Tipperary's Jimmy Murphy remembered for

Tributes have been paid to the memory of the late Jimmy Murphy, Nenagh, who worked in the co-op industry in north Tipperary for almost 50 years.

In his tenure, he held the roles of Chief Executive of Nenagh Co-op, and of Arrabawn Co-op before his retirement in 2006.

The Nenagh man joined Nenagh Co-op as an assistant manager in 1958, and by 1975 was chief executive and secretary in 1985. He stepped down in 2005 and upon his retirement in 2006 it was noted that this lengthy tenure made him one of the longest serving executives in any co-op in the country.

On his retirement, he was quoted in the Tipperary Star, saying that it was "privilege" to work for the society for so many years.

“I have shared the joys and the troubles, and I wish to acknowledge in a very special way the friendship and co-operation I received from our milk suppliers and from our farmers at all times”.

At the time, points about the growth of Nenagh Co-op were made including the fact that it was the first co-op in the country to recognise the value of, and pay farmers for, protein, in 1975. His decades with the co-op also saw the switch to milk in cartons, the inescapable milk quotas, and the need to diversify into other products like yoghurt as a consequence.

Again while Mr Murphy was CE, the co-op began trading with neighbours in Galway, won the Read Cup, and the creation of Arrabawn in 2001.

Mr Murphy passed away on Tuesday August 11, and upon his passing representatives of ArraTipp (the company formed in 2025 upon the merger of Arrabawn and Tipperary Co-Ops) paid their respects.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Jimmy Murphy, former Chief Executive of Nenagh Co-op and the first Chief Executive of Arrabawn Co-op.

“Jimmy devoted more than four decades of his working life to the co-operative movement and made an immense contribution to the development of dairying and agriculture across our region.

“His leadership was instrumental in building Nenagh Co-op, bringing local creameries together and strengthening the co-operative for generations of farming families. His vision and commitment were particularly evident in the merger of Nenagh Co-op and Mid-West Farmers Co-op, which led to the formation of Arrabawn in 2001. As its first Chief Executive, Jimmy helped lay the foundations for the organisation we know today.

“Such was Jimmy's contribution to the industry that he received national recognition when awarded the 2009 ICOS Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour, with ICOS noting that he had devoted more than 48 years to Irish agriculture.

“Jimmy was widely respected throughout Irish agriculture for his integrity, leadership and deep commitment to the co-operative ethos. His contribution to our Co-op and to the communities it serves will long be remembered.

“On behalf of the Board, management, staff and members of ArraTipp Co-op, we extend our sincere condolences to Jimmy's family and friends at this sad time.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr Murphy is survived by his wife Alice, children Fiona, Deirdre, Elaine, and Brian, his sister Sheila Ryan, grandchildren, and his extended family.