Murphy, Tom
February 10, 2010The death took place on Wednesday 30 December, of Thomas (Tom) Murphy, of Cronesallagh House, Aughrim and formerly of Rosnastraw, Tinahely and Gurteen, Coolboy.
Tom celebrated his 91st birthday in October 2009, having celebrated his 90th and his 50th wedding anniversary along with wife May's 80th birthday the previous October, with all his family and friends at his daughter Martina's home nearby.
On that occasion he spoke of his lifelong involvement in farming, past recessions and reminisced about the emergency and rationing etc., and his endeavours to always get some tea, as his obsession with tea and the fact that everyone young or old came to his home had to have team and a chat proved in later years.
His farming endeavours started on his home from in Gurteen and his tales of saving the hay and fairs etc. became the stuff of legend.
He then moved to his own place in Rosnastraw from where he met and married his wife of 51 years May Mulhall of Kilpipe, Annacurra. They lived here until 1967 having had three Tinahely born sons then moving to Cronesallagh House outside of Aughrim where daughter Martina was born.
Tom had a home here for his family and their friends and all the relations who visited from time to time, particularly during the summer when his late sister Josie an Augustinian sister would be home all of whom have fond memories of a welcoming gentleman.
Apart from his family and farming his other obsession in life was the GAA. His tales of evenings spent playing football on the "Knock" Coolboy's Croke Park without the stands became part of legends when his friends visited. Due to injuries to his dodgy knees he missed out of his beloved Coolboy's history making victory in junior football in 1940.
From there on it was a spectator' role for Tom, at club matches and All-Ireland finals after a bike ride from Tinahely and a visit to Guinness's Brewery on the Monday.
Later years it was to watch Pat or Ger playing football and hurling and later still his grand children playing in fields from Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow and Tipperary. Blessed with good health for over 91 years after his first Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years May, his three sons Pat.
Ger and Kevin and daughter Martina, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, 10 grandchildren, nephews, niece, cousin's, neighbours and friends.
Ar Dheis De raibh anam.
The Murphy Family
Courtesy of the Wicklow People.
February 10th 2010 Tweet
