Fr Walter Forde

Walter Forde (72) was born in Bunclody, Co Wexford, on June 17th, 1943, and died on June 6th, 2015. When I was courting his only sibling Maura, 46 years ago, I was envious and still am of how Walter and Maura grew up in such an idyllic and happy home.

His father was the gifted principal of Bunclody national school for boys and Mrs Forde, a Clare woman, was beautiful and intelligent.

Intellectually gifted, Walter was the author of nine books and edited 11 others. In 1998 he received a lifetime award from the Religious Press Association, of which he had been a former chairman, as well as being press officer for Ferns diocese.

He had been chair of the inter-church committee on local radio and presented a weekly programme on South East Radio. He was a founder member of the Byrne/Perry summer school in 1995 and in 1987 was honoured with life membership of the National Youth Federation.

Maura tells me that when Walter and his next-door neighbour Pat Doyle sent off to St Peter’s seminary in Wexford both mothers were crying and Pat assures me that Walter and himself were too!

But Walter had an abiding interest in and love of people. In 1968 when he was studying at Maynooth he set up a youth club there where, 47 years later, he is still remembered fondly. In 1973 he was seconded for a year as general secretary of the National Federation of Youth Clubs.

After ordination he taught at St Peter’s while also acting as professor of sociology at the seminary there. As a young priest he was radical, and delighted in that description. His ecumenical credentials were impeccable. A lady told us how the late Church of Ireland Bishop of Ferns Noel Willoughby said he didn’t realise for months after his arrival that Walter wasn’t one of his clergy.

From 1974 to 1996, Walter spent 22 very happy and fruitful years in Gorey. He left in 1996 when appointed parish priest of Castlebridge. He was so happy in his 19 years there. We know because he told us everything at lunch on Sunday.

The Byrne/Perry summer school was set, he said, because he and other founders were “conscious that a complete, nuanced and calm knowledge of what has gone before could be used to free us from the shackles of the past”.

Speakers at the school included taoisigh Albert Reynolds, Bertie Ahern, Garret FitzGerald, Chief Justice Susan Denham, historians Joe Lee, Paul Bew, and Kevin Whelan.

Walter also edited the local Bridge magazine in Castlebridge.

In 1988 he was named Co Wexford Person of the Year “for his outstanding contribution to the welfare of his fellow man at local, diocesan, and national level”.

He was a treasured member of our family. His relationship with Maura was very special and loving. Our children Cliodhna, Aoife, and Kevin were the lights of his eyes.

Walter had a passionate interest in politics. We feel if he hadn’t been a priest he would have chosen a career in politics. Aristotle said that “the main goal of society is to allow its members to live full lives, both collectively and individually”. Walter lived life to the full and helped so many people achieve that goal.