Community tribute to 'uncle and aunt" of Kilmessan parish

The parish of Kilmessan took advantage of its annual Christmas tea and mince pies get-together on Sunday morning to pay tribute to a local couple for their contribution to community life over the years. Aidan and Mary Murray of Balgeeth were honoured for their involvement in parish activities. To generations of children in the area, they are known as 'Uncle Aidan" and 'Auntie Mary" and are remembered for organising the annual school excursion to the seaside at Bettystown or Dublin Zoo. The Murrays were involved with Muintir na Tire and founded the original children"s sports day in Kilmessan, as well as the annual children"s party. Mr Murray, a keen photographer, has an extensive collection of photographs recording family and parish events since the 1950s when he returned home from Sligo where he worked for a number or years. Aidan and Mary Murray organised an annual wheel of fortune in Kilmessan to raise funds for older people"s break away in Ozanam House, Mornington, while Mrs Murray also ran one for the Sisters of Mercy in Drogheda. Many will recall the Murrays showing films by projectors in halls around the county, as well as slide shows of various events and trips. They were also instrumental in the establishment of Kilmessan Tidy Towns, which went on to have such great success. In recent years, Mr Murray helped out in the work on Kilmessan cemetery. The Murrays were invited to meet President Mary McAleese in Aras an Uachtaran in October 2005 as representatives of the farming community. A former dairy farmer, Mr Murray was recognised at the national forestry awards in recent years for his plantation at Balgeeth. A presentation was made by Michael O"Brien on behalf of the parish to the Murrays. Afterwards, on behalf of the extended family, Richard Farrelly, nephew of Mr Murray, thanked everyone associated with it and also added his words of gratitude to Aidan and Mary for their work over the years.