Matters of PUBlic Interest

New Irish Pub is the toast of Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie – a town steeped in Irish history – had an extra special reason to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year. The Irish Pub – one of WA’s newest watering hole – opened on March 17, complete with a hooley worthy of the occasion and event. Traditional tunes and entertainment were provided on the day by Celtic Posse while performers from Kalgoorlie Dance Academy also put on a great display of fast moving fun and Irish culture. ‘Kal’ might have a lot of pubs but until now hasn’t in recent times had an Irish pub to boast of. That has changed now thanks to the efforts of its Palace Bar owners and operators, Dublin born Ashok Parekh and Marie Parekh who has made it a reality. When Irish Scene visited the Goldfields capital in October last year Marie was even then working hard to make it happen. It’s also worth pointing out that the Palace’s head chef Kevin – for the last 20 years – is from Dublin and he goes above and beyond to make sure everything he serves is the best it can be and will probably taste like home! Photos by Claire Weir.

Sláinte with James Connolly

As this is my first Sláinte column I thought a great place to start would be with what is probably my favourite Irish whiskey brand. Now anyone that knows anything about the golden liquid that comes from the Emerald Isle will know that no matter which of the Redbreasts you are drinking you are in for a treat! But for this article, we will focus on the Redbreast 12yo, which is a single pot still whiskey and the number one selling single pot still whiskey in the world! Now, what does Single Pot Still mean?, Well it’s a category of whiskey unique to Ireland, a combination of malted and unmalted barley (think creamy mouthfeel) that is triple distilled. The term ‘single’ refers to the fact it is made at one distillery. The distillery in question is the Middleton Distillery in County Cork, home to some of the most famous Irish brands, Jameson’s, Powers, Paddy and the Spot range. So, after the malted and unmalted barley has been triple distilled it’s time for the liquid to take a long old sleep in some American oak and some Oloroso Sherry casks for a minimum of 12 years. Next comes the best part tasting! Nose: Like a Cadburys fruit and nut bar only better, rich and toasty as well. Taste: Fruity but not sweet at all, rich cacao and caramel also Finish: Long and dry, still packs lots of flavour Best enjoyed with some friends in your favourite Irish bar Sláinte - James is one of Australia’s best bartenders and has worked and managed some of Perths best bars over the last 15years

Samson hopes to draw strength and skill from Gordan Ramsay

Another head chef of an Irish owned hospitality operation in WA is about to go on a culinary adventure which will end in even better meals and treats for customers. Samson Brent is the overall head chef for Jarrah Bar & Bistro in Hillary’s and The Iluka – both co-owned by Wes Darcy, originally from Wicklow. Back in 2016 at the age of just sixteen Samson started working for Wes when he was one of the owners of the Mullaloo Beach Hotel and when Wes left that venue behind to open Jarrah he went with him. Samson, whose background is in business and management, worked his way up to become its head chef. He was there in the kitchen of the Iluka when it opened, dishing out quality meals it has become known for. Now, with the blessing and support of his boss, Samson is about to make an ambitious career move that even the most seasoned chef might find daunting. He is going to work for celebrity chef Gordan Ramsey in the UK for a stint, with the intention of coming back equipped with even better cooking and chefing skills. “I’ve eaten in his restaurant in Chelsea – Restaurant Gordon Ramsay – in London a couple of times and it was always amazing,” the Perth born young man told Irish Scene. “Its a three Michele stars, one of the best restaurants in the world and his flagship one. I told them I’d love to come and work with them and they said I could. Its going to be a massive difference [working there as opposed to being a customer] and it will so interesting, I want to see how they do it in one of the best restaurants in the world, to learn and to bring that back with me to Jarrah and Iluka.”

Save Skippy’s favourite ’Irish’ pub

One of Australia’s most unique pubs – which can claim some Irish pedigree – is at risk of being closed down but a lot of people are fighting to keep it open, and you can help. The Wildflower Tavern in John Forrest National Park in the Perth hills is one of only two pubs in Australia national park. The other also happens to be on the outskirts of Perth, in Yanchep. Amongst other so called improvements the state government has plans to “upgrade” the main picnic area in the Forrest National Park. Nothing wrong with that you might say but the intention is to shut down the tavern and replace it with food trucks. Most people who have made a day-trip to the beauty spot might be familiar with the rustic watering hole which is famous for the wildlife that roams through and around it, particularly the local kangaroo population who really are regulars at this one of a kind venue. Indeed, the little locale went viral last year when a tik-tok video of one of them (Matt) inside the bar went viral (Skippy strays into an ‘Irish’ pub’, Irish Scene March/April 2021). As we reported at the time the tavern is owned by one Tom Fitzgerald, originally a native of Patrickswell, Co. Limerick. He bought the business in 1998 and had retired about 18 months earlier (at that point) but his daughter Megan continues to run it today. If the state gets its way the tavern – which is worth a visit in its own right – will be forced to close down on May 31, the end of an era for Perth folk and visitors alike. But there is a lot of resistance. “The iconic Wildflower Tavern...is under threat, as part of the planned redevelopments by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA),” a petition on Change.org states. “With the tavern’s current lease due to expire in May 2022, and with no detailed planning decisions made public by the authorities, this historic and unique venue with it’s incredible kangaroos, birds and wildlife will be lost forever. Please sign this petition and join the urgent call for the McGowan government, the DBCA and Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes to offer an immediate, long-term lease extension for the Wildflower Tavern, and guarantee it’s future within the John Forrest National Park. It belongs to us all!.” Mundaring Shire Council is opposed to the plans and at time of writing more than 18,400 people had signed the online petition. The hope is to get that number up to 25,000, which would make it one of the site’s top signed petitions. To lend your support go to https:// www.change.org/p/dbcasave-the-wildflower-tavernjohn-forrest-national-park