Michael Murphy left Mullaghbawn in South Armagh for Liverpool at the start of the 20th century. It was here he married Mary Pender. This is the story of their nine daughters and one son, their children and grandchildren.
"Cead Mille Failte"
Congratulations to The Irish Rugby Team for winning the Grand Slam after 61 years! But could they have done it without the support of the Murphy Family? I don't think so! 5 Murphy brothers and 4 nephews made the journey to Dublin for the Ireland v. England game on the 28th February 2009. The gang travelled from as far as Hong Kong, Scotland and England for the match. Pictured outside Oliver St. John Gogarty's in Temple Bar (from L-R) nephews: Phil Elliott (Laura's son) Leam Murphy (Cormac's son), Nick Murphy (Paddy's son) Chris Flynn (Mary's son), and brothers: Michael, Cormac, John, Eamon and Jim. Pictured on other photo with the nephews is Brian Conlon - married to Therese's daughter Laura. A most enjoyable weekend was had by all!
Our Mike get’s hitched to the lovely Kate and the family are looking forward to a good shindig. They are having a very informal affair with three specially prepared traditional dishes 1 Irish, 1 Scouse and 1 Manx. I thought I’d show off the whole family and this is my favourite picture. Incidentally me and Betty celebrate 35 yrs this October....and they said it’ll never last...... (Back Row L-R) Michael; ex-GB Handball Player and the centre back that Everton missed Jason Smith; (Kate’s beau) Intrepid explorer and Star Wars genius Kate; Actress now living and working in London Rhonda; drama student in Liverpool preparing for her assault on the world of theatre Owen- Internationally renowned free runner- check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFvnXPoz4mQ
(Front Row L-R) Kate Taggart- soon to be Mrs Kate Hegarty and number 1 daughter in law Megan Lauren Hegarty- 1st grandchild (Michael’s daughter) Michael Hegarty – Dad Charlie Tomlinson- grandson no 2-(Angela and Glyn’s youngest son) Betty Hegarty (nee Irons) – Mum Sam Tomlinson- grandson no 1-(Angela and Glyn’s eldest son) Angela- The eldest daughter- ex GB Handball International- fantastic mum Glyn Tomlinson – Angela’s husband- No1 son in law and a good mate
Catherine Hegarty launches the Liverpool Signing Choir at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral 18/2/09
Our Cathy made the whole family very proud when she officially launched her Liverpool Signing Choir . I front of over 200 guests we were treated to a very moving night of entertainment from 70 youngsters from across the city. The story begins 7 years ago in her school, Knotty Ash Primary (literally 100 mts from Ken Dodd’s family home) , when she was working with children in the school’s deaf unit. She want ed to create something that all the children at school could be included and that would break down the barriers between the deaf and the hearing community. With no musical training she started the choir which some children sang and those that had difficulty could sign. Her journey since has taken the choir to the stage at the Liverpool Philharmonic and a regular Christmas “gig” at Harrods in London where she is on first name terms with Big Mo’ ! Following this launch, she has bookings for Wembley, Anfield .........where next! I was particularly proud as Cathy chose to use a self penned song I wrote 25yrs ago. (Livepool Childhood) and one which has become a particular favourite in my bathroom!
Last weekend one of my cousins from New Jersey, John Goodheart, visited me and gave me a dvd. My father's side were from Kilkenny but before this they all came from a farm in Graigue Upper in the parish of Doneraile, Co. Cork. This side were O'Regan and Linehan. He had an Aunt Margaret from this branch who lived in Manhattan. This lady had a daughter, also called Margaret who had two girls, Ann and Peggy. When my parents went to New York after the war, they became good friends with Peggy and Ann. I have attached some clips of my parents at Ann's wedding and one of my mother on her own is when she is behind the Bridesmaid, Ann's sister, Peggy. Peggy is John Goodheart's Mother. The longer clip is film of my Christening. You will see me, Jimmy and Terry. The lady in red is my mother, the man in the bowtie is my father and the man in the beige suit is his brother Jim. At the start you see my mother with me and as the camera moves across to the door of the Church the next two gentlemen are Paddy and Jim. The lady in the blue coat is Peggy, my Godmother.Terry, Jimmy and I were baptised at St. Albert's Church at 427 W. 47 Street between 9th and 10th Avenue. We lived in an apartment directly opposite at 428 W. 47 Street. The Church was demolished some time ago. St. Albert's was a Belgian Church and my brother Jim tells the story that this was the Church which King Leopold of Belgium visited when he came to New York. Michael Cannon visited us here on one of his trips to New York when he was working as a sailor. His ship had docked on the Hudson River and he just walked up a few blocks to our apartment. We moved to Jamaica, Queens in 1954 and it was here that several more Cannons, O'Hanlons and Fogartys came to visit us.I spent a week last May in Manhattan retracing our history in Manhattan. I found the hospital we were born in, St. Claire's on W 52nd and 9th Ave. and some places where my father had worked. Two fun details about W. 47th Street. A few doors down from our apartment is a plaque on a wall marking the house where the publisher of the New Yorker magazine lived. He had a housewarming party when he moved in and one of the guests was Harpo Marx of the Marx Brothers who were big favourites in our house. On W. 47th between 8th and 9th Avenue is a synagogue which was known as the Actor's Temple. Illustrious entertainers such as Jack Benny and Ethel Merman among others worshipped here but what I like most (and our brother Patrick will be delighted to read) is that a Stooge or two of the Three Stooges also worshipped here. The building's theatrical heritage has been retained; it is now a theatre.
Michael Hegarty is a former GB International for Handball and now works as a Development Officer in the North West of England for the English Handball Association. This is a simplified description of Michael's version of what he does!
He has been very effective in a short period of time in building the sport in the Warrington area. The aim of Michael's work is to develop handball at grassroots level but also to feed into the elite National and Olympic squads.
Myself and some colleagues from Sports Development in Oldham had a very good meeting with Michael at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington an the 12th of March. We are trying to broaden sporting opportunities for young people in Oldham and handball is a great addition to the existing programmes. Michael spoke with a lot of knowledge and experience and gave us some great advice. He will be coming over to Oldham to lead a training session in May.
We held the meeting in a box overlooking the pitch which was brilliant. We both went into Teaching in the 70s and I thought a picture of two Murphy cousins who go way back before that even, would be a fun memento of this occasion in 2009.
Today is the first day of the trial of Jimmy Mizen's killer. The jury is chosen today. A small group of us met with Barry and Margaret (Jimmy's Mum and Dad) last night and they emphasised that they are not looking for revenge but justice. Young Jimmy was as good as everyone says he was and you all would have been proud to have him as a son. Joanne and I were lucky enough to experience that first hand on the many little holidays we had together and of course at all the Walsingham conferences. Our Sam and Jim were very close to Jimmy from when Jimmy was 5 or 6 years old. Our Frank and Jack are mates with two of the older brothers Harry and Tommy who will be key witnesses in the trial. Harry was in the shop when Jimmy was attacked and Tommy held him as he died. Barry and Margaret are determined that something good will come out of this. So far money has been raised for two brand new mini-buses for the scout group Jimmy belonged to. Also two apprenticeships have been established by Southwark Council in Jimmy's name as a result of a two week work experience he did 2007. The organisation had never had an apprentice before but they were so impressed with Jimmy they offered him one to start in June 2008 but of course he never made it. Barry and Margaret, however, feel that something else will come out of it on a spiritual level. I just spent the weekend away with Barry and a bunch of other Dads doing Fathers Prayers. We meet regularly and pray for our children. Joanne runs the Mothers Prayer group at our church doing the same thing. Together with Children of Faith the three parts belong to the Solace Community in Kent (details below). Keep the Mizens in your prayers over the next 3 or 4 weeks that they will continue to be strong in their faith.LoveJohnx
PS Joe, Phil and Tilly can you pass this on to your parents.
PPS Solace Community, PO Box 416, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6WE
Our Mike get’s hitched to the lovely Kate and the family are looking forward to a good shindig. They are having a very informal affair with three specially prepared traditional dishes 1 Irish, 1 Scouse and 1 Manx.
