'A fulfilled life, well lived' - Funeral takes place of former IFA President Padraig Walshe in Laois

Tributes have been paid to the former IFA President Padraig Walsh, who died unexpectedly last Wednesday, February 1.

Mr Walshe was laid to rest on Monday following Requiem Mass in Durrow.

Fr. Paddy Hennessy, a brother-in-law of Mr Walshe’s, concelebrated the Funeral Mass at the Holy Trinity Church in Durrow.

The attendance included the aide-de-camp to President Michael D. Higgins, Commandant Brian Walsh. 

In his homily, Fr. Hennessy noted the circumstances of Mr. Walshe’s passing and the care and compassion of the paramedics and emergency services on the scene. It was “a testament to humanity in a time of need,” he noted. He also spoke of Ella Walshe’s “extraordinary strength as a storm erupted around her.” He paid tribute to the help of neighbours and friends in the days since. 

“Padraig Walshe’s life revolved around family, farming, faith and friends. His great strength was Ella, his wife. He was faithful to family and his community. He enhanced our lives.

“He worked locally but thought globally. He had an encyclopedic mind and an ability to listen to everyone, discern what was said and make a decision.

He travelled all over the country helping people, on  “errands of mercy” sometimes and “put no limit on his time.”

“At times he could be a man of few words but he had great one liners, among them being ‘you can’t farm from an office in Brussels.’”

“His mantra was that ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance can achieve anything.”

The readings were read by Catherine and Elma Walshe. Prayers of the faithful were read by Mr Walshe’s brothers, Eamon and Seamus, sister Breda, sister-in-law Margaret and her husband Jer Bergin.

In his eulogy the former General Secretary of the IFA, Michael Berkery spoke of Padraig Walshe’s love of his native place. 

He noted the “immediate feeling of palpable grief” which greeted the shocking news of his passing. “There was a feeling that “we had lost a stalwart of rural Ireland.”

“Padraig Walshe was a pure gentleman. His legacy will always be appreciated and it will endure. He was calm, logical and determined and his genuine decency was an absolute given.”

Mr Berkery acknowledged the “immense bravery” of Ella Walshe and how “her concern for others” prevented a pile up or accident on the M1 motorway. “Fate ordained that she would be with him in his final moments. Theirs was a formidable partnership. Many enjoyed the hospitality of the table at Bishopswood over the years. The kitchen table was the boardroom.”

In his early days as IFA President Mr Walshe organised a national protest campaign over the proposed Mandelson trade deal.

Mr Berkery said that Padraig Walshe had the three As which are prescriptive for succeeding in public life - ability, affability and availability.

“His presence lifted a room and, with his trademark psychedelic ties, he towered over us.”

Mr Berkery noted Mr Walshe’s involvement in farming and farm politics, starting from his arrival home to the family farm in 1976 at the age of 20 from agricultural college.

From his early days in Abbeyleix Macra to the IFA National Presidency and beyond he had made a huge contribution to a range of national organisations.

“His was a fulfilled life, well lived,” he noted.