Travellers pay tribute to bishop

THE support given by Bishop Willie Walsh to the Travelling community of County Clare over a long number of years was acknowledged at an informal gathering at his residence in Ennis recently.
Ennis man Brian McDonagh came forward with the idea to bring Travellers, friends, teachers, agency and advocacy workers to Bishop Willie’s home to express their appreciation for his unstinting support and practical help.
Bishop Walsh, often in the face of strong criticism, defended Travellers on various issues and will always be remembered for allowing families to park their caravans on his grounds when there was no place else for them to go.
Event organiser Brian McDonagh is in the centre of the photograph. From left, Mary Sherlock, Patrick McDonagh, Liam Jones, Anne Walsh, Tim O’Neill, Helen O’Sullivan, Patricia Clancy, June Barratt, Sr. Margaret, Bishop Walsh, Brigid O’Mahoney, Anna Ryan, Eileen Jones, Brian McDonagh, Greg Duff, Willie Sherlock, Pat Galvin, Fr Joe Hourigan, Nicky Brennan, Mary Sherlock, Nora Flynn, Pat McDonagh.  Photograph by Tom McDonagh.