Australian Irish Heritage Association
Monday, 6 April 2026
- Time
- 11:00 - 14:00
- Venue
- Churchill Park , Rockingham
- Price
- Free
Free public event of oration, song, theatre and verse dedicated to the
escape of six Irish Political Fenian Convicts on the ‘Catalpa’ American
Whaler on Easter Monday, 17 April 1876
Annual commemoration of the escape of six Irish ex British Military Fenians on the American whaling barque on Easter Monday, 17 April, 1876. They landed in New York on 19 August, 1876. This free public event takes place at the Catalpa Memorial on Rockingham Beach on Monday, April 6 at 11am.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the escape.
The monument was commissioned in 2005. Waterford-born sculptors Charles Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith designed and created the memorial. Their work is prominent in WA and around Australia and internationally. Their studios are in Gidgegannup.
The programme is devised and written by David McKnight. It will feature oration, drama, verse, music and song.
Rockingham Council will host an invitation-only Civic reception following the commemoration at 12.30pm in recognition of the 150th anniversary of this important local and international historic event.
Venue
Churchill Park
Rockingham
Rockingham
Dates
The event runs from 11:00 to 14:00 on the following dates.
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