Irish Scene September October 2013

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Volume 15 / Number 6 Sept/Oct 2013

St. Finbarrs GFC 2013 Ladies League Champions In this Issue: • Gary Óg for Rosies • The Wolfe Tones • Irish Race Day • All Ireland Finals • Irish Dancing Nationals

• Win a trip to Ireland or Australia • Tommy Tiernan • Irish Consul • 457 Visas?

• Sothern Dist. 30th • Gary Shearston • Book Reviews • Tribute to Ryan • SEAN TYRRELL • Clannad • Paddy Cluskey • LiveYourLifeCycle RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS

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An Irish Connection

by Chris Munro Managing Editor of Tracker www.tracker.org.au Reprinted with permission from Tracker

In mid March every year, Australians heartily celebrate an age-old tradition chiefly by consuming a hell of a lot of alcohol, and no, it’s not ‘Austrya’ Day. As summer makes way for autumn we charge our glasses for what’s commonly known as Saint Patty’s day.

You could say the majority of Australians though have next to no idea why they find themselves in a pub drinking green-dyed beer on March 17, but let’s be honest, for most of us, it doesn’t really matter.

But Aboriginal people, especially those hailing from the Sydney region, have a very real, very valid reason to commemorate the patron saint of Ireland and all things Irish.

Saint Patrick was captured as a teenager of just 16. He was taken from England to Ireland and forced into slavery, so its safe to say, like most Aboriginal people, Saint Patrick had a pretty good grasp of theft and injustice from a young age.

Eventually he managed to escape and became a cleric. He then returned to Western Ireland as a missionary, and later went on to become perhaps the most iconic Irish figure in history.

Let’s face it though, Aborigines and Irishmen…they make pretty strange bedfellows to say the least.

Yet, for nearly 26 long years this unlikely pairing shed blood together on a river front battlefield less than 30 minutes from Sydney’s glittering harbor city.

The Hawkesbury and Nepean Wars were waged between the New South Wales Corps and a well-organised guerrilla outfit comprising of several Aboriginal clans and, interestingly, up-to 30 escaped Irish convicts.

This staggeringly long skirmish

took place along arguably one of this country’s most stunning river systems - the mighty Hawkesbury River.

Despite playing out on their doorstep, the majority of Sydney siders wouldn’t have a clue such an epic battle took place and that’s chiefly because it was never taught in Australian schools until very recently. It’s without doubt though, one of the most resolute examples of Indigenous resistance to be staged anywhere on this earth.

Like nearly every single instance of conflict during the time of the invasion of Aboriginal nations in this country, the Hawkesbury conflict was sparked by English greed and arrogance.

This deluded sense of superiority took the human form of the colony’s gamekeeper, known as Macintyre.

Macintyre’s story and the finer details of his eventual demise are a fascinating insight into this toxic brand of imperial insolence exhibited by the English colonisers at the time. Macintyre’s conceitedness in dealing with Aboriginal leaders aptly illustrates why many Irish convicts fought to the death alongside what was then an alien people of a faraway land.

Strictly speaking both groups shared next to nothing in common, but what the Eora Aborigines and the Irish could both strongly relate to, was the loss of land, freedom of movement and the right to self govern all at the hands of the English.

A perfect storm was brewing on the Hawkesbury, and Macintyre was the unlikely lightning rod.

It’s important to note the geography of the conflict too. The wide expanses of the river system acted as a barrier to colonial expansion. Located 55 kilometres

north of the settlement in Sydney, the Hawkesbury flowed through steep, rugged terrain, making it an ideal natural impediment from which several Sydney tribes, later joined by the Irish, could stage a defense of their lands to the north.

But back to Macintyre.

The gamekeeper was an important figure in the colony at the time. Macintyre was a significant provider of food for a population swiftly running out of options in a vast, unforgiving landscape.

In a bid to extract more game from the Eora people, Macintyre began dealing with one of their revered leaders named Pemulwuy.

The two men had set up a deal of sorts where Pemulwuy and his men would provide butchered ganimantji, or marsupial game, in exchange for goods and credit.

But Macintyre was a cheat, a suspected murderer and a thief. He was rumored to have shot and killed several unarmed Aborigines from the Sydney region. He’d repeatedly thieved from Aboriginal groups and he’d fast earned a reputation that was about to get him killed.

Making matters worse, Macintyre had made the ill-fated decision to start trading ganimantji with other Eora in exchange for rum.

News of these exchanges infuriated Pemulwuy.

Macintyre quickly became aware of the Aboriginal leader’s displeasure, but at the slow rate the colony were acquiring stock, and with many hungry mouths to feed, his side business was becoming highly profitable. He fatefully chose to take his chances with the famed Eora warrior.

In fact Macintyre wasn’t worried about Pemulwuy at all. He’d bullied the Eora for some years using

intimidation and threats and afterall, he had the ear of the all-powerful Governor too. Macintyre was cocky and rightly felt protected. He wasn’t scared of Pelmulwuy like the other colonists and he arranged a meeting with the Eora leader to settle their differences.

Arriving at the arranged meeting site, a heavily armed Macintyre brought with him four troops from the NSW Corps to meet Pemulwuy and his men.

Macintyre and his war party were on foreign soil. They were in Pemulwuy’s backyard and the redcoated troops were nervous. Entering the pre-determined clearing in the bush, they spotted several Eora men under the shade of a tall tree.

As the troops cautiously approached, the tribesmen began to look around, their sideways glances hinted to Macintyre that Pemulwuy was close.

Soon afterwards the muscular figure of Pemulwuy emerged silently

from nearby bushes, his giant war spears by his side.

Macintyre strode boldly towards Pelmulwuy, but the Aboriginal warrior urged him to continue no further by tightening his grip on the barbed spear and raising it ever so slightly. Macintyre took the hint.

He stopped dead in his tracks and without loosening his own grip on a revolver, prepared to negotiate.

He suggested they both lay down their arms and talk. Pemulwuy didn’t respond, instead he just glared at the gamekeeper. Making the first move, Macintyre slowly bent over, lowering his gun toward the earth. But all the while, he kept a close eye on his black adversary, wary he might be skewered at any time.

It’s at this point that Macintyre makes a very foolish decision.

He decides to end the ongoing friction with Pelmulwuy once and for all.

Watching out of the corner of his

eye, Macintyre notices Pelmulwuy beginning to lower his spears, and as the warrior’s dark eyes dipped towards the earth, the gamekeeper draws his weapon, firing a shot in the direction of Pelmulwuy.

Accounts of what happened next vary greatly, but in the next split second, Macintyre finds himself on his back, an enormous spear lodged deep into his torso.

Before Macintyre hit the ground, the whites of Pelmulwuy’s heels were already flashing through the Sydney undergrowth.

Macintyre’s party opened fire on the fleeing Eora men in the following few seconds. But taking Pelmulwuy’s lead, the group had slipped back into the bush unharmed.

This relatively simple exchange between two men was the catalyst for the next 26 years of war, and it couldn’t have been scripted with more drama and suspense.

Shortly after this encounter

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the two men gave rousing speeches to their respective peoples.

Governor Phillip spoke at length to his commanders.

He ordered two military expeditions against the Bidjigal.

With Pelmulwuy as their leader, he viewed the Bidjigal as the most hostile towards the colony. He demanded six tribe members be captured, put to death and their remains hung from trees as a deterrent to any further uprising.

The two detachments left Sydney shortly after, but both failed dismally in their efforts to kill any Eora people, in fact they struggled to simply walk through the dense scrub.

Meanwhile, Pemulwuy and his warriors begun a tactical, highly organised campaign of terror across Bidjigal lands, including modern day Parramatta, Toongabie, Brickfield and of course the Hawkesbury region.

It’s unclear exactly when the first group of escaped Irish convicts approached Pemulwuy nor what agreement both parties arrived at. What we do know is that they were armed with stolen rifles and were protected and fed by the Bidjigal and other tribes during the wars.

As time ticked by, the Irish ranks began to swell in the guerilla army as more managed to escape whilst undertaking forced labour around the boundaries of the colony. Their escapes are thought to have been aided by their freedom fighting brothers on the Hawkesbury front.

Two of these men were William Knight and Thomas Thrush. Of course both were outlawed as wanted men for taking up arms and joining the black resistance.

But as 1795 came to a close, it was Pelmulwuy they hunted more than any other man in the southern hemisphere. The Bidjigal warrior was well and truly wanted dead or alive.

In the winter of 75 the English renewed their push to smoke Pemulwuy out, this time by ordering a massacre of innocent Dharug people at Richmond Hill. Several tribesmen and women were killed in the un-provoked attack. Needless to say, they garnered Pemulwuy’s attention.

Meanwhile, petrified settlers had begun to form armed vigilante groups to protect their ‘properties’ from the unrelenting war raids led by Pemulwuy in the west and along the Georges River. Indeed, one such group managed to spark arguably the largest battle of the wars, taking place along the Parramatta River. It would later be known as the ‘Battle of Parramatta.’

It’s believed some 200 warriors led by Pemulwuy confronted a similar sized vigilante group, who’s numbers had been recently bolstered by some military personnel, around the modern day site of Parramatta central business district.

Joined by both Mr Thrush and Mr Knight, the Aboriginal resistance engaged the group armed only with traditional weapons and a handful of firearms held by the Irish. Historians believe up to 50 of Pemulwuy’s group were killed. The man himself was wounded, captured but later miraculously escaped from leg irons.

Some years after the fight for Parrmatta, Pemulwuy’s

luck finally ran out. He was eventually killed by a British Sailor named Henry Hacking. Perhaps the most revered freedom fighter of our time, Pemulwuy had escaped death and capture in the most miraculous ways for huge periods of time. In the Parrmatta battle alone he was shot 7 times and captured, only to escape and continue the fight.

Despite his passing, the alliance with the Irish escapees continued under the leadership of Pemulwuy’s son, Tedbury.

As time wore on, the colony grew and demands for food skyrocketed. Newly appointed Governor, Lachlan Macquarie made a stand.

In 1816, he sent Captain James Wallis with three detachments of the 76th Regiment to areas along the Nepean, Hawksbury and Grose rivers to crush resistance.

Those who did not surrender were killed. Troops caught a group of the Gundungara people near Appin while they were sleeping. This led to a massacre of fourteen Aboriginal men, women, and children.

This massacre and a string of others like it finally broke the back of the resistance along the Hawkesbury after nearly 30 years. Its thought the Irish fighters melted back into the expanding colony or took up Aboriginal wives far from Sydney, although little is know of their final resting places.

Although defeated, the Aboriginal, Irish resistance represented an extraordinary chapter in the invasion of Australia. Bound by their common hatred of the oppressor, these unlikely comrades will be remembered as perhaps the most tenacious of our time.

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from the Red Devil Melbourne A few weeks ago or so, the eastern states of Australia was like a river of red, with red jerseys everywhere.

The bars, restaurants, and hotels in fact everywhere you went there were red, red and more red jerseys.

No sooner had the red jerseys of the British and Irish lions faded off into the blue skies and back over the equator, when two more teams wearing red jerseys invaded Australia. First, Man United came to play a friendly game against an Australian selection and brought their star-studded team that lit up the southern skies at the ANZ Olympic stadium in Sydney.

United ran out five one winners, to give the fans satisfaction for the money they spent. A crowd of 83,127 turned out to see the game, including Martin Sheehan the Cork Hibernians legend and some of his football friends who flew from Perth for the game, sadly I missed catching up with the lads for a beer.

L-H: Denis Irwin, Marie Bowen, Brian Robinson, Mike Bowen and Dwight Yorke

Melbourne Victory. A crowd of 95,446 turned up to the MCG, the stadium where Irish Olympic legend Ron Delaney won his gold medal in the 1956 Olympics. The crowd sang a spine-chilling version of that Merseyside classic ‘you’ll never walk alone’ while turning the stadium into another night of glowing red. The locals did very well, holding out a full strength Liverpool to a respectful two nil loss.

red instead of blue ties, if only for the run up to the forthcoming elections. There must be something happening here that I don’t know about, to make Cork lad Sean Reilly and a few of his pals who were based in Perth move to Melbourne.

They plan to commute to and from W.A. for work; I will assume it’s the water from the Yarra River that has attracted them to doing the 6,000 kms approx round trip to work and not the bright lights. O yea and pigs can fly. When I catch up with Sean, I will try to wrench the truth out of him. Until I talk to you again soon, be good to those who love you and Slainte from Melbourne. You can catch me on mike@globefins.com.au.

As half of Ireland supports, Man It was an excellent PR United and the exercise by United, who other half supports were very accommodating Liverpool there in giving the fans access were as many Irish to the players for photo accents to be heard shoots. I had a chance to catch up with some of the Mike & Paddy Crearand at the games as you’d hear walking United’s legends, for a chat down Patrick St in Cork, or in any before the game. One was fellow other town or city in Ireland. With Corkman Denis Irwin, and the so many Irish at the games, it was others being captain marvel Brian Robinson and Paddy Crearand. Did easy to imagine that you were back Mike Bowen on the old sod and thinking of you know that, after transferring heading to the nearest pub after the from Glasgow Celtic, Paddy played “Over the years people called games for a pint and sticking your his first match for United in several players the new cold bum up against that roaring Flower lodge Cork against Bolton Duncan Edwards...first Dave fireplace.

I suppose we Downunder Wanderers? That was during the can now expect to see the red jerseys Mackay, then Bryan Robson. big freeze that hit England back in of Munster Rugby, along with the But none of them came close. the sixties.

Cork Hurling and football teams He was the only player that Four days after the United game heading south to join the red jersey made me feel inferior.”

Liverpool played a friendly game invading parties and we might Sir Matt Busby in Melbourne against local side even still see our politicians wear

8

Unpacking Donegal’s Cultural Baggage What did our ancestors take from home when they emigrated?

Donegal County Council and the Donegal County Heritage Forum have joined with The Heritage Council to find out more about what

swearing-in ceremony of President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration.

Accounts of emigrant experiences such as that of the Kennedys has further inspired Joseph Gallagher, Heritage Officer with Donegal County Council to find out more about what Donegal people took with them when they emigrated from Ireland.

“This may include objects such as suitcases, their contents, small household items, tools, religious artefacts and photographs that people took with them at the time of their migration or letters that people sent home,” he said.

“We are also Emigrants on board a tender ship at the port of Derry (1930s) interested in hearing about Image courtesy of NI Libraries, Bigger & MacDonald Collection the imprint that Donegal Donegal people took with them immigrants left on the landscape when they emigrated to various of their adopted homeplaces such parts of the World throughout the as houses built in a similar style to centuries. those back in Donegal, placenames There has been much media or graveyard inscriptions which attention over the last number of refer to Donegal or also how Donegal weeks commemorating the 50th people preserved the Irish language anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s in their adopted homeland. The visit to Ireland in 1963. One of the County Donegal Heritage Office most memorable stories is that of will publish a booklet based on the the family bible which Thomas J. information that we collect and we Fitzgerald brought with him from are keen to have people contribute Ireland when he emigrated in 1857. their own stories about the items This family bible was used during the that their family took with them”.

If you would like to share your own family’s story or participate in this wonderful project please contact the County Donegal Heritage Office by e-mail at: heritage@donegalcoco. ie or by telephone at (074) 91 72576 as soon as possible. For further information, visit the County Donegal Heritage Office website at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage.

Claddagh AGM

The Annual General Meeting of The Claddagh Association Inc will be held on Monday 23rd September at 7.00pm at the Irish Club, 61 Townshend Rd, Subiaco. Members of The Claddagh Association are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM. At the AGM all positions on the Management Committee will be declared vacant. Nominations for positions on the Management Committee are now being received by the Secretary.

Nomination forms may be requested by Emailing admin@claddagh.org.au or by calling 0403 972 265. Nomination forms must be returned by 5.00pm Wednesday 18th September.

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What was your first job?

Delivering meat for a local butcher (while still at school)

Do you use social media and which one?

NO!!!

First real job was as an articled clerk at a Northampton firm of Chartered Accountants Do you have an iPhone?

NO!!!

If you could be anyone famous for a day who would it be?

Haven’t really thought about it – so couldn’t say

What is your favourite sport and sporting hero?

Motor cycle racing – the late and sadly missed Mike Hailwood Tony Synnott suggested we introduce the idea of a 10 question and answer section in our Irish Scene. Gives readers an insight into the likes and dislikes of those who choose to answer the questions! The first cab off the rank is Colin Merrey, our book reviewer. Let us know if you like the idea by emailing me at fred@irishscene.com.au Fred Rea

What is your favourite song?

Too many to print here but if push comes to shove “Will You Come to the Bower” by the marvellous Luke Kelly What is your earliest childhood memory?

Playing with a gas mask in the attic of my Grandfather’s next door neighbour’s house What was the best TV program and why?

Vicar of Dibley – because I can still get a huge laugh out of every repeat that is shown on TV

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What are you most afraid of?

Filling out questionnaires like this one!!

Where do you get your news from, TV, Internet, Newspapers?

All of the above plus radio What is your favourite phrase?

In your dreams!!!!!

Who is your favourite actor?

This is a tie between Robert Carlyle and Brendan Gleeson If there was one place in the world you could visit where would it be?

Memphis Tennessee What was the last book you read?

“Never Go Back” by Lee Child

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A Hero from Killucan (Part Two)

Peter Conole, Retired Western Australia Police Historian Superintendent Robert Crampton continued his efficient and methodical work for the WA Police well into the new year of 1867, in the face of an ever increasing burden of work and terrible family problems.

His wife Catherine had given birth to twin daughters on March 19, 1866.

Both children died within a few months and matters were aggravated

by Catherine’s frail state of health.

Robert did not lose focus in regard to his public duties and law enforcement responsibilities.

He operated out of the St George’s Terrace police premises shown here and came up with yet another infrastructure reform that ensured great benefits for his sergeants and constables. In partnership with James Manning of the Public Works Department he planned to develop a network of small, compact police stations. They were relatively inexpensive to build and suitable for use in the numerous small rural towns developing around the colony.

Manning completed his prototype designs in November 1866. They made provision for secure, solidly built police quarters and separate stables.

The buildings worked well in practice but chronic financial shortages ensured that introduction of the new stations was a slow and erratic process. The following year began with an extra burden for the superintendent to carry as Colonel John Bruce - officer in charge of the Enrolled Pensioner Force (EPF) and Commandant of the colony took extended leave in Britain from January 12, 1867. Major Crampton replaced him in both capacities.

Inherent in his new position was a high degree of political responsibility as he undertook additional duties as a member of the Governor’s Executive council and the Legislative Council.

Just to complicate matters

Sir Philip Crampton, 1777-1858

Robert’s willingness to plunge into the civic and social life of WA meant that he emerged as a ‘go to’ man when leadership was required for a range of community matters.

It is necessary to bear in mind that his family connections were a factor and colonists will have been impressed by both them and certain of the man’s personal qualities. The attached photograph is of Sir Philip Crampton (1777-1858), 1st Baronet Crampton of Dublin, a famous surgeon, hospital reformer and zoologist. He was the first cousin of Robert’s father, the Reverend Cecil Crampton, and a childhood friend of the famous Irish patriot Wolfe Tone who came to a dramatic end in 1798.

Sir Philip’s son John, the 2nd and last Baronet Crampton (lived 1805-1886), entered the diplomatic corps and served as ambassador to the United States and Imperial Russia in turn.

Everybody involved in public affairs in WA will have known about such linkages - and their implications.

12

When a Volunteer Fire Brigade took shape in Perth, Major Crampton was asked to take charge in February 1866. He had some practical knowledge, having observed how such units operated when he was at the Aldershot army base in England.

It was also appropriate and perhaps inevitable that the major found himself drawn into the activities of the colonial militia. Probably in January 1867 he obtained the post of Colonel Commandant of the Metropolitan Corps of Rifle Volunteers. The officer’s and men of that unit expressed appreciation of his leadership and guidance in later years.

As much could be said of his more immediate charges, the police and the EPF men, although the Government remained stingy and the resources battle never ceased.

The police found prison escort duty between Perth to Fremantle to be a particular drain on resources during the early months of 1867. There were also tense and dangerous episodes in March and April of that year when groups of prisoners escaped, attacked warders and supervisors or went bushranging.

Robert will have been relieved when Gustavus Hare, late of County Wicklow, arrived to take charge of the WA Police as the new, permanent superintendent on June 18, 1867.

At the time the officer may have been struggling to sort out family affairs: the local press had noted his unavoidable absence from some recent public events. Robert’s wife Catherine Sophia Crampton died on May 20, 1867. She had been unwell for quite some time. In later years one or two elderly citizens recorded their memories of the couple. They noted that Catherine was attractive, shy and very frail and that Robert was an excellent family man - a fond husband and a fine father. He

was beside himself with grief after his wife died and may never have recovered from the blow.

For all that, he still had to soldier on in the most literal sense.

In private life he was a kind and well-mannered man, in the public arena a respected and considerate officer of the EPF. Like Colonel John Bruce he is known to have paid money out of his own pocket to help the widows and children of deceased members when they were in distress. Robert continued in command until the colonel returned to resume his duties on June 12, 1868. He remained a stalwart second-in-command thereafter and was given a prime task in February 1869. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit to the colony in that month and Robert was given the honour of organising security arrangements and leading the escort contingent. He selected squads from the police and both the EPF and volunteer companies to take part and everything went very smoothly.

Later in the year 1869 the colonial government again called upon the major - or perhaps rather colonel, his militia rank - to fill an administrative gap. Robert had to act as Acting Superintendent of police from September to December during a time when Gustavus Hare was in his turn acting in another position down at Albany. Elevation to supreme command in the colony followed when Colonel Bruce died on November 5, 1870. Robert Crampton was immediately appointed to succeed him on a substantive basis in the senior military role, with its attached political and advisory responsibilities.

In due course, on account of his record of service and various accomplishments, Robert would have risen to higher rank, as did all officers who commended the EPF in his time. But it was not to be and it seems very likely his health was already in radical decline. Major Crampton died at home in Perth on August 15, 1871 and the local press made a point of saying that the event was not unexpected. The officer was

The police central offices in the Terrace in use from the 1860s until 1888

widely and sincerely mourned and his funeral was marked by a daylong closure of public offices, banks and places of business.

As the editor of one local newspaper wrote, Robert Crampton had shown himself to be “an unfaltering friend, an affectionate father and a sterling patriot”. His remains lie in the old East Perth cemetery. The head-stone reads ‘Colonel Robert Henry Crampton’, not major, which indicates that the colonials insisted on memorialising the man with his militia rank. There is one mystery

that may not be resolved any time soon. What became of his son, young Cecil Robert Middlemore Crampton, an orphan aged only seven after the death of his remaining parent in 1871?

The writer would, in this last piece on WA policing history for the ‘Irish Scene’, like to express his appreciation for the privilege of being able to reveal the stories of some of the many police officers of Irish origin who helped build a civil society in our State.

‘What Lane Did You Say You Had Her In?’

The champion Hereford pedigree bull has been loaned by the Department of Agriculture in Dublin to the Cavan farmer and when there was no sign of the valuable animal being returned the Department sent out an inspector to see why the farmer had not returned the beast. The inspector was horrified when he reached the farm on the side of the mountain and saw the prize bull yoked to a plough, straining at pulling the plough up the mountainside. A frensied farmer guided the plough and roared at the bull, ‘Get up out of that. I’ll teach you that there’s more to life than romance.’

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Then, someone at my side says; â&#x20AC;&#x153;There, she is gone!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gone where?â&#x20AC;? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

MADE <AB: A : 6 <

PERTH CITY

We stock a huge range of tyres from all the leading brands including...

And just at the moment when someone at my side says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There, she is gone!â&#x20AC;?

There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout;â&#x20AC;?Here she comes!â&#x20AC;?

To the family of Peter both in Perth and in Ireland we extend our deepest sympathy.

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15

The Delahina

(By Joe Healy RIP, Perth, Australia.)

Memories of childhood days come crowding through our wasting years The golden youth of long ago, now fills our heart with tears, The mossy fields and barren brakes, where ash and sally grows, Bring back to mind the hours we spent where the Delahina flows.

From out the bogs at Mushera’s feet, she starts her journey slow, Through Aghniganaghe and Rylane, she murmurs soft and low, Then by Mount Rivers and Coolinea, past Olans Hallowed ground, She gains in pace, width and grace, her equal can’t be found.

Joseph Patrick Healy 1929 - 2013 My earliest recollection of the late Joe Healy was talk of a store on Wanneroo Road known a “Healy’s Store”. It was mentioned that the owner was a Corkman and I went and visited, meeting Joe for the first time. That was back in the early 70’s not long after I arrived in Australia.

That was at the beginning of a friendship I treasured and will always do so. If I needed support for a cause, Joe would put his hand in his pocket and help out, that was Joe, “no publicity please, I just want to help”.

Joe was a contributor of short stories and information pieces to our Irish Scene some years ago. Though not enjoying the best of health recently, it was a pleasure to call in now and then and have a chat with Joe. He was a lover of Irish history and told me some great stories from in and around his home in Aghabbulloughue in County Cork.

Joe was given a wonderful send off by his family and many friends at his funeral.

A man of very high principals and few words, Joe’s love for Ireland and the area around where he spent his childhood days is captured in the following poem he composed. In the poem fishermen are mentioned and many a day I spend fishing in the area around The Delahine with my father. Then it was back to Mother Kelly’s in Ovens for a bottle of Tanora and Tayto’s!

Thank you Joe for the memories.

Fred Rea

Twin bridges ‘strict her lonely track, by Holy Well and wood, And fishermen with rod and line, explore her depths for trout, The well washed stones from her rocky bed were used to stop her “go”.

That youths from nearby homes might swim in Delahina’s flow, With furze and rushes along her banks, she wanders endlessly,

By Casey’s brakes and Buckley’s wood and Murphy’s barren lea, Through Leary’s and the “Bishops” fields, gaining as she goes, And with a sweep, meets the bridge at Peake and on and on she flows, Once, fertile lands on either side were held by foreign swanks, Today they’re free for Otter hunt, or to wander ‘long the banks, Then near the Mill she wends her way, longing for the sea, But fate has other plans for her; she joins the Dripsey, The memories of boyhood days from times of long ago, Still fill our hearts with kindly thoughts, So with a wish, a blessing too, indeed a heartful prayer, May the good Lord bless the friends of our youth, Who still are living, where The Delahina flows?

N.B. The Delahina River runs from the Mushera Mountain to Peake , Where it joins the Dripsey River, both join the Lee.

Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us everyday.

To the Healy family we extend our deepest sympathy.

Slán a Chara

Where Joe sported and played!

16

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Tony Costa in Ireland!

Tony Costa is having a wonderful time touring Ireland. He dropped in to a Dingle Record Shop and met Mazz Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty, no doubt, looking for a John McCormack recording! He also spent a day with Tom Gilmore in Galway. Tom took the opportunity to interview Tony on his radio show on Galway Bay FM. It must have been lunch after that in Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite pub. We are looking forward to seeing the photos from his visit to Dublin and the 1913 Lockout Commemoration.

17

JB O’Reilly’s Celebrates the

Inaugural

Glenn Donnelly Memorial Trophy

Meadow Springs Golf Club, Mandurah Friday 18th October 2013 ITINERARY:

Meet at J.B.’s for Breakfast at 8.00am Bus Departs from J.B.’s @ 9.00am sharp Team Carts provided UR s of GET YO N I S $170 4 TEAM Lunch pack !

Per P SOON erson Shotgun start 11 am Drinks carts providing beverages on course Presentation of prizes in bar at golf course and finger food will be provided Return bus to J.B.’s 2 Course Dinner & Wine The Glenn Donnelly Memorial Trophy Presentation

Hours of Operation PUB Mon-Sat:11am - 11.45pm Sunday: 11am - 9.45pm RESTAURANT Mon-Thur: 12noon - 2.30pm & 5pm-9pm Fri & Sat: 12noon - 9.30pm Sun: 11am - 9pm J.B. O’Reilly’s has been successfully trading in the West Leederville area since 1993. We made a committed decision not to expand into other venues so as to concentrate on the quality of this establishment. We are a family-run business with a regular and friendly local clientele. J.B’s is unique in this respect in the Perth pub scene – a sure sign of a real local.

Our restaurant is separate to the main bar, which makes for cozy and homely dining. Service and quality is our hallmark here and our team wishes you a happy experience every time you visit.

Please ask our bar staff for Enrolment form

99 Cambridge Street, West Leederville, WA 6007.

Ph: 08 9382 4555 18

Still No

1

6 Years in a Row

John Hagan reviews some of the Irish movies screened at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival. Watch out for them at your local cinema.

MOON MAN

Based on Tomi Ungerer’s prize winning 1967 book, this 2D animation has been vibrantly brought to the screen by Irish animators Fabian Erlinghauser (The Secret of Kells), Sean McCarron (Song of the Sea) and Marie Thorhauge (Old Fangs).

Poor old Moon Man, somewhat bored with his seemingly mundane existence, hitches a ride to Earth on the tail of a passing comet only to come into conflict with the tall, smug President who now rules the planet. While he searches for the cuddly invader, the President also makes plans to conquer the Moon.

Luckily, the Earth’s children miss seeing the friendly face of the ‘man in the moon’ and with the aid of an eccentric old scientist (voiced

by Pat Laffan), help restore Moon Man to his rightful place.

For those children (and adults) raised on a diet of Disney and Pixar animation, Moon Man may seem somewhat unsophisticated, but it certainly exhibits more than a little off-beat charm and amusement.

Replete with great backing tracks, including recordings by Louis Armstrong and Iron Butterfly, the film is thoroughly engaging and dazzling. My eight year old grandson, who joined me during my second viewing of the movie, was captivated both by the narrative and presentation. I must

admit that I am not generally a fan of animation, but the more I watched Moon Man, the more I too succumbed to its obvious charm and warmth.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

This is a biopic about Terri Hooley, Belfast’s self-appointed ‘godfather of punk’, who opened the record shop in Victoria Street, from which the film takes its name. Despite living in Belfast during the 1970s (the era in which the film is set), ‘Good Vibrations’ was not on my record buying beat, nor was punk amongst my vinyl collection.

We first meet Hooley, in his role as a pub DJ, in war-torn and war-weary Belfast. Sickened by

its ongoing ugly tribal unrest and general sectarian miseries, selling records seems, to Hooley, an obvious way to combat the toxic environment and enhance community harmony. Soon Hooley is also promoting punk bands, taking ‘The Outcasts’, together with Derry’s favourite sons, ‘The Undertones’, under his wing. So begins his involvement with battered transit vans, seedy dancehalls, devious record executives, cheap booze and protection racketeers. But this is no rags-to-riches story. Due to his managerial incompetence, drink sodden fecklessness, and poor choices, Hooley eventually returns

19

to the rags from which he started - as do his bands. But then the riches he probably craved were not financial, but those associated with musical excitement and a sense of unity.

This is not a film of any great sophistication, but despite that, it is a movie which is impassioned, entertaining and funny. Much of its charm is due to the electric performance of Portadown’s Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones) as the irreverent, irascible, quixotic, Hooley. His longsuffering, sympathetic, partner is ably played

by Jodie Whittaker, one of the stars of ABC-TVs excellent Friday night crime show, Broadchurch.

Both are ably supported by Irish actors such as Ruth McCabe, Liam Cunningham and one of my favourite thespians, Enniskillen’s Adrian Dunbar.

Directed by husband and wife team, Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Baros D’Sa, written by Glenn Patterson and Colin Carberry and scored by David Holmes, Good Vibrations was shot in and around Belfast and North Antrim by a local crew from Northern Ireland.

Legal advice was even provided

by Northern Irish lawyers on the more debatable aspects of Hooley’s autobiography, also entitled Good Vibrations, on which the movie is roughly based.

WHAT RICHARD DID

The credits for this film indicate that it is based on Kevin Power’s novel, ‘Bad Day at Blackrock’.

What isn’t mentioned is that Power’s book is itself based on real life events, particularly a brawl which occurred outside a Dublin

nightclub in 2000.

Richard (Jack Reynor) is a handsome young Irish teenager, an alpha male, captain of his school rugby team

and big brother to many of the local youths. He comes from an affluent family (drives his own VW) and has good relationships with his parents and their friends. During a drunken party, Richard is responsible for the death of a rugby team mate, Conor (Sam Keeley), by kicking him in the head. Many witnessed the incident, but Richard’s friends close ranks and refuse to dob him in to the Garda.

He is left to cope with the burden of Conor’s death, his relationships with others (particularly with his girlfriend and parents) and his own inner demons and guilt. The movie’s most powerful scenes seek to illustrate the isolation of a young man for whom there is little comfort, even though he remains well protected and supported.

Will Richard do the decent thing and admit his guilt? Will he turn himself in to the Garda? If so, how will his life, and that of his family and friends, be affected? By the end of the film I was quite uncaring about the answers to these questions or to what might become of Richard. For me, this movie was too clichéd (Irish/ drinking/rugby/fighting), Reynor’s portrayal of Richard too wooden, while the drinking and party sessions between the young rugby players and their girlfriends seemed too staged.

However, there were shots of the Irish countryside and interesting excursions around some of Dublin’s leafier suburbs to partly compensate. I’m sure the director, Lenny Abrahamson, will make better Irish movies than this one.

John Hagan acknowledges the assistance of Asha Holmes Publicity and MIFF in reviewing these films.

Photo Courtesy Carnegies

Perth’s Irish Race Day 2013 Irish Race Day at Belmont race track is one of the biggest dates and most popular fixtures on the Irish calendar in Perth. On Saturday October 5th thousands of punters and members of the public will descend on Perth’s Winter racecourse for a day of quality racing and all the Craic that goes with it.

For the novice as well as the seasoned race goer the spread of races across the day gives the punting public every opportunity to back a few horses and maybe even pick a winner or two.

Away from the Tote this special day at Belmont has a lot to offer the non racing fraternity. Families with young children can be seen picnicking in the open air, visitors from out of town and State taking the chance to see a different side of the WA capital, groups of friends catching up for an alternative day of entertainment and fun or old pals sharing a drink and memories in the bar and perhaps even the odd straggler who serendipitously ends up at the South Perth race centre are just some of the people you will see on the day.

Entertainment and drama on the day isn’t limited to the thunder of hoofs on the turf. Live Irish and traditional music acts, displays of traditional Celtic dancing, food vans and restaurants and even onsite shops mean there is a variety of choice.

For those willing to spoil themselves on the day there are a number of hospitality packages which includes lunch, entertainment and private betting facilities. So why not get a gang together and splash out on a little bit extra. Irish Race Day is not to be missed. Book for lunch by calling Perth Racing on 9277 0777 or visit perthracing.com.au IRISH TOAST... May your doctor never earn a dollar out of you and may your heart never give out. May the ten toes of your feet steer you clear of all misfortune, and before you’re much older, may you hear much better toasts than this.

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

Immigration Network Australia Australia’s visa rules are constantly changing and the visa fees are spiraling upwards. It’s really important to get sound advice on your visa options and eligibility to apply before you embark on any type of visa application.

Being a migrant myself, I understand the issues and stress involved in migrating to a new country. I’ve been living and working in WA as a migration agent for well over 10 years and have assisted thousands of people to stay in Australia. It’s an awesome job and I love it! 

Immigration Network Australia specialises in:

• Employer Nomination (s 186 visa) • Regional Sponsored Migration (s 187 visa) • General Skilled (s 189 / 190/ 489 visas) • Temporary Work (s 457 visa) • Partner and Parent visas • Student visas If you are interested in understanding more about your visa options, please give me a call on 9429 8861.

Carol-Ann P. Lynch LLB MMIA

My commitment to you is that I will provide a clear assessment of your visa options and whether you have a good chance of succeeding. If I don’t think your application will succeed, I will tell you this up-front and may be able to suggest other potential visa pathways, such as studying for an Australian trade qualification.

Registered Migration Agent MARN 0320658

Immigration Network Australia, The Park Business Centre, 45, Ventnor Avenue, West Perth, Western Australia 6005 Office: (08) 9429 8861 Mobile: 0402 514 741 Email: carol-ann@imminet.com.au Web: www.imminet.com.au

Free Immigration Seminar Thursday 24th October 2013

Rosie O’Grady’s – Northbridge Our presenters: Ivan Hoe - Vetassess • Wendy Davies – UHY Haines Norton Carol-Ann Lynch – Immigration Network Australia • Kim Shaw - Career Potential Australia

Please RSVP to 9429 8860 / 8861 or email info@easivisa.com 21

Some days are

luckier than others!

TickeTs

$70

n per perso

Celebrate with the luck of the Irish Day luncheon at Belmont Park.

Saturday October 5

book your tickets to the irish day luncheon.

With the luck of the Irish on your side, you’d be crazy to miss it!

Come and celebrate all the colour, the smiles, the songs and the flavours of the wonderful Emerald Isle. Because life’s too short not to be Irish!

Racecourse entry 3-course plated luncheon Exciting 8-race program Race book Entertainment & prize giveaways all afternoon s Guinness Stout stubbie on arrival s s s s s

Irish Day starting Gates 2013 irish day Plated

organic loafers bread, olives, olive oil

entrÉe

crispy ham hock terrine, pickled cabbage, beetroot

main

Mt Barker chicken breast, champ potato, parsley sauce

dessert

caramel & whisky mousse, rhubarb, oatmeal crumbs

Call Perth Racing on 9277 0777 or visit perthracing.com.au Like us on Facebook

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WH52284

+18 event

22

Irish Ambassador invited to O’Reilly 2014 Commemoration The Annual Bunbury John Boyle O’Reilly Commemoration Dinner in 2014 will be held on Saturday March 29. Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia The Hon Mr Noel White has been invited to attend along with the Hon Irish Consul in Western Australia Mr Martin Kavanagh.

The Dinner will be at the Rose Hotel in Victoria Street, Bunbury, telephone (08) 97214533. The cost is $60/ person and that includes a 3 course meal and entertainment.

Accommodation is available at the Rose Hotel, Standard Room (Queen Bed only) is $129.00/night and for Standard Twin (Queen Bed + Single Hon Noel White Bed) is $139.00/night. Optional cooked breakfast is also available for an addition price of $12.00/person. There is a limit of 100 people for the dinner so it will be on a first come first serve basis.

On Sunday 30 March, the John Boyle O’Reilly Commemoration, founded by Liam Barry, will again be held at the memorial site in Buffalo Road, Leshchenault Peninsula at 11.30am.

The venue for the dinner, the iconic Rose Hotel will celebrate 150 years in 2015. Built in 1865 by Martin Kavanagh Samuel Rose, two years before the arrival of the Fenians on the Hougomont, the original building was a twostorey timber structure with wooden verandas. In 1897 the Rose was practically rebuilt becoming the imposing building that now stands today. A third storey and ornate cast iron veranda’s were added, typical of Australian

gold rush era architecture. As Bunbury continued to grow and become a popular seaside holiday destination, the Rose Hotel would become a South West landmark and an intrinsic part Bunbury’s cultural history.

Hundreds of weddings have and still take place in the stately Dining Room, while the hotel’s verandahs were the chosen spot for strong crowds on Armistice Day 11.11.1918. The hotel was purchased by the Drinkwater family in the 1970s, who continue to own and manage the hotel today. The Drinkwater family are delighted to host the 2014 O’Reilly dinner.

John Boyle O’Reilly’s name is etched in Western Australia’s history in several ways. As a 21-year-old Irish Fenian sentenced to death in 1866 by the Crown, and later commuted to life in the colonies - he had no idea - that in the 21st century, several South West locations would bear memorials to his name: The most famous being the John Boyle O’Reilly interpretive memorial on the beautiful Leshchenault Peninsula, in the Shire of Harvey. This is the spot where in February 1869 - O’Reilly made a daring escape to America aboard the whaling ship Gazelle. On Sunday 30 March, many people connected, or associated with Irish heritage, converge on the memorial to pay homage to their unsung hero.

O’Reilly’s real contributions to Western Australia’s history were immortalised in several books and poems he wrote while as editor of the Bosten Post, and his most famous being Moondyne; based loosely on the life of escaped bushman/convict Moondyne Joe. Several of O’Reilly’s poems and books, also pay homage to Western Australia’s unique flora and fauna.

To reserve you place at the dinner please contact Tom Dillon 0417 986 298 or email bdillon@bigpond.com and for accommodation book at the hotel direct.

John Boyle O’Reilly 25th Anniversary Commemoration DVD The cost of the DVD is $25. A limited number of copies are available from Peter Murphy on 9732 1270 or 0439 976 507 or Fred Rea 0418 943 832.

You can have a copy posted for a total price of $30 includes postage and handing. Contact Fred Rea at fred@irishscene.com.au or send a cheque to: Gaelforce Promotions, 12 Dysart Court, Kingsley, Western Australia 6026.

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24

25

Sunday Session in Rosies Fremantle with The Dublin Rogues

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

23 William Street Fremantle â&#x20AC;¢ Phone 9335 1645

26

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

It was great to see such a high turnout at the Meet and Greet at the Celtic Club in West Perth on Wednesay 31st July. Many thanks to Gerard O’Leary and Mark Partridge for a job really well done organising the event. The night was a fantastic oportunity for networking and catching up and we provided a chance for two companies to introduce and promote their respective businesses. Newly appointed Honorary Consul of Ireland, Marty Kavanagh, was also introduced to the members.

Meet & Greet at the Celtic Club....

Our next event will take place during the Trade Mission from Ireland visiting Western Australia in late October 2013. For updates please check out our website irelandwaforum.org

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

All areas of Family Law, children’s issues,

divorce & property matters financial agreements Wills Restraining Orders

Marty Kavanagh

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

2/100 Terrace Rd East Perth 6004 • t: 9218 8422 • m: 0430 960 859 27

• e: marty@kavlaw.com.au

Buying or Selling a home?

of my clients”.

As a proud member of the Peard Real Estate office at Hillarys Marina – the No. 1 selling office in WA, where professionalism, quality service and great results are highly valued, Valerie is able to offer up-to-date information and innovation which gives sellers a special edge over the competition.

The family is involved in many aspects of the Irish community in Perth and Derek has, for many years, been associated with Shamrock Rovers soccer club and St. Finbarr’s Gaelic football club.

Valerie will give you premium service. What does premium mean for her clients? “Well, I believe in the phrase “everyone’s home is their castle” and therefore every property I list, big or small, modern or traditional, established or brand new, is premium to me and treated with the same level of service and respect. This means my clients benefit from the absolute best at all stages of their real estate transaction. Valerie added, “If you are new to Perth and need some advice on buying or selling, please give me a call”. Contact Valerie on 0404 864 932 or valerie.boyle@peard.com.au, you won’t be disappointed.

Valerie can help!

Valerie Boyle emigrated from Ireland to Western Australia in 1993. Married to Derek, they have three children. So I asked Valerie what attracted her to Real Estate. “I have always been in sales and have always worked hard so, being highly motivated, real estate is a natural place for me to be”.

She combines a wealth of experience in the Real Estate market together with a Marketing and Business Management Degree. Having lived in the Northern Suburbs for the past 20 years Valerie is passionate about the area, especially in and around Mullaloo and Kallaroo.

With her professionalism and enthusiastic approach to her work, she ensures her clients receive the best service. “I always keep them fully informed about the sales process and how their sale is progressing”.

Service means everything to Valerie and she has a strong determination to deliver not only great results, but a special and rewarding experience for her clients.

“I am prepared to go that extra mile to satisfy the needs

May the sound of happy music, And the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after.

Call the name you can trust!

28

The Gathering gathers momentum

by Lloyd Gorman It is now well over half way through 2013 - the year of The Gathering - and the calendar crammed with some 4,000 events big and small still has much to offer. June alone saw some 650 Gatherings take place with another 1,200 scheduled over July and August. Hardly a parish in the whole country has not been touched or involved with the global mission to proudly display its wares to the world and to make visitors feel welcome. The signs are that the Gathering is attracting additional overseas visitors to Ireland, with figures indicating that total overseas trips to Ireland for the period Jan-May 2013 were up by 6.4% on the corresponding period last year and Australian visitors to the Irish Republic for the first half of the year grew by +12.1% year on year. Overall visitors are spending in the order of 12% more than they did last year but it is the Aussies and Kiwis who are really coming to the party, with this group splashing out 33% more than the previous twelve months.

With a few months left in it, the Gathering still has a few promises up its sleeve for visitors. On September 15, for example, the skies of Dublin city will play host to a one off aviation event that has never been staged in any other European capital â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FlightFest. More than 30 modern and vintage aircraft will put on an aerial extravaganza for the 250,000 people expected to turn out for the event - making it the biggest Gathering in the year of gatherings.

Carnival spirit will also hit the streets of Dublin with family attractions and festivities lining the city streets showcasing the best of Irish aviation and promising a fun filled day out

for all.

September 2 also saw another fixture which our Australian cousins would have readily enjoyed and related too. It was a case of the Barmy versus the Blarney Army as Malahide hosted the biggest cricket match ever to be held on the island of Ireland for the epic international

29

between Ireland and England. The new all-seater venue in Malahide welcomed 12,000 plus visitors for this epic showdown. Lining out for the English Squad was Irish born, Eoin Morgan who once played for the Irish squad so rivalry will be ripe between both sides. To add further competitive spirit to the mix, the

IRELAND

official gathering component to the match saw the Barmy Army (England Cricket Supporters) take on the Blarney Army (Irish Cricket Supporters) in a charity match on the eve of the big game.

Not to be outdone, the proud city and county of Cork will live up to its moniker as “The Rebel County” in October (14 to 18) with Cork Rebel Week. The first event of its kind the week of festivities will commemorate all things Cork related including the County’s infamous rebellious reputation. The organisers are also issuing Cork Rebel Week Passports to international visitors. The passport entitles holders to a range of accommodation, hospitality, retail and leisure discounts, as well special offers across Cork during Rebel Week.

The Gathering is based on the idea of inviting people of Irish heritage or birth but who now live and work overseas to rediscover their home country and spiritual home. To this end Hibernia College has launched the first ever Irish Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the theme of Irish identity. The Exploring Irish Identity MOOC is available to everybody completely free of charge, no matter where you are in the world. All you need is access to the Internet and a desire to find out more about Ireland’s culture and heritage. Speaking of connecting with your past St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan wants to invite all past pupils to a major Gathering event in November, with a planned special showing of its school musical on the Friday (15). On Saturday 16th there will be a Remembrance Service for past pupils living and deceased, followed by an afternoon of entertainment. If you are interested and could supply photographs or an article about your time in St. Louis, please contact us on saintlouis@eircom.net or by snail mail to St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan.

Technology is also being used in other ways to help people get the most out of their experiences and adventures in Ireland. A special App (application for smart phones) called ‘The Gathering Gestures App’ is available for iphone and android users. It offers over 500 unique offers to visitors to Ireland, providing special ‘Gathering’ offers and complimentary value add-ons so your car rental company might chuck in a free satellite navigation system, or the hotel you book might offer free cocktails, or complimentary home baked food at your B&B or bump up a two ball to a four ball at a golf course. Consumers can also cash in the action in other ways. Kildare Village are offering Gathering Organisers a prepaid MasterCard® Gift Card to the value of €50 to entice them to bring their gathering group for some retail therapy in the popular Kildare Village. All group members will in turn receive a VIP Day Card, entitling them to a 10% saving, access to the VIP Lounge and a complimentary glass of champagne.

Finally, the Gathering is looking for your photos of events to build up a collection of images and memories of the year.

Submit your best holiday snaps to be in with a chance to win an iPad and an Irish crafted “Gathering” case. See www.thegatheringireland.com for details of these and other events and activities.

As they say in Limerick - Gather Yourselves!

We have great fares to get you there for Christmas

British Travel Phone 9285 8182 Email: info@britishtravel.com.au

Travel Agents License: 9TA 1055 Travel Compensation Fund Member Australia: 7059 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Member: (AFTA) ABN 65 08 124 5098

Please make an appointment before calling into our office.

www.britishtravel.com.au

Neo Infrastructure is a leading Civil Construction and Mining Services Company, with offices in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

For more information about our company or employment opportunities please...

Contact Mike McGurk on 0407 475 033 Neo Infrastructure (AUST) Pty Ltd T: (08) 9409 3003 F: (08) 9409 3005 E: mmcgurk@neoinfrastructure.com.au W: www.neoinfrastructure.com.au

30

!

ow N l l a C

Congratulations Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc.

AIDA WA would like congratulate all dancers who have competed recently in the our State Championships at John Curtin College of the Arts. The standard of the Championships this year was exceptional – well done to all who competed!

Executive

Upcoming feisenna: It’s the big one!

The 46th Australian National Irish Dancing Championships, Perth Concert Hall October 1st to October 6th.

Western Australia

President: Teresa McGorry-Mathers TCRG

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

Last chance sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available for the National Championships, so contact perth2013@aidainc.com to find out how you can get involved!

School Contacts Ceide Samantha McAleer TCRG Subiaco & Woodvale 9405 6255 / 0414 188 784

2013 SOLO STATE CHAMPIONS Championship Champion’s Name School Sub-Mnr Girls 7 Yrs/Under Mia Asphar Ceide/Upton Sub-Minor Girls 8 Years Caoimhe McGuigan Ceide/Upton Sub-Minor Boys 8 Years Nathan Holland Ceide/Upton Minor Girls 9 Years Monica Asphar Ceide/Upton Minor Boys 9 Years Lachlan Moroney WA Academy Minor Girls 10 Years Caoimhe McAleer Ceide/Upton Minor Boys 10 Years Adam Robinson WA Academy Junior Girls 11 Years Trinity Ryan WA Academy Junior Boys 11 Years Connor Muir Kavanagh Junior Girls 12 Years Abigail Moroney WA Academy Junior Boys 12 Years Luke Hanson WA Academy Intermed/Girls 13 Years Ruby Driscoll Ceide/Upton Intermed/Girls 14 Years Dakota Courtney O’Brien Intermed/Boys 14 Years Jeremiah Oliveri Ceide/Upton Senior Girls 15 Years Dara McAleer Ceide/Upton Senior Girls 16 Years Bridie Flynn O’Hare Junior Ladies 17 Years Shelby Aylett Ceide/Upton Junior Men 17 Years Ciaran Courtney O’Brien Junior Ladies 18 Years Moriah Moylan O’Hare Ladies 19 Years Fiona Thomas Kavanagh Senior Ladies Shannon Kennedy Kavanagh

Delany Jane Goddard TCRG Forrestfield & Parkerville 9295 2447 / 0407 085 237 Eireann Siobhan Cummins TCRG Como/Jandakot/Rockingham 0422 075 300 Kavanagh Teresa McGorry-Mathers TCRG 9371 8400 / 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG (Hon) 0400 077 892 Osborne Park & Melville

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

For any enquiries regarding Irish dancing in Perth please contact Aisling O’Brien, Secretary AIDA WA aislingfiona@westnet.com.au 31

1300 083 599

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

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

ou!

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

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

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Leaving Ireland can be a daunting prospect!

Leaving property behind in Ireland can be an unnecessary stressful and cumbersome experience. After many years of providing a property maintenance and cleaning service for Irish people who have emigrated to Australia, Maud’s Residential has expanded our services to develop a full letting and management service which full encapsulates a full property service.

“Over many years we have built up a reputation with Irish residents in Australia, initially just providing property maintenance service such as house cleaning but over time expanding to provide a full letting and management service to property owners living overseas”.

Maud McGuckin, Director of Operations Rental property has continued to attract a good return and we have seen a high demand from Australian residents who are looking for a long term investment.

It makes sense to Invest in Irish Property Now! After nearly 5 years in decline and a 50% reduction in property prices, the market is starting to rebound.

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www.housecleaning.ie For many people, the Subclass 457 visa has been a blessing.

It’s provided a pathway to well paid employment in Australia and for some, a pathway to permanent residence.

BUT there is a dark side to the 457 visa. An increasing number of 457 visa holders are becoming demoralised by deteriorating employment conditions.

They are being forced to take pay cuts, to take unpaid leave and to work overtime for no pay. Few 457 visa holders will speak up because they are scared of being sent home. It’s time to bring the 457 visa community together to discuss what can be done to tackle these and other issues, including the proposed 457 school fee levy.

If you are a 457 visa holder and would like us to try and organise a get-together with representatives of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and State government so that you can discuss your concerns, please send an email to 457visas@easivisa.com “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

FUNERALS

Caring for your Loved Ones Hetherington Funerals is familyrun and owned, serving the Perth area.

We have a reputation for providing a professional, high quality service and our client families have been using our services for many years.

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All funerals are arranged and run on a very personal basis.

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

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Call John Hetherington 9459 2846 33

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

We have a Ceili on Friday 20th September 2013 at the Irish Club, 61 Townshend Road Subiaco. Starts 7:30pm and the entry will be just $5.

We also have another Comhaltas Music and Singing Camp coming up in Bickley again starting Friday 6pm 22nd November 2013 until midday Sunday 24th November.

Enquiries Sean Doherty 9455 1303.

For more information, Visit of facebook pagefacebook page www.facebook.com/perthcomhaltas and email perthcomhaltas@gmail.com.

Marion

34

The Old Barracks Cahersiveen

By Anne Golden

Visitors to Ireland should visit the Old Barracks Cahersiveen in County Kerry, which currently houses a heritage centre, has a complex and fascinating history.

Originally a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Barracks, it was built between 1870 and 1875. The imposing building was commissioned by the British Government following an unsuccessful Rising by the Fenians of Cahersiveen in 1867.

At that time the British and American Magnetic Telegraph Company had successfully laid a telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean from nearby Valentia Island to Newfoundland, Canada. This technological advancement had taken several attempts at a significant cost and was finally completed in 1866. As a result, the British Government felt the need to protect the security of this new Trans-Atlantic cable from further Fenian risings

and so commissioned the new RIC barracks, to be positioned close to the River Fertha in Cahersiveen.

The RIC barracks was designed by the architect Enoch Trevor-Owen who was born in Shropshire, England in 1833 (d. 1881). On the 10 January 1860, Trevor-Owen joined the architectural staff of the Irish Board of Works. In February 1863 he was promoted to the role of assistant architect and chief draughtsman. He is responsible for the design of many buildings in both Ireland and England and designed the Cahersiveen RIC barracks in the Scottish Baronial style of architecture.

The building itself is a detached six-bay four- and five-storey structure with a two-bay four-storey central block. It has a single-bay four-storey crow-stepped gabled end bay (north) and a

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five-storey circular corner turret with a machicolated conical roof (north-west). There is a two-bay fivestorey crow-stepped projecting end bay (south) and a single-bay single-storey machicolated corner bartizan to the south-east, with a conical roof. The building is accessed by a flight of steps leading to a single-bay single-storey projecting gabled porch.

This elaborate structure may seem out of place for a small town in South Kerry and coincidentally there is a common belief that this building was originally intended for North India. It is alleged that due to the considerable haste to build the RIC barracks in Cahersiveen after the Fenian Rising, the plans became mixed up with those of a police station in Samana, Punjab, North India. As a result, it is believed that the barracks originally intended for India now stands in Cahersiveen, and vice-versa.

During the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), the barracks in Cahersiveen was badly damaged by fire.

At the beginning of the war, Cahersiveen was under the control of the anti Anglo-Irish Treaty Republicans.

However, by August 1922, the Irish Free State Army had taken complete control of the town. This was achieved by their landing in Valentia Harbour by boat and at Cahersiveen by train, after which they encountered a serious battle with the Republicans. As a result, the Republicans were forced to retreat from the town. It is believed that during this encounter, the

Republican women of Cahersiveen entered the RIC barracks and set it alight. The building burnt quickly and within hours it was completely gutted.

The Old RIC Barracks remained a burnt out shell until 1991, when Cahersiveenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community development organisation, ACARD Limited, set about restoring the building to its former glory. The Old Barracks Cahersiveen re-opened its doors in 1996, as a heritage centre. Today, the building continues to serve the same purpose and houses many interesting historical and archaeological displays.

Sources Murphy, K. H. Echoes of Caher. Killarney Printing, Co. Kerry.

The Old Barracks Cahersiveen: http://www.oldbarrackscahersiveen. com/ National Inventory of Architectural Heritage: http://www. buildingsofireland.ie Dictionary of Irish Architects: http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/4246

Anne Golden lives in Perth and is an ancestor of Johnny Golden, one of the Fenians transported to Western Australia in 1867 on the Hougoumont. If you do go to Cahersiveen, visit Kells and there you will find the home of Johnny Golden behind the Kells Post Office on the Ring of Kerry.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art.

36

pop up information on their events that are open to all.

From GAA clubs to books clubs, golf days, or cinema nights, even joining a soccer team. Your free time could get gobbled up quickly! Positive and informative input is always welcome on the page.

We now have traditional Irish music classes for kids in conjunction with Comhaltas Perth, Sundays in Western Australia Royal Park Hall 180 Charles Street, West Perth. Contact irishinperth@hotmail.com for more details.

Our strong link to the Junior GAA assists the growth of the Academies North and South. For more information contact Gerry Crowley on 0415 048 425.

Many spin off groups have happened since the launch of Irish Families Facebook page and we are delighted that more and more people have connected through the medium and isolation is tackled especially for new families in Perth. Being such a broad based group is the With 3,347 members the Irish Families page is key to its success, with everyone welcome (Irish or not!) still going strong. It is still a place where people ask to join. Just search Irish Families in Perth on Facebook, questions on day to day living or raise concerns about we have a website being developed at the moment so if hot topics (schools fees for 457 visa holders a big issue you would like to contribute to this or have any queries at the moment). We are also organising a BBQ social get please contact us on irishinperth@hotmail.com together soon with the members, as well as ongoing events like the weekly playgroup in Karrinyup where new faces are always welcome (Wednesday mornings May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve at 10am. 2 Nerita Way, Karrinyup) or help to be linked been, the foresight to know where you’re going and up with others in your area. Many of the groups within the insight to know when you’re going too far. the Irish community have also joined to IFIP and often

Irish Families in Perth

Irish Families in Perth facebook page still growing strong:

Arthur’s Day 26th Sept.

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Middleton Rare Irish Whiskey (value $400) with a whiskey Decanter & glasses Buy a pint of Guinness any Thursday in September to be in the draw.

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Roses and bonnets capture the heart of Ireland Thousands of Australian and New Zealand cruise line passengers on board the Sea Princess who docked at Cobh in July were invited to take part in a slightly different tourist experience - a ceremony to bless bonnets. The quayside where the holidaymakers set foot on Irish soil was also the same place where countless numbers of Irish people on 104 ships departed for Australia. It was here, at this symbolic place which linked two countries a world away from each other that Australia’s ambassador to Ireland, Dr Ruth Adler presented Jack Walsh, the manager of the Cobh Heritage Centre, with two bonnets. One was for Honora Buckley and one for her baby William Buckley. These bonnets which will be displayed on specially carved wooden heads created by local craftspeople - will form part of the permanent exhibition of 184 bonnets representing the women and children of the ill-fated Neva

that sank off King Island in 1835.

The new installation - which will be officially launched in October - is the latest development in artist Christina Henri’s drive to honour and remember the 25,566 women and girls from Ireland and the UK who were sent to Australia as convicts in what she calls Roses from the Heart or ‘bringing the girls back home’.

Her quest began in 2003 at the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart, where she is now artist-inresidence. Since then Christina, and thousands of people inspired by the story of these women and the desire to remember them, have created more than 23,500 hand made cloth bonnets, with just another 2000 left to be created. Attention is now turning to how and where this impressive collection of bonnets will be displayed and housed. Christina hopes that a link might be forged between the port of Cobh and the Hobart port precinct through a bonnet contemporary art initiative, an iconic art commemoration showcasing female convict story and colonial heritage.

If awareness of the convict women’s story behind Roses from the Heart was low in Ireland when she started her project it now has widespread and popular support as her latest trip to Ireland shows.

A number of events for Roses from the Heart have been organised, with the support of Tourism Ireland, for The Gathering. The journey and story of the bonnets has been filmed

Dave McGilton and Christina Henri

38

Christina Henri with Jack Walsh, Manager of the Cobh Heritage Centre

by RTE and will screen on Irish TV in September. It will also be shown on ABC - date yet unknown - who contributed to the documentary by filming the Cascades Female Factory.

Most of the filming was completed earlier this year whilst Christina was in Ireland. However the last bit of footage for the production was expected to be completed in August, when Christina returned to install an exhibition of bonnets at the Kilmainham Goal planned for display at the end of that month.

Over 4,000 convicts were transported to Australia from Kilmainham Gaol giving it a deep connection with the convict story.

Like Fremantle Goal here in Perth, Kilmainham is now a heritage and tourist attraction with historic links to the convict story.

Interestingly, modern day Irish prisons have also been keen to be associated with this penal tradition.

In 2012 men, women and staff at two prisons in Dublin made over 800 bonnets as part of the Roses from the Heart Memorial. The RACT contributed to Christina’s travelling costs to Dublin and visits to both the Arbour Hill Jail and the Dochas Centre of the Mountjoy Prison to meet with those who had sewn and embellished bonnets. At a special event at the Arbour Hill Jail attended by almost a hundred guests including the Director General of Irish Prisons, Michael Donnellan, the Governor of the Arbour Hill Jail, Liam Dowling and the Governor of

the Dochas Centre Mary O’Connor the bonnets were presented to Christina. A wooden boat especially crafted for Roses from the Heart events was showcased alongside a beautiful wooden cabinet. A bonnet for Irish lass Mary Walsh exhibited on a sculpted head was displayed inside the glass-panelled cabinet.

All pieces were designed and built in the woodwork shop at the prison by inmates. The presentation at the Arbour Hill Jail concluded with Father Paul Byrne blessing the bonnets. Christina said she was appreciative that Irish Scene publisher Fred Rea - who has been a cultural and logistical supporter of the project - was able to attend and document highlights of this event. In fact the link with the Irish Prison Service can be traced back to Fred Rea who was talking to his friend Mark O’Brien, who works in the prison service, while on holiday in Perth. Seeing the potential in involving men, women and staff from Dublin prisons in participating in the Roses from the Heart Memorial. The response

from this initial idea has already seen hundreds of bonnet beautifully sewn and embroidered and woodwork skills used to enhance the display of the bonnets.

On her recent visit to Ireland a blessing of the bonnets was held at the Down Museum, in Co.Down. The heritage centre is part of the original gaol for Down and was the place where 70 women were held for transportation to Australia. Last year on a previous visit to the centre Christina held a workshop with 200 local school children and community members and the bonnets they created went on permanent display for Christina’s return visit.

For more information about Christina and the Roses from the Heart Project: www.christinahenri.com.auhttp://rosesfromtheheart.tumblr.com/ www.facebook.com/ChristinaHenriRosesFromTheHeart Contact:cjhenri@gmail.com

Steve has some sound advice for you!

Steve Caldwell was born in Dublin and has lived in Perth for 6 years. He loves the lifestyle here but misses good Irish stews and pubs. Steve recommends the Mighty Quinn or J.B. O’Reilly’s if you’re feeling a bit home sick, “the food and atmosphere is great”. Steve backs Leinster and WA’s local Western Force. He works for Northside Nissan in Wangara, and understands some of the hurdles in moving to a new country. He can help you buy your first car, or upgrade from old to new.

You can call Steve on 0416 334 399

MEET STEVE CALDWELL

CALL STEVE ON 0416 334 399

As a fellow Irishman, I understand some of the hurdles in moving to a new country.

Northside Nissan made it easy for me when I arrived. Northside Nissan is the only dealership in WA to hold Platinum Dealer status for customer service, and to be awarded a Nissan Global Award. Call me to help you buy your first car, or upgrade from old to new. Our finance department can discuss your eligibility for finance while on a visa.

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Irish girls took his heart away

by Finbar Fiddler It was his enchanting and alluring version of Cole Porter’s song “I get a kick out of you” (check it out on YouTube) that catapulted the now late Australian folk singer Gary Shearston to international attention in 1974. By that stage of his career Shearston had already been singing for close to 20 years and was already a household name across Australia having had a massive hit in 1965 with the single “Sydney Town’. He got his own TV show (Just Folk) and was the biggest selling artist in the genre in Australia.

At the pinnacle of his success as a singer songwriter and just like the swagman of Waltzing Matilda the NSW born and bred boy went walkabout in search of new inspiration and experience and made the world his outback.

These adventures took him to America, Europe and on at least one occasion to Ireland.

“I took Australia, and things Australian, with me,” he told Simply Australia, in an interview a few years ago. “‘Aborigine’ was written in New York, in response to American enquiries regarding Australian Aboriginal culture.

Similarly, ‘Baiame, the Greatest Stone on Earth’ was written in London for the same sort of reason. I sought to bring things Australian to the different scenarios in which I became involved. In early 197Os London, for example, I devoted considerable time and energy getting British and Jamaican musicians to listen to Aboriginal music — sometimes to

advantage, sometimes to no avail.

Some of the results can be heard on ‘The Greatest Stone on Earth & Other Two—Bob Wonders’, my second English album.

“Once, in a remote shanty in the wilds of County Donegal, on the west coast of Ireland, I sang the assembled Saturday night crew Sally Sloane’s* version of The Wild Colonial Boy. They’d never heard it before. Sung as a lament, it’s very different to the usual Irish rendition, which is more of a knees—up, rebel—rouser. Three weeks later, when I turned up at the Tradition Club in Slattery’s pub in Dublin, where I’d been booked to do a gig, I was asked if I was the same Australian who’d sung an unusual version of The Wild Colonial Boy in Bridget McShane’s Crossways Inn, Glencolumbkille, County Donegal recently. I pleaded guilty. News travels fast in Ireland —one side of the country to another. Traditional music news seems to travel fastest of all.”

Perhaps one of Shearston’s not as well-known songs but certainly one that is as good as any is ‘Irish Girls (Will Take Your Heart Away) which can be found on his Here & There Now & Then: An Anthology CD. It is a catchy and enchanting song, well worth a listen if you ever get a chance (try YouTube again).

Sunday Herald Sun music reviewer Pete Best said it was ‘perhaps the smartest Australian song ever’.

Gary Shearston, born 1939 – after an eventful and creative life as an artist, journalist, actor, novelist and for the last 20 years or more as an Anglican priest in NSW – died on July 1 2013.

His last album of a discography of 15 was The Great Australian Groove which was released in 2012.

His official website said: “He wrote songs with influences that ranged from Irish traditional to Japanese, and released an album with jazz arrangements that perplexed his folkie and pop music fans.”

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Who was Sally Sloane? *Sally Sloane has an important place in the history of traditional music in Australia. She was the most documented traditional performer in Australia and the source of many collected tunes and songs. Sally’s maternal grandmother Sarah Alexander was born to James Alexander and Mary (Lloyd) in Belfast, Ulster, Ireland c. 1816. In 1838, at the age of 22, she left Ireland with her brother and sailed to Australia.

Sally said that during the voyage Sarah sang “Adieu My Lovely Nancy” at a concert. The song became a favourite of the captain.

Although her grandmother had died six years before she was born, Sally acknowledged that Sarah was a trained singer who knew many songs and dance tunes. Many of these songs and tunes were later passed down to Sally from her own mother.

Adieu, my lovely Nancy Ten thousand times adieu I’ll be thinking of my own true love I’ll be thinking, dear, of you Will you change your ring with me, my love?

Will you change your ring with me?

It will be a token of our love When I am far at sea When I am far away from home And you know not where I am Love letters I will write to you From every foreign strand When the farmer boys return at night They will tell their girls fine tales Of all that they’ve been doing All day out in the fields Of the wheat and hay that they cut down Sure it’s all that they can do While we poor jolly, jolly hearts of oak Must plough the seas all through And when we return again, my love To our own dear native shore Fine stories we will tell to you How we ploughed the oceans o’er And we’ll make the alehouses to ring And the taverns, they will roar And when our money is all gone Sure we’ll go to sea for more.

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Leading Irish Company seeking recruits.

Dornan is an international, multidisciplined projects company in the Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation sectors who have gained significant experience across a wide section of business fields.

Stephanie Madden told the Irish Scene, “At Dornan we are committed to achieving client satisfaction, through safely offering value, deliverability and quality. We pride ourselves in offering a comprehensive range of Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation and Commissioning Services to our clients.

Our services will take any project from the construction drawings right through to final handover and commissioning”.

Dornan have been providing Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation Services for many years to a diverse range of industry sectors including Data Centres, Energy, Hydrocarbons, Life Sciences, Energy, Renewables, Manufacturing and the Commercial sector. Stephanie added, “From the complex process environment in the pharmaceutical sector to the cutting edge technology and telecommunications required in the commercial market, Dornan Engineering has the skills and expertise necessary to efficiently take a project from start to finish. Our growth is primarily driven by repeat orders from existing clients, demonstrating their level of confidence in the ability of Dornan. We are also eager to continue to grow our client list, concentrating on specific geographical locations and sectors.

Dornan are looking for staff at present and this is an excellent opportunity to secure a position with them as they continue their expansion across new sectors and global regions throughout Ireland, UK and Europe.

Stephanie said, “We are seeking to recruit for upcoming projects in Ireland, UK and Mainland Europe”. (see advert on pevious page) Visit the Dornan website: www.dornan.ie or phone 0011 353 21 233 0900

The day Harry dropped into Dublin!

On the 28th August 2013, a Centenary Commemoration of a plane crash in Loughshinny Bay outside Dublin was held.

It was just one is just one of the many events taking place in Dublin for National Heritage Week. The plane was piloted by Harry Hawker of Australia.

In 1913 the Daily Mail sponsored a great air race around the British Isles. Harry Hawker having completed three quarters of the journey suffered a leaking fuel pipe in his Seaplane and crashed into the middle of Loughshinny Bay. He and his co-pilot were rescued by local fishermen who also stripped the plane for souvenirs.

Hawker was endeavouring to reach Falmouth in order to complete the circuit before 9.30 the following morning, thus finishing within his time limit. When he was over Loughshinny (near Dublin) his boot, being oily, slipped when he pressed it on the rubber valve, and this caused the machine to swerve suddenly, with the result that one of the wings broke.

The machine fell from a height of 100 feet into the sea, and its occupants were rescued by coastguards who observed the accident. The accident resulted in injuries to his companion, Harry Kauper. Hawker escaped injury but Kauper sustained a broken arm and injuries to the face, and as a consequence spent time in hospital.

The Daily Mail prize of £5,000 was not awarded but Harry Hawker was given £1,000 as consolation. Shell who had supplied the fuel and oil also gave him a souvenir.

To commemorate Harry Hawker’s heroic flight, the oldest airworthy amphibian still flying in the UK, the IWM Duxford based Catalina G-PBYA plans to complete the same circuit.

The plane and crew will, as closely as possible, follow the 1913 route over a five day historic flight. The 2013 Circuit of Britain challenge is being mounted by Catalina Pilot Jeff Boyling who, like Harry Hawker, was born in Australia and shares a passion for aeronautical adventure.

By marking this occasion Jeff hopes to inspire younger generations with the wonders of flying and keep “the golden era of aviation” alive today.

In 1978 Australia Post issued a special Harry Hawker stamp and in 1989 Moorabbin Airport was renamed “Moorabbin (Harry Hawker) Airport”. Many aircraft have borne the Hawker name and continue to do so. This 100th Anniversary Circuit of Britain Commemorative flight aims to remind people of Harry Hawker’s contribution to aviation.

Visit projecthawker2013.com for more information on this amazing aviator.

43

By Lloyd Gorman

Who floats your boat when it comes to the vote?

There is every chance that some of the asylum seekers and refugees caught up in Kevin Rudd’s radical immigration policy could end up being resettled in Ireland - at least that is New Ireland. New Ireland is a tropical island, pretty much the next island over to the east of Manus Island where refugees trying to get into Australia will now be processed and detained in camps for immigration processing. New Ireland is one of the many islands that make up Papa New Guinea one of the most diverse cultural places in the world and a collection of small islands. PNG and places in it like New Ireland have been closely linked to Australia when it was put under the protection of Australia and New Zealand around the time of World War 1, when it was renamed after Ireland (There is also a New Britain in the archipelago of islands in this exotic but remote part of the world).

With a looming election (which may be already decided by the time you read this) both Labor and the Liberals seem hell bent on trying to out do each other with increasingly vicious and harsh policies that abuse the human rights of thousands of people. The Liberals called their response to the issue of refugee boats Operation Sovereign Borders, which had a strong military component to it. Labor refer to their PNG Solution (the use of the word solution is affronting when you remember how it was used during WWII by a certain regime to describe its approach to fixing problems with another group of powerless ethnic people who

are made scapegoats of political expediency) In a sense it doesn’t matter a jot which of them wins the Federal election - refugees can not expect a humanitarian attitude from the next administration. When the top levels of national power and authority are deliberately downtrodden on any of the potential benefits refugees might be able to bring to the country or community the public - or least large swathes of it - can’t be entirely blamed for being hostile or antagonistic to boat people. You could say they have been made a political football to be kicked around - but that is a disservice to football which at least is governed by rules and a referee, but not apparently in the field of politics.

ALP leader Kevin Rudd and Liberal Party leader Tony Abbot seem to forget that the modern history and character of Australia was forged by boat people, the pattern is in the national DNA now. The Aboriginal people may have walked to Australia across a land bridge from Asia that became submerged. For tens of thousands of years they inhabited a land in isolation. The arrival of the First Fleet in 1787 changed all that in a moment. Without permission or an invite the first European settlers arrogantly sailed close to shore and simply took over the shop. Not then, or since, have the Aboriginal people been given an opportunity to have input into the arrival of people to their country, one way or another. To the indigenous people who witnessed decade after decade of convict ships and then free settlers coming to their shores the influx must have seemed very overwhelming indeed.

It wasn’t until the late 1960’s early 1970’s that air travel started to replace sea voyages as the preferred way to reach Australia. Generations

44

of people of every persuasion including missionaries, nurses, teachers, skilled migrants, workers made the long and sometimes difficult trip by sea from Europe. A few years ago, before he passed away, Rory O’Rourke’s father Tom told Irish Scene in an interview about how rusty and unseaworthy (sound familiar?) the ship that carried him to Australia was. Millions of emigrants like him coming to Australia did not take anything for granted and had to work hard to establish themselves and earn a place in society. The vast majority of refugees - and now all of them - have not been given that chance to prove themselves in Australia.

Ireland’s place in the world too has been shaped by boat people. For hundreds of years now our ancestors have boarded ships of all types and sailed into the winds of the world.

Those voyages have often been as dangerous as the crossings attempted by refugees to Australia. During the Famine private and ruthless companies with the sanction and backing of the authorities ran the so called coffin ships between Ireland and America, overloading boats with people in conditions that lead to them being called coffin ships.

Just because a government says something is legal doesn’t necessarily make it right. Modern day refugees are viewed with suspicion by some because they pay people smugglers to get them to Australia. The million or more Irish emigrants who wanted to escape death and destitution in the famine must have had to somehow come up with the price of the fare to American or elsewhere and paid up front for their passage. Was that immoral or illegal of them? Of course not.

Liberal party plans to strip refugees of the rights for family

reunions also smacks of the worst of the experience of the Irish famine, when the poorest of the poor were left with no other option but to go into the poorhouse. Here families were broken up and not allowed to be together again. No one knows how many unfortunates died within the walls of these workhouses without the comfort of their loved ones in this brutal and enforced captivity.

Irish Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly - who recently went on to become the Watchdog for the EU - had some strong things to say about the treatment by Irish government authorities of asylum seekers and the appalling and inhumane conditions they are forced to endure. “Is this our next national scandal looming?,” she said. “Will some future Taoiseach tearfully issue an apology to the children who suffered under this regime? Will some kindly judge be selected to complete the compensation package and will we all shake our heads in bewilderment and wonder how all of this happened?”

Australia’s handling of its asylum seeker population

is already much worse and more excessive than Ireland’s (which is shameful in its own right). The Australian Government has already been forced to make apologies to a number of groups - including the Aboriginal and indigenous peoples, the stolen generation and child migrants to name a few. Asylum seekers may well be the future source of regret for a future Australian PM. When I become an Australian citizen (which unfortunately will be too late to allow me to vote in this election) - and as someone proud of being an immigrant - I hope one day the Kevin Rudds or Tony Abbotts of this world come knocking on my door asking for my vote because I will tell them what I think of their policies before slamming the portal to my house in their faces just like they have closed the door to this country for hundreds, thousands or even millions of people with legitimate and moral right to be in this lucky country.

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

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

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Bunbury Primary School students with JB O’Reilly poster.

‘406’: Solved?

By Peter Murphy

Poet John Boyle O’Reilly (according to Irish historian Ormonde Waters) was a complex character and a bit of a dreamer.

He was also (according to some of his poetry) superstitious. This came to light when in America and as editor of the Boston Pilot; O’Reilly pencilled a poem titled ‘406 including mentioning on how the number came to him three times in twenty years; with special significance.

But where and when in the poet’s short life did the number ‘406’ appear? And what special significance did it hold for him?

According to O’Reilly’s biographer James Jeffery Roach, the poet came across the number when he arrived in Philadelphia after escaping on a Yankee whaler from Western Australia to America; ‘406’ being the number of the hotel room where he stayed. The second time was 10 years later, when on a lecturetour in New York; his hotel room number was also ‘406’. While it has also been speculated by historians and scholars that ‘406’, may have also been the number of one of the many cells he had to endure while in prisons in Ireland and England. This sounds highly plausible, although I’ve had it on good authority (Brendan Woods) that it was unlikely to have been in Fremantle Prison, as cell numbers in that prison during O’Reilly’s time; apparently didn’t reach that number.

But what about the third time the number may have appeared to the restless poet? Well I think I may have stumbled upon the answer to that question. But it wasn’t to be me, or some crusty ole scholar, or academic, or JB’O aficionados such as Tony Costa, Ormonde Waters, Brendan Woods, Liam Barry or Fred Rea to have solved the 133 year old riddle. It was a 10 year old student from Bunbury Primary School named Phoebe Fisher.

It was early June, when I was invited to give a presentation on O’Reilly and his poetry at BPS by teacher Jennifer Campbell to her students. During my presentation, I mentioned to the students O’Reilly’s poem ‘406’, after I had given them math-exercises relating to dates and the number of convicts that had been transported to WA including O’Reilly’s arrival on the convict ship Hougoumont on January 9TH 1868 and his escape from a convict road-camp near Bunbury on February 18th 1869.

Keen as mustard to help solve the riddle of ‘406’, the students went wild with their calculators, pens and pencils. Was it the number of lashes he received when he was in prison! Calledout one of the students. Don’t think so... I replied. Was it his cell number when he was locked-up in Fremantle jail! Shouted another. Unlikely... I answered. His convict number was 406!

Shouted another. Sorry...his convict number was 9843.

Then from the back of the class, Phoebe Fisher’s hand, I think I may know the answer... Was it the number of day’s he spent in jail in WA before he escaped? Of course how could you respond

46

to this, as I had never before considered such a proposition? So straight to the whiteboard I went.

Now let’s see kids... He arrived Jan 9th 1868...and escaped from his convict road-camp on February 18th 1869... I had to admit; it was pretty spot on (either side of a leap year).

The following month, BPS teacher Jennifer Campbell headed-up the Forrest Hwy with her students to visit Fremantle Prison for a guided educational tour, with Brendan Woods as their guide.

And there was no guessing which student received the most attention that day.

Thank you to the Bunbury Primary School (Lovegrove St) and to teacher Jennifer Campbell for allowing me the opportunity to share with them; the story and poetry of John Boyle O’Reilly.

A special thank you also, to student Phoebe Fisher for perhaps solving the last riddle of ‘406’.

‘406’

I do not know the meaning of the sign, But bend before its power as a reed bends When the black tornado fills the valley to the lips.

Three times in twenty years its shape has come In lines of fire on the black veil of mystery; At first, tho strange, it seemed familiar, And lingered on the mind as if at rest; The second time it flashed a thrill came, too, For supernature spoke, or tried to speak; The third time, like a blow upon the eyes, It stood before me, as a page might say: “Read, Read and do not call for other warning.”

I do not know, - O Mystery, the word Is lost on senses too impure. I stand And shrink subdued before the voice that speaks, And know not that its word is light or gloom.

John Boyle O’Reilly

Note: Fenian, poet, humanist, author and patriot John Boyle O’Reilly, died at the young age of 46.

Peter Murphy is a freelance writer and Conservation Officer with the National Trust (WA)

Bunbury Primary school students at Fremantle Prison with tour guide Brendan Woods

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49

By Lloyd Gorman

On July 1 at 21.30 GO screened the American movie Toy Soldiers (1991). It isn’t until after the film has finished that the Irish connection reveals itself with the Irish Film Orchestra being amongst the names rolling past in the credits. Music for the film was recorded

by Brian Masterson whose work includes amongst other Irish productions Agnes Browne and The Field. The score for Toy Soldiers was all done in Dublin.

Ripper Street, a new BBC production, also had echoes of Dublin about it when it premièred on July 7, on Channel Ten. Considering this was made by the Beeb it is an extremely poor period drama with not much to commend it except the fact that it is entirely filmed on location in Dublin, mainly around Dublin Castle and the Guinness factory and other sites. The Irish capital does a good double impression of London in the age of Jack the Ripper but that is as far as the whole series goes, a pity really, a lost opportunity to produce something of quality. The success of Dowton Abbey has sparked a renaissance of period productions for the small screen and when done well they can be terrific. The Tudors (which is shown regularly on Aussie stations) is filmed in Wicklow and one example of this. Another, more exciting and really brilliant piece of historical handiwork is Vikings, screening on SBS1 on Thursday

nights. This has high production values, great and convincing actors - including our own Gabriel Byrne as the ruthless and vicious Viking chieftain and Australian actor Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok who famously turned from farming to pillaging England. Fimmel is a first rate actor and matches the late Perth actor Heath Ledger for looks (in terms of similarity) and charisma in front of the camera. It is one of the best things to hit the telly in a long time which its makers - Irish and Canadian - can be justly proud. Another good historical film - The Eagle was shown on GEM on July 27 at night. Plenty of action and adventure in this story about the leader of a Roman legion and his personal bid to restore his families honour. A lot of attention to detail here and I was pleased to be able to easily follow at least most of the Gaelic of one particularly fieresome tribe of Scots. Again the credits revealed an Irish connection, with the movie having three Irish language advisors working on it.

Earlier that day on the same channel a concert from Celtic Woman - who will be in Perth next year - but I caught only the end of it as it went to the credits, so couldn’t honestly give you an opinion about

50

it) Dublin also provided the background and filming location for In the Name of the Father (GO 1.10am August 17). Released in 1993 Dublin masquerades as Belfast during the Troubles. A really excellent piece of cinematography and story about Ireland made in Ireland by Irish people. Somewhat in keeping with that theme SBS3 on August 10 showed The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006). This is a favourite of many followers of Irish history as being a very good account of what happened during the early violent years leading up to the formation of the Irish state. The director Ken Loach did a fantastic job of his film about the Spanish Civil War (Land and Freedom (1995) but I found his Irish one to be amateurish and badly portrayed, which sort of leads me on to my next review. Mrs Brown’s Boys (MBB) returned to Channel Seven on August 12. The last time I mentioned the Brendan O’Carroll show in these pages, I gave it a bit of a hard time. JB O’Reilly’s owner Paul North texted me from Ireland to say I had been a bit harsh on MBB and that it was good harmless fun. I have written nice things about MBB, which has on occasion even made me laugh so it can be funny and lots of people seem to watch it and enjoy it but mainly I just watch it because I’ll watch anything from or about Ireland on the box. The feedback is appreciated however and I’m open to anyone who wants to

let me know what they think of the reviews, or what they see on the telly.

By the way, does anyone remember a show from the 1980’s on RTE called Leave it to Mrs O’Brien? It sounds like it was a cross between MBB and Father Ted but I’d be interested to hear from anyone who saw it).

Ballykissangel is no stranger to Telly Nation Telly Station and is probably one of the most regular programmes to make an appearance here. Now I would not have watched this back in Ireland either (as well as MBB) but over here it is pure gold and having watched it as much as possible I would now consider myself a fan of it. The problem - for those of us who want to watch it - is knowing when and where to catch it. Unfortunately what started out as a Sunday night jaunt, moved to prime time Saturday TV has now faded into some kind of scheduling black hole where it makes irregular appearances, usually very late at night on 7TWO. Imelda

and I enjoy nothing more than a bit of Ballyk but have resorted to hiring out the box set from the local library and watching it at our own pace when the kids are down to bed and we are free to indulge ourselves in a bit of light and homely entertainment.

Talking of the kids, quite a lot of children’s TV is coming out of Ireland of late. Particularly good ones to watch out for on ABC3 if you have little ones are Jakers! The adventures of Piggley Winks and Roy. I will review these at a later date but suggest you keep your eyes open for them. Other children’s programming shown here made in Ireland are The Octonauts and anything from Brown Bag Productions, including Fluffy’s Garden.

ABC3 have also started to show two new programmes for young teenagers - Aisling’s Diary (made by RTE) and Dani’s Castle which is set in Northern Ireland.

In a quick round up of some news about RTE, Pat Kenny has left the state broadcaster after 41

years and joined Newstalk radio.

RTE will be better off without him I reckon and might clear the way for a bit of new talent to come through.

Also the government has abolished the TV licence and will replace it with a Household broadcasting fee.

No doubt the new fee will be easier to collect than the licence ever was – making it easier for the (morally and financial) almost bankrupt Irish state to reach into citizen’s pockets.

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Dining Guide

Sponsor: Northside Meats with Danielle O’Leary

10th Anniversary coming up for Danielle Next year, it’ll be ten years that I have been writing food reviews for The Irish Scene. Ten years. It is almost unfathomable to think I’ve been writing about the Perth food scene for that long – though, I recently re-read my first ever review and, my God, I am so glad that style of writing was a decade ago; you can almost read the nervousness on the page with the hesitant descriptions and overuse of adjectives.

Not only have I since learnt how to write about food, but I have also learnt what makes a place memorable. Some reviews are lost in memory but other places are unforgettable and I repeatedly return as a customer. I am not going to list my favourite places over the past decade, as I know I will get in a lot of trouble with some people, but I will tell you what I have learnt.

I’ve learnt that you could have an award-winning chef in the kitchen but unless you have smiling wait staff with character and professionalism, you may as well not bother. The atmosphere

in any restaurant, to me, is as important as what is on the plate.

My favourite places in Perth are not those with the most creative menu, it is those who utilise fresh, local produce of the highest quality; I would always chose a restaurant that provides support to local businesses.

We are lucky here in Perth.

Over the last decade, we have seen a renaissance in the food industry; there always seems to be a new place opening as the older places we already love increase their standards to keep up with the changing scene. People regularly complain about the prices of certain places in Perth, and in some cases it is definitely warranted. I do think, though, we are seeing a slow change as many places are doing weeknight deals that offer so much value to lure customers in. If people are smart in this economy we have going on, you can have an amazing meal without your wallet crying by the end of the night.

One thing I always hear when people learn I write about food

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is that the food is not as good as somewhere else, be it somewhere like Melbourne, London or Dublin.

And you know what? I think that is great. There is a distinctive style to Perth dining; a new wave of creativity and excitement around, if you just look. I think we are lucky to live in Perth – we have the best of all worlds, we have everything ranging from incredible fine dining to the most homely meal in an Irish pub. And it seems to be only getting better.

Editor: Thanks to Danielle who continues to write a very popular and excellent column in our Irish Scene. Also thanks to Paul McLoughlin of Northside Meats for his sponsorship of the page.

“When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink.”

Algernon Moncrieff, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Act 2 (1895)

53

with Marguerite O’Dwyer

Texan… The 2013 Rose of Tralee The Texas Rose Haley O’Sullivan was the worthy recipient of this year’s crown.

The 25-year-old was the contestant that most impressed the judges and shortly after the announcement the 2012 Rose Nicola McEvoy handed over the tiara.

Speaking during rehearsals Haley admitted she was looking forward to tonight.

Haley currently lives in Dallas and graduated from The University of Arizona in 2010 with an honours degree in Elementary Education.

The Texan works as a marketing coordinator for an industrial chemical company.

Her strong Irish connections come from her grandfather who was raised on Beara Island off the coast of Co Cork. Her grandmother’s parents were from Cork and Longford.

In addition to her Irish ties Haley is a member of Dallas’ GAA club, Fionn MacCumhaills and serves as a young leader in The American Ireland Fund.

On a sad note, organisers of the Rose of Tralee International Festival have expressed shock following the sudden death of the 2010 Texas Rose who passed away in a Dublin hospital.

Adrienne Hussey, 26, had been living in Dublin since late last year. She suddenly took ill on Wednesday morning and died last night in Beaumont Hospital of a suspected brain haemorrhage.

Her boyfriend Eoin Treanor, who was her escort during the 2010 festival, was with Adrienne when she fell ill and kept a vigil by her beside when she died. Many of her fellow Roses had kept a vigil at her bedside.

The Cure Tavern Irish bar & restaurant

Irish Tea Barmbrack Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients 100g raisins 100g sultanas 100g currants 50g glace cherries, halved 50g candied peel Zest 1 lemon 250ml hot, strong black tea 50ml whiskey 1 egg, lightly beaten 225g self - raising flour 200g light brown sugar 1 level teaspoon mixed spice 1. Put the raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries and candied peel in a large bowl (one that’s big enough to accommodate

all the ingredients).

2. Pour over the tea and whiskey and allow the fruit to soak for at least 30 minutes or even overnight.

3. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 180oC. Line a 450g (1 lb) loaf tin with parchment paper.

4. Add in the beaten egg, flour, sugar and mixed spice to the fruit and tea mixture.

Stir well until everything is just combined.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Bake for about 1½ hours or until a skewer comes out clean.

6. Leave to cool on a wire rack before slicing.

7. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

A simple explanation…

The mother-in-law dropped in after shopping to find her son-inlaw Sean boiling angry and hurriedly packing his suitcase. “I’m off to Australia”.

“What happened?” she asked anxiously.

“What happened you ask? I’ll tell you what happened. I sent an email to her, my wife, your favourite daughter, your fekkin pride and joy, telling her I was coming home a day early from my business trip to Dublin.

I get home, with a bunch of red roses, her favourite, and guess where I found your darling daughter! She, she, was in bed, yes in my bed with a, with a naked man! In my family, this is unforgivable, not on; it’s the end of this marriage. I’m done. I’m leaving forever!”

“Calm down now Sean, just, calm down for a minute” says the mother-in-law. “There’s something very odd about that. She was not brought up like that and she would never do such a thing.

There must be a simple explanation. I’ll go speak to her and find out what happened. You just sit down and have a nice cup of tea”.

A while later, the mother-in-law came back with a big smile and said, “Ah Sean, I told you there must be a simple explanation, she didn’t get your email”.

54

Local News of Interest from the Past

News Published Every Two Months Re se arch e d

by

F re d

Rea

Sydney Morning Herald Tues 22 Feb 1921

Evening News Sydney Saturday 1 April 1905

ARCHBISHOP CLUNE. CHARGES AGAINST CROWN FORCES

SANG AT HIS FUNERAL.

Archbishop Clune, who returned from Ireland on Thursday, was warmly welcomed by the Roman Catholics of Perth at the cathedral. In responding he made a passionate denunciation of the action of the Crown forces in Ireland. The Restoration of Order Act, which came into operation just as he arrived in Ireland, produced in a few weeks chaos, anarchy, and disorder throughout the land. The Act was ostensibly passed to extirpate what was called the “murder gang,” but operations very soon showed that it was meant to stifle and strangle the national spirit and bludgeon the people into submission. He (Archbishop Clune) spent some weeks in his native country under this law, and could assure them that no man or woman’s life was safe. During that terrible time the forces of law and order had become the force of disorder and anarchy.

Every infamy perpetrated by Germany in Belgium had been repeated and even exceeded in Ireland.

No words could adequately describe the appalling horrors of the situation.

The final obsequies of a well-known merchant who died recently in Cork City (Ireland), were marked by an incident as curious as it was impressive. A phonograph was placed on the lid of the coffin. When the religious ceremonies were over the phonograph was turned on, and the mourners in the church listened to the dead man singing the final Requiem of the Absolution. The cylinder is to be preserved, and it is intended to commemorate each anniversary of his death in a similar manner. The dead man owned a fine baritone voice and gave his services at many a public entertainment in the south of Ireland.

Freeman’s Journal Sydney Thursday 29 December 1927

HAD ALL HE WANTED.

An Irish politician and speaker of some repute went on a visit to the States, and he had the worst of times in crossing. An American pressman with an eye to a scoop, met the famous man on landing, and gave him a hearty welcome. After some very complimentary remarks on his visitor’s fame, the American asked him: ‘Will you give us a contribution to the ‘Pacific Weekly?’ ‘No,’ replied the politician, ‘I’ve been busy contributing to the Atlantic daily.’

Daily Herald Adelaide, SA Saturday 4 July 1914

‘’MORE HONESTY IN NED KELLY.”

From “An Onlooker”: “I see that some very funny and insulting expressions have been made by Mr. Peake.

Any man of common sense would scorn the idea of using such language. It is wrong principle, for Jesus Christ taught us to speak evil of no man or woman, but to love one another. Do the so-called Liberals do that? I say ‘No! They call our wives breeding cows. What have the Liberals ever, done for the working man? They only take the money out of the pockets of the poor and put it into the pockets of the rich. Nearly every Government has been a moneyed-man’s Government. I have been in this State for 66 years, and the Price Government was the best we ever had. I never heard of such a dirty piece of work as the Liberals are doing in scratching the names of Labor electors off the roll. There was more honesty in Ned Kelly when he was a bushranger. I am no politician, but I like fair play. I would say to every Labor elector, ‘See that your name is on the roll, even if you have to lose a day’s work to do it. It will pay you to do it.’ Mr. Cook says this will be the dirtiest election ever fought. Who will make it dirty! Not the Labor Party.”

Mirror Perth, WA Saturday 15 May 1948

DE VALERA AT FOOTIE

Mr. Eamon de Valera, former Prime Minister of Eire, who is visiting Perth, took advantage of this morning’s beautiful sunshine to see beauty spots in and around the city. He was shown around by members of the Celtic Club committee. He intends to spend this afternoon at one of the football matches, probably the Port Derby. Tonight he will be guest of the Celtic Club at a club evening.

The Daily News Perth, WA Thursday 18 March 1937

A SAINT NEARBY CAUSES TROUBLE Michael, an Irish pensioner, aged 75 years, cheerfully admitted in the Perth Police Court today that he was drunk yesterday. ‘I was keeping up St. Patrick’s Day,’ he informed Mr. H. D. Moseley, P.M. ‘You were cautioned last year, but I do not think that it was St. Patrick’s Day then, so I will caution you again,’ Mr. Moseley smilingly told the patriotic old son of Erin.

55

My good Friend Paddy is a Battler!

Paddy Cluskey is a legend in his native Drogheda. He is a well-known poet and singer/ songwriter. Paddy also works hard at uniting people from both sides of the border to live harmoniously together. Unfortunately, following an accident, Paddy’s broken arm was recently amputated. While in hospital another old Drogheda friend of Paddy’s, Tony “Socks” Byrne passed away in Canada. Tony won a bronze medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Tony’s remains was repatriated to home for burial and all this happened while Paddy was recuperating.

While in hospital, Paddy got his two sons to organise a wheelchair and he went to the cemetery, which happened to be across the Paddy Cluskey & Michael Murphy road from the hospital. Paddy was there waiting to say goodbye to his friend Tony when the funeral arrived. Never one to miss an opportunity to put words to verse, Paddy said a poem dedicated to Tony and what he had done for Drogheda. There is a bronze statue of Tony on the banks of the Boyne River.

Paddy’s effort to make the funeral and his subsequent poem was much appreciated by all present and was acknowledged by the Lord Mayor and Melbourne Olympics gold medallist, Ronnie Delaney who also attend the funeral.

Paddy returned to the hospital and later was found to have a serious infection and was put on life support. Some days later the family were called and a priest gave him the last rites. The surgeon advised the family that he would be removing the life support machine. Paddy’s brother in law was not happy about this and said “no way, there is lots of life still in that man”. Being a big strong fellow, Paddy fought on and as a result he is now at home with his wife and family and doing just fine. A good friend of mine, Michael Murphy was in Drogheda recently and called in on Paddy. Michael was made very welcome by Paddy and they had a nice lunch in the garden cooked on the webber.

Paddy continues to gain strength and is en-

Paddy Cluskey and Michael Murphy with Paddy’s family enjoying the webber lunch

joying life surrounded by family and friends.

Writing poetry is a dying art and verse about local characters is a special skill, Paddy Cluskey has penned many poems about people in and around Drogheda and their names are now immortalised for future generations thanks to Paddy. I send Paddy a copy of the Irish Scene regularly and he really appreciates reading about the Irish in Perth. I have asked Fred to include one of his poems in this issue.

Tony Synnott This is a poem from Paddy’s book dedicated to Tony ‘Socks’ Byrne

Welcome Home ‘Socks’ S Stands for Socks, it also stands for strength He put Drogheda on the map, everywhere he went In Ireland undefeated, was a credit to the game From long ago till now, is still a household name.

O stands for the Olympics, in Melbourne, Australia Everyone who went, sure each one was a star Socks should have beat the German, so I have been told Instead of winning bronze, he would have won the Gold.

C stands for Champion, in everything you done In Soccer or in Gaelic, all the medals you have won Like Oliver Mullen, you always done your best When the going was rough, you always stood the test.

K stands for King, you never lost the crown Never on the canvas, no one could put you down I remember fifty seven, in London’s Albert Hall That night you beat McTaggart, it was your greatest fight of all.

S stands for stardom, you carried the Irish flag In all the years I’ve known you, you didn’t boast or brag Johnny Caldwell told me stories, I haven’t time to repeat About this one off team, that the world couldn’t beat Only twelve competitors, there was five medals won To Tony Byrne and his team, Congratulations and well done!

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IRELAND’S J P HOLLAND:

SUBMARINE INVENTOR

By JOHN HAGAN Some men for adventure have planned for the stars And others had hoped to see Venus or Mars, But you worked and you labored to build your wild dream That you’d be the man with the first submarine.

----- and indeed he was.

soon found work in a local engineering firm. Eventually Holland settled in Paterson, New Jersey, where he taught for six years in St John’s Catholic School. During this time he continued to work on his submarine development and in February 1875, he sent detailed designs to the Navy Department in Washington for consideration.

Perhaps he was ahead of his time, as the Navy Secretary dismissed the Holland submarine as being, “a fantastic scheme of a civilian landsman”. However, Holland’s genius did not go unnoticed in other quarters.

During the 1870s, agitation amongst Irish Americans for the independence of Ireland was on the increase. The Fenian Brotherhood actively sought collections for their ‘skirmishing fund’ which had been set up by John Devoy to finance armed activities against British interests. Probably due to the influence of his brother Michael, a Fenian member since 1869, the Brotherhood approached John Holland to seek his assistance in constructing a submarine to use against British shipping interests around the American coast. Sympathetic to the Fenian cause, and anxious to benefit from the Brotherhood’s financial support, Holland agreed to build a small submersible which could be used to attack British warships and merchant vessels.

Known as Holland Boat No. 1, the inventor’s first submarine was launched on 22 May 1878 in the Passaic River near Paterson. The craft weighed 2.25 tons and had a single propeller which was driven by a 4 horsepower Brayton-cycle petrol engine. It was operated by a crew of one – J P Holland. Unfortunately, two vital screw plugs had been overlooked causing Boat No 1 to partially sink – involuntarily! The following day however, having rectified the fault, Holland made several successful dives which encouraged the Brotherhood as to the craft’s potential. They soon allocated further funds to develop a boat “suitable for war”.

With these additional financial resources, Holland was able to give up teaching and devote himself full-time to the development of his project. Boat No 1, was eventually stripped and scuttled by Holland, (it was later salvaged and is now on show in the Paterson Town Museum) and a second more enhanced version was commenced in May 1879 at Manhattan’s Delamater Iron Works.

Despite wishing to keep the manufacture of the submarine secret, Holland No. 2 soon attracted the attention of the local press, and the consternation of several international navies. When it was rumoured that the new craft was being financed by the Brotherhood, a New York Sun reporter, who was covering the story, dubbed

This chorus from Derek Warfield’s song ‘The Great Fenian Ram’, (recorded by the Wolfe Tones), embodies the exploits and achievements of Irish engineer and scientist, J P Holland, the first man to succeed in making a practicable submarine.

John Philip Holland was born in the coastguard house at Liscannor, County Clare, in February, 1841.

He attended the Christian Brothers School in Ennistymon before the family moved to Limerick in 1853. Later, in 1858, Holland joined the Christian Brothers in Cork where he taught at the North Monastery School. It was here that his initial steps in submarine design were taken. Brother James Burke, a noted science instructor and considered the ‘father of vocational and scientific education’ in Ireland, was a supportive colleague and mentor. Holland’s first submariner tests were carried out in the monastery’s ornamental pond, and by 1859, Holland had completed his first drafts of an undersea craft involving design principles from which he never radically deviated during the course of his life.

An enthusiastic teacher of drawing, science and music, at which he also excelled, Holland tutored at schools in Armagh, Enniscorthy, Drogheda and Dundalk between 1860 and 1872.

While in Drogheda he constructed a mechanical duck which could walk, swim, dive and resurface when put in water.

When his mother and two brothers emigrated to the United States, he joined them in 1873 in Boston where he

57

the sub, “The Fenian Ram”, and the name stuck.

Neath the waves of the ocean this craft was at home And the Fenians had plans for this boat for to roam In the Passaic River, your friends were amazed As your ship moved so silent neath rivers and waves.

Powered by a two-cylinder, 17 horsepower Brayton-cycle engine and armed with a co-axial pneumatic ‘dynamite gun’, the 19 ton Ram accommodated a crew of three. Holland was pleased by the initial trials of his new 31 foot craft. “There is scarcely anything required of a good submarine boat that this one did not do well enough, or fairly well”, he remarked. By mid-1883, the Ram was achieving surface speeds of 9 knots and submerging to a depth of 50 feet. He also staged successful demonstrations of the compressed air gun which was able to fire a dummy warhead, both underwater and through the air, over distances of several hundred yards.

Despite all these accomplishments, internal Brotherhood bickering and disputation brought the project to an abrupt end due to a lawsuit over the administration of the ‘Skirmishing Fund’. One of the Brotherhood’s warring factions stole the Ram and towed it away to New Haven where they attempted to operate it. Their clearly demonstrated marine ineptitude led the Harbour Master to declare the boat a menace to navigation, and, as a result, the Brotherhood abandoned all interest in what they had previously hailed as “the salt water enterprise”. (The Fenian Ram is on display in the Paterson Town Museum).

Following his frustrating escapade with the Fenians, Holland again turned his attention to the United States Navy. Eventually, after winning a competition for submarine design, the John Holland Torpedo Boat Company was established. The progress of the company’s future submarines was seriously hindered by interference from the Navy Department, which considered Holland as merely a gifted amateur innovator. The US Navy insisted on certain changes to design, which Holland warned would prove to be detrimental to the craft’s performance. And so it was. The sub proved to be cumbersome and “over engineered”. The project was abandoned in 1900, but success, for Holland, was not far away.

Aptly, on St Patrick’s Day, 1898, Holland No. 6, made its first dive in New York Harbour. This craft, sailed by a crew of 15, was 53 feet long and was driven by a 45 horsepower gas engine. However, despite successful trials, favourable publicity and the approval of the Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, the United States Government initially declined to purchase the sub, insisting on yet more modifications. Finally, on 6 April 1900, the US bought Holland No. 6, for $150,000 – a bargain price since it had cost twice that to produce. On 12 October, 1900, the USS Holland, the first submarine in the United States Navy was commissioned.

58

In addition to selling his designs to the old Fenian foe - the Royal Navy - Holland also built two subs for the Japanese, which were used against the Russians in the war of 1904-5. For his contribution to Japan, Holland received a decoration from the Emperor.

By 1905 Holland had withdrawn from the company he helped found, but not before he had the satisfaction of seeing his inventions purchased by the American, British, Japanese, Dutch and Russian navies.

Rightly regarded as the father of the modern submarine, John Philip Holland died of pneumonia on 12 August, 1914, in Newark, and was buried at the Holy Sepulchure Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey. In 1964 a plaque was erected in Liscannor to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his death, and the town’s Castle Street has been renamed Holland Street in his honour.

The Library of the North Monastery School, Cork, where Holland began his teaching career, contains a unique compilation of his papers in its collections.

John Michael Holland Come all you young Irishmen who walk upon the land, There are feats indeed, and fairy creeds, that you might understand: There is one of them that comes to mind, the likes was never seen, He was John Philip Holland who invented the submarine.

It was in Liscannor he was born in the wild west coast of Clare, Not far from the Cliffs of Moher that hangs so high in the air.

Liscannor Bay stretches far away, from Hag’s Head to Rineen, For young John Philip Holland who invented the submarine.

For fourteen years he taught at home in his own dear native land, Through emigration he sailed away unto a foreign strand.

In Patterson, New Jersey, on his work he became quite keen.

It was there our man he formed his plan and invented the submarine.

The U.S. Navy thought the man was crazy, they thrun his plan one side, But Holland paid no heed to them in his boat beneath the tide.

The Fenian Ram of ’eighty-one now by all was seen: This boat and show could go below, and they called her “the submarine.”

With torpedo guns both fore and aft, she became a most dangerous craft Beneath the waves she could remain, it drove the Navy daft.

Down below, where only fishes go, the yoke was plain to be seen, It was John Philip Holland inside his first submarine.

In the year of nineteen fourteen, the year of the Great War, A death appeared in the papers, it was read both near and far: That man he died in poverty, but he did realise his dream, He was John Philip Holland who invented the submarine.

Come all you sailors both young and old and listen unto me: You’ll go on a boat that will go afloat below under the sea, Be you Russian, Cuban, Austrian, Australian or Phil-i-apeen, Raise your glass in the air for the man from Clare who invented the submarine!

Betty Rue O’Sullivan

Live Your Life Cycle Down Under!

For the many young Irish people who have emigrated and made new lives in Australia, it can be hard to miss out on events going on in the communities they left behind. But a group of men from West Cork who run The Cure Tavern in Perth, Australia, bridged the divide by staging a leg of a Cork charity cycle in their adopted home.

On the same day that their friends at home took in the ‘Live Your Life’ Cycle event to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease care in Ireland, the Béara men led out their own leg of the event down under.

Donncha Lowney, co-owner of The Cure Tavern in Perth, got involved in the ‘Live Your Cycle’ after chatting to friends at home about it online. ‘We saw all the photos of the event launch which involved Munster rugby legend Ronan O’Gara’, said Donncha, ‘and it really got us thinking about how we could do our bit over here.’

The cycle was organised in memory of neighbour from home Betty Rue O’Sullivan.

Betty died of MND in July 2011. She was a huge presence in the community, and she’d be delighted to think she was making a stir on the other side of the world! “It’ll be great to raise funds in her memory for charities, both in Ireland and in Australia, which support people who have been diagnosed with MND”.

‘If we were at home, we’d sign up for the cycle in a heartbeat, of course, but we had to think of a different way of getting involved from here’, Donncha adds.

The funds raised from the charity cycle were shared with the Western Australian and the Ireland Motor Neurone Disease associations.

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Review of Festival of One Act Plays

by Solas Mac an Tuile

The 2013 season of one act plays had an Irish flavour throughout. The audience relished the opportunity to enjoy these three rarely performed plays. Veteran thespian Jim Motherway directed In the Shadow of the Glen by J M Synge. New directors Robert Greaney and Bella Hulls introduced their plays The Bridal Night and Eternal Triangle respectively. Both of these plays were adapted by Paul Avila Mayer based on short stories by the Irish writer Frank O’Connor.

The Irish Theatre Players (ITP) facilitates local audiences to enjoy Irish culture and hospitality. Many remember their time in Ireland and can identify easily with the characters in the plays. The older man with the young wife, the possessive mother and her confined son and the feisty young seductress can conjure up many associations. In the Shadow of the Glen, set in the west of Ireland in the 1900’s, Dan Burke pretends to be dead to see if his young wife is faithful to him. A contrast is provided in The Bridal Night, also set in the west of Ireland, with the aging controlling mother who does not want to lose her son or let him become independent. But later she has to cope with him when his fixation with local schoolteacher Ms Regan eventually leads him to insanity. Both these plays

Irish Theatre Players Present

E N J UG K O BR

By John Banville

Directed by Ivan Motherway

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

Set during the Irish Famine!!!

“Really???”

PERFORMANCE DATES:

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

The Irish Club Theatre, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco.

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

show the sad consequence of the loneliness and isolation in rural Ireland at that time.

In Eternal Triangle, set in Dublin at the time of the Easter rising in 1916, we see Mary Cummins trying to seduce a watchman as she finds refuge in his tram as the bullets fly all around them. Mary Murphy was outstanding in the role. Mary’s naturalness, vitality and humour added power to the story being told.

In this year’s festival some actors played a part in more than one play including Killian Harty who doubled

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

60

as a tramp and a drunken man. Mark Tilly was impressive in the very challenging role of Denis Sullivan (The Bridal Night). Jim Motherway is to be commended for stepping into the role of the aging but feisty Dan Burke (The Shadow of the Glen) at short notice due to the illness of Paddy Ryan. Jim didn’t disappoint with his usual commanding performance and humour. Actress Holly Emerson displayed an imposing presence as Dan’s wife Nora, while Martin McEneaney was also credible in the role of Michael Dara.

Other ITP cast members Fiona Murphy, Claire MacRae and Liam McDonald fleshed out their bigger roles with style with Sean Haining and Stanley O’Neill providing good support.

The sound and lighting were in the capable hands of two newcomers to the ITP Joe Grace and Brendan JagoeBanks.

A great night of Irish theatre was warmly appreciated by the audience.

Good luck to the cast and crew who will be participating in the forthcoming Dramafest competition for one act plays at the end of September.

Around the Irish scene... Compiled by Fred Rea

Sean Roche has a new home in Cork and here it is.

Congratulations to Kitt and It’s in Faranree and Sean is mad making renovations...

Brendan who recently celebrated their 60th Wedding New decking with a BBQ! Anniversary Kate Cranfield (the daughter of Lionel of Zenith Music) has just returned from an extended trip to Ireland. We hope to have her experiences in our next edition.

A new arrival for the Gormans! Our editor, Lloyd and Imelda are proud parents again. Baby Ewan arrived into the world in a great rush and all are doing well... Congratulations!

Jack Comerford with his good mate Bob Geldof... well, they look like mates!

Where is this taken?

Someone sent us this photo.

Does anyone know where it was taken?

Pat and Beverley Behan dropped in on Jimmy Rogers in Rosslare Harbour recently.

Good to see Jimmy look so well... less of that Irish black pudding helps!

More visitors for Jimmy Rogers... L-H:Jimmy, Marian Byrne, Niall O’Toole, Annmaria and sister Brede from Rathville in Carlow.

Who’s in Love?

A visit to Áras an Uachtaráin...

Classmates of President Michael D Higgins at St Flannan’s in Ennis Co Clare. Randa is the sister of Louis Byrnes. Ann Vaughan, Paddy Vaughan from Kilfenora, Patsy Doohan from Connolly, Evelin Doohan, Sabrina Higgins, President Michael D Higgins,Gay & Randa Murphy, Dan Hourigan from Co. Limerick and Carmel Hourigan.

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Ty from the Netherlands helped Morley Gaels Morley Gaels are the 2013 Gaelic football champions of Western Australia and they can thank their physio, Thijmen Borghart from the Netherlands for helping them to achieve their success.

Ty told the Irish Scene that he always dreamed about traveling and Australia had a special interest for him: “Maybe because it was so far away from the Netherlands!”

When he finished university, he started to work for a private practice in the Netherlands, which he did for nearly three years. “During this time, I learned that sports and the injuries involved in it had my special interest”.

To cover his trip to Australia, Ty had been saving money for the last 10 years, “So that I didn’t have to work while backpacking”. He came to Australia in November 2012, and after traveling the east coast for a few months, went to New Zealand for a couple of months.

“In April, I came back to Australia to see the South-Coast. It so happened that when I arrived in Perth, my bank account was not too happy with me!”

He needed money!

While travelling around Australia and New Zealand Ty had done multiple skydives, a helicopter flight to the top of a mountain range and bike down, and some more expensive, but worthwhile activities!

“It was hard to find a job in Perth, without significant bar or restaurant experience and not in the possession of the required certificates. That was when I put an ad on Gumtree.com. After a few days, I was contacted by the Morley Gaels gaelic football club. They were looking for someone with experience in physiotherapy who could help the

team get through the season with as few ‘casualties’ and injuries as possible”. Taking in account his physio experience and passion for (any) sports, it was not hard to convince him and the following week he met the team. “I was amazed by the dedication and the professionalism of the players and the staff. Though it is an amateur sport, the guys and staff put in a lot of effort in both training and the matches”.

Ty was very impressed with the communication in the club and has always been in a fast and efficient way, another sign of the professionalism of everyone concerned. “They also gave me a lot of freedom, and welcomed new ideas and suggestions”.

Ty told the Irish Scene about the injuries he has seen and there has been a quite a variety of them: Shin-splints, sprained ankles, cut eyebrows, dislocations and a lot of bruises to mention a few.

“Although I came in halfway the season, the lads made me feel welcome straight away. I am looking forward to the next episode of my backpackingadventure, but I have no regrets on taking this job and I can leave in the knowledge that I have played a small part in this great season for the club!”

Ty said, “I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone at Morley Gaels for making me feel welcome and valuable to the team. It would not be fair to name a few, were so many have supported me both on and off the field. All the best for the next season, may this one be the start of a series of successes!

Thank you Ty for helping the club gain success, Morley Gaels Abu! Fred Rea

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

Martin Kavanagh Honorary Consulate of Ireland Western Australia I’m very happy to report that more and more people are using our services at the Honorary Consulate of Ireland- particularly in processing passport applications. In the last two months we have Hon Consul, Martin Kavanagh is sent out more than 400 congratulated on his appointment by passport applications former Hon Consul Mr Michael Nolan and we have processed just over 100 passports. As our office in East Perth is still very young I thought it worthwhile answering a few questions we are asked regularly.

YES... we have an office you can visit- it’s at 1/100

Terrace Road East Perth YES... we can send you a passport application.

YES... we will process and check your application for

you.

YES... we can take payment for your passport.

YES... we are very happy to sit down with you and

check your passport application is complete.

YES... we can witness your passport photographs.

Despite less buoyant economic conditions the number of Irish in WA continues to grow, The latest data provided by government shows that: • • •

•

18,000 Irish born now live in WA 182,00 people in WA claim Irish heritage WA is the number 1 state in overall numbers for employer 457 sponsorship Over 5500 Irish have received a 457 visa in the last 12 months.

Continuously accurate data on the number of irish is difficult to obtain. Mobility within Australia and the time lag in data update makes it impossible to know precisely how many Irish are in WA. However, the above data gives us a snapshot of the scale of the Irish presence in WA. We’ll keep you updated as more information comes to hand.

All the very best

Hon Consul, Martin Kavanagh is welcomed to the Irish Club by President of the Irish Club of WA. Mr Alan O’Meara

Marty Kavanagh Honorary Consul of Ireland-Western Australia

Follow the Irish Embassy on Twitter: @irlembaustralia

Visiting Ireland?

Gerry & Elsie Tully will give a great welcome!

Divine M e r cy

John Neff RIP “Your passing leaves a heartache no one can heal; Your love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

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

Slan a Chara!

63

land of

&

Ireland

honey

Food Festivals in Ireland Visiting Ireland over the next few months? Why not take in one of the many food festivals happening around the country...

GIY (Grow it Yourself) Gathering 2013

Sep 13 2013 - Sep 15 2013 As part of the Waterford Harvest Festival - The 5th annual GIY Gathering will bring over 500 growers, gardeners and foodies together for a 3 day festival of learning & fun. The event includes debates, discussions, talks, workshops, forages and more!

Flavours of Fingal Show Sep 14 2013 - Sep 15 2013

The Flavours of Fingal Show will combine the sights and sounds of an agricultural show with an unforgettable food and family fun experience. This two day show will take place at Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate

Midleton Food & Drink Festival Sep 14 2013

Leenane Autumnal Festival Sep 28 2013

Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival Sep 26 2013 - Sep 29 2013

Dingle Peninsula Food Festival Oct 04 2013 - Oct 06 2013

A true feast for the senses showcasing the food culture in the Midleton area, plus a great day’s entertainment for all with street performance artists, craft exhibitions, kid’s events and much more.

Oyster festival with the ‘World Oyster Opening Championship’, live music, oyster hot spots, seafood trail, free heritage events, hot oyster cooking challenge - showcasing Galway’s seafood heroes and the native Galway oyster!

Macroom Food Festival Sep 27 2013 - Sep 29 2013

Macroom Food Festival is a celebration to showcase Cork’s finest artisan food and drink and includes cookery demonstrations, competitions, busking and fun entertainment for all the family.

For more details and more festivals visit

www.ireland.com/en-au Follow the links to Food Festivals

A celebration of all things autumnal, with a focus on traditional food, arts & crafts from this exceptionally beautiful part of Ireland. Enjoy country markets, chef demonstrations, traditional music, guided walks & much more.

Taste trails, food markets, cookery demonstrations, food workshops, wine and artisan beer & cider tastings, kids’ entertainment, live music and much more - it must be the Dingle Food Festival!

Taste of Monaghan Festival of Food Oct 04 2013 - Oct 06 2013

A joyful celebration of food and top quality local produce in Monaghan town.

Kinsale Gourmet Festival Oct 11 2013 - Oct 13 2013

The 37th Kinsale Gourmet Festival is the oldest food festival in Ireland.

It is a special mix of great food and fantastic fun with elements to suit every palate and age group. 2013

Meat Connoisseur is a WA family owned butcher that has taken over from PJ McLoughlin at Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre. We are continuing to supply the well-loved quality Irish products that this shop is known for. Please come and visit us for unrivalled service and quality, not only in Irish produce but all your meat and poultry needs. Brett Thomas.

9309 9992 Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre Whitfords Ave, Woodvale

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•

IRISH IRISH MUSIC MUSIC

SESSION

Breac-Ghaeilgeoir i mBéal Átha an Ghaorthaigh

Frainc O Sé (....ar lean) Chun na fírinne a rá, ní mise a smaoinigh ar an seift sin i gcéad uair, ach cainteoir dúchais. Bun-ós-cionn a d’usáid seisean í, dar ndóigh. Bhíos féin agus Gaeilgeoir a raibh Gaolainn níos Gaolainní ná Gaolainn na nGaolainneoirí féin aige, ar lorg báid chun dul ag rámhaíocht ar an loch. Chuir mo dhuine ceist ar fhear an tí ósta.

“An mbeadh aon bhád le fáil anseo?”

“Daor sneó bóiteamhaolabail.”

Bhain sin stad asainn beirt, agus bhíos féin chun iontó ar an mBreac-Bhéarla, ach bhuail mo dhuine cic sa lorga orm.

“Tá Gaolainn chomh maith ag an mboc seo agus atá agam féin,” ar seisean, agus creid uaim-se nár shuarach an admháil an méid sin.

“Cuthoin,” ar seisean agus faghairt sna súile aige, “Cuthoin a bheidh fáil ar bhád?”

“Fuin daoth cumaineáf do laeic,” arsa fear an tí.

“An fada bheadh orainn fanúint?”

“Sum teidhm. Bhfuil dhí reicbhaghair annaítuing ti dringc?”

“Ní bhacaim riamh leis,” arsa mo chara. “ ’Sé mo dhála féin é leis an nGaolainn,” arsa fear an tí.

B’shin é an chéad léargas a fuaireas ar mheon an chainteora dhúchais. Go dtí seo féin ní thuigim cad é an múineadh atá le baint as.

Bhíos sa Ghaeltacht uair nó dhó ó shin (Ceathrú Rua, Dún Chaoin, Huddersfield) ach ba dearg strainséir sna dúthaí sin mé, agus mar sin níor bhraitheas chomh mí-chompórdach, coimhthíoch ionam féin agus a bhraitheas ar an gcéad chuaird sin dom.

(ar lean............)

(Tá an sliocht seo tógtha ón ‘Comhar’ Lúnasa 1960) Seanfhocal: An scuab nua is fearr a scuabann an tigh Proverb: The new broom sweeps clean

EVERY TUESDAY

7PM -11PM

PIE & PINT DEAL JUST $15

Every Tuesday: Guinness $6 from 6pm

Woodbridge Hotel

50 East Street Guildford

9377 1199 Irish Class for Beginners and Continuing Irish at the Irish Club, Subiaco, Mon 7-8pm (School and public holidays excluded).

Further information: Bríd 9458 5603 or Máire 0417 918 458

Editor: This is the penultimate effort from Bridie. Steve and Bridie are retiring and will be travelling the world next year so they won’t be available. Go raibh míle maith agat Bridie from all of us at The Irish Scene. Your contributions over the last number of years are appreciated. Féadfaidh an bóthar ardú le leat! Feardrocha O Riabhaigh

Dermot Byrne

The Irish Quiz Wiz!

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

Welcome Home Dermot!

Welcome back Dermot who spent the last 2 months visiting sunny Ireland and drinking Guinness. Dermot caught up with many old friends and took the opportunity to visit the West of Ireland including Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Sligo. “I did manage to get a suntan and lost it on my return to Australia”. Many thanks for preparing the last quiz in my absense.

1. What wood is used in the making of hurling sticks?

2. What ore is Aluminum made of?

3. What timber was used for the wooden paving blocks used in Dublin and London to deaden the noise of the horse traffic?

4. Pewter is a alloy of which 2 metals?

5. What type of tree do we get Cashew Nuts from?

6. Bronze is an alloy of copper and which other metal?

7. Can you name the hardest and softest wood?

8. What is added to Iron for it to become steel?

9. What wood is used for making cricket bats?

10. Brass is an alloy of which 2 metals?

1. Ash, 2. Boxite, 3. Jarrah, 4. Tin and Lead, 5. Apple tree, 6. Tin, 7. Lignumvitae & Balsa, 8. Carbon, 9. Willow, 10. Copper & Zinc.

65

ULSTER

Rambles with David MacConnell

Visit Ulster....

Top Ten holiday location in Europe Forty five years ago I picked up Leon Uris’ book “Trinity”. I read the first few pages and scanned a few more. I did not like the idea of an American writing about Ireland. Last month I ordered it from the library and was informed it had been sent to the archives but they did manage to obtain an old copy for me. What a history we had and I am truly disappointed to say that it is on-going.

OK so it is not all factual but it is a reasonable story.

I have lived a long time out of Ulster but for a bit of devilment, I booked an appointment with my Irish doctor on the 12th July. He is

from Ulster, so he knows a bit about a thing or two. “Happy Twelfth” I greeted him but of course he had

completed forgotten or more likely blocked it out of his mind. “I would love if both sides could celebrate together on the same day” he mused. Some wish that I thought to myself. He really has been out here too long! And sure enough, they were at it again as I am sure you have heard and I certainly do not want to write about it here.

Now I apologise as I am going to be a little bit of a school teacher here. Yeah, I am going to remind you of my last three articles in case you are in need of a reminder of what Ulster is like now compared with what it was like when you left it. Or what you can look forward to when you next visit it!

Apparently, Lonely Planet, (sorry which planet?) the world’s largest travel guide publisher, (believe it or not) has placed Northern Ireland in its Top 10 European travel destinations for 2013. (I would love to know how they arrived at that conclusion!)

“Scenic, historic and on the rise: Northern Ireland is ripe for exploration in 2013”, says editor Andy Murdock, whose piece also recommends the UK City of Culture, Derry~Londonderry, the new Titanic Belfast experience, as well as famous attractions such as the iconic Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

(Well, if you read this column regulary, you would know all about these famous places!)

“The UK City of Culture for 2013, Derry~Londonderry (Can’t we just call it Donder, 3 letters from both names or some such thing for short!) is undergoing a renaissance, with a year full of cultural events and a new 235m pedestrian Peace Bridge over the River Foyle designed to resemble a handshake between the traditionally Protestant and Catholic sides of the city. (No

Looking to Hire a Car in Ireland?

comment here but it sure sounds good!)

Derry~Londonderry is the only surviving walled city in Ireland and a walk around the walls is a must for any visitor,” the piece goes on to say. (Just do not fall off and duck if you here any suspicious noise.)

It adds: “Northern Ireland’s charms extend well beyond the cities (which, coincidentally, fans of Game of Thrones (oops, never heard of it.

Is it like Robin Hood?) will know from the lush scenery used throughout the show). The Giant’s

Causeway with its picturesque rambling hexagonal columns of basalt spilling into the sea, is connected by an unforgettable 16 km coastal walk along the Causeway Coast to the swaying Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (20 m long, only 1 m wide, bouncing 30 m above rocks and water) with cliffs, islands, beaches, ruins and seabirds along the way.”

The listing caps an incredible couple of years for Northern Ireland, which has received accolades and recommendations for its tourism offering in the travel and mainstream press around the world. (OK, will take your word for it!)

In June the picturesque lakelands of County Fermanagh hosted the ‘most peaceful and

www.dan-dooley.ie 66

friendly ever G8 Summit placing the world spotlight on Northern Ireland once again. (Well I ask you, who was going to go to Enniskillen to protest anything!)

And this August the country is braced to welcome over 7,000 competitors and their friends and family to the World Police and Fire Games, as it stages the third largest multisport event in the world. (If you lived there you would know about police and fire …. well wouldn’t you?)

This year over 60 cruise ships – once an unthinkable proposition in Northern Ireland – will dock in Belfast harbour next to Titanic Belfast, which stands at the head of the slipways where the ship was

Unaccompanied baggage Backpackers • Tourists • Windsurfers •Surfboards

launched and last year welcomed over 800,000 visitors (including yours truly) from 111 countries. (Maybe Tony could send his boats there…….sorry I won’t joke about that.)

As the first ever UK City of Culture, Derry~Londonderry, the third largest city in Ireland, has also been labelled one of the hottest destinations of 2013 – number four in the world according to a separate top 10 Lonely Planet listing of top cities in the world to visit, and ahead of the likes of Beijing (over crowded) and Montreal (too cold). (Now I am not sure with what reference HOTTEST means here but the word itself gives us plenty of scope. All I know it was NOT referring to the weather.)

The Editors Footnote was as follows: In June Australians outshone European markets to become the third highest ranking international visitors to the Titanic Experience – after UK and USA! I wonder how they derived that piece of info.

Maybe it was my accent but they never asked me where I came from!

“Surely we know where you come from wee lad.” I quietly sneaked my Aussie passport back into my pocket where it belonged.

David MacConnell

If you would like your baggage, suitcase, backpacks, windsurfers sent back to your home 25 country/city while you year’s E xperience tour australia

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

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May the sound of happy music, and the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after.

www.exportair.com.au 67

Colin Merrey’s

s w e i v e R BOOKSbooksbooksbooks

Well - I hope you are ready to buckle down to some exceptionally good light (and occasionally heavy) reading so – let’s get under way without further ado. There are a lot of books in this issue – you will I think need a lot to get you through the cool Spring this year when you can’t do much in an out of doors way.

Some of you have asked where I go to get hold of some of the books that I read or want to add to my personal collection. In answer I thought I would give you a quick heads up on my personal favourite booksellers in the Perth area – of those selling new books, I tend to patronise Dymocks at Whitford City a lot – I particularly found Tracy to be extremely helpful when I was trying to source the latest John Sandford book recently. They have a good selection of titles and are very friendly and helpful and also have stores in Subiaco Belmont (all part of the same franchise holder’s “armoury”) and Fremantle amongst other branches both city and state-wide. I also look to Mark at the Corona Books shop at Warwick Shopping Centre for good service – I found him, too, to be extremely helpful and obliging with a good knowledge of books and authors. He is very amenable when it comes to getting in hard to get novels, too.

In the realm of Second Hand book sellers, you can’t go past Pulp Fiction – they have stores (again) at Whitford City and also at Floreat Forum Shopping Centre. A close second (for me at least) is the Elizabeth’s Bookshop chain which has shops in Fremantle, Perth City (Murray Street), Nedlands and Subiaco to name but a few branches.

I also look to the Guildford Book Exchange for good service.

Please also remember that, if you can’t get the books that I recommend from either these or your local bookseller (which can of course happen on occasion) you

can contact the publishers direct via their respective websites. Now read on!!

With regard to my book competition, I have decided to suspend this because, as in several earlier months, I have had no response from any of you out there! I donated the prize for “The Fields”, the choice from the last issue, to a good friend of the Irish Scene, Mrs R Bennett of High Wycombe who is a School Librarian and she was very appreciative of the gesture. I am sad that you have not responded to the competition but that’s the way it goes, I guess.

Firstly, to my book of the month – I have chosen this one, which s the latest to issue from the pen of the much acclaimed James Patterson.

SECOND HONEYMOON – JAMES PATTERSON with HOWARD ROUGHAN Cornerstone Paperback $32.95 James Patterson has taken of late to working with a lot of different writers to develop story lines that he has established – in the past that has tended to be the realm of the estates of deceased authors but lately, several living authors have begun to release books written in this manner. Also, it has an unusual Irish connection to the storyline which I think will intrigue you as the reader.

FBI Agent John O’Hara is tasked with finding out who murdered the newlywed son and his wife of a powerful US businessman. Special Agent Sarah Brubaker is tasked with tracking down a serial killer.

Her path crosses with O’Hara’s during the course of their mutual investigations and together they solve both cases in an extremely surprising way.

An excellent read – well worthy of your attention – and I know you will just love the unusual Irish twist to the tale. Again – enjoy!!

And now to continue……….

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YOUNG ADULT BOOKS SUNSHINE ON SCOTLAND STREET – ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH Little Brown Paperback $19.99 Mr Smith is best known for his No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series of books but he has also written a whole series of books around 44 Scotland Street, of which this is the most recent. A brief synopsis of the story tells us that Angus and Domenica get married – Mathew, the best man, is recovering from the trauma of that task and is taken up by a Dane called Bo – and Cyril the dog goes missing………….

This is quite an enchanting and hilarious story that plays out in Scotland Street, the residents of which all rally together to sort out all of the attendant problems and round out a complicated but fascinating little tale.

I enjoyed it – it was a pleasant change from all of the crime and stuff that I have read of late (much as I love that genre, it can get a little daunting sometimes and a little light relief is often necessary in the interests of my sanity). Hope you enjoy it too.

TERRA – MITCH BENN Orion Paperback $29.99 This is another charming little fantasy based and satirical tale of Terra, an 11 year old alien girl who started life on Earth as a baby after being found by a family whose car had been in a crash with an alien spacecraft, who now starts school – with strange and often hilarious results. Who is teaching whom???

A wonderful premise and a great little story – one for the youngsters and oldsters alike. A lovely little tale for our younger readers and a potential Christmas or Birthday gift for them. Enjoy.

SPY SOCIETY – ROBIN BENWAY Simon and Schuster Paperback $12.99 Maggie Silver is a 16 year old safecracker who is the

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s w e i v e R daughter of two US spies. She is also a member of an organization that fights worldwide corruption and wrongdoing. But when she is sent with her parents to New York to crack a new special case – who can tell WHAT will happen. This is a great and intriguing tale for the young adults amongst our readers – if you have a young adult as a daughter (or grand daughter, even) I’m sure that this would make a great birthday or Christmas gift. The YA will certainly enjoy this intriguing little romp.

THE HIVE – GILL HORNBY Little Brown Paperback $29.99 This is my last young adult book for this issue. Its subtitle is “there’s only room for one queen bee” – and that is Beatrice who rules the HIVE that is St Ambrose Primary School. The little world that she reigns over is quietly observed by Rachel who tries to keep her distance but is inevitably drawn into the tangled web that is the world of the hive. This is an intricately woven little tale that is sure to impress our younger readers who I know will thoroughly enjoy this fanciful little tale. Make sure you bring it to their attention (or buy it for your YA perhaps)?

BOOKS BY AND PRIMARILY FOR THE LADIES THE ASYLUM – JOHN HARWOOD Random House Paperback $32.99 This is the most recent tale form the gothic master of suspense, John Harwood. Here, Georgina wakes in a private Cornish asylum to find that she has been admitted,

albeit by her own hand, as a patient by the name of Lucy Ashton. She has no memory of the previous six weeks and is horrified to learn that no-one accepts her true name.

This is a very suspenseful novel and Georgina’s story plays out rather scarily to its unnerving conclusion.

Georgina/Lucy’s adventure is told admirably well and, being set in Victorian England, it is suitably eerie as the story unfolds. Enjoy – but be careful if you are of a nervous disposition!

THE OUTLINE OF LOVE – MORGAN MCCARTHY Tinder Press Paperback $29.99 Here we have a tale of a young girl who has grown up in the Scottish highlands – raised by her father – inexperienced in all of the ways of the world.

The story reflects what happens to her when she leaves the highlands and moves to London to study for a University degree and it is indeed a gem of a story – well worthy of the genre.

I enjoyed it as it played out through the mysteries of first love and the problems it entailed – al lover with a mysterious past, etc.

Great read altogether – enjoy.

BURNING BRIGHT – CATHERINE BROPHY This is the most recent novel from a lady with a very chequered past – she has been rescued by a circus troupe in Serbia, no less amongst other adventures during an unusually blameless life spent growing up and living in Ireland. It is the tale of the Kerrigan family who live during the times when the Celtic Tiger was at its peak. Yearning for fame and celebrity, Kirsty Kerrigan goes on Big Brother with unexpected consequences.

Then a blast from the Kerrigan’s shady past in the form of Tracey O’Hagan surfaces with disastrous consequences.

I enjoyed this hilarious and utterly believable novel which is self published and available from

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Amazon as a Kindle download from http://auth1.it/f9 or as a paperback from http:/amzn.to/10NUCw0 Hope you get as much fun and enjoyment from this zany novel as I did.

BOOKS THAT ARE INFORMATIVE REDMPTION OF A SLAVE SHIP – GRAEME HENDERSON WA Museum Hardback $45.00 This is the fascinating story of the “James Mathews”, a migrant transport ship the wreck of which was discovered by divers off Fremantle back in the 1970’s.

Following painstaking research, Henderson uncovers the extremely dark past of this vessel which was in fact a slaver in the heady and dark days following the abolition of slavery in 1807 (in fact the illicit trade continued for some fifty years after that date). Our story covers the ships re-fitting after its slaving days and subsequent use as a trader and migrant transport ship in the years to follow.

His search also unearthed also tales of human rights champions as well as tales of the resilience of the African slaves and also the various Irish immigrants who were transported in her. I found this book thoroughly engrossing and a great addition to the libraries of anyone who might be interested in this turbulent period in the history of both Australia and the World in general.

EXTREME FISHING – ROBSON GREEN Simon and Schuster Paperback $24.99 I have admired Robson Green as an actor (Soldier Soldier and Wire in the Blood to name but two of his successes) and also as a more than competent popular singer.

Everything he turns his hand to seems to be a success.

Not the least of his passions is sport and game fishing which he displays regularly on TV with his Extreme

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s w e i v e R Fishing show (to which this eponymous book is a companion).

Travel with Robson as he tells tales of his experiences with the Mekong Giant Catfish in Thailand to ice fishing in Siberia amongst other great tales. He regales us with more than just a fishing odyssey with his tales of victory, struggle, defeat and pure joy. This is a lovely book – cowritten with journalist Charlotte Reather and one which is essential reading for all of you anglers out there. Enjoy!!

WHO OLOGY – A DOCTOR WHO MISCELLANY Random House Hardback $32.95 This is a must for all of you WhoOlogists out there.

All of you who have followed the Doctor through his many incarnations since the early 1960’s from the first Doctor (William Hartnell) to the latest one (Northampton’s own Matt White) and through all of the antagonists in the form of the Daleks and the Cybermen to name but two. Here is a complete chronology of all of the episodes over the last 50 years of the last Time Lord’s life and adventures on the incredible Tardis. You will find full details of every episode’s plot line and story, every character, every guest star, every villain, the list is endless. This book is an absolute MUST for all you lovers of the good Doctor. Buy it and marvel at all the things you didn’t know (when you probably thought you knew everything that there was to know). Great stuff!

THE BOY COLONEL – WILL DAVIES Random House Paperback $34.95 This is the story of Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Marks who was the youngest commander in the AIF. He served at

Gallipoli, where he remained until the evacuation in December 1915 and also at Pozieres, Mouquet Farm and Bullecourt on the Somme and around Ypres in Flanders amongst other places. He was awarded the Military Cross, a Distinguished Service Order and the Serbian Order of the White Eagle. On his return to Australia he resumed his civilian life but was tragically drowned at Sydney’s Palm Beach whilst trying to rescue a drowning swimmer.

Against all of the Army’s regulations about doing so, Marks kept a diary during his wartime career and this book is the result.

Will Davies, through Marks’ own words from these diaries, takes us through an eyewitness account of the horrors of the First World War and the experiences of the soldiers who fought during this awful period in the World’s history. This is certainly one for the history buffs amongst our readers but I feel it should be read by everyone to see just what these men endured in our behalf and, by exposing the horrors of war, this might (only might) go some way to stem the tide of all those who would wage war on their fellow men for whatever reason they believe gives them the right to do so.

THE SPANISH ARMADA – ROBERT HUTCHINSON Orion Hardback $45.00 You must all have heard of the Spanish Armada – that attempt in October 1585 on the part of King Philip of Spain to destroy the Protestant England ruled over by Elizabeth the First that culminated in two mighty and unsuccessful sea battles in 1588.

This is a beautifully researched and extremely comprehensive history of this Armada that is taken from contemporary eyewitness accounts and letters contained in the state papers of both England and Spain.

As you may know (or some of you may not) some of the Armada’s ships were wrecked off the coast

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of Ireland and indeed it has been said that the ancestry of some of the black haired and blue eyed Irish people can be traced back to the survivors of these wrecks who came ashore and inter-wed and interbred with the local Irish people.

So there you have a potential Irish slant on this tremendous piece of English history. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did and gain some of the enlightenment that I gained from reading it.

TEXT AND DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL – SIMON WARNER Bloomsbury Hardback $39.99 This is no cataloguing of text messages (a la Shane Warne) but is a fascinating assessment of the interaction between the literary writings of the Beat generation and the musical energies of Rock Music and its attendant culture.

Warner examines the interweaving of the strands seeded by the likes of Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs and others during the 1940’s and 1950’s with their cultivation by the likes of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, David Bowie ,the Clash and Kurt Cobain.

This is a marvellous cultural history of the changing times that enveloped these noted literary and musical figures and asks, inter alia, how the literary works shaped the consciousness of their musical legatees.

It is a brilliantly written and expertly researched book that I enjoyed immensely. If you are into this sort of thirst for knowledge then you should definitely read this one - it’s a keeper for your libraries and will form an excellent point of reference for years to come.

SPIES AND SUCH THE EINSTEIN PURSUIT – CHRIS KUZNESKI Headline Paperback $29.99 This is the latest book in the Payne and Jones series of novels and is the first that I have read – I will certainly search

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s w e i v e R

“The Ranger” of the title. This is a new author to me – I WILL be following up on his earlier work. The story out the others in this series for a read (in my downtime from reading is set in Northeast Mississippi where, the Ranger for your collective edification!). is called upon to sort out a mess Here, we encounter a seemingly of corporate and government inexplicable murder of a team of some of the World’s leading medical corruption in his home town (this, after he has returned home scientists in a laboratory destroyed after a tour with the Rangers in by an incendiary device. How is Afghanistan). This he manages this linked to a secret society that after not knowing who is friend was pioneered by the late great or who is foe amongst his former Albert Einstein and to another neighbours – a very tortuous plot series of murders that is occurring and one where I took some time to also for no explicable reason in sort out the ending in my own mind various parts of the World? And before the book revealed it to me. what is their connection to a Loved it – one of the best I have mysterious and unknown villain read in quite a while. who is determined to control the world for his own ends?

MURDER MYSTERY AND This is an extremely intricately MAYHEM…….PLUS woven story that encompasses a novel premise. I loved it. I know you will too. Buy it and give it a go. THE QUARRY – IAIN BANKS Little Brown Paperback $29.99 In a previous issue, RED SPARROW – I reviewed Iain’s last JASON MATTHEWS book “Stonemouth” Simon and Schuster Paperback which I thoroughly $24.99 Mathews is a enjoyed. At the time I said that I retired officer in was looking forward the CIA’s former to seeking out his Operations earlier works and Directorate (now newer ones as they the National issued from his pen. This is the Clandestine latest and sadly the last in a long Service) and as line of Iain’s books as he succumbed such he has an to late stage cancer of the gall excellent grounding in the subject bladder on 9th June this year at the matter that this lovely little book early age of 55 years. is written around. His level of This story is set in the Pennine experience certainly shows through district of England and ironically as this tale enfolds amongst the concerns a man, Guy, who is dying landscapes offered by Russia, from cancer. He gathers around Finland, Greece, Italy and the US him all of his friends including his as the hunt is on to locate the “Red son, Kit, who doesn’t know who Sparrow” – a trained seductress his mother is. What will happen in the Russian Secret Service who to Kit when Guy is gone? How is tasked with operating against will the story unfold? What is the US Agent Nathaniel Nash. This explanation of all the lies that come is a very fast paced and intricately to the surface whilst Guy watches interwoven story. I loved it and its on? unexpected conclusion. Hope you This is a great book and a fitting do too. tribute to the memory of an astoundingly good author of fiction THE RANGER – ACE ATKINS Allen and Unwin Paperback $24.99 in this genre. I hope you agree with me once you have read this, his last This is the latest from the pen of novel.

Atkins and features Quinn Colson,

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ELEVEN DAYS – STAV SHEREZ Faber Paperback $29.99 Here we have yet another new British author to me. And, yes, another whose earlier work I shall seek out!

Here, DI Carrigan and DS Miller are summoned to the scene of a fire in a convent by no less a figure than the Assistant Chief Constable with instructions to clear up the enquiry/investigation before Christmas which is just around the corner and “these are nuns”. That gives them the eleven days of the title to do so.

But all is not as it appears to be.

What seemed like a simple fire turns into a very convoluted tale of drugs, religion) in the form of radical Liberation Theology) that draws the Vatican into its tangled web.

This is a fascinating and compelling read and I must say I didn’t anticipate its mind-blowing ending. This is a real goodie – hope you love it.

THE DYING HOURS – MARK BILLINGHAM Little Brown Paperback $29.99 I always look forward to a new Billingham and to the continuing exploits of DI Tom Thorne. This one did not disappoint and if you enjoyed the earlier ones (including Scaredy Cat and Sleepyhead) then this will really grab you too.

Having been demoted from the Murder Squad to Uniform branch, Thorne becomes involved in a spate of apparent suicides that he is convinced are a cover for something much more sinister.

But he can’t get anyone else to believe him or even consider looking into his ideas. So he does so himself against the implicit instructions of his superiors.

This is a fantastically good novel that is really fast paced and unputdownable. I loved it. You will too.

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s w e i v e R THE KILL ROOM – JEFFERY DEAVER Hodder and Stoughton Paperback $32.99 I really look forward to reading each Deaver book as it comes out – he has a great talent for writing and his books are always meticulously researched and painstaking in their detail, particularly the Lincoln Rhyme series of which this is the latest.

This time, Lincoln and Amelia are drafted in to investigate the killing by a sniper of an American citizen, Robert Moreno, living in South America. On the face of it, the killing was sanctioned by the US Government under the Patriot Act – and was an anti-terrorist act.

But is all as it seems? I think not!

I loved this tale with all its red herrings and twists and turns.

Loved it! I know you will too.

CRIME OF PRIVILEGE – WALTER WALKER Bantam Paperback $32.95 This is the sixth novel by Walker, who is a San Francisco trial attorney. It follows in the tradition of John Grisham and Scott Turow as it tells the tale of an ambitious 22 year old man who witnesses a crime at the Cape Cod mansion of one of America’s most influential families.

Seduced by the grandeur of it all, the young man, George, turns s blind eye to it all.

Twelve years later he is drawn into a situation that gives him the chance to redeem himself – and then his previous decision to turn a blind eye rears its ugly head to confound him. This is a great little book – I enjoyed it as it wove its tortuous way to its conclusion. I know you’ll love this one. I know

I’ll be looking out for his earlier works as well. Buy it!

THE HEIST – JANET EVANOVICH and LEE GOLDBERG Headline Paperback $29.99 Janet is best known, I think, for her Stephanie Plum series of novels – this is the first in a new series that features Kate Winslow, FBI Agent and ex Navy Seal, and Danny Cole, an irreverent and highly successful conman, who has been in Kate’s sights for a long time. Suddenly, they are teamed up by the FBI to foil the plans of a corrupt investment banker, currently living in Indonesia.

This is a lovely fast paced, unputdownable story that is well worthy of your attention.

There are many twists and turns of the plotline resulting in an intriguing story that I am sure you will love – I know I did and I am hard to please when it comes to this genre, my favourite.

IT HAPPENS IN THE DARK – CAROL O’CONNELL Headline Paperback $29.99 Carol is one of the best writers I have come across in this genre – particularly the Kathy Mallory series, of which this is the latest.

This time, she is called in to sort out the murder of a play’s director in the theatre where his play was being staged. It was during a blackout and NO-ONE saw who did it!!!

More twists and turns than the proverbial pig’s tail and very fast paced action. If you like the “locked room” style of whodunits then you are going to LOVE this one. Buy it and enjoy it – I know you’ll love it too.

UNSEEN – KARIN SLAUGHTER Random House Paperback $32.95 I love Karin’s books – she can always guarantee me a great read.

I have read much of her back catalogue and loved every one of

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them. Here, Special Agent Will Trent goes undercover in Macon Georgia (without the knowledge of his lover, Dr Sara Lincoln) thereby putting his life at risk. Sara finds out after a Macon cop is killed and without actually realising until quite late in the storyline, gets involved in the same case that Will is working on. Phew!!

Very fast paced and unputdownable! Great story – loved every minute of it. Enjoy!

STRANDED – ALEX KAVA Sphere Paperback $29.99 Remember a book I reviewed a while back “Fireproof ” that featured FBI Special Agent Maggie O’Dell?

Well this is the latest in the O’Dell series and as with the others therein it didn’t disappoint me one bit. Great premise – great story – fast paced action thriller and well worth a read.

Here, Maggie and her partner are on the tail of a possible serial killer who abducts and murders vulnerable young people from roadside rest stops in many different parts of the USA. There appears to be no link – all of the disappearances seem random. But there is a link!

Heart-stopping action and an unusual plot twist or three result in a great little mystery. Again I loved this one – I know you will too.

THE NINTH GIRL – TAMI HOAG Orion Paperback $29.99 In this novel, Tami brings back her inimitable investigators, Kovac and Liska in a race against time to find a killer (dubbed Doc Holiday by the media because his victims always disappear on a national holiday!). Eight girls have been taken and murdered under horrific circumstances and with devastating results. Then – a ninth girl disappears. Our intrepid duo embarks on a race against time to find the killer and his victim before she indeed becomes his Ninth Girl!!!!

Great story and plotline – many

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MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC

and varied are the twists and turns and red herrings as the story twines to its inevitable conclusion. Great writing – indeed, great reading too!

CON LAW – MARK GIMENEZ Sphere Paperback $29.99 With his last book, Mark changed his literary arena of operation from the courtroom to the Texan Governor’s mansion and matters surrounding his re-election campaign. Here he returns to the courtroom with a new character, John Bookman. This is an area that Mark really excels in and in this outing, Bookman (Book to his friends) doesn’t disappoint. He is known as a supporter of lost causes where he is usually on the winning side – but this time, it becomes personal – the lost cause is given to him by a young man who used to work for him – however, when Book goes to visit the young man to discuss his concerns, he finds that the informant was killed in a road accident – coincidentally on the same day that he wrote to Book and posted the letter to him.

This is too much of a coincidence for Book and he feels duty bound to root out the wrongdoers. There are many plot twists involving amongst other things a gay invasion of the town where the action takes place and major environmental issues that threaten the township and its inhabitants.

Great storyline and I found it very hard to put this one down – loved it immensely – Mark is back to his literary best here. Read it and enjoy.

Well that’s it for books this issue. Remember, if I haven’t heard of an author before or if it is a new author, I hope you will take my recommendations into consideration when selecting your reading matter and give them a good go. I will say no more at this juncture and wish you happy reading, and see you all in the next issue. I hope you enjoy my recommendations as much as I have enjoyed reading them on both your and my own behalf.

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Contact: Alcoholics Anonymous, 24 Hour Helpline Ph: 9325 3566 • www.aaperth.wa.org

This issue, I have a two great CD releases to tell you about. Both are from local artists and the first is from Belleville, a combo that plays in the style of the great Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, and is titled “Gypsy Swing”. I love this style of Gypsy jazz (that has been made popular again locally by the Perth based guitar legend Hank Marvin who together with Gary Taylor and Nunzio Mondia released his own Gypsy jazz album “Django’s Castle” recently) and had a great time listening to it.

It features eight tracks including one from which the group took its name – “Belleville’ composed by the great Django Reinhardt.

If you would like something a little different, the I suggest you give this one a listen.

The second offering for this issue comes from Them Little Secrets (Fiona Rea and Latiesha Boucher) who are busy making quite a name for themselves on the local music scene. The CD is called “She Loves Love” and is a collection of twelve songs that they have composed themselves.

My personal favourites are “the title track and “Fingerprints”.

You will also find a re-working of “Take Me Home” a song written by Fred Rea with Fiona’s added assistance that you will have heard previously on many occasions, no doubt.. Incidentally (as an aside to this) look out for Fiona’s mandolin playing in the future – she is a very quick learner and has quite an aptitude for this lovely little instrument. I have no doubt that she will do her teacher proud and eventually outstrip his abilities in due course!

In addition to these, you should look out for new CDs from Brian Kennedy (“Voice”) and Damien Leith (“Chapter Seven”) which should be available in the near future. I know that Brian’s will be on sale when he appears at the Fly by Night on 8th September this year. We may have to wait a while for Damien’s as he is not touring until later in the year with a concert scheduled for Perth in late November this year, more of which later.

So with that, I’ll take my leave of you for another issue and look forward to catching up in the next edition in a month or so’s time. In the meantime, hope you catch up with Brian Kennedy at the Fly by Night and Celtic Woman at the Perth Arena. Maybe I’ll see you there.

So all the very best to you and yours from me until the next time and I wish you happy reading, watching and listening. Colin.

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by Lloyd Gorman

Isteach sa Teach Treatment of 457 Visa families doesn’t add up An unusual set of circumstances has seen a rare trifecta in the political system in WA, with the state witnessing a state election on March 9, a Federal election on September 7 and council elections planned for October 19. Perth pollie Alannah MacTiernan is going to have a go at the Division of Perth for the Australian Labor Party and given her high profile, ministerial experience and other attributes and qualities should have a decent hope of winning the seat. We will just have to wait to see what the September poll brings. Unfortunately it is post election blues that is troubling us here in the West. The WA Liberal Party were returned to government with a landslide result in the March election. Having quickly proceeded to break a string of pre-election promises to the wider community they dreamed up new ways to cause misery and hardship for many with the introduction of a $4000 fee for every child in school. The Premier Colin Barnett said there was the equivalent of 20 primary schools worth of children of 457 workers and the state could not be expected to pick up the cost of their public education (not that it does anyhow, with school funding being provided by the Federal Government). While 457ers have certain rights and liberties voting is not one of them, but that didn’t stop many from letting the ruling political class know of their disquiet.

“All members in this chamber would have received an email from Emma Burke,” Labor Member of Parliament (MoP) told the House on August 13, five days after Treasurer Troy Buswell announced the fee in the state budget. “It is very interesting that this government has decided to impose a $4 000 fee on students who come to Australia with parents who are on 457 visas. Of course, politically this is a smart measure, because these people are a small part of the population…who cannot vote [Immigration Dept figures show there are some 4070 Irish 457 visa holders]. As Emma Burke mentioned in her email, one day she hopes to be a voter. Emma Burke emailed members yesterday. She lives in my electorate [Armadale] at the moment. She states in part “My husband and I, along with our two children, aged three and seven, immigrated to WA in September 2012 on a 457 Visa from Ireland. We didn’t move to Australia with the assumption that we would be extremely wealthy, but with the belief that we were creating a better life for our children with more opportunities…My family and I moved to Australia with the Australian values, outlined on “Form 1066” Application for a Subclass 457—Business (Long Stay) Visa, firmly on our minds. This states “Australian society also values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background”…If I remember correctly, when the federal government was making some political capital out of the abuse of 457 visas, the Premier made a statement along the lines that 457 visa workers were incredibly important

to the Western Australian economy and that we needed 457 visa workers in Western Australia.”

At this stage in the debate in the parliament a Labor colleague of Dr Buti pipped up with a reminder that training and employment minister Peter Collier had last year gone to Ireland in search of these people. The best retort Buswell could manage was to say: “He might’ve recruited this lady.”

Seizing on this remark MoP Buti replied: “So he recruits them, brings them out here, and then slugs them with a $4000 education fee? Talk about morality!

I reckon that is a crime, Treasurer, if that is what he has done! That is absolutely disgraceful. On the radio yesterday there was an Irish lady from, I think, Bullcreek or around that area, who now has a $16 000 annual education fee to send her four kids to a public school.The penultimate paragraph of Emma Burke’s letter reads — My knowledge of politics is limited but I understand we (457 Visa holders) are an easy target due to the fact we have no vote. However, many of our friends do have a vote, we plan in the future to have a vote, and for our children and grandchildren to have a vote. In other words, we plan to do everything we can to make a life for our family here, we hope also down the road to be like yourselves, citizens of this great country.”

Irish born and raised MoP for the Mining and Pastoral region Stephen Dawson took up the gauntlet the next day in the House. “I have been contacted by a range of people over the past few days, and in particular by members of the Irish community in Western Australia. I am aware that the honorary consul of Ireland in WA, Mr Martin Kavanagh, has been in touch with the State government on this issue to seek information on the policy, what it means and when it might be implemented. Amongst the people who have raised their concerns with me are the Flanagan family; they have five children. The husband and father of the five young children works installing and maintaining overhead power lines. He gets paid $77 000 a year. This is a single-income family. Three of these children are at school, two are under school age, and one is starting next year. As of next year, this family will be slugged $16 000 to send their four children to school; $16 000 out of $77 000 is a lot of money. This family will struggle, and I am worried about the consequences of this new policy.

I have been contacted by other families, including the Shannon family in Geraldton. They moved from Ireland a few years ago. They moved to this state after spending some time in Sydney, because schooling in this state was free for children of parents on 457 visas. They now, having made the move to this state, will be slugged by this policy. I am again worried about what this policy will mean for them.

I have been contacted by another family who came

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to Australia. The company this man works for, because of the skills shortage, went to great lengths to make sure that this man and his family would come to Western Australia. As part of his contract, if he leaves the company in the first year he will have to pay back 100 per cent of the costs that the company paid to get him to the state. If he leaves in the second year, he will have to pay 50 per cent of that fee back. The cost of moving this family to this country was $30 000, so if this family is to leave in the first year they will pay $30 000 back, and $15 000 in the second year. This family will be slugged one way or the other; they will either pay $30 000 or $15 000 if they move home, or because of the number of children they have, they will pay $16 000 to school their kids.”

MoP Dawson said it was more than just Irish families that would be slugged by this fee which he called for to

be scrapped.

The move has created a backlash as would be expected from the Irish community and groups but also from other groups such as the Australian Medical Association of WA, the WA Primary Principals Association and even the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, all of who make the argument that this tax on these workers could threaten the likelihood of them coming to WA in the first place, stopping them from adding their vital skills and talents to the local economy. The shennanigans over the solar panels rebate cut - which was announced in the same budget - shows that with enough community and political pressure the government can change its position. I hope that by the next edition of the magazine and Isteach Sa Teach that common sense and consensus will have prevailed.

We need community and club spirit During a recent conversation with Paddy Costello, a stalwart of the Irish Community in Western Australia, he told me a story that speaks of the commitment of the founders of the Irish Club of WA. It was the Club’s first St Patrick’s Day in its Townshend Road building coming up and the Irish flag had to be displayed outside the club. A ladder was not available and the only answer was decided by the two Paddy Costello’s, there are two! From the upstairs window of the Club, Paddy 1 grabbed Paddy II by the legs and held him while Paddy II attached double brackets to the wall to take the flagpole.

“It was tough” said Paddy 1, “He weighed a ton and it took all my strength to hold on to Paddy 2”. The task was completed and the tri-colour was proudly displayed for the March 17 celebrations. Those coming through the door had no idea of the great effort the two Paddy Costello’s had made to fly the Irish colours on the big day. That is what is called commitment!

Jim McKiernan was at a recent welcoming function for the new Honorary Irish Consul in Western Australia, Mr Martin Kavanagh. Jim has a crook hip at present and getting round can be quiet painful for him.

Nevertheless he attended a committee meeting for the Irish Club first and then came to the reception for the new consul. Jim and Jackie and the members of the Irish club committee are working very hard at present to help the Club get over some difficulties. Jim made a commitment to help the club and he was not going to let the pain stop him, well done Jim! Clubs in general are finding it difficult these days to find

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the money and membership they need to remain viable and vibrant. The Irish Club is no different. With so many new and young Irish in Perth and WA, particularly in recent years, the Club should, you would imagine, be experiencing m a s s i v e demand for membership and that getting people through the doors would be easy. Not so!

The Irish Club has in the order of 1,000 members, a drop in the bucket when you think about all the emigrants from Ireland who now call WA home, either for a couple of years or permanently. The Irish Club is the only dedicated institution in the state that exists and opens for the benefit of the Irish community. The Club was opened in the mid 1970’s and has been a home of sorts for generations of freshly arrived emigrants looking for a friendly place in a strange land, a centre for people to come together in times of communal tragedy and celebration and a bastion of Irish cultural and sporting activity. We are lucky to have a place like it but we may not always be so fortunate. If we want to have a Club for and into the future we will have to continue the commitment of people like the two Paddy’s, or Jim and many others I could easily mention here.

As a community we have a choice to make, do we want our Club or not. If you do, then make a commitment to it. If you are not a member, join. If you can do something – even something small to support and encourage the Club – do it, don’t leave it up to someone else to make an effort.

It’s up to you, make the call, make the commitment. If we let the Club down, we are letting ourselves down. Fred Rea

Friendship & Fun Guaranteed

The first Friday of every month is a very important day at the Irish Club in Subiaco. For six years now it has been the opportunity for a group of lively seniors to come together to enjoy the company of friends and peers, to enjoy a meal and some light entertainment (all in for $15).

In the normal course of events seniors are treated to hours of fun and a delicious two course meal, but the “Christmas in July” gathering promised and delivered fun and friendship as well as the trappings of a big Xmas dinner with ham, turkey and Christmas pudding on offer. Fr. Christmas himself even made an Alan O’Meara appearance - and even if his beard got and Lena Costello lost somewhere between Perth and the North Pole he still remembered to bring everyone a small gift for the occasion. The party had some other VIPs drop in for the special occasion, including WA’s Hon. Consul Marty Kavanagh, the President of the Irish Club Mr Alan O’Meara and Joan Ross, President of the Claddagh Association. Lifetime member and past President of the Irish Club Mrs Lena Costello was awarded a special certificate to honour her invaluable contribution to the Irish community in general and the Irish Club in particular.

Of course great events like this don’t just happen and depend on people working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure success. Special thanks must go to the new manager of the Irish Club, Nick Henihan, for not only putting on a lovely meal, but putting up, all the Christmas decorations which really set the right atmosphere. Incidentally, Nick has also changed the monthly seniors meeting to downstairs in the club to ensure easier access for people who otherwise would find it difficult to go up and down the stairs.

Paul McLoughlin of Northside Meats fame generously donated a bountiful Christmas hamper as a top raffle prize.

Raffle Winners Seniors raised a handsome $186 dollars in ticket sales, which in turn, was promptly donated to the Claddagh Association to continue its good works on behalf of the Irish community and for those in dire need of assistance. Mr Marty Kavanagh and European Foods donated lovely chocolates and biscuits, which really went down a treat.

Our MC for the day, Fred Rea, brought wit and charm, as well as songs and jokes which made sure everyone present had a really great time.

The Claddagh President spoke about how they intended to take a more active role in helping the elderly Irish in Perth in the future which is very welcome news indeed! Nancy and Pat Cleary

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They intend to have some very special events happening during “WA Seniors Week” which takes place between November 10 and 17. Planning of these events has already started and I will keep you informed of what’s happening, as plans crystalise closer to the Hon Consul Martin Kavanagh date.

Last but most importantly, it needs to be said for all the people who turned up and joined in the true spirit of the day, without you nothing can or will happen. We are a welcoming and supportive group with a lot to offer new and old friends alike. So if you know anyone who you think would like or benefit from joining in the fun and sometimes frolics please encourage them to come along and hopefully we’ll see you all Oliver McNerney at a meeting in the near and Joe Carroll future. Our next meeting at noon on September 6 is on the day before the Federal Election. Our next meeting after that will be on October 4 (the deadline for Perth’s metropolitan councils to respond to the state government’s plans for new council areas in Perth). Interesting times indeed for our communities. To arrange your place and meal, give Nick a call on 93815213.

Joe Carroll

Connection The Claddagh Association of WA presents

THE IRISH

The Mighty Quinn Wanneroo Rd, Tuart Hill Monday 11th November 2013 10am - 3pm Music • Storytelling • Games $10 per person Includes 2 course Lunch, Tea and Coffee Bookings Essential: Phone 042 4715 515

The Irish archbishop of Perth ...they buried twice!

by LLOYD GORMAN

The remains of Archbishop Patrick Joseph Clune were laid in the crypt of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Perth on September 3. The story of the life and death of this Irish born cleric is a remarkable one that literally goes beyond the grave and

Archbishop Clune laying the foundation stone of the new cathedral, 25 April 1926

digs deep into the soul of the nations of Ireland and Australia.

He was born near Ruan, Co. Clare on January 6 1864. At the age of 22 he was ordained a priest and left for Australia where he worked in the Diocese of Goulburn, NSW. Father Clune was professed as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on September 3 1894. As a redemptionist he established a great reputation as an orator and preached missions in Western Australia for several years before going to New Zealand.

Not long after he returned to WA in 1909 Fr Clune was chosen to succeed the third Bishop of Perth, Bishop Matthew Gibney, who had trouble managing the books for a rapidly growing diocese. Bishop Clune worked hard to reduce the church’s debts - estimated to be a quarter of a million pounds and in 1913 he became the first Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

With the outbreak of war in 1914 Archbishop Clune was appointed the Chaplain General to the Catholic members of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). Two years

later he travelled to Europe on board a troop ship and visited troops on the Western Front at Ypres, Belgium. There he gave absolution to hundreds of soldiers of the 11th Battalion before they went into battle and anointed the wounded and dying, as well as burying the dead.

During the war, both he and his counterpart in the Anglican church, Archbishop Charles Riley, were travelling at the same time on different ships back to Perth.

Archbishop Riley’s ship was torpedoed and sunk. The Anglican Archbishop is said to have saved the lives of many of the ships passengers but in the process he lost his entire worldly goods. He arrived in Cairo with nothing but was greeted by Archbishop Clune who is reported to have said “Hello, I thought you had drowned…” and took him out for dinner and bought him an entire new wardrobe.

In 1920, Archbishop Clune was personally asked by the then British Prime Minister Lloyd George to negotiate a truce between the British Government and the Irish leaders of the leaders of the war of Independence. By 1921 he had still not been able to broker a deal between the warring sides and according to a newspaper article from January of that year he applied for his passport to return to Perth.

“The Premier (of WA), on hearing this, sent a message post haste, requesting Archbishop Clune to return to Ireland and continue his good work,” the article stated. “The report is construed to mean that peace hopes have not vanished, as the Premier added that the archbishop’s work had performed more than outsiders supposed.”

The War of Independence did not extend very long after the time that the Archbishop walked away

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from the situation as an intermediary but he remained closely interested in events in Ireland. The end of the fight for Irish freedom quickly turned into civil war and when Arthur Griffiths and Michael Collins were both killed within a short time of each other in August 1922 Archbishop Clune gave a requiem mass for them. “In an eloquent oration, [he] said they had lived and died for Ireland and had sealed with their blood the compact signed with England.”

He was referring to the Anglo Irish Treaty, which Collins - who he would known and negotiated with as part of the Irish delegation - had signed. The Treaty - which amongst other things agreed to the setting up of a 26 county Free State - sparked the civil war.

Back in Perth the Archbishop had ambitious plans for his Diocese. Having pulled it back from bankruptcy before he now wanted to replace the original one, built in 1895. The foundation stone for the new Neo-Gothic structure took place on April 25 (Anzac Day) 1926. However, the depression of 1929 meant that only the sanctuary, chapels, transepts and sacristies could be finished and it would take another 80 years for the cathedral to be finished in 2009 by the then Archbishop Barry James Hickey.

Archbishop Clune died on May 24 1935 and because the new cathedral was incomplete and had no crypt he said he wanted to be buried in the Redemptorist section of Karrakatta Cemetery. There he rested until May of this year when priest and archaeologist Fr. Robert Cross exhumed his remains to prepare them for internment in the crypt of the restored cathedral.

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2013 sets Derry alive!

His Grace Archbishop Clune remains are removed from Karrakatta.

The timing of his re-interment at St. Mary’s. as well as coinciding with the date of his profession as a Redemptionist, also marks the centenary of Perth being made an Archdiocese. An important achievement for Perth, helped in no small part by this important man of God.

“Mons” was a Clare man too

Archbishop Clune is not the only Co.Clare born cleric to have made a deep and lasting impact on his adopted home.

Irish Scene readers fortunate enough to have known him might remember Monsignor Sean O’Shea in their prayers and memories. “Mons” was born in Kilkee, Co. Clare on September 13, 1925 and came to Australia in the 1950’s when he was ordained as a priest. His was a remarkable career in the church, he spent two years at the Vatican, but most of his service was given to the needs of seafarers and he drove across and around Australia many times to its ports and parishes in this cause.

“Mons” didn’t build a Cathedral – but he did build the Church of the Holy Trinity in 1975 on Rottnest Island – the island parish to which he would give fifty years of his life and service. He took on the Herculean task of financing and fund-raising the new church, as well as the physical work of erecting the building including doing some of the brickwork himself. He even convinced the US Navy’s Pacific Seventh Fleet to help in the construction when it offered the use of a military helicopter to lift the Carillon of bells onto the belfry.

Such was his love for Rottnest that Mons requested church and state authorities to be allowed to be buried there – and he set about digging his own grave in preparation for that day. “Mons” died in December 2012 and now rests in the grounds of the church he built. Visitors to the island church should turn left at the main entrance and they will see his headstone – and that of another Irish priest – at the grave.

Frank Murphy presents

107.9fm Fremantle Radio

Saturday 7am to 9am

Irish Music • Interviews • Local & Irish News 78

by grainne mccool

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2013 crossed the border to Derry for the first time in its 62 years and was welcomed by over 400,000 people!

Uachtarán na hÉireann Micheál Ó hUiginn said at the opening on Sunday August 11th that when President of Ireland, Michael D Higgin Irish people emigrated years ago to the four corners of the world, ‘they left a legacy which continues world wide today. Fleadh Cheoil celebrates that legacy’.

Fleadh Doire lasted 8 days in the city of Derry and exceeded all expectations. Musicians from all over the world travelled to the city and played in the pubs, clubs, halls, streets and every corner available to sit down at. Irish culture, music, dance, song and language prevailed for the duration. People came in their thousands and the city of Derry welcomed them.

Some of the biggest events during the week were by artists synonymous with Irish culture in Derry. Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney and traditional singer Cara Dillon featured in two exclusive performances for the fleadh in Derry. The Poet & The Piper, Seamus Heaney and Liam O’Flynn performed an exclusive show in Derry to a world audience. The two artists were on stage and it felt like the front living room where two friends were meeting and we the audience called by. The two weaved the iconic poetry of Heaney with the traditional and contemporary music of O’Flynn on the uileann pipes. They just balanced off each other and the audience was mesmerised throughout

Colin Merrey’s DVD

Review

the Song. These performances drew links between nations with significant cultural connections to Ireland, as well as honouring some of the stylistic nuances in Irish traditional music across the country.

On Sunday August 18th, Fleadh Doire closed in magical style! Fidget Feet presented Fire Birds. The flying musicians, dancers in the air and Fire Birds took to the skies of Derry. One will never view Irish Dancing or music in the same light again.

An amazing spectacle filled the Derry skyline. For more than half an hour the crowd’s attention was drawn upwards and the circus like performance from the sky was simply spectacular.

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2013 has been a truly unique experience. Visitors to the city emphasised that the hospitality they received exceeded all expectations. The city came alive like never before. This event is the pinnacle of the City of Culture status to date. Eight days of immersion in all that is Irish culture, music, song, language and dance has filled the air. Fleadh Cheoil Doire will be talked about for many years to come. It was authentic, it was original, it was Irish.

It was Legenderry!

I have just received a lovely little DVD from Fred Rea entitled “JOHN BOYLE O’REILLY MEMORIAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION” which he and Peter Murphy have produced to record for posterity this momentous occasion that took place in Bunbury on 25th March 2013.

I am tired of planning and toiling In the crowded hives of men; Heart-weary of building and spoiling, And spoiling and building again.

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

From The Cry of The Dreamer

AUSTRALIA’S

by John Boyle O’Reilly

John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial 25th Anniversar y Commemo ration

the performance. Hearing Seamus Heaney read ‘Digging’ was just amazing. The audience showed their appreciation on the reading with a stunning applause!

Cara Dillon performed with the Orchestra of Ireland during the week.

Originally from Dungiven, Co. Derry, this was a special occasion for her.

She told us that her mother used to drive her all over Ireland as a little girl to perform in the fleadh, ‘and now it’s come full circle. It’s great to be here. It’s like a dream come true.

Derry is buzzing’.

Buzzing Derry certainly was for all of the 8 days. Streets and venues were packed to overflowing and yet people still kept coming. The city was alive with all that is Irish and music was at the fore.

FleadhLive also made groundbreaking history in Derry as it reflected the digital age. This was an online music show which was broadcast across the world in real time. It enabled people who were unable to get home or travel to Derry to be able to watch the musical performances live on Irish TV station TG4 and online.

A core theme of this year’s fleadh was a Gathering of Traditions.

2013 is the year of the Gathering and resulting from this a series of concerts exploring the diversity and connections in Irish traditional music across Ireland, Scotland and North America were staged in Derry over the past week. These included Songs of the Emigrant, Highlands & Islands, Across the Atlantic, Hidden Fermanagh, the Meitheal Orchestra, Duchas Dhoire, Fiddlers of Aileach, the Clare Set and the Singer &

1988 - 2013

It comes with a comprehensive booklet outlining the John B O’Reilly story including some correspondence from John B that has recently come to light and is published here for the first time in Australia. The text of the booklet is interspersed with snippets from some of John B’s poems and writings and is an admirable momento of this landmark occasion.

2013 © All rights reserved

DVD

Sunday 25th March 2013 Bunbury, Western Australia DVD - Running Time 25 minutes

The DVD lasts for 25 minutes and will be a great addition to your Irish historical libraries. If you would like to purchase a copy then contact Fred Rea either by email fred@irishscene.com.au or by phone on 08 9309 3167 or mobile 0418 943 832..

“In O’Reilly’s writings he provided images of the romantic‚ the real‚ the opportunities and challenges confronting his rapidly changing world. In remembering his life and reflecting on his works‚ we find an original thinker, a courageous, bold, spirited man, one with the kind of audacity we need to cultivate today in Ireland if we are to truly transform our society into the kind of equal, humane, ethical Ireland of which we can be proud”.

Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland

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An IRISH

INVASION of Sorts!

Well – are you intrigued by the title of this little piece? Should I put you out of your misery now? No – it’s not a pitched battle between them and us – I am referring to the impending concert tours of several major Irish acts who will be visiting us shortly. I was inspired to put this little note together mainly as a result of being given the opportunity to interview some of these acts in the very recent past – so I thought a little melodrama might amuse you!

Celtic Woman were to have been here at the Perth Arena on September 27th – you may recall I reported on my chat with the new member of the ensemble, Susan McFadden, in the last issue – but this has now been postponed and rescheduled to 24th January 2014 at the Riverside Theatre at the Perth Convention Centre. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek for the new show do you’d better hurry to get yours A few days ago, I had a chat with Brian Kennedy early in the morning for me and VERY late at night for him – but he didn’t mind – by his own admission he is very much a night owl – and he was certainly well able for a chat (even at 12.30 am Irish time)! We talked about many things, not least his impending visit to the Fly by Night club on 8th September this year – he said he was really looking forward to the visit and show as he has been here five or six times in the past and received a really good welcome from his audiences every time. I found him very easy to talk to – not at all “show business” – a very down to earth young man indeed.

I asked if he had any musical ancestry (parents, siblings, forebears, etc and he said that, no apart from his older brother, Bap (you may recall I reviewed his last CD here a couple of issues ago) he knew of no other musical inheritances, as it were. I asked about his career – “give me a potted biography” I asked him – he said that growing up in the Falls Road area of Belfast during the recent troubles was quite a frightening experience but one

that he rose above as he developed his interest and career in music.

He has worked with many major musical icons, not least amongst them Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Belfast’s own Van Morrison and also cites Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell amongst his many influences.

To date, he has made twelve CD’s and his latest, “Voice”, comes from and was inspired by his being one of the four mentors on the Irish TV version of “The Voice” with great success. You may recall that I have covered some of his CD’s in the Magazine in the past, notably “Homebird” and “On Song”.

He has a great singing voice and a very easy going personality. We chatted on for quite a while and then I thought I had better let him get to bed as he has quite a busy schedule at present.

I thanked him for making the time to talk to the Irish Scene (and of course me in particular) and tied him down to having a coffee (or maybe something a little stronger) when he gets here in September.

I will certainly look forward to that and hope to see you all at his concert.

The Wolfe Tones will be here in Perth on 25th January 2014. If you are not familiar with them, they are an Irish rebel music band deeply rooted in Irish traditional music and are named after the Irish rebel and patriot Theobald Wolfe Tone, one of the leaders of the Irish Rebellion of 1798 (with the double entendre that a wolf tone is a spurious sound that can affect instruments of the violin family).

The Wolfe Tones began in the early 1960s, and have continued recording and performing to this day. They originally consisted of the brothers Derek and Brian Warfield and their friend Noel Nagle, with Tommy Byrne joining soon after. Their unabashed Irish Republican stance has sometimes caused controversy; and their music was effectively banned from the airwaves in the Republic of Ireland in the 1980’s. More recently, their music was banned from Aer Lingus

By Colin Merrey

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flights, after the Ulster Unionist politician Roy Beggs Jnr. compared their songs to the speeches of Osama bin Laden. In 2002 Derek Warfield left the group to pursue a solo career but the remaining three members of The Wolfe Tones still tour constantly.

However, 2004 was their last tour year doing that. They will continue to tour, but only at select venues according their website.

Clannad have been confirmed to tour Australia later this year and will be in Perth on Friday 1st November for a show at the Astor Theatre. This is a great venue and will be admirably suited to the band’s performance. But first a little about Clannad.

Clannad, the Irish family group responsible for such timeless music as ‘Theme From Harry’s Game’, ‘In A Lifetime’, ‘I Will Find You’ and the soundtrack to the ‘Robin Of Sherwood’ TV series, make a long awaited return to Australia in October 2013 to mark their 40th Anniversary. It has been 18 years since the legendary Celtic folk heroes toured Australia.

Ethereal and otherworldly, Clannad makes music to be transported by. Haunting ballads and virtuosic musicianship that conjures a captivating echo of Ireland past. Framed by Moya Brennan’s heavenly voice, their music carries the listener across oceans and aeons to a time when a proud culture was first born.

Clannad’s groundbreaking fusion of traditional Celtic music with modern folk and rock needs almost no introduction, having created a genre almost to itself – a sound at the crest of the ‘world music’ wave that surged across the globe in the 80s and 90s. Clannad have given a unique voice to modern Irish music.

Now, after over four decades, 18 albums, 15 million record sales and a slew of industry awards to their

name, Grammy Award winning Clannad finally return to Australia with a new tour and CD. Last but not least I had a long chat with Damien Leith the other day – I have left him to the end solely because this is a prelude to his upcoming tour and new CD album – both of which will be fully covered in the next issue of the Magazine.

You may recall I got the chance to chat to Damien a couple of years back when he recorded the wonderful album “Roy” – his tribute to the late musical maestro Roy Orbison. You may also have seen him last year when he came to Perth for a concert in September – if not, then I know you missed a great show because Damien always puts on a great show.

Damien has spent the last twelve months beavering away and the recording studio he has set up in his house of late. He told me that he had changed record labels to a local Sydney independent label Social Family Records who will be releasing his new CD “Chapter Seven” in a month or so’s time – more of which in the next issue.

Damien said he was also now able to devote more time to his writing and was pleased to tell me that he had co-written a couple of songs with Joe Melson who had previously collaborated with the late Roy Orbison on hits like “Crying”.

He said that it was quite a thrilling experience for him.

I commiserated with him on losing out on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2011 – I still think he should have won it – he is a great little mover (as he demonstrated during his concert at the Regal Theatre back in July 2011 to much universal amusement)!

I won’t bore you too much with a lot of what we talked about because we were comparing notes on the best way to set up a home recording studio and what software to use etc – suffice it to say that I really enjoyed talking to Damien and am looking forward to catching up with him on his next visit to Perth – we couldn’t do that in 2011 as he had a very tight schedule to adhere to and left immediately after the concert.

I will be telling you more in the next Issue of the Magazine and

should then be able to tell you a bit more about the new CD and his November concerts here in Perth.

Multi award winning Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan returns to Australia following his hugely successful sold out tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2011.

In Celtic mythology, a ‘Stray Sod’ was an enchanted piece of grass that, if stepped on, would leave a person feeling disorientated and lost, even in familiar surroundings.

It’s also said that wearing an item of clothing inside out would break the spell and allow the person to find their way again.

‘Stray Sod’ also happens to be the title of Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan’s latest show. A metaphor for how we as humans have somehow lost our spirits, identity and ‘inner lunatic’ in these broke and bat shit-crazy times we currently find ourselves living in.

But don’t worry, because Tommy’s here with a vision for getting us back on track.

Really looking forward to a great Irish Invasion this year!

Colin Merrey

ADRIAN BOHM PRESENTS IRELAND’S NUMBER ONE COMEDIAN

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Southern Districts celebrate success winning the 2012 WA State GAA Senior Championship, while our Intermediate men’s team narrowly missed out in the final.

30 years Southern Districts GFC actively welcome and recruit new members The Southern Districts Gaelic Football Club (SDGFC) is celebrating 30 years as a prominent GAA football club in Perth, Western Australia. To honor this achievement the club is hosting a Gala dinner in the Parmelia Hilton Hotel on Saturday 19th October 2013.

All past and present members are welcome to attend this event. For ticket information please contact any committee member or contact us via Facebook or email. To avoid missing out on this prestigious occasion please book your tickets before 30th August as there is a limited number of tickets available due to the capacity of the venue.

The Southern Districts GFC is a progressive, professional and not to mention successful Gaelic football club based in Perth. We are a friendly family like club whom provide a home away from home for the Irish people living in Perth.

Boasting of players from all four provinces as well as native Australians, it is easy to see why this club has come on leaps and bonds over the years, which is a true testament to the members past and present.

It is our club’s vision to promote Gaelic Games in Australia; whilst creating a family-like environment for all to enjoy in a safe welcoming environment. It is our club’s focus to provide Social and Sporting opportunities for members of all ages and backgrounds. There is a great social aspect to this club; with many nights out and social events calendared throughout the year.

The club has 3 Gaelic Football teams at present, with 2 Men’s teams (Senior and Intermediate) and 1 Ladies team accompanied by a growing supporter base. Last year our senior men’s team enjoyed

throughout the year, so if you want to join a thriving, successful club, be it in a capacity of playing, refereeing, coaching, administration or just wanting to get fit; please get in contact with us on any of the details below.

SDGFC - Friendships & Success Abu Contact Details: www.sdgfc.com Email: southerndistrictsgaa@gmail.com or sdgfcrecruitment@gmail.com Facebook: Southerndistricts Gaa Perth Training: Shirley Strickland Oval, Ardross, Perth, Western Australia Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays (Ladies @ 6.30pm, Men @ 7pm)

For ticket purchase: Eugene Maguire – 0447 859 117 Stephen Sheehan – 0420 515 746

Irish Golf Club of WA Winter Shield 2013 July Rosehill Country Club 1st Sean Byrne on 43 points 2nd P J Kenny on 42 points 3rd Place Steve O’Sullivan 41 pts Gross Score winner Bill Ross on 30 pts Novelty winners: N.T.P #3J Sampson, #5 Eamon Fitzpatrick, #10 Mike Byrne, #14 Aiden O’Sullivan L/Drive #15 Bill Ross, L/Putt #18 G Young 2 Ball Eamonn Fitzpatrick (Par 3 - birdie)

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The Presidents Cup 2013 August Fixture Hamersley Golf Course 1ST Mick McCann 40 pts 2nd Dominic Hyde 39 pts 3rd Pat Hickey 37 pts Gross Score winner Peter Rynski on 25 pts Novelty winners: N.T.P hole #5 Podge O’Sullivan, #7 Tony Welsh, #12 Sean Byrnes, #16 Brendan Wymbs L/ Drive Men P O’Sullivan L/ Drive Ladies Pat Murphy L/Putt #9 Lawrence Brophy L/Putt #18 Steve Sullivan 2 Ball Eamonn Fitzpatrick (Par 3 - birdie)

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association

The Australian-Irish Heritage Association is an inclusive organisation which encourages and promotes an awareness of Australia’s Irish heritage. To this end, the Association creates opportunities for all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive heritage.

WELCOME BACK

The President of the Australian Irish Heritage Association has just returned from a five week trip to Ireland, accompanied by his wife Patricia and their two grandchildren, Cadwgan and Niamh. The weather was brilliant all the time they were there.

They visited many historical and archaeological sites, caught up with family in Ireland and England and generally had a great time.

PRESIDENT’S TRIP TO IREAND

You never know who you meet on these holidays. we were having a leisurely stroll through Armagh when, as two people passed by us we heard a voice saying ‘are you Denis Bratton?‘. It turned out to be Colleen and Don Dransfied, fellow members of the Association.

We were all surprised at the coincidence. During our travels we manage to get hold of some good films for our Summer Festival of Irish films.

We visited the Drogheda Museum whilst in Ireland and caught up with Sean Corcoran and Donnchadha Mac Raghnail, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively of the Old Drogheda Society. (see photo above) They gave us a conducted tour of the museum, in particular the section dedicated to John Boyle O’Reilly.

They had just finished a week of activities dedicated to JB O’Reilly as part of their “Gathering Festival”.

Unfortunately, time constraints prevented us attending

by Joan Ross on Wednesday 28th August 2013 at 7.30 pm and the September talk will be given

by Denis Bratton on the ‘1913 Lockout ‘in Dublin, on Wednesday 25th September at 7.30.

any of them. We were pleased to present to them 9 DVDs of the John Boyle O’Reilly 25th Anniversary Celebration held in Bunbury earlier this year.

The Fourth Tuesday Book Club Meets fourth Tuesday of the month at the Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, at 8 pm, except December.

This month 27th August the book will be ‘Wait for Me’ by Dowager Duchess Deborah Devonshire, Presented by Cecilia Bray Admission Gold Coin donation to cover room hire charge, All welcome. Light refreshments provided excluding drinks. Coffee from Bar $3.80 Contact Maureen on 9279 2486 Next September book is ‘Truth’ by Peter Temple

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL WAS DUE 1 JANUARY 2013

WRITERS PRIZES 2013

Joe O’Sullivan Prize was awarded to Valerie Abbot (photo above) for her story entitled “The Parting” .

Joyce Parkes Prize was awarded to Karen Atkinson for her story entitled “Collateral”.

It was pleasing to note that both recipients reside in Western Australia. The winning entries are displayed on our website and will be printed in our next Journal.

HISTORY TALKS

The next two History talks pencilled in are - ‘A talk on the Claddagh Association and Lending a Hand ‘

Family membership: $60 Concession: $50 (Centrelink and unwaged Students with ID) Distant (200kms from Perth Membership Fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive events, quarterly Journal, voting rights and opportunities to participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage Bon Voyage to Tony and Cecilia Bray, who will be off to Ireland in September. We wish them a great trip and hopefully some more of that fine weather.

Australian-Irish Heritage Association

Non Political-Non Sectarian-Emphatically Australian PO Box 1583 Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530. Email: aiha@irishheritage.net

www.irishheritage.net

Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Membership Due on 1st January.

Family membership $60, Concession $50, Distant (200 kms from Perth) $40 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20

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$10,000 TO MS

The Conservatory Rooftop Bar in Murray Street celebrated its 2nd Birthday in August. To mark the occasion, an auction was held on the night and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA was the beneficiary of the funds raised to the tune of $10,000. Congratulations to Gavin, management and staff for a wonderful effort.

The money raised will go a long way towards making life a lot better for people who suffer from MS. Well Done!

Migrating to Australia?

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CALL TODAY! Contact Patricia Flanagan Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1383611) Email: patricia.visa4you@gmail.com • Tel: (+61) 0416 727 787 Visit our website: www.visa4you.com.au

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The Doyle Family and friends

Tribute toRyan

When tragedy strikes we feel at our most vulnerable, but it is at the worst times of our lives that we can also display strengths we could never imagine possible under normal circumstances.

On the morning of November 20, 2012, Perth radio stations Ryan Doyle carried news reports of a 25 year old man being killed in an incident in the early hours of the morning in Belmont, involving a moving taxi. It is always a terrible thing to hear of a young life being switched off suddenly and unexpectedly but when word filtered down later that day that the victim was an Irish guy, the tragedy struck home again for many in the Irish community. Ryan Doyle, a native of Leitrim, Co. Down, died at Royal Perth Hospital from the injuries he suffered that night.

He had come to Perth two years earlier with his brothers Ronan and Kevin to find work. Ryan was buried in his native Down, just before Christmas.

A police statement for the fatal incident said: “It will be alleged there had been a dispute between the victim and the driver over the fare and as the passenger was exiting the vehicle the driver accelerated the vehicle, causing the passenger to fall to the ground where he received life-threatening injuries.”

WA police charged the taxi driver Shamsul Haque Rasuly, 26, with dangerous driving causing death, failing to render assistance and failing to report an accident. A lack of evidence meant the charge of dangerous driving causing death was dropped against Rasuly in the Perth Magistrate Court in June. He pleaded guilty to the other charges and was expected to face court again this month (September) for sentencing.

The legal process is one level at which Ryan’s death

The Doyle family present the cheque to Joan Ross of the Claddagh Association of WA has been handled. At quite a different level his demise has seen a remarkable reaction from family and friends and others in the community. In August, Ryan’s brothers Kevin and Ronan presented the Claddagh Association which had helped their family through its terrible time - with a cheque for an incredible $30,000.

“On behalf of the Doyle family circle and Ryan’s friends both in Australia and in Ireland I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their generous donations and support during these last few months,” said Ronan.

“Especially the Claddagh group Joan, Bill, Tom and Sinead without your help from the start putting us in contact with the funeral directors, the Mass and the fundraiser. We hope that the whole Irish community will get behind the Claddagh group with all their fundraising events in the near future.”

The Claddagh Association is a voluntary organisation set up in 1997 as a support network for Irish people in their time of greatest need or despair.

Claddagh President Joan Ross thanked Ryan’s family and friends, who came together to celebrate his birthday and present the association with the cheque, for their generosity and assured them the money would be used to help others who need it.

“The Claddagh Association aims to provide, where possible, crisis support to people from the Irish community in Western Australia in times of hardship and trauma,” said Joan. “We would not be able to carry out our mission without the very generous support of the Irish community in Western Australia and around the world. We are truly overwhelmed and humbled that in the midst of their loss, the Doyle family can be so incredibly generous and so considerate of the needs of others. The Claddagh Association will be honoured to establish a Memorial Fund in honour of Ryan, to support our future work.”

If you need support to manage loss or grief contact The Claddagh Association at www.claddagh.org.au/

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Kentz Senior Champions 2013

Thanks Bob! Perth Shamrocks Hurling club recenty won the Western Australian Kentz Senior Championship 2013 and would like to pay special thanks to Bob Thornhill who has been part of the club’s success. Bob had been in Perth for a few months with his wife Annette, visiting his daughter Claire and son Keith, who like many Irish, have emigrated from Ireland.

Most people who visit Australia for holiday purposes, would like a change of routine and get away from the everyday life in Ireland, but not Bob. His love for hurling attracted him to the Morley GAA hurling grounds to view the standard of hurling and he was very impressed by all five teams. Through some contacts, Perth Shamrocks asked if he would be interested in taking a few training sessions, as he was known for his hurling knowledge and training abilities. A few training sessions ended up been a new hobby 3 times a week in all weather conditions and it is safe to say he enjoyed every minute.

Bob comes from a strong hurling background and his home club is Cill na Mullach Buttevant Co. Cork.

Like many hurling families in Cork there is a huge tradition and the

Thornhills are no exception. His father Batt Thornhill won four in a row Senior Hurling All Irelands, 2 National Hurling leagues, 3 Railway Cups & 2 Munster Junior Championships throughout the 40’s.

Bob himself has had the honour in lining out with wellknown hurlers from Cork over the years. These would include Frank Norberg (Cork Senior Captain), Dermot McCurtain, Tom Cashman and Ray Cummins. Over the years Bob has trained and been involved with under age teams within his club and county such as the Cork Intermediate Camogie, Antrim Under 21 and his greatest honour to date is to be invited into the Antrim Senior hurling team by Dinny Cahill.

It is fair to say when Bob was introduced to Perth Shamrocks hurling squad, some people knew of his achievements and status but others didn’t. It did not take long for all players to gain respect for this man. When Bob spoke, you listened. He has great ability to interact with a group of players and treat everyone with respect and courtesy. He is strong believer

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Bob and his family

of team performances and not just on individuals. All of the training sessions were fast intensity and encouragement was always on hand even if you made a mistake. Perth Shamrock’s got to a great start at the beginning of the year with some fine performances and high scoring results and have as a team, no doubt this was the influence of Bob Thornhill. It was evident late in the season in a game against Michael Cusack’s that Perth Shamrocks Hurling Club were not far off the pace. With good advice from Bob, the team went on to win the Kentz Senior Champion 2013.

Yet again, we as a club cannot thank Bob enough for his efforts and commitment. Perth Shamrocks would like to wish him and his wife all the best for the future hope to see him again soon. Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat.

Shamrocks Abu 2013

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Gaelic Football & Hurling Association of WA Inc.

End of Season Report from President Well this will probably be my last report during 2013 season and most are probably thinking “Thank God for that”. What a season it has been although not quiet finished yet.

The Hurling and Camogie season came to an end on Saturday 10 August with Gabriels Versus Swans in the Camogie and Perth Shamrocks doing battle with Imokilly in the respective cup finals after Sarsfields took out the league. It was a great day with a massive crowd to enjoy the festivities. On hand to witness Gabriels run out winners over Swans followed

by Perth Shamrocks getting over the line against Imokilly was the new Honourary Consul General Mr Marty Kavanagh. I must commend the men and women who work tirelessly week in week out to ensure that the hurling and camogie is played in such great spirits enjoyed with a sausage sizzle and a drink and the odd bouncy castle every Saturday. And also well done to the players as both finals were played to the highest standard and the crowd appreciated it. All clubs, Michael Cusacks, Imokilly, Perth Shamrocks, Gabriels, Sarsfields and Swans are going from strength to strength and the standard of hurling is massive.

Well done.

The football season is also coming to an end with the league wrapping up this weekend. St Finbarrs ladies have taken out

Football: BGC Grounds, Tom Bateman Reserve Cnr Bannister & Nicholson Rds, Canning Vale Hurling: RA Cook Reserve, Coode St. Morley

the league for the first time in 14 years, I think. Sorry to Finbarrs if it was less but all the same it was well deserved as they went through the season undefeated and were great to watch. Greenwood and Shamrocks pushed hard all the way with Districts improving all year and Coastal Breakers also enjoying a good season. Morley Red also had some great wins in season 2013. Hats off to Morley GFC who entered a second ladies team, Morley Black, into the competition this year. Although they failed to win a game in their first season the spirit and determination shown was second to none. Their coach should get coach of the year for his efforts. He was brilliant.

Congratulations to Morley GFC Senior Mens team for taking out the Senior league. This year saw some very tight encounters in all leagues but it was Morley’s fighting spirit in the seniors that came through in the end. I think it is anybody’s Championship with Finbarrs, Shamrocks, Districts and Greenwood all looking the goods. Hard to call.

The Intermediate league has gone down to the wire and will be decided on September 1st at 11.10 when Finbarrs will meet Southern Districts in a league playoff after both teams ended the season on equal points. It is gearing up to be a massive encounter with the winner going straight through to the championship final.

Rob O’Callaghan President GAA of WA

Finally I want to wish the state teams travelling to Sydney the best of luck. I’m hoping the hurlers can follow up from their success last year and retain the cup as they have some serious hurlers amongst them at the moment and a good coaching panel. The camogie girls are out to retain their mantle as the best in Australasia when they travel to defend their crown from last year. Fingers crossed both will bring the silverware back across the Nullarbor. Not forgetting the minors who are out for revenge this year. They will be well up for it after their experience last year.

They know what’s required to win now and are a year older. Best of luck to Mick, Peter and the boys.

Last but not least, the mens and ladies football teams. They will be keen to redeem themselves this year after both teams lost in the final last year to you know who, NSW. I think both are looking forward to winning in New South Wales back yard and with new management and an influx of first time state players I am anticipating a good series for both.

So congratulations to all the league winners in all codes, well done to the camogie and hurling cup winners, best of luck to all teams in the football championships about to start and bring home the silverware all state teams going to Sydney.

Robert O’Callaghan President

gfhwa.com.au 89

Junior Academy The Gaelic Games Junior Academy (GGJA) Update!

The 2nd season of the Junior Academy was in full swing when we recently held out Family Fun Day BBQ on a lovely Sunday afternoon on the 4th August. Both Academies from North and South converged in Tapping Primary School grounds with great enthusiasm from the coaches and parent helpers.

The ever faithful committee was all hands on deck keeping the little troops and their support teams well fed for the afternoon. McLoughlins sausages from Northside Meats in Malaga proving to be a winner again!

Equipment for the kids (and parents) to practice at home is now available with different sizes in Hurlies, Footballs, Sliotars suitable for all ages, to enable them to practice their well-honed skills at home or in their local park, please contact committee or ask at your next Sunday session if you wish to have your own. Be prepared for the inquisitive looks from the neighbour’s children!

We are gearing up for a challenge match soon against Lake Joondalup Baptist College. Many thanks to Gerry Crowley bringing the sport to the schools in our bid to expose as many Australian kids to the joys of playing GAA as possible! We also have a social wind up to our season on the 22nd Sept, to toast another successful year for the Junior GAA in WA. Details will be on face book.

To bridge the gap between the minors (boys and girls 15-18 years old) and the juniors (4-12 years) Martin Brady and his crew have now started up football training for the 12-15 year olds again boys and girls welcome. It takes place after the regular training on Sundays and starts at 1.30. There is great credit due to the commitment and dedication our coaches have shown this year, with even some travelling from Rockingham to Tapping to help keep the game in full swing. Without your help there would be no academy.

Word is still spreading about the efforts to enable children to play their national sport (for the Irish kids)

or that crazy foreign sport (for the Australian kids) our recent interviews and documentary filmed by Catriona Perry will be aired on RTE 1 at 7pm on Wed Sept 4th so inform the ‘rellies’ back home of your impending claim to fame if you took part. Thanks to all the parents and kids for their contributions and spreading the word helps us grow the academy from strength to strength.

Special thanks to the coaches running our Southern Academy, you efforts are especially appreciated. The stronger the youth teams of today, the stronger the senior teams of the future.

Times to note: Regular Junior Academy Training: Sundays 12 noon until 1.30pm North: Tapping Primary School and South: Tom Bateman Reserve.

Cadets: (12-15 year olds) Sundays from 1.30pm in Tapping Save the Date: Sun 22nd Sept! General Enquiries contact Debbie Cashman 0406 229 450 Members still welcome for all of the above!

The WA Gaelic Minor board The WA Gaelic Minor Board will take a group of 25 young men to Sydney at the end of September to represent the state in the Australasian Games.This is a great experience and opportunity for these boys .

We are currently raising funds for this trip by requesting sponsorship from companies and individuals who feel they can contribute to the huge cost of this trip.

We would also like to thank all who came to the Irish Club for the Christmas in July event, all who made donations for the night and the hard working crew who put this night together for their incredible work and donations. It was a wonderful success and a great night was enjoyed by all who attended.

If you feel you can help in our fundraising endeavours please email the board at waminorboard@ gmail.com or call Michael O’Connor on 0417096424 or Peter Kavanagh on 0410921961.

www.thebreakwater.com.au

58 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Ph: 08 9448 5000 Fax: 08 9448 6000

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SHAMROCK Rovers having a wonderful season

Rovers

Michael Manning President Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers long 11 game unbeaten run came to an end when they unluckily lost 1-2 to Ashfield at Ashfield Reserve on Saturday 10 August. Despite an almost total dominance by Rovers they failed to take many good chances and were then stunned with a 95 min deflected shot to break their hearts. They continue to be in the hunt for honours but this result has made that goal all the harder.

The Sunday amateurs continue to dominate in Division Four and have reached the Sunday Cup semi final.

As we approach the end of the season the club is already making plans for 2014 which marks its 30th Anniversary.

A challenge match has been arranged against Hibernians Singapore FC for December 15 and more news on this will be published shortly. In other news Shamrock Rovers Annual Ball and awards night will be held on Saturday October 26 at the Crown Burswood. Details can be found on the club website and Facebook page or by contacting the club secretary.

Club House/Home Ground Harold Rossiter Reserve Corner of Kent and Etwell Streets, Victoria Park.

Training Hours Tues & Thurs 6.15pm for a 6.30pm Start Head Coach: John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly 0426 252 542 First team / Assistant: Mike Ford 0488 335 444 Reserve Coaches: Mark Gillians 0410-698-772 Assistant: Dean Keating Under 18â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coaches: Tom Motherwell 0420 764 236 Assistant: Bill Williams 0407 969 432

Bill Byrne, Secretary 0439 953 957 bill.byrne@hotmail.com

www.shamrockrovers.com.au 91

Kevin’s Tallans could help West Coast Eagles claw their way back to the top Subiaco Oval is a long way from the playing fields of Middleton, Co. Cork but the same passion and love of the game that drives the hurlers and Gaelic footballers of the Rebel County are just as much at work at the stadium that is home to footy in Western Australian as well as being the home ground to the West Coast Eagles. Cork man Kevin Tallan has played

Darren Glass and Kevin

the pitches of his native county as a hurler and footballer and even taken those skills with him and applied them to his team in Perth - Inakilly.

But it wasn’t GAA that brought him to the WA capital, it was Australian football - Aussie Rules.

Kevin is the latest in a small but expanding club of young sports science students from the University of Limerick (UL) to be lucky enough to get to train and learn their chosen field with the Eagles, as part of their course.

When he heard the UL course had an opening each year for a student Kevin seized the initiative and chased the chance like he might the ball on the field of play. He contacted Glenn Stewart, the higher performance manager of the Eagles to lay out his stall. “He said he’d get back to me,” said Kevin who also had to go through all the normal procedures - including an interview which included his student predecessor at the Club - to have a chance at the job. In the end, Kevin was given the chance to spend January to September of this year with the Eagles and he jumped at the opportunity with the same conviction as a Tadhg Kennelly move for the Sydney Swans.

“It’s been great, really great,to work in a high profile, professional environment” said Kevin. “I got to see the pre season work and all the preparation for that and then the in season stuff, which has been really beneficial. Its taught me what to look for in terms of what’s relevant to what I’m studying and even just simple things like how to get organised and being efficient with your time, things you don’t really

think about that are so important when you’re working. I had to go to two away games as part of my time here, so I went over to Melbourne twice where I got to see Hawthorn and St. Kilda games which was great. It was something to see how they schedule everything for away games but as well as that when you are there on the day with the other physio’s and everyone involved there is a great amount of respect and hard work going on.”

A large part of the work he does involves Kevin studying the data collected from players through GPS devices strapped to them during training and games. “I am enjoying the analytics, the biometrics side of things at the moment, that’s a lot of what we do in the sports science department” he added. “It’s a quantitative thing that shows you the different speeds and intensity at which players move. It allows you to get a really good idea of how hard a position works, how hard a whole team has to work, about different tactics for different games and what are the psychical implications of that, you can pick up so much.”

He said the Eagles introduced the use of this technology to help improve their game and performance, making them world leaders in its

Sharrod Wellingham and Kevin

application.

“Munster (Rugby) only got it last year and the NFL and MBA in America are just doing it this year. I saw Tyrone this year wearing GPS units as well. Its good to see. I think traditionally sport science might have been frowned upon and the GAA is increasingly taking a more open minded approach about it, which is good for anyone working in this sector. In fact, sports science in Ireland in general is coming on and developing the whole time with the Ruby leagues. Ten or fifteen years ago Leinster, Munster, Ulster would only have been getting going in relation to professional development but they are pretty good at this stage.”

But even with best will, practice and

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standards things can still go wrong and the Eagles have had a disappointing season. As far as Kevin is concerned the best thing to do is to turn a bad situation around and make a positive of it. “Obviously I’d have loved them to do really well and be pushing for a premiership and getting into finals,” he said. “But because they haven’t there’s a lot of reviews going on about our processes and why we’ve had so many injuries. Its given me an insight into how the high performance manager, the training manager and head of sport science go about fixing the problem and how their minds work.

Its shown me what I should be looking for if I was in their position. If there were no injuries at all or other problems then it would have been a lot different and I mightn’t have learned as much.”

Kevin has been able to develop his own sporting prowess while in Perth and has played with Inakilly, going on to win the league and take part in the championship. As well as being inspired by what he has seen at the Eagles, he has also been very impressed by the standard of traditional GAA sportsmanship he has seen in Perth.

“There is a good standard of hurling here,” he said. “I was surprised, when I came over I obviously knew there was a lot of Irish guys here but I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like, I thought casual or whatever. But they take it pretty seriously and a lot of effort is put into it by a lot of guys over here, so that’s great to see. I reckon the standard is equivalent to intermediate standard in Cork and most of the guys on the team have played senior hurling and we’d be strong enough to give most intermediate teams a run for their money.”

GAA and AFL might be different in many ways including the debate about amateur sports versus professional codes, but the character of the players is much the same according to Kevin.

“Aussie rules is actually pretty similar to hurling in terms of the mindset,” he said. “AFL lads are a lot the same as the GAA lads are. They like a bit of fun, a bit of banter with each other and taking the Mick out of each other and you are expected to be hard in a physically tough sport.”

Kevin found his colleagues and the players to be very supportive, with one of the Eagles Mitch Brown centre half-back - even opening up his home to the Irishman for his stay in Perth.

“I’d like to say thanks to Mitch, but also to Glen Stewart, the coaches, staff and all the guys in the office who were so good to me and Gerard Heasnan, the sports science coordinator who was my direct boss. The experience of working with and alongside the Eagles and their support staff has been an amazing start for me and I can’t thank you enough.”

St Gabriel’s Hurling & CamogieClub

“New Members Welcome” to join contact.

Hurling: Steve 0408 940 265 Camogie: Bronagh 0405 582 123 Facebook: St. Gabriels Hurling WA Our Major Sponsors: m o nf o r d

With our Second year in existence coming to an end recently. St. Gabriels WA Hurling & Camogie Club has grown rapidly in Perth. We would like to thank all the Club Officials, Team Mentors and Players for their huge input in making the 2nd year of the club such a success and we look forward to their support in the coming year.

2013 saw a lot of new comers and beginners join our club, and their commitment and development over the last number of months has most definitely paid off.

St Gabriels retained the WA Camogie League title for their second year in a row and also made their mark, by winning the first ever 15 a side Camogie Championship Title in WA. 2013 saw our hurlers exit the competition to Sarsfields.

“Upcoming event”

St Gabriels Hurling & Camogie Club Annual Dinner Venue: The Pan Pacific, on the 1st November.

Tickets available form club members I would like to wish all our club members and teams who will be participating in the state games the best of luck.

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For more information about our Trade listing please contact Fred Rea 0418 943 832

Sr Scholastica turns 100 Sr Scholastica Hartnett is the last of 16 young Irish sisters who came to Australia to be teaching nuns with the Sisters of Mercy in 1933.

On the 22nd of August, in Craigie, Western Australia Sr Scholastica turned 100, the oldest ever in her religious congregation and grateful for her health, classroom success and life of service.

“The Lord has been good to me,” she said. One of her first posts was St Brigid’s in then West Perth where a young priest and future archbishop, Barry Hickey, would be posted. He joined celebrations for her in the Whitford Catholic parish church and at her nearby aged-care home, Mercyville. Congratulations Sr Scholastica.

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Irish Business Contacts / index

Page: baggage (unaccompanied) 67 Exportair Tim 9477 1080 Butchers 52 Northside Meats Tel: 9249 8039 64 Meat Connoisseur Tel: 9309 9992 CAFE/DELI: Donovans of Floreat - Phone 0450 319 320 37 Mrs O’Brien’s Irish Chipper Tel: 9388 6669 Taste32 Mt Hawthorn - 0448 328 112 Car Retailers: 35 John Hughes, Vic Park - Tel: 9415 0110 39 Northside Nissan - 0416 344 399 celebrant: Marian Bryne Tel: 0410 345 224 Lorna Aylward Tel: 0419 926 830 civil engineers: 30 Neo Infrastructure Tel: 0407475033 Counselling Fiona Carberry, Counselling Psychologist carberrycounselling@westnet.com.au Tel: 0439 549 481 dental: Smile Professionals Tel 9451 1200 employment: 32 Final Trim Operators Tel: 1300 083 599 42 Dornan Ireland (see ad on page 42) Entertainment: DublinUp - Frank Glackin Tel: 0412 987 142 Brendan Woods Tel: 0448 399 928 Celtic Spirit Dancers Tel: 0401 340 229 Fiddlestick - David MacConnell 0413 259 547 Them Little Secrets: Fiona Rea 0404 831 445 Finance/advice: 11 The Loans Café-Nik Silsby Tel: 0402 284594 93 PTR Asset Finance - Tel: 9322 1229 Freight Handlers: 67 Exportair - Tim Hawdon Tel: 9477 1080 Funerals: 33 Hetherington Funerals Tel: 9459 2846 furniture: First in Furniture Joondalup Tel: 9300 9010 irish gifts & homeware: 85 Green Envy Living - Tel 07 5309 5640 hairdressing: 51 Theory for Hair - Tel: 9322 9992

immigration advice: 21 Carol-Ann Lynch 0402 514 741 9 ASC Migration Tel: 93015905 10 Gallagher Migration: Ciaran 041 449 8910 84 Visa4U - Tel: 0416 727 787 Irish Food: Taste Ireland Sydney - Tel: 02 9386 5522 Irish embassy (canberra): (02) 6214 0000 Jewellers: 6 Sean Carroll online: seancarroll.com.au Mechanics / car sales: 1 Killarney Autos - Neil Lenihan 0439 996 764 BVM Autos - Mike Barton Tel: 0413 889 501 Music: Zenith Music, Claremont Tel: 9383 1422 Music Schools: Cottage School of Music Tel: 9312 2200 Pubs, Clubs & restaurants: Bailey Bar & Grill Joondalup Tel: 9300 0633 90 Breakwater, Hillarys Tel: 9448 5000 8,29,34,48,49 Carnegies, Perth Tel: 9481 3222 45 Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 37 Durty Nelly’s, Perth Tel: 9226 0233 3 Fenian’s / Novotel, Perth Tel: 9221 1200 Friar Tuck’s, Wannanup Tel: 9534 4788 96 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco Tel: 9381 5213 18 JB O’Reilly’s, Leederville Tel: 9382 4555 14 Mooney’s Irish Sandwich Bar Tel: 9221 4872 41 Paddy Maguire’s, Subiaco Tel: 9381 8400 36 Paddy Malone’s Joondalup/Alexander Hgts 26 Rosie O’Grady’s Fremantle Tel: 9335 1645 2 Rosie O’Grady’s Northbridge Tel: 9328 1488 Sweetlips Leederville Tel: 9242 5745 & Fremantle Tel: 9430 6902 11 The Mighty Quinn, Tuart Hill Tel: 9349 9600 24,25 The Cure Northbridge Tel: 9227 9055 15 The Shed, Northbridge Tel: 9228 2200 13 Voyage Kitchen Tel: 9447 2443 Woodvale Tavern, Woodvale 9309 4288 65 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford Tel: 9377 1199 Real Estate: 17 Professionals Kelly Team YokineTel: 9344 5544 28 Peard - Valerie Tel: 0404 864 932 Rose of Tralee: Jessica Tel: 0402 427 709

Solicitors & Legal: 27 Kavanagh Lawyers - Tel: 0430 960 859 Sport - Clubs and Information: Celtic Supporters’ Club Jon Tel: 9328 1488 89,90 GAA - Rob O’Callagahan 0407 421 224 91 Shamrock Rovers - Bill Tel: 0439 953 957 93 St Gabriel’s Hurling Club -Stephen 04088940265 Irish Golf Club of WA Martin 0419934681 THEATRE: 60 Irish Theatre Players-Ivan 0417 903 256 training: 47 CertPlus Training Tel: 9278 2531 Travel & Tourism: 30 British Travel - Jenny Allen Tel: 9388 3114 5 Flightworld Michael Deering Tel: 9322 2914 Tourism Ireland, Sydney Tel: 02 9299 6177 tyres, batteries, brakes wheels: 14 Tyrepower: Perth City - Fiona: Tel: 9322 2214 WEDDING RECEPTIONS: 45 The Celtic Club, West Perth Tel: 9322 2299 welfare (irish): 9 Claddagh Association Joan Tel: 0403 972 265

Legendary Irish Singer/Songwriter

t Direc m o fr d...

Irelan

Support performance by

Áine Tyrrell For booking information visit

www.ainetyrrell.com For more general information visit www.seantyrrell.com www.ainetyrrell.com

Sean Tyrrell & Áine tyrrell at the Celtic Club West Perth

on Friday 6th September: Time: 7pm Cost: $80pp (incl dinner)

Also @ Kidogo Arthouse Bathers Beach/Mews Rd Fremantle 7th Sept at 8pm Bookings: www.trybooking.com

The Irish Scene

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

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Pie & Pint Night Every Thursday All welcome to join in.

Every Sun -1pm to 3.30pm.

Live music from 7pm.

(except on match days at Pattersons Stadium, Subiaco)

Jane & Fiona

Book your Function at the Club!

...the golden voices of Fiona and Jane

will entertain you while you enjoy your lunch at the club. They are brilliant artists with a wonderful repertoire of Irish and other songs.

There are four choices of main course on offer (including a vegetarian option) at $18 for adults and $9 for children. Dessert is just $5

Contact the club on 9381 5213.

We have 3 function rooms and can cater for up to 200 people!

Full bar and catering options are available.

LIVE GAA FINALS DIRECT FROM IRELAND Come and see them on our big screen and enjoy the craic.

Call the club on 9381 5213 for details

International Rugby

Senior’s Lunch

WALLABIES vs ARGENTINA

first Friday of each month.

Bar open from 12 noon. Lunch at 1.pm.

DJ Oliver McNerney & Guitarist Joe Carroll

Saturday 14 September from 6pm

Northern Soul at the club on the first Saturday of the month.

Inquiries to Pete: 0417 920263 www.perthsoul.com

‘irishclub western australia’

OPENING HOURS & ACTIVITIES

The Irish Club of WA is a Members Only Club, membership forms can be downloaded from the website.

MONDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late / Comhaltas - Music Lessons & Set Dancing from 8.00pm followed by the Seisiun TUESDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late AFL Match Days WEDNESDAY: Bar open 4pm The club will open three hours before THURSDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late / Pint and Pie Night / Music session 7.00pm each home game at Pattersons Stadium and will be open after the game. Food FRIDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late / Kitchen open 5.30pm - 8.30pm will be served prior to the game.

SATURDAY: Bar open 4pm to Late / Kitchen open 5.30pm - 8.30pm SUNDAY: Bar open from 12 noon to 10pm. Kitchen Open from 12.30 to 2.30pm and live music from 1pm to 3.30pm.

61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, WA 6008

Tel: +61 8 9381 5213 Fax: 9381 9764 irish1@irishclubofwa.com.au www.irishclubofwa.com.au 96