Pioneers

Bartholomew Coveney

My paternal great-grandfather, Bartholomew Coveney, came to Australia from Kilpatrick, near Bandon in County Cork, arriving in Brisbane on the “Golden Dream” in 1863  and joining his brother Thomas in Rosevale.  He married Mary Ann Hayes in 1885.  They moved into Rosewood township  from Rosevale/Lower Mt Walker in 1903, purchasing property from Elizabeth Lane in Albert Street. They built their residence and took in boarders and also ran a shop next door – it was a fruit shop on one side and butchers on the other (where No. 10 now stands). The shop was badly damaged by fire in 1912 and at the time was being run by Mr J. Taylor, the husband of his niece. The old house next to that, on the corner of Royal George Lane, was moved to their farm at Lanefield and Bartholomew commissioned the building of a new house there to be run as a boarding house by William Dolling. We believe this later became a hospital for a time, though we are unsure of the name, before reverting to a family residence. Bartholomew and Mary Ann were active in St Brigid’s Catholic Parish and also the Hibernian society. Bartholomew was listed in Pugh’s Almanac for several years as a dealer – there is evidence on Trove of property and goods being auctioned at various times in both Rosewood and Ipswich.  

Bartholomew’s and Mary Ann’s obituaries follow.

Mr Bartholomew Coveney one of Rosewood’s pioneers, has died at the age of 81 years. Deceased was born at Bandon, Cork Ireland and came to Australia the early sixties. He took up land under ‘ the first Homesteads Act at Rosevale and settled there after his marriage. About ten years ago he retired and his since lived privately in Rosewood. He is survived by a widow two daughters-Mesdames P. O’Neil and Hector Ross-and two sons Messrs B Coveney (Commercial Bank Nerang) and James Coveney (Rosewood) An elder brother Mr Thomas Coveney (Albion) and a sister-Mrs Goggins (Warwick) also survive. Deceased’s father died a few years ago in Ireland at the age of 115 years. The funeral left St Brigid’s Church Rosewood yesterday morning for the railway station thence by train to Ipswich Rev Father M’Kenna officiated at the graveside. Deceased was is one of the foundation members of St Brigid’s branch of the H.A.C.B Society and several members in regatta marched before the hearse. – Brisbane Courier Thursday 22 July, 1926

Mrs. A. Coveney –  The death took place at Rosewood on September 15 of Mrs Mary Ann Coveney, relict of the late Mr. Bartholomew Coveney, who died six years ago. The late Mrs. Coveney was 79 years of age, and was born at Thurles, Tipperary (Ireland). She came to Australia with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hayes, who were amongst the pioneers of the Rosewood scrub. Later she married and went to reside at Rosevale, but about 30 years ago returned to Rosewood. She is survived by two sons, Messrs. Bartholomew Coveney (manager Commercial Bank of Australia, Monto) and James Coveney (Rosewood), and two daughters, Mesdames T. O’Neill (Rosewood) and H. T. Ross (Mundubbera). – Brisbane Courier- 23 September, 1932

Contributed by Mary Ross

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