Curran Wright History

Category: Ballagh

  • Michael Curran

    Michael Curran is my 2nd great grandfather (paternal side). He is the father of my great grandfather, Patrick Curran.

    Michael’s date of birth in 1881 is unknown. 

    He married Anne Doyle on 16 August, 1857 in the parish of Delvin (Meath Diocese in County Westmeath) Ireland. The first witness was John King and the second witness was Cathleen Nolan. 

    They lived in Ballagh, County Westmeath where he worked as a shepherd for Mrs Cleary. They raised five children, Mary Byrnes (1858/1859? – ?), Michael Curran (1860-1943), Anne Dalton (1863 – ?), Patrick (1865-1954) and John Curran (1867 – ?).

    Map of Ireland, showing Mullingar
    Ballagh, near Mullingar

    On June 27, 1881 Michael was with friends at the house of Mary McKeon, an aunt of one of his friends on Delvin Road, Rathconnell. On leaving the house he was attacked by Patrick Daly – with a pitchfork, a spade, and a knife. Daly stabbed him 20 times and Michael died the next day. He was 45 years old.

    Delvin Road, Rathconnell

    Michael is believed to be buried in Rathconnell cemetery, Ireland. 

    Information Source: Curran, D. The Family History of Michael Curran 1836-1997.

  • Patrick Curran

    Patrick Curran (2nd April,1865 – 10th November, 1954) is my paternal great grandfather, being the father of my grandfather, Herbert Curran. 

    Patrick was born in Ballagh, near Mullingar, Ireland. His parents were Michael Curran (1836-1881) and Annie Doyle (birth year unknown, died about 1881). Patrick went to school at Curraghmore.

    Patrick immigrated to Australia about the age of 18, in 1883 after his father (Michael) was stabbed to death in Rathconnell, Ireland in 1881.

    Patrick lived and worked at:

    • Netley Station, Broken Hill as a gardener
    • Menindee, NSW
      • Met his wife, Isabella Herbert of Wallaroo, South Australia. They married in Menindee on 5th April, 1896. They lived at Netley Station.
    Patrick_IsabellaCurran2
    • 1901, Victoria Hotel, Tolarno, as a licensee with his wife, Isabella. May have been working at Netley Station at the same time.
    • Mullingar Station, Pooncarie – Granted a lease of 14,700 acres with Darling River frontage on 7 December, 1910. He called this property, Mullingar.
    • Travellers Lake, Anabranch. Granted a lease of 13, 878 acres on 16 March, 1936.
    • After 1945 (second world war), Mildura, Victoria. 
    • 1954: Patrick died at the age of 89.

    Source: Gordon Curran, in The Family History of Michael Curran 1836-1997.