Murphy, Danny

October 26, 2005
Great sadness at death of Danny Hundreds of mourners gathered in Barntown Church to pay their last respects to Danny Murphy. Danny, of 'The Gallops', Bettyville, Newtown Road, Wexford and formerly Robinstown, New Ross, died tragically on Wednesday last, aged 32. He is survived by his loving wife Fionnuala, his son Daniel (10) and daughters Emma (7) and Hannah (3). The son of Richard and Ann Murphy from Robinstown, Danny was a well-known and respected figure in Wexford town, Rathgarogue-Cushinstown and New Ross. He ran the Danny Murphy Construction Company, while Fionnuala ran their popular Guest House, The Gallops, which is located just beside Wexford Racecourse. The huge number of people at Danny's funeral was a reflection of the high esteem in which he was held by those who knew him. Three books of condolences were filled by mourners, even though many didn't get to sign them. Danny was a devoted husband and father and he and Daniel Jnr. had played golf the Saturday before his death. Little Emma spoke yesterday (Tuesday) of how much she loved her daddy and how much she Daniel and Hannah would miss him, though they all feel he is now their Guardian Angel looking down on them from heaven. An entrepreneur for an early age, Danny who attended Rathgarogue NS and New Ross Vocational College, left school early to take up carpentry. He was a gifted craftsman and even before he left school after his Inter Cert, Danny had been making and selling troughs and gates to local farmers and the co-op. When he left school Danny served his time with Joe Bolger from Knockroe and later left home to go work in Germany with a few of his friends. The Robinstown man loved it in Germany, working hard and enjoying a great social life, but his heart was at home and a year later he returned. In 1991 Danny met Fionnuala when he was hanging doors in her sister Mary's house in Wexford town, while Fionnuala had been drafted to help strip wallpaper. Soon afterwards Fionnuala travelled to San Francisco to mind her brother Peter's children and, following his heart, Danny went out after her and worked there for a year before the couple returned to Wexford. They had Daniel, the first of their three beloved children, ten years ago and Danny and Fionnuala were married in 1997. For the last ten years Danny had been working for himself and his construction company was thriving. He loved his work and was very proud of it and he built his and Fionnuala's first home at Emill Heights, Glenbrook, Wexford, and their magnificent home, The Gallops, in Bettyville, where they lived for the last five years. His friends and colleagues from Danny Murphy Construction formed a Guard of Honour for Danny at his Requiem Mass on saturday. Outside of work, Danny had many interests, particularly a great love of sport. He was an avid follower of the Wexford hurlers. Danny played hurling himself with Rathgarogue-Cushinstown at underage level and though, with work commitments, he found it hard to keep going in later years he always retained a great interest in the club. He was a talented underage hurler and in 1989 he played full-forward on the Rathgarogue-Cushinstown under-16 team that made a great breakthrough for the club when they won the County Final in Wexford Park, with Danny scoring the vital, winning goal in the last minute. That always remained one of his proudest days and, poignantly, on Saturday his green and gold number 14 jersey was laid on the coffin. He also loved horse racing and always popped 'next door' whenever there was a meet. Danny was part of the 'Famous Six' syndicate with his brothers and friends. Danny also loved the social aspect of the races and one of his best nights at the races came last year when the Famous Six charge 'Batang' won at the Bettyville track. In recent times he had developed an interest in vintage cars and had brought an old Rolls Royce home from England earlier this summer. He enjoyed a full social life and when he went out, he went out to enjoy himself and was almost always the last one home, whether he was in Jimmy Hanrahan's in New Ross or the nearby Whitford House. Though not possessing the greatest dance skills his family fondly recall the willingness of Danny and his dancing partner, Fionnuala's aunt Mary, to always get up and 'cut a rug' when they were out. No matter how busy he was he always made time for people and Danny never had a bad word to say to anyone, but always a smile. He is very sadly missed by his wife, Fionnuala, his children Daniel, Emma and Hannah, his parents Richard and Ann, his brothers Kevin and Ger, his sisters Una and Mary, Fionnuala's parents Peter and Nora Corish, his brother-in-law Peter and sister-in-law Mary, Dympna and Pat, his nephews, nieces, relatives and wide circle of friends. RIP Courtesy of the Wexford People 26 October 2005

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