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For my first submission in the Independent Labor Party's writing contest, I have chosen to write about the famous Irish hero, Father John Murphy.

John Murphy was born in Tincurry, County Wexford in the year 1753. In the beginning of 1772, he sailed from Ireland to Spain in order to receive training as a priest. Many other Irish priests had also done this, in order to bypass the persecution of Irish Catholics under the Penal Laws. In 1785, Murphy returned to Ireland and became the parish priest of the village of Boolavogue.

Although Father Murphy was originally against the idea of rebellion, and even urged his parishioners to swear allegiance to the British crown, he would soon change his mind. On May 26th, 1798, Father Murphy and a group of men were discussing what to do for safety against British patrols when 20 cavalry troops spotted them and demanded to know their business. After a small confrontation, the cavalry set fire to the nearby home of a suspected rebel. When Murphy and his companions saw this, they began pelting the British troops with stones. After a brief fight, 18 of the cavalry troops fled, the other two, including the commander, killed. Murphy then spread word around Irelan😛 the rebellion had begun.

British troops responded by killing suspected rebels and burning their homes, setting off a wave of panic among the Irish people. Masses of them fled to higher ground to form groups for safety. One group on top of Kilthomas Hill was attacked and destroyed by British forces. On Oulart Hill however, a crowd of 1000 men, women, and children, led by Murphy and other rebel leaders, ambushed and defeated the British North Cork Militia. Several other major victories followed, showing Murphy's surprising military mind. Unfortunately several defeats followed as well, including the attack on the rebel headquarters at Vinegar Hill.

Despite the defeat, a lack of coordination among British forces led to most of the rebel armies successfully escaping. On June 26, however, the rebel forces were tricked and defeated at Kilcumney Hill in County Carlow. The main surviving group would continue to fight in the forests and mountains for over 6 years. Murphy and his bodyguard were separated from the main group, and attempted to find safety at a friend's house in Tullow, County Carlow. Unfortunately, they were captured by the British on July 2, 1798. After being tortured by the British, Murphy was stripped, flogged, hung, and decapitated. His corpse was then burned, and his head impaled on a spike as a warning to any who might oppose British power.

People of eIreland, next time we have to fight for our freedom, remember those who did over 200 years ago, especially Father John Murphy, who died for Ireland to be free.

Article Song
The Song Father Murphy Inspired
Boolavogue by the High Kings