Book Launch, Stories, Music, Drinks and Food - Catalpa : Fremantle to Freedom
Schedule
Fri Feb 06 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC+08:00Location
18 Ambrose Street, Rockingham, WA, Australia | Rockingham, WA
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Join us for the launch of Catalpa: Fremantle to Freedom.You’re aware of the daring escape of the 6 Fenians from Fremantle Prison.
But this time we discover what happened AFTER their freedom was won.
You’re invited to ……
Book Launch | Music | Update of the Catalpa Festival and more, all whilst enjoying the evening with food and drinks.
PLEASE NOTE Food and Drinks are available for purchase.
Friday, 6 February
6:00 pm – 8pm
Ritz Party Hire – Event Venue
18 Ambrose St Rockingham
Whilst there is NO COST to attend, could you please register via this link so we know capacity numbers for the venue, thank you.
https://www.trybooking.com/DIVXA
BOOK – Fremantle To Freedom
Is a 120 Page Coffee Table Book, written and edited by Irishmen, Peter Murphy and Fred Rea, who for over thirty years collectively and meticulously researched the famous Catalpa Escape.
Through the eyes of the last surviving member of the Catalpa 6, James McNally Wilson.
What became of the ‘Catalpa 6’ after their daring prison escape?
Little is known of what became of them after their arrival in America.
Did they return to Ireland?
Marry and have a family?
Go back to their revolutionary ways?
Live a long and fruitful life?
Live long enough to see Ireland win its independence from Great Britain?
Questions scholars, historians, never asked or unable to answer. That is up till now.
This event is limited to 50 attendees so BOOK ASAP
We ask you to book so we know numbers for room capacity.
There is NO COST to attend as the event is SPONSORED by
Jackie Wickham from #MargetRivertoYou
and
Michele and Rory Wishart from #RitzPartyHire
About the AUTHORS
Peter Murphy and Fred Rea are authors and researchers based in Western Australia, known for their work on Irish-Australian history, specifically the Catalpa Rescue of 1876.
They co-authored the book Fremantle to Freedom: James McNally Wilson, a coffee-table book that tells the story of the Catalpa escape through the eyes of one of the "Catalpa 6" Fenians.
Peter Murphy
Born in Dublin, Ireland, in the 1950s, he emigrated to Australia in 1970.
He is a writer, former lecturer in Ecologically Sustainable and Cultural Tourism at South West College of TAFE (Bunbury, WA), and a former Conservation and Heritage Officer with the National Trust (WA).
He has written poetry, short stories, and articles for The Irish Scene magazine.
Fred Rea
An Irish ballad singer, researcher, and author.
He is known for his work in promoting the legacy of Irish convict poet John Boyle O'Reilly.
He has contributed to local history, including research on the Catalpa escape.
Both are involved in promoting Irish heritage in Western Australia and have contributed to the "John Boyle O'Reilly" and Fenian history in the Bunbury/Fremantle areas.
Whilst there is NO COST to attend, could you please register via this link so we know capacity numbers for the venue, thank you.
https://www.trybooking.com/DIVXA
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Where is it happening?
18 Ambrose Street, Rockingham, WA, AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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