‘Stone Mad’ Murphy

Sir, – In your obituary of Prof John A Murphy (March 5th), a reference to Seamus Murphy described him as "sculptor and mason". This is incorrect. Seamus Murphy, my father, was, as described in his book Stone Mad, trained as a stone carver. The seven-year apprenticeship of stone carving was the only one open to people outside of the trade.

He later went on to become a sculptor, the sole occupation by which he earned his living for the rest of his life. – Yours, etc,

ÓRLA MURPHY,