William Irwin was an Irish farm boy who came to Australia alone in 1849, aged 18. As a refugee from Ireland's Potato Famine, he left behind a world of hunger and poverty, and a culture steeped in oppressive tradition. Young and adventurous, and with the will to make something of his life, William set himself up in the heart of gold rush Ballarat, one of the wealthiest 19th century cities in the world. A digger and publican, he was swept up in the events leading to the Eureka Stockade, both as a witness and a player in this landmark event that shaped colonial society. William's family were left behind in Ireland. He never returned home, though his family continued to write to him. His great grand-daughter, Helen Townsend, recovered 54 of these letters which span 40 years, and it is from them that she draws powerful inspiration for this book. Above the Starry Frame re-imagines the life of William Irwin. It was inspired by those letters, as well as painstaking archival research. It is also a biography of one of the first truly modern cities, and a moving examination of the impact of migration on those who leave and those who stay behind--publisher.
William Irwin was an Irish farm boy who came to Australia alone in 1849, aged 18. As a refugee from Ireland's Potato Famine, he left behind a world of hunger and poverty, and a culture steeped in oppressive tradition. Young and adventurous, and with the will to make something of his life, William set himself up in the heart of gold rush Ballarat, one of the wealthiest 19th century cities in the world. A digger and publican, he was swept up in the events leading to the Eureka Stockade, both as a witness and a player in this landmark event that shaped colonial society. William's family were left behind in Ireland. He never returned home, though his family continued to write to him. His great grand-daughter, Helen Townsend, recovered 54 of these letters which span 40 years, and it is from them that she draws powerful inspiration for this book. Above the Starry Frame re-imagines the life of William Irwin. It was inspired by those letters, as well as painstaking archival research. It is also a biography of one of the first truly modern cities, and a moving examination of the impact of migration on those who leave and those who stay behind--publisher.
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William Irwin was an Irish farm boy who came to Australia alone in 1849, aged 18. As a refugee from Ireland's Potato Famine, he left behind a world of hunger and poverty, and a culture steeped in oppressive tradition. Young and adventurous, and with the will to make something of his life, William set himself up in the heart of gold rush Ballarat, one of the wealthiest 19th century cities in the world. A digger and publican, he was swept up in the events leading to the Eureka Stockade, both as a witness and a player in this landmark event that shaped colonial society. William's family were left behind in Ireland. He never returned home, though his family continued to write to him. His great grand-daughter, Helen Townsend, recovered 54 of these letters which span 40 years, and it is from them that she draws powerful inspiration for this book.
Performer
Reader : Francis Greenslade.
Notes
Unabridged Australian audio.
"A true story of migration and enduring love - from the Irish potato famine to the Australian goldfields in the time of the Eureka Stockade"-- cover.
Does this belong here? If this is not really the same "thing" as the other versions in this work,
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William Irwin was an Irish farm boy who came to Australia alone in 1849, aged 18. As a refugee from Ireland's Potato Famine, he left behind a world of hunger and poverty, and a culture steeped in oppressive tradition. Young and adventurous, and with the will to make something of his life, William set himself up in the heart of gold rush Ballarat, one of the wealthiest 19th century cities in the world. A digger and publican, he was swept up in the events leading to the Eureka Stockade, both as a witness and a player in this landmark event that shaped colonial society. William's family were left behind in Ireland. He never returned home, though his family continued to write to him. His great grand-daughter, Helen Townsend, recovered 54 of these letters which span 40 years, and it is from them that she draws powerful inspiration for this book.
Performer
Reader : Francis Greenslade.
Notes
Unabridged Australian audio.
"A true story of migration and enduring love - from the Irish potato famine to the Australian goldfields in the time of the Eureka Stockade"-- cover.
Does this belong here? If this is not really the same "thing" as the other versions in this work,
click here to move it
(or read more about how to make this decision.)
The Sydney Morning Herald..., Saturday 14 May 1921 p 14 ... DR. WILLIAMIRWIN. Following an illness lasting about six months, Dr. WilliamIrwin, of Randwick, died at a private hospital at Darlinghurst yesterday. day.""""' t)tí Irwin, who was 52 yoars of age, ... the war ho had charge of the Military Garrison Hospital, Victoria Barracks, v Dr. Irwin leaves a ... 70 words
The Sydney Morning Herald..., Friday 16 December 1921 p 10 ... MR. WILLIAMIRWIN. BEGA, Thursday. Mr. "WilliamIrwin, one of the pioneers of the Bega district, died at Erina, near Bega, late on Tuesday night, aged 85 years. His only son, Major Irwin (Croix de Guerre), serv- ed In the great war, and was one of the first to enlist from hero, taking with him a ... 61 words
The Sydney Morning Herald..., Friday 30 January 1914 p 10 ... DEATH OF MR, WILLIAMIRWIN. -. ? F" SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28. The The' death is announced of Mr. WilliamIrwin, the millionaire owner of the Island of Lanai, in the Hawaiian group, which he is alleged to" have purchased In 1909 for 4s. The Into Mr. Irwin was a British subject, and the fact that he ... 75 words