Bridget Donohoe

Who was Miss Bridget Donohoe?

Miss Bridget Donohoe was a 21 (twenty-one) year-old Irish passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on January 15, 1891, in Cum, Addergoole, Co Mayo, Ireland, she was one of the many Irish emigrants seeking a new life in America. Tragically, Bridget’s journey was cut short when she perished in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

A Large Irish Family

Bridget Donohoe grew up in a large, Roman Catholic family that was deeply rooted in Irish culture. Her parents were:

• Father: David Donohoe (born circa 1861), a farmer
• Mother: Catherine Moyles (born circa 1858)

David and Catherine were married on October 27, 1883, in Lahardane. Bridget had four siblings:

1. Michael (born July 30, 1887)
2. Mary (born April 13, 1889)
3. David (born February 23, 1893)
4. John (born June 20, 1894)

Tragedy and Family Changes

Bridget’s childhood was marked by a significant loss. Her mother, Catherine, died at the young age of 40 on January 7, 1898, following a fever. This event would reshape the family dynamics:

• David Donohoe remarried soon after to Ellen Cawley (born circa 1861)
• From this new marriage, Bridget gained four half-siblings:
  1. Oona “Norah” (born July 8, 1899)
  2. Ellen (born January 18, 1902)
  3. Catherine (born June 22, 1903)
  4. Thomas (born March 29, 1906)

Cultural Heritage

Bridget grew up in a Roman Catholic household which spoke both the Irish and English languages.

This bilingual upbringing was common in rural Ireland at the time, reflecting the strong cultural ties to the Irish language while acknowledging the growing importance of English.

Life Before the Titanic

Census Records

Bridget’s life can be traced through census records:

• 1901 Census: Living with her family at house 6 in An Com, Addergoole
• 1911 Census: Residing at house 7 in Cum

Interestingly, by the time of the 1911 census, Bridget had no stated profession, which was not uncommon for young women in rural Ireland at that time.

The Fateful Journey

Why was Bridget on the Titanic?

Bridget was travelling to Chicago, Illinois, where she had family. Like many Irish emigrants of her time, she was likely seeking better economic opportunities and a fresh start in America.

Titanic Boarding Details

• Embarked: Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland
• Class: 3rd Class
• Ticket Number: 364856
• Ticket Cost: £7, 15s

The Mayo Group

Bridget was not travelling alone. She was part of a large group of passengers from the same district in Mayo, known as the “Addergoole Fourteen.” This group included:

• John and Catherine McHugh Bourke and John’s sister Mary Bourke
• Nora Fleming
• Mary Mangan
• Delia Mahon
• Cousins Patrick and Mary Canavan
• James Flynn
• Catherine and Annie McGowan
• Annie Kelly
• Bridget McDermott

Interestingly, there was also a family connection within the group:

Also in that crowd was an in-law, Bridget Mahon, whose mother was related to Bridget’s stepmother.

This interconnectedness was typical of Irish emigrant groups, providing a support network during the daunting journey to a new land.

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

What happened to Bridget Donohoe?

Bridget Donohoe died in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. Her body, if recovered, was never identified. This lack of closure was unfortunately common for many Titanic victims, especially those travelling in third class.

Impact on the Family

The loss of Bridget had a lasting impact on her family:

• Her family remained in Cum, Co Mayo
• Her father, David Donohoe, died on August 28, 1920
• Her last surviving sibling, John, died in Bofeenaun, Co Mayo on March 19, 1962

Legacy

Bridget Donohoe’s story, while tragically short, is a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations of Irish emigrants in the early 20th century. Her journey on the Titanic, cut short by disaster, represents the risks many were willing to take for the promise of a better life. Today, Bridget is remembered as part of the “Addergoole Fourteen,” a group that has become symbolic of the Irish experience on the Titanic and the broader narrative of Irish emigration to America.