Conor McGregor donates 50k to Ashling Murphy Fund on anniversary of death of school teacher

Conor McGregor has pledged to donate €50,000 to the Ashling Murphy Fund, on the second anniversary of her death.

Urging everyone to donate, the MMA fighter said the fund aims to develop Traditional Irish Arts. 

"The main objective for the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund is for the further enhancement, development and advancements of The Traditional Irish Arts, Culture and Heritage for young people. With your support, this may be done through the provisions of tuition, facilities and equipment where required. In short, the provision of an environment to continue and enhance this culture where Ashling grew up and was very much part of," he said in a social media post.

He pledged his own donation of €50,000 to the fund. 

Hundreds of people gathered for a walk along the Grand Canal in Cappincur on Friday afternoon, exactly two years after the murder of Offaly schoolteacher Ashling Murphy.

Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune at the shrine to Ashling on the canal bank, her father Ray thanked the public for keeping the memory of his daughter alive.

“Every day is sad," he said.

"We don't come down here that often now because there's nothing only pain and misery and hardship."

Pausing to look at his watch he added: “Now, she died about a minute after half three according to her Fitbit. It's sad and I do go every day to the graveyard and that's not a big ask.”

2 year anniversary of Ashling Murphy today Here is a link to her memorial fund that I urge us all to donate to today. The main objective for the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund is for the further enhancement, development and advancements of The Traditional Irish Arts, Culture and…

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 12, 2024

Ray, who was accompanied by his wife Kathleen, daughter Amy and son Cathal, along with Ashling's boyfriend Ryan Casey, joined in a decade of the rosary after leading wellwishers from Digby Bridge to the memorial shrine.

A number of musicians, including James Hogan, principal of Durrow National School where Ashling taught, and Paddy Buckley, from Ballyboy Comhaltas, performed some traditional tunes accompanied by Ray.

The emotion was palpable as many of those present joined in a rendition of the song 'When You Were Sweet Sixteen'.