Rose Kavanagh
Encyclopedia
Rose Kavanagh was an Irish
editor, writer and poet.
Rose Kavanagh was born at Killadroy, in County Tyrone
. When she was eleven years old, her family settled at Mullaghmore
, near Augher
. She was educated chiefly at Loreto Convent, 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.
In the early 1880s she worked as sub-editor for Richard Pigott (whom she described as a "fine fat rat") on The Irishman newspaper. While editing a paper connected with it, The Shamrock (previously associated with William O'Brien
), she made the acquaintance of Katharine Tynan
and the two later became firm friends. Tynan described her as "a tall girl with a fair skin which had a shade of brown in it", with "fearless grey eyes...and a most honest look". At the time she was living in the house of the Fenian
, Charles Kickham
, by now blind, whom she nursed until his death.
In 1887 Mrs Dwyer Gray, wife of the proprietor of the Freeman's Journal
, Sir John Gray
, started a newspaper called The Irish Fireside, and engaged Rose Kavanagh as editor. With the job came the use of several rooms in the newspaper offices in Middle Abbey Street, which became the meeting place of an ever-growing circle of friends and literary acquaintances. The latter included Douglas Hyde
, W. B. Yeats, Stephen Gwynn, the old Fenians Denis Dowling Mulcahy
and John O'Leary
and his sister, Ellen. Among her friends she included Alice Milligan
, Anna Johnston (Ethna Carbery
), Alice Furlong
and Hester and Dora
Sigerson.
She contributed to the Dublin University Review, The Nation
, The Shamrock, Young Ireland, and the Weekly Freeman. Her writing was much admired by the editor of the Irish Monthly
, Matthew Russell (who was very affected by her delicate state of health), and its circle of writers and poets. She was introduced to the American public by John Boyle O'Reilly
in the Boston Pilot, and by Mr. Alfred Williams in the Providence Journal.
She had always suffered from tuberculosis; for many years she was under the care of George Sigerson
, who monitored her progress. On his advice she spent a winter in Italy but felt homesick and lonely. She died from the effects of a cold which she caught while visiting her mother at Christmas. Many tributes appeared in the Irish Monthly and other publications. An obituary was written by W. B. Yeats in the Boston Pilot.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
editor, writer and poet.
Rose Kavanagh was born at Killadroy, in County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
. When she was eleven years old, her family settled at Mullaghmore
Mullaghmore
Mullaghmore is a village in County Sligo, Ireland. It is a noted holiday destination, characterised by a skyline dominated by the monolithic shape of the mountain Ben Bulben....
, near Augher
Augher
Augher is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is 18 miles southwest of Dungannon, on the A4 Dungannon to Enniskillen road, halfway between Ballygawley and Clogher. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 399....
. She was educated chiefly at Loreto Convent, Omagh
Omagh
Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and...
. 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.
In the early 1880s she worked as sub-editor for Richard Pigott (whom she described as a "fine fat rat") on The Irishman newspaper. While editing a paper connected with it, The Shamrock (previously associated with William O'Brien
William O'Brien
William O'Brien was an Irish nationalist, journalist, agrarian agitator, social revolutionary, politician, party leader, newspaper publisher, author and Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
), she made the acquaintance of Katharine Tynan
Katharine Tynan
Katharine Tynan was an Irish-born writer, known mainly for her novels and poetry. After her marriage in 1898 to the writer and barrister Henry Albert Hinkson she usually wrote under the name Katharine Tynan Hinkson...
and the two later became firm friends. Tynan described her as "a tall girl with a fair skin which had a shade of brown in it", with "fearless grey eyes...and a most honest look". At the time she was living in the house of the Fenian
Irish Republican Brotherhood
The Irish Republican Brotherhood was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic republic" in Ireland during the second half of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century...
, Charles Kickham
Charles Kickham
Charles Joseph Kickham was an Irish revolutionary, novelist, poet, journalist and one of the most prominent members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.-Early life:...
, by now blind, whom she nursed until his death.
In 1887 Mrs Dwyer Gray, wife of the proprietor of the Freeman's Journal
Freeman's Journal
The Freeman's Journal was the oldest nationalist newspaper in Ireland. It was founded in 1763 by Charles Lucas and was identified with radical 18th century Protestant patriot politicians Henry Grattan and Henry Flood...
, Sir John Gray
John Gray (Irish politician)
Sir John Gray Knt MD JP, sometimes spelled John Grey was an Irish physician, surgeon, newspaper proprietor, journalist and politician...
, started a newspaper called The Irish Fireside, and engaged Rose Kavanagh as editor. With the job came the use of several rooms in the newspaper offices in Middle Abbey Street, which became the meeting place of an ever-growing circle of friends and literary acquaintances. The latter included Douglas Hyde
Douglas Hyde
Douglas Hyde , known as An Craoibhín Aoibhinn , was an Irish scholar of the Irish language who served as the first President of Ireland from 1938 to 1945...
, W. B. Yeats, Stephen Gwynn, the old Fenians Denis Dowling Mulcahy
Denis Dowling Mulcahy
Denis Dowling Mulcahy was a leading member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and a medical doctor.He was born in Redmondstown, County Tipperary, Ireland and later lived at Powerstown, near Clonmel....
and John O'Leary
John O'Leary
John O'Leary may refer to:* John O'Leary , Irish nationalist who was imprisoned in England during the nineteenth century*John O'Leary , former Irish Fianna Fáil party politician and TD for Kerry South...
and his sister, Ellen. Among her friends she included Alice Milligan
Alice Milligan
Alice Milligan was an Irish nationalist poet and writer, active in the Gaelic League.-Life:She was born and raised a Protestant in Gortmore, near Omagh, County Tyrone. Milligan's father was the writer Seaton Milligan, antiquary and member of the RIA...
, Anna Johnston (Ethna Carbery
Ethna Carbery
Ethna Carbery was an Irish journalist, writer and poet. She is best-known for the ballad Roddy McCorley and the Song of Ciabhán; the latter was set to music by Ivor Gurney. Along with Alice Milligan she published two Irish nationalist magazines.-Life:Anna Johnston was born in Ballymena, County...
), Alice Furlong
Alice Furlong
Alice Furlong was an Irish writer, poet and political activist who also worked on Irish publications with Douglas Hyde .-Life:...
and Hester and Dora
Dora Sigerson Shorter
Dora Sigerson was an Irish poet, who after her marriage in 1895 wrote under the name Dora Sigerson Shorter.She was born in Dublin, Ireland, the daughter of George Sigerson, a surgeon and writer, and Hester also a writer. She was a major figure of the Irish Literary Revival, publishing many...
Sigerson.
She contributed to the Dublin University Review, The Nation
The Nation (Irish newspaper)
The Nation was an Irish nationalist weekly newspaper, published in the 19th century. The Nation was printed first at 12 Trinity Street, Dublin, on 15 October 1842, until 6 January 1844...
, The Shamrock, Young Ireland, and the Weekly Freeman. Her writing was much admired by the editor of the Irish Monthly
Irish Monthly
The Irish Monthly was an Irish Catholic magazine founded in Dublin, Ireland in July 1873. Until 1920 it had the sub-title A Magazine of General Literature. It was founded by Rev. Matthew Russell, S.J., , who was the editor for almost forty years from 1873...
, Matthew Russell (who was very affected by her delicate state of health), and its circle of writers and poets. She was introduced to the American public by John Boyle O'Reilly
John Boyle O'Reilly
John Boyle O'Reilly was an Irish-born poet, journalist and fiction writer. As a youth in Ireland, he was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, or Fenians, for which he was transported to Western Australia...
in the Boston Pilot, and by Mr. Alfred Williams in the Providence Journal.
She had always suffered from tuberculosis; for many years she was under the care of George Sigerson
George Sigerson
George Sigerson was an Irish physician, scientist, writer, politician and poet. He was a leading light in the Irish Literary Revival of the late 19th century in Ireland.-Doctor and Scientist:...
, who monitored her progress. On his advice she spent a winter in Italy but felt homesick and lonely. She died from the effects of a cold which she caught while visiting her mother at Christmas. Many tributes appeared in the Irish Monthly and other publications. An obituary was written by W. B. Yeats in the Boston Pilot.