|
10 May 11 - 08:45 AM (#3151361) Subject: Origins: Francis MacNamara -Frank the Poet From: mark gregory I have set up a research website in honour of Francis MacNamara aka Frank the Poet in the year of his bicentenary Since he died in 1861 it also in the 150th anniversary (sesquicentenary) of his death Certainly something to celebrate amongst his greatest admirers and carriers of his work ... the Australian folk community Frank was perhaps the first industrial poet song/writer in Australia ... most of his compositions were based around protests a conditions, refusals to work (particularly in the Newcastle coal mines) or were celebrations of convict escapes, bushrangers, seizure of ships and of course the death of the monstrous commandant of the Moreton Bay Penal settlement Captain Patrick Logan. His epic poem The Convict's Tour To Hell (often wrongly titled) is perhaps his best known composition, but his introductory epigram most perfectly sums up his political creed My name is Frank MacNamara A native of Cashel, County Tipperary Sworn to be a Tyrant's foe And while I live I'll crow http://www/frankthepoet.com/ My research has turned up a heap of reports from Australian newspapers as well as the full report of his trial in Kilkenny in 1832 see http://www.frankthepoet.com/2011/03/kilkenny.html also a complete report from the Mudgee Western Mail of the coroner's inquest into his death in 1861 see http://www.frankthepoet.com/2011/03/poet-death.html suggestions, corrections, additions etc most welcome cheers Mark |
|
08 Aug 11 - 01:01 AM (#3203677) Subject: RE: Origins: Francis MacNamara -Frank the Poet From: mark gregory Bicentennial celebrations August Ilawarra Folk Club Friday 5 August 2011 City Diggers Wollongong Folk Club Concert - Theme Concert - FRANK THE POET - Mark Gregory will be bringing Frank the Poet's life to life on Friday August 6th at the Illawarra Folk Club's August Concert at the Wollongong City Diggers Club. He will be ably abetted by Gulgong author and singer/songwriter Bob Campbell and local singers Alan Musgrove, Bob McGuinness and John Broomhall. ......................... Gaelic Club Saturday 27 August 2011 The Convict Gig to Hell Celebrating the work of Frank 'The Poet' McNamara (1811 – 1861) Featuring music and spoken word from John Dengate, Colleen Burke, Mark Gregory, Margaret and Bob Fagan, The Mahones, Louise Phelan Plus friends ......................... Miguel Heatwole Frank The Poet's Anniversary a presentation of songs, verse, and narrative by Miguel Heatwole 4pm – 6:30pm, Sunday 28th August 2011 52 John Street Erskineville free of charge - but please RSVP to mheatwole@bigpond.com or 9810 4601 more at at http://www.frankthepoet.com/2011/05/events.html |
|
14 Aug 12 - 05:53 AM (#3389939) Subject: RE: Origins: Francis MacNamara -Frank the Poet From: mark gregory Frank the Poet: A convict's Tour to Hell - an Australian radio documentary that was broadcast on 5 August and 9 August is now available on line for listening to or downloading as a podcast August 2012 marks the 151st anniversary of the death of Francis MacNamara, better known in convict Australia as Frank the Poet. According to one of Australia's leading contemporary poets, Les Murray, MacNamara's epic work A Convict's Tour to Hell should be placed right at the beginning of English literature in Australia. Frank's attitude to the colonial authorities, embodied in this now famous poem, can also be gauged from the punishments he received. Lashed 590 times, he was sent to solitary confinement, to the treadmill, and worked on chain gangs. All through his incarceration, Frank continued to entertain his fellow convicts with his rebellious verse. see http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/frank-the-poet/4126734 cheers Mark |
|
14 Aug 12 - 06:24 AM (#3389954) Subject: RE: Origins: Francis MacNamara -Frank the Poet From: MartinRyan Thanks for that, Mark. Regards |
|
14 Aug 12 - 07:14 AM (#3389964) Subject: RE: Origins: Francis MacNamara -Frank the Poet From: Sandra in Sydney it was a very interesting program |
|
14 Aug 12 - 08:52 AM (#3390000) Subject: RE: Origins: Francis MacNamara -Frank the Poet From: Bruce from Bathurst It's a good program, Mark. Well done. Bruce |