Wexford is saddened by death of Kieran ‘Barney’ Murphy (45) OBITUARY
THERE WAS widespread sadness across Wexford and beyond last week following the tragic passing of popular local man, Kieran (Barney) Murphy(45), from 34 Ard Alainn, Castlebridge, and formerly of Blackwater, Wexford.
A beloved son of Rita and Kevin Murphy, he was also a brother held in very high esteem by his siblings, Angela, Noeleen, Pat, Veronica, Siobhan, Ann Marie, Jonathan and Robert. He was also a doting dad to his daughter, Rachel.
A respected member of his community, Kieran grew up in a large family in Bishopswater and attended the Faythe National School and Wexford Vocational College.
In his teenage years he played football with St. Joseph’s and Wexford Vocational College where he was part of the school football team that won the U14 County Championship in 1985/1986. An avid sports enthusiast, in his younger years he also enjoyed playing handball, cycling and snooker.
Having spent the early 90’s working in the construction industry in the UK, Germany and Cyprus, Kieran returned to Wexford and worked for many years as a window fitter with Senator Windows and Viking Glass. He settled in Castlebridge over 10 years ago, with his daughter Rachel, to whom he was devoted.
Just over a year ago, he started working for Lake Region, in New Ross, where he was highly regarded. Kieran was, by nature, a hard worker who did not like to be idle for too long and whenever he was out-of-work he made ends meet buying and selling at car boot sales as well as trading on Done Deal and the Wexford Mammies social media page.
A very talented DIY enthusiast he was regarded as ‘Mr Fix-it’ for many family members and friends and could turn his hand to almost anything, from painting and decorating to window repairs and renovations.
Kieran was very green fingered and went to great lengths to put up a greenhouse and growing patch in his back garden where he grew all sorts of vegetables - to the point where he became almost self-sufficient.
He was house proud and took great pride in keeping it in order and he was also known for his excellent culinary skills and loved cooking up a storm in the kitchen with his daughter on a daily basis.
A lover of the outdoors, Kieran could often be spotted walking on Curracloe beach with his daughter’s dog, and also dogs belonging to friends. His love for animals was something he shared with his daughter and he gifted her a dog and a cat to take care of.
He kept a parrot and a cockatiel at his home and some of his favourite TV programmes were nature documentaries on the Discovery Channels; one of his favourite series was ‘The Crocodile Hunter’, starring the late Steve Irwin.
Kieran had a passion for fishing and often went out in boats with his brothers and friends and in keeping with that interest another of his favourite TV shows was ‘Deadliest Catch’. He looked at such programmes to pick up tricks of the trade in the hope of bigger hauls on his next outing.
Kieran liked socialising over a few pints among friends on Saturdays and he also took the odd flutter on the horses and soccer.
A true gentleman, Kieran was also a great friend who never had a bad word to say about anybody. Kind hearted by nature, he had a great sense of humour and thoroughly enjoyed many adventures with friends and family at home and abroad.
The high regard in which he was held was underlined by the large congregation of mourners, including family members, friends and colleagues, who came together united in their grief at Bride Street Church last Wednesday to say a final farewell to their dear son, brother, father and friend, ‘Barney’.
His family is encouraging people to seek help if they are going through difficult times: ‘If you are struggling to cope please know there is a lot of help out there to get you through tough times and don’t be afraid to seek help from your GP or other support services, your local priest, family and friends.’
Kieran is survived by his parents, Rita and Kevin, daughter, Rachel, sisters and brothers, Angela, Noeleen, Veronica, Siobhan, Anne-Marie, Pat, Robert and Jonathan, relatives and very large circle of friends.
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