Brú Ború vigil for musician and schoolteacher Ashling Murphy

Brú Ború heritage centre in Cashel paid a moving tribute to the late Ashling Murphy on Sunday. The Offaly schoolteacher was a member of Comhaltas Ceolteorí Éireann and played at Brú Ború.

"It was incredibly sad news this past week from Tullamore," said a spokesperson for Brú Ború. "It has had a profound effect on everyone. On Sunday evening we held a vigil in memory of Ashling.

"We played tunes, chatted and stood together in support of her family and friends at this devastating time for them all. We were fortunate to have Ashling perform in Brú Ború on the Comhaltas Tour in 2017, alongside Tipperary girls Ciara Horan and Leona Bowe. Ciara and Leona attended yesterday's vigil. It was heartbreaking for them also."

Meanwhile, Comhaltas Ceolteorí Éireann have released a statement concerning their late colleague, saying that a "bright light has been dimmed." 

"All of us in Comhaltas and the world of Irish traditional music are shocked at the untimely death of Ashling Murphy. She was an exceptionally talented young lady who made an unforgettable impression on all who had the good fortune to know her.

"Ashling was among the finest exponents of the concertina and fiddle and was also learning the uilleann pipes. She has featured in our Comhaltas Concert Tours and was also a valued member of the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland.

"We know that she and her family are at the heart of her local community. She was a much-loved school teacher and had so much to offer in so many ways.

"The brutal manner of her death – in the middle of the day – as she jogged by the banks of the peaceful canal in Tullamore has left us numbed and bewildered. The suffering of her family at the loss of such a young and beautiful person is beyond understanding. We share their grief with them and we will always remember Ashling as one who enriched our lives with her warm personality; uplifting musicmaking; compassionate, outgoing and generous friendship.

"Ashling, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers as we cherish the memories and friendship of your short but exceptional life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh do anam uasal ceolmhar. From all your musical colleagues and friends in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann."

Ashling Murphy was aged 23 and was a member of Ballyboy Comhaltas Branch in Co Offaly. She played fiddle and concertina. She was very active in traditional music circles in County Offaly  participating in Fleadhanna Cheoil at County, Provincial and All Ireland competitions with great success.

She comes from a very musical family, her father Ray is a well known banjo player and her sister Amy is well known also playing concertina and button accordion. Both Ashling and Amy taught music to many young students in the local Comhaltas Branch and these students went on to perform as solo artists and also in ceili bands and grúpaí cheoil with great success.

Ashling was selected for her outstanding musical prowess to do the 14 day Comhaltas Concert of Ireland in 2017 and the 10 day Comhaltas  Concert Tour of Britain in 2018  Members invited to be members of these Tour Groups have outstanding proven talent in their area of music, song and dance. Ashling proved herself to be an outstanding team member with great leadership abilities.

She was invited to join the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland in 2017 and continued  to date. This Orchestra  has performed at many national events including the visit of Pope Francis in 2018 of which Ashling was part. Ashling graduated from Mary Immaculate in May 2021 with B.Ed in Primary Education and had just started her primary teaching career in Durrow in September 2021 where she taught  first class. 

As stated already, she exhibited great leadership qualities and was a fabulous mentor and role model to students both in her professional career as a teacher and her music teaching in the Offaly area.

"She always had such a bubbly, sunny disposition and always involved in her local community putting on music and choral performances."