Ailbhe MURPHY

My dearest Ailbhe,
there is a book that I already ordered twice and started 4 times. It is called “A Year to Live” by Stephen Levine: “On his deathbed, Socrates exhorted his followers to practice dying as the highest form of wisdom. Levine decided to live this way himself for a whole year, and now he shares with us how such immediacy radically changes our view of the world and forces us to examine our priorities. Most of us go to extraordinary lengths to ignore, laugh off, or deny the fact that we are going to die, but preparing for death is one of the most rational and rewarding acts of a lifetime. It is an exercise that gives us the opportunity to deal with unfinished business and enter into a new and vibrant relationship with life. ...”
I never asked you if you know this book but when we went for a walk in spring 2023, along the seaside in Bray, I had the impression you were so 100% present to the moment and aware of a process that demanded total surrender and devotion... You were already in the highest form of wisdom.
Ailbhe, you live on in and with us. Not many people are so interwoven in the lives of others, but you are. It makes me happy to come almost everywhere across people who knew you, quote you, have you in mind when taking certain decision. What would Ailbhe do in this situation, what would she say… Thank you so so much for having interwoven yourself into my life, dear Ailbhe. Thank you and blessed were you! With love from Susanne

Gareth and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our lovely neighbour, Ailbhe. Ailbhe was so funny and kind, and her warm presence will be sorely missed. She was always so welcoming and kind, and so thoughtful when we welcomed our second and third daughters giving us fabulous books which our children adore reading at night. We always shared a chat and some laughs out the front while she tended to the garden.

We send out heartfelt condolences during this difficult time to Ciarán, Luke and Ailbhe's family and many friends. May you all find comfort in the cherished memories of Ailbhe whose warmth and kindness touched us all. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will forever remain in our hearts. Sending our love -

Sincere condolences to Ciaran, Luke, Orlagh and Garech and Ailbhe's wider family, friends and colleagues. Ailbhe was an extraordinary practitioner, a visionary, pioneering artist with an incredible level of integrity and grace. Her creativity, intelligence, insight and eloquence has had a profound impact and has made a tremendous contribution to the arts and the field of socially engaged and collaborative practice.
I am privileged to have known and worked with Ailbhe over many decades beginning with Unspoken Truths and in more recent years through her work with Create. It was such a pleasure to have known her, her natural warmth, dry wit and humour as well as her rigorous intellect and generosity and care. I will miss her.

I am deeply saddened to hear that Ailbhe is no longer with us. A mutual friend consoled me by saying, "She will always be with us in different ways."

I will never forget that long, beautiful day we spent together walking around Budapest. It was the final day of a several-year-long international project, CAPP, led by Ailbhe. She was warm and kind, with a great sense of humour. We had a wonderful time.

After the project ended, we talked many times and became friends, making plans for the future.

Thank you for everything, and rest in peace, dear Ailbhe. My sincere condolences to your family.

Im shocked and very sad to hear of Ailbhe's death - she was a brilliant and beautiful person - we worked together in NCAD and DIT

Ailbhe was an oak tree. She nourished so many other lives within her vast canopy of knowledge, courage, endurance and generosity. Ailbhe knew how to make people feel seen within her gaze, and held within her warmth in a remarkable way. She seemed made up of integrity and determination, and also mischief and fun. This, I remember thinking, is a wise person who knows how to live; courageous and wholehearted. She will be so deeply missed, and may all of us in the community so deeply affected by her continue to live and work on in her legacy.
Rest in peace dear Ailbhe.
Chomhbhrón ó chroí oraibh, Ciaran, Luke agus a muintir.

We, in LYCS are so saddened to hear of Ailbhe’s untimely passing. Ailbhe arrived in LYCS like a gentle breath of fresh air in the 1990’s. She brought with her a whole new way of approaching community arts as she engaged with women who lived in the north inner city. She enabled them to translate their lived experiences into the most innovative works of art as part of the Unspoken Truths exhibition. She gave agency to their authentic voice which had previously been seldom heard. Her legacy continues to influence how we facilitate local people to use art as a means of positive expression and to influence community activism. And it will go on and on. Thank you Ailbhe. Sincere condolences to your family.

I am so sorry to hear of Ailbhe's passing, my deepest sympathies to her family, Ailbhe was such a genuine advocate for socially engaged practice in the arts, she was held in great esteem and will be missed.

Deepest sympathy to all of Dr Ailbhe's family and friends. May she rest in peace. RIP.

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ailbhe. Our most sincere condolences to Ciaran, Luke and Family at this very sad time.RIP Ailbhe

My sincere sympathy Ciaran and Luke on the loss of your beloved Ailbhe, beloved of so many in the Irish arts scene, especially socially engaged practice a field in which she was a great leader and inspiring example. A person of graceful intelligence, creativity, insight, natural warmth and humour which infused all she did. I am privileged to have known and worked with her on occasion, I wish there had been more opportunities. She was uniquely brilliant and beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss.

My heartfelt condolences to Ciarán, Luke, extended family and friends. I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Ailbhes passing. She was such an inspiring figure and shining light in socially engaged arts practice throughout the country and beyond. Her warmth, generosity, kind and creative spitit and practice have left a beautiful and deep imprint for creatives and communities everywhere and will shine on.

What a lovely person, lovely spirit. I am so sorry to hear Ailbhe died.
Condolences to her husband and son.

Dear Ailbhe, I will never forget that beautiful sunny day we spent together in West Cork, island-hopping from early morning until late evening. Land, sea, sky,..poetry, politics and scallops,..you seemed even more serene than usual that day. Like the ferry on that glorious journey, you were always in motion, always in flux, always making connections, between people, communities, and disciplines, between roots and routes. Your grace and strength will be a continuous source of inspiration. My deepest sympathies to Ciarán and Luke and Family.

Words don't do justice to the character that Ailbhe was. Her warmth and her kindness, her humour and wit, her creative spark, Ailbhe's presence anywhere was always wonderful and her absence will be dearly missed.
My deepest sympathies to Ciarán and Luke and family. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Sincere sympathies to Ailbhe's family and many collaborators. We crossed paths briefly only creatively and Ailbhe was a memorable presence, and I know she was so greatly admired by so many. I always intended having a longer conversation with her. Very sad to read of Ailbhe's passing.

Dear Ciaran and Luke, my deepest sympathies on the death of Ailbhe. I will always remember the various adventures during City Researches and our various encounters in Mayo, especially in McGing's! It was a real shock to hear that she has gone far too soon, but the memories will definitely live on. Wishing you all the strength and hope you need for the days ahead, and thinking of you.

My deepest heartfelt condolences to Ciaran and Luke. Ailbhe was adored by so many; and her legacy will live on for years to come.

Ailbhe’s contribution to the field of socially engaged art was colossal. She was well known in Ireland and overseas for her practice, writing, and her captivating lectures. Ailbhe was a true intellect, well read, and socially responsive; she applied this in whatever she turned her hand to. Her presence was felt by many when she entered a room, one instantly felt at ease, and ready to get to work.

We both shared the same dark humour; and I recall many ongoing jokes over the years. Early on in my career Ailbhe once told me, “the sky’s the limit for you”, and those words have stayed with me ever since. Much love and everlasting affection to you Ailbhe. Rest in power.

My deepest heartfelt condolences to Ciaran and Luke on the passing of your partner and mother Ailbhe.
I had the pleasure of working with Ailbhe and Ciaran on many projects over the years in Rialto Youth Project. Ailbhe was a kind, funny, articulate, intelligent woman. With a huge love of humanity and a strong sense of social justice. I am saddened to hear of Ailbhe’s passing. I will remember her for the warrior woman she was.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
Love to Ciara and Luke
Nichola

Oh Ailbhe. The world is going to miss you so much. Thank goodness you made such a mark on it that your legacy will be felt by all of us for ever. I’ve spent the days since hearing the saddest of sad news re-reading our many email exchanges since we started working together on CAPP, and marvelling yet again at your leadership, your generosity, your compassion, your integrity, your vision, your camaraderie, your wit and your charm. You had so many rare and precious gifts and you worked that miracle of making me feel good about myself and proud of the work I was doing – very few people have had that impact on me. I will value everything about you until my last breath and feel so lucky and so blessed to have known you. The beautiful service was a wonderful tribute to one of the finest human beings I have ever known.

Ailbhe - the world was brighter with you in it. My memories of being with you, working with you on the CAPP pprogramne over four years will never diminish. I loved your Intellect, your wit and your wicked sense of humour was a joy. Your professionalism, deep understanding of the creative process and your humanity was and always will be inspirational for me. You were and are loved. My deepest sympathy to family and friends for your loss.

Dear Ciaran and Luke. So sorry to hear of Ailbhe passing.
Im sure her great love for you will sustain you thoughout your lives. May you be comforted.
Ailbhe- beautiful soul. Rest in peace.

I am absolutely shocked to hear of Ailbhes passing. Had not heard of her illness. Sincere condolences to Luke and her much loved son. Lovely memories of her positivity, creativity, kindness and fun on her visits to Buncrana. May her friends and families be comforted by happy memories. Rest in peace Ailbhe.

I’m so sorry and still stunned to learn of Ailbhe’s death. She was a wonderful person, hugely talented and hugely generous in her engagement with others. It was a real pleasure and privilege to have worked with her on various art education initiatives. Deepest sympathy to Ciaran, Luke and family.

Words cannot express how saddened I am to hear of Ailbhe's passing. She was my beautiful cousin, full of fun and very talented.
I have wonderful memories of us in our younger days.
Our deepest sympathies to Ciaran, Luke, Orlaigh and Garech.
Thinking of you at this difficult time

I had the pleasure and joy of working with Ailbhe through our collaborative work with the Irish Architecture Foundation and Create. She was an absolute class act. So generous, kind and sharp as a tack. I am bereft that she has left us so early, it feels so cruel. Luke and Ciaran, know that she always spoke of you so highly and with such love and respect. I am so sorry for your enormous loss. All my love and deepest sympathy now and always.

Deeply saddened to hear of Ailbhe’s untimely passing. I was a student at NCAD when Ailbhe was lecturing on the MA SEA course. What an inspiration she was at that time. I later had the privilege of joining her team at Create and working alongside her for a while. Such a visionary, as well as a pioneering artist with an incredible level of integrity that never faltered. Her insight, intelligence and profound eloquence was truly amazing, and her warmth, smile and dry wit will remain with me. What a tremendous contribution and legacy she has given to the arts and the field of practice. What a pleasure to have known her. With heartfelt sympathy to Ciaran and Luke at this terribly sad time and sincerest condolences to Ailbhe’s sister, brother and extended family and many friends.

Dear Ailbhe, today in Šančiai a candle was lit for your journey home. It set fire to a flood of memories of sitting around feasts in City Arts, in Fatima, in Ballymun, in Kassel, Kulautuva and here too. Yes, Yes, Yes, you always cook​ed up something that gifted us the joy of hope, most especially in Connawood huddled together with your loved one​s. No, No, No, we will not ​say good bye​ to you.

So very sad to hear, Ailbhe was a very talented & very kind classmate in NCAD painting. It has always been so interesting to follow the many achievements of her career. Sincerest condolences to Ciaran & to Luke.

Ailbhe was a beacon who worked tirelessly to support artists and change the world for the better. Her strength, intelligence, warmth and super smile was like no other. She has left an immense mark on all who knew her and the visual arts in Ireland is so so much richer because of her. She is gone far too soon. I’m so sorry Ciaran and Luke, you’re in our thoughts at this terrible time.

So sad and sorry to hear the very sad news.
So happy to know her through the Arts and of course the sea swimming on Bray beach.. So glad to meet Ciaran.. So sorry for his and their son Luke's loss.. Take good care, Ciaran and Family.. Pat Mac Allister.. Artist and Bray sea swimmer.

I want to send my deepest sympathies to Ailbhe's family at this saddest of times. I had the pleasure of meeting Ailbhe several times through her work at Create and afterwards. She had that rare combination of searing intelligence, humanity and humour. One important example of her brilliant work was the lecture she gave at the 10 year celebration of the Artist in the Community 'Situation Room: Critical Cartographies for Engaged Practice'. It's a great example of her brilliance.

It was impossible not to be drawn in by Ailbhe's wonderful elegance of thought, eloquence of speech and gracefulness of being. The light and joy her very presence brought to any room she entered will remain with me forever. As will her exquisite use of language in her writing and her untold passion for making art that matters.

writer and thinker, bell hooks, suggests that 'The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is- it’s to imagine what is possible'. I always felt Ailbhe had a special gift for enabling artists, cultural workers and the communities they worked with to do just that. She will be sorely missed but her memory will continue to be a blessing. RIP. With love.

Very sad to hear of Ailbhe’s passing.Great memories of all the Murphy clan from long ago.
Mark Ryan

Cork City Council Arts Office extend our sincere condolences to Ailbhe’s family and friends as well as the wide network of communities and practitioners that have been profoundly and positively impacted by her creativity, intellect, professional diligence and care. It has been a great privilege to work with Ailbhe while she was in the role of director at Create between 2015-2022. Her personal practice as an artist, researcher and mentor has been an inspiration in the field of radical and critical arts engagement. May she rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Ailbhe's husband and son, Ciaran and Luke, and to Orlagh and Garech. Ailbhe was a wonderful person and growing up together as children and through school she was always such a lovely fun and really talented girl. Rest in peace Ailbhe.

Sincerest condolences to Ailbhe’s family. Her grace, integrity, passion and commitment to the arts sector will be remembered and valued for the huge impact she made. RIP Ailbhe.

So so sorry to hear of ailbhe,s passing, she was a fabulous student nurse, great fun, lots of divilment,😂 was always destined to reach the dizzy heights in her career as an artist, condolences to all her family🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜

So so sorry for your loss. Always welcoming, Ailbhe’s ambition, impact & honesty in her approach to thinking & making art as an artist, researcher & director since 90’s , have informed a generation of contemporary artists with participative art practices. Honoured we had the opportunity to share work & many fun times. On behalf of all MTU Crawford College of Art & Design.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Ailbhe, I only met her once in Tuam through Creative places Tuam. Her warm handshake and kind words about the work I do there with the Traveller community really touched me.Heaven has gained another Artist.

Please accept deepest sympathies of all in the OPW Art Management Office. Our thoughts are with Ailbhe's family and friends at this sad time.

My sincere condolences to Ailbhes beloved, Ciaran, her family and her many many friends. Remembering her as a beacon of integrity, warmth, and graceful active intelligence. A true change maker. May her wonderful spirit shine on, and be with us all.

To Ciaran and Luke and all the extended family. I am so sorry hear of your loss. It was always great to meet Ailbhe and I remember the great work she did with the Words Are My Prisoner Project along with Ciaran in 2009. It was a big benefit to a lot of disabled people in Mayo. My sincere sympathy to Ciaran and Luke on their loss. Cathal Mc Carthy Visual Artist Co Mayo.

Fondest memories of our time as student nurses in Baggot Street hospital. Ailbhe was a kind and caring nurse and liked by everyone. Condolences to Ciaran, Luke and all the Murphy family

Ailbhe was such a beautifully warm, witty and intelligent presence. I always came away heartened and encouraged by our encounters. Such integrity and generosity of spirit and practice. Sincere condolences to Ciaran, Luke and family

I am so sorry for your loss Ciaran,Luke & families.I had the privelage of meeting you both as artists and experiencing Ailbhe as a cultural leader in her role at Create.She was a unique combination of warmth,intellect, & grace.I was so struck by her commitment to ensuring that collaborative/socially engaged arts practice in Ireland was aligned with critical connections and contexts in the UK Europe & the US and this commiment raised the practice for so many in Ireland,careers were made,changes permanent,futures brighter,she has left an incredible legacy and will continue to be a light to guide us forward.May she Rest in Peace & Power

I am very sad that the world has lost such an exceptional artist and inspirational woman Deepest sympathy to her whole family. Her work, warmth and goodness will continue to ripple through the world for many years to come

Heartfelt love and condolences to Ciaran, Luke and all of Ailbhe’s friends and family. Ailbhe was a great challenger, guiding light and listener. She always made time when there appeared to be no time. Her last show with Vagabond is testament to her rigorous and intelligent thinking and her capacity to work deeply with many, many people. It has been a pleasure to work with her, be inspired by her and to learn from her over many decades, starting with Unspoken Truths and in the last few years her residency in Fatima with Vagabond and Ciaran and the Just City. While we are all at a loss, let’s all swim like Ailbhe and remember her.

Sincere condolences to Ciaran, Luke, Orlagh and Garech and Ailbhe's wider family and friends. We are so sorry for your loss.

We were so shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Ailbhe, who we remember as such a kind and lovely person. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Ciaran, Luke and all of Ailbhe's family on such a terrible loss. Her mighty spirit will live on. Tim, Michelle and Felix Rogers-Cookson.

Ailbhe was a funny, generous and visionary guide and mentor. It really was an honour to know her and be part of her team. It all became possible with her when she believed in you, she will be dearly missed.

Very sorry and sad to hear about Ailbhe’s passing. I remember her in NCAD when we were students and although I didn’t know her well we would always have a few nice words meeting along the way since those times. She had a beautiful presence and was a lovely soul. Rest in peace and condolences to her partner and son .

Our hearts are saddened to hear the passing of Ailbhe,You have our deepest condolences for the loss of such a wonderful person.

My deepest sympathies to Ailbhe's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. The impact that Ailbhe has made on the arts and in communities across Ireland is enormous and will ripple on. I will always remember her nurturing warmth, effortless intelligence and keen strategic mind. I feel honoured to have witnessed her force.

Ailbhe was a wonderful,, funny,,caring person, who always put others first.
We were so lucky to have our time with Ailbhe and all the Murphy family.We will never forget the kindness she showed to the Smyth family.
Our love goes out to Ciaran and Luke.

Sincere condolences to all of Ailbhe's family on her sad loss. I hope that her positive energy and kindness continues to comfort you all at this difficult time. RIP Ailbhe

My sincere and deepest condolences to Alibhe’s family on such a sad loss. Rest in Peace Ailbhe

What a terrible, terrible loss. I am so very sad to hear this news. Ailbhe was an extraordinary practitioner, a generous colleague and a wonderful woman. I cannot believe she has been taken from us. My deepest condolences to Ciaran and Luke, to her family, friends, colleagues and wider community who will grieve her loss. May she rest in peace.

Deeply saddened by Ailbhe’s untimely passing. She was such a wonderful, bright, supportive and encouraging woman; a beacon of wisdom, insight and eloquence always. What a legacy she leaves.

Mo chomhbhrón ort a Chiarán agus bhur mac.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam.

Very sad to hear this news, first met her as a warm and kind student colleague in NCAD, such a calm presence and a very good painter, she went on to be a pioneer of collaborative arts in Ireland, and has left a legacy of good work, exchanges and memories across the Irish art world.