Waterford City and County Council acquires home site of renowned writer

Waterford City and County Council recently had the opportunity to acquire the site of the home of international travel writer, Dervla Murphy.

Lismore, in County Waterford, was home to one of its most famous daughters, Dervla Murphy, a woman ahead of her time in a man’s world doing incredible things.

Murphy travelled solo around the globe, starting in 1965 in India, cycling everywhere she travelled, chronicling her adventures and over her lifetime published 26 books.

She was a modest person, choosing to live a simple life and never sought the limelight despite her success as a writer. She always returned to her home in Lismore where most of her books were written and was deeply connected to the community. She passed away in May 2022 at the age of 90. A Waterford Council spokesperson said that from a heritage perspective the site is hugely significant. There is the remnant of a 17th-century cattle market plus redeveloped outbuildings on 0.6 acres site located directly off the main street in the centre of Lismore.

"It is not just the physical heritage that has value and opportunity," noted the spokesperson. "There is the intangible heritage, as the home of an international travel writer this is where Murphy retreated to from the four continents of the globe, organised her thoughts and produced volumes of insightful material, books on international issues pre the internet age."

It was also the site from where she established the travel-writing festival, Immrama which has served Lismore well for almost 25 years. The local community has campaigned to have the site preserved as a public building and develop it as a cultural and heritage place. It has both national and international significance and its preservation will be an additional attraction to the beautiful Heritage Town of Lismore.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan welcomed the attainment of the holding and said: “Dervla Murphy was a true trailblazer. At a time when the world was far less open to women traveling alone, she set out, alone, on a bicycle, crossing continents with nothing but determination, curiosity, and a deep thirst for understanding."

"What would be considered a remarkable journey today was, in the 1960s, a remarkable feat," he said. 

“She held a special place in her heart for Lismore and that affection was deeply reciprocated by the people of Lismore," he added. "Now, with the Council’s acquisition of the site of her beloved home, we are presented with a rare and wonderful opportunity to create a heritage space that not only honours Dervla’s remarkable legacy but also brings her writings, her global observations, and her boundless sense of adventure to life.” 

 The acquisition of the site was financed by the Building and Land Acquisition Measure, from the Department of Rural and Community Development & Gaeltacht. A survey and evaluation of the site will be undertaken, and a cultural heritage and development study will be commissioned to explore the range of options for development of the site. Waterford City and County Council expressed its gratitude to the local community and local auctioneer and valuer, Michael O'Leary, for their vision and assistance in the acquisition.