Funeral of Columban Fr Tommy Murphy in Dalgan Park tomorrow

Fr Tommy Murphy, Superior General of the Society of St Columban from 2006 to 2012, died on 6th January last in Hong Kong, aged 73, after a short illness. A native of Castlebar he was educated in the local St Patrick’s Primary School and St Gerard’s Secondary School before starting his studies for the priesthood in Dalgan Park, Navan in 1967. After his ordination in 1974 he was assigned to Korea. In 1978 he volunteered to join a new Columban mission team destined for Taiwan. Once he had developed a fluency in Chinese he became very involved in the life of the local Church. He set up a day centre for children with special needs, something that answered a real need in his area. He also became involved in community development and religious education and acted as secretary of the locally-based office of the Organisation of Asian Bishops.

In 1993 he was assigned again to Ireland and occupied various roles, including a six year period as director of the Columbans in Ireland and executive roles in the Irish Missionary Union. During that time he also managed to fit in a Masters degree in Celtic Studies and spirituality and brush up his fluency in the Irish language. He was a frequent celebrant of the Irish Mass at St Oliver's, Navan. He was much in demand as a speaker and retreat-giver and was always willing to get involved in activities in Mayo, Meath or elsewhere. Walking, especially hill walking, was his favourite pastime. For a number of years he organized group walks from Knock to Croagh Patrick, from Dalgan to Tara on Holy Saturday and more recently he supported the development of the Columban Way from Carlow to Bangor.

At the Columban Society's General Assembly in 2006, Fr Murphy was elected Superior General, a post he occupied with great energy until 2012. By 2014 he was back in China making significant contributions to religious education and travelling widely offering personal support and giving courses and retreats to different groups especially diocesan priests and sisters. He also taught in the National Seminary of China. His fluency in Mandarin and his warm personality made him an ideal catalyst in an often divided church. During Covid he was an assistant priest in Hong Kong Cathedral and chaplain to various migrant groups.

The flood of condolences attached to Fr Tommy's death notice give a snapshot of his international web of contacts and the positive effect he had on them. He had excellent language skills, a great ability to befriend people, a fidelity to his friends a deep personal spirituality and an ability to express what he believed.

Eoin O'Leary who presently is the Irish Ambassador in Austria, wrote: "I was very saddened to hear of the death of Father Tommy Murphy. Father Tommy was a key member of the Irish Community in China during my time there as Ambassador of Ireland. He was particularly valued by the Embassy both for his deep knowledge and understanding of China and for the spiritual support he provided to all of us in the Embassy at critical times."

His cremation took place in Hong Kong and a Memorial Mass was celebrated in Castlebar on 12th January. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St Columban's Church, Dalgan Park, Navan, at 11am on Thursday 9th February, followed by interment of ashes in the Community Cemetery.