The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
London sisters fall for Valentia’s charm
SOUTH east London-sisters Catherine, Josie and Lena Walsh recently stayed for a number of days in the Ring Lyne Bar and Restaurant of Chapeltown.
The sisters, on their first visit to Valentia, were endeavouring to find the burial place of their grandfather, William ‘George’ Walsh, who served as a light-keeper on Valentia and also many other lighthouses around the coast of Ireland.
He also served at one time as a merchant seaman who jumped ship at Singapore prior to the sinking of the navy ship, Liverpool. His wife was Catherine Mary (née Duffy).
While here, the sisters were quite pleased to establish that he had been laid to rest in Rosscarbery, County Cork.
Their father, Fred Walsh, and his brothers, Harry, Mick and Jim, would have attended the now-closed national school in Knightstown.
Fred was also a light-keeper and served in the Skelligs. His wife, Margaret (née Walsh), was originally from Waterford. Harry was also a light-keeper.
The sisters’ uncle, Mick, wrote a light-house column for the Irish Times and also contributed such columns to the long-established Ireland’s Own magazine.
He was also involved in perfecting the semaphore maritime flag signal system.
They were delighted with their first visit to the island of their ancestral roots, being enthralled by its awesome scenery and beauty.
They first explained their ancestral roots to Jerome ‘Toss’ O’Connell, a Valentia islander on holiday from Lincoln, whom they met in the Ring Lyne.
He introduced them to other islanders, as they endeavoured to gather more information on their relatives.
They made a lot of friends during their short stay and have vowed to make more visits in the future.
Having spoken to so many friendly islanders, the sisters stated of Valentia that they felt as though they were coming home.