Antarctic Bound: Delving into the Historical Irish Ties of 'Van Diemen's Land'
In the heart of Hobart, Tasmania's capital, lies a city steeped in history, with stories of exploration, convict settlement, and political exile waiting to be discovered.
One such tale is that of Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole. On his way home, Amundsen made a stop in Hobart, and a plaque outside the General Post Office records a coded message he sent to King Haakon VII of Norway from that building, announcing his epic achievement.
However, Hobart's history goes back much further than Amundsen's visit. Tasmania, formerly known as Van Diemen's Land, was a destination for the most recalcitrant offenders among the transported convicts from the early 1830s onwards. Port Arthur, in particular, was notorious for its penal colony.
Among the convicts were political offenders like William Smith O'Brien, who was transported to Van Diemen's Land in the 19th century. O'Brien was held on Maria Island and later in Port Arthur. Interestingly, O'Brien's decision to emigrate was influenced by his mother's connection to Caroline Chisholm, an English philanthropist known as the 'emigrants' friend.' Chisholm, along with other notable Irish figures like Nano Nagle, Catherine McAuley, and Mary Aikenhead, is depicted in a stained-glass window in St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Hobart.
The cottages where O'Brien lived in both Maria Island and Port Arthur have been preserved and can be visited. These religious orders, too, have had a presence in Tasmania.
Fast forward to the 20th century, and we find Edmund Dwyer Gray, a scion of the family that owned Dublin's leading daily newspaper in the 19th century, the Freeman's Journal. Born in Dublin in 1870, Gray emigrated to Tasmania in 1894 and became a prominent journalist and politician in Hobart. He was sworn to secrecy until the official announcement was made in London, but his role in a significant event was unveiled during the unveiling of the 'Footsteps' memorial.
The 'Footsteps towards Freedom,' a striking memorial to the convict women who were transported to Van Diemen's Land, sometimes for trivial infringements, was created by the Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie. Approximately 13,000 convict women were transported to Tasmania, and this memorial serves as a poignant reminder of their journey.
The 'Footsteps' memorial was unveiled in the presence of President Michael D Higgins during his State visit to Australia in 2017. Gray, who was a prominent figure in Hobart at the time, was referenced during the unveiling of this memorial. His grandfather was Sir John Gray, whose statue stands in O'Connell Street, Dublin.
In conclusion, Hobart, Tasmania, offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, with stories of exploration, convict settlement, and political exile waiting to be discovered. From the coded message of Roald Amundsen to the poignant 'Footsteps towards Freedom' memorial, there is much to learn and appreciate about this historic city.
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