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Rev Michael Tynan

Title:

Rev

First Name:

Michael

Middle Names:

Preferred Name:

Surname:

Tynan

Order:

Date of Birth:

Place of Birth:

Country of Birth:

Ireland

Date of Ordination:

07-Jun-1879

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ireland

Ordination Diocese:

Brisbane

Seminary:

Carlow College, Carlow, Ireland

Date of Death:

Place of Death:

Country of Death:

Date of Burial:

Place of Burial:

Country of Burial:

Find A Grave URL:


Appointments Table

Diocese
Place
Role
Start Day
Start Month
Start Year
End Day
End Month
End Year
Source
Brisbane Maryborough1879Fr Denis Long, Pioneer and Early Priests
Brisbane Rockhampton1882Fr Denis Long, Pioneer and Early Priests
Rockhampton Ravenswood18821883Fr Denis Long, Pioneer and Early Priests
Rockhampton Clermont1883Fr Denis Long, Pioneer and Early Priests
Brisbane Warwick1881Toowoomba Prayer Calendar
Items per page:
0 of 0


Biographical Notes

The Recent Accident at Maryborough, Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser, Toowoomba, 12 January 1880, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85759173:

The unfortunate man James Tynan, who was found on the morning of 26th December lying on the bank of the river beside the Maryborough bridge, died in the hospital early on Tuesday morning from the effect of injuries received. The sufferer when received into the hospital was fully conscious of the extent of his injuries, and piteously begged that an end might be put to him, subsequently he became inarticulate and remained so until his death, unable to give any information, relative to the origin of the mysterious occurrence. An inspection of the spot where it took place, shows that immediately beneath where Tynan's hat, boots, and socks were found, a cross-beam projects, and it is surmised from the shattered state of Tynan's leg and lower jaw, that, in falling he struck this and rebounded into the mud where he was discovered. The circumstances do not point to any suspicion of foul play. Deceased was a brother of the Rev. Father Tynan, who arrived in Maryborough on Sunday, and remained with his doomed relative until his final collapse. — Maryborough Chronicle, January 8.

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Shipping Intelligence. Arrivals, The Telegraph, Brisbane, 27 October 1887, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174763450:

October 27.— Barcoo, s., Captain W.W. Hampton, from Cooktown for Sydney and Melbourne, via ports. Passengers: [...] Rev. Father Tynan, [...]

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Shipping Intelligence. Arrivals, The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 12 December 1887, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52070893:

December 11.—Burwah, s.s., 1000 tons, Captain W. Ellis, from Sydney via ports. Passengers—[...] two Sisters of Mercy,[...] Father Lynan [sic], [...]

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The Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 3 August 1888, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52019335:

Irishmen will be pleased to learn that something like a Hibernian Concert will be given in the hall of the School of Arts on the 15th instant. Rev. M. Tynan will deliver a lecture on the "Green Land of Song"; and illustrations will be furnished by Mrs. Cripps, and Misses Catt and Coffey ; Herr Hage ; and Messrs. Hoyle, Thomlinson, and Clayton.

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Unclaimed Letters, The Daily Northern Argus, Rockhampton, 29 April 1889, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213459894:

List of Unclaimed Letters at the Post Office, Rockhampton. If not claimed on or before May 16, 1880, will be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office, Brisbane. [...] Rev. Father Tynan [...]

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Shipping Intelligence. Departures, The Queenslander, Brisbane, 1 February 1890, p 229, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20280348:

January 24.—Konoowarra, s., 1273 tons, Captain Gerrit Smith, for Maryborough and Rockhampton. Passengers: [...] Rev. M. Tynan, [...]

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Departures, The Daily Northern Argus, Rockhampton, 29 March 1892, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article213403668:

Monday, March 28.
Cintra, s. 2000 tons, Captain W.W. Hampton, for Cooktown, via ports. (From Keppel Bay.) Passengers—Rev. Father Tynan, [...]

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Shipping. Arrivals, The Charters Towers Herald and Mining Record, 17 August 1893, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article288975655:

(By Telegraph.) Townsville, August 16.
Barcoo, s., Captain J.B.S. Medley, from Adelaide via ports. Passengers—[...] Father Tynan; [...]

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Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Michael Tynan, Unknown date of death

Born in Ireland, he studied at Carlow. He served in Rockhampton area, and possibly Clermont, from 1879-1880s. Pugh's list him as serving in Warwick in 1881.
(Ref. Pugh's and Linane T44)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 89:
Rev Father Michael Tynan

Fr Chris Hanlon relates the sad story of this priest.

Michael Tynan was born in Ireland. Seminary studies were undertaken at Carlow College (1874-1879) and, on completion, in 1879 (June 7), he was ordained priest there for Brisbane diocese.

His first appointment was as assistant priest, Maryborough (there 1879). Subsequently, he moved further north, assisting Fr Charles Murlay {q.v.} on the Central Queensland mission, until 1882, during which time he visited Rockhampton in October 1880. He was also present at Bishop Giovanni Cani's installation mass as Bishop of Rockhampton (Sunday 11 June 1882), at which he was sub-deacon. He found himself speedily transferred to Ravenswood, where he was discovered mimicking the new bishop.

He managed to redeem himself, it seems, for in 1883 he was transferred from Ravenswood to Clermont. However, the isolation and loneliness of such 'frontier' missionary activity played on his spirit and he 'created history' in the area through his drinking and following the horses. Bishop Cani removed him from the parish and he went south.

He may have served for some time in Maryborough area, though this is by no means certain. Some improvement must have eventuated, for he is reported in the records of the Brisbane church as leaving Brisbane for Rockhampton and Mackay by the Burwah, on 9 December 1887. "However, the 'demon' must once again have reared its ugly head, for he was once again suspended from priestly work, and ultimately found works as a Queensland railway navvy.(1)

In March 1892 a letter from Fr Tynan appeared in three Rockhampton newspapers.

A False Rumour Contradicted.
Father Tynan on his defence
To the editor of the Daily Northern Argus
"Sir, - It has come to my knowledge that many of the general public are under a very erroneous impression as to the reason why I have severed my connection with the Rockhampton diocese. The information may be, therefore, new to those who think differently that I did so from a long contemplated choice, and totally free from those dishonourable penalties which are seldom the reward of honest and independent service. The exeat which I received from Dr Cani, with his signature and episcopal seal attached thereto, bears incontrovertible testimony to the accuracy of the foregoing statement, as several priests in the diocese at present can also amply substantiate. How a contrary rumour could have gained circulation only shows how rashly conjectures are formed when the private affairs of others are concerned, and self-interest and malice hold empire where generosity and charity should exist.
"Hoping, Mr Editor, that you will kindly insert the above in justification to myself, and in the interest of truth and the freedom which can make no compromise with coercion.
Yours &c,
Michael Tynan
6 March, 1892"
(2)

Dr Neil Byrne relates that Bishop Dunne had an abhorrence of clerical intemperance

"Michael Tynan, a Rockhampton priest, turned to alcohol to find relief from the problem of isolation and loneliness. He received no treatment, was suspended from his priestly duties, and found work as railway navvy in south-east Queensland." (3)

Footnotes
1. Dr Chris Hanlon, Notes on Priests. BAA.
2. The Daily Northern Argus, Rockhampton, Wednesday 9 Mar 1892, page 5.
3. Neil J Byrne, Robert Dunne, Archbishop of Brisbane, 1991, pp. 165 footnote 448.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.

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