Death of well-known editor Hilary Murphy

By Dan Walsh

The death has taken place of editor, journalist, author and founding editor of the Kilmore Parish Journal, Hilary Murphy.

A native of Tilladavins, Tomhaggard, his ancestry is rooted in Screen-Curracloe, Hilary began his journalistic career with The Free Press in Wexford town before joining The People Newspapers Group in 1965 and worked as a staff reporter for The Wicklow People in the Arklow-south Wicklow area and was also area correspondent for the national media.

In 1977, he published The Kynoch Era in Arklow, returned to the Wexford head office of The People as a sub-editor and he became a contributor and editor of the Kilmore Parish Journal, a position he held for 40 years before retiring in 2012.

His interest in local history was supplemented by his genealogical knowledge and he commenced the popular family names feature in the weekly Ireland’s Own magazine in 1976.

Arguably, Hilary’s everlasting legacy and greatest contribution to Wexford writing was the publication of Families of Co. Wexford, published by Geography Publications, in November 1986.

In the Foreward, Wexford-born, the late Richard Roche wrote; “Hilary Murphy has formed a credible task in collating this collection. And vital to the success of this book is that Hilary’s collection brings family histories in the county right up to date, with references to prominent and well-known members of families recently or currently in the public eye.”

FAMILY NOTICE; NICHOLAS (HILARY) MURPHY, Parklands, Wexford/Wicklow. Peacefully at Knockeen Nursing Home. Beloved husband of the late Bernadette. Brother of Willie, Jack, Betty (Roche) and the late Paudie and Mattie. Father of Anne (Carberry), Declan, Brendan, Kilian and Breifini (Perkins). Grandfather to Patrick, Peter, Matthew, Aidan, Owen, Tiarnan, Fintan, Madison and Eliza.

Great-grandfather to Éala. Hilary will be sadly missed by his loving family, sons-in law Pat and Dom daughters-in-law: Jody, Jackie and Aisha, extended family, his many friends and neighbours. May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace

Reposing at Mackens Funeral Home, Distillery Road, Wexford today Friday from 3.30pm with removal at 6.30pm to Rowe St Church, Wexford, arriving for 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Kilmore Cemetery.