Patrick Lynch – pioneer profile

The Australia Hotel, Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

Patrick Lynch, one of the oldest residents of Kalgoorlie, was born in Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland, on the western coast near The Burren, just NW of Kilrush, on 13 May 1858. His father was the late Mr Patrick Lynch, owning a farming property in that district. He was educated in schools in his native town, and having completed his scholastic career, he at 17 years of age, emigrated to Australia.

Patrick Lynch

Mr Lynch landed first in Adelaide SA where he proceeded to Mt Brown, where he became engaged in the gold diggings. He was to spend five years at this place, during which periods he encountered the various vicissitudes common to the lot of a pioneers who prospected the early alluvial fields. Notwithstanding, a number of disappointments,  he met with a considerable share of success. From here he directed his steps to the Barrier Ranges, and during the succeeding twelve years he became a well know citizen of Broken Hill.
In the earlier part of this time he was connected with the mining industry of the great Silver City, but at a later date became interested in commercial enterprises when he took over the conduct of the Pinnacles Hotel. He also conducted a butchering establishment in the town which also met with success until 1893 when he disposed of his interests and crossed the Great Australian Bight, to land in Western Australia.

The Victoria Hotel, Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

Immediately after landing at Fremantle, he made his way to Coolgardie, and once more applied his energies to search for gold, the mental visions of which had brought him like a magnet to the land of his adoption. After three years of prospecting, Mr Lynch came to Kalgoorlie and took over the lease of the Great Boulder Hotel, conducting that hostelry for over seven years.
In 1903 he became the proprietor of the Australia Hotel, one of the most favorably known and principal house’s on the Goldfields. The building is one of the finest in Kalgoorlie, and its interior amply fulfills its promise by the architecture and design of the street front. The bedrooms are roomy and comfortably furnished, the dining and drawing rooms are replete with all appointments for the convenience of the guests. Mr P Lynch also owns the Commercial Hotel and the Victoria Hotel in Kalgoorlie and the Globe Hotel in Coolgardie.

The Commercial Hotel, Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

He is a great supporter of the mining industry and holds various interests on the Goldfields. He worked on several mining leases in his own name and also financed prospecting parties. No man on the Goldfields is more favorably known among the Irish community than Mr Lynch. He was long a supporter of the Irish Home Rule cause. During each visit of Irish envoys to Western Australia, they have been entertained as welcome guests, while his house is the headquarters for the local movement for the autonomy of Ireland. For many years he was connected with the Irish Nationals Foresters and Hibernian Soc. His favorite pastime is the ‘sport of kings’, and he has raced several horses in Western Australia. He himself is a fine horseman and he spends much time in the saddle.

Ref:- The Cyclopedia of Western Australia.

Patrick’s first wife, Margaret, died in the 21st Sept 1917 in Kalgoorlie.

Kalgoorlie Miner 3 Dec 1934

His second marriage was to E J Lynch. I have not as yet been able to locate the marriage details but she is mentioned in his funeral notice. It also appears he had six children to his second wife. Patrick Lynch died in 1934 at his home at 555 William Street, Mt Lawley, where he had lived for 10 years, when he retired, he was aged 76 years.

The following additional infoamtion was supplied by Patricia Mahoney, Rae Paine and John Pritchard:-

John second wife:- Elsinore Ida Reetz (From Qld) and Patrick Lynch were married in Sydney NSW in either 1920 or 1921.

Both Patrick and Elsinore lay at rest together in Karrakatta grave RC BA 0352 and they both have a common contact person in the cemetery records (one of their sons Raymond) The grave is still current.

Found the children’s names – Martin, Patricia M, Margaret, Kevin P, Francis and Raymond F. Elsinore lived at  135 Wood St, Inglewood at her death on 6 Jul 1971. Her father was Herman Otto Reetz and her deceased mother Mary Jane O’Dowd. She was 28 at marriage on 24 Sept 1921.  In the 1920 Electoral roll she was working as a waitress in Perth. She had been working in Kalgoorlie in 1917-1919 at the Australia Hotel.

Elsinore Ida LYNCH nee Reetz

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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