Albury, Boorowa, Young, etc, NSW

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The Sydney Herald, 29 May 1839, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12861438:

The Roman Catholic Bishop held an ordination on Sunday last when Messrs. McGrath and Welsh [sic] were ordained to the priesthood.

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Death of the Reverend Father McGrath, The Wyalong Star and Temora and Barmedman Advertiser, West Wyalong, 14 November 1899, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145086215:

The many friends of the Rev. Father McGrath will regret to hear of his death, which took place at Crookwell on Sunday at 11.30 p.m. Father McGrath had been in indifferent heath for some time, the immediate cause of his death being broncho pneumonia. Many of our readers will remember him as being the priest in charge of the Young district for nearly 20 years, during which time Temora district, about ten or twelve years ago, was a part of his charge. He was noted for his genial hospitality and generous character, and the people of every creed and class revered him as a fine type of dignified Christian gentleman. His death will come as a great surprise to his many friends at Young, Wagga Wagga, Albury, and Burrowa, where he laboured during the 27 years of his priesthood. It is not too much to state that every priest in the diocese looked up to him as a model for courtesy, hospitality and charity. His non-Catholic friends were legion and on many public occasions their speeches served to emphasise the warm place of esteem and respect that Father McGrath occupied in their hearts. Another fact worthy of mention is that before the discovery of the Temora gold field Father McGrath was one of the first priests to minister to the spiritual wants of the few scattered members of the Catholic community in these parts.—Temora Independent.

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Crookwell, The Catholic Press, Sydney, 18 November 1899, p 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104664138:

A Requiem Mass for the late Rev. Father McGrath was celebrated in St. Mary's Church on Tuesday of last week, the Right Rev. Dr. Gallagher, assisted by several priests, officiating. Amongst the priests were some who had been stationed here, viz., Rev. Fathers Gaffey, Carroll, Leahy, and Hanrahan. The church was well filled, and the love and respect was evidenced by the attendance of persons of all classes and creeds. The choir, under the direction of Rev. Father Oswald, C.P., sang the appropriate solemn music. Mr. Malcolm presided at the organ. The remains of the deceased were interred in the Laggan cemetery near the grave of the late Rev. Father Meagher. About 500 persons followed the body to its last resting-place. Father McGrath was in his 61 year when he died. He was born in the County of Meath, Ireland, and came to this country in 1873, after his ordination. The Rev. Dr. Butler and Rev. Father J. O'Dwyer were fellow passengers with Father McGrath. The deceased priest spent 20 years in Young, and after a trip to the old country last year he, at his own request, was appointed to Crookwell. The deceased had not had good health since he came here; but that indomitable courage which was his characteristic enabled him to discharge his duties up to the last, so that no danger was anticipated, and his death came as a shock and a surprise. As Dr. Gallagher, in speaking on Tuesday of the deceased, said, "he had died in harness ; he had run his course; he had fought his fight; but for him there was laid up a crown which passeth not away."— R.I.P.