Able-spirit from a young age
Abbeyleix Railway Station
Abbeyleix Railway Station
Courtesy of Carlow County LibrariesAbbeyleix Railway Station
Courtesy of Carlow County Libraries
Courtesy of Carlow County Libraries
Abbeyleix Railway Station
Abbeyleix Railway Station
Courtesy of Carlow County LibrariesWhen a young Arthur arrived at Abbeyleix Railway Station to travel to his friend's house by train in the late 1830s, he was greeted with great concern by the stationmaster.
A few years later when Arthur returned for a second visit he was taken aback when the sationmaster recognised him.
He did not consider his disability as defining him. That's why he was surprised when other people made an issue of it.
Rather, he lived his life to the full without letting his deformities bother him.
Getting around
The Kavanaghs were a very rich family so Arthur was able to use servants to carry him to and from engagements. He also developed a special wheelchair so that he could move around by himself.
Arthur also mastered travelling by horseback. His chest was broad, but he could make the stumps of his arms meet across it. By constant practice he made the stumps themselves so supple and strong that with the reins round them he could manage a horse as well as if he had them between his fingers.
He was also an expert angler. Fishing from a boat or from horseback, he used dexterous jerks of the stumps of his arms to control the rod.
He also became a good amateur draughtsman and painter and could write very clearly.
Arthur also mastered travelling by horseback. His chest was broad, but he could make the stumps of his arms meet across it. By constant practice he made the stumps themselves so supple and strong that with the reins round them he could manage a horse as well as if he had them between his fingers.
He was also an expert angler. Fishing from a boat or from horseback, he used dexterous jerks of the stumps of his arms to control the rod.
He also became a good amateur draughtsman and painter and could write very clearly.