Ashling Murphy: Vigils held for teacher across Fermanagh this week

Thousands of people in cities around the world have remembered Ashling over the past week, while closer to home a number of events were held across the county (see panel) in tandem with a main Enniskillen event that was solemn and heartfelt.

The murdered young teacher has become a lightning rod for highlighting violence against women, with her death sparking ripples of protest and mourning around the world, far from Ashling’s home island.

The late Ashling Murphy. Photo: PA

In Enniskillen, children were at the centre of the solemn candle-lit vigil last Friday evening for the teacher – Ashling was a gifted fiddle player, and it was Traditional Irish music that set the tone for the vigil.

Shortly after 6pm, Tradacad Secretary Finola Owens welcomed those gathered at Fermanagh House to the vigil, with musicians from Tradacad leading the vigil alongside other local musicians.

Addressing the crowd, Finola said of Ashling: “She was an exceptionally talented young lady who made an unforgettable impression on all who had the good fortune to know her.”

‘In our thoughts and prayers’

Finola became emotional as she said: “When you meet a musician, you meet a friend for life.” She added: “Ashling, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers as we cherish the memories and friendship of your short and memorable life.”

There was a large gathering at Fermanagh House, Enniskillen on Friday 14th January for a candlelit vigil to remember Ashling Murphy. Finola Owens of Tradacad, who was one of the organisers, spoke at the vigil. Picture: Ronan McGrade.

The Traditional song, ‘The Dawning of the Day’, was played by musicians, with Fr. Brian D’Arcy next to address those gathered.

There were tears in the eyes of many as Fr. Brian said: “The life of Ashling Murphy will never be extinguished because of her goodness, her love, and her talents, and how she shared those talents with her family, with her community, with Comhaltas all over the world – never mind all over the country – and with her boyfriend.

“We pray that Ashling will be in Heaven this evening, and the spirit from Heaven is the spirit of the angels, and the spirit of the angels will be with you tonight, blessing you and keeping you safe.”

The priest then made an emotional plea, saying: “One thing we must get clear – everybody has a right to safety.

“Everybody has a right to respect whatever we do in society. Can we just do that, from here this evening?

“That we would try to make society safe for anyone to go out and have a run, or to go out and enjoy themselves. To go out and be respected.

“To go out and understand that they can come back, and have safety without the horror of what happened to Ashling.

“We can do that, if we insist on respect and love for each and everyone, from [when we are] a child to the day we die.”

A minute’s silence was held by those present, followed by musician John McCann, who was friends with Ashling and had previously toured with her in 2017, playing a slow air.

There was a large gathering at Fermanagh House, Enniskillen on Friday 14th January for a candlelit vigil to remember Ashling Murphy. Picture: Ronan McGrade.

One of those who attended was musician Aoife Cathcart. Speaking to this newspaper, she said: “Coming from a musical background, we travel the length and breadth of Ireland, and although there are a lot of people who play music, it is a small community.

“It’s really important as well that we raise awareness that women don’t feel safe when they are out and about, and it is important we educate young men so that we can be on the streets more safely.”

Country singer Nathan Carter also joined the vigil, sitting amongst the musicians. Speaking of Ashling’s murder in broad daylight, he added: “It could have been anyone, it could have been my sister – it could be anyone.

“[It’s] horrendous, just horrendous. The music tonight from the kids would only bring a tear to your eye; it was a lovely tribute tonight.”

Candles were then left on the steps of Fermanagh House, serving as a beacon of light, besides which bouquets of flowers were laid from the ordinary, decent people of Enniskillen and beyond, touched by the tragic loss of a young life cruelly cut short.

There was a large gathering at Fermanagh House, Enniskillen on Friday 14th January for a candlelit vigil to remember Ashling Murphy. Picture: Ronan McGrade.

WHILE Enniskillen played host to a main gathering of mourning and reflection over Ashling Murphy’s murder, elsewhere, 200 people joined Erne Gaels and Belleek CCE on Sunday evening as they came together to remember the young teacher on the steps of the pharmacy in the village.

Bernie McNulty, Belleek CCE, paid tribute to Ashling, and a minute’s silence was held. The first instrument heard was the fiddle, played by John Mc Laughlin, who performed a slow air.

It was a particularly poignant moment, as this was the preferred instrument of Ashling herself.

Then the musicians from Belleek CCE played a selection of songs, including ‘Humours of Glendart’, ‘Munster Buttermilk’, ‘George White’s favourite’, and ‘Maid of Mount Cisco’.

Aoife O’ Reilly brought the time of remembrance to a close as she sang the much-loved Traditional song, ‘The Parting Glass’.

Aoife O’Reilly sings The Parting Glass Picture by Paschal O'Shea

Ashling was also remembered at sporting grounds across Ireland, including at GAA matches involving local sides.

A minute’s silence was held in St. Patrick’s Park, Rosslea as Fermanagh met Derry in the McKenna Cup on Saturday, and a minute’s silence was also held at the Athletics Grounds in Armagh, prior to the Ulster Club Senior Final between Derrygonnelly Harps and Kilcoo Owen Roes.

Local GAA clubs also took time to remember Ashling, with Tempo Maguires remembering the young woman on Saturday evening at St. Patrick’s Park, and members of Devenish GAA, Garrison holding a candle-lit vigil on Monday evening.

Much has also been said about how Ashling was murdered whilst out for a run. Enniskillen Running Club, alongside other running clubs in County Fermanagh, held a run for Ashling on Sunday afternoon, followed by a vigil with music at The Diamond in Enniskillen.

Their efforts to remember the young woman, and to highlight violence against women, were echoed by thousands of people in other cities around the world with a large immigrant population from the island of Ireland, from London to Sydney and beyond.