Pat Walsh Memorial Society Kilkenny

By Editor | 18/12/2019 |

The Pat Walsh Memorial Society (Kilkenny) held several events this year, including the parade held during the Pat Walsh Memorial Weekend (2019 parade in picture)

Captain Patrick Walsh
DUNNAMAGGIN

B. COY. 8th Batt. Kilkenny Brigade I.R.A.

The circumstances of Pat Walsh’s death can be read in Kilkenny: In Times of Revolution 1900-1923 by Eoin Swithin Walsh, pp 88-9, the following is an extract:

‘Pat Walsh, from the village of Dunnamaggin, had just completed a jail term for the possession of ‘seditious documents’ the week previously and had only been a member of the flying column for four days. The two men [Seán Quinn and Pat Walsh] were still alive at the point of their capture [by British Forces], were left in a military lorry for two hours on their way back to Kilkenny City when the British Forces visited a public house. The captured and badly injured men were denied food or water which locals attempted with provide them with.

Seán Quinn, who was 22 years old, died shortly after arriving in Kilkenny Military Barracks and was subsequently buried in his native Mullinahone.

Pat Walsh was transferred to the main military hospital in Fermoy but died there five days later on 18 May 1921, during an operation to amputate his leg. He was 33 years old.

Walsh was popular in GAA and Sinn Féin circles and was a founding member of the Gaelic League in Dunnamaggin.

Pictured right is Croia Hickey – Croia’s ancestors on both sides of her family were members of Dunamaggin Company led by Captain Pat Walsh, here Croia gives an exhibition of traditional Irish dancing.

Pictured left is Ray Cody laying the wreath Easter 2018. Rays father and uncle fought with Captain Pat Walsh. Ray was the longest serving member of the Pat Walsh Memorial Committee and sadly passed away in December of 2019.