Daniel Keane
Who was Mr Daniel Keane?
Mr Daniel Keane was a 35 (thirty-five) year-old Irish passenger who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Gallowshill, Cratloe, Co Clare, Ireland, Keane was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, embarking on what was intended to be an extended vacation to America.
Early Life and Family
Daniel Keane was born on June 25, 1876, in Gallowshill, Cratloe, Co Clare, Ireland. He came from a large family, being one of nine children born to Timothy Keane, a farmer, and Honora O’Meara. His parents, both Clare natives, married around 1859.
Siblings
Daniel grew up in a bustling household with six known siblings:
- Patrick (born January 14, 1865)
- Bridget (born March 28, 1867)
- Honora (born September 12, 1869)
- Johanna (born March 7, 1872)
- John (born May 27, 1874)
- Margaret (born July 1, 1878)
Career and Adult Life
What was Daniel Keane’s occupation?
Daniel Keane worked as a tram conductor on the Donnybrooke Line in Dublin. This occupation took him away from his family home in Gallowshill, as evidenced by his absence from both the 1901 and 1911 Irish censuses.
Living Arrangements
During his working years in Dublin, Daniel lived as a boarder in different locations:
- 1901: Phibsboro Road, Arran Quay
- 1911: 4 Marlborough Road, Pembroke
It’s worth noting that Daniel remained unmarried throughout his life.
The Titanic Journey
Embarkation and Ticket Details
Daniel Keane boarded the Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) on April 11, 1912. His journey details were as follows:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Class | 2nd Class |
| Ticket Number | 233734 |
| Ticket Cost | £12 7s |
| Destination | St. Louis, Missouri |
An Extended Vacation
Interestingly, modern-day family accounts suggest that Daniel had not intended to settle permanently in America. His plan was to return to Ireland after an extended vacation, making his untimely death all the more poignant.
Irish Passengers in Second Class
Daniel Keane was one of only seven passengers of Irish background traveling in second class, not including those from the Harland & Wolff Guarantee Group. This small group of compatriots may have found companionship in each other during the brief voyage.
The Tragic End
Sadly, Daniel Keane did not survive the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was 35 (thirty-five) years old at the time of his death. His body, if recovered, was never identified, leaving his family without closure.
Legacy and Remembrance
Centenary Memorial
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, a touching tribute was made to Daniel Keane in his birthplace:
A memorial was unveiled to Daniel in his birthplace of Cratloe at Gallowshill. The commemorative stone was carved by his great-nephew Séamus Spaight, a retired farmer who took up stone masonry as a hobby.
This memorial serves as a lasting reminder of Daniel Keane’s life and the tragic circumstances of his death, ensuring that his story continues to be told more than a century after the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage.
Andre Nolan is an avid Titanic historian and the creator of TitanicUniverse.com, a website dedicated to uncovering the untold stories and forgotten details behind the famous ocean liner.
With a lifelong passion for maritime history, Andre has spent over a decade researching the Titanic, from the personal lives of passengers and crew to the engineering marvels that made the ship an icon of its era.
When he's not immersed in Titanic lore, Andre enjoys connecting with fellow maritime history lovers, exploring historic ships and shipwrecks.