WESTERN AUSTRALIA
IRISH FAMINE MEMORIAL BY FRED REA, CHAIRMAN
Western Australia An Gorta Mor Commemoration 2020 Cancelled! Sadly, the WAIFC have had to cancel our Western Australia Commemoration 2020. As you will know, Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected all public gatherings and events. It was planned for World International Irish Famine Day on Sunday 17th May. We ask individuals to visit the memorial over the weekend and lay a flower in memory of An Gorta Mor and the girls who came to Western Australia following the famine.
GERALDTON COMMEMORATION 2020 If restrictions are lifted, we are planning a commemoration in Geraldton later this year. Thanks to the tireless work of Jim Egan and historian Gillian O'Mara, who found six of the Bride Ship girls who settled in the Geraldton area and they will be remembered. A Travel Box has been ordered from Arbour Hill Prison (subject to COVID-19 clearances). The girls and what we know about them are listed below. Bride Ship 'Palestine' Girls • Martha Egan, from Cork - Father John Egan – married Charles Gilbert • Winifred Ward, from Galway - Parents Jacob & Brigid Ward – married Michael Brownrigg Bride Ship 'Travencore' Girls • Honora Barry, from Kilmore, Kerry – parents Thomas Barry & Mary Buck – married John Handley • Honora (Anney) Flannery, from Tipperary - father Patrick Flannery & Mother Maria Ryan – married John Bracken • Biddy (Bridget) Hastings, unknown County – married John Cummings • Mary Ann Tuohy, unknown County – married John Walsh
NEW BROCHURE Thanks to a kind donation by Paddy Monaghan, we have produced a brochure for the memorial. You will find a copy on our website www.waifc.org/ THE IRISH SCENE | 70
MEMORIAL MAINTENANCE Our thanks to the City of Subiaco who are looking after the memorial and surrounds. Our sincere thanks also to Frank Smyth who drops in now and then and also gives the memorial a clean if required.
RESEARCH GROUP The WAIFC are planning to set up a research group for all the girls who arrived on the Bride Ships in Western Australia following An Gorta Mor. If you are interested in helping please contact us via email waifc@gmail.com
