Annie Walsh
by Murt Duggan
Annie Walsh was born in Williamstown on August 11th 1913 to Mary (nee Doheny) and Michael O’Sullivan. There were six children in the family; Sr. Peter, Mons. Tom, Mons. Peter Michael, Peg and Annie. Annie started her school days in The Commons and then attended the Presentation Convent in Ballingarry and from there went to the Presentation Convent, Thurles. Her father died during her time as a boarder in Thurles and shortly afterwards the family moved to Brittas, Kilmanagh.
Her first teaching post was in Farranrory National School in 1937 where she worked as a substitute teacher. This was followed by a period in Ballincurry N.S. Annie commenced teaching in Ballingarry N.S. in May 1934, cycling from Brittas in those early days. Later she stayed at Dalton’s in the village. She played camogie for Ballingarry and had a great interest in hurling and football all through her life. Annie married Tom Walsh on 31st August 1939. Tom was a creamery manager and worked in Kilmanagh and Kyle. They had seven children; Billy, Marie, Ann, Teresa, Angela, Marguerite and Rosemary. She worked with three principals in Ballingarry namely Tom Luttrell, Sean Darcy and Don Byard. She remembered all the children she taught and she would recognise little fellows on the street from the resemblance to their grandfathers.
She loved teaching and she had a great sense of humour. At school she looked forward to the visit of Fr. Keogh, Diocesan Examiner who would encourage the children to tell stories and jokes. On one visit he asked a child to say grace before meals. The child wasn’t able so Fr. Keogh asked what did his father say? The child replied “go easy on the butter lads”. He then asked what did he say after meals and the reply was “thank God I’m busting”. Annie would go home from school still laughing and recount the stores to her family. She retired in 1979 and really enjoyed her retirement. She walked up the hill every day to the church, one of her favourite places, to attend daily Mass. She played bridge, whist and went to bingo every Tuesday night. She loved to go to the Hill School to play whist.
Back L to R: Angela, Marie, Billy, Ann, Marguerite.
Front L to R: Rosemary, Tom, Annie, Sr. Teresa.
Annie loved Ballingarry. She was a great neighbour, a good listener and treated all equally. Her former pupils had great affection for her and she for them. In our Parish Journal in 1997 she wrote “I love meeting my past pupils and have a special feeling for them. I pray for them every day and hope they will remember me when I pass away”. She truly was a lovely lady.
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Last updated: December 2009