The late Seamus Walshe A life devoted to his family, his community and the enhancement of his local GAA club was mourned following the death of Seamus Walshe of Park Lodge, Carlow. Seamus (66) passed away in the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, October 18th, 2006, following a brave battle with illness, which he had fought over the past two years. Seamus had a tremendous sense of family and community and brought this commendable attribute to every aspect of his life. Devoted husband of Sheila (nee Caffrey, Dublin) he was a loving father to Maria, Jimmy, Paul, Peter and the late Brian, who sadly passed away following an illness in 1978, just 12 days before his fifth birthday. Son of the late Jim and Kitty Walshe, Seamus's early years were spent in Old Leighlin where the family ran the local quarry and remained deeply involved for many years. While Seamus was still a boy, the Walshe family moved to Park Lodge and right up to his passing, Seamus regarded the area of Park and the wider community of Trinyland with deep affection. From his early years Seamus took a keen interest in farming. His appreciation and respect of the land ensured that Seamus was a noted and progressive farmer. Allied to a keen business sense, Seamus was cautious and prudent while he had an excellent acumen for figures, an ability many relied on. A humble man who worked hard all his life, Seamus was always reluctant to take a holiday and much preferred the simple pleasures of home life. During his life, Seamus unselfishly gave of himself for the betterment of Trinyland and the many organisations that he was involved including Trinyland Athletic Club and more specifically Trinyland GFC. Seamus's endeavours in the development of Trinyland GFC are legendary and he devoted endless hours to his club both as a player and club officer. As a player, mentor and club officer he worked tirelessly and unselfishly and was instrumental in the development of the strong club Trinyland is today. As a player, he wore the blue and white jersey with pride at all levels for many years while as a club mentor, Seamus was involved at every level from juvenile right up to senior. The club recalled that on many an occasion, Seamus would set aside an important task in his own personal life to work for the club and he took great pride when Trinyland teams were successful. He was a selector with Trinyland teams that won Carlow senior championship in the late 1970s and early 1980s and players from that time remembered how he encouraged and motivated them with his team talks. He was especially proud of the teams he was involved with and it was a very happy day for him in 1981 when his younger brother Joe captained Trinyland to win the county senior title for the 15th time in the club's proud history. In recent years, Seamus filled many roles at committee level including club secretary, treasurer and bar manager. He was also involved in all the major fundraising projects in the club and many in the club reflected that the modern facilities Trinyland GFC now offers its members are due in no small way to the great efforts and foresight of Seamus Walshe. While much of his time was spent looking after his family, his farm and his beloved church, right up to and into his 50s Seamus enjoyed playing squash and racket weekly in the CY while in recent year's he'd tried his hand at golf. The huge numbers who attended both his removal to St Joseph's Church, Trinyland and Requiem Mass was a reflection of the esteem in which Seamus was held. Former team-mates and members of Trinyland GFC provided a guard of honour from McArdle's Cross while at the graveside Trinyland chairman Brendan Hayden paid a tribute to Seamus. Chief celebrant at the Requiem Mass was Fr Tom Jordan, cousin of the deceased, assisted by a number of clergy from the diocese. Burial took place to the adjoining cemetery. Seamus is predeceased by his son Brian and survived by his wife Sheila, daughter Maria (Grange, Tullow), sons Jimmy (Park House, Carlow) Paul (Feltham Hall, Carlow) and Peter (Dublin), grandchildren Mark, Anna, Harry and Amy, brother Joe (Ballybar), sisters Bernadette O'Kelly (Newcastle, Wicklow), Mary Harte (Sutton, Dublin), Helen Jordan (Rathhayden, Leighlinbridge), Kate Walshe (Roscommon) and Anne Tyndall (Sutton, Dublin), son in law Billy Dawson, daughter in law Laura Conlon, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist 27 October 2006 Tweet

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