A Limbless Legend

Arthur McMurrough Kavanagh

Here is a portrait of Arthur McMurrough Kavanagh. He was remarkably intelligent, and had a passion for the classics. On his travels he befriended Arab and Persian poets and kings.

Borris House Collection

Arthur McMurrough Kavanagh
Borris House Collection

Arthur McMurrough Kavanagh

Here is a portrait of Arthur McMurrough Kavanagh. He was remarkably intelligent, and had a passion for the classics. On his travels he befriended Arab and Persian poets and kings.

Borris House Collection

Enlarge image

Before we find out about Arthur's amazing life, we'll have a look at the fascinating story which surrounded his birth.

When Arthur's mother first married Thomas Kavanagh, she demanded that two religious statues be removed from the family's private chapel.

She wanted to show that the family had fully renounced Catholicism.

This made her very unpopular with the locals. Legend has it that they put a curse on the Kavanaghs that one day they would be led by a cripple.

In reality the curse turned out to be a blessing! Although Arthur had no legs or arms, he went on to lead the family better than most men could.