Toronto St. Patrick Parade » 2008 Grand Marshal

It has been said that friendship is not a big thing - it's a million little things. That said, there is no better friend to the Irish Community in Toronto than Sean Murphy - our 2008 Parade Grand Marshal.

Since coming to Canada 25 years ago, Sean has been an ardent supporter of events and organizations that foster the Irish culture in Canada's largest city and beyond. The Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade has benefited from Sean's love of his heritage since the first parade over 20 years ago.

It came as no surprise that the community recognized Sean's unwavering support when he was selected as the 2007 Irish Person of the Year for Toronto. It seems only fitting that we say one more big Thank You by having him as our Grand Marshal.

Sean Murphy was born in Aughrim Street, Hanlon's Corner in Dublin, Ireland. His father John hailed from County Kerry and his mother Mary from County Offaly. John was a long time bus conductor with the CIE and Mary a school teacher.

During his childhood, Sean served as an alter boy as well as a soprano choir boy in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral, until his voice broke at the age of 13. We should say his voice "matured" as Sean can still belt out a good old Irish tune or two with some gentle prodding.

After leaving school, Sean joined Bord Failte Eireann (Irish Tourist Board) as a proof reader for travel guides. He took to the travel business like a duck to water and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1976 Sean transferred to the New York office to increase travel business between the U.S. and Ireland. On Canada Day 1983 Sean came to Toronto as a sales manager for Bord Failte.

1983 would turn out to be that much more special because that is when Sean met his wife-to-be Karen. As the old saying goes, "behind every great man is a great woman", and for Sean, that is Karen Murphy. Not only did they become life partners, they became the best of business partners. Their shared love of the travel industry saw them open their own businesses in 1989. IrishTravel.ca, of which Sean is President and Kemptville Travel, headed up by Karen, have served thousands of happy and loyal customers for almost 20 years.

Last year, Sean's long time support of Irish Cultural organizations and events was officially recognized when he was selected as Irish Person of the Year for 2007. We are very pleased to continue the accolades by having Sean Murphy as our 2008 Parade Grand Marshal.

Photo courtesy of William "Smitty" Smith.
Excerpts courtesy of the Toronto Irish News

Sean Murphy - 2008 Grand Marshal