Michael Murphy (abt. 1745 - 1798)

Born about 1745 in Ballinoulart, County Wicklow, Ireland

Died 9 Jun 1798 at about age 53 in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland

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Biography

Michael Murphy born about 1745 "in Ballinoulart, County Wicklow, son of John Murphy of Parkannesley or Ballinoulart, and Julia Murphy (née Neal) (1714–January 1757) of Morriscastle, Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford."^[1]

"born at Kilnew, in the parish of Blackwater, the family moved to Ballinoulart, Ballygarrett parish shortly after Michael was born." ^[2]

'It would appear that Michael Murphy had a late vocation:17 May 1785 ordained priest"

Rev Michael Murphy curate of Ballycanew catholic parish.

He lodged in the house of a United Irish officer, James Kenny

His nephew was the Monaseed United Irish captain, Nicholas Murphy

two of his brothers-in-law were deeply involved, John Prendergast and Whelan of Ballymartin

his mother was related to one of the insurrection's major figures, Edward Roche

"Father Michael Murphy of Ballycanew, whose chapel had been burned, was among the insurgents of 1798. The Rebel Forces made up from the combined Wicklow and Wexford forces led by the Ballyman Division under Billy Byrne of Ballymanus, Anthony Perry of Inch, Wexford, Edward Fitzgerald of Newpark, Wexford and Fr.Michael Murphy of Ballycanew, advanced to attack Arklow on the 9th. Their numbers probably amounted to twenty-seven thousand, of whom near five thousand were armed with guns, the rest with pikes; they were also furnished with three pieces of serviceable artillery. The troops posted for the defence of this, at that time, important station, consisted of sixteen hundred men, regulars and yeomanry. The Government Forces consisted of 1,360 Infantry, 125 Cavalry, six Yeomanry Corps under Major General Francis Needham, Durham Fencibles under Colonel Skerret, Cavan Militia."^[3]

"His mutilated body was later recovered from the ruins by his sister Mary and his nephew Luke."

Fr.Michael Murphy was killed, his remains were brought to Castle Ellis. ^[4]

Murphy's nephew Myles (1787–1856) was consecrated bishop of Ferns in St Aidan's cathedral, Enniscorthy, on 10 March 1850.

Sources

1. ↑ Murphy, Michael Contributed by Furlong, Nicholas https://www.dib.ie/index.php/biography/murphy-michael-a6088
2. ↑ "Priests of 'Ninety-Eight' " by Séamas S. de Vál in The Past: The Organ of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society, No. 20 (1997), pp. 3-52 https://www.jstor.org/stable/25520024
3. ↑ https://arklowhistory.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/the-battle-of-arklow-9th-june-1798/
4. ↑ " History of the diocese of Ferns" by William Henry Grattan Flood, and Laurence F Renehan, publ 1916 p xx, 51, 229 https://archive.org/details/historyofdiocese00floo/page/n25/mode/1up