Editorial: Shamrock shore

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
14 March 2004

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Editorial: Shamrock shore

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Editorial: Shamrock shore

THE world is made up, so it is said, by two groups of people – the Irish and those who wish they were. A gross exaggeration, perhaps, and put about by an Irish person, no doubt.

But, as March 17 approaches again, Irish born and those millions of Australians of Irish descent look forward to celebrating both the feast of St Patrick and the Irishness which has in so many ways contributed to the Australian identity.

From a Catholic viewpoint we have much to thank our Irish forebears, particularly for the establishment of the faith in this country.

Many Irish men and women, convicts for whatever reason, came with no choice at all; others, free settlers, fled their homeland to escape starvation and oppression. Others were lured to Australia by the hope of a new start to their own lives and a chance of prosperity for their children.

As Bishop David Cremin says, these people brought to their new country attitudes which have become absorbed into the Australian psyche – “a love of life and a good sense of humour, and a certain amount of larrikinism”.

With them came the clergy, of the likes of Frs Therry and Dixon in the early 19th century and through the ensuing years. Irish priests were still arriving at the Australian “mission” in the 1950s.

And it is hard to overstate the contribution of Irish congregations such as the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Charity, the Christian Brothers and the Patrician Brothers in ministering to the poor, the uneducated and the sick.

The Irish and their descendants in Australia have also had a remarkable influence in politics, business, academia, sport, media and the arts.

Names like Lalor, Scullin, O’Farrell, O’Reilly, Keating, Hartigan, Keneally and O’Brien are regarded as much Australian as they are Irish.

So is is fitting that in this week of St Patrick’s feast we can all join in celebrating the Irish legacy, our roots and ongoing connections. Happy St Patrick’s Day!