If you are a Hannan/Hannon from Australia...then you already know the legend of Patrick 'Paddy' Hannan (1840-1925) of Kalgoorlie...if you are not, then sit back and read about the man who found the richest goldfields in history.
The County Clare Library in Ireland is the source for the following tale. And it is appropriate that we tell this tale since so many Hannans from Australia regularly visit ClanHannon.Com.
Australian Hannans know that Kalgoorlie is the famous western gold-mining town where the main street is called Hannan Street, the railway station is called Hannan Station, a hotel is called Hannan Hotel and a local pub sells pints of Hannan Lager. Paddy Hannan (the immigrant) found gold here back in 1892.
His story begins with his birth in 1840 in County Clare. By 1863, after years of famine and hardship - Paddy Hannan, his five brothers and six sisters all emigrated to Australia. He began to work in the mines in Victoria and even spent some time mining in New Zealand.
In 1892, he joined up with two other Irishmen in Australia (Tom Flanagan & Dan O'Shea) and headed out to an area where rumors were told that gold could be found. While looking for his horse that had strayed off...he suddenly found gullies where gold was clearly visible. Riding off to Kalgoorlie...he there registered his claim and it soon became known as the "Hannan Award".
Within days, others heard the news and followed his trail in search of their own riches. Within a week, some 1,000 miners were looking near Kalgoorlie...in three years London became aware of the rich goldfields and investment soon came to the area.
Apparently none of this affected Paddy Hannan, and he remained a simple man returning to Kalgoorlie in 1897. The townspeople came out and treated Paddy Hannan like a 'king', upon his return.
In November 1925, Patrick 'Paddy' Hannan passed away leaving a legacy few men can match and only one Hannan has accomplished. Today he is remembered in County Clare, Ireland, and in Kalgoorlie, Australia.
Take a moment and click the link above for the County Clare Library, and read more about Paddy Hannan of Kalgoorlie.
Sources:
[Early Irish History and Mythology-Tómas F. O'Rahilly; Atlas Of The Celtic World-John Haywood; The Celts-John Haywood; The Dictionary of Irish Family Names-Ida Grehan; The Book of Irish Families Great and Small-Michael C. O'Laughlin; The Family History of Surnames; The Hall of Names Inc.; The Surnames of Ireland-Edward MacLysaght; NewsDay - Memorial to NY Fireman Dana Hannon; Associated Press - PFC Fernando Hannon, USMC; Society of African Missions,SMA - Fr. John Hannon,SMA; National Park Service Civil War Roster; Clare County Library - Paddy Hannan Story, Cromwellian Wars; Families of County Clare - Irish Genealogical Foundation, Michael C. O'Laughlin; Families of County Limerick - IGF, O'Laughlin; The Annals of Ireland - The Four Masters, translated A.D. 1846, Irish Times.Com; "The Harp Of Old Erin & Banner Of Stars", "The Opinions of Paddy Magee" - The Irish Volunteer CD, David Kincaid; Irish Family Mottoes-Tómas Ó Baoill]
