Bernard O'Brien was born in Killygordon on 11th August 1855. His parents were Bernard O'Brien and Mary Boner ( or Bowler). He left Gravesend for New Zealand on the Cardigan Castle on 30th September 1876. He arrived in New Zealand on 6th January 1877 after an awful 3month journey at sea, ending in 3month quarantine for most of the passengers.
Bernard and Margaret are my Great Grandparents.
He settled in the Hakataramea Valley in Otago. He married Margaret Catherine O'Donoghue on 14th November 1882, St. Patrick's Church, Oamaru, NZ.
Margaret O'Donoghue was born on 22 January 1859 in Ballyfinane, Firies, County Kerry. It appears at some stage her name changed to Donohue on her certificates.
Bernard O'Brien died on the 15th December 1926 in Christchurch Hospital, NZ and is buried in the Sydenham Cemetery in Christchurch.
There is little known about Margaret his wife. It appears she left her husband at some stage and was living in Aramoho, Wanganui where she made her home. She was transferred to Porirua Mental Hospital with Senility according to her death certificate and died on 7th April 1943.
Bernard & Margaret had 9 Children, Michael (Mick) My Grandfather, Bernard, John Joseph, Margaret Susan (Suze), Julia, William Cornelius, Mary Ann (sis) Kathleen (Kate), and Grace O'Brien.
Michael O'Brien (Mick) was born on Christmas Day 1882. His birth not recorded until February 1883. He was born in the Hakataramea Valley and became a Potato Farmer in Dunsandel. He married Margaret Mary Doyle on 6th July 1910 at St. Patrick's Basilica, Oamaru, NZ.
Michael and Margaret had 4 Children William Alphonsus O'Brien (my dad), Grace Mary Rose O'Brien, Edna O'Brien, & Patricia (Trixie) O'Brien.
Hope this information helps someone.
