Cork fiddler John Francis Murphy's family home and lands to be donated
The estate is the former home of John Francis 'Boss' Murphy (1875–1955), a farmer and fiddle player who compiled a unique manuscript collection of traditional music by candlelight in North Cork during the 1930s.
A famous estate in North Cork steeped in musical history is to be donated to a not-for-profit community company in perpetuity by the family that owns it.
The Murphy family has asked the regional development company, Ballyhoura Development CLG, to administer expressions of interest for the property in Leap, Churchtown.
The family is donating the original family home, which dates from the 1840s, together with around 55 acres of adjoining land.
The estate is the former home of John Francis “Boss” Murphy (1875–1955), a farmer and fiddle player who compiled a unique manuscript collection of traditional music by candlelight in North Cork during the 1930s.
His collections covers both his own and his father's, Wiliam Boss Murphy’s (1831-1911), repertoire from 1850-1930. Without John’s archive, much of the areas musical heritage would have been lost.
The was compiled by Colette Moloney and published in 2003.
A selection of the tunes were recorded and released by the All-Ireland winning Shandrum Céilí Band in 2019, cementing John Francis Murphy’s place in Ireland’s traditional musical heritage.
Ballyhoura Development CLG has developed a discussion document which outlines a broad range of potential long-term uses for the estate, including cultural, heritage, theatrical, educational, organic, and sporting activities, all to be delivered within a not-for-profit framework.
As part of the proposal, nine acres of land is to be allocated to St Mary’s Ladies Football Club for the development of a dedicated pitch and headquarters.
Speaking on behalf of the Murphy family, Gerry Murphy said that, after just short of 30 years working on the renewal of Churchtown, a moment of destiny has arrived for the Murphy family who have operated the farm at "The Lea" since the early 1850s.
“For the past 27 years, the land has been farmed organically by my brothers Pat and Michael. Sadly, Pat died on March 10, 2026, and Michael has now decided to retire.
"This opens an opportunity to deliver on our dream for the homestead and a substantial part of the lands to move into community ownership in perpetuity,” Mr Murphy said.
The chief executive of Ballyhoura Development CLG, Padraig Casey, said this is a unique and forward-looking proposal that has the potential to create a lasting legacy for Churchtown and the wider region.
“Gerry Murphy’s contribution to local development has been exceptional, and this new legacy initiative builds on that work in a way that will benefit future generations,” he said.
The discussion can be downloaded at www.bossmurphyheritage.org. The closing date for expressions of interest is August 31.
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