Thomas Kavanagh

Thomas Kavanagh was born in October 1854 at the family homestead in Askintinny, County Wicklow. As the eldest surviving son of John Kavanagh and Elizabeth Death, he was baptised in the Catholic Parish of Arklow on 12 October 1854. His sponsors were Thomas Moore and Sarah Somers.

Marriage to Jane Murray

On 9 June 1881, Thomas married Jane Murray at the parish church in Arklow. Jane was the daughter of William Murray, a local fisherman who had sadly passed away prior to their wedding. At the time of their marriage, Jane was residing at 'Big Rock'.

The ceremony was witnessed by Laurence Murray and Bridget Bolger. On the marriage certificate, Thomas listed his occupation as a fisherman, as his father.

Thomas and Jane’s growing family mirrored their movements within Arklow's fishing communities. They had permanently relocated into the heart of Arklow’s fishing district, settling in the area of Tinahask Lower c1886.

Children of Thomas and Jane

• Elizabeth

• John

• William

• Thomas

• Mary

• Laurence

• Sarah

The 1901 Census

The 1901 census recorded the family living at House 2, Tinahask Lower. 

Thomas (recorded as a fisherman) and Jane were surrounded by five of their children: William, Thomas, Mary, Laurence and Sarah.

The 1911 Census

A decade later, the 1911 census records Thomas and Jane residing at House 43, Tinahask Street Lower. Living with them were adult children William, Thomas, Laurence and Sarah. Thomas, now in his late fifties, was still working as a fisherman.

Jane is recorded as having given birth to 7 children, 5 of whom were still living.

Second Marriage

The final chapters of Thomas’s long life brought both loss and new companionship. After nearly forty years of marriage, his wife Jane passed away at their home in Tinahask in 1918 of stomach cancer.

Five years later, on 18 September 1923, Thomas married Margaret Toole (née Dunne), a local widow, in Arklow. Their wedding was witnessed by Richard O’Toole and Lizzie O’Toole.

Thomas, now seventy-one years old, was still residing in the maritime heart of Arklow at Tinahask Lower with his second wife, Margaret.

1926 Census

Living with Thomas and Margaret in 1926 was twenty-six-year-old, Laurence Kavanagh. Rather than just listing their trades generally, the 1926 return details their exact working relationship, painting a picture of generational seafaring. Thomas Kavanagh is recorded not merely as a hand on a ship, but as a fisherman and boat owner. Laurence Kavanagh is listed as a 'fisherman assisting father', with his official employer explicitly recorded as none other than his own father, Thomas.

This 1926 record highlights Thomas’s years of hard work that began in his youth at Askintinny. He had successfully transitioned from a young fisherman into an independent skipper, providing a livelihood for himself and passing the family trade down to his son.

Thomas's Death

Thomas Kavanagh’s long and industrious life came to an end on 9 March 1949. He passed away a widower at his residence at 4 Laffans Lane in Arklow - a quiet laneway nestled just off Main Street. He was ninety-four years old, although the death record states his age as 90. The official cause of death was recorded as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Grandson,  John McDonald, residing at Probys Row - was by his side and registered his death in Arklow on 12 March 1949.