Patrick Riordan : Short Biography

Patrick Riordan was born around 1844 in Cullane South, Ballylanders Parish, Co Limerick, to John Riordan and Bridget Quane. His siblings were James, Margaret, Mary, John, Ellen and Bridget. He emigrated to New Zealand, and married Mary Burke in 1882 at the Catholic Church in Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand. His first cousin, Fr James Joseph O'Donnell, of neighbouring Glenroe, who had recently arrived in NZ, was a celebrant for the wedding. His brother John also emigrated to New Zealand, and was a witness at the wedding. (However, after 1892, I don't know where his brother moved to.)

Patrick and Mary farmed at Charing Cross not far from Darfield in Canterbury, and had six children: John, Martin, Patrick Joseph, James, Bridget and Annie. Mary Burke, his wife, died in 1892 of consumption. (Annie, their youngest daughter also died of this disease aged just 19.)

Patrick died in 1911, and is buried at the Catholic cemetery in Darfield, along with his wife Mary, her mother Ann, and her uncle John Burke.

Patrick's son James inherited the land at Charing Cross, but a few years later he died on wounds received in the Battle of the Somme, and is buried in France.