Michael Kennedy : Short Biography

Michael "Mick" Kennedy was born circa 1847 into a poor Irish farming family in Tanseyfield, Elphin, County Roscommon. The Kennedys had a seven and a half acre farm at #3 in Tanseyfield. They were related to the neighbouring Flanagans, Deffilys and Padians.

Mick trained as a mason in his youth, as well as farming. His father Darby died in 1883. Two years later Mick married Honoria McDermott, the daughter of a neighbouring farmer. His cousin Michael Flanagan was a witness. The couple lived in a tiny thatched house with only two rooms. Mick had a cow and calf house.

Children of Mick and Honoria

Catherine  B. 5 Nov 1885

John  B. 9 Apr 1887

Jerome  B. 23 Oct 1888

Thomas Joseph  B. 19 Mar 1890

Michael  B. 17 Feb 1892

Patrick  B. 27 Jan 1894

Julia Mary  B. 5 Jan 1896

Hugh  B. 4 May 1898

Honoria died after a year suffering from Phthisis, in 1899. She wasn't even dead a  year and Mick had gotten his next door neighbour Mary Padian pregnant. She was related and had been the godmother for his daughter Julia. The Padians were a very poor family with a three part share in an eleven acre farm. Mick married her on 21 Oct 1900, when she was in full term. Baby Martin was born two weeks later on 8 Nov 1900.

Children of Mick and Mary

Martin  B. 8 Nov 1900

Luke  B. 25 Feb 1902

Margaret  B. 17 Apr 1904

Anne  B. 11 June 1906

Mick's daughter Julia died aged only 9 in 1905. By 1911, the Kennedys now had stables. He trained his sons John, Jerome and Luke in the masonry trade.

He died some time after 1911.