Statue to honour memory of Jimmy Murray planned
Roscommon GAA icon Jimmy Murray or 'Jamesie' - as he was simply known to many - looks set to be immortalised in his home village of Knockcroghery with a new statue in his honour.
Over 15 years after his death in 2007 in his 90th year, plans are now underway to remember Roscommon's only All-Ireland-winning captain following a recent public meeting where a group was set up to push the project forward.
Thomas Murray, who is Chairperson of the newly formed Jamesie Murray Memorial Monument Committee, explains that the idea has been discussed for some years now but now seems to be the right time for everybody.
“We've seen other monuments go up for other sporting stars in the county like Dermot Earley in Loughglynn and then the Gerry O'Malley one in Brideswell, so I suppose it's only right that we have one for the man who captained the Roscommon team in 1943 and 1944. He's the only Roscommon man to captain an All-Ireland Senior football winning team to success.
“He was known throughout the county, indeed the country for his GAA fame, but I suppose first and foremost in Knockcroghery he was a community man. So whether it was Tidy Towns or the local GAA club, whatever was going on he was playing a pivotal role in it,” adds Thomas.
Having worked in J.S. Murrays during his student days, Thomas, who is a teacher in Ballyforan, has his own fond memories of Jamesie and believes it is only right he is acknowledged in this special way.
“Above all he was a gentleman, he was kind and caring to everyone. He was looked on as a leader in the community. One thing always springs to mind, when a winning team came back to the village whether it was sport or Scór, which would be vibrant in our community, or anything along those lines, Jamesie was always out at the bonfire at the crossroads in the village to give a rousing speech and sing a song. He really was a leader in the community, and probably an icon in the village,” he recalls in tribute.
While the project is still in its early stages, the group has commissioned renowned local sculptor Mark Feeley to create a statue of a young Jimmy Murray in his playing days, something the artist is very excited about because it will be an attraction and a focal point for the village.
In 2020, Mark came to national prominence after he was privately commissioned to craft a limestone replica of writer Padraic Ó Conaire, the iconic statue which sat in Galway's Eyre Square for many years. This he accomplished to great effect with Lecarrow limestone, something the statue group hopes to emulate with their project. They are also working in conjunction with Knockcroghery Tidy Towns and Project Knockcroghery to identify the best location for the statue.
Over the coming weeks, Thomas, along with Secretary Conor Mullally and other members, hope to officially launch the project and kickstart the fundraising element which they are confident people will get behind.
“Jamesie was involved in lots of other organisations, not just the GAA. For example, he was President of Roscommon Golf Club and I know a lot of his friends would like to make a contribution. He was also very involved in South Roscommon Singers Circle which was founded in his pub,” explains Thomas, who says he is sure there are many others out there who would like to support the project.
“I suppose the main aim of the game is to get something that hopefully we can be very proud of when it's done, and that every time we pass by it we can admire, and it'll be something that will represent him well and us all well, and something we can all be proud of,” he ends, saying if anyone wants to get involved or contribute in any way to call him on 086 3853804.