Two talented musicians receive Ashling Murphy memorial scholarships

Catherine Joyce and Róisín Ní Chonchúir playing at the MIC awards ceremony after winning the scholarship.  Picture: Brian Arthur

Two talented musicians have been awarded a bursary set up in memory of Ashling Murphy at Limerick's Mary Immaculate College. 

Ms Murphy was murdered while exercising on a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in January last year. She had just graduated from Mary Immaculate College (MIC) as a primary school teacher months before her death. 

Jozef Puska was found guilty of her murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

The Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship, jointly awarded by MIC and the Irish National Teacher's Organisation (INTO), is a fund open to first year Bachelor of Education students at MIC who have shown exceptional talents as traditional Irish music players. 

It aims to "cherish Ashling's memory" and "take account of her talents and love of traditional Irish music". 

Catherine Joyce and Róisín Ní Chonchúir are the inaugural recipients of the scholarship and will both receive €4,000 each. 

Ms Joyce who is from Castlebar Co Mayo, is a harpist, singer and flautist. She developed a love for music from a young age and has performed in various music competitions as well as several live music events.

“Ashling Murphy shared her musical talent freely and generously in her life,” Ms Joyce said.

“It is an immense honour and privilege to be able to continue her legacy through traditional music, something which she loved.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with Róisín, the joint recipient, and preserve a space where Ashling and her life can be remembered and celebrated."

Ms Ní Chonchúir, from Killeigh Co Offaly, plays the flute and fiddle and has competed at Fleadhannas at county, provincial and all-Ireland levels and has many provincial titles on both the fiddle and flute.

She led the committee that hosted a 23-hour music marathon in memory of Ashling Murphy on St Patrick’s Day last year. It raised over €5,000 for Offaly Domestic Violence.

She is also a member of the Misneach traditional orchestra led by Ciarán Fitzgerald and they perform in various venues throughout the year.

Ms Ní Chonchúir said she was very honoured to receive the scholarship and hopes to keep “Ashling’s memory alive” and keep “doing good work with Catherine” through the scholarship.