Downey's Hotel, Gulgong, 1870-75
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On the far right is the only shot of Downey's Hotel in the Holtermann Collection. The hotel was licensed to Michael Downey up until he died in 1875.
Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)
Michael Downey, was born in Wollongong, the son of Daniel Downey, a farmer and died Bridget Donoghue. He married Bridget Costello in Braidwood in 1864.
Michael died on 30 April 1875 from Phthisis (of eight months' duration). He was 29 years old. He was survived by his wife Bridget. At the time of his death he had 2 sons. Three other males and 2 females predeceased him.
Michael and Bridget's children included:
Michael and Bridget's children included:
- Daniel - born 1868 in Braidwood
- Mary A - born 1869 in Braidwood; died 1871, Mudgee.
- John M - born 1871 in Mudgee
- Percy/Pierce - born 1873 in Gulgong; died 3 May 1874, from acute pneumonia, aged 7 months.
- James - born 1875; died 20 Oct 1875, aged 6 months, from bronchitis.
Headstone for Michael and Percy Downey
NEWS ITEMS
1873 - St. Patrick's Day.The words "past 11 o'clock" had scarcely escaped the lip of our night watchman, Mr. Richards, on Monday morning, before Mr. Sayers' band struck up an enlivening air which soon collected a large crowd. A procession was formed in Queen-street [Mayne Street], near the Opera House, and headed by the band marched down Queen-street as far as Downey's Hotel, Returning, the procession marched to Lower Herbert-street, gathering numbers as it proceeded.Returning to Queen-street there must have been at least 200 persons, who followed the band. Here they made a halt and gave four or five lusty cheers. The music was kept up until daylight. Religious ceremonies were held at the Catholic Chapel in the forenoon, very numerously attended. There were also during the day several couples joined in the holy bands of marriage.At 12 o'clock the sports in Mr. Homer's paddock commenced, and by 2 o'clock over 2000 people had collected. Most of these were from the town and the different leads, but there were a great many from the neighbouring stations and farms. In the wardrobe of those present, I noticed that green was the predominant colour.After two or three boys' and youths' races, in which lads named Owen and Gaffney came off victorious, the interesting event of the day came on. This was a pedestrian contest for a beautiful silver cup (St. Patrick's) as first prize, and five sovereigns for second. It was a handicap race, and only five started. There were three races, 150 yards, 200 yards, and 440 yards. In the 150 yards the competitors came in thus—Yeomans, Medus, Ryan and Davis. In the 300 yards Davis did not start, and the runners came in in the same order. In the 440 yards Ryan did not start. Yeomans and Medus walked to within 160 yards of the post, made a sharp spurt, Yeomans taking the lead, and was an easy winner of all three events. In putting the stone and throwing the hammer Mr. O'Connor was far ahead of his competitors. In the wrestling there were six contestants. Messrs. Curbing, O'Connors, and Farrell soon disposed of the other three, being much heavier men, but after an hour's struggle between Cushing and Farrell, in which neither got any advantage, night came on and it was called a drawn game.The utmost good order and sobriety prevailed throughout the day. In the evening there was a numerously attended ball, at Jamieson's Hall, the hotel, and dancing was kept up until near morning. There was also an appropriate play at the Prince of Wales. Altogether it was a great holiday with our Irish friends, in which others happily joined, and all are deserving much credit for the way and manner in which things were conducted.£1 REWARD.LOST,—A bay mare, 17 hands high, collar-marked, off hind foot white, star on forehead, branded WH off shoulder. The above reward will be paid on delivery to Mr. Downey, "Downey's Hotel," Gulgong. WILLIAM HEIRN, Owner.
