Ballinrobe shopkeeper Patsy Murphy to be laid to rest

BALLINROBE’S Cornmarket lost another of its best-known personalities with the passing of well-regarded local shopkeeper Patsy Murphy, who will be laid to rest today (Monday, December 23)

He was best known as the owner of Murphy’s Centra, a family-run corner shop he inherited from his father which has been an institution in the town for decades.

Mr Murphy passed away peacefully at University Hospital Galway on Thursday two days after Dr Martin Finnerty, who ran a GP surgery on Cornmarket for many years, was laid to rest.

Local councillor Michael Burke described him as ‘a gentleman’ and a ‘great man for the town’.

“From my experience with him, he was a great guy and very generous of his time in lots of ways,” Cllr Burke told The Mayo News.

Mr Murphy was a generous sponsor of many local causes and organisations, including Ballinrobe Rugby Club, which he represented as a player before later serving as their President. 

The club paid tribute to him on their social media and afforded him a guard of honour at his removal to St Mary’s Church in Ballinrobe on Sunday evening. 

“Patsy’s vision, dedication, and hard work were instrumental in creating the foundation upon which our club stands today,” the club stated.

“Without his efforts and commitment during those formative years, we would not have the organization we are so proud of today.

“Patsy was a vital member of the senior team in the 1970s, playing on the wing, and later served as club president from 1986 to 1988. During his presidency, he made significant contributions to ensure the club was managed effectively and successfully.

“Patsy has always been a strong supporter of our club, and his passion for rugby was passed down to his son, Rob, who is also a member of Ballinrobe RFC. Rob provided the live commentary for us last year and is always ready to lend a hand whenever needed.”

Several years ago, he gave up parking space outside his shop to facilitate the redevelopment of the Cornmarket area. The shop remains locally owned and is currently ran by Mr Murphy’s son, Robert. A large group of current and former Ballinrobe Centra staff members formed a guard of honour when the funeral passed by the shop in Cornmarket yesterday evening (Monday). 

“He would be going out to a meeting and promoting things that might be of a great benefit to him but he never saw it [that way], he was never personal to himself in his life,” Cllr Burke added. “He always did the right thing as he felt was the right thing.”

Mr Murphy was also a member of the Mayo Male Voice Choir and was involved for many years with the Ballinrobe Development Company.

Along with his friend David Hall, Mr Murphy was heavily involved in commemorating the American-born Lithuanian pilot, Felix Waitkus, who made an emergency landing at Cloongowla, Ballinrobe en route to Lithuania in his plane, Lituanica II, in 1935.

Extensive research into the event by Mr Hall and Mr Murphy helped forge close links between Ballinrobe and Lithuania. This culminated in the twinning of the south Mayo town with Jonava, Lithuania’s ninth-biggest city, in 2011.

Felix Waitkus’ trans-Atlantic flight was remembered in Ballinrobe for many years through the Fly Mayo Festival. A commerative sculpture remembering the landing of the Lituanica II was erected by the River Robe in Ballinrobe a number of years ago. 

He will be laid to rest in Ballinrobe this morning (Monday, December 23) following his Funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church in Ballinrobe. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.