The first humans to live in the area were the Noongar Aboriginals. It was first settled by Europeans around 1842 when George Nash and others moved to the area. They named the place "Donnybrook" after the suburb of Dublin, Ireland that they came from. The eastern part of the town was formerly called Minninup. The western portion of the townsite is currently known as Irishtown. The town of Donnybrook was gazetted in 1894. The population of the town was 430 in 1898. In 1897, Richard Hunter discovered gold about 6 kilometres south of the Donnybrook townsite. Hunter eventually sold out to Fred Camilleri and Camilleri was able to interest the internationally renowned Polish geologist Modest Maryanski. It was on the basis of Maryanski's report that a new company "Donnybrook Goldfields Ltd" was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1899. A mini gold rush occurred, resulting in the Government gazetting the Donnybrook Goldfield - in the process making provision for a new town to be called "Goldtown". From the census of 1901, it was known over 200 gold miners were camped on the goldfields. The excitement was short-lived however, and the Hunters Venture mine closed in August 1903. The area was worked during the Great Depression by locals Laurie and Foster Payne, then re-pegged and explored during the 1980s and again from 2004-5.
Geography
Climate
Donnybrook experiences a Mediterranean climate. Although summers are usually dry, heavy downpours in the summer are not uncommon. Donnybrook gets 93.9 clear days annually.
Industry
Donnybrook is the home of Western Australia's apple industry. In 1900, the first Granny Smith apple tree was planted, and the apple orchard industry grew after World War I. Apples are harvested between March and May, with apple blossoms prominent in October. Donnybrook's industries also include timber, beef, dairy and viticulture. Many visiting backpackers earn money by picking fruit from orchards in the area between November and June. Many apple trees are being replaced with Avocado trees.
Tourism
Donnybrook has many town icons bearing the apple. On the main street, apple-shaped lights line the entrance of the Old Railway Station. These lights have recently been restored. Atop the east Donnybrook hill is a tower with an apple at the top. The apple is part of The Big Apple Farmstay.. From the top of the apple, farmstay guests can view Donnybrook and its surrounding areas. The Lady William big apple is made of fibreglass and is tall with a diameter of, making it one of Australia's "Big Things". The Apple FunPark, the largest free-entry playground in Australia, opened in Easter 2008 in time for the Donnybrook Apple Festival. The fruit-themed park has play equipment and an adult exercise area.
Apple festival
The Donnybrook Apple Festival is held every year during Easter. During the apple festival, the citizens of Donnybrook gather at Egan Park to celebrate the apple. The festival includes agricultural displays, sideshow alley, a Saturday evening concert & fireworks display and a street parade. During the street parade the Catholic Church of Donnybrook blesses the holy apple, assuring a good harvest in the years to come. The Apple Festival also had a mascot, Donny Applebrook, created in 1997. Donny was a giant green apple who promoted the festival.
Donnybrook is home to Australia's largest known English Oak. The tree, believed to originate from 1893 is a landmark within the town. There is also a time capsule under this tree.
