IRELAND FAMILY
Contributed by FRANK IRELAND Retyped by R Blyton 

ALFRED IRELAND came to Nimmitabel at the age of ten. He was born in Sydney and suffered asthma from infancy. His delicate health was of great concern and it appeared that the hot and humid climate of Sydney was detrimental to his health. His aunt, Mrs Driscoll of “Summer Hill”, Nimmitabel became aware of the problems confronting the little boy. She thought that the cold, dry air of the high country may be better for him than the humidity of Cabramatta where he spent his first years of life. Alfred’s parents agreed to permit her to bring Alfred to their property “Summer Hill” later known as “Bobingah” and here he was destined to spend his teenage years. His aunt had been right in her belief that the boy’s health would be better in the cold, dry mountain atmosphere of Monaro, In the coming years he completely recovered from his asthma and developed into a strong and healthy man.

Alfred Ireland never returned to his family in Cabramatta for any length of time. He not only developed robust health, but also developed a love for the life on the land. He worked with his cousin John Driscoll on “Summer Hill” and rapidly became an expert stockman and horseman. Unfortunately, the Driscolls encountered severe financial problems and were forced to sell “Summer Hill” to meet outstanding debts. Alfred had to strike out on his own. The skills he had acquired during his years with the Driscolls were to serve him well for the remainder of his life. He also became an accomplished blade Shearer and for some time followed the sheds out in the back country, where he could shear better than average tallies. He always took great pride in the quality of his work. In those days much of the travelling between sheds was done on horseback, and Alfred delighted in recounting stories of some of the things he had experienced in the back country.

In 1916 Alfred married Sarah McDonald of “Burragunda” Nimmitabel, and took up residence on the small property he had secured north of Nimmitabel. He named the farm “Erindale” and the name endured over the years with the residence still standing on the same site that Alfred and Sarah chose almost 90 years ago. The property was not sufficiently large enough to provide an adequate income. Alfred utilised his talents as a stockman and worked as a stockman on some of the properties around the district.

SARAH IRELAND was the daughter of Angus and Sarah McDonald. They had a fairly large family of 5 boys and 3 girls. One of the boys, Victor died at a very young age, and another one Augustus left home early in life and never returned to “Burragunda”. He became ill and died at Manilla and is buried in the cemetery in that town. The remaining 3 brothers Archibald, John and Herbert did not marry and lived their entire lives at “Burragunda”. The eldest girl Mary did not marry and lived with her brothers on the property. Ann, the second eldest married John Jardine of  “Curry Flat” Nimmitabel, and Sarah married Alfred Ireland. She was a very serious person, very dedicated to her home and family. Though she had not much opportunity for a great deal of schooling, she was very well read, and never missed an opportunity to read and enlighten herself on any current subject. She was very conscious of the need for education, and when the time arrived she always insisted her two should attend school and take full advantage of the dedicated teaching of the St Joseph nuns at the little Catholic school on the hill in Nimmitabel. 

FRANCIS JOSEPH (FRANK) IRELAND -  Alfred and Sarah’s first son, Francis Joseph was born at “Erindale” Nimmitabel on September 3 1917. Home births were common in those days and an experienced midwife and nursing sister by the name of Coman, assisted the birth.

A second son JOHN THOMAS was born 26 November 1922. The same nurse Sister Coman was in charge of the proceedings at “Erindale”

In 1922 Alfred and Sarah decided to lease an adjoining farm and invest their savings in a dairy herd to produce cream for the butter factory that was in operation at that time. Some of the farmers had already turned to cream production with success. Alfred’s venture into this field ended in disaster and his dairy herd was devastated when pastures failed under the extreme drought conditions that suddenly gripped the district. Fodder was almost unobtainable and extremely expensive. This was a very serious setback to the Irelands. Alfred decided that it was safer and more prudent to run sheep on “Erindale” and turn his energies to droving. There was no such thing as stock transports in those days and there was a great demand for drovers. Alfred became a successful drover. His services were in great demand, and he was to continue in that occupation for the remainder of his working life. The greatest drawback was that he was often on the road with mobs of sheep or cattle, and was often away from his wife and young   family on “Erindale”. But Sarah was a resourceful woman of the bush and handled the situation. She employed a young lad from the village to milk the cows and chop the wood for the fires that were important in maintaining warmth and comfort.

Alfred Ireland was familiar with the route over the Snowy Mountains. This route led to the Murray River, and one emerged over the mountains, to cross the Murray and enter Victoria at Tintaldra. This journey through the mountains from the Nimmitabel district took about three weeks to complete when driving a mob of cattle. When I left school, at about fifteen years of age, my father decided to allow me to accompany him on one of these droving expeditions. We took delivery of three hundred Jersey heifers in the Bega district and undertook to drive them across the mountains to Tallangatta on the Murray. Here the agents would take delivery of them on behalf of their purchasers. I have never forgotten tat adventure, which made an impression on my young life. We were accompanied on the drive by the late Jack Williams of “Steeple Flat” Nimmitabel. Another man, whose name I have forgotten, joined us on the journey through the mountains. We carried our supplies on pack horses and slept beneath the stars. Within the month we reached our destination and delivered the cattle to their new owners without loss.

Droving was Alfred’s main occupation for the remainder of his long and active working life. I had the good fortune to accompany him on many of these trips, but the one that stands out was that one across the mountains, when the mountain were beautiful and unspoiled by later developments. For a sickly boy, who came to Nimmitabel as a ten year old with a doubtful life expectancy, Alfred had a long and healthy life. In 1949 h became very ill with incurable cancer and passed away in Cooma hospital in July of that year. His wife Sarah, and his two sons Francis (Frank) and John survived him. He was buried from St Andrew’s Catholic Church and is buried in the Nimmitabel cemetery.

Sarah Ireland continued to live at “Erindale” until 1954. Her health failed and it was necessary to seek specialist medical treatment in Sydney. In spite of concerted efforts to prolong her life, she passed away and  was  conveyed back to Nimmitabel to be buried beside Alfred in the Catholic portion of the Nimmitabel cemetery.

FRANCIS JOSEPH (known as FRANK) married Ella Fitzpatrick of Bondi in 1954. They made their home at “Erindale” and had two children. Frank acquired more rural interests and successfully bred Hereford cattle and fat lambs, as well as being involved in wool production.

Ella and Frank sold out in 1980, and retired to Bomaderry. Ella passed away in 2000, and Frank Now 87, is a resident in Lourdes Retirement Village in Killara. His son Jim, lives in Tasmania and his daughter Margaret, lives in Roseville.

JOHN IRELAND (second Son)

John Thomas Ireland known as John, saw extensive service in New Guinea during the war against the Japanese. He contracted malaria and was in indifferent health for some time after the cessation of hostilities. In 1950 he married Claire Manning of Kempsey. John did not return to “Erindale” for any length of time. Having been involved in communications during the war he continued his studies and became qualified as a radio engineer. He continued to work in that field for the remainder of his working life. Claire and John have a family of four sons. Claire and John now live in retirement at Bomaderry.

This brief history of the IRELAND FAMILY in Nimmitabel is contributed by FRANK IRELAND of 70/95 Stanhope Road, Killara. NSW. Retyped by R Blyton.