A TRIBUTE TO JIMMY AND MAUREEN MURRAY
WHO TOGETHER CREATED THE
IRISH BLIND GOLF SOCIETY
Jimmy and Maureen Murray have followed a philosophy throughout their life; if you do nothing, you get nothing. They have lived in Greenhills, Dublin for over thirty years. They have experienced a very different Ireland through the last seven decades. Teeing is Believing will tell the
charming story of Jimmy and Maureen Murray and how living their lives in a blind Ireland has make them the people they are today.
Maureen was born with very limited vision. There was a stigma attached to blindness. “I cycled everywhere when I lived in Monaghan, I don’t know how I wasn’t killed”. At the age of 11 she moved to Dublin and become a boarder at St
Mary’s School for the Blind. “This was a breath for fresh air, I could finally live my life as a blind person”. She would return to Monaghan for summer holidays once a year. “It was tough, but I survived”. By Maureen’s mid-teens she was completely blind.
Jimmy is originally from Kilkenny. When he was born, Jimmy could see, but he still isn’t sure how much he could see. “I am not sure if it was always bad, I just knew no different.” When he was in 1st year in the local CBS, it was
discovered that his sight was deteriorating. Blind schooling just wasn’t available so Jimmy moved to Dublin and went to St Joseph’s in Drumcondra. Jimmy is now very partially sighted.
From a very early age Maureen was a keen ballroom dancer and in 1973 she was at a dinner dance in Tara Towers and so was Jimmy. “Jimmy asked me to buy him a pint, the cheek of him and then he asked me to dance, we have been together ever since.” It was a whirlwind romance and within a year they were married and living in Greenhills. Brendan their only son arrived two years later. Job opportunities for both were very slim. There were three
options, factory work, telephonist or work in sheltered employed. Jimmy opted to work in Blindcraft and Maureen worked as a telephonist in Ulster Bank. After 17 years in Ulster Bank, Maureen stepped aside to make way for
Jimmy. “I had to train him in before I left”.
They have striven all their lives not to be defined by blindness and as new technologies were introduced they embraced them, they were and are willing to try anything. The most adventurous thing Jimmy took up was golf and
together they run the Irish Blind Golf Society. While Jimmy is out on the green, Maureen looks after the administration on her computer that talks back to her. Remarkably Jimmy walks from the house, through Tymon Park to the Spawell for his weekly practice sessions, he has mapped the route in his mind. There are currently eight participating
blind golfers in Ireland, but Jimmy is keen to increase these numbers. He is usually joined on the practice green by fellow blind golfer Ian Corr and their two guides Gus and Paddy. The humour is second to none and Paddy will often comment, “Jesus Jimmy that was a great shot, I think you can see”.
Maureen takes great pride in her appearance and she is a real lady. Her attention to detail is unbelievable. Their home is perfect, everything has its place. Recently they have experienced two losses. Brendan lived with them
until he moved to Australia. From an early age they were conscious, particularly Maureen, not to burden Brendan with their blindness. Brendan had a right to have his own life, just like his parents. Over the years Maureen had three guide dogs. However her most recent; Shannon passed away a few months ago. “I lost a true companion and I miss her terribly”.
Jimmy and Maureen are a very loving couple and they are true friends. Sitting in their sunny sitting room, after 35 years together, they still laugh and joke with one another. Sometimes it can be difficult to get help, because people are so busy with their own lives. They both feel that as they get older, being blind is a bit of a nuisance. Their hearing is getting a little weak too, but their good nature and enthusiasm for life will never leave them.
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charming story of Jimmy and Maureen Murray and how living their lives in a blind Ireland has make them the people they are today.
Maureen was born with very limited vision. There was a stigma attached to blindness. “I cycled everywhere when I lived in Monaghan, I don’t know how I wasn’t killed”. At the age of 11 she moved to Dublin and become a boarder at St
Mary’s School for the Blind. “This was a breath for fresh air, I could finally live my life as a blind person”. She would return to Monaghan for summer holidays once a year. “It was tough, but I survived”. By Maureen’s mid-teens she was completely blind.
Jimmy is originally from Kilkenny. When he was born, Jimmy could see, but he still isn’t sure how much he could see. “I am not sure if it was always bad, I just knew no different.” When he was in 1st year in the local CBS, it was
discovered that his sight was deteriorating. Blind schooling just wasn’t available so Jimmy moved to Dublin and went to St Joseph’s in Drumcondra. Jimmy is now very partially sighted.
From a very early age Maureen was a keen ballroom dancer and in 1973 she was at a dinner dance in Tara Towers and so was Jimmy. “Jimmy asked me to buy him a pint, the cheek of him and then he asked me to dance, we have been together ever since.” It was a whirlwind romance and within a year they were married and living in Greenhills. Brendan their only son arrived two years later. Job opportunities for both were very slim. There were three
options, factory work, telephonist or work in sheltered employed. Jimmy opted to work in Blindcraft and Maureen worked as a telephonist in Ulster Bank. After 17 years in Ulster Bank, Maureen stepped aside to make way for
Jimmy. “I had to train him in before I left”.
They have striven all their lives not to be defined by blindness and as new technologies were introduced they embraced them, they were and are willing to try anything. The most adventurous thing Jimmy took up was golf and
together they run the Irish Blind Golf Society. While Jimmy is out on the green, Maureen looks after the administration on her computer that talks back to her. Remarkably Jimmy walks from the house, through Tymon Park to the Spawell for his weekly practice sessions, he has mapped the route in his mind. There are currently eight participating
blind golfers in Ireland, but Jimmy is keen to increase these numbers. He is usually joined on the practice green by fellow blind golfer Ian Corr and their two guides Gus and Paddy. The humour is second to none and Paddy will often comment, “Jesus Jimmy that was a great shot, I think you can see”.
Maureen takes great pride in her appearance and she is a real lady. Her attention to detail is unbelievable. Their home is perfect, everything has its place. Recently they have experienced two losses. Brendan lived with them
until he moved to Australia. From an early age they were conscious, particularly Maureen, not to burden Brendan with their blindness. Brendan had a right to have his own life, just like his parents. Over the years Maureen had three guide dogs. However her most recent; Shannon passed away a few months ago. “I lost a true companion and I miss her terribly”.
Jimmy and Maureen are a very loving couple and they are true friends. Sitting in their sunny sitting room, after 35 years together, they still laugh and joke with one another. Sometimes it can be difficult to get help, because people are so busy with their own lives. They both feel that as they get older, being blind is a bit of a nuisance. Their hearing is getting a little weak too, but their good nature and enthusiasm for life will never leave them.
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A Brief History of Blind Golf in Ireland The Irish Blind Golf Society (1991 - 2010)
Recalled by founder member Jimmy Murray in January 2010
First Steps
In 1991, Northern Ireland Blind Golf (NIBGA) organised the British Blind Golf Open in Donaghadee. They contacted Irish Blind Sports to enquire if Ireland had any golfers interested in taking part. Jimmy Murray was on the Irish Blind Sports’ committee at the time, and set about finding some blind and visually impaired golfers in Ireland. An announcement was made on the radio programme, “Listen and See,” and in Jimmy's words, "it went on from there.”
First Blind Golfers
A number of people stepped forward to participate in golf, some experienced and some who were new to the game. The first blind golfers in Ireland were Jimmy Murray, Frank McDougall, Sam McMahon, Eddie Byrne (RIP), John Fennelly, Owen Kyne and Seamus Ryan. The Spawell in Templeogue became the centre of activity for the first years. John Nolan, a brother of RTE’s Liam Nolan, set up the relationship with the Spawell. For many years, the Spawell supported blind golfers, offering free practice and meeting facilities.
The first golf outing on an 18 whole course took place in Woodbrook.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind and the European Open
This fundraising event was organised by the Irish Guide Dogs (Dublin) at the Spawell. It occurred at the time of the European Open, held at the K Club. This attracted some of the world’s top golfers to play in an exhibition match against Ireland's Blind Golfers. It was facilitated by Padraig Harrington's caddie John O’Reilly, and supported by NCBI director, Jimmy O’Hanlon. Professional golfers taking part in this event included Lee Westwood, Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Bernard Langer, Padraig Harrington and Paul, McGinley. Just to even things up the professional golfers wore blindfolds. This took place each year between 1995 and 2000.
The Irish Blind Golf Open
For several years, it took place in Bray. Mt Juliet was the venue in 1998, and Turvey in 1999. The event was supported annually by the NCBI and for two years by the National Lottery. Golfers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England participated. By staging this event, Irish Blind Golf Society established itself as a strong force in the international blind golf community, which is administered by the International Blind Golf Association.
Birth of The Constitution of the Society
Around this time, the first constitution was written. This document was prepared with the assistance of the legal department of Ulster Bank, and set out the structure of the society. For the first time in Ireland, the means by which golf may be played by blind and visually impaired people was written down.
Role of Honour
The following represents the main achievements of the Irish Blind Golf Societys’ golfers.
World Championship representatives 1990 – 2008: F. McDougall, D. Doyle (RIP), J. Fennelly, J. Murray
Ireland v Scotland Challenge match 2001: F. McDougall, J. Murray, W. Roode, P. O’Rahilly.
Celtic Cup 2009: W. Roode, P. O’Rahilly.
Irish Open 1998 winner: W. Roode
Irish Open 1999 winner: P. O’Rahilly
British Masters 1999 winner: P. O’Rahilly
Irish Blind Golf Society in 2010
In recent times, the Irish Blind Golf Society has been restructured. This has been facilitated by prominent members, P. Gorey (chairman), and I. Corr (captain). There are currently 8 playing members, plus associates. The Constitution has been updated. A development programme is focusing on the Munster region. New members are being sought out. The immediate goal of the society is to host the 2011 Celtic Cup match against Scotland. We continue to build on the good work of Jimmy and Maureen Murray.
Guides
At the 2009 captains' dinner, Ian Corr described our guides as the extra club in the bag. Guides are associate members and the society could not function without them.
Irish Blind Golf Society's longstanding guides include Tom Brisling and Brian Schweppe, John Kennedy, Gus Sealy, Paddy Higgins and Joe (not the lob wedge!) O’Reilly.
Recalled by founder member Jimmy Murray in January 2010
First Steps
In 1991, Northern Ireland Blind Golf (NIBGA) organised the British Blind Golf Open in Donaghadee. They contacted Irish Blind Sports to enquire if Ireland had any golfers interested in taking part. Jimmy Murray was on the Irish Blind Sports’ committee at the time, and set about finding some blind and visually impaired golfers in Ireland. An announcement was made on the radio programme, “Listen and See,” and in Jimmy's words, "it went on from there.”
First Blind Golfers
A number of people stepped forward to participate in golf, some experienced and some who were new to the game. The first blind golfers in Ireland were Jimmy Murray, Frank McDougall, Sam McMahon, Eddie Byrne (RIP), John Fennelly, Owen Kyne and Seamus Ryan. The Spawell in Templeogue became the centre of activity for the first years. John Nolan, a brother of RTE’s Liam Nolan, set up the relationship with the Spawell. For many years, the Spawell supported blind golfers, offering free practice and meeting facilities.
The first golf outing on an 18 whole course took place in Woodbrook.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind and the European Open
This fundraising event was organised by the Irish Guide Dogs (Dublin) at the Spawell. It occurred at the time of the European Open, held at the K Club. This attracted some of the world’s top golfers to play in an exhibition match against Ireland's Blind Golfers. It was facilitated by Padraig Harrington's caddie John O’Reilly, and supported by NCBI director, Jimmy O’Hanlon. Professional golfers taking part in this event included Lee Westwood, Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Bernard Langer, Padraig Harrington and Paul, McGinley. Just to even things up the professional golfers wore blindfolds. This took place each year between 1995 and 2000.
The Irish Blind Golf Open
For several years, it took place in Bray. Mt Juliet was the venue in 1998, and Turvey in 1999. The event was supported annually by the NCBI and for two years by the National Lottery. Golfers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England participated. By staging this event, Irish Blind Golf Society established itself as a strong force in the international blind golf community, which is administered by the International Blind Golf Association.
Birth of The Constitution of the Society
Around this time, the first constitution was written. This document was prepared with the assistance of the legal department of Ulster Bank, and set out the structure of the society. For the first time in Ireland, the means by which golf may be played by blind and visually impaired people was written down.
Role of Honour
The following represents the main achievements of the Irish Blind Golf Societys’ golfers.
World Championship representatives 1990 – 2008: F. McDougall, D. Doyle (RIP), J. Fennelly, J. Murray
Ireland v Scotland Challenge match 2001: F. McDougall, J. Murray, W. Roode, P. O’Rahilly.
Celtic Cup 2009: W. Roode, P. O’Rahilly.
Irish Open 1998 winner: W. Roode
Irish Open 1999 winner: P. O’Rahilly
British Masters 1999 winner: P. O’Rahilly
Irish Blind Golf Society in 2010
In recent times, the Irish Blind Golf Society has been restructured. This has been facilitated by prominent members, P. Gorey (chairman), and I. Corr (captain). There are currently 8 playing members, plus associates. The Constitution has been updated. A development programme is focusing on the Munster region. New members are being sought out. The immediate goal of the society is to host the 2011 Celtic Cup match against Scotland. We continue to build on the good work of Jimmy and Maureen Murray.
Guides
At the 2009 captains' dinner, Ian Corr described our guides as the extra club in the bag. Guides are associate members and the society could not function without them.
Irish Blind Golf Society's longstanding guides include Tom Brisling and Brian Schweppe, John Kennedy, Gus Sealy, Paddy Higgins and Joe (not the lob wedge!) O’Reilly.
