| PAWLING NEWS CHRONICLE The presentation, accompanied by period music, is based on the spell-binding memoirs of Fennell's great grand uncle, Thomas McCarthy Fennell, which King and Fennell published in their book, "Voyage of the Hougoumont and Life at Fremantle, The Story of an Irish Rebel". In the book and this touring show, King and Fennell have provided a rare and captivating glimpse into the lives of the Fenians, the people of the Irish liberation movement of the last century. Thomas was arrested by the British, and was sent on an 89-day journey aboard the ship Hougoumont to the prison colony of Fremantle in western Australia in 1867. Defying all odds, Thomas was pardoned in 1871, found his way to San Francisco, and across the United States to settle in Elmira, New York. His three children were a teacher, a dentist, and a New York State judge. Philip Fennell says that while this slide show relies on his ancestor as a common thread, it is also a much more broad and comprehensive view of the Fenians, and includes pictures and stories of other voyagers aboard the prison ship and the books that have arisen from their tales. The presentation generally attempts to encourage the audience to investigate this stage in Irish history through all of the literature available based on the writings and experiences of the people who lived this remarkable piece of the past. King was instrumental in transcribing the original manuscript to assure perfect accuracy in the published memoir, and she reads directly from Thomas McCarthy's descriptions, written in the first person, as many of the slides are shown on screen. Many of the illustrations from the book are in the show, but there are many slides that are entirely new and unique. King and Fennell thank Bob Reilly and his photography club at Trinity-Pawling School for producing the slides. - John Benson |
| THE VOICE LEDGER Philip Fennell and his wife Marie King are offering a slide show and lecture titled “From Ireland to America.” The narrative tells the story of Mr. Fennell’s great granduncle, born in County Clare. Fennell was a Fenian and in 1867 was arrested and sent to an Australian penal colony. The story of the Great Famine, the harrowing voyage to Australia and the final chapters which take place in America, make for a most interesting 45-minute program. Lee Eaton |
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| "Some participants stated that the show evoked memories and conjured up feelings related to their own immigration experiences or that of their ancestors. Several reported feeling privileged for being invited to share your experience. Other described the program as educating, interesting, entertaining and 'just lovely." Somers Manor Nursing Home |
| The Observer July 18, 2001 How gratifying it was last Thursday evening to welcome the standing-room-only crowd that gathered at the Dundee Library to hear a talk on Irish rebel and American immigrant Thomas McCarthy Fennell. Philip Fennell and Marie King, along with their son, Christopher Fennell, presented a fascinating account of his life of struggle and success, accompanied by slides, music and a display of historic manuscripts. We were glad to see Thomas McCarthy Fennell’s grandson, Thomas Wyckoff Fennell, of Dundee, among those attending. A number of others in the audience were relatives and friends, but many who came to the program felt themselves linked to this stirring story in other ways. After all, we have to acknowledge that, no matter where our ancestors originated, or when they came to this continent, they were likely to have had experiences similar to those suffered by this Irish crusader for freedom. The yearning for full citizenship and equal treatment under the law is one that has drawn people from all over the world to this country. Mary Geo Tomin |