Edward Murphy

Edward lived all his life from the time he was six years old in Monaghan. His father was Patrick Murphy and his mother was Elizabeth Tierney both from Monaghan, but they were living in Belfast at the time of his birth in 1890. According to the civil records his birth St. Malachy's Church in Belfast in 2019 exploder overlay is recorded as 28th February 1890, but he was baptised on 9th February 1890, and the church records indicate he was born on 31st January 1890. He was baptised in St. Malachy’s church, Alfred Street, Belfast. The penalty for late civil registration of the birth is the likely explanation for the discrepancy.

According to the civil record the family are recorded as living at 28 East Street, although the church records an address on Raphael Street, Belfast, and the father’s profession is “Smiths Helper”. The family had four children born in Belfast, all at different addresses, between 1888 and 1894.

The family moved back to Monaghan from Belfast around 1895. By this time, Edward was recorded as part of a family of six children, all alive, at the time of the 1901 census. Edward attended the Christian Brothers school in Monaghan town until a job opportunity arose in the Post Office. Family lore reports that he was a very bright student. The CBS tried to persuade the family to allow him to complete his secondary education, but the family probably needed the income support too much. Edward's P. O. appointment record exploder overlay Edward started as a telegram boy, then was appointed to the position of Postman (Rural) in Monaghan in January 1913. The record of his appointment is in the British Postal Service records (now online). Since he did not speak Irish, other job opportunities would have been limited for him, and he remained in this job until his death. Edward was a keen photographer and probably took several of the photos included in this story.

Edward married Ellen Murphy of Corragunt, Ellen Murphy, 1920s exploder overlay Edward Murphy, 1920s exploder overlay Fermanagh. They were married on 31st October 1917 in Monaghan cathedral. Family sources* report that Ellen was about to complete teacher training in Monaghan but fell in love with Edward. He persuaded her to stay and marry him.

 

Glaslough Street, 1902 exploder overlay They initially lodged in Belgium Square until they moved into No. 3 Glaslough Street, Monaghan, where they remained for the rest of their lives. The house had been leased to Mary Anne McCarren before the Murphys moved in. It had been used as a “tramps’ hotel”. Here is a photo of Glaslough Street in 1902, with No. 3 the first house on the right hand side after the laneway.

Edward Murphy Obituary exploder overlay Edward and Ellen had a large family - eleven children survived to adulthood. Edward’s untimely death of a “lung abscess” in the County hospital in Monaghan on 12th April 1939 left Ellen with five children under ten years old. His death was marked on 21st April with an obituary in the local newspaper.

 

Edward and Ellen Murphy headstone exploder overlay Edward is remembered on this headstone in Latlurcan New Cemetery although he was interred with his parents in the Old Latlurcan Cemetery, and is also recorded on their headstone.