Citation
From Cork, Ireland to Shamrock Valley, Van Diemen’s Land – The First Ten Irish Convict Family Reunions, 1818 & 1822.Peter Macfie (2011) Galong History Conference, New South Wales.
Also presented to ISAANZ Conference “Ends of Ireland”, UNSW 2013 as “The First Irish Convict Family Reunion in Van Diemens’ Land 1822”, Peter MacFie 2013
Outline
An exploration of a forgotten aspect of early 19th century settlement in Van Diemen’s Land – the reunion of Irish convict families. The author traces the resettlement of these 10 families, and explores the impact on them and on the new communities in Tasmania. He also examines the possible motives behind the reunions instigated by colonial and home governments. As many of the second generation left Tasmania, this study has wider implications for the study of convict settlement on the Australian mainland.
Abstract from ISAANZ conference
The first reunion of free Irish wives and children with their convict husbands in Van Diemen’s Land occurred in 1822, when 10 family groups, totalling 31 women and children, sailed from Cork to Sydney on the John Bull. These families came from a range of Irish counties. The group were forwarded to Port Dalrymple and Hobart, and were reunited with the first dedicated ship of Irishmen transported to Van Diemen’s Land aboard the Minerva in 1818. Some had settled in Hobart Town, while others moved, inland, including to an area known as Shamrock Valley north of New Norfolk. One notable family which settled at New Norfolk was Mary and Bryan Bennett, parents of Catherine Bennett, later wife of Young Irelander, T F Meagher.
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Programme from Galong History Conference
Shamrock in the Bush Conference Brochure 2011
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