IRISH YOUTH AGAINST SUICIDE

 

Our next hopefully saint to be, is another youth, from the same part of the world as our last young man, but this time Ireland.

 DONAL WALSH  (my Irish ancestors were Walshes but came to this country in early 1800s) 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", Donal 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.

The son of Fionnbar and Elma Walsh, Donal was born in County Kerry in 1996. He had a sister, Jemma. A passionate sports fan, Donal had plans to become a sports journalist. His favorite sport was rugby.

 In 2009, Donal was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after a tumor was found in his leg. He underwent chemotherapy, but it eventually spread to his lung and he became terminal. While undergoing treatment in Crumlin Children's Hospital, the youth raised over €50,000 to improve conditions in the hospital.

 Donal, a rugby fan all his life, received support from former Munster Rugby player Paul O'Connell during his battle with cancer, the pair becoming friends.

 Donal became well-known in Ireland following an interview with Brendan O'Connor on his Saturday Night Show. In this interview, Donal 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”.

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

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

 Donal was posthumously honored by the National Newspapers of Ireland for "outstanding contributions to public debate" in 2013. He also received the Rehab Young Person of the Year award after his death.

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

Donal’s parents set up the Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation to honor his legacy and continue campaigning against teenage suicide. The foundation was honored by Kerry County Council in 2019, having raised almost $600,000 for charitable causes and organized visits to schools. 

In 2023, thousands gathered at Knock Shrine on the tenth anniversary of Donal's death to celebrate Donal Walsh Day.

Donal’s uncle, Fr Michael Walsh, is an Augustinian priest. Fr Walsh showed a copy of the Sunday Independent to his then prior general, Fr Robert Prevost. Fr Prevost, the would-be Pope, was so impressed with Donal’s article that he agreed to make him an honorary Augustinian. He wrote to Donal to offer him the honorary recognition. Donal accepted and was sworn in two days before he died.

Perhaps the Pope who granted Donal this honor will one day canonize him!