Arthur MacMorrough Kavanagh

Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh (25 March 1831 – 25 December 1889) was an Irish politician. His middle name is spelt MacMorrough in some contemporaneous sources.

Biography Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh was born on 25 March 1831 at Borris House in County Carlow, the son of Thomas Kavanagh MP and artist Lady Harriet Margaret Le Poer Trench, daughter of the second Earl of Clancarty. His father traced his lineage to the medieval Kings of Leinster through Art MacMurrough-Kavanagh and furthermore being an 8th generation descendant of Cahir mac Art Kavanagh, 1st Baron of Ballyane. He had two older brothers, Charles and Thomas, and one sister, Harriet or "Hoddy." Arthur Kavanagh was born with only the rudiments of arms and legs, though the cause of this birth defect is unknown.

His mother insisted that he be brought up and have opportunities like any other child and placed him in the care of the doctor Francis Boxwell, who believed that an armless and legless child could live a productive life. He also went fishing, hunted animals, drew pictures, and wrote stories, with mechanical devices supplementing his physical capacities.

In 1851, Kavanagh succeeded to the family estates and the title of The MacMurrough following the death of his older brother Thomas. He served as High Sheriff of County Kilkenny for 1856 and High Sheriff of Carlow for 1857. A Conservative and a Protestant, he sat in Parliament for County Wexford from 1866 to 1868, and for County Carlow from 1868 to 1880. Kavanagh was opposed to the disestablishment of the (Anglican) Church of Ireland, but supported the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act 1870. On losing his seat in 1880, William Ewart Gladstone appointed him to the Bessborough Commission, but he disagreed with its conclusions and published his own dissenting report. In 1886, he was made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. He was succeeded in the title of the MacMurrough by his son, Walter MacMurrough Kavanagh, who also served as MP for County Carlow from 1908 to 1910. The 1901 novel The History of Sir Richard Calmady, written by Lucas Malet (pseudonym of Mary St Leger Kingsley), is based on his life.

Family Kavanagh married his cousin, Mary Frances Forde-Leathley, in 1855. Assisted by his wife, he was a philanthropic landlord, active county magistrate, and chairman of the board of guardians. Together, they had seven children:

Eva (died 1896) May (died 1949) Agnes (died 1932) Walter (died 1922) Arthur (died 1882) Charles (died 1950) Osborne (died 1897)