Murphy's 'the Bivouac’ Athenry

The Murphy home and town hall was known as ‘The Bivouac’. The back yard was used by the Irish Volunteers for drilling with  a rifle range set up there for target practice. Over the years two grenades have been found there from that era. Back then there were no dividing walls so it was a big area, from behind the house down to behind the Town Hall. Frank Hynes refers to it in his military statement ‘at the back there was a splendid yard, like a barrack square, for drilling. The men on the reserve in the British Army were not yet called up and they gladly took on the job of drilling us....’

At that time the house was two storey - the attic was later converted into a third floor and the windows added, in anticipation of turning it into a hotel, but the family failed to get planning permission to open a hotel.

The Athenry Town Hall was licenced for the showing of Films and Public Dancing. It was built by the late Richard Murphy, Clarke Street, Athenry in the year 1907. lt was owned and managed by him up to the time of his death in 1945. The Hall was then run by his widow Norah and very young family of Patsy, Marjorie, Joan and Richard. It continued to be run by the family up to the time of its sale in 1976 to the Athenry Community Council.

 

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The Murphy Family Home

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Murphy's Town Hall & Cinema

 

R.I.C. and Crown Forces occupy Murphy House in 1916

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This photograph was originally published in the Illustrated Sunday Herald of 7th May 1916. It was reprinted in Galway Roots  Clanna na Gaillimhe  Journal of the Galway Family History Society  Volume II  Page 31 (from Galway Family History Society West 1994) in an article entitled Glimpses of the 1916 Rising in Co. Galway by Donall O'Luanaigh.
 
Below the picture reads: 'Liberty Hall, Athenry, with the Union Jack flying for the first time in history'.  The photo shows the Union Flag flying from a chimney of Dick Murphy's house following the 1916 Rising (when he was 'on the run'), with a group of 14 armed members of the Crown Forces standing in front, according to Donal O'Luanaigh 'after the building had been occupied by Crown forces'.
 
Although we know that the chimney is actually on the house and not the Hall ('Liberty Hall'!), back then Dick Murphy owned from his own house down to the far side of the Town Hall (including what is presently Mary Somers' house) so the block would have been viewed as one by 'the Crown Forces'. Anyway the chimney was a handy high location! As Dick Murphy was on the Irish Volunteers Committee, Athenry; was Centre for the IRB; a leader of the Town Tenants' League; Sinn Fein activist; and provided the Town Hall for Volunteer Meetings and fundraisers, Cumann na mBan work, and lectures from Liam Mellows, as well as his back yard for Drilling (with a rifle range set up there) the Military/RIC would have been pleased to have the opportunity to have a laugh at his expense. Since he was 'on the run' and listed for arrest in the 'Hue and Cry' he couldn't take the flag down... 
 
D Murphy Comm
 
Dick Murphy (above left) was the Athenry IRB Centre (also County Galway Centre and Connacht Centre). Colourised photo of dated 29th August 1921, stamped by R. I. Constabulary, District Inspectors Office, Athenry before he was imprisoned this time in the Curragh Camp. He was interred first in Galway Town Hall in November 1920 (after Bloody Sunday) then transferred to the Curragh where he was detained until his release in the general amnesty in December 1921 (when the Treaty was signed).  However he made it home twice - and it is not clear whether he escaped or got temporary releases.
 
The photograph (above right) was taken in Murphy's back yard with the houses on Old Church St visible behind them. The use of the house and Town Hall was given to the Volunteers for meetings etc. and free accomodation for visiting republican leaders, including Liam Mellows, Padraic Pearse, Michael Collins, Eamon De Valera and Thomas Clarke (The street where the house is located was later named Clarke Street in his memory). 

This photograph of the Athenry Volunteer Committee is well known. Dick Murphy is in the centre, back row. To the left is Stephen Jordan with whom he 'went on the run' around County Galway after the Rising.  Both were later sent to Frongoch Prison where Stephen Jordan ran the shoe repair shop while Dick assisted - but was described as 'wasting the King's leather'. To the far right, seated on the chair, is Thomas B. Cleary whose family business built both the house and the Town Hall for Dick Murphy. Thomas B Cleary was known as the Old Fenian.  

Irish Times

The village of Athenry, the storm-centre of many a disturbance in the old days of turbulence, where the Fenian " Invincibles" found their last foothold, was bound to play​ a part in the drama of the last 10 days, but I little suspected how strange that part had​ been. Bandits in a disused castle, highway robbery, a race for life between cyclists an​d motorists, a hunt for outlaws among the mountains-these are the leading chapterof a story which, if l had not received it from an unimpeachable source, should have dismissed as incredible.

The Sinn Feiners, according to the police, spent Easter Monday making bombs. Late on Tuesday night they mustered, about 1,000 strong, outside the Town Hall, armed with rifles, shot-guns, pikes rakes, and four-pronged pitchforks, or " gripes", as they are called in these parts. Only the “officers" were in uniform. At their head was a " Captain"​ Mellows, who was deported to England a month ago as an organizer of sedition, but somehow escaped​. It is said that he returned to the district dressed as a priest. He is described to me as a small, fairman, aged about 30, with a small face and small eyes, and wearing glasses.

MOYODE CASTLE OCCUPIED.

From the Town Hall the rebels marched to an experimental farm of about 600 acres, not far from Athenry, carried on by the Irish Department of Agriculture.​ Here they passed the night, and when they le​ft the next afternoon they took with them horses and carts laden with all the butter, flour and other foodstuffs they could find, four tons of oats, a​ quantity of bran and a few sheep. Without serious opposition from the handful of police in the district they marched to Moyode Castle, three or four miles south-east of the village, and took possession there.

The castle, which stands in a park of about 1,000 is a picturesque but rather modern reproduction of abattlemented creeper-clad Tudor residence. It was owned by Lord Ardilaun, who died last year, but for at least 30 years it has been un-occupied except by caretakers. I chatted this afternoon with the present custodian, John Shackleton,​ and his 18-year-old daughter, Maisie, who, with​ Mrs. Shackleton, were at the castle when the rebels arrived. They said that the men were under excellent control.  

 

The Irish Volunteers assembled Murphy's house and hall during the 1916 Rising before heading to take over the Agricultural Model Farm and  then on to take Moyode Castle. Athenry was one of only four areas in the country to 'come out' during 1916 Rising. Dick Murphy his home and Town Hall will forever be linked to the War of Independence and a place in Irish History. 

Murphys 1950s

Envelope addressed to Mrs. (Nora) Murphy at ‘The Bivouac’, Athenry.  The Murphy house gained that 'code name' as it’s back yard was used by the Irish Volunteers as accomodation for leaders and  a training camp for the 1916 Easter Rising

 

Photo Gallery - Murphy Family

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Town Hall Mineral Bar

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Town Hall Mineral Bar

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Model T Ford

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Richard Murphy at Cross Street

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Clarke Street 1950's

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Background Old Town Hall

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Post Card of The Square

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Model Farm Athenry

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Murphy Sisters

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Drama Group

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Murphy Sisters

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Athenry De-Wetts

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Richard & Nora Murphy

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Clarke Street 1950's

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Richard Murphy's Medals

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Murphy Headstone

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Murphy Family 1800's

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Thomas J Clarke

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Dance Poster

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

Drama Poster


Athenry Town Hall & Cinema Journals & History

Richard Murphy

Richard Murphy

Photograph of Margie Murphy behind the mineral bar which she ran for decades in The Town Hall, Athenry. She’s accompanied by Tom Fahy who also ran shops in the town including Fahy’s VG Foodmarket on Northgate Street. Behind them are ads for Fox’s Glacier mints, Afton Cigarettes, Aspro, Cadbury’s Choffees, some Tayto Quips cards, posters for several showbands including the Athenry band Premier Aces.

 Town Hall History dedicated to the Murphy Family Athenry - Dick & Nora, their children Patsy, Margie, Joan and Richard. Compiled by Mary Love Walsh and Family. Click on Image to view a Digital Flip Book Version of Books