Historian and former senator John A Murphy dies aged 95

Renowned historian and former independent senator Prof John A Murphy has died, aged 95.

Prof Murphy, from Macroom, Cork, began lecturing in University College Cork's history department in 1960, and became Professor of Irish History in 1971, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.

He was appointed the first university historian in 2016.

The university awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2001, and erected a bronze bust of Prof Murphy in 2017 to mark his 90th birthday.

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He was also a member of the Seanad from 1977 until 1992, was named Cork Person of the Year in 2005 in recognition of his life's work, and was selected by the university as one of the delegation to meet the UK's Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Cork in 2011.

Prof Murphy once said that if there was one thing he could change in the country, it would be the quality and availability of education. It was a guiding principle throughout his life. Revered at UCC, he became Emeritus Professor of Irish history on his early retirement in 1990.

In a statement, UCC said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of Prof Murphy’s passing.

“A name synonymous with our university, Prof Murphy had an association with UCC that spans over seven decades, beginning in 1945 when he left his native and beloved Macroom to study history and Latin here as a scholarship student,” the university said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is “very sad” about the passing of Prof Murphy, who was one of his first lecturers in Irish modern history.

“His thought-provoking and courageous views personified the best of academic life. He was a strong voice in the Seanad and passionate believer in peace and reconciliation on our island,” he said in a tweet.

Giant

Prof John O’Halloran, UCC President, described Prof Murphy as a “giant of our institution” whose story is “deeply intertwined with the history of UCC”.

“Upon meeting Queen Elizabeth II, he recalled ‘that history is a record of the past, not a chronicle of grievances’ and this principle guided his work and his teaching to generations of our history students,” he said.

“His contribution to our university is without equal, and on behalf of UCC, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis.”

Dr Mervyn O’Driscoll, head of the school of history at UCC, said Prof Murphy performed an “inestimable service to Irish history”.

“A courageous professional, he was an important voice of independent reason and historical balance regarding Irish identity and society,” he said.

“John A was never afraid to ask hard and searching questions. He remains an example to us all here. Neither will we forget his humour and ballad singing.”