I thought you might be interested in this article that Ferdia sent to me. It was featured in the Avondhu, Fermoy's local newspaper in April 2004. The article is reproduced below.
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BISHOP MURPHY SCHOOL HITS THE HEADLINES.
By Jim Lysaght.
In a classic case of what could be called mistaken identity, the Bishop Murphy Memorial School, Fermoy was mistaken for St Gerald’s College, in Chapel Street, in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Last year, after the death of an elderly Castlebar lady, a photograph which belonged to her was featured in "The Castlebar News". The photo showed a funeral preceded by a military guard of honour and at the time it was thought that it was taken from the front of the Church of The Holy Rosary, looking towards Saint Gerald’s College, Castlebar. Further speculation believed that the photo was taken in the 1930’s or 1940’s. based on the civilian clothing. The rifles which the soldiers are bearing in reverse were identified as being Lee Enfields. The soldiers are wearing crossed rifle collar badges indicating a rifle company and the shoulder flashes appear similar to those once worn by soldiers of the Eastern Command. . All in the Guard of Honour are wearing webbing with two cartridge pouches and bayonet. . On very close inspection the reg no of the car is Z 7814. There are 57 soldiers followed by a 12 member military band. The hearse is flanked by 6 officers and people can be seen walking behind the hearse.
‘The Castlebar News" appealed for help in identifying where the photo had been taken and this was forth coming from Ferdia O’Riordan a member of a well known Fermoy family. Ferdia correctly identified the photo as having been taken in front of the Bishop Murphy School where he himself had gone to school. He further identified his own old family home which can be seen in a row of houses above the C. Y. M. S hall. It would seem that the photo was taken in front of what is now the Gael Scoil de h-Ide and possibly was taken by the late Dick Smith.
This photograph will be part of an exhibition which will be held in Bishop Murphy School, Fermoy on Sunday October 24 next to mark the 100th Anniversary of the school which was opened in 1904 . A committee of past pupils of the school composed of School Principal Paul Cotter, Danny Higgins, John Redmond, Neilus Flynn, Sean O’Murchu, Damien Murphy, John Murphy and Michael Hanley are working diligently on this project at the moment. After a special Mass on that Sunday, an Open Day will be held in the school. Archives are at present being researched and much of this material will be on display at the exhibition. . The roll books at the school dating from the mid 1920’s to the present day will also be on display. Plans are also afoot for a special guest of honour, a former pupil of the school to be honoured on the occasion and a social evening where former pupils can reminisce about their school days is planned for that evening. Already some interesting photographs and other memorabilia have come to light. Any former pupil or anyone who may have any photos, sports programmes or any other related memorabilia concerning the school or its pupils is requested to contact any member of the past pupils committee.
The next meeting of the past pupils committee will be held on Wednesday May 5th in the school at 9pm
Can anybody help in defining the date of this military funeral and whose funeral it was ? Further information on this story from Murrisk at www. castlebar. ie
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