The Life and Times of Rev John Murphy, Corofin , Civil Rights Campaigner 1789-1831

John Murphy was born in Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare and went on to become Parish Priest of Kilnaboy and Rath, Co Clare, in 1818, at the age of 29 years.

He was deeply disturbed by the lack of equality for members of the Catholic Religion at the time and went on to play a key role in the election of Daniel O'Connell as MP for Co Clare in 1828. He had campaigned all over North Munster on civil rights issues whilst PP of Corofin and in July 1828 led a huge march of 40 Shilling Freeholders from the Corofin area, into Ennis to participate in the election. This march is described in many contemporary accounts of the O'Connell election.

He built St Brigid's Church in Corofin and campaigned strongly, on an anti violence platform, for full equality of all Irish people irrespective of religious affiliations. He was widely acknowledged as an outstanding leader of his time. Unlike many others he continued to use the Irish language as his principal language of communication and frequently gave English language translations of his speeches to reporters, from all over the country. He died in 1841 at the age of 41.

The talk on John Murphy , who is buried within the walls of his church, will be delivered by the chairperson of Cumann Staire is Dúchais Chora Finne, Declan Kelleher. The Clare ICA Federation Choir will perform 3 musical pieces prior to the commencement of the talk.