It’s All-Ireland hurling final week. I’ve loved hurling my whole life. But I’d never played it. Until last year, when...
I moved to Waterford. I joined my dad’s club, Old Parish. I tried to understand by doing. And I wrote a book. Pre-order it from today, using the link in my bio.
The book is about a 42-year old man humiliating himself for the amusement of his readers. But it’s also about why I wasn’t given the chance to play the game by the quirks of geography, and why that’s the story for hundreds of thousands of Irish people
Old Parish is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s a part of Gaeltacht na nDéise, and is a community rich in history, music and gaeilge. It was a privilege to walk in the footsteps of “mo shinsir” ❤️🤍
2025 started in New Zealand, and ended in dear ol’ Dublin 8. In between there was a birthday party in a lighthouse, Valencia, the Áras, the Aviva, Daingean Úi Chúis, a beautiful Christmas, and on top of all those riches, the most satisfying work year of my life. Very thankful. Onward.
One week left til Christmas… if you’re looking for a gift idea, don’t listen to me, listen to the above-listed titans of hurling/media/hurling media
#SelfDeprecation
🗣️ "It's an instinctive game."
🗣️ "I just wanna feel like I've done something!"
Ciarán Murphy speaks to Eoin Sheahan this evening about the best advice he received during his hurling journey, detailed in his new book 'Old Parish: Notes on Hurling'
The Irish Times’ view on the best sports books of 2025 appeared over the weekend. Compiled by Malachy Clerkin, it is always the definitive word on the year’s best. So it’s a massive thrill to see me here with a genuinely brilliant collection of stories, and with such a warm review of “Old Parish” in print too 🔴⚪️
Hey all, voting for the An Post Irish Book Awards closes on Sunday, so one last shout from me to go to Category 9 and vote for “Old Parish” in the Last Word Listener’s Choice Award if you felt like it. The link to vote is in my bio, and you don’t have to vote in every category if you don’t want to.
Thanks so much to all of you who have sent me messages about the book (each one really means an awful lot), and for all your support - it’s been such a thrill so far. GRmíle! 🔴⚪️
I’m absolutely delighted to be nominated in this year’s An Post book awards. The shortlist announcement in the GPO this week was such a forceful reminder of how talent-filled and vibrant the Irish book scene is, so it’s a real honour to be in The Last Word Listener’s Choice category.
If you’ve enjoyed “Old Parish”, then I’d love your vote. I’ll put the voting link in my bio. You don’t have to vote in every category but obviously there are plenty of authors who would also appreciate your support if you like their work too! GRmíle 🔴⚪️
Recently, as they say. A beautiful night in The Marine a couple of weeks ago for the An Sean Phobal launch of “Old Parish”, a few bookshop calls, a flying visit to the Clifden Arts Festival, and finishing week 1 as the best-selling sports book in the country. I’ve gotten so many messages from people who’ve gotten something from the book already, which is so gratifying.
Am dar shaol 🔴⚪️
Ciarán Murphy’s latest novel ‘Old Parish: Notes on Hurling’ is out now!
Hurling is Ireland’s national game - a source of fascination and pride, even to people who have never played it. Ciaran Murphy, a lifelong club footballer, used to be one of those people. Then he spent a summer trying to play hurling with a tiny club in the West Waterford Gaeltacht. Along the way he embarked on a quest to understand the history, geography and mystique of this extraordinary sport.
Anyone who has ever watched hurling knows that it is something unique and extraordinary. Old Parish explains why.
Available now in-store and online (with free delivery!)
@saveciaranmurph@penguinsnug
#hurling #sportbooks #irishsport #bookrecommendations #dubraybooks
I was genuinely humbled by the crowd that showed up at The Sugar Club in Dublin last night for the launch of “Old Parish”. I had so many friends and family in the same room - it was special.
The Second Captains crew put so much time and effort into the night, and we’ve released the show for free so everyone can get a chance to listen to our chat with Oisin McConville and Jamie Wall.
Now I can’t wait for you all to get a chance to pick up your copy, on-sale everywhere from next week 🔴⚪️
PS yes my brother did callously edit branno out of the Second Captains team photo because the light was good and Paul didn’t want to move… but we got him in eventually
I’m launching “Old Parish” in The Sugar Club on Leeson Street in Dublin next Thursday week, September 11th with a special Second Captains podcast recording (Ken’s read it, and he says he has notes). There will also be hurling chat with people who know what they’re talking about, Oisin McConville, and possibly some more humiliating footage of me playing hurling.
If you want to attend this FREE LIVE recording of your favourite podcast, I’ve got 40 pairs of tickets available. Admission is free, but of course it is considered extremely rude to go to a book launch and not buy 6-8 copies (6 in some countries, 8 in others - it varies).
If you’re sure you can make it, you can email me - [email protected]. Thanks so much to everyone who has already been in touch, and Thursday week will be a great laugh 🔴⚪️
“Old Parish - Notes On Hurling” will be released by Penguin Sandycove on September 18th, but you can pre-order it right now, using the link in my bio 🔴⚪️
