LYNN — The Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy, visited Lynn on Thursday morning to commemorate Lynn-born Irish republican Joseph Murphy, who died during the 1920 hunger strikes in Cork Gaol while imprisoned for his involvement in Ireland’s struggle for independence. 

The visit highlighted a shared historical connection between Cork and Lynn, with a tree planting in front of the city hall, and also opened conversations about potential future cultural and educational partnerships between the two cities. 

Dennehy reflected on the significance of Murphy’s legacy and the importance of recognizing figures who may have been overshadowed by history.

“Joseph Murphy was born in Lynn,” he said. “His parents came from Ireland. They emigrated to America, settled in Lynn… at an early age, five or six years of age, his family moved back to Ireland.”

Murphy later joined the Irish republican movement during Ireland’s war for independence from British rule. According to Dennehy, Murphy “made the ultimate sacrifice for the ideas of an independent land.” 

Dennehy explained that Murphy died on the same day as former Cork Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, whose death after a 74-day hunger strike became internationally known.

“On the same day that Dennehy died…Murphy, who came from my own parish of Tocher in Cork, died in jail in Cork,” he continued. “He didn’t get the recognition that the lord mayor obviously got on the same day.”

The visit included the planting of a commemorative tree intended to symbolize the lasting connection between the two communities. 

Dennehy described the tree as “a very…visible reminder” of the relationship between Cork and Lynn.

He also discussed Cork’s intentionally recognized lifelong learning initiatives and the city’s work with Lowell, which recently became America’s first designated learning city. Cork itself has held learning city status since 2015.

“We’ve been working with Lowell for a number of years to help guide them as much as we can,” Dennehy said. 

“What lifelong learning is, it’s where communities come together, showcasing the best of the community, the groups and organizations and activities that are available to people in specific communities,” he explained. 

While discussions about future collaborations with Lynn remain informal, Dennehy said the immediate purpose of the trip was to honor Murphy’s memory and educate residents about his historical significance.

“That’s hugely important to us,” he said. 

City Council President Coco Alinsug said the visit highlighted Lynn’s growing international identity and the need for stronger global partnerships through the city’s established Sister City and International Relations Committee.

“We are an international city. We come from different cultures, and for us to have a visit from the mayor of a foreign country that has historical ties with Lynn, it’s just beautiful.” Alinsug said. “And it is my hope that moving forward, we could push through with our sister cities and our international relations committee so we could invite more and get invited from others as well.”

The ceremony also featured the presentation of historical items connected to Ireland’s independence movement. One gift was an image representing the Irish Volunteers, the nationalist organization Murphy joined during the revolutionary period.

Mayor Jared Nicholson addressed attendees by emphasizing the importance of remembering those who fought for freedom and independence.

“We should be proud of (and) should be more aware of… ultimately the sacrifice that is necessary for independence,” Nicholson said. 

Nicholson also noted that being aware really shows the values and history that the city of Lynn and the city of Cork share. 

The Irish delegation then presented Nicholson with a rare ceremonial badge associated with the Irish Volunteers and the modern Irish Army.

“This is still the badge that’s worn by the Irish Army to this day,” Denis Barrett, Learning Cities Coordinator of the Cork City Council, said. 

“This is a special gift from the Irish Army. We don’t normally give these as gifts because they’re still officially issued, but I think it’s a very special occasion,” he added. 

The tree planting served not only as a remembrance of Murphy’s sacrifice, but also as a renewed acknowledgment of the longstanding ties between Irish and Irish-American communities in Massachusetts and Cork.

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy, left, joins Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson as they plant a Common Hackberry tree across from City Hall.

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy visits Lynn on Thursday.

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy presents Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson with a seal of Cork during his visit to the city on Thursday.

The Irish delegation then presented Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson with a rare ceremonial badge associated with the Irish Volunteers and the modern Irish Army.

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy presents Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson with a seal of Cork during his visit to the city on Thursday.

Denis Barrett, Learning Cities Coordinator and Cork City Councilor, sings a tribute to Joseph Murphy, who was born in Lynn and moved to Ireland, eventually joining the Irish Republic Army during Ireland’s war for independence from British rule.

Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson joins Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy as they plant a Common Hackberry tree to ymbolize the connection between Lynn and Cork.

From left, Cork City Councilor Denis Barrett, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, Head of International Munster Technological University Carmel Jordan, and Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy plant a Common Hackberry tree to symbolize the connection between Lynn and Cork.