Mike Bailey
Our 8th annual commemoration ceremony took place on a beautiful Sunday at the end of August. Master of ceremonies was Mike Bailey, former ABC weatherman, famine orphan descendant and contestant for the seat of North Sydney in the 2007 Federal election.
Guest of Honour was the recently appointed Irish Ambassador, Mr Mairtin O’Fainin who in his opening address showed his understanding of the strong links between Ireland and Australia. Mr O’Fainin presented Macquarie University Honours student, Julia Kensey with her prize and later, in launching the book, Echoes of Irish Australia, convinced the gathering he was no mean diplomatic historian.
Maoiliosa Stafford , well-known actor and member of the Druids Theatre Company of Ireland, read from the poems of Vincent Wood, the prose of John Mitchell, and gave a poignant reading of Seamus Heaney’s ‘At the potato digging’.
The Irish Consul-General in Sydney, Mr Patrick Scullion whose generosity helped us revitalise our website, presented a beautiful Claddagh brooch to web-developer Jennifer Bainbridge. Our thanks to Bruce and Julie Duffield for donating this lovely gift.
Then, as is our custom, we had a minute's silence in memory of all the victims of famine, a wreath was laid and flowers placed by members of the assembled gathering.
We subsequently retired to the rear of the Barracks for refreshment, good conversation, the renewal of acquaintances and the meeting of good friends.
