Tag: Captain Con Murphy

Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921

In the last few days we have been asked for a little more information on Captain Con Murphy, whose 100th anniversary is today, and after whom Murphy’s Terrace in Millstreet was named. For this purpose, below is a detailed article on his active years, written by his great-grandniece as a special study for her Leaving Certificate a few years ago:

 

Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921
First Volunteer of the Irish Republican Army to be executed under Martial Law for possession of firearms.

In 1921 my great-granduncle, Captain Cornelius Murphy was the first to be executed by the British Firing Squad since the executions of the 1916 Easter Rising Leaders. He was also the first volunteer of the Irish Republican Army to be executed under Martial Law for possession of firearms.

His military career began in December 1915, when Con was appointed Officer Commanding of the Rathduane Company in Ballydaly which comprised of forty men. At the time this was under Tomas MacCurtain’s Cork Brigade of Irish Volunteers, in January 1919, this Company became part of Liam Lynch’s No. 2 Brigade. After the Easter Rising, 1916, the controversy surrounding the executions of the Rising Leaders had grown in intensity, and the Royal Irish Constabulary, (backed by the British Army) raided Ireland for signs of potential threat to English security. Con and his brother Denis were arrested in the aftermath of the Rising as part of a nationwide crackdown on prominent Republicans (more than one hundred men were captured in total). The Murphys arrived at Knutsford, Chesire on June 7th 1916. All the detainees were released in August of that year as the jail was shut down.  [read more …] “Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921”

Captain Con Murphy Remembered in Millstreet & Ballydaly Today

Marking the Centenary on 1st Feb. 2021 of the death of Captain Con Murphy a dedicated Committee paid special tribute to his memory firstly at The Square, Millstreet today (Sunday, 31st Jan. 2021) at 10 a.m. and one hour later in Ballydaly.  Here we share images from the historic events.  Later in the week John Tarrant will share a full illustrated report in the “Corkman”.  Tap on the pictures to enlarge.  (S.R.)

Pictured this Sunday Morning at the Monument in The Square – from left: Pat Joe Creedon, Noel Keating, Jerry Lehane and Donal Dennehy. It was Nora Kelleher, Minor Row, Millstreet who very kindly presented the historic banner to the organising Committee.
The historic ceremony at Ballydaly/Rathduane this Sunday morning. Many of those present were related to the late Captain Con Murphy.
Meave O’Leary from the Sliabh Luachra area laid the special wreath in memory of her late great-grand uncle Captain Con Murphy.
Tim O’Sullivan of Sliabh Luachra
John McCarthy recited a Decade of the Rosary while Tim Murphy addressed the gathering.

It’s almost twenty years since the Monument in tribute to the memory of the late Captain Con Murphy, was unveiled.

[read more …] “Captain Con Murphy Remembered in Millstreet & Ballydaly Today”

On this day February 1st 1921

2015-02-01 Memorial Plaque to those executed at Cork Military Jail in 1921 - includes Captain Con MurphyOn the 1st of February 1921: The first execution under martial law of an IRA man took place.

Cornelius Murphy of Ballydaly, Millstreet, was shot by firing squad at the Cork Military Barracks (which is now on the grounds of UCC), after he had been arrested on January 3rd at his parents house in Ballydaly, tried by court martial and found guilty of having a revolver in his possession.

The plaque (right) at UCC commemorates those executed and buried there in 1921.

Read much more about Captain Con Murphy in this old article.