The Irish Scene September October 2018

Registered with Australia Post PP100003914

Vol 20 Number 6

September/October 2018

Hugh Mahon EXPELLED

Kokoda and the Irishman

DURTY NELLY'S 20th

Gallagher's Travels Seamus Heaney

TRAVEL BOX IN SUBIACO

Milligan & Melbourne Poems of an Irish Rebel

JIM McKiernan

Irish Race Day

Mick O'Connor

ANNIVERSARY

Killarney Killarney Autos Killarney Autos Autos 1998 - 2018

Photo: Aaron Holmes

www.irishscene.com.au

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BAGGAGE (UNACCOMPANIED) 86 Aust. International Express 9243 0808 77 Exportair Tel: Geoff 9477 1080 BUTCHERS 88,96 McLoughlin’s Meats Tel: 9249 8039 71 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 CAFE/DELI: Ma Mooney’s Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 CELEBRANT: Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 COMMUNITY GROUPS: 31 Australian Irish Heritage Assoc 44 Irish Families in Perth 65 The Claddagh Assoc: Tel 9345 1713 PROPERTY DEVELOPERS: 34 Tyrone Developments Tel: 9582 2186 ENTERTAINMENT: 35,77 Fiddlestick - David 0413 259 547 Fiona Rea Music 0404 831 445 FREIGHT HANDLERS: 86 Australian International Express 9243 0808 77 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 FUNERALS: 84 McKee Funerals Tel: 9401 1900 IMMIGRATION ADVICE: 9 EasiVisa: Carol-Ann Lynch 9429 8860 IRISH FOOD & GIFTS: Clonakilty Black Pudding Ma Mooney’s Tel: 9221 4872 JEWELLERS: Tighe Jewellery: Graham 0414 309274 MECHANICS: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil 0439 996 764 BVM Autos - Mike 0413 889 501 18 Tri Colour Autos Tel: Sean 0402 638 221 PUBS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS: An Sibin Tel: 9328 8930 48,49 Albion Hotel 9384 0021 92 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000

Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 22 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 14 Fenian’s/Novotel Tel: 9425 1634 Five 6 Eight Tel: 9325 4341 61 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 6 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 29 Masonmill Gardens - Tel: 9293 5112 83 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup Tel: 9300 9966 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge 9328 1488 21 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 57 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 REAL ESTATE: Limnios Property Mike Moore 9328 3866 Professionals Kelly Team Tel: 9344 5544 RESTAURANTS 33 Avoka Tel: 6406 2336 15 Island on Elizabeth Tel: 9243 2711 ROOF PLUMBING Mick’s Maintenance 0418 917 050 ROCKING HORSES Flanegan Heirloom Rocking Horses Grant Flanegan 0407 117 972 SHOE REPAIR / NEW SHOES: 51 Reids Bootmakers: Tel 9361 5301 SOLICITORS & LEGAL: 17 Kavanagh Lawyers - 9218 8422 SPORT - CLUBS AND INFORMATION: 90,91 GAA - 0458 954 052 94 Irish Golf Club - Peter 0447 258 000 95 Lakelands Country Golf Club 9405 4888 88 Shamrock Rovers THEATRE: 79 Irish Theatre Players TRAVEL & TOURISM: 11 British Travel Tel: 9285 8182 TYRES, BATTERIES, BRAKES WHEELS:

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THE IRISH SCENE

Publisher/Advertising: Fred Rea 0418 943 832 Editor: Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 Proof Reading: Jack Cullen, Imelda Gorman, David MacConnell 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 52 An Irishman’s Crossing 85 Around the Irish Scene 86 Australian Irish Heritage Assoc. 31 Bill Daly’s Heroic Emigrants 30 Book Reviews 74 Carmel Charlton CD Launch 17 Claddagh Association 65 Comhaltas Perth 51 Cúl an Tí 50 Dear Frankie Review 69 Durty Nelly’s 20th Anniversary 23 Fr Eugene McGrath RIP 47 G’Day from Melbourne 45 GAA 90 Gaba Gubu 66 Gallagher’s Travels – Gallie 32 Heritage Tour with Jim Ryan 59 Hibernia / Anglo Confusion 72 Hugh McMahon Story 4 Irish Dancing 62 Irish Families in Perth 44 Irish Golf Club 94 Irish Quiz and Brian Teasers 35 Irish Theatre Players 79 Isteach sa Teach 36 IWAF at Irish Club 19 KOKODA trail 82 Land of Milk and Honey 71 Leinster Sinking 68 Magdalen Restoration Scheme 5 Marguerite’s Recipes 16 Marie Moloney 50th 13 Marty Kavanagh Hon Consul 53 Mick O’Connor RIP 95 Milligan and Melbourne 25 Minute with Synnott 78 Ned the Kerry Blue found 39 Paula from Tasmania 76 Poems of an Irish Rebel 55 Retracing my ancestor 56 Rose of Tralee 64 Seamus Heaney Homeplace 10 Shamrock Rovers 86 Sudamerica 12 The Irish Club 61 The Island on Elizabeth 15 Too Beautiful to Lose 50 Travel Box for Subiaco 40 Tri Colour Autos 18 Tyrone Developments 34 Ulster Rambles 54 WAGS 80 Who was Durty Nelly 24 William Lane Milligan 26

Aussie PM's will come & go but there was only one

Hugh Mahon

W

ith 'Bligh' as a middle name perhaps mutiny was always going to be inevitable for Malcolm Turnbull as a leader. Turnbull called the coup to remove him "an insurgency". (Even after the infamous "Mutiny on the Bounty" incident Captain William Bligh would go on Malcolm Turnbull to ferment more rebellion under his command in Australia. Also, in Australia Bligh - who had also previously spent two years surveying Dublin Bay and Holyhead - would also go on to display his cruel streak when he dealt unfairly with some Irish 'rebels' for their part in a suspected rising in Sydney, but that is a story for another day, another edition of Irish Scene perhaps). The recent chaos in Canberra has meant that churn has become the new norm for the highest office in this land, the Captain William Bligh age of the disposable PM is well and truly here.

If it is no longer unusual for the country's most senior politician to be removed from office in their first term from within their own political party, there is at least one Australian parliamentary removal that is unique and highly unlikely to be ever repeated. That dubious honour goes to an Irishman and the roots of that incident stemmed directly from political events and resistance to English rule in Ireland.

Hugh Mahon was born at Killurine, near Tullamore, in what was then Kings County (Offaly), in January 1857, the thirteenth child of James Mahon, a farmer, and his wife

By Lloyd Gorman

Hugh Mahon

Anna, nĂŠe McEvoy. He was schooled by the Christian Brothers and at the age of ten his family moved to America where he would learn the trade of printing. Mahon returned to Ireland about 1880 and worked as a reporter at New Ross, Wexford.

He was also a political activist and spent two months in Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin in 1881 with his colleagues from the Irish Land League, including Charles Stewart Parnell.

After his release he spent a brief time in England before coming to Australia in 1882. Mahon was a manager in a fund raising tour of the eastern colonies for John and Willie Redmond.

He would work as a journalist Charles Stewart and even owned Parnell a newspaper and got married.

In 1895 he left Melbourne to edit a paper at Coolgardie. In 1897 he stood unsuccessfully for the new 4

North Coolgardie Seat.

The Australian Dictionary of Biography states that he was driven out by the collapse of the goldfield, as editor of the Kalgoorlie Sun in 1899 he persistently denounced the Forrest government and its supporters for corrupt practices and became notorious after a series of libel actions.

"Active, though not prominent in the Separation for Federation movement, he won the Federal seat of Coolgardie as a Labor candidate in 1901," the ADB said. It paints a picture of a dedicated administrator, public servant and political figure.

"Mahon's talent for invective and reputation as an Irish-Catholic patriot made him a useful acquisition to the struggling Labor Party. He was a member of royal commissions on ocean shipping services in 1906 and the pearling industry in 1912-13.

As postmaster-general in the Watson ministry John and Willie Redmond in 1904 and minister for home affairs in the Fisher ministry of 1908-09, he was a competent but routine administrator. Caucus refused by one vote to re-elect him to the ministry in 1910, some preferring Charles Frazer. Some partisans openly questioned Mahon's record as a Labor man. The Westralian Worker found him 'professedly ‌ a democrat whose snobbish coldness of demeanor would make a snake shudder'. His electorate having been abolished in a redistribution, Mahon lost the new seat (Dampier) to Gregory in January 1913, but when Frazer died in Novem(continued on page 7)

A Government of Ireland measure brought to you by the Department of Justice and Equality

Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme Expression of Interest In 2013 the Government established an ex-gratia redress scheme for the benefit of women who were admitted to and worked in one of 12 ‘Magdalen’ institutions. The Government has now decided to apply the scheme to women who worked in the laundries in those 12 institutions but who were resident in one of 14 adjoining institutions.

The table below shows the 12 institutions covered by the 2013 scheme and the 14 relevant adjoining institutions covered by the recent Government decision.

‘Magdalen’ Institutions in 2013 Scheme

Good Shepherd Sisters

Institutions adjoining the ‘Magdalen’ Institutions

Magdalen Institution New Ross

St. Aidan’s Industrial School

Magdalen Institution Waterford

St. Dominick’s Industrial School Gracepark Training Centre Mayfield Training Centre

Magdalen Institution Cork

St. Finbarr’s Industrial School Marymount Training Centre

Magdalen Institution Limerick

St. George’s Industrial School St. Joseph’s Reformatory School Rosemount Training Centre

Sisters of Our Lady of Charity An Grianán Training Centre St. Joseph’s Industrial School Martanna House Hostel

St. Mary’s Refuge, High Park, Dublin 9

Monastery of Our Lady of Charity Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1

St. Anne’s Hostel

Sisters of Mercy House of Mercy Domestic Training School,

St. Michael’s Industrial School,

Summerhill, Wexford

Summerhill

Magdalen Asylum, Forster Street, Galway

No relevant adjoining institution

St. Patrick’s Refuge, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

No relevant adjoining institution

Sisters of Charity St. Mary’s Magdalen, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

No relevant adjoining institution

St. Vincent’s, St. Mary’s Road, Cork

No relevant adjoining institution

Domestic Training School, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7

No relevant adjoining institution

If you worked in the laundry of a ‘Magdalen’ institution while a resident in one of the adjoining institutions and would like to know if you might be entitled to benefits under the scheme, you should apply for and complete an “Expression of Interest” form. This form is available on the Department’s website www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/MagdalenScheme You may also email RJScheme@justice.ie or phone 0011 353 1 4768660 and request a form.

The Magdalen Restorative Justice ex-gratia scheme established in 2013 remains open.

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ber he won Kalgoorlie without opposition.

Mahon was appointed honorary minister in the 1914 Labor government and, on the death of J. A. Arthur in December, became minister for external affairs. Mahon's hopes of becoming treasurer in 1915 were disappointed."

Mahon was a close adviser to the influential Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Daniel Mannix (who was born in Cork in 1864) and played an important role in the debate against conscription in 1916. The next year he lost the Kalgoorlie seat in the 1917 general election but won it back (for Labor) in 1919.

Mahon never abandoned his political passion for the cause of Irish freedom and it was this trait that brought on the most rare of outcomes in Terence McSwiney Australian politics, a by-election won by the government of the day.

This would be the one and only time in the history of the Commonwealth of Australia that this happened (even as recent as July 2018, in the five by-elections known as "Super Saturday" showed).

Speaking at a public meeting of the Irish Land League in Melbourne on November 7 to protest the death of Irish hunger striker Terence McSwiney in London's Brixton Prison on October 25, 1920 Mahon said: "We have met here today to express sympathy with the widow and the family of the late Lord Mayor of Cork - a man irreproachable in domestic and private life, trusted and beloved by his fellow citizens, and the chief magistrate of an ancient and important city. What sort of a government is it that has only a felon's cell for a man of his attainments and intellectual gifts, his

self-sacrifice and his patriotism? Why there never was in Russian history during the time of the most bloody and cruel Czars a government of more infamous character-to subject to a lingering and a painful death a man of the type of Terence McSweeney [sic). When we read in the papers that his poor widow sobbed over his coffin, I said: 'If there is a just God in heaven, these sobs will reach Him, and will one day swell into a volume that will shake the foundations of this bloody and infamous despotism."

A motion calling for the establishment of an Australian Archbishop Daniel Mannix republic was passed at that meeting.

According to the Australian dictionary of Biography for Mahon: "The speech created a sensation and led to hostile demonstrations in Melbourne. Citing 'seditious and disloyal utterances', on 11 November Prime Minister Billy Hughes introduced a motion in parliament calling for Mahon's expulsion. Though he contested the details Mahon refused to defend himself in parliament, and, after an extended and passionate debate, he was formally expelled from the House in a procedure unique in the history of the Commonwealth parliament. He then unsuccessfully contested the ensuing by-election."

That by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Kalgoorlie on 18 December 1920. Mahon may have courted national controversy with his outspoken views and made himself political enemy No.1 of the nation but he had a lot of support and backing from his electorate. His opponent George Foley won the by-election with 8,282 votes. Mahon got 7,939 votes. A difference of just 343 votes - or Hugh Mahon a swing of 3.5% in this case - was enough for him to lose the electorate.

Following the result of the by-election Mahon traveled to Europe and Ireland in 1921 and returned to Australia in June 1922 where after it seems he retired to a private life. Survived by his wife and four children he died on 28 August 1931 at Ringwood, Victoria, and was buried in Box Hill cemetery.

As it happens, Mahon is the only member of parliament to have been expelled from the federal parliament and could probably be the only person to ever have that distinction. Under Section 8 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act, 1987[2] neither house of the Australian Parliament now has the power to expel someone from membership of the Parliament. It's a pity that same protection doesn't extend to the office of prime minister.

7

St Patrick's Day Festival WA 2019

Saturday 16th March 2019!

Come along to the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the southern hemisphere!

There will be the wonderful parade through Leederville again, so get your creative thinking caps on and contact us. So if you are a sporting club/book club/in a band/knitting ninja’s anything interesting that will add to the colour and vibrancy of the parade on the day.

Parade and Family Fun day at Leederville Oval on the 16th March 2019 The parade and family fun day itself is free and the hard working committee pull out all the stops in getting funding and sponsorship to have this day open for all to enjoy! Anyone who has come along over the last few years will realise the commitment and effort put in to ensure this amazing day takes place.

Contact: niamhstpatsfestival@gmail.com or call directly on 0458 759 931 to get an application in, as of course, this day in age even fun stuff needs a paper trail!

The parade itself will have many different and interesting items (stilt walkers, theater groups, music groups etc.) sometimes very funny (Mrs Brown's Boys, St. Patrick himself with real snakes!) So if you can’t take part in the parade, be sure to be there to cheer on all those that do come on board and put in so much effort. Kick off is at 10am starting from the Water Corporation car park along Newcastle Street, you can’t miss it, just follow the sea of green into

The theme this year is ‘Family’ (but if you want to march in the parade dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge just paint the chains green and off you go!), and everything to do with adding to Irish Culture and sense of belonging and community within Perth, where most attending will be spending their immediate future!

EVENTS: • AGM 1st September Irish Club 6pm all welcome.

• Launch Night for the new Committee 28th September at Durty Nelly's.

• McDonalds Survey Golf Outing 28th October finer details to follow.

• Quiz in the Irish Club 23rd November date to be confirmed by new committee at the Irish Club.

• White Collar Boxing is making a return on the 1st December so that will be a great Christmas Party option.

Leederville on the morning! Amazing atmosphere!

• St Patrick's Festival Ball at the Hilton 16 February, the biggest and best ball of the year as always. There will be great food, music, prizes and we intend to have (a ball) great craic!

Entertainment will be by the Prohibition and

special guests. Ticket purchases can be made

online and includes a number of meal courses

and a drinks package and entertainment, $170 each.

FESTIVAL IN MEDIBANK STADIUM

th

The parade nicely leads right into the oval where the rest of the day's fun and entertainment takes place.

For the kids there are a number of fun activities for all ages from inflatable obstacle courses to skills challenges, face painting, pet farm, previous years we had bucking bull, foam pits, fun bus, and much more, but we can’t reveal all yet for 2019 as we do change it up a bit every year to add something new 8

and interesting so you’ll just have to come along with the family and see for yourself!

MUSIC This year’s entertainment will incorporate many different styles, with traditional and more modern rubbing shoulders and will be guaranteed to entertain all generations and Irish or not you’ll be singing along and tapping along to the wonderful musical talents in store on the main stage and in the bar. If it brings a tear to the eye or a smile to the face, sure haven’t we done our job!

STALLS As always there will be a selection of stalls that specialise in different foods, gifts, crafts, special interest, community focus and information, and this year we are looking to increase to a selection of food stalls to cater for all tastes.

Again if you wish to have a stall for your community group/baked goods/business/Irish interest on the day, please contact us to register as increasing our variety will add to the enjoyment of the day.

SPONSORSHIP We would like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful sponsors who help us to undertake this massive project for the benefit of

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Book online or call 9429 8860 www.easivisa.com

you the Irish Community and your friends and family, and to Fred at the Irish Scene for helping us spread the word for this very important and poignant day in the Irish Calendar in Perth. Since to run this event costs half of Ireland’s GDP here’s the cap in hand bit: If you would like to become a sponsor, we have packages available to suit available budgets. Please contact us for details. Pretty please!

Look forward to seeing you there, we’ll have a word to the man above this year to hold off on the lightning, although it did add to the electric atmosphere in 2017!

Tom Tierney, Coordinator 9

SEAMUS HEANEY HOMEPLACE

By JOHN HAGAN

Who would have believed it?

Bellaghy (County Londonderry) the site of an international tourist attraction! But it is. Bellaghy’s old, ugly, highly fortified, and forbidding police station, which I used to drive past in the early 70s, has been replaced by a gleaming new stone, glass and wood, arts centre, dubbed the ‘Seamus Heaney HomePlace’. Opened to the public on 30 September 2016, the building is testament to the resolve and vision of the Mid-Ulster District Council to mark the life and literature of the village’s Nobel Prize winning poet, who passed away in 2013, and is buried in the nearby St Mary’s Parish graveyard. HomePlace was designed, and developed, in collaboration with Heaney’s widow, Marie, together with his children, and many of the contents on display have been donated by them.

“The Council provided £3.25 million out of the £4.25 million capital costs, to build the centre”, HomePlace manager, Brian McCormick informs me. “It takes a further £1.5 million each year to operate”, he adds. That such a development was undertaken during a period in which there were swinging cuts to the Arts Budget throughout Northern Ireland, is nothing short of a miracle. While there is an expectation that the centre will break even, the benefit it brings to the local community is also of importance.

It was the rural landscape around Bellaghy, together with the family, friends and neighbours who influenced his boyhood and youth, providing the poet with a deep well of stimulation to which he returned again and again in his poems.

“Bellaghy was Seamus’ Eden”, states McCormick. “He delved into the area and the people for his inspiration and HomePlace is the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in his world”.

Built on two levels, the ground floor is devoted to Heaney’s life and poetry. The permanent exhibition entitled ‘Seamus Heaney: Man and Boy’, is dominated by photographs of the poet and enhanced by text which connects each photo to at least one of his poems. Visitors are able to follow Heaney through his life on the farm, primary school, boarding school in Londonderry, as a teacher in Belfast’s St Joseph’s College, through to the publication of his first volume of poetry, ‘Death of a Naturalist’ in 1966. By means of headphones, this journey is enhanced and embellished by listening to Heaney’s own voice. On display too, are objects and artifacts illustrating Heaney’s day-to-day life in Bellaghy. His primary school desk, his Uncle Peter’s leather money pouch which he adopted as his schoolbag, his duffel coat, a tractor seat, butter pats, a turnip snedder, and all the bric-a-brac associated

Brian McCormick Manager Heaney HomePlace John and Holly Irwin Front of House Heaney HomePlace 10 10

with life in an Irish rural village.

On one wall is a ‘poetry board’, designed to illustrate and explain just how Heaney embarked on his poetic process. Visitors are also encouraged to try their hand at composing a stanza or two and leave their efforts behind on the notice board.

A ground-floor feature which fascinated me was the ‘word mobile’ – a suspended compendium of words from Heaney’s poems and those associated with the local neighbourhood. Some of these, such as ‘hoke’, I recognized, others, like ‘lachtar’ and ‘crenach’, were foreign to me, but all are part of our rich heritage. It is important that these words continue to be part of our lexicon, for, according to Heaney, “If you have the words, there’s always a chance that you’ll find the way”. I also liked the fact that no visitor to the centre need have their Heaney query go unanswered as there are expert staff on the floor, most of whom personally knew Heaney and are able and willing to address every possible question.

Upstairs, on level two, is Heaney’s study, replete with his desk and original manuscripts. One wall is adorned by a copy of his Nobel Prize manuscript, and it is possible to view, on film, reactions to this award by the man himself, his wife, children and various leading cultural figures. There is also an extensive library displaying a substantial se-

lection of his books, including translations of his works from over 20 countries around the world.

Next to the HomePlace café, with its wide selection of locally produced fare, is the Helicon, an intimate 191-seater performance space. Thanks to some innovative arts programming, involving appearances by such luminaries as musician Glen Hansard, actor Adrian Dunbar and poet Paul Muldoon, the Helicon is well supported both by locals and visitors. HomePlace is also deeply involved in running primary and post-primary education programmes for Northern Ireland students. For example, a lecture series for GCSE students is designed to explore specific themes expressed

by Heaney in his poetry. “We like to tailor what we offer to each stage of the education curriculum”, states McCormick.

Perhaps it’s important to realize that while HomePlace pays tribute to the poet, it’s not just a Seamus

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Heaney exhibition, it’s more than that. This is a glorious space for community arts to happen and that’s a fantastic legacy to Heaney, something of which he would be very proud.

I am reminded that English essayist and poet, Doctor Samuel Johnson once famously observed that the Giant’s Causeway was worth seeing, but not worth going to see. To paraphrase the great lexicographer, the Seamus Heaney HomePlace is definitely worth seeing, but it is also certainly worth going to see. Put it on your bucket list when you next visit Ireland.

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Sudamerica

By CiarĂĄin Hoey

When watching the South American football teams play on the telly as a kid I was entranced by the passion, intensity and atmosphere created by the players, fans and commentators (the familiar GOOOOOLLLLLLL!). One day I was hoping to make it over to the majestical continent- that opportunity took place towards the end of 2016 when a mate and I explored Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and finished up in Brazil.

Just over the midpoint of the trip in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I secured a ticket to see Boca Juniors play at their notorious home ground at La Bombonera. High calibre players of Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Roman Riquelme and Diego Maradona have all played for this historical club. At the time it was the final game for Carlos Tevez before his big money move to the Chinese Super League- scoring one goal and setting up another in the 4-1 victory against Colon CF. Tevez’s crisp touch, sharp dribbling,

attacking runs, closing defenders on the ball and clinical shooting was a pure joy to watch. The overall style of play between the two teams was creative and free flowing with audacious trickery and passing.

One fan not too far away where I was sitting from looked like he was about to fall of the third tier as he was moving and chanting around frenetically; over on the home supporters end the stadium was shaking!

When socialising in South America the Brazilians were the most

12

warming- family and friends were concerned about Rio De Janeirohere I found them extremely helpful and very open to practicing Portuguese! In Rio I was lucky enough to tour Rocinha- the largest favela in Rio- it felt like its own private city within a city with a strong community and local vibe.

The vibrancy and level of expression in the Spanish and Portuguese to the observer looks like the conversations are an argument when its just a general yarn! The Chilean and Argentine locals spoke very rapidly with different pronunciations and sayings compared to Peru and Bolivia- speaking at a much slower rate.

There is a four-day Inca Trail of Macchu Pichu, Peru which is a great way to see the ruins, build your endurance in the altitude, learn about the Inca story and increase your daily step count! Also, a great opportunity to get a selfie with a Llama too. This trail would be a fantastic team building trip for any sporting team. Some breathtaking landmarks throughout South America are Uyuni Salt Flats in Boliva, and Iguaza Falls which borders on Argentina and Brazil.

The famous Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) and Sugar Loaf mountain both provide sensational views of Rio De Janeiro.

Across the countries visited there are plenty of opportunities to try an empanada- a pastry filled with carne (meat), pollo (chicken) or queso (cheese). I would recommend anyone willing for adventure or to explore vibrant culture; consider South America for your next trip!

Marie Moloney celebrates 50 years in Oz!

Some things keep occurring as we journey through life. Anniversaries are a perfect example. I will celebrate a significant one early next year. On the 8th January 2019 it will be 50 years since I arrived in Australia. On the drive from the airport to our temporary accommodation I knew that Western Australia was the place for me.

From day one I loved my adopted country but missed family and friends. While saying goodbye to my family of origin before leaving for Australia, I was not yet aware of the full impact of this major life change. My intention has always been to be a part of, not apart from the society in which I live, but at the same time retaining and sharing a distinct knowledge of my Irish heritage and passing this on to future generations of my family. We do not shed the culture of our country of origin like a skin because we come to settle in another country. If that were the case Australia would not have the rich diverse and ever changing ethos for which it is renowned. There are many customs and musical reminders of other cultures that add richness to the Australian ethos.

THE BIG

Being of two cultures has many advantages as we can experience so much more by being part of different social networks and increasing our awareness of cultural differences by taking part in the life of two or more cultures, The Irish have made valuable contributions to Australian culture, and are still coming to Australia in growing numbers.

Saint Patrick’s Day is globally popular, celebrated in more countries than any other national festival in the world. Each year St Patrick’s Day parade in Leederville Perth is attended by thousands of people many of whom are of different nationalities.

One unexpected novel experience a few days before Christmas 1969 was watching “Santa’s Lolly Run” operated by the local Rotary Club travelling around tossing lollies out of the back of a Holden Ute to the children, with Christmas Carols playing from the vehicle’s radio. As the Ute moved slowly through the suburb, Santa acquired a following of children.

Now taking stock I am aware of the vast difference the years have made to where I live. Ferndale, an adjacent suburb to where we lived in 1969 is built on land that was, at that time still a large area of bushland where local children liked to play. Carousel Shopping Centre in Cannington was built in 1972. The original centre incorporated the site of Boan’s Waverley, a small department store where we could buy clothes and household needs without going into the city of Perth.

With a recent upgrade Carousel is now the biggest shopping centre in WA. This year is the 150th anniversary of 62 Fenian political prisoners to Western Australia on board the Hougoumont, the last convict ship to Australia in 1868.

This was commemorated with a ten-day festival in Fremantle.

The journey through the last fifty years being part of Irish and Australian cultures has been interesting. Of the people I have met along the way, some are no longer with us, others are still here to share the memories with. The Claddagh Association now has a Seniors Project which organises social gatherings and outings for Irish seniors. These events provide opportunities to keep in touch with old friends. Ireland and Australia have in many respects, a shared history with the influx of convicts, religious and medical staff etc. The bush music of Australia has a strong Irish influence. I am proud to be both Irish and Australian.

13

Perth when Marie arrived...

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Novotel Perth Langley - 221 Adelaide Terrace T. 9425 1634 • E: h1764-fb2@accor.com • www.novotelperthlangley.com.au 14

Open 7 days a week.

MONDAY - FRIDAY: 11:30AM TO LATE SATURDAY, SUNDAY & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 9AM TO LATE With four different eateries and drinkeries to choose from and our very own micro-brewery, as well as an outdoor music stage with regular performances, a pirate playground for the littlies, and a ping pong and games area (coming soon), you'll always find something fun happening on 'The Island' at Elizabeth Quay, in sunny Perth, WA.

Great venue for your Christmas Party! www.islandbrewhouse.com.au

• 6 unique craft beers brewed on site • Interesting list of wines & guest beers • Space to lounge, dine, have a coffee...

• Enjoy a food menu that has something for everyone • Relaxed, comfortable bar area • Views of the quay and city • A beautiful place to watch the world go by • Tranquil, green oasis in the city to meet, eat, drink...

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Take a Voyage to THE ISLAND

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman Elizabeth Quay was designed and created with one main purpose in mind – to reconnect Perth City and its denizens and visitors with the Swan River. An important piece of that $440 million experiment to carve out an entirely new precinct is being driven by Tipperary man Mick Campion.

“What we are trying to do is make the island a bit of a destination, its a very unique setting,” Mick said.

The man-made Island sits in the mouth of the quay’s inlet and as well as boasting probably the most interesting location in the redeveloped area, it is also home to the Island Brew House, formerly the Isle of Voyage.

“We want to make it family friendly and to have different aspects to it, so on the Island we have the playground out the back, which is great for families,” he added. “We want to do ping pong, a little sand pit for kids, and as well as the playground we’ve built a little stage here and will have performances throughout the spring and summer. We want to make it casual, easy come easy go.”

“The rebranded Brew Garden has amazing views of the city and we do a lot of functions there too. Being right in the city we get a lot of corporate functions. Its a nice little walk here, people feel like they are out of the city, but they’ve got the views of the city and the water, the water seems to be a big draw. The bar is open every night for customers to come in as well. We’ll have our own clientele, our own neighbourhood, we’ve got to get the people down, to make it a destination. We’ve decid-

Mick Campion

15

ed to brew our own beer and to make it a lot more interesting. We’ve got two darker beers which are flying at the moment and suit the local palette. We’ve branded it the Little Island Brewing Co and we’ve got the branded pizza area. We thought we’d give it a bit of character. “ If Mick looks familiar to some readers it might be because he is a co-founder, along with his wife Barbara Hacker, of Voyage in Sorrento.

“Its still going well,” said Mick.

With Voyage, the couple have proved their ability to navigate and pilot a successful hospitality business. Voyage Sorrento first opened its doors on January 2, 2004 and has become a local landmark. Mick said it was their intention to give the local community something they felt was missing at the time, excellent coffee, friendly service, value for money and quality home made fresh food.

“We wanted Voyage to be a home away from home for all of our customers to enjoy and feel welcome,” he said.

They turned a former Pizza Hut shop and real estate agents office into a small restaurant that could seat 24 customers.

Word quickly spread about the new eatery and the seating capacity increased to cope with the growing daily demand.

“In January 2012, we bought the southern side of the restaurant, which was formerly a Chinese restaurant,” added Mick.

“The two sides were then joined together with the common corridor in the middle, to become what it is today. Like any small business starting out, the beginning was tough and there was a very steep learning curve for quite a number of years. Over time, we learnt what our customers wanted and their expectations of menus, prices and service. Today we are a thriving business with approximately 70 staff, serving thousands of customers each week. We are continually trying to improve, exceed our customers expectations and provide a work place that our staff enjoy working in and can also grow and learn in.”

Even more remarkable is the fact that neither Mick or Barbara set out to build one of Perth’s most successful food businesses.

“I studied agricultural science but I always worked in hospitality throughout and then I did a degree in computer science, but I still kept the hospitality going,” he added. “Barbara is an architect, she was the first to jump ship from her trade. She started a cafe and then we opened up Voyage together in Sorrento and I jumped out of my career and did this full time. That was fifteen years ago.”

rish Recipes from Marguerite's

Mozzarella Fritters with

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Sauce.

Ingredients (Serves 4) 120g breadcrumbs made from day-old bread 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley / 2 tbsp chopped rocket 1 tsp finely grated lemon rind / 25g plain flour / 1 egg 4 x 100g (4oz) balls buffalo mozzarella / olive oil, for shallow frying For the sauce; 1 small head garlic / 225g ripe plum tomatoes, halved lengthways 1 large red capsicum / 1½ tsp fresh lemon juice 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil / ½ tsp balsamic vinegar Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375F). To prepare the sauce, cut off and discard the top quarter of the garlic head and wrap the remainder in foil.

2. Arrange the tomatoes, cut side up on a lined baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with salt. Add the red capsicum and the foil wrapped garlic to the sheet and roast for approx 1 hour until the tomatoes are just beginning to char nicely, the garlic is completely tender, and the red capsicum is cooked through with blackened skin.

3. Transfer the capsicum to a bowl and cover with cling wrap, then leave to stand for 20 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel and discard the core and seeds.

4. Place the flesh in a food processor with the tomatoes. Unwrap the garlic and squeeze the roasted cloves from the skin into the food processor.

5. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and blend until smooth. This can be made up to 24 hours in advance and kept in a bowl covered with cling wrap in the fridge.

6. To make the fritters, mix the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish with the parsley, rocket and lemon rind, then season to taste. Season the flour and tip on to a flat plate. Lightly beat the egg in a shallow dish.

7. Tear each buffalo mozzarella into four pieces, then dust in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Tip in the beaten egg and then coat in the flavoured breadcrumbs.

8. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with non-stick baking parchment and chill for at least 2 hours to firm up or overnight is fine.

9. When ready to cook, pour 5cm (2in) of the olive oil into a large pan or heat a deep-fat fryer to 180C (350F) or until a small piece of white bread dropped into the oil browns and rises to the surface in about 1 minute.

10. Deep-fry the mozzarella fritters for 2-3 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Drain well on kitchen paper. You have to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.

11. Warm the sauce in a small pan over a gentle heat and spoon a pool on to each warmed plate. Arrange four pieces of the mozzarella fitters on top to serve.

12. The remainder of the sauce can be served in a small bowl at the table so that guests can help themselves.

Pantry Dolls 0405 680 480

www.facebook.com/pantrydolls/ 16

industry upon the petroglyphs (rock carvings) on the Burrup Peninsula, some of the oldest in the world. “Congratulations on another musical milestone with your wonderfully produced and packaged “We Are Loved”.

Paul De Pierres, OAM Author and musician For more details contact Carmel: carmel@carmelcharlton.com Tel: 0412 777 061 www.carmelcharlton.com

CARMEL CHARLTON IN CONCERT AT THE IRISH CLUB CD LAUNCH “WE ARE LOVED" SUNDAY 28th OCTOBER FREE EVENT 2pm – 5pm

Carmel has never been in any doubt where her talents lie. All she ever wanted to do was music and it has played a major role in every aspect of her life. She studied classical guitar at WAAPA and also plays piano and ukulele.

“We knew she would be good, but still it was truly special to be able to experience a performer like her in person. What a beautiful voice. Clean, inventive, delicate guitar and a swag of amazing songs”. Michael Fine, Troubadour Club, Woy, Woy, NSW Also performing at the concert will be raconteur and stalwart of the Irish Scene Fred Rea who will delight the audience with his wonderful music and humour.

MC will be Oliver McNerney from radio VCA radio, Ellenbrook 88.5fm. “We Are Loved”, Carmel’s eleven track new release is a collection about God’s wonderful creation, taking care of the earth, the Aboriginal culture and the unique heritage that we all share in Australia.

The track “Music Can Do That”, is dedicated to her mother Kathleen who never had the opportunity to learn music.

“Out of This World” was inspired by the astronauts who looked back at earth from space.

“Ancient Rock Art” tells of the constant threat of

oyage V n Bo

i k c i V

Thank You! Vicki Buckley is returning to Ireland and we take this opportunity to say thanks for her voluntary work in the Irish Community of Western Australia.

Vikie has been part of many groups for a number of years from the IWAF to the Rose of Tralee and more and was always there to help out with legal matters! Thank you Vikie and we hope the future holds all good things for you and your family!

We keep our finances totally separate... so we’re not de factos, right?

Not necessarily. How you both manage your finances may be only one factor to be considered by the court.

Being in a de facto relationship brings great benefits but it also can involve serious obligations.

For advice please contact Louise Muhling

Family Friendly • Family Lawyers 165/580 Hay Street Perth WA 6000 T: (08) 6557 5888 E: reception@kavlaw.com.au W: kavlaw.com.au

17

SERVICE, VALUE AND INTEGRITY AT TRI-COLOUR AUTOS SERVICE & REPAIRS Trust an experienced locally owned business with your service and repair needs for your vehicle.

Tri-Colour's Sean says "We welcome all new customers with an

offer of free brake checks, an important safety aspect that can not afford to be overlooked".

As a premier service centre, we also offer quality products such as Motul oil, a high quality oil for all vehicles. We are also very competitive on all pricing.

Tri-Colour Autos can also provide you with a low cost maintenence schedule for your vehicle, which will allow you to budget on a monthly basis.

At Tri-Colour Autos, you can actually speak to the person working on your vehicle, they are happy to explain to you everything you wish to know about all aspects of your vehicle.

At Tri-Colour Autos, all work is guaranteed, our technicans are highly qualified, and we are licenced by the government of western australia.

Tri-Colour Autos has a modern well equiped workshop and is located at 40 Inspiration Drive, Wangara, you can't miss the flags. Please phone or call in for any hassle free quotes on repair or servicing.

Finally from Sean and Gary, we look forward to seeing you in the near future.

Céad Míle Fáilte

Mechanical Service & Repairs 40 Inspiration Drive Wangara WA 6065 Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 7am–2pm Call & Book your service TODAY...

No Job Too Big or

Too Small !

Sean: 0402 638 221 Gary: 0411 207 196 tricolourautos@gmail.com 18 18

• Log Book & New Warranty Service • All Makes and Models • Transmission service • Cooling system repairs and service • Brake repairs and service • Clutch replacement • Electronic tune ups • Engine repairs • EFI diagnosis and repairs • Suspension & driveline repairs/service • Exhaust replacement • Fuel injector service • Pre purchase inspections

Ireland Western Australian Forum

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

IWAF Committee

Liam Dowling at The Irish Club

19

IWAF welcomed members and guests to an informal networking evening in the Irish Club of Western Australia Subiaco with special guest speaker Liam Dowling, Governor of Arbour Hill Prison.

Mr. Liam Dowling is Governor of Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin, a closed medium security prison for long term adult male prisoners. Mr Dowling accompanied by his wife Ann, gave an insight in life at the prison and the Bride Ship girls Travel Box project. Prior to introducing our Guest Speaker, Fred Rea WAIFC gave a short update on issues related to the recently completed Irish Famine Memorial.

It was the last event for long standing committee member Vickie Buckley who has returned to Ireland. We thank Vickie for her work for the IWAF over a number of years. Thanks for your help Vickie, you will be a big loss to the Forum. Mark Black

LET THE CARNIVAL BEGIN! IRISH DAY Saturday 27 October

Our super-popular Irish Day returns to Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 27 October. Offering new bars, live music, a full raceday schedule and a simply fun day out, grab your mates and join us as we celebrate all things Irish!

Visit perthracing.com.au for details

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Peter McKenna passed this photo to The Irish Scene recently and there are some familiar faces from back in 1987. A few have passed on and you will see the late Mick O'Connor in the back row.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA, WINNERS AUSTRALIAN GAELIC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1987

Front Row (L-R) Fred McCormack (Coach), Wally Rusich, Pat Mangan, Mike Higginson, Ray Vacher, Brendan McCormack (Mascot), Dave Ross, Harvey Bonnett, Colin Slattery (Captain), Pius O’Keefe, Peter Batterham, Mal Price, Peter Carolan, John Morgan, Martin Whitely, Mick Morgan.

Back Row (L-R) Ron Halford (Trainer), Neil McCague (Manager) Sean McGovern, Dave McKnight, Paul McGovern, Mario Pisano, John Dodd, Tom Dawson, Michael Condren, Neil MacIntosh, Mick O’Connor, Steve Duncan, Gerry Griffin (Vice-Captain), Paul McAllister, Kevin Forde, Peter Soraghan, Brian Binstead (Trainer), Mick Lynch

20 20

VALE AIDEN BOLSTER RIP

The Mighty Quinn Monday Singers Club lost one of its stalwarts Aiden (Billy Busker) Bolster in August. Aiden, from Mallow Co Cork, Nollamara and formerly of Thornlie was given a fitting farewell by his family and friends at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Nollamara and at Karrakatta Cemetery on August 16th. I had a conversation with Aiden days before his passing and he was in great form. Sadly he left us days later. To his family and friends we extend our deepest sympathy.

Happy Birthday Tony!

KRYSTYNA SMILEY RIP The Singers Club also saw the passing of Colin Smiley's wife Krys. Krys fought a hard battle and gave her family and friends ten memorable years. She will be sorely missed by all of us.

Deepest sympathy to Colin, Eamonn and Elaine.

21

IRISH PUB Opening Part

Celebra

y - July 199

tions

BIRTHDAY PARTY

8

Celebra

t

FRIDAY 19th OCTOBER LIVE MUSIC HA’ PENNY PLUG - 3pm BROKEN POKERS - 6pm THE HEALY’S - 9pm Original headline act!

REWIND TIME

5

GUINNESS PINTS

$ .50 and

1998 PRICES

COMPLIMENTARY BAR SNACKS

from 4-6pm

BOOK@DURTYNELLYS.COM.AU | 08 9226 0233 22

ening

1998 Op

tions

Twenty years a-growing at Durty Nelly's Durty Nelly's pub in Shafto Lane just off Murray Street was born in Ireland but grew up in Perth and will soon be celebrating an important milestone when it becomes twenty years old.

“We are having a party to celebrate on Friday October 19, between 4pm and 6pm,” said Durty Nelly's manager Dan Cullerton. “We are going to go back and serve Guinness at 1999 prices, $5.50 a pint. We picked Friday because when Durty Nelly's opened first Friday was the biggest day here.

They were the days when people didn’t go back to work after lunch on Friday. So we are going back to what we did 20 years ago, with free snacks, $5.50 pints and live music starting at 3pm until the end of the night.”

Durty Nelly's is one of Perth’s best known Irish pubs. In fact, it claims to be Perth’s only “genuine Irish pub”. It was tailor made and designed by Irish architects using original Irish materials. It was then disassembled, packed into shipping containers and transported in early 1998 to its current location (which used to be a nightclub) and put back together. The pub has three different sections, each one representing a part of the culture and history of Ireland. The Brewery Bar for example reflects

By Fred Rea/Lloyd Gorman

ancient brew house traditions and its look was inspired by the original Guinness brewery at St James Gate, Dublin. The Victorian is ornate and decorative, designed to emulate the nineteenth century Victorian era in which detail and quality craftsmanship went hand in hand with the philosophy that is as vital to please the eye as the palate. Finally, the General Merchant: takes its appearance from a traditional public house, reflecting a time when a pub would double up with all manner of other businesses: grocers, tailors or some other local business enterprise, such as a funeral parlour.

IRISH PUB

Opening Part

y - July 19

While the authenticity of the premises makes Durty Nelly's unique it is the service and close attention to the Irish reputation for good hospitality that makes it special.

“Since I’ve been here its always been a busy pub, but its gone from strength to strength,” added Dan. “We’ve always had a good lunchtime trade with food served daily (11.30am to 9pm) sevens days a week.

Everyday we’ve got specials on and we are always a competitive price and we have our beer of the month, Guinness, Kilkenny, you can have the cheapest pint in the city.”

BIRTHDAY PARTY As well as a being a great spot for small – or even large – groups of people to meet up Durty Nelly's function room can cater for up to 120 people at a time.

FRIDAY 19th OCTOBER If customers and punters have an affection for Durty Nelly's then so too do its staff, who are another reason why it is so successful. “We’ve got a

LIVE MUSIC HA’ PENNY PLUG - 3pm

5

GUINNESS PINTS

$ .50

1998 PRICES

and lot of long term staff here,” said 1998 Dan. “I’ll be here eight years in COMPLIMENTARY September and head chef Ryan D N I BAR SNACKS THE HEALY’S - 9pm REW Casey has been here nine or TIME years. The other managers Original headline act! from ten 4-6pm Graham Davidson, Rory Whelan and Andrea Rooney have all been here over five years and have Manager great team of hardworking BOOK@DURTYNELLYS.COM.AU | 08a 9226 0233 Dan people as well. So we’ve got good BROKEN POKERS - 6pm

Cullerton

23 23

Openi

loyalty and the owners look after us as well.

Danny, who has been the owner from the start, has always been in the pub business and he likes to keep Durty Nelly's running as an Irish pub, so we have excellent support and people, from top to bottom.”

The 3 Pints appearing at Durty Nelly's in 2005 with the late Paddy Connolly RIP!

Durty Nelly's regularly plays hosts to the best bands and performers Perth has to offer, including Fiona Rea who can be heard there regularly on Sundays. Music will be a big part of the festivities for the pub's 20th celebrations.

Brian Dalton and his band, The Ha'Penny Plug, who have been performing at Durty's for over ten years will kick off proceedings at 3pm. The Broken Pokers - who have also been a regular fixture at the venue for more than a few years – take up the mantle from 6pm. Then Derek Buckley – and the original Healy line up will finish off the night, starting from 9pm.

to Here's !

Nelly

jars. The more she distilled the brew the more she believed it contained magic. Having made a batch she found an Irish wolfhound almost dead outside her house. She put a drop The story of ‘Dirty – or Durty – Nelly’ can be traced of her home made whiskey onto the animal and rubbed it back to a small cottage in Cratloe, Co. Limerick which into the perishing pooch. The long and the short of it was was the home of a tall, statuesque and buxom lady that the large dog made a quick and full recovery. Rumour who became known by that name. The location of her of her potion that could give new life quickly spread to her little house meant she was the keeper of the toll bridge neighbours and beyond. People from all over came to her with over the Owengarney, which ran outside her front door, sick animals – everything from sheep to horses - in search of on its way to meet the River Shannon. It is said that in “the cure”. The potion proved to be a tonic for most ‘patients’. order to pass a price had to be paid to Nelly and those The throngs of visitors were also well looked after in terms of without cash would trade a chicken or something else, food and drink and Durty Nellys house was well known across or maybe even possibly lavish some personal attention Munster for its hospitality. Her fame grew when apparently a on the woman of the house herself. young woman from Rineanna (which is now the site of ShanShe was known to be a woman of immense non International Airport) came to her asking if her brew would charm and hospitality and her home was frequented work on her husband who was not able to fulfill all his marital and visited often by journeymen and travelers from duties to her. A sup of her whiskey was administered to the all corners of Ireland. Legend has it that a visitor stole man and the couple had a brood of children, made him strong her stash of cash collected from the toll bridge, leaving and she kept her beauty. News of the power of this ‘Poteen’ her penniless. A resourceful and independent type she spread across Ireland and her sheeben became Ireland’s turned her attention to a way to make money quickly. busiest watering hole as men sought strength and virility in She retreated to the nearby woods where she created the ‘cure’. Durty Nelly – and the new drink she had invented a new whiskey by mixing her ingredients in earthen – became the ‘Toast’ of Ireland.

24

Milligan DR

Lord Melbourne

Melbourne LORD

& Rosie O'Grady's

By Fred Rea

During a recent visit to Rosie O’Grady’s in Northbridge the street sign outside the pub caught my eye. What was formerly Milligan Street is now to be called Melbourne Street. I pointed this out to Rosie’s manager Scott and his reply was that one day it was Milligan Street and the next Melbourne Street and that was the first he knew anything about it. As my good friend Peter Murphy puts it “Down the rabbit hole again!” Who was Milligan and why the change?

My search took me to the City of Perth website. It was there I saw the full explanation in the form of a recommendation from Landgate: That Council advises Landgate that it agrees to the request to change the name of the portion of Milligan Street between Roe Street and James Street, Northbridge, to ‘Melbourne Street’ and accordingly seeks the Geographic Names Committee’s approval for the change of street name.

Purpose and Background: Perth City received a request from Landgate to rename the portion of Milligan Street between Roe and James Streets, Northbridge. This portion of the street is disconnected from the southern section of Milligan Street by the railway and sites within the Perth City Link project area.

Landgate explained that with the approval of new street and public space names within Perth City Link Milligan Street no longer has continuity and needs to work with the City to rename the subject portion of

Milligan Street between Roe and James Street to remove confusion. Currently this portion of Milligan Street has no addresses attached to it. With the increasing

25

development around the Perth City Link, and for any future development in the actual street it is considered essential to rectify the name duplication and remove the potential for future address confusion.

Landgate carried out a review of old Perth maps around 1897 and found that this portion of road was originally named Melbourne Street after Lord Melbourne who was a British Prime Minister in the 1830s.

Upon the death of his father in 1828 and his becoming the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, of Kilmore in the County of Cavan in Ireland, he moved to the House of Lords. Lord Melbourne, in full William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne of Kilmore, Lord Melbourne, Baron of Kilmore, Baron Melbourne of Melbourne.

Lord Melbourne entered parliament in 1806 as the Whig Member of Parliament for Leominster. Melbourne was made secretary for Ireland from 1827-1828 but was then home secretary from 1830-1834. In 1829, his father’s death meant he inherited his title and moved to the House of Lords. Melbourne became Prime Minister in 1834 and again in 1835-1839 and 1839-1841.

When Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837, she and Melbourne developed a close relationship, with the prime minister tutoring the new queen in government and politics.

Melbourne was involved in a sex scandal. He was the victim of attempted blackmail from the husband of a close friend, society beauty and author Caroline Norton. The husband demanded £1,400, and when he was turned down he accused Melbourne of having an affair with his wife. At this time such a scandal would be enough to derail a major politician, so it is a measure of the respect contemporaries had for his integrity that Melbourne’s government did not fall. The king and the Duke of Wellington urged him to stay on as prime minister. After Norton failed in court, Melbourne was vindicated, but he did stop seeing Norton.

Historian Boyd Hilton make certain interesting claims about Melbourne’s private life, not printed here, but for you the reader to research.

Lord Melbourne was also part of the government which introduced Poor Laws in Ireland. The Poor Relief Act of 1838 divided Cavan into districts or “unions”.

It was envisaged that the local taxable inhabitants were to be financially responsible for all paupers in the area. In 1898 the Poor Law Union was adopted as the basic administrative division in place of the civil parish and barony.

So, Landgate Western Australia recommended that the Perth City Council agrees to seek the Geographic Names Committee’s approval for Milligan Street between James and Roe Street Northbridge to be renamed ‘Melbourne Street’.

This was approved by council and the name was changed!

So, the question is, “Who was Milligan the street was called after?”

On hearing my interest in this subject, our correspondent and respected historian Peter Conole went digging and will be writing a two-part series on Cavan man, James Lane Milligan a trailblazer in the foundation of Western Australia. The first article follows.

A map of County Caven, with the parish of Kilmore visible in "UPPER LOUGHTEE."

William Lane Milligan and early Western Australia (Part One) by Peter Conole

One of the treasures of the West Australian Art Gallery is a work

by George Pitt Morrison (18611946), a painter and curator who, thankfully, seems to have been immune from assorted modernist trends of his era. Morrison’s most famous work, probably the only one that has stood the test of time, dates from 1929. It was painted as a celebratory piece for the centenary of the city of Perth, founded on August 12, 1829.

The axe wielding Mrs Helena Dance is about to strike the first blow in felling a tree. The onlookers, along with a small squad of soldiers and navy personnel, are the leading dignitaries of the colony.

They include: Governor James Stirling, Captain Charles Fremantle, Commander Mark Currie, Major Frederick Irwin, Captain William Dance, Colonial Secretary Peter Broun, Dr William Milligan and Surveyor General John Septimus Roe. There is one major problem with the painting: William Milligan was

not in the colony then and did not turn up until the following year. If any medical man had been present he would have been a fairly lowly hospital assistant, Horatio Holden, who was holding the fort in place of Dr Daly. The latter died in an accident at Cape Colony (South Africa) whilst en route to the new settlement.

Dr Milligan arrived several months later and is still well remembered here. Milligan Street in Perth was named after him, which places the man in the same league as the governor himself and other early officials (Stirling Street, Roe Street, Irwin Street and so on). Until close on thirty years ago Milligan was the most obscure figure among them and the press of the 26

19th century and a large chunk of the 20th century repeated the old error about the man’s presence on Foundation Day. The blunder in the Morrison painting was highlighted by members of the Milligan Society, formed in 1957 and consisting of members of the Royal Perth Hospital staff who decided to name their social association after him.

Tracking down the life story of William Lane Milligan was quite a journey for them and there are still some unsolved mysteries.

Dr Milligan was, of course, of Irish descent and birth. We know that because his military record (held at Kew, London) shows he was born on February 1, 1795 in county Cavan, Ireland. His exact family history and ancestry are obscure. The names of his father, mother and brother have not been identified. That being said, for a reason too speculative to mention, this writer suspects his father’s name was John Milligan.

Only one close relative is known for sure, his nephew Anthony (18131847), who eventually joined him in the Swan River colony and turned out to be something of a wastrel.

However, Anthony provided one useful clue about family status, for in the colonial census of 1837 he was described as “a gentleman farmer from Ireland”.

Pulling the threads together it is reasonable to surmise William’s family were landed gentry and that he simply chose medicine as a respectable profession. He was well educated, highly literate and a fine classical scholar who could write elegant Latin, attributes which also suggest upper class status. In addition, one must regretfully admit that, because this Milligan line became high church Protestants at some stage (obviously to keep their land holdings), their family records may have been lost in the Four Courts disaster of 1922.

Nothing more is known until William joined the 82nd Regiment of Foot of the British Army as a hospital orderly on July 19, 1813.

The regiment had need of medical

support because it was then involved in costly, bloody fighting against the French in the Peninsula War. Milligan’s army record shows he remained in Britain and did well at whatever hospital he worked. He was promoted to Assistant Surgeon on February 19, 1814, which meant that under regulations of the year 1800 he was now a commissioned officer in the army.

As historian Pamela StathamDrew indicated in 1991 it is likely he continued treating the many men incapacitated because of war service for several years. Then late in 1818 he applied for overseas duty and was sent to Mauritius, where a detachment of the 82nd Regiment was stationed, in January of 1819.

His record becomes a bit murky afterwards, although it is certain he observed and felt the full impact of a cholera epidemic that carried off about one tenth of the island’s population.

Milligan’s official as opposed to his likely actual departure date from Mauritius with the army’s blessing was given as November 1821.

That is odd because already, in 1820, he was listed as a general and medical student of the University of Edinburgh. How that was managed between the army and the university is a mystery, but it benefitted both parties. It is possible he had returned to Britain on leave during 1820 to recover his own health. Either that or he was enrolled in absentia and give a concession or two as his years of practical experience and training must have been of some account.

Milligan was certainly back in Britain and on half-pay in March 1822 at the latest. One aspect of the arrangement was that Milligan had to write, submit and publish (at his own expense) a thesis on some medical topic. He obviously finished the work well before August 1, 1822 when it appeared in print as De Cholera Epidemica. The text reveals that Milligan himself had suffered very badly from the disease - hence his possible departure from the island two years earlier. He traced 27

the history and symptoms of the illness and came to believe it was caused by heat, humidity and poor drainage. Of course we now know cholera is a bacterial infection caused by contaminated water and food, but we would be stupid to smirk at our ancestors for not being aware of future scientific discoveries.

Because Britain’s colossal war debts meant drastic cuts in military expenditure William remained on half pay for years. He settled in London and probably engaged in private practice, which he was entitled to do as a half pay officer.

He married 23-year old Elizabeth Sybil Lane at Marylebone Church on August 12, 1823. At some stage William decided to take his wife’s name and he later appears in various records as William Lane Milligan. It seems an odd thing to do, but it may well have been a recognition of Elizabeth’s own social status. She was probably connected to the family of Lady Jane Lane, a staunch royalist in the civil wars of Cromwell’s time who was later rewarded for her heroism by King Charles II. The couple became the parents of seven children, three of whom did not survive infancy. The male who reached adulthood, William John Lane Milligan, was quite a live wire, as will be revealed later. By the time their first child was born (October 1825) the couple were living in Portman Street, London. It seems certain the half-pay officer Milligan complemented his work as a doctor by further medical studies because by the year 1828 he had acquired a very impressive list of additional credentials. They are worth listing, with their initials first: MD - Doctor of Medicine MRCS - Member of the Royal College of Surgeons MRCP – Member of the Royal College of Physicians LM – Licentiate of Midwifery.

Regardless of how successful Milligan may have been in private practice, compilers of the 1828 British Army lists noted that he

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troubadour-music.com was “very desirous of further active service’. There is no point in guessing his motives, although it is quite possible (if odd to many folk in these times) he simply liked and appreciated army life. On July 9, 1829 William Lane Milligan was appointed assistant surgeon of the 63rd Regiment of Foot. Whether he knew it in advance or not a contingent of the regiment was about to be sent to the Swan River colony.

He and his wife Elizabeth, daughter Hannah Jane and nephew Anthony embarked on the ‘Wanstead’ at Portsmouth, England on August 14, 1829 and, after what seems to have been an uneventful voyage, disembarked in the colony on January 31 of the year 1830. William then found that, because of the unfortunate death of Dr Daly, he now had to take on the full duties of military surgeon. The colonial surgeon for non-military matters was Dr Charles Simmons and, in his absence from March onwards, surgeon Milligan was obliged to carry his work load as well. On the negative side, the Milligan family venture started sadly with the birth and death (after four days) of a son in February.

William had brought two servants with him and it is apparent he was preparing for a long stay. He received land grants amounting to 2560 acres on the coastal side of the river above Guildford and in the Avon district.

Over the next couple of years we can trace some aspects of the Milligan family’s social life, thanks in part to the

lengthy memoirs of fellow Irishman George Fletcher Moore. Relations with Moore were quite cordial, likewise with two other emerald islanders, Captain Frederick Irwin and magistrate William Mackie, who have featured in earlier Irish Scene articles.

Professional duties for William were rather testing because of the precarious situation in regard to the general health of colonists. Living conditions at first were reasonable but rough and housing was basic. The Milligans lived in the Perth military headquarters and barracks between Barrack and Hay Streets. William obtained permission to practise medicine in general and by mid-year his services were sorely needed when winter hit the colonists. One incident was a catalyst. He was very moved after seeing three labourers sleeping in an open street – damp, exhausted, hungry and sick.

Milligan worked through the military authorities to obtain supplies and the temporary use of the 63rd Regiment’s rather large standard issue hospital tent.

The army helped in every way and a suitable structure was put together in Cathedral Avenue. On June 15, 1830 the make-shift hospital took in its first patient. He was Robert Wilson of London, a 46-year old carpenter who was suffering from scurvy. It was a start and over the next year, with support from Governor Stirling and others, Dr Milligan was a very busy man indeed.

28

IRISH NIGHT WITH THE Broken Pokers

SH NIGHT WITH THE Broken Poke Saturday November 3rd

favourite Irish trio are back for dayOur November 3rd a fun filled night full of Irish tunes!

sure to be great craic! ouriteIts Irish trio are back for F r o m 7full p m -of Boo k i n g s tunes!

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Happy Frida

I happened to be at an Irish Airport recently and I witnessed many people returning home for the holiday season to spend some time with their families. The young people had an aura of confidence and prosperity about them and it is great to be able to make the journey home with greater frequency these days. The exodus from Ireland has slowed down dramatically over the past decade and we are now being visited by other races and cultures rather than having to leave ourselves. This was not always the case, though.

Many of our people left their familiar surroundings for a life of hardship with the spade and hod to help rebuild Britain after the ravages of the Second World War. A dire economic situation prevailed in Ireland during the 1950’s, and our greatest export during this decade was our people. Our policies and strategies were wrong, we thought that we could make Ireland self-sufficient internally, but the stark reality was much different. The Country was spinning out of economic control, and over sixty thousand people every year were leaving our shores.

The emigrants of the 1950’s arrived in England to a lifetime of back breaking labour, carrying with them proud Irish names, which 500 years earlier bore the names of kings and nobles. The sword and the pen were

now exchanged for the spade and the wheelbarrow and they made the best of their existence in these new, unfamiliar and sometimes hostile surroundings. Many parishes, and the country as a whole were very grateful for the money that they were able to send back home during this period. This helped, in no small way, to becoming another piece of the mosaic which would eventually help us on our way to a greater level of prosperity towards the end of the century.

It is heart breaking now to see many of them alone, without hope, their bodies bent and arthritic after many decades of wettings on the building sites. We owe them one, and we need a greater level of initiative from our Government, by way of a sponsored fund, to bring them back to Ireland to live in comfortable accommodation for the remainder of their days. It was a social tragedy that people were forced by economic circumstances to leave family and friends and move to another country in order to make a living. In the days before we became part of the EU these displaced people supported their families at home with regular amounts of money, which made a great difference in those hard pressed days of another era.

This article is dedicated to all the people who left these shores 30

over 60 years ago and managed to find their way back, but more especially to those who made the journey from the land of their birth and would never return home again.

They were indeed reluctant heroes in an age that is now dimming into distant memory.

The phrase ‘the men who built Britain’ was more than an idle boast. It was a statement of pride in the reputation for industry and capacity for hard work earned by our people President Michael D. Higgins

Bill Daly: Originally from Tallow in West Waterford, Bill spent 30 years in Cork as a Senior Manager in the Electronics Manufacturing industry with such companies as Apple, EMC and Logitech.

He has been working on his own as a Consultant/Contractor in Manufacturing Operations and Materials for the past 18 years. He also attended UCC and has a BA Degree in Archaeology and Geography. Bill is now resident in Connemara, Co. Galway since 2009.

AIHA elects new Honorary Life Member

Denis Bratton who served 11 continuous years as President of AIHA was unanimously approved as an Honorary Life Member at a special General meeting on Sunday 12 August. A lengthy citation read by President Heather Deighan recognised Denis’ 20 years on the Board and the enduring events he has been responsible for. With his wife Patricia who is treasurer and membership secretary they have been key drivers of the Association. Denis continues to serve on the Board as Immediate Past President and has taken over editorship of the quarterly flagship publication The Journal.

His first issue (Vol 26, no 2) was released in July and received widespread congratulations for its style and content.

Fourth Tuesday Book Club Book for September 25 is ‘A Man called Ove’, by Frederik Backman. This book is set in Scandinavia and has been made into a successful film.

Book for October 23 is ‘The Ruin’ by Dervla McTeirnan. A first book by Irish born, but local Writer. She is currently enjoying a whirl of book festivals and TV appearances and is unable to accept our invitation to attend.

Book for November 27 is an Irish Classic ‘How Many Miles to Babylon’ By Jennifer Johnston.

Meets - Irish Club Committee Room at 8pm. All Welcome. Includes homemade cakes tea/coffee. Donation.

Enquiries Maureen 9279 5959 Day Dawn Boat Cruise Join us for a three-hour inaugural river cruise departing and returning Point Walter where there is free parking.

Themed on the beautiful new CD by master fiddler Rob Zielinski who will perform live accompanied by John Reed on bouzouki and double bass. Enjoy Irish morning tea and the joys of a Perth spring

Australian-Irish Heritage Association

WA. She is the patron of the prize, which morning. Boarding 8.45am, returning 12 aims at promoting and encouraging noon. women writers in Australia. Limit of 1,000 Cost: $50, limit of 40 people to 2,000 words – Prose, fact or fiction.

Bookings Patricia Bratton 0417 099 801 Prize Money: $500 or 9345 3530, ardmacha@bigpond.com Topic: “A Pleasant Memory” Dress: Smart casual Entrance Fee $10 for all competitions.

Brendan Award – deadline Deadline 31 October 2018.

31 December 2018 Enquiries to Denis Bratton 9345 3530 Nominate someone who has made an Winner of Joyce Parkes Writers Prize outstanding contribution to Australia’s for 2017 was Gina Dawson with Irish Heritage.

‘Leaving Home’. Winner of the Joe It may be someone in your community O’Sullivan Writers’ prize was Guy whose service reflects favourably on Salvidge with ‘The Centre Cannot Ireland and the Irish.

Nomination forms are available from AIHA Hold’ website or by contact details at foot of this New Website to provide page. interactive services See Honour Board in the Irish Club of AIHA acknowledge support of Lotterywest WA for previous recipients.

Recipient for 2018 was Peter McKenna of for development of our new modern interactive website which is expected to the Claddagh Association who has also be available in September by BM been central in local sporting Marketing organisations and recently project manager of the Famine memorial in Subiaco which was unveiled by the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins in 2017. Peter was presented at an Irish Golf Club Charity fundraiser at Maylands Golf Club on 16 March Writing Competitions The Joe O’Sullivan Writers’ Prize honouring the memory of the Organisation’s late founder, worth $1,000, limit of 2,000 to 4,000 words - prose, fact or fiction. Open to residents of WA only Topic: “A Knock on the Door”.

Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize honours Be proud of your Joyce Parkes who is a Irish Heritage well-known poet living in Australian-Irish Heritage Association - Non Political Non Sectarian Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583, Subiaco 6904 Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Treasurer: 08 9345 3530 Email: aiha@irishheritage.net Web Page: www.irishheritage.net Look us up on Facebook Membership Due 1st January – Family $65, Concession $55, Distant (200kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Check out events on http://www.irishscene.com.au/calendar-of-events.html 31

GALLAGHERS TRAVELS The chapter and verse adventures of a muso called Gallie

By Lloyd Gorman/Fred Rea As some WA music fans are about to discover Dublin born singer songwriter Darren Gallagher is something of a master story teller in his own right but his life reads a bit like something straight out of the pages of a Roddy Doyle novel.

Indeed, “Gallie” as he - and his father and grandfather before him - is known hails from the same part of Dublin where Doyle was working as a teacher when he wrote the Barrytown trilogy (The Commitments/The Snapper/The Van) which used the local setting as the background and inspiration for the books, and launched him as a celebrated Irish writer internationally.

“I grew up in a place called Kilbarrack,” Gallie told Fred Rea. “When I left school in 1987 the only bloody option was to sign on the dole or the career officer gave you the number of a building site in London where you could get a labouring job. So I left school in June and I turned 18 in October and the next year I went to London, hod carrying and labouring for a plasterer.

That lasted for about ten months and then I went running home to me mother, as you do. London is a pretty cold, dark and horrible place when you are that young and don’t know your arse from your elbow.”

Gallie had another good reason to come back home. A good friend of his who had gone to London with him returned to Dublin to celebrate his 21st birthday, only to be killed in a car crash before the big occasion.

While he was hanging out in Dublin Gallie joined a band picking up the odd gig and bit of pocket money along the way. But the band would become the thing that changed his life and show him a different and better life was possible.

“Someone rang up and offered us a gig in the Canary Islands,” he added. “We were still on the dole, playing the odd gig getting twenty pounds here or there, so we jumped at that offer. They gave us 250 punts (as it was then) a week, accommodation and all the drink we could drink. We were all in our twenties, it was like we made it, so we played there six nights a week, four hours a night. We played whatever the crowds wanted and it was brilliant. The Craic was unbelievable. We did that for three months and came home for the winter.”

The bleak conditions Gallie had left behind were still waiting for him when he returned. “The band split up and I said to myself sitting in the cold and rain in Dublin, “to hell with it”. I could see myself sitting in a bed sit at forty and not having done anything. It was 1988/89, the Celtic Tiger was very far away on the horizon and everyone was on the dole. It was horrible, it 32

would take you an hour just to queue up to get the dole.

You left school and that was your option. It doesn’t give you much optimism.”

But then suddenly everything changed for him. “Thank God for that, I traveled all over the world. A year after the Canary Islands we got offered a gig in Austria, in the mountains. The band had split up but I said to hell with it and went.”

He played music by night and indulged a newly discovered passion for adventure and extreme sports by day. “I was chasing waves all over the place, Indonesia, Mexico and then I was into skiing and snowboarding and did a few months in Canada and Northern France.

views in a week, so an agent got in touch and offered me a festival and eight shows.”

“It was a far cry from the streets of Kilbarrack,” he added.

“It was like being on television, the blue sky, golden sands, the slopes. It just wasn’t reality, really. That was living the dream, having grown up on the cold east coast of Ireland.”

But before that Gallie - who most recently played the Fairbridge Festival in WA, this time aided by Paddy Montgomery, concerts in the Fremantle Workers Club (September 14), as well as Bridgetown and Donnybrook.

During this time he met an Australian girl (Kelly) in Austria and the pair travelled around together for the next ten years. “Then she got pregnant and she wanted to come home and I went, “yeah”. I’d visited Australia a couple of times. That was eight years ago and we’ve got two kids now, Ziggy and Levon.”

“Every song has a story, every song has a meaning, its all about the lyrics and story,” Gallie said about his own music.

Many Irish and International music critics agree. Roddie Cleere from KCLR 96Fm (Kilkenny Carlow) said: “Hard to best a storytelling songwriter - an artist worth the trouble of seeking out.”

They settled in Melbourne.

Gallie is a muso at heart but did not write new songs during his globetrotting days but the decision to put down roots helped him rediscover his passion for music.

“I got back into it a few years ago,” he said. “I went into an open mic night in a pub and sang one of my songs and it went down really well and I got the bug back again and now I’m obsessed with it. I released an album a couple of years ago and this has gone down really well and I’m getting letters from all over the world. I’m doing a tour of Brazil for November. One of the videos for my songs went viral down in Brazil and got something like 30,000

Gavin Glass from Ireland’s Radio Nova said every song is a road trip. “Gallie is a classic songwriter in an age when they are needed most.”

Fiachna O’Braonain, from the Hothouse Flowers and RTE Radio 1’s Late Date show said; “You can hear every mile traveled by Gallie on his adventurous journey to making The Occoquan River… it is a beautiful piece of work, that takes you on Gallie’s literary journey and wraps you in the emotional truth of his music.”

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107.9fm Fremantle Radio

Saturday 8am to 10am IRISH MUSIC • INTERVIEWS • LOCAL & IRISH NEWS

Tyrone Developments...

Pride, Passion and Belief The Irish Scene would like to welcome back past supporters, Shane and Michelle O’Neill. Many of our readers would remember them from the very popular O’Neill’s Café in Rockingham some years ago, when they ran the very successful small business on the foreshore. They were always great supporting the Irish community in Western Australia. “I am very proud of my Irish ancestry which dates back to the 1800’s, the O’Neill’s from the village of Cappagh, Dungannon, County Tyrone”.

On my many visits to the Catalpa memorial, I had a coffee at O’Neill’s Café and was always made very welcome. It was also a great place to have our mags, as the locals like to pick it up from the café.

Sadly, though hugely popular, Shane and Michelle reluctantly sold up. Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer and they were both faced with a difficult decision. “We decided to sell the business but not the name. We are very proud of our O’Neill ancestral name and being true to our heritage never showed

the white feather.” Michelle beat the odds and thanks to the good Lord is in good health now.

Shane called me a few weeks ago and told me of his new venture, Tyrone Developments. “I returned to my grassroots background, construction”. Some years ago, Shane formed Tyrone Developments building company. “We are very happy with our progress today and are continuing to grow”. He told us he has dedicated Tyrone Developments to his grandmother, Bridget Ann O’Neill. “It was Bridget who instilled in me true Irish beliefs in honesty and integrity and is evident in the success Tyrone Developments has achieved thus far in the Industry.

Tyrone Developments motto is Pride, Passion and Belief and offer the complete Building Service, Design Construct, Residential, Commercial, Civil, Asbestos Removal, Project Management, Multi-Units, Renovations, Demolition and more.

Welcome back Shane and Michelle!

You can contact Shane or Michelle on (08) 9582 2186 or Mobile 0408006023 Fred Rea

34

Brainteasers to test your mental sharpness

H IR O A I W S Y R H OE U

1. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?

?

2. A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

4. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet?

5. What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly?

6. Billie was born on December 28th, yet her birthday always falls in the summer. How is this possible?

7. In British Columbia you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

8. If you were running a race and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now?

9. Which is correct to say, “The yolk of the egg is white” or “The yolk of the egg are white?”

10. A farmer has five haystacks in one field and four haystacks in another. How many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in one field?

Answers 1. Johnny.

2. Meat.

3. Mt. Everest. It just wasn’t discovered yet.

4. There is no dirt in a hole.

5. Incorrectly (except when it is spelled incorrecktly).

6. Billie lives in the southern hemisphere.

7. You can’t take a picture with a wooden leg. You need a camera (or iPad or cell phone) to take a picture.

8. You would be in 2nd place. You passed the person in second place, not first.

9. Neither. Egg yolks are yellow.

10. One. If he combines all his haystacks, they all become one big stack.

1. How old was John Boyle O’Reilly when he escaped from Western

Australia?

2. How old was Ned Kelly when he was hanged?

3. What was the name of the scheme that brought Irish famine

orphans to Australia?

4. When was Ireland declared a republic?

5. Who led they Eureka rebellion of 1854?

6. 100 years ago. Who won the hurling All Ireland of 1918?

7. Who was the first woman Elected to the House of Commons in 1918?

8. Name the last convict ship that arrived in Australia?

9. Which actress played the part of Mary Kate Danaher in

"The Quiet Man"?

10. Between 1849 and 1920, which port in County Cork was known

as Queenstown?

11. Which Irish city is also known as "the city of the tribes"?

12. What is the name of the fictional town in Donegal where most of

Brian Friel's plays are set?

13. Which Brenda won an oscar for My Left Foot?

14. What is a small island north of Howth in County Dublin known as?

15. What was Michael Collins' fiancee called?

16. What is the name given to the 'stick' used to beat an Irish bodhran drum?

17. An Gorta Mor, which started in 1845, is known in English as?

18. What was Joseph Plunkett's slightly unusual middle name, a

name more usually used for a woman?

19. On whose tombstone are the words "He is now where fierce

indignation can no longer tear his heart"?

20. Which Society, also called the Quakers, was at the forefront of

famine relief?

Answers: 1.25, 2. 25, 3.Earl Grey Scheme, 4.1949, 5. Peter Lalor, 6.Limerick, 7.Countess Markievicz, 8.

Hougoumont, 9. Maureen O'Hara, 10.Cobh, 11. Galway, 12. Ballybeg, 13.Fricker, 14.Ireland's Eye, 15.Kitty Kiernan, 16.A tipper, 17.The Great Famine, 18.Mary, 19.Jonathan Swift, 20.The Society of Friends

Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 2nd Tuesday of the Month For more details call David MacConnell 0413 259 547 35

By Lloyd Gorman

ISTEACH SA TEACH

Senator was a noble soul

Labor members of the Western Australia’s Parliament and state government paid their respects to one of their own recently. The main tribute was given by Irish born Stephen Dawson, member for the Mining and Pastoral region, and minister for environment.

“It is with great sadness that I rise this evening to say goodbye to a friend, a comrade and a mentor, James Philip McKiernan. Jim was born in Cavan on 11 October 1944,” Mr Dawson told the Legislative Council on August 21 . “He was the third of eight children and had a difficult time growing up because his dad sustained an injury and for a time the family was destitute. At 16, he moved to England to follow his brother and sister and while he was there, he did an apprenticeship and qualified as a first-class machinist. He married his first wife, Jean, in 1966 and moved to Perth, Australia, in 1969. In Australia he worked as a machinist/fitter and turner and he began working with the Amalgamated Metal Workers’ Union in 1976, which would later become the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, where he would work until his election to the Senate in 1984.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Jim held a number of senior positions in the Labor Party. He was elected to the Senate in 1984, taking his position in 1985, and was re-elected in 1987, 1990

and 1996. Just before he entered the Senate, he married Jackie Watkins, who was the member for Wanneroo from 1983 to 1989 and the member for Joondalup from 1989 to 1993 in state Parliament.

Being a migrant, Jim advocated for expanding Australia’s migrant policy and played a key role as the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration and the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committees of the Senate over a period.

Jim played a key role in Perth’s Irish community over the years. He was a long-time 30-year member of the Irish Club. He also joined the Australian Irish Heritage Association of WA shortly after it was established and was an active member for many years, especially as a member of its fundraising arm.

36

He was also a proud member of the Canberra Irish Club, was involved in the Irish–Australian business association in Melbourne and was a regular guest at Australia’s biggest St Patrick event at the Landsdowne Club St Patrick Day’s lunch in Sydney. In 1991, it was Jim’s work with the Australian–Irish community that got him recognised in a very public way when the Irish National Association of New South Wales nominated him as their Irish Australian of the Year. He was deeply humbled and honoured to receive the award, which was presented to him at a gala dinner hosted by the Premier of New South Wales at Parliament House in Sydney.

The award took him by complete surprise, and he was lost for words when asked to respond to the kind words that were said about him. Paul Keating had been a previous holder of the award and the late, great Dublin and Melbourne footballer Jim Stynes followed Jim as Irish Australian of the Year in 1992.

Over the years, he played a strong role in the Australian and the Western Australian Irish community. An avowed republican, Jim campaigned for the removal of references to the Queen in the oath or affirmation made by new

Australian citizens. He tabled 28 petitions to the Senate between 1992 and 1993, and the passage of the Australian Citizenship Amendment Bill 1993 brought the campaign to a successful conclusion. Jim was also a very strong Bob Hawke supporter and critic of Paul Keating in federal Labor’s leadership ballots in 1991. This support and disloyalty probably ended up hampering his future career in the Parliament.

Jim was very passionate about the peace process in Ireland. Following the referenda in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland in May 1998, Jim proposed a motion in the Senate noting and welcoming the people’s endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement and he paid tribute to the negotiators and the parties who signed the agreement.

The motion, which was agreed to without dissent, is a tribute to Jim’s negotiating skills. A backbench member of the then opposition, he was able to convince the government, his own Labor Party colleagues, as well as the third parties and Independents, of the merit of the resolution. Given some of us have to deal with those circumstances every day, it is no mean feat. This was an unusual event in a highly combative and divided chamber. Jim also helped to found the Australia/Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group during his first year in the Senate and remained a member until his retirement.

It was my pleasure to work for Jim in his last four years in the Senate.

I was just starting off my political journey and Jim was heading towards the end of his time. I was a fairly fiery red-haired student straight out of student politics, and I now know that I had probably far too much passion and plenty to learn. Certainly, from the outset Jim was very generous with his

time. He took me under his wing, as he did with many others during his time in the Senate. Over the years, Jim employed a number of people who went on to serve as members of Parliament and also as cabinet ministers. For me, my time in Jim’s office was when I grew up politically. I learnt from his passion and dedication to political causes. I have to say that over time our causes became his causes. He was a quintessential Irish person, and like many others who had to leave the country to find a better life, he was very proud of Ireland, very proud of her people and very proud of her causes.

Jim was respected the world over and just prior to his retirement from Parliament he and Jackie made a farewell visit to Ireland. During this visit, they were invited to Áras an Uachtaráin—the President’s house—to be personally thanked by President Mary McAleese for the work he had done for Ireland–Australia relations and the Irish community in Australia. The then Taoiseach, BertieAhern, invited Jim to his office to express his appreciation and the Ceann Comhairle of the Dail— the Speaker—Séamus Pattison

and government ministers paid tribute to Jim’s work. Since Jim’s passing, a number of Irish leaders have sent messages of support to the family. Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, TD, has 37

expressed his sincere condolences to the family. According to my notes, he said — “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of long-time friend of Ireland, trade union activist and leader, and former Labor Senator Jim McKiernan.

“The links between Ireland and Australia are old and enduring.

During my visits to Australia, I had the privilege of meeting many Irish–Australians. Some were newly arrived. Others were among the one in three Australian citizens who can trace their ancestry back to Ireland.

“Jim McKiernan was one of the many Irish who emigrated to Australia in search of a new life.

He moved to Perth in Western Australia ... where he found work in the shipyards in Fremantle.

Like many Irish workers, he was a staunch trade unionist and later joined the Australian Labor Party. In 1984, he was elected to the Australia Senate where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Jim and his wife Jackie on my two visits to Australia ... Jim also hosted Martin McGuinness during one of his visits to Australia, as well as working with other Sinn Féin representatives during their time in Australia. He was proud of his roots and very supportive of Sinn Féin’s efforts to advance the peace process and Irish unity.

The President of Ireland, Mr Michael D. Higgins, whom many of us met late last year, also corresponded with the family following Jim’s passing In a letter to Jim’s son Steven, President Higgins said that he heard the news with

great sadness. According to my notes, he said —

I had the pleasure of meeting your late father in Perth during my visit there last year. His life, his commitment to justice, his courage and his internationalism represented something that can only be described as Ireland and Australia at their best.

To overcome the obstacles he overcame would be a wonderful achievement in itself but even far greater was his lifetime commitment to removing all those obstacles for the benefit of humanity.

On behalf of the people of Ireland, the President offered his sincere sympathies on the great loss. He finished with “Siochan siorral d’ a anam uasal.” Everlasting peace to his noble soul.

Jim left a lasting mark on the trade union movement, the Australian Labor Party and also the Irish community. I want to extend my condolences to his wife, Jackie; his children, Steven, Jimmy, Donna, Lisa, Kim, Kate and Ben; their partners; as well as Jim’s 14 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. He was certainly much loved by his family. It was great to be a part of his funeral service yesterday. May he rest in peace.”

Sue Ellery, Leader of the House, member for South Metropolitan and minister for education, said she was not able to attend his funeral in Pinaroo cemetery and wanted to place her appreciation of him on the record. “I was the first redhead he employed when he was first elected to the Senate in 1984,” she said. “He employed two redheads, Stella Files and myself, and I think he probably regretted it for the rest of the time that we were with him, because between us we kept

him pretty well organised. He had Jackie at home and Stella and I in the office, and I think he felt slightly overwhelmed. This was so long ago that we were in Old Parliament House. I can remember typing his first speech in Old Parliament House. I would have to type out a whole copy of the speech, he would make the changes he wanted to make and we would have to type it again with the changes. I appreciate the opportunity that he gave me to start my political career in Western Australia when I had returned after some time in Melbourne. He was a fantastic employer, a very generous man and I am forever grateful for the opportunities that he gave me.

I send my best wishes to Jackie, all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I know that they will read Hansard tonight.

They have a lot to be proud of.”

Alannah MacTiernan, the member for North Metropolitan and minister for regional development said she couldn’t attend the funeral either.”I knew Jim throughout the 1980s; we were on the Perth council together,” said Ms MacTieran. “We often had some very robust debates, but certainly Jim is a great person and a really passionate Labor advocate. Hon Stephen Dawson set out extremely well Jim’s contribution, but I want to make a reflection on the work that he did post-retirement. The work that he did for the Irish– Australian community was really extraordinary. He would give assistance particularly to young Irish people who had come here in very great numbers over the last 15 years. Often they would find themselves in difficulty and occasionally there would be fatalities, and Jim and Jackie were there providing the most extraordinary level of assistance to the more recent diaspora. I did not know Jim’s broader family, 38

but I want to comment on the nature of the relationship between Jim and Jackie. It really was an extraordinary partnership. They shared a political commitment, a passion for working with the Irish community and basically being good and active citizens. At the same time, they ensured that they enjoyed life and made it something that is joyous and to be celebrated. Vale Jim.

Alanna Clohesy, the member for East Metropolitan, also offered her condolences to Jackie and the McKiernan clan. “I also had the honour and privilege of knowing Jim on a short- term basis, working for him, with the support of Hon Stephen Dawson, I might say,” she said. “I certainly learnt significant items from Jim and from Jackie over the years. I have valued both their counsel and their support. I know that Jim will be missed greatly by his extended family and also by his family in the Labor Party. May he rest in peace.”

Legislative Council president Kate Doust also offered her condolences. _________________________________________

800 years to become a Republic?

As it happens, the next day in Canberra a political message was delivered in the Senate – where he once served – that could have come out of his mouth.

New South Wales Senator Deborah O’Neill used the occasion of Wattle Day (September 1) and the national floral emblem to make a point about Australia’s sovereignty as a nation and drew links to Ireland.

She felt strongly about the importance of this flower to the national identity, saying the wattles in bloom along the highways into Canberra added to “our Australianness in this parliament”.

O’Neill said she and other senators – including former Senator Ursula Stephens – have a passion for the establishment of a republic in Australia.

“Perhaps it’s the Irish heritage that we share,” said O’Neill. “It was an 800-year-long struggle for Ireland to declare itself a republic.

In my remarks on Saturday night (at an event for Ursula Stephens) in response to a wonderful oration by the former Premier of Western Australia, Geoff Gallop, I indicated that I hoped it might not take us 800 years to get to the point where we, too, become a republic.”

Irish trip was ‘taxing’ for One Nation leader Meanwhile, on Monday 20 August Pauline Hanson mentioned briefly her trip to Ireland (Irish Scene July/ August 2018, Mysterious vanishing actfor photos of Pauline Hanson's visit to Dáil Éireann!) in June during a debate on enterprise tax and the competing and varying rates in America, Europe and other parts of the world.

“The USA has reduced its company tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent, not taking into account the added individual state company taxes that equate to a further two to 12 per cent, depending on which state you are in, giving an average of 26 per cent overall,” the red headed Queensland senator and leader of the One Nation party said.

“A couple of months ago I went to

NED the Kerry Blue FOUND!

By Fred Rea

Some weeks ago, I called Frank Smyth and as usual it went to his answering machine! “Leave a message”. I did. When he called back Frank seemed a wee bit stressed and I asked where he was? “Mount Magnet” was his reply. For those who don’t know Mount Magnet is 600 kilometres from Perth and a 6 hour drive. (Ireland top to bottom is 486 kms) “Glad you called me Fred I need someone to talk too”. I knew Frank was working in the Fremantle area and was curious why he was so far away. “My mate Liam Spence called and said he had lost his Kerry Blue Terrier ‘Ned’ and needed help finding him”. Frank also has a Kerry Blue Terrier, ‘Barney’ and we are well aware of the love he has for his dog and Frank would appreciate

what ‘Ned’ meant to his mate. Frank told me Liam is from Northern Ireland and is married to Collette who is from Co. Kerry. The Spence’s have a second Kerry Blue, ‘Mol’ who is a sister to Frank’s previous dog ‘Darcy’. Darcy was bitten by a snake seven years ago on one of Frank’s bush trips and passed away. So, you can understand, this was a family matter!

Frank downed tools and headed to Mt Magnet, with ‘Barney’ of course!

Frank and his mate searched for Ned and it was the wet season, so he told me it was tough work. They called into a local garage and Frank was encouraged when he noticed his mate’s other dog was excited about something. “Ned has been in this garage” Frank said. They 39

Ireland as part of a delegation and I asked the member for parliament there, ‘You actually have a 12½ per cent tax rate?’ They said yes, and they said, ‘For the multinationals— if you can get them to pay.’ If you put out there that you’re actually wanting to reduce it because the rest of the world is reducing their corporate tax rates, then, to me, that is a race to the bottom, because if you drop your corporate tax rates here, when we can clearly not afford it, then another country in the group will reduce their rates to beat you.”

continued searching for the best part of a week, eventually Frank had no choice but to head back to Perth.

Good news!

It was reported by the local ABC radio that ‘Ned’, the Kerry Blue Terrier, has been found after almost three weeks lost in the bush near Mt Magnet. Ned, who’s 12, took himself off on a solo adventure about 10km north of the Murchison mining town in late July. He endured some chilly nights and was getting pretty skinny when he was spotted by a geologist.

Frank’s mate and Frank are over the moon. So are we!

Ned’s owners want to thank all those good folk who spread the word that ‘Ned’ was missing.

This box holds many meanings!

By Lloyd Gorman

whole community has come together, people become extremely emotional at services and ceremonies.”

Most recently Liam took part in a Travel Box presentation at Mountbellew at which the Australian Ambassador was also involved.

“They are now a symbol of joy, long may that continue”.

The Travel Boxes were given to the women to carry their meager worldly possessions with them on their journey to a new but unknown new life in places like Australia. “The Earl Grey Scheme was brought in at the height of the Famine, there was a shortage of females in Australia, the idea was to take girls from the workhouses of Ireland and put them in ships like the Travancore and the Palestine and give them assisted passage and pay for a Travel Box.” Liam outlined the background behind Ireland’s 130 workhouses. They were hated places where nobody wanted to go. Families were separated in them and the walls and windows were deliberately high so that people could not see each other. Conditions inside the workhouses were appalling, they were badly overcrowded, and people died in them every day. Workhouses were paid for by local landlords who were more concerned about the cost to their pocket than they were for the welfare of the people forced into them by hunger and destitution.

“They were so bad that people never wanted to go into them, they’d prefer to go to prisons.”

Liam has a unique perspective on these institutions. He is the Governor of Arbour Hill Prison in the historic quarter of Dublin - close to Collins Barracks, which opened in 1845. “As people will know 1845 was literally the start of the Irish Famine, so if the stones of Arbour Hill

A new link was added to the long chain of cultural connections between Ireland and Western Australia recently. A replica Travel Box from Irish Famine times was gifted to the WA community in August in appreciation for the special relationship which continues to thrive. In particular, the Travel Box was presented to the City of Subiaco for its unflinching support and help to make the Irish Famine memorial - An Gorta Mór a reality. It was also an opportunity for the local Irish community to come together and celebrate the monumental achievement and the rich legacy it represents.

Special guests Liam Dolan, accompanied by his wife Ann, came to Perth with a special purpose in mind. The Travel Box was introduced to the Irish community at a gathering in the Irish Club on August9th and then officially presented to Subiaco council the next morning.

“When you think about the boxes, when they were made for the people, for the girls who left the workhouses of Ireland (on assisted passage schemes like the Earl Grey scheme) they were symbols of hopelessness, symbols of despair, the box represented feelings they never wanted to have,” said Liam, who is a native of Mountmellick, Co. Laois. “They were girls, between 14 and 18, can you imagine your daughter doing this, who were sent on a ship’s journey for three to six months in horrible conditions to a country they didn’t know, they mightn’t have had the language or been able to read or write and despite these challenges most of the girls succeeded. If the boxes were symbols of despair that has changed, they are now symbols of hope, symbols of reconciliation. I have attended numerous presentation events where the 40

could talk, what stories they would tell.”

Liam joined the Irish prison service in 1980 and has served at 14 of the state’s 16 prison but several aspects make Arbour Hill unique. It has been used to imprison many historical figures including Padraig Pearse (who spent his last days alive there), Eamon de Valera (who was released because of his American citizenship) and several other 1916 Easter Rising leaders.

There is even a strong connection to the place with American president John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

The prison has its own military cemetery which is the final resting place of 14 of the leaders of 1916 who were executed in Kilmainham Prison and their bodies brought to Arbour Hill to be buried (right).

JFK visited the site during his official visit to Ireland and was so impressed with the quality of the Irish cadets who formed the guard of honour for the occasion that he told Jackie Kennedy that when he died he wanted them to be the military detail at his funeral. Five months later the charismatic leader was dead and the officers of the Irish cadets were flown to America to fulfill his wish.

There is also a WA connection. “John Boyle O’Reilly (left) was held at Arbour Hill directly before he was transported to Fremantle,” said Liam.

“I’ve often stood in the Southern Entrance of the prison (which was the only way in or out of Arbour Hill for most of its life as a prison) and thought of all the very important people in Irish history who passed through that door.”

Arbour Hill - which remains remarkably well preserved even today - became a civilian prison in 1975 and can hold 150 inmates. “Its a fully functional operational prison and offers full employment for prisoners on a daily basis,” Liam added. It has a recycling centre for e-waste (old computers/mobiles etc) and a catering section where prisoners are trained to a very high standard in all aspects of this industry. It also houses the systems only Braille unit, a factory that produces all the clothing needed for the prison service and an education unit which can help prisoners get a university degree. On top of this it also boasts a carpentry unit which also produces furniture for the other prisons. As well as its main function prisoners in this section are central to the Travel Box project.

“Each box takes about 14 weeks to make and each one involves between six to eight prisoners,” added Liam. “It takes a while for them to build up the actual skills level to do it. In particular the aging of the box and getting the information on the outside of the box by etching is a process that has to be learned through trial and error. It could take one man a week to do two lines on the box, its slow painstaking work done by guys who get no reward. They often work late in their own time, especially close to a deadline to finish a box. This is actually a small project in terms of the overall activities of the prison, but it is hugely important and the value and meaning of these boxes has been incalculable. The prisoners have put as much into them as anyone and I’d like to pay a special tribute to those guys who produce them. When we have tours that come to Arbour Hill the prisoners explain what the process is and they take such pride in it.”

The Travel Box given to Subiaco council is the twenty second one out of Arbour Hill and Liam said they will continue to make them as long as there was a demand. It is the fourth to come to Australia, but others can be found in the United Nations building in New York and also in Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland.

The Ireland Western Australia Forum hosted an event in the Irish Club for Liam to meet members of the Irish community and for people to have a closer look at the box. IWAF chairman Mark Black said Liam’s presentation was inspiring and paid tribute to members of the community like Fred Rea for their efforts. “You can’t overestimate the importance of individuals like Fred,” said Mark. “We shouldn’t overlook the important of the Famine Memorial which is significant and the significance of getting Michael D Higgins to open it, the importance of that should not be overlooked. Fred has been a constant supporter of IWAF over the years and when we heard about the Travel Box project we were enthused to help him out.

There is more to the Irish community here than the Irish business community and it takes projects like the Famine Travel Box and the Famine memorial, individual like Fred and the Irish Scene magazine to remind us we have a lot more in common (as different Irish groups and individuals) than we have that divides us.”

Fred said the Famine projects could be traced 41

(l-r) Liam Dowling, Mayor Penny Taylor, Jessica Stojkovski, MLA and Hon Irish Consul in WA, Mr Marty Kavanagh

back to Arbour Hill. “Some years ago Mark O’Brien was visiting his sister Paula here in Perth and got involved in another project about bonnets and the women transported to Australia. There was 25,466 women transported to Australia from Ireland and the the British Isles. That progressed into a famine commemoration and we moved on to the idea of commemorating the women who came to Australia from the workhouses, especially around Galway and we picked two ships in particular - The Palestine and Travancore, which each brought about sixty to seventy girls. Before the Famine Memorial came about we had met people in Ireland under Michael Blanch, Mark O’Brien and then about the prison being involved making Travel Boxes for as a symbol for the girls who were transported. These boxes held all the worldly possessions of the girls who came here and when they arrived they had to walk to Newcastle, which is now Toodjay, which is sixty miles, while their box was taken by a horse and dry. This is a choice they were given, they weren’t forced to come to Australia. The Famine Memorial is dedicated to the lost children of Ireland and all famines.”

Fred said the support for the

memorial had been overwhelming. “The memorial was valued a couple of weeks ago at $280,000.

Most of that was donated by different Irish people and businesses around Perth. One person gave a donation of $10,000.” Vincent Gallagher had arranged for this and other boxes to be shipped across the world.

The memorial’s creators Charlie Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith volunteered their contribution and Subiaco council made a cash donation and logistical and administrative support, including the site for the memorial. “Subiaco council has been a wonderful support from the very first day,” added Fred.

“Mrs Heather Henderson who was mayor at the time was wonderful in helping us with this project.”

A ceremony for the Travel Box was held in the council chambers of Subiaco on Friday, August 10th.

Some of the VIPs in attendance included former Subiaco mayors Heather Henderson and Tony Costa, Jessica Stojkovski, MLA and Hon Irish Consul in WA, Mr Marty Kavanagh, amongst others.

Mayor Penny Taylor said the city had a long tradition of welcoming people from all parts of the world and a proud multicultural history. “In October 2017, the City 42

of Subiaco in collaboration with the WA Famine Committee and Irish community, celebrated the commemoration of the Irish Famine Memorial over at Market Square.

We were privileged to have his excellency President Michael D Higgins to unveil the memorial sculpture.”

Irish Consulate Marty Kavanagh gave an impassioned speech.

“Ireland failed these women, fortunately Western Australia did not.

Sadly, this is not the only time in Irish history that we have failed Irish women. My office was asked to publish the details of the Magdalene Historical Justice System, a justice system to provide some form of financial support to the many thousands of women who had been failed by the state, by the religious orders. President Higgins recently (June 2018) apologized to the Magdalene women and said they had been failed by the state and religious orders in a very dark chapter. As with the victims of An Gorta Mór - its by remembering we do our best to right a historical wrong. However, for me this raises a very difficult question. It is only in hindsight that we can end up righting the suffering of minorities.”

He said society blindly accepted the Magdalene girls to be “fallen women”. “I knew about them, I passed the Magdalene Laundry every day when I went to school.

Why did we all accept they were fallen women who deserved to be punished, because by our inaction that is what we said. I think it is too easy to make a mistake and blame religious institutions, even though they have a fair share of blame to take. I think the real problem is that we lacked empathy.

We as individuals, failed to have some insight into their suffering and pain. Our collective sin is a sin of omission, we failed to speak up. If my remarks are too severe, too serious, I have to say it's a very serious subject and despite our zest for life, we Irish, there is a bit of the morose in all of us as well. I think WB Yates said it best

when he said. “We Irish have an abiding sense of tragedy which sustained him through temporary periods of joy”. In my view those women’s lives we celebrate today invite us to show greater empathy that we shouldn’t judge others, that we should accept and celebrate difference, that we should pause when society says certain groups should be ostracised or disavowed or shunned, be they immigrants, poor people or simply different. And we’d do well to remember the words of his Holiness Pope Francis who said when asked about gays and Catholic gays in particular said; “Who am I to judge?”. If we treat each other this way, there is hope where we failed in the past can heal, and come into the light from the darkness, so said President Higgins. Perhaps then, when we show more empathy now when injustice is at its height that we may relieve the grief of the past.

The Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh put it beautifully: “Let grief be a fallen leaf, at the dawning of the day”.

I’d like to thank the Governor for what you’ve done, a man who spends his life and work to helping those who society generally shuns.”

Before the presentation of the Travel Box at Subiaco Council, Fr Vincentnt Glynn, Senior Lecturer Sacramental theology and Co-editor Pastoral Liturgy at Notre Dame University in Fremantle lead a touching blessing ceremony of the Famine Memorial in Market Square Park. Fr Vincent - whose parents are from Galway - also offered the blessing at the travel box ceremony.

“In our Christian tradition when we bless something we are saying its important and particularly in this case when using that gift of memory given to us by God, and memory is very important, because memory makes something of the past in the present. Through the travel box we are not just remembering an event in the past, we are bringing into the present the lives of those young women who left Ireland and came here through Fremantle to Perth and we pray and ask for God’s blessing.” In the prayer Fr Vincent said “as we receive this Famine Travel Box and commemorate the young girls who left Mountbellew workhouse and traveled to Australia to begin a new life we remember them and all their descendants. We give thanks for their lives and for all they brought to this state and country. We give thanks to God for their descendants who keep their memory alive.

We ask God’s blessing on their people in Ireland and other parts of the world. God, we ask you to bless all who contributed to this Travel Box, in particular those who are a part of the Arbour Hill prison. May this beautiful box remind us of the sacredness and dignity of all peoples and our responsibility to care and nourish the most-needy.”

Blessing of Memorial by Fr Vincent Glynn

Fr Vincent Glynn with his parents Maureen and Tom Glynn

(L-R) Des Kavanagh, Ann Dowling, Fred Rea, Liam Dowling, Paula Kavanagh and Lilly Rea

Keith McDonald, Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith Lunch with the WAIFC Committee

43

Sally Ann McDonald

Eimear Beattie Irish families in Perth is a voluntary non-profit organisation with over 14,500 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 social media where topics such as long-lost relatives, housing, jobs and social events are covered. It is a vibrant active forum that provides a wealth

of knowledge to young families and singles emigrating to Western Australia.

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

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

• Develop Irish Culture & heritage.

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

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

UPCOMING EVENT

Kids Halloween Party at Atlantis Play Centre, Clarkson from 9.30am -12.15.

Cost $5 per child - adults go free!

Prizes for best dressed family and

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individuals!

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Free IFIP Padbury Playgroup Padbury playgroup is a purposebuilt playgroup centre which has undergone recent refurbishment.

It has a bright indoor area and a small kitchen complete with small fridge, microwave, tea and coffee making facilities. Outdoors, there is a covered playground attaching to the building and the outdoor area is fenced with a locked gate ensuring the safety of our little ones. It also has a large selection of indoor and outdoor toys ensuring that all parents and kids receive a warm reception. New members are always welcome!

’ G da FROM MELBOURNE.

By Mike Bowen

y

No, I’m not a doctor but as most men won’t go and see one, I thought I’d talk about the subject of men and their prostate.

Prostate seems to be the subject every man would sooner ignore rather than confront or talk about.

Yeah they will talk about everything and anything, you name it and they will talk about it until the cows come home. Men seem to have a blind spot in their mind (a no-go area) when it comes to addressing the subject of prostate.

I think it’s a macho thing that men feel threatened by, what if I lose my virility. This subject seems to be surrounded by the myth that, if it’s ignored it won’t happen to me. Isn’t that, the same old story that ignorance is bliss? Most men would rather shovel coal in hell rather than have a prostate check, they might very well get their wish, sooner rather than later if they don’t get checked.

At least women had the good sense to address breast cancer and make it a high priority. Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence, if treated in time, thanks to various organisations that brought it to the fore.

Men on the other hand are hopeless procrastinators when it comes to addressing men’s health issues. What is it with men and doctors that don’t seem to mix? I think men are more scared of doctors than death.

Yes, us guys laugh insensitively about the rubber glove and the old one finger up the you know what.

Haha! But underneath all the ‘haha’ men are scared of what they might find out. The statistics say 40% of 40 year- olds, 50% of 50 year- olds, 60% of 60 yearolds, 70% of 70 year olds and so on, have prostate problems. So who is lying to themselves? It’s not a case of if but when. Get yourself down to your doctor sooner than later, if you are wetting your shoes or the guy next to you in the john is every time you go. That’s a good indicator that you have a problem.

Another is how many times you have to get out of bed to go.

Just to lighten up the subject, I decided it was time for me to have the test about twenty years ago plus. Being totally ignorant of the procedure that I was about to have, I asked my business partner if he could enlighten me on what to expect when I meet with my doctor, he smiles that quirky smile and said ‘Ah I think you’re going to like the experience. That

gave me, the ignorant naïve idiot that I was about the subject, some comforting assurance. On the day of reckoning and my regular family doctor being a female, I was in for a little surprise. We spoke about the subject / problem for a few minutes, she then told me to go over to the examination bench and remove my shoes and trousers. So like a good little school boy, I do as I’m told. I lie on the examination bench, thinking she is going to examine my stomach, as I thought all this fluid comes out the front just like the old Guinness barrel, so what’s new?’ She approaches the bench… oops…No, no Mr Bowen, please get down and bend over the bench” “Hold on a minute,” I’m thinking to myself, “what’s this all about?” But again like a good little boy I do what the doctor says. I did say that ignorance is bliss.

I look over my left shoulder to the sound of a click and see the doctor with a rubber glove on her right hand and her left hand about to rest on my back.

Instantly I thought of my business partner’s comments, “Ah I think you’re going to like the experience” I then began to wonder how many ways I could murder the bugger if he was here right now.

I can honestly say it was only in shock, that I blabbered out to the doctor “aren’t you at least going to kiss me first before you do that” I swear it took me about ten minutes to calm the poor doctor down, for the words no sooner came out of my mouth as she fell into convulsions of laughter and my dignity was totally shattered but I lived to tell the tale, after all It’s a lot better to lose your dignity than your life.

So don’t be silly, if you have the slightest doubt get yourself checked out, you owe it to your wife and children. Don’t you want to grow old and spend time with your grandchildren? It’s now twenty years plus, since I first had symptoms of Prostate and thank God with good management and common sense I will be around for a long time to come. The only damage I can see happening to my health is the sometimes over indulgence in a few beers and childish fun I have on my regular visits back to Cork. On that note I will have been to Cork and Dublin and back again by the time you’ll be reading this article but don’t fret I’m sure I will have plenty to tell you all about that in the next magazine.

On this trip I had hoped to be seeing Cork in this year’s All Ireland Hurling Final but Limerick shattered that dream for me, so I guess I will have to settle for a walk down Shandon Street and marvel at the old home of Fred Rea that still stands there. I might even drop in to his local The Old Reliable pub and see if the pint there, is still the best in Ireland. With a bit of luck, I might even get to see the league of Ireland and FAI Cup Winners, Cork City play in Turners Cross, not a bad fall back second choice.

Until the next time, be good to those who love you and Slainte from Melbourne.

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Frank Smyth's 70th at the Irish Club Stid Clogan 60th at Irish Club

Ann Dowling, Jessica Stojkovski MLA and Liam Dowling, Governor of Arbour Hill Prison at Parliament House, Western Australia.

46

A highly regarded Irish priest, who died on Thursday 2 August 2018 at the age of 88, will be greatly remembered for serving the people of the Church unstintingly.

Father Eugene McGrath enjoyed a colourful pastoral ministry across the span of 64 years in the Archdiocese of Perth.

The funeral Mass for Fr Eugene was celebrated on Thursday 9 August at the Redemptorist Monastery, North Perth Parish, followed by his burial at Karrakatta Cemetery.

He served as a priest at the parishes of: Boulder, Northam, Subiaco, Kellerberrin, Rockingham, Guildford, Manning, Bruce Rock, Merredin, and Belmont-Redcliffe.

In 2009, Fr Eugene was one of 11 Archdiocesan priests who received the Papal Award ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ (For the Church and Pope), an honour founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1888.

Raised in County Kerry, southwest Ireland, he was the youngest of 10 children to Eugene and Margaret, farming parents who provided the family with a remarkable and lifelong gift of faith.

Four of his sisters have been religious sisters dispersed throughout the world.

Sr Angela and Sr May (Pius) were in the Perth Congregation of the Presentation Sisters, Sr Rose was in the Poor Clares, Sr Gemma belonged to the Presentation Order in Listowel, and Perth-based cousin Sr Maureen Lovett is a living member of the Sisters of St John of God. However, it was his older brother Fr James who had the greatest influence in leading him to a path of spirituality.

Fr Eugene was the last remaining member of his family, as his beloved

OBITUARY

VALE

Fr Eugene McGrath

By Matthew Lau (The Record)

Fr Eugene McGrath is dearly remembered for his priestly services at numerous parishes of the Perth Archdiocese: Photo: Mark Reidy.

brother Christie died on 15 March of this year.

Before entering the Pontifical Irish College seminary in Rome, he attended St Brendan’s College in Killarney.

Eleven months after his ordination on 13 March 1954, Fr Eugene arrived in Perth at the invitation of Archbishop Redmond Prendiville and was appointed Assistant Priest at Queen’s Park Parish.

From 1959 to 1967, he served as Priest-in-charge of Boulder, Assistant Priest at Northam, and Assistant Priest at Subiaco – which included Chaplaincy to King Edward Hospital for women and Princess Margaret Hospital for children.

From 1967 to 1976, he served as

Parish Priest of Kellerberrin – which included Chaplaincy to the Preventorium for Asthmatic Children – and Parish Priest of Rockingham, which coincided with the opening of Star of the Sea Primary School in 1974.

From 1976 to 1990, he was Parish Priest of Guildford, and later of Manning.

Fr Eugene was appointed Parish Priest of Bruce Rock in May 1990, and then Parish Priest of Merredin in April 1991.

In April 1994, Fr Eugene was appointed Parish Priest of Belmont-Redcliffe until his retirement from parish ministry. He then became Chaplain to the Little Sisters of the Poor for four years, and then became a resident for eight years until his death.

“His prayerful presence will be missed at the Glendalough Home,” said Tess Thompson, a family friend for more than 50 years.

In an interview with The eRecord in 2014, Fr Eugene highlighted the six years of Perpetual Adoration he helped establish during his time at Belmont-Redcliffe Parish as “the most fruitful edition” of his priestly ministry.

Legion of Mary WA wrote the following tribute to Fr Eugene in The West Australian Legacy Guestbook: “An inspiring servant of God and Our Blessed Mother has been taken to his heavenly reward. Thank you Father for your loving support of the Legion of Mary. Your gentle guidance will be greatly missed”.

Away from the religious scene, Fr Eugene was a great follower of Gaelic football – enjoying attending games with his brother and nephews when visiting Ireland – and was a West Coast Eagles supporter for many years.

Source: www.therecord.com.au

"I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?"

Mother Teresa 47

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49

Great Brixton Wetlands:

Cúl an Tí

Le Seán Ó Ríordáin Tá Tír na nÓg ar chúl an tí Tír álainn trína chéile Lucht cheithre chos ag siúl na slí Gan bróga orthu ná léine Gan Béarla acu ná Gaeilge.

Ach fásann clóca ar gach droim Sa tír seo trína chéile Is labhartar teanga ar chúl a’ tí Nár thuig aon fhear ach Aesop Is tá sé siúd sa chré anois.

Tá cearca ann is ál sicín Is lacha righin mhothaolach Is gadhar mór dubh mar namhaid sa tír Ag drannadh le gach éinne Is cat ag crú na gréine.

Sa chúinne thiar tá banc dramhaíl Is iontaisí an tsaoil ann Coinnleoir, búclaí, seanhata tuí Is trúmpa balbh néata Is citeal bán mar ghé ann.

Is ann a thagann tincéirí Go naofa, trína chéile Tá gaol acu le cúl a’ tí Is bíd ag iarraidh déirce Ar chúl gach tí in Éirinn.

Ba mhaith liom bheith ar chúl a’ tí Sa doircheacht go déanach Go bhfeicinn ann ar cuairt gealaí An t-ollaimhín sin Aesop Is é ina phúca léannta.

Seanfhocal

Is ait an mac an saol.

Flynn was running for the Dail and was asked about his attitude toward whiskey. "If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it."

"But if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that helps poor children, then I'm for it." "This is my final position, and I will not compromise!"

TOO BEAUTIFUL TO LOSE

By Paddy Cullen

Great Brixton Wetlands is a special place for Nyungar people and a Global Biodiversity Hotspot.

Located 12 km from the centre of Perth, in Kenwick and Wattle Grove, between the Canning River and the Darling Range, the wetland contains over 550 plant species including 29 species which are carnivorous.

Nowhere on the Swan Coastal Plain is more bio-diverse. The wetlands hold the fourth largest major bird roosting site in the Peel-Perth region with an amazing 334 birds recently recorded sheltering there at night.

Among many creatures living there, and threatened with extinction, are Kaarak (Nyungar name), or Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

However, this extraordinary place is threatened by a clumsy industrial development which has had no formal Public Environmental Review to understand its impacts on the wetlands, and this my friends is taking a terrible environmental toll.

Already more than eight hectares of Marri trees (Kadan) has been cleared against Environmental Protection Agency advice. This included 123 trees which was an important food source for the Kaarak.

Now a ‘pit and pipe’ drainage system is being proposed that is designed to dry-out the wetlands and likely to cause the whole of the wetland ecosystem to collapse.

This process also involves polluting the main creek, chopping down half of the remaining Kaarak roost-trees (over 100 trees), while drowning many more in a huge stormwater storage sump.

On top of this, a significant Aboriginal archaeological site with artefacts going back over 5000 years could be lost.

This destruction is totally unnecessary, as the project could be designed to have minimal impact with Infiltration “at source”, including stormwater management which replenishes the wetlands and won’t require the Kaarak roost-trees to be cut down, or allow the huge sump to pollute the creek.

Drought proofing of the wetlands and wildlife corridors could also be designed by linking the wetlands with the main creek into a regional park from Lesmurdie Falls to the Canning River, as proposed by a group of eminent professors.

Please join with us to call on the government to: • Stop the current destructive practises in the development • Instigate a full Public Environmental Review of the entire industrial area • Use ‘infiltration’ stormwater systems that replenish the wetlands instead of ‘pit and pipe’ drainage which will eventually destroy them • Protect Kaarak roosts, heritage sites, threatened vegetation and creek lines with 100m vegetation buffers • Create a Regional Park from Lesmurdie Falls to the Canning River which will protect Great Brixton Wetlands forever.

For more information contact Paddy Cullen on 043 192 5494 50

Seán Doherty Branch

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QUIZ NIGHT Thanks to all who came to the Quiz night we all had great fun. And thanks to Hilary he was wonderful. We are having a concert in the coming months will let you know as soon as we pick a date.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Also our AGM is on the 15th. October 2018. Come along and lend a hand!

DINNER/MUSIC NIGHT Come along to our DINNER/MUSIC NIGHT at the Irish Club will be on Friday the 11th. September.

Photo: Left to Right Teresa Kelleher, Gra Hare, Maureen McCullagh, Anne Marie Carr and Helen Box

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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.

VALE Ann Marie Carr It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing away of our good friend Ann Marie Carr. Ann was a much-loved member of Comhaltas.

Always ready with a smile and asking how you and your family were and making us laugh and a regular at our dinners at the Irish Club. After years of suffering Ann is now at rest she was a great inspiration to us all. Such strength and courage. Rest in peace Ann. You will be greatly missed by all. Our condolences to her family husband Tim and daughters Grace and Lark.

(CC) From all at Comhaltas

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

51

Michael Cluskey

My oh my, never in our living memories have we had a summer like it, the once famous green lush pastures of the Irish landscape have nearly all taken on a strawcoloured complexation, leading to a nationwide water shortage and hosepipe ban. May to nearly the beginning of August we have had nearly wall to wall sunshine. I know that for you in Australia

this may seem strange, but if you remember that in Ireland most years if we get a week of sunshine it is classed as a great summer.

The feel-good factor, due to

the heatwave is really evident with seaside towns doing really good business as are most towns around the country. Don’t laugh but we were melting with temperatures of up to 31°C, I

A View from Home know call us armatures but when your only use to a high of 23/24c our heads are spinning!

By the time you are reading this Pope Francis will have touched down at Dublin Airport. First up was a visit to Aras an Uachtarain to meet President Michael D Higgins then on to Croke Park where the pope will address a crowd of 70,000 at a concert featuring such names as Andre Bocelli, Daniel O’Donnell and

Paddy Moloney. From there the next day the pope heads over to Knock where he will lead the Angelus at the chapel of Knock Shrine in front of 45,000 devotees. Finally, he heads in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II to be the chief celebrant in a 3pm Mass at the site of the papal cross in the Phoenix Park in front of a crowd of half a million people.

Finally, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann took place in Drogheda from the 12th – 19th of August, being from the town I was so proud of the organisers in making the town so beautiful and welcoming to the 400,000 visitors. I will post pictures in the next issue.

All the very best, Mike

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52 52

Martin Kavanagh Hon Consul of Ireland

Jim McKiernan

August saw the loss of Jim McKiernan, a leading member of the WA Irish community and a good and decent man. Richard and I send our love and sympathy to Jackie and the extended McKiernan family.

Jim had a very hard childhood growing up in Cavan. Like many of his generation his youth was blighted by poverty and the failure of society to look after its most vulnerable.

His childhood experiences left an indelible mark on Jim and many of his generation. I was reminded of Jim’s childhood when I read the widely acclaimed speech of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Dublin Castle recently at a reception in honour of His Holiness Pope Francis. Commenting on the failings of church and state to protect the children of Ireland Taoiseach Varadkar said: “In place of Christian charity, forgiveness and compassion, far too often there was judgment, severity and cruelty, in particular towards women and children”.

It would have been understandable if the deprivation of his youth embittered Jim. It didn’t. Instead, it deeply engrained in him a loathing of injustice and a burning desire to do the right thing by those who could least defend themselves. He lived life to the full and always did the right thing by others. In death, there’s always the danger that we sanctify people. Like the rest of us, Jim wasn’t perfect and it was funny and affirming to hear many of the eulogists at the celebration of PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS Perth Office: 165/580 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6004 Tel: (08) 6557 5802 Fax: (08) 9218 8433 Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Website: www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 - 2.00pm by appointment only

Marty Kavanagh, Stephen Dawson, MLC and Jim McKiernan

his life comment on how cranky and demanding he could be at times. When you strive for a higher purpose, crankiness and demanding high standards of others comes with the territory.

Jim’s was a life well spent in the love of his family and in distinguished service of his community. What more could a man ask for in life? Vale Jim

It has been a sad time for our local Irish community with the passing of a number of them. May I take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to their families and friends. Bealtaine a n-anamacha a bheith ar an dheis Dé.

May I also take this opportunity to wish the local Gaelic footballers, hurlers and the Irish dancers all the best at their respective National Championships to be held in the coming months.

Marty Kavanagh, Hon Irish Consul

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ULSTER

in when they’re out to hear the row it kicks up.’

V vialin, string instrument: ‘The wee lad’s a dab haun with the vialin. Gawd knows who he takes it after.’

‘There was a great vialin pler on the bax last night.

Thon boyo knew how to fiddle.’

Y yer man, employer, husband, prominent politician, person whose name has been momentarily forgotten: ‘Yer man was there as large as life.’

‘The first fella I run intil was yer man. ‘Yer man was on the bax again last night.

Rambles

with David

How to converse in Northern Ireland!

I am on the way to Ulster via the port of Dublin. Yes I have just left Holyhead in Wales after a week in England and a week in Malaga, the Andalucian variety; one of my old hunting grounds in the seventies. My sister kindly gave me an Ulster – English dictionary to remind me how to converse with the locals. This next paragraph is NOT for anyone not conversant with the Ulster language; so please ignore and continue somewhere below. A few excerpts from the dictionary.

A acit, indication of finality: ‘Acit as far as I’m concerned.’ ‘Acit, I told him. I’m not going till say another word.’

Affis bap, description of person whose mental capacity is in doubt: ‘The fella’s affis bap.’

Also see buckijit.

E ekker, school homework: ‘The wee fella was sittin up till all hours doin his ekker,’ ‘His da’s useless when it comes to givin his chile a haun with his ekker.’ The poor wee fella can’t get his ekker done with the tally blarin away there.

M mine 1. Remember: ‘ I forgot to mine my parcel.’

‘D’ye mine the day we all went up the Cavehill fir a picnic an it poured?’

2. take care of, look after: I ast her to mine the shap.’

3 opinion, viewpoint: ‘Sure he doesn’t know his own mine.’

4 give heed to: ‘Nivver mine him. He’s nat worth botherin about.’

5 apply oneself to: ‘Mine yer own bisnis.’

6 take objection to: ‘Ye wudden mine callin roun wud ye?’

7 observe, take note of: ‘Mine the step.’ ‘Mine where ye’re goin.’

8 belonging to me: ‘What’s his is mine and what’s mine’s me own.’

T themmuns, indicates specific people: ‘Themmuns is away Tittaly this year fir their holidays.’

“Themmuns an that dog of theirs. They should be

54

Dublin is in sight. It’s strange to be back in the old sod. Someone asked me if I was going home and for the first time, I am not. Strangely enough my accent is still with me. Never did lose it. Does anyone?

The semi finals of the GAA have been played. Two Ulster counties were involved in one of them so we have an Ulster county through to the final. If you are interested, you will know which one and if you are not interested, then there is no point in me telling you here.

So I am on my way up towards the province for old times sake and to test out my understanding of the local language by using some of the hints as above.

I only got as far as Cavan: Ballyjamesduff to be precise which put me off going further North. What was Percy French thinking about when he wrote that song.

Certainly Paddy Reilly was wise never to go back! I found a very nice pub in Virginia and that was the end of that.

Nial, the young barman, filled me in with the rugby scene in Ulster. ‘Yeah we travel quite a bit,’ he told me in a very mild Ulster accent. ‘Was up playing

in Carrickfergus a few months ago. Like us, they are in the second tier. We had a great time up there,’ he assured me. I believed him. He also assured me that Paddy Jackson was aquitted and was back in action for a team in the South of France. Good news.

Disappointingly, that was as far as I got. ‘We have a wedding to go to,’ my good wife forcefully informed me, ’and it is in the South.’

So we headed back on the back roads to Dublin.

It is more fun on the back roads but besides a tractor and a few bicycles, we did not meet or pass anything of significance.

What a surprise; it’s beginning to rain, so I’ll sign off as we are heading out of Ulster teritory towards Carlow and eventually Kilarney and returning via Clare.

Regards to all from the old sod.

David MacConnell

Poems of an Irish Rebel Terence MacSwiney

Ireland has both the good fortune and misfortune to have a large number of martyrs.

Many honourable men and women have felt it necessary to step forward to fight the blight of British colonialism.

A VISIT HOME I walk within my prison wall; ‘Tis but my body owns their sway Oh, Ireland, home, I hear you call; Silent I wait the end of day.

Of those Rebels who were imprisoned, some chose to battle the foreign regime using the only weapon they had left to them, their body.

And when, locked in my cell at night, My body I have laid to rest, My spirit homeward takes a flight Where Ireland waits me in the west.

He was elected Lord Mayor of Cork for Sinn Féin in 1920, during the Black and Tan War. He was transferred to Brixton prison in England in an attempt by the colonial authorities to weaken his influence on the revolution taking place in Ireland.

TO THE DEAD AT EASTERTIDE But yesterday you stood with us against the crowd.

We were not then a host, O dead; dispraise was loud; Ah, not as loud, as deep, as pure as now your praise Who died, and brought us back the dream of purer days.

Terence James MacSwiney was one such man.

Lit by beauty of the stars, He was born in March 1879 and died after 74 City and mountain, vale and stream days on hunger strike on 25th October 1920.

Are mine, despite theses bolts and bars, Terence was a playwright, an author, a politician, In all the glory of a dream a rebel and a poet.

Terence MacSwiney died in that foul gaol.

He is buried in the Republican plot in Saint Finbarr’s Cemetery in Cork. Arthur Griffith, then President of Sinn Féin, delivered the graveside oration. MacSwiney’s death brought both him and the Irish struggle for freedom to international attention.

The following is some poetry written by MacSwiney whilst in his prison cell.

DIG NO GRAVE DEEP Lay not the axe to earth; Love does not sleep.

If yet thy thought esteemeth mine of worth, For it dig no grave deep.

Let it put forth its power, Aside the surface sweep; Then will leap forth the long-desired flower Which thou mayst reap.

55

Fenians, Friends, and Fremantle:

Retracing my Great-Grandfather’s Steps

By Jim Ryan I can’t think of the words to describe the emotion I felt landing in Perth and stepping on the same soil that my great-grandfather, Captain George S. Anthony, did one hundred and forty-two years ago to rescue six Irish patriots from the confines of the Fremantle Prison. To couple this experience with the opportunity to meet and get to know an amazing group of Western Australian civic leaders, educators, historians, media personnel, writers and storytellers, and musicians that banded together to honor history and heritage was as special as the double rainbow that greeted us on my first tour of the area. My attempt to chronicle our visit herein is a tribute to each of them, their important work alone and together, and my heartfelt thanks for being so graciously welcome into their bonds of friendship and purpose.

Each hour left us more excited than the previous Jim Ryan, Cllr Deb Hamblin and Mayor Barry Sammels

one as the people we met continued to show us tremendous hospitality all

THE SIX ESCAPE FENIANS AND JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY

L-R: Charles Smith, Jim Ryan and Joan Walsh -Smith at the Catalpa Memorial in Rockingham (Inset Capt George Anthony)

along our trip, notably the cordial and accommodating hosts from the Fenian, Fremantle and Freedom Committee.

We were met at the airport by Margo O’Byrne and Jim Kelly with smiles and greetings. We were immediately driven to the Monument Hill Reserve overlooking Fremantle to take some pictures and gaze at the beautiful city that we would be exploring in the coming days. We were driven to the Hougoumont Hotel where we were presented with a buffet of crackers, wine and cheese. Later we had a great dinner at a restaurant where we met with Margo’s son, Jules, and Felicity Dillon.

The next morning the Fenian, Fremantle and Freedom Committee met us with a bus and traveled to the Wild Geese Memorial at Rockingham beach on the same route that the Fenians traveled when they escaped from Fremantle Prison. It was at this time that I realized that my dream of standing on the same ground as my great-grandfather was being realized. Margo needed to stabilize me just a little as we approached the memorial.

I remember beginning to tear, but the throng of well-wishers buoyed me that day and support56

ed me throughout my stay there.

I met with the mayor of Rockingham who presented my family with welcome bags from the city, and we took lots of photos. I wanted to take some sand from the beach, but in all the excitement I had forgotten.

This stop was incredibly meaningful, and closed the circle for me in that I had completed my great- grandfather’s trip and saw what he had seen.

It was raining and windy, but this was perfect as it matched the weather on the evening of the rescue. I could just see the whale boat being pushed off the shore and the men diving into the bottom of the boat while the whalers pulled the oars with my great-grandfather at the tiller.

Most importantly, I had my family at my side, and they were as excited as I was to witness this historic place.

We retreated back to the bus and headed to the John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial in Australind, Bunbury; it was there he hid from the authorities while awaiting Father McCabe’s effort to secure a whaler to take him away. We enjoyed a picnic lunch before taking a walk through the conservation park and learned through Peter Murphy how O’Reilly survived for three weeks in the bush. As we walked, Peter described how O’Reilly learned from the Aborigines what to eat and what to avoid. What struck me

drove to the Kidogo where I enjoyed an interview with Gilliam O’Shaughnessy and a photo shoot on the deck overlooking the ocean. We met with Mike LeFroy and Jim Kelly, and along with Margo, visited the Western Maritime Museum for a tour and met with Gill Marrison, Jason and Tanya Edwards.

Mike then gave us a tour of Fremantle and a visit to the memorial of C.Y. O’Connor, his great-grandfather.

We visited the old Emerald Isle Hotel (now the Orient), walked to a local restaurant with Mike and Declan, and met with the honorable mayor of Fremantle, Brad Pettit. Along the way we learned how Fremantle has grown and become the beautiful city that it is.

One of the most moving visits we made was at the Fremantle Prison, where we were given a personalised tour. I found it an amazing visit, and found it much larger than I expected. I also learned that the inmates had built almost all of the prison themselves. The cells were incredibly small. At one point we entered one of the rooms where inmates were placed for punishment.

Claustrophobia immediately kicked in. I began to understand how the Fenians must have slowly lost hope.

After the visit to the prison, we were all exhausted, and enjoyed a meal with the Fenian, Fremantle, and Freedom Committee at Kidogo Arthouse. Frank Murphy and Anne Golden were our hosts. We enjoyed stimulating conversation and a wonderful pot luck supper.

On Friday we enjoyed a relaxation day. Fred Rea and I visited Brendan Woods in the hospital. We took a tour

was the challenges from snakes, mosquitoes and heat in the Australian bush. He read poetry and discussed how O’Reilly was able to see beauty in his suffering. It was moving and educational all at once.

From there we traversed to the Heritage Centre and Museum in Bunbury, where we met with the director, Rachael Wedd, and viewed a model of the Catalpa, learning about the history of the area. Again, people were warm and welcoming to me and my family. Later, we stopped at the hotel where John Breslin and my great-grandfather stayed and enjoyed a beer while watching the pouring rain. After some time, Peter Murphy took us to the lookout, Boulter’s Height, and viewed the Bunbury harbor where the Catalpa had moored in 1876. We all took pictures and enjoyed the view as we learned about Bunbury’s past.

On the way back to Fremantle we sang and listened to the great voices of John Reed, John Claire, and Brian Dalton while they all played the guitar. We arrived back at the Hougoumont hotel tired, but exhilarated. A great first day in Australia.

On Thursday we met Margo at the Hougoumont and

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where Fred showed me Father McCabe’s honorary street sign and visited the Famine memorial in Perth before heading back to the hotel to spend time with my family. Fred gave me an Irish hat while I was visiting Rockingham and I have worn it every day since. Later that evening, we took the train to Perth where I gave a radio interview. We returned to the Hougoument at around 10:00 PM and went right to bed.

Saturday morning, Margo picked us up at the Hougoumont Hotel and took us to Frank Murphy’s radio show. Margo drove my daughter, son and I while my wife Cyndi, and son-in-law Jack, rode bicycles to the station. We discussed our visit and Frank called a friend of mine in Rhode Island, George McLaughlin, who in my opinion, knows more than anyone about the Fenian’s lives in America after the rescue. Frank is a great interviewer and we sang the Catalpa song together at the end of the show.

Later, we went back to the Western Maritime Museum where I gave a slide show with some pictures of items in my collection. It appeared to be well received and the crowd was warm and friendly. After my slide show, we visited Kidogo where we witnessed Peter Murphy’s book launch and signing of “Fenain Fear,” his newest book.

On Sunday morning, I spent a wonderful hour with Peter Murphy over coffee and discussed my visit. He was a wise and insightful host. I hope to see him again when we return.

A number of people suggested that my schedule may have been too tiring, but from the moment we arrived in Fremantle to the final moment when we departed to Kuala Lumpur, there was nothing but energy for our visit from the Fenian, Fremantle and Freedom Committee.

My take away from my family’s adventure in Western Australia is simple, but profound. History has bound all of us together. The myriad decisions, small and large, of our ancestors past have telescoped us to the present. The salty hands of New Bedford’s whalemen and the toiling, bloodied arms of Irishmen hence, wrap us all together in this lived Fenian experience— our fraternal bond as American, Irish and Aussie alike.

My great-grandfather gave me a splendid gift in creating this special bond with my fellow Western Australians that will last a lifetime. It is the lesson of the Catalpa Rescue—and of my great-grandfather’s life—that taking humanitarian action and following one’s conscience is always the “right thing to do.”

There are so many people to thank. Margo O’Byrne was the best support anyone could ask for. She was there to answer every question and offered support when I needed it the most. Declan Greaney and Jim Kelly were there to make sure all went according to plan, while Tracey Routledge lined up all the speaking engagements and radio spots. We enjoyed everyone and felt that we had become members of this exceptional group. These people made our trip a great experience

Jim Ryan at Marslton Hill shows off his Bunbury Jetty piece presented to him by Peter Murphy and success. It is my great hope to return someday soon and to nurture the many relationships that we have begun on this trip. I would like to mention them by name in lieu of thanking them personally.

John Clare Aitan Friedman John Reed Anne Golden Kidogo Art House and Brendan Woods Joanna Robertson Brian Dalton Lachlan and Liz Kelly Rachael Wedd, Bunbury Liz Dempsey Museum Mark and Jacque Hagen Mayor Barry Sammels, Margo O’Byrne and Rockingham Eitan Claire Montgomery Craig Dennison, US Consul Marty Kavanagh, Hon Irish Consul in WA Declan Greaney Mike and Joy Lefroy Felicity Dillon Peter Murphy of (JB Frank Murphy O’Reilly Association) Fred Rea (Irish Scene) Tracy Routledge Fremantle Prison WA Maritime Museum Fremantle Mayor, Brad Pettit And the many others Gerry Grogan who made us so Hougoumont Hotel and welcome.

Patrick Prendiville Thank You! Jim and Thelma Kelly

The Catalpa

A noble whale ship and commander Called the Catalpa they say Sailed out to Western Australia And stole six bold Fenians away.

So, here’s to Captain George Anthony Who sailed o’er the sea with great speed And took those six Irish Fenians To the land of the brave and the free For now they’re in the States of America And the Fenians were able to cry “Hoist up the green flag and the shamrock” Saying, “Hurrah for ould Ireland we’ll die”.

So, remember those six Irish Fenians And sing o’er these few verses with skill And here’s to George Anthony who freed them From the jail that they left on the hill.

58

CATALPA RESCUE HERITAGE TOUR When Fenian Festival Committee (FFC) chairperson Margo O’Byrne contacted me to say that Jim Ryan, great-great grandson of Capt George Anthony, who bravely sailed the Catalpa from New Bedford (USA) in 1876 to Western Australia (WA) to rescue 6 Irish political prisoners incarcerated in Fremantle Prison was about to visit WA, excitement swept through John Boyle O’Reilly Association’s (JBOA) camp, for it was O’Reilly (also an Irish political prisoner) one of the architects of the rescue.

We knew FFC would leave no stone unturned for the Fremantle and Rockingham legs of Jim’s tour and which connects both those locations to the famous rescue. It was now up to JBOA to complete the rest of the tour itinerary by adding Bunbury and Australind, the locations where the Australian leg of the rescue began in earnest.

11.30am Wed, July 25 2018, Bunbury: My phoned buzzed. It was Margo letting me know Jim, his wife Cindy, daughter Elizabeth, and son Peter along with members of the FFC were about to depart the beautiful Wild Geese sculpture at Rockingham’s foreshore (where the escape took place), and were now on their way to Australind to visit

with Jim Ryan

By Peter Murphy John Boyle O’Reilly Association

the site where O’Reilly hid before his dramatic escape to America on the whaler Gazelle in 1869.

12.30pm, John Boyle O’Reilly Heritage Trail, Australind: The sky I recall was as grey as a bleak Irish winter’s day and heavy rain threaten. So as a precaution, we set up our meagre-offerings under shelter of the JBOHT interpretative area, which was a wise decision, as just as our visitors arrived, the heavens opened and down the rain pelted. Not to be deterred, we welcomed our visitors with open arms, then together cosily mingled beneath the shelter, and where anecdotes and yarns connecting Australia, America and Ireland to the historic event flew thick and fast.

Just as we finished our picniclunch, a beacon of hope allowed us to take our visitors on the walk-trail when an elusive winter sun begun to shine through the bank of grey clouds. So off we went on the John Boyle O’Reilly Heritage Trail. Our youngest member Lachlan Kelly (16) was in fine form; spouting-

forth O’Reilly’s poetry as we went along our merry way. We stopped at points of interest along the trail, at the same time, imagining what it may have been like during the middle of a scorching WA summer (Feb) when O’Reilly was on the run from soldiers and black trackers, and with no shelter, food or water.

2.30pm, Old Convict Depot site City of Bunbury: This is the site where O’Reilly was processed on his arrival in the town (Feb 1868) and where now stands an impressive museum (Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre) which pays homage not only to Bunbury’s history and heritage, but also O’Reilly’s literary contributions to the region. Here a miniature model of the Catalpa was handed by Jim Ryan to museum curator Rachael Wedd as a gift to the museum and a memento of his visit to the city.

3.30pm, Old Bunbury Post Office (circa 1865): This is the site where Capt Anthony sent a flurry of telegrams to his accomplice (John Breslin) in Fremantle letting him know he’d arrived safely in Bunbury after his 11month voyage from New Bedford, and which would set the stage for the next chapter of the rescue. For Jim to have the opportunity to walk the same

Tour group at the John Boyle O'Reilly Memorial in Australind, Bunbury 59

accompanied by Brian Dalton’s plucky guitar- chords echoed from the rear of the bus. How incredible I thought that an event that occurred 142 years ago, would not only bring people from different cultures together, but also forge a friendship that will endure for many more decades to come.

For me personally, it was such a privilege to meet and share time with Jim and his family, while forever reminding myself that the man’s hand I heartily shook, happened to share the same DNA as the man - who under the most horrendous circumstances - bravely went where others feared to go.

Jim Ryan at the site where his greatgreat grandfather sent telegrams to John Breslin

Reminder: All sections of the ‘Catalpa Rescue Heritage Tour’ have now been mapped and can be completed

boards as his great-great grandfather must have been an emotional moment for him.

4.00pm, Trafalgars Hotel, Victoria St, Bunbury: This is the site where Capt Anthony and John Breslin holed-up while they put finishing touches to the rescue plan. The hotel was then known as ‘The Wellington Hotel’. On entering the hotel, the heavens opened-up again, only this time it also blew a gale that would blow the head of a pint of Guinness.

I then recall someone yell, ‘looks like we’re not going anywhere lads, so let’s have a jar!’ It was beaut to see Jim enjoy a jar in the same space where his great-great grandfather stayed (and possibly sat), and no doubt another emotional moment Jim Ryan, Lachlan Kelly & Peter for him. With rain finally easing and wind Murphy at Marlston Hill abating, we headed off to our last port of call, Marlston Hill lookout.

4.30pm, Marlston Hill: The hill overlooks Bunbury Harbour, the very location where the Catalpa moored (March 28th) before she slipped out of the harbour (April 15th) to rendezvous with Breslin and his rescue party including the six Irish political prisoners waiting on an isolated Rockingham beach. As we gazed-down over the harbour, rain clouds, although threatening, eventually gave way to the most amazing formation shrouding the sky over the harbour; thereby creating a surreal-backdrop to the very historic location where the Australian leg of this amazing story began.

4.45pm, Bunbury: As we waved goodbye to our visitors, Irish rebel songs

Catalpa handed by Jim Ryan to Bunbury museum curator Rachael Wedd

comfortably in one (drive) day as a self-guided or guided tour. Contact FFC for more details www. fenianfestival.com.com.au or facebook.com/ feniansfestival/ Acknowledgements: Thanks to Brendan Woods, for it was Brendan who laid the foundation for Jim and his family to visit WA when he visited New Bedford in 2016.

Special thanks to Margo O’Byrne and FFC for organising Jim and his family’s visit to WA. Thank you to the owners (Caruso family) of the heritage listed Old Bunbury Post Office for allowing our group to enter the building and take photographs.

The owners of the historical site are now considering having a section of the building dedicated to the Catalpa Rescue.

Much praise to staff at the Bunbury Museum + Heritage Centre for welcoming Jim and his family to the City of Bunbury.

Thanks to FFC member Tracy Routledge for providing the images for this article.

Note: I was privileged to have Jim Ryan launch my novel Fenian Fear which a can be purchased at Kidogo Arthouse (Bathers Beach), Fremantle Maritime Museum or Fremantle Prison Gift Shop, or by going to www.fenianfear.com

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Join LUB THE C

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

A message from the President The Subiaco Club opened at 61 Townshend Rd in 1907, it later went on to be known as Fantasia Lodge, a dancehall and function centre, until we purchased the building in 1976 and it became the home of the Irish community in Perth. As a building that is over 100 years old, we inhabit a landmark site that contains many memories and has made a major contribution to the heritage of both the Subiaco area and the Irish in Western Australia.

For many, the Irish Club and these premises are one and the same. Today, however, the building in many ways echoes our own position as a Club – both are showing signs of age, a little the worse for wear from being knocked about by the elements, a little threadbare in places, but still a solid structure with good foundations.

When I returned as President last year it was to have a look at the chance of continuing in these premises with the football at Subiaco Oval finished. There was a lot of pessimism from people as to our continuing ability to survive, but I felt that it might be possible if we could get the support of the wider Irish community. This has started to happen, with many of the main groups once again using the building on a regular basis.

More and more members are also using our premises for their functions – birthdays, christenings, fundraising, to name a few. It has been a steep learning curve over the past twelve months yet we are still here; much work has been done on stabilising our financial position and exploring new possibilities for the future, but there is still a lot of work to do. If you are involved with any other groups or organisations, do promote the Irish Club and help us to continue. If you are able to

help in any other way then please come forward and let us know.

I would like to thank the current committee for all the ceaseless hard work they have put in, without the spirit and effort that such people contribute, organisations such as ours would not be able to exist.

I would also like to thank all of our staff for their continuing excellent care and service to our members and guests. Over the past eighteen months, we have been lucky to have the Pantry Dolls in charge of our kitchen, they have provided an excellent service to the Club and played a major role in our continuing survival. They have recently decided to move on and we wish them all the best in the future. However, we are now very fortunate to have Mick Griffin return as our chef, and I have no doubt that the high standards of food service will continue.

The Irish Club has been built on a long history of community participation and involvement, with many volunteers over the years contributing their time and labour to keeping both the building and the Club going strong. But history and heritage mean nothing unless we can ensure that the past has a future. All of you, after all, are the reason why we are here: you are the owners of this Club, this building, this heritage. Perth is changing and so is Subiaco, and the Irish Club is not immune to these changes. If the Irish Club is to continue to prosper, it must do so with the active support of all its members driving and guiding its future course. The decision to continue is not one for any single committee to take; the future direction of your Club depends on your contribution.

We are not like other businesses in that we do not have customers or clients, we have members who all share a stake in the future and it is vitally important that our members feel and embrace this.

I am grateful for the support you have given us until now, and with your continued help we hope to keep serving the Irish-Australian community in WA for many years to come.

Kind regards Tom Quinn, President

Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday

IRISH CLUB SENIORS

SENIORS’ LUNCH

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

Lunch at 1pm.

Bookings 9381 5213

The Irish Club A GREAT PLACE FOR A PARTY

Functions & Fundraisers Contact Club:

Tel: 93815213

Irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au

EVERY MONDAY Trad Music & Irish Classes

COMHALTAS

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

FREE TEA & COFFEE

available upstairs every night Opening Hours: Mon to Wed 5pm - 10pm Thurs & Fri 4pm - 10pm Saturdays 4pm - Late Sundays 2pm - 10pm

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

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

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

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

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

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. The Perth Premiership and WA State Ceili Championships were held over the weekend of the 4th & 5th August at Newman College, Churchlands. The competition was fierce and the dancing was fabulous!

Perth Premiership Results: U6 Years Beginner – Maeve Carrol The Academy/Keady Upton U8 Years Beginner – Ronan O’Reilly The Academy/Keady Upton U10 Years Beginner – Bronagh Beattie Three Crowns SOID 10 Years & Over Beginner – Doireann Lynch Kavanagh Studio U7 Years Primary – Amelia Murphy Three Crowns SOID U9 Years Primary – Kelsey McFadden WA Academy 9 Years & Over Primary – Hailey Birch O’Brien Academy U9 Years Elementary – Aislinn Healy O’Hare School 9 Years & Over Elementary – Katie Hamilton Three Crowns SOID U9 Years Intermediate – Sinead Lydon Kavanagh Studio U11 Years Intermediate – Lia Young The Academy/Keady Upton 11 Years & Over Intermediate – Ashleigh Hugo Kavanagh Studio U10 Years Open – Scott Ryan The Academy/Keady Upton U12 Years Open – Isabella Campeotto WA Academy U14 Years Open – Sinead Daly The Academy/Keady Upton U16 Years Open – Caoimhe McAleer The Academy/Keady Upton U18 Years Open – Caoimhe Van Osch/Kaitlyn Millen The Academy/Keady Upton U20 Years Open – Dakota Courtney O’Brien Academy 20 Yrs/Over Open–Dara McAleer Academy/Keady Upton WA State Ceili Championship Results: U8 Years Walls of Limerick – Three Crowns SOID U10 Years Walls of Limerick – Three Crowns SOID U8 Girls & Mixed 4 Hand – O’Brien Academy U10 Girls 4 Hand – WA Academy U10 Mixed 4 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U12 Girls 4 Hand – Kavanagh Studio U12 Mixed 4 Hand – WA Academy U15 Girls 4 Hand – WA Academy U15 Mixed 4 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U18 Girls 4 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U18 Mixed 4 Hand – WA Academy Open Age Girls 4 Hand – Kavanagh Studio Open Age Mixed 4 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U10 Girls 6 Hand – WA Academy U10 Mixed 6 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U12 Girls 6 Hand – Kavanagh Studio U12 Mixed 6 Hand – WA Academy U15 Girls 6 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U15 Mixed 6 Hand – Kavanagh Studio U8 Girls & Mixed 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U10 Girls 8 Hand – Kavanagh Studio U10 Mixed 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U12 Girls 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U12 Mixed 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton

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

SUPPORT IN THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

U15 Girls 8 Hand – Kavanagh Studio U15 Mixed 8 Hand – WA Academy U18 Girls 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton Open Age Girls 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton Open Age Mixed 8 Hand – The Academy/Keady Upton U8 Girls & Mixed Reels in Couples – WA Academy U10 Girls/Mixed Reels in Couples–Academy/Keady Upton 12-14 Girls Reels in Couples – The Academy/Keady Upton 12-14 Mixed Reels in Couples – The Academy/Keady Upton U12 Girls Reels in Threes – WA Academy U12 Mixed Reels in Threes – The Academy/Keady Upton 15 & Over Girls 4 Hand Jigs – Kavanagh Studio 15 & Over Mixed 4 Hand Jigs – The Academy/Keady Upton Senior Figure Dance – The Academy/Keady Upton

Best of luck to all dancers competing in the WA State Solo Championships on the 25th & 26th August!

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PERTH CENTRE

LAURA CANNON IN IRELAND FOR THE ROSE OF TRALEE FESTIVAL! Laura Cannon has just arrived back from the Rose of Tralee in Co Kerry. Laura told us she had an amazing time with her family and friends. Laura congratulates Waterford Rose, Kirsten Mate Maher who was crowned Rose of Tralee 2018.

Laura will have a great story to tell us in our next edition of The Irish Scene.

You did us proud Laura!

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

SUPPORTI N THE WA G

IRISH COMMUMITY

jessicastojkovski.com.au 64

Jessica Stojkovski MLA

Crisis support:

0403 972 265

Christmas in July 2018 – Claddagh Seniors On Monday 30th July 2018 Claddagh Seniors met at The Mighty Quinn for a Christmas in July lunch. The Claddagh volunteers were there to greet us upon arrival. The tables were decorated with colourful Christmas crackers. Each person received tickets for a free raffle with lots of prizes. The lunch which was served with fresh bread from Hetty’s Kitchen was delicious. On this special day we enjoyed wonderful entertainment provided by father and daughter duo Fiona Rea with help from dad Fred. And to top it all Father Christmas arrived with chocolates for everyone. The festive spirit was alive and well and a good time was had by all.

Marie Moloney

Supporting the Irish Community in times of crisis

13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090 Crisis support: 0403 972 265 All other enquiries: 08 9249 9213 65

Why do women need to be tougher than men in politics?

by Lloyd Gorman

The fallout from the recent chaos in the leadership of the Australian Liberal Party and subsequent change of Prime Minister as a direct result could be felt for years to come, if recent political history is anything to go by.

But one of the more immediate impacts on the Liberal party and politics in general will be on the representation of women in parliament and public life. The deliberate strategy in the Liberal party room when the second leadership spill was brought on called for members of that elite group to vote with their heads, not with their hearts and not to vote for Julie Bishop in the three way contest between her, Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton.

Julie Bishop Bishop – who was WA’s most senior politician in Canberra and female member of cabinet – was cut down by the people inside her own party, particularly her WA colleagues,

none of whom backed her to be Prime Minister. Taking her out of the picture left the way open for a

Scott Morrison head to head between the two male candidates. It also reinforced the

Peter Dutton

‘male, pale and stale’ image of the Conservatives as a boys club, run largely from the eastern states. Julie Bishop has stepped down as foreign minister – one of Australia’s most capable - and moved to the back bench to represent her Perth constituency of Curtin from her electorate office in Subiaco.

66

In the week after the carnage of the Canberra coup, Liberal MP Julia Banks quit her Julia Banks seat (Chisholm in Victoria) and the parliament entirely. She blamed the “cultural and gender bias, bullying and intimidation” of women in politics for her departure. Banks would not be a familiar name or face to most WA people, but Julie Bishop knows her very well. “Julie Banks is a very feisty, professional, competent woman, she’s no shrinking violet, she never takes a step backward,” said Julie Bishop. “Reading her statement gives you an indication of her strength and determination.

I feel very sad that she doesn’t see parliament as a place she can pursue a career.”

The concern is that more female parliamentarians could follow her lead or feel dis-empowered by recent events. Neither does it bode well for the future recruitment of other women into the political sphere.

As it happens, Subiaco produced an Australian political first for women, and has an Irish connection.

On August 25 Subiaco mayor Penny Taylor – whose grandfa-

ther was Irish – tweeted a message with meaning for women across different generations of political life.

“The first Penny Taylor Australian female cabinet minister was Dame Florence Cardell-Oliver, WA parliamentarian from #Subiaco. I met

Dame Florence Cardell-Oliver her son this morning who reminded me the challenges that women face vis-à-vis Julie Bishop and that women are more than capable of doing the job. #ecouragement” Dame Annie Florence Gillies Cardell-Oliver was born in Victoria in 1876, the fifth child to Johnston

Wilson, an Irish storekeeper and his second wife Annie, from Scotland. She married in Melbourne in 1895 and at some stage they moved to York, in WA, where her husband died in 1902. Later that year she would marry a second time and convinced her new husband to migrate to WA for a time, from London.

After his death in 1929 she returned to WA and became vice-president of the state branch of the Nationalist Party. In 1934 she was defeated by John Curtin (whose parents were Irish) for the seat of Fremantle in the House of Representatives. But in 1936 she beat two other Nationalist candidates and one from Labor to become the Nationalist member for Subiaco in the state parliament.

She was a fierce and articulate debater with independent views about many social sensitive issues.

“On 10 December, during a debate on starting-price betting, she was the first woman to be suspended from any Australian parlia-

ment,” the Australian Dictionary of Biography states.

“On 1 April 1947 Cardell-Oliver was appointed an honorary minister without portfolio in the McLarty-Watts Liberal-Country Party government and on 5 January 1948 honorary minister for supply and shipping.

When she was given the additional portfolio of minister for health on 7 October 1949, she became the first woman in John Australia and the oldest Curtin person in Western Australia to attain full cabinet rank. She retained these portfolios until the government was defeated in February 1953.”

Even more amazing is that her political achievements were just some of the many contributions Cardell-Oliver (as she called herself) would make in the course of her life, until her death in 1965.

CEILE AND SET DANCING IN PERTH!

THE CELTIC TIGER IS BACK!

The Mayor of Ballyindooley in Co. Galway visited the Mayor of Mullans in Co. Donegal. When he saw the palatial mansion belonging to the Mullans Mayor he wondered how he could afford such a house. The Mullans Mayor said; "You see that bridge over there?

The EU gave us a grant to build a four-lane bridge, but I built a single lane bridge with traffic lights at either end and used the extra money to build this fine home." One year later the Mayor of Mullans visited Ballyindooley.

He was simply amazed at the Ballyindooley Mayor's house, gold trim, marble floors, and it was twice the size of his Mullans home. When he asked how a small town Mayor could be afford such splendor, the Ballyindooley Mayor said; "You see that six-lane, 250 foot long bridge over there?" The Mayor of Mullans replied, "No." 67

THE DAY

by Lloyd Gorman /Fred Rea

WAS LOST

100 Years Ago!

T

he main commemoration for ANZAC Day in Ireland each year tends to take place in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, on Blackhorse Avenue, beside the Phoenix Park. Grangegorman was set up as a British army cemetery in 1876 but holds the graves of many an Irish man who served in British uniform, and even their family members. It is the largest military graveyard in Ireland and also the final resting place of seven Australian Diggers, four of whom died on the same day and in the same incident.

They were not killed on a battlefield or in a training exercise that went wrong. In fact they were on leave when they became casualties of war (WWI). The Australian soldiers – who had been on leave in Ireland to visit their Irish relatives – were passengers on board a civilian ship traveling between Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire) and Holyhead.

The RMS Leinster was a packet steam ship that carried passengers and mail between Ireland and England. It kept up this role and its usual throughout the war but because of the conflict was painted in camouflage and given a twelve pounder gun for protection.

About 15 minutes after it pulled out of Dun Laoghaire around 9am the “RMS Leinster” was attacked and sunk about 43 miles west of Holyhead by a German U-boat. In total 501 people - soldiers and civil-

ians were drowned - and 270 saved.

The date was October 10, 1918.

World War 1 – the bloodiest conflict to date in the history of mankind – was almost at an end.

Including those of the four Australians lost in the sinking Grangegorman contains the graves of some one hundred and forty soldiers and sailors with the Commonwealth forces who were drowned or killed in the attack. The bodies of two Australian servicemen were lost at sea.

Harrowing and haunting first hand accounts of the attack are recorded in an army investigation.

One witness saw the torpedo in the water and mistook it for a porpoise while another thought it was a whale.

The orderly response by crew and passengers to the first strike descended into chaos when the second torpedo hit. It became a matter of “every man for himself”.

“I was personally clinging to a raft for about two hours and another raft about 10 yards distant,” a military document by J.T. Barnes of the 48th Battalion, A.I.F, states. “I particularly noticed an Australian soldier hanging on with one hand – his head and shoulder being out of the water. Our rafts were kept in close proximity for about one hour during that time. I spoke words of encouragement to him, but it was obvious his strength was failing fast. Every time I spoke to him, he 68

smiled but never answered. The seas kept breaking over us and this combined with the cold and exposure, undoubtedly caused his death.

Ultimately he let go his and sank smiling to the last.”

There were a similar number of civilian casualties to service personnel.

William Wakefield was one of those souls lost on the Leinster.

“William was my maternal grandfather,” said Susan McClymont who has called Perth home for the last 14 years. In October she will return to Ireland for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the sinking. “He worked for the General Post Office and was on-board the Leinster between Dublin and England when the Germans sunk it. A month and a day later the war ended. My mother at the time was ten months old, she was the youngest of four children and my granny was left a very young widow. For years

Joseph Thomas Barnes

and years and years as children we were told this story, but there was nothing anywhere to commemorate them, or any mention of it until about ten years ago when they decided to bring the ships anchor up.

They placed it in Dun Laoghaire and in the last five years or so, they’ve got a museum in memory of all that were lost on board the Leinster. “ The occasion is significant for a

number of reasons. It will help formally recognise a terrible episode in Ireland’s maritime history that until recent times has been largely overlooked. It will also be meaningful for the descendants of those involved at a personal level.

“When I go back we are hoping to have a big family reunion,” added Susan. “I’ve got cousins who are in Canada, family in England and we

The Postal Packer Staff on 'The Leinster'. J.J.Higgins was the sole survivor.

Susan McClymont hold the Postal crew photo from 'The Leinster'.

are all planning to get together to honour my granddad. We thought it was an ideal occasion to get the family together in memory of this man who we never knew. This is something we are all going there for. God knows the last time we all saw each other, there’s some family I probably haven’t seen for fifty years. It’ll be something we will all remember.

I think it’ll be good for me to be able to tell my granddaughter about it and pass all of this on. At least now its registered and there is paperwork that can be passed on down to them. Before there was nothing, nothing.”

Faced with the unexpected and traumatic loss of her father Susan recalls how her mother honoured him. “My mother had no grave and every-time we would get the ferry between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead my mother would bring a red rose with her and when we got near to Kish Lighthouse (in Dublin Bay) we would go up on deck and she would throw the red rose in the water, because that was the closest she could be to her father. That was her way of being able to visit his grave.”

There are a few traces of William Wakefield and the family hope to add to his legacy. “Because he was with the GPO in Dublin (O’Connell St) they have a photograph of all the post office workers who went down with the ship, and a plaque. There’s a photo too in the museum but nothing else was done in memory of him.”

As it happens the family has a

West Australian connection...

Corporal J. B. Murray, a First Motor Transport driver from Kalgoorlie was rescued from the Leinster, and when he arrived in London was said to be nerve-wrecked but otherwise well.

Murray, who was a 1914 veteran, was proceeding to visit relatives in Ireland prior to his return to Australia. He said that his experience was more harrowing than anything in the war.

When the second torpedo struck the vessel he jumped overboard, as he was a strong swimmer and clung to wreckage for an hour, in the bitter cold.

Who was his family?

69

special connection with Grangegorman. “One of his daughters is buried there,” said Susan. “She died quite young from TB. I had to do a lot of digging around to find out where she was, there was no gravestone. I did find out where she was, and we were able to put a little plaque in memory of her. So, it might be nice to do something like that for William.”

A Father's Grief

Teenagers Anthony Baker, Anthony Jones and Ralph Murray, students of the Irish School of Telegraphy, Cork were lost on the Leinster. The body of Anthony Jones was recovered and buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Cork. The bodies of Anthony Baker and Ralph Murray were never recovered.

Les Morts They sleep in quiet waters where Kish towers, ‘Mid sand and slender sea-grass soft and deep, Through all the sunlit and the moonlit hours They sleep They are content, they murmur not, nor weep: No rushing flotsam hastes to mock their powers; They are content, and very deep Their sleep No tombs enclose them, and they need no flowers, No mothers’ kisses make their fond hearts leap— ‘Mid slender sea-grass, bending where Kish towers They sleep.

In deep and sorrowing memory of my three pupils, Anthony Baker, Anthony Jones and Ralph Murray, the last-named my son, all aged 17 years, who died the death of martyrs on October 10th, 1918, torpedoed aboard the R.M.S. Leinster, during a rough and swift-running sea, and in sight of the Kish Rock Lighthouse. —Albert Murray

Theatre Review

Dear Frankie Reviewed by Lloyd Gorman

As a 46 year old who grew up in 1970’s Ireland I am too young to have known the broadcasts or story of Frankie Byrne, the real life character about whom the play ‘Dear Frankie’ by Irish playwright Niamh Gleeson was written. But Perth based theatre lover and director Frank Murphy - who most may know from his and producer Gerry Grogan's weekly Saturday morning ‘Song for Ireland’ radio show - lived through that era. Indeed, as a young and upcoming broadcaster he worked with her and knew her well and undoubtedly put that knowledge and passion into the production of this play, its first outing in Australia at the beautifully beach side located Kidogo Art House in Fremantle.

I caught the final performance on August 26, a matinee show, unlike the previous five runs which were all at night. The director said he was breaking his own promise to himself not to appear on stage before a play, partly to explain that the presence of daylight into the white stone room (that to me is reminiscent of a, if not rather large, traditional Irish cottage)

would mean that the “magic” of change between some scenes that was normally done in darkness, would now be visible to the audience. To be honest, I think it hardly mattered as the cast of three maneuvered the stage action around effortlessly. The stage itself looked deceptively straightforward but obviously involved quite a bit of work to set up and light. An alcove lent itself brilliantly to be the radio studio where Frankie became Ireland’s agony aunt of the 1960’s. The play portrays the professional life of the heroine (including briefly the fact she single handedly managed the public relations for JFK’s 1963 visit to Ireland) but focuses mainly on the personal life of this ‘public’ figure, from her birth to a mother who resented her from the moment she was born, her rise as an institution in broadcasting and Dublin’s social scene, tribulations as a mother who gives up her only daughter - Valerie - for adoption, to her ultimate and sad demise through dementia.

Each of the actors played their parts flawlessly. Alida Chaney was a very credible and convincing Frankie while Jennifer McGrath and

Mike Sheehy each played multiple characters, always transitioning from one identity to another with ease, a change of accent and mannerisms (always done well) denoting someone else was talking.

They also injected levity and humour into their performances that felt ad-libbed. All three worked well together on stage and should 70

be proud of their acting ability. For one thing, there is a lot of dialogue and if any of them faltered it wasn’t noticeable.

‘Dear Frankie’ is a long play, lasting about three hours over two acts with an interval that was too brief to be able to really enjoy as a break.

The size and set up of Kidogo for a play of this nature comes with mixed blessings. Because it is a single large room the audience is exposed to the drama at close quarters. I like that the seating is individual chairs collected in no

particular order in the room, but it means that depending on where you are sitting behind the first couple of front rows you may not be able to see some parts of the play unless you stood up.

But Dear Frankie was, in spite of her sombre finish, an enjoyable outing and account of a remarkable woman who no doubt helped progress the lot of generations of Irish women.

From a personal point of view the play also came at an interesting time for me as a radio listener.

Earlier that week having tuned out a few years ago I returned to listening to RTE radio - the Irish national broadcaster where Frankie made her mark - regularly, for the love of what those once familiar airwaves have to offer. Learning about her story has enriched my appreciation of Irish broadcasting.

land of

&

honey

How Ireland learned to love sugar!

Sugar consumption is an interesting case in point when looking at the changes in eating habits in Ireland.

In 1820 the average person in Ireland ate just two kilos of sugar a year while someone living in England ate six times as much – more than 12 kilos. Consumption trends in England were on a firmly

Ireland

upward trend while in Ireland the opposite was true and by the start of the famine years, the Irish were eating just over 1 kilo per head.

This, of course, was largely due to increasing poverty in a rapidly growing population.

By 1900 the Irish were getting both richer and fonder of the sweet stuff – consumption had climbed to almost 10 Kilos per annum, a very significant and rapid rise.

This was not accidental. The move from a home-grown diet to one of goods purchased in stores changed everything. Tea, sugar and sweet processed foods were on an upward trajectory as suppliers rushed to both create and supply demand for their products. They saw Ireland, with its historically low consumption figures, as a market ripe for development.

Ireland still lags behind the UK but not by very much. In 2009 they ate 23 kilos of sugar per head, compared to a UK figure of 36 kilos and a US intake of 30 kilos.

Interestingly, from the mid1800s though, clever folk began to realise they could transcend the ordinariness of boiled sugar sweets and traditional hard candies by adding milk and fat. Before long,

this creamy, chewy invention became known as caramel, and although in recent years we’ve more often than not added salt, it really hasn’t changed much since.

Hard to soft sweets!

Chewiness in general became more desirable, and the Rowntree family introduced the world to both Fruit Pastilles (1881) and Fruit Gums (1893), ensuring a legacy of children endlessly fighting over who gets the purple ones in the process.

In 1987, Rowntree operated 25 factories in nine countries and employed 33,000 people, including close to 16,000 in its eight UK operations. Group turnover was £1.4 billion, with the UK and Ireland accounting for 40% of the total. I wonder has it changed?

Fred Rea

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Hiberno/Anglo Con-Fusion in Any Century

by Sean Byrne

In his only play concerning Ireland George Bernard Shaw talks about an Irishman’s heart and head being very much related to his imagination (John Bull’s Other Island 1904). In the same year J.M. Synge launched a neuropathological investigation (literary of course) into the Irish psyche in Riders to the Sea. In 1907 Yates defended Synge from an outraged Irish-nationalist audience at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin after the premiere of The Playboy of the Western World when he charmingly announced to that audience that they had once again,‘shamed yourselves’. But, here is an article in The Irish Penny Journal of 1840 which precedes the psychological perceptions of Shaw, Synge, Yates et alia in the twentieth century. St. Brigid’s Shawl was published in The Irish Penny Journal. Volume 1 on Saturday 14 November 1840 and written by T.E. Somebody-or-Other (the author didn’t quite get his full name). It was in fact dramatically drawing upon historical events such as the lives of Saint Brigid and Saint Kevin in the 4th century and outrageously relating them, imaginatively, to Ireland in the 12th century and beyond. What an irony, that a creative script by an unknown author in a humble publication like The Irish Penny Journal. Volume 1 back in 1840 should attempt to investigate the historic psychology of the Irish mind well before the Super-Literati of the 20th century took on the task.

That little rivalry between religion and state for the hearts and minds and pockets of followers has been an engaging human preoccupation since the advent of mankind. In this tale from the 1840s a-not-so sophisticated Mr Mowlds (charming name he has)

narrates how St Brigid makes her way from the 4th to the 12th century to imaginatively interact with the King of Leinster, Dermot MacMurroghue, or to give him his English title, (which he thoroughly deserves) Dermot Murphy, and in her sacred wisdom (to coin a phrase) made a right eejit out of him. Mind you, she wasn’t the first woman to diddle poor ould Dermot, his wife Dorah was a fair hand at it as well. Dermot if you really want to know was no angel or rocket scientist. He was in fact the first Irish statesman to actually invite the English over to Ireland. You see, he had some differences with the High King of Ireland and his mates over cattle stealing. Thieving and smuggling among royals was big in Ireland even in those Pre-Celtic Tiger Times. Suffice to say 12th century Dull Dermot invited the English King Henry II to come over and help him rustle up some cattle.

And of course, under the eagle eye of Strongbow, the English came ‘trooping over, absolutely trooping over’. And they made the most profound STAY. ‘Well, dammit, we were invited’. So now you see the danger of inviting a stranger into your home to settle a domestic difference. And the MURPHY WEEKEND goes on to this very day in Ulster Minor (Ulster-in-part) alias Nor’en’irelan’.

Back in the 4th century Brigid by the sound of her was no stranger to the sound of the Sunday collection.

Well she is reputed to have hailed from Faughart, a wee townland just north of Dundalk, now that’s virtually South Armagh! Bandit Country! Need I say more? King Dermot Murphy, the Slab Murphy, Henry II, Strongbow, smuggling, cattle, diesel, punts and euros, Brexit-Breaking. Got the picture?

Being from that neck of the woods 72

Saint Brigie would have known all about cash. The church needed the readies, Brigid was a women of the church, and if this involved diddling poor ould 12th century Dermot with her not-soskimpy 4th century shawl and turning Kildare into a penguin colony of knitting nuns, well, so be it. Let me explain, the story runs thus: The legend of Brigid’s cloak is often told. It’s the story about the manner in which she came to acquire the land to build her monastery at Kildare. It is often regarded as one of the first miracles associated with her Cloak. She approached the King of Leinster, Dermot the Slob Murphy, even though he lived eight hundred years after her, requesting the land on which to build her monastery.

The place she selected in Kildare was ideal. It was near a lake where water was available, in a forest where there was firewood and near a fertile plain on which to grow crops. The King refused her request. Brigid was not put off by his refusal. Rather, she and her sacred sisters prayed that the King’s heart would soften. But Brigid was not one for mere prayer; ‘praise the Lord and pass the powder’ was her motto. She made her request again but this time she asked, “Give me as much land as my cloak will cover.” Seeing her skimpy cloak, he laughed and then granted this request. However, Brigid had instructed her four consecrated accessories after the fact each to take a corner of the cloak, knit and pull like hell while walking in

opposite directions – north, south, east and west. As they did this the cloak began to grow and spread across many acres. She now had sufficient land on which to build her monastery. The King and his entire household were dismayed and amazed. They realised that this woman was truly blessed by God and His understanding of MacroEconomics and the Elasticity-ofDemand theory. The King became a patron of Brigid’s monastery, assisting her with money, food and gifts. Later he converted to Christianity. It was on this land in Kildare that she built her dual monastery circa 470.

Now Brigid wasn’t the only saintly-sinner as mentioned in Mowld’s mouldy ould tale. Saint Kevin himself a St Francis of Assisi-type person with the love of all creatures great and small and the Jesuit intelligence of Pope Francis 1 finds himself diddling poor ould Dermot’s cousin King O’Toole who loved an ould goose he had runnin’ around the palace for years. Apparently, Saint Kevin was something of a hot veterinary surgeon in the 4th, 12th and/or whatever century, who cares? The Jesuits may have made James Joyce tick, but Saint Kevin made the ould goose young again for O’Toole.

The tale goes thus: Perhaps one of the most interesting legends is about a pet goose which belonged to King O’Toole of Glendalough.

Both king and goose were getting on in years and as time passed, the goose became weak and unable to fly. Hearing of Kevin’s sanctity and veterinarian prowess, the king sent for him, and asked that he make the beloved goose young again. Kevin asked for a payment up-front of whatever land the goose would fly over. As the goose could no longer take flight, O’Toole agreed. When Kevin touched the bird, it grew young, and flew over the entire valley that was used to found

the monastery of Glendalough (That’s Glendalough, not the Aussie Glendalow! What would the Low Ness Monster have to say about Aussie pronunciation?).

But vets, Vatican or otherwise, don’t come cheap, then or now, and O’Toole had to American Express some of his material gains (ill-gotten or otherwise) off to Rome for veterinary services received. Unfortunately, Saint Kevin mustn’t have finished Vet. School in Dublin, for the goose mistakenly grabbed a horseeel instead of a trout out of the lake for Ould O’Toole’s supper and, just like Aussie Steve Irwin after him, poor O’Toole came a cropper to the fauna of his time.

Our half-anonymous author T.E. Whatever, himself writing for The Irish Penny Journal. Volume 1 back in 1840 brings the tale of Blousey Biddy and her female associates to an engaging conclusion by not concluding at all. The temperamental interviewee Mr Mowlds takes the hump at being addressed as ‘Pat’ instead of the more formal ‘Mr Mowlds’ by the all-too-familiar T.E. Something-or-Other author of the aforesaid article and off he humps in a fit of chagrin leaving the publisher unable to conclude on the outcome of the conflict regarding Brigie’s Blouse. The O’Toole’s Supper Saga likewise suffers an untimely end. There is no mention of finalisation by the Bank of Ireland or the Four Courts in either case.

If you’re still not convinced about the mega-imagination of the Irish psyche here’s a short extract from George Bernard Shaw’s 1904 play John Bull’s Other Island where two gentlemen, one English and the other Irish are discussing the nature of Ireland.

(Quote).

BROADBENT (The Englishman).

Roscullen Larry, what a charming little Irish village.

DOYLE (The Irishman). Rosscullen! oh, good Lord, Rosscullen! The dullness! the hopelessness! the ignorance! the bigotry!

BROADBENT. The usual thing in the country, Larry. Just the same here in England.

DOYLE. No, it’s not, the climate’s different. In England if the life is dull, you can be dull too, and no great harm done. But in Ireland your wits can’t thicken in that soft moist air, in those misty rushes and brown bogs, on those hillsides of granite rocks and magenta heather. Here in England, you’ve no such colors in the sky, no such lure in the distances, no such sadness in the evenings. Oh, the dreaming! the dreaming, the eternal dreaming! The poor ould village priest manufactures a miracle or a sentimental story of a saint, has cathedrals built for him out of the pennies of the poor. He can’t be intelligently political, if you want to interest him in Ireland you’ve got to call the unfortunate island Kathleen ni Hoolihan and pretend she’s a little old woman with four green fields. It saves thinking. It saves working. It saves everything except imagination, imagination, and imagination’s such a torture that you can’t bear it without whisky.

BROADBENT. Never despair, Larry old chap. There are great possibilities for Ireland in the future, under English guidance of course.

(End of Quote).

Aaagghh!!

So, there’s Irish psychology, imagination, wit, subterfuge, dissembling, mythology, history and the English for you, in the 4th, 12th, 20th, 21st or whatever century.

There is a tendency among Irish writers to depict the English as either “racist, officious hypocrites” or “sentimental, romantic duffers” George Bernard Shaw 73

LIVING THE DREAM

by DANIEL O’DONNELL (with Eddie Rowley)

Reviewed By JOHN HAGAN I must admit that I have never attended a Daniel O’Donnell concert.

It’s not that I haven’t had the opportunity (he has performed in Hobart many times), it’s just that I haven’t been inspired enough to buy a ticket. One Sunday afternoon however, during my recent holiday in Ireland, I spotted a sign for the ‘Daniel O’Donnell Visitor Centre’ while passing through Dungloe (County Donegal). The prospect of discovering more about one of Ireland’s most popular, and famous, singers proved too strong, so I stopped to explore. I’m glad I did. What he has achieved, and how he has been recognized across the world, truly amazed me. Now, motivated to enhance my knowledge about O’Donnell as a person, what drives him, and how he rose to fame, the publication of his new memoir, ‘Living the Dream’, seemed a chance too good to miss.

In this book, a follow-up to his first autobiography, ‘Follow Your Dreams’ (1992), O’Donnell reflects on what makes him tick, with uncommon honesty and disarming good humour. From his humble beginnings in Kincasslagh (County Donegal), O’Donnell recounts his early struggles in show-business and his first ever recording, ‘My Donegal Shore’ (1983), made in a Castleblaney recording studio. “I sold every one of those records myself”, he recalls. “I even sold them on a pilgrimage to Knock shrine in County Mayo, where the Blessed Virgin once appeared. I sang on the bus all the way down and all the way back and the pilgrims bought the records from me”. Eventually, through hard work, good management and some lucky breaks, he found his niche in the entertainment business. He reminisces, with affection about his MBE Award from Prince Charles in 2001, how he was petrified while appearing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, and why meeting his idol, Loretta Lynn, jangled his nerves. “But the day I met Loretta Lynn goes down in my book as one of the highlights of my life” he recollects with awe and affection.

Lynn later came to Kinasslagh, as a surprise guest, to sing at O’Donnell’s 36th birthday celebrations.

We follow O’Donnell through his concert tours, his

74

recordings and appearances with luminaries such as Ricky Skaggs, Gay Byrne, Cilla Black, Gloria Hunniford, sister Margo, concert touring partner, Mary Duff, and Cliff Richard, who has become a lifelong friend, and with whom he shares a deep religious faith. “I like to go to Mass and I get a good feeling and great comfort and strength from doing that”, O’Donnell declares.

Every day, however, was not a ‘red letter’ day for O’Donnell; there were plenty of trials to face too. He reflects on his wife Majella’s battle with cancer, the death of his beloved mother and how the relentless touring and recording regime brought him to the brink of burnout, forcing him to reassess his priorities in life.

Of all the accolades and awards O’Donnell has received over his lifetime, “the one I treasure most is the trophy that marks my selection as ‘Donegal Person of the Year’ in 1989. That was a tremendous honour for me because it came from the people and the county that I hold dear to my heart”. Surely this is a measure of the man, and an insight into how, and why, he is considered, ‘a national treasure’.

I thoroughly enjoyed this very readable, well-written and absorbing book, replete with photographs and packed with valuable perceptions into O’Donnell’s motivations, his affection for Ireland, his Donegal roots and his burgeoning career across decades. Despite having ‘friends in high places’, O’Donnell has never forgotten his friends, fans, and those less privileged who made him into what he has become. When he next returns to Hobart, I will certainly be in the queue to book a seat.

Living the Dream is published by The O’Brien Press and can be purchased from the Book Depository (UK) for$28.32 (including postage). www.bookdepository. com

BEAN COUNTERS

by RICHARD BROOKS Reviewed By JOHN HAGAN

Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY) and KPMG are the four major international accounting firms. Together they audit 97% of US public companies, all of the UK’s top 100 corporations, and 80% of Japanese listed companies. I always took it for granted that when a business audit was completed that all was transparent and ‘above board’ with the firm’s finances.

On reading Brooks’ ground-breaking expose of the ‘four amigos’, I now have serious doubts as to the rectitude and righteousness of the bean counting elites. Brooks charts the rise of the accounting profession from humble bean-counters (literally) to become a gilded profession which has seemingly lost its moral compass. These

accountants now appear more interested in providing ‘consultancy services’ to business and have become more active in the lucrative takeover trade rather than undertaking financial audits. “Their alumni control the international and national standard setters, ensuring that the rules of the game suit the major accountancy firms and their clients,” writes Brooks. The ‘big four’ have also become accepted as key government advisors, particularly in relation to outsourcing, together with the lucrative privatization of public services. Brooks skillfully and forensically traces the bean counters roles in the tax-avoidance industry, involvement in the Enron debacle, their part in the global 2008 global financial crisis, and how PwC mucked up the 2017 Academy Award presentation. As a soccer tragic, I found the section focusing on bribery and corruption associated with the administration of the ‘world game’ riveting, including how FIFA selected Qatar to host the next World Cup. How could a country with no history in the sport, precious few fans and no stadia be chosen? As Brooks remarks, “-- football ceased to be the people’s game and became a criminal one”. This is a compelling, and meticulously researched book into a profession which seems to have lost the plot. Essential reading for anyone interested in society and how our economic systems have become distorted by the excesses of the four accounting cartel members.

Bean Counters is published by Atlantic. $32.99

Jeff Kildea with Minister Paul Kehoe at Wexford book launch

from the Commonwealth parliament after he criticised British rule in Ireland.

This book, the first part of a two-volume biography of Mahon, spans the period from his birth in 1857 to his election to parliament. Pulling together the many facets of Mahon’s life, it reveals the forces which drove this complex man who was reviled by many for denouncing the British Empire while remaining a hero to those who supported self-determination for Ireland.

In Wexford, Jeff’s book was launched by Minister Paul Kehoe (Paul Kehoe visited Perth some years ago) at a meeting of the New Ross Historical Society. They, like me were impressed by Jeff’s research and wrote an authoritive history of the Land League and land wars in the Wexford area. I also noticed in his acknowledgements mention of Danny Cusack. Danny now resides in Ireland and gives talks about Hugh Mahon to groups around the country. Danny is a member of the Australian Irish Heritage Association of WA. This is a wonderful read and is a wonderful source for thoses interested in Irish history.

About the author: Dr Jeff Kildea is an adjunct professor in Irish Studies at the University of New South Wales. In 2014 he held the Keith Cameron Chair of Australian History at University College Dublin. He is the author of Tearing the Fabric: Sectarianism in Australia 1910-1925 (2002); Anzacs and Ireland (2007); and Wartime Australians: Billy Hughes (2008), as well as numerous articles and papers on the Irish in Australia. He is the director of the Irish Anzacs Project at UNSW.

Hugh Mahon Patriot, Pressman, Politician

By Jeff Kildea Reviewed by Fred Rea As a political agitator, journalist, businessman and politician, Hugh Mahon had a varied and fascinating life. Born in Offaly, he and his family migrated to America in 1869, but returned to Ireland in 1880 after their American dream failed. He was active in the Land League in County Wexford which led to his arrest and imprisonment with Parnell in 1881, and exile to Australia. As a crusading journalist he exposed corruption and became a thorn in the side of the Forrest government in Western Australia during the 1890s. He was elected to the first Commonwealth parliament in 1901 and served in four Labor ministries, rising to Minister for External Affairs during the First World War. He has the distinction of being the only person expelled

(See Hugh Mahon Story on Page 4)

"Upon his expulsion, Hugh Mahon showed his true loyalty to the parliament. Even though he knew there was no substance to the complaint made against him, he respected the fact that a majority of the House had voted to expel him. Hugh Mahon's living descendants can be proud of the way he conducted himself during what would have been a very difficult time for him and his family.

They can be proud of his loyalty to his Irish roots, to his beloved Labor Party and to the nation he had served loyally and faithfully for 17 years as a member of this House".

Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) during a motion to move a private member motion in November 1918.

75

when one of those lost loves in Beckett was invited into the house. Lucia broke down and was sent to an asylum where she received psychological assistance from another famous figure of the time, Jung.

This is a multi-layered novel written by an author with a strong sense of literary device. Note for example the various eye complaints suffered by James Joyce and Lucia that are metaphors indicative of their lack of vision, he in failing to see Lucia need for independence and something more than being his muse and she in not seeing her courters ulterior motives of seeing her as a way to get close to her genius father.

Anabel has given us a sympathetic portrayal of Lucia an amazingly talented young woman, a genius in her own right, unfortunately overshadowed by her celebrated parents.

‘The Joyce Girl’ is published by Hachette.

Book Reviews with Paula Xiberras

No Joy for Joyce Girl

by Paula Xiberras When I spoke to Annabel Abbs the author of ‘The Joyce Girl’ she was visiting Sydney for the writer’s festival. Considering the distance she has travelled the conversation turns to travel. In something of an irony Annabel tells me about her daughter who at the time was on holiday in Malta and I was excited to learn she had also visited Malta’s sister island Gozo, to which I owe some of my own heritage.

Annabel tells me her daughter finds Malta ‘a compelling place’. On the subject of compelling, Annabel was compelled to write a novelisation of the life of the Lucia Joyce, somewhat eclipsed by her famous parents James Joyce and Nora Barnacle.

Most of us are familiar with Joyce and his controversial novel ‘Ulysses’ but another of Joyce’s fascinating creations was Lucia, a young woman with amazing potential in a number of fields, foremostly a celebrated dancer, a singer (a career she relinquished because it was her brother’s desire to pursue singing. Other abilities her father noted were clairvoyance and her talent as a proficient sketcher.

Lucia may have had many talents but one she lacked was a talent for achieving a romantic match. Many of the flatterers that hovered around her father often captured her heart as an avenue to approach the genius of Joyce himself.

The book discusses Lucia’s love for her father’s colleague, Samuel Beckett and subsequent relationships including one with a gentleman who made miniatures and mobiles. Lucia’s description of observing his miniature circus populated by puppets and controls is a fitting metaphor for Lucia’s own controlled life starting in her childhood disrupted by her parent’s continual moving, including a time spent in England for James and Nora to get married and ensure their children’s legitimacy. The legitimacy debacle, a big issue at the time and her lost loves became too much for Lucia, especially so

App-ortunities for the imagination

by Paula Xiberras It seems a little unusual to be talking to musician Damien Leith about something other than music but earlier this year we got together to have a chat about Damien’s most recent project a reading app for children and parents to share.

He compares the App to something akin to Pixar movies that although aimed at children include elements for adults too.

The catalyst for creating the stories was inspired by Damien’s kid’s cries of boredom on their summer holidays. After many years of telling his own original bedtime stories to his children Damien decided to create the App. The stories like Aesop’s fables include a little moral tale to help children see right from wrong.

One story involves children on a visit to the family farm learning in a very surreal kind of way the consequences of forgetting their commitment to feed the animals!

Another story is about a donkey’s encounter with an alien spacecraft!

The stories aim to engage young imaginations with no limitations.

Damien is conscious of how children are easily distracted by all the new technology and for that reason he consciously hasn’t overloaded the app with too many click ons instead opting for a single image.

As is the nature of technology Damien is continually updating the App with new stories all the time.

So please log on https://www.damienleithstorytime.com/ to experience yet another facet to Damien’s diverse talents.

76

Conolan finds freedom from Chains

by Paula Xiberras Break your Chains is one of Tasmanian author, Emily Conolan’s ‘The Freedom Finders’ series. This interactive series allows the reader to choose different options at the end of each chapter, many of which might lead to the demise of the character but the beauty of the book is you can return to the previous chapter and choose a different option.

Break Your Chains is the story of an Irish girl living and leaving London to find herself in Australia and more specifically Van Diemens land in 1825.

After her father is taken into custody for rebellious activities she is left with her mother who contracts smallpox and succumbs. Our young protagonist also contracts the disease but recovers only to find herself in more life and death situations.

Some of these include a stint at Newgate prison, encountering pickpockets and later delivering a foal on board the ship on her way to Australia where she sets out to find her father.

I spoke to Emily earlier this year. Born in Launceston at 18 Emily moved to Melbourne and New Zealand for study. As both a teacher and writer Emily is also involved in humanitarian work by supporting asylum seekers. For her work she holds a number of awards including Hobart Citizen of the Year, Tasmanian of the Year and a Tasmanian Human Rights Award. The courage Emily has seen displayed by refugees as well as that displayed by her own family ancestors of helping Irish political prisoners in Van Diemen’s Land encouraged her to write of these similar resilient characters in ‘The Freedom Finder’ books.

The book also includes helpful sections subjects such as small pox, Tasmanian aboriginals of Lutruwita (Tasmania’s aboriginal name) and pickpockets, with the interesting information that to train them a coat would be placed on a coat hanger with a bell.

The aim was to pick the pocket without making the bell ring.

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Doreen Wray is a person with a great personality and a pleasure to meet and speak to. What a smile.

Everyone’s friend.

With Tony Synnott What do you remember of the place where you were born?

The great fun with friends from both sides! When people think of Belfast, they think of ‘The Troubles’ but it’s a wonderful city. My papa would always tip his hat to everyone when we went for walks. He treated people equally and always with a smile. I cherish those memories.

Did you come from a large family?

No, it’s Mum, Dad, my brother (Richie) and I. Always a family, but now friends.

How did you manage to come to Australia and why?

My Dad had a bad case of pneumonia and warm weather was prescribed. It took a lot of courage to move across the world, especially back in the 60s when it was a six week boat trip!

Are you a sporting lady and who do you follow and why?

I like rugby union. It’s a very skilled game. My Dad played and was very passionate about it.

My Mum always supports Ireland but Dad and I support the Wallabies. In the AFL I follow the Dockers.

My nephew told me he would bring flowers to my grave when they win a grand final!

Wherever you go you are always admired. How do you manage to look so good?

You are very kind Tony! I think not sweating the small stuff, surrounding yourself with positive people and having a good laugh as often as you can, all contribute to feeling good.

When people smile at you, it’s very hard not to smile back!

Where is your favourite watering hole and why?

The Mighty Quinn Tavern. I’ve met some wonderful

people who have become great mates (we even travel together). We live locally and it’s the perfect place to catch up for a drink and a bit of craic.

What do you like about the Irish Scene and why?

It’s about Irish people, being Irish, out and about enjoying themselves.

What is the best film you have seen and why?

‘The Great Escape’ with Steve McQueen when you get down to the nuts and bolts of it, it’s about team work, an entire camp of POW’s working together for the greater good. There’s also a lovely sensitive side to it.

One of the escapees is blind, another is claustrophobic, but their mates stand by them to help them escape.

Will you spend the rest of your days in Perth or will you move on?

I love living in Perth. I couldn’t imagine living my life anywhere else.

Where would you like to visit, anywhere in the world?

The French countryside. My parents’ stories of quaint villages, breathtaking landscapes, not to mention the cheese and wine, means it goes on the bucket list!

Have you anything you would like to achieve in your life or in the future?

I would like to tick off my bucket list!

What can you tell us about your life that you have enjoyed?

I travelled during my 20s. What started as a year of adventure turned into six years, living and working in places like Switzerland, Greece, Turkey and of course Northern Ireland. Travelling makes you realise that deep down we are all the same. Mark Twain nailed it when he said “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”.

We know Tony Synnott likes a bet on the races and it being a national pastime in Ireland. Tony told me one time he saw the local priest in Drogheda rushing past me to get a bet on at the race track. His mate Mick spotted the Reverend father making a big fuss of a horse in the parade ring. Amazingly the horse went on to win the next race easily. Tony and Mick took great interest when we saw the same Reverend father bless another horse in the next race, blow me, this horse won too. Well they were hot on the Reverend father's coat tails for the third race and as soon as he patted a horse

called Foxy Loxy, they raced off to get the best odds they could with the bookies. Foxy Loxy was well up with the pace on the first circuit, but down the back straight for the second time, Foxy Loxy dropped to the rear. Then to Tony's surprise it dropped dead by the water jump. When he went back to the bar for a pint he fell into conversation with a local, and told him the tale of the Reverend father. 'Be Jasus ye eejit' he said, 'you have to learn the difference between when Reverend Murphy is blessing a horse and when he is giving it the last rites' .

TONY LIKES A FLUTTER BUT SOMETIMES...

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WAGS Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. The Forgotten Sister - Mary Dowds Jenni Ibrahim and SM

TREESome family historians are collectors of names, dates and places of as many distant relatives as possible.

Others choose to fill out the flesh and bones of their ancestor’s story, going beyond the basic Births, Deaths and Marriages.

An Irish Special Interest Group member of the second type shares a recent success in their family history journey. They built on earlier research by a distant American cousin and used a combination of research approaches, including asking older relatives, looking up official records from Irish Government sources, Google searches, seeking information from online groups, including genealogical Facebook groups.

In the course of their research they applied to an Irish Government department for access to records held.

In some ways this search was made easier because the relative lived in the first half of the twentieth century, rather than in the nineteenth century when many Western Australians Irish ancestors lived and when literacy levels and record keeping were not as good. On the other hand, privacy laws protect people who lived in more recent times.

Because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter and in consideration of the sensitivities of any living family members, the member has chosen to be known as SM. None of the research described had to be paid for; none used a subscription site. There is lots to be found for little or no cost. So do not be deterred - have a go yourself! Here is SM’s story.

When I first took an interest in my family history and began building my family tree, I was quite lucky on my mother’s side. In the United States Dr Christopher Earls Brennen had already written quite extensively on his research into the Earls family, my maternal grandfather’s side and he published his results as

79 80

“The Earls Family Chronicles” in 1991. This was a great starting point for my own family history journey.

Since his work was published so many more records, resources and research projects have become available online.

Dr Brennen had found a lot of detailed information on most members of the Earls family. But my particular goal was to find out more about one particular great aunt, Mary Dowds. At the time he could only find this much: Mary Dowds was born in June 1903 in Rathdown (Co. Dublin) and was listed in the 1911 census as being aged 7, born in Dublin City in 1903, and able to read and write.

She became a nun and later was interned in a mental hospital.

So where does Mary Dowds fit into my family?

My maternal grandfather Francis Dowds came from a well-educated family, and had three sisters and three brothers. His mother, Annie Nunan and his father Alexander Earls Dowds, were teachers, his father a mathematics professor at Trinity College, Dublin. Mary Dowds was their first child, born on 30 April 1903.

According to the church records she was baptised several days later on the 8 May. As Christopher Brennan had discovered, Mary was living at home in 1911 with her parents and three of her brothers at 37 Belmont Avenue, Pembroke West, Dublin, near what is now Donnybrook. My grandfather was to be born later that year. Mary is shown as the eldest child, 7 years old and could read and write.

This was as much as I could find online on my great aunt Mary - not much more than the original information from the Earls Family Chronicles, even though some dates needed correction now that more accurate records are available. I was determined to find out further details on her life, and not just settle for the birth and death statistics of her life.

So I asked all of my living aunts, uncles and extended family “What do you know or remember of Mary Dowds?” Turns out they knew very little, but there were a few snippets of information, “she was deaf”, “she spent money charging it to her father’s account”, “she used to stay in hotels with her dogs”, and “I think she went to Alexandra College”. That was, until someone said “I remember visiting her in Portrane as a child”. At first, not being from Dublin myself, I didn’t realise the significance of this comment.

After a bit of Google searching I found “Portrane” often referred to an asylum known as St Ita’s Hospital located at Portrane, on the coast 25km north of Dublin.

Established in the 1890s it provided long-term care for mental health patients. In more recent years it has housed people with mental and physical disabilities and still provides care for some people today.

At its peak it provided accommodation and respite care for ex- professionals, doctors, lawyers, soldiers etc. As you can see from the aerial view it was a small working village with a market garden, laundry, shop,

She was very intelligent, independent and looked after her own affairs. She read the paper every day and wrote two letters a day to family. She started working in the laundry at St Ita’s, but it was soon realised her talents lay in knitting, crochet and sewing. Apparently, she lived a long happy life in residence at St Ita’s, never tried to escape. Occasionally her family visited. She died of heart failure in 1985 at the age of 82. She was buried at Deansgrange cemetery.

An email to the cemetery confirmed the details of Mary’s plot, which I sent to another lovely lady in the IGP County Dublin Facebook group. She very generously volunteered to photograph the gravesite for me. Unfortunately, Mary Dowds rests in peace in an unmarked grave alongside her brother and sister in law.

So my next question is, where was Mary Dowds after she left school and before she became a resident at St Ita’s (between 1923 and 1939?

After the 1911 Irish census another census was not taken until 1926, due to the Civil War 1921-22. The next census was in 1936. Census information is not released until 100 years have passed. So unfortunately I’ll have to wait quite a few years to find out where she was on those census nights!

Sources

two churches and a bus service for patients coming and going.

My Google search also came up with a few comments on online forum RootsChat, suggesting it was possible to access health records under the Freedom of Information

(FOI) Act. The health department, however, would only take requests by post. Without a postal address I turned to one of the closed Irish genealogy Facebook groups I belong to, Ireland Genealogy Projects County Dublin Ireland Genealogy Group and asked members who to contact for information about patients at St Ita’s Hospital. Long story short, somebody messaged me the address I needed and told me what documents I also needed to prove my relationship to Mary Dowds and make an FOI application.

While I was waiting for my application to be dealt with, I contacted Alexandra College Dublin through their alumnae page. They were able to confirm the family anecdote that Mary Dowds had attended the school, from 1918 to 1922 in fact, and provided copies of her enrolment.

I also investigated electoral records and found that from 1939 to 1945 Mary had lived in Herbert Street, Dublin.

These records have now been taken down from the web due to privacy concerns about living people, but records for some years are still available at the Dublin City Archives in person (easier if you live there!).

Several months later I was contacted by someone from Dublin Health and they confirmed that Mary Dowds had indeed been a resident at St Ita’s from 1946 to 1985. They also revealed the kind of details of her life that I had been searching for.

Mary had been admitted at the age of 43. She had been working as a clerk and lived independently of her family in a house divided into flats in Herbert Street, Dublin just 2km from where the family was in 1911 at 37 Belmont Ave. There was no mention in her records that she had been a nun. She had never married nor had children.

Alexandra College Dublin https://alexandracollege.eu/ Christopher Earls Brennen, Earls Family Chronicles, Chapter 5: Children of John Earls and Mary McCloy http://brennen.caltech.edu/earls/content.htm accessed 10 May 2018 / Civil birth death and marriage records, Dublin church records www. irishgeneaolgy.ie (free site) Dublin City Archives including electoral rolls http://www.dublincity.ie Information about Freedom of Information (postal) Application to Health Services Ireland www.hse.ie/eng/services/yourhealthservice/info/foi/making-a-request Irish Census 1911 www.census.nationalarchives.ie (free site) Health Services Executive (HSE Ireland) www.hse.ie/eng St Ita’s Hospital, Portrane https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Ita%27s_Hospital RootsChat family history forum www.rootschat.com (free site) IGP’s County Dublin Ireland Genealogy Group at Facebook

Irish Special Interest Group One of 17 Special Interest Groups at the WA Genealogical Society (WAGS), the Irish Special Interest Group is for Western Australians researching their Irish ancestors.

The Irish Group of meets four times a year at WAGS Family History WA Research Centre, unit 4, 48 May Street, Bayswater .

The next meeting will be held on Sunday 21 October at 2pm, when Cheryl Hebbs will demonstrate how to use the Registry of Deeds website in combination with the Family Search site to discover ancestors who are mentioned in the deeds, such as marriage settlements, land transfers etc. Cheryl will show what you can find out for free without having to visit Dublin.

New members and visitors are welcome. Gold coin donation appreciated.

Contacts: Robyn O’Brien, Convenor, Irish Special Interest Group E irish@wags.org.au

WA Genealogical Society (WAGS)

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http://membership.wags.org.au T 9271 4311 Join WAGS’ Facebook group FamilyHistoryWA – researching family worldwide Irish Special Interest Group page at WAGS https://tinyurl.com/irishsig

KOKODA LEADERSHIP & “INSPIRED DISOBEDIENCE”

By Peter Lonergan

“When walking The Track today, we do so in awe and humility. The sheer ruggedness of the terrain, the savage uphill and brutal downhill sections, the heat, humidity, the treacherous and ever-changing river and creek crossings are only appreciated when experienced”.

I borrow from the quote above and having just completed the Kokoda Track I concur with his sentiment. Reflecting on Kokoda the word “more” keeps recurring, more difficult, more challenging, more inspiring, and the Papuans more friendly and deserving more support from our government.

The story of Kokoda played out against the backdrop of mountainous jungles seething with life, torrential rains and stifling heat and humidity. Moss covered trees lay over fast running rivers as Australian soldiers, many born in cities, confronted the enemy.

Some shook with malaria while others held their guts, cramped with dysentery.

There is an Irish interest which I will relate but I feel that like those values inscribed in stone in Isurava of Courage, Sacrifice, Endurance and Mateship the story of Kokoda has a message for us all.

History for mine is not solely reading and recording it is about immersing where possible. This is their story…… In the mid and latter months of 1942, Australians fought alone against the Imperial Japanese Army as it marched over the Owen Stanley Ranges

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in New Guinea towards Port Moresby. Then as now, Australia was not strong enough to defend itself – but it did.

Winston Churchill finally relented to Prime Minister John Curtin’s urgent pleas for the return of Australian troops from the Middle East – but not before Churchill tried to divert them to Burma.

As for the Americans, General Douglas MacArthur, the allied warlord in the Pacific, created a propaganda machine so effective, that kids reading history books today think it was the Yanks who stopped the Japanese on the Kokoda Track and not the Australians.

As the Japanese marched south towards the Kokoda Airfield, two largely untrained conscripted militia battalions were sent to defend it. These were the 39th and 53rd – about 500 men – called the ‘Maroubra Force’.

Their average age was 21. They were called ‘chocos’ because the public thought they would melt like chocolate soldiers in the heat of battle.

Most of the 39th were home guard. They knew nothing about jungle warfare. Many had never fired their weapons. Now these warriors of the working day were defending Australia.

Using bayonets, bully-beef tins and their steel helmets, the 39th Battalion dug in at Isurava. Their new CO, Lt Colonel Ralph Honner, arrived from Australia on July 16, the day before his 38th birthday.

To the teenage Diggers of the 39th, Ralph Honner, seemed like their grandfather. But his appointment was an inspired move. Honner was one of our finest tactical commanders, having proved his brilliance in the Middle East and Crete.

While the Japanese regrouped at Kokoda, Honner set his defences at Isurava and, equally importantly, set about instilling his young troops with confidence.

Ralph later summed up the 39th’s performance in his beautiful prose: “Indeed, the strangest feature of their story is that the weaker they became, the stronger and fiercer waxed their resolution to hold on at all costs until the long-promised relief should become a reality”.

Hyacinth Ralph Honner was born in Fremantle on August 17 1904, he was born on Saint Hyacinth’s feast day and Ralph’s mother, a good Irish Catholic, thought she was doing the right thing by naming him after a 13th century Dominican priest known as the apostle of the north. After the war, Ralph used his lawyer’s skills and his sense of fair play as the chairman of the war pensions assessment appeals tribunal where he adjudicated on veteran’s claims to great effect. Later, he was appointed Australia’s ambassador to the country of his ancestors, Ireland. Ralph Honner represented so many of the attributes of a great leader. His integrity, his fairness, his courage, his compassion, his morality, his initiative, his faith in himself and his team and his decisiveness all combined to make him an inspirational leader. He died in Sydney on 15 May 1994.

Just as it looked like the Maroubra Force would be wiped out, Brigadier Arnold Potts arrived with two

battalions of about 1000 men: the 2/14th and the 2/16th. Potts from Kojonup here in Western Australia had fought at Gallipoli and in France in World War One and was a gifted military strategist.

His men were fit and fresh from the Middle East but there was a problem. The advanced supplies promised

by HQ in Port Moresby had not arrived.

The head of the Australian forces, General Thomas Blamey – who was safely ensconced in Brisbane – kept directing Potts to attack but to do so would have been suicide. The Australians were under-supplied and

outnumbered five to one.

The Japanese threw everything at them and pushed them further back but not before a string of extraordinary last stands, which yielded more Allied decorations than any other battle in the Pacific, including a posthumous Victoria Cross for Bruce Kingsbury.

The Australians fought a decisive game of cat and mouse. They attacked, broke off and attacked again.

This is called the Fabian strategy, after the Roman dictator Fabius Maximus, who fought a war of attrition

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against a much larger army led by Hannibal. Potts knew the difficulty of trying to supply an army over the mountains. It was a lesson he would teach the Japanese, in the hour of greatest danger, the Japanese stopped. They had run out of food. Some cannibalised the dead. The Japanese had relied on speed to capture Port Moresby and now their soldiers were starving and riven with disease. Pott’s defensive battles had exhausted their supply lines.

Pott’s strategy and the Australian victory at Milne Bay, left the Japanese with no choice but to withdraw. They were harried all the way back to New Guinea’s north coast, where they were wiped out.

Pott’s strategy was tenacious and uncompromising, a fact which MacArthur and Blamey failed to appreciate. Blamey was ignorant of the terrain, the weather, the fighting conditions, the problems of evacuating the wounded and the size of the enemy force. He was out of his league.

Potts was sacked by Blamey on 22 October 1942 even though he had demonstrated inspired disobedience in winning the withdrawal. He later commanded with distinction the 23rd Brigade of II Corps in Bougainville.

Potts was the hero of the Kokoda Track.

One of the great mysteries of the track is what happened to Captain Sam Templeton.

Born in Belfast at the turn of the century, Sam Templeton served in the Royal Navy in WWI before immigrating to Australia in 1920,

and soon after joined the 5th Battalion of the Citizens Military Force as a private.

He quickly advanced to corporal then became a sergeant. He met his sweetheart Doris and together they had four children.

At the outbreak of WWII Sam tried to enlist in the AIF but was turned away because of his age.

Sam’s family say he felt very strongly about the war and was busting to get into it, eventually joining the 2nd/7th training Battalion AMF (Militia), then enlisting in the 39th Battalion.

There he received his commission as an officer.

Sam travelled to Port Moresby on Christmas Day, 1941. He was 42 years old. The 39th Battalion was very fortunate to have Sam. He was a strong, capable soldier and his experience would prove invaluable.

Uncle Sam (as he was known by his heartbreakingly young soldiers) stood 5 ft 10 inches (1.75m), was powerfully built and into everything.

His charges called him straight as a gun barrel. If it was wrong, Uncle Sam would put it right.

There is a crossing on the track named in honour of Sam Templeton, but the man himself has been missing-in-action for 68 years, lost on July 26, 1942 in the Battle of Olivi.

In hindsight, part adventure, part pilgrimage … by walking in the footsteps of those gone before one gets a glimpse of the nature of the struggle, the magnitude of the task and the playing out of those values we all espouse. Finally, no story of Kokoda would be complete

VISITING

Captain Sam Templeton

without acknowledging the role of the “fuzzy wuzzy angels” Those dark days of WW11 are well and truly over but today, a younger, modern ‘fuzzy wuzzy angel’ is continuing the great tradition of its grandfathers. These are the guides and porters of the Kokoda Trail, our guardians and from personal experience there is always an extended hand when required.

Finally too often we hear where is the vision? Where is the story?’

This is the vision. This is a story I feel so fortunate to have walked in and I encourage readers to do likewise – it may be the most difficult thing you ever do but it will be the most rewarding.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, remember Arnold Potts, Ralph Honor, Sam Templeton and the diggers who fought on the Kokoda Track.

Our modern states are preparing for war without even knowing the future enemy. ~Alfred Adler

Tony and Veronica McKee PO Box 994 Hillarys WA 6923

Ireland?

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"That made a big question whether Japan could advance to Port Moresby.

"The commander got angry at Templeton's answers and he killed him," Mr Nishimura said.

"I passed by the area where Templeton was killed on about August 2, 1942. I was about to set up a tent but smelt a very bad odour and I found the dead Australian officer lying there. I decided to dig a hole next to him and I buried him in the hole," he said.

Mr Nishimura, whose story is told in Charles Happell's book The Bone Man of Kokoda, has spent more than 25 years visiting PNG to recover the remains of his fallen comrades.

"They (Australians) were all very brave soldiers with high spirits, therefore I don't want to leave this mystery open," he said.

Mr Weatherall said they had isolated a site no larger than 10 square metres and found personal effects thought to be Capt Templeton's.

"I believe we have located the place," he said.

"We're one step away from resolving the mystery of Captain Templeton's disappearance," he said.

"It's very exciting for all of us, for the family and everyone involved to be this close, people have been wondering for 68 years."

Mr Weatherall said that after cross-checking aspects of the find they would alert Australia's defence department so an official recovery could proceed.

An Irishman's crossing on

KOKODA

Templeton’s Crossing Templeton's Crossing was the name given to the first point where the Kokoda Trail, outward bound from Port Moresby, crossed Eora Creek which saw heavy fighting. It was named in remembrance of Captain Sam Templeton of the 39th Battalion, who disappeared near Oivi on 26 July 1942. He was born and grew up in Belfast and emigrated to Australia in the early 1920s.

He was 42 when he was lost in action.

According to Wikipedia, Wayne Wetherall, a PNG campaign historian and the founder of the Kokoda Spirit trekking company, travelled to Japan in 2009 to meet Kokichi Nishimura, one of the last survivors of the Japanese 144th Regiment to ask him about Templeton and find his grave.

Templeton's son Reg wanted to know what happened to his father, as there had been various conflicting stories, none confirmed. Nishimura believed that he had buried Templeton. Nishimura said he had not been present at Templeton's death, but that he had been captured and when interrogated before Lieutenant Colonel Hatsuo Tsukamoto, commander of the 144th regiment, lied and said, "There are 80,000 Australian soldiers waiting for you in Moresby" and laughed at Tsukamoto, who became enraged and killed him with his sword. Nishimura said that he later found the body with a sword or bayonet blade protruding from its side and buried it because of the smell. Nishimura returned to PNG in 2010 at 90 years of age and showed Wetherall the place he believed Templeton was buried, but no body was found.

The Japanese veteran told reporters in Port Moresby he buried the captain in 1942.

"It seems Captain Templeton got lost while retreating, being pushed back by Japanese soldiers," Mr Nishimura said through an interpreter. Mr Nishimura said the Japanese commander was enraged when the captured captain said there were 80,000 Australian troops waiting for them in Port Moresby.

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

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Around the Irish scene Compiled by Fred Rea

Congratulations to Lisa Glynn (from The Irish Club) and Eoghan O'Sullivan (Eugie) on the birth of PĂĄidĂ­ O'Sullivan, 7lb 9oz. Lisa: "That we are overjoyed is an understatement. Thank you to all for the support and kind messages, we are truly blessed and very grateful".

Amy Nossum at the grave of the unsung hero of the John Boyle O'Reilly escape, Fr Patrick McCabe in St Mary's Minnesota USA. Tony Costa will like this one as he has Proud new Australians Selena and Ger Boyle with their children Orlaigh been on the good Father's case for and Eoghan at their Citizenship Ceremony at Joondalup Council Offices years! in July.

Enjoying a pint at Paddy Malone's Arthur and PJ. Mag wouldn't be the same without a photo of PJ!

Imelda Flannery in the hands of the Garda Siochana on a trip home.

If Lloyd Gorman had that control over ther boss!

Golden Oldies from back in 1993 on a tour of Ireland. Can't see Louis Byrnes, maybe he took the photo!

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Is that Tom Grace? Sure is! Found in a way, way back copy of The Irish Scene! Looking good Tom! 86

Eddie Cogan RIP

Edward Cogan was a former Child Migrant and ex-resident of Clontarf Boys Town – being a long-term member of the ‘Old Boys Association’.

Born 3 March 1937, Eddie had been a Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc Board member since its incorporation, although prior to this he was a keen supporter of its development. Seven years ago, Eddie lost his partner of 50 years, Sharon. The day before his passing, Eddie said to his good friend Paddy Cannon it was time to join Sharon.

He married Sharon Lea Gee in 1969. Eddie arrived on the Asturias 1947 and was reunited with his Irish family in 1995.

At the National Apology Edward Cogan said, ''I've been waiting for all my adulthood for someone to believe us and say sorry for what happened to us.'' and added, ''We thank the Government for what they said today.''

There was nothing he enjoyed more than St Patrick’s Day at the Celtic Club and enjoying the music of his Irish heritage. Slan abhaile a chara.

Happy retirement Jack!

After 36 years of dedicated service Jack Comerford is retiring as function manager at the Parmelia Hilton. Jack has given great service to the Irish community also hosting for many years retired Hon Consul Michael Nolan's annual St Patrick's Day reception as well as entertaining many Irish Ambassadors and Ministers.

Enjoy your golf Jack. Jack is pictured above with legends, Tony Sheehan, John Spillane and Sir Bob!

Frank Smyth recently celebrated his 70th birthday at the Irish Club with family and friends. He is pictured above at the Famine Memorial with his family. Frank was presented with a framed signed letter from The Irish President in appreciation of his work on the Famine Memorial by the WAIFC (Fred Rea & Jime Egan). It was a great night and Frank got home in the wee hours he told me. It was then off to the bush with Barney!

Glory O to the Bold Fenian Men!

Congratulations to Graham Tighe on the opening of his new shop Tighe Jewellery Studio in the new Carousel Shopping Centre in Cannington. Drop in and say hello!

You will find Graham on Level 1, Next to Mountfords.

WINNER OF THE IRISH SCENE PERPETUAL TROPHY Winner of the Sub Minor Girls 8 Years Georgia Western of the Trinity Studio.

Fred Rea presenting the cup to Georgia - Irish Dancing State Championships 87

During his visit to Western Australia Jim Ryan visited his mate Brendan Woods who was having a short spell in hospital. It was bad timing for poor old Brendan as he was the reason Jim visited the west. Brendan had extended the invitation to Jim to visit WA and fortunately he was out of hospital in time to hear Jim's wonderful lecture at the Fremantle Maritime Museum. You can read about Jim's visit on page 56.

SHAMROCK

Rovers

SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY McLOUGHLIN'S BUTCHERS MALAGA

Message from the Coach

Looking at the current State League Division two table does not tell the true story of the strides Shamrock have taken over the last 12 months. I took over the first team coaching role last July and to say we were struggling was an understatement. We were at the foot of the table, we had a core of about six or seven players who regularly attended training and the transfer window was closed, so that was what we had to work with. Every week we never knew who was going to appear to play for the reserves, but somehow, we fulfilled our commitments and struggled through until the end of the season.

Fast forward to August 2018 and we’re sitting in a safe position in the league table, well clear of the bottom sides, we have a healthy attendance at every training session and we can actually plan who is playing for the reserves and first team every Thursday night. As I write, we have three League fixtures remaining and we’ve made a decision to use these games as a platform to build on for next year. The players have worked hard throughout the season to put us in a safe position, but now we want the lads to go out and play with a bit of freedom as we hope to be challenging at the top end of the table in 2019.

I’d like to make special mention of the contribution our captain Peter Smith has made to the team. We have a very young squad and Peter has been very influential in giving the boys belief that they can compete at this level.

Many of our players have stepped up from youth football and even school football, straight into State League first team level, so Peter’s maturity and dedication has been invaluable. Players such as Lachlan Parker and our keeper Ben Robson, both of whom turned 19 this year have been outstanding performers every week in the first team and that’s in no small measure to the belief Peter has given them.

When we started pre-season training this year, I was

a one-man coaching team, but I was happy to do that until the right people came long and thankfully they did. I’ve had great support from Adam Walsh and Keith Traynor all year. I think we work well as a team and I believe Adam will go on to coach the first team in the not too distant future. Gary Delaney and Dean Keating have also been a part of our coaching squad, Dean with the U18s and Gary assisting Adam with the reserve side.

Keith stepped into the first team coaching role while I was visiting family in Scotland and the results the team achieved in that period speak for themselves, so special thanks to Keith and thanks to the players for the respect they’ve given all the coaches.

I’ve never described myself as a career coach. I do love the game, so I want to work in an environment where I can enjoy myself and that’s been made possible by the hardworking members of the Shamrock Rovers committee. They’re a real hard-working bunch, all with the best interests of the club at heart, but the most noticeable thing to me was the friendship that exists between them. I have been at many clubs where the committee don’t particularly like each other and I’ve never really understood why people would want to volunteer to work in such an environment, but thankfully that is clearly not the case at Rovers. They make me feel welcome and hopefully they’re happy with the effort I’ve put into the club, so many thanks

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to Marty, Tom, Ciaran, Paul, Pat, “Scorcher” and also Mick Manning who is no longer on the committee, but he too made me feel at home at the Rovers.

I’m looking forward to the remaining three games of the season and I hope the boys enjoy those games and then have a great night together at our end of season presentation function on 28th September.

After that, we can start looking forward to a big 2019.

Cheers, Gerry McEwan, 1st team coach, Shamrock Rovers

Rovers say thanks

Firstly, thanks to supporters, sponsors and kind people who made donations to the club this year. Bendigo Bank, Gay Collins. Pipeline technologies, Tom Hoey Painting Services, Pat Caffery from Celtic Decor, McLoughlin Butchers, The Broken Pokers, Cairde Sinn Fein, Steve Collette, Ciaran Launders, without their generosity this would have made a hard job harder.

The year has been hugely successful, coming off a disastrous couple of years, thanks to the hard work of committee, friends, and small group of loyal supporters in running sausage sizzles, golf day, Linda’s Day, and turning each home day to put their shoulder to the wheel.

The committee is fully committed to 2019 and making it an even bigger year and putting out a full compliment of teams on the pitch from women’s to vets and most importantly juniors.

To this end, more help is needed at all levels from chasing balls to decision making.

If you feel an urge to get involved as a volunteer, sponsor, committee member, coach or in any other capacity please don’t hesitate to contact any of the contacts listed.

Finally, November 28th is our trophy

night, we’re trying something different this year in so far as we’re also running a race night, please see add on page for full details, a great night is guaranteed for all. Help support the club by coming along, and maybe some old friendships might be rekindled.

Go the Hoops in 2019!

Marty Burke, President

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Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia Football & Hurling & Camogie League Winners 2018 Congratulations to each of the League winning teams!

Camogie – St. Gabriel’s

Hurling – Sarsfields

Ladies Football – Western Shamrocks

Mens Football – St. Finbarr’s

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Hurling & Camogie Championships 2018 The Hurling & Camogie Finals took place on July 14th at RA Cooke Reserve in Morley. With umbrellas at the ready, the crowd lined out to see St. Gabriel’s battle it out against Western Swans in the Camogie Championship Final.

With both team’s having won silverware thus far this year, between the Tim Hickey Memorial 7’s and the League, it was all to play for. Emerging with a scoreline of 3-15 to 2-08, congratulations were due to St. Gabriel’s who took out the title of 2018 Camogie Championship Winners.

On the Mens side, after a fierce performance by Perth Shamrocks in the semi-finals which brought Sarsfields to the edge for much of the game, Sarsfields emerged winners and took their spot in the Hurling Championship Final alongside Western Swans. The battle ensued, tough as always, but it was Sarsfields year. The scoreline of 2-22 to 0-10 crowned them not only the 2018 Hurling Championship winners, but saw them see hit three in a row for Championship titles and three for three this year having won the Tim Hickey Memorial 7’s, the Hurling League and the Hurling Championships!

Congratulations to everyone involved in Hurling in Perth. The season was a cracker!

Championship Camogie – St. Gabriel’s

Championship Camogie - Western Swans

Championship Hurling - Sarsfields

Championship Hurling - Western Swans

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Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of Australasia Western Australia Hurling & Camogie Championship Player Awards

Christmas in July

Father Christmas himself, Sean O’Casey suggested we bring a little festive cheer to Tom Batmen this year with a GAA Christmas in July. From the decorations, tunes and the Christmas tree to the mulled wine and festive fare, it felt a little like home on a stunning winter evening. The Christmas jumpers were out in force and we even had a tribe of Greenwood Santa’s!

Eoin Guinan of Sarsfields - Hurling Championship Player of the Match Jerry Callinan of Sarsfields - Hurling Championship Player of the Tournament

Australasian Championships 2018

The Australasian Gaelic Football & Hurling Championships, which are held annually, are the pinnacle event for our sports in the southern hemisphere. This year the games will be held in Melbourne from October 3rd to 6th 2018 with teams competing from Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Wellington & Canterbury. Those who are selected as tournament All-Stars qualify to compete as members of the Australasian Team travelling to Ireland to participate in the GAA Gaelic Football & Hurling World Games in 2019.

GAA WA are delighted to be sending four teams to compete, Mens & Ladies Football, Joanne Lamont of St. Gabriels - Camogie Hurling and Minor Football. We wish our teams the very best of luck and we look forward Championship Player of the Tournament to seeing our Clubs and supporters getting involved in the various fundraisers being held and Player of the Match! over the coming weeks.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

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

JUNIOR Gaelic Football & Hurling Association ACADEMY of Australasia Western Australia By Debbie Teahan Junior Academy with Debbie

As we hurtle along to the end of another great season and our committees grand finale of the ‘Compromised Rules Blitz’, we are ‘still open’ and are happily attracting new members.

Compromised Rules Blitz, following last years spectacular event that was held in the Domain stadium it was noted that there was a want and need for such an event that brings Gaelic Football (albeit a compromised version) to the AFL children of Perth. Also it was a great way to keep the Junior Academy children training and a competition against peers to keep their fitness and skill levels sharp!

A number of changes will be apparent at this years blitz, the venue will be Medibank Stadium in Leederville as the Domain has closed its doors (and probably sold those doors!) also we are going to have a 9/10 year old girls team representing the Academy this year, and we hope many of the AFL clubs will be able to gather a female team and add to the hustle and bustle of the blitz. This year will also be run over two days the 13th and 14th Oct. The first scratch match is against the Duncraig Lions on Sunday 9th Sept. So come along on and shout on our Academy boys and girls as they go and face off the competition and try to win back the Jim Stynes memorial cup and become the 2018 champions!

We have an ongoing mini league for the under 10’s and under 8’s with the children recently play as Sarsfield v Perth Shamrocks and Shamrocks v Finbarrs and St Gabriel’s v Morey Gaels so the senior clubs will have many affiliations ingrained into the children for when they come of age to play for the GAA clubs of Perth!

Finals in Tom Bateman Sat 25th Aug and the Junior Academy have been invited down to have a display game in front of the big crowd, this has been a highlight for our calendar every year and we thank the GAAWA for inviting us down again!

Our regular training sessions are from 12 noon – 2pm on Sundays in Sacred Heart in Sorrento, a smashing location that we are blessed to have as a home

training ground.

The under 6’s train from 12noon -1.30 and the program run is a fun safe play based game where they get to terms with many sporting terms and ideals such as positions and defence and attack and keeping possession, passing, dribbling and when you witness four and five year olds trying their best for their team, the cuteness factor is huge!

The under 8’s and under 10’s train from 12-2pm one hour of Gaelic Football and an hour of hurling so a good opportunity to get a full base knowledge of both codes.

The under 13’s will play hurling first then they will team up the compromised rules team to do football. Updates are given regularly through the Team App and parents can contact us through our facebook page or team app itself or come to the table on Sunday where the committee ladies will happily answer any questions, listen to feedback or just come for a chat, we are good at that too!

Massive praise and thanks must go to our coaches who put in so much time and effort into the experiences the children gain and they are constantly communicating with each other regarding session plans to ensure a quality training session for each child involved. Thanks to our sponsors Solas Orthodontist and The Irish Club of WA and the GAA.

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Join the Irish Golf Club

THE IRISH GOLF CLUB OF WA

Based in Perth Western Australia we are a Golf Club 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. Any surplus money we accumulate is usually donated to charity and/or used to subsidise a round of golf at a more expensive course such as Secret Harbour. The number of players usually range from 24 to 40 depending on the time of the year.

Alan Flaherty and Jack Ebbs

Irish Golf Club

August Competition

Winner: Jason Whelahan Runner Up: Eamon Fitzpatrick Third: PJ Kenny Gross Winner: Jack Ebbs

July at Yanchep Sun City Winner: Mick Connolly

May at Gosnells

As a member who has played and handed in at least two score cards you then get to enter into the competition and become eligible for prizes. There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the lowest gross score on the day but more importantly the winner earns their place in history by getting their name engraved on the monthly trophy.

Other prizes are also provided for nearest the pin and longest drive.

Winner: Mick Connolly

Winner: Alan Flaherty Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.

Arnold Palmer

We have twelve trophies, one for each month of the year with the addition of a ladies and men’s club championship trophy and a player of the year trophy.

Winner: Jason Whelahan

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MICK O’CONNOR…

A man who, once meeting, you never forgot.

It was with deep shock that the Irish Community heard of the passing of good friend Mick O’Connor.

Sincere condolences to Geraldine, Cian, Oran and the wider O’Connor family.

Mick was a life member of the Perth St. Finbarrs GFC and club legend. The club facebook, “A very sad day for all members of the club.

Throughout his life Mick gave so much for the club and the local GAA including his legendary trips from Kalgoorlie to Perth for the weekend to pull on the Finbarr's jersey”.

Mick has been involved with all codes of games from captain of the men’s team during his playing career to managing the Ladies team in 2016. He was also a key driving force behind the State Minor teams in recent years. And when not directly involved, Mick was always down at the local GAA ground, Tom Bateman Park following the games, cheering on the Barrs and chatting to anyone that mention gaelic games. There is no doubt about it - he was a serious GAA man. Even though a staunch Kerry supporter, with Mick it was his love for the game. I had many discussions about this with Mick and a fairer, kinder and caring man you would not find.

He will be sorely missed by all members of St. Finbarrs and all GAA people of WA and his family.

Michael and Geraldine were walking the Camino Trail in Spain with two of their dear friends Gerard and Andrea McVeigh. It was planned for two years. Geraldine said they had the most amazing four days walking with them and a group of their friends who walked every year to fundraise for Newry Hospice.

On day four Michael suffered what we believed to be a heart attack and passed away on the trail surrounded by loving friends both old and new.

The following is a message from

FROM THE MINOR GAA BOARD

Geraldine on the St Finbarr's Facebook page…

“The boys and I would like to thank everyone from the Irish Community in Perth for their messages and calls of support. Reading your Facebook comments made me realise how truly loved Michael was and how everyone saw the same smile that I was blessed to see for 26 years of marriage.

The boys and I have decided to take Michael back to his beloved Kerry.

He loved the Irish community in Perth, all things GAA, the Kerry team, Irish music, dance and his Irish culture and heritage, his friends and extended family. Carlton Draught, a good pint of Guinness, good whiskey, fine food and of course the mighty Dockers. But most of all he loved his two boys and me and all the things and times we shared. Our hearts are broken with the loss of him. I would be grateful if you would consider supporting the hospice as there were people that supported me as I waded through paperwork, shock and sadness. They never left my side for days". http://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/mickoconnor Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

"The Minor Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association of Western Australia expresses its deep sadness on the passing of Mick and sends its deepest sympathies to Michael's Wife Geraldine, Sons Cian & Oran, extended family and his wide circle of friends. Thank You Mick for your encouragement, time, interest, knowledge and support of current and previous players who have donned the Black & Gold at Under 18 level. Your contribution to the development of Gaelic Games in Western Australia is immeasurable and all the better for it.

Ar Dheis de go Raibh an anam."

TOM MURPHY

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Tony Reilly (RIP) and Mick.

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