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Kathleen Kearney Walsh Papers

Call Number

AIA.029

Date

1937-1995, inclusive

Creator

Walsh, Kathleen Kearney

Extent

1.44 Linear Feet in 1 card box, 1 manuscript box, and 1 media box

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Abstract

Kathleen Kearney Walsh, president of the United Irish Counties (UIC) Ladies' Auxiliary and financial secretary to the Offaly Social and Athletic Club, was a prominent member of the greater New York City area Irish American community in the mid- and late-20th century. She served numerous positions in UIC leadership, including the organization's first woman President. This collection contains photographs, correspondence, memoranda, event programs, newspaper clippings, membership cards, video cassettes, and an audio recording documenting Walsh's personal life, role in New York Irish American social circles, efforts to promote Irish cultural traditions, and her unique position as a woman of senior leadership in Irish social organizations in the city.

Historical/Biographical Note

Kathleen Kearney Walsh, president of the United Irish Counties (UIC) Ladies' Auxiliary and financial secretary to the Offaly Social and Athletic Club, was a prominent member of the greater New York City area Irish American community in the mid- and late-20th century. The daughter of Denis Kearney and Teresa Digan Kearney, Kathleen was born in Tullamore, County Offaly. She attended the Convent of Mercy in Tullamore, finished her schooling in Dublin, and then emigrated to the United States in 1925. She married orchestra leader Patrick Walsh in 1937. At the age of 15, she became the first financial secretary of the Offaly Club. She later became the organization's first woman president (the first woman to be elected the president of an Irish county organization), holding the office for eight different terms. She was also the first woman delegate to the UIC; the first woman Vice President of the UIC; first woman Director of the UIC, serving on the Board for 12 years; and President of the UIC Ladies Auxiliary. She also acted as a member of the UIC Feis Committee for over 45 years in an effort to promote Irish cultural activities. She later founded and then acted as the chairperson of the Irish Ladies' Hospital Cheer Committee, fundraising, donating gifts, and spending time with patients, initially focusing on those with tuberculosis and in cancer hospitals, but later with an expanded emphasis.

Arrangement

Files are arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains photographs, correspondence, memoranda, event programs, newspaper clippings, membership cards, video cassettes, and an audio recording documenting the personal life of Kathleen Kearney Walsh and her involvement in various Irish American organizations, including the United Irish County (UIC) Association Ladies Auxiliary, the Offaly Social and Athletic Club, and the Irish Ladies' Hospital Cheer Committee. The materials illustrate her role in New York Irish American social circles, her efforts to promote Irish cultural traditions, and her unique position as a woman of senior leadership in Irish social organizations in the city.

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Kathleen Walsh D'Arcy, the daughter of Kathleen Kearney Walsh, were transferred to New York University in 2002. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from the Tamiment Library.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date; Kathleen Kearney Walsh Papers; AIA 029; box number; folder number; Archives of Irish America, Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Kathleen Walsh D'Arcy in 2002. The accession number associated with this gift is 1997.017.

Audiovisual Access Policies and Procedures

Researchers interested in using audiovisual materials in this collection (films, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, et cetera) must use a digitized copy, which we refer to as an access copy. Researchers may view an item's original container, but the media themselves are not available for playback because of preservation concerns. Materials that already have already been digitized are noted in the collection's finding aid and can be requested in our reading room; materials not yet digitized will need to have access copies made before they can be used. These requests are free of charge and can be made in anticipation of your visit. The process typically takes four to six weeks. To request an access copy be made, or if you are unsure if an item has been digitized, please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. A librarian will respond to you with further information.

Related Archival Materials

Archives of Irish America County Societies Collection (AIA 003)

United Irish Counties Association Records (AIA 056)

Collection processed by

Rachel Searcy

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 16:28:54 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Description is in English.

Processing Information

Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes. Due to a lack of original order, files were arranged alphabetically. Folder titles were supplied by an archivist. Several photographs were humidified, unrolled, dried under weight, and had tears stabilized by the Preservation department. One mounted photograph was removed from its base and then cleaned.

In March 2022, the two 8 mm film reels (TAM/WAG AIA-29-a and TAM/WAG AIA-29-b) were rehoused into one single box.

Repository

Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012