Mary O'Leary - Joe Murphy's Fiancee

Though much has now been written about hunger striker Joe Murphy , little to nothing was known about his fiancee Mary O'Leary. In fact it wasn't even generally known ( outside of family circles ) that he even had a fiancee up to very recently. This article will outline the tragic life of Mary O'Leary and the appalling manner in which she was treated by the authorities leading up and including Joe Murphy's death. The Togher Historical Association would sincerely like to thank Sean Delaney ( Mary's Grandson ) for his efforts in compiling this article and also Jim Hegarty for arranging the meeting.
 

Mary O'Leary & Joe Murphy

Mary O'Leary was born in 1901 and lived at No.8 Cookes Lane off Shandon Street. The lane does not exist anymore following the slum clearances of the 1930s by Cork Corporation. Her parents were Denis and Anne while her siblings were Ellen ( Nellie ) , John and a younger brother Denis. In line with the high infant mortality rate of the time , her mother sadly had lost three babies during childbirth.

1911 Census of O'Leary family
8 Cookes Lane off Shandon St.

 

 

Approximate location of Cookes Lane

 

 

Location of Cookes Lane as indicated by yellow arrow

Directly across from Credit Union

 

Little is known of Mary's childhood or indeed even when she first met Joe Murphy. However through Joe's work as a Cork Corporation worker , it is evident that he met her perhaps through his work. Their subsequent engagement when she was barely 19 and plans for marriage were forever changed by Joe's status as a volunteer. She would have known of his activities and supported them. However she could not have known what the future held for her.

People waiting outside Cork Gaol
for news of the hunger strikers 1920

When Joe was arrested and imprisoned in Cork Gaol it was only family members who could attend which completely ostracised Mary. Even though she was his fiancee she was not technically a family member. However , Mamie and Nan Hegarty , sisters of Joe's commanding officer John Joe Hegarty were trained nurses and were given permission to give care to Joe Murphy. As his condition worsened she used a prison pass given to her by Joe's family and posing as his sister was able to see him. It must have been some comfort to the now dying Joe to have his fiancee by his side. Sadly she was the last person to see Joe Murphy alive shortly before his death. It is reputed that Joe gave her his miraculous medal which she smuggled out of the prison. It is here that Mary seems to disappear but it may have been a suggestion by those who knew her that given the volatility of the situation and the possible backlash against her own family that she should perhaps fade into the background.

Mary and Timothy Owens
with baby Breda 1925

Following the events of the passing of Joe Murphy , Mary had to face reality and try to pick up the pieces of her broken life. Cobh at the time was still one of the ports under British control and it was fate that had a U.S. Navy ship in the harbor which lead to Mary O'Leary meeting a U.S. Army soldier while on shore leave. His name was Corporal Timothy Owens and after demobbing he began courting Mary. They would go on to marry circa 1924 and live on Moriarty's Lane off Shandon Street.

Mary with her children circa 1939
Danny , Denis and Kitty

Gap between buildings which lead to Moriarty's Lane

They went on to have 4 children ; Breda ( Sean's mother )  b.1925 , Daniel b.1926 , Denis b.1928 and Kitty b.1929. Timothy suffered greatly from depression as it was known as at the time - it was actually Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in World War I. He went back home to the States for a while to try and cure himself and then returned to Ireland where he took up a job in Forde's. It was here that he was subjected to bullying from fellow workers who believed he acquired the job because of his American nationality , the owner Henry Forde being Irish American. Sadly the demons won and Timothy would eventually take his own life. Horrifically , it was his eldest daughter Breda , then only 4 years of age , who opened the front door of their home to find him hanging. Following her husband's death she held down three jobs including working at Egan's opticians in Blackrock to help support her young family. Mary never remarried and would live to the ripe old age of 85 , dying in 1986. She is buried in Curraghkippane graveyard. MSRIP†

 

Kathleen O'Keeffe - Togher Historical Association

with Sean Delaney

Billy O'Brien - Togher Historical Association

with Sean Delaney

Billy O'Brien & Sean Delaney

Joe Murphy house

**Ironically , Sean Delaney attended the same secondary school in Farranree as Jim Hegarty. Jim is the son of John Joe Hegarty while Sean is the grandson of Mary Owen ( nee O'Leary ) who of course was Joe Murphy's fiancee. Mary's eldest sister Ellen was also a founding member of Na Piarsiaghs on Cork's Northside.

34th Fieldwork Trip - 23rd November 2022 - Clashduv Park , Togher Road & Exclusive Meeting

On Wednesday 23rd November 2022 , Togher Historical Association were on location in Togher for the first time since February. Despite the torrential downpour , there was another reason for the visit which will be shown later. First port of call was Clashduv Park to record a few changes which have been installed in the last few years. Togher Community Garden has been running very successfully now for a number of years and is a great addition to the local community. A Greenhouse and beautifully painted raised beds which house all manner of vegetables were proudly on display. A fantastic utility which carries forward the tradition of market gardens in Togher. Also tucked away in the corner towards Clashduv Bridge is the site of the proposed future Peace Park which will honour the Women who fought in the War of Independence and will be named after the Hegarty Sisters of The Laurels on Pouladuff Road. Time was taken out to view the improvements to the park in general ; these included the Children's Playground , the Sports Ground and the walkways around the park. It would seem that CCTV is now in operation to prevent misuse of the facilities.

Greenhouse at Togher Community Garden

 

 

Raised vegetable patches

 

Beautifully decorated timber frames

 

 

Playground placue erected in 2001

 

Playground with seating

Slide and Bridge with safety matting

View of the enclosed sports ground

A coffee stop was then made at Applegreen on Togher Road before having a look at the latest developments in the region. The manager Emma Jane gave a warm and hospitable welcome to the group. Changes were noted in the general area of Togher Road , following completion of the Culvert and associated works. As can be seen in the accompanying photographs , much has indeed changed beyond belief. The old gully which once carried the stream towards Coffey's Field is now filled in and landscaped with thankfully a segment of the original stone wall preserved. It is tastefully squared off at the corner with redressed stone. It is difficult to imagine that only a year or so ago , a stream flowed here.

Billy O'Brien with manager Emma Jane at Applegreen

 

 

Remaining segment of original stream wall

 

Infilled former stream gully with grass verge & bricked footpath

 

 

Landscaped entrance to Greenwood Estate

with wall signs restored

 

New wider culvert at Coffey's Field

 

Togher Cross has also been completely reworked with the old stone wall which once ran alongside the stream removed , along with the trees which once stood on the opposite bank. In its place is a block wall with stone facing salvaged from the original wall. The structure now sits on top of the culvert through which the old stream now flows. The culvert extends back to the end of the former Southern Fruit industrial estate. It should be noted that the two original daylighted segments of Togher Stream are now gone forever. It was also noted that the entrance to Sandown Crest is now completely denuded of trees. Time was taken out to view two structures which were supplied/refurbished by Togher Tidy Towns. A timber replica of a well now sits atop the old well situated on the corner of the remaining wall ( at least 200 years old ) of Lehenaghmore House which is capped. The group then traveled to the last remaining original hand pump in Togher on Doughcloyne Hill. The enclosure is now painted and the walls dressed with trellis with the ground treated with gravel. The hand pump itself is now also cleaned and painted. A fantastic feature which harkens back to the days of old.

New block wall dressed with stone from original stream wall

 

 

Trees removed from Sandown Crest

 

Replica well on site of capped well

Old wall of Lehenaghmore House below well

 

 

Refurbished hand pump on Doughcloyne Hill

 

Time was taken out to visit the site of the old Ardmanning House. Demolished in 2013 , work is almost finished on the extension to the local Supermarket. Sadly the old Vaunie's bakery save for its front is now completely gone. A sad loss of a location visited by many from the 1960s to the 1980s for her delicious range of fresh cakes. Something which caught the eyes of the team was the old pillar post box located on the footpath adjacent to the shopping centre. It predates 1984 when Posts & Telegraphs dept. changed to An Post and Telecom Eireann ( now Eir ) respectively. To its right was the updated post boxes introduced after 1984.

Former Ardmanning House site showing extension to supermarket

 

 

Remnants of old Vaunies bakery next to Paddy Long's house

 

Old & New post boxes outside shopping centre

The final mission of the day was an exclusive meeting with Sean Delaney who is the Grandson of Mary O'Leary , the former fiancee of hunger striker Joe Murphy who passed away in 1920. This interview will feature on the blog in the near future following completion of further research. A tragic tale of a woman who endured so much throughout her life. Of course , no interview would be complete without a visit to Joe Murphy House on Pouladuff Road. The owner very kindly welcomed the group and gave permission to photograph the house. The historical significance of bringing Joe Murphy's fiancee's Grandson to his old home was not lost on the group and it was an emotional experience for Sean Delany. The group would like to thank him for his time and his generosity in giving an insight into Mary O'Leary.

Billy & Kathleen with Sean Delaney

Joseph Murphy - Pouladuff Road , Togher - 1895 ~ 1920

 

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

 

 

Joe Murphy

War of Independence Medal with Bar


*Acknowledgments:

Shirley Kelleher
Jim Hegarty
W.A. Hill ( Research )