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ITHERISH 2022 • VOLUME 24 ISSUE 3 • FREE www.irishscene.com.au Registered with Australia Post PP100003914 Stinger text to sit here and page number following SCENE SEE PAGE 6 Crisis support: 0403 972 265 13 11 14 Waiting on which ad chosen

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Perth ‘Mission’ Not Possible BYLLOYDGORMAN Diplomatically speaking, the Irish the workings of Dáil Éireann (Irish parliament) community in Western Australia appear recently. It was first raised during a sitting of to have slipped off a list of priorities for the the Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs and Irish government. Perth was bypassed this for Defence last November, at which foreign affairs the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations minister Simon Coveney appeared led by the state’s visiting government for questioning. representative to Australia, Galway West TD and minister of state Hildergarde Naughton Charlie Flanagan, the chair of the committee for the annual excuse to exercise our Irishness and a former minister for foreign affairs himself, and drum up trade and opportunities as well. had a lot of questions for Mr Coveney, including Honorary consulate of Ireland Marty Kavanagh one specifically about Western Australia. told Irish Scene this was only because Western Australia (and New Zealand which is paired Mr Flanagan – a Fine Gael TD for Laois Offaly with WA) were still both “somewhat closed” – said Ireland’s relationship with Australia was because of Covid restrictions. “Whilst St. good and had been for ‘many decades’. “That Patrick’s Day visits are a matter for government, will continue but, having regard to our diaspora I see no reason why we won’t have a minister in Western Australia and the economic next year, as we’ve always had one, at least in relationship between Ireland and Western my time in the role, the last seven years. WA is Australia, will consideration be given towards always high on the government’s list because the establishment of a consulate in Perth?,” of the diaspora and the long links between WA Mr Flanagan asked. A consulate, embassy or and Ireland.” similar set up can also be called a ‘Mission’. That connection and Perth’s place in the Mr Coveney’s lengthy answer included a bigger scheme of things actually came up in response to the question about WA. “Regarding Australia, I am familiar with the Irish diaspora in Perth,” Mr Coveney, a TD for Cork South Central 4 | THE IRISH SCENE

Perth Consulate said. “One of them is my brother. He is a doctor which a feasibility study might be undertaken, there, like many other young Irish people and having regard to anecdotal evidence and their families. The Department is assessing indeed statistics that would show a very large where the next phase of expansion will go. We diaspora community in Western Australia? have opened many new representations in the Why does an office in Perth not appear to have last years, from Chile to Colombia, from Toronto gained the support of the Department at to Auckland, with a range in the United States, this stage?.” Manchester, Cardiff, Frankfurt, Lyon, Kyiv, Rabat and Liberia. It is a long list. We are trying to Mr Coveney replied that some 15 new finalise the next phase of areas where we think embassies and consulates had opened since enhancing Ireland’s footprint makes sense the (2020) launch of the Global Irish Strategy. politically, economically and with regard to Wellington in New Zealand was one of the new the diaspora. We need to think about Western embassies while there were “multiple new Australia. I do not want to pre-announce consulates” across America, one in Vancouver, anything. A recommendation will come to western Canada as well as others across the me and we will take it from there. It might be EU and even some in the UK since Brexit. He interesting to come back to the committee and also had an update regarding the situation in get members’ views on those choices. I would Western Australia. certainly welcome a broadening of perspective.” “The way this works is that we make decisions 12 months before we are likely to action them,” Irish Scene reported this exchange in the Mr Coveney explained. “Therefore, when the January/February edition (Could Perth get a Chairman [Mr Flanagan] says he does not see full consulate). Mr Flanagan’s curiosity about Perth on the list, that is because it is being the subject had not faded when the committee considered as part of a package which is met again on March 10, again with the minister not yet signed off on but which I will bring in the hot seat. “Last year, we mentioned the to the Government in the coming weeks as likelihood or need for a consular office in Perth, suggestions we are making for new Western Australia,” Mr Flanagan said. “I do representations that should progress not see that on the list. Is there any means by next year.” Foreign affairs minister Simon Conveney. THE IRISH SCENE | 5

So no doubt then Perth was In the short window beyond might not be in the a contender for a diplomatic between March 10 and April job description but it is part upgrade at that point in time. 5 the minister’s thinking had and parcel of what honorary Irish Scene contacted deputy changed quite abruptly it consulates do. With a meagre Flanagan about the potential seems, but no explanation stipend of between one and development for the Irish was forthcoming. Mr Flanagan two thousand Euros/dollars for community in WA. told Irish Scene this reply was out of pocket expenses they at odds with the information are not in it for the money or On April 5 Mr Flanagan raised previously given by the an easy life as tricky situations it again in the Dail, this time minister and that he had pop up all the time. In many as a written question directly contacted the Mr Coveney’s ways they might well be the to Mr Coveney: “if he plans to office for clarification. At time most efficient and best value approve the establishment of going to press there was for money of any government of a resident full-time Irish no update. funded service around. As consulate in Western a community we would As mentioned Perth has be lost without them and Australia; and if he will make a an Honorary Consul, a role the ability to get stuff done statement on the matter”. performed for some years now without necessarily the hassle by Corkman and lawyer Marty of needing to go through It was not to be a case Kavanagh. As stated Marty the embassy in Canberra of third time lucky! If the and ambassador Tim Mawe in or through a government minister – whose would be Canberra work together in their department in Ireland in the the ultimate decision maker respective roles and amongst first instance. Indeed, this – had previously sounded other things both men produce proved to be the case several enthusiastic or encouraging a regular column addressing years ago. Marty’s predecessor about the prospects for Perth the Irish community in this in the role was the late he bluntly dismissed the magazine, contributions we are Michael Nolan, who was idea now. grateful for. made honorary consulate here in 1976, a role he performed “Our network of diplomatic In terms of work done here dilligently for the next thirty missions in the Asia Pacific on the ground Marty and his three years, before retiring. Region is kept under constant people are on the front line review, in the context of helping Irish citizens when In his time Michael – who commitments set out in the and where they can with died in late 2020 – Programme for Government, routine administrative processed and issued in Global Ireland 2025 and in matters and often an astonishing 250,000 our Asia Pacific Strategy,” Mr urgent emergency passports himself. Coveney said in his answer. and stressful Irish passports are situations. Going now all done “In the Asia Pacific Region, above and we have recently expanded our network through opening a Consulate General in Mumbai and an Embassy in Manila. At present, there are no plans to open a new Consulate General in Western Australia. In conjunction with our Embassy in Canberra and State Agencies, our Honorary Consul in Perth currently provides consular services and assistance to Irish citizens, supports local Irish community efforts and assists in developing trade and economic relations with Western Australia”. 6 | THE IRISH SCENE

Perth Consulate online and no longer go through embassies, office block for the first few years and in 2006 it consulates or honorary consulates. “The moved to 32 storey office building just a short only exception is ETC “Emergency Travel walk to the Darling Harbour ferry wharf. Certificates”- which are one way travel documents issued to Ireland in emergencies A history of the Sydney office on dfa.ie said: “It such as death or illness,” explained Marty. was one of a number of new Irish diplomatic “Subject to the embassy’s approval we issue and consular Missions opened at that time a significant number of ETCs in Perth. This is as part of the Irish Government’s new Asia a major advantage for WA as it means people Strategy, and in Sydney’s case in recognition of can get home very quickly in emergency. We’ve the large Irish and Irish-Australian community had occasions to have an ETC provided and the in New South Wales.” citizen on a flight within four hours. As you may recall it was a few years before Michal Nolan As Mr Flanagan’s original question pointed out, was replaced and there were many occasions and as anybody living in Western Australia knows where Irish citizens had to travel to Canberra to well there is a large (and active) number of Irish obtain an ETC.” nationals and a big Irish Australian community in Perth and across the state. Perth must have So a good honorary consulate is worth their ticked enough boxes for it to be deemed – and weight in gold. But there is a difference with a spoken about publicly – a strong contender. consulate general. One is a private citizen with the means and authority locally to carry out the At the opening of a Consulate General of role as and when the need arises. The other is a Ireland in Manchester in October last October more formal and permanent arrangement with minister Coveney described it as a “major step the full time role filled by a staffer from the forward” for the region and relations between Department of Foreign Affairs with a support Ireland and the UK. team and a dedicated and a fully resourced place of business. Everything else he said about why that was the case could have just as easily be applied Consulates are opened in addition to an to Ireland and Western Australia. “The links embassy in the capital city, as extra diplomatic between Ireland and this part of the world are representation in larger cities or regions with a profound, and uplifting, and have been built strong diaspora population. One of the many over generations,” Mr Coveney said. “There are functions of a consulate is the processing of few facets of life where connections cannot be visas for its nationals in the host territory, as found and my hope is that with the opening well as providing information and guidance of this new diplomatic about immigration requirements and the mission we will strengthen replacement or applications for passports. Visas existing partnerships, and processed by the honorary consulate are for forge new ones, across non-nationals who require a visa to visit Ireland. every sector and area of activity.” Consulate General’s also have a brief to develop trade links and commercial opportunities for Irish people in Irish companies and entrepreneurs. Where an Western Australia honorary consulate has their own premises are not on an equal or office – as Marty does in the CBD with his footing with their law firm – they can use it to host receptions or counterparts have the option to hire a venue for gatherings. in New South Consulate general offices are regularly used to Wales. An host events and functions in-house. opportunity for increased Perth has had an honorary consulate for representation decades, with the role carried out prior to Marty and to advance as we have seen already by the late Mr Nolan. the local Irish Sydney has had a consulate general for 22 community has years. Then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened the been lost as a result Mission during an official visit to Australia in of the decision to pull 2000. It was based in an up market city centre back from a consular upgrade in Perth. THE IRISH SCENE | 7

With friends like this who needs enemies? BY LLOYD GORMAN While he has less and less to be happy about lately the stoney faced Vladimir Putin can sometimes crack a smile when the mood take him – but don’t expect any chuckles. The joyless autocrat has a zero tolerance policy about joking around as Conor McGregor discovered first hand when he met Putin in the flesh. “Today I was invited to the World Cup [Moscow July 2018] final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin,” McGregor, 33, posted on social media at the time. “This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him. “Today was an honor for me Mr. Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup.” The brash fighter who also calls likes to call himself The Notorious Conor McGregor ‘gifted’ Putin with a bottle of his Proper 12 Whiskey, which he later claimed was the very first bottle of the stuff ever made. At some point during the audience with his host the pair cosy up for the obligatory photograph, as a short video easily found on Youtube shows. Just as he had a million times before the UFC star swung into a familiar pose and put his arm around Putin’s shoulder and made a raised clenched fist with his other hand. Your typical MMA fan might like to be manhandled like that but it was not how the would-be tyrant expected or accepted he should be treated. In the video clip one of Putin’s (many) bodyguards can be seen stepping in towards the overly enthusiastic Dub with some kind of warning to back off. As soon as he clocks the henchman’s posture a clearly startled McGregor removes his arm from around Putin, 8 | THE IRISH SCENE

Putin & McGregor stands back a little and stands straight with There was however at least one dark side a sombre look on his face. to the entry of Proper 12 into Russia. It emerged that Putin’s security detail took it In an almost pitiful bid to save some of away and had it tested for posion to make his lost dignity McGregor quickly raised sure it was ‘safe’ for Putin.. another fist before clasping his hands in front of him again. The encounter It has yet to be revealed in the mainstream ended with McGregor bowing to Putin – a media or on his own social media if traditional mark of respect in martial arts – McGregor still holds Putin in high esteem and shaking his hand. as before or if his attitude towards him has dimmed in the light of the horrific war “President Putin’s security detail is second crimes and mass murders that have been to none as I’m sure you know, you don’t carried out under his rule. mess around with Vladimir,” McGregor told journalists at a later press conference. McGregor claims he does not know if Putin tried the tipple and what he thought about What’s your poison Mr Putin? it but there are plenty of other Russians who have developed a taste for it. The experience didn’t scare him off though, because ‘The Proper Irishman’ was back As it turns out there is massive demand for “on Russian soil” the next year to build his Irish whiskey in Russia. Indeed, despite their business empire with the launch of his traditional image as big vodka drinkers the whiskey brand there. former Soviet Union country is the second biggest consumer of the stuff in the world, It was well received by all accounts. next only to America. One journalist reported: “McGregor flaunted In the same year Proper 12 hit the shelves his whiskey during a press tour of Moscow of Russian supermarkets and pubs thristy in October 2019 as hundreds packed into locals skulled 605,800 cases or 7.3 million the historic Central Telagraph building bottles of it. Well established labels like and thousands more more gathered Jameson, Tullamore and Bushmills top sales on Moscow’s central Tverskaya Street, but behind them is a crowded market of chasing his smaller, lesser known brands that you won’t limonusine as find in Ireland. Apparently demand for he left.” Irish whiskey was so strong that fake Irish whiskeys – some allegedly made in Ukraine – flooded the market. According to the Irish Whiskey Association this was a 231% increase since 2010 and until Russian forces invaded Ukraine there was no sign of that market slowing down. But as a result of the invasion Guinness, Jameson, Baileys and Tullamore Dew are amongst the Irish companies/ brands to pull out or suspend operations or exports with Russia. THE IRISH SCENE | 9

1 Walking in the footsteps of James Joyce’s Ulysses through Dublin is one of the 10 | THE IRISH SCENE activities currently being promoted to the passengers of Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot, who can only get to the Irish capital from Moscow by flying through Genoa, Italy and taking another flight. “Dublin attracts fans of James Joyce and Saint Patrick’s Day..,” the Aeroflot website states. “Dublin offers theme city tours: you can trace James Joyce’s Ulysses route through Dublin, go on a leprechaun treasure hunt or enjoy a leisurely pub crawl. Plan your James Joyce walking tour for 16 June when the world celebrates Bloomsday, which is the day the novel takes place. Dubliners organize readings, performances and even free breakfast in places that Leonard Bloom, the novel’s protagonist, visited. This is sure to excite any traveller interested in literature. Visit Davy Byrne’s pub at 21 Duke Street, admire the James Joyce Statue and James Joyce Tower. Walk to 7 Eccles Street, which was the home of Leonid [persumably they meant to say Leopold] Bloom, but is now the site of a hospital. To learn some more about Joyce’s background and work, stop at the James Joyce Centre, one of the world’s best literature museum.” Without doubt the Russian people have a deep and rich literary tradition of their own and it is not a stretch to think that many of them would have a genuine appreciation in the Irish example of world class literature. Indeed, Joyce’s most famous book contains much to interest readers of all types and levels, but for all Ukranians the option of celebrating Bloomsday is a luxury they have been deprived of, amongst many other things. But despite its promotion of the literary masterpiece there are at least a couple of references in Ulysses that the Russian state operated carrier would probably like to ignore in the current climate. It is the pub scene in the Cyclops episode (episode 12) on the day trip around Dublin involving an accidential encounter in Barney Kiernan’s in Little Britain Street, Stoneybatter between Joe Hynes and the citizen, two characters already known to each other. Interestingly, the citizen was based on the real life figure of Michael Cusack, the founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

B100MSDAY Russia promotes Bloomsday but creates Doomsday “Stand and deliver” citizen said when they saw “ You look like communards,” each other. “That’s all right, citizen, says Joe. [said professor MacHugh]. Friends here. - Pass, friends, says he. Then he rubs his hand in his eye and says he: “What’s —Like fellows who had blown up the Bastile, J. your opinion of the times?. Doing the rapparee J. O’Molloy said in quiet mockery. Or was it you and Rory of the hill. But, begob, Joe was equal shot the lord lieutenant of Finland between to the ocassion. “I think the markets are on a you? You look as though you had done the rise, says he, sliding his hand down his fork. So deed. General Bobrikoff.” begob the Citizen claps his paw on his knee and he says: - Foreign wars is the cause of it. On December 6, 1917 Finland officially declared And says Joe, sticking his thumb in his pocket: - its independence from Russia. Schauman’s Its the Russians wish to tryrannise”. resistance to Russian rule and his ultimate sacrifice made him a hero to many Finns Incredibly Joyce – and history – provides a then and since. perfect example of exactly this point with a Ukranian connection in another totally unrelated section of Ulysses. Ulysses is set on June 16 1904 because it was on that date he first stepped out with Nora Barnacle, the Galway girl who he instantly took a shine too and who would become his wife and muse. It is also crammed with real world events – large and small, significant and insignifcant – from across Ireland and other parts of the world that happened on that same date. By the longest and strangest of odds it just so happens that June 16 1904 was the day on which the Russian Governor General of Finland was assassinated. Nikolay Ivanovich Bobrikov was a Russian general who was placed in charge of the neighbouring nation by the Tzar and given the task of ‘Russification’ of the country, to prepare it for reassimilation with the mother country. Bobrikov was given brutal dictatorial powers to carry out his work and could have any government official fired and newspapers shut down. He was a hated figure by the local population who eventually met his end at the hands of a Finnish nationalist who shot him three times before taking his own life. The man who pulled the trigger was one Eugen Schauman, a Swedish speaking nobleman who was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city. The incident is referred to in the short section of Ulysses between Lenehan’s Limerick and Omnium Gahterum. THE IRISH SCENE | 11

B100MSDAY Vladimir (Nabokov) was right about Ulysses, says AIHA Coincidentially acknowledging that the book can at times the Australian be off-putting for its size and archaic use of Irish Heritage the English language,” the flyer added. “So, Association touched in a bid to make this book more accessible to on a famous Russian a modern-day audience we are seeking your commentator about help! We are inviting fans, scholars and the Joyce’s work in their curious to take up the challenge of capturing preparations for some content of Ulysses in any of four formats this years centenary (poetry, play, prose or song) as a 15-minute celebration of piece that can be presented to a live audience the publication at a celebratory event on June 16th, which is of Bloomsday. officially known as Bloomsday, named for the “It [Ulysses] was hero of Ulysses, Leopold Bloom.” loved by Vladimir Shortlisted entrants will get to strut their stuff Nabokov and hated on the night of Bloomsday itself (Thursday June by Virginia Woolf,” 16) in the Irish Club with the overall winner the heritage groups flyer for the upcoming to be chosen by popular vote. All shortlisted event said – more of that in a moment. entrants will get a performance fee of $150, which isnt’ too bad at all for an event with free One of Nabokov’s onnections to Ulysses was entry. April 22 was the deadline for submissions that he created a precise hand drawn map of and shortlisted entries will be announced in the routes taken by the characters of Stephen mid May. Dedalus and Leopold Bloom. He was also a writer himself and was deeply interested in and Vladimir Nabokov. influenced by Joyce’s writing. But his backstory is also worth nothing, especially in the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In April it was just over a hundred years since the Nabokov family, who were wealthy and of nobility, were forced to flee their priviliged life in St. Petersburg because of the Russian Revolution. In scenes reminiscent of the refugee crisis caused by the invasion they left their home under a hail of machine gun fire and went to Crimea to seek refuge from the Bolsheviks (the far left Marxist faction founded by Vladimir Lenin) who would have most likely killed them. The Nabokov’s found themselves with hundreds of other desperate people on the quay of a pier at Sebastopol, scrambling to get onto a crowded and filthy Greek cargo ship. The family would make their way to America where Vladimir would become a celebrated writer. “At the Australian Irish Heritage Association, we are inclined to agree with Nabokov while 812| T|HETHIRIESHISRCIESNHE SCENE

Book Fanny Mcgee’s Craic for your Function, Party or Celebration! [email protected] | 08 9246 4112 THE IRISH SCENE | 9

From WA to Washington D.C. A good friend of mine – Seth Kaplan – from Dan and Greta America hasn’t an iota of Irish ancestry Mulhall. but he has since the 1980’s been a dedicated and regular visitor to Ireland. A keen of February. “My book aims to help readers in reader of the Irish classics and a photographic their encounters with #Ulysses,” he tweeted. enthusiast Bloomsday is one of his favourite Most people who tackle Ulysses could certainly excuses to pilgrimmage to Dublin to take part do with a crutch to help them navigate the in the fun and silliness of the day, including complexities. Mulhall’s guide is the latest in of course drinking pints of Guinness in as an incredible proliferation of such books by many pubs with a link to the story that he can enthusiasts over the years but few could match manage. When he isn’t at large in Ireland or his deep insights and understanding into the some other part of the world he lives and works history, politics and forces of Joyce’s life and the in Washington D.C. Ireland of his times. If you can’t get your hands on a copy of the book then you could always Not too far from his apartment is the Irish look for his blogs about the different episodes Embassy, which is highly likely to throw a of Ulysses on the website of the Department of Bloomsday bash equal to the best in the Foreign Affairs and Trade! world. The current ambassador there is Dan Mulhall, a Waterford man with strong personal In late March, after forty years in the diplomatic connections to Perth, Western Australia. He is service for Ireland, Mulhall announced his time also a world class expert on Irish literature and as ambassador would end in August, so that he history. His latest book – simply called Ulysses can take up a new role as Global Distinguished A Reader’s Odyssey – was published and on Professor of Irish Studies at New York shelves in time for the 100th anniversary of the University. He did not become a world class full publication of the iconic novel at the start authority on his subject matter overnight and his summiting of this landmark position can in some ways be traced back to his early days as a diplomat, and Perth. Mulhall was a student of Irish literature and history at University College Cork in the 1970s and in 1978 joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin where after a couple of years he was posted to his first overseas job in New Delhi India. He was impressed to discover that many Indians had a deep appreciation and love for the works of William Butler Yeats. But it was also there – while visiting an Australian bar – that he met Greta, another young diplomat from Perth, Western Australia, who would become his wife. 14 | THE IRISH SCENE

B100MSDAY “I was born in Perth, Western Australia; my “During a career break mother’s family, the Hennerys of County in Perth in the 1980s, I Armagh, left Ireland in the 1870s to start a new became involved with life in Australia,” Greta told the Washington the Yeats Society of Diplomat newspaper in an interview in May Western Australia 2018. “I am Irish and Australian … it’s not a set up by an ex- contradiction. I can be Australian and Irish at army officer, Joe the same time. I am part of two diasporas — O’Sullivan, who saw equal amounts of Irish and Australian in my it as a way to boost own head. I still have retained some of my Ireland’s image in twang from Australia, but having now lived 1980s Australia,” in 10 different countries, it has softened over Mulhall said on the years. A lot of my adult life has been spent the occasion in the company of Irish people, so I am sure of becoming I use a lot of English words that would be honorary more associated with Ireland and less of the president of the Yeats Australian colloquialisms.” Society in Sligo in December 2019 . “I have fond memories of delivering a Yeats talk They were married just 18 months after they at the home of renowned Australian novelist, met and while they were still in their relatively Mary Durack (1913-1994), in a beautiful garden early stages of their careers the pair took time on the banks of the Swan River.” out to spend time in her home town. Dublin – Ground Zero for Bloomsday As a Dub myself I might be a bit biased by the owner of the Bailey Pub in Dublin when I say this, but the Irish capital is a John Ryan. The circle included writer Brian great city to visit at any time of the year. O’Nolan (Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen), But if you happen to be a James Joyce nerd poet Patrick Kavanagh, the Registrar of Trinity with an enthusiasm for dressing up in period College Dublin and a dentist cousin of Joyce. costume and frolicking around ‘de gaff’ then Each man took on the identity of a character there is nowhere better to be than Dublin on from the book and they read or re-enacted June 16, Bloomsday ground zero! scenes from the novle. The words, characters and events in the pages O’Nolan was already drunk when the group of the famous novel spill out into the city’s met in the morning at the Sandycove home of streets and spots as groups and individuals architect Michael Scott, close to the Martello pay homage to the book and its authors in Tower, where the opening scene of Ulysses is traditional and increasingly original ways. The set. They travelled from one location to the next possiblities are almost endless. Literary junkies in two horse drawn carriages, are at serious risk of overdosing on cultural fun all the while becoming more during the day long escapade. Anyone lucky inebriated and sometimes even enough to be there will be able to celebrate it quarrelsome. Their ambition in just about any way they like. to carry on into the red-light district of “Nightown” ground to It is worth remembering how Bloomsday a halt at the Bailey pub, just off started. Close friends of Joyce in Europe are Grafton Street. Its owner - John said to be the earliest people to mark the Ryan – had the idea of filming date in private but the first time it was held sections of their adventures on in Ireland it was as a drunken and sometimes the day, which you can easily find messy pub crawl, in 1954, for the 50th on YouTube! anniversary of the 1904 setting for Ulysses. Happy Bloomsday. Fill your boots A close group of friends and associates were ladies and gentlemen! organised to come together for the occasion THE IRISH SCENE | 15

Torc Céilí Club Climb With Charlie The gang from Torc Céilí Club took on the Disease Ireland and Pieta - Ireland’s national 18.4km walk from Sullivan Rock to Mt Cooke suicide prevention charity. on Saturday 2 April for Climb with Charlie and raised awareness of the event within the Irish A number of Irish groups got involved on the community here in Perth. day including The Claddagh Association in Kings Park, Irish Families in Perth walking Irish journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird was around Lake Joondalup and Andrea Managan diagnosed with motor neurone disease and and friends tackled Bluff Knoll. he has organised to climb Croagh Patrick in Ireland raising money for Irish Motor Neurone Over €2.3 million has been raised in the Climb with Charlie campaign so far! 16 | THE IRISH SCENE

Perth vigils by every Irish cultural and sporting Ulysses group as well as several Irish run vigil in Sydney attended by dozens of foUr Aliyslisngsesbusinesses in Perth. Organisers of people on the hill above Bronte Beach and the event called her murder, “a dark spoke to the emotions felt by all who were day for the Irish community and touched by her death. women all over the world”. “In front of the crowd on the grass, a row A group of musicians played of candles illuminates a framed photo traditional Irish airs and a flute of smiling young woman,” she wrote. Sunrise-watching In the centenury year of Ulysasnedsftidhdrleeeas well as a top with her at beaches across the city arts and cultural organisatgicoonunstyh’sacvoelours were amongst the is a staple social activity for ltahyeoJnoaycneatpwrnlriomboomumvtoaeiesnssilnt.wlgahidaonowduatpsfooipnrutalhaderiteyioodnuunctoagtboIrerisiwnhgasa lots of Sydney’s Irish expats. come together to It became more popular year long tribute to than ever during last year’s lockdown, when outdoor Starting February and endingalso heavily involved with her local meetups were the only opportunity for many of us, in December the theatre andGAA club and a musician in her own living thousands of miles from our families, to see friends. But performance group ANU, Lanrdigmht.aErlkaine O’ Grady who attended Saturday’s clifftop gathering is by far the biggest I’ve ever seen at Productions and the Museumthoefvigil tweeted: “The beautiful song Bronte... The primary school teacher’s Literature Ireland (MoLI) haveojfothinetklyookaburra who sang along murder has deeply shaken many of us in omaebvrgaeoianunnttsciashfenoadrroae1r8cdatciaenhrrateLirsyeptoiidcspaoeoydxledipneoBtrfhliomtehoeelmt#mvtiornfiAagbeu.ttdsishloshioitetcoilooaifnsnaknngtitaugMdtlnhhIunterriifnspohghr y Sydney. The mood among those gathered PerthO’spIerinshecdominmSueniptyte–mlikebemra2ny019 MinoLPIeprtha,y”.s with their candles on the hill this morning oiwoAntfiohst2rhleli3dslhLnerisegtiyo–wbeeviMnmacrraeaaakuArraemrrrouapyyglsoelhdtfebomyrtTatohfowtulgiueoaIldhelrasisteaihlhmeeehnleioausodssrc,rnhmteawkieodnicntirwhecigfoasoaealsnumlcsadsMhddujhaeporioerdgUnavelgigrlngriytniilntgvBheeleorrssoNSwaihintmciecaimyrprloute.iTlsidaoosshirnftnAaeegaguvoeselndtnretaslaiat, is of sadness – and utter disbelief.” in brCoaodlldeagyeligDhtuinbhlienr.hJoomyecetowwnaosf a stthuedAemnpthoithfeatre TullaUmCorDe,aCnod. Otfhfaelymin uJasneuuamry. is appraot pKarinagtaerolyo itHfnahuemanniFdf8hCliolerea6oeesrvmdnueSmwsetsntiroeitonoheSffdgrtIyRierentoiiiesnmpudhmtnhetehgpehetvemecaienoghboipi’ilrUlsllsladead.nCGrne–cudDrneie,nnwieNctniaolvnuloaKkedk.uinriaSnpsggtgeaishtreyttoUbnluaPIQbyrnaiJiosuslsdodisehneeyeiatAdn,nsclluBsv2gewslir2aotihasrnl.aoeibtdelnaih.acnAaneev”pSe,“itueoodpcrigreepeadomwnrbtiresiyAtmetsgedbsenebonfrycdoiheratherthi-eroenr.ie Park on January 19, organised by the by Anna Rourke described a sunrise Claddagh Association and supported PERTH CITY See all our Monthly Specials at tyrepowerperthcity.com.au Housemaster During these HAPPY Looking for a one-stop Building Inspections Covid-19 Call us todayshop for all quality James Curry brands of tyres, wheels, uncertain times, 9322 2214batteries, brakes and B.Sc; B.E. (hons) MIE UK suspension? Then look we would like no further! Consulting Building Surveyor to mention to Mobile: 0405 632 391 our Customers DAY • 17th MARCH [email protected] that we are taking all With friendly, expert advice Pre-purchase Inspection Reports precautionary on all your tyre, wheel, brake, AS. 4349.1 measures with exhaust and suspension needs sanitising, for your vehicle, we’ll give you Pre-purchase Pest Reports seat covers a customer service experience AS. 4349.3 and workshop that will keep you coming back. protective wear. Defect Reports for Owner Builders That’s our promise. Special Purpose Inspection Reports 33553C5TTrrCaTooSlrooaloeddloFleeedFieSSoaittSolnl(t(nnnao(eneauxexoHttxorrtttaroMotAopALLodLpiidccincryeereintnainCashssniinnlihnnyggfgrfoSiCoCspreertnnemattrcreegai)a)rsWWleesteeaaossattttttaPtPPtteyelyelyrrrrrtttroehhehe..u.dEEpdErmmemoecaaawaaiuillil!lleps!pYperetYeorportrtohuethmhcucricwtiteytitywh@oyr@@csntoyti!’tyrtntyeryre’pbe.tpocpewobooweswmereo.ecrs.r.roac.rocmouyorm.mar.uya.auu THE IRITSHHE ISRICSHESNCEENE|| 1273

CHERNOBYL Clonmel Connection Even before Russia’s brutal invasion started International Atomic Energy Agency. Even then a few months ago millions of Ukrainian they first tried to portray it as a minor incident children and their families were already but when they had to evacuate the entire coping with another catastrophe inflicted population of the region – some 100,000 people on them by their oppressors. Located close – because of the danger posed by dangerous to the northern Ukrainian city of Pripyat the levels of radioactive fallout they could no longer Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was – like hide the full extent of the incident. the rest of the country – a part of the United Socialist Soviet Republic (U.S.S.R), aka the This terrible chain of events started another Soviet Union. On April 26 1986 a safety test on reaction in Ireland that is still going today. In a steam turbine went wrong and led to the 2001, five years after the meltdown and the meltdown of No. 4 reactor and explosions that same year Ukraine became an independent blew masses of radioactive material into the country, desperate doctors using fax machines immediate area and sent clouds of the stuff sent out the call begging for anyone who could across the rest of Europe. The Soviet response to take children away from the radioactive was to deny anything had happened on the environment in the region – including Belarus international stage and was forced to admit to and Western Russia – to give their young the accident when the Swedish government bodies a break from the highly toxic material. was about to lodge an alert with the One of the people to see that fax was a woman from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Adi Roche who 18 | THE IRISH SCENE

Chernobyl Clonmel connection https://www.chernobyl-international.com/gallery/ was a volunteer with the Irish Campaign for and heartbeat by heartbeat—will thrive; and Nuclear Disarmament group. She answered the courage to envision and create a better the call and set up Chernobyl Children world.” International to help children and their families living in the areas impacted by the man made By a cruel twist Chernobyl was thrust back disaster. Before long the first group of children into crisis on the first day of the invasion and their carers arrived in Ireland where they when Russian forces seized control attacked were spent several weeks living with Irish host and seized control of the defunct nuclear families and helpers. Since then more than plant. CCI – and other authorities and groups 25,500 youngsters – from babies to teenagers – warned about increasing radioactivity levels – have been brought to Ireland for rest, in the area stemming from the disturbance recuperation and treatment, healthy holidays caused by the attack. Ukrainian forces were which it is hoped have extended the quality able to liberate the region – and some 300,000 and length of many of these young people. The who had been living without supplies in charity also runs several other programmes bunkers – but the renewed risk of radiation and schemes aimed at bringing medical fallout remains. Ironically it has emerged treatment and training that Russian soldiers who occupied the directly into Ukraine and nuclear plant may have exposed themselves has fund-raised millions of to similar risks facing the local population. dollars for the cause. When it was able to go back in to examine the area the Ukrainian agency responsible for the Despite the danger to radioactive plant warned that enemy soldiers themselves courageous had broken into research labs and stole more heart surgeons and medicos than a hundred radioactive materials. “Even a went into war torn Ukraine small part of this activity is deadly if handled in late March to operate on unprofessionally,” the agency said. sick newborns. Ukraine’s energy minister said the Russian “My life’s work has been soldiers had been exposed to “shocking” levels to develop programmes of radioactive material and that as a result that restore hope, alleviate many would die “a slow death from diseases” suffering and protect current within a year. and future generations in the Chernobyl regions,” said Adi Roche. Roche. “CCI is founded on hope and courage: the hope that the children—one by one THE IRISH SCENE | 19

Ulster Column To have been born in the province has The final been such an honour. Last year I wrote name I to our great editor Lloyd to explain that I mentioned had nothing more to write about. How wrong was of could I have been. This time around I have so course a many items to touch on, I do not know where famous poet. to start. I was watching a great wee program Seamus on SBS with Siobhán McSweeney called Heaney was “Exploring Northern Ireland.” It brought back so born on 13 many memories as well as touching on a few April 1939, at explorations and personalities that I had missed the family and of course many that I have written about in farmhouse this article over the years. called Mossbawn, Through the program, I was introduced to one between Colin Davidson, an artist, who started to paint Castledawson and Toomebridge. (see map Belfast in his teens, and this theme came to the below, top of p.18) He was the first of nine fore in 2004 when his exhibition No Continuing children. In 1953, his family moved to Bellaghy, City was mounted at the Tom Caldwell Gallery. a few miles away, which is now the family The exhibition included large paintings of home. His father was Patrick Heaney a farmer Belfast as seen from high viewpoints. and cattle dealer, and the eighth child of ten born to James and Sarah Heaney. Patrick was The urban theme continued between 2006 introduced to cattle dealing by his uncles, and 2010 when Davidson made paintings based on the illusionary world seen in city window reflections. Since 2010 Davidson’s work has been concerned with the human face and the resulting large scale head paintings are now recognised internationally. His portraits of Brad Pitt, Michael Longley and Seamus Heaney are held in the collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC, the Ulster Museum in Belfast and the National gallery of Ireland in Dublin respectively. I would like to mention here (as always) that he went to my alma mater: The Methodist College in Belfast. 20 | THE IRISH SCENE

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mother. booklets by Derek Mahon Michael Longley and of course Seamus Heaney. They were sold around Belfast, Dublin and Scotland for a very modest price. 1s and 6d comes to mind but maybe it was half a crown. Of course, I had to google it. What a shock for me when I found the information below. who raised him after his parents’ early deaths. Yes! $3000. No w these were only pamphlets Heaney’s mother was Margaret Kathleen with soft exercise book covers so I had to McCaHnenanweyh sotusdeierde Elnagtliivshe sLawngourakgee adnda tLiaterloatcuarel alitn Qeuneen's Ugnoivoegrsliety iBtealfgasat in to ensure I was not seeing bmshtieamirtl tlwti.onH gew eeirnian t1en9 tpe5ho7yee. trWrreyuh.m i\"rlSaeau ltdrhGkdeeareneed,l yhli,oe ct nhfpoeut amnhsdaett ateie cnrxo noepfyem c oropfnt Tteleienfmdis epHidoourgnahreys p'so Leutrpye wrtchaasiln ,t whgehs imc. ha tsepruiarlr oedf bmyy ohwisn fliafet,h\" heer saanidd. Hteh geraidnudatueds tinr i1a9l6iz1e wditUh als Ftiersrt-Class HonouSrus dreegereneo. ugh, there it was again. £750 for a 3rd LHesYaosoixe tnuaee!a r”bmsr ni a tt e rTptouuoyfll iayhrfs eipateltoupatdee dmttn.b idQyIe ey wlduditah eetsEhri eosaenfrn smgyca’ osclmuiorsUerethsa hnUeti Lneivmviearvae .ensdriredgss eiitutto y(y aI;s htmgBuaeadedjyo lfa farsanicinlisedegtdn i ncsme tCy aah fsrei tr“msitnhti saEgttnr’syg lwaislhthMewhe eordoxeyuia guttpmhhiloe ad Ia n jmstot asbhawcpshne ahmodyroleyelb s£ atee2sslf 2I ww 5o0errfetohar?lal second edition. first editions. How much in 1957. While there, he found a copy of Ted So, what did I do with this information? I Hughes’s Lupercal, which spurred him to write phoned my sister immediately who (believe it poetry. “Suddenly, the matter of contemporary or not) still has in her possession a few boxes of poetry was the material of my own life,” he said. my momentums over youthful times. He graduated in 1961 with a First-Class Honours That is around 1967. I might have five or six of these booklets or Pamphlets. If you do not hear degree. from me in the next edition, you can assume Yours truly attended the same University; the outcome. majoring in Chemistry although I saw myself as a bit of a poet. I was of course made to study Now Heaney studied for a teacher certification science as “that’s where the jobs are son!” To at St Joseph’s Teacher Training College in Belfast (now merged with St Mary’s, University help my literary creative side (I had failed my College), and began teaching at St Thomas’ first English exam at school as I answered only the essay question having run out of time Secondary Intermediate School in Ballymurphy, Belfast. The headmaster of this school was before I completed wThheic s htoartyt)hIehetilmpeed(1o9u6t6w) witahs the writer Michael McLaverty from County the Belfast Festival vttuherernyfemthstueivcirahel axhptateadrctchioseemdimntowistgYsrhoeiitoseo!ig nn$lUe3ge ni0dt0a iav0sgfe.ao eNrinmwso iwttoevy teeh.pnersIossnueeer we1st9 sIef 6rwote5ora osn nlyo tp saempMmeiponoehegnln etthatrtsoyig nwrghosistfah.h Pn ispo,a,fwttH rehixeceokarcniKniseaety rvboafoidonrkusa tccgosevhtdea.rWsrH tseeoit daIh hntaMeody ctpotLu oabvtlheisrehty’s poetry in 1962. Sophia Hillan describes how publication. I came acro ss them in a box the McLaverty was like a foster father to the year later. There were at least three different 22 | THE IRISH SCENE

Ulster Column younger Belfast poet. In the introduction to McLaverty’s Collected Works, Heaney summarised the poet’s contribution and influence: “His voice was modestly pitched, he never sought the limelight, yet for all that, his place in our literature is secure.”Heaney’s poem Fosterage, in the sequence Singing School from North (1975), is dedicated to him. Heaney’s first major volume, Death of a Naturalist, was published in 1966 by Faber and Faber. This collection was met with much critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Gregory Award for Young Writers and the Geoffrey Faber Prize. The same year, he was appointed as a lecturer in Modern English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast. In 1968, Heaney and Michael Longley undertook a reading tour called Room to Rhyme, which increased awareness of the poet’s work. The following year, he published his second major volume, Door into the Dark. Seamus Heaney in 1970 My grandfather cut more turf in a day Davidson very kindly donated this study of Than any other man on Toner’s bog. Seamus Heaney (below) for the online timed Once I carried him milk in a bottle auction ‘Collectors and Artists for Ukraine’. It’s Corked sloppily with paper. being run by Adam’s Dublin in conjunction He straightened up with Suzanne MacDougald to aid the Irish Red To drink it, then fell to right away Cross’s humanitarian work in delivering vital Nicking and slicing neatly, heaving sods services to millions of people impacted by the Over his shoulder, going down and down conflict in Ukraine. With no buyers premium, For the good turf. Digging. 100% of the hammer price will go directly to the The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch Irish Red Cross. and slap Of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge It is a very worthy cause (there are so many) Through living roots awaken in my head. in the present time. I therefore recommend But I’ve no spade to follow men like them. you scour your old bookshelves for any school Between my finger and my thumb poetry book or pamphlet that might be lying The squat pen rests. around collecting dust. They could be worth I’ll dig with it. a small or large fortune depending on your present financial situation. If you cannot find from “Digging”, Death of a Naturalist (1966) one, do not fret and do not write to let me know. As always, may your God go with you. THE IRISH SCENE | 23

Arthur Fields, street photographer BY LLOYD GORMAN If a photograph is worth a thousand words in the same then street photographer Arthur Fields is on spot, plying a par with any – or perhaps even all – of the his trade greatest writers to ever come out of Dublin. It is through sun estimated in the more than fifty years he stood and snow and on the south end of O’Connell Bridge with a whatever else camera and sign around his neck that he took the elements more than 180,000 photographs of people and had to offer. the occasional celebrity, including Brendan Everyday he – Behan, as they passed by. Arthurs trick was and his brother to pretend to take a photograph to get their who was attention and if they stopped then he snapped also a street the real photo, giving them a number and photographer ticket for them to pay for it. – walked the nearly seven miles to his work from his home in Raheny to the centre of Between the 1930s and 1988 the split seconds the capital. Arthurs wife developed all the of ordinary life his camera captured the almost photographs under the stairs in their house imperceptible but inevitable change from what and also did all the administration and sorting we might think of as an old fashioned black out of photographs for customers. and white world to a contemporary one in He became as much a part of the fabric bright colour. of the city which was his family’s adopted The long home and it was said that Daniel O’Connell’s gone Nelson’s statue protected O’Connell Street, O’Connell Column and Bridge was protected by Arthur Fields. He was cars parking in born Abraham Feldman in Dublin in 1901 to the middle of O’Connell St were just some of the things spotted in the background of the portraits of pedestrians. He could always be found 24 | THE IRISH SCENE

Your man on the bridge Ukrainian emigrants but he developed the shots, including with names and details, have name to fit into this foreign land. been added and more are welcomed. His Jewish parents fled antisemitism in Kiev in Dublin couple Trevor and Sonia Farrell have 1885 who settled in Dublin. According to Yad called Joondalup home for nearly twenty years Vashem The World Holocaust Remembrance but are amongst the countless numbers of Center in the wake of the assassination people with an emotional connection to this of Russian Tsar Alexander II and unrest in part of Dublin’s rich history. Both of them are Ukraine there was a pogrom in Kiev in which lucky enough to still have photos of their own several Jews were murdered and more than parents (pictured) when they were young, a thousand Jewish homes and shops were happy and out and about as a couple, true attacked and destoryed. candid camera stuff. Sonia actually has three pictures of her late mum Patricia (nee Bowie) Arthurs handiwork has been recognised and dad Laurence Driscoll while Trevor has a in recent years with thousands of donated nice photo of his father Thomas Farrell and Alice (nee Hogan) as well as a cherished image pictures of him as a young boy with his folks and some displayed in (but not all) of his brothers and sisters. the ‘Man on the bridge’ exhibit A photograph might be worth a thousand in the Gallery words but sometimes there are just no words of Photography for how precious and irreplaceable these Ireland several keepsakes are. years ago, two books published since then and a documentary on RTE TV. There is also the Arthur Fields: Man on Bridge facebook site where more than 7,000 THE IRISH SCENE | 25

Musings THE CROSSThe Sign of BY NOEL O’NEILL It was an old cross that hung for years over for years. I used the cross itself in a few plays I my grandmother’s bed. We said our nightly had written and later hung it back over my bed. prayers on our knees and never forgot how I always meant to put Jesus back onto the cross Jesus died for us. After my grandmother passed but somehow something always interrupted the cross hung over my mother’s bed. The me, perhaps it was Jesus. One day as I cleaned suffering Jesus hung from the cross looking up out the shed I opened the tote and there He to God his father as if to say “I will die for their lay, arms outstretched with the same sorrowful sins”. He was made of brass and the cross of expression on his face. dark wood. Years later my mother would pass I even spoke to Him and said and I carried the cross into my house. Late one how sorry I was and how night as I was finishing up a play I was writing grateful I was that He had called The Rugged Cross, I heard a noise in the forgiven me. It was then bedroom as if something had fallen. I got up I realised what the and looked around the bedroom. Everything sign was. It was as if seemed to be okay, but as I left the bedroom Jesus had taken me I looked on the floor. Jesus had fallen from into His sacred heart the cross. The very nails that had held him to to show me that I the cross had somehow given way from the should never have separated weight of the brass or perhaps the wood on Him from the cross. How the cross had dried out. Whatever the reason, He belongs there to remind I took it as a sign. It was not clear to me what us how He had suffered and that sign was but someone was telling me died for us, forgave us our something. I took the wooden cross down sins and importantly, how off the wall. I rummaged through the carpet we must forgive each other. and found the nails. Jesus, the cross and the I took him from the tote and nails sat there for days. I don’t know what it removed the cross from the was in me but I couldn’t nail Him back up. My wall. I didn’t nail Him to the imagination took hold of me. It would surely cross, I glued Him…it seemed be a desecration. Perhaps I would be the one to be the most compassionate Jesus would never forgive. So, I put Jesus in a thing to do and I felt in my heart that all was little tote somewhere in the shed where He lay forgiven. MEAT CONNOISSEUR top quality farm reared meats and SPECIALTY irish items Shop 14, Woodvale Boulevard Shopping Centre 931 Whitfords Avenue, Woodvale WA 6026 P: (08) 9309 9992 E: [email protected] facebook.com/MeatConnoisseur 26 | THE IRISH SCENE

Tallow, County Waterford Smoke along the Valley Floor - A Look At 17th Century Iron Mining In The Tallow Area In Co. Waterford. BY BILL DALY This article will transport us back over 400 the Blackwater Valley, and Tallow in particular, years to another period when the Tallow during this period was the most important region in West Waterford which we are area of iron production in Ireland. How times familiar with today was different in its physical have changed. appearance and involved in industries that have declined and long since disappeared over Ireland, at the start of the 1600’s, was a time. It is the all too familiar story of how an country of great poverty and want and in area can change in time from being productive need of outside help to feed its population. and prosperous, to take on the appearance of The Elizabethan wars had torn the heart and a 19th century ‘ghost town’ in a short space spirit from the people as well as causing the of time. We are recalling a period that been destruction of industry and the virtual collapse largely neglected in an historical sense, and the of agriculture. It was a country without an following article will be an attempt to re-create industrial or agricultural base, a nation faced the land and people during a very important with total disaster, and the future seemed phase in the history of our local area. pretty bleak indeed. Before concentrating on the industry in the It was into this Ireland that the first English Blackwater Valley I will endeavour to set the colonists came to settle and who, in a relatively scene by describing Ireland as it looked then, short space of time, would have the vast with a brief sketch of the iron industry on a majority of the country under their control. national scale. It is worth bearing in mind that It witnessed the decline of the Gaelic Irish, LisfinnyCastle Tallow Co.Waterford THE IRISH SCENE | 27

the language, religion, Brehon Laws, customs, folklore, and other aspects of a strong heritage which had flourished from early stone age beginnings. It was the start of the exploitation of land and people, the replacement of the old Irish Gaelic system by a colonial one. Because of differences in attitude and outlook a dangerous tension and conflict developed between the native and the outsider, a struggle that was to continue, until quite recently, in the northern part of our country. Once the colonial phase had established itself properly, the most adventurous among them set up iron mining and production centres at various locations throughout the country. These, at first, were to become thriving and prosperous industries but at a later date, were to decline quite rapidly. Ireland Tallow Co. Waterford. was not suited to commercial enterprises as very few roads and communications existed by which the heavy iron-ore could be transported from one centre to the other. The fact that there were little or no route- the colonial system. As opposed to the iron ways was, in some ways, counteracted by the industry in England, which was concentrated abundance of natural woodland, which was the in a few localities, the Irish centres appeared primary fuel used in the charcoal furnaces. in scattering locations at different times, In many areas the woods were looked upon with each prospering and then fading away in a military sense as they were the hiding independently of each other. places of the Gaelic Irish. A large amount of In general, the Irish iron industry coincided wood became available when the trees were with the start of the English colonial period in felled so as to make room for troop movements Ireland and saw the embedding of industrial and also to deprive the Irish rebels of their and commercial practices on a people who places of refuge. In fact, the iron industry was knew very little except the practice of farming strongly encouraged to minimise the hiding and the art of fighting. It also witnessed places of those who would not conform to the bringing in of artisans and craftsmen to A view of the harbour of Dungarvan, in County Waterford. 28 | THE IRISH SCENE

Tallow, County Waterford operate the furnaces and processors and there disregard for the future with very little insight was also a deliberate policy of not allowing Irish or planning involved. The countryside was people to become involved at the highest level. violated for a short-term investment and the towns associated with iron working allowed to The old name of ‘Tulach an Iarainn’ suggests decline, due to lack of planning and absolute the ores had been mined there many centuries non-respect for the country into which these before invasion forces sailed up the Blackwater new arrivals had come to settle. and Bride. Richard Boyle, the Earl of Cork, The future of our country, as it was in the 17th was responsible for the transformation of the century, should not always be through foreign Blackwater Valley from a wasteland to one direct investment where decisions affecting us of the greatest centres of iron production in are made in the boardrooms of Los Angeles, Europe. He was only interested in making New York and London, but on small scale money, and he could possibly be considered ventures, manned by Irish people, who have as the very first Capitalist of all time. He an allegiance to their local area and to the established furnaces at Araglin, Cappoquin and country as a whole. If it is possible at this stage Macollop and forges at Lisfinny and Kilmacow. we must seek to decrease our dependence As well as having abundant supplies of local on the multinationals and strive to rekindle ore and charcoal, Tallow had the advantage of a greater confidence in ourselves which was water transport via the Bride and Blackwater so shamefully suppressed for the greater part to Youghal, where export links were set up at of our historical past. Seán Lemass and Ken Drogheda and Sligo as well as Bristol, Whittaker gave us a great push in the late in England. 1950’s and set us on our way. We have been whistling a good tune for many years, but we Boyle produced mainly bar-iron for export and now need to take over the orchestra and start it is recorded that he made a profit of £100,000 composing our own music. from the ironworks at Tallow. His biographer, Dorothea Townshend, records that in 7 years Open he made 21,000 tons of bar-iron which, at 7 days - 8am to 10pm £18 per ton, brought him the enormous sum Breakfast Lunch Dinner of £378,000. The type of ore found at Tallow was called rock-mine, this is dark and rusty in colour, the seam was generally 2 to 3 feet in depth with the topsoil being as fertile as any other. Tallow knives became quite famous during this time, on a par with Sheffield in England, and Boyle gave a present of a set to Lady Carew who was a courtier and a ‘good friend‘ of King Henry VIII. In reality, Irish iron manufacture in the early 17th century was a very short-term process. The destruction of the woodlands for charcoal and other uses showed a shameful Serving meals at all times 137 Hannan st Kalgoorlie Phone: (08) 9021 2788 THE IRISH SCENE | 29

20 22 Winners of the day and Claddagh Cup We would also like to thank our sponsors recipients were Liam Sweeney and as below. Seamus Martin representing the Knockalla Civil Team. McLoughlin’s Butchers, Tallis Consultants, Allied Air Express, Impulse Painting, An Runners up and recipients of the Charlotte Sibin, J B OReillys, Trinity Meats, Mooneys Trophy were Gavin O Kane and Cohan Feeney café ,Oatley Wines, Avoka Café, Woodbridge representing the Perth Dry Wall Team. Tavern, Saint Finbarrs GFC, Sarsfields GHC, Durty Nellys, Knockalla Civil, Mighty Quinn The N A G A was take out by Derek Lynch Tavern, Perth Dry Wall, B C Formwork, SMS and Charlie Hoskin Representing the S V G Mining, D C I Electrical Engineering, Waste Construction Team. Water Services, SVG Constructions, Comtec Training, UON, Pipeline Technics, and Novelties on the day were shared between Peninsula Golfing Complex, and all those Jason Whelahan, Ciaran Lyons, Tiger Coats, individuals who made donations. Graham Wilson, Mick Collins, Andy McDonald, John Kelly, Alan Burke and Jamie O Donnell. 30 | THE IRISH SCENE

Irish Club Golf THE IRISH SCENE | 31

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Once - the musical BY LLOYD GORMAN Smitten Thrice Guy Australian actor Toby Francis has the difficult job of following in the footsteps of an Irish legend. He is set to take to the role of Guy, the male lead character in the stage musical of Once in the Regal Theatre, Subiaco at the end of May. His character was originally portrayed (and nailed beautifully) by none other than Glen Hansard in the original and much loved film of the same name, written by Enda Walsh and directed by John Carney (the same combo who we have to thank for yet another classic music based flick set in Dublin, Sing Street.) It will be the third time this guy has been that Guy and the theatrical trilogy should THE IRISH SCENE | 33

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Once - the musical be his – and by extension the audiences – In what is one of his favourite productions to best experience yet. “I must look Irish,” Toby have been involved in he draws a parallel with laughed. There might be something to that his on-stage persona, who is unsure of himself throw away claim. He is a direct descendent and going through a difficult time but also of Paddy Hannon, the Clare man whose lucky something that has the potential to change his fossicking in a patch of dirt helped create live forever. Kalgoorlie and one of the biggest goldrushes in the world. “If you think about something you’ve done your whole life, like I have as a performer, and “This is my third time in Once and my fifth time to have that shut down for two years, it takes a as an Irishman on stage. The last time we did part of you and says who are you without that Once it got cut off way short, like a few days thing and so you feel like you are coming to after opening, so there’s unfinished business.” this halfway place, so I’m really keen and I’m chomping at the bit to come back and do it.” It will also be his first big opportunity to put into practice some of the Irish lessons and insights he picked up after the premier production of Once and the shows second stunted stint. In that gap Toby had another gig as an Irishman, as the MC for the Eireborne tour. “I was on tour in Europe through countries like Germany and Switzerland. My character hosted the show, sang songs and did my best jokes. My second season with Once was informed by having been on tour with a whole bunch of Irish people from Cork and Dublin and loads of other places I couldn’t even pronounce,” he added. “The experience of living in the pocket of people and being accepted into the Irish group of touring artists changed how I felt about Guy. There really is – and it sounds like a cliché – something in the Irish, and I don’t mean the accent or anything like that, that is spoken to each other through the ritual of music and dance. In Irish culture there is something held very close through musical expression that is an important way of saying who you are.” In one of the songs he sang in that role “My Gallant Hero “ Toby could feel the history, culture and pathos of the song and everything it stands for. “So when I came back to do Guy for a second time it felt much more – the songs were always important – felt like the way the character spoke, I felt I understood how he was speaking when I came back the second time.” Guy – who started out as a singer in a punk group in Canberra – was already a Glen Hansard admirer long before knew about Once. “He’s an incredible musician, singer, songwriter and one of my favourite albums ever is his 2015 album, “Didn’t’ He Ramble”.” Nearly all of the songs THE IRISH SCENE | 35

Once - the musical in Once the musical were written by Hansard, including a couple from The Frames. He said 36 | THE IRISH SCENE it is a privilege to be able to sing his songs and wherever he goes and it comes out that he is in Once guitars are often produced for him to sing and play Hansards stuff. Even with such a great catalogue to choose from there is something special about a song like Falling Softly, which seems to capture the soul of this story of boy meets girl, guitar meets piano. “The reason that song gets to the heart of something is because its simple and you get lost in it, the heart of Falling Softly is that something special, even magic, can come out of the ordinary.” Toby’s talents are not alone on the stage and he is completed by co-star Stefanie Caccamo playing Girl. The two stars are supported by on stage by a talented cast who all play, sing and dance as well, adding to the fun and vitality of the story. Helping Toby deliver Hansards beautifully crafted songs is one of the Dublin singers own guitars from around the time the film of Once was made, donated by an Irish photographer friend of his in Australia. On its previous two outings Once has proved to be popular with audiences, but it always seems to strike a special chord with Irish watchers. “The audience response is always huge and people jump to their feet to applaud,” said Toby. “Irish people love it, the Irish and Australian’s mix well, we love a yarn and we love a chat. Irish audiences always stick around after the show and talk about home and Dublin. I’ve had people who have connected with me on Facebook from Ireland who saw the show and who say it was really special and say that if I’m ever in Dublin to get in touch and we’ll go for a drink and a chat. Its really lovely. I know when I was overseas for long periods of time in America, Europe and Asia that when you see something that reminds you of home it is really moving and when it is done accurately and authentically that this is something very moving about it and I feel like that this is the reaction of ex-pats who come and see the show. The reaction can be quite an emotional one and joyous and funny. I think we have had the most supportive audiences, not just because the show is incredible but because the Irish community really want to get behind it and it’s a part of them.” Be prepared to be smitten!

Shamrock Rovers CARRAMAR SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED BY INTEGRITY PROPERTY SOLUTIONS SHAMROCK ROVERS FC CARRAMAR SHAMROCK ROVERS @CARRAMAR_SHAMROCK _ROVERS CONTACTS: MARTY BURKE 0410 081 386 • MARI PARKINSON 0427 171 333 A fter a very busy and somewhat chaotic dear friend, Elaine pre-season kick off is upon us! The season Cleary who tragically is now under way for our Junior and lost her long battle Senior Teams. with cancer. This season the club has representation across The wife of former State League, Masters, Metro and of course Carramar FC 45s. We also have 15 junior teams from U6/7 President Denis, up to U16s, including strong representation Elaine was a across our girls only squads from U10 to U16. familiar face We have also welcomed a new addition in our at the club for committee with Bruce McComas taking up the many years. Known best for leading the role of Junior Co-ordinator. Bruce has a wealth charge on a Sunday at the helm of her beloved of experience across the junior game, and we Houghton Park canteen, she would often be are looking forward to him strengthening our heard ringing her bell to celebrate with the set up and helping our juniors towards success. Junior Teams as they excitedly handed over Welcome Bruce! their match cards at the canteen hatch. Elaine was a firm favourite due to how warm and We are excited to host our first ever Family Fun kind she was. She made time for everyone Day, proudly sponsored by Madman Motors. and was always a welcoming face for both new This will be held on Saturday 7 May at Grandis members and old. She was loved by all of us Park. There will be lots of free activities on the who had the pleasure of knowing her. day including Bubble Soccer, Beat the Goalie and Dart Soccer. There will also be raffle prizes A stalwart of the Club and a friend to many, it is on offer including the chance to win a Mini difficult to find the words to express the impact Cooper Convertible. Get yourself down to that she made. Our deepest condolences Grandis Park on the day and enjoy all that’s on go to her husband Denis and their children offer, including the opportunity to watch our Megan, Ryan, Matthew and Laura, as well as all State League Teams in action against South her friends and family here in Australia and in West Phoenix. Scotland. We will miss you so very dearly Elaine. Rest in peace our Beautiful Friend. Finally, it is with a heavy heart that we advise of the very sad passing of one of our own, our very DO YOU NEED IPS provide property maintenance services to residential PROPERTY and commercial properties in the Perth Metro area MAINTENANCE? OUR Carpentry • Electrical Work • General repairs • SERVICES Landscaping • Locksmithing • Painting • Plumbing & INCLUDE: Waterproofing • Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations • Gutters & Roof Maintenance CALL IPS MAINTENANCE 0423 618 506 [email protected] www.perthpropertymaintenance.net.au PROUD SPONSORS OF CARRAMAR SHAMROCK ROVERS FC • SPECIAL RATES FOR SENIORS! THE IRISH SCENE | 37

New Irish Pub is the toast of Kalgoorlie Kalgoorlie – a town steeped in Irish history – and Marie Parekh who had an extra special reason to celebrate St. has made it a reality. Patrick’s Day this year. The Irish Pub – one of When Irish Scene visited WA’s newest watering hole – opened on March the Goldfields capital in 17, complete with a hooley worthy of the occasion October last year Marie and event. Traditional tunes and entertainment was even then working were provided on the day by Celtic Posse while hard to make it happen. performers from Kalgoorlie Dance Academy also It’s also worth pointing put on a great display of fast moving fun and Irish out that the Palace’s culture. ‘Kal’ might have a lot of pubs but until now head chef Kevin – for hasn’t in recent times had an Irish pub to boast of. the last 20 years – is That has changed now thanks to the efforts of its from Dublin and he goes above and beyond to make Palace Bar sure everything he serves owners and is the best it can be and will operators, probably taste like home! Dublin born Photos by Claire Weir. Ashok Parekh Sláinte with James Connolly As this is my first Sláinte in County Cork, home to some of the most famous column I thought a Irish brands, Jameson’s, Powers, Paddy and the great place to start Spot range. So, after the malted and unmalted would be with what is barley has been triple distilled it’s time for the liquid probably my favourite Irish to take a long old sleep in some American oak and whiskey brand. Now anyone some Oloroso Sherry casks for a minimum of 12 that knows anything about the golden liquid that years. Next comes the best part tasting! comes from the Emerald Isle will know that no matter which of the Redbreasts you are drinking Nose: Like a Cadburys fruit and nut bar only you are in for a treat! better, rich and toasty as well. But for this article, we will focus on the Redbreast Taste: Fruity but not sweet at all, rich cacao and 12yo, which is a single pot still whiskey and the caramel also number one selling single pot still whiskey in the world! Now, what does Single Pot Still mean?, Finish: Long and dry, still packs lots of flavour Well it’s a category of whiskey unique to Ireland, a combination of malted and unmalted barley (think Best enjoyed with some friends in your favourite creamy mouthfeel) that is triple distilled. The term Irish bar ‘single’ refers to the fact it is made at one distillery. The distillery in question is the Middleton Distillery Sláinte - James is one of Australia’s best bartenders and has worked and managed some of Perths best bars over the last 15years 38 | THE IRISH SCENE

Matters of PUBlic Interest Samson hopes to draw strength and skill from Gordan Ramsay Another head chef of an Irish owned chef Gordan Ramsey in hospitality operation in WA is about to go on the UK for a stint, with the a culinary adventure which will end in even intention of coming back better meals and treats for customers. Samson equipped with even better Brent is the overall head chef for Jarrah Bar & cooking and chefing skills. Bistro in Hillary’s and The Iluka – both co-owned by Wes Darcy, originally from Wicklow. Back in “I’ve eaten in his restaurant 2016 at the age of just sixteen Samson started in Chelsea – Restaurant working for Wes when he was one of the owners Gordon Ramsay – in London of the Mullaloo Beach Hotel and when Wes left a couple of times and it was that venue behind to open Jarrah he went with always amazing,” the Perth him. Samson, whose background is in business born young man told Irish and management, worked his way up to become Scene. “Its a three Michele stars, its head chef. He was there in the kitchen of the one of the best restaurants in the world and his Iluka when it opened, dishing out quality meals it flagship one. I told them I’d love to come and work has become known for. with them and they said I could. Its going to be a massive difference [working there as opposed Now, with the blessing and support of his boss, to being a customer] and it will so interesting, Samson is about to make an ambitious career I want to see how they do it in one of the best move that even the most seasoned chef might restaurants in the world, to learn and to bring that find daunting. He is going to work for celebrity back with me to Jarrah and Iluka.” Save Skippy’s favourite ‘Irish’ pub One of Australia’s most unique pubs – which can tavern – which is worth a visit in its own right – will claim some Irish pedigree – is at risk of being be forced to close down on May 31, the end of an era closed down but a lot of people are fighting to for Perth folk and visitors alike. But there is a lot of keep it open, and you can help. resistance. “The iconic Wildflower Tavern...is under threat, as part of the planned redevelopments by The Wildflower Tavern in John Forrest National the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Park in the Perth hills is one of only two pubs in Attractions (DBCA),” a petition on Change.org states. Australia national park. The other also happens to “With the tavern’s current lease due to expire in be on the outskirts of Perth, in Yanchep. Amongst May 2022, and with no detailed planning decisions other so called improvements the state government made public by the authorities, this historic and has plans to “upgrade” the main picnic area in the unique venue with it’s incredible kangaroos, birds Forrest National Park. Nothing wrong with that you and wildlife will be lost forever. Please sign this might say but the intention is to shut down the petition and join the urgent call for the McGowan tavern and replace it with food trucks. Most people government, the DBCA and Kalamunda MLA who have made a day-trip to the beauty spot might Matthew Hughes to offer an immediate, long-term be familiar with the rustic watering hole which is lease extension for the Wildflower Tavern, and famous for the wildlife that roams through and guarantee it’s future within the John Forrest National around it, particularly the local kangaroo population Park. It belongs to us all!.” Mundaring Shire Council who really are regulars at this one of a kind venue. is opposed to the plans and at time of writing more Indeed, the little locale went viral last year when a than 18,400 people had signed the online petition. tik-tok video of one of them (Matt) inside the bar The hope is to get that number up to went viral (Skippy strays into an ‘Irish’ pub’, Irish 25,000, which would make it one of Scene March/April 2021). As we reported at the time the site’s top signed petitions. To the tavern is owned by one Tom Fitzgerald, originally lend your support go to https:// a native of Patrickswell, Co. Limerick. He bought the www.change.org/p/dbca- business in 1998 and had retired about 18 months save-the-wildflower-tavern- earlier (at that point) but his daughter Megan john-forrest-national-park continues to run it today. If the state gets its way the

Irish Families in Perth Irish Mams NOR Sponsored by Irish Families in Perth by Sorcha McAndrew UPDATE ON GROUPS. Monday 9-11, Tuesday 9-11, Wednesday 9-11 x2 groups, Fri 11- 1pm x2. 3 new groups were added this term. Newborn groups and 1 mixed age. 6 groups in total. Going in to Term 2 we have 55 members and a waitlist to get into the groups at present. We are also running a frees First Aid with SJA and PGWA for our newborn Irish mams. Do you have a business? How are you protecting your business in these uncertain times? ask us how we can help. [email protected] legalvibe Vibe Legal 40 | THE IRISH SCENE

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Athenry’s fields highlighted at Pete St John’s funeral BYTOMGILMORE T he Fields of Athenry got many mentions at still be singing Pete’s songs,” said Phil. the funeral Mass in Dublin of Pete St John (AKA Peter Mooney) the songwriter who “There are some songs that endure and if a penned the song that made Athenry famou.. song is still sung 50 years after it was written Among those at the Mass in celebration of the then it’s a good one. Pete wrote at least three life of Pete (90) was the singer who had the such classics,” added Phil also citing Dublin in major hit with the Athenry song Paddy Reilly the Rare Old Times and The Ferryman. (83). Also in attendance was President Michael D. Higgins and many of the luminaries from He added that Pete turned to his own life the Irish music world. and experiences for inspiration when writing In his eulogy, the international entertainer those two iconic hits about his native city and and songwriter Phil Coulter was among those the changes to Dublin, not all for the better, to mention the iconic Athenry song at the that he saw when he came back from years of ceremony in the Church of the Holy Child, emigration in Canada and the United States. Whitehall, Dublin. “From his interest in Irish history and in a mere “Pete was a gentleman, a friendly and proud three verses, this song managed to make a Dub and a proper songwriter,” said Phil Coulter town in Galway world famous. at the start and end of his excellent eulogy. “The Fields of Athenry is indeed one of our great sporting anthems and when Irish people Pete’s sons Kieron and Brian, both who live get together anywhere in the world, now or in in the U.S., spoke to Tom Gilmore about their years to come, they will memories of their father writing The Fields of Athenry on the table beside them while they From left, Ciaran Reilly, Brian Mooney, were doing their homework. Paddy Reilly and Kieron Mooney at the folk session after Pete’s funeral. “I remember him also saying to me one Sunday, when I was young, that we should take a drive down to Athenry, and we did,” said Kieron. “Years later when I went with my father again to Athenry I was amazed at how it had expanded and it is now a fine thriving town surrounded by those lovely fields that he wrote about,” he added. When speaking about his father at the Mass, Kieron quoted from a tribute by President Higgins, who he said had a special relationship with his dad. “Pete had the rare gift of being able to write songs that, while new and original creations, immediately assumed a timeless quality and central place in all our lives,” said President Higgins. “It’s not an old Traditional song but one written in a Traditional style,” Kieron added. He also spoke of how his father went to a lot of trouble to prove his song was original and not an old song from the 1800s. Pete’s painstaking research completely dispelled rumours about 42 | THE IRISH SCENE

Pete St John’s funeral it being an old song which his dad rightly At Petes funeral includes an Australian described as “bunkum” on a TV programme. teddy bear. He added that when the singing of The Michael Blanch and Pete. Fields of Athenry rang out at Ireland’s recent Six Nations Rugby win over England at Twickenham, on the day that Pete died, it was as much a tribute to Pete as it was to the team. Apart from his fame in later life as a songwriter, penning over 100 songs, Pete as a youngster in Dublin, and later as an emigrant electrician in America, was also a top-class sportsman. His son recalled how he was a great swimmer and a winner of Gold Medals for long distance running and a keen rugby and soccer player. But after he went to America and married their late mother Sue in 1958, he “gave up his rugby and soccer boots for golf,” according to Kieron. The mass readings were by Pete’s granddaughters Ashlin and Ciara Mooney. The Prayers of the Faithfull were by Pete’s long-time friend and neighbour Jim O’Connor formerly of The Nevada and The Conquerors showbands and Pete’s nephew Brian Gallagher spoke a reflection on his life. Pete’s musical colleagues John Sheahan of The Dubliners, and Phil Coulter, played some of his hit songs at the Mass. They were joined by a band that included singer Sean McGuinness of the Dublin City Ramblers. As his coffin was carried shoulder high out of the Church the band played The Fields of Athenry and the congregation joined in the singing with loud applause after the last notes of the tune were played. Following the funeral, many singers and musicians, including Paddy Reilly and Glen Hansard, songwriter, actor and lead singer with rock band The Frames, took part in a Folk session in Pete’s memory at his favourite hotel The Beaumont House Hotel, Whitehall. Pete’s family watched and listened to his songs being sung in the impromptu session. Paddy Reilly who is now 83 was convinced by the crowd to give an impromptu version of The Fields of Athenry as Glen Hansard played guitar. The unlikely music duo got rapturous applause for the spontaneity and the passion with which they performed their semi-acoustic version of Pete St John’s most famous song which Paddy’s singing in the past also helped become an anthem for Irish people and their descendants at home and around the world. THE IRISH SCENE | 43

Songs are magic Carpets BYFREDREA Iam indebted to Tom Gilmore who attended That letter surfaced in the U.S.A. and was never Pete’s funeral and passed on my condolences opened until purchased by the Tasmanian to his family. museum, where it now resides. “Songs are magic carpets”, is an expression Mary, a resident of Clonmel, Co Tipperary, was I heard from Pete on may occasions when I sentenced to seven years in the harsh penal met him in Dublin during visits from Australia. colony of Van Diemen’s Land for allegedly How true this is, and I feel The Fields of Athenry stealing cloth from a local shop. She arrived does take us back on that magic carpet to a at Hobart town in April 1842, accompanied by time when Ireland suffered from a devastating her one year old daughter. In 1843 her husband potato blight, A Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger). James addressed the the most moving love letter to his wife on the other side of the I first met Pete and Sue in person back in 2008 world. This letter, now in the keeping of the when he again took us back in song to a time Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, forms the when Irish girls were transported to Australia basis of Pete’s song and an intriguing mystery for what seemed trivial offences. Sadly, Sue surrounding both Mary and her family back in passed away in 2010 and being in Ireland at the Ireland. time, I was privileged to be invited to attend her funeral. She was a beautiful lady. The song On my first visit I was taken to Pete’s home by was The Bells of Ireland and told the story of a great friend, Andy Kavanagh who was their Mary Walsh who was transported with her two local butcher. Sue cooked us a lovely fry-up. children, leaving her husband James to care On subsequent visits I met Pete for lunch at for their son. James sent Mary a heart-breaking Beaumont House, his local. There is a sign letter while she was incarcerated in Van saying “Pete St John’s Corner” where we sat, Dieman’s Land telling her of his loss with her. ate, and chatted. TUESDAYS A few years ago, Lilly joined me for lunch at Beaumont House and Pete was the perfect at the Woody host. He organised for a bottle of single malt whiskey Dublin in the Rare of Ould Times for $15 $6 Lilly. We treasure that gift. Over the years we PIE & PINT PINTS OF exchanged many gifts. NIGHT GUINNESS FROM 6PM Pete was also a great supporter of the Workhouse girl’s project. We have a memorial now in Subiaco and it was through the encouragement of Pete and Michael Blanch of the Committee for Commemoration of Irish IRISH MUSIC SESSION 7-11pm Woodbridge Hotel JPoehten’sSFhuenaehraanl. and Phil Coulter play at 50 EAST STREET, GUILDFORD 9377 1199 woodbridgehotel.com.au 44 | THE IRISH SCENE

Pete St John’s funeral Famine Victims, that Fred Rea singing The Bells of Ireland on that project was started Jeanie Johnson coffin ship in Dublin. and completed. My last contact with Pete was a few months ago when I send him photos of my two grandchildren. His message reply read: You all look good Fred… glad you and your family are ok…me… just hanging on!! Ah! Those kids look fantastic!! CONGRATS to all of you. My clan in the USA are ok for now!! The virus has no mercy anywhere xoxo… Ceol gan eagle…. Pete. Little did I know how sick he was. There is so much more I could write about Pete. Lilly and I, are indeed privileged to be numbered among his friends, as he was a very private person. Pete is now travelling on that magic carpet and is with his lovely wife Sue. I will miss our lunches at the Fred with Sue and Pete. Beaumont House and his wise words, but you can be sure on my next visit I will go to The Beaumont, take a seat in Pete’s corner and drink a toast to a legend. Slan go foal a chara. Phone 08 9401 1900 [email protected] • mckeefunerals.com.au Helping Your family THE IRISH SCENE | 45

A fitting tribute to Pete BYMICHAELBLANCH A fitting tribute to Pete St John by his great friend and friend of Ireland, Loyola Hearn, former Canadian Ambassador to Ireland who had many adventures in Ireland and Canada with Pete. One occasion was the Liverpool v Glasgow Celtic in a friendly match in the Aviva 10 August 2013, Celtic FC won the match 1-0 in front a sold-out stadium. Before the match commenced Pete St John with his band and backing singers, one being Loyola Hearn, Paddy Reilly with Pete’s Niece. Lilly Rea with Pete. belted out The Fields of Athenry which was sung by the 50,000 fans from both sets of supporters, on a beautiful sunny day in Dublin and was surely one of The Rare Ould Times and an occasion that will live long in the memory of all those in the Aviva that day. President Higgins tribute People throughout Ireland and beyond will have him in Áras been saddened to hear today of the death of Pete St John, President Michael D Higgins said an Uachtaráin in a statement on March 12 for the passing of the iconic Irish singer/songwriter. in June 2019 Pete had the rare gift of being able to write where he songs that while new and original creations, immediately assumed a timeless quality and performed central place in all our lives. It is hard to imagine a world where songs like The Rare Ould Times his song on did not exist and in his work Pete has left us with songs that not only defined his own career, environmental but those of many other musicians and indeed all of us as a people. It is noteworthy that Pete awareness, has left us on the day that Ireland play England in a 6 Nations rugby match, a sport and fixture ‘Waltzing on that has been indelibly associated with his song The Fields of Athenry for decades and the Borrowed singing of it at today’s match of course takes on a particular poignancy as people throughout Time’. Pete with Michael and Sabina Ireland remember Pete. That was Higgins at Aras in 2019. reflective of Pete was a close friend of Sabina and myself over many years and it was an honour to host the deep care and concern which Pete had throughout his work in protecting and preserving the vital things in our world. We will all miss this lovely engaged caring man, none more than who had the privilege of knowing him as an indomitable source of inspiration and song. I would like to send my deepest condolences to his sons Kieron and Brian Mooney, and to all his family and friends. 46 | THE IRISH SCENE

Pete St John’s funeral Remembering Pete Fred and Pete at Jeanie Johnson Coffin Ship. BY LOYOLA HEARN - FORMER CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND Pete St John. The Irish rain is falling or is it just my tears Brought on by precious memories, I’ve treasured through the years. These golden days in Dublin, I think about them yet The people and the places, I never will forget. To sit there by the Liffey, to watch the water flow To see the little ferry boats across the river go To walk out with our loved ones along the Dublin Dock To meet them at the Pillar, or under Cleary’s clock. To smell the turf fires burning as tenements we pass See families all together, walk out to Sunday Mass The women in the market, the horses hauling freight The wagons filled with barrels come out through St. James’ Gate To walk along the Grand Canal or stroll down Raglan Road To watch the kids, play hurling on fields so newly mowed To see Kavanagh and Behan just sit and write a rhyme A song up at O’Donoghue’s with Finbar in his prime. To hear Ciaran, Luke and Barney, John Sheehan, and Ronnie Drew O come back Paddy Riley and sing the songs we knew To see again the Ringsend Rose, to walk the Liberties Or watch the great performers at the famous Gaiety. These things are now just memories of precious days long gone When I could sit and reminisce with my good friend, Pete St. John And listen to the music, the stories, and the rhymes That tell of dear old Dublin back in the Rare Auld Times. But Pete is gone to heaven now, to entertain up there The Ferryman, McClory and all that he holds dear Still, his songs like magic carpets around the world will fly We’ll miss him, and it’s lonely ‘round the Fields of Athenry. Pete with Loyola Hearn during Pete, Brian The Furrier Furlong and Fred in a visit to Athenry . Petes Corner in teh Beaumont. THE IRISH SCENE | 47

Irish novelist, Audrey Magee (author of The Colony) talks to John Hagan about her literary influences, the Irish language and bringing her work to the screen. JH: Who were/are your major literary a wanderer who loves talking to people. But I influences? needed to go deeper than journalism allowed, deeper into language and into the issues AM: That would have to be Marguerite Duras, of what it is to be a human being framed the French writer I read for the first time as a by different political and social systems. 16-year-old. I had been reading all the usual Novel writing gives me that space, and I am Irish, British and American writers but here profoundly grateful to have that space, that was a woman who created space for me as capacity to explore what it is to be human. If a reader. She did not spoon-feed me, did not I wasn’t doing this, the reality is that I would tell me what to think, how to think, what to probably be in Poland or Romania or Moldova, feel; instead she created, through spare but on the border with Ukraine, talking with beautiful writing, a space where I could think refugees as they flee their homes, abandoning for myself, feel for myself, a space where I their former lives. Reporting remains a very could be an active reader, a participant in the important job. Hearing from these people first experience of creating a world with words. hand and telling their stories remains a vital After her, it has to be Camus and Beckett. I love part of our humanity. Beckett for his sparseness, his distillation of huge issues into a fragment, sometimes even JH: Jean-Pierre Masson, one of the principal a sound, an utterance. With Camus, I always characters in The Colony, is dedicated to saving return to his capacity for blending narrative into a fading Irish dialect. Are you also concerned great political and social novels. I still read a lot about preserving threatened language? of French writers. It is probably the space where I feel most at home as a reader. AM: I am a linguist. My first degree, from University College Dublin, was in French and JH: If you were not a best-selling author, what German language and literature. I also studied would you be doing with your life? linguistics as part of that degree. But I am a linguist who does not speak Irish, who, like AM: That is a big question. I am happy when Joyce and many other Irish writers, turned I am writing, even though the things I write her back on Irish in favour of English and the about are often difficult. I enjoyed my time languages of the Continent. Why is that? Why in journalism (Ireland Correspondent of The did I do that? Why did so many other people Times, roving reporter with The Irish Times my age despise and shun the language? covering the war in Bosnia, child labour in Theoretically it is only a language. What harm Pakistan and Bangladesh) as I am by nature can a language do? Unfortunately, language is 48 | THE IRISH SCENE

Q & A with novelist Audrey Magee repeatedly a casualty of colonization. Language very keen to get is politicized and used as a weapon, first by off that island. the colonizers to debase the culture and to fracture the unity of a community speaking JH: Why a language that is not the language of the intersperse colonizer; then by the colonized, as a mark of chapters in The nationalism, as a badge of commitment to the Colony with nationalist cause. For many this polarization short accounts is too much and it becomes easier to step of violent away from the language altogether as Joyce Irish sectarian did when he fled Ireland for Europe, declaring incidents? English as the language of the continent. But he too was a linguist, a man who learnt AM: I wanted Norwegian so that he could read Ibsen in its to understand original form. Inevitably, as a linguist, you return the impact to the original language, the mother tongue, as of that Joyce did in his work, particularly in Finnegans violence on Wake, as I do now in The Colony. The Irish people of my language is incredibly beautiful, an ancient generation. language suffused with the history of Irish This is not a land, place and narrative. The dialect that I use book about in The Colony is from a very remote corner of Northern Ireland north-west Mayo and is only spoken now by 160 but about the southern perspective on the people, so few people holding that linguistic impact of that violence on the people south connection to previous generations of speakers. of the border. The violence is a pulse through The death of the language on the west coast the novel, emerging slowly but gradually from of Ireland is in stark contrast to urban Dublin the hinterland of the characters’ lives until where the language is thriving. There are now the atrocities grow in their awfulness and are more people speaking Irish on the east coast impossible to ignore; much as it was for us than in the Gaeltacht or Irish speaking areas growing up in Ireland. of the west coast, parts of Ireland that remain neglected and impoverished. But the Irish in JH: As with your previous book (The the Dublin area is for most a second language, Undertaking), The Colony has been optioned learnt in school rather than at home, often for film. Who would you choose to be amongst taught by teachers who are themselves second your dream cast? language learners of Irish. Does this matter as long as it is Irish? On January 1st last, Irish AM: I had a dream cast for The Undertaking became an official language of the European but it turns out that the film world is even Union, rendering it possible that more people slower than the book world – my first dream will speak Irish in Dublin and Brussels than cast is now far too old for the characters in The in the Gaeltacht areas. Maybe this doesn’t Undertaking! So, no more dream casts. I am, matter as long as it is Irish, but maybe it does however, a huge admirer of the work of Irish as language carries so much about a people, actor Saoirse Ronan and Ethiopian-Irish actor a landscape, a land, a history, a perspective on Ruth Negga. I loved Ruth’s interpretation of the world. Hamlet in the Gate Theatre, Dublin. JH: The desire to escape is evident amongst JH: By now, following the publication of The some of characters in The Colony. Has such a Colony, you will be occupied writing your next motivation played any role in your own life? novel. Can you share something about it for Irish Scene readers? AM: I grew up on the island of Ireland plagued by bombings and shootings, on an island AM: I am very private about my writing. I where the Catholic Church determined how don’t discuss it until it is done as I worry that people, women in particular, should live their the characters will evaporate if I talk of them. lives. As a teenager and later as a young Irish Apologies Irish Scene, no sharing! woman who spoke French and German, I was See Book Reviews for The Colony THE IRISH SCENE | 49

Australian journalist Tony Wright wrote a very interesting piece comparing local reaction in Canberra and Dublin to the Russian embassies in those cities [As Russian agents spread lies, Australians could learn from the Irish/April 8]. Wright, an associate editor and special writer with The Sydney Morning Herald, wrote that pro-Ukraine supporters outside the embassy waved signs encouraging passing motorists to honk their horns. The protest would have barefly registered with the diplomats inside the building who he said were busy on social media denying war crimes and the murder of thousands of civilians in Ukraine as fake news. They should consider themselves lucky to be posted to a part of the world where “the incessant honking of car horns” was as bad as it gets. He contrasted this with the situation in Dublin where he wrote the Russian diplomats discovered what it was like to be put into “deep freeze” by the locals who are traditionally “a wildly hospital people who have long been experts at giving the coldest of cold shoulders”. Mr Wright picked up on the story about how a local fuel provider refused to deliver diesel to the Orwell Road Mission, needed for heating and hot water. In fact every supplier the embassy approached refused their business. The Irish Mirror also reported that the embassy would have struggled to pay because its Bank of Ireland accounts had been suspended. “The Irish, wordsmiths without peer, clearly remembered the meaning of a word they gave to the world in 1880: boycott,” wrote Wright. He explained the origin and history of the phrase and how one Captain Charles Boycott, an agent for an absentee landlord, evicted tenant farmers who asked for a rent cut after suffering a bad season. Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Irish Land League said anyone who occupied the farm of an evicted tenant should be shunned. Boycott himself could not get anyone to work for him, businesses would not trade with him and even the postman would not deliver his mail. “And so was born the verb “to boycott”, which governments call “sanctions” and fools call “cancel culture”, added Wright. “With Dubliners reviving the art of the boycott this week, the Russian ambassador there was reduced to begging for help from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, which wasn’t commenting.” https://www.smh.com.au/national/as-russian-agents-spread-lies-australians- could-learn-f rom-the-irish-20220407-p5ablf.html 50 | THE IRISH SCENE