Archives Document or Collection- Spotlight

T.J. Murphy and Family Archive (Colm O'Sullivan Donation) now available

This remarkable archive of 28 items was kindly donated by Colm O'Sullivan (Prof. Emer. UCC),  facilitated by Ruairi Lynch, in 2024. It contains photographs and documents relating to TJ and Margaret Murphy nee Geaney, and a few relations such as George Murphy who fought in the US Civil War, Rev. PB Murphy who was a Fenian and a Chaplain in the US Army, and William Bowen Murphy, a soldier, writer and policeman. Also found is material from family friend Diarmuid Lynch, Sinn Fein TD and member of the IRB, and an original MS. letter from Charles Stewart Parnell to TJ's father Denis Lynch in 1880 concerning the Land League in Cork.

View Descriptive List of the TJ Murphy collection online with illustrations and links to digital copies where available

TJ Murphy (b1867 - d1948) was born at Mullaghroe, Ovens, County Cork. His family lived at Brownhill House and his father Denis Murphy farmed a substantial holding leased from Lady Carbery of Castle Freke, from which they were evicted in c1880, possibly during the period of the Land War. Denis may have been involved in the Land League around this time. The family were without income when Denis Murphy obtained a job as Caretaker of the Marina in Cork, which came with housing in the Marina Lodge. As a youngster, TJ sold refreshments to people at the Marina and Cork Racecourse. He then leased stalls 1 and 2 in the Grand Parade Market (English Market) selling eggs and poultry, for which he garnered the nickname "Turkey Murphy". A successful merchant, he opened a butter and provisions shop at 39 Georges Street and a Groceries and Provisions store at 111 Georges Street (now Oliver Plunkett Street).  In c1921 he bought Silversprings House in Tivoli and rented 4 Belgrave Place to close friends Mary and Annie MacSwiney, sisters of Terence MacSwiney, who operated Scoil Íte (St. Ita's School) from that location. TJ was appointed to the Board of the Cork Harbour Commissioners (today Port of Cork) and served for many years. He also represented the Harbour Commissioners at Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney's funeral in London in October 1920.

TJ Murphy Photo. c1920-1940

Margaret Geany/ Geaney was from Glanmire and married TJ Murphy in 1901. Prior to this she had emigrated to the USA, where she trained as a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, graduating in 1898. She was a friend of Diarmuid Lynch later an IRB man and TD, who was also in New York in the 1890s.

George Murphy (b1835 - d1917) emigrated from Ovens Co. Cork in the 1850s to Boston, where he worked as a carpenter. He joined the Union Army during the American Civil War , fighting for 3 years as an NCO with the Army of the Potomac. He was captured as a prisoner of war by Confederate Forces at the Battle of Gettysburg, but later returned under a prisoner exchange. A near neighbour of George's from Ovens, Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was a Confederate commander during the Civil War. He was an uncle to Fr. Patrick Bowen Murphy.

Diarmuid Lynch (b1878 – d1950) Sinn Fein TD, IRB member, Friends of Irish Freedom organiser in USA

Rev. Patrick Bowen (PB) Murphy, (b1850 - d1929) was a cousin of TJ Murphy. He was a Fenian, involved in the Fenian Canadian invasion, and a Chaplain in the US Army. Buried at St Josephs Cemetery, Cork.

William Bowen Murphy, cousin of TJ Murphy and brother of P.B. Murphy. William B. Murphy became a writer for magazines and contributed to many New York and Boston newspapers. He served in the US Army under General Miles during the Geronimo uprising (Apr-Sep 1886), after which he was orderly sergeant in Battery 1, 4th Regiment of Artillery under General George W. Getty. Later a Sergeant in charge of the Metropolitan Parks Police of Boston.