Kavanagh

Fall. Damariscotta Mills, ME (Lincoln County), 1790. Brought to Maine from Ireland by shipbuilder James Kavanagh as a seed or small tree. Kavanagh founded Damariscotta Mills and built the first catholic church in Maine in 1808, still standing today. Kavanagh apples were a local favorite for many years but were rarely if ever known outside the immediate area. Several years ago we went to visit local historian and Kavanagh enthusiast George Dow in Nobleboro and gathered scionwood from one of the last living trees, a broken down stump a few miles from his home. We've since discovered three others, the largest of which is 8 feet in circumference at chest height. Also called Cathead because of its distinctive shape with a large bulbous stem end tapering to a small calyx end typical of Irish apples. The very large sized fruit has a tough skin, lime green mellowing into a yellow, and about half to two thirds covered with russet. The stem is medium in length and thickness. The flesh is white, firm, tart, and fairly dry. Locally popular as a good cooking apple.