Thomas QUINLIVAN was the son of Anne O'MALLEY and Edmund QUINLIVAN of County CLare.Thomas was born c 1840 and made his way to the Victorian goldfields. He married at 21 yrs a widow with one daughter we presume in Melbourne. She was Bridget DONNELLY nee KEANE and was also from County Clare.She was some years older. Thomas had a cousin James from Ennystimon but we have no idea of the village or town that Thomas came from .
Thomas and Bridget and stepdaughter Annie St Clair DONNELLY arrived c 1861 we believe seeking the West Coast gold. Their eldest child Thomas Francis, my gr grandfather was born in Havelock Sth in 1864.

Military land was made widely available in Hawera and the family were there and bulding hotels from 1870. Thomas had a great gift with racehorses and indeed went on to found a four generation dynasty of QUINLIVAN racehorse trainers n Hastings. Thomas was also a pretty typical Irishman and was in endless disputes in court where he would carry the County Clare flag to gain support! We are seeking beyond our famous brick wall for more information on the family in Ireland. After Bridget's death Thomas later married Nora also from County CLare. He died in Whanganui in 1912.