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100 Years Ago He Died For Irish Freedom....................................10 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration....44 A New Celtic Dawn................................ 73 Ag Seilg sna Rosa...................................72 Around The Irish Scene......................... 52 Australian Irish Heritage Assoc...........77 Australian Irish Dancing Assoc...........86 Barcelona And The “Big Fella”............ 42 Basketball Blip........................................88 Bill Daly - Listening Skills.....................50 Book Reviews.......................................... 78 Claddagh Report....................................58 Family History WA................................. 70 Famine Memorial Unveiling................. 55 From Home To Home: Oral Histories Of Irish Seniors In Western Australia......60 Funerals In Ireland During Covid.........64 GAAWA................................................... 92 GAA Junior Academy............................ 94 G’day From Gary Gray...........................48 G’day From Melbourne.......................... 62 Hand In Hand......................................... 25 Irish Choir Perth......................................84 Irish Golf Club Of WA...........................90 Irish Theatre Players..............................85 Isteach Sa Teach.....................................46 Key Moments In A Great Escape..........67 Matters Of Public Interest.................... 32 McGowan Made His Mark......................8 Meeja WAtch...........................................16 My First Holy Communion.....................51 On A Wing And A Prayer For Fatima Secrets.....................................4 Pat Cleary - Always A Giver.................68 Paula From Tasmania..............................74 Shamrock Rovers....................................91 Sky’s The Limit For Future Celebrations................................. 12 St Patrick’s Day Celebrations Around Perth.......................................... 26 St Patrick’s Day Mass............................ 45 Tasmania’s Irish Convict History...........76 Ulster Rambles.......................................56
On a wing and a prayer FOR FATIMA SECRETS BY LLOYD GORMAN
WHAT HAVE A FORMER MONK FROM PERTH, WA, AN AER LINGUS BOEING 737 AND THE VATICAN GOT IN COMMON? EXACTLY 40 YEARS AGO ON MAY 2nd, THESE THINGS WERE INVOLVED OR IMPLICATED IN ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL HIJACKINGS IN AVIATION HISTORY. On that date in 1981, Flight 164 – with 103 passengers and 10 crew – was on a regular lunchtime flight from Dublin to London. The trip was uneventful until the plane was just a few minutes away from landing at Heathrow. A man came out of the toilet – doused in petrol – and carrying what appeared to be two vials which he said was cyanide gas, according to a cabin crew member. The man – Laurence Downey, originally from Western Australia but who was living in Churchtown, South Dublin at the time – demanded the plane be redirected to Tehran because he had drafted a new constitution for Iran and he wanted to deliver it himself. There was nothing about the unassuming man or his manner that suggested what he was going to do next. Passenger Terry McCormack, who was travelling with her young daughter – probably no older than ten – was interviewed for RTE News at the time. She gave this description of him and the lead up to the hijacking.
4 | THE IRISH SCENE
“When we got on the plane we sat in the first row of the smoking and he came on and sat beside us, he looked like a very prosperous well dressed businessman, grey hair, very tanned,” she said. “He sat down and as we started to take off he asked Sinead if she’d ever flown before, and she said yes and I said yes, that we go back and forth quite a lot. He said she’s quite an experienced traveller then! He was very polite to us he took out a brief case and started reading some notes, and when the drinks came he had a brandy and passed us our drinks and then he smoked a cigar, he just sat there. We didn’t suspect anything and as the captain said we were approaching London, he got up, I thought he’d gone to the toilet but he came back and went to the front of the plane.” The crew were able to reason with him that if he wanted to fly the extra 5,000km to reach Tehran they would need to refuel and so they changed course and landed at Le Touquet, Normandy. French authorities were waiting for the plane to arrive.
ON A WING AND A PRAYER FOR FATIMA SECRETS
Left: Passengers and air hostessess inside the Aer Lingus Flight 164 in 1981. Right: The Kingman Daily Miner article about the hijacking from May 3, 1981. Below: Passenger Terry McCormack and her daughter Sinead who were on the plane
As odd as his claims about a new constitution for the Iranian people sounded, the real motivation behind the hijack was even stranger. It was during the approximately eight hours the plane spent on the runway that Downey demanded the release the third secret of Fatima by the Vatican. He had a religious but hardly conventional background. Downey had been a Trappist monk in Rome in the 1950’s but was expelled from the order after punching the superior in the face. He then worked as a tour guide in Fatima, Portugal, the site where in 1917 three children claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary in a vision and been told three great secrets. Two of the secrets were revealed in 1941 and appear to be about the two World Wars. It was speculated the third secret related to World War III but it remained a mystery, even after a written account by one of the children had been opened by the Vatican in 1960, and then sealed again. It is said that Pope John XXIII had a look of horror on his face when he read the secret. Instead of a new Iranian constitution, Downey’s briefcase contained a nine page handwritten
statement which the pilot threw to the ground from the cockpit. Downey wanted the Irish Independent to publish the account of his efforts to reveal the secret. Over the next few hours he was in contact with the then editor of the Independent, Vincent Doyle. The 3,500 word manifesto was transcribed and sent to the newspapers Dublin office by telex. Just as Doyle came on the radio and agreed to publish the document, French paratroops stormed the plane and quickly overpowered him. The plane’s pilot held his arm until he was subdued. One of the first people to get access to the plane in the moments after the daring rescue was then transport minister Albert Reynolds, who flew in to manage the situation for the Irish government. After talking with passengers the Longford politician emerged to brief the media. “They [French paratroops] came in from the rear and side doors,” Mr Reynolds explained. “The special forces soldiers rushed the hijacker after an ambulance took a woman off the plane who had fallen ill. After eight hours sitting on
the tarmac, the drama was suddenly over in the blink of an eye. “He didn’t notice the lights go on in the cockpit so they came in with the element of surprise... he didn’t offer any resistance, there was no trouble and that was it, nobody was hurt,” added Reynolds, who ten years later would become Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minsister). “Its a rather unusual one, it wasn’t a hijack as we would normally associate one. This fella had a small bottle of liquid which he claimed was cyanide... He certainly had petrol sprayed over him and petrol as you know will not show up on a scanner like other liquids.” After being allowed to leave the plane for a meal and fresh air, the passengers and crew reboarded the aircraft and finished their journey. Downey was taken away for questioning but it took nearly two years before he was tried in a Calais court in 1983. The vials he threatened the plane with contained blue toilet salts and vodka, it emerged during the trial. Downey was sentenced to five years in jail but was released after 16 months and deported to Australia. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
THE IRISH SCENE | 5
ON A WING AND A PRAYER FOR FATIMA SECRETS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Left: Former Transport Minister Albert Reynolds on steps outside plane with passenger coming out of the plane this as significant and attributed his survival on the day to her protection. He believed the hand of Mary moved one of the bullets that should have killed him. He spent three months in hospital and exactly one year after the attempt he went to Fatima, Portugal where he had the deadliest of the bullets that hit him encased in Our Lady’s crown, where is remains to this day.
About 25 years ago he was reported to be living near Perth where he was a wanted man. Local police here wanted to interview him about an alleged $70,000 land fraud. He is reported to have then fled Australia – and a wife and five children. Even at this stage Downey had led a colourful life and had already been a merchant seaman, mercenary and professional boxer. He ended up in Shannon, where he set up a language school. In the same year of the hijacking he wrote to then Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald disgruntled about his treatment and the reception he got. “I went to Ireland thinking she was an oppressed underdog,” he wrote. “I tried to help in the hope that I might be accepted in the land of my ancestors, but they hated me without cause and told me not to interfere.” If he is still alive today Mr Downey would be 96 years old. If he is and would like to speak with Irish Scene about this chapter in his life, we would love to hear from him and give him a chance to publish the full story in his own words. Just eleven days after the hijacking – the only time an Aer Lingus flight has been targeted in this way – the world and Catholic Church was rocked by another incident. The attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City by Turkish man Mehmet Ali Ağca happened on May 13 1981. The Pontiff was hit four times and badly wounded in the attempt on his life. There might not have been a direct link between the two incidents, but they appear to be connected. During his time in prison, Ağca became obsessed with Fatima and even claimed during the trial that he was the second coming of Jesus Christ and also demanded the Vatican release the Third Secret. On June 26, 2000 Pope John Paul II – who had visited Ireland in 1979 – finally revealed the missing meaning. May 13th - the date of the attempted murder of the leader of the Catholic Church – was also the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to the three children. The Pope – who died five years later and is now a Saint - is said to have regarded
6 | THE IRISH SCENE
There are many interesting aspects to all this but one of them involves Iran. In his 2013 memoirs, Ağca claimed that his orders to kill the pontiff came from the Iranian government and Ayatollah Khomeini. If this is some unlikely coincidence with Downey’s initial hijack claim about Iran we will probably never know. In yet another mysterious aspect to this story, when the state papers about the hijacking were opened in Dublin some 30 years later, they were filed under the heading ‘Ireland: Question of return to Commonwealth’. Stranger and stranger!
A HOLY SHOW Irish playwright Janet Moran was watching an episode of Reeling in the Years on RTE when she saw news footage about the 1981 hijacking. The clip – which can be easily found by searching online or in the RTE archives – inspired her to write a stage comedy about the incident: ‘A Holy Show’ which was produced as part of the 2019 Dublin Fringe Festival and was due to tour Ireland and even Paris last year, until COVID hit.
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THE IRISH SCENE | 7
McGowan made his Mark ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ST PATRICK’S DAY, BUT MARK McGOWAN FIRMLY OWNED THE OCCASION. In what was may have been his first – or at least one of his earliest - public appearances since the March 13 ballot landslide election he personally spearheaded, Premier McGowan made a lunchtime visit to a packed Irish Club in Subiaco where he got a rock star reception. The Labor leader arrived fresh from an engorged party room meeting of all his MPs, the largest in the WA party’s history. He was greeted at the entrance to Club by a reception party that included Club President Alan O’Meara, Consulate Marty Kavanagh and the unmistakable Rob Kearney. The Western Force fullback posed for photos and chatted with the popular politician before returning to a training session with his team mates. 8 | THE IRISH SCENE
BY LLOYD GORMAN
A little time earlier, Kearney – Ireland’s most decorated rugby player who had joined the WA Club only weeks beforehand – had mingled with revellers and fans already in the club. On any given day a chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Rob Kearney would be highlight enough, but the main act was just taking the stage. Mr McGowan’s arrival upstairs charged the electricity already in the room. There was an avalanche of applause, cheers and even a group at one table who sang ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’. He was quickly ushered behind the bar where he poured a pint of Guinness (see page 30). He was then escorted by bodyguards and members of his team through the throng and crush to the top of the room to where the musicians were playing to address the audience. He thanked the crowd – and minister Stephen Dawson, (newly elected Nedlands MP) Dr Katrina Stratton and Hon. Consulate Marty Kavanagh – for the opportunity to join in the festivities.
Toast of the Irish! Premier Mark McGowan at the Irish Club, where he was greeted by Irishman Rob Kearney of the Western Force (left), and was entertained by some of Perth’s talented Irish dancers
McGOWAN MADE HIS MARK ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Below: Paddy & Lena pictured in front of the Irish Club recently, and on their wedding day (right)
“Thank you for having me here for Paddy and Lena’s 65th wedding anniversary,” Mr McGowan added for the Galway couple and co-founders of the Irish Club. “Its a wonderful achievement, Patrick and Lena were part of the original members of the Irish Club of WA, and its wonderful to have you here today, and its wonderful you got married on St. Patrick’s Day,” the Premier said. “Can I thank you all for the invitation to come today and enjoy this important celebration of all things Irish and indeed here in Western Australia we are one of the few places in the world where we can all have a beer and stand up at the same time. When you Facetime them in Ireland make sure you show them what a great time we are having here in Perth. Ireland and other parts of the world may not be as good as what we are experiencing and enjoying here in Western Australia. “I’ve just been re-elected, I’m very grateful to the people of the state and humbled by what people have done, very appreciative. I wanted to make that very plain to you all and secondly can I acknowledge the Irish Community of Western Australia?” A woman at the front of the audience shouted back “Yeah ya can!” which raised some laughs. McGowan added: “A wonderful part of Australian life, the Irish community, I don’t know if you realise but my last name is Irish and one of my life ambitions actually is to go back to Ireland – I’ve never been there... No, I’ve never been there but my heritage on both sides are all Irish and the Irish community of Western Australia going back as we all know for over 200 years now has been responsible for so much of what makes Australia great, and so much of our way of thinking and our social life, our desire always to help those less fortunate is because of our Irish heritage, because Irish people came out here over 200 plus years and at various points of time they had not much money. They came from very poor backgrounds
and obviously they wanted to create a better life here in Australia and worked hard to achieve that. So much of what Australia is today is because of the Irish and I want to say thank you and acknowledge that.” Mr McGowan and his entourage, as well as the rest of the room were then treated to a powerful and pounding display of traditional Irish dancing. For the rest of the hour he spent at the Townshend Road premises, the premier was mobbed by folk who wanted to meet him and have their photograph taken with him. More than a few young mums and their babies got their picture taken with him. The last time this writer can remember similar scenes was back in 2013 when former Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof was in town for St. Patrick’s weekend and did a press conference at the club. About an hour after he arrived Mr McGowan left the building, even more popular with the punters than when he arrived. How long such popularity can last remains to be seen!
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THE IRISH SCENE | 9
100 YEARS AGO
he died for Irish freedom GREG MAHONY, FROM BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, CONTACTED IRISH SCENE MAGAZINE WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUEST. Greg is a grandson of Mary Hurley, who came to Australia from Ireland. Her brother, Captain Frank Hurley, 3rd West Cork Brigade, IRA, was shot by the Essex Regiment and killed on 9 May 1921. Before his death in Ireland, he was in a London prison from where he wrote to his sister Mary in Australia, whom he had never met. Greg said the descendants of Cpt. Hurley in Australia and America had planned to travel to Ireland to join family to honour and remember their Irish ancestor at a memorial to him in Bandon. Co. Cork, but of course have been unable to do that due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. “Frank Hurley's descendants would greatly appreciate any assistance Irish Scene can give in our desire to honour him for giving his life for freedom in Ireland,” Greg said. He inherited letters and photographs of Frank Hurley passed down after the death of his grandmother and produced this article. On 9 May 1921 while in custody of the Essex Regiment, he met his death, making a gallant bid to escape into the woods at Castle Mahon/Bernard, Bandon, Co Cork, Ireland. An account of his death is mentioned in ‘Towards Ireland Free - The West Cork Brigade in the War of Independence 1917-1921’ by Liam Deasy and other books on Ireland’s War of Independence, including ‘Guerilla Days in Ireland’ by Tom Barry. John Francis (Frank) Hurley lived at Laragh, outside Bandon, with his parents on a small farm. He was the youngest of 11 children to Daniel Hurley and Julia Lynch. He was born in 1891, some 25 years after the eldest, Mary, my grandmother, was born. Mary came to Australia when she was 171/2 years old, following 10 | THE IRISH SCENE
Captain Frank Hurley (1891-1921), 3rd West Cork Brigade Irish Republican Army Timothy (Tim) Mahony, my grandfather from Murragh, near Bandon. Tim was a labourer and may have been working on the Hurley farm. They married in 1888 in Brisbane, Queensland. Later in that year, they came to Yangan, near Warwick in Queensland where Tim was working on re-erecting the railway bridge that was washed away in the 1887 floods. Mary and Tim had 11 children, of which one died as a baby. They purchased land at Swanfels, near Yangan, where they eventually established a modest sized farm. When they died, their eldest son, Timothy, inherited the farm and on his death the youngest son Thomas (Tom) inherited it. On his death, Tom’s eldest son Timothy inherited the farm and today his son Stephen and family have the farm. Frank and some of his siblings never met their sister Mary, being born after she immigrated. Mary died in
100 YEARS AGO HE DIED FOR IRISH FREEDOM
1957 and many years later, letters from Frank were found behind a framed picture from Mary’s possessions. I suspect this Irish lady was all too careful about the contents of his letters, considering her brother was active in the IRA, fighting British Forces known as the Black and Tans. Australia was a country founded by the British which at that time still held close military ties with England. Mary wrote on an envelope in which she kept the letters, “Last letter I had from Frank. Died 9th May 1921”. She then wrote “Far dearer the grave or the prison illumed by one patriot name than the trophies of all who have risen on liberty’s ruins to fame.” Although never seeing each other, this quote to me obviously shows her love and support for her brother in his death for the cause in Ireland’s freedom. The words are taken from Augustin Thierry (1795-1856), the French Classical liberal historian, who admired the habit of the conquered Irish to sing about their lost liberties. The letters from Frank give an insight of his involvement in the Irish War of Independence, and his transportation by Destroyer to Belfast from Cobh, then after a week onto England. They were written from the Wormwood Scrubs Prison in London in 1920, where he spent time, prior to his release and death in 1921. He mentions the actions of the police, who disguised at night, fire into houses, and who have murdered several. Of his situation he said that “It is Freedom now or slavery for another generation.” Further stating, “Anyway we are not lonely here for
we have the best men in Ireland here.” Mention of a hunger strike was also made. Frank organised that his letters to his sister Mary in Australia would be smuggled out of the prison by ‘Maggie’. It is assumed that this is his sister Margaret. Another sister, Anna, was the leader of the Cumann na mBan (Irish Republican Women’s Paramilitary) of the Bandon district at that time. Tom Barry, in his book ‘Guerilla Days in Ireland’ wrote, “Frank, a veteran Volunteer, Captain of the Laragh Company, was a fine soldier and comrade, and had fought conspicuously with the Brigade Flying Column in many of its engagements.” He was at Crossbarry with the Mount Pleasant/ Farnivane Company. Flor Begley (Piper of Crossbarry fame), father of Diamuid Begley who wrote the book ‘The Road to Crossbarry’ where his father Flor saw action, was interned in 1920 with Frank Hurley in Wormwood Scrubs, along with ‘over one hundred and sixty men.’ Diarmuid has a quote by Grace Lorenza O’Malley which I think along with Thierry shows the feelings of the time – “What can ye know of spirits such as these or of the powers that move them to great deeds ‘gainst frightful odds?. What did they do? You say who will not see, Nor judge their merits further than their gains, They gave their lives –no more!” Captain Frank Hurley is buried with family in the Kilbrogan Cemetery, Bandon, Co Cork, Ireland.
Rest in Peace Frank Hurley – Your many descendants remember you. THE IRISH SCENE | 11
Sky’s the limit FOR FUTURE CELEBRATIONS
BY LLOYD GORMAN
Photo credit Allen Kiely
TOURISM IRELAND’S GREENING PROJECT STARTED 12 YEARS AGO AND IN THAT TIME HAS SEEN SOME VERY IMPRESSIVE LANDMARKS – SUCH AS NIAGARA FALLS – BRILLIANTLY BATHED IN IRISH GREEN. There is no fear of the project running out of steam or new ideas, as the organisers proved in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day when 500 drones were used to mount an incredible light show – called the ‘Orchestra of Light’ – in the skies above Dublin. The swarm of drones were programmed to produced symbols of Ireland’s world-famous traditional music and dance culture, Celtic art and modern images of Ireland and of course a message wishing the world A Happy St. Patrick’s Day. At a time when – for the second time in a row – the country could not turn out and enjoy the occasion this stunning light show was inspired and something that – at least some lucky people living in Dublin – would have been able to watch from through their windows. But the rest of us can also draw some enjoyment from it - Google the name or ‘500 drones Dublin’ and you will find the video. 12 | THE IRISH SCENE
It may only be the second time a light show like this was produced (the first time may have been for New Years Eve 2020 in Singapore, just as COVID-19 was unfolding as a global crisis) but it would be surprising if it was the last. The technology involved is already well advanced and the drones can obviously be well coordinated, but there is no reason why a thousand drones with even more lights and capabilities could not lay on an even bigger show. Forget fireworks (which can be environmentally damaging and drive pets crazy), this could become the new standard by which big public events are celebrated. Planners for events to mark Perth’s bicentennial in 2029 are looking for big ideas to mark the occasion. Why not a drone show that writes the story of WA’s capital in the sky, from its ancient Aboriginal origins to its future ambitions?
SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR FUTURE CELEBRATIONS
IRISH MAKE LIGHT WORK OF GLOBAL DOMINATION
Below, clockwise from top left: Perth landmarks bathed in green for St Patricks Day included the Sky Ribbon bridge; Council House; the Bell Tower; the Joondalup Drive flyover bridge; and Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge
Perth boasted several of the 670 global landmarks bathed in green light for St. Patrick’s Day this year. Some of the by now usual suspects include Council House in St. George’s Terrace, the Bell Tower and even Optus Stadium, but there have been more recent additions such as the bridge across Elizabeth Quay and artwork on the Sky Ribbon bridge on State Route 4 on the way to Perth airport.
Some of the other locations in Australia and New Zealand to take part this year include the following places, perhaps next year there will be even more if local groups and communities ask:
Another bridge is an even more recent addition to line up of local landmarks to join in the global greening project - the Joondalup Drive bridge over Wanneroo Road. The new bridge was lit up thanks to a request by the Carramar and Tapping Residents Association. According to the Wanneroo Times Association president Ian Hammond, the idea of using coloured lights for special events and occasions had been raised during meetings of a reference group during the construction stage. The flyover bridge was opened in August 2020 but it wasn’t until March of this year that it got its first outing. It goes to show it is worth asking Main Roads WA and other similar authorities if they would consider allowing their infrastructure or buildings to go green for the patron saint of Ireland.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sydney Opera House Reddacliff Place sculptures, Brisbane Story Bridge, Brisbane Tropical Display Dome, Brisbane Victoria Bridge, Brisbane Canberra Times Fountain, Canberra Irish Embassy, Canberra Kings Avenue Bridge, Canberra Malcolm Fraser Bridge, Canberra Telstra Tower, Canberra The National Carillon, Canberra Macquarie Mall, Liverpool Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, Melbourne City Hall clock tower, Newcastle Centenary Square, Parramatta Bell Tower, Perth Optus Stadium, Perth CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 Sky Tower, Auckland
THE IRISH SCENE | 13
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL FOR DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Before COVID stopped most of us being able to travel anywhere, one of the great joys of returning home to Ireland for a summer holiday came about as a courtesy of daylight saving. After living in Western Australia long enough you become totally acclimatised to local conditions and seduced by the lifestyle. But on a family trip back to Ireland in July about five years ago now I was pleasantly reminded of something that I had completely forgotten about. That in July or August the long days stretched late into the evening before darkness eventually creeps in and reclaims the night. The fact it could be bright as day until 10pm or even 11pm was a fantastic extension that stretched out fun filled days even more. It is almost five years now since we experienced that trick of time and the happy illusion has stayed with me ever since. Like so many of us, our hopes and plans to travel back to Ireland last summer and then again possibly for this year were dashed by the pandemic. With any kind of luck 2022 will be the year it happens, but even that’s not a sure thing at this stage. Amongst the many other things I was looking forward to was revelling in the never ending day dream of daylight saving. But time on that was running out. After deciding the issue a few years ago through a referendum, the European Union was due to phase out daylight saving in member states this year. Ireland and other countries have have practiced the mind bending art of turning clocks and watches back and forwards an hour since 1916 so it was going to be a big change for the country 14 | THE IRISH SCENE
and quite literally the end of an era. The global pandemic and Brexit may have crippled the EU’s ambitions to cancel daylight saving or at the very least given it a stay of execution. Cutting it out was always going to pose some problems, but with entire countries in lockdown – often more than once - and their leaders struggling to cope with the economic and health crises posed by COVID, daylight saving has moved to the bottom of the pile of things to worry about. Then there is the unique predicament that Ireland faces. With the United Kingdom out of the EU it is not obliged to dump daylight savings in any case, and has no intention of doing so. In the event that Ireland did drop daylight saving, then two time zones would suddenly open up on the island of Ireland, split along the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland. Brexit – which fully kicked in at the start of this year – has already proved difficult to trade and relations with the rest of Ireland. As if things weren’t already tricky enough, splitting time on our small island would just extenuate and exaggerate these and other problems and unforeseen consequences. When the dust settled on the state election in March it was curious to see the issue of daylight saving pop up on the political front here. The issue has been defeated in four referenda in WA between 1975 and 2009 and still the question won’t die. Irish Scene contacted Wilson Tucker, the Daylight Savings Party’s successful candidate for a seat in the Upper House of
Wilson Tucker on his travels to Ireland parliament, to find out if there was any Irish connection. Wilson – who was in the process of trying to get back to WA from America – responded briefly to say that his grandmother was English and his grandfather was Scottish, so his roots are from our part of the world. But he has had the benefit of visiting Ireland in all the glory of daylight savings and ‘really loved the place’. Wilson – who was stateside (USA) when he was elected – has also lived in Canada about 15 years ago, where he made some very good Irish friends. “They are living in Dublin so I paid them a visit (and obviously to the Guinness factory also) and then went to Galway and the Aran islands. It was Summer time so the days were long and everyone seemed to be outside appreciating the weather (except at the Aran islands where it was pouring down, but I believe that’s generally to be expected!). Hopefully many more of us will get the chance to enjoy some of those long summer days again if only we could get back to Ireland for a summer holiday. For more about Wilson Tucker’s election to the Legislative Council see page XXX
SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR FUTURE CELEBRATIONS
‘DAYLIGHT SAVINGS’ AS OLD AS THE HILLS OF IRELAND The flip side of daylight savings is that winter days are short but nights are long, with darkness settling in not very long after returning home from school, if memory serves me correctly. If the concept of adjusting a clock back or forward by an hour still intrigues and even baffles us today then we should remember and respect the genius of our ancient ancestors who figured out a way to use the planet and the solar system to pinpoint the switch from summer time to winter time, and vice versa. Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath is the best known example of how those early people knew when the solstice was and when the length of day was set to change, but it is not the only site in Ireland dedicated to this solar trick. Scientists estimate that Newgrange was built by stone age farmers about 5,200 years ago.
The impressive mound stands on an acre of land and measures 13m (43ft) high and 85m (279ft) across and is surrounded by 97 large kerbstones, many of which - particularly the entrance stone - have ancient Celtic symbols and engravings on them. A remarkable place by any standard (it is a UNESCO World Heritage site), Newgrange is perhaps best known for its ability to mark the winter solstice. Just above the entrance to the passage tomb and internal chamber is an opening called a roof box. The entire structure is built and positioned to mark the winter solstice. At dawn on December 21st and two days before and afterwards, a narrow beam of light from the rising sun pours in through the roof-box and over the course of exactly 17 minutes gradually illuminates the entire passage and chamber, denoting the shortest day of the year as
well as the start of a new year. This feat of amazing astronomical timekeeping pre-dates the pyramids by about 500 years and even Stonehenge. Less well known and less impressive in its scale, there is however a prehistoric cairn (man made structure of stones) in the west of Ireland dedicated to the summer solstice that proves this technology was no fluke of nature or one off. One of the main Carrowkeel cairns in the Bricklieve Mountains in in Co. Sligo also has a roof box through which the setting sun enters for about a month before and after the summer solstice. When the shaft of light hits the back of the two metre long passage (Newgrange has a 19 metre long passage) it is the longest day of the year.
Above: Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath THE IRISH SCENE | 15
Meeja WAtch
BY LLOYD GORMAN
Spotted a story you think should be in Meeja WAtch? Let us know about it – email irishsceneperth@gmail.com
PERTH RADIO WENT GA-GA FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
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There was no mistaking the fact it was St. Patrick’s Day on the ‘wireless’, with many stations joining in for the Irish festivity. Mix 94.5’s breakfast crew Pete, Matt and Kymba broadcast their morning show live from JB O’Reilly’s until 9am, by which stage the craic was already well underway. Talk and news station 6PR certainly gave the occasion a good spread. On his breakfast show Gareth Parker took several calls from people celebrating the day. Amongst them was ‘Dan’ from Durty Nelly’s, who was gave the watering hole a good spruiking as a place to come for something to eat, drink and be entertained. He also told listeners that for the first time its Guinness garden was open for business. About a week earlier Parker put Mark McGowan’s election promise to create a new public holiday if his government was returned to power out to listeners for their feedback. If there’s one thing Aussies love, its a bank holiday weekend and plenty of suggestions flowed through to the talk back show. Caller Barney came up with our favourite (not that we’re biased or anything) idea for a an extra day off for the wider
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Above: 6PR’s Liam Bartlett with Irish Scene editor Lloyd Gorman. Right: Cassie from the 6PR front desk in her green dress community. He floated the idea of March 17 as a good date for the new holiday. Parker picked up on Barney’s brogue and motivation for the proposal, but said the idea had some ‘merit’. The radio presenter revealed that he had met his wife on St. Patrick’s Day but didn’t divulge too much more about it, so perhaps we will follow up with him to find out more in a future edition of the magazine. As it happens Mr McGowan visited the Irish Club less than a week later on St. Patrick’s Day and judging from the reaction he got, you would be forgiven for thinking he had already declared the day a public holiday for all West Australians (see page 8). Meanwhile, Liam Bartlett, who fronts the station’s Morning programme, also had a good 20 minute segment with Irish
MEEJA WATCH
Scene editor Lloyd Gorman in studio and consulate Marty Kavanagh calling in by phone to talk about the day itself and the magazine. Liam’s mum comes from Cork and the high profile media identity holds an Irish passport because of his heritage.
including two trips by Fiorenza himself that have helped strengthen and deepen those bonds associated with his nanna. So March 17 is a special day for him personally, but his wider community is also able to celebrate it in style he added.
“The local Irish club, Following Bartlett’s Above: The Irish dancers who performed at JB O’Reilly’s where 94.5’s morning radio show which has its little show, Steve Mills, headquarters in was broadcast on the day who until recently Wonthella, is always presented the welcoming, let alone breakfast show with now Perth Lord mayor Basil on St Patrick’s Day.” Zempilas, had some great Irish content on ‘Millsy HTTPS://THEWEST.COM.AU/NEWS/GERALDTON-GUARDIAN/ THESE-IRISH-EYES-ARE-SMILING-FROM-A-FARAWAY-LAND-NGat Midday’, including an interview with Irish Club B881819170Z committee member Gillian Forde. Special mention should be made for Cassie on the front desk at 6PR CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 who went all out by wearing a lovely green dress specially for the day. Doubtless there were many other spots on 6PR – including with 6PR’s resident UK correspondent and irrepressible Wexford man Enda Brady – and other local stations, but these were the ones Meeja WAtch caught. In a warmly written piece, Geraldton Guardian journo Peter Fiorenza shared with readers why St. Patrick’s Day has a special place in his heart. His grandmother was Irish and she was a big influence in his life. She passed away some time ago but he says “I could never forget her round, smiling face, her beautiful laugh and her ever so special hugs. Sometimes they were so tight, you lost your breath. Nanna also had a beautiful Irish accent that simply endeared her to everyone she met. Growing up, Nanna was the No.1 babysitter, which meant we grandkids got to spend a lot of time with this wonderful lady, who would tell us endless stories of her time in Australia and back in the north of Ireland. In fact, she inspired me to eventually travel to the Emerald Isle, learn more about my heritage and meet a few rellies along the way.” His grandmother left Ireland in the early 1920’s and it would not be until the late 1980’s that the siblings would have contact with each other. Flowing from that, the Australian branch of the family visited her home town in Co. Fermanagh,
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‘CRATE ESCAPES’
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This may be one of Meeja Watch’s favourite yarns – ever. ‘The crate escape’: Two Irishmen who helped mail friend home from Australia sought’ was published in the Irish Times on April 6. In 1965, Welsh man Brian Robson, then 19, was so homesick and down on his luck that he came up with the idea of mailing himself home inside a wooden crate. Two Irish friends put the lid on the crate and hammered it shut and helped get him from Melbourne to London on a trip which nearly killed him. The trip didn’t go quite to plan and after long delays and difficulties the young Welshman was uncovered in a holding shed in Los Angeles and the story went global. Decades later, Robson appealed to the Irish media to find the pair who made the adventure possible. “I’m 99 per cent sure that they were called Paul and John,” he told the Irish Times. “I couldn’t even tell you their surnames it’s such a long time ago, and I’d only recognise them if I saw photographs of them that were taken at that time. We got on famously… They used to come to my bedsit, or I would go to see them, almost on a daily basis.” As a result of the newspapers coverage, one of the two friends came forward and made contact with Robson, the Irish Times reported on April 17. “Mr Robson said his friend wished to remain anonymous but he was happy to let people know they had made contact,” journalist Alison Healy reported. “The Irish man is trying to establish contact with the second man. “We don’t know 100 per cent where he is, to be honest. He could be anywhere,” Mr Robson said.”
WWW.IRISHTIMES.COM/NEWS/OFFBEAT/MAN-TOMEET-IRISH-FRIEND-WHO-HELPED-AIRMAIL-HIM-FROMAUSTRALIA-1.4539579
While the whole things seems implausible (even impossible) by today’s standards, Healy reminded readers that he was not the first to try the stunt. Only the year before, Australian Reg Spiers had tried the same trip, in reverse. Spiers travelled from Australia to London on his way to Tokyo for the 1964 Olympics where he was to compete on javelin. But he became injured and quickly found himself stranded and penniless in the English capital. His daughter’s birthday was coming up and he wanted to get home in time for her special day. He got a job working with cargo at the airport where he learned how animals were transported by freight. He shipped himself back to Australia in a crate built by his friend and fellow athlete John McSorley, as a cash on delivery order. 18 | THE IRISH SCENE
MEEJA WATCH
that.” He got back in time for his daughter’s birthday. Spiers didn’t let his friend back in London know that he made had it safely back home, so McSorley contacted the media to try and find out more and the story broke, making Spiers an overnight celebrity. WWW.BBC.COM/NEWS/MAGAZINE-31700049
IRISH ANZAC MARTIN O’MEARA HONOURED
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Regular readers of Irish Scene will be very familiar with the WWI story of courage and tragedy personified by Martin O’Meara. Indeed, Tipperary born O’Meara’s service and sacrifice is probably much better known here in WA than it is back in his native Ireland (a lot like John Boyle O’Reilly). The Australian ambassador to Ireland Gary Gray – who was himself born in Yorkshire but has called WA home for most of his life – wrote an outstanding piece about O’Meara for the Irish Times for the occasion of April 25 and ANZAC Day. It is well written and well researched, to which he tips his hat at the efforts of WA author Ian Loftus for his biography of O’Meara, and Australian academic Jeff Kildea who has written extensively about Ireland and the ANZAC’s. Apart from the obvious discomfort of hiding inside a box and being left to bake in the sun for a few hours at Mumbai airport, the cramped journey went much as expected and three days later the crate arrived at Perth and was put into a storage shed where he heard workers complain about the size of the box and he knew where he was. “The accents - how could you miss?” Spiers told the BBC in a 2015 article. “I’m on the soil. Amazing. Wonderful. I made it. I was grinning from ear to ear, but I wasn’t going to let them know I’m there now - I’ve almost pulled the whole thing off. I knew they would take the box to a bond shed. When they put me in the shed I got out straight away. There were cartons of beer in there. I don't drink but I whipped a beer out and had a drink of that. There was no security. I put on a suit out of my bag so I looked cool, jumped through the window, walked out on to the street and thumbed a ride into town. Simple as
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“Sunday is Anzac Day,” the ambassador states toward the end of his article. “It is not a celebration but a commemoration – a remembering of the O’Mearas, the Faheys, the Morgans and the thousands of others who fought and died. Peace, consolidation and forgiveness must be the cornerstone of modern nations if we are to be successful in building a world that lives in harmony. The mistakes of the 20th century cannot be repeated and the importance of remembering the humanity of those who bore the brunt of war remains eternal.” WWW.IRISHTIMES.COM/OPINION/ANZAC-DAY-NOT-ACELEBRATION-BUT-COMMEMORATION-1.4545894
TRUE BLUE AUSSIES NOW!
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As well as ANZAC Day, Australia Day is the other great fixture on the Australian calender. As anyone who has been here for any amount of time knows, Australia Day is a great occasion in its own right, but for some the day is extra special. Every year on January 26 thousands of people from dozens of countries take part in local citizenship ceremonies across WA and the rest of the nation. Joanne and Thomas Crowley and their four children – Sophie, Lily, Cassie and Noel – were amongst 60 people who became citizens on Australia Day at a ceremony staged by Wanneroo Council. Only a month after the Irish family moved to Perth in 2011, they soon found badly needed support from their adopted community. Noel was born three months early and had to stay in hospital for the first four months of his fledgling life. The kindness and support they got from friends, neighbours and hospital staff at that time made a lasting impression on them. “We just had this outpouring of help,” Joanne said. “When you see that come together, you know its a good place to be.” Their story was published in the Joondalup and Wanneroo Times editions of January 21 under the headline ‘Smiling Irish’, and also appeared on the PerthNow website on the same date but with the heading ‘Irish family embrace Australia as second home’. Meanwhile, on January 27 the West Australian published a story ‘Luck of the Irish is finding love 15,000km away’ about a young Irish couple who had just became fully fledged Aussies. The story opens with the curious statement and geographical assumption that even though they grew up “less than
20 | THE IRISH SCENE
two hours apart” it wasn’t until John Gallagher and Aisling MacMahon (below) came to “sunny Perth” that they met and fell in love with each other – and their new home. Anyhow, John told the daily newspaper that becoming citizens at a ceremony in South Perth was a proud moment for pair. “I think having been here for so long now, we hadn’t really realised how much of a big deal this would be, because we always knew this is where we were going to be.” Aisling was of similar mind. “Ireland will always be our home, yes, but this is our home away from home and its where we want to create a new life for ourselves.” WWW.PERTHNOW.COM.AU/COMMUNITY-NEWS/WANNEROOTIMES/IRISH-FAMILY-EMBRACE-AUSTRALIA-AS-SECONDHOME-C-1964508
MEEJA WATCH
CHECKOUT THIS HOTEL QUARANTINE FIASCO
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Up until recently, Michelle O’Dowd and husband Ciaran O’Reilly and their kids Muireann (14), Saoirse (10) and Cadhla (9) called Perth, WA, home for the last five years. Michelle, a native of Easkey, Sligo and family returned to Ireland at the start of April where she was to start work as a nurse in Sligo University Hospital. Their trip home was complicated by the route they took. At the time Australia was not considered to be a ‘high risk’ country with travellers from that country not required to quarantine upon arrival in Ireland. But because they had a 90 minute stop-over in Dubai – with the UAE on the high-risk list – they discovered just two days before they flew out they would need to book hotel accommodation in Dublin, at a cost of $6,000 for a 12 day stint in The Crowne Plaza. During their brief time in an empty Dubai airport and airplane, the family grabbed a McDonalds meal, which was also devoid of customers. Compulsory hotel quarantine for passengers arriving from certain countries started on April 2, the
same day they arrived home. While they were shuffled off to a hotel, other passengers from American and Europe were able to walk through the arrival gates, she said. The hotel rooms the family were put into were small and cramped and unsuitable for five people to be in constantly for nearly two weeks. Michelle was able to generate a lot of media interest in their plight and as a result they were moved to better rooms. “I’ve absolutely no problem with hotel mandatory quarantine, I think it should have been implemented a year ago and it should have been implemented for everybody,” she was quoted in the Sligo Champion. “I want to make extremely clear it’s not mandatory quarantine I have an issue with, it has worked extremely well for Australia and as a result we have lived normal lives for the last year. So it does really work.” They were more comfortable in their new lodgings she added. “This morning is a very different morning because we’ve been actually upgraded to suites, we moved up yesterday at 6.30pm. The hotel have been very helpful, but there will be other families arriving going into the rooms that we left yesterday and there will be lots more families coming to this facility. So it’s of massive concern. “The room we were in yesterday, there is absolutely no room for any children to play, which is taking away their basic right as a child, protocols weren’t followed properly from the minute we landed, there was no test on arrival which we believed. There was just a litany of disasters to be honest.” WWW.RTE.IE/NEWS/CORONAVIRUS/2021/0327/1206518-CORONAVIRUSQUARANTINE-IRELAND/
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MEEJA WATCH
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21
CULTURAL COUP!
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As well as pulling off an amazing cross cultural festival, Kidogo artistic director Joanne Roberts also succeeded in generating a good deal of media interest in the event. The Irish Examiner ran with the story: ‘Singer-songwriters Luka Bloom, Daoiri Farrell, SON (Susan O’Neill) and Steve Cooney and poet Tony Curtis are part of the Irish line-up, working remotely from Ireland and projected onto one of the venue’s walls. Aboriginal performers include blues singer Olive Knight Kankawa Nagarra, The Yabu Band, Dave Milroy & The Wilarra Band and double Grammy Award winner Lucky Oceans. As well as music there were also books, exhibitions, dance and an AFL/GAA football match on Bathers Beach.’ “This is a celebration of two cultures that has never been done before,” Joanne was quoted by the Irish Examiner. “There are long familial and friendship connections between the local aboriginal community and the Irish people that arrived in Australia. This festival is an opportunity to recognise them and create new and exciting creative collaborations.” The festival also scored an article on arts and entertainment website Scenestr, ABC News Perth and RTRFM.
WWW.IRISHEXAMINER.COM/LIFESTYLE/ARTSANDCULTURE/ARID-40244615.HTML?FBCLID=IWAR14K2WYCG3B3BXFW2ARGT_ W7ZKG4BVT6UIFRSZIRI4JXRAQ2BXIGR2103G
From the pages of the past! WHO WAS McCLEMENT? On August 5th 1922, the Albany Advertiser carried this short short article under the headline: “V.C.’s Experience Driven out of Ireland” – Perth, Friday. “Sapper George Jospeh McClement, V.C, arrived at Fremantle by the S.S. Hobsan’s Bay this morning. He says he was driven out of Ireland. His house was raided on three occasions, and once he was seized by masked men and marched along a road for two miles and told he would be shot for “his despicable act in risking his life fighting for England during the war”. Service men decorated with a VC were – and still are – considered to be figures of public interest, who upon return to Australia were normally sought out by journalists for a story. The same thing happened to Martin O’Meara when he came back from service in Europe, where he had won his VC a few years 22 | THE IRISH SCENE
earlier. Quarantine restrictions in place at the time for the deadly Spanish Flu meant that O’Meara and his fellow soldiers had to remain in isolation at Woodman Point, Perth. It was during this period (November 8, 1918) that a reporter for the West Australian newspaper was able to interview him over by telephone. That interview – which quoted him extensively talking about his life – is one of the best personal and first hand accounts we have of him. It was timely too, a few days later he suffered a major mental breakdown that would see him spend the rest of his life in mental asylums in Perth. So there is nothing strange about a VC soldier being named in the press arriving into Fremantle, but there is something odd about this story. It is the type of incident that could easily have happened at the CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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time, with the Irish War of Independence’ raging at the time (January 1919 – July 1921). Any soldier dressed in British/Commonwealth uniforms would have been seen as legitimate targets, so that bit too is highly plausible. The problem with this story is that there is very little evidence of who McClement was, or that he even existed. As we have already seen, VC winners were high profile people in their lifetime and having been awarded the highest decoration for bravery and courage in the face of the enemy, who as such form a small and elite group within the armed services, who are well documented by military historians with accounts of their lives easy to find. Despite several attempts, Irish Scene could not find any VC winner by that name (in any army) or even a shred of evidence of who he was or that he even walked the earth. If anyone reading this can shed some light on his story please get in touch, there is a bigger story here that would be worth telling no doubt. TROVE.NLA.GOV.AU/NEWSPAPER/ARTICLE/70179338?SEARCHTERM=IRELAND%20PERTH
WEST AUSTRALIAN IRISH STRUGGLE TO WIN HORSE
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If the story of the unusual hijack attempt of an Aer Lingus plane in 1981 made you reminiscent for a different era, then here’s another flashback to the same year with an Irish and WA connection. On April 23, the Sydney Morning Herald reprinted an ‘archives’ story it had published on the same date in April 1981. It concerned a battle between one of WA’s richest men, one of Australian’s greatest Melbourne Cup trainers and an Irish bloodstock agent to buy a horse at the Easter yearling sales. In a high stakes bidding war multi-millionaire Robert Holmes à Court from the West, Bart Cummings – 12 time Melbourne Cup winner of Irish heritage – and amateur rider turned bloodstock agent legend Patrick ‘PP’ Hogan slogged it out to buy the chestnut colt Luskin Star-Visit. Bragging rights eventually went to Holmes à Court for the princely sum of $825,000 – a massive sum by the standard of the day but even more remarkable because the horse would not have to win a single race to merit the eye watering price tag. “I don’t believe any racehorse is worth more than $100,000 purely on
the score of his racing ability,” the cigar puffing WA tycoon was quoted by the newspaper. “If he does well on the racetrack that’s well and good, but the idea is to breed from him more than anything else.” WWW.SMH.COM.AU/SPORT/RACING/FROM-THE-ARCHIVES1981-825-000-AND-HE-NEEDN-T-WIN-A-RACE-20210415P57JGK.HTML
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ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS AROUND PERTH
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ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS AROUND PERTH
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ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS AROUND PERTH
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Matters Of PUB-Lic Interest
BY LLOYD GORMAN
PINT PULLING POLLIES Politicians make terrible barmen! Every once in a blue moon they show up at a pub, cause a commotion, pull a pint of Guinness, smile for the cameras and disappear as quickly as they came. But more than any other occupation, politicos are encouraged to step behind the bar counter and help themselves to the taps – usually after a bit of advice on technique from an actual bar person who knows what they are doing. The ability to pour a pint like a natural is akin to having an Irish passport (almost). But even if these amateurs don’t pull it properly, it doesn’t really matter. It makes for a great photo opportunity for photographers and TV camera crews, one that overseas or visiting prime ministers and presidents alike seem happy to indulge in given half a chance. A pint of Guinness does make a good prop. But there is a big difference between pulling a pint of plain and drinking it, especially if you are not acquainted with the distinctive taste and texture of the Irish stout. Mark McGowan pulled his pint of the black stuff relatively well but pouring it down his neck appeared to be a bit of a struggle. After making his speech to a packed Irish Club (see page 8) and taking the first big gulp, the premier’s enthusiasm to imbibe the black stuff appeared to wane as he took increasingly small sips (as a non-Guinness drinker this writer can relate 32 | THE IRISH SCENE
Top: WA Premier Mark McGowan showing off his skills behind the bar at the Irish Club. Above: Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke had a reputation as a fun loving beer swiller who could pull his own pint
MATTERS OF PUB-LIC INTEREST
to the premier’s predicament). McGowan seems to be happy drinking a beer, which is fair enough, each to their own! But a political hero of his appears to have been more comfortable with the famous Irish porter. Before it became a fashionable photo op for heads of state and the like, Bob Hawke was doing it for the craic, as this old photograph shows. In October 1987 the Labor Party leader and Prime Minister – who grew up in and around West Leederville and Perth – made an official visit to Ireland (PM’s Bob Menzies and Gough Whitlam had previously visited before him). Hawke – who had a reputation as being a good old fashioned Aussie Larrakin – can claim something
Above: Some other famous politicians with their own fresh pints of the black stuff, clockwise from top left: Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Ronald Reagan that none of his predecessors or successors – or any other politician that comes to mind – can. As a 25 year old student in 1954, he won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for sculling a yard of ale in 11 seconds, earning him a reputation as a fun loving beer swilling character for the rest of his life. He died on May 16, 2019, aged 90.
MEET THE GUINNESS GURU Don Marnell knows everything there is to know about the proper way to pour and drink a pint of Guinness. As the Guinness ambassador for Australia, many would argue he has the best job in the world. He goes from place to place and venue to venue sharing his elephantine knowledge of the iconic Irish stout with bar staff and customers alike. On April 9 ‘The Don’ dropped into The National Hotel in Fremantle to bring the ultimate Guinness experience the locals. Karl Bullers, managing director with the National said he was a big hit with the 70 people who attended the event. “Don ran an impromptu Guinness quiz giving away some great merchandise for correct answers, incorrect answers and just for the hell of it,” laughed Karl. “He got around all the tables and shared many Above: Don ‘The Don’ Marnell, the Guinness Ambassador for Australia at a recent visit to Paddy Malone’s pub in Joondalup
CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
THE IRISH SCENE | 33
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beer related stories with the guests before getting behind the bar and explaining the art of pouring great Guinness and giving out a few free pints to the thirsty patrons.” As well as getting one on one access to the popular brand manager, guests were also treated to Irish ballads from Sean Roche, Ivan O’Connor and other musicians. The pub laid on a series of Irish favourites to bolster its a la carte menu and the vast majority of participants tucked into a hearty lunch as well. “Most guests were hanging around for the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the Irish music and sociable banter,” added Karl. “Look out for Don returning later in the year, where he might just host a dinner for Guinness lovers at The National Hotel.” Around the same time, the Guinness guru also paid an official visit to another well known watering hole for serving perfect pints. Don said the black stuff was flowing freely and the craic was mighty at Paddy Malones Irish Pub in Joondalup. He passed on his considerable knowledge to bar staff and drinkers at the Galway Hooker in Scarborough and also popped up at the Jarrah Bar in Hillarys, home to Fanny McGee’s Craic bar. Marnell gave a master class in how to pull a pint of the black stuff to the bar’s Guinness Club, which meets there weekly.
Left: Don brought his Guinness experience to the National Hotel for a fun filled event which included music from local Irish musicians
Owner Wes Darcy said porter was a popular tipple for his customers. “We’re delighted to announce that we are now in the top 10 for Guinness sales in WA,” the Wicklow man said.
FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW The Perth St. Patrick’s Corporate Lunch was held at Crown Casino on March 12, one of a few similar events held across Australia for the special occasion. The local event was organised by the WA branch of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce WA lunch for St. Patrick’s Day. Outgoing IACC WA president Mark Black – who ended up by handing over to Sally Anne Lewis – thanked several people and groups for helping pull together the sold out event which had more than 600 people in the ball room. Special mention went out to the ARK Group which supplied kegs of Guinness and Kilkenny specially for the occasion and heavy concentration of drinkers of the iconic Irish drinks. Mark recalled earlier events organised by the chamber which had between 30 and 40 people in the backroom of Durty Nelly’s (owned by the ARK Group 34 | THE IRISH SCENE
– as is the Galway Hooker in Scarborough). “That’s not long ago, we’ve come a long way,” he told the sea of faces. Indeed, the event has come a long way in just 12 months. Last year’s corporate lunch was held at the same venue on Friday the 13th of March. Back then the threat of COVID-19 was moving into all our lives with the speed and damaging effects of a cyclone. Earlier that morning, the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival – due to be held the next day – was called off and as the pressure mounted minute by minute it looked like the looming danger might derail the lunch. Certainly there were cancellations and some nervousness about what was happening but it went ahead and was the only opportunity many in the community got to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day last year. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36
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SISTER ACT They might be sister pubs with the same parent company (ARK Group) but Durty Nelly’s and The Galway Hooker are also highly competitive siblings according to a recent Stirling Times article, republished on PerthNow. Venue manager for the Galway Hooker Caoimhe O’Neill was interviewed ahead of St. Patrick’s Day festivities kicked in. “We pride ourselves on serving the best Guinness in Australia so we’ve ordered enough to pour around 5820 perfect pints on the day,” Caoimhe said. “We are basing this on how many pints of Guinness we sold last year, and with the disruption to our celebrations, we are hoping this year that we can blow last year out of the water. “Also, we have that friendly sibling rivalry with Durty Nelly’s, so if they sell 60 kegs of Guinness, we want to be selling 61.” The newspaper said Durty Nelly’s poured more than 4,000 pints of Guinness on March 17 last year.
Above: St Patrick’s Day silliness at the Galway Hooker in Scarborough
EX-PAT FROM AUSTRALIA TAKES OVER GUINNESS IRELAND Change is afoot for the Guinness brand in Ireland and Australia. Diageo - the London based multinational company that owns the iconic Irish brand – is seeing changes in its leadership in both nations. The Guinness manufacturer in Ireland is losing managing director and Dubliner Oliver Loomes who will be replaced by Barry O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan stepped into the role on Monday 19th April and will work with his predecessor until the end of June as part of a transition plan. The new arrival comes to the top job from a very different business outside the drinks trade. He was with the Mars Petcare company for 25 years, the last six of which have been spent as general manager of the company’s operations in Australia and New Zealand. One of the first things he did when he arrived in Australia in 2016 was to adopt a rescue dog, a very distinctive Australian breed of dog. “Her name is Lola and she’s a kelpie,” he told CEO magazine in November 2020. “She’s always been my closest, constant companion, but even more so during COVID-19. Fortunately, we have an office environment that allows her to come to work with me – not in the factory, of course! – so she’s by my side pretty much at all times.”
Top: New Guinness Ireland managing director, Barry O’Sullivan and his beloved kelpie Lola. Above: David Smith, who has moved from Australia to Madrid to begin a new role at Diageo 36 | THE IRISH SCENE
Meanwhile, Diageo Australia is also losing its MD. Around the same time that O’Sullivan started his new career with Guinness, David Smith left Australia (but not the company) to head up its operations in southern Europe where he will be based in Madrid. Smith came to Australia about the same time as O’Sullivan and both men joined their respective companies on graduate programs and have worked their way to the top of the pile.
MATTERS OF PUB-LIC INTEREST
Right: Some of the crew having a laugh at new Irish bar, Ric O’Shea’s
GRAND OPENING – BETTER LATE THAN NEVER It was a big night and a full house for the official opening of Ric O’Shea’s Irish pub in the Beaconsfield Hotel just a few days ahead of St. Patrick’s Day itself. Resident Irish museo Sean Roche and friends provided the music and craic, while a troupe of Irish dancers brought the house down. Scott and all the bar staff and crew were busy but looked like they were enjoying the occasion and having their photograph on the cover of the last issue. Ric’s did open its doors last year, but just days before the entire state was plunged into lockdown. Just as an interesting aside, Paul North, owner of JB O’Reilly’s in Cambridge Street, West Leederville, told me that Ric O’Shea’s was one of the names he considered calling his emporium when he opened it all those years ago in the early 1990’s. Instead, the Wexford born publican opted instead to pay tribute to a ‘local’ legend, Irish patriot John Boyle O’Reilly, who spent a short stint in the Swan Colony at the pleasure of the Crown before making a brave bid for his own freedom and then helping to engineering another daring escape for his Fenian comrades nearly ten years later.
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HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS? PADDY HAS BEEN SOBER FOR 8 DAYS. NOT IN A ROW OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. JUST IN TOTAL.
TWELVE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD – A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER On March 15 the two peak groups for the Irish pubs of Ireland launched a new campaign to mark the anniversary of the first year since pubs were forced to close because of COVID-19. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) joined forces to launch the #NotDisposable campaign. The joint effort aims to remind the public of the many people behind pubs, hospitality, arts and entertainment who have largely been out of work since last March. The campaign was born as a result of a heartfelt TV interview (Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show on February 16th) in which drag performer and Panti Bar owner Rory O’Neill – aka Panti – described the impact of his life and sector. “I’m struggling at this stage,” a clearly upset and emotional O’Neill – who is also a gay rights activist – admitted. “It’s been a year now and I’m just banging my head off the wall, cos there is no real end in sight for us… I read this thing I can’t get out of my head, 70% of the population have saved money during the pandemic and I was like, I live in a parallel universe because everybody I know who works in the entertainment industry or the bar or hospitality, we’ve all lost everything. So I spend all my days arguing with the bank over mortgage payments or whatever because everything just ended. It turns out that our industry is utterly disposable. I think the experience of the pandemic has been very different for different sections of the population.” Pubs and others participating in the campaign across the country were encouraged to post their pre-COVID photos to social media throughout Monday 15th March 2021, a date which marks exactly one year since the pubs closed. Pubs were the first sector of the economy to shut their doors at the outset of the pandemic, supporting the Government’s instructions for the good of public health. CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
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Since then approximately 250 traditional pubs in Dublin have not opened for a single day, while the majority of pubs in the country were only able to trade for a period of two weeks in late September. The LVA and the VFI hoped the campaign will remind the public that there are a lot of people who depend on pubs, hospitality, arts and entertainment and that the future of these sectors does matter to Irish society. Before the pandemic an estimated 50,000 people were directly employed in more than 7000 pubs across Ireland. Meanwhile, at the end of March the Irish government announced a new strategy for rural Ireland which may also help rescue country pubs. The ‘Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’ has many ambitious to improve the quality of life and services in Ireland’s towns, villages and farming and tourism areas. The strategy will “explore the potential to develop a pilot scheme to support the use of rural pubs as community spaces and hubs for local services”. Minister for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said the concept was based on the ‘Hub in the Pub’ model from the UK and had been discussed with the VFI – which represents country pubs specifically. “We are teasing out how, maybe, pubs can be used for different purposes during the day,” Minister Humphries – who visited Perth a few years ago for St. Patrick’s Day – said. “It could be working spaces. It could be community spaces. It could be many different things and we can look at having high-speed broadband there. We have yet to explore it.” VFI CEO Padraig Cribben welcome the government plan. “As part of this new rural strategy the VFI is engaging with Minister Humphries and the Department of Rural and Community Development about developing programmes to support rural pubs. Our members play a vital role in rural areas so any opportunity to enhance what they offer to local communities is welcome,” he said. “At a time of great uncertainty for the pub sector and hospitality in general, the support from Minister Humphries and her department underlines the value pubs will continue to play in their local communities once they are permitted to reopen. “The pub is here to stay but it’s crucial new ways of doing business are embraced that reflect demographic trends and local demand.” 38 | THE IRISH SCENE
Above: A tweet from Irish bar The Old Punchbowl supporting the #NotDisposable campaign
AN SIBIN ASKS FOR CHANCE TO BE A GOOD SPORT FOR CUSTOMERS Perth’s biggest entertainment precinct has a lot to offer revellers but an Irish pub wants to fill a gap in the market. An Sibin recently applied for an Extended Trading Permit (ETP) from the Department of Racing, Gaming to allow it to stay open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights as well as on Sunday nights for sports games televised from Ireland. More than 500 punters frequent the Northbridge venue each week. “The bulk of these visits being on Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s, unless there is a sporting telecast during the week, proving the popularity of the venue as a controlled and functional facility catering to a unique and specific manner of trade,” the Sibin application states. “Perth boasts plenty of small bars, restaurants and nightclubs however there are limited provisions CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
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of sporting entertainment options. Other than Northbridge, the Irish Club in Subiaco (that we are aware of now) also provide similar sporting coverages. ” An Sibin has been given ETP’s for particular occasions in the past but argued a more permanent arrangement makes sense. “Lock outs have been imposed in previously approved one off permits with varying times alternating between 1 hour, or 20 minutes after the start of each sport telecast,” its application said. “It is our proposal that lock outs be considered but a standard set time is used to maintain it as common knowledge to all parties removing any ambiguity for enforcement. Further to lock out times, we would seek some leniency and understanding in enforcing this matter for matters other than for the sole consumption of alcohol. A number of our customers enjoy the odd cigarette and as we do not allow smoking inside the venue, they seek to venture outside for the duration of a cigarette. This usually is about a 10-minute break and again usually during sporting fixtures. In the past much difficulty and angst has been caused in not allowing patrons to re-enter after such a scenario. ”
Above: Northbridge bar An Sibin is looking for a more permanent arrangement whereby they will be able to open late to show sports games televised live from Ireland
Similar situations have arisen where customers popped outside to make or take a phone call or to arrange a pick up to get home but find they can’t get back in.
homeland sporting culture; by comparison and not unlike a native of Perth watching an AFL game in Ireland.”
“On the understanding that lock out provisions are premised on the consumption of alcohol, we would ask that should a condition be imposed, it be structured so as to allow examples as mentioned above be catered for as these situations detract from providing a safe and friendly environment. The greater part of the market trade for additional hours is targeted towards the entertainment of music and
Their bid for extended trading has the strong backing of customers and the Irish community. Every one of the 118 punters surveyed as part of the application wanted longer opening hours at the weekend. Written support for the proposal also came from sports groups and clubs from across the GAA community, Perth Irish RFC, Irish Families in Perth and the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce.
GUINNESS, WITH A CRUNCH? You might well have to go to Perth in Scotland to get this drink but we couldn’t let this tweet about Arbor Cafe Creme coffee and chocolate stout go past without mention. “Fancied a Guinness earlier in week so ordered this from Craft Beer Bottle Shop, now on S Methven St in Perth, the other day,” one Scot tweeted. “Tastes like a pint of the black stuff with half a Crunchie mixed in. Very sweet but really like it. Would get it again”. 40 | THE IRISH SCENE
MATTERS OF PUB-LIC INTEREST
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IRISH CLUB LOOKING A LOT LIKE ITS OLD SELF As we saw in the last edition of Matters of Public Interest, the Irish Club recently had new doors – complete with inscribed glass panels – installed as part of an upgrade of the premises. Since then the front of the building has also had a fresh lick of paint. As well as looking good, the paint job is reminiscent of how the Club looked in its halcyon days. A photo of the Club from 1988 – taken it seems by one Betty Smith – recently popped up on a new Facebook site displaying old photographs of Subiaco. Apart from the mobile phone mast on top of the building now, it is interesting to note how few changes have been captured in the two images.
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Barcelona and the ‘Big Fella’ BY PETER MURPHY When in Barcelona (January 2020), I happened to stumble across the ‘Michael Collins’ pub, where bar manager Niall Lynch made me feel at home with a pint on the house. Anyway, we got chatting about the numerous historical artifacts decorating the pubs interior; most relating to the ‘Big Fella’ himself, including the 1916 Easter Uprising. But it was a series of documents/letters relating to the Uprising that Niall later decided to privately share with me that would rouse my interest. Among them was a copy of a proclamation addressed to the citizens of Dublin, handwritten by Padraig Pearse in Dublin’s GPO as British artillery shells rained down on the city. According to Niall, it was Dublin compositor/printer Joseph Stanley who (during the Uprising) was handed a copy of the proclamation by Pearse himself. Stanley later printed it in the ‘Irish War News’ as a bulletin, and then had it distributed throughout Dublin. For his act of bravery, Stanley was arrested and imprisoned by the British. Also among the documents was a note from the British censor (of the time) warning of the consequences should Pearse’s proclamation be published, including a ‘charge sheet’ relating to Stanley’s arrest for having published. It included a copy of a letter from Stanley’s son authenticating Pearse’s handwritten proclamation. Niall wouldn’t allow me to photocopy the said documents/letters, but did (after some persuasion and me purchasing a pint) allow me to photograph them. Should you ever visit the beautiful city of Barcelona, make sure you drop into the ‘Michael Collins’ pub, and should Niall like the cut of you, he might (over a pint) share with you the above mentioned documents. 42 | THE IRISH SCENE
Peter Murphy and the documents shown to him by Michael Collins publican, Niall Lynch
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Cairde Sinn Fein members and friends commemorate
1916 Easter Rising AT THE IRISH CLUB, 4th APRIL
44 | THE IRISH SCENE
St. Patrick’s Day Mass ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, 17th MARCH Photo credits: Ron Tan/Archdiocese of Perth
THE IRISH SCENE | 45
isteach sa teach
BY LLOYD GORMAN
DON’T BELIEVE BALLOT BOX BLUSTER There has been much huffing and puffing by certain political and media pundits about some of the more unpredictable aspects of the outcome of the March state election. The fact there is now very little in the way of an opposition to keep a very powerful government in check should be what commentators are worried about. Instead, the success of the Daylight Savings Party (DSP) and Legalise Cannabis Party in securing one and two members respectively to a $150,000 a year position for four years in the upper house of parliament on the back of a handful of votes has been called an undemocratic cheat and evidence that the electoral system is broken and in dire need of reform. That may or may not be true or it could just be a question of how you look at the political system we have – warts and all. Much of the fuss so far has focused on the unlikely story of Geraldton born DSP candidate Wilson Tucker (below), who with just 98 first preference votes and against the odds is now an elected representative for the Mining and Pastoral electorate in the northern and eastern regions of the state. He is one of six people to become a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) for the mind bogglingly big district stretching over 2,205,281 km2 and nearly 70,000 voters. Given the region’s strong agricultural bent and its persistent rejection in previous referenda to the introduction of Daylight Savings, Tucker’s election is probably nothing short of miraculous. He will have to win over many of his constituents but he is there for their sake. The fact he got over the line with a smattering of first preferences but able to reach a quota by negotiating 46 | THE IRISH SCENE
smart preference deals with other micro-parties and independents is not trickery or treachery. In Mining and Pastoral there were 21 political parties and independents, all of who would have made deals with others about where they wanted their votes to go if and when they got knocked out of the electoral race. Coincidentally the biggest political clout in the district is wielded by Irishman Stephen Dawson, who has represented it since the 2013 election. In March, the Dublin born member of the McGowan Cabinet was the electorate’s biggest vote getter on the ballot paper, gathering an impressive 27,890 first preference votes out of a total of about 50,000 votes. These numbers meant he was the first to get across the line for the electorate but they also meant that his surplus votes were predominately distributed to Stephen Dawson with ‘deadly dancers’ fellow Labor Party running mates. The end result was that another three Labor candidates – who each got just 32, 18 and 23 first preference votes under their own steam – were in second, third and fourth place to get elected. Even if you combine the first preferences of all three they still are still shy of Tucker’s tally of 98. The DSP man was the fifth candidate to get across the line while the sixth and final place went to Liberal Neil Thomson with 5,220 first preference votes. Nicholas Fardell with The Nationals WA – which normally polls well in rural and remote districts – with 4956 first preferences was the next best performer in the area,
ISTEACH SA TEACH
Registered with Australia Post PP100003914
THE
SMALL CAN STILL STAND TALL Micro-parties and one issue candidates and some independents have a bit of an image problem. They are often written off as misfits, hobbyists and non-conformists with an axe to grind. That perception is partly self induced and the result of a lack of resources to help compete against bigger and more established taxpayer funded entities. But the persistent prejudice is also encouraged by mainstream parties and politicians who see them as a soft target and distraction. It would be wrong however – and lazy – to dismiss them all as freaks on the fringes of society. Many, if not most, are probably as genuine in their motivation as those who take the easier option of a joining an established and readily identified political brand. As well as Stephen Dawson, another Irishman ran for election in the 2021 state election. In fact he has contested more than one state election. Galway man Daithi Gleeson founded Liberals for Climate late last year to fight the election and stood 14 candidates. Daithi first came to Western Australia in 2010 but founded The Flux Party in late 2015: “as a new concept in democracy with the stated aim of returning democratic power to individual voters”. Isteach sa Teach tried to reach out to Daithi to find out more about him and his political story but that will have to wait now until the next issue of the magazine. By the way, he pulled in a respectable 1166 first preferences in the North Metro Region, which was a good bit more than many candidates for the bigger parties managed.
NO SIGN OF THIS FRIENDSHIP FLAGGING ANYTIME SOON Ireland and Australia are celebrating 75 years of official diplomatic relations but in March the Australian embassy in Dublin saw a significant symbolic step forward. “History was made this morning when the Australian Aboriginal Flag was hoisted alongside the Australian
IRISH
2021 • VOLUME 23 ISSUE 3 • FREE
SCENE
but this alone was not enough to secure one of the six seats that were up for grabs. Like it or not that’s the electoral system we have. Its hard to see how a government with a historic majority and that benefits from it wouldn’t seem heavy handed and vindictive in going after the little guy who beat the system at its own game fair and square. Meanwhile, Irish Scene wishes all our new and returned MPs good luck for the next four years. They all have an important job to do.
Breaking new ground and ground breaking developments
www.irishscene.com.au
SEE PAGE 47
Above: Ambassador Gary Green flying the Aboriginal flag flying from Embassy in Dublin. Right: This issue’s cover featuring Ian Dawson and Clive Smith National Flag as a permanent feature of the Australian Embassy in Dublin,” Ambassador Gary Gray tweeted. “A proud day for all Australians. 🇺
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The gesture was appreciated by several Irish politicians, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin who tweeted it was: “A fitting way to respect and represent Australia’s past, present and future.” It was also retweeted by Stephen Dawson, MLC. A few days later another remarkable thing happened. The Hand in Hand Irish Aboriginal Festival – probably the first event of its kind in Australia – was staged at Kidogo Arthouse in Bathers Beach, Fremantle – which by happenstance was the venue for the farewell function for the ambassador’s departure to Ireland (Failte and fond farewell from Fremantle, Irish Scene, Issue 5, 2020). Kidogo is an amazing place and the festival was also an incredible opportunity for the Irish and Indigenous cultures to meet and mix. Hopefully it will mark the start of a long tradition of similar festivals here in WA and across Australia. The front cover of this edition of Irish Scene is dedicated to that spirit. At a state government press conference at the start of the demolition of the former Princess Margaret Hospital site, Irish Scene editor Lloyd Gorman met Limerick native Ian Dawson and Noongar man Clive Smith who are working together and with others to create a future for the people of Western Australia. Thanks to photographer Paul McGovern for capturing such a great image of modern day mateship. THE IRISH SCENE | 47
G’day from Gary Gray AUSTRALIA’S AMBASSADOR IN IRELAND Stay up to date with what’s happening in the Australian Embassy, Ireland by following:
@ausembire
Australian Embassy, Ireland
@AusEmbIre
Australia’s Connection to the Irish Flag IRELAND’S TRICOLOUR FLAG IS RECOGNISABLE THE WORLD OVER, BUT DID YOU KNOW IT’S AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION?
The story of the man who first presented the flag in Ireland, Mr. Thomas Francis Meagher, is fascinating. An Irishman who travelled from Ireland to Paris before returning home to Waterford, and from there to Tasmania and on to New York City Meagher lived a truly noteworthy life. He died over 150 years ago and his life touched three continents and great moments in history. Believing in the unification of Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant communities in opposition to British rule, Meagher travelled to Paris in 1848 to study revolutionary events. He left behind a truly desolate Ireland, now into its third year of The Great Famine, and he was determined to learn from his French counterparts what was necessary to create a political movement that would unify the Irish people. After a month on the continent, Meagher returned to Waterford and carried with him a gift of solidarity from the friends he had made in France. That gift was the Irish tricolour, and when it was first flown from 33 The Mall, Waterford on 7th March later that year, it paved the ideological path for a coming together of all peoples on the island of Ireland. You may recognise the similarities between the French and the Irish flags – both are tricolour, each divided into three equal vertical bands, with white as the central colour. Meagher spoke of the flag given to him by the French in April 1848 saying, “The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between Orange and
48 | THE IRISH SCENE
Green and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood.” Enthused with this new spirit of kinship, Meagher reached out to the Orange Order to create a lasting relationship of solidarity, and later that year played a central role in the failed Young Irelander Rebellion. For this he was sentenced first to death, commuted to exile in Tasmania. In Tasmania, Meagher married and had a child before escaping exile and travelling to New York. In New York in 1852, Meagher found work as a lawyer and newspaper editor, he then went on to serve as a Union Army General in the American Civil War. He joined an Irish American volunteer brigade, the “Fighting 69th”. Meagher saw action at Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. Despite the ravages of drink and a wild life, he formed part of the honour guard that surrounded the open coffin of the assassinated President Lincoln in April 1865. Meagher later became acting governor of the Territory of Montana before falling from a Missouri river boat in 1867 and drowning in the fastflowing river. During an emotional and historic 1963 visit to Ireland, President Kennedy presented the flag of the Union brigade that Meagher led in the American Civil War. Today, that flag hangs in the Dáil Éireann (Ireland’s Parliament). Of all Meagher’s achievements, Ireland’s symbolic national flag is a persistent reminder of legacy and
G’DAY FROM GARY GRAY
ideals upon which he stood. The tricolour flag that flew in Waterford 173 years ago represents the best of the Irish human spirit and could have had any number of colours so long as the symbolic white strip existed to bind them together. Meagher’s belief in hope and peace as symbolised in Ireland’s flag is something that extends beyond Ireland’s borders to our international landscape. As we emerge from the pandemic that has gripped the world over the last twelve months, we look forward to what our world could look like. The virus has given us a clearer picture than ever, of the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of viewing our problems from a connected, collective and global perspective. For over a year of this pandemic, Irish nurses and doctors have worked in West Australian hospitals. West Australians have also experienced the virus in Ireland. We have truly been in this together.
SLAINTÉ. HON GARY GRAY AO
AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND, DUBLIN
Right: Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher
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Listening Skills “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” - ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Some years ago, a survey was conducted among buyers in the USA to determine what these professionals perceived to be the major shortcomings in today’s salespeople. In terms of selling skills, the number one shortcoming was listening. Listening skills are very often ignored, or just forgotten in sales training. While businesses may be willing to spend the money to send executives to sales courses, they rarely direct their employees to courses designed to improve listening habits, even though effective salespeople spend the majority of their sales time listening. The reason for this may be due to the misconception, held by many, that listening is the same as hearing and that everybody does it. This is not the case. A person listens with about a 50% efficiency and information loss is compounded as the message is passed from person to person. It is a bit like the old Army joke when the General issues the command, ‘send reinforcements, we’re going to advance’; by the time it had reached HQ the message was convoluted to ‘send three and four pence, we’re going to a dance’. I remember, many years ago, working in an electronics manufacturing plant in Cork, and we were starting to run out of components for a particular product line. We were due to have a conference call with the American operations centre in the afternoon to get things sorted out. The Operations Manager, a man of strong character, indicated during the day that he was going to join us on this call. When the appointed time came, the American guys picked up the phone, and before they even had a chance to exchange the usual pleasantries, our Operations Manager launched into them with a tirade of abuse. After a minute or so of this, one of the American guys calmly said ‘time out’ into the conference phone, and then in a very
50 | THE IRISH SCENE
authoritative voice said, ‘Frank, you can’t listen if your mouth is moving.’ Effective listening can be very hard work. It not only involves considerable concentration, it even causes noticeable physical changes. During ‘active listening’ , heart action increases, body temperature rises slightly, and the circulation of blood is faster. You can actually learn to sense these changes in yourself just by being aware that they occur when you are actively listening to someone. When you listen intently to someone, that person tends to work harder at listening to what you have to say too. When people talk, listen completely. Listen with curiosity. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they are already formulating the next question as you are speaking. Interestingly, the word ‘listen’ contains the same letters as the word ‘silent’.
“When you are speaking with someone who is actually a good listener, they don’t jump in on your sentences, saving you from actually finishing them, or talk over you, allowing what you do manage to get out to be lost or altered in transit. Instead, they wait, so you have to keep going.” - SARAH DESSEN BILL DALY Originally from Tallow in West Waterford, Bill spent 30 years in Cork as a Senior Manager in the Electronics Manufacturing industry with such companies as Apple, EMC and Logitech. He has been working on his own as a Consultant/Contractor in Manufacturing Operations and Materials for the past 18 years. He also attended UCC and has a BA Degree in Archaeology and Geography. Bill resides in Connemara, Co. Galway since 2009.
My first Holy Communion
crucified Christ who died for all of our sins. I sat in silence with the other boys from my school dressed to the nines and girls in white dresses who looked like little brides. The priest spoke slowly. I remember me Mam telling me the reason he spoke so slowly BY NOEL O’NEILL was because he was caught by the Japanese during World War II and they cut the tip of his tongue off Last Sunday the priest spoke slowly in an effort to so that he couldn’t preach anymore. But the rumour make us all understand, but I had not eaten (as is among us boys was he liked the blood of Christ better customary before receiving communion) so I was than the body of Christ so he was pickled most of hungry and only wished he would speak a little the time, “Through… Him… with… Him… in… Him... faster, just pick up the pace. After receiving the host, in... the... unity… of… the… Holy… Spirit... all… glory... I walked from the altar, knelt in the pew, my eyes and... honor... is... yours… almighty…Father… forever… closed, my hands clasped, a silent prayer came from and… ever…” we all responded “Amen”! I remember my lips. As the host slowly dissolved in my mouth, thinking, hurry up Father, please, I’m starvin’! There I remembered my first holy communion. My mind he stood now in front of me with the host in his hand raced back to the 50’s in Cork where I previously had whispering, “Body… of… Christ”. “Amen”. I closed my gone through the ritual at school of learning how to eyes as I received it. It tasted holy. I opened my eyes, swallow a piece of wafer. Most of us chewed them so walked back to my pew, genuflected and knelt down that we could get more, some choked and spit them to say my prayers, licked the host off my palate and out but the teacher grew wise and then impatient swallowed it. Jesus was inside me now. I felt holy. I with us so we finally allowed the wafer to moisten think I understood what my teacher said about what and swallowed it. communion meant. It was a communion between me and Jesus, but I remember sitting there in the front pew thinking, He It was a communion between me and Jesus, had his last supper and I didn’t have but I remember sitting there in the front pew my breakfast yet!
“
The procession followed. From there I was led home and finally fed with a bib tied around my neck, “so you don’t get egg on your suit!” Then I was taken down to the Coal Quay where me Mam owned a laundry. I was told to sit behind the counter (still dressed in my communion suit), an odd sock hung on a nail above my head. The customers would come in for their laundry. Collars and cuffs, shirts, sheets, pillow cases, pressed trousers, curtains. They would smile at me and leave change on the counter as a reward for my first communion. Pennies, half-pennies, farthings, three-penny pieces, tanners, one man who smoked a pipe left a shilling! Me mam said, counting it all out when she closed up, “He’s a manager of a bank, lives alone poor soul.” But I couldn’t understand a poor soul giving away a shilling. Money all counted came to fifteen shillings and sixpence. I was given the sixpence. We stepped off the bus and walked the little way home. Me Mam said, “Well you had a grand day today. Confirmation now is next but you’ll be about twelve then…” and I distinctly remember thinking, if it’s the same priest I’ll be fourteen by the time he gets finished with the ceremony!
thinking, He had his last supper and I didn’t have my breakfast yet!
The night before the big day I was scrubbed in the tin bath that used to hang on a hook in the back yard. It was brought in and laid out in front of the fireplace and filled with hot soapy water on Saturday nights. I was rubbed down roughly with a towel by me Dad like a fighter in the corner of a boxing ring, and sat in front of the flaming coal fire. Then as the night got old and the fire was going out, I was carried upstairs on me Dad’s shoulders, who reminded me in my prayers to pray for the dead… G’night Dad. The big day had arrived. No breakfast. I was to ‘fast’ before communion. I was dressed in a new suit, white shirt (washed in bleach with a starched collar by me Mam), shoes (polished to a brilliant shine by me Dad), a new tie, a medal pinned on me lapel like I was a soldier and of course, my catechism. The whole family went to the Mass as did others. The parents and grandparents all attended. As I walked up the aisle I could see their strong, swollen working hands joined together, their sad eyes gazing at the
THE IRISH SCENE | 51
AROUND THE IRISH SCENE
Great ‘Prop’ to have on your wall
Below: Irish rugby legend Rob Kearney dropped into the Architectus Studio in QV1 to present a Western Force signed jersey to the IACC’s St. Patrick’s Day lunch prize winner Helen Hancock, acting marketing & communications manager buildings Stantec, joined by committee members Lindsay Ahern, Vibe Legal, Sallyann Mc Donald, Mc Donald Surveys and WA Chapter president IACC and Mark Black, Architectus & National Vice President IACC.
Men and machines Above: Irish Scene recently
happened upon JB O’Reilly’s publican Paul North with paint brush in hand sprucing up a piece of old agricultural equipment from his native Wexford that is a part of the furniture outside the Cambridge St watering hole. Paul relayed a fantastic yarn about the farm yard piece – a family heirloom – and his great aunt mushing up turnips in it. We won’t give away any more detail but would encourage readers and customers to ask him about the story and you can decide for yourself then if it’s a great yarn or a Furphy! Meanwhile, just a little bit down the road from Paul’s pub, another piece of old school technology passed down through the years to another friend and supporter of Irish Scene has also been given a new lease of life. West Perth TyrePower operator Adrian Shipcott (left) – and his lovely wife Fiona – is used to all shapes and sizes of vehicles and transport at the Troode Street store. But when Adrian mentioned to his dad that he was on the look out for a tractor to help them manage their 26.7 hobby farm south of Perth, he couldn’t have expected what came next. John Shipcott, 83, originally a farmer from Lancashire in the UK, transformed an old Singer sowing machine passed down through the family, into a miniature tractor. “It wasn’t exactly what we had in mind but it was done with care and attention and we love it of course,” said Adrian, who we believe is still in the market for a full scale tractor. If you have an unusual story, artefact or collection, Irish Scene would love to hear from you!
Get well soon Tony! Right: The man
(and legend) behind the much loved “Minute with Synnott” column has spent a lot of time in hospital lately so we - and many others - wanted to wish him well and a full recovery. Tony is seen here in Osborne Park hospital about a week before St. Patrick’s Day, pouring over the last edition of Irish Scene. We will make sure Tony is one of the first people in Perth to get their hands on this issue of the magazine. A special shout out also to Mick Murray and friends who have been doing their best to look after and visit Tony as much as possible.
Left: Les Parker’s life remembered and celebrated at JB’s
If you would like to be featured in the next issue, please email irishsceneperth@gmail.com 52 | THE IRISH SCENE
Anzac Spirit Right: While people in Perth and Peel were confined once
again to their driveways for ANZAC Day, Kilkenny man Peter Dwyer and his two oldest boys Dillon (10) and Craig (5) camped out locally in Ireland on April 24th to honour and remember the dawn landings at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Peter and his sons also wanted to pay tribute to John Dwyer (their grand and great grand uncle respectively) from Kilkenny who was a Digger with the 11th Battalion and who is buried in Karakatta Cemetery. Lest we forget!
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Perfect place to launch a book
Above: Kidogo Arthouse in Bathers Beach – a spot with plenty of historical connections with political convicts – and the recent Hand in Hand Festival staged at the picturesque spot made the ideal place for local history enthusiast Peter Murphy to launch the latest title in his trilogy about Fenianism in Australia – ‘Fenian 63’. The 600 page novel follows the trials and tribulations of of Irishman James Doyle, a solider in the British army caught up in the Irish Uprising of 1865/67. Details etc from kiahcreek@bigpond.com
Left: Terry O’Leary slices up his cake for his 80th birthday
UON is number ONE Above right: Bragging rights in the first Business News RISE Business Awards went to integrated energy company UON, based in Malaga. Founded and built up by Dubliner Mark Keogh in 1988, UON was recently crowned Western Australian business of the year as well as Large Business of 2020, the latest in a long line of gongs and accolades for the firm which employs 279 people and has revenue of more than $56 million a year. Mark is originally from Rathfarnham in Dublin and set up UON not very long after he arrived in Perth. He is also uncle to Perth Glory striker Andy Keogh. Old school shenanigans Left: Many WA schools (public and private) will have had some festive fun for St. Patrick’s Day if John XXIII (top row) and Duncraig Senior High School (bottom row) are anything to go by. Teachers and staff of Irish heritage celebrated the feast day of the country’s patron saint with their colleagues in the staff room. As well as being green the cupcakes at John XXIII had the extra ingredient of being made by the Irish owners of the nearby Mt. Claremont Bakery! CONTINUED ON PAGE 54
THE IRISH SCENE | 53
Lincoln Park reunited at Durty Nellies Below: Lizard (Phil Beck), Splinter (Colin Allbury), Moby (Sean Roche) and Froggy (Clive Ducat). Lincoln Park played folk music around Perth in the 1970’s and had been talking about a reunion for a year or so at least, never really committing to actually doing it. Then one day all the ducks lined up, actually, Phil Beck said it was at Splinter’s brother Binnsy’s wake at the Mighty Quinn that made the difference. A lot of the lads from North Perth United FC were there, along with people from around the traps in the old days. “We were asked about a million times when we were going to play again coz everyone said it’d be a great Craic. That finally decided us to actually do it if we could get a gig”. Durty Nelly’s was to be the venue, the date was set for six weeks hence, Saturday 10th April, to give us a chance to practice and the rest is history. A reunion gig after a break of 40 years. Phil, “Lincoln park was always a three piece but the four of us had variously combined as the band, so the reunion was all of us”. A huge crowd packed into Nelly’s for Lincoln Park and they were not disappointed. I would go as far to say that they sounded better than 40 years ago. It was a brilliant session, just like the old days, and Lincoln Park put on a mighty show. All the old favourites had the place hopping. Let’s make it happen again! Well done lads!
54 | THE IRISH SCENE
Riddle me this! Left: Fred Rea
dropped into Dermot Byrne recently to find out how his old friend and former Irish Scene quiz master is travelling lately. Fred said Dermot was ‘going strong’ and had a good chat with him and wife Betty!
Left: Happy 21st Shauna Kavanagh!
Famine memorial UNVEILING MAY 16th
A memorial interpretative panel will be unveiled for the Irish Famine Memorial – An Gorta Mór – in Subiaco on May 16, the date for the Annual International Famine Commemoration. The panel will be unveiled by former Subiaco mayors Heather Henderson, and Tony Costa who have both continued to support the memorial, along with the City of Subiaco. The ceremony will include a special dance performance by dancers for the upcoming The Journey Irish dance spectacular which is to be held at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco later this year. Actor Michael Sheehy will perform a piece from his production An Gorta Mór – the great hunger told from the perspective of four central characters of the famine era. Musician Fiona Rea will sing her haunting new song An Gorta Mór dedicated to the young women, their mothers and the memorial. Fred Rea, chairman of the Western Australia Irish Famine Commemoration Inc (WAIFC), said the installation of the interpretative panel represents the completion of the famine memorial. Fred paid tribute to those involved in the project. “The WAIFC would like to thank Denis Burke and Frank Smyth for their continuing support of the memorial, especially the installation of the Interpretive Panel, ‘go raibh míle maith agat a chairde’. Thanks also to Joan and Charlie Smith of Smith Sculptors for their design of the interpretive panel.”
The sculptors – originally from Waterford but who now call Gidgegannup home – also designed and created the haunting bronze sculpture that was unveiled in October 2017 by the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins. “This memorial remembers the young Irish women who, from 1853, came to Western Australia from Irish workhouses following the Great Hunger of 1847 – 1850,” added Fred. The interpretive panel states: “The spiral leads to the bronze sculpture of the keening ‘Childless Mother’, which is a personification of “Uaigneas” the eternal expression of loneliness in the Irish language, voicing the enormous sense of inconsolable loss and emptiness of parents left behind”. The first International Famine Commemoration was held in Ireland in 2008, following the Irish Government’s decision to commemorate the Great Famine with an annual Memorial Day. Each year the commemoration represents an opportunity for the modern generation to remember the devastating impact which the Great Famine had on the country. The 2021 An Gorta Mór Famine commemoration – compered by Tom Murphy – will be held at the memorial in Market Square, Subiaco form 2pm to 4.30pm. Community members are invited and to bring flowers to place on the memorial.
“Sad, sad is my fate in this weary exile, Dark, dark is the night cloud o’er lone Shanakyle, Where the murdered sleep silently pile upon pile, In the coffinless graves of poor Éireann.”
ENQUIRIES: JIM EGAN 0413 866 320 OR FRED REA 0418 943 832 THE IRISH SCENE | 55
Ulster Rambles Even after the happenings and ‘goings on’ of the previous century in Ulster, I have always been proud to have lived there in my youth and to witness the many great people who have been a product of the Province. Over these last twelve years I have extolled Jordan Brown with Welsh Open trophy about actors, writers and sportspersons who have done us proud during recent times. Some of them, like Alex Higgins, George Best, Louis on Foxtel. Of course I never dreamed he was from MacNeice and Joey Dunlop have sadly gone. Others the place I still hold very near to me; Ballymena of like Willie John McBride, Rory McIroy, Liam Neeson, course. Yes, I would have watched every frame if I Michelle Fairley, Van Morrison and Jamie Dornan are had guessed his origins. This victory has secured him still with us, at the time of writing anyway. a Champion of Champions debut next season as well as putting him in line to qualify for the elite eightA new face has arrived on the scene; well new to me. man Tour Championship next month. Welsh Open winner Jordan Brown, from Ballymena (or so I am informed), I am delighted to mention continues Northern Ireland’s heritage of snooker champions.
The Co. Antrim Ferrari became the lowest-ranked player since 1993 to lift a ranking trophy when he stunned world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan 9-8 last month. The world Number 81 joined Alex Higgins, Dennis Taylor and practice partner Mark Allen as ranking winners from the Province. “I’m delighted to follow in the footsteps of the great Northern Irish players; it’s a very proud moment for me because I’m a very proud Northern Irishman,” he told reporters. (Well we all are!) “To follow in the footsteps of the greats like Alex, Dennis and my good pal Mark is just so special to me. It’s just a dream come true to be a part of that history. We’re such a small country and it’s great that we’ve produced so many great players. I’ve always been a keen follower of the history of the sport,” he recently claimed. Jordan Brown was a rank 750-1 outsider to win the trophy at the Celtic Manor so I imagine there were not too many punters putting their house on him, but he shocked the snooker world to pocket the £70,000 top prize and a magical, memorable maiden title. I have to confess here that I watched his match for all of 20 seconds as I flicked through the sporting channels 56 | THE IRISH SCENE
Like every other sportsman, he is desperate to avoid being a one-hit wonder and stressed: “It’s a huge boost for the future. It’s only going to lead to bigger and better things. I think I’ve made my mark on the snooker world now. I’ve accomplished what I felt I was capable of and this is only the start hopefully.”
Well I certainly agree with his last word here but as always…. time will tell. Let’s hope it is a successful future for him. His fortunes have really changed. Just five years ago Jordan was working full-time at a petrol station to make ends meet as he played snooker on the side; much like Alex I suppose. Maybe he moulded himself in this direction and he certainly admits to wasting vital time in the pub instead of chasing his dream. “I was just doing things I shouldn’t have been doing,” he was quoted as saying. (This statement begs more than a few questions.) “There was a two or three year spell where I just didn’t feel like practicing and I was too busy going down to the pub with my mates.” Or as we say nowadays “as you do!” I must say here that he must have travelled to Australia a few times, or had a few Australian friends to come out with a comment like that. I never used the word ‘mates’ in Ireland nor come to mention it, in Australia either! He ended with this statement, “There were times
ULSTER RAMBLES
when I was just lying in bed some nights instead of going to the club. I was just too lazy. I just told myself I had to give myself a decent go at it and put the effort in. Dreams can come true and I’ve proven that.” Sadly I must also report that ructions have begun in Antrim over a certain funeral where (apparently) more people attended than the rules allowed at the time. I often blame the media for the state of our minds and the state of the present world. My octogenarian grannie lived a happy life without being worried about the reception on the ‘wireless’. She was much too busy to listen to that ’rubbish’! However she did listen to the McCooeys.
a modern Irish theatre classic, All Souls' Night. A few years back I wrote about the Ulster dictionary; a hilarious book which explained many of the Norn Irlan colloquialisms which my sister had found on one of her many visits to the Province (I was visiting her at the time in England/Ireland and it was a great topic between us as we remembered many of the local phrases). Many of these ‘Ulsterisms’ were spoken in the McCooey serial. Here follows a few and an apology to everyone else who probably canny understand a wee word of them! Hey wee boy, you’re a real comeejan: Hey, you know that Geek, who usually spent all his time doing that studying thing? Well ya wounae believe it. He decided to go for a wander in the country but as he was reading and not looking where he was going, he fell into a schuck at the side of the lane, and before he knew it he was up to his oxters in mud. Then the farm children started to clod stains at him; one had a jammy shot and got him right on the bonker!
My sister and yours truly outside our Grandparents (who we never met) home in Kells Co Meath. 2018 It was the sort of program once heard, never forgotten. The ups and downs of the McCooey family were followed closely by thousands of listeners across Northern Ireland for just over 7 years. It was first broadcast on the 13th May 1949 and the series was based on the life of an ‘ordinary’ workingclass Belfast family. Each week people switched on their ‘wirelesses’ to find out the latest ‘goings on’. Apparently some listeners took the program to heart. For example, when the McCooey family redecorated their parlour, people phoned in worried that the family had failed to fix a price for the work beforehand and others wrote in to offer advice on what a fair rate should be. Money was scarce in the years after the war and labour was not easy to find either. The series was written by Joseph Tomelty, from Portaferry in County Down, with approximately 6,000 word scripts for each episode. As well as acting, he also wrote some plays, including his masterpiece, and
The famous Jimmy Young also had a part in this serial. He portrayed the character of Derek the Window Cleaner. Stephen Boyd from East Belfast, whose real name was Billy Miller, played the local RUC man - whose catchphrase was: ‘I’m just makin’ one or two inquiries.’ Stephen Boyd played in dozens of films as a Hollywood contract actor and co-starred with some of the most famous actors in the movie industry. He was the co-star with Charlton Heston, in "Ben Hur", with Gregory Peck in “The Bravados" and with Tony Bennett in "The Oscar". Stephen was the one in The Chariot Race who got killed. Sadly, he never quite attained star status. I mention him here only because in his youth he played a part in the McCooeys, but he is worth a lengthy article in his own right. If you are interested, you could Google him on Wikipedia. Perhaps in the future I will devote further information about him and I am pleased to say, there always seems to be plenty more…. Celebrities that is.
I DO HOPE EASTER WAS A PLEASANT AND REWARDING TIME FOR YOU AND YOURS AND AS ALWAYS MAY YOUR GOD GO WITH YOU.
DAVID MacCONNELL
THE IRISH SCENE | 57
Claddagh Report CLADDAGH SENIORS The Claddagh Seniors group have been busy recently. In March they celebrated St Patrick’s Day with an excellent Irish Breakfast at the Maylands Peninsula Public Golf Course. We had a large guest list and all enjoyed catching up with friends. The traditional Irish raffle was also a great success with popular prizes including tins of Jacobs biscuits and Irish whiskey! In April the Seniors were hosted by our friends, the Irish Theatre Players for a matinee performance of their play, ‘The Trappe Family’. This was very enjoyable and all were impressed with the high standard of the performance. The Seniors are going to venture south of the river for a trip to Fremantle on the 10th May 2021. New members are welcome for this jaunt to the port for a fish and chip lunch (see ad opposite). If you would like to join the Claddagh Seniors on their next outing or know a senior from the Irish community who would like to attend the group’s events, you can register by calling Patricia Bratton of the Seniors Subcommittee on 0417 099 801 / 08 9345 3530 or by contacting Claddagh Coordinator Anne Wayne on admin@claddagh. org.au / 08 9249 9213. Clockwise from top: Claddagh Seniors at the Irish Theatre Players matinee; Table group at St Pats Day breakfast; Seniors Subcommittee at the St Pats Day breakfast; Raffle prize winner 58 | THE IRISH SCENE
Crisis Support: 0403 972 265
13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090. Enquiries: 08 9249 9213
www.claddagh.org.au
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT We are so grateful to Darkness into Light for their continued support of the Claddagh Association. We attended their official launch on the 18th April when they introduced the format for this year. Although the official walk in Sir James Mitchell Park will not go ahead, Darkness into Light are encouraging everyone to gather friends and family on Sunday the 8th May to walk at sunrise or set your own fitness challenge for the day. Our Chairperson, Heather McKeegan spoke at the launch about the importance of the work of Darkness into Light - smashing the stigma around mental health issues and working with those who need support. Thanks to all those who generously
supported the raffle on the day. The proceeds of the raffle will allow Claddagh to support those who need our help.
CLADDAGH ORAL HISTORY PROJECT We continue to share highlights from the Claddagh Oral History Project 2020 with readers of the Irish Scene. In this issue you can read the story of Bridie Higgins of Co Armagh. She was interviewed by Claddagh volunteer Paul Callery from Co Dublin. The full book is available as a digital download at the Claddagh website here: claddagh.org.au/claddaghoral-history-project/
CLADDAGH SUPPORT WORK Claddagh has been busy this year supporting members of the Irish community in WA in difficult circumstances. In the last month we have worked with individuals and families who have experienced bereavement, mental health issues, relationship breakdown, financial insecurity and those who have needed to return to Ireland or travel from Ireland to Australia for urgent compassionate reasons. Don’t forget that if you or someone you know needs assistance you can contact Claddagh on our crisis line: 0403 972 265. If you are in a position to be able to contribute financially this would be gratefully received for Claddagh’s support work through the year. Tax deductible donations can be made at our GiveNow page: www.givenow. com.au/thecladdaghassociation or via bank transfer to Claddagh’s account. The details are: BANK: Commonwealth Bank ACCOUNT NAME: The Claddagh Association BSB: 066153 ACCOUNT NO: 10771928 REF: Your initial & surname +DON
Proudly sponsored by
CLADDAGH SENIORS TRIP TO CICERELLO'S FREO Monday 10th May Pick up from The Mighty Quinn - 10.30am sharp Returning to The Mighty Quinn at 3pm MEMBERS $15 NON-MEMBERS $25 Bookings Close Wednesday 5th May Call 9345 3530 or 0417 099 801
Please let us know your choice from the below menu MAIN A. Grilled fish (220g) & Chips
OR
Grilled fish (220g) & Salad
B. Fish Basket, Small Coleslaw, Small Seafood Chowder
DESSERT A. Slice of the Day
OR
B. Scoop of Gelati
If you need transport or have any dietary requirements please let us know at time of booking
THE IRISH SCENE | 59
Bridie Higgins Bridie Higgins was born in 1950. She is from Camlough, Co. Armagh.
I have two sisters, and five brothers. I was the fourth one. We lived in a council house. My father worked for the local council. Driving a bin lorry is what he did. And my mother was a housewife. She was at home all the time looking after us. And we had a great childhood because you knew everybody in the housing estate, and further afield. And there were lots of fields where we could run around, and trees that we could climb up. And we lived beside the graveyard as well, so we were always over there around the headstones, and playing about the place. Our life was pretty good in those days. Those were the early days in Northern Ireland. When I finished school at 18 I didn’t want to go on to university. I didn’t want to be a teacher or a nurse, which is what everybody seemed to be doing. And I loved languages. And I never liked school, anyway. So the thought of being three years somewhere in a university? No, thank you! There was a really good course over in Wolverhampton for a diploma in languages from secretarial work that was only two years. So I went and did that. I was a bilingual secretary, French and English. Then I worked in London for a while and then I got a job with UNESCO in Paris. In fact, I never even planned to come to Australia and here we are nearly 50 years later! We were the backpackers in the early times. I was always keen on going to New Zealand. But at that time, there weren’t very many people who wanted to go anywhere, to tell you the truth. And this girl - I knew her from home, but we were in London together - she was going to go to Australia. So I said, ‘I’ll come to Australia with you, if you’ll come on to New Zealand with me!’ [That was] 1973. But little did we know, that we were only here a few months when she met her future husband. So that was the end of traveling on to New Zealand. But we had paid our own fares anyway, because we had no plans to stay. We flew Alitalia from London. Shows you how naïve you can be at the time. I thought, ‘Where are all these Italians going?’ I thought that people over here [in Australia] was all English-speaking. You know? English or Irish. It was only later I found out! [The 60 | THE IRISH SCENE
fare] was something like £140, I have that in my head. One-way, because we couldn’t afford two-way at the time. And I remember we had 10 hours to spend rambling around Rome. The girl that I came out to Australia with, her sister lived in Canberra [so] I was in Canberra. I remember looking at the types of houses that were different. Some of those old timber houses and places being spread out and highways, too. I noticed the heat more than anything and, of course, the colours. Not being green, but the yellows, and browns. There was no greenery like we had left in Ireland. It takes time to even just realize the beauty in Australia, and in those colours, those yellows, and browns, and bits of red. After a while, I could recognize that. Then [I went to] Sydney. I got married in Sydney. We went to New Zealand for my honeymoon. And then I went to see about getting a re-entry visa on my passport. The man said to me, ‘You only had a 30-day [stay] on here, and you should have come to have chest X-rays, and all those things that you’re supposed to do’. But sure, either they didn’t tell me, or I didn’t pay any heed. And they didn’t worry about it in those days, not like now. After we were married in December ‘75, we were going over to Ireland, because none of my family had come out for the wedding as people couldn’t afford it in those days. So I was bringing Steve over there to meet the family, and we were going to be away for 12 months. We were doing that ship-jet, which you could do in those days from Perth to London. But on our way I thought, ‘Well, I haven’t really seen anything of Australia’. So we decided to do the trip
FROM HOME TO HOME: ORAL HISTORIES OF IRISH SENIORS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
through Australia on a coach camping trip which was brilliant. We travelled from Sydney, through Victoria, South Australia, up through the centre, down through the Kimberley and to Perth. We drove down to Albany and everything was beautiful. It was all so green, and the mountains! Because where I’m from, there are mountains. We just loved Albany. So we said, ‘Right. When we come back after 12 months away, we’re actually going to go to Albany to live’. That was the plan. [We] went by ship to Singapore. It was a Russian ship, there were sheep and everything on it, and it stank to high heaven as we were getting up to the Equator. And then from Singapore you flew to London. We were in London for 12 months working and going backwards and forwards to Ireland all the time. When we came back there was no work in Albany. They had closed the whaling station, so that’s how we ended up, then, in Perth.
“
I never even planned to come to Australia and here we are nearly 50 years later!”
If I’d stayed in Ireland or in the UK, as everything was going into the Common Market [European Union], then there would have been plenty of work for linguists. But there wasn’t anything in Canberra or Sydney, so I worked in the Department of Science as a secretary. When we came over to Perth, I worked at Kelvinator as a secretary, I did interpreting for the telephone interpreter service in French, and some translation work. I thought, ‘Oh, French isn’t that useful here’. So, I went and learned Japanese at Curtin. There was social studies involved in it as well, units on Aboriginal studies, and anthropology. So I was actually learning a lot about Aboriginal culture as well. The fact of being Irish, and having gone through a lot of the same types of things that Aboriginal people have gone [through like] having your land taken from you. And I’ve always felt empathy for the Aboriginal people, and I didn’t like it when people were being racist towards them at all. I would stand up for them as much as I could. When I’d finished that course at Curtin, there was a shortage of Japanese teachers. That would have been the early ‘90s. So I did my degree then to become a teacher, which I’d never wanted to do. I taught Japanese [and] I was helping Aboriginal children with
all their English and maths until I retired in 2013. That was good. I enjoyed doing that with the Aboriginal kids, too. Well, we took 1992 to ‘94, to live in Ireland because I wanted the children to get to know their grandparents, and their aunts, and uncles, and their cousins, and all of that. You know? We’d been on holidays before, but you only have a few weeks, and so it’s not the same thing. So we went over, and the children went to school there, which they didn’t really like and they couldn’t wait to get back to Perth. But it was actually good for them, because they built up that connection with cousins and everything. When the children were young, they used to always be teasing me about my accent. I said, ‘You have accents, too, you know’. ‘No, we don’t! No, we don’t!’ And then when we went to Ireland in ‘92 , that was the first thing people would say: ‘Oh, say that again! We love your accent’. You know? They were wanting to hear how different they sounded. I always feel connected to Ireland! I mean, I suppose we live, in a way, an Irish life here, too. With all these Irish connections, like Australian Irish Heritage [Association], Claddagh - all their outings and excursions. No problem at all connecting with Irish people. We’ve been members of the Irish Club on and off for lots of years. Through Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the music and I love Irish language too. I just learned that at school for seven years like I’d learned French and didn’t have any connection within the family to Irish. When I left Ireland, I could keep my French up. But I had no way of keeping my Irish up. [In] Perth we organized a little conversation group. We used to go to different houses to do it back in the late ‘90s. And then started teaching up at the club through Comhaltas, helping out there. We used to have three different classes. There were about 25 people all studying up there. And so Maura Ducey had one class. Dick Moloney had the other. And I had one. That’s helped me to build up my language as well. I definitely do feel Irish. I’ll always say I’m Irish. I’m not Australian, even though I’ve had Australian citizenship for years. I don’t regret it. No. Although, my father used to say, ‘Bridie, if you’d been transported, you would only have had seven years,’ he said, ‘instead of a life sentence’. Ah, no. I don’t regret it. No. You don’t know what’s ahead of you, do you? Bridie was interviewed by Claddagh volunteer, Paul Callery. Paul is from Cabinteely, Co. Dublin and migrated to Australia in 1997. THE IRISH SCENE | 61
G’Day FROM MELBOURNE It looks like a different world outside my window this morning, as I write this article. It feels like I have been in a deep sleep somewhere else, maybe on another planet trapped and haunted by a nightmare called Covid-19. Not a face mask to been seen anywhere, children playing in the playground on monkey bars, the morning paper delivered to the door instead of being thrown at the ducks and water birds in my garden. I feel like a king being able to walk to the mailbox, without a mask. No more 5k travel limits that will change to 25k, limits pending on the whim of some whimsy, under-qualified health officers who won’t take available advice from their peers. No more shortage of toilet rolls and other essentials at the supermarkets. And who would have thought this time last year that a husband and wife would be able to travel and shop together, not having to wear masks. I had almost forgotten that having a coffee, or in some cases a few beers or wines with a friend, can be bliss. I had also forgotten what it was like to dress up to go out to dinner. I had never given it a second thought until Covid-19 told me you can’t do that anymore because if you do, you might catch me and it could be the last meal you will ever have. Australians have done enormously well, keeping Covid-19 to a minimum. Border closures, which were imposed upon us to retain political power by most state premiers, was not our saver. It was the ordinary man and woman who diligently stuck by the rules that have kept us safe. It’s shameful to see State Premiers taking credit for our safety. If they had put their house in order and united for the common good for all Australians instead of their greed and need for power first, we would have been much better off than we are now. Don’t be blindsided with comparisons of Covid-19 in Europe and other countries as they are vastly different to us, in many ways. Politicians like making the comparison to show us how lucky we are, by making us believe that they are our saviors. As I said earlier, the true saviors of Covid-19 are the ordinary men and women of Australia, not the politicians who wouldn’t lift a phone to help a parent to visit a dying child in hospital. Let’s not forget the enormous loss to the thousands of businesses that went to the wall and will never return, due to the border closures and lock downs. Marriages, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day all became heart breakers, leaving memories that will linger for 62 | THE IRISH SCENE
many years. So will the sight of families not being able to visit hospitals and nursing homes to comfort their loved ones, before passing away. While all this sadness and pain was being experienced by those with the greater losses, not one politician lost a day’s pay. Children making and blowing bubbles is a far cry from governments and airlines working together to make bubbles, for renewing flights in the near future. My ears are filling my head with the sweet sound of John Denver singing ‘I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane’. I let my imagination take me up into the clouds and I don’t mind if it’s only a dream, for a few moments I’m air bound. Melbourne has shed its ghost town image and the MCG has once again come back to life full of colour, now that the footy has returned. Flinders Street railway station is bustling and the sound of tram bells sounding warnings is like music to our ears after the long silence. Also to remind us that this city once called ‘the most livable city in the world’ isn’t dead yet, shows it hasn’t changed from having four seasons in a day so you better bring an umbrella, if you can’t catch a tram you’ll need your brolly. All this good news is better than winning top prize in Tatts Lotto. Why you may ask? Because having money and not having the freedom to spend it, makes it worthless. Most people seem to have taken freedom for granted until Covid-19 arrived, and in a way maybe having been through the worst of it so far, we can now look back and realize what a privilege it is to have freedom. Over the last year I have watched with envy, the native animals in my garden and the freedom they have, while we have been caged. I never again want to see an animal caged as we are all now well aware of what it’s like to be restrained, with the loss of freedom. St Patrick’s Day has come and gone and what a sad loss it is for the Irish all round the world, to not be able to celebrate our patron saint’s day with friends and family. Having the Covid-19 cloud hanging over the St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York, makes it looks more like a funeral for a lonely person who
G’DAY FROM MELBOURNE
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passed away without friends in the world. In normal times, the St Patrick’s Day Parade is seen as one of the more spectacular parades in the world. Hopefully next year we will see the return of the parade that is older than the US constitution. I have been back to Ireland a number of times and also to Tokyo, to join in the St Patrick’s Day parade and celebrations and have been astounded as to how the St Patrick’s Day celebrations have grown worldwide over the years. With the arrival of the new vaccines I’m optimistic that within the next few years things will be a lot better and we shall see the return of the St Patrick celebrations, providing we all stick to the social distancing and keeping in mind that the Virus is still out there waiting for that someone to infect, who is silly enough to think that it has gone away.
UNTIL NEXT TIME. STAY SAFE AND BE KIND TO THOSE WHO LOVE YOU. SLÁINTE FROM MELBOURNE
MIKE BOWEN
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Funerals in Ireland
during Covid BY DEBBIE CASHMAN TEAHAN Ah the ‘dreaded phone call’, the thing most feared from expats. I got mine in August 2020. Dad is sick. As in, sick, could be this, could be that, testing, scans, waiting results. “How are you Dad?” “Sure I’m grand, couldn’t be better” “You got tests done?” “I did. I did. I got my autopsy done.” “Your biopsy.” “Yeah, me autopsy. I was awake n’ all for it.” God love him, typical old school Irish dad, wouldn’t go to the doctor unless he was dying, which unfortunately, he was. Liver cancer. They tried chemotherapy but it was too late, the damage was done. He ended up in the Mercy Hospital in Cork, where no visitors were allowed, even phone calls were very hard, as they had to take him out of the ward to the desk just to say hello as he wouldn’t use a mobile and it was hard to hear with the background noise. Christmas and New Year’s alone in hospital, as Covid 19 ravaged the country. I had joked with people when the pandemic started, “No one is allowed to get sick until this crap is over because I can’t get home!” but my head was melted and my heart was broken, I had to get home. My joy of working casually in Australia, you are literally only a number and easily replaced. The hubby had 3 months of long service due. We could use that. Spoke with travel agents, there was a chance we could get stuck longer than 3 months. Decisions made in haste, the exemption granted on a condition that you had to stay away for 3 months, grand job, I’ll get to spend time with my Dad at 72, whose sand egg timer had plenty on the bottom and not a lot on top. Empty Perth airport, eerily quiet planes, which were great as we all got to spread out as we slept, would you like 3 seats or 4? Dublin airport in January 2021 was busy, how are all these people in need to fly to Ireland in dire circumstances? Queuing for EU or Non EU, shortest queue, less people less chance of catching coronavirus – EU queue it is. Mom, three children, stamp stamp, welcome home. New coronavirus cases in Republic of Ireland that day: 4,843. What, that’s it? No check up on where you will be self-quarantining? Strange. Especially coming from a place that pulls down the shutters like it’s way after last call and the Guards are on the way. 64 | THE IRISH SCENE
Above: Debbie’s dad (Joe Cashman) and her son James on Joe’s 72nd birthday in January 2020. Sister collected me and drove to her house, where my Dad had been released from hospital to be cared for ‘at home’ to avoid going into Marymount. Firstly, I was wary myself and the kids hadn’t been frog marched to self isolate, instead brought by my sister to the home where someone was terminally ill. I did not hug my dad. I organised a test the next day to prove that I was careful and didn’t contract the virus while travelling. I wondered at the blasé attitude, but I suppose when the floundering government cannot get a handle on the pandemic, confused messages about the seriousness follow. Watching the news after the Angelus to see the daily numbers rise and rise. My test came back clear. We formed a support bubble, where I drove every day 58km round trip, for 3 weeks, never stopped for being outside my 5km area. Watching RTE news in late January, they had a reporter in Dublin airport asking people where they were coming from and where they had been. 800 people had arrived through the airport and half of those had been to holiday destinations, just over half were Irish citizens. Holidays? The country was in level 5 lockdown with people not supposed to travel outside 5km unless it was essential for work or a support bubble, like mine where I could help look after my dad and could relieve my sister plus mind her kids with schools closed, when she and her husband were at work. People from South
FUNERALS IN IRELAND DURING COVID
America, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, all coming in and no quarantine in place! This, at a time when new variants of the virus were being imported into the country every day, seemed baffling. The Taoiseach Micheál Martin later that day said “Quite a significant number of people travelling from Ireland are travelling on holidays, that needs to stop.” You reckon?
be a tragedy, but one I could live with due to the circumstances. But to live a couple of miles away and not be able to be there must create a hole in your soul.
At my Dad’s funeral, it was desolate. This man would have filled the church, and then some, he was a great man for a pint of Murphy’s and a chat and a game of cards, and at a party he would be the happy fella belting out a Furey’s brothers tune. Reading through the tributes on RIP.IE, one of his friends said on After a couple of weeks of my dad being able to get out hearing of my Dad’s passing, wrote “This is the saddest of bed and have a cup of Barry’s tea and a chat and day of my life RIP Joe”. We had 11 people inside the laugh at the tele, re-runs of Del Boys antics in Only church, as my uncle – who was one of the six men who Fools, I knew these memories were gold. On the third carried the coffin – wasn’t week he couldn’t get out technically supposed of bed except for help to be in the church, getting to the toilet. The but he just stayed. The nurses that came every church doors were closed day dressed in PPE, such and locked, we went gorgeous souls – always in through a side door. upbeat and still able to Relatives, grandchildren have a chat and a laugh, and friends stood outside while they cleaned and and froze in the cold freshened up my dad, to pay respect. A few commenting to us that more ventured to the he never complained graveyard, which is like about being in pain until speed dating for funerals. that day, he was a great No rosary said, just a patient! They kept us up quick few prayers, the to date with the next step. grave diggers from Cork 27th January, his 73rd County council do their birthday, was the day to bit over the hole, a bit of Above: Happy days a couple of years ago, Debbie with Joe start morphine. This was holy water sprinkled and the final road, they told it’s ‘show’s over, folks’! us. Time to put plans in place. 10 people allowed at the funeral. Dear God, how do you tell lifelong friends and relatives they don’t make the cut? On January 31st, my dad passed away peacefully surrounded by family, and for the rest of my life I will be grateful that he wasn’t like so many others in nursing homes and hospitals surrounded by fabulous staff, but they are dressed in face masks and shields and white plastic, if they were there at all, when they passed away. I have spoke to people since and they are haunted and frankly traumatised at not being able to be with their loved ones when they passed away. A lady serving at the counter in Dunnes stores said “I’ll never get over it,” when she told me of her relative dying alone with dementia. Another man told me of the awful guilt he felt when his mum passed away in a care home with no one around her. Such stories I’m sure are up and down the country. I knew when I was in Perth that if I couldn’t get back because of the pandemic, it would
The best part of funerals are where people gather for a few drinks and food and you laugh-cry at the memories and shenanigans of the departed person’s highs and lows in life. I wanted to hear the stories. A couple of old friends told me at the graveyard that my dad was always talking about his trip to Australia and great family holidays abroad and I could have listened to those stories for hours, but we were kind of ushered out and I headed to my sister’s house for sandwiches and tea and more tea. At that stage if you cut me I would bleed Barrys. Now after battling Covid for over 12 months, the Irish government have just introduced hotel quarantine, to some countries only. Two ladies who had travelled to Dubai for breast enlargements (essential travel?) refused to go into hotel quarantine in Dublin. Ended
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FUNERALS IN IRELAND DURING COVID
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up in court, just to be told they were granted bail and had to ‘report to’ a quarantine facility. Well, I hope they’re not infectious. Another 3 people yesterday escaped hotel quarantine and they were later found driving in Galway. France, Italy and America and many other infected countries are not on the mandatory quarantine list – because they are Covid free? No they are not, Paris just went into full scale lockdown again. But countries and states such as Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Kingdom of Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Moldova, Oman, Saint Lucia, Serbia, Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands are on the mandatory list. I haven’t even heard of some of those places
Above: Last year at ‘Wonder’ Christmas village in Fota Cork. Debbie, her Dad, Danny, Erin and James so I will put it out there that they may not be as much of a threat as mainland infected Europe, and we all know what a liathróidí the USA fight against Covid has been. I return in a few weeks to Perth into mandatory hotel quarantine with 3 children, the youngest 3 years old,
fun times ahead. But it’s ok. I knew this before I left and will happily go in, for the privilege it was to be able to see and say goodbye to my dad. It’ll cost a bomb and drive me mad but it will be worth it once we are outside. I was joking with the kids yesterday, ‘Imagine, being able to hug someone again?’ I can’t wait!
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Key moments
in a great escape!
Another great event at the Catalpa Wild Geese Memorial in Catalpa Park, Rockingham organised by the Australian Irish Heritage Association to remember the daring escape of six Fenian prisoners in Easter 1876. Activities included poetry and letter readings, live music including Uilleann pipes, a re-enactment of a scene from the high seas escapade and presentations on the escape itself and the significance of the rescue. Major things are planned to coincide with next year’s commemoration, so watch this space. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the ceremony and made it another unmissable way to celebrate Irish history in Western Australia.
THE IRISH SCENE | 67
REST IN PEACE
Pat Cleary Always a giver BY FRED REA Patrick Cleary was born 8th June, 1936 in Cork, Ireland and died on the 5th February, 2021 in Perth, Western Australia. I first met Pat many years ago at the Blarney Castle in Stirling Street, Perth and we became great friends. A few weeks before Pat Cleary’s passing, his family organised a gathering of close friends and shared stories and sang songs that meant a lot to him. At the event, they had a link to Pat’s sister Theresa in the UK, and it was very moving to see brother and sister enjoy each other’s company for the last time. Pat passed away a week or so later and sadly Theresa two days after Pat. RIP. Times were tough for Pat in his younger years as he grew up during World War 2, the economy was bad, income was low, and the average wage was five shillings a day. He was the workhorse in the family and his morning duties were to cut the hay, feed the cows, walk the greyhounds and churn the butter – all before he went to school. Returning from school, he had work in the Silver Key pub in Ballintemple in Cork – from the age of 6 he was pouring pints of Guinness. Talk from him was not allowed in the pub and he had few, if any, friends. A tough life indeed. However, he was his mother’s favourite, and he adored her and in turn, was the apple of her eye. Pat did very well at school and at the age of 18 he decided to join the priesthood but at the age of 21, after much soul searching, he realised the priesthood was not for him and he left and returned to Cork. Soon after, Pat was on the boat to England. When he landed in England to begin his new life and got a job in a bank. He met his future wife Nancy in a Irish dance hall in London. Pat went to the dance alone and Nancy went with her boyfriend... at the end of the night they ended up going home together. Nancy described that night in her later years, saying what attracted her to Pat was his unusual dance style. He was on the floor dancing by himself to the 1957 Elvis hit song ‘Hound Dog’ and her words were 68 | THE IRISH SCENE
‘hilarious’ and so bad he looked like a drowning octopus. She said she had no choice other than to save him from himself, so Nancy showed him how to dance for the rest of the night. Pat said in later years, he remembered the last song they danced to that night, Nat King Cole’s ‘When I Fall in Love’. Fall in love they did, they were soon married on St Patrick’s Day. Within a few years they had two beautiful daughters Cheri and Martina and then John came along. Pat wanted a better life for his family, and they moved to Australia. With eight pounds in his pocket and the family to support them, he got a job immediately. The Cleary’s built the family home on Civic Drive Wanneroo where many friends were to have fond memories, especially the annual Boxing Day celebrations. Pat then became state administration officer for Conservation and Land Management. As well as the CALM job, Pat also had a night cleaning business. He would work his day job until 4pm, would take his son John to Irish dance classes until 7.30pm, be in bed by 9 and up again at 1am to do his cleaning job until 6am. He did this for 15 years. Pat had some hair-raising experiences fishing and building walls and son John related these funny stories at his funeral. Pat’s retirement years were just as busy as his working days. He shared his time with the Good Sammy’s, Salvation Army, Red Cross and his local church, all to help others. He also became the 24/7
PAT CLEARY - ALWAYS A GIVER
carer for his wife of 50 years Nancy, who passed away in 2014, after she was diagnosed with dementia. Pat was loved by all his children, grand-children and friends. Always a giver, once you were his friend you were a friend for life, a fact I well knew. At his mass to celebrate his life, a letter was read out from Pat to the congregation…
“Do not mourn my death as I am finally free. Pray for my soul so I may enter into eternal life, with the Lord Jesus Christ be happy for me as I am now united with my beloved wife Nancy. Fear not me gone as I am closer to you now more than you can ever imagine. I am no longer in pain. My hands no longer shake. My legs now let me walk. My mouth now lets me talk. I can now sing my Irish songs with Nancy again. Be happy for me and please pray for me. Patrick Cleary.”
Go mbeifeá ag déithe na láimhe deise. (MAY YOU BE AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND) Above: Pat with his wife of 50 years, Nancy. Left: Pat with his family at a recent gathering
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Somewhere in County Cork THE SEARCH FOR THE BIRTHPLACE OF CATHERINE O’BRIEN BY ROBYN GRAHAM Growing up in Australia I had only minimal contact with my father’s family. All I knew was that Grandfather Kelly’s family had lived in Wollongong, NSW and Grandmother Betts’ family had lived in Gooloogong, NSW. As an adult I felt the urge to find out more about unknown ancestors. We had no Internet back then, no fancy search engines that could mine whole libraries of data in a mere second. I started researching the old-school way, visiting libraries, archives and family history centres, purchasing birth, death and marriage certificates, including the marriage between Thomas Campbell Betts and Catherine O’Brien, my greatgreat-grandparents, held at Bungerellingong, Lachlan River, NSW in 1864. Thomas was a blacksmith, aged above 21 and residing in Goolagong, NSW. Catherine O’Brien was a spinster, aged under 21 and residing in Goolagong. The witnesses were Hugh Hurst and Margaret Stack. They were married by James Adam and the religion was recorded as Presbyterian. Thomas and Catherine’s birthplaces were both recorded as “unknown” as were their parents! I had no places of birth, no parents and no ages. Why were they married at Bungerellingong, a large pastoral property between Cowra and Gooloogong (formerly spelt Goolagong)? Was this, like many other colonial marriages, a case of romance between the pastoral worker and the domestic servant? I’ve also wondered why they were married by a Presbyterian clergyman. James Adam was a pioneering Scottish Presbyterian minister in the Upper Lachlan Valley, travelling widely to perform his ministry. Catherine was baptised as a Catholic, but perhaps James Adam was the only marriage celebrant to ever visit the area. Local folklore states that James Adam was once held up by the notorious bushranger Ben Hall and that it was only the polite, patient manner in which he treated the bushranger that allowed his release 70 | THE IRISH SCENE
“Irish Research – Challenging, not impossible!” is the motto of the Irish Special Interest Group (ISIG) of Family History WA (FHWA). In this intriguing story, long-serving ISIG committee member Robyn Graham outlines some of the twists and turns on the road to learning more about her nineteenth century emigrant ancestor Catherine O’Brien’s family back in Ireland. without harm. It could be that James Adam used that same polite, patient manner to convince Catherine that a marriage blessed by the Presbyterian Church was better than no marriage. After their marriage, Thomas and Catherine lived on several pastoral stations in the Lachlan district and for a while followed the gold prospecting trail in central NSW. Pastoral stations and prospecting camps were often isolated and had few amenities. There would have been no easy access to registry offices and although Catherine gave birth to six children, only two of the births were registered. Fortunately, one of those birth registrations, as well as Catherine’s death record, gave enough information to establish Catherine’s birth place as County Cork and an approximate birth year of 1844. This still didn’t give me a lot to go on. Catherine O’Brien is a very common name in County Cork and even knowing an approximate birth year, without parents’ names, the task was nearly impossible. So, I filed Catherine in the “too hard basket” for a number of years. Enter Genealogy DNA matching as a tool for family historians. DNA testing gave me the breakthrough I needed when it revealed a match with previously unknown cousins in the USA. Correspondence with these cousins led me to focus my O’Brien research in Kilworth Parish, County Cork. Searches through Kilworth Parish records and the 1851 census showed that Catherine had been born in Kilally West and lived with her parents, one sister and three brothers on a small tenant farm. Perhaps Catherine had an adventurous spirit and decided that life in a new country on the other
FAMILY HISTORY WA
Left: Richard Stack’s sponsorship of Catherine O’Brien’s emigration, as recorded in the 1860 Immigration Deposit records. Below: 1851 census transcript for the O’Brien household in Kilally West, Cork. side of the world was preferable to living in a tiny village where her life would follow the traditional pattern. On the other hand, life may have become increasingly difficult for the O’Brien family on a small rural holding and the older children could have been encouraged to search for other opportunities. Catherine’s older sister Margaret had made the journey to Australia several years before her and it was Margaret’s husband, Richard Stack who sponsored Catherine’s voyage. Richard Stack’s experience is an encouraging example of a poor Irish man doing well in the “new
country”. Richard was a convict from County Limerick and after serving his sentence he gained stable work in rural NSW. He must have been doing reasonably well to be able to sponsor Catherine’s voyage. Filling in the gaps to find Catherine’s birthplace has taken several years of research but I’m now happy to be able to identify Kilally West as being that “somewhere in County Cork”.
THE IRISH SIG IN 2021 In 2021 the Irish Special Interest Group continues to meet online via Google Meet until the Covid-19 restrictions permit more people in our meeting room (the limit is currently just 31). Next online meeting will be on 18 July and we hope to meet face to face on 17 October if possible. Thirty-five participants attended our April online meeting in which we focused on how to navigate irishgenealogy.ie, the Irish government supported official website offering free online access to the civil registers of historical births, marriages and deaths and some church records. In future meetings we will continue to demonstrate other useful sites for finding your ancestors, including aids for locating parishes, townlands and registration districts. New members and visitors are always welcome to our meetings - simply book your place using the online booking site TryBooking, details at right. At this stage you can book for the July meeting only. Immediately after each quarterly meeting, bookings for the next meeting will open. Those who have booked will be sent a link to the Google Meet shortly before the 2pm meeting. FamilyHistoryWA also hosts lots of other exciting online events - some for beginners, and others for experienced researchers, so check out the full suite of presentations, workshops and meetings. Nonmembers and new members are welcome to join in from home. See the link right to FamilyHistoryWA
homepage and choose the ‘Events’ tab. A small payment may be required for some events. We invite you to visit the FamilyHistoryWA’s extensive library and resource centre at 6/48 May Street Bayswater, but it is wise to phone ahead to check on the building’s current capacity restrictions which may vary with the ebb and flow of the pandemic. Opening hours are given on the FamilyHistoryWA homepage. Happy and successful researching!
CHRISTINE TIMONEY
ON BEHALF OF THE IRISH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
MORE INFO ROBYN O’BRIEN, Convenor Irish Special Interest Group E irish.sig@fhwa.org.au Book a place at the next IRISH GROUP MEETING at TryBooking: .trybooking.com/BLPZM Book for FUTURE FHWA EVENTS at trybooking.com/eventlist/genealogy?embed=1 Go digging for resources at FamilyHistoryWA’s IRISH SIG WEBPAGE Join FAMILYHISTORYWA FACEBOOK GROUP – researching family worldwide, open to all Join in the chat or ask a question at the FAMILYHISTORYWA DISCUSSION FACEBOOK GROUP FamilyHistoryWA (FHWA) membership.wags.org.au T 9271 4311
THE IRISH SCENE | 71
Ag Seilg sna Rosa Myles na gCopaleen Shroiceamar na Rosa faoi dheireadh agus an t-am ar shroich, bhí stiall mhaith de dhromchla na cruinne siúlta againn. Go deimhin, is suairc an tír í, más ocrach féin. Den chéad uair ó rugadh mé chonaic mé tír nach raibh báite agus ar maos ó líofacht na fearthainne. I ngach aird bhí ioldathanna na firmiminte ag déanamh aoibhnis don tsúil. Bhí gaoth bhog bhinn ag teacht sna sála orainn agus ag cuidiú linn sa tsiúl. In airde sna spéartha bhí lampa mór buí ar a dtugtaí an ghrian ag síleadh teasa agus solais anuas orainn. I bhfad i gcéin bhí cruacha arda gorma ina seasamh go seasmhach thoir agus thiar ag faire orainn. Bhí sruthán glic ag comóradh an bhealaigh mhóir. Bhí sé i bhfolach i dtóin na díge ach bhí a fhios againn go raibh sé ann ón monabhar mín a bhronn sé go fial ar ár gcluasa. Bhí an portach donndubh ar gach taobh, breac le carraigeacha. Ní raibh aon locht le fáil agam ar na Rosa ná ar aon cheann díobh; bhí Ros amháin chomh deas le Ros eile. Maidir le seilg, bhí siúd faoi lántseol ag an Seanduine sular bhraitheas nach raibh aon chosúlacht ar radharc na tíre go mbeadh seilg ann, ná aon chosúlacht ar an Seanduine go raibh sé sa tóir. Isteach thar chlaí leis go tobann. Isteach liomsa ina dhiaidh. I sméideadh súile bhí fuinneog foscailte ag an Seanduine agus bhí sé imithe uaim as radharc ar fud an tí. Sheas mé go cionn bomaite ag meabhrú iontais an tsaoil agus ansin nuair a bhíos ar tí a leanúint isteach sa tigh, amach leis arís de phreib. ‘Bhí seilg bhreá sa tigh sin riamh’, a dúirt sé liom. D’oscail sé a ghlac agus cad deirir
a bheadh ann ach cúig scillinge airgid, neacláis bhreá ghalánta mná agus fáinne beag óir. Chuir sé na nithe sin go sásta i bpóca éigin istigh ar fud a phearsan, agus bhrostaigh sé chun siúil mé arís in éineacht leis. ‘Is leis an Máistir Ó Bíonasa an teach sin’, ar seisean, ‘agus is annamh a chuaigh mé in aisce ann’. ‘Muise, a dhuine uasail’, arsa mise go béasach, ‘is neamhchoitianta an saol atá inniu ann agus is mírialta an tseilg atá anois ar siúl againn’. ‘Más ea’, arsa an Seanduine, ‘is mithid’. Teach eile ceanna slinne arna rochtain dúinn, isteach leis an Seanduine arís agus amach leis le lán a dhoirn d’airgead rua a fuair sé i gcupán ar an drisiúr; teach eile agus ghoid sé slabhra óir; teach eile fós agus rug sé leis a oiread bídh agus dí is a chuir an misneach ar ais ionainn tar éis shiulóid agus dheacrachtaí an lae. ‘An amhlaidh’, arsa mise faoi dheireadh, ‘nach bhfuil aoinne beo sa tír seo nó an fíor go bhfuilid go léir glanta uainn siar go dtí an tOileán Úr? Pé comhréiteach atá ar an taobh seo den domhan, tá na tithe go léir folamh agus tá cách as baile’. ‘Is follas, a mhicínín bhig ó’, arsa an Seanduine, ‘nach bhfuil na dea-leabhair léite agat. Tá an tráthnóna anois ann agus de réir na cinniúna liteartha tá stoirm ann béal cladaigh, tá na hiascairí ar an anás amuigh ar an uisce, tá na daoine bailithe ar an tráigh, tá na mná ag caoineach agus tá máthair bhocht amháin ag rá ‘Cé a bhéafras tarrtháil ar mo Mhicí?’ Sin mar bhí an scéal riamh ag na Gaeil le teacht na hoíche sna Rosa’. ‘Is iontach, a dhuine chóir’, arsa mise, ‘an saol atá inniu ann’. (An Béal Bocht, Myles na gCopaleen, Preas Mercier Teo, An Séú hEagrán, 1992)
SEANFHOCAL
MOLAIM DAOIBH AN GEARRSCANNÁN SUIMIÚL CLISTE ÁLAINN SEO: SIÚCRA – ROXANNA NIC LIAM. youtu.be/Mp8MvBgb10k BRÍD 72 | THE IRISH SCENE
Glac an saol mar a thig sé leat.
A new Celtic Dawn Avid readers and admirers of ancient Irish folklore and legend may be familiar with the prodigious and prolific output of New Zealand publishing house and cultural consultancy Irish Imbas (Imbas is a very old Celtic word meaning ‘knowledge’). Established in 2014 in Wellington by Corkman Brían Ó’Súileabháin (Brian O’Sullivan) with his partner ‘K’, the creative couple have written and produced three fictional series of books – Beara Trilogy/Fionn macCumhaill and Irish Woman Warrior Series – and also run an annual Celtic Mythology Short Story Competition. Their latest offering however is a little different in that it is an experimental online literary game. ‘An Caomhaoir Fuilsmeartha/ Dark Dawn’, a story that can be experienced through Irish or English that carries a ‘16+’ rating, as recommended by the author because of the violence contained in the narrative.
“Essentially, it’s the story of a sick warrior who’s convinced – against his better judgement – to try and save a tiny settlement,” said Brian. “During the game, that warrior must make decisions – influenced by events in his own life – that can change the outcome. It’s a very simple story. A very human story. There’s still something of a mindset back home that anything to do with ancient Irish narratives should be restricted to children or those going down the ‘spiritual’ marketing route. That ignores the reality that the people who first told these stories were intelligent, rational adults. They fought, they drank, they cursed and had sex. Ignoring that reality or misrepresenting that reality, belittles those who went before us.” As well as wanting to give readers an authentic cultural experience and incorporate elements of the Irish language, Brian said he also wants his book to be accessible and fun. “Producing An Caomhaoir Fuilsmeartha/ Dark Dawn in Irish as well as in English was certainly harder, but the story’s an Irish one, set in Ireland and based on Irish cultural history,” he added. “If it’s handled well, you can certainly carry some of that cultural integrity across in English but, given that there’s no such thing as an exact translation, the Irish version is critical if you want a more genuinely immersive experience. By designing it so you can use either language, or both, at any stage, you can knock down the barriers and allow some self-instruction at the same time. An Caomhaoir Fuilsmeartha / Dark Dawn will be available to access free from the Irish Imbas website (irishimbasbooks.com/) from 11 May 2021. Left: Instead of a ‘plastic’ St. Patrick’s Day experience Irish Imbla recommended readers to check out the 2020 commission Gilgamesh by Galway based theatre group Macnas. “As mythological epics go, this one is an interesting narrative and Macnas do their usual magic on visuals and mood.” THE IRISH SCENE | 73
Paula from Tasmania
BY PAULA XIBERRAS
FINALLY, A TASSIE DATE AFTER ‘THE LONGEST TIME’ It may be a case of the ‘Longest Time’ for entertainer Anthony Mara. Anthony was all set to bring his Billy Joel ‘Greatest hits’ tribute show to Hobart’s Granada Tavern just before COVID arrived last year, that plan was postponed. However, the wait is over and Anthony will finally make his first trip to perform in Tassie on April 30. I talked to Anthony during April and he assured me, and all Billy Joel fans, that he will be performing as many as the fan favourites as possible, such as “Piano Man”, “New York State Of Mind”, “Honesty”, “It’s Still Rock’n’roll To Me”, “We Didn’t Start The Fire”, “Uptown Girl” and “River Of Dreams”. If your favourite isn’t in the list Anthony says the show is fairly flexible in approach and a shout out of your preferred song during the show should see it be played. One song that will most likely get an airing is a lesser known fan favourite and also Anthony’s personal favourite “Stories from an Italian Restaurant”, its appeal being its attributes of both ballad and rock song. Anthony says it’s been a pretty tough time through COVID although he has been able to do a few shows this year and is looking forward to his first visit to Tasmania. While Anthony admits he looks a bit like Billy Joel and sings a bit like him too, he is not an impersonator. More than anything else, his show is about enthusiasm for Joel and his music. Anthony and his band are all fans of Billy Joel’s music and that shows in the enthusiasm they demonstrate on stage. Even though the performance is not an impersonation, there are a few nuances there that Anthony has picked up when seeing Billy perform live, such as Billy’s spring-back technique with his microphone, that are included in the show. The show adapts to its venue, so when Anthony 74 | THE IRISH SCENE
performs in a theatre he has an audio visual display of Billy that is included in the show. While at the Granada there will be inclusion of some biography of Billy to explain the story behind the songs and put the music in context.
TWO WEEKS TO REMEMBER A REAL CORKER Esther Campion’s new novel ‘A Week to Remember’ continues the story of her first two novels, characters Ellen O’Shea and her love Gerry as they lovingly restore the cottage holiday home in beautiful Ireland. It seems that some of their love and romance lives in the walls of the cottage as it welcomes couples and individuals seeking to restore love in whatever form into their lives. It also becomes a place for confession and reconciliation as the residents explore a range of social issues from infidelity, domestic abuse, caring for ageing parents to the opposite scale of caring for emerging teenagers. Esther Campion is originally from Cork, Ireland and arrived in north-west Tasmania via time spend in Scotland, Norway (where she did a writing course) and South Australia (where once her kid’s settled into kindy she had time to indulge in creativity). Esther who has science degrees has shown herself equally adept at mastering the humanities as well. I spoke to Esther recently about her new novel and about living and loving the tree cray landscape of Port Sorell. This novel, as all of Esther’s do, gives a nod to her new Tasmanian home with two of the protagonists Aisling and Mick Fitzgerald returning to Ireland from their Tasmanian home to celebrate their wedding
PAULA FROM TASMANIA
anniversary. While Mick’s mum minds the children in their Tasmanian home.
CÉILÍ AND SET DANCING IN PERTH!
‘A Week to Remember’ is out now, published by Hachette.
A PLACE FOR PALS Fiona Lowe’s new book ‘A Home Like Ours’ is the story of women of different ages and backgrounds that find their common purpose in coming together to build a community garden. The garden’s flourishing is also a symbol of the flourishing and growth in their lives from their community. Tara Hooper is struggling with keeping the ‘flourishing’ in her marriage. Helen Demetriou is another in need of flourish as she finds herself homeless and living in her car. Jade Innes is a teenage mum with a partner who is more absent than present and not as supportive as he could be. Fiza Atallah is a refugee Hazara women from Sudan who faces racism in the community but still brings her own love of food to the garden. As usual Fiona’s novel has many themes; one of the big ones is that of displacement from refugees on a world level, to homelessness and poverty, to women displaced in relationships. Another theme is racism where crimes are often placed on the newcomer into the community. It is the ability, that Fiona demonstrates, of women to find their place and flourish in social environments like the community garden that finds resolution. The food grown in the garden is a reminder that coming together to dine is a way of bonding over food and friendship. Fiona again has Victoria as her backdrop to the novel although she tells me that her next novel with move from a setting in Victoria to the northwest coast of Tasmania where her son works as a doctor and where she spends some of her time. ‘A Home Like Ours’ is out now, published by Harper Collins.
TUESDAYS AT THE IRISH CLUB, SUBIACO Sean Nós - 5.30pm Set Dancing & Céilí - 6.00-7.00pm $15 pay as you go Teacher: Caroline McCarthy
www.facebook.com/TorcCeiliClub torcceiliclub@gmail.com
TUESDAYS
at the Woody
$15
$6
PIE & PINT PINTS OF FROM NIGHT GUINNESS 6PM
IRISH MUSIC
SESSION 7-11pm Woodbridge Hotel 50 EAST STREET, GUILDFORD 9377 1199
THE IRISH SCENE | 75
Tasmania’s
Irish Convict History BY BRIAN CORR
TASMANIA’S CONVICT HISTORY IS A STORY OF CRIME AND SURVIVAL IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON THIS PLANET. More than 70,000 convicts were transported to the colony between 1788 and the end of transportation in 1868. Over 70% of Tasmania’s population is now estimated to be descended from convicts. Of the eleven UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict sites in Australia, five are in Tasmania. The Port Arthur Historic Site (an hour’s drive from Hobart) is Australia’s most famous penal settlement. On Maria Island (two hours drive up the coast from Hobart) the Darlington Probation Station buildings date back to the 1820’s in a spectacular natural environment. In the north of Tasmania, the Brickendon Convict Village and Woolmers Estate were built by convicts assigned to private landowners. Other convict highlights include Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour and the convict-built bridge in Richmond (where Thomas Francis O’Meagher, a Young Irelander and one of the leaders of the 1848 rebellion, spent some time before escaping to America.) In Hobart, the Cascades Female Factory (a prison) tells of the thousands of female convicts transported to Tasmania. Also, the New Town Orphan Asylum, a bleak overcrowded orphanage, designed by Irishman John Lee Archer, closed in 1879. Nearly 13,000 women, and 2,000 children, arrived in Hobart from Ireland between 1803 and 1853, torn from their families, after a bleak 25,000km journey, in the dark holds of ships, not knowing the future; hopeful for a new life. Some had small children. There was almost no hope of ever seeing their families again. So, when t-Uachtaráin, Michael D. Higgins, came to Hobart on the 14th October 2017, to unveil on the Hobart waterfront, life-size bronze sculptures of three women and one child - representing the stories of women and children convicts, who arrived in Hobart 76 | THE IRISH SCENE
more than 150 years ago - we celebrated. Plans were quickly put in place for four more statues – two at the orphanage and two at the prison – to be created by the same artist, renowned Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie, who has companion works installed in Dublin and Toronto. The four new statues arrived in Hobart some months ago, but Covid restrictions made their unveiling difficult and Rowan Gillespie couldn’t travel. On the 16th February 2021, one of the female convict statues, her pregnancy well advanced, was unveiled at the Female Factory by the Governor of Tasmania, Professor the Honourable Kate Warner (photo above). John Kelly, well-known businessman in Hobart and one of the driving forces behind the statues project, read a message from the Irish Ambassador, Breandán Ó Caollaí, describing the statue as “iconic and evocative”. Dianne Snowden, secretary of ‘From the Shadows Inc.’ (www.fromtheshadows.org.au), read a message from Rowan Gillespie in which he said: “... imagine the plight of this woman, standing for the first time outside these bleak walls, carrying with her, all the way from Ireland, an unborn life and a heart full of shame, fear, and loneliness. Yet, I like to believe, she also carries love; love for that new life she is about to deliver into what must have seemed a cruel and loveless world.” The statue is located just across the road from the entrance to the Female Factory in South Hobart.
COMING UP
Australian-Irish Heritage Association
ANNUAL BRENDAN AWARD
The prestigious Brendan Award has been presented since 1997 in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Australia’s Irish Heritage which clearly reflects favourably on Ireland and the Irish. Check our website and facebook for details of 2021 Presentation.
THE JOURNAL
Members of AIHA receive a quarterly publication which supports the Association’s mission of promoting an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage. Published in book format, The Journal is educational and entertaining and contributes to building an impressive reference library collection. We welcome new editor Julie Walsh-Banwait who takes over from current editor Denis Bratton. POETS AND WRITERS are invited to
participate and read from your work or a work of your choice with an Irish Connection in our forthcoming Winter Parlour Concert. This event has evolved from our innovative ‘The Verse’ in 2018 to ‘Sunday Miscellany’ in 2019 to our inaugural ‘Parlour Concert’ in 2020. It is an afternoon of prose and poetry, music and song with informative introductions of each presentation, illustrated slides and an Irish afternoon tea. Email expressions of interest to secretary@irishheritage.com.au If you are interested in receiving our monthly ‘Noticeboard’ two-page newsletter just email our secretary to be added to our growing data base.
AIHA PLANNING & BRAINSTORMING INVITATION SUNDAY 23 MAY, 12:30PM TO 4:00PM. REFRESHMENTS INCLUDED
The committee invite submissions to determine future direction of events and activities for our Association. Organisations need to adapt to maintain relevance. This gathering will consider our programme of Historical, Literary, Social events and activities, and how to optimise social media and funding opportunities. We have a number of new ideas to review as well as budget spend on activities. This is a by-invitation forum and all submissions will be explored with participants full involvement.
Venue: Private address Contact: secretary@irishheritage.com.au
MATINEE MOVIE ‘ZOO’ SUNDAY 6 JUNE (HOLIDAY WEEKEND), 3:00PM
The unforgettable true story of a larger-than-life friendship directed by Colin McIvor with Toby Jones and Penelope Wilton. As the Belfast Blitz ravages the city in 1941 during World War 2, a lonely widow and awkward teenager with misfit friends take an elephant named Buster from the city zoo and hide it in their terraced house’s garden. This is a sweet story for kids and for kids at heart. This is one for the animal lovers. The kids are sweet. The relationship is heart-breaking. With introductory talk by Belfast born Heather Deighan on her memories of Shella the elephant and Bellvue Zoo on Cavehill, Black Mountain
Venue: Cost:
Irish Club Theatre, Townshend Road Subiaco, mixed theatre and cabaret seating $15 for catering and hire, family rates, pay at the door, includes Irish afternoon tea and talk.
ANNUAL MARY DURACK LECTURE SUNDAY 4 JULY, 3:00PM
This lecture honours the pioneering work in Australia on many fronts by the Durack family and AIHA founding member and first patron Dame Mary Durack. Speaker will be confirmed in our newsletter.
Venue: Cost:
Irish Club Theatre, Townshend Road Subiaco, cabaret seating $10, open to all, includes Irish afternoon tea and talk.
THE FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB MEETS FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, WITH EXCEPTION OF DECEMBER
May 25: ‘Dark Emu’ by Bruce Pascoe, presented by Gayle Lannon June 22: To be presented by Tony Bray
Venue: Irish Club Committee Room, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, 7:30pm Cost: Free. All welcome. Light refreshments provided. Tea and coffee from the Bar $2 Contact: Convener Mary Purcell, m.purcell@telstra.com
Look us up on Facebook @australianirishheritage or check out our website irishheritage.com.au
Australian-Irish Heritage Association Non Political - Non Sectarian - Emphatically Australian
Be proud of your Irish heritage
PO Box 1583, Subiaco 6904. Tel: 08 9345 3530. Secretary: 08 9367 6026 Email: secretary@irishheritage.com.au or admin@irishheritage.com.au Web: www.irishheritage.com.au Find us on Facebook @australianirishheritage Membership due 1st January – Family $65, Concession $55, Distant (200kms from Perth) $45. Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 THE IRISH SCENE | 77
Book Reviews
WE ARE BELLINGCAT BY ELIOT HIGGINS / BLOOMSBURY $29.99
Never heard of Bellingcat? You wouldn’t be alone in that. Just who, or what, is Bellingcat? In brief, the oddly named organization is an online collective formed to investigate international, mainly war, crimes. And yes, we can be a part of it. (Visit the website www.bellingcat.com for further information). In 2014, due to Bellingcat’s patient sleuthing, those responsible for the downing of Malaysian Flight 417 over the Ukraine – with 298 passengers aboard – were identified. Four years later in March 2018, Russian defector, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found slumped on a bench on the verge of death, in the peaceful English city of Salisbury. They had been in contact with the deadly nerve agent, Novichok A234 which had been developed by the Soviet Secret Service. It was thanks to Bellingcat that the ‘kill team’ compromising of three Russian GRU operatives, was tracked down and the decision makers, even to the very top of the Kremlin hierarchy, were identified. 78 | THE IRISH SCENE
Each of these investigations necessitated the dedicated Bellingcat team, paid staff and volunteers, pouring over many thousands of hours of YouTube and Facebook footage, social media posts, and diverse databases. They trawled through magazine archives, news agency contents, chat sites, Google maps and satellite imagery in their meticulous quest to expose the truth. The book explores the cutting edge tools used in data analysis ranging from virtualreality software capable of building photorealistic models of a crime scene, to apps that can identify at exactly where and what time of day a photograph was taken. Amazingly, 90% of intelligence gleaned by Bellingcat came from open sources freely available to all. Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, was a high school dropout who began his rudimentary information gathering on a kitchen laptop in Leicester (England) during the early 2010s. He was initially preoccupied with the wars in Syria and Libya, before formally founding the home-grown investigation unit in 2014, just days before MH17 was hit by a warhead fired from a Russian Buk missile launcher. Now financed through crowd funding, with donations from Google’s Digital News Initiative Fund, Bellingcat’s credo is ‘Identify, Verify, Amplify’. Higgins’ book is a real life thriller about a collective of internet detectives who helped solve some of the biggest crimes of our time. As Toomas Hendrik Ilves (former President of Estonia) remarked, ‘If there were a Nobel Prize in uncovering war crimes, Bellingcat would receive it’. – Reviewed by John Hagan
BOOK REVIEWS
THE PERFORMANCE
DEAD IN THE WATER
BY CLAIRE THOMAS / HACHETTE $32.99
BY RICHARD BEASLEY / ALLEN & UNWIN $29.99
Thomas’ previous novel, FUGITIVE BLUE, featured three female characters linked together by a small, beguiling, 500 year old painting. In THE PERFORMANCE, she again delves in to the inner lives of three diverse females all of whom are present at the same Melbourne theatrical presentation of Samuel Beckett’s play ‘Happy Days’, as bushfires rage on the outskirts of the city.
Who would have imagined that our most important environmental law, the Commonwealth Water Act (2007), could be so engrossing or that the Murray Darling Basin Authority, formed to oversee Australia’s ‘food bowl’, could allegedly become so corrupt, venal and untrustworthy? Oh yes, there are deaths too; namely over one million Murray Cod, not to mention the demise of many thousands of precious gum trees. The national bill for the fiasco is in the region of thirteen billion dollars.
Margot is a professor of literature and, while ageing, is still at the top of her game in academia. Married to John for over 40 years, their relationship is fraught, as is her rapport with her married son, Adam, who appears to be endlessly disappointed in his mother. Summer is a young drama student from Western Australia who is working at the theatre as an usher to earn some cash between acting roles. While interested in the play, she is preoccupied with the plight of her girlfriend, April, who has ventured in to the fire zone to assist her parents. Final member of the trio is Ivy, a forty year old philanthropist, besotted by Beckett, but perturbed that she is a guest at the play only because the theatre company wants her money. Her enjoyment of the performance is marred by the snoring of the man sitting next to her. The action on stage triggers potent recollections amongst the trio, and as the performance unfolds so do the women’s memories, as each tries to grapple with their anxieties, hopes, relationships and self worth. By making us privy to each woman’s thoughts, Thomas allows the reader to inhabit three different characters in this well plotted and elegantly written novel. Good to see an academic (Thomas teaches literary studies and creative writing at university) actually demonstrate the art of superior story telling instead of sheltering in the lecture theatre. – Reviewed by John Hagan
This book is a revelation of unlawful and negligent decision making, secrecy and fraud, with all the twists and turns of a well plotted thriller. Beasley pulls no punches and spares no blushes in this meticulous and at times florid narrative on the degradation and death of our most precious resource. He reveals how Big Agriculture and downstream irrigators, with the help of politicians, both state and federal, have destroyed the potential of the Murray-Darling Basin. It is a subject Beasley knows well as he was Senior Counsel Assisting at the 2018 Murray-Darling Royal Commission, and so was up close and intimate as the disaster unfolded. All the usual suspects are involved – Gillard, Turnbull, Burke, Howard, Joyce, Littleproud and Deputy PM Michael McCormack, who supported the burning of ‘The Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan’ when it was published. The contribution of the National Country Party to the whole debacle is ‘contained in a sealed section at the back’. Instead of a ‘best science only’ plan to provide what the Basin needed, namely between 3900 and 7600 gigalitres of water per year, ‘the postcode of Penrith, 2750 became the final [gigalitre], recovery target’. No logical argument has been advanced for arriving at this number. CONTINUED ON PAGE 80
THE IRISH SCENE | 79
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 79
This is a book about the most precious resource Australia possesses – water. It’s about how little we have and how appallingly we manage it. DEAD IN THE WATER is the tale of a catastrophic shambles which should outrage us all. – Reviewed by John Hagan
PLACE NAMES IN ULSTER BY JONATHAN BARDON / ULSTER HISTORICAL FOUNDATION £6.99 (PLUS POSTAGE).
Most Irish people are familiar with the prefixes ‘dun’ and ‘rath’ in relation to towns (eg. Dungannon and Rathfriland). Both, of ancient Celtic origin, mean ‘fort’, but what is the difference between them? This is just one of the interesting and informative revelations in this new publication from the Ulster Historical Foundation (www.ancestryireland.com). In addition to explaining the sources of Gaelic place names from Ulster’s ancient kingdoms (Tyrone – Land of Eoghan), its peoples (Fermanagh – Men of Manach), physical features (Strabane – white stream), and the Irish church (Templepatrick – St Patrick’s church), this enlightening book expands to clarify root words featured in townlands (Ballygawley – O’Daly’s townland) and land divisions (Carrowdore – quarter of the water). The old shibboleth is certainly true, ‘The Irish language named the landscape and if you know the language, the landscape talks back’. Bardon traces, through place names, the Anglo-Norman (Carrickfergus – Fergus’s rock), and Elizabethan (Mountnorris – built and named after Sir John Norris) conquests, the Plantation of Ulster (Castleblaney – founded by Sir Edward Blaney) plus many street names associated with Belfast (Beal Feirsde – the mouth of or approach to the sandbank). PLACE NAMES IN ULSTER explores, and highlights, the richness of the Ulster heritage while serving as 80 | THE IRISH SCENE
a guide to its present. This is a hugely illuminating, enjoyable, and well illustrated foray into our past by an acclaimed historian. – Reviewed by John Hagan
IRELAND’S FORGOTTEN PAST: A HISTORY OF THE OVERLOOKED AND DISREMEMBERED BY TURTLE BUNBURY / THAMES AND HUDSON
Mr Turtle Bunbury of County Carlow is a respected writer in various fields, a historian, a public speaker and a television personality. He has received prestigious awards for two of his books and - judging from the quality and interest of Ireland’s Forgotten Past - he surely deserves additional recognition for this recent work. The author is acutely aware of the nature of Ireland’s florid and often spectacular history and notes that “every field, hill, stream and rock seems to hold another secret about the island’s past…” Furthermore, he is worried about fading collective memory and notes that “the dolmen earns a brief mention in the occasional tourist brochure but I have never seen any record of the monastery or ringfort – no archived memories of who built them, who died there, who slept, ate, thought, laughed, loved, mourned or died there. It is simply the shapes of earth and stone that reveal the human touch”. The book provides us with obscure or almost completely forgotten lesser-known tales - thirty six in all - from the long and sometimes messy saga that is Irish history. As for people, Bunbury says, “the cast includes a pair of ill-fated pre-historic chieftains, a psychopathic Viking monarch, a chivalrous Norman warrior, a dazzling English traitor, an ingenious tailor, an outstanding warhorse, a fanatical spymaster, a
BOOK REVIEWS
brothel queen, a randy prince and an insanely prolific sculptor”. He begins by examining the earliest stages - obscure and hard to interpret though they are - of human occupation and activity in the distant past. About 13, 000 years ago Palaeolithic hunters were active in Ireland. During the Neolithic period they morphed into farmers and makers of strange monuments that are still turning up in odd places today. Then came disaster - what may have been a complete break with the past marked by mounting evidence of mass slaughter of the earlier peoples. The newcomers who took over (the Bell Beaker culture) were warlike, builders of hill forts and good at metal work. During the Iron Age (from about the 800s BC) there was much land clearing, building activity and eventually - hard evidence of ugly customs such as human sacrifice. Roman scholars understood what that was about. The Druids were now on the scene. Forget about romantic nonsense re the Druids: “the bodies of sacrificial victims found in the Irish bogs” confirm the barbarities (chapter 5). All power to St Patrick and other missionaries who helped terminate such horrors. Bunbury entertains us (chapter seven) with stories about pilgrimages to the holy wells of Christian Ireland in the hope of cures from various ailments. All of the churches eventually became hostile to the custom. One of the last wells (at Warrenstown) was deliberately wrecked in 2018. However, all is not lost for believers. This writer has witnessed traditional visits to holy wells - in England, believe it or not, where the custom is not under attack. Mr Bunbury is at his best when he deals with individuals. For example, chapter 23 looks into the activities of Lord Rosse and the foundation of the Hellfire Club in 1737 - “the rumours alone would give Stephen King the shivers. Lord Rosse and his cronies are said to have hosted black masses, mock crucifixions and…”. But no more. What follows is not for the sensitive. On a happier note, in chapter 19 readers are favoured with the story of Daniel O’Byrne, a Dublin tailor and staunch Catholic who extracted a fortune in hard cash from the esteemed and always charming Oliver Cromwell when he made his pleasant 1649 visit to Ireland. In between massacres Cromwell and his cronies felt the need to get red uniforms for their troops. Mr O’Byrne believed he could get the material together. He accepted the challenge, hired
scores of folk for the task and worked miracles. The result: 40,000 outfits were eventually supplied and Cromwell paid up. Mr O’Byrne flourished thereafter as a great man of business and a landowner. He died in 1684, still firm in his Catholic believes. The gentleman’s standing was so great he even managed to procure a baronetcy for his son. Mr Bunbury’s book contains many such surprising stories. It is a real page turner and deserves high accolades. – Reviewed by Peter Conole
THE KING OF SWINGERS BY TOM GILMORE / O’BRIEN PRESS
Paddy Cole is ‘The King of the Swingers’ to most music fans back in Ireland. He is an icon from the showband era having played in bands such as Butch Moore and The Capitol, and as bandleader for Brendan Bowyer the Big 8 in Las Vegas, where he even entertained alongside Elvis. These days, back in Ireland Paddy is a noted Jazz player who has always been top of the bill at the Cork Jazz Festival and many other similar events. In the 60’s, (yes, I’m that old) with my good pal, Tony St Ledger, whose brother Chris was a founding member of the Victors Showband in Cork, we saw many great showbands bands play in and around the city. I see Art Supple, a lead singer of the Victors, is still knocking out a song around Ireland. The Arcadia in the city, Majorca in Crosshaven, Redbarn near Youghal were the places to see the great showbands. Tom Gilmore’s book brought back fond memories for me of those halcyon days. I know of many of my friends in Perth who met CONTINUED ON PAGE 82
THE IRISH SCENE | 81
BOOK REVIEWS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 81
their future wives in the dancehalls of the UK where many showbands including Butch Moore and The Capital with Paddy Cole played their dance music. Interestingly, Pat McGuigan (McGeegan) was also a lead singer for the Victors (1964-1966) and his son Barry went on to be a world boxing champion. Pat McGuigan (who died 1987) sang “Danny Boy” before several of his son’s fights. But back to Paddy, who is something of a secret star in Australia and New Zealand as he never played here, even though he and the showbands have many fans in both countries. I have a copy of Paddy’s ‘Celtic Rendezvous’ in my collection. So, it was with great delight that I received a copy of the book from my good friend Tom Gilmore, and found the book does more than just lift the lid on Paddy’s own showbiz exploits at home and abroad. It also reflects an ever-changing Ireland, and indeed an ever-changing world, culturally, socially, musically, economically, and religiously. For me, being away for near 50 years was an eye-opener. The book is appropriately titled ‘The King of the Swingers’ as that is the tune that is best identified with his Jazz style of music interspersed with showband sounds and Irish Trad tunes. In this book Paddy reveals secrets of his international escapades from “sleeping like a spoon” in an old van in Scotland to playing for Elvis, and going on stage after Go Go Girls, in Las Vegas! Paddy, who seems forever young, has been entertaining audiences since he was only 12 years old. The book has been a best seller for O’Brien Press in Ireland and can also be got by fans of the showband era in Ireland who are now living in Australia and New Zealand. As John McColgan of ‘Riverdance’ fame writes in his foreword in this new book, “Paddy has had a stellar career. His exceptional musical talent across all genres has entertained generations nationally and internationally”. From a world that was at war when he was born in 1939, to a world that is still at war with Covid-19, Paddy (81) tells tales of seeing an everchanging Ireland, and world, through the eyes of an entertainer. He has even written a poem in this book, about the times that people in Ireland have been living in, appropriately titled “Strange Times”. The tales he tells reflect the social history of Ireland, and the Irish at home and abroad; from the hungry years of emigration of the 50s and 60s to the dramatic highs and dreadful lows of recent decades. His stories, as told to writer Tom Gilmore, a regular visitor to Western Australia, are full of sincerity, laced with the good humour for which this bubbly star of stage, radio and TV is famous for. From playing at the London Palladium, performing to a TV audience of over 30 million, to entertaining Elvis in Las Vegas, or doing TV shows in Dubai, or playing the Jazz clubs of New Orleans this virtuosic saxophonist, clarinettist, tin whistle player, and “sometimes a singer!”, is humble and humorous about it all. But when Bob Geldof makes disparaging remarks about the showband scene that spawned entertainers like Paddy, he retorts with a stinging response, “Geldof probably never even saw a showband play at a live venue.” 82 | THE IRISH SCENE
Paddy Cole with author Tom Gilmore at Lahinch Golf Club in Co. Clare where they put the finishing touches to ‘The King of the Swingers’ book after Ireland emerged from Covid-19 Lockdown. Like myself, Butch Moore, as well as another icon, Joe Dolan, was a compositor by trade in the printing industry and it is said that Butch continued to pay his union dues (just in case the music didn’t work out). For Butch and Paddy Cole it sure did work out and they went on to bring so much enjoyment many in the USA, Ireland and in the UK for many years. Sadly, Butch passed away in 2001 and my old pal Tony St Leger in 1979. RIP. Nowadays, Paddy lives in Dublin and presents a popular Sunday morning show on Sunshine Radio which has listeners all over the world. To his loyal listeners in Cabinteely or Cabra, his native Castleblayney, and as far as Canberra, Casablanca and California, Paddy Cole is still something of a secret Irish international star, as revealed in this book published by O’Brien Press now available on line at www.obrien.ie, amazon.com and eason.ie or by phone from O’Brien Press at 00353 1-14923333. This is a great read and I have no problem recommending this to readers. – Reviewed by Fred Rea
THE IRISH SCENE | 83
Irish Choir Perth
The recent lockdown back in April didn’t seem to throw Perth into the panic of previous episodes. We were calmer, we were more prepared and altogether more accepting of the circumstance. This maturity was neatly demonstrated in a recent Whatsapp chat between members of the Irish Choir Perth. Over the previous year, this group chat has been a place of wonderful support – checking in with each other and making sure everyone had what they needed, sharing music and distracting memes. However, with this more accepting attitude to lockdown one topic dominated and was debated with extreme passion: Tea. Predictable perhaps, and certainly we lived up to one of our stereotypes, but one innocent question ‘Where can I find Lyons tea in Perth’ led to a conversation that was still raging several hours later. There were a few jokes about the Safe WA app and lockdown rules – the app doesn’t know what you are shopping for, followed
by a genuine defense of various tea brands, Barry’s from the Cork girls naturally, a good few Lyons fans, Twinnings Irish breakfast at a push, one admission of a Yorkshire Tea, and a surprise entry with Dilmah loose leaves – very posh! Memories at times made us laugh out loud – “I’m pretty sure my mother put weak tea in a bottle for me as a child with sugar”, “Tea so strong you could trot a mouse on that/trot a horse on that/put hairs on your chest”. It ended with a envious chorus at a photo of a Michael D Higgins tea cosy. Messages finally closed at 23:02 – I think at some point wine had to be opened and obviously the kettle was on throughout. Jokes aside, it was telling that during times of crisis the Irish Choir Perth community always turns to each other for support (and a guaranteed giggle). As time goes by and new members come along, this group only gets stronger.
WE LOVE NEW MEMBERS, AND (LOCKDOWNS ASIDE), WE WELCOME NEW FACES THROUGHOUT THE TERM. COME GIVE IT A TRY ON WEDNESDAYS, 7PM AT THE IRISH CLUB OF WA IN SUBI. FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS @IRISHCHOIR 84 | THE IRISH SCENE
Up and Running
First Up
After months of rehearsals, ITP’s first production was staged in April. It was the engaging drama called ‘The Trappe Family’ by Irish Playwright Seamus O’Rourke. We were lucky to have the vision of director Sean Byrne bring the story to life. He gathered a wonderful ensemble of seasoned and new actors who brought an authenticity to the family characters and dialogue. The visual impact of the production was elevated by the fantastic Stage Set which was built by the extremely talented George Boyd and the lighting and sound effects run by Josie Hacking and John Woolrych. As usual it took a lot of hard work by many people to get this play up on stage so a huge "Thank You" to all involved. It was a great joy to see the positive audience responses during and after each performance. It really makes all the effort worthwhile.
What a flying start to 2021! It was with great enthusiasm that the ITP Committee got to work planning, organising and coordinating all the elements it takes to get a full year of quality community theatre up on stage. We are so happy to be bringing a very entertaining line up for your enjoyment.
*Check out the online reviews by Stage Whispers and Gordon the Optom.
Up Next
Right now we are auditioning for our ‘One Act Season 2021’. Each evening you will be treated to performance of three short plays. ‘Still Lives’ by Tony Layton ‘Bockey’s Bridge’ by Sean Byrne ‘Sea Wall’ by Simon Stephens This season starts on June 17th at the Irish Club in Subiaco. Visit the Irish Theatre Players Facebook page for dates, times and booking information.
Up and At It So if you have a talent and a bit of free time, then ITP may just be the hobby you are looking for. “What talent do I need?” you say. We have opportunities for people to get involved in so many theatre activities. Stage management, wardrobe, front of house, set design and acting are just a few. Want to be part of the community theatre family at ITP? Get in touch through Facebook or our website.
irishtheatreplayers.com.au
IrishTheatrePlayers THE IRISH SCENE | 85
Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc.
Huge congratulations to every single one of our dancers that took part in the grade exams this March. Thank you to our wonderful grade examiner Miss Jan, we were so lucky to have her travel to WA
😊
AIDA WA WERE VERY EXCITED TO HOST OUR FIRST FEIS OF THE YEAR!! THE BLACKOUT FEIS A huge thank you to our adjudicator Andrew Roberts whom we were also lucky enough to have travel over. See our pictures of some very enthusiastic dancers!
86 | THE IRISH SCENE
AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2020
WE ALSO BRIGHTENED OUR COMMUNITIES FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
☘
with many of our Western Australian Irish Dancing Schools taking part in various festivities across Perth
President: Caroline McCarthy TCRG Vice Presidents: Melissa Kennedy TCRG and Samantha McAleer TCRG Secretary: Caitriona Slane TCRG Treasurer: Martina O’Brien TCRG Registrar: Jenny O’Hare TCRG National Delegate: Eileen Ashley
SCHOOL CONTACTS:
CELTIC ACADEMY East Victoria Park & Karragullen www.celticacademyperth.com Siobhan Collis TCRG 0403 211 941 KAVANAGH STUDIO OF IRISH DANCE Maylands www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa Fenton TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Melissa Kennedy TCRG Avril Grealish TCRG THE ACADEMY MID AMERICA & WESTERN AUSTRALIA Subiaco, Wangara & Pearsall Samantha McAleer TCRG Dhana Pitman TCRG Kalamunda Lara Upton ADCRG 0409 474 557 O’BRIEN ACADEMY Joondalup www.obrienacademy.com Rose O’Brien ADCRG 0437 002 355 Martina O’Brien TCRG 0423 932 866 O’HARE SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Doubleview, Wembley Downs & Craigie Jenny O’Hare TCRG 0422 273 596 SCOIL RINCE NA HEIREANN Rockingham irishdance@iinet.net.au Megan Cousins TCRG 0411 452 370 SCOIL RINCE NI BHAIRD Fremantle & Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG 0427 273 596 THREE CROWNS SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE Wangara & Padbury www.threecrownsirishdancing.com Eleanor Rooney TCRG 0449 961 669
Stephen Dawson MLC Minister for Mental Health; Aboriginal Affairs; Industrial Relations 12th Floor, Dumas House 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005 Email: Minister.Dawson@dpc.wa.gov.au Telephone: (08) 6552-5800
TRINITY STUDIO OF IRISH DANCING Morley, Midland, Bayswater & Singleton trinitystudiowa@gmail.com Eileen Ashley ADCRG 0413 511 595 Katherine Travers TCRG Nell Taylor TCRG WA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Malaga Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 0412 040 719
THE IRISH SCENE | 87
Basketball Blip BY JOHN HAGAN
NOW THAT THE TOKYO OLYMPICS ARE IN THE OFFING, WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAILING MORE GOLD MEDALS FROM IRISH ATHLETES SUCH AS, PAT O’CALLAGHAN, BOB TISDALL, RONNIE DELANY, MICHAEL CARRUTH, MARY PETERS, MICHELLE SMITH AND KATIE TAYLOR. UNFORTUNATELY, IN 1948, ONE IRISH TEAM WAS NOT QUITE SO FORTUNATE IN THE ELUSIVE QUEST FOR GOLD.
88 | THE IRISH SCENE
In 1948, with nearby London chosen as the site of the Olympics, the Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland (ABAI), only formed in 1945, decided to seize the opportunity to promote and grow their fledgling sport on the international stage. Basketball in Ireland, until that date, had largely been the prerogative of the Irish Army, introduced as an auxiliary exercise for boxing training during the 1920s. As a consequence, the Army’s basketball rules and regulations were significantly different to those internationally accepted. The ball used was described as being ‘a cross between a Gaelic football and a medicine ball’; it was much bigger and heavier than that used by other countries. While international basketball precludes physical contact, the Irish version was intensely physical - more akin to Gaelic played in a confined space. Initially, Army authorities were reluctant to cooperate with ABAI, refusing the Association access to Army players and training facilities in Dublin’s Portobello Barracks on the basis that ‘a team of army players would not be of international standard’, and would be unable to ‘give a performance of sufficiently high standard to bring credit to the country and the army’. Reluctant to take ‘no’ for an answer, ABAI continued pressing the government, and, on 1 July 1948, the Minister for Defence, Dr T F O’Higgins, finally acceded, approving Army involvement. A pool of 22 players was selected from the various army commands to undergo an ‘intensive period of coaching and training’ at Portobello Barracks. Eventually, the 22 was whittled down to 12, most of whom were from Western Command, based at Custume Barracks, Athlone. Only one of the final team, Harry Boland, was added from outside army ranks, making a total of 13 players in the Games contingent. The basketballers, together with the rest of the Irish Olympic competitors, left Dublin’s Westland Row Station on Saturday 24 July 1948, en route for London. They took the train to Dun Laoghaire, boarded the boat to
BASKETBALL BLIP
Holyhead and then caught another train to London’s Euston Station. Unfortunately, there was no dining car on the train so all arrived at their destination tired and hungry. The Irish base for the Games was Willesden Technical College, where the classrooms had been converted to temporary dorms; alas, no custom built athletes village in austere, post-war, Britain. The Olympics started badly for the basketball team as they were unable to parade in the opening ceremony because ABAI couldn’t afford to pay for an official uniform. The Irish Army supplied the playing kit of green singlets and khaki pants, which players were duty bound to return at the end of the Games. Twenty three nations entered the basketball competition staged at Harringay Arena (famous as a boxing venue) between the 30 July and 13 August 1948. Unfortunately, the initial doubts as to the team’s competitiveness were soon realized. The Irish players lacked pace, physique, strength, conditioning and finesse to match it with the other teams. Only two players were over six foot,
while the coach, Commandant Donald McCormack, knew very little about the sport, and refused to listen to sensible suggestions from those he outranked. To add to these problems, the bus driver taking the team to their first game lost his way, resulting in the team arriving 20 minutes late
to face their Mexican opponents. Because of the dire situation, team members had to change in the bus and had no opportunity to warm up before they played. This incident was described in a later account written by the Irish Olympic Council, as having a ‘very upsetting effect from which the team never fully recovered’. While hardly breaking a sweat, the
Musical Entertainer / Teacher
Mexicans hammered the Irish 71-9. Similar debacles ensued against all Ireland’s other pool opponents, with Iran winning 49-22, Cuba victorious 88-25, and France dominant 73-14. Two additional grading games were played in which Great Britain overwhelmed Ireland 46-21, with Switzerland also prevailing (55-12) against the hapless Irish. In total, over their six games, Ireland conceded 382 points, scoring only 103 in reply. As a result, the Irish finished 23rd; last amongst international rivals. Despite the Irish Olympic Council’s rather generous claim that the tardy bus arrival was a major contributing factor to the team’s poor showing, there were more obvious, and pertinent, reasons, (previously described), for the catastrophe. It was hoped that the experience gained in 1948 would enable Irish basketball to give a better account of itself in the 1952 Olympics. However, ABAI did not enter a team, and Ireland has never again competed in the final stages of the Olympic basketball competition.
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IRISH GOLF CLUB OF WA
Claddagh Cup 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the Claddagh Cup. This annual St Patrick’s Day event is organised by the Irish Club Golf Society and raises much needed funds for the Claddagh Association and the Charlotte Foundation. This year’s winning team were Mark Craven and Jonny Rocket. Runners up on the day were Jamie and Stuart from Impulse Painting with Eamon and Mick from CLC building services. The NAGA was a close call, but Pipeline Technics claimed the honours there.
Many thanks to those who have been on the journey with us and especially the sponsors who make the event a great success: ALLIED INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS AN SIBIN TAVERN BC FORMWORK BORDERS REAL ESTATE CLC BUILDING SERVICES COMTEC TRAINING DCI ELECTRICAL E&M ELECTRICAL HINO AUSTRALIA
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IMPULSE PAINTING MCDONALD SURVEYS MCLOUGHLIN’S BUTCHERS MIGHTY QUINN TAVERN MOONEY’S CAFÉ PERTH DRY WALL PIPELINE TECHNICS SAINT FINBARR’S GFC SARSFIELD’S GHC
SMS MINING SERVICES SPRINGS TAVERN SVG GROUP TAILIS CONSULTING TRINITY MEATS UON POWER AND WATER WASTE WATER SERVICES WEST TO WEST CONSTRUCTION WOODBRIDGE HOTEL
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SHAMROCK ROVERS FC SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY INTEGRITY PROPERTY SOLUTIONS
CONTACTS: MARTY BURKE 0410 081 386 • MARI PARKINSON 0427 171 333 CARRAMAR SHAMROCK ROVERS
WELL WE’RE BACK! With the 2021 season back in full flight, our state teams have played five games so far. Our first team won two cup-ties: a 6-0 against old rivals from our amateur days, Hamersley Rovers, and a 4-3 win at Forrestfield after extra time. This puts us into Round 5 of the FFA Cup.
sponsors - your support is very much appreciated.
All three State teams – U18s, Reserves and First - play NPL side Sorrento in the next round. Hopefully by the time you read this we’ll be playing in Round 6. In the league, our first team has won 1, lost 1, and drawn 1.
We have a massive 387 registered players, many thanks to club secretary Mari Parkinson for all of her hard work. Anyone following us on Facebook will have seen this photo, straight after the final registration was completed!
All of our other teams have kicked off the season – Amateurs, Socials, Vets, Masters and of course a large number of Junior boys’ and girls’ teams. All playing in our new kits for the first time. We’ve kitted out 28 teams this year. A big thank you to all of our kit
It’s been great to see many of our old supporters at the games. Anyone wanting to be more involved on match days, e.g. setting up, marshalling, shutting down after games, please contact Marty Burke or any other committee member.
As always, thank you to our major sponsors below, and also to Nicky Edwards for his continued support: PIPELINE TECHNICS MADMAN MOTORS INTEGRITY PROPERTY SOLUTIONS THE DUKE MUNTZ PARTNERS
Top left: Junior boys, all geared up and ready to go. Above: The CSRFC girls squad enjoying Day 1 of their adventure camp. Right: Junior girls, first game of the season.
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CLUB EVENTS Our GAA in WA clubs continued their fundraisers and social events throughout March and April. GAA in WA was delighted to see the clubs did lots of recruiting and were sure to welcome their new members into the fold.
FRANK MURPHY PRESENTS
CELTIC RAMBLES 107.9FM RADIO FREMANTLE SATURDAY 8AM - 10AM PRODUCER: GERRY GROGAN
Music. Conversation. Special Tributes. Interviews. Celebrating the Ireland of today and past times.
RADIO
FREMANTLE 107.9fm
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GAAWA
@GAAINWA
CLUB DETAILS FOOTBALL CLUBS GREENWOOD Mens Senior Football greenwoodgfc@hotmail.com
MORLEY GAELS Mens & Ladies Senior Football morleygaelsgfc@hotmail.com
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS Mens & Ladies Senior Football southerndistrictsgaa@gmail.com
ST. FINBARR’S Mens & Ladies Senior Football stfinbarrsgfc@outlook.com
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT This year GAA in WA is inviting all our members to join together as a Gaelic community for Darkness into Light Perth 2021 on Saturday 8th May to help those impacted by self harm and suicide. Now, more than ever, we think of those we are apart from at home and elsewhere. We will walk together with them in spirit to share a sunrise across the world. Please register for this incredibly special event at www.darknessintolight.ie and be sure to enter your organisation as GAA in WA.
SEASON OPENERS
westernshamrocks@hotmail.com
HURLING CLUBS ST. GABRIEL’S Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie stgabrielsperth@gmail.com
WESTERN SWANS Mens & Ladies Senior Hurling & Camogie westernswansgaa@gmail.com
PERTH SHAMROCKS Mens Senior Hurling perthshamrocks@gmail.com
SARSFIELDS Mens Senior Hurling
sarshurlingperth@gmail.com
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Unfortunately the much anticipated sevens tournament was cancelled last minute due to the three day lock down. Clubs quickly resumed training while following restrictions since the recent lockdown lifted. The football clubs now look forward to the Fr Kelly Cup on Saturday 8th May while the hurling and camogie teams are now counting down to the league openers on 1st and 8th May respectively. We wish all our members an enjoyable and safe season ahead.
Keep an eye on the GAA in WA Facebook page for more details of the times and route. Please feel free to invite anyone you feel might like to be part of the morning. Monies raised through registration and donations will got Pieta house and local charity, Sirens of Silence.
WESTERN SHAMROCKS Mens & Ladies Senior Football
N BA
GAA GROUNDS
Tom Bateman Reserve Corner Bannister & Nicholson Rds (entrance off Wilfred Rd) Canning Vale
THE IRISH SCENE | 93
On 14 March, the Academy visited Kidogo Arthouse as part of the ‘Hand in Hand’ festival. Our players enjoyed catching up with each other and playing some football on the beach – both the round and oval kind! While our Season doesn’t start until 29 August, we are planning some events in the coming months to get people together. Watch out on our Facebook page for our first family event coming up soon. We are also looking for volunteers, if interested get in touch via our Facebook page or email us at infoggjunioracademy@gmail.com
94 | THE IRISH SCENE
@GAELICGAMESJUNIORACADEMYOFWA
CONTACT CALL/TEXT: 0415 048 425 EMAIL: GGJUNIORACADEMY@GMAIL.COM WEBSITE: GGJAOFWA.TEAMAPP.COM
SPONSORED BY
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With winter on our doorstep, it’s time to get cooking some hearty wholesome family meals. McLoughlin Butchers has all your favourite locally sourced quality meats. So why not pay us a visit, you’ll be delighted you did ! Products available at our Malaga address and selected IGA, Farmer Jacks and Coles
58 Westchester Rd, Malaga WA 6090 Phone: 08 9249 8039
Visit our website: McLoughlinButchers.com.au
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE IRISH COMMUNITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
