The majority of the collection consists of subject files pertaining to Murphy's scholarly interests in Irish literature, history, and culture and contain research materials, teaching notes, lectures, manuscripts, and printed ephemera. The collection also contains a smaller amount of correspondence, sermons, lectures, and newspaper articles by and about Murphy. Noteworthy in Murphy's personal materials is a small collection of cards from Irish fine print presses Dun Emer and Cuala Press, many with holiday messages to him.