Broken Wand :: Patsy Murphy

Literally an hour after I published this article I received a phone call from Martin Duffy passing on the sad news that Patsy Murphy has passed away.  I won't pretend that I knew Patsy as well as many who will read this but I would bump in to him at conventions and club meetings over the years, nearly always with his beloved Maureen by his side, and I would always leave his company wishing there were more like him in the world.  Patsy was one of those great characters and he had a wonderful theatrical way with words.  In fact he was the most un-Dundalk sounding Dundalk person your ever likely to meet.  Our world is a lesser place this evening.  May God rest your soul Patsy.

As those of you who follow this site may be aware Patsy had been unwell recently and was in fact undergoing chemotherapy.  He had hoped to attend The Mystic's one day convention in Drogheda last Sunday with his great friend Paddy Ward but alas was too poorly to be there.   Maureen, Patsy's wife of over 50 years passed away earlier this year in August and Patsy himself succumbed to his illness at around 5pm today the 21st October 2010.

We will post an update with funeral arrangements when they become available.

We encourage you to use this page as a memorial to and for Patsy.  You can leave sympathies, share your stories and reminisce by clicking the 'post a comment' link just below here.

Update on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 9:08AM by Brendan Byrne

Please not there has been a change to the funeral arrangements we perviously published.  The updated funeral arrangements are as follows -

Peacefully. Reposing at his residence tomorrow, Saturday, from 11am. Removal on Monday morning at 10.30am to The Church of the Holy Family, Muirhevnamor for Mass at 11am. Funeral afterwards to Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Dundalk.

Patsy Murphy wows them in Drogheda

Co Louth based magician Martin Duffy recently sent us on the picture that accompanies this story along with the following fine words.

Here is a picture of Patsy Murphy and myself. It was taken recently at a Magic Show performed by Patsy in Drogheda Library. Within 1 minute of the show starting Patsy had produced a couple of Doves and he really did have the audience in the palm of his hand. Regards, Martin.

Patsy has been a stalwart of the Irish magic scene for many a year.  He is loved and admired by all his friends and is always spoken highly of. With a background in amateur dramatics that lends wonderfully to his magical career, Patsy is also a student of Jim Zachary and a superb dice stacker in his own right.  He has been poorly of late and we wish, on behalf of the community the entire island over, to pass on our well wishes.  As the old saying goes "keep it up Patsy."

Broken Wand - Maureen Murphy

It was with great sadness that I learned earlier today of the passing of Maureen Murphy.  Maureen, wife of magician Patsy Murphy, took a bad turn during the week and was brought to hospital.  Unfortunately Maureen departed at 2:30am this morning.  We offer our deepest sympathies to Patsy, who himself as been poorly of late, and all of Maureen's many family and friends.

Funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Church, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk at 11:00am this coming Tuesday the 31st August.

briefs

Magicians Owen Rice and Tony Thursby are off to Italy on a pilgimage and while there they will be entertaining with their special brand of magic.

Patsy Murphy aka Gemini has been poorly recently, get well soon Patsy.    

Keith Barry is on practically every TV and Radio show at the moment to publicise his upcoming run at The Olympia for nearly the whole month of July.  Check out KeithBarry.com for more details   

Dublin magician Steven Thompson is looking for a good quality himber ring, if any of you can help you can mail Steven here

Happy 50th to Patsy and Maureen

Somehow this fell through the cracks, but Gemini aka Patsy Murphy and his darling wife Maureen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary during the summer and this magical union was featured in the Irish Independent.  You can read the piece here