The city has strong links with Ireland, with numerous immigrants from the land of the shamrock settling in the district during the 19th century.

"In 1804 a lot of convicts came from Ireland. They settled in Parramatta before moving away, with some of them coming to Orange," said Orange and District Historical Socety committee member, Marie Hammond.

"There were a lot of free settlers as well."

She said Irish names such as Sloan, Fitzpatrick and Maroney were still present in Orange, bearing testimony to the city's links with Ireland.

However, there was one Irish immigrant who made a particular mark on Orange's development.

"James Dalton [who emigrated to Australia in 1849] was the most prominent Irish settler because he went into trade," Ms Hammond said.

"After Orange was mapped out, he shifted his trade to where the Myer store now is. It was known then as 'Dalton Brothers'."

By 1876, construction had been completed on Mr Dalton's mansion in Orange - ‘Duntryleague'.

The mansion was originally called ‘Dun Tri Liag', with the name taken from Mr Dalton's Irish birthplace.

Mr Dalton was made a Papal knight, and a stunning stained glass window was presented to him by The Vatican for his services to the church.

Mr Dalton also built Australia Hall, which now houses Australia Cinemas, to provide a venue for Irish-Catholic meetings.

Mr Dalton had 12 children, many of whom were prominent in Orange's early history.