Murty's Mates fundraiser to pass 125k milestone

A festival established in memory of much-loved Carrickmacross musician Martin ‘Murty’ O’Neill is set to push its fundraising total well beyond €125,000 this weekend as musicians, businesses and supporters once again come together for one of the town’s best-supported annual community events.

Murty’s Mates Live returns to Callan’s of the Bridge on Sunday, July 12, with every cent raised going to Carrickmacross Cancer Society – a cause that was especially close to Martin’s heart throughout his life.

Now entering its fourth year, the event has grown far beyond what organiser Emilia O’Neill ever imagined after her husband’s sudden death in May 2021.

The original plan had been to hold a single concert in Martin’s memory, while raising money for his favourite charity. Instead, the overwhelming response from musicians and the wider community ensured Murty’s Mates became an annual celebration.

“By the end of the first event people were already saying, ‘See you next year’,” Emilia recalled. “The bands even announced it from the stage. It was never meant to become an annual event, but everyone wanted to keep it going.”

That community spirit has seen the festival raise an incredible €125,000 during its first four years, with organisers confident this year’s event will add substantially to the total.

Emilia said the success of the festival would not be possible without the generosity of local businesses, volunteers and sponsors who continue to rally behind the cause.

She extended her heartfelt thanks to Oak Enviro and Activ8 for sponsoring the staging, Carrickmacross Credit Union for its continued support as headline sponsor, and to Callan’s of the Bridge for once again providing the venue.

A dedicated team of volunteers, alongside members of the Carrickmacross Festival Committee, also work tirelessly behind the scenes each year to ensure the event runs smoothly.

The festival honours the memory of Martin O’Neill, one of the best-known musicians on the local circuit. A gifted singer, bass player and music producer, Martin worked with numerous well-known bands over the years while also operating his own recording studio.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he found another way to bring musicians together by creating the online project ‘Murty’s Mates’. He would record his own part of a song on video before inviting fellow musicians to add their performances remotely. The finished recordings were then edited together in his studio, with one of the best-known collaborations being a version of ‘Walking in Memphis’, which remains available to watch online.

Known simply as ‘Murty’ among fellow musicians, he had a lust for life and an insatiable grá of music, but his greatest love was his family.

Originally from Poland, Emilia met Martin after moving to Ireland more than 20 years ago.

“I loved it from day one, so I decided to stay for a year. I met Martin around Halloween time... I was dressed as a devil!” she laughed.

The couple married in St Joseph’s Church, Carrickmacross, on September 12, 2013, before celebrating with family and friends in Darver Castle, where their friend Brendan McCahey provided the soundtrack to their first dance.

They packed plenty into the years they shared together, travelling across America on a road trip, visiting Asia several times and exploring Europe before welcoming their son, Daniel.

Now seven years old, Daniel is already following in his father’s musical footsteps. He made his stage debut with Rising Stars Stage School last December, while his grandfather Paul will perform with Companions during Sunday’s festival.

Music, Emilia says, runs through the family.

Martin’s own health battle began when he noticed problems with his dexterity. Tests revealed a slow-growing benign brain tumour. While surgery was not possible, he responded well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy before later developing a pulmonary embolism.

“He was in hospital and we were told he’d be home in a few days’ time. Then he went into cardiac arrest. It was unexpected,” Emilia recalled.

Martin was just 41 years when he died in May 2021.

Reflecting on the man behind the music, Emilia’s memories remain as vivid today as they were four years ago.

“Honestly, he was the most caring, loving, fun person. He had a big talent and an even bigger personality. He was an amazing husband and the best daddy. He always made time for everyone and everything. I married my best friend. You hear of love like that in stories and songs, but I lived it every day with Murty.”

Long before Murty’s Mates Live began, Martin had been a committed supporter of Carrickmacross Cancer Society, helping raise almost €42,000 through initiatives including Stars in Their Eyes.

It made perfect sense, Emilia said, that the festival created in his honour would continue supporting the same cause.

Many of the musicians who shared stages with Martin over the years continue to return to Carrickmacross every July in tribute to their friend. After Dark, one of the bands with which Martin performed, have appeared at every Murty’s Mates Live and will again headline this year’s event.

Emilia smiles when she recalls that the weather has somehow always favoured the festival.

One year, while thunderstorms lashed nearby Kingscourt, Callan’s of the Bridge remained completely dry.

“It was like there was a dome over us,” she said. “I believe that was Murty smiling down on us.”

This year’s line-up also includes Bluemoose, Bitz N Pieces, Keys N’ Strings, Debbie Kelly, The Mundays and a Tina Turner Tribute.

Doors open at 2pm, with music continuing throughout the afternoon and evening. Admission is €25, with all proceeds benefiting Carrickmacross Cancer Society. Food vendors, outdoor bars and a raffle featuring prizes including a television will also form part of the day’s entertainment. Organisers remind patrons that the venue will operate on a cash-only basis, and everyone attending is encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, enjoy the atmosphere and, if the mood takes them, get up and dance.

Everyone attending with a festival wristband will also receive free entry to Abhaile, Carrickmacross’ new late bar and nightclub, after the event.