Ardstiúrthóir Dr. Labhrás Ó Murchú
A native of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, where he founded a new cultural organisation Cumann an Phiarsaigh. He served as Cathaoirleach of Cashel Urban Council.
He commenced his employment in legal and local authority posts.
He was one of the first two new Timirí na Gaeilge to be appointed by Conradh na Gaeilge for which he was received at Áras an Uachtaráin by Éamon de Valera.
In 1967, he was elected Uachtarán of Comhaltas and served two terms.
In 1968, he assumed the role of Ardstiúrthóir and commenced his mission of expanding and enhancing Comhaltas, helping to build it into the unprecedented cultural movement it is today throughout Ireland and worldwide, engaging with 3 million people annually. It was in 1968 that he negotiated the first government grant for Comhaltas.
He served for 20 years as a Senator in Seanad Éireann having been elected on the Culture and Education Panel. He was spokesperson on Culture, Arts and Gaeltacht.
- He was co-founder of the Irish Rural Dwellers’ Association.
- He was co-founder of Fondúireacht and Phiarsaigh and served as Cathaoirleach.
- He is Cathaoirleach of the Irish Family History Foundation.
In recognition of his achievements, he has received the following awards:
- Dublin Civic Honour Award.
- Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from DCU.
- Gradam an Phiarsaigh – the Pearse award in the 1916 Centenary year.
- Tipperary Person of the Year in Ireland.
- Tipperary Person of the Year in Britain.
- The first person to receive a Civic Reception from Tipperary County Council.
- He received several awards in America.
He has represented Ireland at many international events and is a regular speaker – including television debates – at home and abroad on culture, economy, peace, reconciliation and social justice. He has delivered orations at most of Ireland’s major historic commemorations.