Irish Scene Nov/Dec 2025 Edition

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Message from HE Ms Fiona Flood, Ambassador of Ireland

Season’s Greetings I am delighted to have this opportunity to send Season’s Greetings on my own behalf and all the team at the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra.

As newly arrived Ambassador of Ireland to Australia, and the first female Ambassador to be appointed in our 80 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia, it makes the honour all the greater.

My arrival in Australia coincides with significant developments in the IrishAustralia relationship. In 2026 we will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Ireland and Australia.

The Government’s decision to expand diplomatic presence in a number of countries, including Australia will see in 2026 the opening of the Consulate General of Ireland in Melbourne. Marie-Claire Hughes will be our Consul General.

A significant historical commemoration in Perth during 2026 is the 150 Anniversary of the Catalpa Rescue, a story of loyalty and courage against the odds. I know that there are a number of events organised by the Catalpa Organising Committee and I look forward to participating to the fullest in these commemorative events.

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I wish to acknowledge the crucial work of our Honorary Consul, Marty Kavanagh, Lynda O’Leary and his dedicated team for their commitment to the advancement of Irish interests in Western Australia. I also want to thank the Claddagh Association for their tireless work for some of the most vulnerable members of our community and for gathering so many of the active Irish community organisations for me to meet during my first visit to Perth in October.

For the moment let us look back on all that we have achieved this year, and as we Irish do so well, let’s look out for those that miss home and family connections, especially at this time of year.

Finally, thanks to Lloyd and Imelda, the Irish Scene continues to be an invaluable source of information, not just for the Irish community in Western Australia, but also far beyond.

Beir bua!

Nollaig shona dhíbh go léir!

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Email: irishsceneperth@gmail.com Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 Email: irishsceneperth@gmail.com Canal Walk Media

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by contributors in articles, reproduced articles, advertisements or any other printed material contained in Irish Scene magazine or on www.irishscene.com.au are those of the individual contributors or authors and as such are not necessarily those of Canal Walk Media. The publisher and editor reserve the right to accept, reject, edit or amend submitted material in order to make it appropriate or suitable for publication. Irish Scene welcomes submissions, ideas and suggestions for articles and features as well as photographs of events happening around and within the Irish community in Western Australia.

B

y the time you read this the Irish Club of WA will no longer be based at 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco, the place it has called home since the 1970s.

The end of an era for the Irish Club as an institution. But also a reboot with an Irish quality to it.

Settlement on the $1.5 million sale of the premises was due to go through November 22. It will have been exactly one year to the day since the expression of interest process inviting offers to buy it closed (Last Christmas at the Irish Club, Irish Scene, November/December 2024).

At the Club’s AGM on October 12 the committee told members four offers had been received.

They included $1.8m from a church group in Cloverdale and $1.4m from someone who wanted to turn it into a private residence, both were ruled out as not being practical because they depended on other factors. An offer for $1m was rejected outright.

Club President Alan O’Meara told members at the AGM why they went with the fourth option for a $1.5m deal.

“It provided the club with a guaranteed settlement before the January 01 deadline set by the clubs lender and to avoid any 4 | THE IRISH SCENE

foreclosure action threatened by the said lender,” he reported.

The deal was agreed on September 22 with settlement expected two months to the day later.

“The buyer was of good reputation in the hospitality industry having owned and operated several Irish themed pubs in Perth and currently the owner of Durty Nellys in Perth. It was their intention to continue to operate the premises as a pub with an Irish theme which gave the club the option of still having a place to meet and socialise in familiar surroundings.”

Most of the existing fixtures, fitting and furniture were included in the deal.

There were questions from the floor and disquiet about issues A render of the building like the handling of the as Queen Maeve’s membership and a lack of communications.

The committee was re-elected on an interim basis, until a Special AGM is called in the near future to determine what happens next.

Plans to change the venue from a ‘club premises’ to ‘tavern’ were advertised for public comment until November 18 and offered insights into how it will operate.

“The premises will be known as Queen Maeve’s maintaining its strong Irish community history,” Hospitality Total Services said in the application on behalf of the new owners.

“The seamless transition from Club to Tavern...will maintain the venue’s established role while providing operational flexibility that better serves contemporary hospitality expectations…ensuring the Irish Club’s cultural legacy continues to contribute to Subiaco’s identity and vibrancy. The target market will continue to be the Irish community across Perth metro, however the amenity will now also be available to local residents, families and businesses. The proposed use will maintain the Irish Club’s long standing role as a social, cultural and entertainment venue, while enhancing operational flexibility...

The premises will continue to provide contemporary amenity through food, dining, and function spaces, catering to the requirements of the local community and contributing to the vibrancy of the Subiaco city centre. This change of use application supports the continued operation of the venue as a hospitality and community space, accommodating 200 persons on the ground floor and 256 on the first floor, with a max of 400 persons at any one time.”

will continue. We thank all our members and supporters for your loyalty and passion over the years – your continued support keeps the Irish spirit alive in Perth.”

A brief history of 61 Townshend Road

The Irish Club’s ownership and occupation of 61 Townshend Road now becomes part of the buildings long history. It was built in 1907 as The Subiaco Club and was (we understand) the premises used by the Subiaco RSL branch for decades. It then became Fantasia Lodge, a reception centre, until the Irish Club bought it in 1976 as a permanent home. A huge amount of work went into getting it ready and on 18 November 1978 Irish born Perth Bishop Robert Healy opened the venue. It was a great success and ten years later $600,000 worth of renovations and improvements – including the addition of the upstairs level – were carried out. May the reign of Queen Maeve be long and prosperous!

All the existing facilities including the bars, stage, dinging areas and kitchen will ‘maintained’ and “no structural modifications” are being proposed.

The hours of operation for Queen Maeve’s are envisaged to be between 6am to 12 midnight Monday to Saturday, and 10am to midnight on Sunday.

The once vibrant Club has for some time now only opened once a week on Wednesday nights for a few hours drawing a regular group of members and supporters.

COVID, competition from a proliferation of Irish pubs and the closure of Subiaco Oval as well as dwindling membership numbers were some of the factors behind the Club’s decline in recent years.

A message posted on the Irish Club Facebook site on November 10 welcomed its transition to ‘Queen Maeve’s’.

“This new venue will continue the Irish spirit and community focus that have always been at the heart of the Club – offering dining, entertainment and cultural celebrations right here in Subiaco. While Queen Maeve’s carries on the Irish legacy at Townshend Road, the Irish Club WA itself THE IRISH SCENE | 5

Mary’s Hunger Strike

by Lloyd Gorman

W

hen was the last time you heard about someone going on hunger strike?

If you’re Irish – and long enough in the tooth – then it was probably the early 1980’s and the seismic events of the hunger strike

by Irish Republican prisoners in the Maze Prison! From October 1980 to October 1981 this escalation of the already years long ‘blanket’ and ‘dirty’ protest dominated politics and the news in across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK.

Tipperary born woman Mary O’Byrne resorted to this extreme form of protest – starting on midday Friday 19th September until midday Monday 22nd – as part of an ongoing community campaign she has spearheaded in the northern suburbs of Perth for more than two years. She is on a mission to close the 22 hectare landfill site within Tamala Park (250 hectares) and to stop the stink from it from ruining the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people who live close to and around it.

“The hunger strike was an absolute deliberate thing,” Mary told Irish Scene.

“I thought through it, I was a bit scared thinking about doing it but it ended up being a lot easier once I was actually there.

It’s my personal resolve as a seventy year old grandmother to undertake this hunger An aerial photograph of Tamala Park

strike action to demonstrate to the Mindarie Regional Council (MRC), the Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER) and the state government just how desperate the residents from multiple suburbs are, suffering from unreasonable degrees of depression, distress and other illnesses as a result of landfill and greenhouse gases escaping from the Tamala Park landfill site and entering homes. The only thing I’ve got left to give my community – and nobody asked me to do it and in fact plenty of people asked me not to do it – is my age. I’m 70 and I’m reasonably fit and I reckoned I could easily do a three day, three night strike.

Some people were concerned about me. I told my my son – who is an Anglican priest – and my daughter – who is a professional writer – I was going to do it and both of them just want me to be safe and they made me promise to come off the road if I was sick. But I never felt anything. I didn’t sleep the night before so the Friday was the longest day for me, because I was uncertain about what was going to happen, but then people driving past started beeping to support what I was doing and they did that all through the day and even up to 1am. It must have been pretty hard for the workers in the administration building behind where I was to listen to that all the time.”

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If she was anxious going into it, it was because she had made the commitment and was determined to set off on the right foot and not let anyone down. Mary parked her car at the main entrance to Tamala Park on Marmion Avenue and set up shop with help from community supporters. She called a press conference at the start of her protest and media – including ABC and 6PR – sent reporters to cover the story. She had also informed the MRC and Main Roads WA in advance that she would be staging the protest on or near their property.

There was nothing accidental about the timing of her protest. A few days earlier, postal packages for the October 18 council elections – including ballot papers and candidate profiles – had been distributed by the WA Electoral Commission to all local governments across WA, including the seven member councils who make up the WMRC and dump their waste at Tamala Park. “I hoped it would make people think carefully about what they were doing with their vote, so it was really quite a deliberate thing to do,” she added.

Since 2015 Mary – who lives in Glencoe Loop Kinross – has run for election in successive elections as a councillor candidate in Joondalup council, but on this occasion she chose the hunger strike over standing as a candidate.

“I passed up the opportunity to run as a candidate in North Ward so I could specifically concentrate on getting the stinking landfill on the state government’s agenda as well as the MRC’s,” she said.

“I was expected to run in the local government elections but if I put on the hunger strike in the election run-in period I’d have been as bad as anyone else looking to play advantage off the suffering of others at election time. I’m sick of politicians using the issue to get elected then forgetting all about it until the next election. Both Labor and Liberals in the 2025 state elections used Tamala Park remorselessly and in this council election the candidates are playing footsie with it but I have I have invited Joondalup mayoral candidates to put their position on Tamala Park up on the Tamala Park Odour Action Group’s website. My commitment to Tamala Park closure to a safe engineered format is sincere.”

8 | THE IRISH SCENE

There’s Something About Mary “On the second day of the hunger strike people were asking what I missed so I got my friend Beth to put up a notice that I’d love a cup of tea “no milk no sugar” Mary believes in the power of and then local democracy the tea just kept on coming from then until I finished,” Mary said. “In all the three days I never had a scary incident, or anything like that. I slept in my car and got about four hours sleep a night. Because of the way social media is I couldn’t look like I was locked away so I kept the car door open so that anybody could turn up at any stage and see what I was doing but I never felt afraid.”

Mary did have her phone with her throughout the action and was able to keep it charged with the help of friends.

“It was something I always feel was the right thing to do, I just wasn’t afraid. I just think social justice is more than a bit of fear, it’s like sometimes somebody has to be the torch bearer for the problem and that’s what I’ve done.”

Three days without food and a minimum of sleep did little to soften her determination. Fresh from the hunger strike she went to the September meeting of the Mindarie Regional Council a few days later.

“During public question time I asked to have a meeting with the CEO to develop a downloadable app for ease of odour reporting,” Mary added. “That’s one of the keys to getting the landfill shut down in the

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next few years. She was also due to meet the MRC’s CEO Scott Cairns to discuss the creation of an ‘app’ to make it easy to report odour outbreaks. To help make the reporting app a reality Mary is looking for retired members of the legal fraternity or legal students and someone with an IT background to offer their services to help the community cause.

Mary says that when she moved into her Kinross home 13 years ago she thought the dump was far enough away not to be something she would have to think about.

But she found that the stench from the tip was incrementally becoming a problem and something that a lot of residents complained about on local social media sites. It was at this point she began to take notice of the issue and started to try and find out what was going on. Just over two years ago she went to take a closer look the landfill operation.

operated by the Mindarie Regional Council, which itself is made up of seven member metropolitan councils. Some of them such as Joondalup, Wanneroo and Stirling were ‘local’ but the other member councils were all far removed from the area and included Perth, Cambridge, Victoria Park and Vincent.

The same seven councils also make up the Catalina Regional Council, a local government body created in 2006 to oversee the “urban development” of 180 hectares of land in Clarkson and Mindarie.

Elected members from each of the member councils sit on the two regional councils, which are seperate and stand along entities in their own right.

For Mary this council combo raised red flags. “It’s a conflict of interest,” she said.

“The same councils are in charge of both the landfill site and the land being sold for housing and development. Making money is always going to win out, especially when most elected members cannot be held accountable by the odour-afflicted population at election time.”

Most residents were unaware of the involvement of the councils, or what they could do about it she said.

“The landfill site was causing genuine “I did something that nobody else problems and the odour is a considerable had ever done, I started door knocking problem for people and were complaining in Catalina and Kinross and I built up a when I started to look into it,” she said. picture of a community that was essentially Mary called a community meeting and suffering continuously, depending on the paid for the event out of her own pocket. “A weather. Kinross suffers particularly badly in considerable number of people attended”, the winter after rain, but right now Catalina including Mark Folkard the local member – which is a part of Clarkson – seems to be for Burns Beach. She said he told the getting it an awful lot. Once I started door meeting there was no problem with the knocking I found the level of desperation water table being contaminated but that was absolutely sincere. People were telling he encouraged people to report the odour me that it was so bad that for Christmas they to DWER. “That seemed would move out or go Mary meets Irish people while out doorknocking to family and friends like good advice and I did or go on holiday so tell people to report to the they could be certain MRC as well,” she added. of celebrating it in “It’s been a huge learning peace away from the project for me but when stink.”

I get into stuff, I get in properly.”

Most people did not know they could She was stunned by make a complaint what she discovered when about the smell to she scratched the surface. the MRC and DWER The Tamala Park tip was 10 | THE IRISH SCENE

but even those that did might have complained once and left it at that. Without people reporting and continuing to report problems with the smell it will never get sorted she claims.

to everybody is the number of complaints going in and that Clarkson wasn’t happening until about November last year when the numbers rose Mindarie considerably. DWER knew about the problems, they were already on the site trying to figure out how to deal with the “The biggest problem. They weren’t problem was Kinross communicating that people with the community had given up and they’re still not on reporting Burns Beach communicating complaints with the community so they were properly but they accidentally Each icon represents a report made the MRC in August 2025 did put an EPN cutting off Environmental Protection Notice. their own legs,” she said. “If you go on So I started on all this about two years ago reporting and you never get any change and got better at it over the intervening you can get a bit sick of reporting it but not doing it means the only record available year and this year I started the Tamala Park

Mindarie Regional Council (MRC)

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THE IRISH SCENE | 11

Odour Action Group. With the group I’ve lead the charge to try and report more often.”

Her ultimate aim is to stop the foul stench from Tamala Park affecting residents, get the tip closed down and has even called for the MRC to be sacked.

She is taking on the combined might of seven of the largest councils in Western Australia, which depend on Tamala Park to dump their waste, the rubbish of some 800,000 residents all up. Mary is not daunted by the scale of the fight she is facing into. If anything she is unrepentant and says it is in her DNA. “I spent 18 years growing up and living in Ireland before I went to the UK to do my nurse training and in 1976/77 I qualified as a midwife and became an organiser with the Royal College of Midwives. I know how to network communities and I can do it pretty rapidly as well. I’m just good at organising and I just can’t stop,” she laughed. “I really enjoy representing the community.”

She became involved in some local issues, such as the need for a new crossing between Kinross and Burns Beach and helped to stop a large supermarket going ahead on a park site used by the community. “Its got to the point where if somebody needs something doing people come to my door to ask for help.”

Before embarking on the hunger strike Mary had previously protested at the offices of the MRC and has raised the issues directly with them and she is still on their case.

At some point Mary plans to write a book about her campaigns and experiences in council elections. It will be a good read if her previous literary attempts are anything to go by. She won the Australian Irish Heritage Association’s Writer’s Prize in 2010 for the ‘Mare’s Tale’ in 2010 as well as a special prize in the prestigious Jageuers Literary Award (Melbourne Celtic Club) in 2012 for her poem ‘The Blackbirds’.

Interestingly, Brian Corr, a former councillor at Joondalup from Ireland (Kildare) also put the needs of the community at the 12 | THE IRISH SCENE

forefront of everything he did as a local representative. And he is something of a writer. Their paths crossed as Mary was emerging on the scene as a local figure while Brian was stepping down as a ward councillor for Greenwood & Kingsley. Brian won three elections (2006 to 2015) and had a productive time on council until he retired from Perth to Tasmania. Brian occasionally contributes stories to Irish Scene and last year he wrote and self published the “punch and compelling read”, ‘Ireland: 800 Years of Sadness….how the Irish overcame despair, disadvantage, helplessness, and sorrow’.

Emissions not imaginary

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esidents are not imaging or exaggerating the scale of the problem.

As we have read DWER served an Environmental Protection Notice on the Mindarie Regional Council, setting out 11 seperate wide ranging steps with timeframes for the MRC CEO to put in place. “The EPN was issued in relation to increased community concern over odours from the Tamala Park waste management facility and was as a result of several weeks of collaboration and information sharing between DWER and MRC, including a number of meetings and site visits,” DWER said. DWER bosses visited Tamala Park tip in February and again in May in part to check on the progress being made with the 11 areas of action it identified in November.

In a statement the MRC said it was carrying out “extensive works” at the tip.

“Reducing the impact of odours from the landfill on nearby homes is our number one priority and the focus of all our work at Tamala Park,” the statement said. “We recognise the importance of being a good neighbour to those people living around the site – particularly so as the number of new developments has increased to the extent that Tamala Park is now bordered to the north, south, south east and north west by houses. We’re working closely with DWER to put a number of measures in place which are designed to eliminate the odours at

source, and – where that isn’t possible - prevent them from leaving the site.”

for new suburbs and residential areas. This land clearing has also removed a The MRC said natural buffer the biggest (bushland and difference established between Tamala trees) which, Park and other in previous landfills is the years, helped to close proximity of prevent odours Outlined in blue Tamala Park has gone from being surrounded by “medium to high bushland to suburbia in just 30 years from travelling density housing” beyond on its north and south borders, with more the immediate vicinity of the site and being built and planned to the north east even helped to absorb some of the gases and north west. The Catalina housing produced by waste within the landfill. In estate, in Clarkson, is just 150 metres north short, although other landfills might produce of the landfill boundary and about 530 as much odour (or even more) than Tamala metres from the active landfill area.

Park, it would often go unnoticed in remote The MRC said: “In 1991 – when the Tamala isolated areas. This difference makes our job Park landfill first opened – the surrounding of managing odours uniquely challenging area was almost exclusively native bushland. and means that the levels of odour deemed Over time, that bushland has been cleared acceptable for Tamala Park are much lower

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than they might be for a similar landfill site in an isolated, undeveloped location.”

Extensive investigations of odours at Tamala Park and in the surrounding communities by the MRC confirmed the “vast majority of odours….originate from landfill gas”, like methane and carbon dioxide and smaller amounts of nitrogen, ammonia and sulphides, naturally occurring byproduct of decomposing organic food and garden waste. An onsite gas extraction system takes the gas to a power station where it is burned but the problem persists.

Tamala Park is set to close within the next two to four years and as the end gets closer the problem so too does the stink. When it opened in 1991 it was designed with a capacity to hold 10 million cubic metres – of which about 1 million is left.

“The landfill is filling up,” an MRC report said. “Meaning that the rubbish being

delivered to the landfill is being placed at a point higher than the ground level.

Weather/breeze can blow odours more easily into neighbouring suburbs.”

Leachate – rainwater and liquid waste produced by the contents of the tip – also play a major role in the creation of odours and make it harder to manage them.

“As well as making substantial improvements to the landfill gas capture system, we have increased the amount of limestone cover used in the active tipping area, re-profiled huge areas of the landfill to prevent rainwater from pooling, sealed and capped nearly a third of the landfill surface and introduced ‘temporary rainfall barriers’ across another third,” the MRC said. As well as dumping limestone on top of loads, chemicals such as BioWish and EcoSorb are sprayed each day while a battery of misting cannons have also been deployed to help fight the stench.

Left to right: Dennis O’Reilly (DWER), Scott Cairns (MRC), Cr Stephanie Proud (MRC); Alistair Jones (DWER); Emily Briggs (DWER); Peter Taylor (DWER) pictured in May 2025 at the recently capped western portion of the Tamala Park landfill

14 | THE IRISH SCENE

ELECTION

SELECTION!

by Lloyd Gorman

Dave focused on Perth Council

C

ompetition was fairly tough at the City of Perth where 15 people nominated as candidates for just a handful of seats.

Corkman Dave Lee – who owns Theory for Hair in Hay Street, West Perth – numbered amongst them and stood as a ‘community advocate and independent candidate’ but unfortunately did make the final cut in the October 18 election. Not including acting Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds – who was reelected – two of the five seats up for grabs were claimed back by incumbents Liam Gobbert and Viktor Ko while Adam Pacan (the Wedding Singer on 6PR), Chris Patton and Lisa Ma are the newbies.

Dave – pictured here with his wife Carmel who also works at their business – took to social media to announce he had ‘sadly’ not won a seat. “Well done to those who good luck, as did win @cityofperth and you work to serve our ratepayers, residents, workers and visitors, I wish you well,” Dave said. “I really enjoyed campaigning this year, I had a great time! I was able to be “me!”

I’ve listened, I’ve learned a lot and I met the most incredible people from across our city community and neighbourhoods.

It’s hard to win in these elections!

I worked hard, I always do, I will try again & I will Thank you work even harder next time. for your kindness and support.” Dave has had a previous tilt at becoming a Perth City councillor and to borrow his own words, there will be a “next time”. Anyone who knows him will tell you that he is not in it for himself or ‘power’. Even outside of elections Dave does what he can to make things better for local residents and businesses in the West Perth area, and beyond. He is a proud Irishman but also proud to be a part of Perth! He will make a great councillor when the time comes.

Albert Reynolds would have approved!

M

eanwhile, Perth is in the slightly unusual – perhaps unprecedented – situation. Bruce Reynolds has gone from being deputy Lord Mayor and acting Lord Mayor – with the departure of Basil Zempilas to state parliament – to being the Lord Mayor of Perth in his own right. On the other side of the council coin at Perth is the CEO, Michelle Reynolds.

Michelle’s father hailed from Ireland and growing up she was nicknamed ‘Spud’ she told Irish Scene editor Lloyd Gorman in a previous encounter. What Irish heritage Bruce Reynolds has will be something Irish Scene will try to find out when the

opportunity presents itself. Perhaps the best known Reynolds in Ireland is the late Albert Reynolds. Mr Reynolds was a successful Longford businessman and staunch Fianna Fail figure whose political career saw him become Taoiseach (Prime Minister) from 1992 to 1993. It may have been a relatively short stint but it was not an uneventful term and included a major development in ‘The Troubles’, with the brokering of an IRA ceasefire in August 1994.

A month later he was in Australia for tour of the country and New Zealand for a tour, which saw him visit Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and of course Perth.

Bruce Reynolds

THE IRISH SCENE | 15

Michelle Reynolds

Twelve months earlier, then Prime Minister Paul Keating – himself of Irish heritage – had visited Ireland and returned the invite to be his guest.

“I look forward to discussing both bilateral and international issues with Prime Minister Reynolds and to hearing his views on the Northern Ireland peace process, in which he has been closely involved,” Mr Keating said when he announced the Taoiseach would be coming Down-under.

No doubt, the late Taoiseach would have got a kick out of the fact two of his namesakes holding leadership positions of WA’s capital city council.

Australia had also played an important part in the rise of Mr Reynolds. His brother Jim had first

Votes & Boats

I

n the neighbouring Tony O’Connor council of Subiaco, Penny O’Connor was returned after the election as a central ward councillor.

Penny is not Irish but she had the good sense to get married to a Limerick native. Her husband Tony O’Connor is from a family in Castleconnell that has made Shannon River punts since the mid 1800’s. Since 1991 Tony has been practising his ancient craft in WA and has a workshop in East Rockingham. He is the former Membership Secretary of the Old Gaffers Association in Western Australia and regularly sails with the C-Fleet of trailer sailer boats. As well as being talented with his hands Tony is also a good man for a chat and you we hope to bring you his story in an upcoming edition of Irish Scene.

16 | THE IRISH SCENE

emigrated to Canada and then Australia to raise money for their business idea to open a ballroom. His sibling returned with £5,000 (punts), a kings ransom in 1950’s. They opened the Cloudland ballroom in Roosky (where they Albert Reynolds are from) which took off like a house on fire and was quickly followed by a chain of others. They were the first to bring the likes of Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison to Ireland, gave a young up and coming entertainer called Joe Dolan his first public appearances and also hired the ill-fated Miami Showband, some of who were murdered on the border in 1975. We hope to bring readers a story about one of the bandmembers who survived this deadly attack, and who now calls Perth home, in the next edition. Watch this space.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the border with Subiaco the Town of Cambridge Irishman Gavin Foley did not run in the election. He got onto council after his Wembley Ward predecessor Gary Mack was elected mayor in October 2023, halfway through his term as councillor. Cr Foley served out the remaining two years of Mr Mack’s time in the Wembley Ward seat.

There are 139 local governments across WA and there are bound to be more Irish people in or on council and we’d love to hear from or about them, including in the administration side of Gavin Foley things. As we have seen in previous editions the Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Pingelly – about 160km southeast of Perth – is Dubliner Andrew Dover.

Drop us a line at irishsceneperth@gmail. com or call 0479047250.

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She’s from Tipperary but Amy is going a long, long way in WA

by Lloyd Gorman

I

rish Race Day at Ascot on Saturday 25th October was as usual a great event, one that drew an estimated 9,000 punters. Next only to Melbourne Cup Day itself, Irish Race Day is apparently the biggest horse racing fixture at the heritage racecourse (which can trace its first its race back to 1848).

It was also a particularly good day for apprentice jockey Amy Jo Hayes who romped it home in two races to the cheers of thousands of her countrymen and women.

“Irish Day at Ascot felt like a little slice of home, only with sunshine on our backs and a crowd full of familiar warmth,” Amy, who originally hails from Tipperary, told Racing WA Thoroughbred.

“Riding a double on such a special day is something I’ll never forget. Getting my first Saturday metro winner aboard Exquisite Taste, one of my absolute favourites, made it all the more meaningful. And Antique Star, who’s always run an honest race for me, finally got the luck he deserved, fourth time lucky!”

Amy was grateful to Michael Grantham and Mr & Mrs Peters for their unwavering support with her riding career. “They’ve helped make this moment, and so many dreams come true.

Having my sister Megan there to celebrate with me was the icing on the cake.

She’s been in my corner from the start, and sharing this day with her, along with a few Irish friends who made it to the course, was incredibly special.”

There was one tiny hiccup on the day that 18 | THE IRISH SCENE

A day to remember: Jockey Amy Jo Hayes, (from left) with Sandra Peters, Liam Peters, Bob Peters, Michael Grantham (trainer) and Melissa Peters. Irish Race Day photos courtesy of Western Racepix.

Amy wasn’t even aware of until later. The race caller for the first race she won mistakingly called her an “English Rose”.

It was the first thing Marty Young & Alex Vlahos, the hosts of podcast Drive, asked her about on Monday 27th on their ‘Drive’ podcast. “We both know your Irish...[and] you do not call an Irish person English...how much offence did you take to that?,” they asked their guest.

“I think they took more offence back home,” Amy said. “Mam didn’t even text me saying well done, she said go back and make sure you correct them and tell them your Irish. And she was like, with the day that was in it was it not clear enough you were Irish and had the luck of the Irish behind you? Its a good thing they got it right the second time,” Amy laughed.

There was a lot to talk about. On the day after Irish Race Day Amy rode in another race – a WA classic – about a 1000km east of Perth (and 400km away from Kalgoorlie), and won convincingly. She was a late replacement as jockey for Boab Boy in the Laverton Cup on a country dirt track.

“It was definitely a weekend to remember,” she said. “That was actually my first cup winner, I hadn’t ridden a country cup winner

so that was as much as a highlight for me as the double. It was defintely different, there wasn’t any grass, just red dirt and sunshine on our backs, no, it was good..it was nice to be somewhere different...and they have such a good atmosphere at those country meetings.

The Irish do like to celebrate well at the Ascot weekend but there the country meetings offer great support as well and it was a good thrill to be there also.”

Amy came to WA in September 2024 for a brief stint before returning to Ireland for a few months, including Christmas, while she applied for her visa and returned earlier this year. In her short time here, she has already notched up 40 wins, compared with 15 in nearly three years back in Ireland, something she puts that down to the how competitive the sector is in Ireland.

Amy won Horse Racing Ireland’s 2023 ‘Ride of the Year’ Award in 2023

Hayes moved to Western Australia earlier this year, after making two visits here within the last year. If she was slightly reluctant to make the move she is now reaping the rewards of the relocation.

has taken her under his wing. “His support has been enormous, definitely,” Hayes told Racing WA. “He has given me three winners now and I’ve only had six or seven rides for him. So at least we are building a good strike rate together. He’s been supportive and helping me out as much as he can. So does his wife, Jo, she rides out track with us as well.

They’ve been very good to me and supportive.

I’m learning loads and it’s all a good experience.” Keep it up Amy, cailín maith!

“I have a sister living out here and she was doing the convincing to get me over,” Hayes told Racing WA correspondent Julio Santarelli in July. “I probably wouldn’t have come otherwise, I’m very much a home bird and never left home until the age of 24, which was last year. When I got a bit of taste of freedom and a bit of success and a bit of sun on my back I wasn’t thinking about wanting to go home. I fell in love with the place, it is busy, a bit of a working holiday, but it’s something I love, I love working with horses.”

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Amy grew up with horses – both her parents work in the sector – and her grandfather bred West Tip, the 1986 Grand National winner. Back in Ireland, then just 18, Amy rode Sunset Nova – from the back of the pack to first across the line – at Navan about three years ago.

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THE IRISH SCENE | 19

OCT

25

Life Perth Pitstop: Fergal Guihen at Kings Park

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cycle

urse Fergal Guihen is one of hundreds of young Irish healthcare professionals beating a path to Australia for “better pay, better quality of life and better weather”.

What sets him apart is how he opted to get to his destination. “I suppose I’d say I’m doing it the conventional way and they’re all doing it the unconventional way,” he joked in Kings Park.

Fergal has cycled from his home town of Roscommon in Ireland through 24 countries and made

a pit-stop in Perth in September, his first port of call in Australia, on the long road to Sydney. He expected to complete the journey in about 11 months but 19 months in he reached the western side of Australia, not its east coast.

“I love endurance and travel so I put the two things together, but it was too far to run on foot so I decided to bike it instead,” he said. Prior to setting off early last year on the 23,000km adventure he had never cycled a bike before, fixed a puncture or slept in a tent.

He was on crutches with a torn cruciate ligament when he paid 600 Euro for a second hand bike for the epic ‘Rossie to Aussie’ journey.

The 26 year old said it was hard to convince his parents he would be okay and able to go the distance when he didn’t know himself if it could be done.

“I had to say, look, I don’t know if its possible, I can’t say if its possible, all I knew was that I’d rather try and fail than not to try at all.”

And he wanted to “do something different” and use the trip to fundraise for two causes close to his heart, the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation and North West STOP suicide prevention service.

“I was cycling from Roscommon to Dublin, then to London, then Paris and then Greece and so on.”

He got his first flat tyre outside Paris and fixed it by watching YouTube videos on his phone, while also trying to record what he was doing. “I’d say it took me two or three hours,” he said. “I didn’t even know what a tyre lever was and you’d ask why I didn’t learn before I left, but I knew it was something I could learn along the way and I had enough other things to do.”

Through his work as a nurse in palliative care and from seeing his older siblings get tied down with family and other responsibilities Fergal knows life how quickly things can change and how now was the right time for him to go.

“Until I landed here a couple of weeks ago I never once thought about Australia,” he said.

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Because he was on crutches some friends said it was a good excuse not to go ahead with the challenge, but instead Fergal used the time to plan for the trip, gather the equipment he needed and to contact other Irish people on similar missions, including Galway woman Karen Weekes who featured in the recent July/August edition of Irish Scene. “Karen is amazing,” he said. “We were in

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touch with each other and we thought we might catch up with each other on the road, but it didn’t happen.”

Sometimes serendipity intervened.

“I was on a coastal road in Turkey when by complete fluke I randomly Fergal and friend take a break in China met David McCourt* an Aussie cyclist on his way to Ireland. He was 17 when he moved from the North of Ireland and now that he’s 35 he decided to cycle back to Ireland from Australia. I was going one way and he the other, we had a good laugh about that.” [*David set off from Melbourne and spent two and a half years on the road

26 | THE IRISH SCENE

to reach Cushendall (formerly known as Newtownglens, Co. Antrim), finishing his voyage by cycling the entire length of the Wild Atlantic Way] They swapped stories and after hearing about the “amazing time” his new friend had in Iran he decided to change course to include the Persian nation.

“I didn’t even know you could travel there and the only thing stopping me from going was fear, so I made the jump,” he said. “It was one of my favourite countries, I was instantly met by the warmest, kindest people.

You’d feel sorry for them because they are so repressed by the government but they are absolutely the salt of the earth, incredible people.”

Fergal with locals in Afghanistan

Ironically, the only “really bad incident” he faced in the whole journey happened in Iran. People and motorists would constantly stop to give him drinks and food.

“It happened five or ten times a day and it became completely normal. But this one time I got drugged, attacked and hospitalised. I was leaving the fertile basin of the Caspian Sea to head up to the desert plateau of Afghanistan and this guy stopped in his car and straight away in my gut I didn’t trust him but I figured he’d just go in a second. He handed me a juice box and I drank it and within a minute or two I know something was wrong when my motorskills started to deteriorate. I told him to F-off and I got back on my bike but it was 45 degrees out so I had to find somewhere to hide from the sun so I found somewhere up the road – I’m not sure how far up it was – to hide but he found me and we had a massive fight. I can only remember bits of it but he was trying to steal bits of my bike and was ripping my trousers to get my wallet and he was running away with my wallet and I was chasing after him some somehow I severely injured my hand and my leg. I had a massive cut on my foot. So he ended up stealing about the equivalent of 25 Euros from me, not that much, and in the grand scheme of things I would have handed it to him to avoid a fight.”

Another motorist found a bloodied Fergal on the side of the road and took him – and his bike – for medical treatment. “Everyone at the hospital was so apologetic and couldn’t believe that something like this would happen in their country, there was so much kindness came from that one bad act.”

With footage of the incident from the camera on his

bike police were able to identify and arrest the man who attacked him.

But they were also suspicious of the foreigner with ‘hidden camera’s and while he was being treated for his wounds, police investigated in case he might be a spy.

“Israel had bombed Tehran while I was in the country and tensions were very high, that was one time I did think ‘What am I in for here?. I had to get seven stitches in my left foot so I couldn’t leave while they were doing background checks so I couldn’t go forward and I couldn’t go back, I was in limbo. But once I got the green light to leave and once I took one pedal stroke it was easier to go forward than backwards and I was back into enjoying it. Iran is such an incredible and amazing country.”

The ordeal was difficult for his parents with who it was very difficult for him to make contact with or get any information through, and all this while the local radio station was asking for updates.

Communist authorities also took a close interest in this stranger. “The other time I wondered what I had got myself into was China, a crazy place, in the Taklimaken Desert. Its the largest desert in China and the second biggest in the world. Its not a sandy desert, its a dry rocky area and it can get pretty cold. Its also the region where there’s a lot of ethnic Chinese Muslims – the Uyghurs – and whats happening to them I’m not sure but there’s high security for foreigners that enter that area.”

Fergal, accompanied by another rider from Ireland, estimated it would take them six weeks go cross this harsh environment.

“We had undercover police following us the entire time and we were incredibly scared because you are thinking they are checking your social media and doing background checks and if I put one foot wrong they’ll throw you in prison. But after six weeks you get to know them pretty well.

One time we thought we ‘d lost them but they fond us and this tiny little Asian guy

Pints in Vietnam

THE IRISH SCENE | 27

with glasses and a woman got out of the car and they were the least intimidating people I’ve ever seen in my life.”

So vast and desolate was the desert that for a section known as ‘No Man’s Land’ they did not have a police chaperone. They carried as much food and water as possible but about two to three hundred kilometres in and still with about 200km to get out of the desert they used the last of their rations to make breakfast as they huddled underneath the road away from a biting cold wind.

“I was thinking we need a miracle and that we might have to bang it out in one day. Then all of a sudden – I have no answers – a guy with a lovely fluffy jacket, gloves and a hat with ear muffs just appeared on a tiny mountain bike, like a child’s mountain bike, and me and my friend looked at each other as if to say are we seeing things?. The guy was smiling, really happy and started talking to us. We got out Google translate and he was telling us to follow him.”

The Irish duo followed their unlikely guide for some distance down the road until they reached what appeared to be an abandoned factory in the middle of nowhere. He opened gates and in they went where they discovered “another big friendly guy”, another caretaker, who told them to come in and to warm themselves on a stove.

“They ended up cooking us egg baps, and like in China its hard enough to come across bread in general, and made us hot chocolate and then they gave us enough sweets and biscuits to get us the rest of the way, which was about another 150km. The thing I always say is the road will provide, I’m a hopeless optimist, the world is a generous place and I’m testimony to that.

If you do need help people are always to going to be there to help you.”

Even with this act of generosity and these extra supplies the pair ran out of food when they were still close enough – and far enough – to see the lights of a city over the horizon.

“I had the tiniest bit of water left and some coffee granules and it was so cold that the water started to freeze. I put the coffee into 28 | THE IRISH SCENE

the water and made an ice slushy and got me the rest of the way.

We got into the city about two or three o’clock in the morning and luckily enough a noodle shop was still open. It took us a couple of hours to get off the seats at the restaurant to get going again.”

Whenever things were getting tight someone friendly always appeared from nowhere when he needed something.

“Wherever you are in the world there is always someone ready to help you if you need it,” he said.

“I’m on a road all the time and if you are on a road you’re never that far from civilisation. “Even on the most rural roads I’ve been on this journey a car goes by at least twice a day. I was fairly naive leaving Ireland but the world is a generous place and I’m testimony to that, its amazing how far hopeless optimism gets you.”

With the sole exception perhaps of Afghanistan Fergal said he met other Irish people wherever he has travelled in the world. He knows quite a few from home who are now here and there are plenty others beside. His sister, a doctor, is one of those young Irish healthcare workers who came out a few years ago and for who Perth is home. In fact his sister had a baby boy and this was a perfect opportunity to see his new nephew. In fact the latest addition to the family gave his parents – who he thought were going to meet him at the end of his trip in Sydney – a good reason to fly to Perth to surprise him for what he said was a very emotional reunion. “For them to see me on the flip side of it yeah, they’re incredibly proud of me”.

When we spoke Fergal was expecting to reach Melbourne in time to spend Christmas there and to then carry on and complete his incredible trek in Sydney. Any hospice or hospital, healthcare company or indeed any business at all would be lucky to have such an impressive character on their bankroll. In fact, anyone who has met him knows he is a solid young fella we can all be proud of.

To follow him on his way or to make a donation to the charities he is supporting go to www.facebook.com/p/Rossie-toAussie-Fergal-Guihen-61555033242389 or just search for his name online.

28 Days Later!

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by Lloyd Gorman

here was an emotional homecoming for the lads of The Human Excellence Project as they crossed the finishing line at Pinnaroo Point on Saturday morning 15th November on their mammoth Sydney to Perth cycle as family and friends gathered to welcome them back. Friends Joe Brennan, Daniel Flanagan, Jake Nelson, Glenn Fuller, Paul Martin and Mark Eamonson, as well as their support driver completed the epic 4,000km trek from one side of the country to the other in just 28 days and in the process also raised

more than $105,000 (and still counting) for mental health causes. Loved ones rushed to hug and kiss them while the lads embraced each other at the end of an unforgettable experience. After about an hour of congratulations and comradery the chaps – who take an early morning dip together in the cold waters of Hillarys boat harbour every morning – and many of their well wishers headed down to the beach for a refreshing swim and chance to chill out. Well done lads. We will bring you more about their adventure in the next edition.

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Paddy Hannan 100th Anniversary

by Lloyd Gorman

O

n Tuesday November 4th it was exactly one hundred years to the day since Patrick ‘Paddy’ Hannan died at the ripe age of 85 in 1925. A native of Quin, Co. Clare, he emigrated to Australia when he was 22 years old and would spend the next thirty years or so searching for his fortune.

In June 1893, then aged 53, Hannan – accompanied Thomas Flanagan (Ennis, Co. Clare) and Daniel Shea (Cork), literally stumbled across a lump of gold (weighing 168 ounces) in the dust near Mount Charlotte, about 40km away from the Coolgardie Goldfields where they had come from and had had no luck. Hannan rode back to Coolgardie to register the claim and as such is credited with its discovery.

When he returned Flanagan and Shea had unearthed another 400 ounces. Their claim triggered the biggest gold rush in Australian history and produced the richest goldfield in the world – The Golden Mile and The Super Pit. At more than $4,000 (Aus) per ounce gold has never been more valuable than now. In recognition of his significant find the state government in 1904 awarded him an annual pension and he continued prospecting until 1910, aged 70 when he moved to Victoria and lived with two nieces.

The day after he died the Kalgoorlie Miner described him as a “pioneer prospector of Kalgoorlie, whose historical discovery of gold near the present site of the Hannan Street

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railway station a little over 32 years ago had an important influence not only upon West Australia, but upon the whole of Australia.”

On the centenary anniversary of his death Paddy was remembered in both his ancestral and adopted homes. The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society organised a commemoration in Kalgoorlie – which was originally called Hannans. The event started at Paddy Hannan’s Tree (planted in his presence and his honour in about 1897) in Outridge Terrace with music, song and an obituary about him and continued onto the Museum of the Goldfields where some of his personal items such as a walking stick and wooden trunk are displayed. Back in Co. Clare the Quin Heritage Group held a talk about his local roots and his significance in Australia. A memorial stone in the village also honours him.

Ashok’s 50 years in ‘Kal’

A

lso marking another important anniversary in Kalgoorlie this year – his golden anniversary in fact -- was entrepreneur Ashok Parekh.

Ashok was born and bred in Dublin and came to Western Australia fifty years ago and settled in ‘Kal’. An ambitious chartered accountant he carved out a successful business empire – including The Irish Pub and Palace Hotel – which has earned him the moniker ‘The King of Kalgoorlie’.

Ashok is equally proud of his place in the Kalgoorlie community and his Irish roots.

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Majestic Kings Park

by Lloyd Gorman

Caroline & Keith

The 2014 Meath Heritage Cycle Tour

I

t’s not unusual to see people on bikes in and around Kings Park but it is a rare thing to spot a cyclist sporting a 2014 Meath Heritage Cycle Tour top. So when I saw a bloke wearing one sitting down near Aspects Gallery Shop I naturally had to stop and ask him about.

A Kiwi – by the name of Keith Walmsley – he said it was his brother in law’s originally but had made its way into his wardrobe.

His wife came out of the shop and joined in the conversation. Caroline McKeon, a native of Kells, Co. Meath, has called New Zealand home – particularly in the picturesque Bay of Plenty-- for the last 30 years. But the

couple are contemplating making a move to Perth and were staying with old friends in Subiaco who made the same swap about 18 months ago. There was even a job interview on the cards for Caroline later that day. Hopefully the interview went well and they had a great trip overall. There are plenty of Irish coming to Perth from Ireland but not so many making the move from across the ditch! Good luck guys and maybe we’ll be seeing ye around the traps before long.

Frank has a monumental memory

M

with the state war memorial – and many other historic local landmarks – including the time more than 20 years ago when a larger than life game of Jenga he disassembled the entire obelisk, laid it out on the ground and put it back together using nothing more than his skills as a master stone mason and a sharp mind. Frank takes great pride in his work and none more than his handiwork in creating the Famine memorial – An Gorta Mór – in Market Square, Subiaco, which he maintains meticulously to this day. He recently won a major award for his incredible work and we will have more about that in the next edition.

Frank inspects the work

eanwhile, in the background of the photo of Caroline and Keith you can see scaffolding erected around the 18 metre tall granite obelisk of the State War Memorial. The iconic memorial was unveiled in 1929 to commemorate those who had died in World War I and it has been the focal point for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services ever since. On this occasion Remembrance Day was coming up a couple of weeks later and the structure was being spruced up for the occasion. Heritage builder Colgan Industries is responsible for most of the restoration and preservation works carried out in Kings Park, and around much of Perth. In this case the works were being personally overseen by Galwayman Frank Smith.

Frank has a long association 36 | THE IRISH SCENE

MARTIN KAVANAGH

HON CONSUL OF IRELAND

Wishing one and all a very relaxing Christmas and happy New Year.

Christmas is upon us again. It is one of my favourite times of the year. However, for some, away from home it can be a lonely time. Being Irish I’m sure we will look our for those who need a little extra comfort and support at this time of year. Comfort and support is what the Claddagh does best and once again on behalf of the Irish community in Perth may I thank the Claddagh volunteers for their selfless and very important work in helping members of the community.

The Irish community is also fortunate to have a rich and diverse range of community groups including the Irish Families in WA, the GAA, the AIHA and a whole array of sporting and cultural organisations. Thank you so much for your dedication.

Ambassador Flood I am delighted to welcome our new Ambassador of Ireland Fiona Flood who took up her new duties in Late September 2025.

I was delighted to attend Ambassador Flood’s presentation of credentials. I look forward to the Ambassador’s future trips to WA. Apart from being a very senior and experienced diplomat and our most recent ambassador to Brazil, Fiona is also Ireland’s first female Ambassador to Australia and a wonderful person. Failte.

Passports Christmas is also a time for travel to Ireland and beyond. As ever a few things to bear in mind about Irish passports.

• All regular Irish passport applications are online- including first time applications.

• Please check your passport to ensure you have at least 6 months validity. Many countries insist on a minimum 6 months validity before you will be allowed to travel. You don’t want to be denied access to your flight at the airport, so please check.

• In the case of genuine emergencies such as death or illness in Ireland you may be able to obtain a one-way emergency travel Manchán Mangan document for travel to Ireland only. Making in Kununurra in a late application for a passport is not an emergency.

2023 Nollaig Shona Daoibh My thanks to Ambassador Flood, Liz and all the team at our embassy in Canberra and to our colleagues in Sydney and Melbourne. Also big thanks to Lynda at our Honorary Consulate in Perth.

Richard and I wish you and yours a peaceful and relaxing Christmas, We hope you take the time in what can be a very busy perios to relax, reflect and recharge.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh 165/580 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6004 By appointment only Tel: (08) 6557 5802 Fax: (08) 9218 8433 Email: info@consulateofirelandwa.com.au Website: www.consulateofirelandwa.com.au

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Eachtraíocht le Maria Ní Choileáin

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anchán Mangan (1970-2025) Tá an scríbhneoir agus an láithreoir, Manchán Mangan tar éis báis. Bhí sé 55 bliain d’aois. Fear uasal, cliste, machnamhach ab ea é a raibh tionchar ollmhór aige ar ár dteanga dúchais.

Chuala mé faoi Mhanchán Mangan nuair a bhí mé i mbun na hoibre feirme in Iarthar na hAstráile cúpla bhliain ó shin. Bhí mé ag sracadh liom ag tabhairt aire do na caoiraigh i lár theas an tsamhraidh agus bhí podchraoladh uaim chun an t-am a chaitheamh. Tháinig mé ar ‘The Almanac of Ireland’, podchraoladh a thug dearcadh nua agam ar an nGaeilge. Níor scéalaíocht amháin a bhí i gceist leis, ach draíocht -rud a bhí in easnamh dom féin agus mé ag fás aníos ag foghlaim na Gaeilge. Bhí mé go huilleadh is go hiomlán curtha faoi gheasa é.

A leabhar ‘32 Words for a Field’ agus an chlár taistil a bhí aige lena dheartháir is mó a thuil cáil do Mhangan. Chaith sé

tréimhse ag taisteal timpeall na hAstráile agus sa Kimberley, ag foghlaim ó dhaoine bundúchasacha, turas a d’athraigh gach rud dó. ‘ I felt a sense of oneness with cultures who are living a life close to a spiritual nature and to nature itself’ a dúirt sé le Colin Graham in agallamh d’Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann. Ghlac sé páirt san fhéile, ‘Hand in Hand’ i Fremantle chomh maith.

Is ón a Mhamó, Sighle Humphreys, a fuair sé a ghrá don Ghaeilge. Bean meallacach, láidir ab ea í a bhí baint aici le Cumann na mBan agus an chúis phoblachtach. Chaith sí blianta ag troid ar son na saoirse agus na teanga in Éirinn. ‘A fighting terrior’, mar a dúirt Manchán fuithi.

Ní hamháin an ‘gnáthfocal’ a bhí aici, ach cinn a bhí fite fuaite leis an dtírdhreach.

Scríobh Mangan gur iarr sé ar a Mhamó an focal hole a thabhairt dó as Gaeilge.

‘Do you mean one dug into the ground by an animal? That’s an uachas.

Or one made by fish in a sandy riverbed for spawning?

That’s a saothar. Or if it’s been hollowed out by the hoofs of beasts and then filled with rain, it’s a plobán.’

Is léir go bhfuil miondifríochtaí teanga cailte againn sa lá atá inniu ann.

Tá rud éigin rómánsúil faoin nGaeilge, rud fileata nach bhféadfaí a léiriú go deo trí Bhéarla.

Manchán Mangan in Kununurra in 2023

40 | THE IRISH SCENE

Thug Mangan rud éigin ar leithligh ar theanga na Gaeilge. Cheiliúraigh sé ‘the sublime beauty and oddness of the Irish language’ trí scríbhneoireacht, drámaíocht agus a dhóigh bheatha.

Cailleadh é i mbláth a mhaitheasa. Leaba i measc na naomh aige agus go maire a thionchar ar theanga na Gaeilge go deo.

Manchán Mangan (1970-2025)

M

anchán Mangan (1970-2025) The writer and presenter, Manchán Mangan has died. He was 55 years old.

He was a clever, reflective man who had an immense influence on our native language.

I heard about Manchán Mangan when I was in the midst of my farmwork in Western Australia a couple of years ago. I was working away, minding the sheep in the middle of the summer heat and I needed a podcast to pass away the time. I came across The Almanac of Ireland, a podcast that gave me a new perspective on the Irish language. It wasn’t just storytelling that was involved with him, but magic - something that was missing for me when I was learning Irish growing up. I was completely and utterly mesmermised by him.

His book, 32 Words for a Field and his travel program with his brother are what earned him his fame. He spent a period of time travelling around Australia and the Kimberley, learning from the Aboriginal people, a trip he found, that changed everything for him. ‘I felt a sense of oneness with cultures who are living a life close to a spiritual nature and to nature itself’ he said in an interview with Colm Graham for the Royal Irish Academy. He also took part in the Hand in Hand festival in Fremantle.

It was from his grandmother, Sighle Humphreys, that he found his love of Irish. A strong, impressive woman who was involved in Cumann na mBan and the republican cause. She spent years fighting got freedom and the language in Ireland. ‘A fighting terrier’ as Manchán said about her.

It wasn’t just everyday words that she had, but ones that were inextricably intertwined with the landscape. Mangan wrote that he once asked his grandmother the word for ‘hole’ as Gaeilge.

‘Do you mean one dug into the ground by an animal? That’s an uachas. Or one made by fish in a sandy riverbed for spawning?

That’s a saothar. Or if it’s been hollowed out by the hoofs of beasts and then filled with rain it’s a plobán.’ It’s clear that we have lost

the nuances of the language in today’s day and age. There is something romantic about Gaeilge, something poetic that could never be portrayed in English.

Mangan brought something unique to the Irish language. He celebrated ‘the sublime beauty and oddness of the Irish language’ through writing, drama and his way of life.

He died in his prime. May he have a bed amongst the saints for him and may his influence on the Irish language last forever.

Nuacht: • Bhuail Maria le Ambasadóir na hÉireann chun na hAstráile, Fiona Flood, ag maidin caife a bhí eagraithe ag The Claddagh Association. Labhair siad faoi thábhacht na Gaeilge san Astráil agus stráitéisí chun í a neartú anseo agus thar lear.

• Beidh ceardlann Gaeilge, Samhain an exploration of ancient tradition, language and culture, ar siúl ar an 26 Deireadh Fómhair i Bunbury leis an South West Irish Community Group.

Sonraí ar Instagram agus Facebook.

Based in Western Australia, Maria runs weekly classes for adults and children both online and in-person with Na Fianna Catapla GAA Club.

With students from all over Australia, Maria incorporates the beauty of the Irish language and history of the land in engaging and interactive classes. Follow @ cuplafocalcrew on Instagram to keep updated on the latest news and next Gaeilge event Maria and Ambassador Flood happening near you!

THE IRISH SCENE | 41

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Radio Lollipop – John had the perfect gob for the job Congratulations and lots of love to Fred and Lilly Rea who recently celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary.

Married in 1975 the Irish Italian couple enjoyed the special occasion with their children and grandchildren. As anyone who knows Fred will know, he likes to keep busy and make a difference and help people in the community. He founded Irish Scene back in 1998 with his friend, the late Joe O’Sullivan while Lilly was also played a major role in making every edition happen. Lloyd and Imelda Gorman took over as the publishers in 2019 and we would like to thank them for giving us the magazine to carry on and to wish them many happy returns on behalf of all Irish Scene readers!

Father’s Day Bonus BBQ

Great craic at Crown

There was a lot of interest and entries for the BBQ prize pack put up

by McLoughlin’s Butchers for Fathers Day. In the end the lucky winner was Brendan, pictured here with his daughter when they picked it up.

Along with the nifty little grill, complete with cooking tools, the giveaway also included a much sought after McLoughlins apron and baseball cap and of course a shop voucher. Last we heard Brendan was getting great use out of it!

Catherine Moran celebrated her 85th birthday at Crown recently with her great friend Sister Margaret McCarthy from Cork.

Catherine, who is originally from Waterford, had a lovely day with family and friends for the special milestone.

If you have photos or special moments you would like to share with Irish Scene readers we’d love to hear from you. Just email

Irishsceneperth@gmail.com

Nice to meet you Niamh Its not called Ric O’Shea’s Irish Pub anymore but the Wray Hotel in Fremantle still has a lot of Irish spirit about it. Known to haunt some of the watering holes in the area all round good bloke John Clare ran into Niamh Daly from Cavan who works at the popular pub.

Children of the Curragh It’s always a nice surprise to run into somebody from home when you’re on the other side of the world.

Larry and Alice Gorman were in The Pipers Inn in Currambine on their recent holiday to Perth when they randomly got talking Born UnderSeamus the Shadow! to Larry Byrne, Byrne and Marie Byrne and A brief look at life, in The Curragh Camp, during the 50s, 60s and 70s. they discovered that Larry, Larry, Seamus and Marie were all born and bred in the Curragh Camp in Co. Kildare or as they like to say themselves, they were ‘born under the shadow of the tower’. The Curragh Camp – which was built as a British military  Shadower!War – has   training baseA during thetrue Crimean two water towers, with the main one being where the army fire fighters are based. The Camp, which had a large resident population of soldiers and their families, also has its own hospital where most of the ‘Shadowers’ were born (not including those born at home!). Joel Kelly has written about life in the Curragh Camp during the 50s, 60s and 70s called appropriately enough ‘Born under the Shadow’.

Ken keen on the Irish Scene Irish Scene editor Lloyd Gorman recently ran into Ken, pictured, with his wife, at Molly’s in Beaufort Street, Highgate. Ken has worked and travelled extensively in his time and is a good man for a chat and had a few kind things to say about the magazine.

Look forward to meeting you again!

Back for the Bledisloe Cup The block buster Bledisloe Cup game on October 4 was the perfect excuse for Mark Stentiford and his partner Francis Carter to visit Perth and friends again. The couple used to live here and Mark was not just one of the first punters to discover JB O’Reillys and become a regular but he also laid all the tiles out the front of the joint. Naturally enough they had to make a return visit and caught up with former JB’s manager Sharon Munnelly, left. Also pictured is their friend Sonya Hardy.

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Irish get stuck in with the Cats and Dogs

By Daniel Holmes

AFL Grand Final

A

hundred thousand footy fanatics witnessed the Brisbane Lions storm to a 47-point victory over Geelong (122 to 75) to claim back-to-back premierships at the MCG on Saturday 27 September. For Irish footy fans in Australia this final carried extra resonance: with Kerry man Mark O’Connor chasing his second premiership and Mayo’s Oisin Mullin looking for his first.

Mark O’Connor and Zach Tuohy celebrate the Geelong win against Sydney in the 2022 AFL Grand Final Picture: AFL Photos

In his third season Mullin has been a standout tagger in the league, taking on the role of man marking some of the AFLs best players. In Geelong’s preliminary final win over Hawthorn (preliminary = semi-final) both he and Mark O’Connor were pivotal to Geelong’s’ performance. Geelong beat Brisbane in the first finals game where Mullin marked Hugh McCluggage out of the game, showing the kind of defensive intensity Oisin brought with him from Gaelic Football. O’Connor, already a Geelong premiership winner with Zach Tuohy from 2022, hoped to become the first Irishman to claim two AFL flags.

But the dream for our County men fell short with Brisbane proving to be too strong with their forward line firing in waves. The Lions ability to break through in the third quarter and expand their lead proved to be decisive. This wasn’t before Oisin Mullin broke through the midfield in the first quarter and kicked Geelong’s second goal of the game, and the second of his career! His first was also against Brisbane three weeks prior in the first finals game.

For the Irish community in Australia these narratives hit hard.

46 | THE IRISH SCENE

Mullin and O’Connor chasing premiership glory feels akin to a Kerry vs Mayo AllIreland final – pride, heritage and identity all wrapped into an Aussie contest. In many ways their journey mirrors the pathway of many young GAA players: from local club pitches to dreams of playing on a main stage, whether that be Croke Park or the MCG. Then there’s Zach Tuohy, the Portlaoise man who retired last year from the AFL. Though he wasn’t on the field this year his legacy looms large: Tuohy and O’Connor became only the second and third Irish players to win an AFL flag back in 2022 (after Tadhg Kennelly with Sydney in 2005).

Tuohy’s career remains a perfect example of the ‘Irish experiment’, he is the Irishman with the highest number of games in AFL history with 288. Many Irish watchers will have fond memories of his long kicks, intensity, and the sense that maybe we can belong here too.

And what of Conor McKenna?

The Tyrone native won his AFL premiership only last year with Brisbane, then found himself dropped this season and not included for their finals.

McKennas fluctuating fortunes serve as a reminder of the brutal competitiveness of the AFL and

how fleeting the opportunities can be, even for decorated Irish exports.

For the Irish in Australia and Perth this grand final is more than a footnote – it’s a reflection of our dispersions reach into Australian Rules. The stage is now set for future Irish-born hopefuls to chase an AFL dream, with Kerry man Cillian Burke being Geelong’s newest Irish recruit. As Mullin, O’Connor, Tuohy and McKenna have shown, you don’t need to be from Melbourne or Sydney to make your mark – just heart, grit and a willingness to learn the game.

WAFL Grand Final

M

eanwhile, South Fremantle Bulldogs footy club added a local exclamation mark to Irish-Perth footy this year, edging East Perth Royals by two points to win the 2025 WAFL premiership. The Bulldogs looked home when Hamish Free and Irishman Roan O’Hehir pushed the margin to 22 early in the last, before a frantic

Royals surge set up a heart-stopping finish.

O’Hehirs forward pressure and a final term goal (which proved to be the winner) showed timely contributions in a low scoring, high intensity game – exactly the sort of graft Irish fans recognise from GAA grounds back home.

For Irish fans around Perth, O’Hehirs rise at league level – earning Team of the Week honours and stringing together an impressive 2025 season – shows that the Irish pathway in footy stretches well beyond the AFL, deep into WA’s own state competition.

Roan O’Hehir

AIHA FILM CLUB SEASON concludes Wednesday March 7, 7.45pm

Featuring “Your Ugly Too” with a supporting Irish documentary, together with tea/coffee, homemade cakes, Irish ENCOURAGING PROMOTING AN AWARENESS OFDonation AUSTRALIA’S IRISH HERITAGE wheaten bread and jams. AND Ice creams $3. At Kensington (South Perth). $15 to cover catering and costs.

THE FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB March 26 and April 23, 7.30pm, Irish Club Committee Room, 61 THE FOURTH TUESDAY BOOK CLUB Nov 25 – cancelled due to members away. Annual Christmas Dinner Tuesday Townshend Road, Subiaco.

All welcome.

Light refreshments provided.

Convener Mary Purcell, m.purcell@telstra.com December 2 at CBlu Restaurant, Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe at 6.30pm.

All welcome.

Bring Secret Santa book to value of $20.

SAINT PATRICKS FESTIVAL 16th March, and Irish Festival, 10am. Join our vintage Include receipt in book to allow forSaturday exchange. Email convenerLeederville Mary Purcell, Parade m.purcell@telstra.com car float in the parade and our presentation of the Brendan Awards 2022 and 2023 at the concert in the early SOCIAL GATHERING – share an Irish artefact in your family possession, or an Irish Christmas reflection, learn what was afternoon.

Thisinprestigious award recognises individuals or groups a record of and dedicated service and outstanding happening Ireland one hundred years ago in 1925, Irish authors on ABCwith top 100 Book list, live music.

Dome Deepwater achievement in one or more aspects of Australia's Irish heritage.

Meanwhile we invite nominations for 2024.

Point Pavillion, Tuesday 18 Nov, from 12 noon. Admission free, donations welcome. Buy coffee/lunch from café menu.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Sunday 24 March, 3pm, Irish Club Committee room. There will be special motions Brendan Award recognises individuals or groups with a record of dedicated service and outstanding achievement in one for Life Membership nominations. Please consider joining as a committee member, volunteer or an event coordinator. or more aspects of Australia’s Irish heritage. Past recipients since inauguration in 1997 are on our website. Nominations for CATALPA COMMEMORATION ROCKINGHAM Annual commemoration of the escape of six Fenian convicts on 2025 close in December. https://irishheritage.com.au/awards/the-brendan-award/ 17-18 April, 1876. With oration, verse, music drama and song at the Catalpa Memorial, Rockingham Beach, Easter THE JOURNAL Quarterly magazine for members since 1993. Articles celebrating the Irish Heritage in Australia. Editor Monday, 1 April, 11am to 12 noon. Free public event. Guest speakers and dignitaries including Mayor Deb Hamblin Teresa O’Brien. Copes can be purchased. Correspondence to journal@irishheritage.com.au and city councilors; Federal Minister Madeline King; State Minister Stephen Dawson; Somer Bessire-Briers from US PLANNING MEETING Sunday 16 November – suggestions and ideas for more. events and activities, including Summer outdoor Consulate; actor Michael Sheehy; musician Ormonde Og Waters; and Coordinated

by David McKnight.

Irish Movie Festival welcome.

Please talk to us if you are interested in being involved in some way.

ANZAC DAY Thursday 25 April, 8am. AIHA at invitation of Subiaco RSL lay wreaths for Irish ANZACS at Fallen Soldiers War Memorial on1the corner ofto Rokeby and Hamersley roads. Morning tea follows. Subject to confirmation MEMBERSHIP January 31 December, 2025

MEMBERSHIP 1 January 31 December, 2024 Family membership $65; to Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Family membership $65; Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45; Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45; Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Online – https://irishheritage.com.au/membership/registration/ Pay Pay Online – https://irishheritage.com.au/membership/registration/ Or Bank Transfer: Bank: Commonwealth, 066-192 Account No: 1054 Or Bank Transfer: Bank: Commonwealth, BSB: BSB: 066-192 Account No: 1054 65026502 approved charity deductablestatus. status.Deductable www.irishheritage.com.au AIHAAIHA has has approved charity andand taxtax deductable Gift Recipient Status

THE IRISH SCENE | 47

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Wishing all our customers and the Irish community in Perth - a happy and healthy Christmas!

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Thank you all so much for your support across all of the little playgrounds we have successfully built together. Without our customers and Irish loyalty in particular, I wouldn’t have been able to bring these little pieces of Irish magic to Perth. We don’t always get it right but we are always pushing to be the best and to bring more excitement. As the season is upon us and you romanticise about home, we will be ready to bring you that homely feeling and to greet you at Grafton St., The Jarrah, Fanny McGees Craic, The Iluka, The Temple Bar, Ristorante Rinuccini, Mister D’Arcy and the The Harbour Bar. If you’re familiar with these little spots, I’m sure you’ll agree that we have the most amazing staff, who I would like to thank deeply for their dedication and commitment year in, year out.

They always stay by my side and I have no reason why, because I can be a bit of a ...........

Make sure to hit me up for a pint if you see me floating about the place.

Have an amazing Christmas and a healthy and successful 2026.

Love from us all, Wes D’Arcy & The A Team

Go raibh míle maith agat

Christmas

by John Healy

Christmas Eve and the house is quiet, but he’s too excited to close his eyes: So he sneaks to the window and watches in wonder the snowflakes falling from the skies: The whirling flakes memorise as they paint the fields and trees with magic hand: Beneath winter moon the soft white blanket transforms into pristine, newborn land: At last too cold to watch,he snuggles beneath the blankets safe and warm: He drifts away on wings of sleep dreaming of tomorrow’s Christmas morn.

Early morning and from the kitchen comes his siblings shouts of joy: Santa’s visited through the night leaving behind all types of goodies and toys: Boxes of sweets and treats, dolls, Lego sets and a cowboy gun: New books new adventures countless hours of play and fun: Parents watch all the excitement with quiet smiles of love and pride: The joy of giving, a life worth living,is a joy they cannot hide: Then breakfast fit for a king is served, delicious smells fill the air: Curling bacon,brown sausage, hot buttered bread,with mother’s love beyond compare: Next bundled up in their warmest clothes, off to church a few miles away: Neighbours shouting festive greetings, smiling faces, Christmas Day: The fields stretch in white unbroken beauty, with frost tipped diamond gleam: Down through the silent silver forest, woodland wonderworld of a young boy’s dream: Then the little church encircled by tall trees, resounding with music, with singing voices raised: They thank the Lord for all his gifts, they sing hymns of their love,their eternal praise: Early afternoon and the family gather Christmas dinner served and eaten : Turkey, ham, jellies & trifles, mother’s cooking will never be beaten: As darkness falls outside the window, as Jack Frost nips around the door: As the fire burns brightly in the hearth, as the children play on the rug covered floor: And the neighbours call to share a glass, to sing a song of Christmas cheer: And the boy sits back quietly smiling not long to wait, just another year.

I had a thought that all you Irish people in Perth might like a reminder of Christmas days of long ago back, this poem is inspired by my childhood in a small valley in the Wicklow mountains. I lived in Perth from 1998 until 2017. I love the city and its people and it will always be home away from home. My sister Mairead is married to Mark Dempsey and their children Emily and Sean and granddaughter Sinead all live in Perth still. JBs was my favourite hangout when I lived there and knew Paul and Shelly and all that mob well. Lovely people. I discovered an ability to write a bit of mostly poetry when I worked offshore on ships and still enjoy writing to this day. I hope you enjoyed this poem – John Healy.

FATHER DRISCOLL

by Noel O’ Neill

F

ather Driscoll woke on a cold Christmas Eve morning.

There was frost on the windows, not a bird could be heard and the outlook was bleak. He quickly dressed, shaved, lit the fire in the kitchen, filled the kettle and boiled some water for his morning tea. The church bell was frozen and at another time he would climb the ladder to the belfry with a pot of boiling water to melt the ice that formed around the bell, he would then ring the bell for eight o’clock Mass and the people of the village would dutifully attend, but not today. Today would be the last day he would spend at Blessed Martin’s Parish House. He was still in a state of disbelief to know that the Catholic Ministry had actually sold the church itself to a rich Irish- American who planned to renovate it as his own residence. And the Parish house would be turned into a guest house. Well, they explained “the attendance had fallen away and the church was basically costing us money to stay open’. He was also under the impression they felt he as a shepherd of his flock, hadn’t done enough to keep them together in attendance.

But he knew better, he knew the older parishioners had mostly passed away and now the new generation of the parish followed not the invisible God who had been worshipped at one given time, but the God they now worshipped was the mobile phone. It seemed as though they had lost their faith in God and now put all their faith in what transpired on their phone. Weddings and funerals were not arranged through the church anymore but through their phones. Some couples were now married, not in the church but in registry offices or in a park or when the sun decided to come out, on the beach.

As the frost melted from the heat in the kitchen, he looked through the window and he could make out a group of men outside the chapel removing the saintly leaded glass windows and replacing them with double glazed windows. It felt like a desecration. All the statues and the pews had already been removed and were sold to an antique shop.

As the tea grew cold on the table, he looked back on his first Mass here when he had replaced the dying Father Toomey. How nervous he sounded in front of the crowded church, in front of those who were curious to meet the new priest. He would listen to stories about Father Toomey, how he had blessed their children through, baptisms, communions, confirmations weddings and prayed

for the souls of the dearly departed. Through these stories he realized he had big shoes to fill and over the years he knew he had not only filled them but eventually wore them out. Most of his belongings were in cardboard boxes in the hall. He hadn’t collected much over the years so he would be travelling light. He informed the powers that he would be hanging up his collar and retiring to his native county Cork where his brother Billy had purchased, with his financial help, two cottages overlooking the Irish sea. He would take up fishing again and enjoy the company of his brother who loved to sing and joke about life. He would also attend Mass every Sunday as he would always worship the invisible God who lived somewhere high above clouds in a paradise called Heaven.

“So come all you screw warders and jailers, Remember Perth’s Regatta Day, Take care of the rest of your Fenians, Or the Yankees will steal them away” (Catalpa – Australian Folk Song) In April 1875, the whaling ship Catalpa sailed from New Bedford, Massachusetts under the command of Captain George Anthony but it was no ordinary whaling expedition.

The ship had been purchased with donations from Irish people in the USA and her real purpose was to rescue six Irish political prisoners, from Fremantle.

Part of the plot included a wealthy

American investor, John Breslin, posing as James Collins. He arrived in Fremantle a few months before the Catalpa and took a room at the Emerald Isle Hotel, (now the Orient). James Collins endeared himself to the authorities and the local business community while his accomplish, Thomas Desmond (Tom Johnson), found work as a wheelwright in Perth.

Notes were passed to the Fenians by ex-prisoner, Will Foley, telling them to be on their best behavior and prepare for an escape.

After nearly 12 months at sea, Catalpa arrived in Bunbury. Breslin (Mr. Collins) took a carriage from Fremantle and met Captain Anthony to finalize plans.

The escape date was set for Easter Monday (Perth Regatta Day), when the governor and others would be away from Fremantle. The prisoners worked on maintenance tasks around the town. On a given signal, they downed tools and assembled where Breslin and Desmond waited with horses and traps and galloped to Rockingham. Captain Anthoney and his crew waited on the beach

What Celebrations are being planned for 2026?

BUNBURY: Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March…

• Presentation by Mr James Ryan, great grandson of Captain George Anthony (Travelling from New Bedford USA for the Event) • Guided Walk to the JB O’Reilly Escape site • Music – (Artists and Bands to Be Confirmed).

FREMANTLE: Fenian Festival (Fenians Fremantle and Freedom) presents Friday 27 March 2026…

• History Symposium 10am – 4pm Freo Buffalo Club • Irish Music at the Buff – Early Evening - Trad session followed by Band (Artists TBC) Saturday 28 March 2026…

• History and Literature in the Pub – 11am – 4pm Various locations around Fremantle • Signature Concert – Exclusive Renowned Irish Artist (Keep Watch- this will be good!)

Sunday 29 March 2026…

• Free Family Day at WA Maritime Museum - Fun activities for kids of all ages,

52 | THE IRISH SCENE

• Irish Music – Various locations around Fremantle (Artists TBC) Tuesday 31 March…

• A night of Story and Song with Fred Rea and James Ryan, great grandson of Captain Anthony Woodvale Tavern.

Monday 6th April 7am… (Easter Monday) • Catalpa Dash Bike Ride – 7am Fremantle Prison to the Rockingham Wild Geese Memorial Also, 18 – 22 March…

• Theatre 180 presents ‘Catalpa: Flight to Freedom’ @ Fremantle Prison.

ROCKINGHAM: Monday 6th April 10.30am… (Easter Monday) • Australian Irish Heritage Association Commemoration at the Wild Geese memorial.

Keep an eye on future editions of the Irish Scene and on Socials for artist and event updates.

For further information or to include your event, contact: info@feniansfestival.com.au

with a whaleboat, to row them to Catalpa. Two fellow conspirators cut the telegraph wires, so no alert could reach the authorities.

Once onboard, the crew rowed the overcrowded whaleboat for hours, but there was no sign of Catalpa. A storm came up, and they were forced to bail water as their mast crashed down on them. At dawn, they spotted Catalpa, but the government steam ship Georgette was heading for it. It passed very close but failed to see them. Georgette reached Catalpa but was running low on coal and returned to Fremantle. The whaleboat crew made it to Catalpa and scrambled aboard, but the ship was becalmed. Next morning Georgette reappeared. The Fenians hid below deck and armed themselves, ready to fight for their lives. Georgette shot a cannon ball over the bow of Catalpa and demanded the surrender of the Fenians. Captain Anthony ordered the Stars and Stripes to be raised. “Fire on us and you are firing on the United States of America. We are in international waters.”

On board Georgette the guns fell silent. The wind picked up. Captain Anthony swung the ship across the path of Georgette and Catalpa set sail for home.

The Fenians were free!

The Catalpa 150th Anniversary

Exactly 150 years ago, the Catalpa was on the high seas! The spies were about to arrive in Fremantle. The Fenians prisoners would soon hear the news that their comrade, John Devoy had masterminded an elaborate plot to bust them out of Fremantle Prison. It all happened right here, in this part of the world.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this commemoration of Irish tenacity and Yankee grit. We’re calling on Irish people, Irish businesses and anyone with Irish heritage to join this 150th celebration of the Catalpa Escape. If you’ve recently arrived in Perth or don’t know the story, you can listen to the Podcast series recorded by Fremantle Shipping News with FFF Chairperson, Margo O’Byrne. https://fremantleshippingnews.com. au/2025/08/26/the-catalpa-escape-podcastseries-episode-5/ Fenians Fremantle and Freedom will host a Fenians Festival on the weekend of 2829 March 2026. We are grateful to the Irish Government Emigrant Support Program for funding to support these events. Events are also being planned by the Southwest Irish Community, the Australian Irish Heritage Association, Fremantle Prison, Theatre 180, WA Maritime Museum and the Fremantle Buffalo Club and others. Come along to the events, sponsor an event or artist, or host your own event.

Phone 08 9401 1900

info@mckeefunerals.com.au • mckeefunerals.com.au

Helping Your family

THE IRISH SCENE | 53

Parliamentary privilige for Catalpa commemoration

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ew legislation to create two new public holidays in Western Australia [from 2028] was introduced into state parliament in October and for one MP it was the perfect excuse to remind everyone in the House about the Catalpa escape and what it means to Western Australians today. And with the exception of one detail – the Fenians escaped by boat rather than swimming – Magenta Marshall the Labor member for Rockingham gave an excellent and enthusiastic rendition of the events of that day and extended an open invitation to everyone to get involved.

“This bill will introduce Easter Saturday as a public holiday,” she said. “Recognising Easter Saturday as a public holiday means these workers will finally receive the penalty rates they deserve for giving up their time. In Rockingham, Easter weekend coincides with the celebration of the Catalpa Adventure Festival. I am not sure whether all members are aware of the Catalpa escape. It was the most successful prison break in Australian history, which we now remember as a symbol of human resistance. The Fenians, also known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood, were a secret society of rebels that formed in 1858. They were dedicated to delivering Ireland’s independence through an armed uprising against British rule.

During the uprising, thousands of Fenians were arrested and imprisoned, and in 1867, 62 Irish political prisoners were shipped to WA where Fremantle Prison became their new home. In the following years, many of the Fenians in Fremantle were released following the completion of their sentences, or they were pardoned for their alleged offences following international outcry. However, a small group of ex–British Army Fenians remained in prison with no hope of early release. But they were not forgotten by their comrades who had found shelter in the 54 | THE IRISH SCENE

by Lloyd Gorman

United States of America. On Easter Monday in 1876, the Catalpa escape took place. It was an international rescue effort that took years to organise and freed six Irish political prisoners from Fremantle Prison.

They then fled Rockingham MP Magenta to Rockingham Marshall on a jet ski where they swam out to sea and boarded the Catalpa ship.

The Catalpa Memorial in Rockingham commemorates the escape with a large statue of six wild geese, referring to the name given to Irish soldiers who served in European armies after being exiled from Ireland. Every Easter weekend, the Rockingham foreshore comes alive with Irish music, dance and celebration in commemoration and to reflect the contribution of the Irish to WA’s culture, economy and society. Next year, 2026, will mark 150 years since the Catalpa escape and, again, there will be a large celebration on the Rockingham foreshore.

I encourage you all to come along and enjoy what our community and our coastline has to offer. I bring the Catalpa to this debate as I have seen the large influx of visitors to Rockingham as a result of this important event. It is important that the workers sacrificing their long weekend to make sure that others can enjoy theirs are fairly remunerated with the penalty rates they deserve. That is what Easter Saturday public holiday recognition will rectify.”

The Catalpa Memorial in Rockingham

Catalpa story still a wild ride besides – flawless.

Their telling of the Catalpa story was invigorating and helped give this writer a Dancers from The Academy Irish Tadhg, left, sang Danny Boy with the Tommy O’Brien Trio Dance in full flight fresh and deeper rish history, culture and creativity and appreciation of a familiar story. The trio craic were in plentiful supply for the world onstage were capably supported by a large premier of Theatre 180’s Catalpa Flight crew whose expertise in their own fields to Freedom at the Maritime Museum in helped make a nearly 150 year old story so Fremantle on Friday 31st October. While vivid. Mike and Joy LeFroy were on hand with they were waiting to enter the theatre, copies of their new book Catalpa Escape to guests were treated to a brilliant display of Freedom for the special occasion. Afterwards, traditional Irish dancing by members of The more speeches and well deserved recognition Academy Irish Dance Co. Director & co-writer for the individual collective behind the Stuart Halusz gave an introductory speech, production. The Tommy O’Brien Trio provided followed by Education minster Sabine the after show entertainment. And if he Winton. When the lights went down the full hadn’t already done enough that night Tadhg house was treated to nearly two hours of took to the stage and picked rollicking drama as the cast of up a guitar to give a beautiful just three – including Irishman rendition of the classic song, Tadhg Lawrence – stormed Danny Boy. through the amazing events This first season at the Maritime and episodes of the Catalpa Museum sold out quickly but two Fenians. Taran Knight and more runs are planned in 2026 Myles Pollard and Tadhg – including at Fremantle Prison pulled off an incredible range itself in March – but demand will of characters and costume be strong for this outstanding changes and well timed and and amazing production. If you appropriate comic moments. have any interest at all in this A small cast maybe but story – and if you are still reading one well able to portray this then you have – you really the multiple personalities ought to get along and see it if involved. Their accents – Irish, Lloyd and Alice Gorman with English, American and more the opportunity presents itself.

Tadhg Lawrence after the show

I

Fenian story still waiting to break onto big screen

D

uring Fremantle Gaol’s ‘convict period’ 47 inmates successfully escaped from the institution never to be found again while many more attempts to break free

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were made but foiled or failed. “Perhaps the most famous escape from Fremantle Prison was that of six Irish convicts in 1876,” fremantleprison.com.au states. And we

shouldn’t forget their fellow patriot John Boyle O’Reilly who similarly made a daring escape from ‘The Convict Establishment’ in Fremantle six years earlier.

The story of another famous prison break from Freo has been made by streaming service Binge.

Filmed across Western Australia ‘Run’ is a crime drama about infamous bank robber Brenden Abbott, the so called ‘Postcard Bandit’, and is due to premiere on January 1, 2026 on Binge and Foxtel.

Abbott became a household name in Australia in the 1980s and 1990s, committing a string of bank robberies and evading police before he was convicted in 1987. He earned the moniker, the Postcard Bandit, following rumours he taunted police with photos he took of himself while on the run.

Two years laters Abbott, and fellow prisoner Aaron Reynolds, escaped by wearing prison officer uniforms they had made themselves and by leaping from quite a height to get outside the prison walls. Abbot went on a bank robbing spree across Australia and was recaptured in Queensland in 1994 and was sent to Brisbane Gaol for this crimes.

Three years later he escaped from there and was amongst Australia’s most wanted men until police caught up with him in Darwin in 1998. “During their pursuit police found photographs of Abbott and Reynolds relaxing in holiday mode at tourist locations and outside the Dwellingup Police Station,” fremantleprison.com.au said. “The tag postcard bandit was a media invention following false reports that Abbott sent teasing postcards and photos to the police while on the run.” Abbott was transferred to Casuarina Prison in WA in 2016 and will be eligible for parole in 2026.

While the Crown may have considered them to be the same as other convicts the Fenians did not see themselves as criminals. But the pending run of RUN – six one hour long episodes – begs a familiar question, when will the Catalpa story – one of the most incredible prison breaks in the history of Australia – ever be made into a blockbuster movie?

Meanwhile, a photographic exhibition to mark anniversary the closure of Fremantle Prison on 8 November 1991 is due to be staged inside the now major tourist attraction. The exhibition will display the black and white photographs of then freelance photographer Karin CalvertBorshoff who was allowed over a few weeks to document the final days of its 136 year long tenure as the state’s main detention facility.

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Find Clonakilty in the Smallgoods Meats Aisle

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SCAN FOR RECIPES

THE IRISH SCENE | 59

What is President Connolly’s vision for the diaspora?

M

by Lloyd Gorman

ichael D Higgins was always going to be business. Heather Humphreys had been to a tough act to follow!

Australia – including Perth – several years ago Speculation about who would replace as a government minister on the St. Patrick’s him as Uachtarán na hÉireann ran riot and Day ticket, so we factored that into what we included amongst others the likes of Bob asked her.

Geldof, We also asked all the candidates if they Bertie Ahern think the Irish diaspora, and people living in and Michael Northern Ireland, should be allowed to vote Flatley to in a presidential election and how they would name a few. represent and interact with the diaspora if In brutal they were elected. demolition Disappointingly, not one of them derby style responded. these and Jim Gavin had some bit of an excuse, a swathe given how short lived his candidacy was, of other but it’s still poor form and they could all personalities clearly have done much better. Did they failed to not bother because there was no vote value even make in it for the candidate and it was decided it to the to focus only on local and national media? starting line. At the end of the day however Whatever the reason, this disregard for fair there was a very small pool, just three and proper questions posed in the course candidates – each with the backing of the of a presidential election reinforces the main political parties in Ireland – were named biased electoral system and political culture on the ballot paper. Jim Gavin was that excludes Irish citizens living backed by Fianna Fail leader Michael abroad, and even in Northern Martin and a vote of the party, Ireland, from being able to Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys vote in presidential polls. stepped in to replace Mairead [Australians – and many McGuinness, who bowed out other nationalities – living early for health reasons and in Ireland can easily vote independent Catherine in their own national Connolly, who got the elections and referenda backing of the left wing back home, so why parties, including can’t we?].

Sinn Fein.

It doesn’t reflect Irish Scene sent well on any of them identical questions to (or the political parties all three. they are aligned with) We asked if they had and was hardly an ever been to Australia and auspicious start from if so when and if they had Catherine Connolly, been here on holiday, visiting President even before she won the family, as an emigrant or for Catherine Connolly election. There didn’t seem to

60 | THE IRISH SCENE

be have been much attention paid to the diaspora during the campaign debates by the candidates. Once counting started it quickly became clear the Galway woman was going to win by a country mile and in her bilingual victory speech in Dublin Castle that night she promised to be ‘an inclusive president’. There was no reference to the Irish abroad but for sure I thought she would address the Irish diaspora in her inaugural speech, once she had been formally sworn into the role. Her maiden speech was a strong one overall but also exposed a possible shortcoming in her vision for the presidency.

“I want to acknowledge our large and growing diaspora,” she said in her official opening speech. “There is hardly a family on this island that does not have a personal experience of migration. On every continent our emigrants have put their ingenuity and hard work at the service of new homelands.

Yet they have kept their love of Ireland and its culture deep in their hearts. I hope over the next seven years that there will be many opportunities for me to celebrate with them and share our experiences” – President Catherine Connolly 2025 That was the totality of her thoughts about the international Irish. Her aspirations about looking forward to celebrating with them sounded hollow when you consider she was invited to do just that only a few weeks earlier and had for whatever reason not chosen to do exactly that with you, Irish Scene readers.

Her brief remarks about the diaspora pale by comparison with her contemporary

President Higgins Inauguration Ceremony 2011

Inauguration day for President Higgins

predecessors. Consider Michael D Higgins first presidential pronouncement in November 2011. Amongst other things he talked about preparations for the pending 75th anniversary of the constitution of Ireland and encouraged “citizens of all ages, at home and abroad” to take part in whatever way they could for the significant milestone.

“It is my wish to be a president for all of the Irish at home and abroad,” he said in another part of his address. “We Irish have been a diasporic people for a great part of our history... circumstances that... continues to implore many citizens to seek employment and a better life elsewhere are not ordained by some mysterious hand of faith. They challenge our capacity to create a sustainable and prosperous economy and an inspiring model of the good society.

We, in our time, must address the real circumstances that generate involuntary emigration and resolve that in the years ahead we will strive with all our energy and intellect, with mind and heart, to create an Ireland our young people do not feel they have to leave and to which the emigrants or their children may wish in time to return to work and live in dignity and prosperity. I invite all the Irish wherever they may be across the world to become involved with us in that task of remaking our economy and society.”

– President Michael D Higgins 2011 In November 1997 his predecessor Mary McAleese said the theme of her presidency would be ‘Building THE IRISH SCENE | 61

Bridges’. This held special significance for the nation coming to terms with peace in the wake of The Troubles, but also for the international Irish.

Mary Robinson spoke about Ireland’s place in the world and she was the first president to expressly identify the diaspora and reach out to them.

“Among those who are “My primary role as also owed an enormous President will be to debt of thanks are the represent this State. But countless emigrants the State is not the only whose letters home model of community with dollars and pound with which Irish people notes, earned in grinding can and do identify. loneliness thousands of Beyond our State there is miles from home, bridged a vast community of Irish the gap between the Ireland Mary emigrants extending not they left and the Ireland which McAleese only across our neighbouring greets them today when they island — which has provided return as tourists or return to stay,” a home away from home for President McAleese said. “They are a several Irish generations — but also crucial part of our global Irish family. In every throughout the continents of North America, continent they have put their ingenuity and Australia and of course Europe itself. There hard work at the service of new homelands. are over 70 million people living on this globe They have kept their love of Ireland, its who claim Irish descent. I will be proud to traditions and its culture deep in their hearts represent them. And I would like to see Áras so that wherever we travel in the world there an Uachtaráin, my official residence, serve on is always a part of Ireland of which we can something of an annual basis — as a place be proud and which in turn takes pride in us. where our emigrant communities could send I hope over the next seven years there will be representatives for a get-together of the many opportunities for me to celebrate with extended Irish family abroad” them” – President Mary McAleese 1997 – President Mary Robinson 1990

Mary Robinson sworn in as President of Ireland

That final sentence in Ms Connolly’s piece sounds awfully similar to the last line of Ms Aleese’s rather thoughtful message from 28 years ago.

In her inaugural speech in December 1990 62 | THE IRISH SCENE

The first woman to be elected president of Ireland she famously placed a traditional ‘tilly lamp’ in the window of Áras an Uachtaráin. “I am not just a President of those here today but of those who cannot be here; and there will always be a light on in Áras an Uachtaráin for our exiles and our emigrants,” she said.

In an era just before the internet and mobile phones Mrs Robinson crafted our modern perception of the diaspora, a concept that was nurtured and enriched by presidents McAleese and Higgins.

It remains to be seen what stamp the 10th president of Ireland Tilly Lamp at Áras puts on it, but may she rise to the challenge!

An ‘obvious sore point’ for the diaspora

by Lloyd Gorman

R

Ireland they would be able egular Irish Scene Senator Connor Murphy and others readers will be very to walk into the Australian pictured outside Fremantle Prison familiar with this embassy in Dublin and publications attitude voted in federal elections towards the question of and referenda back home. a presidential vote for Most countries in the world members of the Irish extend this democratic right diaspora – we should to their citizens, but not absolutely have it. We Ireland. have covered this issue Another recent visitor to for a long time now these shores also discovered and particularly in each a general level of disquiet edition over the last in the Australian Irish year or, in the lead up community about this very to the presidential poll point. Irish Senator Conor in October. Flogging Murphy called it “a sore a dead horse some point”. He was part of a might say. No apologies recent two week long visit here. If the community by a Sinn Fein delegation doesn’t speak up then down under. the Irish government “It was during the week before Hallowe’en can easily let the matter slide and put it on and the week of recess,” he said in Seanad the long finger. Governments like to flatter Éireann on November 6. the diaspora but have teased and taunted “We spent time in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne it about this pertinent question for decades and Canberra and the Irish connection there now. Irish people living overseas – and in is so strong. Australia is probably as far away Northern Ireland – should have been able as you can get for an Irish diaspora, but its to cast a ballot in this presidential election connection to home is really strong. This under the terms of a referendum then trip occurred at the time of the presidential Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced in 2017, a election and there was huge interest in commitment that went nowhere. what was going on back home. In that The system also locks out people who are sense, and given the advertising campaign already perfectly entitled to vote. My parents the Government has engaged in, with the visited in October and their stay coincided catchline “You built Sydney; come back with the presidential elections ‘back home’. and build Knowing they would be away they made Ireland”, and enquiries about being able to vote but were the desire to bluntly told that because they were out of get people the country that wouldn’t be possible. Tough to come luck! My folks are now retired but my father home, it was in the Irish Defence Forces for most of was not lost his working life. If he was still in uniform on people and serving outside the state anywhere in and was the world – which he has done – he and his remarked military colleagues would all be sent ballot on to us by papers and able to cast their vote in time for quite a few the poll. people that Sen. Murphy with And if the shoe was on the other foot and they are not Marty Kavanagh if they were Australian’s visiting family in allowed to THE IRISH SCENE | 63

vote in a presidential election. People want them home and they value them as the diaspora, as Irish citizens living abroad, but yet many other countries—a huge number - across the world facilitate their citizens voting in presidential and other elections and that that was not available to them...

The visit coincided with the presidential election, which was an obvious sore point for a lot of Irish citizens abroad and their inability to participate in the political life of the country, yet there is a desire on the part of the government to have many of them return home. In a political and practical sense, there are many issues that can be

addressed to make that aspiration something which has a level of practical support rather than an expressed desire on behalf of the government.”

Unless there is some kind of political scandal or major mishap along the way the next general election in Ireland will be in January 2030 and 2032 for the next presidential election. The cynic in me predicts the diaspora will be in almost exactly the same position as it is now when the Irish nation goes back to the ballot box. My internal optimist will be waiting patiently for a positive development to cling onto.

Potatoes and Presidents

E

lections are normally a serious business and a massive logistical exercise for the statutory body responsible for ensuring they go smoothly and according to plan. WA’s state election back on March 8 showed how badly things can go awry. But Ireland’s electoral commission [An Coimisiún Toghcháin] found a way to run a fun election in the run up to the presidential poll. All three candidates made an appearance at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly in mid September. The championships are one of the biggest and important fixtures on the Irish calendar. An Coimisiún Toghcháin also made an appearance – its first – at this year’s championships and even staged a novel election for the event, asking people to vote for their favourite

64 | THE IRISH SCENE

way to cook and eat the humble Irish spud, including baked, boiled, chips and mashed.

Plenty of people took the chance to rate their tater. Interestingly, no winner was declared!

In what was more of a clever marketing promotion another ‘spud’ with political and presidential ambitions was the character of Mr Tayto.

In 2007 the trademark figure – accompanied by his campaign manager the late Frank Kelly (aka Father Jack from Father Ted) – stood for election in the 2007 general election but ruled out himself out of the 2018 presidential election!

THE AN APOLOGY FOR ACRE PINJARRA MASS GOVERNOR CHRIS DAWSON “When I was sworn in as the 34th Governor of Western Australia, I set a priority that I would do all I could to improve the betterment of Aboriginal People across our State.

Governor Stirling came to this place in 1834 with an intent to punish the Bindjareb Noongar people.

I come to this place today as a Governor with a different intent.

I come here on the invitation of the Bindjareb Noongar people. I come here on foot, unarmed, to walk softly on this country, I come with my heart – my koort – to say sorry.

I come here today and say sorry for the dreadful wrongs perpetrated by the first Governor of Western Australia, Sir James Stirling, to Bindjareb Noongar people on this Boodja. Captain Stirling, as he then was, first visited the Derbal Yirrigan in 1827, which he then named the Swan River. He recorded in his journal that when he first saw three Aboriginal Noongar men, that they “…seemed angry at our invasion of their territory”. In 1834, following five years of colonisation, the relationship between the British settlers and the Aboriginal population in Western Australia was very tense. Aboriginal people and white settlers were killed, often in reprisal attacks, in the lead up to the Pinjarra massacre. Colonists were allocated traditional Aboriginal land by Governor Stirling, where they then farmed and reared livestock. Native animals were an important food source for both Aboriginal and settler people. Settlers’ livestock were also killed by both Aboriginal people and

colonists as a food source. This struggle over both land and food, and clash of culture, led to reprisal attacks on both sides. Following settler grievances and calls for protection, Governor Stirling then formed an intent to punish the Bindjareb Noongar tribe. In October 1834, Governor Stirling leading a party of 25 men, rode from Perth to Pinjarra in the south-west of Western Australia. This journey was documented in detail by the only unarmed member of Stirling’s party, the Colony’s Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe. The culmination of this trip was the deaths of multiple Aboriginal people of the Bindjareb Noongar tribe...previously referred to as the “Battle of Pinjarra”. Most historians now refer to October 28, 1834, as the “Pinjarra Massacre”. Governor Stirling described it as a “skirmish”.

In the words of Surveyor General Roe: “In a few minutes the loud shouting and yelling of the natives

Governor Dawson with members of the Bindjareb Noongar people at the site of the Pinjarra Massacre Memorial site

told us the whites were discovered, and firing immediately commenced on the left bank... the firing continued upwards and followed the retreating voices of the natives for upwards of an hour. After the first charge which killed four or five, the natives retreated to the river intending apparently to cross over by another ford... they were completely frustrated by meeting the remainder of the armed force, headed by the Governor, just as part of them were ascending the bank. In this dilemma they took to hiding themselves amongst the bushes and dead logs on the river banks, and were picked off by the party on either shore. This was not however done without much resistance on part of the natives, who... in many instances had immersed themselves in the water, having only their nose and mouth above water, nevertheless THE IRISH SCENE | 65

threw numerous spears with amazing precision and force. In this way between 15 and 20 were shot dead, very few wounded being suffered to escape, until at length, it being considered that the punishment of the tribe for the numerous murders it had committed, was sufficiently exemplary, the firing ceased, and the party secured eight women and several children prisoners.”

Governor Stirling reported killing 15 Aboriginal people, with the death of one of his party, Mounted Police Superintendent Ellis. Other estimates stated a much higher casualty number of the Bindjareb Noongar people were killed. The precise number of deaths of the Aboriginal population are now impossible to determine.

In a letter to the British authorities, Stirling wrote: “The natives very resolutely stood their ground,..and threw a volley of spears, by which Captain Ellis was wounded in the head, and one of his men in the right arm, and another was unhorsed, stunned, and dismounted by the blow, and having his horse speared. Captain Ellis’ party was thus put into great peril, but at this critical moment, the men with me in position, and commenced firing, and threw the natives into confusion, they fled...completely surrounded and overpowered, the number killed amounted probably to 15 men. The women were...informed the punishment had been inflicted, because of the misconduct

The Green Jacket

I

n the long and brutal colonisation of Australia by European settlers the Pinjarra Masscare of 1834 stands out as of the

This Pinjarra Massacre artwork was painted by Emma Margetts, Eugene A Winwar, Phillip S Mears, Isobel Rose Ugle, David Colin Mundy, Julie Mundy, Candice Burns and John Phillip Kelly

66 | THE IRISH SCENE

of the tribe, that the white men never forgot to punish murder, and that on this occasion the women and children had been spared, but that if any other person should be killed by them, not one would be allowed to remain alive this side of the mountains.

As Governor of Western Australia, I come to you today to say: I am deeply sorry for the actions of my predecessor and for the pain and suffering he caused. I say sorry to the Bindjareb people, who still feel the trauma of the punishment inflicted on their ancestors that day, when so many innocent lives were taken. The time has come – and the time is right – for the Governor to acknowledge the truth of the past actions of a predecessor.” *This is an edited version of Govenor Chris Dawson’s apology. nation’s most murderous moments. On October 28 for the 191st anniversary the Governor of WA Chris Dawson formally apologised to the Bindjareb people for the actions of his predecessor James Stirling nearly 200 years earlier. Their descendents suffered a terrible loss of life and the survivors – women and children – at the time were warned they too could be next if there was any more trouble. Estimates for the number of killed ranges from at least 15 to 80, or even more. The site where they were buried is said to be WA’s only mass grave.

Mr Dawson’s speech – which can be found online – is a genuine statement of remorse. It also mentions the only European to be killed as a result of the attack, ‘mounted police superintendent Ellis’. Theophilus Tighe Ellis (1782 – 11 November 1834) was one of four

children born to Edward Ellis, from Rocklands (Dalkey), Dublin. Retired WA Police Historian Peter Conole, a former contributor to this publication, having written about Ellis’s military career fighting in the Ibernian wars for the British before emigrating to the then Swan River Colony and his ‘ultimately end’ also wrote a detailed piece called ‘The origins and ancestry of Superintendent Theophilus Ellis’.

“His background is of real interest and sheds useful light on the quality and social status of some prominent settlers in WA,” Peter wrote in the piece. “Observers of the day noticed that there were a fair proportion of gentry or upper middle class folk among the early colonists. The Ellis family was one example among many. The details below paint a picture of a typical Anglo-Irish set of gentry, exemplified by strong traditions of military service, office holding and involvement in law enforcement matters.”

Historical information traces the ancestry of Theophilus Tighe Ellis directly back to Robert Ellis, Sherriff of Carrickfergus in 1608. Robert Ellis was an English soldier in the army of Elizabeth 1 who arrived in Ireland in the late 1500’s to help suppress rebellious chieftains and families in the north of Ireland. He settled in Carrickfergus and his descedants remained in Ireland (Co. Monaghan and Dublin) and continued to serve with the British army and police force.

And so it was for Theophilus Tighe Ellis.

When he retired from the 14th Regiment of Dragoons Ellis came to the colony in Western Australia where he was appointed a Government Resident at Kelmscott and Superintendent of Native Tribes. He was also the first policeman in the emerging colony.

Prior to the events at Pinjarra Captain Ellis had been involved in fighting with aboriginals, including to help defend a settlement in Manudarh against a large group of warriors. He was well regarded by his peers.

He was one of the 25 mounted officers, soldiers and volunteer settlers involved in the attack at Pinjarra attack. At the end of the day just two of them

had been injured.

“Corporal Heffron was wounded in the arm by a spear,” a report for the online portal for information about heritage places and listings in Western Australia inHerit said. “He was given treatment immediately and went on to recover fully.

Ellis, who it has been claimed had already sustained head injuries in an earlier skirmish, received concussion from either a spear blow or a fall from his horse. On the return journey Ellis was ‘operated on’ by a private who had little medical experience. He stayed in a coma for two weeks and died of his injuries on 14 November. Ellis was branded a hero and received a full military honours and burial.”

Governor James Stirling and most of Perth attended this funeral and the day after he died a folk ballad The Green Jacket – the uniform of the mounted police corps – was published in The Perth Gazette in his honour.

His name is also listed on a monument outside Police HQ in Perth a shift in attitude towards him has been underway for some time. Five years ago on 11 November 2020 the Western Australia Police Union tweeted the message: “Today we remember Captain Theophalus Ellis who was murdered in Pinjarra on this day in 1834.”

The message was posted in the middle of NAIDOC Week and had also drawn the ire of the then police commissioner – and now governor – Chris Dawson, who said it lacked “good judgement” and that the union should be more concerned about the conditions and issues facing its members.

“Yesterday, a tweet was posted which after a number of requests we removed,” the Union said in an apology. “The information contained in the tweet regarding the death of a police officer was taken from the official honour roll.”

THE IRISH SCENE | 67

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THE IRISH SCENE 70 | THE IRISH SCENE

IRISH THEATRE PLAYERS

Irish Theatre Players Present

SHUSH

by Elaine Murphy

“THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS

The Irish Theatre Players are delighted to stage Shush by acclaimed Irish playwright Elaine Murphy, opening 13 November at the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth.

ISCARIOT”

Murphy’s work is already familiar to ITP audiences — her much-loved play Little Gem was produced by the group in 2021 and was met with great acclaim for its humour, honesty, and heart. Shush continues in that spirit, blending sharp wit with emotional depth as it follows five women gathering to celebrate a birthday and, in the process, rediscovering friendship, courage, and self-belief.

Directed by Denice Byrne, the production brings together a talented cast and crew who have dedicated months of work to the project. As always, this has been made possible through the support of our members and the wider Irish community in Perth — a testament to what can be achieved when creativity and community come together.

Panto Update We know many look forward to our annual panto, a beloved tradition that has long brought families and friends together at year’s end. Unfortunately, we won’t be staging a panto in 2025. A show of that scale requires a huge amount of resources — from rehearsal space and set construction to costumes, lighting, and a large volunteer team. Without those in place, we made the difficult decision to pause this season rather than compromise on quality.

That said, we are thrilled to have secured the Old Mill Theatre for Shush and would love to see our audiences there supporting this special production. With continued community involvement, we hope to bring the panto back — bigger, brighter, and better — in 2026.

Join the ITP Community As a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation, we simply couldn’t do what we do without the ongoing support of our members and friends. Whether you’re interested in performing, helping backstage, assisting with front of house, or joining our committee, there are always opportunities to get involved.

Performance Details for Shush by Elaine Murphy l Point Rd, South Perth , corner Mends St & Mil Venue: Old Mill Theatre 2025 Dates: 13 – 22 November pm 20, 21 November at 7:30 15, 14, Evening Shows: 13, ember at 1:30 pm Matinees: 15, 16, 22 Nov each $21 · Groups (10+) $20 cession $22 · Members Tickets: Adults $27 · Con yers om.au/irishtheatrepla Bookings: www.TAZtix.c heatreplayers.com.au Enquiries: info@irisht rishTheatrePlayers Follow: facebook.com/I

Come along and support local theatre — and share in a story that celebrates friendship, laughter, and the Irish spirit that continues to thrive in our community.

irishtheatreplayers.com.au

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Irish Choir at Guildford Songfest “on a grand soft day-I-aye”

by Fiona Carberry

Along with 47 Western Australian choirs, the Irish Choir Perth (ICP) recently performed at the eighth Guildford Songfest on an early Spring weekend.

After a warm-up outdoors in Stirling Square, in unsettled weather, ICP took to the stage in St Matthew’s Hall for a Saturday afternoon performance. Our first song, Tonnta by Irish band Amble, featured three-part harmonies accompanied

by Joe Ryan on piano and chorister Sinead Kennedy on guitar.

Conductor and choir director, Hilary Price, then took the audience and the choir to Scotland with the sopranos taking the high road and the altos taking the low road to Loch Lomond, a beautifully arranged and evocative Scottish folk song.

We left the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and bonnie lochs for the gas works and factory walls of Dirty Old Town. ICP began The Pogues song acapella before Joe and Sinead were joined by Jerry Murphy playing whistle. The trio’s musical accompaniment continued for Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.

Hilary joined the trio of musicians on piano accordion, with Jerry playing flute, for a rollicking finale which ended with the choir in crescendo on Galway Girl. Off stage, ICP took a stroll across the railway line to the historic Guildford Hotel for a drink. Well, “we were half-way there when the rain came down (on a day-I-aye-Iaye”)!

Sunday morning, ICP gathered outside the Guildford Library to warm-up on another “grand soft day-I-aye”, before performing in the art deco Town Hall. Our Sunday set included performing for the first time two American songs: Wayfaring Stranger, a traditional spiritual/gospel song with body percussion; and Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit song Jolene.

s Craic Christmaal performance

P’s fin Don’t miss IC ncert on hristmas co C r ou for 2025: the December at Saturday 13 entre.

C y it n k Commu ar P n to en Sh ckets and ok page for ti bo ce Fa r ou Check l us at time. Or emai . gm h@ ail.com Irishchoirpert

Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others T he Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others initiative has seen remarkable global growth since its inception in Ireland in the late 2010s.

Originally created to reconnect women with the sport of ladies’ Gaelic football in a fun, non-competitive environment, it has evolved into a powerful social outlet for women of all backgrounds—blending fitness, friendship, and cultural identity. Now, thanks to the passion and perseverance of Kilmallock native Ruth Hanley-Stapleton, this movement has found a vibrant new home in Perth, Western Australia.

Ruth, a long-time camogie player, found herself yearning for the community and connection that Gaelic games once provided.

“When I came out here, I played camogie, but after having kids, I didn’t feel like I could keep up with the younger girls,” she explained.

“But I still wanted to be involved and show my kids our heritage.” That passion led her to the local Gaelic Junior Academy and eventually to planting the seeds for a Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others club.

It began with a few casual conversations among fellow mums at the Gaelic Junior Academy. “They kept asking, ‘Are you going to set it up?’” Ruth said. With interest growing fast, especially after a successful local Féile event in March, it became clear that a formal group was needed. The response was overwhelming—over 150 women joined the WhatsApp group for the north side of the city alone, with additional interest from women south of the river.

The team officially launched in April 2025 and trained weekly on Wednesdays at both RA Cook Reserve and Baldivis Sports Complex, accommodating members from both sides of the river. Each week, between 30–40 women take part in training, with new faces joining all the time and almost 100 officially registered.

Remarkably, most of our players have never

played Gaelic football before, embracing the sport with enthusiasm and a great sense of fun.

But it’s not just about football — the social side has flourished, with the group participating in events like Darkness Into Light, Xmas in July, and lively nights out, with many more community events planned for the season ahead. “It’s more about connection than competition,” Ruth shared. “A bit of fitness, sure, but mainly to give mums time for themselves, an hour a week to get out, chat, move, and connect with others.” That inclusive spirit has welcomed not just Irish women, but women of other nationalities curious to join in and be part of something unique. The social events will continue during the off season and a number of the girls have recently started attending fitness sessions and the run club at ‘Thrive’ with Aine one of our sponsors.

Starting a new club from scratch takes immense effort, and the committee behind the scenes has worked tirelessly to bring it all to life.

As the saying goes — it truly takes a village.

To reflect the club’s growing identity, Perth Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others unveiled our club crest in 2025. It beautifully symbolises the bond between Ireland and the Australian community it now thrives in. At its center, the black swan proudly represents the Swan River—an iconic part of Perth and the heartland of the team.

The shamrock and Gaelic football in the design honor the club’s strong Irish roots and love for Gaelic sport. This crest embodies passion, pride, and the special place where Gaelic spirit meets Aussie soul.

Adding an exciting dimension to the club’s first season is the involvement of acclaimed coach Sean Dempsey. Sean was here in Perth visiting his son and helping to mind his grandchildren when he so gratefully agreed to take us on. A Leinster GAA Coach Developer and proud native of St. Joseph’s GAA, County

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Laois, Sean brings a wealth of experience, having led teams to All-Ireland finals and secured multiple county championships as both player and manager. With a stellar reputation across Ireland and Australasia, his presence in Perth has been an invaluable opportunity for the club.

While Sean was only with us for this season, his impact was felt immensely. As we look ahead, we are actively seeking a coach for the next season. Anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch with us via Facebook or Instagram. Whether you’re GAA experienced or simply passionate about community sport, we’d love to hear from you.

We would also like to give a shout out to Mark MCrae who trains the Morley Gaels for stepping in at the very beginning when we had no coach. He saw the ladies through the first weeks of training, and we are so grateful for his support and time.

One of the highlights of our season so far was a special training session with Orlagh Lally, who currently plays for the Fremantle Dockers.

Orlagh brought with her not only a wealth of experience from both GAA and AFL, but also an infectious passion for women in sport. To have her take time out of her busy schedule to join us was truly inspiring.

Her insights, encouragement, and genuine enthusiasm lifted the whole group and reminded us of the power of sport to connect people across codes and communities. It’s moments like these that make us so grateful for the strong Irish community here in Perth and the way it continues to support and celebrate women in sport.

On Saturday August 30th we played an exhibition match during the WA GAA Football

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Championship Finals at Tom Bateman. The exhibition match wasn’t just about the game itself—it was about visibility and inspiration.

For many of us, stepping onto the pitch that day meant showing our families and children that you’re never too old to take up something and also that sport doesn’t end when the competitive chapter closes; it evolves. It was also about reminding other women in the community that there’s still a place to belong, to play, and to laugh together on and off the field. The energy on the sideline was electric, with families shouting encouragement and kids proudly calling out not just for their mums, but for their aunts and friends. This vibrant display perfectly encapsulated the essence of our team: a celebration of connection, resilience, and the pure joy of playing for the love of the game.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors.

We are sincerely grateful to Cast Civil, AR Civil, and Thrive Fitness for believing in our mission and helping make this journey possible. Their support plays an essential role in the success and sustainability of the team. And to Fresh Frontier for been a community sponsor and providing food for a future event.

We would also like to thank Greenwood FC for allowing us to train on the pitch during their allotted time and the GAAWA for all their guidance and advice while getting this off the ground this year.

We are so excited for what lies ahead next season. Please also like and follow us on social media on Facebook and Instagram @PerthGaelicforMothersandOthers to stay up to date for upcoming events and we welcome new joiners at any time.

THE IRISH SCENE | 75

ART FOR AID

A

rt for Aid – the fundraising exhibition organised by Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine – raised more than $200,000 for medical and humanitarian aid, money which will go direct to charities supporting children and their families in Gaza.

Hundreds of artists – including Irish artists Sarah McDevitt, Susan Bresnihan and Stephen Delaney – donated works of art for the event, held in the Holmes à Court Gallery in West Perth over the last weekend of October. A special ticketed event on Saturday night sold out while the exhibit opened to the public on Sunday. Dr Mo and Dr Noor spoke about their uplifting story of finding love in a war zone.

Some art pieces remain for sale. For all enquiries, please email perthdoctorsartforaid@gmail.com

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GAZA RALLY

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Members of the Irish community (pictured) were amongst the massive gathering – estimated at between 10,000 to 25,000 people – in Perth on Sunday 24th August, staged as part of a national protest against the war in Gaza.

Its wedding bells for Albo – but something doesn’t ring true

by Lloyd Gorman

B

y his own design Anthony Albanese should be a married man by the end of 2025. Albo popped the question to his partner Jodie Haydon on St Valentine’s Day 2024. She said yes and the next day the happy couple announced the good news to the world. Naturally enough one of the main questions they were asked by the media was when the big day would be.

They didn’t have a specific date in mind but to avoid it becoming a political circus they said it would a small and intimate affair after the Federal election in May 2025. That little matter was settled by a hefty victory with Albo at the helm.

“Have you set a wedding date?,” the PM was asked in a radio interview on B105 Brisbane on August 14.

“No, we’re close,” he replied. “We’ve decided it will be this year...it will be this year...we’re close...we’ve got a couple of options.”

Mr Albanese was the first divorced person ever elected as PM and he will be the first serving PM to get married in office. His 19 year marriage to his first wife Carmel Tebbutt ended amicably enough in early 2019. Later that same year he met his fiance Jodie Haydon. Everybody deserves another chance at lifelong happiness with the right partner, good luck to them. Weddings are momentous occasions in life.

So it was intriguing to learn Mr Albanese travelled to Ireland twenty years ago for one, according to Irish Times journalist Padraig Collins in an article published on Saturday May 4.

“Albanese, who has Irish heritage through his late mother Maryanne Ellery, visited Ireland for a wedding in 2005,” Collins wrote. “He is long overdue a return visit if the Irish government sees fit to invite him.”

Back in May Taoiseach Michael Martin congratulated Mr Albanese on his “election victory” and said he looked

forward to working together to deepen ties and face global challenges. So the idea of Mr Martin officially Anthony Albanese in inviting his Australian Dublin in 1988 counterpart to visit is perfectly plausible...and totally tantalising!

Any such trip would be full of fine speeches about the friendship – and rivalry – the two nations enjoy.

Mr Albanese’s claim to be “half Irish” – and the fact he spent some time in Dublin in 1988 (Irish Scene ‘Dublin Calling Anthony Albanese July/August 2022’ – would be pure gold to the Irish media. Interestingly, they are subjects the PM has shunned when we tried to ask him about them. About the only time he has proudly announced his ‘Irishness’ was in an over the top literary laden toast to Joe Biden at a banquet in Washington DC two years ago.

The Irish Times article does not reveal any details about the wedding in Ireland but it might offer another insight into Mr Albanese’s fractured relationship with Ireland. Clearly the decision to attend a wedding in Ireland is a big one and not a trip most Australians could just make at the drop of a hat, let alone a busy politician. It is also not the kind of journey one would make for anyone other than a family member, loved one or close friend.

In our January/February edition this year we saw recently how 6PR presenter Steve Mills travelled to Ireland late last year to attend a family wedding in Dingle, Co Kerry and had an amazing holiday taking in other parts of the country.

Millsy’s experience is not unique.

Every Australian I have ever met who went to Ireland for a wedding had a magical and memorable time.

As well as the romance of the special occasion they fell in love with the mystic of the country and its characters and are always eager to retell their adventures. But it seems this is just another in a growing list of Irish encounters Mr Albanese would really rather not talk about!

THE IRISH SCENE | 79

BROKE ROAD

by MATTHEW SPENCER / ALLEN & UNWIN $34.99 This is a follow up to Spencer’s first book, the excellent Black River, which won the 2023 Danger Award for Debut Crime Fiction, and which was also shortlisted for that year’s Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. Again, Broke Road, features Homicide Detective Seargent Rose Riley and her sidekick Priya Patel. The narrative is set in the wine regions of the Hunter Valley around Cessnock, where Riley was raised on a small farm. Roused from her sleep in the early hours of the morning, Riley is sent to investigate the murder of a young woman found strangled in a new isolated town house in rural Red Creek, There is no evidence forced entry and no sign of a struggle, so her geologist husband, with whom she is sharing some conflict, is installed as number one suspect. But he has a watertight alibi – or does he? Soon other possible killers emerge, such as ‘pissshead’ winemaker Bruce, hotel manager, Jayson and drug taking, petty criminal Dew, as Riley and Patel pursue their investigations with the assistance of local eagerbeaver cop, detective Christian Rodrigues. But is he to be trusted? When new evidence emerges of similar crimes in Adelaide and Canberra many years previously, Riley realizes that they have no time to spare as the murderer may be ready to strike again. Sharing the investigation is Adam Bowman, an ambitious author, and friend of Riley, who is still basking in the limelight of best-selling novel based on Riley’s last case, and who may also have simmering romantic designs on her. From my perspective, it’s difficult to accept how the police could allow and ‘outsider’ to become so embroiled and informed in an

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ongoing homicide investigation. However, this is a small quibble and shouldn’t detract from what is a well-crafted, dynamic, novel, full of strong characterization and pacy dialogue. The action is not driven by violence, but by dedicated, procedural, investigatory legwork, as Riley and Patel cope with false leads, crash into dead ends, confront revelatory surprises, before they eventually track down the perpetrator in a fastmoving finale. Spencer wrings tension out of every aspect of the narrative while capturing the on-going, uneasy, relationship between tourism, fossil fuels, winemaking and global warming.

This is Australian crime fiction at its best.

SAXOPHONE

by MOLLIE HAWKINS / BLOOMSBURY $19.99 Why isn’t the saxophone an integral part of our everyday symphony orchestra? It’s such a funky, expressive, colorful, vibrant instrument, but seems shunned by those who play ‘highbrow’ music maybe because its been labelled ‘the devil’s horn’. In this succinct and comprehensive book, Mollie Hawkins, herself a sax player and sax devotee, weaves a perceptive exploration into the saxophone’s troubled origin together with its eventful and turbulent journey through modern culture to its current place in society.

Hawkins illustrates how the saxophone works, explores the intricacies of reed performance, and traces the rise of the saxophone from being something of a second-tier novelty to its present lofty status and popularity. Son of a cabinet maker, Adolphe Sax, the instrument’s inventor, was lucky to survive a series of death defying, youthful accidents, including drinking sulfuric acid thinking it was milk, before eventually making it to adulthood. Sax formally studied

Book Reviews

by John Hagan

flute and clarinet and his experiments with the latter led him to concocting a prototype of a single-reed instrument that boasted the powerful sound of brass with all the dexterity of a woodwind. Jealous of his inventive musical talents, his patents were contested and stolen by other instrument makers leading to ongoing, life-long, litigation. By the age 63 (in 1877) Sax, in failing health, became bankrupt for the third time and was forced to sell his instrument collection before dying in absolute poverty in 1894. Fortunately, Selmer, today’s premier saxophone manufacturer, picked up on Sax’s patents, refining and developing his rudimentary work into the sophisticated instrument we know today. Whether alto, soprano, tenor or baritone, each saxophone contains in the region of 850 parts and takes about thirty hours to produce. Arguably, the saxophone is eternally linked to jazz greats, such as John Coltrane, Stan Getz and Charlie Parker, and Hawkins lovingly explores their musical lives and influence. But the saxophone has never been kind to its players and Hawkins delves into the dark paths of its exponents, including those of her own saxophone-playing, professional muso, father. This is an insightful expose of the development of an instrument and its extraordinary impact and influence.

Another great offering in Bloomsbury’s ‘Object Lessons’ series.

THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

by EDWARD W SAID / TEXT PUBLISHING $36.99 The land ‘flowing with milk and honey’ is alas, no more. Today, Palestine may have a flag and a national anthem, with Ireland (and latterly Australia) being one of the few countries initially to recognize Palestine as an independent state. Said’s exceptional book remains one of the most comprehensive accounts of Palestine and the Palestinian people, and while it was originally written in 1979 (with revisions in the 1990s), it provides a depth of understanding as to what, and why, is

currently happening today amongst the ravages of upheaval and war. Said writes like he is a professor of English literature and a Palestinian nationalist, he is in fact both, holding the chair of English at Columbia University (USA) in addition to being a member of the Palestine National Council. This is a well- documented work, relying for the most part on primary research sources, while the ensuing narrative clearly underlines the horrors of what we read about today, particularly in the Gaza strip, where new levels of violence, barbarism and depravity abound. Lloyd Gorman’s excellent article (Silent treatment not an option for these doctors) in the July/August edition of Irish Scene illustrates the ongoing humanitarian tragedy for many Palestinians today. At the heart of the book, is Said’s anger at the double standards applied by the West (and Australia) to rounds of enduring violence, suffering and displacement, which characterize a portion of the Middle East today.

A Palestinian population of over two million has been displaced and subjected to escalating violence, injustice, malnutrition, oppression and genocide as Zionism and Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, have attempted to negate the Palestinian identity by ignoring or humiliating it. Said traces the origins of the Palestinian nationalist movement and the momentous events of 1948 with the formation of the State of Israel triggering ongoing repercussions for the Palestinian people.

While at times Said might seem hectoring and convoluted, he is also eloquent and erudite, so for anyone interested in understanding how this whole appalling imbroglio eventuated, and while not an ‘easy’ read, Said’s book is a powerful and compelling work.

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Par for the course?

H

ow quickly the months are rolling around, Christmas is coming closer and it is time to have a chat with all the readers of this great colourful magazine. Life brings its own trials. I am in a moonboot with twelve weeks ahead to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon which I obtained, playing pickle ball, on Father’s Day. ‘Serves you right,’ I can hear you say. ‘Have you not got something more interesting to write about?’ I hope so. For all the golfers who read this column, we are all (Americans excepted) in awe of the European team who won the Ryder Cup in somewhat difficult circumstances. The world has changed so much from the one you and I were born into, and not for the better I might add. Travelling may be speedier and more comfortable, but it certainly is not so enjoyable.

Classrooms are a nightmare, wars rage on, Kennedys are very different, Presidents have dictatorial ideas and recently it seems that golf has joined the ranks of inviting hooligans to show us how not to behave. My countryman, yes, the great golfer from Ulster put it like this when interviewed after the event.

slopes near the city centre. Apologies here, as the location is very vague. Belfast’s ‘modern’ history began in 1611 when Baron Arthur Chicester built his castle which was destroyed by the late 1730’s but Belfast was beginning to acquire economic importance, superseding both Lisburn as the chief bridge town and Carrickfergus as a port. It became the market centre of the Ulster linen industry. By the 17th century, the town was a busy port with small shipbuilding interests, which became firmly established after William Ritchie founded a shipyard (1791) and a graving (dry) dock (1796).

Since the Industrial Revolution, the chief shipbuilding firm has been Harland and Wolff (builders of the ill-fated Titanic). The city was severely damaged by air raids in 1941 during World War II. Beginning in the 1970s, Belfast’s traditional manufacturing specialties, linen and shipbuilding, began a long decline. These sectors are now overshadowed by service activities, food processing, and machinery manufacturing. It is still possible to see the giant cranes in the obsolete shipyards. They were named Samson and Goliath.

“I don’t think we should ever accept (poor behaviour) in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons.

It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.’ Well said Rory.

Enough of History. The modern Belfast seems to be much more “Irish” than the one I lived in.

The whole atmosphere is Irish. For example, the Belfast Lord Mayor has accepted ‘Fleadh harp’, marking a year to go until Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. A special ‘Fleadh harp’ has been passed on to the citizens of Belfast, marking the start of the official countdown to the city hosting the next Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from 2-9 August 2026. I quote from the Lord Mayor: “I am delighted and honoured to receive the Fleadh harp for our year ahead, on behalf of the citizens of Belfast. The festival gives us an opportunity to showcase our city as a superb cultural destination and we’re ready, along with our city partners, to give everyone a huge welcome. The benefits that the Fleadh will bring to Belfast can’t be underestimated.

We’re expecting hundreds of thousands of people to travel for a week of music, fun and friendship, and it will be a momentous event for all our residents, visitors and businesses, with plenty of opportunities for everyone to come along, get involved and celebrate our people and our city, together.”

In the last edition I was enthralled with how Belfast had changed over the last thirty years, and I was able to describe some of the places one should choose if visiting the capital.

I mention a few more in the paragraphs below.

But first, a short history of the city.

The site of Belfast was occupied during both the Stone and Bronze ages, and the remains of the Iron Age forts are discernible on the

I will be writing more about this in the months ahead.

The Belfast tourist’s promotion team advised me as one of the top places to visit was The Crown Bar. I must admit I only visited this pub once when I lived there. Why only once, you

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LES ULSTER RAMB sixties. In 1998, the museum combined with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Ulster-American Folk Park to form the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. In July 2005, a £17m refurbishment of the museum was announced, and in October 2006 the museum closed its doors until 2009, to allow for the work to proceed. So obviously, it is bigger and better.

might well ask. In the sixties and seventies, you frequented your local and rarely visited pubs and clubs you did not know. The Crown Bar was not that far away, but I was unlikely to meet anyone I might know there. Also, it was almost opposite the Europa Hotel which had an unenviable record of being the most bombed hotel in the world. It was also near the train station to Dublin. The only time I visited it was when I was catching this train to Dublin, and I was unusually early. It seemed dark and dismal in those days and a little unfriendly. The barman treated me as if it was my first time ordering a Guinness. Nowadays, it is known for its lavish, ornate interiors featuring stained glass, mosaics, and elaborate woodwork. Located, as I have mentioned, opposite the Europa Hotel on Great Victoria Street, it was established in the 1820s and is a Grade A listed building owned by the National Trust. Visitors can enjoy traditional pub food and drinks in the famous booths or the upstairs dining room, experiencing a unique atmosphere that has made it a renowned tourist destination.

Another site they recommended was the Ulster Museum. It is situated in the Botanic Gardens which I will mention below. As the gardens are beside Queens University and opposite The Methodist College, (both of which I attended as you know if you read this column) I was aware of them both in the

A short stroll away from the Ulster Museum are the Botanic Gardens. Designed in the 19th century by Sir Charles Lanyon – who also designed parts of Queen’s University – and built in part by Dublin’s Richard Turner, the Gardens and their ornate cast-iron Palm House are a tribute to Victorian Belfast and can be a relaxing stroll, a peaceful haven for the many visitors who pass through .Home to an assortment of plants and trees, including geranium, fuchsia, begonia and a hornbeam-

leafed oak planted in the 1880s, the gardens are an exotic bubble in the city. The Tropical Ravine even houses banana, cinnamon and orchid plants. For those with more of an interest in relaxation than horticulture, a playground and bowling green are tucked away among the 150-year-old ferns. In my youth, I passed through the gardens at least twice a week on my way to the college playing grounds, situated some miles away at Pirrie Park. Little did I think I would write about them some sixty-five years later. Eleven-yearold boys do not think about the gardens in the way I described above.

Lastly, as the Ryder Cup fades into the past, I include a photograph of Holywood Golf course where I played my first tournament and home of course to the great man himself. The next Cup will be held in Adare Manor, Co. Limerick.

May I wish you all a merry Christmas and as always I hope your God will go with you in the coming year.

David MacConnell

THE IRISH SCENE | 83

Claddagh – There when you need us

At Claddagh, our mission is to provide care, connection, and support to Irish people in WA, particularly in times of hardship.

This takes many forms: from emergency assistance and free visa clinics, to community fundraisers, and our much-loved Seniors program.

See more photos at Claddagh.org. au or scan the QR code right.

Here’s a look at some of moments that have brought our Claddagh community together lately!

Seniors Highlights Our Claddagh Seniors program continues to go from strength to strength, bringing laughter, friendship and plenty of craic for our older community members, helping to ease loneliness and keep everyone connected.

Lunch at Avocados – Wednesday 3 September After a long winter, Spring finally arrived! 60 Claddagh Seniors enjoyed a beautiful day out in the Perth Hills, with delicious food, great company and stunning grounds to explore.

Coach Trip to Gingin – Monday 6 October October brought another adventure, our Seniors boarded the bus to Gingin! After a stroll and some country air everyone tucked into a hearty lunch at the Gingin Hotel. This trip is fast becoming a favourite amongst our Seniors, with plenty of time for songs, laugher and shared stories on the drive!

Our amazing volunteers A big go raibh mile maith agat to our amazing volunteers who make these days possible.

Community connection like this is at the heart of what Claddagh is all about. Check out these great snaps from Volunteer Paul.

Chairperson’s Christmas message

Claddagh Report

As we come to the end of another year, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been part of the Claddagh community, my fellow Committee members, our other volunteers, office employees, supporters, and all those who reach out to help others in times of need.

This year has brought moments of joy and connection, and it has also brought heartbreak. Our community has faced several tragic losses and serious accidents in recent months. For many families, this Christmas will feel very different. To them, we send our deepest sympathies and strength.

In the true Claddagh spirit, friendship, love, and loyalty, let’s look out for one another. Reach out to a friend, check in on a neighbour, and take care of yourselves too. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can mean more than we realise.

As we celebrate the season and the promise of a new year, may we find comfort in community, hope in togetherness, and pride in the strength of our Irish family here in Western Australia.

From all of us at Claddagh, Nollaig shona daoibh, wishing you peace, warmth, and joy this Christmas and in the year ahead.

Heather McKeegan Chairperson, The Claddagh Association

A Visit from the Irish Ambassador

We were honoured to host Her Excellency Fiona Flood, Ambassador of Ireland to Australia, on Thursday 9 October. It was a wonderful morning of connection, joined by several local Irish community groups to discuss how our vibrant community in WA continues to grow.

We also take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank former Ambassador H.E. Tim Mawe for his dedication and service.

Claddagh Report Torc Ceili; Irish Ceili and Aussie Bush Dancing

Sunday 7 September saw plenty of laughter and lively steps at The Stirling Arms in Guildford.

Caroline led an afternoon of Irish Ceili and Aussie bush dancing that had everyone on their feet! Congratulations to Jesse, winner of our raffle, a hamper of Irish treats from Claddagh and a voucher kindly donated by McLoughlin Butchers. Thank you to Torc Ceili for having us, our volunteers for their time and to everyone who stopped by for a chat and donated. Together we raised $490, which goes straight back to support the Irish Community during difficult times.

New Volunteers for Claddagh

On a wintery Saturday morning, twelve enthusiastic volunteers joined us for induction. They learned about Claddagh’s history, it’s evolution over the years, and how each volunteer helps continue our legacy to support the Irish community in every way we can.

Community Space Available

If your community group need a venue to hold a committee meeting or AGM contact Shauna at 08 9249 9213 or email admin@claddagh.org.au for further information.

THE CLADDAGH ASSOCIATION - THERE WHEN YOU NEED US Claddagh is here to provide support, care and connection for the Irish community in WA experiencing hardship or find themselves in difficult circumstances.

How You Can Help: To support these needs of both individuals and families, Claddagh must fundraise throughout the year. If you would like to support Claddagh’s work you can: • Donate: Visit claddagh.org.au to donate.

• Volunteer: Your time can make a world of difference – sign up today!

• Become a member: For just $25, you can join Claddagh.

• Host a fundraiser: Got an idea in mind? Give us a call if you would like to collaborate. See our website for full details – QR code below.

Need Support? We’re Here for You If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out: Email: admin@claddagh.org.au | Phone: 08 9249 9213 Crisis Line (Urgent Support): 0403 972 265 From All of Us at Claddagh Thank you to everyone who supported, volunteered and joined us throughout the year. Your kindness keeps our community strong and connected.

Nollaig shona daoibh — wishing you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful and joyful Christmas.

86 | THE IRISH SCENE

Unit 1, 8 Dewar Street, Morley, 6062.

Enquiries: 08 9249 9213 | admin@claddagh.org.au

Crisis Support: 0403 972 265

B U L C H S I R I T S THE MIDWE

Greeting from

La’ maith from the Midwest Irish Club

S

ince the last edition of the Irish Scene, the Midwest Irish Club held its Annual General Meeting where we said goodbye to outgoing President Adam Wilson and welcomed Lee Thomas as the new incoming President. It is pleasing to see members of the club nominating to assist on the committee with some old and new faces making up this year 2025/2026 Executive Committee.

The club once again celebrated Halloween this year with a weekend of spooky entertainment. The club was decorated by our committee of volunteers ready for Halloween night entertainment with local legend Johnny David and our Sunday afternoon live music with Geoff Udy. Both artists got into the spirit and dressed up for the occasion.

The headline act was on Saturday where the club welcomed back the Deadly Woodbines Trio consisting of Alan Woods, Ken Woods and Val Cutler on the fiddle. It was a sellout ticketed event, and the band did not disappoint with all their Irish classics and toe tapping reels and jigs from Val on the Fiddle.

This is the third time the Deadly Woodbines have ventured up the Brand Hwy to come and play at the club. The club is looking forward to hosting them again in the near future.

Until next time, Regards Simon Miller

THE IRISH SCENE | 87

Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. The Australian National Championships were held in Brisbane, QLD in October and many Western Australian dancers represented their schools as well as their State at this interstate qualifying feis.

Congratulations to every dancer that competed in the championship whether it was for solo or teams, you presented yourselves exceptionally and AIDA WA is very proud of you all.

We would like to congratulate the National Champions from Western Australia: • Sub Minor Girls 8 yrs

Bella Huang –

The Academy

• Junior Girls 11 yrs

Emmeline Summers -

WA Academy

• Senior Girls 15 years

Georgia Western -

Trinity Studio

• Senior Ladies 20 & 21 years

Sinead Daly -

The Academy

• Senior Mens

Vaughan Cooper -

WA Academy

We would like to congratulate the National Champions from Western Australia: • 7yrs and under Girls

2nd Place

Adalind Davis – The Academy

• 8yrs Girls

4th Place

Brooky Hamilton – Trinity Studio

• 10yrs Girls

3rd Place

Sephora Donelan – The Academy

• 11yrs Girls

2nd Place

Talitha Lin- The Academy

•

4th Place

Ruby Cullen – Celtic Academy

• 12yrs Boys

2nd Place

Tiernan Beattie – The Academy

• 13yrs Boys

3rd Place

Tane Young – The Academy

• 13yrs Girls

2nd Place

Cassie Lin – The Academy

4th Place

Charlotte Langford – Champion Academy

• 14yrs Girls

2nd Place

Sahara Donelan – The Academy

• 15yrs Girls

2nd Place

Sinead Lydon – The Academy

• 16yrs Girls

2nd Place

Tara Fox – O’Hare School

• 17yrs Ladies

5th Place

Zoe Cahoon – Trinity Studio

• 20&21yrs Ladies

3rd Place

Stella Ashley – Trinity Studio

• Senior Ladies

2nd Place

Tara Collis – Celtic Academy

3rd Place

Caoimhe McAleer – The Academy

88 || THE THE IRISH IRISH SCENE SCENE 88

4th Place

Isobel Ashley – Trinity Studio

5th Place

Niamh Leahy – O’Hare School

AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2023 President: Katherine Travers TCRG Vice Presidents: Siobhan Collis TCRG & Eileen Ashley ADCRG Secretary: Shannen Krupa TCRG Treasurer: Martina O’Brien TCRG Registrar: Jenny O’Hare TCRG WA Delegate: Caitriona Slane TCRG

SCHOOL CONTACTS: CELTIC ACADEMY East Victoria Park www.celticacadmeyperth.com Siobhan Collis TCRG 0403 211 941 CHAMPION ACADEMY Bicton www.championacademy.com.au Niamh Champion TCRG 0421 282 616 Niamhchampion@hotmail.com KAVANAGH STUDIO OF IRISH DANCE Mt Hawthorn www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa Fenton TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Avril Grealish TCRG 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 NI BHAIRD Fremantle & Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG 0427 273 596 THE ACADEMY MID AMERICA & WESTERN AUSTRALIA Wangara, Kalamunda & Bicton Samantha McAleer TCRG Dhana Pitman TCRG Lara Upton ADCRG 0409 474 557 TORC IRISH DANCE Subiaco & Maylands Caroline McCarthy TCRG 0437 073 744 Caitriona Slane TCRG TRINITY STUDIO OF IRISH DANCING Midland & South Lake trinitystudiowa@gmail.com Eileen Ashley ADCRG 0413 511 595 Katherine Travers TCRG Nell Taylor TCRG Siân Fitzgerald-Cain TCRG Taryn Owen TCRG

Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley.

Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Member for Western Australia.

WA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Malaga www.waacademyofirishdancing.com Shannen Krupa TCRG Stephanie Leeder TCRG Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG Sue Hayes TMRF

Supporting the WA Irish Community PO Box 2440, SOUTH HEDLAND, WA 6722 (08) 9172 2648 stephen.dawsonmp@mp.wa.gov.au StephenDawsonMLC www.stephendawsonmlc.com.au

THE IRISH SCENE | 89

CARRAMAR

SHAMROCK ROVERS FC CARRAMAR SHAMROCK ROVERS

@CARRAMAR _ SHAMROCK _ROVERS

CONTACTS: MARTY BURKE 0410 081 386

Junior News at Carramar Shamrock Rovers

A huge well done to our U11s who won their division at The Bunbury Cup. This was their first year competing and they did it in style! After 2 days of games, the boys made it to the final against Dianella. They came away with a 1-0 win to go on and lift the trophy. What a great weekend for Coach Kieran, Paul, the boys and all the parents!

After a very successful season, our current U14 girls JDL1 team are looking to add 2 players to their existing squad for the 2026 season (u15s, born 2011, 2012).

Junior trials and presentations What a week! We had over 700 juniors attend the trials for the 2026 season! Plus, we celebrated our 35 junior teams yesterday at our Presentation Day! A huge shout to all our coaches, committee members, managers, parents and everyone else who has helped. These things don’t happen with the support of our awesome CSR family! A few random photos from the 35 team presentations on the day. All the rest are on Facebook!

90 | THE IRISH SCENE

CARRAMAR

SHAMROCK ROVERS FC CARRAMAR SHAMROCK ROVERS

@CARRAMAR _ SHAMROCK _ROVERS

CONTACTS: MARTY BURKE 0410 081 386

As always, thanks to our sponsors, we couldn’t do this without our major State League sponsors: • Colgan Industries, • The Glasgow Skin Clinic, • Live Lounge in Wanneroo, and • Frankie Atkinson, Acclaim Accounting.

Thanks also to our loyal banner sponsors and various teamwear sponsors, several of whom have been with us for a number of years now. And last but not least, thanks to all of our 500 Club sponsors.

Follow us on Facebook for lots more information, news and photos! If you are interested in getting involved with your local club in any capacity – coach, volunteer, committee member – please contact us at CSRFC2020@gmail.com THE IRISH SCENE | 91

VALE

TOM GLYNN

OBE FOR

FRANK MURPHY From Ireland: Huge Happy Birthday to the one and only Mr Frank Murphy. Over Bloody 80. Our spies tell us, celebrated in style in Spain. Shure where else ah but then it was Frank and Gerry’s 37th Anniversay as well. It must have been some celebration. Congratulations from Oz! Congrats Frank Smythe Frank Smythe was recently honoured with a recognition award from Yolanda Cool, CEO of the Heritage Skills Association WA. “The Cool Award”— presented for Frank’s outstanding work on heritage buildings—is richly deserved.

In addition to this achievement, Frank continues his dedicated maintenance of the Famine Memorial (An Gorta Mór) in Subiaco. We’ll be sharing Frank’s full story in the next edition of Irish Scene.

Maith an fear! (Well done, Frank!)

Margaret (Marita) Sheehy Condolences to Mike Anthony Sheehy on the passing of his beautiful mother, Marita, in Ireland. One of the tributes on Mike’s page said it best: “Had the best laughs in Ireland with my mother Marita – the best medicine of all is laughter.”

It’s clear she was a truly special lady, full of warmth, spirit, and love – someone who brought joy to those around her.

May she rest in peace, and may her memory continue to bring smiles, just as she did in life.

Born in Lakeview, Ireland on 3 April 1930, Tom passed away peacefully on 8 September 2025, aged 95, surrounded by his loving family.

Much loved husband of Maureen.

Tom arrived in Western Australia in 1950 and married Maureen in Perth in 1957.

A familiar and friendly face at the Irish Club and the Claddagh seniors’ lunch, Tom was often seen in the company of his good friend and fellow Galwegian, the late Paddy Costello. Two great stalwarts of our Irish community—now both sadly gone. To Maureen and all the Glynn family, we offer our deepest condolences.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

(May his soul be at the right hand of God.)

Special Gift for Sean

While browsing through a second-hand vinyl record collection recently, Peter Murphy came across an album of The Settlers Irish Folk Duo. Sean Roche and Alan Ferguson made up the group and they were popular around Perth in the 1980s and 90s. Peter kindly donated the album to Sean at the 2025 Fenians Fremantle & Freedom AGM. A very special gift as there are few now in existance. Sean was in fine voice at the singalong after the AGM. Maith an Fear!

RITA STILL GOING STRONG! Great to see Rita Fallon still going strong.

Pictured with Mary and Gerry Murphy at the Claddagh outing to Gingin. Our Perth seniors enjoyed the bus ride and delicious lunch at the Gingin Hotel. Well done Claddagh Association.

AIDAN ANTHONY

McDONALD

Our deepest condolences to Liz, and our thoughts are with you, Eilish, Nora, and all the family during this very difficult time on the passing of Aidan on 3rd October 2025.

Rest in Peace, Aidan. You were The Kavanagh’s in Bali deeply loved and gave so much Following a whirlwind trip to Perth, the Kavanagh family from Lucan in Dublin more in return. enjoying some R&R in Bali. Valerie’s big birthday bash is still going on!

GAA LEAGUE & CHAMPIONSHIP ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!

Many thanks to the guys and girls from Western Swans and Perth Shamrocks senior hurling and senior camogie teams for coming down to help with training and to show their championship and league trophies/shields (pictured). We also had a great day travelling to our friends at Na Fianna Catalpa for some challenge matches with our underage boys.

Lots happening with our Golf day on Sat 15th November in collaboration with Perth Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others. Grown to nearly 400 members this year! Older kids in Wembley every Saturday for International Rules and with the girls preparing for Ireland Feile 2026. It is the first girls team from Australia and a great sign of things to come.

The last day of the 2025 season will be December 7 when we will wind down with Scór for dancing, singing and music open to all ages. It will be a fun and final day on yet another great year for the Junior Academy and the GAAWA in general.

For more information on Junior Academy, getting involved in coaching, the committee or another volunteer role please contact presidentjunioracademywa@gmail.com.

94 | THE IRISH SCENE

THE IRISH SCENE | 95

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