The late Conor Murtagh: devoted family man and outstanding sportsman

A gentleman, a devoted family man, a hands-on member of the community and a great sportsman, are some of the sentiments expressed as Multyfarnham and the wider community bid farewell to their fond publican, Conor Murtagh. He passed away peacefully on July 23 at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by his loving family, following an illness which he faced with courage and dignity.

Conor was born in Ballynacargy, the youngest of five, son to Conor and Francis, brother to Kathleen, Charlie, Padraic and Nicholas. They grew up in Murtagh’s pub, which is run by Nicholas and his wife Ita. Conor was only six years old when his father passed away and 16 when his mother died. He shared a special relationship with his mother toward the end of her life.

Conor excelled at sport in both national and secondary school. He was an outstanding athlete who set Connaught school records at 100 and 200 metres when in Garbally College, Ballinasloe. When he was 16 years old, he was flown to Germany to represent Ireland in an international athletic competition.

He was also a member of Garbally Colleges senior cup-winning rugby teams and a member of the Connaught schools interprovincial team. Later he played for both Longford and Mullingar rugby clubs.

Conor was a much-decorated stalwart and star of Ballynacargy GAA club throughout the ’70s and ’80s. His lightning bursts of speed, with the ball glued to his left foot on a trademark solo run, and his ability to "turn on a sixpence", led to him being nicknamed Grundy, after the champion racehorse of 1975.

In 1987, Conor was a key member of the Ballynacargy intermediate team who won the county championship. His athleticism also led to his selection as part of the Westmeath senior Gaelic football team.

Suzanne and Conor were childhood sweethearts. The couple married in 1983 and built their first home in Ballynacargy, where their daughter Eimear was born. Just before the arrival of their son Conor, they moved to Multyfarnham and undertook a huge renovation of Keogh’s pub while Conor was simultaneously employed in Hanley’s of Rooskey. Conor and Suzanne worked hard, the pub thrived, and the family grew as Lesley arrived.

Conor made strong friendships in Multyfarnham, which is why he loved the village so much. He enjoyed where he worked, the people, the music, the craic, and the stories. Conor had many regular loyal customers, but to him they were much more than that, they were true friends. He became affectionately known as Dr C as he served up a great "cure".

Conor Murtagh is embedded in the fabric of the community, being part of organisations such as the GAA, Tidy Towns, country markets, and the restoration of the old cemetery. Conor took pride in his premises, which was looked after meticulously, and in the village itself, and particularly the park.

His love and focus was, however, always his family. He was a loving father to Eimear, Conor and Lesley, and each of them had a unique relationship with him.

Conor was a man who always sought to see the positive in every situation, even during the challenging times of Covid. It gave him a glimpse into what retirement might look like.

Conor is remembered as a gentleman, a loyal friend, a trusted confidant, and a man who took great pride in his family and his community. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Suzanne, children Eimear, Conor and Lesley, and grandson Michael, his sister Kathleen, brothers Charlie, Padraic and Nicolas, sons-in-law Micheal and David, daughter-in-law Claire, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, relatives, and many friends.

His funeral Mass was in St Nicholas’s Church, Multyfarnham, and afterwards, he was laid to rest in St Andrew’s Cemetery, Multyfarnham.