Emotional day for families of three late Hall of Fame greats at special award ceremony

THE FAMILIES of the three late great Limerick legends Jon Kenny, Johnny Duhan, and John Murphy were "proud" to have witnessed their loved ones to the 2024 Hall of Fame, as they celebrated the legacies of their beloved family at a special ceremony.

It was a day steeped in emotion and remembrance as guests reflected on the legacies of actor, poet, writer, and comedian Jon Kenny, singer-songwriter Johnny Duhan, and actor, director, and writer John Murphy.

The Hall of Fame exists to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the talent that emerges from the roots of the Treaty County. 

The induction ceremony was part of the 2024 Limerick Person of the Year celebration at the Clayton Hotel on Friday, March 7 - an annual award recognising extraordinary Limerick individuals for their contributions to their field and community.

READ ALSO: Tears of joy as Limerick Person of the Year 2024 announced

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, posthumously inducted three of Limerick’s favourite sons, Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny and John Murphy into the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame. The honour aims to celebrate the most renowned ambassadors for Limerick, marking their achievements and ability to use their talents for the greater good.

Johnny Duhan was honoured for his “abundance of musical talent.” The late Mr Duhan, who died in November 2024, grew up on Wolfe Tone Street in Limerick city, and is most well known for having written The Voyage. 

Jon Kenny, the actor, poet, writer and comedian was remembered for his “longtime dedication and passion for putting a smile on people's faces and provoking thought through his work.”

John Murphy was honoured as “a champion of Limerick theatre, a storyteller, actor, director, writer and believer in the power of the arts to transform and heal.”

Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny and John Murphy join the late musician and The Cranberries frontwoman, Dolores O’Riordan along with Ireland’s oldest busker Tom McNamara in the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame.

“Today’s celebration was made even more special by honouring the Hall of Fame inductees, who have gone too soon but have left behind legacies that continue to inspire. All three significantly contributed to the cultural and artistic fabric of Limerick,” Mayor Moran said.

Now in its 24th year, the Limerick Person of the Month and Limerick Person of the Year honours are jointly sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern Marketing Design and Media, and the Clayton Hotel. The initiative is supported by Limerick City and County Council.

Áine Fitzgerald, Managing Editor of the Limerick Leader, said: “The Limerick Leader/Limerick Live is honoured to be part of the Limerick Person of the Year awards. We are also proud to recognise the very worthy posthumous Hall of Fame inductees, Johnny Duhan, Jon Kenny, and John Murphy.”

Dave O'Hora, Managing Director of Southern, commented:

“At Southern, we are genuinely honoured to support these awards. Our Hall of Fame inductees have shown exceptional talent and dedication, leaving a lasting legacy in Limerick that we all cherish.”