The Irish have played a significant part in the history of Queensland since they first started arriving in the late 18th Century.
We have had an effect on everything from the local architecture to the famed XXXX beer. Some have had inspirational stories, some not so much, but all are interesting characters who are part of Queensland’s rich and colourful history. Some were born while Ireland was under British rule, and some were born in what is now Northern Ireland. They come from all different walks of life. Here are just some of the Irish-born and Irish-descended men and women who have had a huge influence on life here in Queensland.
Patrick Glynn
Irish-born policeman who rose from constable to become Queensland’s first Deputy Commissioner and later Commissioner of Police.
Patrick Glynn began his policing career in Ireland, where he served in the Royal Irish Constabulary before emigrating to Australia in the early 1920s. Bringing with him a deep respect for discipline and service, he joined the Queensland Police Force in 1922, quickly earning a reputation for fairness, efficiency and a calm authority that won him respect from both colleagues and the public.
By 1949, Glynn’s leadership abilities saw him appointed as Queensland’s first Deputy Commissioner of Police, a position newly established to help manage the growing complexity of law enforcement across the state. Six years later, in 1955, he rose to the top as Police Commissioner, steering the service through a period of major modernisation before retiring in 1957. Glynn’s career stands as a classic story of Irish diligence and quiet determination shaping Queensland’s institutions.
Arthur Fadden
The Queensland accountant who rose from the sugar towns to briefly become Prime Minister of Australia
Arthur William Fadden was born in Ingham, North Queensland, in 1894, the son of an Irish-Australian railway worker. His family’s roots traced back to County Tipperary, and he often credited his Irish upbringing for giving him humour, resilience, and a strong sense of social justice. Growing up in small country towns like Walkerston and Mackay, Fadden left school at fourteen to work as a cane-cutters’ clerk before training as an accountant. His sharp mind and easy charm made him a popular figure in local business and civic life, where his leadership qualities soon caught the attention of the Country Party.
Elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1932, Fadden transferred to federal politics in 1936 and quickly proved himself an adept parliamentarian. As Treasurer under Menzies, he guided Australia’s finances through the difficult early years of the Second World War. When Menzies resigned in 1941, Fadden briefly served as Prime Minister — the only Queenslander ever to hold the office until Kevin Rudd decades later. Though his government lasted just forty days, his steady approach and fiscal prudence earned him respect across party lines.
After the war, Fadden returned as Treasurer in Menzies’ post-war government, overseeing major economic expansion through the 1950s. His Irish pragmatism and wry wit made him one of Canberra’s most likeable figures, affectionately known as “Artie.” He retired in 1958 after a career marked by loyalty, humour, and sound economic management. Fadden’s legacy endures as that of a self-made Queenslander whose Irish grit carried him from the cane fields to the highest office in the land.
De Burgh Fitzpatrick Persse
Irish-born pastoralist and politician who helped shape Queensland’s rural economy and political landscape
Born on 25 September 1840 at Moyode Castle in County Galway, Ireland, De Burgh Fitzpatrick Persse was the youngest of sixteen children. His father, Burton Persse, was a prominent landowner and politician. Educated at Cuba House in Banagher and later at Trinity College, Dublin, Persse was well-prepared for a life of public service. In 1863, he emigrated to Queensland aboard the Golden City, arriving in Brisbane on 8 March. He quickly immersed himself in the pastoral industry, managing stations such as Tambourine and Maroon before purchasing Tabragalba Station near Beaudesert in 1865. Over the years, he expanded his holdings to include properties like Hawkwood, Yeurilla, Eidsvold, and Boorgal.
In 1878, Persse entered politics, representing the Fassifern electorate in the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He served until 1883, during which time he was involved in various civic and agricultural organisations. His leadership extended beyond politics; he was president of the Royal Bank of Queensland, the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the Queensland Club, and the Jockey Club, among others. These roles underscored his influence in both the economic and social spheres of Queensland.
Persse married Mary Blair in 1871, and they had a family that continued his legacy. He passed away on 17 February 1921 in Southport, Queensland, and was buried in Beaudesert Cemetery. His contributions to Queensland’s development, particularly in the pastoral industry and public life, left a lasting impact on the state’s history.
Patrick Kenniff
The notorious Irish-Australian bushranger whose exploits became legend in Queensland’s western pastoral frontier
Patrick Kenniff was born in 1865 in Kilbride, County Kerry, Ireland, into a family of Irish immigrants who settled in Queensland’s rugged bush country. Along with his older brother James, Patrick grew up in the harsh, isolated terrain near the Western Downs and the Maranoa region. Life on the frontier offered few legitimate opportunities. By the late 1880s, both brothers had turned to bushranging, targeting stations and mail coaches, and earning a reputation for daring robberies that captured the public imagination.
The Kenniff brothers’ criminal career escalated in 1902 when they were implicated in the murder of a police constable and a station manager near Yuleba. Their pursuit by law enforcement became one of Queensland’s most famous manhunts, highlighting tensions between bush communities and authorities. Patrick was eventually captured, tried, and sentenced to death, becoming one of the last men executed in Queensland for bushranging. His story, intertwined with that of his brother James, symbolised the hardships of life in the remote Australian frontier and the way Irish immigrant families negotiated survival in harsh conditions.
Patrick Kenniff’s notoriety has endured in Queensland folklore, inspiring songs, ballads, and historical accounts.
Patrick Kenniff, the last bushranger in Queensland, was executed by hanging at Boggo Road Gaol on 12 January 1903. Following his execution, he was buried in the South Brisbane Cemetery, located across the road from the former gaol. His grave is situated in the unconsecrated section of the cemetery, which was designated for executed prisoners. Unlike many others buried there, Kenniff’s grave is marked with a headstone, a rare distinction for the time.
John Mullan
Labour leader who rose from postman to Attorney-General
Born in Loughlinstown, near Dublin, in 1871, John Mullan grew up an orphan but carried with him the resilience and quick wit that would mark his political career. Educated in Dublin’s national and private schools, he emigrated to Australia in 1888, working first as a clerk in Melbourne before moving to Charters Towers, Queensland. There he joined the Post and Telegraph Department and quickly became known for his intelligence, eloquence and fiery debating skills — qualities that would make him a formidable figure in Queensland’s early Labor movement.
Mullan was a founding member of the Charters Towers Literary and Debating Society and soon turned his energy to the cause of workers’ rights. He organised for the Miners’ Union and later the Amalgamated Workers’ Association, bringing to politics the conviction that “industrial organisation and politics must go hand in hand.” Elected to the Queensland Parliament in 1908, and later to the Senate in 1913, he became one of Labor’s most passionate debaters — nimble, witty and unrelenting in defence of working people. His Irish humour and oratorical flair made him a crowd favourite, while his opposition to conscription and support for social reform earned him deep respect across the party.
Returning to state politics after his Senate defeat, Mullan served as Attorney-General from 1920 to 1929 and again from 1932 to 1940, guiding major reforms in workers’ compensation, juries and tenancy law. Known affectionately as “Johnny” Mullan, he combined genial charm with a fierce democratic spirit, helping shape Queensland’s modern Labor identity.
When he died in 1941, he was accorded a state funeral at St Stephen’s Cathedral and buried in Toowong Cemetery — an Irish immigrant who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Queensland’s most trusted public men and a loyal champion of the working class.
Cecilia McNally
The “Duchess of Spring Hill” who turned antiques, style and community spirit into Brisbane’s most successful charity fair
Cecilia McNally, affectionately known as the Duchess of Spring Hill, was once one of Brisbane’s most prominent personalities. Born Elizabeth Cecilia McNally in Bellingen, New South Wales, in 1909, she was the daughter of John Patrick McNally and Mary Behan, both of Irish heritage. The sixth of eight children, she grew up in a Catholic household that valued hard work and community, traditions carried from her Irish pioneer forebears.
Arriving in Brisbane as a young woman, McNally quickly became immersed in the city’s cultural and charitable life. Known for her flair with antiques and her lively personality, she opened her Spring Hill home to countless gatherings, earning her enduring nickname. But her greatest impact was through philanthropy. For twenty-two years she organised the Spring Hill Fair, transforming it into Queensland’s most successful charity event. The Mater Children’s Hospital was among the many beneficiaries of her tireless efforts, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those in need.
McNally’s Irish Catholic background deeply informed her generosity and sense of duty, and she became widely respected across Brisbane not just as a connoisseur of fine things, but as a woman who gave tirelessly of herself. She passed away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of community spirit, cultural enthusiasm, and a vivid reminder of the Irish contribution to the city’s social fabric.
Mary Emelia Mayne
Philanthropist and benefactor of the University of Queensland
Mary Emelia Mayne (1858–1940) was a leading Queensland philanthropist whose generosity left a lasting mark on the state’s educational and cultural institutions.
Born in Brisbane to Irish immigrant parents Patrick and Mary Mayne of County Tipperary, she grew up in a prominent Catholic family. She and her brother James Mayne inherited significant wealth from their family’s enterprises.
The Maynes became renowned for their philanthropy. Together they donated land at St Lucia for the establishment of the University of Queensland and provided funds for the founding of its medical school. Their gifts laid the foundation for UQ’s growth as a leading institution.
Mary lived a private life but was recognised for her quiet generosity to hospitals, churches, and cultural causes. She died in 1940, leaving behind a legacy of education and community service.
She is buried in Toowong Cemetery.
Peter “Duff” Murphy
Convict, constable, Darling Downs pioneer
Peter Murphy (1806 – 1878), known as “Duff” Murphy, was an Irish convict who rose to become a respected law officer and settler in Queensland.
Born in Dublin, Murphy was convicted of burglary in 1826 and transported to New South Wales aboard the Countess of Harcourt. By 1838 he was assigned to settler Patrick Leslie and accompanied him on his 1840 expedition into the Darling Downs.
Murphy later became District Constable at Moreton Bay and rose to Chief Constable, exemplifying how transported convicts could achieve respectability. He married Catherine Thompson in Sydney in 1842 and had several children. He died in Charters Towers in 1878 and is buried in an unmarked grave in Charters Towers Pioneer Cemetery, pictured.
His life bridged penal servitude and Queensland’s pioneer society, leaving a lasting legacy among early Irish settlers.
Ellen Thomson (née Lynch)
Only woman executed in Queensland
Ellen Thomson (c.1846 – 1887) was an Irish-born woman who became the only woman legally executed in Queensland.
Born in Ireland, she migrated to Queensland and later married William Thomson, a farmer near Port Douglas. In 1887 she and her younger lover, John Harrison, were convicted of murdering her husband. Both were hanged at Brisbane Gaol (Boggo Road) on 13 June 1887.
Her prison photograph survives in the Queensland State Archives, and her case remains one of the most infamous in Queensland legal history, often cited as an example of 19th-century attitudes to women and crime.
She is buried at South Brisbane Cemetery.
Captain John Burke
Irish-born Queensland maritime pioneer and founder of a coastal shipping legacy
Captain John Burke (1842–1919) was a prominent figure in Queensland’s maritime history, establishing a significant coastal shipping enterprise.
Born in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, Burke was the son of Denis O’Hara Burke, a fisherman, and his wife Ellen. He began his seafaring career as a young man, making several Atlantic voyages before the American Civil War prompted his return to Ireland. In 1862, he joined the crew of the Erin-go-Bragh, a ship bringing Irish immigrants to Queensland, and arrived in Brisbane in August of that year. Upon arrival, he deserted the ship and later worked as a pilot for the Australian Steam Navigation Company, navigating the Queensland and the Telegraph.
By 1887, Burke had established the John Burke Shipping Line, which became a vital part of Queensland’s coastal transport network. At its peak, the company owned nineteen ships and operated routes from Ipswich to Moreton Bay. He retired in 1915 but remained a director until his death in 1919.
Burke’s contributions to Queensland’s maritime industry are commemorated by Captain Burke Park in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, named in his honour. He is buried in Toowong Cemetery.
Colonel Andrew Joseph Thynne
Lawyer, politician, Attorney-General of Queensland, and military leader
Colonel Andrew Joseph Thynne (1847–1927) was a prominent figure in Queensland’s legal, political, and military spheres.
Born in County Clare, Ireland, Thynne was educated at Queen’s College, Galway, and immigrated to Queensland with his family in 1864. He initially worked in the Queensland civil service before studying law and becoming a solicitor in 1873.
Thynne was appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council in 1882 and served in various ministerial roles, including Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, during the late 1880s and 1890s. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Gatton Agricultural College and state experimental farms, reflecting his commitment to agricultural development.
In the military realm, Thynne played a pivotal role in the Queensland Irish Volunteers. His leadership was challenged when the government appointed Lieutenant Colonel K.J. Hutchinson, a British regular army officer, as his superior. This decision led to the resignation of many volunteers, highlighting Thynne’s influence and the community’s support for him.
Thynne passed away in 1927. His contributions to Queensland’s development, particularly in agriculture and the legal system, are still recognised today. He is buried in South Brisbane Cemetery.
John Leahy
Politician, Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, grazier, and community leader
John Leahy (1854–1909) was a prominent Irish-Australian politician and businessman who played a significant role in the development of Queensland’s outback regions.
Born on 15 July 1854 in Schull, County Cork, Ireland, Leahy emigrated to Queensland in 1874. He initially worked as a rural labourer before becoming the postmaster at Windorah. In 1883, he settled in Thargomindah, where he became a successful grazier and community leader.
Leahy was instrumental in establishing the first reticulated artesian water supply in Queensland, which was implemented in Thargomindah in 1893. He also held various business interests, including partnerships in a cordial manufacturing company and ownership of the Royal Hotel in Thargomindah.
His political career began in 1889 when he was appointed to the Bulloo Divisional Board. He was elected as the independent member for Bulloo in the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1893. Leahy served as Minister for Railways and Public Works from 1901 to 1903 and was appointed Speaker of the House in 1907, a position he held until his death in 1909.
An executive of the Queensland Irish Association, Leahy was deeply connected to the Irish Catholic community in Brisbane. He was also involved in various civic organisations, including the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce and the Tattersall’s Club.
John Leahy passed away on 20 January 1909 at his home in New Farm, Brisbane. He was buried with full state honours at Toowong Cemetery.
Lieutenant Owen Gorman
Soldier, commandant of Moreton Bay Penal Settlement
Owen Gorman (1799 – 1874) was an Irish-born officer of the British Army who played a key role in the transition of Brisbane from a penal settlement to a free colony.
Born in Offaly in 1799, Gorman joined the British Army and arrived in New South Wales with the 80th Regiment of Foot. He served in various capacities before being appointed Commandant of the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement in 1839.
During his tenure, Gorman oversaw the final years of the penal colony, which was under pressure to transition into a free settlement. He managed this challenging period with a combination of discipline and pragmatism, ensuring order while allowing for the arrival of free settlers.
One of Gorman’s notable achievements was selecting and marking the first road over the range from Ipswich to Brisbane, which became the key access route linking the penal settlement with emerging free settlements inland. He worked closely with former convicts, including John Sterry Baker, using their local knowledge to find the most practical route across the rugged terrain. This route later became part of the modern Old Ipswich Road, crucial to the development of Brisbane and its hinterland.
Gorman was also instrumental in planning the early town layout of Brisbane, including identifying areas for public buildings and freehold land, helping to shape the city’s transition from a remote penal outpost to a functioning colonial town.
After leaving the commandant role in 1842, Gorman remained in Queensland as a settler and grazier, contributing to early colonial life and local infrastructure. He died in 1874, leaving a legacy as one of the pivotal figures linking Brisbane’s convict past with its future as a thriving free settlement.
John Finegan
Convict, early explorer of Brisbane River
John Finegan (c.1790 – 1868) was an Irish convict who played a key role in Queensland exploration.
A survivor of the 1798 Rebellion, Finegan was transported to New South Wales. In 1823, he was shipwrecked with three
others off Moreton Island, surviving with Aboriginal help. He and Thomas
Pamphlett became the first Europeans to explore the Brisbane River. When John Oxley arrived, Finnegan guided him to the river’s mouth — pivotal in choosing Brisbane’s site. Later, he worked as a pilot in Moreton Bay, leaving an enduring mark on Queensland’s history.
His chance misfortune helped determine the site of the future city of Brisbane.
It is thought that John returned to Ireland at the end of his sentence. He and his fellow castaways are remembered by a plaque placed in their honour in Wynnum.
James Francis Maxwell
Politician, businessman, Irish-born member of parliament
James Francis Maxwell (1855 – 1941) was an Irish-born Queensland politician and businessman.
Born in County Armagh, he migrated to Queensland in 1875 and established himself in business before entering politics.
Maxwell was a member of the Toombul Shire Council and its chairman in 1904 and 1905.
He became Lord Mayor of Brisbane in 1920 and served as MLA for Toowong until 1938.
He was active in the community and a supporter of Irish cultural associations.
Edward Henry Macartney
Politician, lawyer, Irish-born Queensland parliamentarian
Edward Henry Macartney (1863 – 1957) was a conservative politician in the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1900 to 1929.
Born in Holywood, Down, Ireland, he migrated to Queensland and practised law before entering politics. He became known as an effective debater and leader of the Opposition during the Ryan and Theodore Labor governments.
Macartney represented Brisbane electorates for nearly three decades and was a key figure in shaping Queensland’s conservative politics.
John Gilliburri Fahy
Convict, explorer, “wild white man of the woods”
Convict, explorer, “wild white man of the woods”
John Fahy (c.1804 – 1878), often called “John Gilliburri,” was an Irish convict transported to Australia who escaped in 1826 and lived with Aboriginal people in the Wide Bay region.
Born in Ireland, Fahy became famous as a cultural intermediary. After being recaptured in 1839, he guided surveyor Andrew Petrie and later John Oxley’s successors through Queensland country that Europeans had never mapped.
His unusual life bridged the Irish convict and Indigenous worlds in early Queensland.
Captain Henry Miller
Military officer, first commandant of Moreton Bay
Captain Henry Miller (1785 – 1866) was the first Commandant of the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, serving from 1824 to 1825.
Born in Derry, Ireland, Miller had a long career in the British Army, including service in the Napoleonic Wars. He brought the first convicts to the new settlement on the Brisbane River, establishing its earliest buildings and discipline.
Though his term was short, he is remembered as the man who set up the foundations of what became Brisbane.
Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy
Colonial Governor, Irish-born administrator
Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy (1810 – 1883) was Governor of Queensland from 1877 to 1883.
Born in County Down, Ireland, Kennedy served in the British Army before joining the colonial service. As governor, he encouraged immigration, expanded infrastructure, and oversaw Queensland’s development during a period of rapid growth.
He played a key role in shaping Queensland as a colony.
Archbishop James Duhig
Archbishop of Brisbane, builder of Catholic institutions
James Duhig (1871 – 1965) was the Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane from 1917 to 1965, one of the most influential Irish church leaders in Queensland.
Born in Broadford, County Limerick, he emigrated to Brisbane as a child. Ordained in 1896, he became a dynamic builder, earning the nickname “James the Builder.”
He oversaw the construction of churches, schools, and hospitals, and laid the foundation stone for the never-completed Holy Name Cathedral. Duhig strengthened Catholic education and promoted Irish identity in Queensland.
Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister of Australia, Irish heritage
Kevin Michael Rudd (born 1957) was Australia’s 26th Prime Minister, serving from 2007 to 2010 and again briefly in 2013.
Born in Nambour, Queensland, Rudd grew up on a dairy farm. His family background includes Irish ancestry through his mother’s side, a heritage he has spoken about with pride. His mother’s grandparents, Owen Cashin and Hannah Maher, who were both born in Ireland, met and married in Brisbane in 1887.
As Prime Minister, Rudd is best remembered for the 2008 Apology to the Stolen Generations and his leadership during the Global Financial Crisis. He remains active in public policy and diplomacy.
Vincent Clair Gair
Queensland Premier, diplomat, Irish Catholic political leader
Vincent Clair Gair (1901 – 1980) was Premier of Queensland from 1952 to 1957 and later Australia’s Ambassador to Ireland.
Born in Rockhampton to an Irish mother, Gair trained as a clerk and entered politics with the Australian Labor Party. He became Premier but split with Labor in 1957, founding the Queensland Labor Party.
A staunch Catholic with deep ties to the Irish community, Gair ended his career as Ambassador to Ireland, strengthening links between Queensland and his ancestral homeland.
Pat Rafter
Tennis champion, philanthropist, proud of his Irish roots
Patrick Michael Rafter (born 1972) is a Queensland tennis player who rose to world fame in the 1990s.
Born in Mount Isa, the son of Irish-Australian parents, Rafter became one of Australia’s most popular sportsmen. He won the US Open in 1997 and 1998, reached world No. 1, and played in multiple Davis Cup campaigns for Australia.
Known for his serve-and-volley style, humility, and generosity, Rafter was also awarded Australian of the Year in 2002. He has always acknowledged his Irish Catholic family background.
He retired from tennis in 2002 but remains a respected sporting ambassador and philanthropist.
T.J. Ryan
Politician, reformist Premier of Queensland
Thomas Joseph Ryan (1876 – 1921) was the 19th Premier of Queensland, leading a reformist Labor government from 1915 to 1919.
Born in Port Fairy, Victoria, to Irish parents, Ryan trained as a lawyer before entering politics. He was elected as state Labor leader in 1912 and won government three years later.
As Premier, Ryan introduced progressive reforms in education, labour rights, land policy, and social services, steering Queensland through the First World War. He opposed Prime Minister Billy Hughes’ push for conscription, aligning with the majority Irish-Catholic anti-conscription stance.
He entered federal politics in 1919 and was seen as a future Prime Minister, but died suddenly in 1921 at just 45.
Bill Hayden
Federal politician, Governor-General, with Irish roots
William George Hayden (born 1933) is an Australian politician who served as Leader of the Labor Party (1983-1988), served in cabinet of Bob Hawke, and later was Governor-General of Australia (1989-1996).
Born in Brisbane of Irish Catholic descent (Hayden’s mother was born in Brandon, Queensland, to a working-class family of Irish descent).
In his political career, he represented constituents in Brisbane, was known for moderate progressive policies, and had strong interest in reconciliation, social justice, arts and culture. His Irish background is part of his identity and public narrative (Catholic schooling, community connections).
After politics, his vice-regal role and public standing reinforced his reputation as one of Queensland’s prominent Irish Queenslanders.
Ned Hanlon
Politician, Premier of Queensland, of Irish heritage
Edward (Ned) Michael Hanlon (1887 – 1952) was a Labor politician who served as Premier of Queensland from 1946 to 1952.
Born in Brisbane of Irish‐Catholic working class roots, he was known for his close connection to labor unions and the Irish community. (General public biographies confirm his Irish Catholic family background and cultural identity.)
As Premier, Hanlon oversaw post-war reconstruction, infrastructure development (roads, rail), health and education expansion, and housing. His government helped strengthen public services.
His Irish heritage factored in his political persona — as someone with strong community ties, social justice values that resonated with many in Irish Catholic quarters, and a reputation for integrity and toughness.
Hanlon died in 1952 while serving as Premier.
Mother Vincent Whitty
Nun, educator, founder of Sisters of Mercy work in Queensland
Mother Mary Vincent Whitty (née Ellen Whitty) (1819 – 1892) was an Irish Sister of Mercy who became a pioneering figure in education and social service in Queensland.
Born near Oilgate, County Wexford, Ireland, she joined the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin. In 1861, at the invitation of Bishop James Quinn, she led a group of six Sisters to Brisbane as the first women religious in the diocese.
Her work included establishing All Hallows’ School (Catholic girls’ school), founding many convents and schools throughout Queensland, contributing to teacher training, care for the poor, and promoting Catholic education for women in a new colony with limited infrastructure.
Mother Vincent Whitty died in Brisbane in 1892, leaving a large network of Mercy institutions and a strong legacy in education and social welfare.
Bishop James Quinn
Prelate (First Bishop of Brisbane), promoter of Irish immigration, and founder of Catholic institutions
James Quinn (1819 – 1881) was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Brisbane and a central figure in early Irish-Catholic Queensland.
Born in Athy, County Kildare, Ireland, to Matthew Quinn and Mary (née Doyle), he was educated in Ireland and Rome. After ordination, he served in Dublin before being appointed in 1859 to the newly formed Diocese of Brisbane.
Bishop Quinn was instrumental in establishing the Catholic Church’s presence in Queensland: recruiting clergy and nuns, founding schools, and creating a Queensland Immigration Scheme which brought thousands of Irish immigrants to the colony.
Quinn also encouraged Mother Vincent Whitty and the Sisters of Mercy to start their religious, educational, and social work in Brisbane (notably All Hallows School) under his episcopate.
He died in Brisbane in 1881; his work laid foundations for Irish-Catholic culture, schooling, and healthcare in Queensland.
Frank Forde
Politician and Australia’s shortest-serving Prime Minister
Francis Michael Forde (1890–1983) was a Labor politician who briefly served as Australia’s 15th Prime Minister.
Born in Mitchell, Queensland, to Irish immigrant parents, Forde trained as a schoolteacher before entering politics. He won the federal seat of Capricornia in 1922 and rose through the Labor Party ranks, serving as Minister for Trade and Customs and later as Minister for the Army during World War II.
Following the death of Prime Minister John Curtin in July 1945, Forde became caretaker Prime Minister, serving for only eight days until Ben Chifley was elected Labor leader. Despite his short tenure, he remains a symbol of Irish Queenslander political influence at the highest level.
Forde later served as High Commissioner to Canada and remained active in public life. His long service and dedication to the Labor movement ensured him a respected place in Australia’s political history.
Thomas Charles Beirne
Businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor of the University of Queensland
Thomas Charles Beirne (1860–1949) was an Irish-born entrepreneur and philanthropist who became a leading figure in Queensland’s commercial and civic life.
Born in Ballymacurly, County Roscommon, Ireland, he migrated to Australia in 1884. In Brisbane he established the T.C. Beirne department store in Fortitude Valley, which became a retail landmark.
Beirne’s success in business allowed him to support numerous charitable and religious causes. He donated £20,000 to establish the law school at the University of Queensland in 1935, which still bears his name as the TC Beirne School of Law. He also contributed to hospitals, churches, and educational institutions across Brisbane.
As a member of the Queensland Legislative Council from 1905 to 1922, he influenced public life while remaining a staunch supporter of Irish Catholic causes.
His life is remembered as an example of how immigrant ambition and philanthropy helped shape modern Queensland.
Mary Eva Kelly
Poet, nationalist, and cultural figure
Mary Eva Kelly (1829–1910), known as “Eva of The Nation,” was an Irish-born poet who settled in Queensland and became an important literary and cultural figure in the Irish community.
Born in Galway, Ireland, she gained recognition in the 1840s for her poetry supporting Irish nationalism, published in The Nation newspaper. She married Kevin Izod O’Doherty, a Young Irelander transported to Australia for political activity, and emigrated with him.
In Brisbane, Mary Eva Kelly continued to write and contributed to the intellectual and cultural life of the colony. She was respected both for her literary work and her role as a companion to O’Doherty, who became a physician and politician in Queensland.
Her poetry and her example as an Irish woman in exile connected Queensland’s Irish community with the wider cultural and political life of Ireland.
She is buried in Toowong Cemetery.
Sister Angela Mary Doyle
Nun, nurse, and health advocate
Sister Angela Mary Doyle (born 1925) is a member of the Sisters of Mercy and one of Queensland’s most respected figures in health care and social justice.
Born in Ireland, she emigrated to Australia and joined the Sisters of Mercy, dedicating her life to service. She trained as a nurse and later became administrator of the Mater Hospitals in Brisbane, guiding them through decades of expansion and modernisation.
Her most notable public work came during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s, when she supported patients at a time of widespread fear and stigma. Her compassionate stance has earned her national recognition as a voice for dignity and humanity.
Sister Angela Mary also contributed to multicultural initiatives, refugee welfare, and the broader community through numerous advisory roles. She has received many honours, including being named Queenslander of the Year. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2025.
Her legacy is one of compassion, courage, and an unyielding commitment to the vulnerable.
Timothy O’Shea
Solicitor, President of Queensland Irish Association and member of Queensland Legislative Council
Timothy Joseph O’Shea (1860 – 1930) was a prominent solicitor and influential political figure in Queensland.
Born in Ballyduff, County Kerry, Ireland, he emigrated to Australia as a child and received his education at Nudgee College.
O’Shea became a senior partner at the law firm O’Shea, O’Shea, Corser, and Wadley, establishing a significant legal career.
As President of the Queensland Irish Association (QIA) from January 1904 to 1910, O’Shea was a fervent supporter of Irish self-governance and Home Rule. He initiated the annual St Patrick’s Eve dinners in 1905, which became a cornerstone event for the QIA.
Beyond his contributions to the Irish community, O’Shea served as a director of Queensland Brewery Ltd and played an active role in Brisbane’s civic and social landscape. He was also a member of the Queensland Legislative Council, where he contributed to shaping the region’s legislative framework.
Timothy Joseph O’Shea’s legacy is marked by his dedication to his profession, his community, and his heritage. He passed away in Brisbane on 7 October 1930 and is buried in Toowong Cemetery.
Denis O’Donovan
Queensland Parliament Librarian
Denis O’Donovan (1836-1911) served as Queensland Parliamentary Librarian from 1874 to 1902. The collection of books, serials, and maps he acquired and catalogued during his tenure is now known as the O’Donovan Collection, which also includes items from the library’s inception in 1860.
Born on 23 August 1836 in County Cork, Ireland, Denis O’Donovan was the son of William and Anne. He claimed noble ancestry through the O’Donovan family. Educated in Ireland and France, he gained recognition for his published articles and poems.
After completing his degree, O’Donovan toured Europe, developing a passion for languages, particularly French and Italian. He became a professor of modern languages at the French College des Hautes Etudes and lectured in art appreciation, architecture, and the classics. His intellectual pursuits brought him into the company of notable figures, including French Emperor Napoleon III, and earned him memberships in numerous learned societies across Europe.
O’Donovan wrote extensively and published “Memories of Rome” in 1859, earning accolades from Pope Pius IX and the Queen of Spain. He moved to Melbourne in 1866 and later to Queensland, where he quadrupled the Library’s contents and compiled an encyclopedic dictionary catalogue.
After retiring in 1902, O’Donovan returned to France but died in Claremont, Western Australia, on 30 April 1911, during a visit to see his son in Perth.
John O’Keeffe
Builder and Queensland Irish Association founder
John Arthur Manus O’Keeffe (1836 – 1901), a renowned builder and pioneer, left Cork at 28 aboard the Fiery Star, a ship symbolic of both tragedy and opportunity for many Irish emigrants seeking new horizons in Australia. Arriving in Rockhampton on November 18, 1864, after a 92-day voyage from Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, O’Keeffe’s journey marked a pivotal moment in his life.
The significance of the Fiery Star in O’Keeffe’s narrative is underscored by its tragic fate. On May 11, just months after O’Keeffe’s arrival in Australia, the Fiery Star caught fire and sank off the coast of New Zealand, resulting in the loss of 79 lives. This calamity, although not directly affecting O’Keeffe, added a somber note to his journey and highlighted the perils faced by emigrants.
O’Keeffe quickly established himself in Queensland, initially drawn to Toowoomba by railway developments and later to the Gympie gold rush of 1867. Despite financial setbacks and bank collapses, he secured substantial property holdings near Gympie’s timber resources. Under the alias “Arthur,” O’Keeffe became a distinguished building contractor in Brisbane, with significant works including St Joseph’s College and Her Majesty’s Theatre.
A fervent Irish nationalist and co-founder of the Queensland Irish Association, O’Keeffe proudly documented his ancestry back to the Kings of Munster. He rests in Nudgee Cemetery, within the Mooney family plot, a testament to his enduring ties with his wife Ellen Mooney’s family.
Teresa McGrath
Victoria Cross recipient
Born in Ireland on June 28, 1765, Teresa McGrath’s remarkable journey led her to Queensland, Australia, in 1886 at the age of 20 to join her brother and sister who had already emigrated.
Here, she became a nanny and nurse to Major Charles Des Voeux’s children and accompanied the family to India, where her heroic acts unfolded during the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi. Despite lacking military training, Teresa displayed immense bravery, caring for wounded Sikh soldiers amid flying bullets.
Recognising her valour, Queen Victoria awarded her the Royal Red Cross, an honour seldom granted to women at the time. After the battle, Teresa briefly returned to England but later married Drum Major George Lawrence of the Second Gordan Highlanders in Kohat, Pakistan, in 1907.
Sadly, her life was cut short when she succumbed to malarial fever in 1907, in Peshawar, Pakistan. Teresa McGrath was laid to rest in the Jamrud Road Cemetery, located within a Pakistani Air Force Base, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness, courage, and unwavering dedication to others.
Patrick O’Sullivan
Parliamentarian and land owner
Patrick O’Sullivan (1818-1904) was born in Castlemaine, County Kerry, and followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the army.
While serving in London during Queen Victoria’s ascension in 1837, he found himself accused of assault and subsequently sentenced to fifteen years of transportation. He arrived in Sydney in July 1838 and eventually obtained a ticket-of-leave in 1845.
Patrick relocated to various places in Australia, including Bathurst and Ipswich, where he established himself as a successful businessman and landowner. He established himself as a successful businessman and landowner in Ipswich, investing in more than 60 buildings in the city, including the Ulster Hotel and O’Sullivan Buildings in Brisbane Street.
He became a prominent member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, representing several seats.
Patrick died of a stroke in 1904 and was buried in the Ipswich General Cemetery.
Patrick’s legacy includes three of his sons becoming lawyers, with the eldest, Thomas O’Sullivan (1856-1953), ascending to the prestigious positions of a Legislative Council member, Queensland’s attorney-general, and ultimately a judge of the Supreme Court.
The family’s impressive lineage continued with Patrick’s grandson, Sir Michael Neil O’Sullivan (1900-1968), who rose to prominence as a distinguished Commonwealth minister, carving his name in the annals of Australian history.
James Richard Atkin
Barrister and judge
James Richard ‘Dick’ Atkin (1867-1944) was the son of Irish-born parliamentarian and journalist Robert Travers Atkin and became a renowned barrister and judge.
Born in Brisbane, Australia, he later moved to Wales due to issues with his younger brother’s health. His father remained on in Brisbane and died when Dick Atkin was just five.
Overcoming initial challenges, Atkin rose to prominence as a barrister known for his exceptional abilities and dedication.
He went on to become one of the most influential English judges of the 20th century. Sitting in the House of Lords and the Privy Council, Atkin’s reforming judgments displayed a deep understanding of the struggles of ordinary people.
Notably, his 1932 judgment in the ‘The Snail in the Bottle’ case revolutionised consumer law.
In 1943, he represented Australia on the War Crimes Commission, advocating the new idea of “crimes against humanity”.
Robert Travers Atkin
Journalist, parliamentarian and founding member of Hibernian Society of Queensland
Robert Travers Atkin was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1841. His family migrated to Queensland in 1864.
Atkin was a journalist, parliamentarian, and one of the founding members of The Hibernian Society of Queensland, later known as the Queensland Irish Association.
He played an active role in the journalism industry, establishing newspapers such as the Queensland Express and the Colonist. Despite health challenges, Atkin remained committed to his work until his early death.
He also had a brief political career, serving in the Legislative Assembly.
Atkin’s legacy includes his involvement in promoting unity between Catholic and Protestant settlers through the Hibernian Society.
His son, James Richard Atkin, went on to become a highly esteemed judge, known for his influential judgments and commitment to justice.
Robert passed away from pneumonia in 1872. He was laid to rest in the new Anglican cemetery in Sandgate.
Upon his death, the Hibernian Society raised funds to erect a memorial over Atkin’s grave – a tall column broken at the top, symbolizing a life taken too soon. The monument stands near a spot where Atkin used to rest in Sandgate.
Elizabeth Hamilton Dunlop
Writer, suffragist, social reformer
Elizabeth Hamilton Dunlop (1842-1929) was born in County Tyrone and migrated to Queensland in 1862. She quickly became involved in social causes and was one of the first women in the colony to advocate for women’s suffrage. She also campaigned for improved working conditions for women, and was a founding member of the Women’s Literary Association, which provided educational opportunities for women.
As a writer, Dunlop was a prolific author of poetry, short stories, and novels. She was known for her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the Australian landscape, and her writing often focused on themes of love, loss, and identity. Her most famous work is the novel “The Vagabonds,” which was published in 1884 and is considered a pioneering work of Australian literature.
Dunlop was also an accomplished musician and composer, and wrote numerous songs and pieces of music throughout her life.
Elizabeth Hamilton Dunlop passed away in Brisbane in 1929, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazing advocate for women’s rights and a significant contributor to Australian culture.
Thomas Joseph Byrnes
Premier of Queensland from 1898 to 1901
Born in 1860 in County Wicklow, Byrnes immigrated to Australia with his family in 1868.
He became a prominent figure in Queensland politics, serving as Premier of Queensland from 1898 to 1901.
During his tenure as Premier, he implemented strict measures to combat organised crime, such as the formation of the Criminal Investigation Department and the introduction of fingerprinting for identification purposes.
His tough stance on law and order made him popular among the public and earned him the nickname “Black Tommy” referring to his stern demeanour and the black suit he often wore.
He also played a key role in the Federation of Australia, working to unite the colonies into a single nation.
Byrnes passed away in 1898 at the age of 67, having contracted measles. He left a lasting legacy in Queensland politics.
He is buried at Toowong Cemetery. Two statues were erected of Byrnes, one in Centenary Place, Brisbane, and one in Warwick.
Nicholas Fitzgerald
Opened Castlemaine Brewery and created XXXX beer
Galway-born Edward Fitzgerald came from a brewing family who owned a distillery at Nun’s Island in Galway.
Edward emigrated to Australia during the Victorian gold rush, in 1854, and he opened a brewery in the gold field town of Castlemaine, Victoria two years later, in 1856.
He decided to expand operations to Queensland, where he was joined in business by his brother Nicholas, a former law student at Trinity College who had migrated to Australia in 1859. They purchased the site of a failing distillery on Milton Road and together they started producing Castlemaine XXX Sparkling Ale in Brisbane in 1878.
The name came from X symbols which were used on beer barrels to distinguish strong beers from lighter ales.
Edward Fitzgerald died in 1896. Nicholas went on to become a prominent politician in Victoria, where he died in 1908.
Richard Gailey
Architect who invented the Queenslander style of architecture
Born in Donegal in 1834, Richard Gailey moved to Queensland in 1864 and became an influential architect in colonial-era Brisbane.
He would add finely detailed arches and wide verandahs to his buildings to shield them from the effects of the midday sun. As a cost-effective alternative to arches, he would use wrought-iron filigree lacework on verandahs, which came to be known as Queenslander architecture.
A prolific worker, you’ll find examples of Richard Gailey’s work still surviving all over Brisbane, including Tara House, Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School, Wickham Hotel, Regatta Hotel and Jubilee Hotel.
Richard Gailey died in 1924 and is buried at Cleveland Cemetery.
Patrick ‘Patsy’ Durack
Pastoral pioneer
Patrick Durack was born in Scarriff, County Clare, in 1874 the eldest son of eight
children. His family emigrated to New South in 1853 in the hope of a better life but tragedy struck when Durack’s father was accidentally killed only weeks after their arrival, leaving the young man to support his large family.
Durack worked hard and within two years purchased
a small holding near Goulburn, where he continued to build
his assets.
By the early 1860s, south-west Queensland was opening up and in 1868, Durack established Thylungra and Kyabra stations on a tributary of Cooper’s Creek. He pegged out claims across 17,000 square miles, stocked and then sold them to friends and new settlers.
Profits paid for other ventures – a butchery at Roma, holdings at Thargomindah, Adavale and Windorah, and hotels to service the influx of opal miners and Cobb & Co. services. By the close of the 1870s, Durack was a wealthy man with substantial business interests in both New South Wales and western Queensland.
He died at Fremantle in 1898 and was reinterred in 1901 beside his wife in the pioneer cemetery at Goulburn.
Sister Elizabeth Kenny
Nurse who invented a new way of treating polio and saved many children’s lives
Elizabeth Kenny (1880-1952), was a self-taught bush nurse and daughter of Michael Kenny, a farmer from Ireland, and his wife Mary Moore.
In 1910 Kenny was working as a nurse from the family home at Nobby on the Darling Downs, riding on horseback to give her services, without pay, to any who called her. In 1911 she used hot compressions and passive movements to treat symptomatically puzzling new cases, diagnosed as infantile paralysis (poliomyelitis). The patients recovered. Kenny then opened a cottage hospital at Clifton.
During World War I, she was appointed staff nurse in the Australian Army Nursing Service.
Her controversial method for treating Polio patients, which she promoted internationally while working in Australia, Europe and the United States, differed from the then conventional medical practice which called for placing affected limbs in plaster casts. Sister Kenny’s principles of muscle rehabilitation became the foundation physiotherapy.
Sister Kenny was buried beside her mother in Nobby Cemetery. You can visit the Sister Kenny Memorial House in Nobby, Clifton, Queensland to find out more.
Irish Queenslander 