Denis Kavanagh

Denis Kavanagh was born at Askintinny on 2 April 1865, the son of John Kavanagh and Elizabeth Death. His birth was attended by Ann Bolger and officially registered on 12 April 1865.

Marriage to Julia Reilly

On 25 February 1895, Denis married Julia Reilly at the Roman Catholic Chapel in Arklow. Denis Kavanagh was a fisherman of Askintinny; son of John Kavanagh. Julia Reilly, Bogland, Arklow was the daughter of Patrick Reilly, a herdsman. The witnesses were Thomas Death and Maggie Reilly and the ceremony was officiated by Rev. James Dunphy, P.P.

Children of Denis and Julia

• John

• Patrick

• Thomas

• Lizzie

• Denis

• Mary

• James

• William

• Edward

• Michael

• Peter

• Joseph

• Laurence

The Askintinny Shebeen Case

In January 1896, Denis was drawn into a prominent local court case at the Arklow Petty Sessions involving his father, John Kavanagh. Following an 11pm police raid on the family home at Askintinny, John was charged with operating an illegal shebeen. Police discovered a barrel of porter hidden under a dress, alongside several locals drinking inside.

Denis was called as a key witness for the defence, testifying alongside family members that no alcohol was being sold and that the gathering was merely a private dance or 'spree'. However, the presiding magistrate rejected the family's account as contradictory and unbelievable, convicting John Kavanagh and fining him £2 plus costs.

1901 Census

In 1901, Denis and Julia were living in 32 Proby's Row, Arklow, with their children Patrick and Lizzie. 

They lived in a 2nd class house with permanent stone/brick walls and a slate, tile or iron roof. The family occupied 2 rooms and the house had 2 windows at the front.

1911 Census

By 1911, the family had moved to Rock Big. There were 8 children living with Denis and Julia - Patrick, Lizzie, Denis, Mary, James, William, Edward and Michael.

Julia was recorded to have been married 16 years with 10 children born alive, all 10 still living (civil records have shown that Denis and Julia had 13 children).

The house was a 3rd class dwelling with stone/brick walls and a perishable thatch/wood roof. The 10 family members occupied 1 room with 1 front window.

The landholder for Denis’s home at Rock Big was listed as Catherine Dunne. Catherine was Denis's older sister (née Kavanagh). Following the death of her husband, Peter Dunne, in 1905, Catherine resided as a widow at Rock Big. As the designated landholder on the property return, she was letting the cottage to Denis and his family.

1926 Census

On the night of 18 April 1926, Denis and his family were enumerated in his native townland of Askintinny. The household members were Denis - fisherman (listed as idle 1 year), Julia, Denis Jr, James, William, Edward, Michael, Peter, Joseph and Laurence.

Denis and Julia had been married for 31 years. It was noted that Julia had given birth to 13 children, all 13 of whom were still living. The family of 10 occupied 4 rooms in an inhabited private dwelling.

Julia passed away on 2 January 1950 at 56 Mellows Avenue, Arklow, aged 76 years. Recorded as married and a housewife, her cause of death was certified as nephritis and generalised oedema. Her death was registered on 6 January 1950 by her son, Denis Kavanagh, who was present at her passing in Askintinny.

Denis spent his later years in the Arklow area, where he was long established as a fisherman and labourer. He passed away on 9 February 1955 at St. Colman’s Hospital in Rathdrum at the age of 89. His cause of death was recorded as uraemia (6 months) resulting from prostate obstruction (6 months).

The death was registered on 11 February 1955 by Sister Peter, who was in attendance as the occupier at St. Colman’s. Denis was survived by his children, having outlived his wife, Julia.