Ennis tribute to traditional musician

HE was a well known Irish traditional musician, a person who had many friends and they were not found wanting when it came to paying their final farewell to Kevin Murray. His sudden death at a relatively young age at his home in St Flannan’s Terrace, Ennis on March 13 came as a great shock to all of them.

His untimely death just a few weeks before his 47th birthday and four months after the death of his father, Stephen ‘Sonny’ Murray, was deeply mourned by all who knew him.
Fr Joe McMahon, president of St Flannan’s College, Ennis, who was chief celebrant of the funeral mass, remarked on the presence of so many mourners, despite the mass being celebrated on the afternoon of St Patrick’s Day.
Fr McMahon and many others referred to Kevin’s many fine characteristics, his talents and his love of Irish traditional music.
Fr McMahon, a family friend and a supporter of the Clare branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, remarked that one of the things he would remember Kevin for was the way he looked after his parents when they needed him. He said it was not so long ago that they were all present for the funeral mass of Sonny and that they did not expect to be back so soon to honour Kevin.
Fr McMahon told the congregation in Ennis Cathedral that Kevin impressed him greatly when he first came to Flannan’s College. He said Kevin was a very cheerful young lad and was a great addition to the school band. Kevin also played at school concerts and with his friends, he went on to win an All-Ireland céilí band title.
As soon as he completed the intermediate certificate examination, he started his apprenticeship as a carpenter. Kevin’s work gave him every opportunity to travel. He went to Italy, Denmark, New York and all over Ireland and his music, his trade and cheerful personality gave him entry to every house and every society, Fr McMahon said.
“All his life Kevin wanted to be good and do good and he succeeded,” Fr McMahon said.
Stephen Flaherty, a fellow musician from Ennis, paid tribute on behalf of himself and Kevin’s friends. He said that although Kevin’s life was short, it was a full and busy one. He explained that he first met Kevin when he was playing the pipes in the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna. Later they travelled to New York and they started a band, playing a gig at a venue in the Queens area of New York every Wednesday night.
Mr Flaherty recalled that one time Kevin played the uilleann pipes on a train going into New York and he managed to clear two carriages.
Fellow musicians played Irish traditional music during mass and another friend, Ennis-born Donagh Wylde, the Wexford-based musician, paid tribute by playing his own composition on the organ, accompanied by Mr Flaherty on guitar. The vocalist at mass was Imelda Kennedy.
There was another large attendance at the graveside in Drumcliffe, where the final prayers were said by Fr McMahon, assisted by Fr Tom Hogan. Musicians were out in big numbers again, playing the music that Kevin lived his life for and singer Don White, gave a rendition of Many Rivers To Cross, accompanied on guitar by Mr Flaherty.
The previous evening, Kevin’s remains were removed from Kennedy’s Funeral Home to Ennis Cathedral. His life were recalled by friends afterwards.
Kevin, whose mother was the former Frances O’Reilly from Lavalla, Ballynacally, is survived by his sister, Helen; brother-in-law, Paul Roche; uncles, aunts, nephews, Eli, Dylan, Aaron and Jordan, relatives and friends.