Christy Murray, affectionately known as The Donegal Piper, is a celebrated Irish piper, tin whistle player, and music educator from Raphoe, County Donegal. He is widely recognised across Ireland for his tireless work teaching the tin whistle to generations of children and for his unmistakable presence at Donegal GAA football matches, where he plays his bagpipes in full Donegal colours, entertaining crowds and rallying supporters. 

Murray grew up in Raphoe after moving there from Scotland at a young age and developed a deep love for traditional Irish music. He began playing whistle and later the bagpipes, joining a local pipe band in his early teens. He spent more than 40 years teaching music,  both in marching bands and in primary schools around Donegal, inspiring countless young musicians. 

His iconic match-day routine includes piping through the stands and surrounding pubs before big games, and he rarely missed a competitive Donegal fixture since the 1990s until the COVID-19 pandemic. Murray’s dedication to his county and its supporters earned him legendary status among fans, and he even led the Donegal team into his native Raphoe after the county’s 2012 Sam Maguire Cup victory.