Michael Curtin : Short Biography

Michael was born in 1837 to Patrick and Mary Curtin nee Bellat in the townland of Lackamore, Parish of Miltown Malbay, Clare. He was one of 5 children. He emigrated  to New Zealand in the 1860s and lived with his sister, Mary McEntyre nee Curtin , and her husband, Thomas John McEntyre, at Pleasant View farm, Arrow Flat, near  Arrowtown, Otago, New Zealand. He worked as a labourer on the farm. He died , aged 31 years, on 10 September 1871, as the result of an accident. He fell from his horse about 300 yards from the farm as he was returning from Arrowtown. He died from congestion of the brain sustained from the shock of the fall and died  30 minutes later. He is buried near his sister, Mary, in Arrowtown cemetery.