Seamus / JAMES MURRIHY (1898-1954)

Seamus or James Murrihy, born in 1898, was a respected figure in North Clare — known not only for his role in the War of Independence, but also for his skills as a flute player and a master stone mason.

He served as a volunteer in the Mid Clare Brigade, alongside my great-grandfather Andrew O’Donoghue, playing an active role in Ireland’s struggle for independence during a pivotal time in history.
In memoirs written from recordings my great aunt Anne Nelligan (née O’Donoghue) made of her father Andrew O’Donoghue about the war of independence, he mentions Seamus in one of the events that took place over Easter week in 1916:

“Other events which occurred in the district during Easter Week 1916 were the cutting of telephone poles and wires between Ennistymon and Ennis. This was done by Thomas O’Loghlen and Seamus Murrihy.

They came to Lickeen on Easter Tuesday evening, bringing with them several hundred yards of wire, a hatchet and wire cutters which they left in a field outside my house and which I had to hide.”

You can read more of his memoirs on the Clare Library website here.

James was married to Delia Shannon. A flute player, he was part of the musical tradition of the area, though he was especially remembered for his extraordinary skill as a stone mason.

According to my grandfather Jimmy O’Donoghue, James was considered the best stone mason around — working so quickly and precisely that it often took three people feeding him stones just to keep up.

James Murrihy passed away in 1954.