Biographies A-Z

Murphy, Joseph (1923–2001), founder of Tayto crisps, was born 15 May 1923 beside the Liberties in Dublin, one of four sons and one daughter of Thomas Murphy, builder, and Molly Murphy (née Sweeney), who owned a wallpaper and paint shop on Thomas St. He was educated at Synge St.…

Murphy, Joseph (John) (1917–2000), builder and multi-millionaire, was born John Murphy on 4 September 1917 in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, second son of John Murphy and Bridget Murphy (née O'Sullivan). He was educated at Knockeen national school, and worked locally as a builder and…

Murphy, Joseph Xavier (1874–1937), politician and businessman, was born 3 January 1874 in Frankfort Ave., Dublin, son of John Murphy, gentleman, and Annie Murphy (née Byrne). A partner in Palgrave, Murphy, & Co., steamship office and agents for the Liverpool underwriters'…

Murphy, Kevin (1937–2012), public servant, was born on 9 April 1937 at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, to John Murphy, a store keeper, and his wife Catherine (née Moore), then living at 5 Rehoboth Avenue, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin. Educated at Synge Street…

Murphy, Michael (c.1744/5–1798), Roman catholic priest and insurgent leader, was born in Ballinoulart, Co. Wexford. His parents – small farmers who previously lived in Kilnew, Blackwater – were John Murphy of Parkannesley or Ballinoulart, and Julia Murphy (née Neal) (1714…

Murphy, Michael (1924–98), catholic bishop, was born 18 February 1924 in Anahala, Toames, Macroom, Co. Cork, the youngest of a family of four of Michael Murphy, farmer and his wife, Annie O'Mahony, both of Co. Cork. His father died a month before he was born; after the death of his…

Murphy, Michael Joseph (1913–96), writer and collector of folklore, was born in Eden St., Liverpool, England, on 2 July 1913, son of Michael Murphy, ship's fireman, and Susan Murphy (née Campbell). Both parents were from south Armagh, and in 1922 the family returned to this region.…

Murphy (Morphy), Dominic Edward (c.1651–1728), catholic vicar-general and archbishop of Dublin, was a native of Balrothery, north of Lusk, Co. Dublin. Murphy studied at Salamanca and was ordained at the Madrid Escorial (1677), where he was prebendary of Clonmethan and…

Murphy, Nicholas Daniel (1811–89), politician, was born in Cork city, fourth son of Daniel Murphy (b. 1780), merchant, of Belleville, Co. Cork, and Fanny Murphy (née Donegan). The Murphys were a wealthy merchant dynasty; in 1825 Daniel's brothers founded the Midleton distillery,…

Murphy, Patrick (1834–62), ‘world's tallest man’ and fairground performer, was born 15 June 1834 in Killowen, Co. Down, son of James Murphy (d. c.1850), smallholder, and Peggy Murphy (née Cunningham). There was nothing exceptional about his physique as a child. An…

Murphy, Paul Aloysius (1887–1938), plant pathologist, was born 22 February 1887 at Ballybur, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny, son of James Murphy, farmer, and Julia Murphy (née Mackey). He attended St Kieran's College, Kilkenny, before attending the Albert Agricultural College,…

Murphy, Robert (1806–43), mathematician, was born in Mallow, Co. Cork, fifth son among seven sons and three daughters of John Murphy, shoemaker and Church of Ireland parish clerk in Mallow, and his wife Margaret (maiden name unknown). His father died (1814), leaving the family…

Murphy, Seamus (1907–75), sculptor, was born 15 July 1907 at Greenhill, Burnfort, near Mallow, Co. Cork, one of five sons of James Murphy, engine driver, and Margaret Murphy (née Sheehan); four daughters died in infancy. While he was still a young child the family moved to Cork city…

Murphy, Seán Anthony (1896–1964), diplomat, was born 3 August 1896 at 40 South Parade, Waterford city, eldest son of Patrick A. Murphy, solicitor, and Catherine Murphy (née Doyle), both originally of Kilkenny. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare, and…

Murphy, Seán Óg (‘Jackie’) (1892–1956), hurler, was born 31 October 1892 at Windmill Road, Cork city, son of James Murphy, carrier, and Bridget Murphy (née Walsh). Originally named John Francis Murphy, he became known as ‘Seán Óg’ at an early age. He was educated locally at the…

Murphy, Sheila Geraldine Mary (1898–1983), diplomat, was born 28 December 1898 at 18 Harcourt St., Dublin, elder daughter and fourth among five children of Dr. John Joseph Murphy, physician and surgeon (b. Carlow c.1841), and Louisa Murphy (née Dickson; b. Tyrone c.…

Murphy, Thomas (1915–97), academic and president of UCD, was born 3 December 1915 in Bunclody, Co. Wexford, elder of two sons of John Murphy, farmer, and Mary Murphy (née Doyle). A sister of the two boys died in childhood. Educated…

Murphy, Thomas (‘Tommy’) (1921–85), Gaelic footballer, was born in Graiguecullen, Queen's Co. (Laois). Educated at Graiguecullen national school and Knockbeg College, he played for the Laois minor team aged 15, made his senior football debut for Laois in 1937 while still at school,…

Murphy, Timothy Joseph (1893–1949), politician, was born 17 July 1893 in Clondrohid, Co. Cork, son of Timothy Murphy, carpenter, and Mary Murphy (née Shea). Educated at Clondrohid and Macroom national schools, he worked as a journalist for a time. Initially a political supporter of…

Murphy, William (1771–1849), businessman and political adviser, was listed as a salesmaster (cattledealer) at 48 Smithfield, Dublin, from 1795. According to Miles Byrne (qv), who later knew him well, he was so trusted by the United Irish…

Murphy, William (1834–72), demagogue, was born at Castletown Conyers, Co. Limerick, eldest son among seven children of Michael Murphy, Roman catholic headmaster of the local national school, and his wife. When he was a child his father converted to protestantism, and when this was…

Murphy, William Lombard (1876–1943), surgeon and newspaper proprietor, was born 1 October 1876 in Rathmines, Dublin, eldest of nine children of William Martin Murphy (qv), architect, politician, and founder of Independent…

Murphy, William Martin (1845–1919), businessman, was born on 6 January 1845 at Derrymihan, near Castletownbere, Co. Cork, the only son of two children of Denis William Murphy, building contractor, and his wife, Mary Anne (née Martin). His solitary and austere personality was influenced…

Murphy, William Richard English (1890–1975), teacher, soldier, schools’ inspector, general and police commissioner, was born on 26 January 1890 at Danescastle, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford, son of John Joseph Murphy and Sarah Agnes (née English), both of whom were teachers. He had one…

Murray, Adam (d. 1706), soldier and hero of the siege of Derry, was probably of a Scots family, originally from Philiphaugh in Selkirkshire and settled for one or two generations at Ling near Claudy, Co. Londonderry; several versions of his antecedents have been offered. Nothing…