Murphy’s Town Hall Athenry 6 19th May 1906 – The Tuam Herald 19th May 1906 reported, on page 4, under the heading TOWN HALL FOR ATHENRY, that a Town Hall was much needed in Athenry: “The great want of a suitable building for a Town Hall in Athenry has been sorely felt for some time past, and steps were accordingly taken... to procure one.” 9th September 1907 – It is reasonably assumed that the Hall was in construction in 1907, 9 so we don’t have any info on Hall activities at this time. However in other Athenry news of this period, page 6 of the Kerry News of this date reports as follows, under the heading Town of Athenry to be Sold: “...It is announced to-night that the negotiations for the sale of the town of Athenry under the Land Act have concluded. Mr. Commissioners Bailey and Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P., Vice-President of the Agricultural Department, had interviews today with the town tenants’ representatives of the United Irish League and of the labourers. It was arranged that the town tenants would be included in the sale of the Lambert minors and Rodney estates, a tract of 450 acres having been specially purchased for the object. This tract was cleared of cattle last year, and has since been untenanted. It is expected that these arrangements, which Mr. Briscoe, Secretary of the Town Tenants League was associated, will result in bringing peace to what has recently been a very disturbed district.” 29th November 1908 – It appears that by 1908 the Hall had been built, as the Tuam Herald of 5th December 1908, carried the following report on page 2, under the heading Gaelic Athletic News: “The 41st anniversary of the execution of the Manchester Martyrs was celebrated in Athenry Town Hall on Sunday evening last, under the auspices of the Galway Co Board, GAA.” 3rd July 1909 – Connacht Tribune of this date, on page 8, reported that Kitty Breen’s Farce Company performed in Murphy’s Hall that week: “Miss Kitty Breen’s dramatic concert and farce company performed this week at Murphy’s Hall, Athenry. Miss Kitty Breen is a great favourite.” 8th September 1909 – Tuam Herald, 21st August 1909, reported that an exhibition was to be held in Murphy’s Hall to show the results achieved on the Athenry Labourer’s Plots: “Arrangements will also be made for visitors coming from a distance to make a tour of all the Model Plots by jaunting and motor car.” NB: These plots had been reported in Hansard on 15th March 1906. 14th & 15th January 1910 – Connacht Tribune, 22nd January 1910, page 5, reported on a meeting of the Athenry branch of the Town Tenants Association, in the Town Hall. It also reported on Theatricals in Athenry, staged in the Town Hall featuring Dick Murphy himself, in one of the acting roles: “On Friday and Saturday night last... a local company of amateurs gave renderings of two national and patriotic plays in the Town Hall. One of the pieces was The Wearin’ of the Green which was descriptive of a period in our history of 1798 when the people were in rebellion throughout the country against the rule of England... Mr Richard Murphy, as a rebel leader, was really good and the way in which he got through his part reflects considerable credit on him... Laurence Lardner, 10 as Barney Malone, also took a prominent part, and being a lover of the stage, he got through his duties with excellent effect... On Saturday night The Patriot Priest was also performed with success...” 18th May 1910 – Connacht Tribune, 14th May 1910, page 2, carried the following under the heading United Estates Committee of North, South and East Galway: “A meeting of the Executive Committee of above will be held on Sunday, the 15th May, 1910, at the Town Hall, Athenry. The Chair will be taken at 2 o'clock, p.m., sharp. Important business will be discussed.—John Murphy, Wm. O'Reilly, hon. secretaries.” 19th June 1910 – Connacht Tribune, 25th June 1910, page 8, carried the following under the heading Feis At Athenry: “On Sunday evening, in the Town Hall, a large and distinguished audience was present to witness the various competitions in Gaelic, which were got up under the auspices of the Athenry branch of the Gaelic League... Two of the Irish Pipers in old Irish costume were also present, and attracted a good deal of attention...” 9 Indeed this is corroborated by Joan Murphy’s account (Dick Murphy’s daughter) and also Aggie Qualter’s (see Endnotes at the back for more on this). 10 Larry was Kitty Lardner’s father
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