I got the story from my mother who is 95 so the story might have got a bit skewed in the telling. All I know is that my gran should have gone but didn't. Apparently the money for the trip was sent over to Ireland from someone (maybe a family member) in the States to my gran, so maybe she just gave it to Kate.
Kate Mullen is mentioned in a bit of history I once researched; see excerpts below:
THE MURPHY SISTERS: Margaret Jane “Maggie” Murphy b.24 September, 1886 (age 25) of Fostragh, Co. Longford and Catherine “Kate” Murphy b. 13 September, 1893 (age 18) of Aghnacliffe also boarded at Queenstown enroute to Philadelphia. They were two of thirteen children born to Michael Murphy and Mary Lyons. Their father died when they were young, and their mother was often sick. Their overbearing oldest brother was head of the family. They had two sisters and a brother already living in America. They wished to join them; but their brother would not permit them to go. Their neighbors, John and Philip Kiernan, were going to New Jersey with Thomas McCormack. The boys bought 3rd class tickets for themselves on the
Titanic, and then secretly bought tickets for Kate and Margaret as well. Kate and Margaret came with the boys then, pretending that they were planning just to see them off on their journey to America. Catherine and Margaret shared cabin 161 on E-deck with Kate Gilnagh and
Kate Mullen.
KATE GILNAGH and KATE MULLEN: The two girls were friends of the Murphy sisters. Mary Katherine “Katie” Gilnagh, age 16, was b. 24 Oct 1894 and was of Esker, Co. Longford,
Katie Mullen was 19.
THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC: Later, the Murphy sisters would talk about how the journey on the
Titanic was one of the greatest things that they had done and how they had enjoyed parties in the 3rd class public rooms. On the night of the sinking, Kate and Margaret were getting ready for bed when the Kiernan brothers came to their room to tell them what had happened. Neither of them had felt the impact and didn’t realize anything was amiss.
According to his sister Catherine (McCormack) Evers, who visited him in the hospital, stories in the
Jersey Journal (April 18 – 23, 1912), and his own reports, Thomas McCormack was asleep when the ship hit the iceberg and he was awakened by his two cousins, John and Philip Kiernan. He said he had to fight his way past members of the crew to the upper decks where the stewards refused to open the barriers that separated the 3rd class passengers from the upper decks. On their way to the lifeboats, Kate and Margaret Murphy, Kate Gilnagh and
Kate Mullen were held back at a gate by a determined crewman. They were allowed through only when James Farrell yelled "Great God, man! Open the gate and let the girls through!" After leading the women to safety James Farrell gave his cap to Katie Gilnagh and shouted “Goodbye forever.” His body was recovered by the
MacKay Bennett (#68) still clutching his rosary beads and he was buried with them at sea on 24 April 1912. His actions certainly saved the lives of Kate Gilnagh,
Kate Mullen from Killoe Parish and the Murphy sisters.
Mary Katherine Gilnagh became a member of the "Titanic Enthusiasts of America" and appeared on
To Tell the Truth and the
Steve Allen Show. She was mentioned in the film
A Night to Remember and her picture appeared
Life Magazine in 1953. She married John Joseph Manning and d. on March 1, 1971 in Long Island City, New York at the age of 75.
Kate Mullen remained in New York City and married Martin Kearns. She lived in Queens for the rest of her life. She did not mind speaking of the
Titanic until the drowning death of her son during WWII. Then, she never wanted to discuss it again. She d. 1 November 1970 in Woodside, Queens.
The above information is provided by me, Joe Murphy, on 20 April 2023. Best wishes and best of luck to anyone who might be glad to know it.
