Kate Murphy: A Young Irish Survivor of the Titanic

Who was Kate Murphy?

Kate Murphy was an 18 (eighteen) year-old Irish passenger who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Born on October 6, 1893, in Fostragh, Killoe, Co Longford, Ireland, Kate was one of the third-class passengers who managed to escape the disaster and build a new life in America.

Early Life and Background

Family and Upbringing

Kate Murphy was born into a large Irish family:

• Parents: Michael Murphy (b. 1841) and Maria Lyons (b. 1845)
• Siblings: 12 in total, with 7 surviving to adulthood
• Notable siblings: John, Anna Maria, Patrick, Bridget, Rose Ellen, Margaret, Michael, and Mary

Tragically, Kate lost two siblings in infancy:

• Michael died from quinsy at 11 months old
• Mary died from whooping cough at 2 months old

Life in Ireland

Kate grew up in Fostragh, Co Longford, where her family appeared in the 1901 and 1911 Irish censuses. By 1911, Kate and her sister Margaret were still living at home without any stated profession. That same year, Kate’s father passed away from heart disease on June 28, 1911.

The Decision to Emigrate

What prompted Kate to leave Ireland?

Several factors influenced Kate’s decision to emigrate:

1. Many of her siblings were already living in the USA
2. Her sister Maggie had become engaged to Matthew O’Reilly, who had returned to New York
3. The arrival of John Kiernan, an old neighbor from Fostragh, visiting from Jersey City, New Jersey

Kate and her sister Maggie made secret plans to leave Ireland, despite Maggie’s promise to their mother to stay until her fiancé was settled. They planned to join their siblings in America:

• Sister Annie lived in Brooklyn
• Brother Patrick was believed to live in Philadelphia

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Titanic

On April 11, 1912, Kate and Maggie boarded the Titanic at Queenstown as third-class passengers. Their ticket (number 367230) cost £15 10s.

“The night before the little group in our village was to leave to go aboard the Titanic, together with several other young women and men, I slipped away from my home, carrying all the clothes I could, and went to the Kiernan home, where a farewell party was being held.” - Maggie Murphy, Altoona Times, May 2, 1912

Companions on Board

During the voyage, Kate shared a cabin on E-deck with:

• Her sister Margaret Murphy
• Kate Gilnagh
• Kate Mullin

They were also acquainted with other passengers from Longford, including:

• John Joseph Kiernan and his brother Philip
• James Farrell
• Thomas McCormack (possibly a second cousin)

The Night of the Disaster

How did Kate survive the sinking?

On the night of April 14-15, 1912, Kate and her companions faced several challenges:

1. Crewmen initially blocked their way to the upper decks
2. They witnessed lifeboats leaving the ship only partially full
3. Scuffles broke out between third-class men and crewmen

According to local lore, James Farrell intervened, threatening to punch a crewman if he didn’t let the women pass to the boats. This act of bravery may have saved Kate’s life.

Kate, her sister, and the two other Kates from Longford were rescued, possibly in lifeboat 16. Tragically, the Kiernan brothers and James Farrell were lost in the sinking.

Life After the Titanic

Arrival in New York

Upon landing in New York, Kate:

• Claimed to be 16 years old
• Listed her occupation as a domestic
• Gave her next of kin as her brother John in Ireland
• Stated her destination as her sister Bridget Toomey’s home in Manhattan

Marriage and Family

Kate’s life after the Titanic disaster included:

• Marriage to Michael Joseph Guilfoyle on July 17, 1913
• Three children: Marie Josephine, Michael Joseph, and Rita Catherine
• Residences in Brooklyn and Manhattan
• A second home in Swan Lake, Sullivan County, New York

Did Kate ever return to Ireland?

While Kate never returned to Ireland herself, she did send her three-year-old son Michael to spend time with her mother in 1919. This visit unexpectedly lasted until 1924.

Kate’s Later Years and Legacy

How did the Titanic affect Kate’s life?

Kate rarely discussed the Titanic disaster in her later years. She outlived her sister Margaret, who had also survived the sinking.

Final Years

• Kate and Michael retired to their Swan Lake home
• Michael passed away on October 2, 1962
• Kate died on September 24, 1968, while visiting relatives in Brooklyn
• They are buried together in St Peter’s Cemetery in Sullivan, New York

Kate’s Descendants

Kate Murphy’s survival of the Titanic disaster allowed her to build a full life in America, leaving behind a legacy that spanned three generations. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience of the Titanic survivors and the impact of this historic event on countless families.