Mary McGrath

Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley

Mary Ann McGrath was born about 1832. She and her husband Francis had at least seven children and, in 1867, were living in Walker St, Dunedin.

In April of 1867 Mary Ann was charged with unlawfully exposing for sale in her store, a quantity of spirituous liquors, the case fell through as her husband was absent and she could not be made liable. The next year their eight year old daughter Margaret died at Walker Street.

In 1870 Francis applied for a general publican’s licence for a house on the corner of St Andrew and Great King Streets, the application was declined. He did not give up and was finally granted a licence for the 'Harp of Erin' on his 14th attempt in 1873.

In February of 1875 their six month old son, Denis, died and in 1888 another son, 21 year old John Thomas, died.

The McGrath’s ran the 'Harp of Erin', the 'Botanical Gardens Hotel' then the 'North East Valley Hotel' which burnt down in 1887 but was re-built.

Mary Ann died on 24 October 1909 while visiting her daughter at Wyndam, Francis died the following year. They are buried together in the Southern Cemetery.

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