W.A. Record Perth 24 December 1898, page 19
MULCAHY BROTHERS
Premier Hotel keepers,
FREMANTLE, PERTH, AND BOULDER CITY
As Licensed Victuallers, the firm of Messrs. Mulcahy Bros is famed throughout Western Australia. They have been associated with the colony almost since the goldfields were discovered. The well-known and popular gentlemen are natives of Tipperary, the premier county of Ireland. They arrived in Queensland about 14 years ago and began their successful colonial career in that colony by entering into the hotel business, which for seven years they followed with success. The rising fame of W.A. as a gold-producing colony proved very attractive to the young Irishmen and, bidding adieu to Queensland, we next find them starting from Perth, W.A., to prospect the then little known district of Nannine, where they suffered many hardships, but were very successful in the collecting of such worthless things as nuggets. Mr. M. Mulcahy made a trip to Perth for recuperation, but on hearing three days after his arrival of the famous Bayley finds he proceeded to Coolgardie, where he obtained a good-paying claim on Potato Flat, wiring to his brother Dan to join him, the latter, with four comrades, made the first party who crossed from Cue, on the Murchison, to Coolgardie, and old pioneers can easily realise the hardships of such an undertaking.
Daniel and Michael Mulcahy
After six months on the Coolgardie fields, where they succeeded in gaining a large amount of “dust,” the younger brother returned to the seaboard where, in company with Mr. Byrne, he purchased the well known Commercial Hotel, Fremantle, which was carried on under the new management in a most profitable and satisfactory manner. In the meantime the elder brother, “Mick,” was prospecting and fossicking all over the auriferous belt from Coolgardie to Mount Margaret, Mount Cummins, Mount Black, Lake Darlot, Kurnalpi, and Siberia fields, on the latter of which he did a veritable perish, and for weeks in the dry country, it was necessary to pack the water 45 miles for horses and men. During this time he steadily kept accumulating the yellow metal, but tiring of a life for which anyone would get disgruntled, he joined his brother again, and purchasing the interest of Mr. Byrne in the business for a large sum, the Mulcahy Brothers set out on that career of prosperity in hotelkeeping which they have since so well maintained.
John Mulcahy
The rapidly growing fame of Boulder City caused the young speculators to turn their attention to that golden centre, and the result of their investigation was the erection of one of the finest hotels in the colony, The Grand Hotel in Boulder City, at a cost all borne by themselves of .£10,000, and which has been admirably managed since by Mr. Byrne, their brother-in-law, and their faith in the potentiality of the goldfields is so strong that we find them now erecting another large hotel in Boulder City, The Shamrock. The Terminus Hotel, Fremantle, has also been acquired by these lively young men, who have surrounded themselves with relatives who serve them faithfully and well. They are largely interested in house and land property in West Australia and are known and respected by all classes of the community for the uprightness of character, honesty, and integrity, and their purse is ever open to the needy and distressed.
The Shamrock Hotel Boulder
Mr John Cranley – Licensee of the Shamrock Hotel Boulder – Brother in law to the Mulcahy Brothers
Mr. Michael Mulcahy paid a visit to the old country in 1897 and married one of “green Erin’s girls,” Miss Cranley, eldest daughter of Mr. Timothy Cranley, Dunhill, Co Tipperary. Mr. Daniel. Mulcahy married about three years ago to Miss Mary Fay, a daughter of old and respected Fremantle residents. Mr. Daniel Mulcahy and Mrs. Mulcahy, parents of the subjects of this story, sold their hotel business Tipperary, some 18 months ago to join their children in the West, and are perfectly happy in the change. Mr. Daniel Mulcahy Snr is a typical Irish gentleman, tall, straight, and muscular, with a handsome, intellectual face, and who is never happier than when relating some story or tale of Irish interest.
The Grand Hotel Boulder
Mr. Michael Byrne – Licensee of the Grand Hotel Brother in law to the Mulcahy Brothers
Some years later, in 1907, the brothers expanded their business interests when they became pastoralists by purchasing the Milly Milly Station in the Murchison of WA. They purchased the historic station for £16,600, which at the time consisted of 772,000 acres of leasehold land and 200 acres of freehold. The stock included in the sale were 11,670 sheep, 1551 cattle, and 75 horses. They were able to pay in cash. The brothers truly founded a family dynasty.
Thanks to John Pritchard for finding the original story.
Moya Sharp
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Thanks Moya, Im a great grandson of Mick Mulcahy and found this fascinating.
Thank you Moya. My children (Imogen & Max Dawson) are descendants from Micheal Mulcahy, being their great grandfather. His daughter Joan Elenor (known as Sue Dawson – through marriage) was my childrens late grand mother.
Hi Moya. My father in law Daniel, is the grandson of Daniel Mulcahy & son of the late Michael Mulcahy jnr. Our son, Michael Mulcahy is the great, great grandson of Daniel & of course great grandson of the late Michael Mulcahy Jnr who sadly died at an early age due to peritonitis. There are so many stories that are told about the family house in East Fremantle, Kalgoorlie & Milly Milly Station. Thanks for all your hard work in providing some history. It’s prompted me to maybe record some of those stories while Daniel’s grandson Daniel, who is now 95 is still able to remember them. 🌸🌸
Hi Moya – fascinating read. I am the great grandson of Michael through his daughter Lucy marrying my grandfather Barney Kiernan and relocating to melbourne in the late 1920’s. If you have any other articles relating to the Mulcahy families it would be appreciated.