PIONEERING dairy farmer, the late John Walsh (55), was a lifelong member of the Iverk Show, the local Tirlán Farmers’ Group, Master and Chairperson of the Kilmoganny Hunt and point-to-point committees in addition to many other local interests.

John Walsh was destined to be a farmer. After school in Carrick, he attended agricultural college in Kildtalton close to home. At an early age, he had joined Macra na Feirme, the young farmers’ group. It shaped his future in many ways. Macra brought him together with like-minded people who were keen to learn about new developments in farming practices.

In 2001, his farming enterprise expanded when John moved his dairy enterprise to Mainstown and soon after he and Maeve were married. He pioneered the practice of efficient grassland management and was a strong believer in the value of farm discussion groups for sharing knowledge. He ran the sheep section on an annual basis at the Iverk Show, an organisation that his father Wattie was chairperson of for 21 years. Married to Maeve, father to Jack and eldest of four children born to Wattie and the late Leecha Walsh, of Tybroughney.

John had three loves, his family, his farm (except machinery!), and horses. He was Master and Chairperson of the Kilmoganny, his involvement with hunting went back to his childhood days. He was very sad when the decision was taken to disband the hunt but understood more than anyone, with the increasing insurance and running costs the club had to call it a day. John and Jack, his beloved son, continued to hunt with the Waterford and Mullinavat Hunts.

Their time hunting together was time John really valued. In addition to hunting, John was Chairperson of the Kilmoganny Hunt point-to-point committee for more than 25 years and over the last 10 years, his farm at Mainstown hosted the December point-to-point on an annual basis. It was considered one of the premier autumn courses in the south. His knowledge of equine breeding was second to none, and was most evident if you met him on a racecourse or at a point-to-point meeting.

One friend and neighbour recently recalled how John treated everyone with respect. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband and father, an outstanding farmer, an ambassador for Irish point-to-points, racing and hunting and a great friend to many.

In his funeral oration, his lifelong school friend Bobby Fitzgerald summarised his multi-faceted life, his love for his family and farming and annual trips to Cheltenham. The INHSC (the Turf Club) presented John just before his passing with a Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledging his work, supporting the point-to-point industry, hunting, farming and the wider racing community in Ireland. (The award was publicly announced at the INHSC award ceremony in the Minella Hotel Clonmel on Saturday, June 10th by Richard Pugh).

Fittingly at his graveside, Jim Kenny, huntsman of the Waterford blew the hunting horn (‘Gone Away’) which echoed around the village church of St Patrick’s in Faugheen and the surrounding countryside which includes Mainstown, to a packed congregation saying goodbye to John, this was followed by The Fields of Athenry. He is survived by his wife Maeve, son Jack, father Wattie, sister Paula, brother Ray, extended family and many friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

James Phelan.