Catherine Kavanagh

Catherine Kavanagh was a daughter of John Kavanagh and Elizabeth Death, born in Askintinny during the late mid-19th century. Her life connects the agricultural landscape of Askintinny with the seafaring and quarrying communities of Rock Big and Arklow.

Catherine was baptised in Arklow Parish on 24 November 1859. Her baptismal record lists her godparents as James Dunphy and Margaret Bolger.

She grew up in the townland of Askintinny alongside her siblings, surrounded by coastal farmlands just south of Arklow town.

Marriage to Peter Dunne

On 15 January 1883, Catherine married Peter Dunne, a fisherman from Rock Big and son of Peter Dunne Sr.

The ceremony in Arklow was witnessed by Joseph McCruden and Catherine’s sister, Elizabeth Kavanagh. The marriage brought Catherine from Askintinny to Rock Big’s maritime district, where Peter worked out of Arklow harbour.

Children of Peter and Catherine

• Peter

• John

• Elizabeth

• Katie

• Denis

• James

• William

• Thomas

The 1901 Census

The family was recorded living together with Peter Sr. working as a fisherman. Listed in the home were children John (14), Katie (11), Denis (9), James (7), and Thomas (2).

The family lived in a traditional 3rd-class, two-room cottage. It was constructed with solid stone walls and a traditional thatched roof, featuring a single window at the front of the house.

All seven family members - Peter, Catherine, and their five children ranging in age from two to fourteen - occupied the two-room dwelling.

There were two outhouses on the land - a piggery and a fowl house. Keeping pigs and poultry provided the family with essential food supplies and secondary income alongside Peter's work as a sea fisherman.

The Loss of Peter Dunne

Tragedy struck the household on 7 June 1905 when Peter passed away at home in Rockbig at forty-five years of age, following a ten-month struggle with pulmonary phthisis (tuberculosis).

Peter's sister, Margaret Kavanagh of Proby's Row, was present when he died and registered the death at the Arklow district office on 14 June 1905.

After the death of her husband, Peter Dunne, in 1905, Catherine remained living in Rock Big. By the time of the 1911 census, she was recorded on the House and Building Return as the primary landholder for three properties in Rock Big - her own household, Household 10 headed by James Dunne, her brother-in-law and Household 11, occupied by her younger brother, Denis Kavanagh, along with his wife Julia and their eight children. This highlights the role she had in the local community and strong family ties she fostered within the townland.

The 1911 Census

In 1911, Catherine, now a forty-eight-year-old widow, was managing the home as head of the family following Peter’s death. Her adult sons had stepped up to support the household, with John (24) and James (17) working as quarry labourers and Denis (19) working as an agricultural labourer, while young Thomas (10) remained at school.

Catherine and her family were still occupying the traditional 3rd-class, stone-walled, thatched cottage. However, the dwelling now had 2 front windows, indicating a modest improvement to the cottage's light and ventilation.

While the 1901 census recorded both a piggery and a fowl house, by 1911 only the fowl house remained in use.

1926 Census

There is a record of a 68 year old Kate Dunne living in Greggs Hill in the 1926 census was recorded. This is likely Catherine, but hasn't yet been confirmed.