Dr Jack Murphy, a prominent figure in Irish equestrian breeding and governance, died on January 20, 2026, after suffering a medical emergency while driving in New Ross, Co Wexford. The distinguished breeder, educator, and former chairman of the Irish Horse Board received widespread tributes for his contributions to the sport horse industry. His family-run Dolmen Sport Horses produced several successful competition horses.
Dr Jack Murphy passed away on January 20, 2026, in the Maudlins area of New Ross, Co Wexford, following a medical emergency that led to a crash while he was driving. The incident marked the sudden loss of a key influencer in Ireland's equestrian sector, where he balanced roles as a breeder, academic, and policymaker.
Murphy, based at Dolmen Lodge in Ballymacar, New Ross, founded Dolmen Sport Horses with his wife, Dr Karen Hennessy, and their daughters Molly and Hannah. The operation became renowned for producing athletic sport horses through selective breeding, emphasizing toughness and rideability. Notable offspring include Dolmen DeVito, Dolmen Stellor Design, Dolmen Deja Vu, Dolmen Cooley, Dolmen Dun Aenghus, and Dolmen Deejay, which have competed successfully on the international eventing circuit. In 2025, Dolmen Decision Time, owned by Donnacha Anhold, won the Royal Dublin Society's Dublin Horse Show three-year-old loose jumping filly championship, highlighting the quality of Murphy's program.
Professionally, Murphy served as a lecturer in the School of Business at Maynooth University, teaching the BBS Equine Business programme. He integrated practical industry knowledge into his courses, mentoring students who advanced into equine roles domestically and abroad. In governance, he was appointed to the Irish Horse Board in May 2013 by the Minister for Agriculture, rising to chairman from 2017 to 2021. He continued as a director until his death and previously held positions with Horse Sport Ireland from 2014 to 2016, including as chairman of the Breeding Sub-Board in 2017. His work shaped breeding policies, studbook protocols, and sustainability efforts, advocating for high standards and the global reputation of the Irish Sport Horse.
The Irish Horse Board praised Murphy's collaborative impact over more than a decade, extending condolences to his family, including daughters Emma, Lorna, Molly, and Hannah; mother Mary; siblings; and grandchildren Darragh, Zoe, and Ruairí. Tributes flooded RIP.ie, with one colleague calling him a "true gentleman and scholar" whose "warmth and presence will be greatly missed." A family member wrote, "Your charisma was off the charts," while another noted his rugby enthusiasm from Enniscorthy days and friendliness at shows. Murphy's legacy endures in the policies he influenced, the horses he bred, and the professionals he guided.
Funeral arrangements were to be announced later.
