The Stone Outside Dan Murphy's Door was written by Johnny Patterson. Patterson became a famous Circus clown in the United States in the 19th century. He was also an accomplished Uillean Piper. The song is about his memories of his birthplace - Ennis, County Clare. Dan Murphy's house is there to this day. It's at the end of Simm's Lane at the junction of Cornmarket and Carmody Street. For many years a man named Johnny Guiran ran a tiny saddlemaking shop there. It was a great meeting place for conversation and discussion among the local men of the area. Johnny was a renowned character and wit. He was keeping up the tradition of Dan Murphy. Johnny's family now run a grocery shop in the building. A small mural on the front of the shop commemorates the song. The actual stone is reputed to have been incorporated in the foundation of the nearby Mill Road. Back in the mid-70s I met briefly with some people from the Chicago area who believed that they were decendants of Dan Murphy. However some evidence suggests that Dan Murphy was not the one of the song. I hope this is of interest Regards Fergus