Michael Murphy (priest)

Fr. Michael Murphy (c. 1767 – 9 June 1798) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest and United Irishmen leader during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

For other people named Michael Murphy, see Michael Murphy (disambiguation).
Photograph of a statue depicting Fr Michael Murphy atop a plinth, with his arm raised. The plinth bears the year "1798", and a portrait of Wolfe Tone.
Michael Murphy Monument in Arklow, County Wicklow.

While his birthplace in Ireland is undetermined, various locations (such as Ballinoulart, Castleannesley or in Kilnew, County Wexford) are documented as possibilities. He was ordained a priest in 1785 at Wexford after completing hedge school in Oulart. His first parish was at Ballycanew, after Theology and Philosophy studies at the Irish College in Bordeaux in France.[1] Murphy joined the Rebellion on 27 May 1798 following the vandalism of his church by Crown yeomen, despite a mostly pacifist stance by the church leadership.

Murphy proceeded towards battle at Gorey, Kilthomas Hill, then Ballyorril Hill where he met with fellow priest Fr. John Murphy of Boolavogue. Murphy was attacking a gun position on horseback at the Battle of Arklow on 9 June 1798 when he was killed by gunfire. His grave is at Castle Ellis.[2]

References
  1. Michael Murphy by Nicholas Furlong, Dictionary of Irish Biography.
  2. "Leaders of 1798 - Fr. Michael Murphy". National 1798 Centre. Retrieved 12 February 2020.


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