The Peasant's curse come true
Arthur's father Thomas could hardly have imagined during the days before he died in 1837, that his little limbless six year old would ever succeed to the Kavanagh seat.
However, the last remaining older brother, Charles, was killed in a fire in 1853, leaving the 22 year old Arthur as next in line. He proved himself a natural leader.
Family fortunes
The McMurrough Kavanaghs
Back row from left to right: Arthur's daughter Eva, his son Walter, Walter's wife Helen, Henry Bruen. Front row: Arthur's wife Frances McMurrough Kavanagh, JH Stock, daughter Agnes and son Osborne.
Borris House CollectionThe McMurrough Kavanaghs
Borris House Collection
Borris House Collection
The McMurrough Kavanaghs
Back row from left to right: Arthur's daughter Eva, his son Walter, Walter's wife Helen, Henry Bruen. Front row: Arthur's wife Frances McMurrough Kavanagh, JH Stock, daughter Agnes and son Osborne.
Borris House CollectionIn 1855 he married his cousin, Frances Mary and they had six children. Arthur spent the next 30 years devoting himself to his family and building a political career.
He was, in the words of Sir Charles Russell, 'a landlord of landlords.'
He rebuilt the villages of Borris and Ballyragget, using plans drawn by himself, which won the Royal Dublin Society's medal.
He organised a sawmill to provide free timber for his tenants to help build their houses. Also, his wife taught the villagers floriculture and lace-making.
He was, in the words of Sir Charles Russell, 'a landlord of landlords.'
He rebuilt the villages of Borris and Ballyragget, using plans drawn by himself, which won the Royal Dublin Society's medal.
He organised a sawmill to provide free timber for his tenants to help build their houses. Also, his wife taught the villagers floriculture and lace-making.