Democrats’ VP nominee Tim Kaine’s Irish roots
THE newly selected Democratic Party nominee for vice president, Tim Kaine, has significant roots in Ireland – and has spoken glowingly of his trip back to this country to visit his ancestral home in Longford.
According to the IrishCentral.com website, it turns out Tim Kaine is the son of Mary Kathleen Burns and Albert Alexander Kaine, Jr. His father was of Scottish and Irish descent. His mother is of Irish ancestry. Born in Minnesota, he traces his roots to Longford and Kilkenny.
Tim’s paternal grandmother was Annabella/Annella Farrell, a daughter of Patrick J. Farrell from Killashee, near Lanesboro in Co. Longford, and Mary Catherine Fleming whose roots were in Co. Kilkenny.
Annabella was born in Kansas where her father was a major local farmer and parish leader.
Speaking recently about Killashee and the moment he told his children, ‘This is where we come from’, Kaine said: ‘It made a huge impact on them and since that time we have been back very, very often.’
Tim’s paternal grandfather was Albert Alexander Kaine, who was born in Kansas to Scottish parents. Tim’s great-grandfather Alexander was born in Campsie, Stirlingshire, Scotland, to Peter Kaine – who was evidently born in Ireland – and Jane/Jean King.
Mary Catherine Fleming was born in Canada to an Irish father. Tim’s maternal grandfather was Leo M. Burns, the son of Michael F. Burns and Bridget ‘Bridgie’. Michael was born in Illinois, to Irish parents. Bridget was born in Missouri, also to Irish parents.