Seán Murphy, A man of many families!

Seán Murphy RIP

Seán Murphy was an excellent family man in the broader sense of the term because he belonged to a litany of ‘families’, all of whom will miss him dearly.

Firstly came his biological family the Murphys and the Hartes – what pride and interest Seán took in their respective home turfs of Knocknagree and Carrigtwohill and his many cousins in these parts. To his sisters Sheila and Maura, his nieces, nephew and extended family we all offer our sincere condolences.

Then came the list of associated ‘families’-chronologically Macra na Feirme came first. Seán always cherished the friends and associates of his Macra days and regularly reminisced about travelling to Macra events, the highlight being a trip to Rome.

Another ‘family’ would be those, of many generations, with whom he served on Management Committees at Killeagh Hall/ Community Centre, for well over sixty consecutive years. The premises and activities therein would almost be of equal concern to Seán as those at Knocknagree House on the Youghal Road!

Glenbower Theatre were a family who brought immense pleasure and pride to our parish in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. One of its key backroom members, ever orchestrating events, was Seán Murphy.  Seán was a permanent member of the Killeagh Inch Community Council since the seventies- sometimes he irked ‘family’ members with lengthy verbal contributions; he served on the Parish Council and involved himself with Comhaltas and Killeagh Fleadh Cheoil 1989. 

In later years, Seán was happy to travel with his Monday Club ‘family’ visiting all of our four provinces and Scotland. His final trip with the club was to a Valentine’s Night Social in Conna in February.

There were three other ‘families’ to which Seán was totally dedicated. The May Sunday Festival Committee couldn’t operate without him!  The Point-to-Point Committee regularly counted the spoils of the day on Seán’s kitchen table. All Killeagh G.A.A. activities, on the field, at the Club, or away from Killeagh, were of paramount interest to Seán – His G.A.A.  ‘family’ will sorely miss him.

Sean Murphy receives the Overall County Mayor’s Award, Individual Section, from Mayor Declan Hurley and acting Cork County Council CEO Declan Daly in  2018 

Beyond Killeagh, Seán involved himself in his Muintir na Tire ‘family’ – he was a founder of Imokilly Wood Products Co-Op:  helped established Community Councils throughout the county; supported social, environmental and educational projects throughout the county; helped establish Community Alert, when rural communities were in danger; encouraged the Imokilly Jamboree, which ran for over twenty years; helped with the Tops of Communities; spoke at many fora,  highlighting the need to combat rural crime, the closure of rural Garda stations, and the need to retain GP services in our villages.

For the last sixteen years, Seán has been the President of Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire, during which time he consolidated his relationship with Cork County Council through serving on the Community and Voluntary forum, and with the HSE personnel of the Community Work Department. Seán created linkages with other ‘families’ through his association with support groups for Cardiac and Visually Impaired patients, rarely missing any of their social functions.

As we go to print, Seán, along with his former canvassing mate Paddy Kennedy, is keeping a close eye on his Fine Gael ‘family’, possibly awaiting historical developments.

Seaan Murphy with friends from Killeagh at the Mayor's Awards in 2018

Fortunately, we were given some opportunities to mark Seán’s dedication to his fellow man. For his seventieth birthday, the Killeagh Community suitably honoured him. In 2017, the East Cork Board GAA marked his 54 years’ service to that body. His family marked his eightieth, in January 2019. However, the highlight came when Seán became the outright winner of the County Mayor’s Award, Individual Section, 2018 for the six decades he had given to Voluntary and Community Service- all fully deserved.

Seán Murphy will be sorely missed by his immediate family, the families he regularly visited, both in Killeagh and throughout Munster, and the many ‘families’ mentioned above, with whom he shared his time and his talents.

Seán – Slán go fóill; ní bheidh do leithéid arís ann.

F.M.