Shared stories and pubs have gone hand in hand for centuries, a tradition continued in one of the ‘Fenians Festival 2026’ special events.
‘Oral History in the Pub’ will be held in two sessions on Saturday, March 28.
Session Two will be held at the Fremantle Courthouse Hotel, from 1pm to 2.30pm on Saturday, March 28 and explore ‘The Catalpa Escape - the American Perspective’.
Speakers will be Jim Ryan, the great grandson of Catalpa Captain George Anthony, an educator visiting from New Bedford, USA; Bunbury tour guide, writer and historian Peter Murphy, the author of books including Fremantle to Freedom about what happened to the Fenian escapees after the Catalpa escape; and Dublin lawyer and playwright Frank MacGabhann, whose aunts cared for Catalpa escape mastermind John Devoy towards the end of his life and who is an advocate in Ireland for recognition of the Fremantle Fenians. Dr Angeline O’Neill will be the facilitator for this session.
Shared stories and pubs have gone hand in hand for centuries, a tradition continued in one of the ‘Fenians Festival 2026’ special events.