Edward Walsh (poet) facts for kids

Edward Walsh (born in 1805, died August 6, 1850) was an Irish poet. He was born in Derry City because his father's army group was training there. His parents came from a small village called Millstreet in County Cork. His father once owned a small piece of land nearby.

Walsh lived in Millstreet for about thirty years. He went to a 'hedge school' for his education. These schools were very basic. Children would meet under a big hedge on sunny days. Untrained teachers, who traveled from place to place, taught them. This was how these teachers earned a small living.

Even as a young boy, Edward showed he was very smart. In 1830, he became a private tutor in County Cork. He also taught the children of an Irish member of parliament. For a while, he was a teacher at a school in Millstreet. In 1837, he moved to Tourin, County Waterford. There, he became a school teacher for the Commissioners of Education.

A Poet's Life

Many of Edward Walsh's songs and poems were published between 1832 and 1839. He also wrote for a newspaper called the Nation. He found his teaching job difficult and felt bothered by officials. So, in 1843, he moved to Dublin. There, a kind man named Charles Gavan Duffy helped him. Duffy got him a job as a sub-editor for a newspaper called the Monitor.

His books, Irish Jacobite Poetry (1844) and Irish Popular Songs (1847), clearly showed he was a true poet. Even with his talent, he struggled with money problems. In 1848, he took a job as a schoolmaster. He taught the younger prisoners at Spike Island.

Meeting John Mitchel

While at Spike Island, Edward Walsh was visited by John Mitchel. Mitchel was on his way to prison for political reasons. In his book, Jail Journal, Mitchel wrote a clear description of meeting Walsh. Not long after this, Walsh became the schoolmaster at the Cork work-house. A work-house was a place where poor people could live and work. Sadly, he died within twelve months.

His Legacy

A beautiful monument was built in his memory. It stands in the Father Mathew Cemetery in Cork. The monument has a message written in both Irish and English. Some of his most famous songs are Mo Chragibhin Cno, Brighidin ban mo stor, and O'Donovan's Daughter. You can find these in most Irish poetry collections. His translations of Irish songs are also very true to the original and sound lovely.

What People Thought of His Work

A writer named Hayes said this about Walsh's poems in his book, Ballads of Ireland: "His poems have a special beauty and a charming tune. They make your ears and heart happy. His translations keep all the unique parts of the old Irish language. He knew and spoke Irish very well. His songs are the most accurate and true to Irish style that we have."