Murray, Loretta Clarke, -2017

CLARKE MURRAY (late of Smithstown House, Kilfian, Ballina and Enniscoe House, Castlehill, Ballina), April 10, 2017, Loretta, beloved wife of the late Gerald, sister of Ian and the late Jackie, deeply regretted by her beloved God daughter Inez Flynn, family and her many friends. R.I.P. Funeral Service tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 12.30pm in St. Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina. Burial afterwards in Leigue Cemetery.

<p>The death has been announced of Loretta Clarke Murray, the noted Co. Mayo based collector of Irish history, jewellery, art and books.
In her eighties, she passed away at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar. She was a sister of the late Jackie Clarke whose collection on Irish history, which is open to the public in Ballina, is a unique draw to the north Mayo capital. Loretta Clarke Murray assisted the Burns Library in Boston College with acquiring first class collections on 'Revolutionary Women', females associated with the 1916 Rising. These most notably included Maud Gonne, Margaret Skinnider, Molly Gill and Cumann na mBan members. She also sourced the bulk of the Burns Library collection of Cuala Press materials. </p>
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A committed Republican, Ms. Clarke stood as an independent in the local elections in 2011 to highlight the difficulties facing the elderly. She was prominent in the campaign to retain buildings in Moore Street, Dublin, associated with the 1916 Rising. Ms. Murray was predeceased by her husband, Gerald, and her brother Jackie. Formerly of Smithstown House, Kilfian, Ballina, she had been residing in recent times at Enniscoe House near Crossmolina. She will be laid to rest on Thursday in Leigue Cemtery, Ballina, following Requiem Mass at 12.30 p.m. in St. Muredach's Cathedral. </p>