guards, warders, clergy and colonial residents of WA, Irish families and the WA community; • To acknowledge the members of the Irish community, in Australia, the USA and in Ireland who have cherished and told and re-told this story; • To engage the young people of Western Australia, Ireland and USA by celebrating this shared story and its significant place in all our histories;

• To celebrate Fremantle’s place in the history of three nations;

• To continue to seek pardon for John Boyle O’Reilly and the other military Fenians.

The proposed Festival program includes a wide range of events and activities, including: Art exhibition – An invitation event for artists from Ireland, Australia and USA. Drama – Performances based on extracts from the diary and newspaper written by the Fenians on board the Hougoumont.

Dramatic installation/performance: Interactive installation set up in a historic Fremantle building where members of the public can explore the themes of Freedom, Restraint,

Journey and History and visually and interactively weave the Fenians story into their contemporary life.

Music – Concert performances in various Fremantle venues from Irish and Australian musicians, contemporary and traditional as well as sessions in local venues.

Literature – Poetry and Literature readings in selected venues, including poetry from John Boyle O’Reilly and reading from the Wild Goose newspaper written aboard the Hougoumont. Together with Fremantle City Library, and local bookshops we will hold children’s literature events.

Film – Screenings of contemporary Irish film together with a few old favourites.

Dance – A traditional Irish ceilidh and other Irish dance events.

Comedy –Exploring the topic - What have the Irish ever done for Australia?

Photography – An invitation exhibition of contemporary Irish and Australian photographers; exhibition of the ships from the Maritime Heritage Group; Historic photographs of Fremantle.

Commemoration- A formal ceremony to mark the anniversary of the date of the arrival of the Hougoumont with tributes from the descendants of the Fenians and others associated with the Fenian story.

Historical Walks – Walks around Fremantle highlighting the significant places in the story including the hotel where the Catalpa escape was planned, Fremantle Prison and places where the Fenians worked as convicts.

More information available at: info@kidogo.com.au; https://www.kidogo.com.au/fenians-festival/; https://www.facebook.com/feniansfestival/

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ARTHUR KENNEDY in the Wide World (Part One)

By Peter Conole

Among the five Irishmen who held the position of Governor of Western Australia the name of Arthur Edward Kennedy is a standout. He operated as an imperial administrator on a global basis, moving from one colony to another as opportunities arose. He certainly gave fine service and his wealth of experience as an able, energetic governor was probably matched only by that of another Irishman, Sir William Robinson.

The Kennedy saga is fascinating, to say the least, for he observed the conduct of public business close up when it was either at its best or worst. As is only too well known Kennedy’s native Ireland was very much on the receiving end when it came to poor decisions. His experiences as a public official in Ireland during the Great Famine were traumatic and embittered the man to some extent.

Arthur Kennedy’s background was a privileged one and he could claim a great heritage. He was descended in the male line from an old Scottish aristocratic family, the Kennedys of Ayrshire, Earls of Cassilis and later Marquises of Ailsa. They were a turbulent, violent lot who engaged in some spectacular blood feuds with other noble houses. Arthur’s ancestor Hugh Kennedy was a close relation of the 6th Earl of Cassilis.

Hugh’s son John obtained the fine estate of Holywood at Ballycultra, County Down, in 1671. In the course of a couple of generations the Kennedys assumed a strongly Irish identity. One of John‘s descendant was a second Hugh, who served as an army officer in the wars against France and married Grace Dorothea Hughes in the early 1800s.

Their son Arthur Edward Kennedy

was born at Ballycultra on April 4, 1809. As the fourth male child of a landed gentry family he, more or less, had a particular range of career options marked out for him in boyhood. He received early education from private tutors on the family estate, along with his siblings, and then studied at Trinity College, Dublin during the years 1823-1824.

Kennedy opted for a military career, probably in keeping with family tradition. He was commissioned as an ensign in the 11th Regiment of Foot on August 15, 1827 and served at the vital Mediterranean base of Corfu for about a decade.

His regiment then moved across the Atlantic for garrison duty in Canada during a time of rebellion and border tension with the USA. After returning to Britain Arthur, probably a lieutenant by then, married Georgina Macartney (also Irish) in London during May 1839.

Arthur received promotion to captain – with half pay on the unattached list – a couple of years later. He secured a ‘good billet’ after shelling out some money to secure a captaincy in the 68th Regiment on March 19, 1841. Three more years of overseas duty in Canada followed. During the course of two decades of military service there is no indication officer Kennedy heard a shot fired in anger, but that is no reflection on him. Like many other units his regiments had some quiet 21

decades after the fall of Napoleon.

During 1845 the potato blight hit Ireland, followed by the fearful years of the ‘Great Hunger’. By then Arthur was based in Britain again and was in Ireland during 1846. He saw for himself the unfolding horrors of the famine and wanted to do something about it. It is still difficult to comment on the background and course of the disaster without using emotive language, but some words are necessary to explain the utter failure of the political class and public officials to prevent calamity.

Firstly, the Government had just repealed the Corn Laws and the idea of free trade had won out. That meant the control and re-direction of food supplies was not seen as an option. Secondly, local authorities were now expected to bear the cost of public works programmes.

Both policies, be it noted, were imposed by a ‘progressive’ (Whig) administration and can hardly be blamed on conservatives.

Furthermore, despite protests from all and sundry, large public sector interventions were limited or ruled out along with any interference in the ‘free play of the market’.

Arthur Kennedy felt things deeply.

He sold his army commission in 1847 and went to work for the Poor Law Commission. He was placed in the Kilrush Union, County Clare as a Poor Law Inspector in November. Kennedy found to his horror that the main task was to provide relief for about half the 82,000 people in the district. The timing was awful because landlords were also under severe pressure to pay a range of rates based on the rents they received from tenants.

Of course, starving peasants could pay little or nothing and land lords facing bankruptcy and the loss of their estates started to evict them in order to avoid paying those

crippling rates…

Kennedy noted that 600 families were ‘turned out’ of their homes in February 1848 alone. By March the Kilrush workhouse was overflowing.

“I cannot think where the evicted find shelter”, Kennedy wrote in his diary, “the poor are hunted off the land, when perhaps they have never been five miles away”. At the request of the Poor Law Commissioners he provided a brutally frank report in April 1848, but little was done and the following winter threatened to be even worse.

After yet another potato crop failure it was hopeless to expect any rents at all and more clearances followed.

There were thousands of evictions in the Kilrush Union between August 1848 and January 1849.

Kennedy noted that peasants were “swarming all over the union, living in temporary sheds, unfit for human occupation, from which they are daily driven by the inclement weather”.

Kennedy worked on manfully and managed to establish and open an additional six houses, which saved a lot of lives. All the same, though he was always outwardly cool and detached, the raging hunger and disease stunned hm.

He also made powerful enemies such as the Kilrush landlord Crofton Moore Vandeleur. However, his reports and public comments drew the attention of decent members of parliament. One of them, Poulette Scrope, strove to help the cause.

That led to the organisation by the House of Commons of a select committee of inquiry on poor relief in the Kilrush Union. It was held in London during May 1850. Kennedy gave testimony, but was both pessimistic and diffident and told members that his work had not achieved anything like adequate results.

After returning to Ireland Kennedy was transferred from Kilrush to County Kilkenny in September 1850. When the time came he and his family donated as much as they could to the poor and that activity resulted in a famous illustration of his younger daughter giving out clothing. It was published in the ‘Illustrated London News’. As the

journal ‘Clare People’ commented “He [Kennedy] and his family did much for the suffering of Kilrush and West Clare”.

Kennedy’s war of words with Crofton Vandeleur blew up some months later in 1851. The feeling between them was pretty intense.

Vandeleur was by far the biggest property owner around Kilrush: also a ruthless developer and, at times, an absentee landlord.

He eventually won election to Parliament as the member for Clare and won further unpopularity by his evictions of the 1880s.

At one point Kennedy lost his temper and formally challenged him to a duel. However, he then discovered that he had been given incorrect information about comments made by Vandeleur and promptly sent an apology. However, his enemy rejected the move and decided to bring Kennedy before the courts for slander. The Cork Assizes dealt with the matter. Kennedy obtained good legal representation and secured an acquittal in August 1851. Soon afterwards Arthur Kennedy’s position with the Poor Law Commission was abolished. He then sought work with the Colonial Service. Within a few weeks he embarked on a career which, in the most literal sense, allowed him to visit the four corners of the world.

In May 1852 he was appointed Governor of Gambia, an unattractive but still promising posting which required good

management and determination.

Preventing the revival of slavery and tribal feuding were prime issues. However, at the last minute the Colonial Office changed its mind. Kennedy was sent to govern Sierra Leone instead; serious administrative problems had been identified there and somebody with a public reputation for integrity was needed.

Sierra Leone in itself was a great experiment. It was founded as a British colony for free black Africans and was an important lynch-pin in the struggle to end the Atlantic slave trade. The capital Freetown went through a period of expansion when large numbers of Africans rescued from slave ships settled there. Kennedy arrived at a time when a prosperous class of creoles was emerging. Unfortunately, some administrators, traders and exarmy men from Britain were slack and dissipated. Kennedy was a suitable change agent. He made various reforms to end corruption and inefficiency in government. The local colonial secretary, a Londoner named Frederick Barlee, made himself very useful.

In the course of 1854 another difficult posting fell vacant. Captain Charles Fitzgerald RN came to the end of his long term in Western Australia. Arthur Kennedy was chosen to replace him as governor.

Capt Kennedy's daughter helping the famine vixtims in Co Clare 22

bone, I couldn’toriginality get innear a piece for myself. script writing. mischievous cc and n Louis (have you heard she is. Coa the one abouy...) Byrnes life in possem celebrates his 60th soon. Big and c used year for Louis, just becoming effect a grand-daddyHeaven’s asAbove written well!by Noel O’Neill and detail Cairde Busin directed

by Patrick Abbott tries Congratulations Louis, sorry I to answer the spontaneous-li to rarely conv question: why it is so difcult to enter heaven? say so muc can’t be there.This captivating two-man show evolves around yet Mary’s new inv

L KING years ago

Back10

Now closed! Paddy Hannans was at the Burswood!

Perth Rose Louis Byrnes celebrated 60th.

Presented

by The Irishhis Club of WA Inc This month was the big one, his who is70th in Happy limbobirthday Louis!

a self indulgent thespian ghost Maggie’s M and his only friend, an alcoholic actor without a and Ann Barke career. Ironically set on a Dublin theatre stage, follows the s the ghost, who died dramatically during a live Christy who just Lawl long performance of Shakespeare’s King Lear six Presiden abandoned by Ray White Real Estatemonths prior, is trying to prepare for his audition renamed ‘Mag The Kelly Team to get into heaven. Through the strained yet Sponsored by O’Leary’s Material Handling – moves into a above: Our Rose Orla Neff farewelled at the Irish Club strongPhotos relationship of the twois protagonists, with a presentation by President Tom Quinn. her signicantl

Top: Damien McCague & family at Irish Club Right: Frank Smyth & Tom Quinn at Irish Club Below: Corkonians at Greenhills

1

Great supporter of the Irish Scene, Rod Coker of Exportair SHAMROCK has sold his business and is now of leisure. The new owner Thinking of ais man Tim Hawdon, great bloke, give After starting in Perth Thespians nine years at JB’s don’t want to do is The 2007 season has seen T makes with you stronge ago the company now has ces inneed help Selling Shamrock Rovers onceor againRenting? him a call if of you you come away bep establish themselves at the summit Melbourne, Queensland, Karratha and go home with your Jakarta and is known as a leader inon one 9477 excess baggage 1080. of the StateCall Amateur League. the Kelly Team! m The main benef of the most competitive industries in these ent Moving into the last month of the Photo taken at the AIHA Australian Enjoy retirement Rod and thank determination wer times of skills shortages. nd season Rovers sit proudly at the History Group Thursday from Irish 9Available August in the Irish Heritage of whom have madf John has played a massive part in this top of the Loan’s Café Premier Ph: 08 9344-5544 Club. Theagain speaker wasfor your support. you Thespians at JB’s opportunities their Association Professor Simon Adams League and look set to take out e a them. (seated centre left) from Contact us: their rst silverware since 2004.

Notre Dame University.

PO Box 1583, Subiaco 6904 “There is a gold Simon’s topic was: r Tel: (08) 9345 3530 The club’s strength in depth has been ve a second undergeneration the misc A United States of Ray White Real Estate EmailL: aiha@irishheritage.net Spotted at a Singing Session en the play explores how actors cannot afford to With a growing proven by the reserve team’s dominance Undisguised Rascals: Irish arriving at her ket of their own league as the mix of well live for their art and long to escape their stark has also built a strs Convicts & Criminality at the The Kelly Team d desperately ho in his native Sligo Tom Michael Nola River Colony. known Rovers faces with new signings realitySwan by creating a new one on stage. With which hePeter d says is Sharke be leaving sooea Now available in Australia Australia Now in has given theavailable squad aKearns competitiveness and Patrick the theory that ‘prostitutes make a better living are to make a suc drowning his sorrows Durack Memorial Lecture coming home.

Coghlan. unmatched by any other club in the than actors’, the play reveals that fame, overIn this regard th The 2007 Durack Memorial Lecture was held at Notre Dame University in Fremantle on fascinating fro wom Available division. after Cork’s football win over indulgence alcoholism 26 Sunday July 22 . A gathering in excess of sixty people heard a veryand interesting paperwill do nothing but between Benchma This matching of skills andretired personalities presented

by Mr Peter Sharkey President of the Western Australian Industrial “We like to think th Relations Commission. is something which isSligo well knowninto the one championships Sharkeo over fromPeter Ireland John presents Christy with the cheque.

His paper was titled The Irish in Australia: The Personal Perspective of a Descendent.

Rovers

13

Photo left: Rose is farewelled at SeanforRoche’s Rose of Tralee farewell for Orla Neffbyasthe sheCorkonians headed to Ireland the festival.

Greenhills Inn.

Three Successful People...

Fergus Kelly… Tom Quinn… Mike Gibbs Our team have had a record rst quarter of 2007 SOME EXPERTS SAY THE MARKET WILL FALL. SOME EXPERTS SAY THE MARKET WILL RISE. We say ‘Half of the experts are always right’ In the meantime....we just keep Selling and Renting (Let’s keep it simple).... and everyone....

Fergus Kelly 0410 621 447

Tom Quinn 0412 236 498

Mike Gibbs 0412 920 537

Shop 193B, Flinders Street, Yokine

• IGA/Supa IGA • PJ’s Butchers and Progressive IGA Stores Woodvale Shopping Centre • Selected Farmer Jacks Stores • Tastylicious Whitfords Photos above: Our Rose Orl • The Re Store Leederville • Frank Torre Quality Butcher Niall O'Toole in Store the ITP One Act season at Des Ruane of John was by Presi with aHughes presentation • The Re Northbridge • Blue Ginger Fine aFood The Irish Club looking lot Photo younger then! left: Rose is farewelle • Fresh Provisions Mount Lawley Margaret River • Fresh Provisions Claremont • Boatshed Cottesloe Greenhills Inn. • Best of British Floreat • Herdsman Fresh Essentials • Taste of Britain Woodvale • Angelo Street Markets • Metro Fresh Applecross South Perth • Balla’s Gourmet Bellevue • Antonio’s Continental • Swansea Street Markets Mount Lawley • Galati Fremantle • Woolworths Service Deli’s What a happy pair they were!

PJ and Tommy

Fax: 08 9344-4151 yokine.wa@raywhite.com www.raywhiteyokine.com.au

31

AIHA History Group meeting at The Irish Club!

Thinking of Gng or Renting?

Trade enquiries: 93287455 7455 Trade enquiries: European European Foods FoodsWholesalers WholesalersTel Tel (08) (08) 9328 nd

• IGA/Supa IGA and Progressive IGA Stor • Selected Farmer Jacks S Perth Celtic Supporters' were meeting at the Irish Club. They now • The Re Store Leederville John McDonough, now retired presenting a meet at Rosie's in Northbridge. Pictured is the late Ernie • The Re Store Northbridge cheque to Christy Lawless of Shamrock Rovers young supporters.

• Fresh Provisions Mount and Perpetu Bob LK GLASGOW Hannigan CELTIC with SUPPORTERS’ CLUB PERTH WA • Fresh Provisions Claremo Peter’s aim, as a person who is fourth generation of Irish descent, was to trace the role Durack • Best of British Floreat played by the Irish in many walks of life.

• Taste of Britain Woodvale • Metro Fresh Applecross With a wide brush Peter painted an interesting picture of the roles played by convicts, early Memberships now available for season 2007/2008.

• Balla’s Gourmet Bellevue John Doyle enjoyingStreet Markets • Swansea settlers, bushBecome rangers,a member clergy ofNOW all creeds, lawyers, judges and members of parliament; Now available available in Australia Australia Now in by contacting • Galati Fremantle Trade enquiries: 93287455 7455 JB O'Reillys Trade enquiries: European European Foods FoodsWholesalers WholesalersTel Tel (08) (08) 9328 Denis Bratto

of the club’s major sponsors, Benchmark for Rovers that we Enjoying Irish Night at Paddy Malones Recruitment Solutions. work, which is ben andhad hisrequests current success is We hope you enjoyed our manager trip downfor memorydevelopment lane. We have for MEMBERSHIP 07/08 The John McDonough, sales “Even though th indicative of the drive he has shown since this page in the past so we felt it was time. A few above have left us but the Benchmark was the man who instigated community in Pert arriving in Australia 25 years ago. memories they left will(Home last of aown lifetime!

Jonbeing Smyth at Rosiebehind O’Grady’s the lived Club!)experiences, communicated with the coloured by the of speaker’s thewhole company’s sponsorship the Hoops do enough toSharke prov Having worked at the Guinness Peter Membership fee same as last season, much humour.

23 and sees this community involvement as 26 opportunities.

Bac Brewery for 16 years, John was thrown Colm O’Doh $50 adult and OAP’s free.

l the Kelly Team!

Where the winners go!

Welcome to the GAA visitors!

24

Preview ! s w o h Great S 2

Irish Trad and Rock!

Irish sensation...

HERMITAGE GREEN joined by

local artists at Badlands!

Following the release of their much-anticipated debut album Save Your Soul in 2016, Hermitage Green will be returning to Australia to perform nationally in November.

They came together as a band in 2010 as a result of a spontaneous jam session between friends, but the last 12 months became their biggest yet.

Signing to Sony Music Ireland, playing sold out shows around Ireland and the UK, releasing two singles ‘Jenny’ and ‘Quicksand’, and latest album Save Your Soul, produced by Phillip Magee (The Academic, Kodaline, The Script, Declan O’ Rourke).

The band now have a new EP in the works, due out later this year. They have paired up with Grammy Award winning producer Matt Lawrence (Adele, Amy Winehouse, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison) to record in the legendary Rockfield studios in Wales.

Since their inception in 2010, the band has gone global, touring in the States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and Dubai, while also playing their fair share of gigs back home in Ireland. They’ve shared stages with artists such as Gavin James, Josh Ritter, and Walking On Cars, while also taking over festivals such as the main stage at Electric Picnic.

Their unique arrangement of instruments that includes the bodhrán, djembe, rhythmic guitar and banjo sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish Music.

They will be appearing on Sunday November 5 at Greenlands@Badlands, 1/3 Aberdeen Street, Perth.

Doors open 3pm.

Also appearing on the same bill, The Lost Backpackers, Healy Reid Band, Fiona Rea and Tommy O’Brien.

Sunshine and soul with

Damien Dempsey

by Lloyd Gorman

17 September @ Badlands - Bookings: See page 27 The artwork for Damien “Damo” Dempsey’s new album Soulsun may well strike a chord with his Australian fans.

The image and colours on the cover of his latest offering are evocative of a searing day in the bush or at the beach.

Indeed, the new album does have some Aboriginal heritage.

Dempsey is no stranger to the charms of the Aussie climate or character, having put in several national tours here already and with another now to follow to support and promote Soulsun. A four- date concert tour starting in Brisbane on September 14 will climax with his final Australian gig in Perth’s live music venue, the Badlands Bar, on September 17. Perth may have some significance for the Dublin singer who played here on St. Patrick’s Day three years ago at the Capitol.

“I can’t wait to get back to Australia with the new songs in our repertoire,” said the Dublin Town crooner. “I sorely miss the incredible beauty of the land and the great openness and friendliness and spirit of the people who come to the shows; they really react to my passion. And I love the sense of humour of the place as well, its suits my own, living for September, too easy. There’s music for everything; getting up and dancing having a good time, music to think deeply to…you name it, absolutely everything under the sun.

There’s music for all situations, but my music is about healing and hope.”

“In terms of Australia I really connected with a couple Aboriginal/Irish musicians. In particular- Dan Sultan (whose father was of Irish descent while his mother Roslyn Sultan, is an indigenous Australian of the Arrernte and Gurindji people) and LJ Hill (who is part Australian Aboriginal (Kamilaroi mother), part Cherokee Indian and part Irish (father)). In fact, on Soulsun I cover one of LJ’s songs, Pretty Bird Tree. It’s a totally haunting song, that brings you into the spirit world and back, with incredible imagery that makes you feel like you’re watching a movie when you listen to it. It has a sublime melody that I realised my voice suited rhythmically, the depth and meaning and feeling of the song is good territory for me. And of course, L.J. Hill is a legend and I wanted people on this side of the world to hear his magic. I also shared it with Pauline Scanlon who recorded a version of it and the great Glen Hansard performs it live from time to time also. As ever, people can take their own meanings from it, but for me, it is about the sun that shines from within,” Dempsey explained.

Tickets: https://badlandsbar.oztix.com.au 25

26

27

Technology

overload

By Ciarain Hoey

Only a few years back it was amazing to even think you could see what your family and friends were doing from across the other side of the world!

But is technology and social media really connecting us? Technology has unequivocally made the contemporary world more efficient and productive which has significantly improved areas of health care, safety, education, transportation and home entertainment.

Technology is now becoming so efficient and widespread that it’s now escalated comfort and convenience to a concerning level; by substituting employment vacancies (self-serve cash registers, robots assisting in transportation of food), and social opportunities (texting/messaging a friend, family member or partner through a device as opposed to engaging in face to face contact. The constant messaging phenomena is effecting people’s abilities to maintain boundaries with technology and social media.

Being consistently stuck to our phone, laptop, iPad, overwhelms your brain capacity by the sheer magnitude of information- like a bucketful of overflowing water leading to an epic splash!

What happened to thinking intuitively instead of

being reliant on an external device to find the answer for you? One key emerging problem is the evergrowing presence of immediate access to information leading to the consistent habit of instant gratification; a factor further impacting on our ability to maintain focus and remain patient, two essential components for developing resilience. The instant pleasure, diminishes the opportunity for building anticipation and excitement for the outcome. Further what people define as a “connection” in cyber space can be vastly different in the physical realm.

Today, there is a constant desire to be and feel consumed. Like anything (TV, fast food, alcohol) it’s fine in moderation. Now it’s taking up most of people’s free time before and after work. The magnitude of addiction to social media and technology is becoming a consistent problem in the modern and western world. Something that should be genuinely considered as technology won’t be leaving in the 21st century anytime soon.

When you look back on your life; do you want to say you spent oodles of time on a technical gadget or were more engaged, active and connected with people and activities in the real world?

Technology Humour...

I’ve given up social media for the New Year and am trying to make friends outside Facebook while applying the same principles. Every day, I walk down the street and tell passersby what I’ve eaten, how I feel, what I did the night before, and what I will do tomorrow. Then I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and me gardening. I also listen to their conversations and tell them I love them. And it works. I already have three people following me—two police officers and a psychiatrist.

“I was Facebooking in church, and the usher passed by and whispered, ‘You better be texting Jesus.’"

A client called my help desk saying she couldn’t send an e-mail.

When I was done troubleshooting the problem, she interrupted me to ask, “Wait a minute, do I type @ in lower or uppercase?”

I can still remember a time when I knew more than my phone.

I’m at the library, and for some reason, when I plug my flash drive into the computer, it doesn’t show up. I keep trying, but nothing happens. As an IT major, I know I can figure this out. So I spend 15 minutes changing settings and inserting and removing the flash drive. Then a girl sitting next to me taps my shoulder and says, “You’re plugging into my computer, not yours.”

You’re sending me something via fax? What is it, an important document from 1993?

After i-messaging back and forth with my wife, I jokingly commanded Siri to pass along this message: “You need to get back to work now; you have a husband to support.”

Here’s what Siri sent: “You need to get back to work now; you have a has-been to support.”

28

Going on the pull

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

‘From little things, big things grow’ are the lyrics from the song of one of Australia’s favourite singer songwriters, Paul Kelly and so it was for the latest sporting team and trend to come out of Western Australia.

“It all started back in January when Liz O’Hagan called about the Claddagh’s fundraising day in Shenton Park at John XXIII College,” said Daniel Walker. “She asked if we could put a couple of teams together for a competition on the day and it started from there. So, a few of us got together, put on boots and pulled against two other teams on the day and then we kept it going and kept training and then it went on to the St. Patrick’s Day Festival

where we had four of five teams.”

With a couple of tug of war events under their belts the boys kept up the momentum and continued training and got more serious about it. “One of the lads who was very into it, Jonathan, he was the main driving force. He got us onto the national Australian titles that were on in New South Wales and wanted us to get as a team to represent Western Australia. We put forward a team and got all geared up, and trained and trained - about four or five nights a week. We bought the proper boots and got the rubber mats and made winches and cranes for pulling and training every Sunday morning. We went over and competed in the indoor and

29 29

outdoor pulls. We won everything in the indoor and in the outdoor we took the state titles in a couple of different weight classes. We trained for the indoor but hadn’t trained for the outdoor at all. It was the first time WA has ever won the state titles you know and we are entitled to go to the Worlds now.”

Not bad for the team of eight who came together for a one off event and most of who had limited experience of the sport.

“We’d all done little bits here and there over the last few years, a couple of times with Colm O’Hagan, but nothing major,” added Daniel.

“Our captain - Jonathan Fleming had been around the world and in China with it, and knew about it.”

The rest of the team - which is made up of all Irish lads - are Meath men: Mathew Bissett, Daniel Walker, Jonathan Fleming, Mick Moorehead, Brian McConnell, Alan Considine, James Baird and Senan Gaynor.

And of course their sponsors - Pre-Cast Innovations, Pipeline Technics, M&M Plumbing and Gas and Shamrock Stonewalls - did some heavy lifting of their own in terms of helping them get there.

The lads had another bit of moral (and expert) support at their first official competition from Colm Liz’s father. “He’s been doing it for twenty or thirty years in Australia.

He was in Sydney for a lot of the training and he was there for every bit of it that he could. He drove down and met us and coached us from the sidelines. He loved it. He was up every morning before anyone else and rearing to go you know. He lived and breathed it. Because he has been doing it so long he knew a

lot of the guys there.

We made Colm collect the trophy for us, he didn’t’ want to go up but we made him. He spent the weekend with us and went back to Sydney with us. It was great craic.”

The boys brought back five trophies and a swag of gold medals each. At the titles they also picked up an invite to go to Taiwan for that country’s nationals in November, an offer they are weighing up. The Worlds take place in China in March 2018 and the lads said they are keen to go and will be fielding a full strength team to contest it. But in the meantime the calendar in the run up to that major contest Colm O'Hagan is starting to fill out nicely. celebrates the The Northcliffe pub in win Windy Harbour contacted them to ask them to take part in a competition there at the end of August.

A big GAA event on September 28 will be another chance for the lads to flex their pulling power and perhaps even develop the sport a bit more. Some of their fellow competitors from the national titles in Sydney offered to put a team together and send them over if the WA lads were organising an event.

There is a lot more to the tug of war than first meets the eye admits Daniel.

“I didn’t realise how much how much was in it until I got into it,” he said. “It's not about weight, it's about strength and technique, you can’t just have a big group of heavy fellas because you won’t make any of the weight categories, you just can’t do it. Some of the lads lost 14 or 15 kilos to go over east. There was no messing around. Everyone lost weight you know to make sure we could get into certain weight classes. You

can’t get a group of big strong fellas and start pulling because you will only get to pull in one class. We did most weight classes, from 540 kilos to 720 kilos and then the catch weight, which is any weight. In one indoor competition we pulled with seven, we had to drop a man because we couldn’t do the weight. It's very enjoyable and a great team sport. It's tough. I threw up on one of the second pulls of the morning, I threw up on the rope, probably because of a few pints the night before. It is tough, the ham strings, the back, forearms and your grip! Your hands go egad, you take the rope off your hand and you have to pull your fingers straight after. There’s a lot to it, but it's good fun. The lads want to keep it going and a few more people are getting in touch since we got back from the national titles and they want to start up with us as well. It's a “more the merrier” and if we could get a few teams together here and keep it going, maybe someday we could have a league again, because as Colm will tell you it was huge here until about 15 years ago, so there’s no reason why it couldn’t be big again.”

30

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31

The luck of the Irish comes to Ascot Racecourse for

Irish Raceday 2017!

November 1 will be Melbourne Cup day, but Saturday October 28 will be Irish Race Day in Perth. The Irish Race Day will be a great excuse to get together with friends and family, get dressed or dolled up and spend a full Sunday together enjoying an eight race fixture and with any kind of luck a few rewarding flutters as well.

This year’s Irish Race Day will this time be at Ascot racecourse, considered the 'grand old lady' of Australian racetracks with a history of facing going back to the 1840's.

In addition to the very Irish spectacle of hoofs on turf the organisers have laid on an Irish band and dancers, a choice of bars with stout on tap and a full range of Irish

cuisine served up by food fans and a bouncy castle, face painters and even green fairy floss for the kids.

Why not make a day of it and bring the family and celebrate all the colour, the smiles and the frivolity of the glorious Ireland with a big 8 raceday schedule, stout on tap and plenty of traditional treats to keep you satisfied for the day.

Grab your friends to bask in Irish culture with the running of the Guinness Cup. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Irish, a wee bit Irish, or just wish you were Irish – make sure you celebrate Irish Raceday at Limerick at the Leger!

Grab a bunch of mates to listen to traditional live music, watch the Irish dancers and feast on authentic Irish cuisine from traditional food vans.

Your $30.00 ticket includes: Gate admission, 2 x beverage vouchers and Scattered racebooks.

Bookings: www.perthracing.org.au

IRISH DAY SAT 28 OCT Enjoy the good times with the luck of the Irish at Ascot Racecourse.

Celebrate the Emerald Isle and enjoy Guinness and Kilkenny on tap and traditional Irish treats.

Visit perthracing.com.au

32

A View from Home

Ireland is Looking Good!

By Michael Cluskey

It’s been many a year since the phrase “Job Vacancies Apply Within” has been used.

But over the past year or so, it has become common place.

This can only be good for the 60,000 students who received their Leaving Certificate results this week. And especially the thirteen who achieved top marks, getting eight higher level grade ones.

Meanwhile some things never change. On the last Sunday in July every year thousands of pilgrims climb the mountain of Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo, this is in honour of St Patrick who according to tradition fasted and prayed on the summit for forty days in the year 441. This year 13 people were injured and evacuated off the mountain. Amazing when you think that many people climb the mountain in bare feet!

Michael Flatley opened this year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis Co Clare.

Many thousands descended on the festival which ran 33

for eight days, with headline acts such as Sharon Shannon, Lunasa and the Kilfenora Ceili Band performing.

And just to prove that we can put on a show, over 140,000 people attended the two-day Bray Air display, the 12th time it has been held featuring 18 high performance display teams from across Europe.

Well it’s been a typical Irish summer, little bit of sun, pretty mild all in all, and a good drop of rain. But hey we’re Irish, that’s the deal!!

Stay well till the next time, Michael Cluskey

“When I come out on the road of a morning, when I have had a night's sleep and perhaps a breakfast, and the sun lights a hill on the distance, a hill I know I shall walk across an hour or two thence, and it is green and silken to my eye, and the clouds have begun their slow, fat rolling journey across the sky, no land in the world can inspire such love in a common man.” ― Frank Delaney, Ireland

Lee got a taste of what TV dinners are really like

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Growing up in an Irish home Lee Behan has always enjoyed his food, and cooking. But it was in Australia, his adopted home, that the Tallaght born man was able to indulge his passion and explore it in a way that very few people do.

“Since I was 13 or 14 I’ve always been interested in cooking, my ma was a good cook and I cooked at home and watched cooking shows.”

Lee, 29, came out to Australia in 2009 with four friends. They backpacked their way around Australia for two years. “The lads hadn’t a clue about cooking, so I was the main cook for the five of us.”

His adventures saw Lee arrive in Perth where he was sponsored by Durty Nelly’s Irish bar and he has been working for the same company for five years now.

“I’ve been watching Masterchef on TV for all the years I’ve been here and then one night I was watching it with the missus - fiancé Gemma Leslie - and she said to me ‘Why don’t you apply?’ It took me about two weeks to do it but I put my application in.” Lee was one of more than 10,000 people to apply.

That was August last year and auditions were called in September.

“They called me for an audition in Joondalup TAFE so I went, I had no idea what I was walking into, there were TV cameras and whole groups of people. Anyhow, it was like on the show where you have a a mystery box and an hour to cook a dish with ingredients which you didn’t know what they were. So I cooked crispy skin Barramundi with a potato croquet and a lemon butter sauce. If you cooked well on the audition you made it through to the second day. So, I got through and for the second day you were told to bring your own ingredients and cook your own dish, they said it had to be your signature dish, so that was a stuffed pork fillet, similar to what my mamma used to cook. So, it was like a Sunday roast, but with a pork fillet.”

Having made it through the two-day cooking session Lee - and the other successful candidates - went on to do a psychological interview and another interview with the producers of the show.

The trials started in Perth and from there it went on tour around Australia to carry out similar auditions in the other major cities.

“They said it would take about six weeks to get back to us, I think they had a pool of a hundred to two hundred people, and they needed to reduce that to 50. I was actually in Melbourne when I got a call to say that I got into the top 50 and was invited to go to the live audition. So, me, my missis, and a mate went over to Melbourne, they paid for the whole thing. For the live audition, you had to cook your signature dish again, but this time it was for the three judges, Matt Moran, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan. So that was a bit daunting, the whole thing. It was proper TV, with cameras in your face all the time, and all that. You cooked your signature dish and if you got in on the first day you got an apron. If they all said no, that is the end of the story for you, but if you got two yeses and a no then you got a second chance. My dish, the crispy pork skin didn’t work out, so they gave me two 34

yeses and a no. I made it through to the chance cook on the second day. Maggie Beer the Australian chef was the guest judge for that day, when I cooked an ocean trout dish, which got me an apron, that meant I was in the top 24 amateur cooks in Australia.”

Becoming a finalist meant Lee had to pack up everything and move to Melbourne where he lived in a house with the other 23 MasterChef hopefuls.

“It was like being in prison,” he said. “You got no phone, no internet, everything was taken away from you, you got two ten-minute calls a week, so I’d call the missis and talk to her for 20 minutes a week. They do tell you all this before you go into it and they try to make you aware of it. Every week somebody was eliminated from the competition and a fella was the first one out and then I was the twenty third person, so I only lasted two places pretty much.”

Lee’s exit from the hit cooking show reveals just how tough and unforgiving the competition can be on contestants.

“I messed up one dish, which sent me into elimination cook-off,” he said. “There were three of us, me, Pete Morgan, another guy from WA and Ray from Sydney.

We were cooking against Gary Meighan the celebrity chef and judge. Usually in elimination challenges you have a recipe to follow and three hours to cook something. We went in this day and he was there in his chef whites and the challenge was cooking with Gary, so we had to keep up with everything he did. We had no recipe, just our ingredients, pots and pans and the usual stuff. So, we had to follow every move he made.

The dish was his roast chicken with peas in gravy as he called it. It sounds simple now but there were about a million steps involved in the whole thing and we had nothing to refer too, so if you missed something he did you were in trouble straight away. So, I was sweating through the whole challenge and at the end it turned out my dish was the worst because what happened was I undercooked a little bit of the chicken, the underside of the chicken. There were two breasts I took off. The left side was a smaller one, I cut that and tasted it and it was perfect. But the one on the right-hand side was a little bit bigger and the very bottom of it was slightly pink, so I had to put that on the plate and they tasted it and there was a small bit just not cooked enough. They say its the rule you don’t break, you never undercook chicken in Master Chef. So that was what sent me home.

They added that another ten seconds in the pan and it would have been perfect and I would more than likely have gone on because the other contestant overcooked his chicken. The funny thing is they did eat it, that’s how close it was to being cooked you know!”

Lee said he was starting to find his comfort level in the competition just as he was ousted and it was all over before he knew it.

“It was a brilliant experience,” he said. “You learn a lot about yourself, what your comforts are and what you don’t like. Being with people 24/7 is hard going and

the whole TV thing is great. I got to do a little bit of a segment on The Project (Channel Ten) and some radio interviews. There was some hype after as well.”

Appearing as a Master Chef contestants helped open doors to new opportunities for Lee. “I took a month off work and did work experience in Sydney for a few famous chefs over there. I worked for Colin Fassnidge, the Irish fella and judge from My Kitchen Rules has a restaurant there called 4Fourteen, a lovely restaurant. I also worked in another famous restaurant, for Matt Moran in his Aria restaurant, as well as one of Neil Perry’s restaurants and then another restaurant called the Dolphin Hotel. This was unpaid work experience but they all said to me there was a career in it for me if I wanted to follow it. “ Lee is weighing things up but is currently busy being the general manager of a new large venue due to open in the redeveloped Kings Square in Perth, called Market Grounds.

Long term he would like to open his own bar and restaurant or pub. He said the Master Chef experience was made possible by the support of his employer who allowed him to take more than three months off to follow his dream. Gemma, who is originally from London but has lived in Waterford since the age of 14, also supported him through the TV adventure and exploration of some of the world’s top kitchens.

“Moderation, we find, is an extremely difficult thing to get in this country.” ― Flann O'Brien, The Best of Myle

Frank Murphy presents

107.9fm Fremantle Radio Saturday 8am to 10am IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS 35

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH It sounds like a bad joke with an even worse punchline.

A high profile politician (Nick Xenophon) walks into a pub (called The British) and asks for a pint of "warm English beer".

He is given a pint of Guinness and takes a slug out of it before pulling a gurney face for the gathered TV crews, photographers and journalists with the words: "God, that's awful".

Yes, awful is a word that springs to mind, but just not for the reasons he meant. No stranger to staging a colourful press conference the South Australian senator called the media to an English pub in Adelaide to announce that the British authorities had confirmed the Australian born senator was technically classified as a British Overseas Citizen because his father had been born in Cyprus. Whereas most of the affected politicians by the citizenship crisis who have resigned or are being referred to the high court for a ruling look worried about the issue, Xenophon managed to turn what was already a circus into a pantomime and looked quite pleased with himself, even if his father's birthright could ultimately end his parliamentary career in its current form.

But of course, his wry dig at the Brits was misplaced and is just another example of the confusion about nationality and citizenship running through the national parliament like a dose of salts.

Apart from the fact you couldn't

So much for the pub test! really call Guinness an English drink, a draught pint of the black stuff is served chilled (not warm) and is a stout, not a beer. So his prank was a bit hard to swallow even if it put a new twist on "would it pass the pub test?" criteria that some politicians talk about when it comes to community issues.

With about a quarter of Australians claiming Irish heritage or ancestry it was always going to be a question of time before a federal member of parliament with this background fell foul of the dual citizenship laws. While the Greens, Nationals and Liberals were hit by this scandal, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) had been pretty smug that its internal checks and systems for election candidates and elected members had prevented this issue from arising. But now it seems that one of their number Tasmanian MP Brian Mitchell who hails from Perth - may have been an Irish citizen at the time of the his election. Mr Mitchell was born in the UK to an Irish mother and emigrated to Australia in 1975. He has been reported as saying that he renounced his 36

British citizenship in 2012 and his right to Irish citizenship in 2016. “I learned of the possibility of Irish citizenship through the Labor Party’s rigorous nomination eligibility process," Mr Mitchell told the Mercury Newspaper. "“I am very disappointed I did not know earlier in life I could have claimed Irishness because I would totally have faked the cool accent.”

On a historical note, dual citizenship has on at least one occasion played a major role in Irish politics. Éamon de Valera was born in New York in 1882, as George de Valero, to a Limerick woman (Catheirne Coll) and he was taken to Ireland as a baby. Unlike some of the other Rising ring leaders, De Valera, who was senior commander in the Easter Rising De Valera was saved from the firing squad when the rebellion failed because of his dual nationality and the intervention of the American ambassador. In no small measure because of his role in the Rising de Valera went on to become the leader of Fianna Fail, Taoiseach and President of Ireland for many years.

You could say it was a case of dual citizenship saving his political skin, as much as his life.

Meanwhile, it is worth pointing out that as the gruesome twosome issue of dual citizenship for parliamentarians’ rolls on the government itself is using citizenship as a weapon against other Australians. You might recall the debate started by Fremantle Council last year when they voted not to celebrate Australia Day

on January 26 because that date which marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 is also seen by many Aboriginal and Indigenous people as "Invasion Day" and the start of a difficult history at the hands of the European settlers.

Fremantle council drew a lot of flak for that decision but in August two more councils in Melbourne followed suit for the same reason.

The response of the Federal government was to criticise and even condemn these councils for having the audacity to question the national day of celebration.

It said it would retaliate by stripping them of the power to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day. Perhaps the Federal government should focus on the citizenship concerns of members of parliament rather than using this issue to punish local government for starting a real debate about the inclusiveness of Australia Day. Anyhow, in the last edition IST explored how Ireland's newly minted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came close to visiting Western Australia earlier this year. Mr Varadkar, who was the minister for social protection before he won the Fine Gael leadership spill and ultimately the job of leader of the country on June 2, was in the running to visit Perth as the Irish government's designated representative for St.

Patrick's Day. That of course never came to pass and junior minister David Stanton was the politician who ended up coming instead. But as far as IST can tell, first contact between Mr Varadkar and Australia did at least have a West Australian flavour to it.

At the end of June the Taoiseach met West Australian Senator and minister for finance Mathias Cormann who was on a quick visit to Ireland. "Very productive day in Dublin," Mr Cormann said on his Facebook site. "Great meeting with the new Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe to discuss trade, investment, our great people to people links and opportunities from an EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement." Mr Varadkar didn't reciprocate with a tweet or Facebook message about his encounter with Mr Cormann so we'll have to take the Senators word for it, but he did tweet a couple of messages a few days later (July 4) about how great it was to host Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie. The Trudeau's would return the favour towards in August when the Irish leader was on Canadian soil for an official three day visit. As part of that trip Mr Varadkar was taken to the border with the United States, to see how it worked because some Brexit proponents have suggested it as the possible basis for the border between the Republic of Ireland and the North when the UK pulls out of the European Union.

If the Taoiseach was an Australian member of parliament his own cultural heritage might be something that he would have to renounce or else face coming a cropper like some others. Mr Varadkar was born in Dublin's Rotunda Hospital in Dublin in January 1979 and grew up in the Irish capital, becoming a Fine Gael TD (member of parliament) for the Dublin West constituency in 2007.

His father was born in Bombay, India and he moved to England in 37

the 1960's to work as a doctor, which is where he met his wife to be and mother to Leo and two girls.

Unsurprisingly, the openly gay politician was a champion for same sex marriage during the Irish referendum into the issue in May 2015, which was ultimately supported by a majority of voters.

About two and a half years later Australian voters will soon get a chance - of sorts - to vote on the same issue.

The Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey started cranking up in late August and the results of the postal vote will be known by November 15. There are plenty of arguments for and against the postal vote and some of those were raised in WA's parliament on August 17. Alison Xamon from the Greens, who is a member for North Metropolitan in the Legislative Council, raised some of those concerns. She said it was "a very expensive postal poll", which will be issued to some, but not all, electors and in any case whatever the outcome of the vote will not be binding on politicians, the same people who should be getting on with a vote in parliament. should be up to members of the parliament to get on with the job of voting on the issue Another particular concern was about the impact the postal survey would have on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex community and children of queer couples and she drew on the Irish experience to reinforce her point. " "I want to reflect on the impact of what happened statistically in the lead-up to the referendum in

delivery of services, because I think that these sorts of public debates have the potential to have a very real detrimental impact on vulnerable people in our community."

Finally, on a more light hearted note, there was a lesson in Irish elocution in Canberra on August 16 for West Australian MP, Andrew Hastie.

The Canning MP and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives was running the business of the house when he called the next speaker, and had what must have been a slip of the tongue.

Joanne Ryan, took the call.

"The member for 'Lalor' appreciates the call," answered Joanne Ryan (Labor).

"I beg your pardon. I don't know why I say that every time!" Mr Hastie - a former SAS officer replied.

Ms Ryan said: "The advice I give the children in the electorate is that Peter Lalor had an Irish accent and therefore it is 'Lalor'."

Mr Hastie said he was "happy to take the advice".

Ireland," she told the chamber. "In the lead-up to the referendum in Ireland, there were spikes in calls for help and for mental health and suicide prevention assistance from members of the LGBTIQ community who had reached the point of such deep distress from the things that were happening and the language that was being used in the lead-up to the plebiscite. These things have been borne out statistically."

She said she was concerned for the ongoing viability of a dedicated LGBTIQ support and counselling service, called Living Proud, which had had its funding cut.

"I am particularly concerned that in the lead-up to this postal poll and this very public debate, now is not the time to look at any reduction in these sorts of services, particularly considering what has happened globally with demand for these services as people have become more and more distressed," she added. "We need to keep a very close eye on the

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business from Siobhain about ten years ago.

“Siobhain had built up a brilliant business and it was great that she passed it onto me, I had worked here for some time so I knew what it was about and I always feel I wouldn’t let her down, and that’s the success the business is. It’s never been a hard business to run because we always had so many Irish people coming in.”

While doing some alterations for a local woman Marie got speaking with the husband who had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of the area. “He told me that when they moved to Greenwood years ago there used to be kangaroos and wild horses around, he was so interesting.”

One of the threads in the tapestry of the area is one that Marie can relate too personally. There was an area called Needle Hill in Greenhills, which got its name from the early days of the colony when Irish women who were skilled at sowing were brought out and based there. It is thought that thousands of young Irish women were taken to Australia because of their needlework abilities which were badly needed skills at the time. Through their handiwork and in many other ways these girls and women helped to create the fabric of Australia as we know it.

Stitches in time

By Fred Rea and Lloyd Gorman

Meath woman Marie O’Connor is a miracle worker with a needle and thread, but there are some things even she can’t stitch or sow. “You can get strange things from people, people who bring in tents and expect me to put a zip in a big tent,” said the owner of Sew Now in the Glengarry Shopping Centre. “I can’t do that because they’re never long enough.”

But she is exactly the person you want and could trust with a favourite suit or dress that needs taking in, a zipper replaced or even a major wardrobe disaster.

“I’m a qualified tailor,” she told Fred Rea. “I served my time in Ireland, tailoring men’s suits, then I went into ladies’ fashion and this is where I am now. It was a case of nine children in the family and you either went to school or you got an apprenticeship, and you weren’t allowed to leave school until you had an apprenticeship.

So that’s what I did, an apprenticeship in Euro Fashion, Navan, they made men’s suits. I did six years there as an apprentice.”

Marie needed to spend a certain amount of time in the UK to qualify as a tailor and once she had done that she returned to Ireland.

When she emigrated to Australia Marie contacted Siobhain Wright and shortly after went to work with her. After ten years working together Marie bought the

Needlewomen...

Marie is carrying on the fine tradition of women skilled with needles who have made Australia home. I looked up the definition of Needlewoman: a woman or girl who has particular sewing skills or who sews for a living. In October, we will be unveiling a memorial to the Irish women who came to Western Australia in the 1850’s. Many of these women were skilled at needlework and were in great demand at the time. In her book The Bride Ships, Rica Erickson has a chapter dedicated to Julie Tighe. Julie is a wonderful example of the Irish needlewomen who came to Western Australia in the 1850’s. She arrived in the Clara and was one of a group sent to Toodyay. Following the famine, she faced a grim future in Ireland, although she was an innkeeper’s daughter living in Kildare, for she was an old maid at twenty-nine years of age. Grab yourself a copy of the book, it is a wonderful insight into the early days of Western Australia and the valuable contribution of the Irish women. By the way, I was also told by a friend that there is a hill near Greenhills (of Sean Roche fame) called after the Irish women called Needle Hill.

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SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

Our Irish Night Sponsors: • Killarney Autos • Framed Football Limited • Linda O’Neill Cleaning Edition Perth Glory Jersey • Pantry Dolls. signed by Andy Keogh and • Muesco Day Spa. Mount the senior squad 2016-2017 Lawley voucher kindly donated by UON (Donated by IrishGC) • Avoka Cafe • UP DOWN • Woodvale Tavern Building Inspections • Madame Queenie • Joan Ross • Gallagher Migration • Jessica Stojkovski MP • Troubadour Music • Alanna Clohessy MP • Lorraine Reddy McKeon • Hairdressing Voucher Cleaning Sara Ryan Tiernan • Beauty Box Australia • Bog Plumbing & Gas • Mighty Quinn Tavern • McLoughlin’s Butchers • Maggie Delaney- Beautician • Woodvale Conniseur • Hetty’s Scullery

Irish Families in Perth

Western Australia

with Eimear Beattie

Irish Families in Perth is a voluntary, non-profit organisation with over 13,500 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.

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 & heritage.

IFIP aims to • Coordinate Irish family events around Perth including weekly playgroups.

• Support Irish families along with The Claddagh Association • Develop Irish culture & heritage: Gaelic Games, Irish Music, Irish Language & Irish Folklore • Help Irish families with any problems that might arise by providing a link to Australian & Irish support services You can find our Facebook page at: https://www. facebook.com/groups/irishfamiliesinperth

Irish Mam’s Perth (NOR) by Linda Morton

Irish Night at the Woodvale

Irish Families in Perth Committee would also like to thank each and every person who turned up for our Irish Night in Aid of the WA Famine Memorial which was held at the Woodvale Tavern. A great night was had by all.

In case anyone missed it, 69-year-old Jimmy Byrne won ‘Best Dancer’ with his Fred Astaire moves putting the young ones to shame with his energy! Special acknowledgements must go to the fabulous Three Crowns Dancers along with the musicians on the night, Demi O’Hara, Down the Swanee (Dympna Finch & Gerry Starr), Rob Zielinski, Frank Glackin and Mary Carroll plus to Fred Rea for setting up the music on the night.

We were honoured to receive a beautiful framed certificate of appreciation from the WA Irish Famine Commemoration Committee.

Thanks to all those who donated prizes on the night.

We could not have done it without your support. We raised approximately $8400 - A fantastic effort!

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A fantastic group of Irish Mam’s providing day to day support to each other, both online and face to face.

An opportunity to create new friendships not only for ourselves but also for our little ones which is so important when most of us are new to Perth, and far from family and have partners who are working away.

Our page, offers a supportive safe forum to seek advice and have a bit of craic along with details of the following meet ups/ events: Jim Egan of the WAIFC It’s a purpose-built presents certificate to Eimear playgroup centre, with

a covered/shaded playground around the building, which is fenced with a locked gate. There is plenty for the older ones to do outside and a playroom set up with lots of toys inside alongside another room for our babies along with a kitchen for a cuppa and a baby changing room with toddler toilets!

Mothers Support Group A few spots have are now available in our mothers support groups which meet from 9am at Padbury on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Ages are 6wks to 5yrs, as you can see they have safe, clean, warm play areas inside and out and a lovely group of down to earth mams.

For any new families, the first two weeks are free

(gives you a chance to make sure it suits you) Fees after that are about $2 per week.

Many thanks to IFIP and their kind sponsors for their continued support and sponsorship. If anyone has any questions/needs more info, please get in touch or you can find more info on Irish Mam’s NOR page: (https://m.facebook.com/groups/774916025922214 ?ref=bookmarks) See you there for a cuppa.

Linda Eimear Beattie Founder IFIP - Non Profit Organisation Email:irishinperth@hotmail.com

Irish Night at Woodvale Tavern for WAIFC

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Local News of Interest from the Past

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

B Y

F R E D

News Published Every Two Months

R E A

Was it Poteen that killed Thomas?

By Fred Rea

but on Friday evening he came home, and had a hearty meal, but made no complaint about being unwell. About nine o’clock he retired to bed. The witness rose about three o’clock on Saturday morning having heard horses trampling about, and thinking they might be breaking into the corn. When she was up a man said, “Is that you, Tom?” She then went in and said to her husband “Are you asleep, Tom, there is a man calling you.” He replied “No,” and rising went outside and said to the man “Is that you, Pat?” The man said, “It’s me, Tommy.” The man was Mr. Pat Walsh. Walsh then came into the kitchen with deceased.

He had a flask of spirits (Was it brewed by the lads locally and was it a type of Poteen?) and Catherine brought out a lamp. Each of the men had a drink and the deceased said, “It’s good, Pat”. She then made a bed for Walsh and went to bed, leaving the two men in the kitchen where they may have stayed for an hour. Deceased’s bed was in the same room as hers was. Between four and five o’clock she heard snoring and heavy breathing in the direction of her husband’s bed and jumping up she went over and said, “What’s the matter Tom?” His head was off the pillow and he appeared to be in a faint. She rubbed his hands, neck and feet, but the deceased never spoke a word and when the daughter came in she immediately said “My father is dead, my father is dead”. The witness again went back to the bed and found that he really was dead. The two little boys, Charlie and Chris Pintilla, were sleeping with the deceased; both were asleep.

To the Coroner. — She never heard the husband complain of being sick. He was always a strong healthy man.

As part of our promotion of the Irish Famine Memorial in Subiaco, we had a piece in the West Australian asking for descendants of any of the Irish girls who came here in the 1850s following the famine. I received many phone calls from descendants who were very interested and wanting to tell the story of the girls connected to them. Wanted conversation with Del may be of interest to readers. She was asking about Catherine Larkin who arrived from Ireland in around 1850. From my research, I found out that Catherine married in Guildford to Thomas Larkin who was Transported to Australia in 1854 (Convict No 2641). He was sentenced to 10 years for burglary in 1850 at the Assizes court in Lancashire. He was born in Ireland in 1832 the son of Patrick Larkin and Anne Teed. He married Catherine Clancy in 1854. You can see his grave by looking at the Northam Cemetery.

Catherine Clancy was not a convict but appears to have come here from Ireland on one of the so called ‘bride ships’. Catherine was born in Kings Co (Offaly) in Ireland and her parents were Michael and Emily.

Both Catherine’s and Thomas’ deaths were reported in the Northam Advertiser on 30 December 1899 for Thomas and 30 April 1910 and 4 May 1910 and I found the two reports on Trove, the website where you will find many of the old newspapers.

In the conversation with Del she mentioned that the spirits Thomas partook in with his mate Pat before his untimely death could have been Poteen. Poitín (Irish pronunciation: Poteen is a traditional Irish distilled beverage (40%–90% ABV). Poitín was traditionally distilled in a small pot still and the term is a diminutive of the Irish word pota, meaning “pot”. The Irish word for a hangover is póit. Poitín is made from cereals, grain, whey, sugar beet, molasses and potatoes.

Visiting Ireland?

Newspaper report of Thomas’s Death

December 1899: An inquest touching the death of Thomas Larkin who died at his farm near Northam on Saturday morning last was resumed on Thursday morning before the Coroner, Mr. John Adam, R.M. Catherine Larkin, the wife of the deceased, said that on Saturday morning about 4 o’clock her husband died. On the day previous he was engaged in cleaning corn for Mr. J. Sermon whose farm adjoins that of the deceased. It was the custom of the deceased to sleep at Mr. Sermon’s

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Mary Ann Pintella, a daughter of the previous witness gave corroborative testimony in all the important details.

Dr Dunlop deposed that he had made, a post-mortem examination of the deceased in conjunction with Dr Rockett. He found no external marks of violence. The body was well-nourished and healthy in every respect.

Upon internal examination found different organs of the body healthy, with the exception of the heart, which showed signs of disease of long standing. The condition of the heart was sufficient to account for death occurring suddenly at any time. The cause of death was heart disease. The jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Coincidently on the same morning at half past 7, a Mary Borthhwick, a married woman also residing in Northam died suddenly. A doctor certified that the cause of death was failure of the heart and an inquest was deemed unnecessary. According to the local doctors, she like Thomas, died of heat apoplexy, a potentially fatal response to excess heat outside the body; heatstroke.

Northam Advertiser’s report of Catherine’s death 1910: Death from Burns—The death took place at the Northam Public Hospital on Tuesday of Mrs. Catherine Larkin, who a week previously met with a burning accident. Mrs. Larkin, who resided with her daughter in Wellington Street, West Northam, and who was the advanced age of 75 years, was sitting by the fireside on April 26, when a spark flew out and set fire to her dress.

She sustained somewhat serious burns, and although at first it was hoped she would recover, the shock to the old lady’s system was so severe that death took place, as stated, on Tuesday last.

The challenge for Del now is to find out more about Catherine, what ship she arrived on and what were her circumstances in Ireland prior to starting a new life in Australia. The Famine memorial is commemorating these girls and descendants like Del are telling us that they are very grateful we are doing.

The Rare Old Mountain Dew Let grasses and waters flow in a free and easy way, But give me enough of the rare old stuff that's brewed near Galway Bay, Come policemen all from Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim too, Oh, we'll give them the slip and we'll take a sip Of the rare old Mountain Dew Chorus Hi di-diddly-idle-um, diddly-doodle-idle-um, diddly-doo-ri-diddlum-deh Hi di-diddly-idle-um, diddly-doodle-idle-um, diddly-doo-ri-diddlum-deh At the foot of the hill there's a neat little still, Where the smoke curls up to the sky, By the smoke and the smell you can plainly tell That there's poitin brewin' nearby.

For it fills the air with a perfume rare, And betwixt both me and you, As home we troll, we can take a bowl, Or a bucket of the Mountain Dew

The Divil's Sister!

Padraic Flaherty was a divil for the poteen and came home drunk every evening toward ten.

Now, the Missus was never too happy about it, either. So one night she hides in the cemetery and figures to scare the beejeezus out of him. As poor Pat wanders by, up from behind a tombstone she jumps in a red devil costume screaming, "Padraic Sean Flaherty, sure and ya' don't give up you're drinkin' and it's to Hell I'll take ye'".

Pat, undaunted, staggered back and demanded, "Who the hell ARE you?".

Too that the Missus replied, "I'm the divil ya' damned old fool".

To which Flaherty remarked, "Damned glad to meet you sir, I'm married to yer sister."

Now learned men who use the pen, Have sung the praises high Of the rare poitin from Ireland green, Distilled from wheat and rye.

Put away with your pills, it'll cure all ills, Be ye Pagan, Christian or Jew, So take off your coat and grease your throat With a bucket of the Mountain Dew. 44

’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

Since my last article I have been to Japan and if you’re asking, did I find an Irish pub there, you bet I did but enough of that for a while.

y

Firstly, I need to give you some background. There was a time, when Japan was the last place on earth I thought I would ever want to visit, that was until my youngest son Emmett decided he wanted to go to Tokyo to teach English. That then sparked my curiosity in the country. He spent eighteen months there between 2008 and 2009. Whilst there my wife and I went to visit him, in the land of the rising sun. I had no idea what to expect as my only knowledge of the country was what I saw in the war movies as a young boy back in Cork many years ago and more recently, the growth and slump in its economy in the last two decades. With that limited knowledge, I wasn’t sure if Marie and I might warm to what we were about to experience. Someone told me years ago never be too presumptuous because it can lead to false expectations.

It this case that was true, as I discovered there is nothing I didn’t like about Japan from day one. Allow me to give you ten good reasons why you should put this country on your bucket list.

Japan oozes in manners and is the most respectful country I have ever visited. Second, the countryside is beautiful and the cities are safe. Third, seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom, is amazing. Fourth, all the trains are user friendly, run on time and are spotlessly clean (you could eat your dinner off the floors). Fifth, there is no graffiti in sight. Sixth, queue jumping is frowned upon. Seven, I love this one, no one speaks on their mobile phones on public transport. Eight, the food is Yoshie (Japanese for beautiful). Nine, hotels and food are not as expensive as many other countries. Lastly but not least you must pay a visit to Hiroshima, a city that was wiped out by an atomic bomb, with a reported 140,000 killed in the initial blast and only God knows how many others died later from the fall out. Visit the Peace Memorial Park, it will do your soul good to stand at the monument and reflect for a minute. Then visit the museum and while there absorb the writings of the devastation that was brought upon man by man and then feel your blood boil.

Now back to my recent and fifth visit to Japan, it was to visit my son who had returned to Tokyo two and a half years ago to marry. He and his wife Aiaka recently became parents to a beautiful daughter, they named Erika and of course that makes me a very proud

granddad. There is nothing you can’t love about children, I could be accused of being a bit of a child myself when it comes to children as I find myself being conned into all sorts of games and requests from the little manipulators.

Japan as usual fulfilled all my wishes, plus this time, making this trip even more special, as I had the honour of holding my beautiful grand-daughter. A trip to Japan for me could not go without a visit to my favourite Irish Pub ‘The Dubliner’ in Shibuya where it gives me a sense

45

of being home. Shibuya is also known for having the busiest cross road in the world, it is reported that every time that the traffic lights change approximately 5,000 people cross at the intersection.

If any of you have seen the brilliant tear jerker movie called Hachi, a true story about a dog who had an amazing loyalty for his master you will find a bronze monument in his honour just outside the railway station in Shibuya. Be warned that if you wish to have your picture taken there be prepared to wait or fight to get a picture as there is usually a queue. On my visits to Japan I always pay my respects to Hachi for I have seen the movie many times.

I will have been to Ireland and back by the time you will be reading this issue. I will have left on September 1st for Dublin to attend the hurling All Ireland final between Galway and Waterford on 3 September.

Then it’s off to my home town Cork for a few days to do some social work and catch up with family and friends. From there I will cross the Irish Sea to Essex, just north of London to attend a wedding. The beautiful bride is Fleurie Toocaram from Essex, who has the most amazing sense of humour and the lucky groom is James, the son of some long time great friends of mine the Bullman’s family from Tralee. It will not be a quiet occasion. Each, and every one of this family have great voices and will be singing their hearts out into the early

hours on the next day. The day after the nuptials has been ear marked for an all-day singsong and you won’t hear anyone grumbling about that. I have no doubt that this will be one of the best weddings I will ever have the honour of being invited to.

While in the UK I plan to travel north to Manchester to attend the Manchester United v Everton game, where Wayne Rooney will be playing against the club he captained and won many trophies. As most Irish soccer fans will know, there are only two religions in Ireland, Manchester United and Liverpool. Obviously having been born in Cork I am biased, as United was captained by two Cork men Noel Cantwell and Roy Keane. Even though I am biased, I will still take the time to have a look at Man City’s set up and take the short trip down the road from Manchester to have a sticky beak at Anfield. So, until I come back battered and bruised I will fill you in on the trip on my return until then be good to those who love you.

It’s Sainte from Melbourne.

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Page sponsored by

PERTH CENTRE

OFFALY ROSE IS THE WINNER!

Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne was crowned the winner of the Rose of Tralee 2017 - the first time Offaly has won the title.

The 24 year old junior doctor hails from Clonaderig, Ballinahown in the Faithful County and studied medicine at NUI Galway. She is currently working in the Accidentand Emergency department of University College Hospital Galway.

Jennifer triumphed over 31 other finalists from all over the world at the 58th Rose of Tralee Festival- after two nights of gĂşnas, party pieces, live first aid, acrobatics, and omelette making.

"I can just about breathe now, to be honest. I'm absolutely in shock; I don't even know what to say. Everyone here is absolutely remarkable," she said after the 2016 Rose of Tralee, Chicago's Maggie Mc Eldowney, handed over the crown.

The photos on the page are of our own Kerry-Ann Barnes enjoying the craic in Kerry during the festival.

Come along to Kerry Ann's welcome home and launch for 2018 entries at Rosie O'Grady's Northbridge on 30th September. Visit Perth Rose facebook page for final details.

Jessica Stojkovski MLA MEMBER FOR KINGSLEY 4/923 Whitfords Ave Woodvale WA 6026 08 9309 2666 jessica.stojkovski@mp.wa.gov.au @JessicaStojkovski jessicastojkovski.com.au

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Jessica Stojkovski MLA

Claddagh / Irish Golf Club of WA Quiz Night at the Irish Club for the WA Famine Memorial

What a great night and with Louis Byrnes as Quiz master it all went to be a most enjoyable evening. Over $4000 was raised.

Sincere thanks to the following for their kind supports with prizes: • Alanna Clohesy, MLC • An Sibin Irish Pub • Avoka Cafe • Billy & Joan Ross • Claddagh Association • Hetty’s Scullery • Houghtons Winery • JB O’Reilly’s • Rosie O'Grady's • Masonmill Restautrant • Maylands Golf Club • McLoughlins Butchers • Mooneys Irish Sandwich Bar • Niamh Bliss Beauty • Rose of Tralee Committee On behalf of the WAIFC Committee thank you to all concerned.

Fred Rea, Chairman

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Breakfast was always a happy occasion at the beach house. The dining room windows had a glorious view of the ocean which stretched as far as the eye could see. While eating in such a privileged setting, the nuns would talk of their respective plans for the day. This morning however, the conversation centred on the commotion in the night which had woken and frightened some of them. The beautiful old federation style property was on a hill overlooking the ocean, its big rooms all had ceiling fans which circulated the air in an effort to cool it.

At night the verandas surrounding the building offered a delightful retreat with big comfortable chairs where they could sit and converse while enjoying the cool sea breeze.

The house was used as a holiday home for nuns who were educators in schools scattered hundreds of kilometres apart in West Australian remote outback towns. It was a real treat being so close to the ocean and sleep came easily in bedrooms which had big windows which, when open, allowed the full benefit of the sea breeze to circulate through the house.

During the summer months nuns came from all over the state to enjoy a holiday at this delightful location.

For many of them it was the only time they saw the ocean from one year to the next. Evening strolls along the beach were popular. Shopping for essentials and small treats in nearby areas was also a highlight of time spent there, as most of the towns they lived in had just the minimum infrastructure and amenities.

Every couple of weeks one lot of guests arrived and another departed. During this annual holiday they became like the young girls they spent most of their lives with. The young girls they had never had time to be, as most of them were little more than children when they entered the convent. The life experiences of these women were severely limited. It was ironic that over their years of teaching, they educated hundreds of girls in academic subjects to prepare them to earn a

THE

HOLY GHOST

By Marie Moloney

living, also domestic skills like cooking and sewing in preparation for life as wives and mothers, something they themselves knew nothing about. This however in no way hampered their dedication to their chosen path.

Most of them were Irish and still talked about the long and arduous sea journey they made to get to Western Australia in their youth.

The memories of home and family were, for the older ones particularly, very faint as a visit back to the old country was a dream never to be realised. Friendships made in the early days of training were like threads of gold running through the lives of these women. Each year there was a frantic scramble to get a place in the seaside retreat at the same time as these old friends, now scattered around the many convents in the state.

Two nuns who almost always managed to meet up each year were Sister Claire and Sister Bridget.

They had travelled from Ireland together as mere fifteen year olds.

Their novice days in Perth were visited in conversation each holiday 49

and the stories they told provided great entertainment for the younger women in the group. Sister Bridget was a tall thin woman, angular in appearance, she was quiet by nature and kept to herself a lot, rarely disclosing any personal thoughts or feelings to anyone. She was also prone to having nightmares. Often she would wake moaning and screaming, shaking with the fearful emotion which engulfed her. But she mostly preferred to pretend these events did not happen, never confiding to anyone, what the nightmares were about. Sister Claire was a compassionate woman who took great care of her nearest and dearest. She was short and rotund with long glowingly healthy hair, originally deep brown but now white and hidden most of the time under her nun’s headdress, which never let more than the tiniest wisp of hair show. She and Sister Bridget had been friends since they first met, they were both music teachers and enjoyed sharing their experiences with each other. This morning the two friends sat side by side heads bent eating quietly. Opposite them at the table was Sister Bernadette, also one of the elderly ladies who had entered the convent as a young teenager. She had a highly anxious nature and was always expecting the worst to happen. The rest of the holiday guests were busy in animated conversation about the disturbance in the night.

It was at about 3am that the chilling moans and terrified screams began. Sister Claire sat bolt upright in bed listening, knowing from whence and whom it came and vainly hoping it would stop so she could go back to sleep, but of course it didn’t. She climbed out of bed as quickly as her generous bulk would allow, and made her way along the veranda toward the direction of the terrified sounds. As she walked the long white nightdress which covered her ample figure billowed around her in the brisk sea breeze.

At the other end of the building Sister Bernadette, had also heard the distressed sounds. She jumped

out of bed and retrieved the toy gun which she always kept under her pillow wherever she was.

Shaking with fear she set out to discover what was happening. As she made her way along the veranda firmly holding the toy gun in her right hand her whole body was trembling and her breath escaped in gulps. Sister Claire, making a supreme effort to be quiet as she progressed, turned the corner; coming toward her, she saw by the light of the moon, a figure carrying a gun. At the same time Sister Bernadette saw a large ghostly white figure with long wild looking hair moving purposefully in her direction.

Simultaneously both women let out piercing screams, Bernadette dropped her gun and they both turned and ran as fast as they could back to their respective rooms.

Now sitting around the breakfast table tired and slightly grumpy, many of the women offered theories as to what had happened; some of them now convinced that the house was indeed haunted. Sister Claire and Sister Bernadette sitting opposite each other contributed little to the conversation each of them anxious to keep secret their part in the commotion. Sister Bridget however was keen to support the theory of ghosts roaming the building at night. But when asked “Bridget did you hear anything? No, she replied I slept like a baby!

Swift of Wit! Dean Jonathan Swift may or may not have been a real Dubliner, but it is probable that he was born in Dublin on 30 November 1667 of Yorkshire descent.

When he was about a year old, he was kidnapped by his nurse and taken from Dublin to the north of England where he remained for many years. After a stormy career in religion and politics during which he wielded a vicious pen, he was banished to his native Dublin in 1713 and became Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral where he was to remain for the rest of his life. Swift became one of the English language’s greatest masters of irony and satire, but his wit had a vicious Dublin edge to it, which makes it timeless. He championed the Dublin poor who surrounded him on all sides and to revenge himself on his English tormentors; he supported several Irish causes. Here are some examples of his distinctive wit: • A tavern is a place where they sell madness by the bottle.

• I never knew any man in my life who could not bear another’s misfortune perfectly like a Christian.

• If a lump of soot falls into the soup. and you cannot conveniently get it out. stir it well in and it will give the soup a French taste.

• I propose that a tax be levied on female beauty. Let every woman be permitted to assess her own charms - then she’ll be generous enough.

• Never remark in England that the air in Ireland is healthy and excellent or they will most certainly tax it.

• If the church and the devil went to law. the devil would win, for all the lawyers and attorneys would be on his side.

• All political parties die of swallowing their own lies.

• A very little wit is valued in a woman as we are pleased with a few words spoken plain by a parrot.

• When men grow virtuous in their old age, they only make a sacrifice to God of the devil’s leavings.

From “Dublin Wit”

50

One step beyond!

DARA IS A TRUE CHAMPION IN EVERY SENSE!

By Lloyd Gorman and Fred Rea

The trajectory from local Feis to state to national and even world competitions is one that most ambitious and hard-working traditional Irish dancers are familiar with. But earlier this year life long dancer Dara McAleer from Perth landed herself a major competition title that doesn’t automatically follow this pattern.

“In my very first states I was second and then I won every state until 2010 when I got second, and that same year was when I won the nationals for the first time, I was 13” she told Fred Rea. “Then I won nationals four times since then. I got second twice and won it four times. After I won the first and second time I decided I wanted to do better at the worlds and I’ve been to the worlds every year since 2008 but never really got anywhere with it. I got okay placings but because I had done well at nationals I wanted to step it up.”

In the 2013 worlds Dara was placed 16th and it was on this occasion that she was invited to come and train with Ed Searle and Byron Tuttle who had their own dance academy. “Laura my teacher danced with Ed in England, where they started their school in Birmingham but later moved to America, in Colombus, Ohio. When they were in England they asked me to go with them but I was still in school (Sacred Heart College) and it just wouldn’t have worked.

So, when I finished school I decided I wanted to go over, which I did in October 2015. I trained in October and November and came back to Perth in December to return then for another three months in January for the worlds. I got sixth that year,

which was the best I ever did and then I came back home and did the states and the nationals and I won the 2016 states and came third at the nationals.”

After the Australian competitions Dara returned stateside to continue her trainng in a bid to try and improve her chances in the next worlds. “I went back in January of this year for another three months training and I got 14th at the worlds.

So, I didn’t do better than last year but that’s fine.”

Her next step was a crucial one.

She decided to stay on after the worlds for the North American nationals in New Orleans in July.

“I didn’t expect to win it, I was in the 19 to 20 age group” she said.

“There were English and Irish girls there from the worlds and a whole panel of Irish female judges which doesn’t work for me because I’m a 51

stronger dancer, rather than an elegant one. With two English girls and an Irish girl from the top 10 in the worlds it was said I wouldn’t win. So, when I did it was crazy, I was not expecting it, my goal was to get in the top five. I didn’t know who was going to be in my competition and when I saw the programme I was trying to work out that if I danced really well I could just make the top 5. The girl who got second place has won it a lot before. My goal is to get into the top five at the worlds so I’ll keeping with that for as long as it takes. As I’m getting towards the end of competing I want to go into a show something like Riverdance or Lord of the Dance. I’d love to do my own show, but that’s a big undertaking. After that I’d love to teach.”

She started classes herself at the age of five but was dancing before that at home where her mother used to teach. “Mum and uncle John have always been a big part of my dancing, and when Donna, Laura and Alison started teaching they were a bit part too, and Laura still is a huge part of it. Ed and Byron’s academy was great too.

I helped out a lot and I loved that fact that I could help out and got to teach, which is what I want to do. In teaching other kids it helped me to understand what I need to fix in my own dancing.”

Dara would like to see more people take up Irish dancing and more opportunity for them to showcase their talents.

“I wish that in Australia we had more competitions, that’s one of the reasons I went to America, because I got to the highest point I could in Australia, and that was it. We only

have four or five competitions a year that are easy to get to and don’t cost a fortune without going interstate. I wish the competition was a bit more consistent and we didn’t have such a big gap from when we finish nationals in October, to the worlds.”

Glasgow will be the host city for the 2018 World Irish Dancing Championships in March, beating Killarney, Dublin and Belfast for the honour of hosting the event.

God will provide!

Mary brought her boyfriend Sean home to meet her mam and dad.

After dinner, mother said to father, “Can you find out about the young fella?” Dad invited Sean outside for a talk. “So, what are your plans me boy?” he asked Sean.

“I’m a Biblical scholar,” Sean replied.

“A Biblical scholar the father said. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in?”

“I will study,” Sean replied, “and God will provide a house for us.”

“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?” asked the father. “I will concentrate on my studies,” Sean replied, “God will provide a ring.”

“And children?” asked the father. “How will you support children?”

“Don’t worry, Mister, God will provide,” replied Sean.

The conversation proceeded like this, and each time the father questioned, the young idealist insisted that God would provide.

Later, mother asked, “How did it go with Sean?”

Dad answered, “He has no job, no plans, and he thinks I’m God”.

Dublin Humour...

• When Walter Guinness of the Dublin brewing family was

elevated to a peerage, he took the title Lord Moyne. Dublin wits were quick to remark ‘Moyne’s a Guinness’ in pubs all over town.

•

A Dubliner remarked that while sitting down he always hated to see a pregnant woman standing on a bus. So, he closed his eyes.

•

A man and a woman were standing at a bus stop conversing with each other in the Irish language. A true Dub sidled up to them and having listened un comprehendingly to them for a few monents exploded, “Why don’t you go back to your own country!”

Dermot Byrne

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

1. What famous song did the German composer George Graff write?

2. Which type of knot is used to shorten a rope without cutting it?

3. What record does the Guinness Book of Records hold?

4. Which girls name is mentioned most in the bible?

5. Which king in a pack of cards does not have a moustache?

6. Who gained an entry into the Guinness World Records for writing 26 novels in one year?

7. What is the largest lake in the world?

8. The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street is the nickname of what?

9. By what name was Marion Morrison better known?

10. The Canary Islands are named after what?

Answers: 1 When Irish Eyes are Smiling, 2 A Sheepshank, 3. 4. It is stolen from libraries more than any other book, 4 Sarah, 5 Hearts, 6 Barbara Cartland, 7 Caspian Sea, 8 The Bank of England, 9 John Wayne, 10 Dogs.

52

Prohibition are a two-piece Folk\Country band originating from Cork and North Kildare.

Olan Healy told the Irish Scene, "I’m on lead vocals and guitar has been resident in Australia since 2011, having previously performed in Ireland, Europe and America in the last 15 years. I come from a musical family in Cork and had basically no choice but to sing a song at every family gathering. I like a song with a good story. My influences include Mumford and Sons as well as Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash.

"My partner in crime, Anton Romaniuk, is a classically trained violinist arriving in 2016 and originating from north Kildare.

Having been involved in a variety of genres from classical to country over 10 years with bands such as The Moore’s Brothers he adds depth and entertainment to each performance. Influences include Iron Horse, Dropkick Murphy’s, Flogging Molly and Christy Moore of course!"

The band got together through

an add that I put up on face book and Anton responded to from Ireland. Once they got together to play a few songs we quickly realised we were into most of the same music and strongly influenced by folk more than any other genre. "We like the toe tapping stuff that nowadays seems to transcend all demographics. It great to see the likes of the Lumineers, Monsters of men, and Mumford bringing the two step banjo sound back.

Each Show is guaranteed to be filled with plenty of entertainment, passion, music

variety and fun!" Getting the crowd involved is something Prohibition thrive on, bringing the craic into live music in Perth and they try and make sure they get a feel for the people they are playing for and take as many requests as we can. "Paddy Malones were one of the first bars in Perth to give us a gig so it holds a special place in our hearts and we always have a good night there with Alan and all the staff. Big shout out to those guys for their support".

If you would like to book Prohibition you can call Olan on 0499273460 or email: prohibitionbandperth@outlook.com

Prohibition at Paddy Malones in Joondalup!

53

most currently, with the eclectic and multi-talented Grand Remedy.

Fiona has featured successfully on tours for Declan O’Rourke, John Spillane, Pauline Scanlan and Damien Dempsey and has performed at Festivals both in Australia and internationally. We know you will enjoy her!

Book in for dinner before the Folk Club starts. Call 9309 4288.

Welcome to Fiddlesticks Folk and Blues Club

An announcement for all folk and blues musicians and all lovers of folk and blues music; a new club is opening in the function room at the Woodvale Tavern, Trappers Drive, Woodvale starting 14th November and every 2nd Tuesday of the month EXCEPT DECEMBER (too close to Christmas) when it will be on the first Tuesday 5th. Starting time will be punctual at 7:30 and should finish around 9:30. Please see David on arrival to book a spot if you wish to perform. The cost will be a flat $10.

There will be occasional top performers so the cost might be a little extra on those nights. Please note that the Woodvale Tavern is a licensed premises and therefore no drinks may be brought into the function room.

However the tavern does offer a fantastic BISTRO and of course any drinks may be bought at the bar.

About twenty years ago Michael, who had just arrived over from Ireland asked me where he could perform in any of the local Folk Clubs.

Well of course I mentioned the Wanneroo Folk club and Jackadders.

‘Is that all there is in the Northern suburbs he inquired?’

‘Yes’ I replied laconically. ‘As far as I know.’

‘Well with your background,’ he instantly replied, ‘why don’t you start one and run it roughly the way you did in Ireland.’

I had a lot on at the time and did not heed his advice. Now Michael, if you are still around, I have finally got off the seat of my pants and obliged. I hope you will join us!

Fiona Rea for Opening Night!

The guest performer for the opening night on November 14th, is local performer and song writer Fiona Rea. Fiona Rea has a passion for storytelling, connection and melody. For her ‘to sing is to breathe’ and she sings to make sense of the world.

Fiona’s songs are influenced by her Irish heritage and by a lifelong love of music and its power to reach people beyond the isolation of circumstance. For Fiona, a song is a bridge between people, offering connection and embrace.

After winning WAM Song-ofthe-Year for the internationally acclaimed ballad Take Me Home with Them Little Secrets, Fiona has collaborated regularly with a variety of gifted artists including the Irish ensemble Sparrow and, 54

David MacConnell, organiser

Life of a Muso!

Saint Peter is checking ID's at the Pearly Gates, and first comes a Victorian farmer. "Tell me, what have you done in life?" says St. Peter.

The farmer says, "Well, I struck gold, so I became rich, but I didn't sit on my laurels--I divided all my money among my entire family in my will, so our descendants are all set for about three generations."

St. Peter says, "That's quite something. Come on in. Next!"

The second bloke in line has been listening, so he says, "I struck it big in the stock market, but I didn't selfishly just provide for my own like that farmer. I donated five million to Save the Children."

"Wonderful!" says Saint Peter.

"Come in. Who's next?"

The third guy has been listening, and says timidly with a downcast look, "Well, I only made five thousand dollars in my entire lifetime."

"Heavens!" says St. Peter.

"What instrument did you play?"

By Lloyd Gorman

TeleStationTeleNation

SBS stands out for Irish programmes By far, The Farthest, is one of the best documentaries about space - perhaps about anything - to hit screens in quite some time. On the 40th anniversary of their launch it tells the remarkable story of the twin NASA Voyager missions through a series of interviews with the people who made it happen, data sent back from the space probes and brilliant special effects, all set beautifully to a soundtrack of appropriately and suitable picked tunes from that era. The Farthest is easy to watch and would bring as much enjoyment to the lifelong space enthusiast as it would to a viewer with no knowledge of the historic spacecraft and their missions. With Voyager 1 now travelling through interstellar space, and Voyager 2 well on its way (travelling at a speed of about 12 miles a second) these little experimental spacecraft from an era long before mainstream computers, mobile phones and the internet existed were put into space by the American’s, but the film captures the humanity behind them. Carrying their famous golden records encoded with

images, sounds and voices of the world the Voyagers could well be mankind’s final arc and repository of knowledge in the universe when our species and planet eventually dies.

Unless you happen to know differently, or watch the credits at the end, the fact that The Farthest is a100% Irish inspired and made documentary is not at all obvious, but look closer and you could almost see the Guaranteed Irish logo. It went on release in Irish cinemas on July 28 and just two weeks later Australian TV viewers were able to catch in on SBS, which showed the first hour on August 8, with part two a week later. The Farthest is worthy of a nomination for a Grammy (in the documentary category) in this year’s awards and hopefully will win one.

On June 30 SBS screened The Commitments (1991), a film which itself is a bit of a time capsule of Dublin at a certain time.

Kerry born sports star Tadhg Kennelly was the main guest on Channel 7’s new flagship late night sports show The Front Bar, on July 6. You’d know the head of 55

him in a second to look at him but close your eyes and you might not recognise the former GAA player at all. Having been with the Sydney Swans since about 2001 Kennelly now talks and sounds like a full blown Australian. This was a point the show presenters picked up on and asked him about. While he may have lost his accent, Kennelly hasn’t lost his sense of humour and told them that he would be returning to Ireland in a couple of weekstime where he expected to be fully ribbed about the way he talks now.

Actress and comic Aisling Bea certainly uses her Irish accent and way of speaking to full effect. The Kildare born woman appeared on Live at the Apollo on ABC (July 8) and said she talked fast because where she grew up in rural Ireland the only conversation she got was shouting at people in passing cars or tractors, so you had to talk fast she joked. Very funny and very Irish.

Part Irish actor Timothy Dalton was James Bond between 1986 and 1994 and was followed in the role of 007 by fully Irish Pierce Brosnan (1994 to 2005). But on July 11 WTV showed one of his very earliest movies Wuthering Heights

from 1970 when the 24-year-old actor played Heathcliff.

Another younger Bond actor (some say the best Bond) appeared in The Great Train Robbery, on GEM (July 29).

Sean Connery plays Edward Pierce, one of the lead roles of the train robbers for a film which was filmed in Ireland in 1979 and shows plenty of the Irish countryside and bits and pieces from Dublin and Cork’s main train stations as well as some other smaller ones (Mallow).

Former English politician Michael Portillo

seal, which is easy to find on You Tube.

Mrs Browns Boys was back on Thursday nights, on Channel 7 from July 27, but with a twist. Brendan O’Carroll has cleverly rejigged the format of the show which is now called Come Round to Mrs Browns. It still maintains all the main elements of the original series but now includes direct participation with the live audience and sees guests (Pamela Anderson for one) invited on and interviewed in the same style as viewers of the Kumars at No. 42 would be familiar with). The revamp will probably allow the franchise to go and grow for some years yet.

The new season of crime drama series Ripper Street came back to Wednesday nights on One in August and the British TV show which is set in London in the wake of the Jack the Ripper killings - is still being filmed in Dublin, mainly around the Dublin Castle and Christ Church areas.

The powerful real-life story of Irish woman Philomena Lee played by Judi Dench aided by Steve Coogan in her life long search to find her son who was taken from her and sold as a toddler by the Catholic Church was on SBS on August 19.

SBS also re-screened the documentary Sugar Crash on August 26, which looks at the impact sugar is having on the health of Irish society, which is sobering when you realise the full effect the sweet stuff is having on Irish people of all ages.

On August 22 SBS also showed a mixed bag of Irish stuff, including the black and white spy film Nightboat to Dublin (1946), Tommy Flemings Voice of Hope concert, filmed in front of 5000 people at the basilica in Knock and Dr Pixie McKenna’s Staying Healthy, a doctor’s guide.

Over on SBS’s subsidiary station Viceland has been busy reshowing the most recent season of Vikings, the really, excellent Irish made action series. With any kind of luck, the channel is

embarked on a different type of train journey, albeit one with an Irish flavour as part of his popular series Great British Railways. On July 22 on SBS he followed the route from Ledbury to Holyhead, the service which takes all the English mail destined for Ireland to the ferry every day.

House Hunters International was back in Dublin on 9Life on July 23, helping to resettle an American couple and their dog into a new life in the Irish capital. On Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 August 15, the same show was helping Hillarys to bring an English couple to Perth, WA 6923 specifically to the Swan Valley or Middle Swan areas.

On August 3, NITV repeated the film Beneath Clouds, a story about two young Aboriginal Australians who are thrown together by fate, one of who is in search of info@mckeefamilyfunerals.com.au her Irish heritage.

In July, Channel 7’s Animals make you www.mckeefamilyfunerals.com.au laugh out loud took us to Wicklow town where we saw some of the shenanigans local chip shop owner Alan Hegarty and Tel (08) 9401 1900 • Fax: 9401 1911 • Mob: 0413 337 785 his most unusual customer, Sammy the 56

softening viewers up for the new season which must be due to make a return to the small screen in November. From day one Australian actor Travis Fimmell has done a very convincing job of playing Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok. A central character to the whole series Ragnar was killed off in the last season but it may not be the last we see of him in it, and even if it is the show’s plot and storyline have grown to the point where other personalities and identities can step in and carry it forward to a new crop of fans and old ones alike.

Finally, SBS delivered another great Irish programme - or at least one about Ireland - on August 23, called Ireland with Simon Reeve. The British writer and TV presenter really explores the country and people in a refreshing way to reveal a look at the real Ireland, a blend of ancient history and belief, religion and modernity and progress.

He begins the two-part series and his journey on the east coast of Ireland paramotoring with an Irish adventurer, meeting Eddie Lennon in Limerick, a man who knows a lot about the little people, fitting in a spot of surfing in Lahinch and climbing Croagh Patrick in honour of Ireland’s patron saint. He also travels into Derry to look at the impact of the Troubles on that community and how people there are dealing with a history of hate and the bid to try and create a peaceful society. In episode two (August 30) he restarts his circumnavigation of the country at the spectacular Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, then Belfast and Dublin and finishing up in the Wicklow mountains.

Unaccompanied baggage Backpackers • Tourists • Windsurfers •Surfboards If you would like your baggage, suitcase, backpacks, windsurfers sent back to your home country/city while you tour australia 25 .

people We are the

to contact

YEARS EXPERIEN CE

We have been in the Perth International Airport for over 20 years and offer a money back guarantee service.

Please be aware the airlines will not accept any check-in baggage that weighs more than 32kgs in one item nor can you carry more than 7kgs on the aircraft.

EXPORTAIR UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE & CARGO

Musical Entertainer / Teacher

Phone: (618) 9477 1080 Fax: (618) 9477 1191

Phone Jarrad Lewis Mobile: 0411 081 311 jarrad@exportair.com.au

David MacConnell

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

www.exportair.com.au 57

ULSTER

Rambles

with David

Will it escalate to the point of no return? That is the question people from all around the world are asking.

Yes Donald J. is having a war of words with Kim J. It looks like we are going to have problems with these two power possessed maniacs. At least that’s the way it seems to many, even in the U.S. However, it is not the main issue in Ulster where they are thinking about same sex marriage. Not in the counties of Donegal, Cavan or Monaghan where they have already accepted that part and indeed have a gay Taoiseach to boot. The Irish Republic’s first gay prime minister has predicted it is only a matter of time before same-sex marriage is legalised in Northern Ireland.

Thinking of some of the people I left there, admittedly 45 years ago, I think he is being rather optimistic. He denied he was politicising the issue of gay marriage during the second day of his first official visit to Belfast.

Speaking recently, outside a Pride Breakfast event at the Northern Whig pub in central Belfast (one of my favourite pubs see picture below), Varadkar said he was not attending the festival to upset anyone but rather “to state my support, my government’s support for equality before the law and individual freedom for all citizens no matter where they happen to reside”. Pride events are those celebrating LBGT. My children, although discussing this marriage idea in detail, failed to mention what this acronym stood for.

Well we all know that in this modern technological era that is easy to rectify. Google informed me that it stood for Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender. I seemed to have increased my vocab! I certainly did not use any of these words when I was a teenager.

Asked about when Northern Ireland would fall into line by legalising gay marriage, Varadkar said: “I think it’s only a matter of time although it is of course a decision for the Northern Ireland assembly to take, but I am confident that like other

Looking to Hire a Car in Ireland?

western European countries they will make that decision in due course.

Repeated bids to legalise gay marriage have been vetoed by the Democratic Unionists, which has an influential evangelical Christian base and is the largest party in the Northern Ireland assembly.

Any fresh bid to introduce gay marriage legislation will only take place if and when the Stormont assembly and power-sharing government are restored. Discussions aimed at restoring devolution in Belfast will restart between the main parties, principally Sinn Féin and the DUP, after the summer. And apparently, they have had some resemblance of summer this year or so Stan the man informed me as he has just returned from a holiday to that part of the world. Stan of course left Ireland more years ago that he would care to admit.

‘A fabulous country,’ he told me on his return and then continued to elaborate on the idea I should maybe immigrate! ‘You’ll make a killing over there. Every pub I visited had the Irish Traditional music stuff that you play. (Stan is a rock and roll guy from the past and hardly recognises a jig from a reel!)

Of course he was there for the one or two good weeks of good weather and of course he is almost correct. But the other fifty weeks I might not be so happy.

Anyway I am nearly an Aussie now having been here more years than anywhere else.

Belfast Pride Festival 2017 is not only breaking new ground in terms of the taoiseach’s participation but also resulted in a historic first for policing on the island of Ireland when uniformed officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and their southern counterparts in the Garda Siochána joined the Pride march through central Belfast. It was the first time uniformed Gardai have marched in any parade in Northern Ireland.

This was to show solidarity (they claimed) with their LBGT colleagues within the Garda Siochána and also for the wider LBGT community.

To underline the police force’s support for the event the rainbow colours of the international gay rights movement were painted onto the side of one of the armoured Land Rovers parked across the road from the breakfast event. Well I must say here it was a pleasant change from the usual orange and green etc.

Well what do I think of the same sex marriage in Australia I can hear you asking? Although I have a few misgivings which I won’t go into here (would make this article too long!) I am sure in this modern world it will come to pass. Perhaps it will degrade my own idea of marriage but that is probably irrelevant and I will get over it. I cannot see too many advantages either way.

There are far too many other things in the world to worry about at present and anyway, many of the younger people today don’t get married whether it is to the same sex or not.

David MacConnell

www.dan-dooley.ie 58

WEEKLY SESSION

Seán Doherty Branch

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

Page Sponsored by: Reid’s Bootmakers

EVERY MONDAY AT THE IRISH CLUB

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

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

Comhaltas has been having the regular group music lessons at the Irish Club on Monday nights from 7pm. We all had our regular monthly dinner at the Irish Club Friday 18 August 2017.

Bickley Music Camp

The next event is the Music Camp at Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp from Friday evening 6 October until Sunday morning 8 October 2017. As the last camp was so popular and successful, we decided to have a second one this year. There will be lots of music workshops, some set dancing and Irish dancing workshops as well as lots of lively singing and music sessions. There will be activities to keep the children interested and occupied also.

Timetable to come out shortly on our Facebook page.

Dympna Finch

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

59

great change, spiritual renewal, and it was a massive kick start for civilization in general.

In this present age we should also look beyond our normal boundaries and at our own potential ‘renaissance’. The human being is a very adaptive animal but we have bound ourselves so much to particular careers that we do not have the confidence to break out of them or try other avenues of work. There was a statistic published a few years ago that said only 10% of people were in the careers they should be in. The vast majority of us stumble into boxes and get trapped inside them.

Many people are reluctant to try new ventures if they do not have previous experience of the new function they are now entering into. This attitude has changed over the past few years to now bring our experience, wisdom and work ethic to the new position and learn the elements of the new job afterwards as a secondary consideration. We are capable of making abrupt career changes and adapting to them successfully if we need to. The main thing is not to get boxed in, take the time to look around and put your plans in place to make that transitional change if you feel that you need to achieve more.

As we navigate the early years of the 21st century, new tools are demanding new rules. It is important that we take a ‘leap of faith’ and follow our intuitions. It is a time to start challenging the traditional assumptions and to find new prisms in order to look at a changing world. It is also vitally important that we respect the inputs from another people’s point of view.

From a business perspective, we are living in two worlds at the same time. The transition from the factory focused, mass production way of operating to the digitally based knowledge economy is a road full of bad corners and detours. However, many successful companies today are balancing both of these worlds and using the best of the old practices to bring into the new. It is time to stop paving the cow paths and build a new route instead. As we progress onwards we must be able to step back, adjust the vision, and emerge stronger and more confident to a world that demands greater expectations. The main thing in this world is not so much where we stand but in what direction we are moving.

CHANGING YOUR COLOURS

By Bill Daly

We will soon be experiencing the wonderful manifestations of the autumn season once again, a time when nature changes in a myriad of colours. It can also be a time for personal reflection and stepping beyond our normal boundaries of operation and familiarity.

The Renaissance proper is a French word meaning ‘rebirth’. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was overrun by Barbarian tribes which led to the historical timeframe that we now refer to as ‘The Dark Ages’.

After many centuries of this, there was a major push to renew science, literature, travel and culture and this gave rise to the Renaissance period in the Middle Ages.

This fostering of culture and learning would eventually spawn scientists such as Galileo and Newton, sea travellers like Columbus and Da Gama and artists of the calibre of Michael Angelo and Da Vinci. It was a time of

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60

Join LUB THE C

“The lights are going out at Subiaco Oval but our lights are still burning strong”.

Irish Club Committe 2017-2018

Tom Quinn.

Caroline Geraghty, Committee Member I arrived in Perth August 2012 with my husband and 3 boys. I have been involved with the Irish Club and the Irish Theatre Players since 2014 and am currently the Vice President of the ITP. I bring to the Irish Club Committee over 20 years experience of working within the social care sector ( voluntary and statutory) in Scotland and Ireland in a managerial capacity. I bring my experience in policy development at an organisational and operational level including my love for my Irish roots and heritage to the Irish Club committee. I am excited to be working with an exceptionally talented and enthusiastic committee.

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

Tom Quinn, President.

Past volunteer, manager and President of the Irish Club. Former member of St Finbarr’s GFC and founding member of the Claddagh Association.

Sheila Bowe, VicePresident Founder member of Claddagh Association, involved with the Irish Club for 20 years works for Silver Chain Nursing Association

Brian Walsh, committee member Currently works as part of the management team at The Woodbridge Hotel in Guildford. His past experience in hospitality management spans Ireland, Canada and the US and his formal background is a Master’s degree in Marketing.

Liz O’Hagan. Secretary emigrated to Perth in 1981 with her parents who are from Leitrim. Set up Australian Visa business in 1999 and after marriage to Kildare man Derek in 2000 moved to Ireland until Dec 2012. Joined Claddagh Association Committee in October 2014 until May 2016 when she resigned from the Committee and closed her visa business to take up permanent position as Coordinator for Claddagh. Liz is passionate about the Irish Community in WA and looks forward to the challenges ahead.

Louise Dillon, Committee member is a business consultant with more than 15 years experience in industrial relations and human resources, marketing, business management and education. She has worked in unions and schools, most recently jumping into the world of running her own business!

She ran for the Irish Club Committee because she is committed to seeing the Club grow and be a place where all are welcomed in true Irish style.

Mary Maguire, Treasurer Prior to retiring I worked for a health fund in Perth and was responsible for managing their membership department participated on projects relevant to that department.

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

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday

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

Functions & Fundraisers Contact Club:

Tel: 93815213

Irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

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

61

IRISH CLUB SENIORS

SENIORS’ LUNCH

FREE TEA & COFFEE

available upstairs every night

Ist Friday of the Month. $15 per person Bar open from 12.30pm.

Lunch at 1pm.

Bookings 9381 5213

AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2017

President: Hilary McKenna ADCRG Vice President: Eileen Ashley ADCRG Vice President & AIDA Inc Delegate: Teresa Fenton TCRG Secretary: Samantha McAleer TCRG Minute Secretary: Kara O’Dea TCRG Treas./Booking Secretary: Deirdre McGorry TCRG Venue Sec: Sinead Hoare TCRG Registrar: Caroline O’Connor TCRG Grade Exam Co-ordinator: Rose O’Brien ADCRG

SCHOOL CONTACTS

SCOIL RINCE NI BHAIRD Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG - 0427 273 596 SCOIL RINCE NI CEIDE/UPTON Subiaco, Wangara, and Pearsall Samantha McAleer TCRG Lara Upton TCRG Kalamunda 0409 474 557 EIREANN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Como, Jandakot & Rockingham Siobhan Cummins TCRG 0422 075 300 KAVANAGH STUDIO OF IRISH DANCE Osborne Park www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa McGorry TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Caroline McCarthy TCRG CELTIC ACADEMY 0403 211 941 Burswood & Karragullen Siobhan Collis TCRG celticacademyperth@gmail.com www.celticacademyperth.com O'BRIEN ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Butler, Ocean Keys, Connolly/ Ocean Reef and Karrinyup www.obrienacademy.com Rose O'Brien ADCRG Martina O'Brien TCRG 0423 932 866 / 0423 382 706 O'HARE SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Wembley Downs & Osborne Park Jenny O'Hare TCRG 0422 239 440 SCOIL RINCE NI A BHAIRD Fremantle & Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG 0427 273 596 THREE CROWNS SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE Wangara & Padbury www.threecrownsirishdancing.com Eleanor Rooney TCRG 0449 961 669 TRINITY STUDIO OF IRISH DANCING Morley - Eileen Ashley ADCRG Katherine Travers TCRG WA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Malaga - Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 9276 3737/0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 9377 5600

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. The 2017 Perth Premierships were held on Saturday 29th July at the Morley Recreation Centre followed by the WA State Ceili & Figure Dance Championships on Sunday 30th July.

Congratulations to this year's Champions: 2017 Perth Premierships Results Beginner Premierships Champions

U 6yrs – 1st Charlotte Langford Ceide/Upton U 8yrs – 1st Jemma Jansen Ceide/Upton U 10yrs – 1st Abby Jansen Ceide/Upton U 10yrs & Over – 1st Sienna Lonergan-Smith Ceide/ Upton

Primary Premierships Champions

U 7yrs – 1st Aiobheann Ronan Three Crowns U 9yrs – 1st Blythe Garry Kavanagh Studio U 9yrs & Over – 1st Emily Gibbon Three Crowns

Elementary Premierships Champions U 9yrs – 1st Charlie O’Connor Ceide/Upton 9 Years & Over – 1st Corey Smith WA Academy

Intermediate Premierships Champions U 9yrs – 1st Eva McDonnel Three Crowns U 11yrs – 1st Layla Barnes Ceide/Upton 11yrs & Over – 1st Phoebe Hogue O’Hare

Open Premierships Champions

U 10yrs – 1st Scott Ryan Ceide Upton U 12yrs – 1st Isobella Campeotto WA Academy U 14yrs – 1st Sinead Daly Ceide Upton U 16yrs – 1st Caoimhe McAleer Ceide Upton U 18yrs – 1st Ruby Driscoll Ceide Upton 18yrs & Over – Shannon Kennedy Kavanagh Studio

WA State Figure & Ceili Championships Wall of Limerick

U 8yrs - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 10yrs – 1st O’Hare School

4 Hand Ceili's

U 8yrs - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 10yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 10yrs Mixed - 1st WA Academy U 12yrs Girls - 1st WA Academy U 12yrs Mixed - 1st Ceide/Upton U 15yrs Girls - 1st Ceide/Upton U 15yrs Mixed - 1st WA Academy U 18yrs Girls - 1st Ceide Upton Open Age Girls - 1st Ceide/Upton Open Age Mixed - 1st WA Academy

8 Hand Ceili's

U 8yrs Girls - 1st Ceide/Upton U 10yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 10yrs Mixed - 1st Ceide Upton

U 12yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 12yrs Mixed - 1st WA Academy U 15yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 15yrs Mixed - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 18yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 18 Mixed – 1st WA Academy Open Age Girls - 1st WA Academy Open Age Mixed - 1st Ceide/Upton

6 Hand Ceili's

U 10yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 10yrs Mixed - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 12yrs Girls - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 12yrs Mixed - 1st Ceide/Upton U 15yrs Girls - 1st Ceide/Upton U 15yrs Mixed - 1st WA Academy

Own Choreographies

U 8yrs Reel in Couples - 1st O’Brien Studio U 10yrs Reel in Couples - 1st Ceide/Upton U 15yrs Girls Reel in Couples 1st U 8yrs - 1st Kavanagh Studio U 12yrs Girls 3 Hand Reels - 1st WA Academy U 12yrs Mixed 3 Hand Reels - 1st Ceide/Upton Open Age Girls 4 Hand Jig - 1st WA Academy Open Age Mixed 4 Hand Jig - 1st WA Academy

Goodluck to all the WA

State Solo Championships Newman College dancers! on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August.

Congratulations to the following Champions: 2017 WA State Solo Champions 6 Years Aisling Healy - O'Hare School 7 Years & Under Orna Cawley - Ceidi/Upton 7 Years & Under Charlie O'Connor - Ceidi Upton 8 Years Charli Bond - Ceidi/Upton 8 Years Scott Ryan - Ceidi/Upton 9 Years Layla Barnes - Ceidi/Upton 9 Years Corey Smith - WA Academy 10 Years Isabella Campeotto - WA Academy 11 Years Hannah Lane - Ceidi/Upton 11 Years Josh Johnson - Ceidi/Upton 12 Years Caoimhe McGuigan- Ceidi/Upton 12 Years Vaughan Cooper - WA Academy 13 Years Medbh Flanagan - Ceidi/Upton 14 Years Caoimhe McAllen - Ceidi/Upton 14 Years Adam Robinson - WA Academy 15 Years Jade McLaughlin - Ceidi/Upton 16 Years Emily Rooney - Kavanagh Studio 17 Years Ruby Driscoll - Ceidi/Upton 18 Years Dakota Courtney - O'Brien Academy 18 Years Jeremiah Oliveri - Ceidi/Upton 19 Years Dara McAllen - Ceidi/Upton 22 & Over Shannon Kennedy - Kavanagh Studio

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

A large group of WA dancers will be heading off next month to Adelaide for the Australian Irish Dancing Championships from Tuesday 26th September to Sunday 1st October. This year is the 50th Anniversary of these Championships so there will be some exciting extra events, including an Opening concert featuring dancers from all over Australia and a Golden Gala Ball.

SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

63

Memberships

Claddagh Association Inc, 13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090 Crisis support: +61 403 972 265 All other enquiries: +61 8 9249 9213

We are seeking new members and support from the community. For $10 your membership runs until 30th June 2018 and you will receive our electronic newsletters, updates on our events and the opportunity to vote at our Annual General Meeting

Free Visa Information Evening – we invite

expressions of interest for our free information evenings at our offices in Malaga. Please message us at admin@claddagh.org.au

TEMPORARY RESIDENT SUPPORT PROJECT

Seniors – We had a very successful seniors Christmas in July at the Mighty Quinn and a bus trip to the hills, visiting Masonmill Restaurant.

To Bill and the Quinn and Carl at Masonmill thank you for the wonderful food, hospitality and making us so welcome. We encourage new members to join our wonderful Seniors programs. We are is underway. We have information planning activities and expanding our on moving back to Ireland, advice service delivery to include home visits, for making the most of being a home assistance and are continuing temporary visa holder and our with our Nursing home visits and tops tips for surviving on a monthly calls. If you know anyone temporary visa in WA. Please recently retired or new to our contact us for more information. community that may be interested in Crisis support: our Seniors Program please call the 0403 972 265 Congratulations to office on 9249 9213.

our long standing Committee Member Tom Quinn

Our Annual General Meeting will be on Sunday 22nd October.

Further details to follow on www.claddagh.org.au

on his recent election of President of the Irish Club and our Coordinator Liz O’Hagan who has taken up the position of Club Secretary. We wish them both and the Irish Club Committee the very best for the next year.

64

A holiday with a homely feeling

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

Padraig McCaul

It goes without saying that Achill Island is a long way from Fremantle but on a recent holiday to Perth Irish artist Padraig McCaul discovered the two places aren’t

July they travelled to West Australia to catch up with his sister. The trip was Padraig’s first Down Under and like a true artist he saw it as an opportunity to experiment with his art.

“It’s been an adventure, I’ve always had an audience in Australia, through social media, Facebook, if they visited Ireland they might have seen my work in the gallery or I might sell a few pieces online,” he added. “There’s always been some level of connection, I never knew how big it was. I was a bit nervous about bringing a big show to Fremantle, without readily experiencing how people react, will I get the same reaction as I do in Dublin or Achill? so it was lovely to see that it was the exact same, no difference, you’re on the other side of the world but people respond, that connection to Ireland is there for some people, but what was really rewarding about the show was the reaction coming from Australian’s who had never set foot in Ireland.

On Keel Beach, Achill

that far apart in other ways.

“Achill is gorgeous, it has its own micro-climate, we don’t follow the national weather forecast,” he smiled.

“It gets a bit more rain than other places but Spring and Summer just gone were pretty dry and mild. You’ve got clear skies, it’s a beautiful place to be and for me it’s got everything I want, mountains, cliffs, rolling bogs, beaches and the sea.”

Originally from the Dun Laoghaire Monkstown area on the Dublin coastline line Padraig upped-sticks with his wife Anne and their three children and moved to the wilder environs of the west of Ireland to their new home. They have lived under the shadow of Slievemore mountain, close to Silver Strand beach ever since and in

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So, it came from a broad spectrum of people, which is lovely. The Irish network is a great way to help open the door a little bit but when you go beyond that and they bring their friends along and they love it, people with no connection with Ireland, they see something in the painting that they love as well, so that was great.”

As part of the trip to Perth, Padraig incorporated an exhibition of his oil paintings and limited edition prints.

The exhibition - called Stories of Home - was staged at Kidogo Arthouse between July 13 and 19. The old white limestone walls of the White Gallery were reminiscent of the inside of a traditional Irish cottage, the perfect backdrop and setting for his evocative and distinctive images of a particular part of Ireland.

It certainly felt familiar to Padraig. “When I was researching online for somewhere to put the show on I saw it and thought this is it, I just knew exactly what it would look like. Once I hung the pieces I knew that was it.”

The Home collection includes images of family life on the island, old farm houses, roads and country lanes in simple, uncluttered, coloured filled compositions. Since moving to Achill McCaul’s striking paintings of the west of Ireland have continued to evolve and now include more figurative work, sometimes based on, but always inspired by his own family.

“My figures are inspired, in part, by the drawings my own children make. The simplicity and minimalism of a four year old’s way of drawing seems to work well with my landscapes! I like to think that I am using their visual language to represent them in my paintings”.

Every single painting and print in the Home collection Padraig brought with him was snapped up by an enthusiastic market.

A well known and respected artist Padraig’s success

is all the more remarkable because he is completely self-taught.

“Sometimes when you don’t have a training, a very strict methodical training, you’re probably a bit freer with yourself, you’re not tied to a set of rules you have to follow because you make up a lot of them yourself,” he added. “I found people liked it and responded well to it and I just kept doing it. One of my strengths is the use of colours, blending of colours and getting that working, that’s more important in painting than strict draughtsmanship.”

Padraig aims to capture the ‘wow’ sensation when someone sees a favourite or impressive new scene, and tries to teach others how to do that in workshops he runs too.

“I always give the example, if you know Achill at all, it could be your favourite scene, your favourite vista and as you come around a corner and it comes into view, or you come over the hill and suddenly you see it, it’s that split second when you haven’t had a chance to break it down, to see it for the first time, bang, that moment when you go WOW, look at that and you take what you see, simple shapes and colours, but there’s something there and if you can capture that, I think that’s what excites people, that’s what I try to do. I don’t put a lot of detail into it, because the detail doesn’t give you that colour, that feeling that stops you in your tracks.”

As well as catching up with his sister Aoilean who now lives in Perth, Padraig said they were joined by extended family. “We had a big family get together,” he said. “Once I had committed to coming over for that I planned to put an exhibition together incorporate it into the holiday, rather than have it take over the holiday. There’s so much to see here and its worked out brilliantly.”

"My figures are inspired, in part, by the drawings my own children make.

The simplicity and minimalism of a 4 year old's way of drawing seems to work well with my landscapes! I like to think that I am using their visual language to represent them in my paintings".

Padraig McCaul - www.padraigmccaul.com 66

Author at King information board in Moy

ON THE

Innside

an Irish Hotelier IN PERTH

By Lloyd Gorman

If there is something about the hotel sector that Joe Oxley doesn’t know then its probably not worth knowing.

Over a lifetime this Irishman has had a successful and diverse global career in hospitality and business spanning ten countries, one that is bookended by the start of his working life in Dublin and his prestigious hotel in West Perth, The Richardson, just around the corner from the Celtic Club.

“I went to school in Rockwell College, Cashel, Co. Tipperary and when I finished there I didn’t go into university, I did a hotel management course in the old original Jury’s Hotel on Dame Street in Dublin. Older people might remember it, it was a beautiful old hotel, in the same vein as the Shelbourne Hotel. The Shelbourne and Jury’s would have been the top two hotels in Dublin in those days. I did my training and went to London to work at the London Hilton, on Park Lane.”

From there Joe went to Bermuda with Princess Hotels (now Fairmont Hotels) which had six hotels, two of which were in the exotic British Overseas Territory island.

“From there I went back to Ireland for a few months,” he added. “I then went to the Seychelles and after a short time there I went to Kenya, where I stayed for seven years, after which, in 1982, I went back to Ireland where I met my wife, Annette, who is from Ballythore, County Kildare. I stayed in Ireland for a while and managed the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, a private members club. I was hired to try and bring the club into the modern era with a redevelopment project, to better utilise the valuable property on St. Stephen’s Green. Unfortunately, the members voted against the proposition so I went overseas again and went to Bahrain, Jakarta and then to America. We both got green cards for the states so we went and checked it out but decided it wasn’t for us. Then Annette and I went to Taiwan where I worked for an international company called Club Corporation of America, the biggest golf and private member club operators in the world. After Taiwan, we were transferred to Hong Kong, where we spent 17 years. We got married there and, the kids were born there and we decided to come here, to Perth. It made a lot of sense, its in the same time zone, climate was particularly important and there were opportunities. I didn’t necessarily want to retire at that stage but I had the idea of semi-retiring.”

“In Hong Kong, I worked for a very large conglomerate which had hotels, clubs, retail malls, a cable TV business and as well as a telephone company, ferry and tram systems, a large organisation called Wharf Holdings. But I also had a couple of sidelines businesses, one of which was an Irish bar called ‘O’Brien’s’. We were the first to get draught Guinness in Hong Kong. When we decided to move down here to WA, I was commuting for the first two years, every three weeks. We had built a 67

house from a distance (in Floreat) and got the kids into school, etc, it worked out really well and we bought a real estate business, which Annette runs. Leasing Elite is now 34 years old and we have had it for 16 years”.

Around this time Joe’s business partner in Hong Kong - Ted Powell from Liverpool - decided to make a sea change of his own.

“Ted sold his very successful company in Hong Kong and said he was going back to the UK. I said he wouldn’t last long after being in Hong Kong for 30 years. So, he lasted one winter and when he said he was coming to join us in Australia and I said come on down.”

The two men put their heads together to come up with a business plan for a new venture - which turned out to be The Richardson Hotel. “Even though I had done the

Joe Oxley

Annette & Joe

planning for it in Hong Kong I had no intention of doing it initially.”

They bought a site on Richardson Street in West Perth that had been used as a family planning clinic and over time they acquired two neighbouring single storey houses that had been used by doctor’s clinics, that were owned by surgeon Tony Kierath, the husband of burns specialist Prof. Fiona Woods.

“So, we bought the two blocks from Tony and we wanted to do something we could be proud of, something we would enjoy.

We weren’t overly pushed on the bottom line, it was about quality and getting the right sort of people and enjoying it was more important. It wasn’t exactly the greatest business plan in the world but it has been very successful.”

A bit like its owners, the Richardson Hotel, as a building, has good international pedigree. It has 74 guestrooms and suites over eight floors, with private balconies and panoramic views of Perth city and Kings Park, a sumptuous day spa, an elegant restaurant (Opus) and business centre.

“The design creates a landmark destination for exclusive business travellers to Perth with luxurious apartments and every amenity to ensure a comfortable and memorable five-star experience,” according to the website for

architect Sir Terry Farrell. “This unique boutique hotel was designed with a holistic approach - grand and outstanding, yet conservative and pragmatic.”

The highly respected architect is responsible for some of the world’s most iconic buildings and places in the world. These include the M16 Headquarters on the banks of the River Thames in London but dozens of multi-billion projects across the UK and China and other parts of the world. Through their Hong Kong contacts Joe and Ted were able to

commission the services of Sir Terry Farrell for their boutique hotel which is the only Farrell designed building in Australia.

As a wall full of photographs inside the hotel testifies the Richardson has been the favourite haunt of pretty much every major celebrity who has come to Perth in the last ten years. Pink, Beyonce, Sting, Michael Bublé, Michael Parkinson, John Cleese and Jennifer Lopez are just a few of the many artists, performers and actors who have insisted staying at Joe’s hotel, something that did not happen by accident.

“I have a history in the entertainment business and I was able to tell everyone when I opened the hotel that were here and open for business. and to come and support us. People I knew from the entertainment industry were very good and supported us, and there was the word of mouth business too.

Back then there were four or five major promoters in Australia and we talked to all of them. They liked our product and that we looked after their acts, not everyone understands how VIP’s require to be treated.

Its an international thing and we understand how to look after them and how to deal with their needs,

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we understand how privacy is paramount, we understand how security has to be right.”

If many of the world’s biggest stars of stage and screen were attracted to the five-star hotel, then the original target market - and main cohort of customers still - was the financially independent traveller, or FITs as they are called in the trade.

The occasional sight of people coming and going from the Richardson in high viz overalls is not an unusual one but rather than your average FIFO worker they tend to be senior executives and management.

Because they are Perth’s only independently locally owned and operated hotel Joe is free to run the business exactly as he likes, and even to call things as he sees them.

“There’s a huge glut of hotels in Perth and the tourists aren’t coming, the lobby groups will tell you that the new stadium will solve all our problems but that’s a different kind of tourist, those are football tourists who’ll be here for a day or two, that’s not a FIT, our target market.

Elizabeth Quay was meant to be our saviour as well, that’s a joke, it always was going to be and it’ll be a building site for many years. The Hong Kong company that got the sweet-heart deal from Colin Barnett for a Ritz Carlton Hotel was told they must put in a 200-room hotel as part of the total deal, then literally one week after they broke ground (in 2015) the hotel element was publicly advertised for sale. Pressure came from here, from there, the state government must have found that very embarrassing.”

After more than a decade of the Richardson’s

doors being open, Joe - and Ted - are looking ahead to figure out their next move. “The market place has changed dramatically in the last few years but as we are the owner operators and in control of our own destiny to some extent, we are looking at building on what we have and asking what we can do next. Both of us are the same age, both 67, so we are not interested in hanging around for the next ten years in this business, which is probably how long it will take it to come back. There are a lot of big hotels hurting right now, but we are okay because we don’t have any borrowings and we are very fortunate in that we are our own people and are small and able to react quickly.”

According to some industry analysts Perth is seeing its biggest wave of new hotel development since the America’s Cup in the 1980’s. In February Deloitte’s Access Economics tourism and hotel market outlook looked at the sector nationally, and locally at the level of state and capital experience. Six hotels opened in 2016 with 24 expected to open in 2017 and 2018.

“Perth ... hoteliers will continue to feel the double-pinch of increased competition from new entrants, along with moderate demand growth compared to the mining boom peaks of five years ago,” the report predicted.

Australian’s were going on more international trips the report found, but added domestic corporate travel growth had slowed down significantly.

Joe said they started looking at their options some time ago but the Richardson was shot into the spotlight in July when it was reported in the media that the owners had lodged a development application for a change of use, to turn it into a nursing home.

“We looked at turning the building into apartments, or a partial hotel with apartments on the top floors and then this idea of age care, which is one of the few expanding businesses around because of our ageing population, came along,” he said. “We asked would we qualify because age care is very specific in terms of facilities and widths of doors and bathrooms and that kind of thing. I first thought about the age care option about 16 months ago and between one thing and another we decided to put in a development application to the council, because that’s the only way to find out if you get approval or not. We haven’t made any decision yet, if we continue as we are, to go with half apartments half hotel, to convert to age care or something like that, but we will make a decision when we have all the options in front of us.

We are doing okay, we are making money, but not as much money as we should be. I’m more worried about the future, about the next three to five years, because I can’t see the sector going up and the state marketing guys are not doing a very good job of promoting Perth and Western Australia.

There’s more hotel stock coming on or already committed and there’s a depressed economy, so its a perfect storm and do you want to be in the middle of a perfect storm if you have other options?”.

Before Joe comes to any conclusions he will have had a chance to indulge another of his passions, golf, when he and several mate’s visits Ireland next month.

69

land of

&

honey

Ireland

Schrodinger and me…

quite pleased that Cha and Miah had had a go. It was never cruel, because they were not prisoners of facts, indeed, facts were superfluous to the discussion.

Every time I went home after two or three days I went to The Imperial Hotel on the South Mall at lunch time and there was Twomey in situ. He worked on The Mall and there was a passing cohort of Corkonians who lunched there So, for me, he will always be there, gracious as ever - a very keen observer of the foibles of Corkonians whilst acknowledging the fact that they are the world’s greatest lateral thinking philosophers.

So, into play once more, for me, will come Erwin Schrodinger thought experiment which as you, no doubt, know goes like this - If you put a cat in a lead lined box with a certain amount of fissionable material, which might or might not explode while that box remains unopened the cat is either alive or dead or both. You can only ever know if the box is opened. I do not intend opening any more boxes that contain memories of my friends in certain places. Twomey in The Imperial or The Loft - Noirín coming along The Commons Road towards me - Peggy Mangan making bread in the kitchen in Killarney complaining about the fact that she had ever left Ballinskelligs – Tadgin Sullivan disclaiming The Four Farrellys in The Small Bar and on and on. The stories I could tell. I will knowingly do a Schrodinger on all my friends and companions and keep the possibilities intact. Certain people might think it not entirely balanced but in the end eternity is probably the catch of breath evoked by a special phrase or picture of someone or something dear. Michael did a great Hamlet so in the words of The Bard “Good Night Sweet Prince”

By Sally Desmond

Last week I lost another good friend in Ireland. So many memories - We had known each other for sixty years and trod the boards of many a theatre together.

Michael Twomey was known by everyone in Cork.

Superb Shakespearian actor and at the other side of the coin famous for his Miah in the Cha and Miah series. Cha and Miah were really philosophical conversation pieces between two typical Corkmen of a certain ilk. They, were hilarious and so typically Cork that they were works of art. Through brilliant satire they debunked Politicians, Churchmen, and indeed anyone who was “Getting above Himself, Boy”. They did it in such a way that if umbrage was taken the victim would only look worse. So, people took it gracefully and in the end, were

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Traditional Spotted Dog

Ingredients (Makes 1 loaf) 450g plain white flour 1–2 tablespoons caster sugar 1 level teaspoon salt 1 level teaspoon bicarbonate of soda, sieved 90g sultanas, raisins or currants 300ml buttermilk 1 egg (optional – you may not need all the milk if you use the egg) Method: 1. Preheat your oven to 230ºC 2. Sieve the dry ingredients, add the fruit and mix well.

3. Make a well in the centre and pour most of the milk in at once with the egg.

4. Using one hand, mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl, adding more milk if necessary. The dough should be soft, not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn it out on to a floured board and knead it lightly for a few seconds, to tidy it up.

5. Pat the dough into a round, approx 4cm (1 1/2 inch) deep and cut a deep cross on it.

6. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 200ºC and continue to cook for approximately 30 minutes. If you are in doubt, tap the bottom: if it is cooked, it will sound hollow.

7. Cut into thick slices and generously slathered with butter.

Irish Quotes

Baked Fish Fillets with Horseradish Crust and Lemon Cream Sauce

Ingredients (Serves 4) 50 g plain flour 4 x 175g firm fish fillets, such as salmon, hake or cod, skinned and boned 2 tblsp creamed horseradish (from a jar) 1 egg yolk 100 g coarse breadcrumbs (make your own by blitzing fresh bread) 1 tblsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Lemon Cream Sauce 225 ml cream 1 tsp dijon mustard 1 tsp prepared english mustard 1 tsp creamed horseradish (from a jar) finely grated rind and juice of ½ lemon 1 tblsp snipped fresh chives Wilted Spinach 75 g butter 450 g spinach, stalks removed pinch of sugar sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Season the flour in a shallow bowl and use to lightly dust the fish fillets.

3. To make the crust, mix together the horseradish and egg yolk, then spread on top of each fish fillet, making sure each one is well coated right to the edges.

4. Mix together the breadcrumbs and parsley and press on to each coated piece of fish. Shape the crust by pressing on this mixture gently but firmly with your hands.

Arrange the crusted fish fillets on the lined baking sheet.

5. Place in the oven for 15–20 minutes, until the fish fillets are just cooked through and tender and the crusts are nice and crisp.

6. Meanwhile, make the lemon cream sauce. Place the cream in a small pan and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 12 minutes, until well reduced and thickened. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mustards, horseradish, the lemon rind and juice and season to taste.

Stir in the chives and keep warm over a low heat.

7. To prepare the wilted spinach, heat a large pan over a medium heat and add the butter. Once it has stopped foaming, quickly sauté the spinach with a pinch of sugar until soft and wilted. Season to taste and drain well on kitchen paper to remove the excess moisture.

8. To serve, divide the spinach among warmed plates. Place a piece of fish on top and drizzle around the lemon cream sauce.

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A full stomach never thinks of an empty one.

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Hunger is a good sauce; if it doesn’t choke you, it will fatten you.

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SHOW PREVIEW:

ANOTHER SENSE OF IRELAND.

Join us for the Re Visit!

This sell out original concept of A SENSE OF IRELAND came about through the close co-operation of both the Australian Irish Heritage Association in Perth and the Irish Government last year.

The original presentation Keady Irish was the Dance official event of the WA 1916 Centenary Commemoration.

The reaction and response of our audience was a big ask for more, but 1916 and the Commemoration had been remembered and reflected upon by the Robert globe, it was Zielinski time to move on, but to somehow bring the real gems of the original into the re- visit.

This year we are offering an update with a focus on the Great War and tell the narrative behind the only Irish Australian VC Award recipient Martin O’ Meara, described as “the most fearless and gallant soldier” and create an evening that encompassed not just gallantry but to dig deeper into Fiona Mariah

Australian-Irish Heritage Association our rich heritage of song, poetry, music, traditional, folk and classical right through the centuries.

This has proven to be really fascinating.

Ireland of the literary giants like James Joyce and William Butler Yeats get their opportunity.

Poets like Arthur O’Shaughnessy from the 18th Century and the melodies of Thomas Moore are there, in abundance.

We have endeavoured to bring our Perth audience on a walk through the centuries, tarrying a while to hear that song of that time, that verse that may be hidden.

We also feature the huge legacy of C Y O’Connor in song The Healys and really creative dance.

A special feature is the escape from Fremantle Gaol by our Wild Geese, we remember the Great Famine and emigration to these shores.

But there is plenty of nostalgia, fun and celebration in the evening.

It will be hosted by former Tommy O'Brien International Rose of Tralee Nyomi Horgan, who will be joined by veteran ABC broadcaster Gerry Gannon to both unwrap the past and celebrate the present and future Ireland.

Musical Director Robert Zielinski has been researching the airs of WWI and he and the ensemble

will accompany the images of the War. But he will offer a really subtle mix of both the songs of the time interspersed with folk music and some well loved Martin O'Meara traditional, similar to his own memorable work on the O'Riad score of Mise Eire in last year's presentation.The huge array of talent who will join them on stage range from Perth Choirs to Internationally acknowledged winners of Irish dance, Perth’s singers of both classical Irish Opera and the more traditional folk and ballad lovers will not be disappointed.

Soprano Fiona Mariah will visit Marble Halls with Adrian Maydwell on harp. The Healys will sing of the sea.

Fiona Rea will bring us style in song with Brendan Graham work, as will Perth Male Voice choir. Beloved Perth musician Fiona Rea Tommy O'Brien will offer new and rare song.

This evening will be really so special.

There will ONLY be the one!!

Devised and directed

by Frank Murphy.

Bookings:

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DUE 1st January 2017 Family membership $65 Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive events, quarterly Journal, voting rights, and opportunities to participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage AIHA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT President: Denis Bratton Vice Presidents: Frank Murphy & John Sullivan Secretary: Tony Bray Treasurer/ Membership – Patricia Bratton Committee: Eleanor Nolan, Carmel Ryan, Heather Deighan, Patrick Gaffney

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A

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T

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SENSE IRELAND OF

Join us for an evening of celebration of Ireland’s rich heritage in music, drama, song, poetry and dance.

Bigger than last year’s sell-out event Narrative theme tracing the journey of Irish culture through the ages.

A special feature will focus on the Great War encompassing unique footage, with an informative focus and celebration of the life of Irish born Australian Martin O’ Meara VC. “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams” Arthur O’Shaughnessy Proud to share our noble Irish Heritage through time and distance Devised and Directed by Frank Murphy | Hosts Gerry Gannon and Nyomi Horgan Octagon Theatre – Tuesday 10 October at 8.15pm Tickets: $55 and $45 for concession, groups over 10 or family group Bookings open NOW

Early Bird bookings of $50 before 15 September 2017 Concessions remain the same

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Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile 'Sé do bheatha, a bhean ba léanmhar, Do b' é ár gcreach thú bheith i ngéibheann, Do dhúiche bhreá i seilbh méirleach, Is tú díolta leis na Gallaibh.

DEIREADH FÓMHAIR OÍCHE SHAMHNA Ceann d’fhéilte móra na bliana is ea Oíche Shamhna – an lá deireadh den fhómhar agus bigil Fhéile na Naomh Uile. Tá meascán den fhéile Chríostaí agus den fhéile a cheiliúrtaí in Éirinn i bhfad roimh ré na Críostaíochta le feiceáil sna nósanna a bhaineann le hOíche Shamhna anois.

Deirtí go mbristí an deighilt idir saol na mbeo agus saol na marbh an oíche sin agus go mbíodh taibhsí amuigh ar ghá iad a shásamh le ceol, le cluichí agus le bia. Bhíodh daoine ag caitheamh cabáiste agus tornapaí leis na doirse Oíche Shamhna. Deirtí go mbíodh anam ar gach uile thaobh den teach an oíche seo.

Thagadh an púca, neach dorcha a bhfuil trácht air sa bhéaloideas agus sa litríocht ar fud na hEorpa, ar aon torthaí a bhíodh fágtha ar chraobhacha an lá sin – sméara agus úlla, mar shampla – agus deirtí nach bhféadfaí iad a ithe ina dhiaidh sin.

Maireann go leor de na nósanna agus de na sean chluichí go fóill agus tá curtha leo ó thraidisiúin eile anois, go háirithe ó Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá. Itear bacstaí agus steaimpí (cácaí beaga a dhéantar as fataí amha) agus cál ceannann (fataí brúite le cabáiste agus oinniúin) in áiteanna agus bíonn cnónna agus úlla coitianta.

Téann páistí ó theach go teach chun ‘bob nó bia’ a iarraidh, nós a cheaptar a thug imircigh leo as Éirinn go Meiriceá sa 19ú haois.

(Leabhar Laethanta, Donla uí Bhraonáin 2013)

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Nuair a thagann lá fómhair, éiríonn an cuidiú gann.

Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile, Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile, Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh.

Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile, Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda, Gaeil iad féin is ní Frainc ná Spáinnigh, Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh. Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile, (x3) Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh.

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Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland September and October are shaping up to be a very busy and exciting time for the Irish community in Perth. I hope you can find the time to attend as many events as possible.

GAA: 2017 Australasian Championships: The 2017 Australasian Championships will take place at Tom Bateman Reserve, Thornlie from October 5th to 8th. In what promises to be a great week of GAA action all states in Australia are sending teams to compete in Men’s and Ladies Football, Hurling and Camogie. I know there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make this the biggest and best “State Games” yet. Thanks to all the volunteers, officials and players who are working so hard to make the games a great success. Welcome to all the visiting players and officials. Let the games begin!

An Gorta Mor - Famine Memorial The Western Australia Irish Famine Commemoration Inc. in partnership with the City of Subiaco will commemorate The Great Irish Famine with the unveiling of a Famine Memorial in Market Square, Subiaco on October 9th. Watch out for more details closer to the event.

The bronze sculpture depicts a childless Mother keening for her children, lost through starvation and forced emigration as a result of the Irish Famine. The memorial was sculptured by memorial artists Charles Smith & Joan Walsh-Smith, and particularly honours the girls who arrived in Western Australia in the 1850s following the Famine.

Irish Dancing The State Solo Championships were held at Newman College in August.

Congratulations to the all the champions. Many of our state dancers will be going to Adelaide for the Nationals and I wish them well. The quality of Irish dancing in WA is excellent and I know the local dancers will do very well at the Nationals Championships.

Irish Race Day at Ascot Saturday October 28 sees the annual Irish Race Day in Perth. It’s always a great excuse to get together with friends and family, get dressed up and spend a Saturday together enjoying an eight-race fixture.

Another ‘Sense of Ireland’ Concert @ Octagon Theatre UWA The sell out original SENSE OF IRELAND came about through the close co-operation of the Australian Irish Heritage Association in Perth and the Government of Ireland in 2016. The concert was the official event of the WA 1916 Centenary Commemoration. The audience cried out for more- and here it is 'Another Sense of Ireland’. Devised and directed by Cork’s one and only Frank Murphy, and again supported by the Government of Ireland ‘Another Sense of Ireland’ showcases a huge array of local talent, from choirs to Internationally acknowledged Irish dancers and singing and music from opera to traditional folk and ballads. It promises to be another great night. Book early to avoid disappointment.

“Fenians, Fremantle & Freedom Festival” October will also see the launch of a unique Irish cultural festival in Fremantle, called “Fenians,

Fremantle & Freedom Festival” - showcasing the richness of Irish culture and its lasting impact on Australia. The Festival is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival in Fremantle of the Hougoumont - Australia’s last convict ship carrying 62 Irish Fenian freedom fighters. The visual and performing arts, music and literary program will highlight the extraordinary fact that many of these Irish convicts were educated and cultured men who despite their wretched conditions and grim fate wrote poetry, taught each other songs, organised music concerts and published a weekly, hand written “newspaper” called “The Wild Goose”. They brought this fighting spirit, grit and love of their culture firmly across the ocean to Australia and, those who escaped, on to America. The festival will be in January 2017.

JOAN ROSS RETIREMENT After many years at the helm of the Claddagh Association, Joan Ross has retired. On behalf of the Irish Community in Perth, Richard and I thank Joan for her tireless work and advocacy over decades. So many lives have been improved and so many families have been comforted and assisted by the work of the Claddagh under Joan’s leadership and example. Joan’s retirement marks the end of an era and the highest compliment I can pay Joan is that she leaves behind a very strong and vibrant Claddagh to pass on to a new generation.

Enjoy your well-earned rest Joan and I’m sure both yours and Billy’s golf handicaps will be in single digits very soon.

Go raibh mile maith agat.

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 75

In

Conversation

of my mother’s cash left and I decided I’d like to get a proper manuscript assessment done. I had heard about a lady called Irina Dunn who would do this, and it was through her that my manuscript got the attention of the fantastic publisher Hachette. So getting Leaving Ocean Road published was a lot of perseverance and perhaps a bit of luck.

WITH

John Hagan

JH: How long did it take you to write Leaving Ocean Road?

Irish author, Esther Campion talks to John Hagan about the trials of writing, social media and her new novel, ‘Leaving Ocean Road’. (See Book Review)

EC: I really can’t say, but I could tell you how long it took me to rewrite it. I think I spent about a year doing that.

JH: Leaving Ocean Road is your first published novel. What led you to become an author?

EC: I moved from Norway to South Australia in 2008, and while I was in Norway I started a correspondence course where I had to write everything from a poem to a radio play. In hindsight, I now realize that I am very much a social person, so I wasn’t all that committed to correspondence learning. When I arrived in South Australia I thought I might find another creative writing course, but there were none on offer where I was living in Port Lincoln. One day I saw the telephone number for a group called Eyre Writers Incorporated, so I rang and spoke to a lady called Kathy Blacker who encouraged me to be involved and contribute to a book the group was producing. I was quite timid about it all, but I went along to a meeting where group members read out some of their amazing poetry, short stories and compositions. I read out something I had written, and when they heard it, Kathy said, ‘You can stay here’, and I thought I can make the tea or something as I loved listening to the others. They were just an amazing group and there were a few of them who were actually writing novels. As the months went on, I wrote a little and then got invited to one of their writing retreats. I wanted to go, but it was a week-long thing, and I could only manage to stay for two nights as my husband was minding the children. Anyway, I decided to have a go, went along, and came up with eleven pages of writing. I attended a few more retreats and I couldn’t believe that the skill, and fun, of novel writing was actually coming to me. I eventually wrote a complete novel thanks to the support and encouragement of those around me. I sent this novel off to various publishers and got about ten rejections, so I said to myself, ‘Well, I shall just have to write another one’, as I thought I’d get better at it. I wrote the second one and then I started writing a third one, which I loved, and which became Leaving Ocean Road. I got good feedback from my family and friends, and my mother encouraged me by telling me that there was a bit of magic in Leaving Ocean Road. My mother gave me some money to help develop the book, and, when I moved to Tasmania, I attended a self-publishing workshop, which I hated. I had some

JH: When you are writing, do you adhere to a strict work regime?

EC: I’ve heard of some rules about writing a novel. There are a lot of people making heaps of money telling others how and when they should write. To be honest, I think that any creative person should be able to make up their own rules because creative people produce amazing work. I’d be reluctant to confess that I had a strict writing regime, but I know that it works for others. Maeve Binchy, for example used to get up at 5am and write for a few hours each morning before going on to her real job in the press. I would love to say that I wrote for four hours each day, but this wouldn’t be honest, so I write when I can, and I try to be professional about my writing.

JH: Who is your favourite author?

EC: It would have to be Maeve Binchy. I have read several of her books over the years. I have only recently finished reading her first novel, Light a Penny Candle, which I think was published in 1982. There are several other authors I like including Anita Shreve and Hannah Kent. I love watching Hannah’s journey. She is so young, and her second book, The Good People, was amazing.

She has the ability to understand and write about things which are so ingrained in our Irish brains and souls. As I’ve also been to Iceland, I love her first book, Burial Rites.

JH: What brings you happiness?

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EC: Writing certainly brings me happiness, but like everyone else, family, social connections and Facebook also bring happiness. Facebook is fantastic for keeping in touch with people you might never be in contact with. For me, Facebook is a new joy. When I was back in Cork recently on holiday, I used Facebook to look up a couple of former primary school friends that I hadn’t seen in donkey’s years. I grew up in a time when people still wrote letters to stay in touch so, as a result, I value the social media connection more than my children, who have grown up with it all.

JH: Do you have a second novel in preparation?

len, who was my main character in Leaving Ocean Road.

These two have centre stage in my new novel which, at the moment, is set in Ireland and Australia. I may introduce a third setting as well, but I’m not that far into the writing to be honest. I hope to have this second novel published by July next year.

EC: Yes, I’m getting on with that now. I basically took two of the minor characters from Leaving Ocean Road who I felt close to, so I wanted to continue to keep writing about them. I have made them the main characters in my new book. They are a brother and a friend of El-

course of Ellen’s short holiday is punctuated by a series of surprises and crises which will shape her future.

Like her heroine Ellen, Esther Campion spent her formative years in Cork, later living in Scotland, Norway and South Australia. She currently resides in north-west Tasmania with her husband and two of her children.

Leaving Ocean Road is her debut novel and I suspect it won’t be her last, dealing as it does, with issues including, past secrets, child-parent relationships, rural life tensions and the search for ‘home’. Perhaps I am biased but I can only agree with book publisher, Rebecca Saunders’, view that, ‘Irish women storytellers are the best in the world’. Esther Campion is testament to that with her demonstrated literary skills, warmth of humour, sense of place and descriptive acumen, plus her capacity to engage, entertain and surprise. She exhibits the potential in Leaving Ocean Road to join the captivating Maeve Binchy in the pantheon of popular Irish novelists. I look forward to her next novel.

Leaving Ocean Road is published by Hachette. $29.99.

LEAVING OCEAN ROAD

by ESTHER CAMPION Reviewed By JOHN HAGAN

I was recently reminded of Carl Jung’s definition of ‘synchronicity’. The famous Austrian analytical psychologist held that ‘synchronicity’ was the coming together of events that cannot be explained by the well accepted principle of cause and effect. Let me explain.

I had just returned from a short holiday exploring Australia’s famous Ocean Road, when the novel, Leaving Ocean Road, lobbed into my letterbox. Apart from the title, the coincidence ends. The two ‘Ocean Roads’ are unrelated. The ‘Ocean Road’ featured in the novel by Esther Campion is fictional, and set in South Australia.

Ellen Constantinopoulos is the recently widowed inhabitant of a smallholding along Ocean Road.

Overcome by grief since the death of her husband Nick, Ellen is something of a recluse, communicating only with her daughter Louise, friend Tracey, and neighbour, Tyson. Still on bereavement leave from work, she is struggling to cope with life when an unexpected visitor from Cork, where she was born and raised, knocks on her door. Standing on her dilapidated verandah is former Irish boyfriend, Gerry Clancy, whose arrival generates a plethora of complications for Ellen, including a serious rift in the relationship with daughter, Louise, an Adelaide University student. Little by little Ellen regains her confidence, gets back to work, rejoins her local community, visits Santorini (Greece) to sprinkle Nick’s ashes, before returning to Cork for the first time since she left for Australia, 20 years previously. Surrounded by family and friends, and reunited with Gerry, the

SOLAR BONES

by Mike McCormack

By John Hagan

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I first became acquainted with ‘The Day of the Dead’ on a recent trip to Mexico where it is a huge national festival. It is on the Day of the Dead, or the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, 2 November 2008, when we first meet civil engineer, Marcus Conway, seated at his kitchen table in County Mayo, listening to the fading Angelus bell, while reflecting on his past. His thoughts introduce us to his schoolteacher wife, Mairead, his artist daughter, Agnes, and his backpacking son Darragh. Middle-aged Marcus ponders on the corruption associated with his council

engineering job, he recalls the life he once shared with his mother and father on the family farm with its antique Massey Ferguson tractor, on how he met Mairead, and the awful sickness she contracted from drinking contaminated water. He contemplates his infidelity while on a visit to Prague Museum of Torture, glories in the skyping sessions with Darragh who is working as a roustabout in Australia, and remembers the nausea he experienced at his daughter’s art exhibition which featured works augmented by her own blood.

This is a portrait of troubled rural life in Ireland in the 21st century, with its small-town politics, the depression arising from the demise of the ‘Celtic Tiger’, the value of art and protest, domestic violence, health and relationships. At the heart of the novel, is the theme of collapse and decay: the disintegration of the human body, a crumbling economy, ageing local infrastructure, the dissolution of trust, and even the degeneration of

the solar system.

Written in the format of a stream of consciousness novel, Solar Bones contains no chapters, full stops and little punctuation, something which initially felt disconcerting and alien. For the first few pages I noticed myself physically panting while awaiting the expected punctuation. However, I soon came to terms with McCormack’s poetic flow, and once into the author’s rhythm, the skillful, elegant and compelling narrative assumed its own cadence, familiarity and enjoyment.

McCormack may not currently register as a headline Irish author, but he is not unknown, having won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature in 1996 for his short story collection, Getting It in the Head. There seems little doubt that, given his innovative, impressive and audacious approach in Solar Bones, McCormack will soon be catapulted to critical acclaim.

Solar Bones is published by Faber. $19.99

widely known as Mr and Mrs Football!

His dedicated work resulted in Australia transferring over from Oceania to Asia for World Cup qualification which further strengthened, challenged and developed the Australia players in the Socceroos squad; a far stretch where the game was once referred to as wogball!

His work had a direct influence in the Socceroos progressing to successful qualifications from that memorable night in the penalty shoot-out against Uruguay in 2006 at Olympic Stadium, Sydney. I remember Dad and I jumping for joy; the excitement and anticipation it created when John Aloisi sealed qualification for Australia. One of 23.8.17 the most memorable

By Ciarain Hoey Les Murray and Pele moments for Les would have been the Socceroos winning the On the 31st of July, I was deeply Asia Cup in 2015 against South Korea. saddened about the passing of Les Over the course of his life time Les Murray. As a kid I remember seeing brought the beautiful and world game him present the World Game and to Australian viewers. His involvement, Premier league highlights show. engagement and contributions have In 1989 when my parents arrived resulted in exponential growth in football from Dublin, Ireland, Dad stated from the grassroots to the Socceroos. A SBS was the only avenue to see true pioneer and leader of influence on and hear about the local round ball establishing the foundation for the World game.

Game to flourish in the land down under.

His passion, knowledge and His famous closing line on each football enthusiasm for the world game show was “I am Les Murray and from the Les Murray and Johnny Warren has resulted in him being the team, goodnight”. Les Murray has left an face of world football on SBS and writing books about football in Australia. He created a eternal legacy on Australian football and will be deeply formidable partnership with another respective legend missed.

A TRIBUTE to Les Murray

in the sphere of football: Johnny Warren together they

78

A Message from President,

Claire Wynne

It’s hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of our calendar for 2017 already! We have another great play coming up in November, “Factory Girls”

by Frank McGuinness, and then our 2018 calendar kicks off in February, for another year of great entertainment by Irish Theatre Players.

It’s been a big year so far for us.

We’ve had huge success with our plays such as “Kalamunda Here I Come”, written & directed by Noel O’Neill, “The Real McCoy”, written by Tommy Marren & directed By Denice Byrne, “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me”, written by Frank McGuinness & directed by Andrew Baker, and of course our ever popular One Act Season, where we brought you 3 short plays by relatively new or unknown writers, and directed by local community members or first-timers. In the midst of all of that, we also managed to squeeze in our 2nd Annual Ballroom Blitz competition back in July, which was sponsored by Killarney Autos and directed by our ITP Committee Member Shannon Murphy. What’s left on the calendar for 2017? Well, we’re delighted and excited to bring you “Factory Girls”, a fantastic play by Donegal Native, Frank McGuinness about 5 hard working women in a Donegal shirt factory, led by hardy ring-leader Ellen, who’s jobs are seriously under threat. We’re also honoured to have award winning director, President of the Independent Theatre Association, and all-round great guy, Ryan Taaffe on board to direct this

one for us.

The ITP are also delighted to host, for the 3rd consecutive year, the Nominations Night for the prestigious Robert Finley Awards 2017.

Taking place in December, here at the Irish Club of WA, the Nominations Night is the pre-curser for the biggest night in the thriving WA amateur theatre community, and it’s an honour to be able to welcome this event in our humble home. The Robert Finely Awards are a great way to acknowledge and reward the hard work of the many actors, directors, writers and behind-the-scenes crews of theatres around WA, and we hope some of our own fine ITP examples will be nominated for welldeserved awards on the night.

As reluctant as I am to address the fact that 2018 is creeping up upon us, I’ll just take a moment to mention our inaugural Annual General Meeting for Irish Theatre Players Inc., which is scheduled for January 2018. In 2017 the ITP went from being an unofficial “sub-group” of Irish Club of WA to being a registered not-for-profit incorporation. Therefore, we need to follow the protocol of Incorporated bodies, and recruit members. If you enjoy coming to our shows, and would like discounted tickets and advance notice of future productions, you can take out Annual Membership for just $25. Also, if you have any interest in community theatre of volunteering, you can get involved and help us out! You can either nominate to join the committee or simply join our friendly group of volunteers and offer up some spare time you might have during shows. Check out our Facebook page for dates and further notifications, or email us on itp@ irishtheatreplayers. com.au if you’d like to join our mailing list.

We thank you for your continued support of ITP, and hope to see you for our next production, “Factory Girls” by Frank McGuinness, starting in November here at Irish Club in Subiaco.

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Irish Seniors

Irish Seniors Enjoying Claddagh Association Christmas in July at the Mighty Quinn in Tuart Hill.

A Great day was had by all!

I am living in Australia and I have property in Ireland. Can I make a will in Australia dealing with my Irish property?

Yes. However, appropriate legal advice is essential as a poorly drafted will dealing with foreign property may cause problems for those left behind after your death.

For advice please contact Leo Barry

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

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IRELAND TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA When did the Irish start coming to Western Australia? As you probably know, the Swan River Colony, which came to be known as Perth, started with free settlers in 1829. The main waves of Irish arrivals here were: 1850s Free settlers

Free and sponsored settlers, including those from workhouses, fled the Great Irish Famine, an Gorta Mór. Young Irish women in particular were sought as servants and as wives, to be a socialising influence on the majority male colony. Not many ships travelled directly from Irish ports to Australia. Settlers first had to travel to England, often Liverpool, to board a ship bound for Australia.

For example:

On 26 March 1852 the 21-year-old Mary Egan, a servant from Galway, arrived on the ship Mary from Plymouth, England.

At the former Mountbellew Workhouse in Galway there is an exciting project to restore the old building and to research what became of all the young women who left there in 1853 and travelled to WA on the Palestine and the Travancore. Western Australians are involved in this research from this end and DNA testing has helped match the living Western Australian descendants of these young women with their living Irish cousins!

1850-1868 Convicts

The settlement became a penal colony 20 years after it first began, because of a severe labour

WAGS

Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc.

shortage. Over 18 years 43 shipments of almost 10,000 people - many of them Irish – arrived on WA shores. Some were political prisoners, including the famous Fenians on the Hougoumont, about whom much has been written. There was often better documentation of convicts than free settlers. If you were born in Ireland you might feel embarrassed to have a convict ancestor. It was like that in Australia for many generations too. People hid their convict ancestors through silence and name changes. Not now – it’s almost a badge of honour.

Some former Irish soldiers arrived on convict ships as pensioner guards.

The Perth DPS online project provides a list of convict ships with many transcribed passenger lists. Some records even include a physical description of each convict - in case they escaped perhaps, but extremely handy to family historians.

For example this information is available about Jeremiah Aher arrived in Fremantle 9 January 1868, transported on the Hougoumont

Registered number 9645, aged 24, convicted of treason in Cork, sentenced on 2 May 1867 to 7 years transportation. He was a carpenter, was single, no children, 5 foot 7 ½ inches tall (171.5cm), dark brown hair, blue eyes, round face, fresh complexion, stout build. Distinguishing features noted were a cut mark on his forehead and a “stoppage in speech” (a stutter).

1890s Free settlers Many came seeking their fortune in the Western Australian gold rush.

Others migrated to WA from the eastern colonies after the gold ran out there.

Twenty-first century

How many Western Australians have an Irish or part Irish background today? We don’t really know for sure but we can take an educated guess.

In 2011 the Australian census people were asked about their ancestry and over 2 million Australians – about 10% -identified themselves as of fully or partly Irish background. This of course cannot include the people who do not know of their Irish ancestral origins. This means that Irish is the third most common self-reported origin after English and Australian. The same census found there was a lower proportion of Western Australians (8%, c.f.

10% over all Australia) reported an Irish background. That would mean that about 200,000 Western Australians believe they are fully or partly Irish. But in truth there are probably many more who don’t know how lucky they are.

The Australian Embassy in Dublin has reported that as many as 30% Australians claim some degree of Irish ancestry. And that is hardly surprising after 200 years of Irish migration.

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More

DNA testing as part of the way to overcome the many missing and hard-to-find records.

Perth DPS convict ships and their passengers http:// members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/convicts/shipsWA. html

New members and visitors are welcome. Please come along with whatever you know about your Irish ancestors. There will be time to discuss them. Gold coin donation for afternoon tea.

Jenni Ibrahim Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group, WA Genealogical Society 6/48 May Street, Bayswater 6053 Phone 9271 4311 Email irish@wags.org.au WAGS http://membership.wags.org.au Irish Special Interest Group page at WAGS http:// membership.wags.org.au/special-interest-groupsmainmenu-47/irish-sig Online Irish SIG Forum http://membership.wags.org. au/forum/irish-sig (free registration, open to anyone) WA Genealogical Society’s open Facebook group www. facebook.com/groups/FamilyHistoryWA/

State Records Office information about convict records http://www.sro.wa.gov.au/archive-collection/ collection/convict-records

Irish-Australian Transportation Database searchable at www.irishgenealogy.ie Irish Australians Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Irish_Australians IRISH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

The next meeting of the Irish Special Interest Group of the WA Genealogical Society will be on Sunday 15 October from 2.00-4.30pm. There will be a presentation on DNA and family history from Cate Pearce, Convenor of the DNA Special Interest Group.

Many people researching their irish ancestors see

“People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.” ― Edmund Burke “When you steal a people's language, you leave their soul bewildered.” ― John O'Donohue “Books can be the people we never get to meet, ancestors or far neighbors.” ― Elizabeth Knox “I am everyone who played a role in creating me...my ancestors.” ― Jeffrey G. Duarte

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Dermot Byrne

Paschal Clarke

Paddy French

Paul North

Glory O to these Bold Fenian Men!

At a dinner held at JBO'Reillys in Leederville to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Fenian Rising in 1867, Dermot Byrne, Paschal Clarke, Paddy French and Paul North were presented with a WA Fenian Brotherhood certificate by Michael Murray in recognition of their services to the Irish Community and for keeping the spirit the Fenians alive in Western Australia. Dermot's Rare old Times and Paschal's Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile stole the show. Thanks to all concerned for making it such a memorable occasion, we hope the first of many!

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Confessions of an Australian ambassador to Ireland

By Lloyd Gorman Former Western Australian Premier Brian Burke’s self published autobiography - A Tumultuous Life spans the timeframe from his earliest memory as a four year old child right up to the present day and his reflections as a 70 year old man. Sandwiched between the turbulence of his resignation as a Premier of five years and the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the dealings of his administration Mr Burke was for three years Australia’s ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, a traditional coupling of outposts for Aussie envoys.

Those few years in Ireland would have a major bearing on the rest of his and his family’s life.

In his own words - the former journalist turned politician - recounts how the diplomatic post came to be his,

The Prime Minister of Ireland, Charles Haughey, came to Australia on an official visit hosted by Prime Minister Hawke. The visit smoothed the way with the Irish for the author's time as Ambassador when he had excellent access to the Irish Government.

some of his experiences in that role and why he left what was a plum posting.

“Before stepping down [as Premier], I flew to Canberra to tell the Prime Minister of my plans,” he writes.

“When I arrived at The Lodge I don’t think Hawke had any idea of the reason for my visit. He was very surprised.

I told Hawke I would be leaving Parliament on 25 February 1988, my 41st birthday. He tried hard to dissuade me from going. He said I was young enough to have a

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good career in federal politics, where I would be a senior minister and might even be prime minister. Hawke knew I hated flying and said a safe seat could easily be found in Melbourne or Sydney. But my mind was made up. Hawke didn’t miss a beat when I told him I wanted to be Australia’s Ambassador to Ieland. Without asking why, he said he would make sure I was appointed. He didn’t say it would be hard and he didn’t make me think I was asking for a lot. He simply said “Yes”.”

Years earlier another West Australian politician - Kim Beazley from Perth - had encouraged Burke to support Hawke, and he would be unconditionally loyal to him ever since, even today, and that support would help Hawke to become prime minister. There would be one casualty of this request. Frank Milne was Australia’s serving top diplomat in Dublin at the time, and had been in the job for just 12 months. The career diplomat was shunted to the Belgrade mission in Serbia.

Mr Burke and his wife Sue - for whom the book is dedicated - had been to Ireland just a few years earlier and they found they were on familiar ground. Speaking to Irish Scene Mr Burke said the family were “very Irish”.

His great grandfather was a native of Co. Clare, on the border with Galway, while Sue’s grandmother hailed from Co. Tipperary.

In his book he states that he had no fears about becoming the ambassador. “On a visit to Ireland in 1985, Sue and I both thought we had stepped back to the Australia of our youth in the 1950s and1960s because the Irish faces looked just like those we had seen then in Australian streets. Their names were the names of the kids we went to school with. We knew then just how Irish early Australia was.”

The whole Burke family flew out of Perth on July 24 1988. Before they got to Dublin, where he would begin work on August 2, they stopped in London and met with the Queen who presented him with a Companion of the Order of Australia. The monarch remembered him from Perth and they had a pleasant stay there.

“From London we flew to Dublin, arriving on a Sun-

led. One of PJ’s closest friends was Paul McGuinness, the manager of a new, young supergroup called U2 which was on the way to becoming true superstars after the release of their album, The Joshua Tree, in 1987. Years later, in 1998, when U2 came to Perth as part of the PopMart tour, McGuinness rang to ask whether I’d like to attend their concert as his guest. So Sarah, Mary and I went to the Burswood Dome and enjoyed the show.

Mr Burke said he “made a bad mistake” by wearing a hired top hat and tails when he presented his credentials to the then President of Ireland, Dr Patrick Hillary, and inspecting the guard of honour afterwards. The Sunday Times in Perth published photos of him with the headline: “But do I look like a Burke?”. “I Still cringe when I think of the image from that day,” he added.

In the chapter about his time in Ireland the former premier gives some other insights into his time and experience as ambassador. There was the case of the head of an 19th century Aboriginal man which had been bequeathed to the Irish College of Surgeons and which was kept on display in a glass case. When a Tasmanian Aboriginal activist learned of its whereabouts he demanded its return and threatened to come to Ireland to get it.

Anxious to avoid any local confrontation or fallout over the issue the ambassador engineered its return through a ceremony in London. In any case the College of Surgeons was happy to return the head to its rightful home.

Mr Burke was also invited to unveil a memorial in

day afternoon to be met at the airport by Paddy Dowling, the embassy’s driver, who would become a firm family friend.” On the way from the airport he remembers driving through some of the poorer suburbs and Paddy telling them that the chips in the granite columns of the GPO in O’Connell Street were bullet marks from 1916.

“We crossed the Liffey River to travel to South County Dublin and Killiney, the suburb where we were to live.

Abbey Lea, our home for the next three years, is a two storey arts and crafts style house rebuilt by Lawrence A

Abbey Lea, the home of Australia's Ambassador to Ireland is a two-storey arts and crafts-style house built by Lawrence A. Waldron in 1909. The Australian Government bought it in 1964 for $130,000 from the Talbot family.

Waldron in 1909 from the remains of an earlier house called Marino, constructed in the 1830s. The Australian Government had bought it in 1964 for $130,000 from the Talbot family”.

Amongst other features the residence stands on about one hectare of gardens and has three main reception rooms, a lounge and dining rooms on the ground floor and five bedrooms and a Victorian gazebo, or hothouse, which had windows of coloured glass and was well known in architectural in Dublin.

“Sue enrolled the little children at local schools and Sarah went to one of Dublin’s leading colleges for girls, where she would be head girl in her final year. Sue and I were very proud. Tom, Peter and Matthew all attended University College Dublin, quickly making friends and all playing first division soccer with the university college side. So, before too long, it was back to normal for the family, although we were thousands of kilometres from home.”

Good timing and a bit of Irish luck helped to introduce Burke to the right people and the upcoming role in his last days in Australia before taking up the posting.

“My work in Dublin was made much easier by Irish Prime Minister Charlie Haughey’s visit to Australia in the month before I left for Dublin. As ambassador designate I had travelled around the country with the official party and had the opportunity to meet Mr Haughey and his officials, striking up a friendship with P.J. Mara, the Prime Minister’s right-hand man responsible for managing political priorities, including media relations and strategy in the Finanna Fail party, which Mr Haughey

Killiney Beach is among the most popular in Dublin. It's easy to see from this picture of the author and his wife with their two youngest children why there's no comparison with Western Australia's beaches and their sandy stretches.

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Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary for the bicentenary of Australia. In 1815 a gang of 100 “White Boys” burned down a British barracks. The leader of the rebels was hung for his crimes against the Crown while 13 of their number were transported to Australia. Mr Burke and his wife were made to feel welcome at the event. The then minister for agriculture, Michael O’Kennedy, told them that: “Australia is one of the most exciting countries in the world - and it all started here.”

During his time in Ireland Mr Burke made one visit to Northern Ireland where he would get a deeper appreciation for the situation there and met many of the key players, including Gerry Adams and John Hume. Probably his most hostile encounter in Ireland was at a meeting in Sligo attended by 200 farmers who got so angry at what he was saying about the EU’s Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and Australia's approach to the European markets that he was practically run out of the hall, and the town itself. “On the long drive home (to Dublin), Paddy said only one thing: “Not too many friends there, Ambassador”.

Domestic considerations were never too far removed for him in his time in Ireland. We learn from the book that not long after he arrived in Dublin he started to hear distress signals from Perth and that for two of his three years away he was worried about what was happening back in WA. “That gave rise to the first of two major problems - the size of my telephone bill,” he writes. “As the problems piled up in Perth, the Embassy’s telephone bill grew, and after it became public questions were asked in Parliament, prompting Foreign Minister Evans to send me a “please explain”. I really didn’t have an explanation because the use of the phone increased as the problems in Perth multiplied. I was using the phone a lot. The second problem was an allegation that I was taking improper advantage of the concession that allowed diplomats to buy cars tax free. I bought cars for Sue and the boys and was challenged with the claim that I’d bought too many cars and claimed the concession too often, contrary to the rules. I thought I could answer the criticism, but as the storm clouds gathered in Perth, there were calls for me to return to Perth. Problem piled on problem without anyone waiting for, or really wanting, an explanation.”

He flew home in November 1989 when his mother fell seriously ill but only stayed for a few days as she appeared to get better. The trip back to

Perth made him aware of the growing demand for a royal commission into his government’s business dealings and when he returned to Ireland the high profile probe was announced. His role as ambassador had become untenable.

“Contrary to reports, my appointment was not terminated, but I could hear the sigh of relief in Canberra when I announced my decision to step down. Graham Richardson spoke to me and said he thought it was time to go but he told me the Prime Minister refused to ask me to resign.”

Shortly afterwards the Burke family returned to Perth, but some of them remained in Ireland. Two

sons stayed behind at the time and still live in Dublin with their families. A third son married an Irish girl and they live in Perth. Brian and Sue Burke visit Ireland every year and they also own a house in the fishing village of Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford. “The family is very Irish,” added Burke.

A Tumultuous Life by Brian Burke is on sale in bookshops for $29.99 but Mr Burke is offering Irish Scene readers a $6.00 discount, at a price of $24, plus $10 P&H email: info@atumultuouslife.com.au for delivery details.

IVAN MOTHERWAY

Born in Ireland on 26 July 1969 - Passed away on 27 August 2017

Ar dheas Dé go raibh a anam.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree Wiliam ButlerYeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

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From Tasmania with Paula Xiberras

an eclectic range of music but for Mairead, classically trained at the London Conservatorium, she wants to explore opera to a greater degree.

Last time we talked Mairead told me of her fairytale introduction to the Celtic Woman, how her album ‘Song Book’ so enthralled the other girls in the group they invited Mairead to join them.

In a twist from the usual process Mairead has done her solo work

Irish songstress reaches the heights in Australia

A couple of years ago I interviewed Mairead Carlin from Irish band Celtic Woman.

It’s been a little while since we chatted so I asked Mairead about her previous experience of Australia, remembering her Sydney harbour cruise.

Mairead tells me that not only did she enjoy a Sydney harbour cruise on that occasion but she also climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Mairead says the climb helped her get over her fear of heights.

This time however, Mairead would like to stay closer to the ground and aims to indulge in one of her favourite things, exploring nature, in this case the stunning nature of Australia.

Another change this time round she says, is her continuing maturing of operatic technique. She describes her relationship with opera as ‘raw’ and ‘innate’. Celtic Woman perform

first and has progressed to be part of a group. In doing the solo work first Mairead has no desire to return to it, as she explains, performing and travelling as a solo artist can be a lonely place and having the other girls around it is like being with family.

Talking of family, Mairead is looking forward to the Celtic Women’s performance in Perth, with a cousin

residing there. Mairead is eager to meet her cousin’s little baby.

It was always going to be music for Mairead, when she was younger her desire was always to be performing on stage, although she did think being a swim instructor was a possible career choice!

Mairead would eventually like to open a performing arts school to help young people seeking a career similar to hers.

Mairead says fans can expect from the Celtic Women’s concerts a chance to be transported to a different place, a chance to forget about any daily woes and for the duration of the concert and after, to be uplifted by the beautiful music and spectacle.

You can see Mairead and her Celtic Woman co-stars on Wed 7/02/2018 BRISBANE Fri 9/02/2018 SYDNEY Sun 11/02/2018 NEWCASTLE Mon 12/02/2018 MELBOURNE Tue 13/02/2018 ADELAIDE

Fri 16/02/2018 PERTH – Riverside Theatre

Damien Dempsey, Ireland’s Contemporary Senachai

I have been fortunate to interview many wonderful people over the years, and over 500 interviews, however occasionally an interviewee stands out and most recently that person was Irish musician Damien Dempsey. Damien employs his music as a social commentator.

I spoke to Damien prior to his short September tour of Australia and he tells me of his first visit and how he was ‘blown away’ by Australia.

Damien’s first impression occurred at customs where he immediately sensed the friendly nature and humour of the people as well as extending to the similarities in Irish and Australian colloquialisms, Damien was happily surprised in his encounters with Aboriginal people to hear their use of the word ‘deadly’ with the same meaning as it is in Ireland. Another phrases in common we note is ‘sheila’ and Damien asks if the latter is still used in Australia!.

Always a wordsmith Damien’s love of music started in session singing as a 87

youngster and when he picked up a guitar as a 12 year old. Interspersed with music, and in a way because of being a young boy with a guitar, Damien took up boxing as self defence against bullying.

Damien is a prolific writer often polishing off 89 to 90 songs which he eventually whittles down to 10 or 11.

The litmus test is putting the songs to his manager/ producer who he relies on for feedback.

The aim for Damien in his music is to provide a natural high for his audience as well as bringing light to what issues are impacting, especially, on young people.

Dempsey is a name that means ‘proud’ and the way Damien encourages discussion and acceptance through his lyrics should make his nation proud.

Damien is also concerned with what he perceives as Ireland’s spiritual vacuum with many young people finding themselves disconnected to the church due to abuse issues. Damien himself is highly spiritual and

will often enter a church to offer a prayer. His spiritual beliefs are in part affirmed by so many coincidences in his own life and his own sense of ‘psychic ability’.

For a while, Damien was a constant visitor to a library where he was drawn to the stories of the ‘Seanchai or Irish storyteller. One could say Damien Dempsey is Ireland’s contemporary Seanchai.

During the conversation I remarked to Damien about a visit to Tasmania and he is familiar with our state and with interest asks how long it would take from Melbourne. In a nod to a possible future visit to Tassie, he lets me know he’ll have a Boags or two during his Aussie visit.

You can see Damien on Sunday 17 September Badlands, Perth

TREASURED IRISH VOLUNTEER BUTTON At the Fenian Commemoration Dinner held at JB O’Reilly’s in Leederville, Paschal Clarke kindly gave me one of his treasured possessions, an Irish Volunteer tunic button from the war of independence around 1916. I was curious how Paschal came into possession of the rare piece of Irish history.

“When I was in Dublin some years ago a friend of mine Micky Joe had a pub and I dropped in one day for a drink. I asked him if he had seen the article in that mornings paper about John Boyle O’Reilly and it said that O’Reilly was the first and only Irishman to be included in the Oxford Book of Verse. The poem was The White Rose and he asked if I remembered it and I said of course I could and went on to recite it for him. ‘Geese’ he said, ‘would you write that out for me’, I did. The next day he had promised me this special button he had treasured for many years. The first thing he did was fill me a pint and wouldn’t take any money and gave me the button. He told me the poem got him out of unbelievable trouble and I didn’t ask what the trouble was. For the rest of the day he gave me free drinks in appreciation. And that’s how I came to get that button Micky Joe had had for many years I just gave it to you”.

You will see from the photo that I have included the button with a photo of the Commander in Chief, Michael Collins and I will give it a good home.

Thank you Paschal.

Fred Rea

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The White Rose 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.

Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

From left, Ewan, Molly and Hugh Gorman enjoyed having Aunt Breda Carmody and grandmother Alice Flannery (pictured here in Kings Park) visit last month for Hugh's communion and Ewan's 4th birthday while Molly was spoilt for choice for female company

Thanks to Andy Gordon and the Perth Glagow Celtic Supporters' Club who kindly donated $1500 to the Famine Memorial in Subiaco

On his trip to Ireland to celebrate his 80th Birthday with his long lost family, child migrant Paddy Cannon met up with former Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny. Mr Kenny was very interested in Paddy's story and of the other child migrants.

Tiernan, Louis, Veronica and Arlene Byrnes

Going through our archives I came across these two photos, Scott of Rosie O'Grady's and Tom of the Woody in Guildford.

They haven't aged a day!!!

Louis Byrnes recently celebrated his 70th with family and friend, at The Irish Club. I picked up a couple of old photos of Louis and the Big Strong Man himself took the stage with Ed O'Connor Smith. Happy Birthday Louis, enjoy Ireland.

A wonderful DVD has been produced for the 2017 Famine Commemoration in Dardanup, "Remembering Elizabeth Carbury of Dardanup". If you are interested in buying a copy please contact Danny Harris on 0408 928 459

Send your photos for the Gossip page to fred@irishscene.com.au

Returning to Ireland?

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SHAMROCK

Rovers

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY McLOUGHLIN'S BUTCHERS MALAGA

Before joining the State League in 2011 Shamrock Rovers was one of Western Australia's most successful ever amateur premier league clubs with multiple honours and distinctions to its name.

Unfortunately over the last number of years the club has not done as well as anticipated. But next year is another year when they again hope to bring glory back to Rovers.

President Mick Manning said, "We would to see ourselves as the go to club for the Irish soccer community.

Consider being part of our very successful club".

Rovers are now planning for next season and would like to hear from any players who would like to don the hoops. Mick said, "With your help we can again rise to the top and be a force in WA soccer".

Call Michael Manning on 0418 917 050

McLoughlin Butchers Malaga Drop in and see our range of Irish prepared meats 58 Westchester Rd, Malaga WA 6090 mcloughlinbutchers.com.au Like us on facebook 90

Tom Murphy PRO

HURLING/CAMOGIE:

The Hurling Season in Western Australia came to an end for 2017 with the playing of the Hurling and Camogie Championship Finals on the 12th August at RA Cooke Reserve in Bedford. There were two finals down for decision with Western Swans taking on St Gabriel’s in the Camogie Final while the Hurling decider saw a repeat of the 2016 final where Western Swans battled Sarsfields to bring home the cup. On a sunny and fresh day spectators were treated to a fantastic display of stick work by both the Ladies and Men’s teams on the pitch. On the day St Gabriel’s

took home the Camogie crown while Sarsfields would emerge victorious on the Hurling decider on a score line of 2-20 to 2-09. Huge congratulations is extended to both winning clubs. A massive thanks is also extended to our hurling sub-committee, clubs, officials, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for all their hard work and effort in

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

supporting Hurling and Camogie in Western Australia in 2017, particular thanks to all those who made Championship Finals Day such a

success! Mile Bouchas to you all.

FOOTBALL:

Our State Football Semi-finals took place on the 20th of August with

four games down for decision. On the day St Finbarrs got over Southern Districts in the first Ladies semi-final where they would meet Western Shamrocks/Greenwood in the ladies championship final after they accounted for Morley Gaels. In the two Men’s semi-finals

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Greenwood defeated St Finbarrs to meet Southern Districts in the final after they got over Western Shamrocks. Roll on Saturday 26th August

and Football Championship Finals day. The ladies plate final and the ladies and men’s championship finals were all down for decision with the first throw in taking place at 12 Noon. There was great football skills on display throughout the afternoon and evening and Morley Gaels secured their first ever ladies title in Western Australia defeating Coastal Breakers on a score line of 3:16 to 1:06. After a savage game of football in the ladies championship final St Finbarrs won out over Western Shamrocks/Greenwood on a score-line of 4:07 to 1:11. In the men’s championship final a ding dong battle saw Greenwood secure their first title since 1998 on a score line of Greenwood 2:09 Southern Districts 1:10. Morley Gaels Marty Greene and GAAWA Secretary Nollaig Trevarthen presented the plate to winning captain Orla Fullerton, Claddagh Association Coordinator Liz O’Hagan presented St Finbarrs captain Mary Rosingrave with the Ladies Championship Cup and Irish

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

Consul to Western Australia Marty Kavanagh presented Sean Mallon from Greenwood with the Consul Cup. A huge thanks is extended to our football sub-committee, clubs, officials, players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for all their hard work and effort in supporting Gaelic Football in Western Australia, particular thanks to all those who made Championship Finals Day such a success! Mile Bouchas to you all.

MINORS:

Western Australia will enter two teams into the 2017 Australasian Championships to be held in Perth from October 5th to 8th. Trials have already taken place and training commences on Sunday September 3rd from 10:30am at Tom Bateman Reserve, Thornlie. Training will continue every Sunday at the same time and venue until the Championships take place.

JUNIOR ACADEMY:

GAAWA Junior Academy have had

an extremely busy month of August taking part in both the Hurling/ Camogie and Football Championship Finals. On the 12th August 4 Junior Academy teams played a match with Western Swans U12’s defeating Sarsfields U12’s on a score line of 2-00 to 1-01 in the U8’s match St Gabriel’s defeated Perth Shamrocks on a score line of 4-00 to 1-00.

GAAWA President Gerry McGough presented medals and the cup to the winning teams. All the Junior Academy children then escorted the hurlers of Western Swans and Sarsfields onto the pitch before the Hurling Championship Final. On the 26th August the Junior Academy again had 4 teams battling it out for State Honours at Football Finals Day. In the U12 game Southern Districts just about got over Morley Gaels on a score line of 8-04 to 7-04 while in the U8’s match Western Shamrocks won by a point over St Finbarrs on a score line of 6-01 to 3-06. GAAWA President Gerry McGough presented medals and the cup to the winning teams. All Junior Academy

children then escorted Southern Districts and Greenwood onto the pitch for the men’s championship final. A massive thank you to the Junior Academy coaches, volunteers, sponsors, parents and supporters for the massive work and effort they have put in to the Junior Academy in 2017. Their hard work is paying off with over 110 children taking part in training and drills each Sunday Morning from 12 Noon at Sacred Heart College, Sorrento. Mile Bouchas to you all.

2017 AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

The 2017 edition of the Australasian Championships will take place at Tom Bateman Reserve, Thornlie from October 5th to 8th. In what promises to be a great week of GAA action all States in Australia are sending

www.thebreakwater.com.au

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

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia sorship Opportunities are available including advertising of your company/business at Domain Stadium on the day. For further information please email progaawa@gmail.com

GAAWA State Hurling & Camogie Golf Fundraiser:

teams to compete in Men’s and Ladies Football, Hurling and Camogie.

A state ball will take place at the Crown Hotel, Burswood to mark the end of the games on Sunday October 8th. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make this the biggest and best “State Games” yet. It is estimated that to host the games will cost in the region of $140,000. There are sponsorship packages available and if you are interested in helping us out be it financial, providing a service or volunteering your time over the duration of the games do please get in touch through our website www. gaawa.com.au or progaawa@gmail. com

Junior Academy Compromise Rules Blitz Quiz Night Fundraiser:

Our Junior Academy along with 18 Junior AFL teams are holding a Compromise Rules Blitz on October 21st in Domain Stadium Subiaco.

In one of the last events to be held at Domain Stadium the Blitz aims to support our future GAA stars in Western Australia by forging links with Junior AFL Clubs. This is an historic and major undertaking by our Junior Academy and to help offset the costs of putting on this event, a fundraising Quiz Night took place on Friday 1st September at the Woodvale Tavern Woodvale from 7:30pm Sharp. Tables of six cost $20 per person and further information is available on the Junior Academy Facebook page or the GAAWA Facebook page. Spon-

A Golf Day in aid of our State Hurling & Camogie Squads competing at this year’s Australasian Championships will take place at Maylands Golf Club on Saturday 2nd September with registration from 12 Noon.

The format is a four ball Ambrose at $75 per person with a shotgun start.

Entry fee also includes a BBQ lunch on the day. For bookings please contact Stephen Flannery on 0476 416953 or Michael Hickey on 0420 456224.

Visit to Croke Park:

to the opportunity to present Pat with a State Tie on behalf of GAAWA which Pat was very pleased with!

Irish Night:

GAAWA was very proud to be part of the Irish Night that took place in the Woodvale Tavern on Friday the 11th August last. The night was held to raise funds for the Western Australia Irish Famine Commeration Committee which will be unveiling a Memorial to the Irish people who left Ireland due to the Famine and made a new life for themselves in Western Australia. The Memorial is expected to be unveiled in the Market Square Subiaco on Monday October 9th 2017.

Towards the total cost of the Memorial, the City of Subiaco is donating $25,000, the Sculptor donating his services free of charge and the Memorial Committee raising the remaining cost. If you with wish to donate you can do so at www.waifc.org

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On Friday the 21st July GAAWA Public Relations Officer Tom Murphy met with Pat Daly, GAA Director of Games Development & Research in Croke Park to discuss all things GAA in Western Australia. Pat was very interested to find out all the goings on at Junior Academy, Minor, Hurling, Camogie and Football levels in the State and complemented everybody involved for the hard work and effort there are putting in supporting Gaelic Games in Western Australia. Pat was advised on the upcoming Australasian Championships which GAAWA are hosting, the Junior Academy Compromise Rules Blitz on October 21st in Domain Stadium and any support & assistance GAAWA can provide for the upcoming International Rules Test between Ireland & Australia on November 18th in Perth. Tom took 93

Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia

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The Irish Golf Club, July Araluen competition winner was Stephen Mahon and our Country Trophy held on Sunday August 6th at Gosnells Golf Club was won by Peter Arthurs. Runner up Tom Barr and Graham Wilson came in third.

Join our club!

The Irish Golf Club of WA is a golf society that meet for a stableford

tournament on the third Sunday of every month. Once a year we also host our stroke play club championship tournament, which is played over two consecutive Sundays.

We play on different golf courses each month and try to balance these between courses north and south of the Swan River. Being a non-profit organisation we aim for green fees of $35 dollars for members and $40 for visitors where possible. This typically covers the prizes on the day as well as the green fees. The number of players usually range from 24 to 40 depending on the time of the year.

If you would like to join us please call Peter McKenna on 0447 258 000.

Who are they?

This is the 1977 Western Australia Gaelic Football team Can you help by naming the players?

Email: fred@irishscene.com.au 95

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