English Shipping, Empire, Sydney, 13 August 1867, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60843618:

Departures. From London.
For Sydney [...] June 8, Martha Birnie [...]

List of Passengers
Per Martha Birnie, for Sydney.—Rev. W. Stone, Rev. J. O'Carroll and a party of Nuns sent out by the Rev. Father O'Donohue, of Dublin; [...]

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Shipping, Empire, Sydney, 5 September 1867, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60844466:

Martha Birnie, ship, 832 tons, Norie, from Gravesend, 8th June. Passengers—Rev. W. Stone, Rev. J. O'Carroll and a party of Nuns sent out by the Rev. Father O'Donohue, of Dublin [...]

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The Dominican Convent in Maitland, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 12 September 1867, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18719874:

On Tuesday, 10th instant, eight nuns of the Dominican Order arrived in West Maitland from St. Mary's Dominican Convent, Kingstown, Dublin, Ireland. [] The nuns intend at once to take charge of the female school of St. John's, and in a few days to open at their own establishment a boarding and day school for young ladies. We understand the ladies lately arrived amongst us have been specially trained and selected for this purpose, and are competent to give an education of the highest order to children who may be committed to their care. Two priests (Revs. Messrs. Stone and O'Carrol) have accompanied the nuns, and will be employed as missionaries in the diocese of Maitland.

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The Gazette, Sydney Mail, 26 October 1867, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166803866:

In conformity with the provisions of the Acts of Council, 19 Victoria, Nos. 30 and 34, the undermentioned officiating ministers have been registered at the Registrar-General's Office, Sydney, for the celebration of marriages.—Roman Catholic Church, the Rev. William Stone, Maitland; the Rev. Joseph O'Carroll, Maitland.

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Indignation Meeting at Murrurundi, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 24 March 1868, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18726828:

(From our correspondent.)
On Thursday evening, March 19th, one of the largest meetings ever held in Murrurundi took place at the large room of the Royal Hotel, the windows and balcony of which were also crowded to excess. A. Brodie, Esq., J.P., was called to the chair. The Chairman, on rising, said : This day I received a request numerously signed, asking me to convene this meeting, and I considered it my duty to do so in order that the residents of this township and neighbourhood might have an opportunity of expressing their loyalty ana devotion to our Queen, and abhorrence of the atrocious act that has been perpetrated on his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. I cannot find words to express the abhorrence I feel at this attempt at assassination: this feeling I believe pervades every mind throughout the colony. [...]

The Rev. Joseph O'Carroll, C.C, then rose and said : It affords me much pleasure to take this opportunity of repudiating on the part of my people any sympathy, whatever with this dastardly attempt at the assassination of his Royal Highness Prince Alfred. Whatever may be the national grievances elsewhere, I hope they will be settled through other agencies than the dagger and the assassin. It is the duty of every Christian man to raise his voice against the dark crime of murder ; and if this crime be new in the colonies, it is doubly so in Ireland (from which country I have only recently come) where the voice of religion solemnly condemns it. If the shades of the great O'Connell, of Grattan, Curran, and of the illustrious Burke, could now arise out of their tombs, they would fearlessly repudiate all sympathy with murder and such assassins as the wretch who attempted the life of the Prince. I cannot find words to express my horror of the deed committed by one who calls himself an Irishman. I can assure you, gentlemen, from my heart, no countryman of mine has sympathy for such a wretched being. There are thousands upon thousands of Irishmen all over the globe, whose hearts are as loyal to the Queen, her Crown, and her dignity, as any in the world, and who would in the hour of danger rally round her to protect her from all harm even at the sacrifice of their lives (applause.) No cause can ever be helped by crimes committed against the laws of God and man. Is it possible that any man would dare import into this peaceful land quarrels which exist on the other side of the globe? Heaven forbid ! But should such be the case, it would be the duty of every Australian citizen to expel every disturber from their shores, or deal with him by the strong arm of the law, as will in a few days be the case with the wretch who has cast this gloom over us. May he pass to the vile dust from which he came, "unwept, unpitied, and unsung' (Great cheering)

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Blandford, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 6 February 1869, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18734734:

A great concourse of persons assembled here on the Anniversary Day (about 700), it having been made known that athletic sports, a lottery, and soirée would take place on the ground adjoining the Catholic School. The whole affair was under the patronage of the Rev. Joseph O'Carroll, CC. The races and sports were carried out by Mr. Murphy and Dr. Gordon. [...]

After the races the drawing of the lottery commenced, and occupied three hours, after which all repaired to the refreshment tent, which was laid out in good style-the tables literally groaned under the weight of the good things, which was done most ample justice to; at least six hundred persons must have partaken of the good things provided. Refreshments being over, all left the tent and adjourned to the large tree, where those assembled were addressed by Dr. Gordon, who told them that the day was the anniversary of the colony, a day to be remembered by all ; and as the day was one of peculiar interest to the Catholics of the district, it was one that would long be remembered by them with pleasure. He was glad to see all classes met together in peace, love, and friendship, and trusted it would ever be so here. They must remember that this great gathering had been caused by his Rev. friend beside him, the Rev. Joseph O'Carroll, who, since his advent to this district had gained the good opinion of all classes by his kindness and his goodness; by all persons was he beloved. It was a good day for the district when he came amongst us, and he trusted that he would for years be spared to his people. He should now call upon them to give three hearty cheers for the Rev. Father O'Carroll. Three lusty cheers followed.

Father O'Carroll said : Dear friends, I thank you for your good feeling towards me. It will ever be and has always been a source of the highest gratification to meet you all as I have done to-day. I shall ever endeavour while among you to promote good feeling among every creed ; I am sorry my health does not permit me to do more than I have done. This goodly and large gathering to-day has much pleased me. I have with you in common to thank the ladies for their liberality in providing the good things partaken of to-day ; and above all I am delighted that no accident has taken place to mar for a moment the pleasures of the day. Good friends, I thank you." The tent having been cleared, the musicians commenced, and dancing was kept up until a late hour. A vote of thanks was given to the ladies who kept the tables, to Mrs Doyle, who presided at the bazzar, and to Mr Murphy and Dr. Gordon. Never was such a day at Blandford before; may we see ma[n]y of them.

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Death of the Rev. Father O'Carroll, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 1 July 1869, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18738040:

Last night (Monday, the 28th), at eleven o'clock p.m., the Rev. Father O'Carroll breathed his last. It was well known for days past that his end was approaching, and his medical attendant communicated that fact to the Bishop of Maitland, who at once sent up the Rev. Father Byrne, who has been for some days with the deceased. Father O'Carroll has now in this district laboured over twelve months, and has gained the good-will and esteem of everybody, of whatever sect or creed. His death is considered a public loss. It will be long before his like will be seen again : good, kind, and charitable to all. Never was a resident here so beloved and lamented.

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Latest Intelligence, Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, Grafton, 6 July 1869, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61890417:

The Rev. Father O'Carroll, who has laboured in the Murrurundi district for the past twelve months, breathed his last on the evening of Monday, the 20th of June.

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Death of the Rev. Joseph O'Carroll, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 10 July 1869, p 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115432080:

It is our painful duty to announce the death of the Rev. Joseph O'Carroll. Our readers will recollect that this reverend gentleman arrived in this colony not quite two years ago, accompanied by the Sisters of St. Dominic, who are now stationed in Maitland. Even at that time he was in a very delicate state of health ; but having been advised by eminent physicians in Ireland to seek a more genial climate, he determined to come to Australia. Since his arrival he laboured in the diocese of Maitland with a zeal far above what his strength permitted. For ten days previous to his death it seemed evident to those around him that his end was approaching, and the sad intelligence of his fatal illness was communicated to the Bishop, who at once sent the Rev. J. P. Byrne to prepare him for his happy death which occurred at half-past ten o'clock on Monday night, the 28th ultimo. The funeral took place on the following Wednesday. His remains were removed from his residence at Blandford to the Church in Murrurundi. The Requiem Mass was sung by the Rev. J. P. Byrne, at which the Bishop, the Rev. J. S. Leonard, of Singleton, and the Rev. W. Stone, of West Maitland, assisted. After Mass, his Lordship addressed the large congregation assembled, among whom we observed many of other denominations, who came to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the reverend gentleman.

His Lordship said:—Although somewhat fatigued by the long and tedious journey of last night, I cannot allow you, my dearly beloved brethren, to separate, without sympathising with you in the great loss you have sustained by the death of your worthy pastor, and expressing the deep sorrow which I am gratified to see is shared in by those of other denominations, who have come here to day in large numbers to show their respect for the good and holy priest whom God has been pleased to take to himself. I am not, indeed, taken by surprise at the intense sorrow manifested by you all on this mournful occasion, for while his flock found in him a kind father, ready at all times to encourage, to advise, and console them in their trials and difficulties, all classes respected him for his urbanity and civility which endeared him to all who had gained his acquaintance. But to you, my dear children, his death at this present moment must be the source of the deepest affliction, as in him you recognised God's messenger, sent to you to announce the glad tidings of salvation, to break to you and your dear children the bread of life, and to direct you in the path that leads to eternal bliss. I am well aware that you appreciated his presence amongst you, and as good Catholics you did everything in your power to minister to his wants, to alleviate his sufferings and lighten the labours and responsibilities that necessarily devolved upon him in discharging the duties of so extensive a mission, and although his failing health did not permit him to labor much or to undertake long and fatiguing journeys, yet you felt consoled and rejoiced at having a resident priest amongst you to attend you in your sickness, to offer up prayers for you to the throne of the Most High, to reconcile you with God by exercising that power given him by Christ at the day of his ordination, "Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven and whose sins you shall retain they are retained." You had the great advantage too, of assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during his stay amongst you, and who can tell, my dear brethren, the innumerable blessings showered down on you and on the entire district when our divine Lord descended from His lofty throne in heaven to be present on the altar offering himself a victim of propitiation for your sins and those of the whole world to his eternal Father. By the death of your good pastor, you are, I regret to say deprived, for a time of those blessings and you must all pray most fervently that God in his mercy may send us some priests as you know the harvest is great and the labourers few."

His Lordship then went on to say that he hoped in a very short time to have it in his power to send one or two priests to Murrurundi whose presence there would enable the people to gain the great indulgence recently granted by the Holy Father Pope Pius IX. In the meantime he expected them to preserve intact the faith deposited amongst them, to continue as far as in their power to perform with fervor the duties of a Christian life, and above all to attend with unwearing care to the education of their children, to send them to their own Catholic School where under the prudent direction of an excellent teacher they could be taught the true and solid principles of morality and religion which will form them to be at once good citizens and good Christians.

Immediately on the conclusion of his address his Lordship proceeded with the reading of the funeral service amidst the tears and lamentations of the many friends of the deceased reverend gentleman. The Rev. Joseph O'Carroll had not reached his thirtieth year, and his remains were interred in the Church ground of Murrurundi as he himself expressed a wish. — R.I.P.

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T.W. Campbell, The Priests of the Diocese of Armidale: A Necrology, Braddon ACT, 2005:
O'Carroll, Joseph

Born in Ireland, date and place of birth unknown [1840). Details of education unknown. Place of study unknown. Date and place of ordination unknown [Maynooth 1864). Afflicted with 'delicate health' (tuberculosis) he was advised by Irish doctors to seek a warmer climate. He set out from Ireland to accompany the original Dominican Sisters who travelled to Maitland in 1867. A cousin, also Joseph O'Carroll, travelled with him. They arrived in Sydney on the Martha Birnie on 4 September 1867, and in Maitland on 10 September. He was assigned to Murrurundi, living at Blandford, from where he travelled periodically to Gunnedah and other centres in the north western area to provide pastoral care. He died at Blandford on 28 June 1869 of tuberculosis. He was buried in the Murrurundi churchyard.
(Sources: Campbell, Hellwig, Mercury 1 Jul 1869 p 2, FJ 10 Jul 1869 p 9, Foley, MDHC A-Z O43).

(Reproduced by permission of Tom Campbell.)