Irish Jack Mulholland on Life in Borroloola, Australia 1963 

Born in Ireland in 1912, Jack arrived in Borroloola in the 1930s to avoid Europe's wars. He became the publican at the Tattersal's Hotel in 1945 after John O'Shea died. As the town declined so did trade at the Tattersal's Hotel until, by the time he was interviewed by David Attenborough, Jack had only about five patrons a year. Jack took this philosophically, in truth he seemed to welcome it, as it gave him time for reflection.[v] As the hotel trade dwindled he became a prospector. Whilst he found bits and pieces of various ores they never amounted to anything. This bothered Jack no more than the lack of trade at the hotel. Much of his prospecting involved thinking and he claimed he had found the most precious of all rare resources - contentment. He fiercely guarded his solitude and independence. Jack married a local Aboriginal woman and together they had five sons and two daughters. Both daughters died in childhood and are buried north of the tamarind trees.[vi] He had found an old abandoned truck, of 1928 vintage, and fixed it up so it was in working order. It would be an exaggeration to call it a restoration, but it ran and was reasonably reliable, at least for a competent bush mechanic. The truck had no starter motor, and Jack never found the starting handle. When he needed to use it, he'd jack up one rear wheel, switch on the ignition, put the truck into gear and spin the wheel. Most people would find this inconvenient, but the arrangement was perfectly adequate for Jack's purposes. In time, as Borroloola began to grow again, it seems Jack became disenchanted with life in town and moved to a camp in the bush, about six miles (10km) away. It also seems he was lonely. Perhaps he thought an animal would satisfy his need for company better than people. He decided to find a pet and chose a king brown, a highly venomous snake. One morning he was found dead. His grave is marked by a home-made concrete cross. The character of the monument is in total harmony with the man beneath the earth. It is inscribed with these words; Age 70 JACK MULHOLLAND laid to rest 4-4-82 born Ireland father of _____ Fred Patrick Francis Kevin Victor

I'm English, but with an Irish name, and living in Australia. I am half way through setting myself up in a small remote outback village (pop. 46), I've already purchased the land, and put a concrete slab down. The days when a man could just build a shack and live in it, are gone unfortunately - but I will sort myself out some kind of dwelling this year, God willing. I understand his contentment in the bush - it is an excellent escape, and you can get down to some real thinking. In Jack's memory, I have purchased "Salthaven" by W. W. Jacobs on eBay (from the UK) - I'll read it on a hammock tied to two eucalyptus trees, I think he would approve.

60 years David Attenborough was already an established broadcaster and is still doing it today, a truly extradordinary man!!!

I was born in January 1963 and I am now 61 yrs old. This is the spirit of Australia I recall from my grandparents and I find it so nostalgic and inspiring

He reminds me of that Jean Paul Sartre quote, “if you’re lonely on your own, you are in bad company”

What a lovely guy, contented and philosophical along with it. At peace with himself in an extraordinary situation. The world needs more of them.

Irish heart is pure gold

This man is genuinely at peace with himself. He should be example to us all in these days of excess. Wasn't prepared for how philosophical this was going to be.

What a genuinely intelligent soul. Wonderful person.

He read the library ,God bless him ❤made me smile ❤

I've just watched this three times in a row, I can't stop smiling.

'To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance' - Oscar Wilde. This is how Jack the wise Irishman lived his life out in the bush, what a legend.

One pure heart to another ☘️

Wow! So many today would be shocked to hear his take on money. He's so right.

Check out the documentary "Last stop Larrimah" its about a Limerick man called Paddy Moriarty that went missing there in 2022, another small town in the NT. Great documentary.

What a wonderful person . I could only wish for the contentment he had .

At first glance, I was totally mistaken regarding my preconceived notions of Irish Jack as he appears in this video. It just reinforces the old adage "Never judge a book by it's cover". The man is a gem in so many ways. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece.

Outstanding footage....

I met Jack in 1979 at his bush camp at night. I wanted to talk to him about my great uncle, Charlie Havey who lived in Borroloola until he died in the ‘50’s. He told me he and Charlie drank the last bottle of whisky from the hotel as they watched it burn. It was a privilege to have sat around a fire yarning with Jack.

Due to a clerical error when asked for some books around the turn of the century, the Carnegie library sent 3,ooo books to Borroloola not knowing what the population was. The books were hugely popular and kept at the Police station. White ants and cyclone's every other year have destroyed most. One or two books may exist on out stations. Borroloola has a fabulous history.

" Oi considah meself a remahkabul fella" So do i Jack, superb outlook on life.

Now that’s an Irish man true to his own heart in life

David Attenborough has certainly been on the go a long time and still is out their filming today well into his 90s

He makes me want to be a better person

Cr,s vault is doing a great service to Ireland giving us great snapshots of our history ❤

I think Jack just became my hero, we can all learn a lesson from him thats for sure. Legend 👍

Jack is a remarkable fella! If only I were so wise…

What a wise and happy man

Both of these men are true treasures

Very smart man

Such a lovely accent! Mostly sounds Australian with a traditional Irish twang still in it. Reminds me a lot of my grandfather’s accent.

What a legend..

Fantastic. Subscribed straight away. This history is gold. Thanks, Canberra. 👍

"David Attenborough visited Borroloola in 1963 to film what became episode 2 of 'Quest Under Capricorn', the 8th and final series of the BBC's Zoo Quest expedition documentaries.[9] He interviewed Irishman Jack Mulholland, then owner of the hotel." (Wikipedia)

A great spiritual message

This is wonderful 👌🏼

Old jack had his own "bush" around the corner. No wonder he was so content.

absolutely brilliant. so glad you shared, just wish we could see the entire video.

True wealth...😊

It would be nice if David A. could see this footage, wonder if he remembers meeting Jack.

Visited Borroloola in the 90s, pretty amazing.

Going back out there next month it’s so weird to be in place knowing there won’t be another humans for 70-80km away when your out there.

He became the pinnacle Australian. RIP.

Not many 'humans'can say they have been interviewed by the great David Attenborough! Plenty of animals though.

Happy days, lucky man ☘👍,

Today McArthur River mine - mines silver lead and zinc nearby. The area is also rich in copper and kimberlite and natural gas.

Yes I understand you Mr Mulholland.

Excellent Presentation,

i have never been lonely myself,many cant take being alone,to this day i prefer to on my own,also enjoyed many years roaming the territory and kimberly

Attenborough was a dish back in the day.

And so do I. You've got the best!

You could listen to him for hours

Brilliant irishman

He's a hermit

it would break a man’s heart 3:11 😔

Jack had more than most! Good onya mate.

As vezes, pessoas solitárias se tornam exímios filósofos.

When he said he read the medical journal, I couldn’t stop laughing because the same thing happens to me when I google

Aw, good for him at the end there

Outstanding CR 🥇 Anyone have more information on this extraordinary man ?

The fella has the level of peacefulness that Buddhist monks strive to achieve.

A remarkable fella you are my good man, humble and contrite. Seeking not more than the Gods as you put it would apply to you. I once met a fellow in Daly Waters such as you, a grand old man he was and hopefully still is, administration for the simplicity of life away from gain and profit, yes, a decent fella.

0:19: Loving Attenborough's Converse , groovy ....

Good man Jack

This video is a treasure. The phrase public house in Australian English must mean the same thing as a rooming (or boarding) house here in Canada. In the U.S. and elsewhere I am not aware of what that phrase would be elswherre. Speaking of how confusing the English language can be sometimes - Has anyone else besides me ever wondered why according to some entreprenuers in only one research paper there can be claims instead of only one claim?

I hope Attenborough managed to interview Roger Jose while there. Another interesting character of Borroloola.

Yeah he was a contended bloke, no wonder though, he was is paradise that far out, there's heaps of Jack's around the inland/northern even today, there was another old beauty, Paddy, outside Paynes Find another older reclusive bloke who loved a visit if your were passing and could find him.

Looks like Jack found a big mine, full of contentment. Find his story, another truly strange Territory tale.

This is epic

Be Careful what you wish for !...You just might get it!

I consider him a remarkable fellow as well. Anyone know his fate ?

is that David Attenbourogh Interviewing ?

I do too ❤🎉

He didn't come from poverty, well spoken middle class from ireland. Nice man ☘️✊

May he rest in the peace of Christ Our Lord, Amen🙏🏼✝️

I'm willingly to bet he read Epicuris in that library because he's certainly living the philosophy. They don't make them like this any more.

Jeez , what is Columbo ( Peter Falk ) doing there ?

Aussie accents have changed so much since the 60s

Mulholland is a name you would only find in south county Derry

why would he not be happy. Hes away from the total madness of society.

Id like to be more like Jack . Life without the razzle dazzle . I also love the trees and the birds but am always drawn to town

Is there a full version of the interview anywhere?

Is it only me, or were others seeing a past trauma behind his lifestyle? Can't help but feel something fucked up happened to him.

Where’s the rest

David Attenborough would of been in his late 30s pushing 40 here. Dude looked very young for someone nearly pushing 40.

A true Lacanian

When your happy your happy , no need to look for things of no importance

A salvar a la Bronca y a Divaza!

poor ol bugga

0:59

Interesting, Apparently Boorooloola has a 2024 Population of about 900. Apparently Australia had a Population of about 11 Million 1963. Young Attenborough does Not Really get to the Bottom of Why He is Really at Boorooloola, Why for So Long and Why So Very Few Stayed. But this is/was One of the Common Outcomes across Regional Australia. This Story was a Typical Story Amongst Australian Men. GO OUT BUSH DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE, GET DRUNK WHEN YOUR SAD. Further, The Ratio of Pubs to People in Regional Australia 1963 was High, it is Lower Now. This was a Lot to do with a Very Very Poor Socio-Economic Structure in Regional Australia. Owning a Pub, Selling Grog was One of the Few Money Success Possibilities. I Would Say He is there More because of Dislike for Other Locations than Liking Boorooloola. But it's Very Good He Found Some Peace and Apparently Left Behind Some DNA. RIP JACK. Interesting Story.

Typical Aussie bushy of the day . 😊

the guys just cooked lmfao

Jack... what an awesome human being and he avoids mass humanity, a VERY smart man! Do not let society convince you that ya need lots of shiny things to be happy.. AND..... when will that idiot Attenborough realize GOD is real..

Must be hot for a Irishman. Hot enough for Aussies

Enlightened Australian

Is this michael palin putting on an irish accent?

is that a white man

Sounds like a weirdo to me. More to that story than meets the eye.

See a doctor pal