Death of former St Patrick's CS principal, Liam Murphy

The death has occurred of Liam Murphy, former principal of St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, and a leading educationalist in the diocese of Meath.
Mr Murphy, of Moatlands, Navan,  died on Christmas Eve at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.

In December 1996, Mr Murphy was awarded a papal honour, the Knighthood of St Gregory the great, in recognition of his role as an “outstanding educationalist”.
Wexford town native Liam Murphy first came to teach at the Navan school in 1948. His main subject at the time was Irish. When he was appointed principal there in November 1970, he was the first layman appointed head of a diocesan educational institution in the diocese. He succeeded Fr John Walsh, who had died as president of the school earlier that year, and was principal when the new school at Moatlands was opened by Bishop John McCormack, and the Minister for Education, Padraig Faulkner, in 1971.

Following his retirement from the Navan school, he was appointed in August 1989 by Bishop Michael Smith to take charge of a new diocesan education office for secondary schools in the diocese of Meath, which saw him involved in decision making in many schools across the county. The back driveway into St Patrick’s CS, close to his Moatlands home, was named Liam Murphy Drive in his honour in recent years. 

He is survived by his wife, Nuala (Malone), family Mary, Bernadette, David, John, Liam and Fionnuala, sisters Margaret (Butler) and Catherine (Stewart), brother Reverend Dick Murphy (Vero Beach, Florida), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren, great-grandson Liam, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

He is reposing at the Fitzsimons Funeral Home, Navan this Friday afternoon from 3pm to 7pm. Remains will arrive in St. Mary's Church on Saturday morning for Funeral Mass at 10am. Burial afterwards in St. Mary's Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations. in lieu, to Navan Meals on Wheels.