Joseph Murphy
10th May 1895 – October 25th 1920
H Coy, 2nd Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade
Medal of Service (1917-1921)
Awarded posthumously in May 2019
Early Life
Joseph Murphy was born in Lynn Massachusetts USA to Irish parents, Timothy and Nora Murphy.
Joseph returned to Cork with his family as a young child and they set up home in Pouladuff. Alongwith his younger twin siblings Mary and Richard, Joe attended Togher national school and was an avid member of Saint Finbarrs hurling and football club.
It’s said he was also a talented road bowler and a beloved member of his community.
He grew up to work for Cork County Council and was given a horse and cart which, aided his family in selling produce from their market garden. He met and became engaged to Mary O’Leary but unfortunately their plans to marry were thwarted by the turbulent times they were living in.
War of Independence
In 1917 Joe became a volunteer and served with H Company alongside John Joe Hegarty for three years and fought in the infamous battle on Farran RIC.
He was arrested by British forces on the 15th of July 1920 on false charges of possession of an explosive device. While in prison, he joined a hunger strike along with Cork’s Lord Mayor, Terence MacSwiney who was being held in Brixton Prison. The strike stemmed from their unlawful imprisonment without trial.
As the hunger strike continued, Cork locals gathered outside the City Gaol to say the rosary, in a desperate plea for the lives of their young men.
On October 17th, fellow hunger striker Michael Fitzgerald was the first to succumb to the starvation. On October 25th 1920, after 76 days on hunger strike, Joe passed away. His death came only hours after the death of the Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney.
Joe was mourned by his family, his community and his beloved fiancée, Mary O’Leary.
He was carried out of the prison by his friend and comrade, John Joe Hegarty, who had secretly wrapped Joe’s body in the tri-colour before the coffin was sealed. He was buried in Saint Finbarrs cemetery along-side Terence MacSwiney. It was said the gates of the cemetery were lined with people as British forces had attempted to limit the amount of people permitted to attend the funeral. His brother Richard was not permitted to attend his brother’s funeral as he had been captured by British Forces.
The cemetery was heavily guarded to prevent Irish Volunteers from honouring Joe with a military funeral. After dark, John Joe organised a group of volunteers to return to the graveside to fire a volley of shots over the grave to honour their comrade who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Because of the close friendship between the Murphy and Hegarty families, it is very probable that Nan and Mamie Hegarty were heavily involved in organising Joe’s funeral with other members of Cumann na mBan.
Honouring Joe Murphy
Determined that the sacrifice made by Joe Murphy would never be forgotten, John Joe Hegarty was instrumental in organising and arranging a memorial plaque in his honour.
The plaque was unveiled in 1960 on his family home in Pouladuff and Joe Murphy’s name was also added to a pillar on the gateway to the house.
Many of Joe’s friends, neighbours and former comrades attended the ceremony to unveil the plaque. Among those in attendence were General Tom Barry, Sean Hegarty (Brigade Commander No.1 Brigade following Terence MacSwiney’s death) , Florrie O’Donoghue , Tom Croft and surviving members of ” H ” Comany.
John Joe Hegarty lead the colour party to honour Joe Murphy.
After many years of campaigning by the Murphy family and the local community, Joe Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Service (1917-1921).
In a ceremony held in Cork City Hall on 9th May 2019, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Mick Finn presented Joe’s nephew, Henry Delaney with the medal.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Mick Finn said: “Young Joe Murphy is almost a forgotten local hero of the war for Irish freedom and independence. Many of us in the Ballyphehane area are constantly reminded of him as his name is forever etched on the streetscape of the city, but his death on hunger strike only hours after the passing of Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney was largely overshadowed by the death of Cork’s First Citizen. That he is finally being rewarded with an official service medal of honour is just and right and credit to his family for pursuing it for almost a century. It means his memory and place in history will live on even more.”
Mr. Murphy’s grand-niece Shirley Kelleher expressed her pride in her granduncle’s achievements, saying: “I am so proud, delighted that after all these years that Joe Murphy, a local hero, is now being recognised on a national scale. He was an ordinary man who made an extraordinary sacrifice that we continue to honour and celebrate.”
(Quotes sourced from Cork City Council website)
Remembering Joe Murphy
The Murphy home still stands on Pouladuff Road and the memorial plaque remains on the front of the house. The house is named “Joe Murphy House”.
The story of Joe Murphy’s bravery has been featured by the Togher Historical Association and Cork City Council commissioned a film to be made during the decade of centenaries.
The film “My Unsung Hero” and the documentary “Joe Murphy, the Boy from Pouladuff” brings Joe’s story to a new generation and acknowledges the sacrifice he made. Both are part of a community project supported by Cork City Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
We have added a link to the film & documentary which can be accessed on this page.
Mary O’Leary
Joe Murphy’s beloved fiancée had almost been forgotten in the aftermath of the War of Independence.
She was the last person to see Joe alive as she had managed to secure a visitors pass for Cork Gaol and posed as his sister.
Mary eventually went on to marry an American soldier, Corporal Timothy Owens who tragically died in 1929 leaving her with three small children.
She worked hard to support her family and passed away in 1986 at the of 85. She is buried in Currakippane cemtery, Kerrypike, Cork.
The Next Generations
The Hegarty and Murphy families have reestablished links and are continuing the friendship that began between John Joe & Joe.
New connections to both families are being discovered and we are uncovering even more almost forgotten stories.
Film & Documentary
To view Cork City Council’s documentary “The Boy from Pouladuff” and the film “My Unsung Hero” please click the link below.
The Song
Singer/songwriter John Murphy composed “The Boy from Pouladuff” to honour Joe Murphy and remember the sacrifice he made for Irish freedom.
Irish American News
In April 2026, Irish American News published Joe Murphy’s story in an article written by Jim Hegarty.
We are delighted to share this article.
