Elizabeth Kavanagh

Elizabeth Kavanagh was born in Askintinny, Co. Wicklow, around October 1861, the daughter of John Kavanagh and Elizabeth Death.

Marriage to James Dunne

On 27 June 1888, Elizabeth married James Dunne at Arklow Roman Catholic Chapel. James, a fisherman from Arklow Rock (Rock Big), was the son of John Dunne. The ceremony was officiated by Fr. Patrick Dillon and witnessed by James Fogarty and Bridget Bolger.

Children of John and Elizabeth

• Sarah

• John

Elizabeth and James raised their nephew, Thomas Kavanagh (1898), the son of Elizabeth’s brother Denis Kavanagh and Julia Reilly

1901 Census

Elizabeth and James were living in Rock Big, Arklow with their 11-year-old daughter, Sarah, and Elizabeth's 3-year-old nephew, Thomas Kavanagh.

1911  Census

By 1911, Elizabeth and James were recorded living in Rock Big with nephew, Thomas. The census return reflects the family's heartbreaks, noting that Elizabeth had given birth to two children, with only one surviving (Sarah).

On the 1911 Form B.1 House and Building Return, the primary landholder for their property was recorded as Elizabeth’s older sister, Catherine Dunne (née Kavanagh). Following the death of her husband Peter in 1905, Catherine acted as landholder for several adjoining properties in the townland, including her own home, James and Elizabeth's household, and Household 11, occupied by their brother Denis Kavanagh and his family.

1926 Census

The 1926 Census records Elizabeth and James residing at Abbey Terrace, Arklow. James was working as a fisherman aboard the boat owned by his skipper nephew, Thomas Kavanagh.

James passed away on 26 November 1938 at Askintinny at the age of 76. His cause of death was recorded as nephritis and cardiac syncope. His daughter, Sarah Kavanagh, was present at his death and registered the entry on 30 November 1938.

Elizabeth survived her husband by five years. She passed away at Rock Big on 7 December 1943 at the age of 75 from chronic rheumatism and cardiac syncope. Once again, her daughter Sarah Kavanagh was present and registered her death on 10 December 1943.