The Late Arthur Walsh The recent death of Arthur Walsh, Ahamonister, Timoleague, has removed a prominent personality from the parish of Timoleague and its wider hinterland. A man who possessed a gentle and most unassuming manner, his contribution to the many organisations he was involved in was appreciated and admired by all who knew him. Coming from a family who had made a massive contribution to the agricultural and community life in the countryside, his mother Catherine was a leading light in the Irish Countrywomen's Association and did trojan work in building up the poultry industry in conjuction with the management of Barryroe Co-Op, while his father, Andrew Walsh, P.C. was one of the founding fathers of the Timoleague Ploughing Assocation was also the first Timoleague representative on the Board of Management of Barryroe Co-Op, it was only natural that Arthur would follow in a similar vein. A man of strong Christian beliefs he was a regular collector at mass at the Church of The Nativity and an active member of the Parish Community Association. He was also a prominent member of the local IFA branch, but it is for his involvement with the ploughing association that he will be best remembered. As a young boy, he attended the first Timoleague Ploughing Match up in Kilmalooda with his father, an event still revered by all who had the privilege of attending it. While still in his teenage years he became involved in the committee of the Timoleague Ploughing Association and, for the past forty years, he had guided the financial affairs of the Association with a degree of accountability and transparency befitting the man. His presence on ploughing match day will be hard to replace and , as a recognition of his great contribution to the development of competitive ploughing, the managing director of the N.P.A., Mrs McHugh, has expressed her condolences to his wife and family. He now goes to join in the "land beyond" the stalwarts of Timoleague Ploughing Association, who have passed to their eternal reward during recent years - Paddy Madden, Arthur O'Leary, Dan Connolly, Tommy Dineen and Ambrose Griffin. The massive turnout for both his removal and funeral at The Church of The Nativity, Timoleague, bore testimony to the esteem in which both himself and his family are held. The chief concelebrant of the Requiem Mass who also conducted the obsequies at the graveside at St. Molags's Cemetery in the company of ten other priests was his cousin, Fr Frank Sexton O.S.A., who had performed their marriage ceremony shortly after his ordination in 1964, and coincidentally home on leave from the mission fields of Nigeria. In a graveside oration, John Sexton, secretary of the Timoleague Ploughing Association paid a glowing tribute to him and the contribution that the Walsh Family had made to society in general. A guard of honour comprising members of the Ploughing Association, the Community Council, the GAA and others flanked the cortege at the removal from Foley's Funeral Home to the Church and from the Church to the Cemetery at the funeral. His family have been deeply involved with Timoleague GAA, Mickey who was a Cork minor, having helped the club to a number of county final victories. And this is only following in the tradition since his father, Andrew Walsh, provided Timoleague Club with a field back in the forties. To his wife Mary and family, went the sympathy of all who had the privilege of knowing hime and sharing his company. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis". John Sexton Courtnesy of the Southern Star August 2003 Tweet

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