The Mcmahon Diary by Bill Mcinerney
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his article is based on part of the diary of Patrick McMahon, a Sixmilebridge, CO. Clare man who re- turned to his native ment fired on the people, killing five place on a holiday in men and wounding eight others, two of 1888, after thirty-four successful years whom later died of the wounds in Sydney. During his year long holiday same teacher at Rosroe, Kilmurry, and received. (5) In 1854 his sister HonoGa he kept a daily diary, and his entries at Ballymulcashel, near the old Tuck paid his passage under the assistkd give us some interesting sidelights on Mill at O'Garney Bridge. In fact, emigration scheme. On 8th July of that- life in Limerick city and county as it was whenever Pat Slattery had his school in year he sailed from Plymouth on tR6 just a century ago. or around the locality, Patrick McMa- ship Car~line(~)The master was Daniel Patrick McMahon was born on 28th hon was sure to follow, and throughout Green and the ship's doctor was April, 1831, in Clounteen about one and his long life he looked back on Mr. Slat- named Andrew Gray. Patrick McMa- a half miles outside Sixmilebridge on tery with reverence and profound hon was appointed teacher to the chil- the Newmarket-on-Fergus road and gratitude for the valuable education dren on board. The ship arrived in Syd- about eight miles from the city of given by him in Sixmilebridge. ney on 13th October after a good pas- Limerick. He was baptised in the Patrick McMahon goes on to relate sage of 96 days. Roman Catholic Church at Sixmile- how the potato crop in the area failed in Patrick McMahon prospered in Syd- bridge three days later on 1st May. ('l 1845 and states that '46 and '47 were ney and on 26th September, 1857, he He had one brother, Timothy, and years of great distress. In 1850 hissister married Nora MacDonaghc71from the seven sisters. His father, also named Honora decided to emigrate to Sydney, city of Limerick, whose acquaintance Patrick, had originally come from Bal- and although her father and mother he had made on the first day he left Six- lyroe, a townland between Oatfield and and the rest of the family tried to dis- milebridge on the journey to Sydney. Sixmilebridge. suade her, she sailed for Sydney on the They had nine children whose many Later Patrick McMahon was to recall Ramelies on 1Ith August, 1850. descendants now live all over Australia the great storm which struck Ireland on In 1850 the first goldfields were dis- and other parts of the world. 6th January, 1839, which was ever covered in Australia and thousands of On the 28th February, 1888, he left afterwards referred to as 'the night of people were heading there from all Sydney with his wife Nora (whom he the big wind.' parts of the world. 14) The glowing refers to as 'Mother' in his diary) for In 1840 he went to school; his first accounts of the rich goldfields gave the Europe, Ireland and America. The first teacher was Pat Slattery, and he was young Patrick McMahon the first entry in the diary records that they also taught by James Quigley. He notion of trying to make his fortune in boarded the Orient Line Steamer records that in 1843 he was attending New South Wales. Liguria at Sydney on Thursday, 28th Mr. Slattery's school which was then He records that on 22nd July, 1852, a February, 1888. held in Kilmurry Church. 12) Two years shocking affair took place at an election later he was still being taught by the in Sixmilebridge, when the 31st regi- Extract From Diary, Thursday, 28th O'ConnellStreet, Limerick, at the turn of the Ceni,- The Treatv Stone, Limerick, c. 1888. February, 1888(8) records that all on board were well, to Paris. While in Paris, they called on Got on board the Orient Line with the exception of one third class and wore received by Marshall McMa- Steamer "Liguria" at l o'clock. After passenger who was very ill with con- hon, the retired President of France. some delay cast off from the Wharf sumption. Patrick availed of the opportunity in Was accompanied down the harbour On Saturday, March 24th; they Paris to visit Hennessy's and order a in a Steam Launch by the members sighted the African coast, and on Sun- hundred cases of brandy. of my family and many other friends; day morning the ship berthed at Aden, On 21st May they arrived in London parted near the Heads. Kept steam leaving again at 5 p.m. The next day where he transacted a considerable launch in sight, now fast receding they sailed into the Red Sea. amount of business, and stayed until from view with many waving hand- 2nd July, when they travelled up to kerchiefs. Cleared Sydney Heads at Bebnesbap, flarcb 28Q Edinburgh, Inverness, Oban and Glas- 2.30 o'clock. Went below and had gow before making the crossing to Bel- some dinner. Made the acquaintance A good stiffcool breeze this morning, fast. of Dr. McCambridge of the ship - an the water in the bath getting cold. Irish gentleman and thorough Home Will be soon out of the tropics, can Ruler, who is taking a sea voyage for put on heavy clothing again. David the benefit of his health and left a Scott, Engineer, aged 20 years, Started from Glasgow per train from good practice in England. At3 o'clock native of Scotland, died of consump- St. Enoch's station at 10 o'clock p.m. Mother showed signs of illness. A tion at 12.15 p.m. today. He has been last evening; arrived at Ardrossan at messenger from Mr. Perry the Chief ill all the way. The Doctor protested l 1.30; took the "Seal"steamer, had a Officer, came seeking me on deck against his embarkation at Sydney. very fine passage; arrived at Belfast with an invitation to take my place at He begged and prayed to be allowed at 6 o'clock this morning. Neither of table next to him (the Chief Officer) to come on board. He was anxious to us were ill on the passage. Tooka car during the voyage. Slept well the first get home to Scotland. Was buried at with Mr. McPhail, went to Eglantine night on board. Mother ill. sea this evening at 8 o'clock p.m. - Hill, Malone Road; saw Mr. James The ship called to Melbourne, Adelaide very little fuss was made about the Gordon's brother. After this, had a and Albany. Cape Lewin was their last affair. Mr. Yule, Presbyterian Minis- long drive round the town. At 2 view of Australia before heading into ter from Melbourne who was going o'clock called to Mr. Boyd of the Old the lndian Ocean. home with his little bdy, read the ser- Bush Mills Distillery to inspect some vice. The body was put on board on concentrated soup. After this, visited the fore deck. I was present. Oh! how the Ulster Co. Linen Manufactory; Yribap, 9Q flarcb sad and lonely, consigned to the was shown through the whole of the mighty deep far away from home works in all its operations from the A beautiflul day. All on board well and kindred. No kind friend to shed a hackling of the flax to the weaving of and happy. Passed one of the Ger- parting tear, How solemn and the finest linen. Noticed many of the man steamers bound for Sydney. In suggestive. females in extremely heated rooms the afternoon played cricket andpas- The next day they entered the Gulf of at work, their appearance was hag- sed off a pleasant evening. Sighted Suez, and went through the Suez gard and worn-out for the small Cape Lewin at6o'clockp.m. andnow Canal, stopping at Port Said for coaling. wage of 7 or 8 shillings per week. I steering into the lndian Ocean. From there they steamed into the could not help contrasting their posi- Sailing steadily through the lndian Mediterranean Sea and on to Naples, tion with our female workers in Ocean, they crossed the equator on where they arrived on Tuesday, 3rd Australia. Tuesday, March 20th, at 5 p.m. Patrick April, at 5 p.m. They then proceeded at Thedeft Belfast on Wednesday rnorn- McMahon refatesthat hiswife and him- a leisurely pace visiting Rome, Flor- ing for??oteraine and then went to Lon- self were in excellent health. He also ence, Venice, Milan, Turin, and thence donderry, Dublin, Athlone and arrived in Galway on 31st July. After 3 days in old home. On Tuesday they left for Lis- St. Mary's is a grand old pile in a state the Galway area, they took the train for cannor where his wife's mother then of good preservation, full of interest, Limerick. lived. They stayed there until Friday, well worthy of a visit. I was much 10th August, when they went to Kilkee, pleased with all I saw there. fribap, Buguet 3rb going by train to Miltown.(12)and then by coach to the seaside resort. Thefares Eueabap, duguet 2let came to two shillings and sixpence Left Galway at 10.25 o'clock this each. After eight days in Kilkee, they left morning. Passed through Oranmore, Went to Mr. Fitt's office this morning by coach for Kilrush, staying one night changed cars at Athenry, stopping at (brother to Mr. Fitt, Town Hall). He' there. Craughwell, Ardrahan, Gort, Tubber, and his brothers and Mr. Hartigan of Crusheen, Ennis, Clare Castle, the Horse Repository were very kind.