Today we say goodbye to our very dear friend Seamus Walsh, a passionate advocate for keeping our mining heritage alive, he was also a dedicated and hardworking board member of the Discovery Park.
Seamus was the epitome of a Renaissance man, a gifted story teller and writer, a poet, a musician and singer. He made it one of his life’s ambitions to make sure the stories of the miners were kept alive. His books “In the Shadow of the Mines” and “Coal in the Blood” will provide a window into the lives of coalminers for future generations to come, a wonderful gift.
“And yes I was proud to be a miner
And to be a miner’s son,
And I’m proud to sing their praises
And I’ll sing them ‘till I’m done.
And I’ll keep a light a- shining
In the tunnel dark and deep,
And when people talk of mining
It is of your deeds they’ll speak”
Seamus Walsh
He was instrumental in making the dream of having a coal mining museum in Castlecomer a reality. He gathered artefacts and information, as well as being one of the leading fundraisers and advocates of the project.
Nearly this same time last year, Seamus was invited by 3CEA energy agency to speak at their Strategic Energy Transition launch. The theme was clean sustainable energy, and Seamus had the undivided attention of every person attending, he was the voice of the men who spent their lives underground. He had a way of capturing attention, and he did it that day in his usual style.
Of course, we are so thankful for the years of volunteer service that he gave to the park, he was a member of the Discovery Park Board for many years. He attended meetings and gave of his time so generously. Another event he cared deeply about was the annual National Heritage Week tour of the Deerpark Mine. Each summer he would take people to visit the mine and paint a vivid picture of a working day at the mines, once more he had people hanging on every word he said.
Castlecomer has lost one of its best sons today, but thanks to his talents and passion we have so much to remember him and keep his spirit with us.
“The Miner’s are a lonely few
That remains upon this land
Their work and toil is over now
It’s time for the promised land”
Taken from “Lonely Days Past” by Seamus Walsh “Poems from the Pit”
Most importantly he was a kind hearted gentleman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family that he loved so much.
Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis
