The Late Michael Walsh Mr Michael Walsh, Deecastle, Ardagh, County Mayo, who died at his residence, had work associations throughout the eighties with three hotels in the Athlone area. Mr Walsh, who was aged 51, leased the Newpark Hotel, Kiltoom, from the then owners, Paddy and Bernadette Kenny in the late eighties for a three year period and very speedily established himself as a person of exemplary character in the South Roscomon area and one who gave a high standard of service to all customers. He worked as a restaurant manger at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone and as Manager of the Kilcleagh Park Hotel between Athlone and Moate in the eighties also. A native of Kemah, Crossmolina, he trained for a career in the hospitality industry at the prestigious Ashford Castle and spent number of years in the industry in London before returning to the Irish midlands. Mr Walsh left the Athlone area on purchasing the Dolphin Hotel in his native Crossmolina, which he owned for 12 years. In recent years he had been running the Broken Jug bar and restaurant on O'Rahilly Street in Ballina. A lover of all sport, especially Gaelic games, horse racing and soccer, he as an avid supporter and the Crossmolina GAA Club and the Ardagh GAA Club. He sponsored both the Crossmolina and Ardagh Clubs for varying time periods and also donated money to them and the Mayo team. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of Manchester United. Thousands of people who attended the removal and funeral reflected on his great love of meeting people, which was also borne out by the level of customer service in his varying business establishments over the decades. He was predeceased by his mother, Peggy and is survived by his wife Patricia (nee Keenan, Rosemount, County Westmeath) son, Paddy, father, Paddy, brothers Joe, Crossmolina, Gerry, Claremorris and Gabriel, Keenagh and sisters, Mary Corcoran, Crossmolina; Martina Duffy, Crossmolina and Helen Leonard, Lahardane. Following concelebrated Mass at the Church of the Assumption, Ardagh the funeral took place to Kilmurray Cemetery. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald 4th March 2008 Tweet

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