Mayo musician awarded inaugural Ashling Murphy Memorial Scholarship
A TALENTED Mayo musician has been announced as the recipient of the inaugural Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship.
Catherine Joyce, from Castlebar, was announced as the scholarship awardee by Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO). Catherine is one of two recipients, alongside fellow first-year student Róisín Ní Chonchúir, from Offaly.
The scholarship is awarded in memory of Ashling Murphy, who was killed just months after graduating from MIC as a primary teacher. To cherish her memory, the scholarship recognises her twin love for traditional Irish music and for teaching and is open to first-year Bachelor of Education students who have shown exceptional talents as traditional Irish music players. The scholarship is awarded jointly by MIC and the INTO.
Announcing the recipients was Professor Eugene Wall, president of MIC, who said: “Ashling Murphy exemplified the qualities of what it means to be an excellent primary teacher and she was a lavishly talented traditional Irish musician. There was immense interest in this scheme and I am delighted to say that this scholarship has been awarded to two of MIC’s finest traditional Irish musicians.
“We, at MIC, wish both Catherine and Róisín great success here, both in their lives as students and as musical performers. We are happy to contribute to their educational and artistic futures.”
Catherine Joyce is a first-year Bachelor of Education student and is an accomplished harpist, singer and flautist. Growing up around a number of talented musicians and tutors, including the Kilkenny family, Grainne Hambly, Laoise Kelly and Emer Mayock, Catherine developed a love for music from a young age.
Catherine has taken part and placed in various prestigious music competitions, including the Fleadh, Arpademia Celtic Harp Competition, Wesley Interschools Music Competition, Gael Linn, O’Carolan Harp Festival Nobber, as well as performing at many live music events, including on Fleadh TV, the Gig Rig at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Achill International Harp Festival, Live at Three concert in the Linenhall, the International Harp congress in Wales, and Music of Mayo performance in Castlebar.
Said Catherine: “Ashling Murphy shared her musical talent freely and generously in her life. It is an immense honour and privilege to be able to continue her legacy through traditional music, something which she loved.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with Róisín, the joint recipient, and preserve a space where Ashling and her life can be remembered and celebrated.”
Dorothy McGinley, INTO president, commented: “'Happiest When' was Ashling’s last caption on a video she shared showing her, and her sister Amy, playing the fiddle and the concertina. Ashling’s passion for and dedication to traditional Irish music was inspiring to all those who knew her. In her short life she made an immense contribution to traditional Irish music.
“The INTO is delighted to collaborate with Mary Immaculate College on this scholarship in memory of Ashling Murphy and I warmly congratulate the two inaugural recipients of the scholarship.”