Kavanagh of Borris : The MacMurrough
Thomas Kavanagh married Elizabeth Butler
born circa 1767 24 Mar 1799
died 20 Jan 1837 died 14 Dec 1823
Thomas Kavanagh born circa 1767 fourth son of Thomas Kavanagh and Lady Susanna Butler.
He was also nephew of Eleanor Butler who was one of 'The ladies of Llangollen'. He was
educated at home with a private tutor before attending an English College on the continent with
his brother Walter. It was during this time abroad that he and his brother adopted the protestant
faith. His sister Helena had married a wealthy Catholic; James Archbold on 5 Sep 1782 and he had
another sister a nun, who died at a convent in Clifton, Bristol in 1834. He joined the Austrian service
and returned to Ireland shortly before the death of his father. He married his cousin Lady Elizabeth
Butler 24 Mar 1799 and was MP for Kilkenny in 1797/9. His last remaining older brother Walt died in
June 1818 and Thomas became heir to the Kavanagh estates in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Walter’s funeral was mobbed, stones thrown and the funeral service prevented from being read.
He was appointed Governor of the County Carlow in 1821. Elizabeth died 14 Dec 1823 at Borris
House.
1 Anne Wandesforde Kavanagh eldest daughter born circa 1800 married Col Henry Bruen of
Oak Park, Carlow on 4 Sep 1822 in Warwick. Henry was MP for the County Carlow in 1828.
They had three daughters and one son. Henry died in November 1852 aged 63.
1 Henry Bruen, son and heir born June 1828 at Oak Park, Carlow.
2 Eleanor Kavanagh born circa 1801 died in London on 30 Jun 1830 and was buried at St
James, Piccadilly.
3 Elizabeth Wandesforde Kavanagh born circa 1802 died at Borris on 7 Aug 1827.
4 Julia Wandesforde Kavanagh
5 Walter Kavanagh eldest son born circa March 1815 travelled to Maderia for his health with
two of his sisters in 1834. He was appointed magistrate for Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wexford
in July 1836 and died in August 1836 after an illness of several months
.
6 Sabina Kavanagh, third daughter died 24 May 1833 at Borris House.
7 Susanna Wandesforde Kavanagh married Major Richard Doyne of the 7th Hussars on
21 Feb 1846 at Castlecomer.
8 Grace Wandesforde Kavanagh, youngest daughter born October 1823 at Kilkenny Castle
married John St George Deane Berkley of County Wexford on 8 Oct 1846 at Killegny
Church. Grace died 18 Nov 1847 in Rome.
Thomas secondly married Lady Harriete Margaret La Poer Trench on 28 Feb 1825 at Garbally, the
seat of the Earl of Clancarty. Harriete was the daughter of the second daughter Earl of Clancarty.
Thomas Knights was appointed Knight of the Shire in 1835, the same month it was reported that
he died but this transpired to be false. Thomas died on 20 Jan 1837 aged 70 and it was reported
that 10k mourners attended his funeral at the Church of St Mullins. He was survived by his wife
and seven children.
Lady Harriet was a traveller and artist and was possibly the first Irishwoman to travel across Egypt.
After the death of her husband, she took many journeys with her children Charles, Thomas, Arthur
and Harriet without a male companion. Lady H was also what was called a ‘souper’ and was
considered a proselytiser. Harriet was elected into the Kilkenny Archaeological Society in 1851. In
1860 Lady H moved to Ballyragget Lodge, County Kilkenny when she set up a cottage lace-making
industry. She died on 14 Jul 1885 aged 86 and was buried at St Mullin's Abbey, Borris in Co Carlow.
9 Thomas Kavanagh born circa 1828 travelled with his brother and a tutor to India he died
of consumption en route from Sumatra to Australia in March 1852.
10 Harriet Margaret Kavanagh born circa 1829 married William Alexander Middleton on
28 Feb 1851 at Borris House. She died a widow at 19 Chester Square London on
7 May 1876. No issue found.
11 Charles Kavanagh born circa 1830 died in February 1853 on the eve of his wedding when
his clothes caught fire in his bedroom.
12 Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh was born 25 Mar 1831 at Borris House, Co Carlow with no
arms, and no legs, in place of limbs he had stumps. Had he not the good fortune to be
born into one of the wealthiest families in Ireland, he would have died. His mother
devoted herself totally and employed a nurse to encourage him. When he was four, she
employed a doctor. His doctor Francis Boxwell designed a modified saddle which enabled
Arthur to sit up on a pony. His mother took him travelling in the Mediterranean, Egypt,
Russia, Persia and India as a teenager. He succeeded to the Kavanagh estates (30,000 acres
in Borris and 10000 acres at Ballyragget estates in 1853 after his elder brother died. The
estate was managed by Charles Doyne but Arthur took over as his own agent after Doyne's
death. 'Richard Myers, a native of Borris was for many years his faithful servant, carrying
him on his shoulders from room to room, from place to place,and fixing him in his carriage
or on his saddle'. He married Frances Mary (Fuz) Leathley on 10 Mar 1855 at Mountjoy
Square North. Fuz was the only surviving child of Joseph Forde Leathley and a distant
cousin. He was High Sherrif of Kilkenny and Carlow and chairman of the New Ross
Guardians. He erected an extensive saw-mill on his estate and installed gas in 1857. He
was a member of the Yacht Club in Kingstown and took his family for a years cruise to
Corfu in 1860. He wrote an account of his cruise of the RYS Eva which was published in1865
which included photographs he took on the trip. He was elected MP and was described as
not only the most remarkable but the most extraordinary member who ever sat in the
House of Commons. His maiden speech was on Poor Law Taxation and union chargeabilty
in April 1869. He was said to be a benevolent landlord but he was defeated in 1880
probably due to his stance on Home Rule and the landlord system. Despite him only
having evicted 6 of his 1200 tenants over his period of his tenure and of these only 3 were
for non-payment of rent, his funeral was not well represented by his tenants. Arthur died
25 Dec 1889 at 19 Tedworth Square, Chelsea and he was buried at the ruined abbey at
Borris House Demesne. He left nearly 18K in personal estate. Frances died 2 Jan 1908 at
Borris and left nearly 18K in personal estate.
1 Walter Kavanagh eldest son born 14 Jan 1856 at Borris House married Helen
Louisa Howard on 1 Feb 1887 at Holy Trinity Church, London. Walter died
18 Jul 1922 from an accidental fall at Borris House. Helen died after an accidental
fall from a window in the Salthill Hotel in Monkstown on 11 Aug 1926.
1 Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh born 12 Jan 1888 at Borris House was educated
at Eton College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He served in the
7th Queen’s Own Hussars and attained the rank of major. He received the
Military Cross and following WW1 he returned to Ireland to take up residence
at Borris House, County Carlow and manage the family estate. He married
Minna A Buxton on 17 Nov 1914 at Norfolk. He was president of the RDS in
1950 and died on 9 Dec 1953 survived by his wife and four daughters.
2 Arthur Thomas MacMurrough Kavanagh born 27 August 1857 at Borris House died
circa 1882.
3 May Sabrina MacMorrough Kavanagh born 3 Dec 1859 at Borris House married
Henry Stock of Knoll Park Liverpool on 28 Oct 1880 at Borris House church.
4 Eva Frances Kavanagh born 6 May 1862 married Cecil John Francis Alexander, son of
Rev Sir William Alexander and Cecil Frances Humphreys, on 27 Jul 1882 at St Saviours,
London. Eva died on 27 Sep 1896.
1 Arthur Cecil Alexander only child died 29 Oct 1907.
5 Charles Toler MacMurrough Kavanagh born 25 Mar 1864 at Borris House joined the
10th Hussars and attained the rank of Colonel. He married Mary Perry on
16 May 1895 at Derrygrath Church, Co Tipperary.
6 Agnes Mary MacMurrough Kavanagh youngest daughter born 15 Dec 1865 at 45
Lower Leeson Street married Henry Bruen of Oak Park, Carlow on 17 Nov 1886.
7 Osbourne MacMurrough Kavanagh born 9 Aug 1869 at 26 Molesworth Street died
a bachelor on 18 Dec 1898.
13 Son MacMurrough born 23 oct 1833 died 26 Oct 1833.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – July 2022
Thomas Kavanagh married Elizabeth Butler
born circa 1767 24 Mar 1799
died 20 Jan 1837 died 14 Dec 1823
Thomas Kavanagh born circa 1767 fourth son of Thomas Kavanagh and Lady Susanna Butler.
He was also nephew of Eleanor Butler who was one of 'The ladies of Llangollen'. He was
educated at home with a private tutor before attending an English College on the continent with
his brother Walter. It was during this time abroad that he and his brother adopted the protestant
faith. His sister Helena had married a wealthy Catholic; James Archbold on 5 Sep 1782 and he had
another sister a nun, who died at a convent in Clifton, Bristol in 1834. He joined the Austrian service
and returned to Ireland shortly before the death of his father. He married his cousin Lady Elizabeth
Butler 24 Mar 1799 and was MP for Kilkenny in 1797/9. His last remaining older brother Walt died in
June 1818 and Thomas became heir to the Kavanagh estates in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Walter’s funeral was mobbed, stones thrown and the funeral service prevented from being read.
He was appointed Governor of the County Carlow in 1821. Elizabeth died 14 Dec 1823 at Borris
House.
1 Anne Wandesforde Kavanagh eldest daughter born circa 1800 married Col Henry Bruen of
Oak Park, Carlow on 4 Sep 1822 in Warwick. Henry was MP for the County Carlow in 1828.
They had three daughters and one son. Henry died in November 1852 aged 63.
1 Henry Bruen, son and heir born June 1828 at Oak Park, Carlow.
2 Eleanor Kavanagh born circa 1801 died in London on 30 Jun 1830 and was buried at St
James, Piccadilly.
3 Elizabeth Wandesforde Kavanagh born circa 1802 died at Borris on 7 Aug 1827.
4 Julia Wandesforde Kavanagh
5 Walter Kavanagh eldest son born circa March 1815 travelled to Maderia for his health with
two of his sisters in 1834. He was appointed magistrate for Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wexford
in July 1836 and died in August 1836 after an illness of several months
.
6 Sabina Kavanagh, third daughter died 24 May 1833 at Borris House.
7 Susanna Wandesforde Kavanagh married Major Richard Doyne of the 7th Hussars on
21 Feb 1846 at Castlecomer.
8 Grace Wandesforde Kavanagh, youngest daughter born October 1823 at Kilkenny Castle
married John St George Deane Berkley of County Wexford on 8 Oct 1846 at Killegny
Church. Grace died 18 Nov 1847 in Rome.
Thomas secondly married Lady Harriete Margaret La Poer Trench on 28 Feb 1825 at Garbally, the
seat of the Earl of Clancarty. Harriete was the daughter of the second daughter Earl of Clancarty.
Thomas Knights was appointed Knight of the Shire in 1835, the same month it was reported that
he died but this transpired to be false. Thomas died on 20 Jan 1837 aged 70 and it was reported
that 10k mourners attended his funeral at the Church of St Mullins. He was survived by his wife
and seven children.
Lady Harriet was a traveller and artist and was possibly the first Irishwoman to travel across Egypt.
After the death of her husband, she took many journeys with her children Charles, Thomas, Arthur
and Harriet without a male companion. Lady H was also what was called a ‘souper’ and was
considered a proselytiser. Harriet was elected into the Kilkenny Archaeological Society in 1851. In
1860 Lady H moved to Ballyragget Lodge, County Kilkenny when she set up a cottage lace-making
industry. She died on 14 Jul 1885 aged 86 and was buried at St Mullin's Abbey, Borris in Co Carlow.
9 Thomas Kavanagh born circa 1828 travelled with his brother and a tutor to India he died
of consumption en route from Sumatra to Australia in March 1852.
10 Harriet Margaret Kavanagh born circa 1829 married William Alexander Middleton on
28 Feb 1851 at Borris House. She died a widow at 19 Chester Square London on
7 May 1876. No issue found.
11 Charles Kavanagh born circa 1830 died in February 1853 on the eve of his wedding when
his clothes caught fire in his bedroom.
12 Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh was born 25 Mar 1831 at Borris House, Co Carlow with no
arms, and no legs, in place of limbs he had stumps. Had he not the good fortune to be
born into one of the wealthiest families in Ireland, he would have died. His mother
devoted herself totally and employed a nurse to encourage him. When he was four, she
employed a doctor. His doctor Francis Boxwell designed a modified saddle which enabled
Arthur to sit up on a pony. His mother took him travelling in the Mediterranean, Egypt,
Russia, Persia and India as a teenager. He succeeded to the Kavanagh estates (30,000 acres
in Borris and 10000 acres at Ballyragget estates in 1853 after his elder brother died. The
estate was managed by Charles Doyne but Arthur took over as his own agent after Doyne's
death. 'Richard Myers, a native of Borris was for many years his faithful servant, carrying
him on his shoulders from room to room, from place to place,and fixing him in his carriage
or on his saddle'. He married Frances Mary (Fuz) Leathley on 10 Mar 1855 at Mountjoy
Square North. Fuz was the only surviving child of Joseph Forde Leathley and a distant
cousin. He was High Sherrif of Kilkenny and Carlow and chairman of the New Ross
Guardians. He erected an extensive saw-mill on his estate and installed gas in 1857. He
was a member of the Yacht Club in Kingstown and took his family for a years cruise to
Corfu in 1860. He wrote an account of his cruise of the RYS Eva which was published in1865
which included photographs he took on the trip. He was elected MP and was described as
not only the most remarkable but the most extraordinary member who ever sat in the
House of Commons. His maiden speech was on Poor Law Taxation and union chargeabilty
in April 1869. He was said to be a benevolent landlord but he was defeated in 1880
probably due to his stance on Home Rule and the landlord system. Despite him only
having evicted 6 of his 1200 tenants over his period of his tenure and of these only 3 were
for non-payment of rent, his funeral was not well represented by his tenants. Arthur died
25 Dec 1889 at 19 Tedworth Square, Chelsea and he was buried at the ruined abbey at
Borris House Demesne. He left nearly 18K in personal estate. Frances died 2 Jan 1908 at
Borris and left nearly 18K in personal estate.
1 Walter Kavanagh eldest son born 14 Jan 1856 at Borris House married Helen
Louisa Howard on 1 Feb 1887 at Holy Trinity Church, London. Walter died
18 Jul 1922 from an accidental fall at Borris House. Helen died after an accidental
fall from a window in the Salthill Hotel in Monkstown on 11 Aug 1926.
1 Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh born 12 Jan 1888 at Borris House was educated
at Eton College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He served in the
7th Queen’s Own Hussars and attained the rank of major. He received the
Military Cross and following WW1 he returned to Ireland to take up residence
at Borris House, County Carlow and manage the family estate. He married
Minna A Buxton on 17 Nov 1914 at Norfolk. He was president of the RDS in
1950 and died on 9 Dec 1953 survived by his wife and four daughters.
2 Arthur Thomas MacMurrough Kavanagh born 27 August 1857 at Borris House died
circa 1882.
3 May Sabrina MacMorrough Kavanagh born 3 Dec 1859 at Borris House married
Henry Stock of Knoll Park Liverpool on 28 Oct 1880 at Borris House church.
4 Eva Frances Kavanagh born 6 May 1862 married Cecil John Francis Alexander, son of
Rev Sir William Alexander and Cecil Frances Humphreys, on 27 Jul 1882 at St Saviours,
London. Eva died on 27 Sep 1896.
1 Arthur Cecil Alexander only child died 29 Oct 1907.
5 Charles Toler MacMurrough Kavanagh born 25 Mar 1864 at Borris House joined the
10th Hussars and attained the rank of Colonel. He married Mary Perry on
16 May 1895 at Derrygrath Church, Co Tipperary.
6 Agnes Mary MacMurrough Kavanagh youngest daughter born 15 Dec 1865 at 45
Lower Leeson Street married Henry Bruen of Oak Park, Carlow on 17 Nov 1886.
7 Osbourne MacMurrough Kavanagh born 9 Aug 1869 at 26 Molesworth Street died
a bachelor on 18 Dec 1898.
13 Son MacMurrough born 23 oct 1833 died 26 Oct 1833.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – July 2022