AIHA History Group

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The History Group continues to meet in the board room of the Irish Club, 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco on the second Thursday of every month apart from January.

Recent speakers have included Maureen Hart, who gave us an enlightening talk in September on that famous Irish Victorian jurist and philanthropist Sir Redmond Barry, a complex man of many talents, often thought of in connection with the trial and hanging of Ned Kelly. However, Barry is remembered for so much more than being the man who sentenced Ned Kelly to death.

In October Brian O’Hara, a retired GP from South Perth, gave us a talk on his family history in Western Australia, starting off with a Spanish ancestor who helped found New Norcia. Brian, a raconteur of charm, regaled us with lots of stories of life in a slower paced Perth, long before it reached its present frenetic stage brought about the great mineral boom, which seems to be changing WA so much and so fast.

In November we had Liam Barry from Australind introduce his new book Voices from the Tomb. This work is a biographical dictionary of the 62 Fenians who were transported to Western Australia. Liam told us of his many years of research and the dedication which went into the writing of this book. We are delighted that the 20 first books, fresh off the press, were sold out.

On December 14 we had Brian Rogan speaking about the Orange Order in Northern Ireland.  As this will be our last meeting until February 2007, we are hoping to do a bit extra on this occasion and we will let members know when this is finalised.

For further information you can contact Patrick Coughlan on 9367 5737 or by email to patrick@irishheritage.net