The earliest known record of an O'Carrigan in Australia seems to be that David Antony had migrated to the Armidale district and was engaged as a labourer. He applied to join the military in 1916 but was rejected on grounds of poor sight.
Oral family history has always spoken of many Carrigans in northern NSW but are they related?**
Ellen's brother Dan also migrated to Australia in 192?** and is survived by a son JamesMcCaughan.
Ellem McCaughan of the family long established in Ballycastle, was taken the suave Patrick, son of the publicans of the Carrick a Rede Hotel in nearby Ballintoy. He must have cut a fine figure in his hat, with a cane and fine moustache# (#verbal by Brigid McClelland). The McCaughans had lived in the Ballycastle area for generations** as farmers
Pictured standing...Ellen 1896, (married patrick), Mary 1891(married, to New York),Mary 1890(nun), Elizabeth1894(Betty, unmarried), centre..Annie 1868-1948, James 1898, Kathleen 1899, Daniel 1904(to Australia) note the stack of turves in the background
Other pictures of the family home "Mullarts" which now in 2016 contains 2 homes occupied by 2 of James McCaughan's daughters, Brigid(married to Barney McClelland) and live in original home) and Pauline (married to John McQuaige)
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O'Carrigan's come to Australia
Patrick b.1881 married Ellen McCaughan (pron. MacCorkin) in 19?? Patrick emigrated to Australia in ???? to obtain employment and arrange matters before the arrival of Ellen and 5 Children: Patrick, Kathleen, Eugene, Daniel and Vincent on 9 July 1927. They headed straight to the wilds of Ettalong, near Woy Woy on the NSW central coast about 2 hours north of Sydney. Patrick had secured work managing a small general store, some holiday cottages and rowboat hire. Eugene's memories of the times at Ettalong are vivid and fond of early schooling, home made canoes on the WoyWoy swamps and hot summer fun. 3 more siblings also joined the family: John, Margaret and Ellen... total of 8
history still under construction