Convent Road, Claremorris
A native of Ballinrobe, Jim and his brother John came to work with CIE in Claremorris and both spent the vast part of their lives living on Convent Road where they made their respective homes. Jim married Mary Kennedy from Partry and they raised a family of three sons and one daughter.
A man of the highest integrity, Jim was devoted to his family and to his occupation. He was with CIE back in the days when the railway line still operated between Claremorris and Ballinrobe. He was a regular on the Claremorris to Limerick line and had a great knowledge of the history of the railway and its families.
He was also among the men who were regulars on the famous Asahi trains that ran through the night from Dublin to Ballina where they brought material to the Japanese plant that was based in Killala for many years. A feature of the Asahi train was the fact that it was the only train that operated via the Mullingar-Moate-Athlone line during the 1970s.
Respect was one word always associated with Jim Walsh and he had that in abundance from his colleagues and all the people he got to know during his long and dedicated service to CIE. Many tributes were paid to Jim on the occasion of his retirement back in the mid-1980s.
A man of quiet and unassuming disposition, Jim was the best of good company and was a gifted storyteller. He had a way with words and had the ability to put a good twist on a yarn.
A gifted gardener, he always looked forward to the springtime of the year and planting and sowing his garden of vegetables. Year after year, Jim cultivated the garden with an expertise that could match the finest and it always brought him great contentment to see the garden render forth a bountiful crop each year.
When it came to socialising, Jim was happy and content to ramble along to Merrick’s or O’Brien’s bars where he enjoyed his regular drink in the company of good and true friends. The genial chat and easy banter was an important part of life for Jim and friends and something that has always been at the heart of the Irish way of life.
The faith he inherited growing up in Ballinrobe was to play a central role in his life. Jim was a daily Mass attender for many years until declining health took its toll on his day to day routine. He had a great devotion to the Mass and was exemplary in his commitment to good values, honesty and integrity.
Jim Walsh was a man of noble virtue who was greatly regarded by the people of Claremorris. His compassionate nature was always to the fore. He was, in every respect, a real gentleman.
Removal took place from Gilligan’s Funeral Home to Claremorris Church with burial in St Colman’s Cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon and assisted by Fr Tommy Mannion.
Jim, who was predeceased by his wife Mary around 20 years ago, is survived by his daughter Joan Connolly (Claremorris), sons Norman (Donegal), Jimmy (Claremorris) and Gerard (Sligo), in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother Bill (Manchester), sister Mary (Manchester), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
