Walter MacMurrough Kavanagh

Who was Walter MacMurrough Kavanagh?

Walter MacMurrough Kavanagh PC was a Member of Parliament who represented Carlow County from 1908 to 1910.

He was son of Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh who also served as MP for Carlow. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He went on to hold a commission in the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles before leaving the Army to concentrate on the management of his estate at Borris. He was appointed High Sheriff of Carlow in 1884 and High Sheriff of Wexford in 1893.

His candidature for the by-election caused by the death of John Hammond, was endorsed by the Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Dr. Patrick Foley, due to Kavanagh's support for a Catholic University of Ireland.

He served as Chairman of Carlow County Council 1907 - 1918 but was replaced as Chairman because of his support for conscription. Kavanagh had been a member of the Reform Association who advocated a limited devolution for Ireland. He supported the more independent Nationalist Party and Home Rule.

He married Helen Louisa Howard, daughter of Colonel John Stanley Howard, on 1 February 1887 and had two sons, the elder of whom was an officer in the Army.