Fr. Michael Murphy, Irish Roman Catholic priest and United Irishmen leader during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, dies at the Battle of Arklow in Arklow, County Wicklow, on June 9, 1798.

Murphy is born in 1767. While his birthplace in Ireland is undetermined, various locations, such as Ballinoulart, Castleannesley or in Kilnew, County Wexford, are documented as possibilities. He is ordained a priest in 1785 at Wexford after completing hedge school in Oulart. His first parish is at Ballycanew, after Theology and Philosophy studies at the Irish College in Bordeaux in France. Murphy joins the Rebellion on May 27, 1798, following the vandalism of his church by Crown yeomen, despite a mostly pacifist stance by the church leadership.

Murphy proceeds toward battle at Gorey, Kilthomas Hill, then Ballyorril Hill where he meets with fellow priest Fr. John Murphy of Boolavogue. He is attacking a gun position on horseback at the Battle of Arklow on June 9, 1798, when he is killed by gunfire. His grave is at Castle Ellis.

(Pictured: Michael Murphy Monument in Arklow, County Wicklow)