Catalpa: Escape to Freedom by Mike Lefroy and Joy Lefroy

The Catalpa: Escape to Freedom written by Mike and Joy Lefroy is set to be launched in 2026 as part of the Fremantle Fenians Freedom Group’s 2026 Fenians Festival. This incredible story will astound readers with the sheer audacity of organising and successfully completing such a difficult rescue first devised on another continent.

Meticulous planning, secretive meetings and messages, the involvement of brave and trusted people along with ‘the luck of the Irish’ all contributed to a daring escape from what was deemed as an inescapable prison. Fremantle Prison was where hundreds and hundreds of Irish prisoners were sent in the mid to late 1800’s – firstly for minor crimes and then for political reasons. The imprisoned Fenians – their name taken from the word ‘Fenian’ an ancient Gaelic word meaning a band of Irish warriors - were incarcerated for various uprisings against British rule in Ireland. Their sentences were long and living conditions were appalling.

The inclusion of significant factual documents such as letters, newspaper articles, photographs, as well as maps, and glorious illustrations, allows this engaging nonfiction book to be highly accessible to all readers, both young and old. Added to the story are clearly identifiable text boxes giving further background information to encourage continued research and understanding of this historical event.  

The Catalpa: Escape to Freedom would be a valuable addition to both a primary and secondary classroom or school library.

Teaching Notes:  https://fremantlepress.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/TN_Catalpa.pdf

Themes: Australian History, Fenians, Escape, Politics, Imprisonment, Irish History, Shipping, Western Australia, Bravery, Heroism.

Kathryn Beilby