Father James Walsh (1803-1873) was born in Cappahayden, County Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1803. He died at Merasheen, Placentia Bay, on 12 July 1873.
Walsh studied for the priesthood in St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, and, in 1831 was ordained a priest in Dublin, Ireland by Michael Anthony Fleming, Bishop of St. John's.
At the invitation of Bishop Fleming, Rev. Walsh arrived in the Vicariate of Newfoundland in 1835. He was appointed as priest at Carbonear where he was an active member of the Benevolent Irish Society (BIS).
In the latter part of 1841 Rev. Walsh was transferred as parish priest to the Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia. He set out from Carbonear in the month of December to walk to Placentia in order to be available to celebrate the Masses for the Christmas Season in his new parish. The journey was arduous and tragic as some of his companions died along the route after being caught in a bitter snow storm.
Rev. Walsh also served at St. Joseph's Parish, Bonavista (1855-57). In 1862 he was appointed as the parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish, St. Kyrans, Placentia Bay, where he resided until his death at Merasheen in 1873. Rev. Walsh was also a member of the Board of Education for Placentia West.
From Ernie Walsh:
from Mons. Francis A. Coady's book "Lives Recalled" I read : Fr. Edward Troy, in 1838 from orders from the Pope in Rome, Bishop Fleming removed Fr. Troy from the Island of Newfoundland and placed him on the Island of Merasheen, where he carried out his priestly duties from 1839 to 1947. In 1844 Fr. James Walsh became involved in a public dispute with one of the parishioners by the name of Patrick Hogan, the agent in the town of Carbonear for the Sweetman Merchant Firm, with actual fighting on both sides. Angered, Bishop Fleming transferred Fr. Walsh to St. Joseph's Parish, Merasheen on 01 December 1845, where he laboured for about Ten (10) years . (1845 - 1855 ) After Bonavista he was appointed to Assumption Parish, St. Kyran's , 1857 to 1873. (NB: Fr. Coady in his book has refered to St. Kyran's as Sacred Heart Parish but it should have been Assumption Parish. )
From Michael Collins:
Fr. JamesWalsh was the first pastor of the newly established Parish of the Assumption in St.Kyran's. (I have in my possession my father's birth certificate.On the form is printed 'Our Lady Of The Assumption Parish' . It is stamped ' Parish Of The Assumption Of The B V M') St.Kyran's was named by Fr. Walsh after St Kieran's Seminary in Kilkenny. He reportedly changed the name of Oliver's Cove to St.Leonard's because of his utter dislike for Oliver Cromwell, who had done so much damage in Ireland. I suspect he also came up with the name St.Anne's also. Fr. Walsh was the driving force behind the building of the stone church. I read somewhere that he financed from his own resources. I take that with a grain of salt!
P.S. St Kieran's Seminary is now a private school.
From Pete Rodgers (will):
In re
Rev. James Walsh deceased,
In the name of God Amen I the Rev’d James Walsh of Sy. Kyran’s do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills at any time heretofore made by me-
I give devise and bequeath to my housekeeper Miss Troy the sum of £500-
to my sister Miss Margaret Walsh the sum of £250-
to my sister Mrs. Mary McGrath alias Walsh the sum of £250-
to my sister Mrs. Judith Molloy alias Walsh the sum of £250-
to my cousin Mrs. Brian £5.
To my nephew the Rev’d John Walsh of St. Kyran’s £200 now in Bank and to my man James Leonard now in my employment the sum of £60- I give devise and bequeath my property at Merasheen to my nephew the Rev’d John Walsh of St. Kyran’s- I direct that my property at St. Kyran’s be sold to the Most Rev’d Dr. Power if he chooses to buy it for £500 and if he buy it I direct give devise and bequeath it to my nephew the said Rev’d John Walsh to be distributed by him as he thinks fit amongst my relations and part for himself.
I give devise bequeath and direct that £100 be distributed to have Masses said for my soul- There are £10 balance of school money which will be paid out of the money in the house at present- also the £100 for Masses to be paid out of same money in house. The remainder of my property I give devise and bequeath to be distributed amongst my relatives- And I direct that my property in St. Kyran’s if not purchased by Bishop Power, the people may purchase it for £300 if they wish- and if not purchased by either the Bishop or the people my nephew said Rev’d John Walsh is to dispose of it as he thinks fit and give the money to my friends at home. The Rev’d C. Irvine and Patk Sullivan I appoint executors. In witness whereof I have hereto put my hand this tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy three.
James Walsh
Signed published and declared by said testator as and for his last will and testament in presence of as present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in presence of each other have subscribed our hands as witnesses hereto,
C. Irvine, Patk Sullivan
Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar