Joseph Murphy 1895 ~ 1920
This article will outline the life and times of Joseph Murphy and his death in 1920 and the terrible aftermath which engulfed his family until 2019. Togher Historical Association would like to sincerely thank Shirley Kelleher ( Joe Murphy's Grand Niece ) , Jim Hegarty ( John Joe Hegarty's Son ) and numerous others for their invaluable insights , knowledge and contributions in showcasing a forgotten part of Togher history on this the Centenary of Joe Murphy's death.
Site of birthplace of Joe Murphy , Lynn , Mass. U.S.A.
Joseph Patrick Murphy was born in the City of Lynn , Mass. U.S.A. on
10th May 1895. His Father Timothy Murphy , a shoemaker by trade , and
his Mother Nora O'Brien had previously emigrated from Ireland in 1891.
They started a family while there and had three children ; Joseph and
twins Mary and Richard. However , they decided to return to Ireland and initially settled in Churchyard Lane , Ballinlough before
moving for a brief period to Buckingham Place on Georges Quay. Two more
children were born ; Annie and Daniel.
Buckingham Place , George's Quay , Cork
In the meantime , the young Joe was sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle who resided on Pouladuff Road in Togher. They enrolled their nephew in the local National School on Togher Road where Joe would attend on a not too consistent basis. His family soon followed and the household was a hive of youthful vigour and activity. The family were market gardeners by trade and enjoyed 2 and a half acres of land on which to grow their vegetables , the land extending halfway back towards Togher Road and laterally to the now Industrial Estate on Vicar's Road to the left and the now housing Estate known as The Acre to its right.
1901 Census Murphy Family
Joe Murphy house , Pouladuff Road , Togher
The Togher of Joe's youth and indeed adult life was very different to the suburb of modern times as too was its neighbour across the road , the future Parish of Ballyphehane , back then made up of market gardens , farms and bogland. Togher at the turn of the century was very much an agricultural hinterland which boasted of two railway lines ; the Macroom Line and the Bandon Line. Joe's daily journey from his home to school took him down towards the Pouladuff railway bridge where he would turn onto the old Hangdog Road and walk over the Togher railway bridge , both of these bridges traversing the Macroom line. It was here that his love of Irish sport and culture was fostered by Nationalist Teachers which instilled in his mind the idea of Independence from Great Britain. He was a keen road bowler who undoubtedly threw the ból up and down Togher Road and Pouladuff Road and also played for the local Plunketts Hurling Club. He was also a keen Barrs supporter as indeed his descendants are today.
Joe Murphy's school roll 1901 - 1907
Togher National School ( Community Centre )
Joe would later find employment with Cork Corporation as a road sweeper. However following the ill fated Easter Rising of 1916 which took place largely in Dublin with a smaller episode in Cork City, his life would take a turn that would change everything forever. He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 and became a member of H Company, 2nd Battalion, Cork No.1 Brigade , along with many other locals in the Togher area and was soon involved in many ambushes , prison breaks and raids , including one on an R.I.C. barracks in Farran with a bold attack on his local R.I.C. Barracks in Togher . His Commanding Officer and best friend , John Joe Hegarty ( click here for John Joe's story ) literally lived up the road from him in The Laurels. Joe Murphy along with the rest of " H " Company helped make life in Togher unbearable for the Crown Forces and soon it was completely under the control of the Volunteers. However a new menace had now arrived to terrorise the locals - the hated Black and Tans! Despite their attempts to subjugate the locals , many of these ended their days in shallow graves out by the Viaduct.
Family and Friends outside Cork Gaol 1920
One fateful night on 15th July 1920 , Joe Murphy was forcefully taken by the Military Authorities at gunpoint and ferried away to Cork Gaol on a trumped up charge of having possession of a bomb. He would never see his home again! What followed ensured Joe's immortality among locals as he embarked on the longest hunger strike ever undertaken. During his ordeal his neighbours Mamie and Nan Hegarty of the local Cumann na mBan who were also trained as Nurses regularly attended to him.
New York Daily News October 1920 His family and friends gathered outside the Gaol on the 76th and final day of his hunger strike on 25th October 1920 at precisely 8:35 p.m. when the news was given that he had breathed his last. He was surrounded by his grieving family. John Joe Hegarty made the funeral arrangements on behalf of Joe's family. The inscription for the brass plate was handwritten by members of his family and reads : " Joseph Murphy , brutally done to death by the English in Cork Prison. 25/10/20 . 4th Year of the Republic in his 24th Year. R.I.P. "
Original handwritten note of inscription on Joe Murphy's coffin
© Provenance : Hegarty Collection
Receipt for funeral costs © Provenance : Hegarty Collection
Instructions from Murphy Family to Funeral Directors
© Provenance : Hegarty Collection
On removing the body of Joe Murphy from the gaol John Joe Hegarty draped the Tricolor over the coffin. However under protest by the British Forces he was ordered to remove it. Undeterred , he quickly laid the flag over Joe's body before screwing down the coffin lid so as to prevent its removal. The funeral was held at the Lough Church and the procession made its way to the Republican Plot in St. Finbarr's Cemetery.
Joe Murphy's grave - Republican Plot , St. Finbarr's Cemetery 25th October 2020
A heavy British Forces presence followed the cortege with the aid of two armoured cars. Walking behind the hearse was Timothy Murphy with his son John. At the graveside a U.S. flag was briefly placed on the coffin to signify his American roots. When the coffin was lowered into the ground , Joe's Mother broke down and wept uncontrollably. Following the burial and the departure of the Authorities , John Joe Hegarty and members of " H " Company fired a volley of shots over the grave as a mark of respect for their former Comrade.
Richard Murphy - Passport Photograph
Joe's Brother Richard who was in the Merchant Navy was en route to Ireland after being contacted
urgently by his family to return home. His ship
docked at Belfast port in December 1920 where he was
immediately arrested and put into Crumlin Gaol. The American Consulate
was called in and cruelly he was
told he would be released if he left for America. Having no choice save
imprisonment , Richard had to leave for New York without ever having the
opportunity to visit his Brother's grave.
Richard Murphy - Merchant Navy photograph
Joe's family fell on hard times following his death and Timothy was suffering from ill health. The family made numerous claims for a service pension from the Government but save a paltry sum of money were denied each and every time. The following documents outline the various attempts by the family to secure Joe's pension but all to no avail.
Various Letters and Applications for Service Pension
Letter from American Consul re. Richard Murphy
40 years later , John Joe Hegarty would make his final honour to Joe
Murphy by arranging for a memorial placue to be placed on his family
home and the name of Joe Murphy on the left pillar of the gateway. Many
former colleagues turned up for the event including Tom
Barry of Flying Column fame ; Sean Hegarty ( Brigade Commander No.1 Brigade following Terence McSwiney's death ) , Florrie Donoghue , Tom Croft and surviving members of " H " Comany including John Joe Hegarty who lead the colour party.
Placue Dedication to Joe Murphy
by former members of " H " Company 1960
Placue on wall of Joe Murphy house
Time wore on and in 2019 following intensive research and campaigning by many local groups ,
Joe Murphy's War of Independence Medal with Bar was finally awarded.
This event took place at the City Hall in Cork where Lord Mayor Mick
Finn presented the medal to Joe Murphy's Nephew , Harry Delaney. Joe
Murphy had to wait 99 years for his Country to finally honour his
memory. R.I.P.
Harry Delaney ( Joe Murphy's Nephew )
with Medal & Bar 2019
Cork City Hall
War of Independence Medal with Bar
*Acknowledgments:
Shirley Kelleher
Jim Hegarty
W.A. Hill ( Research )
