THE EX-CONVICT COUNCILLOR

If you search through records for many a year, you are likely to find what you don't want to hear.

Your ancestors may have not known of planes, and don't be surprised if they arrived here in chains.

 

In an old Council photo you will faintly see, a Shellharbour counsellor named "Killalea". 

Whom in his late teens had been in much strife, like so many others he was 'Sentenced to Life'.

 

After the trial many months before, Edward finally made it to Australia's shore.

He arrived here in New South Wales State, on a convict ship not knowing his fate.

 

After spending some time in Sydney, a 'Ticket of Leave' was granted to Edward Killalea.

This ticket shows he had headed South, with an Irish accent coming from his mouth.

 

About this time things become confused, as what happens next leaves a lot amused.

Edward married Maria at Jamberoo, but we still want to know:- "Maria who"?.

 

Twelve children were born to Mrs Killalea, but Maria used seven names you see.

From a photo we now have seen her face, and her ancestry so far there has been no trace.

 

Above Killalea Beach was the councillor's land, but things didn't go as Edward had planned.

Then Maria took the younger children away, leaving Edward to cope day after day.

 

With too many problems remaining unsolved, the thoughts of suicide then took hold.

Nobody will ever know all the reasons why, but Edward felt it was more painless to die.

 

Over the years the family has grown, and moved to all states statistics have shown.

Today some are Kellalea so certificates say, whilst to others the name is pronounced Kill-a-lay.

 

But a century later Edward Killalea, has descendants all over including me.

Naming Killalea Beach meant a lot to us, so hopefully others will never make a fuss.

                                                                                                                                                        Terry Killalea-Hore

 

It is interesting to note that most pronounce the name "Kill-a-lee" here in Australia, yet when I went to Ireland nobody had heard of a "Kill-a-lee" ever living in the Kiltormer area but when I wrote the name on a piece of paper it was quite a different story.  It was definitely Kill-a-lay" (As per James Edward Killelea's line's pronunciation these days) and the local publican at Kiltormer immediately told me we were related to him. Only thing is it was often spelt Killilea in Ireland, so we may all be wrong over here.

 

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