The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Loquacious Aidan shot from the hip
ON Monday, May 8, Valentia Island calmly basked in beautiful sunshine, but the serenity and joy of such splendour was obliterated with the news of the sudden death of Aidan Walsh of Knightstown, who passed away aged 60 at his residence.
Aidan, a bachelor, was the son of late parents Dermie and Carmel Walsh with Carmel having passed away as recently as March 10, last. He was one of those rare individuals whose larger than life presence permeated all aspects of community life in Valentia, and who was a friend to a cross section of island society, very often being a comforter of the afflicted and the individual down on his or her luck.
In latter years he exhibited great kindness to his mother with consistent daily visits to her in the Valentia Hospital. The sense of shock and grief following his death reflected the respect and esteem accorded to a man whose life touched so many.
A past pupil of Knightstown National School, the Cahirsiveen CBS secondary School and the Cahirsiveen Vocational School, he commenced his working life with the Irish Lights in 1975, in keeping with a tradition of Valentia Islanders working with that organisation down through the years. He was subsequently made redundant from the Irish Lights in 1993, but returned in 1998 to work in Inis Tearaght and the Skellig Rock.
A seafaring man by nature, he fished in many different shapes and sizes of boats both locally and also in Howth. He operated his own angling boat, Iolar Na Mara, and was also a qualified diving instructor. He was also Chairman of the Valentia Island Sea and Shore Angling Club.
Aidan was goalkeeper, at the age of just 15, in the victorious Valentia South Kerry championship minor team of 1972, versus St Mary’s – the last Valentia team to win such a competition. Big in stature as an underage player, he continued to play in the minor grade with Valentia, alternating between full-forward and goal. He also made a number of appearances as a Valentia senior goalkeeper.
A man of many parts, he operated as a FÁS Supervisor and Co-Supervisor for 10 years. He was a crew member of the Valentia Lifeboat, a drummer with the Valentia Pipe Band and was also instrumental in the revival of the band a number of years ago. He spent a number of years as the local notes correspondent for The Kerryman newspaper, serving also as PRO of the Young Islanders GAA Club. He researched questions for the annual Christmas pub quiz and was it’s quizmaster
Down through the years he was involved in many island fundraising ventures.
Fr Larry Kelly, PP of Cahirsiveen, celebrated Requiem mass on Thursday, May 11, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Knightstown to a packed attendance.
As befitted his many roles in community life, guards of honour were accorded to him by the RNLI, the GAA, the Coastguard, the Valentia Island Sea and Shore Angling Club and his diving friends.
Eulogies on Aidan’s behalf were rendered at the Mass by his sister Orla and nephew Craig Walsh, as well as poetry readings by his brother Owen and nephew Ryan Walsh.
The Mass was complimented by the fine singing of his niecein-law Laura Lewis and the Valentia choir.
He was laid to rest on a beautiful May day in Kilmore graveyard with the awesome view of Beginish Island and his beloved Valentia Harbour (where he so often dived, fished and operated with the RNLI) forming an appropriate and picturesque background for those who came from far and near to pay their last respects to a man who left this world too soon.
Bagpipe music was performed by his brother Dermot and Tommy McGillycuddy of Killorglin.
The death of Aidan Walsh leaves a huge void in the community and social life of Valentia Island. It does not flatter him to say that he was the king and hub of island social life and the common denominator and go to for the inevitable chat or banter – the life and soul of any party, who lived life to the full.
Aidan’s intellect facilitated him with an ability to converse on a wide range of topics.
Gregarious by nature, he was completely at ease among people and friends ,whether at house parties, local hostelries or GAA and rugby matches, as well as regattas etc.
He was interested in all sports but had a particular interest in the fortunes of the Kerry footballers, his beloved Valentia Young Islanders and the Munster and Irish rugby scene.
His facial presence on national television during the course of this year’s National League final between Kerry and Dublin remains an abiding memory.
He also took a keen interest in culinary activities and took part as the carver of the pig’s head on St Patrick’s Day in the Ring Lyne Bar of Chapeltown, sporting his annual green jacket and also being the MC.
Such was his impact here that the occasion became locally known as ‘Aidan’s Day’. He produced dishes many and varied with his stuffing of unique flavour being much sought after by family and friends at Christmas.
Aidan loved a good argument and debate, whether on a political, sporting or general knowledge topic. His loquacious ways at the annual quiz or general social scene ensured he was never stuck for a word and he was quite willing to shoot from the hip to dispense with a heckler when the occasion demanded, by way of a quick retort with his many witticisms and well known quick one liners.
The presence of his ubiquitous and familiar blue Suzuki car will be sorely missed from the roads of Valentia Island and Iveragh and, being the avid reader he was, the Suzuki was often observed conveniently parked as he digested the daily newspapers.
Prior to his death he remarked to his nephew Craig Walsh that he wanted to be remembered as ‘the James Dean of the diving scene, and in view of his seafaring activities and love of the sea, it is appropriate to quote the following lines from the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield.
‘I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.’
God rest you Aidan Walsh old friend. You were a man of the Foot but most of all a Valentia Islander to the marrow.Ni bheidh do leitheid ann ari’s.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to his brothers Owen, Dermot and John, sisters Orla and Gillian, nephews Craig, Conor and Ryan, cousins, many friends and all concerned.