Mass in Mountbolus this week on first anniversary of Ashling Murphy's death

St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, local church of the Murphy family

placeholder image — St Brigid's Church, Mountbolus, local church of the Murphy family

THE anniversary Mass marking one year since the death of Ashling Murphy will take place in Mountbolus church on Thursday, January 12 (7pm).

Blueball woman Ashling, a 23-year-old teacher at Durrow National School, was killed on the afternoon of January 12, 2022 on the bank of the Grand Canal at Cappincur, Tullamore.

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, set up by the Murphy family and the Ashling Murphy Memorial fund executive committee, was launched on January 6, Nollaig na mBan.

In a statement, the committee said it was fitting to launch the fund “in memory of a beautiful, talented and exceptional young lady, who will forever be 23 and will never be forgotten!”

“Ashling’s tragic loss touched the hearts of many, she left a strong legacy behind her and will always be remembered for the music, sport, education, culture and heritage that she was involved in during her short life,” the committee added.

Privacy and respect was requested for the Murphy family, Ashling’s partner Ryan, Durrow NS “and all other individuals, groups and organisations that Ashling had a special connection with, as they continue to grieve her tragic loss and remember a very special young lady on her first anniversary”.

The statement concluded with the following in Irish: “Táimid agus beimid ag smaoineamh uirthi gach lá, tá leaba óir aici i measc na nAingeal.”

The official fundraising online page - https://www.idonate.ie/cause/ashlingmurphymemorialfund – contains a video touching on many aspects of Ashling's life and features pictures from her childhood, footage of her playing the fiddle and images of her playing camogie.

Watch the video by clicking on this link - https://youtu.be/PxTbXTX4NlY

The official Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund online page says the fund has been established “to fulfil the strong legacy left by Ashling, even in her short life” and donations and proceeds from fundraisers will be utilised to achieve objectives which have been compiled by the Murphy family along with committee members and which are “deemed close to Ashling’s heart and represent the many interests she had in her 23 years”.

The page describes Ashling (pictured below) as a beautiful, caring, loving, compassionate and warm-hearted person: “An amazing daughter to Ray and Kathleen, a wonderful sister to Amy and Cathal, a loving partner to Ryan, and a kind, caring young woman to her extended family, pupils, colleagues and wide circle of friends. Ashling was breath-takingly talented – an exceptional musician, talented sportsperson and an inspirational teacher to the many young people she encountered within her 23 years. She was determined to succeed at whatever she turned her hand to, whether that be music or sports, and had an admirable personality, positive attitude and infectious smile that would brighten up any room she entered.”

The fund's main objective is for the further enhancement, development and the advancements of the traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people.

Subsidiary objectives are - establishing arts and cultural activities in memory of Ashling’s name; creating educational, sport and musical scholarships; supporting the enhancement of facilities or building projects; supporting personnel who participate in cultural events; promoting our traditional Irish language; providing educational, sport and musical instrument banks for organisations; supporting individuals or groups who may undertake significant challenges/exhibitions in memory of Ashling Murphy; support such other needs and requests that may arise from time to time within the above overall objective.