Mr Michael McEvoy

Who was Michael McEvoy?

Michael McEvoy was a 20 (twenty) year-old Irish farm labourer who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. As a third-class passenger, McEvoy’s story offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of those seeking new opportunities in America during the early 20th century.

Early Life and Background

Irish Roots

Michael McEvoy was born in 1892 in Farraneglish Glebe, Cuffsborough, Queen’s County (now known as County Laois), Ireland. He came from a large Roman Catholic family, being the youngest of nine children born to John McEvoy, a farmer, and Bridget Rafter.

Family Members

Michael’s siblings included:

• Patrick (b. 1867)
• Martin (b. 1878)
• Mary (b. 1880)
• Anne (b. 1882)
• Thomas (b. 1884)
• James (b. 1886)
• Catherine (b. 1888)
• John (b. 1890)

Early Work Life

While the exact details of Michael’s early work life are uncertain, it is believed that he was living and working in Kilmacanoge, County Wicklow, a small village just south of Dublin City, prior to his fateful journey.

The Titanic Journey

Why did Michael McEvoy board the Titanic?

Michael McEvoy boarded the Titanic at Queenstown (now Cobh) as a third-class passenger, with dreams of starting a new life in America. His sister, Annie Deegan, who had emigrated to the United States in 1903 and was living in Norristown, Pennsylvania, is believed to have sent him money for the ticket.

Travel Companions and Destination

McEvoy was traveling with Nora Murphy, a Dublin-born woman over ten years his senior. Some sources suggest they may have been romantically involved. Their intended destination was 231 East 50th Street in New York City.

Ticket and Fare Details

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, Michael McEvoy did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. In contrast, his traveling companion, Nora Murphy, was among the survivors of the disaster.

Michael McEvoy’s untimely death at the age of 20 (twenty) serves as a stark reminder of the many young lives cut short by the Titanic tragedy.

Legacy and Family Impact

How did Michael’s death affect his family?

The loss of Michael had far-reaching consequences for his family:

• His sister Annie, who had sponsored his journey, remained in Pennsylvania and had three daughters: Lizzie, Mary, and Annie.
• Annie was reportedly shunned by her family in Ireland, who partially blamed her for Michael’s death.
• In her widowhood, Annie was joined in America by her brother James, who emigrated in 1920 and worked in the steel mills.

Remembrance

Michael McEvoy’s memory lives on through a commemorative tablet built into the wall of the farm where he lived in Farreneglish Ballacolla, County Laois, Ireland. This serves as a poignant reminder of the young man who never reached his American dream.

Unanswered Questions

The fate of Michael’s remaining family in Ireland remains uncertain, as does the eventual outcome for his siblings Annie and James in Pennsylvania. These unresolved aspects of the McEvoy family story highlight the long-lasting impact of the Titanic disaster on families across continents.

Michael McEvoy’s story, while brief, encapsulates the hopes, dreams, and tragic fates of many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic. His journey from rural Ireland to the ill-fated ship continues to resonate as part of the broader narrative of Irish emigration and the Titanic’s enduring legacy.