Draft 3

A start up tech company in Meeja Watch Fremantle got some attention in the business section of the BY LLOYD GORMAN West Australian in March. It also got a mention in The Mayo News the same week. HoverIT was founded and is headed by James Flanagan, a native of Westport, Co. Mayo. In a nutshell his social media friendly e-commerce platform gives local businesses a completely new and innovative way to reach out to their customers, and vice versa. “When a business signs up in a certain town or city, we will automatically filter them under their locational tag and then somebody in that location,whether its a tourist or a local just hist the location tag like ‘Fremantle’ and they’ll get a list of every single business,” the Irishman explained to business journo Cheyanne Enciso. On March 22 The Mayo News reported that Westport was the first town in Ireland to benefit from the new ‘support local’ app. Sarah Flanagan, a sister of James, the owner of the newly opened ‘Enrica’s Cafe’ on Lime Court, Westport was the first local business to sign up to the digital service which James is betting will be a big hit globally. An old boy returning to their school to talk to Russia and Ukraine are Jim Sharkey. students about their life and career rarely even closer than those hits the newspapers. But there are not many jobs where you will be the first diplomat to set up between Canada and the the Irish embassy in Moscow and have met Putin shortly after he came into power. Remarkably United States and they Jim Sharkey’s talk on March 10 to the students at his alma mater, St. Columb’s College in Derry, are something like the was booked in months earlier, the Derry Journal reported. After he left the Derry school Sharkey – intimacies between the a cousin of singer Fergal Sharkey – worked as a history teacher in London, Dublin and Derry before Republic and Northern joining the Irish foreign service in 1970. Ireland.” Indeed so close are the two countries that Four years later he was appointed Charge d’Affaires for the opening of the Irish Embassy in Moscow in he said it was easy for some Russians to belive that 1974 and returned again in 2001 as ambassador. Ukraine was really an extension of Russia. “From an international and an Irish point of view, clearly the right of Ukraine to full independence is absolute,” Mr Sharkey explained. “I do believe there are many Russians who believe that Putin should not be at war with their friends.” Sharkey presented his credentials as a diplomat He offered an insightful and sometimes sobering to one Vladimir Putin, who had just become analysis of the situation. “The thought of this war president, marking the start of his steely rule. He lasting for months is just frightening,” he said. There also dealt with him on several occasions in his role. was the risk of miscalculation and the danger of “I did not think that Putin would invade Ukraine,” the American offer of “sophisticated airplanes” to Mr Sharkey said, the Irish Independent reported (US Ukraine, leading to “killing fields” in central Europe. offer of warplanes for Ukraine ‘could lead to killing After his first stint in Russia Sharkey went on to fields in Europe’, says Ireland’s ex-envoy to Russia,” become the Irish ambassador to Australia. During on March 13. “There are multiple intimacies between his two years here the envoy officially opened the Ukraine and Russia. The intimacies between Irish Club in Subiaco. https://www.derryjournal.com/education/the-derry-man-who-met-putin-3627877 THE IRISH SCENE | 51

Robbie Dolan. Dublin born Paul Niland has been popping Less than 24 hours after he blew away up quite a bit in various articles, reports and the judges and audiences in his blind coverage carried by Irish and international audtion for the first outing of the new media. The self described businessman, writer season of The Voice on Australian TV in late and political commentator is – by choice – in a April Robbie Dolan was being interviewed unique and very challenging situation. The 49 by Ray D’Arcy on his morning show on RTE year old Irisman is one of an estimated seventy radio. Robbie left his home town of Kildare to ninety Irish nationals who chose to stay in (a horse racing capital in its own right) in Kyiv when Russian forces attacked. September 2016, to build on his career as a jockey by getting experience in Australia. “I am not leaving. This is my home. I am very He left thinking he would be gone for a few invested in this country,” he told Irish Times months or maybe a year but six years later, journalist Ronan McGreevy in an article published on Feb 12 . “I like many aspects of New WA film with Irish this country. We are in the process of changing story in the pipeline things. There is a dynamic here.” Like other citizens he joined a territorial battalion to A little bird told us that shooting is set to defend his neighbourhood. about to get underway on a new movie with a local and Irish connection. In normal civilian life he is in the business of trying to save lifes. He set up Lifeline Ukraine, a Kid Snow is to be a feature film set 1970’s national suicide prevention hotline, about three Western Australia, about a washed-up Irish years ago. In a piece published by the Sydney boxer of the same name who is offered Morning Herald on April 16 Pete Shmigel, a a rematch against a man he fought 10 former Liberal Party adviser, recounted a recent years ago, on a night that changed his life trip to the war torn country – from where his forever. The fight is a chance to redeem parents fled as refugees after WWII – and himself but ‘Kid’comes to a crossroads meeting with his friend Niland. Shmigel wrote when he meets single mother Sunny and that with the start of the war and as bombs is forced to contemplate a future beyond fell and whole suburbs were wiped out calls to boxing. We don’t know yet who will play his charity service jumped by 40 per cent. “Our the lead role but we hope to bring you focus is on the needs of each person who calls, more details and information in the next no matter their circumstances or background issue. Filming is due to start in May and will or state of mind,” Niland told him. “It’s about include a couple of weeks in Perth, a short non-judgment. For our hotline counsellors, stint in Lancelin and between four and five it’s about being fully engaged with that one weeks in Kalgoorlie. Watch this space. person in that one moment to save one life.” Even as all hell broke out the life saving service offered by Niland and his team continued to operate from bomb shelters and remote locations while some calls were picked up by similar services in Estonia, Poland and Israel. Niland has vowed to stay on and defend his adopted homeland and to keep trying to help Ukrainians in distress. 52 | THE IRISH SCENE

Meeja Watch Damian Leith. Ann McVeigh can be regularly found around the Irish Club in having met a local girl with who he had had a Subiaco and is a well known baby just a few days earlier. “So I’m stuck here face in the Irish community. now,” he said. Her life story was reported Dolan had been involved in some panto’s as a by the Irish Independent on young fella but apart from that the only singing March 20 (I forgive those who he ever did was in the shower or in the car. Out sent me to Australia’, says Irish of the blue the chance to apply presented itself. woman taken away from her family when “I said feck it, I’ll throw one in, it all happened so she was five years old’, a piece written by quickly” he laughed. Ciaran O’Neill. At the age of five Ann was No doubt the young jockey with the natural one of about 120 children (child migrants) voice of a pop star will be doing a lot of from Northern Ireland sent to Australia interviews and media work, but this one was during the 1940’s and 1950’s by nuns in unique. “I was there at the beginning, without Belfast, without her family’s permission. me DJ’ing, you woulnd’t exist Robbie!,” D’Arcy, Premium subscribers to Independent. who is also from Kildare town and happens to ie will be able to access the full story. know the family said. Alternatively her story is also available Dolan replied: “That’s absolutely true, you were on BBC.com from an article by Conor the DJ when my mother asnd father had their Macauley published in October 2013: first dance in the (CYMS Hall in Kildare town)… ‘Voices of the lost: Speaking of being sent you played the first song for them on their first to Australia as a child migrant’. dance.” D’Arcy played a bit of that faithful song https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern- ‘My eyes adored you’, by Frankie Valli. He joked ireland-24631170 that if Ray kept playing it he might have a little https://www.independent.ie/ brother or sister on the way in a few months. irish-news/i-forgive-those-who- The RTE presenter wished him well with the sent-me-to-australia-says-irish- next stages of the competition and left the door woman-taken- away-from-her-family- open for further chats. when-she-was-five-years-old-41466695. By sheer coincidence the very next guest html was another Kildare man with an Australian connection who reminded Ray of yet another in Ireland should and could live in retirement local lad who had done well Down Under. Pat villages just like in Australia, where Mahoney O’ Mahoney wrote a book called ‘Rethinking spent much of his working life. Housing Options for Senior Citizens’ which sets out his argument for why most older people Before they started that discussion O’Mahoney told D’Arcy that: “He’s not the only person from Newbridge, or Kildare to make a success of his singing career in Australia, another young man from Milltown did it a few years ago.” When he said he was talking about another young man called Damien Leith, the presenter could only say: “Yes, Yes, well remembered.” Leith was raised near Milltown, a small village about 7km from Newbridge, Co. Kildare, just a few miles down the road from Kildare town itself. Leith, 46, a former chemist came to Australia in 2003 and just three years later won Australian Idol. That launched him on a successful showbiz career as a full time musician with eight albums under his belt, ‘Songs from Ireland’ being his latest record. THE IRISH SCENE | 53

MPs go Potty for Paddy’s Day BYLLOYDGORMAN March 17th fell on a Thursday this year, The minor switch around got a reaction from which also happened to be a sitting day the assembled pollies. “Thank you, members,” for the WA Parliament. Alanna Clohessy, she added. “It probably was not an opportunity the President of the Legislative Council, who to comment, but now that you have, I can hear is of Irish stock herself, wasted no time in you wishing the minister a happy St Patrick’s introducing the significance of the day. “Good Day as well.” Dublin born Mr Dawson at that morning members, and happy St Patrick’s Day time was in isolation because of reasons to you all,” she said. Ms Clohessy said next that connected to COVID Irish Scene discovered later. in the “absence of the Minister for Emergency Service” (Stephen Dawson) she had approved The Upper House of the WA parliament got on a small change to the seating plan in the with the business of the day, which included a chamber for the minister for Regional motion by Dr Brian Walker, an East Metro MLC Development (Alannah MacTiernan – also of with the Legalise Cannabis Western Australia Irish heritage). Party, that: “this house – notes the promising 54 | THE IRISH SCENE

Isteach Sa Teach research….chemicals naturally occurring in the cannabis plant, have the potential to help block infection from the virus that causes COVID-19”. This led to a lengthy debate but when his motion fell over Dr Walker swiftly introduced another motion from the floor. “Members will all be sick of my voice, I am sure, but I move — Noting today is St Patrick’s Day, this house encourages all those celebrating to enthusiastically embrace the pot at the end of the rainbow” he said. Alanna Clohesy MLC and Roger Cook MLA. Dr Walker said his motion was intended to allow his fellow MLC’s the chance to wish “our Irish friends, be members’ legislation that would pave they here in Western Australia, at home in the the way for legalised access to cannabis across Emerald Isle or part of the greater diaspora, our respective communities. I have set myself a very happy and healthy St Patrick’s Day. I something of a goal to ensure that we are not want to take a moment or two to embrace disparate campaigners, lone voices, but rather my own pot at the end of the rainbow, and part of a wider, supportive, global network of I acknowledge that expression will mean campaigners seeking to change the way in different things to different people. I was which cannabis is viewed and legislated...If a recently fortunate enough to touch base country as traditionally conservative as Ireland with Gino Kenny, TD, one of the five People has reached a point at which it can openly Before Profit members currently sitting in debate the potential for cannabis legislation, I the Irish Parliament, and to learn a little more say to members that we should all be looking about the process his party is going through to imitate St Patrick to drive the snake oil almost in parallel with those of us here in Legalise Cannabis WA to introduce private salesmen, who represent the modern prohibitionist Alanna Clohesy MLC and Roger tendency, off our respective Cook MLA. islands”. He also wanted to recognise the great contribution Ireland and Irish people had made to the world in general and Australia in particular. “We would not be where we are today without them, nor would our political systems have developed as they have without a solid dose of Irish common sense, not to mention resistance in our early years,” Dr Walker said. “I wish all those who are celebrating St Patrick’s Day today the very best now THE IRISH SCENE | 55

and into the future. Embrace the pot at the end “Like Hon Brian Walker, over the years I have of your own rainbow, whatever form that may established strong relationships with many take. Continue to hope, to laugh and to love as members of both the Irish Dáil and the the Irish have done throughout the centuries. Parliament as it is from time to time in the To my friend Gino Kenny, I say this: tiocfaidh ár north. That includes—this has become quite lá, my friend. Our day will come.” respectable these days—representatives from Sinn Féin who now have quite a role in the Speaking on behalf of the government Republic of Ireland. The structure of the Irish MacTiernan said: “we embrace the motion Parliament certainly represents a lot of voices. and its positive sentiment. Of course, as It has been interesting to watch the evolution someone of Irish extraction, that has particular and finally see Ireland move beyond where it significance to me. I also contribute on behalf was in terms of the treaty and from its view of the other people with strong Irish heritage in 1922 and the tribal attachment that drove on our team, particularly Hon Stephen Dawson the success or failure of its political parties. It and our President, Hon Alanna Clohessy. I is great to see Ireland becoming a thoroughly think everyone else has probably got a bit of modern nation focused on modern concerns. It Irish in them and maybe they will get up and is also extraordinary that for many years Ireland talk about it. But of course, it is important was led by a person of Polish descent. We will that I defend the honour of our born and bred all look forward to celebrating and having a Irishman, Hon Stephen Dawson, the Minister drink in the bar afterwards in time-honoured for Medical Research. It was alleged earlier in Irish tradition. I hope all members will have the chamber that the minister did not have a magnificent St Patrick’s Day and celebrate responsibility for the Western Australian Future those who are Irish and those in the rest of the Health Research and Innovation Fund. On 8 community who would like to be Irish.” February 2022, an Executive Council minute was passed whereby the administration of that Jackie Jarvis, an MLC for the South-West legislation...did in fact transfer to the Minister declared her Irish roots. “I stand today because for Medical Research.” my father hails from County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. He unfortunately suffers from Colonisation and the potato famine meant advanced dementia so he may not know that many Irish come to Australia and WA where she today is St Patrick’s Day, but I am sure he will said they were “formative” to the development have some good friends turn up to see him in of Australia as “an exceptional country”. Busselton with a small nip of Jameson whiskey Gino Kenny, TD, second from right, campaigning in Dublin. 56 | THE IRISH SCENE

Isteach Sa Teach David Templeman MLA and Jackie Jarvis MLC. or major medical facility in Western Australia and not find an Irish-speaking or a can of Guinness, which last year led to doctor, nurse or specialist.” the nursing home ringing me and asking for permission, and I said, “Of course! It should James Hayward, another South West be compulsory!” I, too, want to acknowledge MLC, did not claim any Irish heritage, the influence of the Irish in not only Australia, but WA had it in bucketloads. “In light of but also the United Kingdom. In the 1950s, my today being St Patrick’s Day, I would like father and three brothers and one sister—they to focus on what that meant for a group obviously came from a good Irish Catholic of six Irish convicts who had been sent family—made their way to London. They made to Fremantle Prison in 1868,” he said. a significant contribution to the construction “For those Fenian political prisoners, industry in London as unskilled labourers. My Thomas Darragh, Martin Hogan, Michael father and his brothers probably also made a Harrington, Thomas Hassett and Robert significant contribution to the reputation of Cranston, the pot of gold was simply the fighting Irish in London pubs, but we will their freedom. Their dramatic escape on let that one slide. My father was then the only the sailing ship Catalpa—although some one of his eight siblings to venture afield and would call it a rescue—was undoubtedly come to Australia in the 1970s to join the wave one of the world’s most daring prison breaks of Irish immigrants who came in at that time ever. That was undertaken right here in as unskilled labourers. My father spent much Western Australia, and it has become a very of the 1970s and 1980s in regional Western important part of our rich history.” Mr Hayward Australia. This was long before the days of explained the background to the story and how fly-in fly-out. He would often be away for their escape was organised by their comrade weeks at a time. There are probably very few John Boyle O’Reilly and others from America. wheatbelt towns that he has not worked in. It was a matter of great pride that we could drive “It is an amazing escape story,” he added. through the wheatbelt and he could point out “This story was commemorated over the the grain silos that he had helped construct. weekend with a game of Gaelic football played Similarly, he spent time in Dampier, Newman between Bunbury Gaelic Football Club and and Pannawonica in the construction industry, Rockingham.” He corrected himself after Ms helping to build those first mine sites and MacTiernan pointed out that the word he workers’ villages. He worked as an unskilled wanted was “Gaelic, not garlic”. The game was labourer until his 60s, and I am incredibly proud played in Bunbury, the same port city where of him. We are obviously seeing a new wave the Catalpa docked 146 years ago to begin its of Irish immigrants. I do not think the wave of rescue mission. He said the Bunbury Irish immigrants has stopped since Western Australia was first settled by Europeans. We would be hard pressed to go into any hospital THE IRISH SCENE | 57

of Ireland that is separated,” she said. “We talk about the Troubles. A lot of people here in Australia do not quite seem to understand the Troubles. They saw the bombs and the tanks, but what they do not see is that the division in religion is actually across Scotland and Ireland. The difference in Scotland is that we have segregated schools and we use sticks and stones; there were no bombs or tanks or soldiers in our streets. But these things are still happening today, and that is something that we should also reflect on FLaotrinmaaHPaarpymeraann.d when we think of St Patrick’s Day—that we have in Ireland a country that is divided, not only by a border but also by religion. I raise that because these things are starting to happen again. We are starting to see Gaels won the game and that it was “a superb more violence arise in the north of Ireland as example of how Irish culture is still being people object to the peace process that has celebrated across our state”. been going on for 20 or 30 years now. Having known people with family members who have Lorna Harper, an East Metro MLC, offered a died in Ireland because of the Troubles it is, slightly different take on the proceedings. “For again, a day of reflection. Our pot of gold is the record, to make it very clear for people very lucky; we are lucky to be standing here who do not quite get the accent, I was born and speaking on behalf of other people. My and bred in Scotland. A lot of people think ancestors on both sides made the decision I am Irish, but, no, I am Scottish. I am also to leave—not because of famine, because lucky enough to be living in Australia, which politically there was no famine, but because is one of the best countries in the world and of religion. We are lucky to live in a country has provided so much to so many. I also have where your religion should not matter. It does, very strong Irish roots. My grandfather was unfortunately, for people of the Muslim faith; born in Ireland, my grannie’s father is from they are basically not so lucky. They do not have Ireland, and my other grandfather is from Ireland. I can trace my roots back to many a place in Ireland. I can trace my roots back to Protestant Ireland. I can trace my roots back to Catholic Ireland. That would be a good reason that today I have a Scottish accent.” She reminded her colleagues that as well as the Republic of Ireland – which is what they were mainly speaking about – there was also Northern Ireland, a part of Great Britain. “There is a whole area 58 | THE IRISH SCENE

Isteach Sa Teach that pot of gold yet, but hopefully, as a country, an organisation called Young Farmers. We we will move towards that pot. Our pot of gold had hosted many, many Irish exchanges, and is the fact that we are able to stand here today we went to visit them in Ireland. At one of the freely and talk about things such as religion, places we visited, we walked into the house and looking forward to the future, how we can use there was a picture of the person of the house cannabinoid oil and hemp and other things in with Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton had visited not our society, and how lucky we are. Along with long after the Omagh bombing. We said, “Oh, many other blessings given today: while you that’s a pretty impressive photograph.” There slide down the bannister of life, I just hope the were some great tensions, north and south, splinters are all facing the other way.” but wherever we went, as soon as they found out we were Australian, we were embraced. Dr Steve Thomas, another South West MLC, Even when it is, let us say, at war with itself, said he had “very small” Irish ancestry but he Australians’ links with Ireland are always did have fond memories of a “gentleman’s very strong.” drinking tour” with a friend of the country in the late 1990’s. Meanwhile, over in the other side of the parliament – the Legislative Assembly – there “We took three and a half weeks and hired a car was very little fanfare about the significance and effectively did a lap of the island; like true of the date. The only acknowledgement for Aussies, we did a bog lap! We started in Dublin the occasion came from MLA for Armadale and finished in Dublin.” They visited Galway, the Dr Toni Buti. “As the Minister for Citizenship north of Ireland and Waterford. and Multicultural Interests, I would like to wish everyone a happy St Patrick’s Day. It is 17 “The Troubles were continuing at the time; March, so happy St Patrick’s Day to everyone, members might remember the Omagh particularly our Irish friends!.” bombing, and we were there within a year of that bombing. Vale Michael Beahan For those who do not know, there used to be We get what matters to you. Same Sex Family Law Adoption Property Settlements Surrogacy Binding Financial Agreements Family Violence Orders De Facto Relationships Contact/Custody Enduring Power of Attorney Enduring Power Guardianship Family Friendly, Family Lawyers 165/580 Hay Street Perth WA 6000 T: (08) 6557 5888 E: [email protected] kavanaghfamilylawyersperth.com.au THE IRISH SCENE | 59

Isteach Sa Teach Michael Eamon Beahan Senator for Western Australia from 1987 to 1996 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison led A full tribute describing his full life story and tributes to Michael Eamon Beahan, who many political achievements was published by was a Senator for Western Australia from Mr Gray – a close friend of his – on the website 1987 to 1996, who died on January 30 2022. of the Australian embassy in Ireland (https://ireland.embassy.gov.au/dubl/news.html) “Michael Beahan’s surname is Irish,” Mr Morrison told the House of Representatives on BEDTBHREEPAEKRFFAESCTTIN Scan for free February 14. “It is derived from the Gaelic word recipe book ‘beatha’, which means life. When Michael was 17, his family started a new life. Like so many Available at HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY others at the time, they left postwar Europe and embarked on a months-long journey European Foods travelling from London to Perth, Australia. For young Michael, his new life in his new country took the shape of an electrical apprenticeship. He would work as an electrician for the next 10 years. Then, sadly, tragedy struck. Michael was involved in an horrific traffic accident near Goomalling. His girlfriend, Leith, tragically, died. There’s a line in an Irish poem, On Raglan Road by Patrick Kavanagh, that goes: ‘... let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day’. And that was true for Michael. Beahan was born on January 21 1937 in London to Irish parents Francis Harold Beahan – an auto-electrican – and his wife Grace Beryl, née Hemmings. “Those early years in London were not easy,” said Gary Gray, Australian Ambassador to Ireland. “The impact of the Great Depression was still being felt, then the War came with the constant bombings including of Michael’s family home. The family decided to move to Ireland. Michael often spoke of his teenage years in Dalkey as a time of joy. He immersed himself in Irish culture and became a true lover of his father’s native country, especially of Yeats’ poetry and Joyce’s prose.” 60 | THE IRISH SCENE

THE IRISH CLUB OF WA SHARING OUR IRISH CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY & CONNECTIONS NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME KITCHEN OPEN CLUB/BAR OPEN TUESDAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SATURDAY FROM 6PM FROM 5PM For all Event Bookings : 0423 914 382 irishclubperthcateringandevents.com.au For General Enquiries 9381 5213 Follow us on @irishclubofwa 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco • irishclubofwa.com.au • Tel (08) 9381 5213 For Catering please email: [email protected] • For all other queries please email: [email protected]

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Sin scéal agus whale eile! Swihnalsecéeaillea! gus T he whaling based stories in the last edition of Irish Scene sparked a number of memories for some readers. The main story – Paddy’s whale of a scéal – about Dublin man James “Paddy” Hart who jumped ship in Albany and went on to become the skipper of the last whaling ship in Australia in Albany in 1978 who went to Japan with Greenpeace to try and protect them from being hunted was a ripper of a yarn according to several people. He died a couple of years ago but his daughter Angela – who got her copy of the Fin Whale West Cork . THE IRISH SCENE | 63

Makem and Clancy. His story also resonated with another Albany woman who featured in Irish Scene not so long ago. magazine on St. Patrick’s Day – enjoyed the “What a great story piece. “Congratulations, you are the only one and man was Paddy,” who has written such a an article without said Patricia Heberle. actually meeting and talking to Dad.,” she said. The main story of last “It presents very well.” year’s September/ October edition of the magazine was about Patricia who was the chef de mission for Team Ireland in Japan (The WA story behind Ireland’s Olympic glory!). “I grew up around whaling as it was such a big part of life and the economy in Albany and some of my Dad’s mates worked at the whaling station. I was glad when they ceased it but it was hard on local families and there was a lot of pain for some time. Patricia is now based in Dublin and enjoying it there and while she won’t be leading Team Ireland to Paris in 2024 she Fin Whales West Cork . 64 | THE IRISH SCENE

Sin scéal agus whale eile! is now responsible for a new Performance Noel Purcell . Capability Lead division which she said does not have as much pressure and high workload the unofficial session that went until 5am but is very interesting. with Barney playing, joking and giving Alan Ferguson a few tips on the banjo. I also have a Another Dub with an indirect but still famous framed copy of the print of the Quarefellas with whaling story was the story about actor Noel Fred’s piece. Many memories! Thank you for Purcell who played an important character in bringing them back!.” the 1956 block buster Moby Dick, shot partly While there were several whaling related in Youghal, Co. Cork (Great tales of whales and stories in that edition we discovered many Gaels). After Frank and Gerry recently had more fascinating ones which we hope to Purcell’s son on their Saturday morning Radio bring to you in upcoming editions, starting Fremantle show Celtic Rambles Irish Scene with this offering by Limerick journalist Brian reached out to him. “Dad always credited his McLoughlin. We hope you will enjoy them! mother, my Grannie, for getting the role in ‘Moby Dick’,” Patrick Purcell told us. “When he told her he wanted to join the theatre, she said he should have a trade to fall back on if things didn’t work out. So he apprenticed and became a joiner/cabinet maker with Bex and Co, Dublin. He made the counters in Brown Thomas and Clery’s. So when they were casting for the Ship’s Carpenter, Dad was ideal, because he knew how to handle the tools and work wood. He could also act a bit!.” Meanwhile Fred Rea’s yarn about him and Tommy Makem involving a trade of a whale tooth (The whales tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the the tooth) brought back “treasured memories” for Irish Scene advertiser Glen McLeod. “I was at the ‘76 Makem and Clancy concert mentioned by Fred,” he said. “In fact, I remember Makem coming to Albert’s Tavern where the Quarefellas were playing. About as good as it gets except for the night Barney McKenna showed up with his banjo. I was lucky enough to be invited to stay for Paddy Hart . D.J. Gordon & Associates (WA) Pty Ltd ACCOUNTANTS & TAX AGENTS SERVICES INCLUDE: Myles Gordon • Income Tax Returns • Business & Instalment LLB, FIPA Activity Statements 987 Wellington Street, • Preparation & lodgement West Perth WA 6005 Correspondence to: of objections to ATO PO Box 480, assessments West Perth WA 6872 • GST and ABN registrations E: [email protected] • Company Secretarial T: 08 9321 2266 services • Bookkeeping THE IRISH SCENE | 65

When Ireland was a whaling nation BY BRIAN MCLOUGHLIN There are no Moby Dick-like stories recorded station came to the West Coast of Ireland for the whaling industry in Ireland and it’s and in March 1908 was set up by Norwegian probably not well-known that whaling was businessmen in County Mayo on Rusheen a carried out in the country over a 100 year period. tidal island near Iniskea South. After initial As far back as 1900 until 1925 with the exception whaling operations were abandoned which of the Great War years 1914 to 1918 and a few had operated from Arranmore Island in West scattered years in between, Ireland had an Donegal, whaling under the name of The important whaling enterprise located on the Arranmore Whaling Company continued West coast mainly in Blacksod Bay off the coast until 1922. of County Mayo where a whaling station had The Blacksod station had some operational been established by Norwegians. difficulties. Whales could only be brought up the slipway for two hours a day because of In the early 20th century the commercial the tide and there was also conflict with some whaling industry was important for meat locals. Between 20 to 40 men were employed and oils and in 1896 when the Norwegian all from Iniskea South who wouldn’t allow authorities brought in stricter environmental people from the mainland or Iniskea North controls and laws, many whaling stations in work at the station. All the North islanders were that country had to cease operations and the left with was just a foul smell from the station. Norwegian whalers set their sights on other countries such as Ireland where the laws were Even in those days there were issues over less strict. That was how the first whaling wages and a worker strike eventually got wages increased to £1 per week STOP LOOKING & START which then was a very good wage considering that rent in the locality BOOKING! was about £5 per year. This led to a period of prosperity and a good living standard for the workers and FLLAYPTANEYORW! , their families. The year 1909 was a bonanza year for the station with 102 whales caught. The whale blubber and oil were exported back to Norway and bones and meat dried and milled into powder were also shipped to Norway for use as cattle meal and fertiliser. However only a few years British Travel now offer 2 forms of payment plans to later the number of whales caught suit everyone. You can pay off over 2 to 12 months. decreased significantly and by 1915 the Arranmore Whaling Company Lay by is available to anyone over the age of had fallen into heavy debt and had 18 years, including 457 or similar visa holders to cease operations. [email protected] Statistics show that during the station’s period of prosperity 125 1300 857 434 blue whales were harpooned off www.britishtravel.com.au Ireland at an average distance of 40 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Member: (AFTA) • ATAS - Member ABN 65 08 124 5098 66 | THE IRISH SCENE

Sin scéal agus whale eile! miles offshore. In the same period 600 fin whales were harpooned which was 66% of total landings. Only six humpback whales were harpooned which is 1% which shows that this species was rare in Irish waters. In the meantime, Capt. Lorenz Bruun who had a boat involved in the Arranmore Whaling enterprise had set up his own Norwegian Irish whaling station on the Mullet Peninsula in Blacksod Bay employing 20 Norwegians and 30 Irish men. When World War I broke out in 1914 it brought whaling to a standstill resulting in the Norwegians returning home and the station becoming a petrol base for the British Navy until the war ended in Still image from the film “Whaling Afloat 1918. Capt. Bruun had aspirations of trying to and Ashore” . revive his whaling operations after the War, but the station was in a poor state of repair followed by fin whales, blue whales and sperm and a large part of it was burned in 1923. It whales. There are records showing that a was alleged that local men who were refused number of humpback whales were killed by jobs started the fire. The following year on whaling companies off the South-West coast Christmas Day Capt. Bruun died and because during whaling activities. of lack of demand for whale blubber and oils, the company closed its doors which also As a footnote, a film crew from London came brought to an end Mayo’s days of to the County Mayo station and filmed the industrial whaling. whaling operation there titled ‘Whaling Afloat The setting up of the International Whaling and Ashore’. Commission in 1931 and the Whale Fishery Act 1937 in Ireland was also Join Oliver McNerney instrumental in ending Saturdays 3-5pm whaling. Despite the new laws Norwegian whalers ANYTHINGAn eclectic mix ofsome ofthe all still hunted minke whale GOES time great singers, past and present. and basking shark during VCA 88.5fm Featuring Irish & Australian artists, country music, the Summer offshore from songs from stage & Hollywood musicals, and 1966 to 1976 until the Wildlife great Irish Showbands from years gone by Act 1976 was introduced for further protection Call Oliver on 9297 1088 or for whales. text requests to 0450 459 217 To this day there are still whale sightings offshore in Ireland seen by such as the Blasket Island Echo Marine Tours on their trips especially 885fm.com.au Radio VCA is a not for profit local community station, the minke whale which are and is run entirely by volunteers aged 18-80+ the most common sightings THE IRISH SCENE | 67

THE FOURTH TTUHEESFDOAUYRBTOHOTKUCELSUDBAY BOOK CLUB MMeaeyts24fourthJMMuTae‘nPuyeeteh2ss2o4fd8soapuyrhthoorfTetusheT‘cePseBdhmnAaocysotepono’hftbbohteyhr,eepwJsrumceitelsohineancnetBehtxe’a,cdbiwerybdpityJh,tiutoCeloinxeacbcoBeielfipaaptiDriBodreen,rcastoeoyefmnbDtebeeepdcrre.ebmAsyebtTne7rtre.i.s3dAh0tbpD7ym.o3To0ripesmhy Dooey June 28 VeTnBuAe to be preIrsisehnCteludbbCyoCmemciitltieaeBRraoyom, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco Venue CAodIFnmrritesiasehcs.tCiAollnul bwCelocCFmoroemmneve.iet.AtnLeleleiwrgRMhetloacrooryemmfPre,eu.6srLch1iegmlThl,[email protected],v.caSidouaembndid.aTcceooaffaenedfcroofmfeethfreomBatrhe$2Bar $2 Admission Contact BLCOoOnvMenSerDMAaYry -PuJracemll,[email protected] Competition presentations BLOOMSDAY - James Joyce Literary Competition presentations To mark the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses, the AIHA will hold a celebratory event on June 16th, officially known world-wide as Bloomsday, after Leopold Bloom in Ulysses. At the event, the shortlisted entries from our com- petition will be staged as readings, drama, music and visual presentations by solo or groups. The overall winner will be chosen by popular vote on the night and will receive a cash prize. We thank ouTJsruhoTanomhdertujlai1usrr6dktsetihdtdc,haaoeeytfnof1iJtcr0ruisia0enltsFlheyrfaark1onnn6mnkoiawvoMtenu7rurws.rca3opor0rhymldpyop-mwfaetnithditdeeiopFnaurswabBnillillccobaeoetsmiosDnstadeogavfeylUi,dnlaya-fsGtseslrreaesLsa,esdtohinpegosAld,IHdBrAlaomowmaill, hold a celebratory event on May 24 in Ulysses. At the event, the music and visual presentations June 28 byIrsioslho oCrlugbroTuphse.aTtrhee, o6v1erTaollwwninsnheernwdilRl boeacdh,oSsuebnibaycopo(ptoulabrevocteononfirtmheendig)ht and will receive a cash Venue pWriBAezeeItHh.satAnEkmdoweumarrabddeijarusndi$dc2aret0os,rssNeFodrnam-nmkaleMemuorbrpehfreysma$na2dle5F.,rPianlnuccsleussdpeDesecvliilaginlh-IGtrirlsaehsfsrreasfhflme ents Admission Contact Dahttetps://www.TtrhyubrosdoakyinJgu.nceom16/BatZ7A.V30Upm Venue Irish Club Theatre, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco (to be confirmed) AIHA WebsiteAdmission Prizes AIHA members $20, Non-members $25, includes light refreshments Best Edwardian dressed male or female. Plus special Irish raffle Check our wBeoboskitienghsttps://ihritstphsh:e//rwitawgwe..ctroymbo.aouk/innegw.cso-mbl/oBgZ/AfoVrUa selection of exclusive interviews conducted by com- mittee member Gill Kenny and other articles of note. If you click on the interview with Aine Tyrrell you will arrive at our YouTube channAelI.HAAineWiserbeaslliyteinteresting - victim of domestic violence, successful singer, living in a bus and rearing 3 children. ShCehheacsk gourerawtepbesritsephetctptisv:/e/isrisohnhelirfietaagned.cohmad.aua/nreeawlsI-rbilsohg/cfhoratawseitlehcGtioilnl.oEfaesxtcelur sMivoenindtaeyrvAienwnsucaolnCdautcatelpda Commemo- ration was pbryofceosmsmiointtaelelymveidmeboedr GthililsKyeenanry. Tahned lointhkerwailrltibcleesonofonuortew. eIfbysoiutecaliscksoononthaesinatevraviileawblew.ith Aine Tyrrell Gisyllionaugnewdri,llPliavaritnrrigviceiinaataBorbuaurtstYoaonnudfTourrebatehricinshgann3enwcehl.mildAereminne.bSeisrhrefeeahalatlyusrignert.eeraetsptienrgsp-evcictitvimesoofndolifmeeasntidc violence, successful We thank had a real Irish chat The JOURNALwith Gill. Easter Monday Annual Catalpa Commemoration was professionally videod this year. The link will be on our website as soon as available. Members ofWAeIHthAanrekcGeiilvl ean4d ePdaittriiocinasBoraf ttthone fJooruthrinsanleewacmheymebaer.r Lfeaatteusret .edition for March 2022, Vol 31, No 1 is available. We CmnooawndterhibaavvuaetoilarasblMailbvceearaTmaionlarhbnybeeelmoreosu.faJorW3ifOlw0AeeeUdIyHnbieotRAsaowirrtNrseehJcAaofuervfloiLiveeJmeoaB4uMrlrieebnadaraayittlhirotyanhnnaoissdcfoh3yaf-0ertBhaeyaere.cnJaoWwormsuaeripontaifalnoilJntneoigcaujiocrpanuhnaartylnieenaaaadnlr@led.mxLiaroaoirstsefethsec2htvo,eeem0rdr0ipiytt0aiiolaignntreigttf.iloccearolsneMmiitnnai.tdraltceeuhh,xe2aoi0unf2tdeh2evo,xeVr.royalna3dr1ti,scNuleobtj1ietlceist, detail to be Non-membearusthcoarnapnudrcsuhbajseectcdoeptiaeilstoatb$e1m0 ade available on our website from May this year. We anticipate almost We thank GC2i,ol0ln0at0rnibtdiutlteoPsrasintcrtaihcneiaeinmBdaerixal .ettdoitnorfJourliethBirseanthenwacmh-eBmanbwearit [email protected] Non-members can purchase copies at $10 Coming Up Annual Mary DCuroacmk ilencgturUe pto be delivered by Patsy Millet, daughter of Dame Mary Durack, AC DBE Australian author and historianAA,un(ns1tur9aa1lli3aMn-aar1uy9thD9o4urr)aa.ncDkdahletiescttouisrrieasntu,o(b1bj9ee1c3dte-lti1ov9e9cre4od).nDbfiyarmtPeaaisttsisyounbMjeibllceyttt,IordicasouhngfhCirtmelurabtoiofinnDbaJymuIreliyshMoCarrluyAbuDinguruJausclkyt.,oAr CAuDguBsEt MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Due 1 January, 2022 Family membership $65 Concession (Centrelink and unwaged students with ID) $55 Distant (200 kms from Perth) $45 Membership fee includes tax deductible donation of $20 Members enjoy discounted rates to dinners and functions, exclusive events, quarterly Journal, voting rights, and opportunities to participate in activities which promote an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage 90-page Journal publication is issued free to members quarterly and available for purchase at $10. AIHA Committee President – Heather Deighan Treasurer/ Membership – Patricia Bratton Secretary – Tony Bray Committee – Peter Conole, Gayle Lannon, Diana MacTiernan, Julie Breathnach-Banwait, Gill Kenny Supported by a tier of volunteers. Please talk to us if you are interested in being involved in some way! 6P8lan|niTnHg aEndIRRIeSvHiewSCseEsNsioEn - we welcome input and ideas on the activities and direction of our Association

G’Day from Melbourne Back to Ireland BYMIKEBOWEN A fter my recent interview with Qantas CEO the late 60s. Later we sat back in Alan Joyce (Irish Scene, Vol 24 Issue 1) , the local to watch the Munster V The Dragons my son Jonathan and I took his advice rugby on their big screen and enjoy some and booked a holiday back to Ireland, and an Bulmer’s and Guinness just to wash down the outing to the Uk. scrumptious dinner. The A380 with its double deck was the perfect Rising to another fabulous sunny morning plane to fly on with its comfort, quietness and the four of us headed out the beautiful scenic space. Melbourne via Dubai to London and peninsula to Dingle, then on to Dun Caoin then, an Aer Lingus flight to Cork. Wearing at Slay Head, to visit the Old School from the masks was not as troublesome as expected, no famous movie (Ryan’s Daughter). While my problems going through check-ins or checking traveling companions were wondering around out on the other side. First morning we woke the area, I spent a few hours writing and with the perfect view from our hotel window shed some tears at the beauty of this place of the sun shining on the iconic Shandon. After and bore another heart ache at leaving my reacquainting with some friends and catching favourite place on this planet. A leisurely lunch up with Catrina Twomey at the Cork Penny and coffee back in Dingle and then another Dinners who I promised to help in some way, pitstop at the Connor Pass to be amazed by its we headed for Carrigrohane to visit the very beauty. Back in Tralee it was time to catch up unusual graveside of Rory Gallagher, Irelands with another old friend Ritchie Houlihan at his greatest blues guitarist. Jimmy Hendrix was quaint little bar in Rock St. Surprise surprise once asked what it was like to be the best Pat Falvey decided to join us for dinner at guitarist in the world, he replied, ‘you should one of Irelands finest top-class restaurants ask Rory Gallagher that’. With the sun still shining we drove to Kerry over the Cork and Kerry mountains, singing ‘Whiskey in the jar’. Our first stop in Kerry was to visit another friend, Cork man Pat Falvey, in his lofty home the Mountain Lodge in Beaufort. Pat was the first Irishman to climb the seven tallest mountains in the world, twice. Arriving in Tralee, it was time for a feast of bacon, ribs and cabbage along with smooth creamy mashed potatoes prepared by our host, Karl and Sheila Bullman who are very dear friends from way back in THE IRISH SCENE | 69

music. After three in Galway we head for Cork to catch a flight to London. Waking up to a sunny day in London we visit Abbey Road Studio and walk on the famous crossing, just me this time no Beatles. Next stop a ‘quick’ Cassidy’s in the heart of Tralee. I give them a lunch at the world’s first Hard Rock Cafe that 100% for food and service, a must go to and opened in 1971. The only rain we get (two hours) eat place. in three weeks falls at this time and turns out to be a blessing in disguise. We get talking to Saturday produced another sunny day as we Delia Lees, an amazing lady and one of the bid farewell to friends and Kerry. With the new original Hard Rock waitresses who knows all its roadways the drive to Galway was a breeze. stories and secrets. She loved to dance to the Galway must be the in place in Ireland with its music of Marvin Gay when she started at the many great restaurants, Bars, Coffee cafes and restaurant and at 84 she is still light on her feet. shopping. If you visit Galway, be sure to call in Her late husband was from Sydney and they to Mc Swiggans for the best Seafood Chowder have a son Toby, once a lawyer now a divestor in Ireland and I promise, you will drop in again priest. Where do you get your energy and and again for more. On March 7th Jonathan wonderful personality from I asked her. ‘I’m of and I were dinner guest at my long-time Irish stock, from Kerry,” she said. Journalist friend, Charley Brady birthday along with his partner Paula M. O Carroll who is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Ashford Castle also joining us was Francis Casey, a board member of Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity, who do exceptional work, supporting families through childhood cancer. One of the many highlights when strolling through the crowded streets of Galway is, to watch and listen to the amazing talents of the many buskers, filling the air with such joyous Paddington Bear time A tube from Paddington to Euston to catch a train to Liverpool, but not before dropping into Paddington Bears den to pick up some of his siblings for some grandchildren back home and in Japan. I couldn’t avoid the temptation of a special photo of yours truly, to show that sometimes I can behave like a child myself. Liverpool used to be known as a slice of Ireland with the many Irish who migrated there over the years. All that changed when the Beatles emerged and gave Liverpool a new identity. Jonathan and I visit Strawberry fields, Penny Lane and The Cavern to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the musicial memories off my youth. The Magical Mystery Bus Tour was the 70 | THE IRISH SCENE

G’Day from Melbourne perfect way to visit all the iconic Beatles spots, to wear masks a true Bucket List item ticked off. the audience sang through Next is Old Trafford to watch Manchester the entire United play Tottenham Hotspurs. Expectations concert adding weren’t high as United had lost 4-1 to their an electric crosstown rivals Man City the previous week. atmosphere Thankfully this game turned out to be one of to the night. United’s best games of the year, beating Spurs Encores were 3-2. Jonathan and I feel lucky and thankful to called for many be there for a hat trick by Christiano Ronaldo, times. Spending some quite time a win for United and another magic golden with the George, Eddie and the other members memory for us. We returned to United’s home of the band after the show was the perfect way ground to watch them play Atletico Madrid to end an amazing day. but sadly, the magic of the previous Saturday ended badly One nil against a boring defensive With a bag full of amazing memories from Atletico side. a totally perfectly planned holiday, all credit to Jonathan for his patience in making this, Next day, St Patrick’s day eve and we catch a holiday wish of a lifetime happen. When the train to London for a flight back to Cork leaving Ireland, I always hope this won’t be and dinner with old friends. Another late night me my last time. My near-death experience turned into early hours morning reminiscing of of February 22 last year gave me a reason not old times. to waste time thinking of what might happen later. Take time to live, before time takes you. St Patricks day in Cork was an opportunity Until next time be good to those who love you to make up for the last few years of lost and Slainte from Melbourne. celebrations and the city and its people grabbed the chance. Later it was time for a train ride to Dublin for Saturdays Triple Crown game decider, between Ireland and Scotland at Aviva Stadium. Our front row tickets are thanks to our very good friend Jim Geraghty, Heineken’s marketing manager, who got them from a friend for us. We deeply appreciated this act of kindness and to see Ireland slam Scotland 26-5 to win the Triple Crown. Another amazing memory for our treasure box. After a panicked two hours to get to Vicar Street theatre from the stadium we arrive two minutes before George and Eddie Furey take to the stage. The boys had two front row balcony seats waiting for us, fine seats for a fine performance. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands from the first note struck. Unhampered by the need THE IRISH SCENE | 71

G’day from Gary Gray AUSTRALIA’S AMBASSADOR IN IRELAND Stay up to date with Zelenskyy briefs Irish Parliament what’s happening in as Australian Embassy responds to the Australian Embassy, Ukrainian Crisis Ireland by following: @ausembire Australian On Wednesday 6th April, I was pleased to be present when Ukrainian President Embassy, Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint sitting of the Irish parliament, which was also Ireland attended by 45 members of the diplomatic corps in Ireland. @AusEmbIre President Zelensky thanked Ireland for its support, saying “You did not doubt starting to help us, you began doing this right away and although you are a neutral Right: The Ukranian flag is flying country, you have not remained neutral to the disaster and to the mishaps that Russia next to the Australian flag outside has brought to Ukraine. Thank you for the humanitarian and financial support the Australian Embassy on extended to our country and thank you for your caring about Ukrainian people who St Stephens Green. Opposite page, from top: found shelter on your land.” Ambassador Gray (centre) met with Ruslan Mocharskyy (co-owner of the President Zelensky called on Ireland to show Art of Coffee Dublin - right) and Kirk more leadership. “I would like to ask you to Richards (Chemist Warehouse - left) convince EU partners to introduce more rigid to see off four pallets of pharmacy sanctions against Russia to make sure the supplies to Ukraine. Russian war machine will stop. We have to put an Zelensky addresses Dail for end to trading with Russia. We have to cut ties of Ambassador Gary Gray column on the Russian banks to the global system and cut page 72/73. the sources of their income from oil that they use for their weapons and killing. Russia is targeting sea ports and food storage depots to use hunger as a weapon against the people of Ukraine.” President Zelensky concluded saying “Our courage has already turned the new age of relationship between Ukraine and Ireland. Our mutual understanding and mutual respect is already at a level where it becomes only a question of time for us to start living in our common European house. Thank you for the support of the accelerated procedure to provide membership in the EU to Ukraine. With your support, it will be even faster and beneficial to both nations. So, let’s bring our efforts together. And let’s show that Ukraine and Ireland jointly can do much more than what the biggest country of the world was trying to destroy. I am grateful to Ireland. Slava Ukraini.” Responding to President Zelensky, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said that Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine. “We are a militarily neutral country. However, we are not politically neutral in the face of war crimes. 72 | THE IRISH SCENE

G’DAY FROM GARY GRAY Quite the opposite. Our position is informed by the provisions and toothpaste; as well as 40 walkie- principles that drive our foreign policy - support talkies and 10kg of AAA batteries, rechargeable for international human rights, for humanitarian batteries and battery charging packs to aid law and for a rules-based international order. We communications on the ground. are not neutral when Russia disregards all of these principles. We are with Ukraine.” The Australian embassy in Ireland flies the Ukrainian flag. We stand with Ukraine. Taoiseach Martin said Ireland supports Ukraine’s application for European Union membership. The Hon Gary Gray AO “Ireland has committed €20 million euro in direct humanitarian funding, delivered through proven Australian Ambassador to Ireland international agencies active on the ground, and will do more. As well as financial support, through WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A a collaborative effort we are in the process of WONDERFUL 2022. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL delivering medical equipment including ambulances, MEDIA, STAY IN TOUCH. ultrasound machines, mobile x-ray machines, ventilators and incubators. Ireland has contributed our full share to the European Peace Facility’s €1bn assist package to Ukraine.” Taoiseach Martin continued, “That is why Ireland has contributed our full share to the European peace facility’s €1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine. We have also supplied provisions and body armour to the Ukrainian military.” Opposition leader (Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein) said Russia should be prosecuted for human-rights violations against Ukrainian civilians. “These are crimes against the Ukrainian people and these are crimes against humanity, and Russia must be held accountable for its barbarism and justice must be done. These human-rights violations and grave breaches of the Geneva Convention demand investigation by the International Criminal Court and prosecutions to follow.” In the days following the address, Ireland engaged in a discussion around the status of Russian diplomats in Ireland and Irish diplomats in Russia. To support our local Ukrainian community, the Australian Embassy in Ireland has been working closely with Irish and Australian partners, Chemist Warehouse, Glen Dimplex and Harvey Norman to respond to the crisis in Ukraine. This has included the provision of sending four pallets of pharmacy products ranging from shampoo and conditioner, sanitary THE IRISH SCENE | 73

Patrick “I was born during a snowstorm in Whalen New York” Patrick Whalen was born in 1945. 96th Street in Manhattan at the Church of He is from New York and his grandparents the Holy Name on the 6th of June 1915. emigrated to the US from Tipperary and Cork. They had three girls and one boy, Mike I’m Patrick Francis Whalen the third, because Ryan. They all stayed in the New York my dad was Patrick Francis, and his dad was area. Michael Ryan was the only one of them Patrick Francis. I was born during a snowstorm in that didn’t live in an apartment building. When New York, which I don’t remember, but my mom he got married, he moved to Bergenfield, New told me about it. And I grew up on the Upper Jersey and actually had a house and we were West Side of Manhattan, right on the outskirts of just amazed. He was the only one we knew that Harlem at a place called 180 Claremont Avenue. lived in a house, not an apartment building. All my cousins and I grew up in apartment buildings On my dad’s side, his parents are born in the [in the] ‘50s and ‘60s. My mom was living in the States, but his grandparents were born in Bronx at the time she came to visit [me in King Ireland. My grandparents from Ireland had my Island, Tasmania]. Now funny thing about King mom. Martin Ryan and Mary - Molly that’s what Island is there are more people living in my mom’s everybody called her- Kelly. My grandmother was apartment building than lived on King Island at from County Cork. And my grandfather [Papa] was the time. She just couldn’t believe, it’s the most from Tipperary. remote she’s ever been. But she backed a winner on the King Island Cup, so that made her happy. A family in New York City sent a ticket [to Ireland] for a passage for Papa’s sister Maggie, who’s about [My grandmother] used to make the best Irish four years younger. She was to be their nanny, soda bread I’ve ever had. The other thing I so she was going to New York to be a nanny. remember her for - and I never could eat it - was However, Maggie had been procrastinating and her black pudding. Oh, my grandfather used to the ticket had been sitting on the dresser for a hoe into the black pudding! I couldn’t take it. while. Papa returned home one evening after a I lived with them for quite a while. My parents particularly long and gruelling day working in the split up. I lived with my grandparents and my peat moss fields. He went to the drawer and said mom and my brother at 180 Claremont Avenue in that he had enough of this and took it and then Manhattan. [It was near] Riverside Church, which left for New York City. I don’t know if Papa had to has a big bell tower. Some of the nicest memories work for them as a nanny for a while. I can’t see I have as a kid is listening to the bells on Christmas him doing that job! morning playing Christmas carols. It was amazing. They had the largest tuned bell in the world there. He [Papa] migrated on the Cedric which is owned by the same line that had the Titanic. The Cedric My grandfather used to fly back to Ireland every left from Liverpool and stopped in County Cork other year. I said to him once, when I was visiting and that’s where my grandfather got on at from Australia, ‘When are you going to come down Queenstown and then went on to New York. He and visit us in Australia?’ And he said, ‘Oh, glory was a labourer in Ireland. And then in the States, be to God, you want me to fly halfway around the he became a bus driver on the Fifth Avenue bus world?’ He had an Irish brogue right up to the day line. He faithfully bought Irish sweepstakes tickets he died. It’s as if he got off the boat yesterday. all the time. I remember that. I [attended] Corpus Christi primary school, on [Papa] and his friend went on a double date with 121st Street between Broadway and Amsterdam two women. And at the end of the date, they Avenue. At lunchtime, for us to play, we didn’t have switched partners. So my grandfather got my a playground. The school was built on top of the Nana. I believe my grandmother was actually church. The police would come 10 minutes before older than my grandfather. We used to tease her our lunchtime and put barricades up on the street. about robbing the cradle. They got married on And so we were able to play on the street except if it was raining we didn’t or snowing. My three best friends when I was in primary school, by the time I had finished high school two 74 | THE IRISH SCENE

From Home to Home: Oral Histories of Seniors in WA of them were dead from drug overdoses. That’s a “My grandmother used to sort of neighbourhood I grew up in. My dad never make the best Irish soda went to college, neither did my mom, in fact none bread I’ve ever had” of my aunts or uncles ever went, the only one is my dad’s brother. He went through and he ended certificate. I came by plane on a Qantas flight. up being a school principal. April 21 1972. I flew from New York. This is before they came out with the 747SP, special We spent every summer, first at Rockaway Beach. performance. So the plane had to land in Hawaii And then when they destroyed Rockaway Beach to refuel and then continue from Hawaii to by putting up projects, we moved to Long Beach. Melbourne over 24 hours. But I was very lucky insofar as I never had to spend a summer in New York City. We always Well, during [my first year in Australia], I played went to the beach for the summer. Rockaway was with a touring team. We gave coaching clinics in predominantly Irish, very, very Irish. Rockaway the afternoon, and we played exhibition games Beach was called the Irish Riviera because of against the state team at night. And part of the the volume of Irish people. Rockaway Beach is tour was a ten day tour of Tasmania. I just fell in amazing, growing up there. We leave the house in love with the place, the opposite, diametrically the morning, my cousins and I, and we wouldn’t opposed to New York City. New York’s very intense, come back to lunchtime. We’re just out playing you know, it’s packed. And so when my one year all the time. We played baseball, stickball, playing contract was up with the team rather than stay games on the beach. My cousins and I grew up for a second year, I moved to Tasmania and I together almost as one. stayed in Tasmania for 19 years. I moved to WA because my-ex wife brought the kids over here. I I left New York in 1959 to go to a junior seminary. started teaching in Lesmurdie Senior High School, That’s when I graduated from Corpus Christi then Trinity, then I taught at Broome Senor High primary school. From there I went to Don Bosco School for five years, and then took a position at College and got a Bachelor of Arts with a major Prendiville Catholic College. in philosophy. But always loving mathematics as much as I did, I went back and did some summer ‘I do feel a strong attachment to Ireland’ I’ve been courses to upgrade myself to be a mathematics to the Irish Club, the Claddagh Association. I keep teacher, which I have done since 1968. I began in mind Blooms Day. St. Patty’s Day is always a teaching in a Salesian High School, Dominic Savio special day for me. Believe it or not, [the parade is] High School in East Boston, Massachusetts, or as bigger in New York than in Dublin. One year, the the people there used to say, ‘Easta’ Boston. It’s a Lord Mayor of Dublin actually attended St. Patty’s predominantly Italian neighbourhood. Then when Day in New York as the guest of honour. The I left the Salesian Congregation I did some relief dividing line on Fifth Avenue is painted green. And teaching in New York. the parade goes right up along Fifth Avenue. And it terminates near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In 1972, my cousin Ken Grant, very well-known basketball player, he just came back from a tour in [I have] a sense of pride about my Irish heritage Australia. I think they were sponsored by Levi’s, they but [feel] more Australian than American. One travelled around, they’d give coaching clinics and year on Thanksgiving Day, my cousins and [I] we’re then play games. And he said to me, ‘Pat, you know, all on email saying, ‘How’s Thanksgiving Day?’ I I really think you would enjoy Australia’. He said, said ‘One of the things I’m most thankful for in my ‘For one thing, they have a shortage of experienced life was Ken giving me the idea about moving to math/science teachers, for another thing, they really Australia’. And Ken emailed back and says, ‘Yeah, need basketball people with basketball ability’. And but your mom wouldn’t speak to me for four I was a reasonable player and I was the assistant months after that’. varsity coach in a state championship team. He gave me the address of someone in Melbourne Patrick was interviewed by Claddagh and I wrote and expressed my interest in coming to volunteer Tina O’Connor. Tina is from Australia and they said, ‘Yes, we’ll take you, we’ll fly High Wycombe, UK and has spent time in you over for one year, we’ll find you a teaching job Cloneygowan, Co. Offaly, the homeplace of and you coach us. If you stay with us for two years, her late husband, Emmet. we’ll fly you back to the States’. It took me a couple of months to get my visa straight. I have to have a chest X ray to prove I [don’t have] tuberculosis. And I had to be fingerprinted. And then I got a good conduct THE IRISH SCENE | 75

Its been a nifty fifty Fred It is difficult to imagine what the Irish Returning to Ireland? community of Perth might look like today if Fred Rea had never left his native Cork city. ‘Irish We can help you by birth, Western Australian by choice’, his words, with the move! equally proud of both parts of his life. As soon as he arrived on April 28 1972 Fred started having an Contact our impact on those around him and he still does to Sales Team on this day. Before long he was the newest member (08) 9243 0808 of the Quarefellas folk group, who continue to perform to this day! Sometimes at venues and Quick, functions around WA you might see a man on Efficient & stage with his guitar by the name of Patrick Hooligan who looks and sounds suspiciously Reliable like him. Amongst many other things he had a hand in the Air, Sea & Road Transport founding of the Irish Theatre Players, the creation of the legendary and the former legendary www.aiexpress.com.au Blarney Castle and is behind several albums, books and even a play about Martin O’Meara Victoria Cross (Under any old Gum tree). Making connections and friendships comes easily for this gregarious character but meeting and marrying Lily here, who has been with him every step of the way and with who he has a beautiful and talented family, completed his new life. Scores of people and groups will, and have marked the special occasion of Fred’s 50th Musical Entertainer / Teacher David MacConnell 0413 259 547 [email protected] www.maccdouble.com 76 | THE IRISH SCENE

anniversary or have reason to Nifty fifty Fred celebrate it. You would need a special edition of Irish Scene to publication. I wanted to get involved try and get it all in. Indeed, there and thankfully Fred was open to the would be no Irish Scene without idea. That was about thirteen years him. A printer – compositor ago. As well as working alongside in fact – by trade Fred joined Fred I would also sit down with Lilly, forces with the late Joe Crozier, a sometimes for hours, correcting teacher, to publish the first copy typos and mistakes and putting the of Irish Scene for the visit of the then President of Ireland Mary finishing touches on the magazine McAleese to Australia in 1998. just before it went to the printers, Irish Scene has been published Vanguard, in Northbridge. It was every two months since then. a team effort, and still is. It is now three years since Fred and Lily As a journalist emigrating trusted Imelda and me to carry on to Perth without a job or the magazine. Thank’s Fred. For any connections it was a revelation to quickly discover the locally produced A View of the River Lee in Cork City, Ireland. THE IRISH SCENE | 77

Irish Choir Perth We opened our last article with the idea that Term 1 of the Irish Choir Perth would be either a great work of fact, or a great work of fiction. The reality was something that fell in the middle. We had optimistically pencilled in a multitude of events across Perth and even down South. Fiction indeed! So far our performance count is at zero! However, despite the challenges that Covid posed, we were able to run almost every rehearsal session we had planned – a thing that counts as mildly heroic these days! To keep the show going we mixed up our rehearsal space – some were held outdoors, others indoors at the Irish Club, and one that turned out to be particularly special. In late March the choir decided to have an outdoor rehearsal at Kings Park to have a break from singing indoors while wearing masks. It was a perfect Perth evening and we arrived in time to see the sun setting over the city. What we hadn’t realised when we planned our outdoor rehearsal was that The Project was in town for the week and filming from Kings Park, which meant it little busier than usual for a Wednesday evening with Perth locals coming along to watch the show in a truly live format. However, we Giving YOU the power! didn’t allow ourselves to get too distracted and set up a short distance away to get on with the ☘ Electrical important business of singing. As we practiced ☘ Air Conditioning passers-by became an impromptu audience, ☘ TV Antennas with a few stopping to listen for a bit, giving us ☘ Internet & NBN a smile and a nod as they set off again. Once darkness had fully descended, the light from powerbizelectrical.com.au the flame of remembrance drew us in and we Gerard Clonan 045 12 555 13 moved to sing our final songs of the evening at the memorial. Once we had finished the warmth [email protected] of the flame was matched by the warmth of ARC: L146035 tea (and freshly baked biscuits!) that two of EC: 14360 our thoughtful members had brought along to share with everyone. It’s easy to take for granted 78 | THE IRISH SCENE sometimes how beautiful our city is and how many wonderful outdoor spaces there are to be enjoyed. But our session at King’s Park has sown a seed of inspiration and thoughts about how else we can bring together our Irish choir and some famous Perth landmarks….watch this space! In the meantime, we are, as always, welcoming new members to our sessions on Wednesday nights, 7pm at the Irish Club of WA – Join in, Sing!

Comhaltas New Comhaltas Perth Website Launched CCE Perth is delighted to launch its new website at https://perthcomhaltas.com.au/home It includes information on the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil competition, Bickley Music Camp Weekend in addition to details on CCE Perth membership and contact information. UPCOMING CCE PERTH EVENTS Bickley Camp Open Day (6-8 May 2022) CCE Perth Fleadh Cheoil 2022 CCE Perth will be hosting its first outdoor camp The Fleadh Cheoil event will take place at the of 2022 at Bickely outdoor recreation centre Irish Club, WA on Saturday 21 May 2022 at 10am. from 6 – 8 May 2022. The camp will include The event will host a series of competitions for all language, music and dancing workshops over traditional music instruments and song. the course of the weekend. The competition includes many instrument The weekend will start with a Friday night categories. If your instrument is not listed on Entry session in the main hall with multiple Form (which can be obtained from the below instrument workshops taking place from Comhaltas email contact), please let us know Saturday morning onwards. Saturday will and we will add it to the list – everyone welcome. conclude with evening dinner followed by an Winners in each category will be awarded a open session. Everyone welcome. trophy. CCE Perth Membership Beginner players are very welcome, and there are different age categories for those under 18. Comhaltas welcome and encourage aspiring Please check our CCE Perth Facebook page for musicians of all ages and levels to get in touch. future updates and feel free to get in touch via Members of our committee will be able to assist email should you have any queries regarding the in the many areas of Irish music, song, dance event. A member of our committee will be able and language, whether that be learning the to provide you with the Fleadh Cheoil Entry Form bodhran, to gain an understanding of sheet and Competition Rules. music and common tunes played at the Irish sessions, the basics of Irish language and set Please get in touch either via email at dancing, amongst many more. [email protected] or the branches Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ perthcomhaltas/. We would love to hear from you. Monday night lessons at The Irish Club 61 Comhaltas Membership Details Townshend Rd, Subiaco WA, 6008 Comhaltas member:........................................$5.00 (lessons session every Monday at 7pm at the Non-member:.......................................................$10.00 Irish Club, WA). Yearly membership: Slow session 2pm to 4pm every Third Sunday of the Month (no charge) at The Victoria Park Pensioner:........................................................... $20.00 Arts Centre Kent Street, East Victoria Park, 6101 Child:....................................................................... $20.00 Music Weekend 6 – 8 May 2022 Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp Family:................................................................... $65.00 Hardinge Rd, Orange Grove WA, 6109 Adult single:....................................................... $40.00 Adult (couple):.................................................. $55.00 THE IRISH SCENE | 79

Book Reviews bWyilPl aTualbaiXthibaegrreatsthe correct result? bHyePrea,uTlaheXriebearnradsEverywhere HOUSE OF Pierre’s Not CORRECTION There BY NICCI FRENCH BY URSULA DUBOSARSKY Sean French and Nicci Gerard, the authors This story has long that together make been a desire for Ursula up the moniker, Nicci Dubosarsky. It had its French are feeling the origins in when she constricts of COVID visited Paris 30 or 40 on their craft with years ago and literally their book House of walked backstage Correction had to be into a puppet show. launched online. Since that time she has yearned to write a I’m delighted to story about puppets. fnsaTwSThOcTthabanlooreohhhrndeaoeeeixhtegnnaeeecaduelevfpaeohdnkeknrxdlwasbrbtfrgpletoeeutstudatoeetorelrhcfhlnohjt.itnuocrnuttaihehirdneayeuitssetoioetTunrrnhiticNotntsrsatscahdeaasrhfiseavshwpecemsrsrmueeileoacstioswchisrtlef.ipnimtafyhuuteaChcibatntniaslTnnyrerehrlePaiodpcalsearaamlleSfehicysrlemnkedtaeeAmitu.pepnovanreangessayelalonlraTnntioaaSudaahvfcalioThwsnCdsnnCNtitiIenngoeCeFlatS’kntehuwthsdfdmTosdmaiihoreoycoleertaewege.awntsenaahpgorcappnalApodrnTtyrraelarhivb.tsownsrlaaefiseiehsceraumggaseoBfiCeynrondcitnhlatxbFyteriskemtcistdeahghetremdeidhtoiidwrtnhhtaotioryowhsecyettshrNasootkrrehneiarthhdnnpihheaeowtheinnweslserioloosccthelfaedaeeetesdltlfiradeuhgcytsatanehiwehaitenhyyarveei.styacrCdeaevnoaidahuoucsbeusnTaesttqlyehwlnonpehigtheadhhihthntmitorstadhftuarerhhollyheheevgrieelo.oeaiiiehyitbdgrAsiasNieyscnifnTosastsvtuletSearfrhephitghodiihciishaettvntrcdtygsoealgeoaael,eeaiipsgceTaobihatseacteftelrirannnihhcirharuyatecotnfysahynirnhedGenoeaantssugafcltttpenuseaontadthTtmcswoewttiioCollShonatgssthleuapltvhurtahraspvyhmetahOeNtehiedsffiyterarlnneulelseoi.reritidmaiaorilxachldiilwioilimsTssladlapcgdnrfctecree,ofainafwosatiinhenrhh.erlcirltsennmnlrwftgshdtewrioaeCqdotenaltaiiehs.iaehhdufwipxuea.nmgrniysywtaaneeerCetteretiha.ded.eeithayeo.irOcouBdresydryapoptcetordVad.hnyyinrottnryooaaIldhnpaeDsgerfiheuflttsbasts.ovaaoclseuaitrotlvnnhicltmirofsSIhAswamltTpattrmLeaohifoaoananehhhftwlesghancgolatfuohtltuegheioiaoeaoieeerentcetfarrtstetawupeseoioehkhhlatynihrretmowiirihgefhspsenrphbihpelbinanegimchioenetgheatanasofaiedlhtieiroaefntehnroeevonncawgoahnuedtutrtasrpelohvlfhSeegehlrtegdgeittitPiehstaisfnanekarsnbeohotwstesoolleethtbihtmanahnyBtlogejuetrroihsurhw,eahhtcancouwresayhdaitesertremkeoaesshuoeleawkaraattnrosgosantmeeataseepfhfbairtLrtrrnhls.leeansuloaiytorelmlo.s.ntatsulPidefAoydaetuipsutgtighegorpucLnsthmgtinyitdnndghpebenrsreowprlaatdiweaieeehimtaoiweaeiterltetrsfartr.msdhyerfrorcfextnaoloriycaRTr.h,iahefkotoaenietomihdhtHasrnhtnimieidaainCfHtosaosrsstoetloamivedilncoothoTholhgnenpsoPniaiwtaohitckrWuieabixosWdrnPiLepsekoonTrRf.iertisssAlpbeReoaspayadiieotgtavumcicawtaTthrteInttheglsienilsilhwiTtehtnlirotoninrlonlponueesodhseeerdhhehhrerer,rhoomeirohredgidigopnreuae,sssditatattoaNernpeiieuafenhbeahciceyttegnehtstfytrnwnennih.ghiootrpihswPaorbvtcshidsisigbatdeso.fiobnngiictshsiaergiHsuatdstetmesnSiksitghohmeoetoeihthngHtrottroith.tbioanoieronyerrsegenphumoweyTdoretwyoeratcthde,ocareobdhahyruwfrhhaemhePhe.dlodwdyay..erttPstetupoyatparthIohSaaTOhad?irosn.stnukatsweotniheeLibphellarFhenenasnr.uedSoeatsaorcmeilpldnehphersohOsrtoepefggrtthryom,lffd,ateenaewotehpri,to3eowtmtaeaniuomirpcgnweidmfPohao0pbsinodktatsnuisarlsroasmeluohbitnegpeievotopasethnhehsghtatphuelrdetchirlaorprevBkonioosoenlpnajaaroeerssetels4oun.weeehelseenrwenens.dirnrdtt.p0grTemegaisrsistshbh.Itahaso.Hnraatbte.h.ufotsayFotabtihceloInahliiylaeietgheenodesdlcLnensualrHyrlsrtsioednamooheoadtscktaeLesiihswthhrwsmeslsrmcrdmtteaeesyhaueoiyrhahesrtfdreapiotrhaanereaachmgtsanaiytaigmvihinshheohsnfrinswoponoioegnerestieitppelloigereerhyvstaieoanssUsdeehiahnhasaiendriwlPradttalsorsdsooaottssiadioshuoelnnftipaprewhkatatlgrgbpeahorhmuisatrneeeyreaeiewpttDatgaioedhneltlptLfliypruuonlteed a misfit, an outsider who does not fit into the When Pierre does find his grandmother his family community, so it is not a surprise when she is magically transform too, alive after being eaten by accused of murdering a man in her house. the wolves. It is at this point that Lara returns home. We learn that the murdered man was her former Was it a dream? She is told by her mother that the teacher who took advantage of her during her school old man who had the house she is cleaning had years. In the course of the book Tabitha sacks her kept puppets. His family had been killed in the lawyer and attempts to argue her case alone. war. The man was the boy Pierre, whom Lisa had House of Correction by Nicci French is out now accompanied on the search for his grandmother. A published by Simon and Schuster. toenail reminds her of the validity of her experiences. 80 | THE IRISH SCENE

Book Reviews The war is possibly a metaphor for the wolves Pierre Interspersed with chapters of island life, Magee has told her killed his family. inserted bulletin like vignettes focusing on 1979 Irish atrocities, including the Mullaghmore assassination The book demonstrates with Lara’s transformation of Lord Mountbatten. In this, her second novel, into a dog/wolf that we cannot blame individual Magee, with her luminous, lyrical prose has produced people from a nation for what has gone before and a thought provoking work of stunning beauty and we should be able to trust again. deep insight. In addition, The Colony more than captures the only outcome worth emanating from The book is given a resolution where Pierre, now any fine novel; after the final page has turned the absent from the house, and like the title says ‘not reader is left with resonating thoughts and a sense there’ is reunited with his grandmother and of wonderment. This beautifully realized fable is family again. an expertly woven portrait of character and place confronting aspects of our disappearing cultural Pierre’s Not There by Ursula Dubosarsky is out now heritage. The Colony is a work which will undoubtly published by Allen and Unwin. feature prominently in the year’s literary plaudits and prizes. - Reviewed by John Hagan. THE COLONY See Q&A with Audrey Magee BY AUDREY MAGEE / ALLEN& UNWIN $29.99 THE CANE The unnamed Gaeltacht BY MARYROSE island, ‘three miles CUSKELLY / ALLEN & long and half a mile UNWIN $32.99 wide’, lies just off the Co Mayo coast. It In Mackay (Queensland) boasts a population on 21 March, 1972, 14 year of 92, comprising just old Marilyn Wallman twelve families who left home on her bike mostly speak a dialect to catch the school bus. of Carrowteige Irish. Soon after, her brothers The first visitor, on found her schoolbag that fateful summer and abandoned cycle of 1979, is an English by the roadside. traditional landscape artist, known only as Marlyin was never seen Mr Lloyd. He has come to paint the island’s wild again and the reason beauty, birdlife and soaring cliffs with the intention for her disappearance has never of exhibiting these works in his forthcoming been identified. In 2018, Maryrose Cuskelly was London exhibition. He also wishes to impress his awarded the New England Thunderbolt Prize for estranged, art-dealer wife in the hope of winning Crime Writing for her essay, Well before dark, which back her affections. Shortly after Lloyd’s landfall, a focused on Wallman’s vanishing. With The Cane, second visitor, Jean-Pierre Masson, arrives. Masson, Cuskelly has now returned to some of the themes popular with the islanders, is a French linguist who is from that essay as the basis for her first foray into returning to complete a thesis he has been working fiction. Set in North Queensland during the early on for the past five years. He specializes in ‘languages 1970s, Barbara McClymont scours the cane fields threatened with extinction’ and is endeavouring near the (fictional) town of Quala for her 16 year old to preserve and protect the ‘ancient and beautiful’, daughter, Janet, who has been missing for weeks Carrowteige dialect. The two visitors, neither of after leaving home to babysit a neighbour’s children. whom suspected the presence of the other, are soon The police have no leads and Quala is enveloped in drawn in to interpersonal conflict over turf supplies, an atmosphere of suspicion, impatience, distrust accommodation, language and local traditions. and dread. Children of the town sense a malevolent The islanders, welcoming, reserved, patient and presence, with Janet being the second child who has, hospitable, differ in their thoughts and responses seemingly, died in mysterious circumstances. Senior to the two warring interlopers, while having their constable, Carmel Maitland (one of the novel’s three own ideas on what in their environment is worth narrators) is sent to investigate and is puzzled that cherishing. On the island we meet family matriarch, during the month following Janet’s disappearance pipe smoking, Bean Ui Fhloinn, her daughter Bean the police investigation has turned up so little – no Ui Neill, who caters for the two visitors together with body, no witnesses and no likely suspects. Maitland her daughter, the beautiful Mairead, who models starts to compile her own ‘persons of interest’ list for Lloyd and sometimes slips in to Masson’s bed. which includes Janet’s boyfriend, Joe Cassar, teacher Lloyd discovers that Mairead’s son James, who wants Eamonn Sullivan and his housemate, Peter Parslow. to leave the island, displays a natural aptitude for Of course Maitland cannot overlook the fact that painting and he promises to take James to London Janet might have engineered her own vanishing act. to exhibit his art and enroll him in art school. THE IRISH SCENE | 81

Book Reviews As the burning of the cane eventually commences, trusted professions. Coper, in his exploration of smoke and tensions escalate exposing Quala’s dark the topic, gently leads the reader on an absorbing heart. Cuskelly skillfully depicts the cane fields as historical journey commencing in Ancient Greece treacherous and menacing while exemplifying and ending in the very halls of our own parliaments the latent misogyny, parochialism and narrow- thousands of years later. All the way from Socrates mindedness associated with 1970s Queensland to Scomo, so to speak. The relatively recent outback life. She also introduces something of the development of computers and the ever expanding violent history of the cane fields replete with the internet heralded an era of unfettered access and itinerant island workers who toil away during the opportunity to quickly spread disinformation. Coper harvest season. Cuskelly deftly exposes the racial explains how this malaise has arisen leading to a tensions and small-town intrigue fermenting under fractured society, how (and why) disinformation is the thin veneer of Quala. If you enjoyed reading so difficult to combat, and what we (consumers) Wimmera and/or The Dry, you will relish this can do to prevent its seemingly rampant spread in atmospheric, zingy, outback mystery. - Reviewed by Australia. The media too, in all its myriad of forms, John Hagan. cops Coper’s forensic scrutiny to reveal how many self interested actors (shock jocks and news paper FACTS* AND proprietors included) operate from the same dark OTHER LIES and deluded playbook in order to deflect and deceive. Thankfully, the disinformation malignancy BY ED COPER / challenging modern society can be tackled (and ALLEN& UNWIN defeated), as Coper outlines how we can defy and $32.99 defuse the disinformation imbroglio. This book is arguably essential reading for anyone wanting to cut ‘Just remember, through the increasing, unbridled hype before we are what you’re seeing all condemned to disappear down the disinformation and what you’re sink hole. But then, do we really care? - Reviewed by reading is not John Hagan. what’s happening’ – President Donald 56 DAYS J. Trump. And he should know! BY CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD / CORVUS Coper welcomes $29.99 us to the ‘disinformation age’, Budding architect, with ‘disinformation’, according to the author being Oliver, meets statements/information deliberately designed to computer assistant, deceive, as opposed to misinformation, which may Ciara, in the self- be merely unintentional. Armed with this definition, service queue of I immediately flicked to the index to search for a Dublin Tesco ‘Morrison’, and I was not disappointed. There he was, supermarket. Both acclaimed with a dossier of 27 ‘significant lies and have recently arrived falsehoods’, and cited in the good company of D J in the city; she from Trump (credited with 20 falsehoods for each day Co. Leitrim, and he of his presidency), YouTube, Rupert Murdoch, Craig from England. That Kelly, Alan Jones and Russia’s Internet Research encounter was 56 Agency - to name but a few. We all know that days ago, the same politicians lie; they rank as one of Australia’s least week COVID-19 reached Ireland’s shores. Soon, initial 82 | THE IRISH SCENE

Book Reviews attraction gives rise to a promising relationship the eyes of Oliver, Ciara, Riordan), Howard skillfully and three weeks later, in order to remain together transports readers from the present to the past in the face of the national lockdown declared by and back again, creating an atmospheric, seamless Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Ciara moves in to Oliver’s and totally original narrative. Her brilliant plotting is spartan apartment just off Harold’s Cross Road. well supported by superb character development Now, in continual 24 hour contact, can Oliver and in an engrossing tale which weaves timely topics Ciara still manage to hide their own dark personal into a gripping, immersive thriller, with a number confidences from each other? Five weeks after of breathtaking final twists. A compulsive and Varadkar’s edict, neighbours, alerted by a foul smell entertaining read which hopefully will bring Howard emanating from Oliver’s flat, call the Garda. Detective the widespread acclaim she so richly deserves. Inspector Leah Riordan and Detective Sergeant Karl Connolly are duly dispatched to investigate. They Postscript: During the first half of last century, find the decomposing body of a male, deceased female writers such as, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio for two weeks, face down in the shower. Who is the Marsh, Agatha Christie and Margery Allingham were corpse? If a murder has occurred, how was this done amongst the leading crime/mystery novelists, selling since the doors to the apartment are locked from millions of books worldwide. Fast forward to the the inside? The perfect crime? Riordan and Connolly 2020s to discover a slew of fine, Irish, female, crime/ set about unraveling the mystery and delve in to the mystery, authors like Howard. Amongst these are, background of the two lovers, uncovering hitherto E D Thompson with ‘I know I saw her’ (reviewed cosseted secrets. Following on from a device used in the November /December 2021 edition of Irish in a previous novel, ‘Rewind’ (soon to be on-screen), Scene), Hannah King’s, ‘She and I’, Edel Coffey, Howard adeptly continues to keep the reader off with ‘Breaking Point’, and Louise Kennedy’s debut balance with her disparate, immersive storytelling. novel, ‘Trespasses’. All the action by these emergent Expertly using alternating timelines (50, 33, 23 days novelists is set in Ireland, arguably heralding a new previously), and points of view (recounted through genre of ‘Hibernia noir’ bestsellers. - Reviewed by John Hagan. FRANK MURPHY PRESENTS RADIO CELTIC FREMANTLE RAMBLES 107.9fm 107.9FM RADIO FREMANTLE SATURDAY 8AM - 10AM PRODUCER: GERRY GROGAN Music. Conversation. Special Tributes. Interviews. Celebrating the Ireland of today and past times. THE IRISH SCENE | 83

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Book Reviews Editors Pick In Dublin They Really Ireland (Moli) in Tell You Things the Irish captial and I will be BY PAT INGOLDSBY doing my best to make sure I If originality and creativity are two of the hall marks get a copy. On of a great author then Pat Ingoldsby must rank St. Patrick’s Day as one of the best writers of our time. Ingoldsby his social media might only be familiar to some as a former RTE site (which children’s TV presenter from the 1970’s and eighties is managed who might have written him off as being “way out on his behalf there”, but that was just a diversion in his long and by a friend) unconventional life. The now 79 year old Dubliner is – announced and always has been – a poet, a wielder of words and something ideas who expresses the silly and serious things in life remarkable in his own irreplaceable way. In March his new book thing about of poetry ‘In Dublin They Really Tell You Things’ – a the new book. selection of poems, including some unpublished one, “Russian from 1986 to 2021 was released. In my student days publisher, in Dublin I used to have some of his other offerings editor and on my bookshelf. I was even lucky enough to get to translator know him a bit when he had a stall selling his poetry Shashi Marty at the busy weekend markets in Blackrock village nova had in Dublin, where I worked as a market hand and already helper. The limited edition of ‘In Dublin They Really translated two of Pat’s books (Beautiful Tell You Things’ is only available from the Museum of Literature Cracked Eyes and The Peculiar Sensation of Being Irish’ when she learned - last year - that I was editing a new collection of Pat’s poetry with MoLI,” the administrator on his site said. “Within weeks, perhaps even days, Shashi had translated it - and found a publisher - in time for St Patrick’s Day and its festivities in her country which, I imagine, will not be taking place anymore. It is a beautifully-crafted book, published by Rodents Publishing Ltd in Moscow and, despite the troubles, four copies of the book managed to make their way to my home yesterday. It will take them a few more days to reach Pat!.” At a time when the world is witnessing horrendous inhumanity, threats of nuclear war and deepening division somehow the idea of Pat’s book – being read by Russian and English speakers alike – might be the only thing that makes sense in a crazy world. We could learn much from him and his ilk. ‘In Dublin They Tell You Things’, might yet be Ingoldsby’s most important work. THE IRISH SCENE | 85

Cappawhite to Meekatharra Is it a loaf of bread you be wanting, my lad? … Be you alone or have you a mate? Shure ‘tis hard times my boy, but take this and good luck. - Quoted from “Brodie”: Memoirs of Sir Laurence Brodie-Hall, Access Press, Northbridge, Western Australia, 1994, p39 Pake had seen it all before. Twenty years ago Pake had other skills acquired through his family’s he had been there himself, walking for days, central position as shopkeepers in Cappawhite camping in any available shelter, chopping since 1877. Their shop at the heart of the village, wood in exchange for a decent piece of fresh today occupied by the Centra grocery and meat and the luxury of milk and sugar for his convenience store, consisted then of a general billy tea. He understood that glint in the eye – the store, bakery on the side, tavern at the rear and prospect of the crock of gold at the end of the the family’s residence upstairs. rainbow, his very own mining ‘show’. The parched and dusty goldfields town of The 1901 census of Ireland had shown Pake Meekatharra takes its name from an Aboriginal Timoney as an electrical engineer’s indentured word meaning place of little water, and it was apprentice in Cork City, nineteen years old and here that Pake called up the skills of his youth to sixty miles from his home village of Cappawhite, bake the bread that filled the bellies of local gold Tipperary. For twenty years electricity companies prospectors and the travellers passing through. in Ireland had generated fragmented networks, Many had no money to pay for what they ate, but some of them harnessing alternating current Pake fed them anyway. He had learnt that some (AC) and others direct current (DC), according to skills were universal, and bread was as much a location and the size and purpose of each grid. staple in this semi-desert country as among the Pake’s training in Cork was DC-based, and of little lush, green hills of County Tipperary. value in the emerging AC networks in Australia. ~ Christine Timoney 86 | THE IRISH SCENE

Family History WA Pake Timoney’s ‘Pioneer’ lease outside Meekatharra was located in front of the small hill on the horizon, extending left to the middle of the picture. Photo by the author 2017, from my private collection. The Irish SIG in 2022 The next quarterly meeting of the Irish Special Interest Group (Irish SIG) at FamilyHistoryWA (FHWA) will be on 17 July 2022. The meeting will be online and will feature The Irish Settlement of Baker’s Flat - An Irish Community and Their Occupation of Common Land at Kapunda, South Australia, presented by Christine Cavanagh. New members and visitors are always welcome - simply book your place using the online booking site TryBooking, details below. FHWA also hosts many other face-to-face and online presentations, workshops and meetings, some for beginners and others for experienced researchers. Bookings are essential, and a small payment may be required for some events. See links below. We invite you to visit FHWA’s extensive library and resource centre at 6/48 May Street, Bayswater. Please consult the FHWA homepage for current opening hours, capacity limits and conditions of entry, if applicable. Happy and successful researching! USEFUL LINKS Contact Robyn O’Brien, Convenor Irish Special Interest Group: [email protected] Book a place at the next Irish SIG meeting at TryBooking: trybooking.com/BLPZM Book for future FHWA events at trybooking.com/eventlist/genealogy Go digging for Irish resources at fhwa.org.au by selecting Interest Groups then Irish Join FamilyHistoryWA Facebook group – researching family worldwide, open to all. Join in the chat or ask a question. FamilyHistoryWA: fhwa.org.au T 08 9271 4311 THE IRISH SCENE | 87

World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast from 10th to 17th April 2022 Congratulations to the incredible WA team who competed at 50th anniversary Oireachtas Rince Na Cruinne (World Irish Dancing Championships) in Belfast from 10th to 17th April 2022. Ciara Stobbie WA RESULTS: 29th Senior Ladies Dara McAleer 5th Senior Ladies Sian Fitzgerald-Cain The Academy MA/WA Recall to day 2 Senior Ladies Shannon Kennedy The Academy MA/WA 34th Senior Ladies Sinead Daly Trinity Studio 45th 17 - 18yrs Maeghan Oldfield Kavanagh Studio 21 - 23yrs Niamh Leahy The Academy MA/WA Recall to day 2 19 - 20yrs Caoimhe McAleer Kavanagh Studio 19 - 20yrs O’Hare School The Academy MA/WA Ciara Stobbie, Dara McAleer, Sian Fitzgerald & Shannon Kennedy. Dara McAleer. Sinead Daly. Sian Fitzgerald-Cain Maeghan Oldfield. O’Brien dancers enjoying St Patrick’s Day in Perth. 88 | THE IRISH SCENE

Sian Fitzgerald. Shannon Kennedy. Irish Dancing Ciara Stobbie. Caoimhe McAleer. AIDA WA EXECUTIVE 2022 Stephen Dawson MLC President: Teresa Fenton TCRG Vice President: Katherine McAndrew TCRG Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation Secretary: Caitriona Slane TCRG and ICT; Medical Research; Treasurer: Martina O’Brien TCRG Registrar: Jenny O’Hare TCRG 12th Floor, Dumas House National Delegate: Siobhan Collis TCRG 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005 Email: [email protected] SCHOOL CONTACTS: Telephone: (08) 6552-5800 CELTIC ACADEMY East Victoria Park & Karragullen www.celticacademyperth.com Siobhan Collis TCRG 0403 211 941 LYONS IRISH DANCE Butler & Clarkson [email protected] Facebook: @LyonsIrishDance Roisin Lyons TCRG KAVANAGH STUDIO OF IRISH DANCE Maylands www.kavanaghirishdance.com.au Teresa Fenton TCRG 0412 155 318 Deirdre McGorry TCRG Melissa Kennedy TCRG Avril Grealish TCRG THE ACADEMY MID AMERICA & WESTERN AUSTRALIA Subiaco, Wangara & Pearsall Samantha McAleer TCRG Dhana Pitman TCRG Kalamunda Lara Upton ADCRG 0409 474 557 O’BRIEN ACADEMY Joondalup www.obrienacademy.com Rose O’Brien ADCRG 0437 002 355 Martina O’Brien TCRG 0423 932 866 O’HARE SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING Doubleview, Wembley Downs & Craigie Jenny O’Hare TCRG 0422 273 596 SCOIL RINCE NA HEIREANN Rockingham [email protected] Megan Cousins TCRG 0411 452 370 SCOIL RINCE NI BHAIRD Fremantle & Lynwood Tony Ward TCRG 0427 273 596 TRINITY STUDIO OF IRISH DANCING Morley, Midland & South Lake [email protected] Eileen Ashley ADCRG 0413 511 595 Katherine Travers TCRG Nell Taylor TCRG WA ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCING Malaga Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG 0410 584 051 Sue Hayes TMRF 0412 040 719

McCabe Cup 2022 Easter Monday saw Bunbury Gaels travel thank you to GAA in WA for supporting to Rockingham to face Na Fianna both clubs to make this game happen. Catalpa, defending the Fr McCabe Cup. We’d like to thank Rockingham Rugby Another great day bringing the two clubs Union Club for getting on board and together. Congratulations to Bunbury Gaels hosting the game at their home ground. who took the win, with the Fr McCabe Cup Photos: Tom Murphy travelling back down to Bunbury. A huge 90 | THE IRISH SCENE

McCabe Cup 2022 Stephen Dawson MLC Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and ICT; Medical Research; 12th Floor, Dumas House 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005 Email: [email protected] Telephone: (08) 6552-5800 THE IRISH SCENE | 91

St. Paddy’s Day - March 17th 2022 92 | THE IRISH SCENE

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In a world gone mad get some comfort right here at Mcloughlin Butchers. Enjoy our quality meats and top service, not to mention the best value butchers in town with great weekly specials! the home of quality meats. McLoughlinButchers.com.au 58 Westchester Rd, Malaga WA 6090 - Phone 9249 8039 - Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 8am-3pm Follow us For any enquiries please contact: [email protected] PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE IRISH COMMUNITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA