Jerry Walsh of the Raftery Rooms

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For many years now, Jerry Walsh's name has become synonymous with entertainment in Kiltimagh.He is a veteran of four decades of welcoming people to the town, many of them rich and famous. Using his excellent social skills, he has made The Raftery Room a magnet for visitors from different parts of the globe.
For who in Mayo, and beyond, hasn't heard of the celebrated room?

Jerry inherited the business acumen from his grandparents who started trading on Main Street, not long after The Famine. His father, M.P. developed the business further, starting the travelling shops and the exportation of eggs.

In the 1960s world economies began to expand, and with more disposable income and holidays, people were on the move. Jerry was determined that some of these people would stop off in Kiltimagh and The Raftery Room.

When you talk with Jerry, you cannot fail but capture the great enthusiasm he has had for his role as Master of Ceremonies over all the years. He recalls one of his first visits to America where all who met him there accorded him an honest-to-goodness welcome. He was determined, on his return, to extend the same kind of personal welcome to his guests in the Raftery Room. Written welcomes on brochures may ring hollow, but the real impression is created by the firm handshake, the look in the eyes, and the voice that bespoke a true and genuine welcome.

Throughout the many hours of music, song and dance that took place during a typical night in the Raftery Room, Jerry moved from table to table, talking to his guests and making notes. Armed with the necessary information, he would make his way to the stage, take the microphone, and, with a role of the drums, he introduced his guests to each other. Invariably, there were people from Chicago, Los Angeles, London and Melbourne enjoying the hospitality of the evening. I remember, on one occasion, Jerry welcomed two young men to the Raftery Room who had been working in The Middle East. His words to them were: " We have two men from the Middle East here this evening. As you know, alcohol is banned there. The temperature, when they left, was 120 degrees in the shade. Boy! Are they glad to be in the Raftery Room."

I suppose it was inevitable that Jerry would be associated with a number of catch phrases that became his stock-in-trade. His characteristic introduction of "Good Evening, boys and girls" set the tone for the evening, for the Raftery Room was a place where the burden of ageing was suspended, and where the welcoming atmosphere became an elixir of life. Jerry had his own way of introducing some of his resident performers. Big Joe Burke would play "a rake of reels"; the late Johnny Conneally was introduced as "the fastest reel in the West," and young Paddy, known as Pat the Piper" led bus loads of tourists through the hallway, and into the famed room. At the end of the evening, all were asked to rise for the national anthem, with the gentle reminder of: "For God's sake mind the glasses."

Looking back on his long term in the Raftery Room, Jerry can remember with pride the many innovations started by him. The Raftery Room was the first pub, in Kiltimagh, to have a public phone installed. It can also boast the first real ladies' toilet in town, as well. A special television lounge was also associated with the room.

Of course, Jerry Walsh has a deep and abiding interest in all facets of Kiltimagh's history. Jerry has the ability to express that interest in verse, as the many poems penned by him bear testimony. It was only fitting, therefore, that the Kiltimagh Historical Society was started in the Raftery Room, with Jerry as co-founder. He clearly recognised the importance of our rich heritage for present and future generations.

We can see, then, the multi-functional role enjoyed by Jerry in his native Kiltimagh, both as businessman and local historian. In more recent years, however, Jerry has departed for Australia as autumn leaves fall in Ireland, and he returns when blossoms bloom once more. We hope that he enjoys many more years of endless summer in Ireland and Australia.


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