THE THEATRE and arts world in Limerick and further afield was in shock and mourning this week following the sudden death of one of the founding members of the local creative arts scene.
The late John Murphy, a founding member of the Island Theatre Company, was a professional actor and a hugely talented director and playwright.
Friends have described his passion for storytelling and acting, while referring to Mr Murphy personally as a person of great kindness and generosity.
The late Mr Murphy was nominated for Best Actor in Irish Times Theatre Awards for his work on Borrowed Robes with the Island Theatre Company in 1998, receiving another Best Actor nod in the Dublin Fringe Festival for his work on Rum and Raisin with Tall Tales Theatre Company.
He performed in many Island productions including Pigtown, Sive, Hamlet, Lovers, The Year of the Hiker, Translations, The Tempest, and Borrowed Robes.
As a director, he worked with the Quarry Players on many productions, including Moment, The Field, Juno and the Paycock, and By the Bog of Cats.
Not limited to the stage, his film and TV work included Fair City, Gangs of New York, and Ciaran Creagh’s In View. He was also featured in Alan Parker’s movie production of Angela’s Ashes, which was filmed in Limerick in 1999.
In 2022, John Murphy published a collection of four Limerick plays in book form.
His script Smallone was first produced by Blood In The Alley and directed by Geoff Gould. It toured as part of the West Cork Fit-up season and was presented in Paris as part of the Culture Irlandais Festival. It was produced by Bottom Dog Theatre Company in 2006.
Murphy decided to take the show out of a conventional theatre space and into the grimy, authentic reality of a room in an old Georgian building in Limerick.
In recent years, he worked in a management role at both the Lime Tree and Belltable theatres.
Myles Breen, his friend and fellow actor, said: “Since 1989 we worked together in many shows with Island Theatre company where I played his brother, son, friend, enemy, and indeed wife.”
Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan wrote on RIP.ie: “Deepest condolences to John’s family and all who were close to him. What a loss to Limerick theatre and the arts community. May he rest in peace.”
“On behalf of the Cecilian Musical Society, may I offer our condolences to Johns family at this very sad time. Encore John,” wrote Sylvia McCloskey.
John passed away on August 21 following a tragic accident. He is survived by his parents Olga and George, brother Frank, niece Melissa, great nieces, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and his many friends from the arts community.
He was cremated this Monday (August 26) at Shannon Crematorium. In lieu of flowers, Mr Murphy’s family suggested donations to Limerick Animal Welfare.
