Heritage Cork Estate with Traditional Musical Legacy at Heart of Major Community Proposal

The Murphy family of Leap, Churchtown have announced a major legacy proposal that would see their original family home, dating from the 1840s, together with almost all of the farmyard and 55 acres of adjoining land, transferred into a not-for-profit community company in perpetuity. 

A 32‑page Discussion Document on the Proposal is now available to download at www.bossmurphyheritage.org.

The proposed Boss Murphy Estate is located at “The Leap”, the former home of John Francis “Boss” Murphy (1875–1955), a farmer and fiddle player who compiled by candlelight a unique manuscript collection of traditional music in North Cork during the 1930s. His collections covers both his own and his father - Wiliam Boss Murphy’s (1831-1911)  - repertoire so covers the period 1850-1930. Without John’s archive, much of the areas musical heritage would have been lost.

“The Boss Murphy Musical Legacy”, was compiled by Dr Colette Moloney and published in 2003.  A selection of the tunes were recorded and released by the All‑Ireland winning Shandrum Céilí Band in 2019, cementing John Francis Boss Murphy’s  place in Ireland’s traditional musical heritage.

As part of the proposal, nine acres of land is to be allocated to Saint Mary’s Ladies Football Club for the development of a dedicated pitch and headquarters. Subject to planning permission Saint Mary’s would then become one of only a handful of Ladies Gaelic Football Club to own their pitch and facilities in Ireland. The Discussion Document also highlights the potential for additional sports-related development on the estate over time.

The purchase and handover of the estate will be financed by the Boss Murphy Community Fund, a philanthropic endowment established in 2022 by the Murphy family and managed by Community Foundation Ireland. The Fund has sufficient resources to fund the purchase of  the homestead and 23 acres, submit a planning application, and begin the initial restoration of the farmyard. In addition, the Murphy family will gift a further 32 acres, including the nine acres lands earmarked for St Mary’s Ladies Gaelic Football Club.

The Discussion Document outlines a broad range of potential long-term uses for the estate, including cultural, heritage, theatrical, educational, organic and sporting activities, all to be delivered within a not-for-profit framework.

The Boss Murphy Legacy is inspired by landmark Irish philanthropic initiatives, including the gift of Airfield Estate in Dundrum to the nation in 1974, and the more recent bequest of Bellefield House and Gardens in County Offaly to the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland. The Murphy family sees the Churchtown proposal as a modest rural counterpart, that will be developed incrementally over time on a sustainable not-for-profit basis.

Padraig Casey, CEO of Ballyhoura Development CLG, said:
“This is a unique and forward-looking proposal that has the potential to create a lasting legacy for Churchtown and the wider region. Gerry Murphy’s contribution to local development since 1997 has been exceptional, and this new legacy initiative builds on that work in a way that will benefit future generations. Ballyhoura Development is pleased to support the Expressions of Interest process.”

Speaking on behalf of the Murphy family at the announcement, Gerry Murphy said:
 “Just short of thirty years working on the renewal of Churchtown, a moment of destiny has arrived for the Murphy family who have operated the farm at “The Lea”’ since the early 1850s. For the past 27 years the land has been farmed organically by my brothers Pat and Michael. Sadly, Pat died on 10 March 2026, and Michael has now decided to retire. This opens an opportunity to deliver on our dream for the homestead and a substantial part of the lands to move into community ownership in perpetuity."

Call for Expressions of Interest

Expressions of Interest are now invited from established not-for-profit organisations, charities and institutions with the vision and capacity to steward this unique legacy asset.

Submissions will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Boss Murphy Estate, informing a focused development plan and Feasibility Study to be published in 2027.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 31 August 2026, with submissions to be collated and shortlisted by Ballyhoura Development CLG.

Interested parties are strongly encouraged to review the full Discussion Document before making a submission www.bossmurphyheritage.org