Fenians Fremantle & Freedom

Fremantle Press and Fremantle Fenians Freedom Group invite you to the launch of 'Catalpa: Escape to Freedom', a new book by Mike and Joy Lefroy. Beautifully designed, 'Catalpa: Escape to Freedom' recounts Australia’s most daring prison escape – from friendships, alliances and secret letters to the undercover spies and treachery that dogged the bold Fenians in their race to board the Catalpa. To be launched by Jim Ryan, the great-grandson of Catalpa’s Captain George Anthony, this launch is part of the 2026 Fenians Festival, celebrating 150 years since the Catalpa Escape. Where: Fremantle Prison East Workshop, 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160 When: Monday 23 March 2026 Time: 6.00 pm (doors open at 5.45 pm) Books will be available to purchase on the night, with the authors on hand for signing. The bar will open at 6.00 pm, light snacks will also be available. In addition to the launch of this exciting book, THEATRE 180 will be presenting their stage show 'Catalpa: Flight to Freedom' in the East Workshop following the book launch event. Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure your spot now! https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1520732 Please note, all Theatre 180 ticket holders are also granted access to the book launch event.

THEATRE 180 in collaboration with WA Museum presents the CinePlay production CATALPA: Flight to Freedom by Stuart Halusz and Myles Pollard at the Fremantle Prison East Workshop as a special performance for Fenians Fremantle and Freedom (Inc). This is the incredible true story of the greatest prison break in Australian history: the escape of six Irish Fenians from the fortress of Fremantle Prison in 1876 on the American whaleship CATALPA. Two years in the planning, involving espionage, secret letters, undercover operatives who travelled from Boston to Western Australia to enact the plan, a love affair, a rescue ship masquerading as a whaleboat, a desperate boat chase and the threat of war against the might of America - this story has all the hallmarks of a major Hollywood movie and all the heart of an Irish ballad. With its sprawling storyline, cast of thousands and epic landscape from the high seas to 19th century Western Australia, CATALPA: Flight to Freedom is the latest in THEATRE 180's successful and immersive CinePlay genre. WRITERS: Stuart Halusz and Myles Pollard, DIRECTOR: Stuart Hatusz CAST: Myles Pollard, Tadhg Lawrence, Taran Knight DRAMATURG: Jenny Davis, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Myles Pollard VISUAL DESIGN: Josephine Jay (Gneiss Design), VISUAL PRODUCTION: Sunburnt Films SOUND DESIGN & PROGRAMMER: Ben Collins, COSTUME DESIGNER: Ingrid Zurzolo STAGE MANAGER: Craig Williams LIGHTINGDESIGNER & ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Aaron Stirk Please note - the bar will open at 6pm, show will start at 7pm. Accessible seating is available by request to the venue. There is an accessible toilet available. The theatre is located 200m from the gate. Please contact Fremantle Prison to secure your accessible seat - Phone: (08) 9336 9200 Email: info@fremantleprison.com.au

Listening to Tony Curtis is pure delight. His penetrating insights, ability to uplift the ordinary and his sensitivity to the human condition will stay with you long after the event. We are honoured to share with you a poet who has won the Poetry Ireland/Friends Provident National Poetry Competition as well as the Book Stop Poetry Prize and been awarded the Varuna House Exchange Fellowship to Australia. Tony’s immense talent is not to be missed! Accessibility - Please note there are 2 small steps into the theatre room at this venue.

Celebrate the Catalpa Escape. With enormous appreciation for your support we'd like to invite you for a sundowner at the iconic Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers Beach Fremantle. The planning is over, the international guests have arrived and the Festival is happening. To thank you for your contribution to the Catalpa Escape 150th Fenians Festival, please join us at this invite only event. Please advise of any dietary requirements.

History Symposium Hosted by Fenians Fremantle and Freedom, Fremantle Buffalo Club, University of Notre Dame Australia, and Limina: A Journal of Historical and Cultural Studies. The Catalpa Escape is a transnational history. It brought together Irish communities from across the world to facilitate the liberation of Fenian political prisoners in the colonial Southwest of Australia. But they were not the only Irish people to find themselves in Western Australia. Join us at the Fremantle Buffalo Club as we delve into the transnational history of the Irish diaspora, featuring Keynote speaker Professor Jane Lydon, author of Anti-slavery and Australia: No Slavery in a Free Land? Limina Panel Discussion on recent Southwest Australian Irish history research. Presentation by Catalpa descendant James Ryan. Display of historical artifacts. Lunch provided and Guinness available on tap. Note - this event is held upstairs at the Fremantle Buffalo Club and access is via staircase only. Doors open at 10.30 am for 11am start.

Trad session Anchored by Fiona Doyle & Friends in the Ladies Lounge at the Buffalo Club. Free event! Irish Stew & home made soda bread available to pre-purchase $10 or pay on the night if available. Open for All, not just the ladies. Non Buffalo Club Members welcome. Just sign the book on the way in. Under 18s to be accompanied by a responsible adult. The Ladies Lounge is downstairs at the Buffalo Club with full accessibility to the area.

Join us for a rousing night of traditional Irish songs and tunes with a bit of Pogues and Lizzy thrown in. Mighty craic to be had at the Buffalo Club to kick off the weekends events. Guinness on tap, skin & hair flying on the dance floor. Arrive early and join us for tunes and an Irish Stew dinner downstairs at the Buffalo Club (check out our other events to book!) We have a full program of activities from the 23rd to 31st March to mark this historic occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa Escape. Please note - The Buffalo Club event will be held upstairs and there is no lift available. Access via stairs only.

History is what’s written and researched, but also what’s remembered and passed down in families. Join us for two lively interactive discussions about Fenian History, the Catalpa Story and hear from researchers and those with family connections to these stories. Two sessions National Hotel, Fremantle from 10.30am - 12noon Courthouse Hotel, Fremantle from 1pm to 2.30pm Free event - bookings required

Internationally renowned. Irish singer, songwriter, Declan O’Rourke will perform his only Australian concert, here in Perth, under the stars, at the spectacular Quarry Amphitheatre. The Galway-based artist has been praised by songwriting giants and media figures such as John Prine, Jon Pareles, and Paul Weller. His seventh studio album, Arrivals, produced by Paul Weller of The Jam, reached #2 in Ireland and was nominated for International Album of the Year by the Americana Music Association, UK. Eddi Reader described Declan O’Rourke ‘as one of the best songwriters on the planet’. Whatever you do, don’t miss this concert!! Please note - gates open at 6pm, local support act Fiona Rea starts at 7pm. Bring your friends, a picnic, and your favourite drinks for an unforgettable evening at Perth’s iconic Quarry Amphitheatre. Purchases can also be made on site at the Limestone Café, see details on venue website www.quarryampitheatre.com.au Soak up the magic of this unforgettable evening! Check out our full program of activities between 23rd - 31st March 2026 to mark this historic occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa Escape.