Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon

Subject: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 07:54 PM

The death occurred yesterday, January 23, of Jamesie Murray of Knockcroghery. Fans of Gaelic football who have strayed into these parts will know of Jamesie/Jimmy as the captain of the all-conquering Roscommon team of 1944-5 (no - that's not a typo!). He was also a fine singer, hosted the South Roscommon Singers Circle in his excellent hostelry for many years - and featured on one of their CD's at the young age of about 80!

A fine man, in many senses.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Regards

p.s. For many years, the match ball for one of his famous All-Ireland victories hung from the ceiling of Jimmy's pub - despite having been somewhat singed in a fire on the premises. It was known, of course, as "Jimmy's other ball".

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 08:03 PM

Ha! Here's a link to one of several songs about Jimmy:

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: Gulliver
Date: 23 Jan 07 - 08:15 PM

Martin, thanks for pointing this out. I'd like to get to know more about the Singers Circle--is it still going?

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 04:48 AM

Yes - meets once a month in Knockcroghery. Website seems to be down - I'll PM contact details for Declan Coyne, the organiser, later.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 07:59 AM

Another Song about Jimmy, on the same site

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: ard mhacha
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 09:24 AM

Martin thanks for posting this, I was 10 years old when accompanied by my elder brother Hugh[RIP],I seen the great Jimmy I had him point out the members of the great Roscommom team of the mid 1040s, Jimmy was the captain that day as he opened our local County ground in Armagh.
I met Jimmy in 1977 in O`Connell Street in Dublin, we were on our way to Croke Park to see Armagh play Roscommon, I still have the photo of Jimmy I took that day, a true gentleman.
May the soil of his beloved Roscommon rest lightly on one of Gaelic Footballs greats.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: ard mhacha
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 09:25 AM

That should be 1940s.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 11:27 AM

The leather ball was hanging above the Bar in October of last year, at the time of the Knockroghery Singing Festival, during which Jimmy Murray presided from his accustomed seat to the left of the open fire; he also sang "The West's Awake" on that occasion, and, as Declan said, many a singer half his age would have envied the high notes. "Roscommon's winning Captain/In 'forty-three and forty-four"

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 11:52 AM

I remember saying to Jimmy a few years ago, after he had sung that same "The West's Awake" : "Jeez, Jimmy, if I can keep my teeth in at your age, never mind sing, I'll be quite happy!"

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 25 Jan 07 - 10:25 AM

As a first-time musical visitor to Knockroghery, I was introduced to J.M. by some locals. Knowing already who he was, I said whilst shaking hands, that it was an honour to meet him. He replied, "It is...". A "True Gael to the core".

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: GUEST,Kathy Kelly Hillegonds - USA
Date: 25 Jan 07 - 02:44 PM

The Kelly family in the Chicago area learned of Jamesie's passing yesterday via an email from a relative in the Dunmore area. We are saddened by the news.

We knew Jamesie and the Murray family well. Our family spent a great deal of time in Knockcroghery during the 1970's and 1980's. We had loads of fun playing in Murray's shop. We loved Jamesie, he was a great man, always pleasant, a twinkle in his eye and a very warm person.

My Aunt Nora Kelly Murray (rest in peace 1995) was married to Jamesie's brother Dr. Anthony Murray, who passed away during the mid-1970's. We spent many weeks during our summer holiday while we were teenagers at the house in Knockcroghery, the big white stone house at the end of the main road. I understand the house originally belonged to Jamesie's parents. If my memory serves me right, one of the Murray sons may be living in the house currently.

Please pass on condolences to Jamesie's children. I often wonder where they are at today (Susan, Mary, Jimmy, John and I cannot recall who else). I remember we always referred to Jimmy as "little Jimmy" and Mary with the long red hair.

I understand Jamesie was nearly 90 years of age. If I may ask, what happened? My parents, John & Mary Kelly were stunned by the news and was wondering what happened. We learned a couple of years ago that Emmett and Phelam passed away. Does anyone know how Maura, Fr. Paddy and Sue are doing? Life is short.

Thank you and again, please extend the sympathy of the Kelly family to the Murray's.

Kathy Kelly Hillegonds

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Jan 07 - 06:25 PM

I am sorry to hear this. I have a tape of the South Roscommon Singers Circle that was given to me by the late Phil Hughes (including Martin Ryan's rendition of Ten Young Women and One Young Man).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 04:47 AM

Kathy Kelly

Maura, (Canon) Paddy, Sue and Oliver are all still to the good.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: GUEST,James Murray
Date: 29 Jan 07 - 05:50 PM

This is james murray(grandson of jamesie and a son of john). i am sitting here in the home house of knockcroghery. we are delighted to get your message. fr.paddy,maura,sue and ollie are all doing well and they send their regards. grandad died very suddenly in the end. i have two sisters claire(16) and annmarie(9). i am 14 and attend school at roscommon cbs. greetings from all in Knockcroghery and regards to your parents.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: Stewart
Date: 29 Jan 07 - 08:00 PM

Martin, I just realized I have a recording of Jimmy singing "The West's Awake" on your Roscommon Singer's Circle CD. After listening to it again, I agree he was a fine singer, very powerfull. Thanks again for the CD.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 30 Jan 07 - 07:07 AM

James

Nice to hear from you. Your grandfather was a great man - but you knew that already!

I hear Johnny Johnson sang his own fine song about Jimmy at the graveside. Unfortunately, I had to make do with attending the removal on the precvious night.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: ard mhacha
Date: 31 Jan 07 - 06:04 AM

Among my large collection of GAA Programmes I have the 1943 Final, this game ended in a draw, Roscommon won the re-play.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: GUEST,John ward
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 11:33 AM

I DIDN'T KNOW JIMMY PERSONALLY BUT MY GRANUNCLE WAS A CLOSE FREIND OF JIMMY, BRIAN WARD WHO LOVE MUSIC AS JIMMY DID. AND PASS AWAY AT 95 JUST A FEW DAY AFTER JIMMY DEATH.
NOW THEY ARE BOTH IN HEAVEN PLAYING FOOTHBALL, AND HAVING A GOOD OLD SING SONG.
I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL BE MISSED.

REGARDS
FROM GERMANY

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: Declan
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 08:03 PM

A friend of mine (a Roscommon man living in Dublin) told me a story about the football ABCD refers to above.

Apparently there was a fire in the pub at some stage, with severe damage done to the pub. All some of the neighbours seemed to be worried about was whether the football had been saved from the fire.

By the way I'm not the Declan referred to above.

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: Robert1993
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 04:56 AM

Hi James.
Sorry to hear about your Grandfather Jimmy.My Name is Michael O'Connor from Strokestown.You were excellent as Albert Ross in the play Robin Hood The Truth behind the green Tights.I seen this play at the Roscommon Arts Centre with Simon Stamp,Thomas Gordon and Oliver Hanley on Friday 19th of January 2007.Oh you were excellent now.Robert1993 in Memory of the late Robert Holohan of Glencar Ballyedmond Midleton Co.Cork is My Mudcat name.Yours Truly Michael

Subject: RE: Obit: Jimmy Murray, South Roscommon
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 05:31 PM

Sorry to hear the news. He was a kind and most hospitable gentleman. I remember touring the bar area with Jimmy, looking at the football memorabilia: 1943... 1944... 1946. Jimmy cracked a bit of a smile after I observed that 1945 was not a good year either for the Third Reich or Roscommon.