Pat Walsh was born in 1887. His father was Matt Walsh from Newmarket and Mary O’Neill from Dunamaggan, Co. Kilkenny. Pat went to Baurscoob National School and later at the age of ten to Kells National School. After this he went to Callan C.B.S. where he showed a keen interest in reading and learning. He was a member of the local G.A.A. club called the “Glory Rovers” after the river Glory. He trained hard at hurling and football and even became a referee. He also trained local children hurling in the local field. His love and determination to uphold the Irish spirit were evident when he defied a British ban on Irish sport to captain the Glory Rovers against Ahenure in 1919. In his late twenties, Pat Walsh organised the Irish Volunteers locally and became an officer and a leader. He trained the 8th Battalion, (men from Kells, Kilmoganny and Dunamaggan in local fields in Ballintee and Danganmore). Pat was very active in the fight against the conscription of Irish men during WW1 and he was arrested on 8th December 1920 when his house was raided and 7 copies of “An tÓglach”, a republican newspaper were found. He was convicted in Waterford Court and spent two months in jail.
Pat Walsh was captain of Dunamaggin B Company following release he needed to go on the run. Séan Hogan O/C of Tipperary IRA ASU had crossed the Tipperary border and on Friday 13th May, Pat joined up with Séan Hogan’s flying column. They took part in the Invasion of Kilmanagh and had planned to attack Urlingford R.I.C barracks on the Tipperary/Kilkenny border. However early on the morning of that attack British soldiers took them by surprise at Knocknagress in Tullaroan. Séan Quinn and Pat were both wounded. Séan Quinn died shortly afterwards and Pat Walsh was moved to Fermoy Military hospital where his leg was amputated without any anaesthetic. He died on Wednesday 18th May 1921 aged 34. Great crowds followed the cortege from Callan to Dunamaggan for the funeral. The tricolour was removed by a British soldier at the church. However prior to burial a local lady Ellie Peters, produced another tricolour and draped the coffin prior to burial. A fitting tribute to an Irish Patriot.
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Pat Walsh Memorial 