Tuesday, March 9, 2021

MAIRE O'BRIEN

Maire O'Brien

Born 1906 in Crookwell (NSW BDM12795/1906)



Mother of Peter O'Brien

Maire had an illegitimate child, John (known as Peter), born 11th July 1926, who was raised believing he was a sibling to Maire (despite the fact that George Cashel, Maire's father, died in 1923, three years prior to Peter's birth). Peter was an only child. He went to University in 1945 and lost touch with other O’Briens.

Maire went to France and went missing when the Germans invaded France in 1940. Her family made enquiries but there was no luck in tracing her. Her son found out his parentage after her disappearance.


Maire O'Brien



NEWS ITEMS

1931 
MISS MAIRE O'BRIEN.— Adventure has played a tremendous part in the life of Miss Maire O'Brien, (she is by the way the second daughter of the late G. C. O'Brien and Mrs. O'Brien, of Bowral) since she left Sydney just about a year ago.
She travelled east to Manila, Hongkong, Shanghai, and at the first place met Mr. Martin Oppenshaw, an American millionaire, to whom she became engaged. She returned to Sydney, but became interested in psychology, and, in stead of realising the plans made for her marriage, extensive travelling, and finally a home in the United States of America, is working hard in Macquarie Street, starting at the beginning and persevering with her subject.
— Dayne photo.
Source: The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954) Sun 11 Oct 1931 Page 30

1932 - RECOGNISE "SMITHY!"
Maire O'Brien writes:—
May I say that I am in complete agreement with the suggestion made by Dr. Haslett Frazer that Australians should show a practical appreciation of that great airman— Air-Commodore Kingsford-Smith. Australia has all too little to her credit abroad— in every sense — and we are apt to underestimate the favorable impressions created in other countries by Kings-ford Smith's amazing record of reliability and efficiency. If Australians now fail to respond it will be to prove to the whole world that they have no longer either a sense of values or sportsmanship.
Source: The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954) Mon 8 Feb 1932 Page 9

1932 - [AUDIENCE]
Miss Maire O'Brien, was among those "in the well-dressed audience" at a performance by Gladys Moncrieff  in the premiere of "This Is the Night" at the Prince Edward.
Source: The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954) Thu 21 Jul 1932 Page 11

1932 - HER TRIUMPH - "Our Glad, " Said The Flowers - SMART GOWNS
Gladys Mottcrieff is at least one Australian artist who can refute that old adage, "A prophet hath no honor "STANDING: in a bower of flowers, presentation bouquets, which ranged from dainty posies to an out-size floral banner, engraved with "Our Glad," and a basket 7 feet high, spilling over with autumn tinted blooms, she received the plaudits of a huge audience at the Prince Edward last night, at the premiere of "This Is the Night." .
The "Gallery Girls" and permanent first-nighters did not forget her, and there was a rousing reception from one and all to the talented girl as she stood in the vestibule prior to the opening, and welcomed the guests. Her gown of white satin was worn with a two-toned effect coat of velvet; one half was black and the other red, tied with a scarf, the ends of which were red and black.
Among those who arrived at the popular venue were Sir Victor and Lady Wilson, the latter wearing floral georgette under her fur coat: Mr. J. J. Rouse and Mrs. Rouse, whose fur coat covered her black gown; Mrs. John See, in black lace; Mrs. J. O. Meeks, who also chose black; Miss Beatrice Meeks, who looked well in black chiffon; Mrs. Dan Carroll, whose smart black, velvet coatee matched her well-cut gown; and Mrs. Oscar Delthelm, who wore a chiffon gown in autumn tints.
SMART MATRONS
Pale green georgette was the choice of that smart matron, Mrs. McNeil Simpson, an ermine wrap partially covered Mrs. A. C. Berk's black velvet gown, while Mrs. Frank Albert had an ermine collar on her coat of black velvet that was of the same material as her frock.
Lady Fuller, Mrs. Roy Hendy, in tomato crepe romaine, Mrs. Bruce Hittman, Mrs. E. J. Carroll, who looked cosy in a coat of mink and a gown of flame chiffon, Mrs. W. J. Lathan, Mrs John Kennebeck, Mrs. John Nurmoyle, Miss Maire O'Brien, and Mrs G. R. W. McDonald, were others in the well-dressed audience.

1932 - A Day of Giving in Barcelona
The Feast of the Nativity was not in former times, as it is in our modern world, and has been for the past few centuries, a day of giving and gifts. Children in former times relied on St. Nicholas to provide, them with apples, cakes and nuts, toys and pieces of wearing apparel; while adults usually received tokens of friendship on New Year's Day. It would seem that in Barcelona the Feast of the Epiphany is even to-day "Gift Day," at least as far us the younger members of the family are concerned. 

Writing on Christmas customs observed by her in that Catalan city, Maire O'Brien states: "During the few days that elapse between the first of the year and Epiphany the children come into their own. Hardly a shop in the city," she continues in the article printed in the "Irish Rosary" (Christmas, 1926), "but bears the legend 'Reyes'—(Kings-)—the meaning of which is that the proprietors are prepared "to supply" Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar with a variety of gifts which their Majesties will need for distribution on the night of the 5th. Nearly every shop becomes a toy shop."

1939 - Pretty Things For a Bride-to-be.
Miss Carol Wade was guest of honour at a pre-wedding party on Wednesday after noon, 11th inst., and she was a cool-looking figure, gowned "cap-a-pie" in white shark skin. She was presented with a shoulder spray of frangipani and pink carnations by her hostess, Miss Maire O'Brien, who will be her only bridesmaid, and who wore pale lemon linen. Lovely gifts of crystal and pottery were brought along by the 30-odd guests, who were Mrs. Stuart Wade and Miss Shirley Wade, Mrs. Donnelly, Mrs. P. Sullivan and Misses Esme and Nola Sullivan, Misses Kay and Bee Smith, Mrs. V. Martin, Misses Ora and Mollie Martin, Mrs. V. Day, Mrs. J. B. Day, Mrs. J. O'Brien and Miss Imelda O'Brien, Miss Susan Ann Comans, Penelope Winter, Mary and Monica Crowe, Mollie Cunningham, Mary and Desire Vaughan, Jo and Val Creagh, "Freddie" James, Olga and Clare Woods, and Antoinette Morrison.
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