24 Josie Murphy nee Flannery

Josie Murphy in later years
Alma Murohy, Cornmarket, Ballinrobe
Cornmarket, Christmas, 1929
Murphy Collection
Josie who won the Gunnigan Cup (for golf) is seated holding her trophy with left to right back row: Eva Murphy, Nellie May, Canon Gunnigan, Miss O'Malley, Peggy Murphy and Edward Fitzgerald. Front Aileen Higgins, Nattie McTigue, Mrs Mona Fitzgerald, Mrs Leyden, Sis Fleming, Josie Winner, Josie Fitzpatrick, July O'Rourke, Peggy May, Mrs Una McSweeney, and Ann Flannery nee May.
Alma Murohy, Cornmarket, Ballinrobe

Josie Murphy nee Flannery (1908-2009) was the second eldest of five children born at Flannery’s on Cornmarket. Having gone to school in Ballinrobe and then Commercial College in Kiltimagh, her early years were spent working in her father’s pub and helping out keeping the family home.

 

While she had aspirations of studying domestic science, these tasks at home prevented her from such a journey. Tasks such as feeding farm workers and driving her father around in his Model T Ford. Cars were unusual then and children used to love to climb up on the car when she had it out and about.

 

Josie was one of the last people to see a member of the RIC who was killed later that day in the Tourmakeady ambush when he purchased some cigarettes in the shop; she had many stories of that era.

Marriage

Josie married Christy Murphy of Main Street in 1939. They moved across the Cornmarket from her home (Flannery’s) to a house built in the design of a hotel in the late 19th century. The building had been used to billet soldiers during the civil war of June 1922 to May 1923. They had four children Alma, Jimmy & Patsy.

Opened Shop

In 1956 Josie opened a small shop here selling sweets, ice cream and groceries, a store that expanded and is still on the go today having passed down the generations.

Success in Golf

Josie had a keen interest in Golf and she played in Ballinrobe from the time; the club was in Cornaroya.  When was in the racecourse Josie won the Gunnigan Cup in the 1950s. Josie was a great cook and baker and she had a keen interest in business and trading her whole life.

 

 

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