Matthew (Matt) Keane
Police Constable to
Postmaster
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).
Over:-
Late 1920's photo of Matthew with
grandchild, Máire, daughter of Leo's.
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.
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![mattdublin](images/mattdublin.jpg)
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.
Over: the headstone over Matthew Keane's grave
in Swords County Dublin
(photo April 2005).
For more on Matt's family go to
Matt's
Family
latest update November 2014