The late Paddy 'Salt' Murphy

When Paddy 'Salt' Murphy, Ballybar Upper, Tinryland was laid to rest in the local St Joseph's Cemetery, a guard of honour was formed outside the church by his 53 grandchildren.
That fact provided fitting testimony to just how important and central family life was to Paddy, who passed on Thursday last after a short illness.
He died just three days short of his 89th birthday.
A native of Rialto Cottages, Dublin Paddy came to reside with his aunt Mary at 'The Forge' Ballyloo at an early age, following the death of his parents. He and his wife Josie moved to Ballybar Upper in 1950.
As a cattle dealer, he became a highly recognise figure in the Carlow area and throughout much of Ireland. He was a very hard worker, operating in a very competitive industry where he enjoyed huge respect for the honesty of his dealings.
St Joseph's Church, Tinryland was packed to overflowing for Saturday's funeral Mass, at which Fr john McEvoy, PP, Tinryland, was chief celebrant.
Symbols of Paddys life were brought to the altar during Mass by his children - a crucifix, rosary beads, a deck of cards, a vial of salt, a handball, his herding stick and a replica of a farm animal.
In a homily during Mass, Fr McEvoy spoke of the aspects of life that Paddy enjoyed most. He said that paddy enjoyed card-playing, music and singing, and if all of these elements came together then all the better.
And for such occasions, Paddy had his own party-piece - his rendition of The Carlow Fifteen in tribute to the Carlow senior football team of 1944, which won the county's lone Leinster SFC title.
Fr McEvoy also spoke of Paddy's deep religious conviction, stating that in his retirement years he was daily attender at Mass in St Joseph's. Paddy's son Andy summed up his dad's life in a short tribute at the end of the Mass. Andy said Paddy 'Salt' Murphy was a man who made many friends and few enemies during his life. And he was a man who, if I could, would do a favour for anyone.
He also stated that his father had a tremendous work ethic. 'To him there was no such thing as a recession. You just kept on going,' Andy remarked.
Paddy's nickname 'salt' originated from the time he played with cousins in Knockbeg area.
In a sporting sense, Paddy's greatest love was the game of handball - the 60 x 30 form of the game being his favourite. And he was inducted into the Carlow Handball Association Hall of Fame in 2004. For many years he was an active playing of Tinryland Handball Club, members of which formed a guard of honour at the funeral, along with members of Ballinabranna GFC and Nurney GFC. The Ballinabranna jersey was placed on the coffin - Paddy played in the goal for the club.
The singing at Mass was by St Joeseph's Choir, with the psalm sung by Paddy's daughter josie Kelly. Readings were by Claire and Kevin. The prayers of the faithful were recited by family members Lena, Dolores, Martin, Matt and Michael, while the gifts were brought to the altar by Angela and David Corcoran, a niece and nephew of Paddy's. Fr John McEvoy read a poem composed by granddaughter Colette Murphy.
Paddy, the last member of a family of four, was predeceased in 2001 by his wife, the former Josie Dowling from Cloghna, Carlow. He is also predeceased by daughter Colette (twin of Claire), who died in infancy, and grandson Darren.
He survived by his 12 children - sons Matt (Ballybar Upper), Patrick(Fenagh), Andy(Borris), Michael (Roscrea), Kevin (bagnelstown), Martin(Linkardstown, Tinrylamd) and Robert (Sydney, Australia), daughtersMaryMaher(Athlone), Lena Nelson (Killeshin), Josie Kelly (Linkardstown), Claire Kenny (Carlow) and Dolores Healy (Portlaoise). He is also mourned by his sister , grandchildren, his 16 great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, sons-in-law, other relatives neighbours and many friends.
Paddy Spent the last year of his life with his daughter Lena and her family in Killeshin, having previously been cared for by his daughter Josie and son Matt.
As Paddy was laid to rest, daughter josie paid a final graveside tribute to her dad, singing The Old Man.

Courtesy of the Nationalist
28th September, 2010 Tweet

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