Record shop owner George Murray has passed away

George was one of the owners of the famous Murray Records chain – which was one of the three big retail outlets in Ireland at one stage, behind Golden Discs and Dolphin Discs. In many ways, Murray's was more than just a record shop. The locations, both in Dun Laoghaire, and also off Grafton Street were places where people who loved music went to hang out – with Bob Geldof one of the most famous devotees of the Dun Laoghaire shop.

They went to the shops to meet like-minded spirits – but also to learn about music from the characters behind the counter who were immensely knowledgeable – including George, who took charge of the Grafton Street shop. Later on, after the first wave of changes in the record business made life too difficult for the crew running Murray’s, he opened Record Collector on Wicklow Street and spent many interesting years running the show there.

George was also one of the leading figures on the infamous music quiz team, alongside the late George Byrne of Hot Press, who struck fear into opponents, so vast was the range of their knowledge and so quick their collective wit in getting the answers out.

George was also a fine footballer in his younger days and was one of those – including Jim Fitzpatrick, Tom Collins, Peter Fallon, Frank Murray and John Rocha, among others, who played ball together, in different formations over the years.

More recently, George Murray had been working in the Mojo’s Records shop in Merchant’s Arch, which is run by his cousin Joe. However, friends were aware that he had experienced a brush with cancer last year. His health had not been great on and off, and events took over since the new year. Hot Press understands that he contracted pneumonia and that the toll of the illness was too great to shake off.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.