Miss Kate Gilnagh

Who was Kate Gilnagh?

Kate Gilnagh was a 17 (seventeen) year-old Irish passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on October 30, 1894, in Rhyne, Cloonee, Co Longford, Ireland, Kate’s journey on the Titanic would become a defining moment in her life, leading to a remarkable story of survival and a lasting legacy.

Early Life and Background

What was Kate Gilnagh’s family like?

Kate Gilnagh came from a large Roman Catholic family in rural Ireland. Her parents were:

Hugh Gilnagh (born April 24, 1865) - a farmer
Johanna Duffy (born circa 1867)

Kate was the second of eleven children:

Mary Johanna (born September 7, 1893)
Kate (born October 30, 1894)
Ellen (born January 8, 1896)
Thomas (born June 20, 1897)
Bridget (born October 16, 1898)
Elizabeth (born February 27, 1900)
Margaret (born May 8, 1902)
Johanna (born March 29, 1904)
Hugh (born January 10, 1906)
Annie (born May 7, 1911)

The Gilnagh family lived in Rhyne, Cloonee, as evidenced by their appearance in both the 1901 and 1911 Irish census records.

The Journey to America

Why did Kate Gilnagh board the Titanic?

Kate’s older sister, Mary “Mollie” Gilnagh, had already emigrated to the United States in 1911, settling in Manhattan. Following in her sister’s footsteps, Kate decided to make the journey to America, with Mollie sending for her to join her in New York.

What were the details of Kate’s Titanic ticket?

Kate boarded the Titanic as a third-class passenger at Queenstown (now Cobh) on April 11, 1912. Her ticket details were as follows:

Ticket Information	Details
Ticket Number	35851
Fare	£7 14s 8d
Class	3rd Class
Cabin	161 on E-deck aft

During the voyage, Kate shared her cabin with three other girls from Longford: Katie Mullin, and the Murphy sisters, Margaret and Kate.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Kate Gilnagh survive the Titanic sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, Kate and her fellow third-class passengers were enjoying a party in the communal areas when the Titanic struck an iceberg. The events that followed showcase Kate’s resilience and fortune:

Kate and her cabinmates were alerted by a male acquaintance about the ship’s peril.
They faced obstacles from crew members attempting to keep steerage passengers below decks.
James Farrell, another passenger, intervened on Kate’s behalf, threatening a crewman to let her pass.
Kate reached the boat deck with the help of a stranger who lifted her on his shoulders.
She managed to board a lifeboat after claiming her sister was already aboard.

“I naïvely thought that this was the regular, if difficult way to make it to America,” Kate later recounted, unaware of the magnitude of the disaster unfolding around her.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Kate’s life in America?

Kate arrived in New York aboard the Carpathia and was reunited with her sister Mollie. To reassure their family back in Ireland, the sisters had a portrait taken and sent home. Kate’s survival story didn’t end with her rescue:

She was joined in America by two more siblings: Margaret and William.
In 1917, Kate married John Joseph Manning, a chauffeur from Co Roscommon.
The couple had four children: John (1919), Thomas (1923), Catherine (1924), and Joseph Eugene (1927).
The family lived in Boston and later Queens, New York.

What was Kate’s involvement with Titanic historical societies?

After being widowed in 1955, Kate became actively involved in preserving the memory of the Titanic:

She joined the “Titanic Enthusiasts of America,” later known as the Titanic Historical Society.
Kate appeared on television programs such as “To Tell The Truth” and “The Steve Allen Show.”
She shared her experiences with Walter Lord for his book “A Night to Remember.”
Her photograph was featured in a 1953 Life magazine article about the Titanic.

Kate Gilnagh’s Legacy

Kate Gilnagh Manning passed away on March 1, 1971, in Long Island City, New York, at the age of 76 (seventy-six). She was laid to rest alongside her husband in Woodside Cemetery, Queens, New York.

Her story continues to captivate audiences, as evidenced by a ballet based on her rescue that premiered in 2018, choreographed by Kate’s great-niece. This artistic tribute underscores the enduring fascination with Titanic survivors and their remarkable tales of perseverance.

Kate Gilnagh’s journey from a young Irish immigrant to a Titanic survivor and eventually a contributor to the ship’s historical record exemplifies the resilience of those who lived through one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.