
24th December 1835

James Dalton Snr arrived in the colony of NSW from Ireland on board the convict ship “Hive” on Christmas Eve, 1835. He had been given a seven year sentence for his part in an alleged abduction.At the time he had left behind in Duntryleague (County Limerick Ireland) his wife Ellen, and three young children, Michael, Margaret and James Jnr.
1836
1837 - 1840
22nd April, 1842
1847
1849 - 1851
James Dalton Jnr, who was born on the family farm at Ballinamona, Galbally, in the Electoral Division of Duntryleague, Co. Limerick, Ireland, and on arrival joined his father James Dalton Snr, assisting him with the running of their store at Fredericks Valley.
In the same year 1849, James Dalton Snr acquired a portion of land of Campdale, which he named Duntryleague.
1851
James Dalton Snr remarried in 1851, and with his new wife Johanna Hogan (also from Co. Limerick) had six more children before his death in 1865.
Also that year, his sister Ellen McCann arrived in Australia.
1853
In 1853 James Dalton Jnr set up his own business in a small 2 room shop at the corner of Post Office Lane.
1858
1861
They were:
- Thomas Garret Dalton, who later became Mayor of Orange.
- Winifred, who joined the religion of the Sacred Heart Order and was known as Mother Dalton
- Eleanor married Major William Redmond MP, one of the leaders of the Irish Nationalist Movement and a member of the House of Commons who was killed in action in the 1914 – 1918 war.
- Jenny, died in France
- Celia married Dr John Cruise
- Elizabeth also joined the religious order of Sacred Heart
- Rosey married Mr McKillop MP, also an Irish Nationalist
- Jack Dalton managed the flour mills
- James became a barrister
- Dick managed Amerdown property
- Michael managed Kangaroobie
- Patrick became a Jesuit priest
Also in 1861 James Dalton Jnr opened the first flourmill in Orange at the corner of Summer & Sale streets. The mill was an instant success and won several international design prizes. The mill was demolished early in this century and a new mill was erected in Piesley Street. It was demolished in the early 1960s.
1862
The Dalton brothers then turned their attention to Sydney where they established a warehousing, wharfing and wholesale empire. After many years in business together the Daltons dissolved their partnership with Thomas later becoming the Honourable Thomas Dalton MLC.
1865
James Dalton Snr died
1876

While the family lived for some time at 70 Byng Street, Orange, James Dalton commenced the building of a mansion, which he named Duntryleague, in 1876. The house befitted a man of considerable means. The name of the mansion was taken from near his birthplace that is roughly two miles from the aforementioned village of Galbally, with the literal meaning “the fort of the three flags or pillar stones”.
The house was built over three levels from bricks made on the property. It features a magnificent stairway, wrought iron lace embellishments and iron lace portico.
The Pride of the Building

The stained glass window in the mansion was presented to James Dalton on the occasion of his investiture as a Papal Knight for his services to the Catholic Church by The Vatican. It bears his papal crest and the motto “Inter Cruces Triumphans in Cruces”, which roughly translates to “amid the crosses, triumphing in the crosses”. The motto is also included on the leadlight above the front door of the mansion. Other aspects of the building are the considerable stonework which includes the flagstone veranda. All the stone was quarried from Coffey Hill, fifteen miles from Orange on the Cargo Road.
Duntryleague
The mansion itself, in addition to its many fine architectural designs, has a tower which provides many excellent views over a wide area. The house has three stories. The two dormer windowed rooms beside the chapel were added later giving a balance to the whole. Many of the original outbuildings on the estate are in excellent condition as are the entrance gates and gatehouse on Woodward Street. A vineyard, orchard and many bores were part of the features of the property.
1904
Margaret, James’ wife dies.
James Dalton presented five beautiful windows to St. Josephs Church in honour of his wife Margaret and other members of his family were similarly honoured by their children in memory of services rendered to the church over many years.
James Dalton Jnr lived at Duntryleague until his death in 1919. After Margaret’s death in 1904, James’s widowed daughters and several of his grandchildren came to live with him.
1919
On the death of James Dalton, Michael Dalton became the Manager of the Dalton Stores. The property was left to Father Patrick Dalton, a Jesuit priest and in accordance with the rules of society it became a community property. The Bishop of Bathurst rejected the idea of turning Duntryleague into a catholic college.
1935
On March 7, 1946, The Orange Golf Club officially took over the running of the mansion for the purpose of establishing a residential country golf club. The Orange Golf Club still owns and operates the site and buildings to this day. Extensive development work has taken place, turning the vast property into a championship eighteen hole golf course.