Mr Martin McMahon was born in Cragbrien, Co Clare, Ireland on 17 February 1893.
He was the son of Anthony McMahon (b. 1837), a labourer, and Honor Meaney (b. circa 1842), Clare natives who had married in Kilchrist, Co Clare on 15 February 1871.
One of fourteen children seven surviving infancy, Martin's known siblings were: John (b. 25 December 1871), Maria (b. 15 May 1873), Bridget (b. 5 February 1875), Patrick (b. 26 April 1879), Michael (b. 1886), Edmond (b. 1890) and Margaret (b. 27 October 1894). They were a Roman Catholic family fluent in both Irish and English.
He appears on the 1901 census living with his family at 10 Cragbrien, Lisheen, Co Clare but he would be absent from the family home, 14 Cragbrien, Lisheen, by the time of the 1911 census. He was listed elsewhere as an unmarried farm servant living at 1 Cloonmore, Lisheen, the home of a Bridget Hurley and her adult son Thomas.
He boarded the Titanic at Queenstown on 11 April 1912 (ticket number 370372 which cost him £7, 15s) and his destination was 415 West 53rd Street, Manhattan.
Martin McMahon died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified. Local media at the time related that he was a well-known and well-liked young man who exhibited promising athletic abilities.
A telegram received in Ennis during the week confirmed the worst fears that had been entertained as to the safety of a young man named Martin McMahon, from the Craigbrien district, about five miles from Ennis. It was known that he was a passenger on the ill fated boat, and though his name did not appear in the list of survivors, it was hoped he might have been rescued, but it is now definitely stated he has been lost. He was a fine athletic young man and very popular in his native district. It is said that some West Clare people were on board, but our enquiries failed to trace their names and addresses. - The Clare Journal, 29 April 1912
His parents remained in Cragbrien and his father later battled with senility; he passed away on 31 January 1917 aged 80. His mother also became afflicted with the same ailment before her death on 9 September 1923.
Comment and discuss
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Hi Martin Mcmahon was my great uncle and I have only just been told that he was on the Titanic off course I was shocked at the time but I now want to try and find some things about him anything really, my grand mother wants to find out about the uncle she never had.
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Daniel, here's some info to get you started: Martin McMahon was a 20 year old farm labourer from Cragbrien, Ennis, County Clare in Ireland. His parents' names were Honour and Anthony McMahon (also a farmer). Martin was described in a local newspaper back in 1912 as 'a fine athletic young man and very popular in his local district'. The address he was heading for in New York was 415, West 53rd St. He had originally booked passage on another White Star liner, the Cymric, which was laid up due to a coal strike so he was transferred to the brand new Titanic. He boarded at Queenstown (Cobh) with Third Class ticket number 370372 which cost £7 15s. Sadly he was not a survivor and his body, if recovered, has never been identified.
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Thankyou very much thats a great help. how did you get this info?
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The starting point is always the Passenger Biographies section on this site, and some extra info came from the book 'The Irish Aboard Titanic' by Senan Molony. The original sources would have included the Passenger lists as well as local newspaper archives and documents like the 1901 Census returns. The Census gives details of the people resident at a particular address; in Martin's case in 1901 (when he was 7) he lived with his father (57), mother (46) older brothers Michael and Edmond (15 and 11) and sister Margaret (5). It's likely that there were older children who had left home and would not be recorded at the same address. Another source, the records of the Relief Committees, show that Martin's mother Honour was listed as dependent on his income and was provided with £25 from relief funds. That's probably all you will get on Martin as an individual, but check back in case other members have more to add. You may also want to learn more about life (and death) onboard for...
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Well thankyou very much you've been a great help. My gran will be pleased.
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Hi there, I am trying to contact a former member called Daniel Maher. He was looking for information about his great grand uncle Martin McMahon who was a passenger on the titanic. Unfortunately I came across his postings only recently and in the meantime he is no longer a member. Can anyone help me further. I maybe able to help with his family history. Thanks.
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Martin McMahon was my wife's great uncle so there may be links with others in these postings.
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Martin McMahon was my Great great great uncle, we found this out when my uncle who emigrated to America 35 years ago researched our family tree and went over to Ireland funny enough my uncles name is Martin Mcmahon My dads name is. Kevin Patrick and cousin is called Anthony so we still all have family first names.....
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Martin McMahon was my grandmother bridget brother .. she lived in tumaganey co clare with my grandfather William farrell till their passing 1961 .. my mother was christine farrell
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Martin is my grandmother bridget brother . Bridget married known has bridget Farrell tumaganey co clare she passed away.. have loads of family history .
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My sisters Irene O’ Brien and Colleen Anderson have a lot of family history on young Martin McMahon but here goes on what I know from them , have attached info, Bridget McMahon, Martins sister was my mum’s mother and she first married John Coyne and together had eleven children, Private John Coyne a resident of Tuamgraney birth place of our mother Christine O’ Farrell died on RMS Leinster during World War 1, Ireland’s worst maritime disaster. Bridget married again to our Grandfather William O’ Farrell and had four more children one being our mum Christine. You will see from attached files that Martins parents were Anthony and Honor.
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Brian, where are you in the USA?
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