Murphy’s Motors, one of the South East’s most popular tractor and farm machinery traders, held an Open Evening at its Glenmore depot on Thursday, January 9th to mark its 65th anniversary in business.
Dick and Bernie Murphy cut the 65th anniversary cake surrounded by family members and customers. Photo credit: Patrick Browne
Multi-generational customers, several of whom first crossed the business’s threshold during its earliest trading years, joined the Murphy’s Motors team to mark this significant milestone.
“We were thrilled to have so many people pop into us for a cup of tea and a chat over the course of the evening,” said co-proprietor Bernie Murphy, who runs the family-owned enterprise alongside her brother Dick.
“Our customer base, primarily drawn from Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, has remained so loyal to us over the years. Their support, combined with the expertise of our dedicated staff and the relationships we have developed and sustained with our valued suppliers, has made Murphy’s Motors what it is today. From a family perspective, this anniversary is also a very emotional one for both Dick and I thanks to the drive and determination of our late mother, Peggy, who laid such solid foundations for this company, and it’s been our honour to build on her legacy. She really kept us on our toes - and she would have loved a night like this.”
Bernie continued: “What I find most rewarding and fulfilling about my role is seeing satisfied customers. Also, meeting long-standing customers, particularly third-generation customers who knew my father, Michael, is not only nostalgic but it’s a special reminder of the long-lasting relationships we have built and the trust that people have placed in us over the years.”
Given the company’s status as the longest serving New Holland dealer in County Kilkenny, the Open Evening also featured the unveiling of the T5.120, which is specifically tailored for dairy farmers given its increased power, loader and front axle capacity. Through its ‘5 plus 60 for 65 years’ promotion, the first 12 New Holland tractors sold by Murphy’s Motors this year will qualify for an incredible offer of 1% finance over five years.
Congratulating Murphy’s Motors on its anniversary, Liam Hayde, sales manager with New Holland (Republic of Ireland), stated: “Given our day-to-day interactions with Bernie, Dick and the whole team, to see a business like Murphy’s Motors continuing to grow after 65 years is a very special feeling. It’s an achievement that the Murphy family should be very proud of and it’s an occasion that New Holland is delighted to be associated with.”
Among the long-established customers who attended the Open Evening were father and son Neddie and James Aylward, who run a dairy and beef farm in Glenmore.
“My father James started doing business with Murphy’s over 60 years ago,” said Neddie. “I came in here with my father when I was young and then James came in alongside me as a youngster when the time came for me to do the buying. We’ve always been looked after so well by the Murphys; there’s been great value whenever we’ve traded up and the finance deals have always served us well. Good value, good service and keeping your trade local: sure that’s what it’s all about.”
Casting an eye across the new trading year, Bernie Murphy stated: “We’re optimistic about what lies ahead given the strong prices of both milk and beef. In 2025, we’re hopeful that farmers will be on a firmer footing and that this will be reflected in our trading levels both here in Glenmore and at our Parts and Sales Depot in Cillín Hill.”
