Australian Dictionary of Biography entry: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/byrne-frederick-5457

"The late Monsignor Byrne", Southern Cross, Adelaide, 30 July 1915, p 12 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166426909:

Though not unexpected, the news of the death of Mgr. Byrne was received with feelings of deep sorrow not only by a large circle of personal friends, but by thousands of others who knew of the deceased prelate as a zealous and capable administrator during the 50 years and more that he was identified with the history of the Catholic Church in South Australia. Within two weeks the Catholics of the Archdiocese have suffered irreparable loss by the death of our late loved Archbishop and his righthand man for many years in the administration of the see.

Dr. Byrne was born in the Irish capital in 1834. At an early age he felt a vocation for the religious state and entered the Benedictine monastery of Subiaco in the Papal States. Subsequently he returned to Ireland and in 1853 accompanied Dr. Serra, O.S.B., to Perth, Western Australia. Another clerical student was with the party, Mr. Reynolds. The two novices continued their studies in West Australia for some time, and then came together to South Australia, where there future life was to be spent, and where both rose to high ecclesiastical preferment. The voyage from Fremantle to Adelaide was a perilous one. Adverse winds were encountered, the little craft sprang a leak, and the pumps had to be kept constantly at work. To add to the troubles of the passengers and crew provisions ran short and during the latter portion of the voyage they were reduced to two biscuits a day. The voyage, which is now usually accomplished under five days, took 36 days, and before anchoring at Port Adelaide the last biscuit had disappeared.

Arrived in South Australia, Mr. Byrne and his companion (Mr. Reynolds) proceeded to Sevenhills College to complete their studies for the priesthood. On April 20, 1860, the ardent desire of their lives was gratified. They were both ordained in St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral by Bishop Geoghegan. Father Byrne remained for three years in Adelaide, during which time he worked zealously at his parochial duties, particularly with regard to the educational requirements of his flock. He was then appointed to the charge of the Kapunda parish, with which he was associated for many years. Kapunda was then one of the largest towns outside the metropolis. It was the centre of an extensive farming district. The copper mine was in full work and employed a number of men. When Fr. Byrne arrived in Kapunda in 1863 the only Catholic church in the nightborhood was St. John's, three miles away. This had been served in the early days by the Right Rev. Michael Ryan, the first Vicar-General of the diocese, and an uncle of Dean Ryan of Mount Gambier. By the zealous labors of Fr. Byrne and his faithful flock, the fine church of St. Rose of Lima was erected on a commanding site in the township. An excellent Catholic school was also established under the headship of Mr. John Besley, who is still living. From Kapunda Fr. Byrne was transferred to Salisbury, where he remained for three years. There was a good church there and a school was added. His ability and administrative capacity were now becoming recognised; he was called to Adelaide, and in 1873 was appointed Vicar-General by his old companion, Dr. Reynolds, who had been consecrated Bishop of Adelaide in succession to Dr. Shiel. Dr. Byrne, as he had then become, performed his administrative duties during a very trying and troublous time with great circumspection. During a portion of the time the Bishop was away on a visit to Rome and Europe, and the Vicar-General's labors and responsibilities were consequently greatly increased.

In 1882, after Bishop Reynolds' return, Dr. Byrne took a well-earned holiday, during which he visited Europe and America, and was accorded a public audience with His Holiness the Pope whilst in Rome. On his return to Australia Dr. Byrne became again associated with his old parish at Kapunda, where he was warmly welcomed by his old friends. Here he remained till 1897, during which time he erected and endowed the convent and school there for the Dominican nuns. Finding with advancing years the charge of a large country parish too arduous, he, at the request of Dr. O'Reily, was transferred to Goodwood, as irremovable rector, which position he retained, with the exception of a short interval, until two years ago. On his temporary retirement from the Goodwood Church in 1904, he was presented with a handsome easy chair, suitably inscribed.

In April, 1904, Mgr Byrne celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination. The occasion was suitably recognised by a High Mass and a public meeting, at which congratulations and expressions were showered. At a dinner given in his honor, Archbishop O'Reily bore unstinted testimony to the unbroken record of success of the Monsignor in the various responsible positions he had filled in the archdiocese, and to the great value of his advice and counsel and the staunchness of his support when any difficulties arose. About two years ago Mgr. Byrne retired from active parochial duties, though he still continued to interest himself in the affairs of the archdiocese as Vicar-General. He took up his residence in the North Adelaide Hospital, where he had rooms. For the last few months he has been a patient in the hospital, where, during a long illness. he waited the last call with patience and resignation. The final summons came on Thursday afternoon, July 28, when he passed to his eternal reward.

With Mgr. Byrne passed away the last link connecting the early history of the Church in South Australia with the present time. When he arrived in the State the diocese was under the jurisdiction of its first bishop, Dr. Francis Murphy, of revered memory. Dr. Byrne a young priest was associated with pioneers in the ministry—Fr. John Smyth, V.G., Archdeacon Russell, Dean Fitzgibbon, Archbishop Reynolds, Bishop Maher, the Jesuits Fathers Tappeiner and Pallhuber, and many other laborers in the vineyard, who have long since joined the great majority. Mgr. Nevin, still happily spared, does not date his ministry in South Australia quite so far back. Dr. Byrne was raised to the dignity of Monsignor by the Pope in 1902, and Archpriest Nevin received a similar honor a few years ago.

It would take columns to enumerate the good work of the deceased cleric in the cause of religion, charity, and education. The evidences of his zeal and generosity are spread throughout the archdiocese. He took a deep interest in "The Southern Cross" from its inception. In 1903 he succeeded the late Mr. J.J. Leahy as chairman of directors, and his shrewdness and business ability were of the greatest service to the paper. He occupied his spare time in writing the "History of the Catholic Church in South Australia," for which task his knowledge, experience and literary abilities eminently fitted him. He added a third portion shortly before he died. This brings the record down to the death of Bishop Shiel in 1870, and much regret has been felt that the rev. author was not able to continue the work to a later date. Personally a quiet unassuming man, he yet possessed a knowledge of the world and business ability which rendered him a wise counsellor and administrator. He was also a zealous pastor and faithful friend. His loss to the Church and Catholicity in this State is indeed a great one. May he rest in peace.

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See also "Death of Monsignor Byrne", Southern Cross, Adelaide, 30 July 1915, p 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166426831.

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Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 3:

Byrne, Frederick, Rt. Rev., V.G., Irish, Golden Jubilarian
Historian Off-Beam
There was once an old Professor at Manly College who, if he wanted to bring a student down 'a peg or two', would employ the remark: "You'll write a boo(r)k". Here we bring Byrne down a peg, not because he wrote the 'History of the Catholic Church in South Australia', but because the work is replete with inaccuracies, slanders, and anti-curate bias. To use the words of the late Archivist in Adelaide, Fr. Morrison, "this is not an official history of the South Australian Church." But despite the 'chip on the shoulder' about curates and other priests, Byrne was a hard-working pioneer and a man of no mean ability. He was born in Dublin on 22.2.1834. To join the Benedictines he studied at Subiaco, Italy, but ill-health compelled him to leave. He apparently came out to Australia with the intention of continuing priesthood studies and remaining in Perth. Instead he was cajoled into coming to Bishop P.B. Geoghegan in Adelaide, arriving on 6.3.1857. He was one of few who completed his studies at the Jesuit College in Sevenhill, and along with a future Bishop of Adelaide, C.A. Reynolds, was ordained on 24.4.1860. 55 years of service by any priest is worthy of recognition, and that was the tally in Byrne's case. He was at the Adelaide Cathedral from 1860 to 1864; Kapunda from 1864-9, and later for a second term from 1883 to 1897. Salisbury would be at least one station in the intervening period 1869 to 1883. Distinctions came his way as the years of service went by: being appointed Vicar General in 1873, given an honorary D.D. in 1888, and made a Monsignor in 1903. After leaving Kapunda he was appointed to the Goodwood parish, where he remained until retirement to St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage in 1909. In 1873 Byrne was involved in a very tragic happening at Wentworth (then in the Diocese of Bathurst), when Fr. Michael Fitzsimmons "committed suicide by throwing himself into the Murray River while labouring under a temporary fit of insanity". (Jury Verdict. Deniliquin Chronicle 28.8.1873). The one and only priest that could be called on to assist at the Wentworth obsequies was Byrne, who seemingly journeyed by coach to be present. Perhaps in Byrne we have one of the great pioneers of the Adelaide Mission, where the going was rough and tough. It's a pity that his writing shows up a censorious attitude towards his fellow clergy. He died at the age of 81 in North Adelaide on 22.7.1915, and burial took place in the Cabra Convent Grounds.
(Footprints, Vol. 1, No. 10)
Ref.: MDHC File, Torquay, per F. & M. Roache, Brooklyn Park, Adelaide.