1798 Rebellion Project Part 3: Fr. John Murphy

 

A posthumous portrait of John Murphy, painted from a sketch taken during his life. The priest's uniform was added later, around 1898, to emphasise his image as a Catholic rather than Republican leader. 

One of the most famous figures in the rebellion of 1798 is Fr. John Murphy, a Catholic curate of Boolavogue parish, to the North East of Enniscorthy. He became one of the senior leaders of the uprising in the area, and was in command at the famous Battle of Oulart Hill. His actions are preserved in popular memory through the famous ballad "Boolavogue", written in 1898 to mark his centenary. 

Murphy was born around 1753 near Ferns (which was at one point the stronghold of the kings of Leinster and capital of Ireland). As a Catholic living under the Penal laws, he was educated in an illegal "hedge school", and was skilled in Greek and Latin. As seminaries were illegal in Ireland, he received his training as a priest in Seville.

The Catholic Church in Ireland did not support the United Irishmen, despite that organisation's commitment to ending religious discrimination. The Church feared that a rebellion would tarnish its reputation with the British government, which was slowly repealing the Penal Laws at the time. Another reason for the Church's dislike of the United Irishmen was their allegiance to Republican France. 

Murphy seems to have been unsure whether or not to support the United Irishmen. He signed a church document which pledged allegiance to Britain, and refused communion to suspected United Irishmen. However, Murphy became a committed rebel after outbreaks of violence in Kildare and Carlow, and the massacre of United Irishmen at Carnew. His resolve was strengthened by the British burning both his church and the homes of his parishioners. 

He led the force that defeated the feared North Cork Militia at Oulart Hill, and was present at Vinegar Hill. He escaped the British forces in Enniscorthy but was later captured. He was tortured and executed in Tullow, Carlow, around 2nd July 1798. 

This is my representation of Fr. Murphy. He was made from Trent Miniatures' "Mounted United Irish Leader" kit. The head is from another pack, simply because it was the best likeness I could find. In Sharp Practice he is a Status II leader. Maybe that's too high of a rating, but Sharp Practice is a dramatic, romanticised game! 

The flag he is carrying was actually flown by another rebel priest, Fr. Michael Murphy, about whom far less is known. The two Fr. Murphys are sometimes confused, and I've used this to my advantage, simply so I could use this flag! Both priests fought together at Ballyorril Hill. Michael Murphy was killed at Arklow while attacking an artillery battery.