The Neale Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
A packed church, guards of honour from three organisations was indicative of the high esteem in which the late Miko Murphy was held. His death, after a short illness on April 30th was a source of great sadness to his wife Angela, his nieces, nephews and a wide circle of friends. His untimely death came as a shock to all who knew him as Miko, up to a few weeks before, was out and about and active in his Bridge Club having played in the first session of the President’s prize.
Born in Myles estate, Kilmaine, Miko was the middle child of a family of seven who had all predeceased him. He received his primary education in Kilmaine and after completing his secondary education in the CBS in Ballinrobe he went to work in the Powerhouse there until the ESB took over in 1947. After having worked in Galway for two years he was transferred to Achill Island. The competence of this young man was recognised by the authorities in the E.S.B. and he was commissioned to connect the electricity to the whole Island. Miko enjoyed all of his 42 years with the ESB, years that brought him great fulfillment both with his co-workers and the many customers whose electricity he restored after storms etc.
A man of many talents, Miko also loved the land and after he had ceased actively farming he liked nothing better than to walk the green fields and take pleasure in the simple and familiar aspects of nature. He frequently attended the marts and was totally at home among the “jobbers” and the animals .
Miko met the love of his life Angela O’Brien from Torloughmore, Co. Galway in 1968 and they married in 1969. They had 47 happy years together of love, laughter, no regrets, nothing left unsaid. In her grief Angela voiced the following, “Miko loved life and was blessed with a long and happy one and for that I give thanks. He is gone and I will miss him but happy memories will keep him alive forever in my heart”. With thoughts such as these Angela will continue to live a full life as Miko would want her to.
Miko was a keen sportsman, he especially loved his golf. He was President of the ESB Golfing Society and President and Captain of Ballinrobe Golf Club. Both he and Angela (as did many others)gave one hundred per cent of their time and talents to make the club the success it is today. Miko was known far and wide among Bridge players. Again with Angela, he played in every club in the west of Ireland and beyond and brought home many trophies. His gentle manner made him a president who was loved by all and with the players he always came up “TRUMPS”.
His funeral Mass was celebrated by Angela’s cousin Fr Joe O’Brien, Abbeyknockmoy; Fr Conal Eustace, Ballinrobe; Fr Costello, Ballinrobe and Fr Fallon, Kilmaine. He was accompanied from the church to his final resting place by guards of honour from the ESB, The Ballinrobe Bridge Club and Ballinrobe Golf Club.
Miko, we have loved you in life we will not forget you in death.
May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the blessings of the sweet soft earth be on you, may it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be out from under it quickly and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
