19th-20th century's Dublin Branch

Matthew Keane

Late 1920’s photo of Matthew with grandchild, Máire, daughter of Leo’s.

Matthew (Matt) Keane: The first generation of the Kilnamona Keane’s to settle in the nation’s capital was occasioned by Matt, son of Matthew, Ballyashea. Matt was born in 1854.

Matt joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.) in June 1874 at the age of 20. The records of the RIC state that he was 5 feet 10 inches tall, a farmer by trade or calling and was posted to the Dublin District in December 30 1874.

Matt married Mary Kennedy, from County Meath on 30 October 1888. He became acting sergeant in May 1892 and sergeant in December 1894. His file record shows that he was fined 20 shillings on 13 December 1878 and again 20 shillings on 9 August 1884 (a princely sum in those days; for what can only be guessed at!!) (cf. Royal Irish Constabulary Register, London, No. 40,382).

At least Matt served in Finglas, Co. Dublin, Blessington, Co Wicklow, and Swords, Co. Dublin. He retired on pension on December 5 1902. The family settled in Swords and managed the local post office – in the 1911 census Matthew was described as a Sub-Postmaster living in Main Street having nine in family. Matt died in 1948, aged 94 years. He visited his native parish in earlier years, probably for the last time on the death of Johnnie Matthew in 1930.

The Dublin descendants of Matt Keane were:-

John 1890 – 1979 Blackrock Co Dublin	Lena 1892 – 1977 Peterborough England	Leo 1894 – 1991 Swords Co. Dublin
Peg 1896 – 1983 Swords/Blackrock Co. Dublin	Matt* 1898 – 1960 Bronx(NYPD) New York	Joe 1900 – 1968 Swords Co. Dublin
Fran 1902 – 1993 Dublin & England	Gertrude 1904 – 1997 Norwich (UK) & Dublin	Vincent 1906 – 1983 Kells, Co. Meath & Dublin

*Young Matt’s Ellis Island immigration details into U.S. are as follows:

First Name:	Matthew
Last Name:	Keane
Ethnicity:	Great Britain, Irish
Last Place of Residence:	Swords, Ireland
Date of Arrival:	February 28, 1921
Age at Arrival: 22y Gender: M Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel:	Carmania
Port of Departure:	Liverpool
Manifest Line Number:	0030

The headstone over Matthew Keane’s grave in Swords County Dublin (photo April 2005).

Some family notes on cover page of a book (history of Ireland) presented by Mat (sic) to Molly (his wife Mary) on her birthday 14th December 1887. Additional details on grandchildren events are also included.

John: (1890 – 1979) was destined to rise to Dublin City Manager in the 1940’s/50’s and was married to Catherine Boylan (Drogheda). Catherine made a study of the life and times of Charles Stuart Parnell, the late 19th century leading Irish parliamentarian and Leader of the Irish Home Rule Party, publishing a book on him.
For more on John’s career go to here.

Information on earlier Dublin Keane’s kindly made available by Max Keane