Tyrone poet’s surviving relatives look into their family tree

ANCESTORS of the local writer and poet Rose Kavanagh have visited Tyrone to explore numerous sites connected to their family history.

Their visit included a stop at St Macartan’s Forth Chapel in Augher, where two stained glass windows are dedicated to Rose and her sister Katherine.

Rose Kavanagh was born at Killadroy in 1859. When she was 11, her family settled at Mullaghmore  near Augher. She was educated chiefly at Loreto Convent in Omagh.

She first wanted to become a painter, and she began studying in Dublin in the Metropolitan School of Art. She gradually transferred from art to literature, and soon became a contributor to several journals and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Vicky McDermott, her husband Ian, and their son Dylan travelled from New Zealand and were welcomed by local woman Mary Gillen.

Mary’s grandfather, Patrick Cassidy, was a first cousin of the renowned poet.

“Rose and Katherine had a sister named Anne who emigrated to New Zealand around 1879,” explained Mary.

“It’s hard to be certain, but it seems that Anne and her family may have been evicted from their home, although the exact circumstances are unclear. Sadly, they had to leave their first-born son, Francis, behind.”

Francis passed away at a young age and never married or had children.

Since neither Rose nor Katherine ever had children of their own, Vicky, whose grandmother was Anne’s daughter, is the only direct descendant of any of the Kavanagh sisters.

“It was only when Vicky took part in a DNA test that she was able to trace her roots back to Ireland,” said Mary.

“Her grandmother died young, so she never really knew much about her Irish connections or the Kavanagh family.

“Overall, it was a brilliant trip for them. They really enjoyed the experience – it was tremendous!”