Almost a quarter of the convicts sent to Australia came from Ireland. Some political prisoners were sent here without a trial, many others were petty thieves. Immigrants followed, some to escape the ravages of the potato famine or to join the would-be fortune makers on the goldfields, others just seeking a better life for their families.

Many of these people and their descendants have left their mark; tradesman, religious leaders and bushrangers are among their number.

We also explore the difficulties experienced by the Catholic Church in its early days in Australia.

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