CONCLUSION
The Walsh family who emigrated from Castle Erkin were pioneers of agriculture, grazing and innkeeping in the Yass, Cowra, Grenfell and Forbes districts. They contributed to the development of schools and churches and were active in
community affairs. The men battled droughts and floods to carve properties from the unfamiliar Australian bush. The women lived in primitive slab huts, gave birth and raised large families with little medical assistance. The Walshes were generous, hospitable people who enjoyed social gatherings, horse-racing, dancing and singing as a break from their constant work. They maintained their family bonds, supporting one another during times of joy or sorrow.
Many of their descendants are still connected with the land, some represented their country during two world wars and many have married into families of differing cultural backgrounds. All have made some contribution to the development of our Australian society. Present descendants of the Walsh family include members of most professions and occupations such as clergymen, nuns and brothers, lawyers, diplomats, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, businessmen, teachers, journalists, librarians, public servants, nurses, musicians and tradesmen.
From the group of eight Walsh brothers and sisters who set out from a small farm near Limerick city in 1844-50, there are now hundreds of Australian descendants.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. Nell Pepper. Original Walsh letters.
2. John Cooke. Original photograph of Ellen and James Walsh, Markham research.
3. Anne Cappello, typing and proof reading 1989.
4. Joan Dawes, Markham and Walsh research.
5. Bishop J. Cullinane, Patrick Walsh family history notes.
6. Ryan family, Milltown, Kilteely, Co. Limerick, family history.
7. Ian Maguire. Mallon family history notes.
8. Ben Fisher. Hartigan family history notes 1989
9. Frank Murray. Markham and Walsh research 2002.
SOURCES
1. Cargeeg, George, Irish Link, May 1987.
2. Clark, S. and Donnelly, J. (eds.), Irish Peasants, 1983.
3. Furlong, Matthew, Famous Irish Names, Melbourne.
4. Manning Clark, A History of Australia, Vol.III.
5. McNamara, Veronica, Beyond the Early Maps, Orange, 1971.
6. Middlemiss family history notes.
7. O’Farrell, Patrick, The Irish in Australia, 1987.
8. O’Shaughnessy, Thomas, Diary, 1835-1903.
9. O’Tuathaigh, Ireland Before the Famine, (London), 1972.
10. Sweeney, Christopher, Transported in Place of Death, 1981.
11. Watmore, P. and Roberson A., Pioneer Family Roots, Cowra, 1986
RECORDS
New South Wales Archives Office: Shipping Records
Registrar General’s Office, Sydney: Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates
New South Wales State Library: Early Newspapers.
State Paper Office, Dublin Castle, Dublin.
National Library, Dublin: Newspapers.
Cowra Historical Association.
Society of Australian Genealogists, Kent Street, Sydney.
Updates or corrections and additions welcomed.
To go to Walsh INDEX page, click here.