06/09/2026
It is with great sadness that we learned this morning of the passing of John Murphy, a friend, a talented musician and a valued member of our community.
John's contribution to local music and culture will be long remembered. He will be sorely missed in the village by everyone who knew him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of John Murphy, legendary mouth organ player, great supporter of music and, of course, the man at the heart of the Phil Murphy Wexford.
John wasn’t one for fancy talk or fuss, so he’d probably have something to say about us making too much of a fuss of him now. But it is hard to put into words just how much he did for music in Carrig-on-Bannow and across the Southeast.
John grew up steeped in music. His father Phil was one of Ireland’s great mouth organ players, and John, his brother Pip and Phil played together for many years. Between them, they helped carry on the wonderful mouth organ tradition that had existed in this area through the old mouth organ bands. John kept carrying that torch throughout his life - right up to recent times, when he was delighted to be playing with the Danescastle Mummers.
When John and Teasie bought Colfer’s, music quickly became the essence of the place. There were concerts, weekly sessions, visiting musicians and, of course, the Phil Murphy Weekend. John had a knack for bringing people together through music, and he brought the world to Carrig-on-Bannow.
Over the years, The Chieftains, Paul Brady, Sharon Shannon, Kevin Burke, Martin Hayes, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Tommy Emmanuel, Albert Lee, Ashley Campbell, Alison Brown, Lúnasa, Danú, Altan, Four Men & a Dog, Mairtín O’Connor Band, Séamus Begley & Steve Cooney, Jackie Daly, Frankie Gavin, Mike McGoldrick & Dezi Donnelly, and of course Des Dillon with his fabulous puppets, to name but a few, have come to play in our tucked-away corner of south Wexford. TG4 has recorded in the pub on more than one occasion.
When John, Pip and Joe Monaghan played in Nashville many years ago, a message had been left at the venue for John: it was a note from Charlie McCoy apologising for not being able to attend the concert. A track from ‘The Trip to Cullenstown’ features on a compilation harmonica album which also features, amongst others, the inimitable Stevie Wonder. But, John was every bit as interested in the musicians sitting around the pub for a session; it didn't matter whether you had travelled from the other side of the world or the other side of the parish. John loved being around musicians and he loved seeing music being played.
He encouraged people, gave them somewhere to play, introduced musicians to one another and, more often than not, got up and joined in himself. His view was: “Anytime I'm in the company of musicians or at any event involving music, I'm in my element.”
There was something very special about the album launched at this year's Phil Murphy Weekend. John was joined on the recording by friends and musicians from the area – people who had played with John, played in his pub and been part of the music he had encouraged and nurtured over so many years – as well as Maddie Denton & Brenna McMillan and Breandán Begley. Looking at the musicians on that recording now, the musical ecosystem that John created around him is a joy to behold.
This is a huge part of his legacy. John didn't just keep a tradition going: he gave it somewhere to live. He opened the door, brought people in, got them playing together and kept the music going. And because of that, there are plenty of people in this locality now to carry it on.
John will never be forgotten - his unmistakable musical style, his dry wit and strong opinions, his ability to tell a story, his generosity to musicians, the sessions, the concerts, the craic, and the extraordinary amount that John did to keep music alive and thriving in our corner of Wexford are beyond measure.
Our deepest sympathies go to Teasie and his brothers Nick, Pat and Pip, extended family and friends, and to the many musicians who shared tunes, stages and friendship with him over the years.
Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann go deo.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
