She brought ashore a language / and a pocketful of scraps: / a seagull nested in her mind / and she found shelter in a doorless house / that would let her neither in nor out / though she escaped in a dream / and saw before her a tribe / who reminded her of the dead Continue reading
Filed under News …
The Belfast Express – Book Review
The Belfast Express by Brigid Carrick follows Brianna Robinson, a young midwifery student in 1970s Dublin, facing societal and institutional oppression from the Church and government. Amidst grim realities of poverty and gender control, Brianna’s resilience allows her to challenge authority, fostering friendships and personal growth in a compelling narrative of struggle and defiance. Continue reading
What we are reading, watching, attending
Anne Duffy-Lindsay was attracted by Australia’s ‘forward thinking’ and the ‘space’ she would find. Continue reading
What’s on March/April and beyond
Irish in Australia: Irish-themed Movies, Tours, and Festivals Continue reading
Anois teacht an earraigh – Now with the coming of spring
Reflecting on a third life of St Brigid, Bethu Brigte, and asking if
women’s rights increased with the arrival of the Christian church. Continue reading
Victoria’s Ground-Breaking Treaty with First Nations
It is difficult to overstate the significance of Victoria’s treaty with its Indigenous First Nations. Continue reading
Ó Theallach go hArdán: Sean Nós singing from Hearth to Stage
‘I started singing the sean-nós style about 15 years though didn’t participate in competitions ’til 2022. The sean-nós style is in our family going back generations and my Dad won the biggest competition at the Oireachtas, the Corn Uí Riada, in 2006. Continue reading
Gaelscoil Mhelbourne: interview with Lonán Fiach Ó Lorgnáin
Cumann Gaeilge na hAstráile has done incredible work over several decades in providing Irish language education to predominantly adult students and we would love to build on this through offering it through to school-aged students. Continue reading
Ireland’s Daughters: The Earl Grey Orphans Who Shaped Australia.
Maria left Ireland aged fourteen. According to the Irish Famine Memorial’s orphan database, she left Portumna as a Roman Catholic orphan of James and Margaret Maher (both deceased), sailing on the Thomas Arbuthnot to Sydney in 1850. Continue reading
Rugby’s Six Nations 2026
Ireland’s Coach Andy Farrell is facing spot fires on no fewer than five fronts. Continue reading