Kathleen Murtagh
This is the first of three profiles of the 2011 inductees into the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame, written by Kathy McGee Burns, president of the organization, that we’ll be running over the next few weeks. First up is the Mayo Association’s Kathleen Murtagh. All three inductees, including Tom Farrelly of the Cavan Society, and John Donovan who serves on the board of the Philadelphia Irish Memorial, will be honored at a dinner at the Irish Center on November 13.
As I was interviewing Kathleen Murtaugh, I became mesmerized by her golden red hair, radiant blue-green eyes and the way, as she told me the story of her life—happy moments and sad—she was expressive, even bubbly, and joyous. It struck me that this was the lovely aura that draws so many people to this generous, warm-hearted woman.
Kathleen was born in Carracastle, a Roman Catholic parish which envelops parts of Mayo and Roscommon, and borders on Sligo. It is known for its 20 ringed forts. She was the fourth child (one son and four daughters) of Ellen Attracta Cawley (Aclare, Sligo) and Bernard Gavin (Swinford, Mayo).
Her parents had both left Ireland, at different times, to go to America. By a quirk of fate they met each other in Germantown. It seems that Ellen’s sister, Margaret, was married to Bernard’s brother, Patrick. They fell in love and wedding bells rang out on Easter Monday, 1928, at St. Francis Church. They settled in Germantown. The Gavins’ stay was shortened by Bernard’s health issues so the family with toddler, Brian, went back to Ireland. They went on to have four more wee ones, all girls, Margaret Mary, Helene, Kathleen and Linda.
When we talked about the homes in which the Gavins lived, Katheen, with an impish grin, told me several of them were haunted. One, in particular, Palmfield House, had been the family stead of Sir Anthony McDonnell (1840’s). He went on to be the first Catholic to ever serve as Under Secretary of Ireland. It was said that McDonnell’s father had hung himself and still roamed the halls.
Fortunately, Kathleen’s family settled on a farm, 38 acres, in Swinford, where they grew everything, from vegetables and fruit to hay. The land sustained them with their cows, pigs, turkeys, geese, ducks, and one horse. They all worked the farm.
Kathleen confessed that she had a childhood nickname: Jamjars. As a 10-year-old, she would go from cottage to cottage to collect jam jars and then resell them for 2 cents. Her sisters, laughingly, accused her of being the first recycler in Ireland. She was educated at the Cloongullane National School and the Convent of Mercy.
At age 18, her brother, Brian, an American citizen since he was born in the US, decided he wanted to move back. Their father, she said, saw what the future held for the family and decided that if one went, they’d all go. He didn’t want the heartache so many Irish experience, seeing their children leave one by one. So the Gavins sold every thing, said goodbye to their friends and sailed to America on the famous ocean liner, the Mauretania. They all stood on deck to wave hello to the Statue of Liberty. (Later, having sailed into the harbor, Kathleen’s first impression while driving through the Holland Tunnel, under all that water, was sheer terror.)
The young woman didn’t take long to set off on her new American adventure. She took a two-year business course, at $5 a week, at Immaculate Conception School and went on to work at many jobs. But it was at a Sunday night dance that she met her future husband, She met her husband, John (Jack) Murtaugh at a Sunday night dance. Sound familiar? They married in 1955 and had six children; Jack, Brian, Kevin, Maureen, Helene, and Kathleen. Jack, who owned a plumbing and heating business where Kathleen worked as his secretary, was an accomplished musician who played with some of the best, including local favorites Tommy Moffit and Pat Campbell.
Then tragedy struck. Jack Murtagh was accidentally killed in 1971, leaving Kathleen alone to raise their children, who ranged in age from four to 14, something, she said, she managed to do “with the help of God.” Even with all of that responsibility, she saved every Sunday for her aging parents. She spent the day at their home, lovingly cooking, cleaning and entertaining them until their deaths in 1985 and 1986.
In 1985, Kathleen met Charles McCartin, who remained her best friend until his death. He introduced her to the Mayo Society (she’s been a loyal, favorite member ever since) and they enjoyed Irish dancing and socializing at the Commodore Barry Club.
Along with her involvement with the Mayo Society, Kathleen is president of the St. Bernadette’s Senior Citizens Club, active with the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, a volunteer for the St. Patrick Fathers and Holy Rosary Sister. She also stays busy at home—just keeping pace with her 18 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren for whom she is a positive role model with her philosophy: “Help who I can.”
