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Donal Walsh (activist)

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For the Irish Olympian, see Donie Walsh.

Donal Walsh
Born(1996-06-15)15 June 1996
County Kerry, Ireland
Died12 May 2013(2013-05-12) (aged 16)
Blennerville, County Kerry, Ireland
Cause of deathBone cancer
EducationCBS Tralee
Occupation(s)Student, anti-suicide and cancer awareness activist
Websitehttp://donalwalshlivelife.org/

Donal Walsh (15 June 1996 – 12 May 2013) was an Irish cancer awareness and anti-suicide activist from Blennerville, County Kerry. Described by the Irish Independent as "a teenager who inspired a nation", Walsh was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of twelve. He became well known for his activism against teenage suicide after appearing on an interview on RTÉ's Saturday Night Show. He died in 2013 at the age of 16, with thousands paying tribute to him after his death.

Early life

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The son of Fionnbar and Elma Walsh, Donal Walsh was born in County Kerry on 15 June 1996.[1] He had a sister, Jemma.[2]

He attended Spa National School[3] and CBS The Green, Tralee.[4] He played rugby with Tralee Rugby Club.[5] A passionate sports fan, Walsh had plans to become a sports journalist.[6]

Cancer diagnosis and activism

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In 2009, Walsh was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after a tumour was found in his leg.[7] He underwent chemotherapy for this,[8] but it eventually spread to his lung and became terminal.[9] While undergoing treatment in Crumlin Children's Hospital, Walsh raised over €50,000 to improve conditions in the hospital.[10]

Walsh, a rugby fan all his life, received support from former Munster Rugby player Paul O'Connell during his battle with cancer, with the pair having become friends shortly after Walsh's initial diagnosis.[11]

Walsh became well-known in Ireland following an interview with Brendan O'Connor on his Saturday Night Show.[12] In this interview, Walsh expressed his anger at the prevalence of teenage suicide, saying "I hear of young people committing suicide and I’m sorry but it makes me feel nothing but anger."[13]

Death and legacy

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Walsh died on 12 May 2013, at his home in Blennerville, surrounded by his family.[2] In the aftermath of his death, thousands paid tribute to him on social media.[14] Minister of State Kathleen Lynch paid tribute to Walsh, describing him as "extraordinary" and commending his articulate nature and maturity.[15] Thousands attended his funeral, including members of the Kerry gaelic football team[16] and his sporting hero Ronan O'Gara.[17]

The coroner for County Kerry, Terence Casey, noted that in the aftermath of Walsh's appeals to young people, suicide rates had dropped considerably in Kerry,[18] a county which had suffered high rates of suicide in the previous years.[19] Youth resource website SpunOut.ie reported that in the aftermath of Walsh's death, traffic to the site of young people seeking assistance with suicidal thoughts had increased significantly.[20]

Walsh was posthumously honoured by the National Newspapers of Ireland for "outstanding contributions to public debate" in 2013.[6] He also received the Rehab Young Person of the Year award after his death.[21]

In October 2013, the HSE released a video appeal from Walsh, aimed at 15 to 19 year olds and appealing against suicide.[22] The video was distributed to schools as part of an anti-suicide campaign.[9] On New Year's Day in 2014, a documentary on Walsh's life aired on RTÉ, titled Donal Walsh - My Life.[23]

Walsh's parents set up the Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation to honour his legacy and continue campaigning against teenage suicide.[1][24] The foundation was honoured by Kerry County Council in 2019, having raised over €500,000 for charitable causes and organised visits to schools.[25] In 2023, thousands gathered at Knock on the tenth anniversary of Walsh's death to celebrate Donal Walsh Day.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b Dwyer, Ciara (5 May 2014). "Fionnbar Walsh keeps Donal's memory and message alive". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b O'Sullivan, Jemma (13 May 2013). "Heartbreak as teen who touched the nation dies". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  3. ^ Brouder, Simon (17 May 2023). "Spa NS to mark former pupil Donal Walsh's 10th anniversary". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Donal shines a light". Irish Independent. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  5. ^ O'Sullivan, Majella (29 March 2013). "Brave cancer sufferer's plea to suicidal youths". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b Burke-Kennedy, Eoin (8 November 2013). "Posthumous honour for Donal Walsh at NNI awards". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  7. ^ Lucey, Anne. "Teenager with cancer speaks of anger at youth suicide". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Donal: In his own words". Irish Independent. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Family of Donal Walsh reminds young of anti-suicide message". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  10. ^ O'Sullivan, Majella (14 May 2013). "Treatment was 'hell' but Donal wanted to help sick children". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  11. ^ Bielenberg, Kim (14 April 2013). "The secret, softer side of Paul O'Connell". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  12. ^ McGreevy, Ronan. "Donal Walsh documentary to be aired on New Year's Day". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  13. ^ McBride, Caitlin (5 April 2013). "Terminally ill 16-year-old takes his anti-suicide campaign to RTE". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  14. ^ Barry, Aoife (13 May 2013). "Thousands pay tribute to teen 'warrior and inspiration' Donal Walsh". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Kerry teenager Donal Walsh dies". RTÉ News. 13 May 2013.
  16. ^ Lucey, Anne. "Hundreds pay respects to Donal Walsh". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Elma Walsh: He said, 'Mom, I'm not going to live til I'm 18, I'm". RTÉ News. 26 June 2017.
  18. ^ Finn, Christina (12 September 2013). "Suicides in Kerry decreased since Donal Walsh spoke out, says coroner". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  19. ^ "No suicides in South Kerry for six months after Donal's TV plea". Irish Independent. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  20. ^ "The wonderful and lasting legacy of brave Donal Walsh". Irish Independent. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Donal Walsh set for tribute in People of the Year award". Irish Independent. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  22. ^ Kenny, Ciara. "HSE releases appeal video of cancer victim Donal Walsh". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  23. ^ Fitzgerald, Aine (9 January 2014). "Donal Walsh's father heartened by 'phenomenal' response to his story". www.limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  24. ^ Buckley, Dan (16 August 2013). "Parents set up foundation to continue Donal Walsh legacy". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  25. ^ Lucey, Anne (19 February 2019). "Tralee honours parents of late teen Donal Walsh for positive achievements". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  26. ^ Jones, Ruadhán (18 May 2023). "Thousands turn out for Donal Walsh day at Knock". The Irish Catholic. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
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