A book with a particularly interesting connection to Queensland Irish history has landed on our radar.

Jack the Hatter, by Louise Shellshear, tells the story of her great-grandfather John Murtagh Macrossan (1832–1891) – one of the prominent Irish-born Queenslanders of the 19th century and a man with a fascinating connection to the Irish nationalist movement.

Born in County Donegal, Macrossan became a Queensland politician, serving in the Legislative Assembly from 1873 until his death in 1891. He was twice a State Minister and was a delegate to the 1890 Australasian National Convention, where he worked alongside Sir Samuel Griffith on the developing Federation movement. He died in Sydney while attending the convention in March 1891.

He was also a prominent Catholic layman and an active supporter of the Irish National League in Queensland. He was among the Queensland representatives named for the League at its 1883 Melbourne conference.

There is an especially strong connection to the Queensland Irish Association through his family.

His son Hugh Denis Macrossan was a barrister and Liberal/Ministerialist member for Windsor from 1912 to 1915. He was also a QIA member and, in 1916, gave a toast at the Association’s St Patrick’s Eve dinner.

Hugh later became a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland and, in 1940, Chief Justice – although his term was tragically brief, as he died only weeks after his appointment.

His younger brother Neal William Macrossan was also a QIA member. A Rhodes Scholar and barrister, Neal became a Supreme Court judge and then Chief Justice of Queensland from 1946 until his death in 1955.

So the Macrossan connection to Queensland’s Irish community stretches across generations – from John Murtagh Macrossan’s involvement in Irish nationalism and Catholic community life in the 19th century to his sons’ involvement with the QIA in the early 20th century.

John Macrossan also played an important role in the establishment of Holy Cross Church at Wooloowin, where Brisbane City Council’s heritage record notes his efforts to galvanise support for the church in a district with a large Irish Catholic population.

Jack the Hatter brings together new material about this remarkable Queensland Irish family and their place in Queensland’s political, legal and Irish history.

A fascinating one for anyone interested in the people and families who helped shape our Irish community in Queensland.

There is a launch at Riverbend Books in Bulimba next week, Wednesday 23rd September at 6.30pm. This is a Free event but RSVPs are essential – please book in at the link below. There is also the option to purchase a book for $34.99 when you register.