John Reddan was born in County Clare Ireland around 1835. He came to Australia in October 1860. John’s older sister Johanna arrived in Victoria before him in 1854. It is believed that John spent his first night at Johanna’s place in the Bulla area. They were later joined by their brother Michael and their sister Mary. On 11 January 1870 John Reddan married Ellen Geary, also from County Clare, at St Francis Church in Melbourne. John signed his marriage certificate with an ‘X’ and probably never learnt to read or write. He spent his life in the Bulla area as a farmer.
Just prior to his death on 19 September 1909, John received confirmation of the direct family connection between the Reddans of Bulla and the Reddans from Mullagh/Milltown Malbay in County Clare. John and Ellen have hundreds of descendants throughout Australia.
Following a family collection, the headstone and memorial for John and Ellen were erected at Bulla Cemetery in September 2007.
…..Luke Reddan, grandson of Michael Reddan
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 