My Great Grandfather was Robert McDOWELL. I have very little on this man. Here is what I do have.
According to the book "Winds Of Change" ( Edited by Bess HANSFORD, PUB 1988), about the people & places around the town of Mumbil in NSW, Australia:
1) He was born 1836 at "Royal Oak" Carlow
2) Arrived in Australia in 1838, accompanied by his mother Margaret

presumably McDOWELL at the time
3) Robert McDOWELL married 1859 Frances Elizabeth BAILEY
From NSW BMD site:
Marriage certificate detail for Robert McDOWELL:Reg No: 1859/003123
Date/Place: 18 October 1859/Burrandong
Names: Robert McDOWELL & Frances Elizabeth BAILEY
Conugal Status: Batchelor/Spinster
Death Certificate of Robert McDOWELL:Reg No: 1915/017156
Name: Robert McDOWELL
Age: 80 yrs
Name of Father: unknown
Fathers Occupation: Governor of Gaol
Mothers name: Margaret (surname unknown)
Where born and how long in Australian colonies/states: Ireland/76 yrs in NSW
Any help finding Robert and Margaret's roots would be greatly appreciated. It must be said that this is my first foray into Irish records.
Same message is at
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=272913.new#newMany thanks in anticipation
Robert aka Aussie Karrob in chat room