Sad passing of Nenagh’s music man Murty Whelan

Arguably Nenagh’s most accomplished musician, Murty Whelan died last week, causing great sadness for his family and all those lucky enough to have heard him play with the Nenagh Ormond Brass Band and various other groups, in a passion that endured for over eight decades.

Murty was skilled in several music instruments, yet he was always humble about the huge talent that made him a master of his art.

Fittingly, Nenagh Ormond Brass Band turned up to play at his funeral earlier this week, and band member Patrick Rowley Brooke was among many paying tribute, describing Murty as “a lovely guy and a brilliant musician”.

“The big thing about Murty, apart from being a very fine musician, is that he never, ever, boasted about it. He was the father of the modern brass band, which would not be there  today without him,” said Patrick.

Murty was born into a highly musicial family. His father Chris was a musician, and  there is photographic evidence of Murty playing the violin with the family band, The Whelans, when he was just a teenager in the late 1940s, along whith his brothers Christy on drums, Jackie on saxaphone, Jimmy on accordion and their father Chris, also on accordion.

Just a little under two years ago, Murty marked a real high note when he celebrated his 90th birthday. To mark the occasion the Nenagh Ormond Brass Band gathered to present him with a collage of photographs featuring his involvement with the them down through the decades.

Brass Band Chairman, Paudie Grace, said at the time that Murty was one of the most talented musicians he ever met.

“He has been playing the saxophone since 1947, both the alto sax and the tenor sax,” Paudie recalled. “He also plays the clarinet, guitar and fiddle. He’s just a wonderful musician and has selflessly shared his great talents with our younger members over a long number of years.”

Murty, who lived and raised a family of five children with his late wife Tess in Saint Conlon’s Road, spent his working life in Nenagh Post Office. However, his passion for  music took up a big part of his activities outside of his day job.

He performed through the great showband era and was a leading member of the Swing College Band that graced dancehalls throughout the country in the mid to latter decades of the last century. He was involved with the Nenagh Brass and Reed Band back in the 1940s and  performed withthe  Nenagh Mint Jazz Band.

He was a founder member of Nenagh Brass Band in 1976, playing with the band right up until recent times, and was always willing to pass on his undoubted skills to younger members.

In December 2022 his wonderful contribution to the local music scene was officially recognised by the Nenagh Municipal District authority, who presented him with a Nenagh 800 medal at its annual community awards night. Fellow Nenagh Mint Jazz Band member, Cllr Hughie McGrath, handing over the medal, was thrilled to recognise, at last, the lifetime contribution of Murty.

The municipal authority said the night was staged to recognise people like Murty “who, through their own contribution and the contribution of their families down through the years,  helped make Nenagh what it is today.”

‘KIND, GENTLE, COMPASSIONATE’

Among many paying tribute to Murty was a “dear friend”, Nenagh born priest, Fr Michael Reddan. “A kind, gentle, compassionate and generous human being,” wrote Fr Reddan of Murty in an online Book of Condolence on RIP.ie

The priest  said the late musician was “a man of deep faith who allowed the word of God to take flesh in his daily life.

“My missionary work in Paraguay is testimony to Murty and his late wife Tess’ generosity,” wrote Fr Reddan, before adding: “Murty you entertained us on the dance floor, you prayed for us on your knees, and you supported the ‘poor’ with your generosity of spirit. United with Tess, may the Lord of the Dance lead you safely home.”

Martin Francis (Murty) Whelan passed away, peacefully, surrounded by his family, in the excellent care of the Matron and staff of Nenagh Hospital.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Tess (née McLoughlin) who died in February of last year and by his parents Christopher and Catherine and his many siblings.

He will be sadly missed by his cherished family Clair, Paul, Emir, Ann and Chris, grandchildren Dayna, Ava, Niamh, Amy, Tom, Aoife, Andrew and Hugh, great-grandchildren Zara, Rory and Oscar.

He is also survived by daughter-in-law Kathy, sons-in-law Tommy and Ger, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and his many friends.

Large numbers attended his reposal in Ryan’s Funeral Home in Silver Street on Sunday last and again at his Requiem Mass in Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, on Monday. Burial was in in Lisboney Cemetery.

May Murty, our great music man, rest in peace.