DONNELLY, GEORGE PRIOR (1847-1917) was born in County Tipperary, the son of a landed proprietor, and educated at Doon, County Limerick. His father having died in 1861, he came to New Zealand with his mother (1863). While living at Wairoa South, he was a member of the Auckland Cavalry (1864) and he rode his first race at Tamaki in the garrison hunt steeplechase. In 1867 Donnelly moved to Hawke's Bay, where he became manager for Major Carlyon. He soon took up land for himself and was very successful, becoming the owner of Crissoge, Waimarama, Mangaohane and Okurukuru. He took his part in local government, and was a successful racing owner and a breeder of blood horses and cattle. He died in June 1917.

Donnelly married (1877) AIRINI, daughter of the Ngati-Kahungunu chief Karauria Pupu (who was killed fighting for the Queen at Makaretu, Nov 1868), and a descendant of Tiakitai. She died on 6 June 1909.

Privy Council reports, Donnelly v. Broughton, 4 Jul 1891; Cycl. NZ, vi; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cowan; The Press, 7 Jun 1909; O.D. Times, 21 Jun 1909.

Reference: Volume 1, page 126

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