Michael Commins
MUCH sadness was occasioned in the Ballyhaunis town area at the weekend with the news of the sudden death of Enda Murphy, Aisling Drive. Enda, described by local councillor John Cribbin as the ‘Grand Marshal of Ballyhaunis’, died suddenly following a very brief illness. He was aged 69.
Enda was a native of Kells, Co Meath and he and his family came to Ballyhaunis when they purchased a pub in Bridge Street. The Murphy Arms operated for a number of years and was run by Enda and his wife Kathleen.
Tragedy struck the family when their son Gerry died in a road accident near the town a good many years ago. For years, Enda was synonymous with Ballyhaunis and was involved in numerous organisations in the town. He was especially proud of his role with the Aisling Drive Residents’ Association and he was thrilled when they won the Best-Kept Estate in Mayo in 2006. They also won the local Litter League competition and were recently presented with a cheque for €2,000 in recognition of that award. Aisling Drive won further honours in recent weeks when named the top estate in the Claremorris Electoral Area.
A keen sportsman, Enda won a county club championship medal with his home club in Meath during his young years. He took an active interest in GAA and retained a special fondness for his native Meath.
Cllr John Cribbin said Enda was a constant campaigner for the betterment of the local community.
“There was hardly a week that he wasn’t in touch with me about something. I called him the Grand Marshal of Ballyhaunis. He was in almost every committee in the town.
“Enda was the caretaker at the Parochial Hall for several years and he was very well-known around town.
His heart was in the right place and he was a great man to motivate and inspire those around him. We are all shocked with the news and he is a big loss to Ballyhaunis.”Large crowds were in attendance at the funeral ceremonies and removal took place from Donnellan’s Funeral Home on Saturday evening to St Patrick’s Church with burial in the local cemetery following the funeral Mass on Sunday. Members of Ballyhaunis GAA Club, together with representatives from the Aisling Drive Residents’ Association, and from various other community organisations around the town, joined in a large guard of honour as a special tribute to their departed friend. Enda is deeply regretted by his wife Kathleen, daughter Deirdre, sons Enda and Bernard, son-in-law Frank Brown (former manager of the Mayo hurling team and the Mayo senior ladies team), daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brother, sisters, relatives, neighbours and friends.
