From the Bridge of Tears to Australia and Back
Visiting My Past
by Joy McGuire
In August of this year, my daughter Jane and I made the return journey of my great-grandfather Neil Gallagher, who left Donegal in 1859 aboard the Caribou, destination Australia.
It is a story familiar to many of us — a family member leaving the fold, hoping for a better life “across the seas.”
Finding Family in Donegal
With the help of the Gallagher Clan website, I was one of the lucky ones to find my family in Ballintemple, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
While establishing that “we belonged to each other,” my emails were initially somewhat tentative. When the decision to visit Ireland was made, I was excited but also wondered about the “correct way” to introduce myself in person.
There was no need for concern — my first phone call was met with such warmth. My Irish cousins were just as keen to meet us.
First Meetings
How can I put into words the emotions I felt when we met?
Daniel stepped out of his car — a big hand shook mine, a hand that worked hard — and his image was so similar to that of my rural family in Australia. With his daughter Cait, they took us to their home.
That was the beginning of the most wonderful experience.
The family did not know where Neil Gallagher’s journey had ended and were keen to hear about his life in Australia. Other family members came to meet the Aussies, and then we were taken to meet Gran.
What a treat — the stories we heard and the laughter we shared.
1861 — Turning the Clock Back
Oh, to turn the clock back…
The Derryveagh evictions — landlord John Adair evicting inhabitants from the lands of Derryveagh — affected 280 people across 45 families. My family was among them.
It would have been prior to this event that the decision was made for Neil, just 20 years old, to leave Devlin (as it was then known) and his family.
With the Catholic Church in Sydney aware of the plight of the Irish in Donegal, and offering a program of assistance through the Donegal Relief Fund, to bring Donegal people aged 12 to 40 to Australia, Neil’s journey was about to begin.
Visiting Neil’s Home
August 2009 — Gran and Daniel took us for a drive. We saw the remains of the old Gallagher house in Devlin, on the edge of Glenveagh National Park — my great-grandfather Neil’s home.
Gran told us of the customs of the time.
When someone was leaving, it was customary to have a wake the night before. Windows were darkened so the family could not see the coming day, and a grand gathering would be held.
When the time came, family and friends walked to the Falcarragh side of the Bridge of Tears. The person leaving crossed the bridge alone — the family stayed behind.
The Bridge of Tears
My daughter and I walked across the bridge — an emotional experience — thinking of the young man Neil, leaving everything behind, going to unknown lands.
In many ways, it was like a death in the family.
Until contact was made from Australia generations later, what happened to Neil was unknown. He could not read or write, so it was impossible for him to contact his family in Ireland.
At the site of the bridge is a large rock bearing a plaque written in Irish. It reads:
“Friends and relations of the person who was emigrating would come this far.
Here they separated.
This is the Bridge of Tears.”
Neil in Australia
As best as can be established, Neil arrived in Sydney and went on to Bathurst, New South Wales, where many Irish emigrants were employed as labourers.
From there, he moved to:
- Burnt Yards, Manduramah district
- Cargo, New South Wales, where he worked as a gold digger
In the Cargo district, Neil worked hard and received a 50-acre land grant, later increasing his holdings.
At the age of 30, he married Julia Russell.
Together they raised 14 children, all of whom went on to lead successful lives. The sheep and wheat farm Neil established in Cargo, west of Sydney, still operates today.
A Quiet Sadness
The sadness of Neil’s life was his reluctance to speak of his past.
I can only assume this was how he survived the pain of leaving his family, knowing he would never see them again.
Completing the Circle
For my daughter and me, tracing his steps — from Devlin, County Donegal, to Australia, from his Australian farm back to the beauty of Ireland — and then linking us to a wonderful family, our Irish cousins…
How lucky are we!!
Joy McGuire
See also Australia – Donegal Relief Fund and Ferry and Gallagher