Hi Elwyn & Col,
Thank you so much for your kind replies...
We'll be visiting Mullinagar in September (10-13th?) of this year - hopefully to find graveyards & markers & stories.
To futher the idea of what I am seeking, I'd lke to contribute this story - kindly taken from a history of Canberra, Australia. The Michael Gallagher mentioned is my Great Great Uncle & the Mary Gallager is my Great Grandmother.
"Born in Westmeath, Ireland, Michael Gallagher was of the good old trustworthy type of employee. He started in life as groom and gardener to Dr. Lavington. He married, at 25, Elizabeth Moran, whose people were in the employ of Mr. Cunningham, of Lanyon [Station, Canberra area, Australia] . There were five sons of the marriage, but they, unfortunately, lost four of them by death before they left for Australia in 1841, and the remaining boy, John, aged twelve, died two days out on the voyage. There was a very severe storm, and the vessel put back into Falmouth, so the little chap was buried ashore.
The Gallaghers arrived in Sydney [Australia] in February, 1842, and engaged at once with Mr. James Wright, who met the ship to bring up the Davis family and others, who had arrived at the same time, fourteen in all. In another chapter I have described the journey of 200 miles that was cheerfully undertaken. The Gallaghers afterwards rented a farm at Tuggeranong [Canberra area, Australia] and sent home for a niece [Mary Gallagher – married Michael O’Keeffe - GGrandmother of J. OKeefe] of and nephew [Patrick Gallagher], who did their duty by the old couple and stayed with them to the end. The farm was left to the nephew.
Mrs. Gallagher [Elizabeth, nee Moran] was a kind-hearted motherly woman, and on one occasion, when an accident happened at the house and we were all distractedly waiting for a doctor, whom I and my brother had been riding hard to catch, Mrs. Gallagher heard of the trouble, and though getting on in years set out and walked the six miles to our house to offer aid and service, when she came to the Murrumbidgee River - having to tuck her clothes up under her arms and walk through the river. "
The property that Michael originally worked at may have been Levington House/Park. It was listed in another history as Captain Larvey/Dr Garvey of Lamington Park. (as possibly as result of bad transcription).
I will be taking up a limited sign-up to Roots Ireland very soon - I find the service & results excellent but consider it to be expensive for respective month & year subscription costs.
Obviously - I am also keen to make contact with & further the connection with any Gallaghers & Morans from the area.
The tied history of Levington Park(?) and Lanyon Station, still existing in Canberra - may very well be of great interest to followers of living history.
Many kind regards, Jock O'Keefe (jock.ock1 @ gmail.com - remove spaces)
The attached photo - if it works is of my Great Uncle - Patrick Gallagher & his family - based at the "Erindale Station" - after which the suburb of Erindale, Canberra, Australia - was named
