Deaths, Freeman's Journal, 22 September 1860, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114838525:

Of your charity pray for the soul of Michael O'Brien, Crecrin, county Carlow, Ireland, who departed this life on the 19th June, 1860. He was Father of the Rev. Edward O'Brien, Braidwood, and of the Rev. John O'Brien, lately ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Sydney. Upon his soul, sweetest Jesus, have mercy.

---

Roman Catholic Clerical Changes, Evening News, Sydney, 13 February 1878, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article107944745:

The following changes have recently been made:—[...] Rev. Dean O'Brien, Cooma to St Benedict's; [...]

---

Country News, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 13 November 1869, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115433378:

Catholic.—It is with unfeigned regret we announce that the Rev. Dean White is about to leave this district, and we hear that the Rev. gentleman will take his departure next week. Located amongst us for a little more than twelve or eighteen months, Dean White has secured the friendship, esteem, and confidence of all in this district, and just as he had made himself acquainted with the various parts of Manaro under his charge, he is about to be removed. We are confident this announcement will be read with regret by every member of the Catholic persuasion in this district, for in the Rev. Dean White the members of that denomination will lose a zealous energetic pastor and a sincere friend. We believe the rev. dean's place will be supplied by the Rev Dean O'Brien. With reference to the Rev. Dean O'Brien, the Braidwood Dispatch of Wednesday last supplies the following:—The intelligence of the removal of the Rev. E. O'Brien will be received with general regret, not only by the members of the Roman Catholic body, but by all classes of the community in this district. The rev. gentleman has been appointed Dean of Cooma, to which town he will proceed in about a week's time. The Very Rev. Dean O'Brien has been stationed in this district for nearly eighteen years, during which time he has devoted himself most earnestly to his sacred calling, and has well merited the love which his congregation have for him. He has always taken a most lively interest in all matters of importance to the town and district, and has been one of the most active supporters of the Hospital, having been a member of the committee from the period of its establishment until the present time. He has won the respect and veneration of the whole community by his kind demeanour and friendly intercourse with the members of all creeds, together with his many acts of benevolence. His loss is a perfect calamity to the members of his flock, to whom he has been a "guide, philosopher, and friend," as well as their dearly beloved pastor. His departure from amongst us is viewed with regret by all classes. The Very Rev. Dean White, whose place the Very Rev. Dean O'Brien is taking in Cooma, will come to Braidwood.—Manaroo Mercury.

---

Departure of the Very Rev. Dean O'Brien, The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle, 17 November 1869, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101470356:

On Wednesday morning last the Roman Catholic body of this district assembled in great numbers to bid farewell to their much loved pastor, who has been just appointed Dean of Cooma, and whose departure for Cooma was announced for that day. The testimonial committee presented the very rev. gentleman with an address conveying the regret of the members of his congregation, with other inhabitants, at his departure. The address was accompanied with a purse containing £136, which had been subscribed by those signing the address. The very rev. gentleman having replied in feeling terms, prepared to take his departure. On leaving the parsonage and stepping into his carriage he was surrounded by hundreds of persons in whose faces were pictured the most intense feelings of regret at losing their pastor who had for so long a period ministered amongst them, and been a sharer in their joys and sorrows. The procession which followed him for a considerable dis- tance out of town numbered nearly forty vehicles and about one hundred and fifty horsemen. The Very Rev. Dean White, who succeeds the Very Rev. Dean O'Brien, is expected to arrive every day. Braidwood Dispatch.

---

John McEvoy, Carlow College 1793-1993: The ordained students and teaching staff of St. Patrick's College, Carlow, The Carlovian Press, Carlow, 1993. Appendix I: Carlow College Ordained Students 1793-1993:

O'Brien, Edward, from Carlow - Crecrin, Ballyconnell, ed. CW 1846-1852, o. in 1852 for Sydney. Dean. PP: Braidwood. Joined Jesuit Fathers in 1887. Died in North Sydney 25-01-1900.

---

Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
O'Brien, Edward

Pastor, missionary; born Ireland, 13 April 1818; died Sydney, 25 January 1900, aged 81.

Edward O'Brien was ordained to the secular priesthood, and was an early missioner in Australia. He arrived at Sydney from Carlow, 10 July 1852, and was sent by the Archbishop, Dr. Polding, as the first resident priest of Braidwood, which had a resident population of about 212. He built the first parish school, which was opened, 29 January 1859, followed by St Bede's church, 1862. He also built churches at Reidsdale and Krawarree and rebuilt the church at Major's Creek which had been burnt down before he left the parish is 1869. O'Brien was then transferred to Cooma. He seems to have been administrator of St Benedict's parish, Sydney, at sometime. He received a pension from the Colonial government, with an annual income of £150 a year.

On 22 November 1887, at the age of 70, he was admitted into the Society, at the North Shore residence, and remained there until his death. He took final vows, 15 August 1898, two years before he died. In a photo of him in the sixties he appeared as a small man with a determined mouth, a high forehead, searching eyes light in colour, a finely chiselled nose and delicate features and small hands. He was an edifying old man, and full of zeal for the instruction of the people. He often preached at great length, and as he spoke quickly, the congregation found it hard to understand him. However, he was esteemed to be a holy man.

In the residence he was charged with the duty of ringing the bells for the various duties, and was remarkable for his punctuality. He was rarely, if ever, a moment late in giving the signal. At one time he was dean of the Sydney diocese, and in his last years, spiritual father to the community.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)