Convent of Mercy,Newport and formerly of Ballycastle, Co Mayo
Sister Consilio Murphy,Convent of Mercy,Newport and formerly of Ballycastle, Co Mayo.
THE peaceful death occurred in the Galway Clinic on Sunday December 2, after a short illness, of Sr Consilio Murphy, Convent of Mercy, Newport and formerly of Ballycastle, Co Mayo. On Monday evening her remains were brought to her home in Newport where she was reposing until Tuesday evening. Her remains were then removed to St Patricks Parish Church, Newport where they were received by Canon Eamon Concannon, PP Newport and Fr Declan Carroll , CC Mulranny. Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated on Wednesday and afterwards burial took place in Burrishoole Cemetery.

Sr Consilio trained as a primary teacher before entering the Mercy Order in 1947 and she came to Newport to teach in St Josephs Convent of Mercy on Barrack Hill in the mid fifties. With the closure of the convent due to amalgamation of schools, she continued teaching in the Holy Family NS, up until her retirement. Having taught for some years in the younger classes of first and second, she then moved to the fifth and sixth classes, and on reaching her retirement she had taught the children of those whom she first taught on her arrival in Newport.

A wonderful and dedicated teacher in all subjects she instilled a great knowledge of the basic educational needs - reading, writing and arithmetic in all her students and this included grammar, spelling, mental arithmetic and poetry. She had a wonderful knowledge of Irish history (particularly the history of the parish) and geography and instilled a love of those subjects in many of those she taught.

An avid reader she encouraged young people to read all kinds of books. You could not be idle in her class and neither could you be overly confident - she loved the child that worked hard both at home and in school. She was a great believer in doing the right thing and there was only one way to do things, and that was the right way.

Sr Consilio was gifted with her hands and was a wonderful artist. She taught art in the old St Marys Secondary School on the Castlebar Road, Newport for many years, and she really encouraged those who had an artistic flair. She inscribed many wedding albums and other books in her decorative calligraphy, a craft she had perfected over the years. At the request of Newport Handball Club, she designed one of the first "Newport Crests", which depicted Burrishoole Abbey, the Grainne Uaile Castle, Croagh Patrick and the Black Oak River.

She was a founder member of the Newport Foroige Club, originally the "Macra na Tuaithe Youth Club" and, under her guidance, the members brought out an interesting booklet entitled "Newport - our own place" and also painted the Fr Manus Sweeney mural which can still be seen, at the corner, on the top of Main Street. Elocution was another of her pet subjects and any child she taught could stand up and recite a poem with feeling and expression, and this progressed to her spending lots of time helping young people to prepare their readings for Mass, giving them the confidence that so many of them needed.

She had a love of nature and flowers and for many years together with her life-long friend, Sr Immaculata, she gave hours of her time to flower arranging in the Parish Church. She had a wonderful eye for colour and shape and the people of Newport were fortunate to have such beautiful floral arrangements all year round but especially at Christmas and Easter-time in their church. She also helped lots of brides by doing beautiful arrangements for their weddings.

Above all, Sr Consilio had a deep love and understanding of the Mass. Her daily life was focused around the Eucharist and prayer, being faithful to her Christian calling, and giving witness to the word of God at all times. As a Sister of Mercy she gave completely of her life in the service of God and to the education of children and to the wider community. Those who were fortunate to have known her well or were touched by her in any way, were honoured and we thank God for her life and for giving her to us in Newport where she contributed so much to the education of so many, in the community.

Mass for the repose of her soul which was also a celebration of her life, was concelebrated in St Patricks Church, Newport. Parish priest Canon Eamon Concannon, was the main celebrant and he was assisted by Fr Declan Carroll, CC, Mulranny, Fr Jim Walsh, PP, Kilmeena, Fr Kieran Bourke, Ballyhaunis, Fr Kavanagh, Ballina and Canon Attie Devine, a native of Newport.

Newport Church Choir, accompanied by organist John Cummins, Ballina (nephew-in-law of Sr Consilios), sang hymns during Mass which were chosen by Sr Consilio herself, and which included the Panis Angelicus and the Psalm Eagles Wings which was sung by Aidan Geraghty.

The readings at Mass were read by her niece Moya Murphy, Dublin and her nephew Eamon Murphy, Dublin. The offertory gifts were brought to the altar by her niece Helen Ryan, Cong and her cousin Ebbie Conlon, Louth. Sr Consilios three nephews John Murphy (England), Kevin Murphy (Athlone) and John Murphy (Dublin) and Sr Joan Fahy, Dunmore, read the Prayers of the Faithful. Following the celebration of Mass, the funeral then proceeded to Burrishoole Cemetery where she was finally laid to rest.

Although happily remembered, Sr Consilio is sadly mourned and missed by her brother Fred Murphy, Rathfarnham Dublin, her nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces, in-laws, relatives, Sr Immaculata and Sr Raymond, Newport, with whom she spent so many years, the Mercy Community, her many friends both in Newport and further afield.
Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam.

from Mayo News.

With the help of Sr. Immaculata they organised the Foroige Club previously known as Macra Na Tuaithe. Of the many projects Sister organised one of them was having the placenames of townlands erected on the approach roads to the villages in the area.

Sr. Consilio crafted a vision and made it a reality when with the help o f the late Canon Killeen using some of his research, produced a booklet entitled Newport Our Own Place, it was a best seller for the club. Last summer I talked to a lady from Tipperary who travelled to Newport to see the Fr Manus Sweeney mural painted by members of the club, this lady is involved with the youth in her area and was made aware of the illustration.

Mentioned here are just three of the many projects Sister was involved in . It was fitting, that she be acknowledged for all her work and endeavors, therefore, at the Annual General Meeting in December, the Newport Historical Society made Sister Consilio Honorary President of the Society.

Presenting her with the scroll of her investiture. Tommy Hughes paid tribute for her dedication in recording the historical side of Newport. Included in Sisters reply was her appreciation and thanks to all her workers and leaders over the years, as without them the projects would not have been completed. Even though, now retired from Holy Family National School, her days are not idle, as she still involves herself in many aspects of Parish life .

from Back the Road (2002) p.30