The Murphy Family Reuinion is Almost Here!
Here's a message from Catherine ... it's still not too late to attend! Come on now!
Dear All,
It's just under 4 weeks to the Murphy Family Reunion and Mullaghbawn is gearing up for the influx and a weekend of craic agus ceol! This is a great opportunity to connect and explore the family history in the homeland of Michael Murphy.
For those of you staying in the Ti Chulainn Centre there is a communal sitting area with a kitchen where people can socialise, make hot and cold drinks. There is also a large fridge if anyone needs to bring snacks or children's food.
Saturday 28th May
The party will officially be kicking off on the Saturday night (28th) at 7.30pm in the Ti Chulainn Centre, Mullaghbawn http://tichulainn.com/. Des and Sue will have the photo exhibition displayed and would be delighted if people can bring along any photographs or documents to add to this.
The night will include traditional music from local musicians, family songs, stories and dancing. The bar is well stocked with Guinness and we’ll have a children’s menu and a hot/cold food buffet for the adults with food served from 8pm. If anyone is vegetarian, vegan or has special dietary requirements, please let me know by return email, so that we can accommodate you.
The bar will close at approx. 2am. For those of you who require taxi’s to get home – we will have taxi’s available from this time (or earlier if required!).
Sunday 29th May
Unfortunately it has not been possible to have a family mass on the Saturday evening in St. Mary’s Mullaghbawn as the local priest has to cover mass in a number of neighbouring parishes. Holy mass is celebrated in St. Mary’s each Sunday morning at 10.30am.
Sunday lunch will be served in Ti Chulainn from 1.30pm.
Areas of Interest
The Mullaghbawn that Michael Murphy grew up in (born in 1881) and that which his children/grandchildren knew has changed irrevocably. Located close to the border with the Republic of Ireland, this is a rural part of Northern Ireland that was blighted with the violence of the troubles and which impacted on the local economy. Today, what endures is the history and beauty of the local landscape and the mysterious Slieve Gullion steeped in mythology. South Armagh is also undergoing somewhat of a transformation and is growing in popularity as a tourist destination for historical, archaeological and outdoor enthusiasts, with the Ring of Gullion designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to its unique geological landform. I’ve included some areas of interest (with links) in the vicinity of Mullaghbawn.
Ring of Gullion
http://www.ringofgullion.org/ including:
- Slieve Gullion Forest Park (walking trails and scenic drive)
- Guided Tours (Historical, Scenic, Cultural and Political) of the Ring of Gullion
- Driving/Audio Guides
- Walking Routes of the Ring of Gullion
- Slieve Gullion Adventure Playpark
- The Giant’s Lair - Children’s Story Trail
Pony Trekking: Greenvale Equestrian Centre, Forkhill /Telephone: 02830 888314
Golf: Cloverhill Golf Club, Mullahgbawn – http://www.cloverhillgolfclub.co.uk/
GAA Football: if you want to see some ‘real’ football check out the fixtures for Armagh GAA http://armaghgaa.net/ and the local clubMullaghbawn Cúchulainns https://www.facebook.com/MullaghbawnCLG
Other areas of interest in the wider Co Armagh include:
- Armagh Planetarium http://www.armaghplanet.com/
- Emain Macha / Navan Centre & Fort http://www.armagh.co.uk/navan-centre-fort/
Our Connection with Mullaghbawn
In hosting the reunion in Mullaghbawn it would be remiss of me not to mention Michael Murphy (fondly known as 'Da') and I’ve collated a mini biography (see attached) with help from my mum.
Any Questions?
Safe travels to you all. If you have any questions in the meantime please email: murphyreunion2016@gmail.com
Emergency telephone numbers during the weekend (from the Friday) are: Catherine Morris (00353 860509449) and Sue Herlihy (07768330504).
With best wishes,
Catherine
Here's the history:
Michael Edward Murphy was born in 1881 in the townland of Carrickaldreen in Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh. Mullaghbawn, a small rural community near Slieve Gullion, is situated in a valley surrounded by the hills of the Ring of Gullion.
Michael’s parents were James and Susan. His siblings were: James (who died on board the RMS Carpathia in 1918 WW1); Frank (food distributor for the IRA in various locations, later ran a pub in the Scotland Road area/Liverpool in the 1920’s and then lived in New York before returning to Dundalk in the 1950’s – now buried in Mullaghbawn); Catherine/Kate (who married Robert Pender a seafarer and died in an accident in New York) and Rose. There was also a network of extended family/relatives in the local area.
As well as going to the local school, from a young age Michael was ‘hired out’ to local farmers to work the land, which was common in rural areas. He reported of sleeping in barns and not having enough to eat.
At the age of about 14/15, Michael moved close to Altrincham in England and worked manually on the land. In subsequent years, he moved to Liverpool and worked as a seafarer on ships that transported troops to the Boer war 1899/1902. During this time he lodged in a house in Rockingham Street, Liverpool 5 (which was next to Aspinall Street).
Michael married Mary Pender (also born in 1881) from Liverpool. Mary was an only daughter and her parents originally hailed from the New Ross area, Co. Wexford. Prior to her marriage, Mary worked in a factory that manufactured cigarettes, which was situated between London Road and Skelhorne Street, Liverpool.
Michael & Mary lived in 26 Aspinall Street, Kirkdale and raised a family of 9 daughters (Susan, Molly, Johanna, Kitty, Rose, Agnes, Lily, Sadie, Ann, Joan (who died in infancy) and one son (Michael). After a series of jobs, Michael opened a greengrocers in Blackstone Street, which was close to the docks and in the Holy Cross parish. Michael had a pony (Dolly) & trap and sold fruit and vegetables to a wide area. Mary also helped out in the shop. During World War One, Michael served as a special constable in the Stanley Park area.
In 1924, Mary, at the age of 42, tragically died of TB at home - she had previously spent time in a sanatorium, where Broadgreen Hospital is now situated. Michael was left to raise his family alone. Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit carried on and he established a business as a General Dealer – his business card read “Michael Edward Murphy & Son, General Dealer.” The business (fondly known as ‘Da’s yard’) was situated on Vauxhall Road and contained a huge array of machinery, tools and steel drums. His headquarters was an old fashioned comfortable caravan.
Michael was a handsome man who dressed smartly and always wore a silk paisley scarf around his neck. He took great pride in his moustache and would tell his curious grandchildren that the sparrows liked to perch in the waxed ends. He enjoyed playing the melodeon to entertain his family. Michael was also a man of great faith and attended daily mass at 8am in St Alphonsus Church, Kirkdale and prayed in the parlour of Aspinall Street before going to work. He was generous to the Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, which was still in its planning stage.
Michael renewed his connection with Mullaghbawn in the 1920s/30s, returning to his homeland every Easter and summer. He bought land and a cottage ‘Shanroe’ and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoyed many holidays there until the 1960s. Michael donated 2 stained glass windows to St Mary's church, Mullaghbawn in memory of his wife and parents. In addition, he donated a life size statue of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower) to whom he had a special devotion - this statue has since been removed when the church was modernised (post Michael’s death).
In the summer of 1951 Michael did not travel to Mullaghbawn as his health began to deteriorate. He told Auntie Sadie (who he shared a home with) that Mary (his wife) had waited long enough for him to join her. Michael died in September 1954 exactly 30years to the day on the anniversary of Mary’s death.
posted by DocMurf @ 8:21 PM
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