The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballylongford pays tribute to its much-loved ‘blow-in’ Wally
A FISHERMAN, a teacher of maritime skills and a gentleman, it was with great sadness that Ballylongford bid a final goodbye to much-loved adopted resident Walter ‘Wally’ Dancy.
Hailing from a family of musicians and clockmakers in London, Wally became a much-loved member of the community in Ballylongford after arriving in a caravan with his wife in May 1998 – and choosing the lower road as their retirement haven.
Wally was the first child born to James and Edith Dancy in London in 1933. Wally’s grandfather, Walter was a bandmaster and each of his children were encouraged to learn a musical instrument.
Wally’s father James was a violin player and was a pit musician on the West End when Oklahoma first opened.
During the war, Wally lived with his aunt ‘Sis’ a pianist in London. Wally and his family lived in her home which housed a newsagents and tobacco shop on the ground floor.
In September 1941 a landmine bomb exploded and blew off the front of the building. Wally, his mother and sister Margo were buried under the stairs for three days. His uncle, who was a member of a heavy rescue crew rescued them along with aunt Sis’s beloved piano. Using a system of ropes and pulleys, the piano was taken from the third floor undamaged.
From here Wally was moved to the country where he lived until he was 12 years old.
Wally wanted to go on to study carpentry but struggled with his exams. His maths teacher, Mr Pritchard stayed back and volunteered his time three days a week to help Wally improve and as a teenager Wally studied carpentry at technical school.
At 16 Wally joined the merchant navy and trained as a junior mechanic where he was described as ‘superior’. On his wedding day in 1952, he travelled by bus dressed in full military uniform. On hearing that it was his wedding day the bus driver let Wally travel for free and dropped him directly to the door of the registry office.
Wally and his wife Joyce were married at Kennington Registry Office where their marriage licence cost 7 and 6. They went on to have seven children.
On arriving in Ballylongford Wally quickly found a home in Saleen Pier.
During the winter of 2006- 07 Wally held seafaring classes for locals in the parish hall. He was a natural at teaching and covered all topics including plotting a course, rules and regulations on the water and map reading.
Alongside fishing Wally was also a baker and craftsman.
Locals would come to Wally for advice for anything from fishing to gardening. Wally didn’t return to England since making Ballylongford his home.
When Wally’s son asked him to move to Australia, Wally considered it but ultimately decided that the fishing was better in Ireland.
In recent years Wally became a carer for his wife before her ill health meant she had to move back to England.
When Wally could no longer stay in his own home he was moved to a local nursing home. One of his close friends and neighbours, Rosie McDonald smuggled contraband into him in the form of duck eggs.
Wally passed away on May 12th 2016. On June 10th his friends and neighbours gathered at Saleen Pier to pay tribute. Many of his friends including Margaret Foley, Paudie O’Connor and Fr John O’Connor organised a Mass and refreshments in the boathouse.
Afterwards mourners left on boats to say a final goodbye.
In the bay, Wally’s ashes were scattered in a fishing spot named by one of his friends as ‘Wally’s Hole’. Wally was toasted by his friends and neighbours for one final time in Ballylongford Bay.