‘You were a true lady' – Mother of music manager Louis Walsh dies following long battle with illness
Maureen Walsh, of Church Street, Kiltimagh, Mayo, the mother of former Boyzone manager and music mogul, Louis Walsh, died today.
Ms Walsh, a mother-of-nine, had been battling with Alzheimer's Disease for the last decade.
"My mum has got Alzheimer's now. She doesn't know me. But she's fine, healthy and happy and doesn't know any better," Mr Walsh told Woman Magazine in 2015.
The former X Factor judge said then that the pair are famously close, with his mother flying to London and Miami where her son had homes.
She even appeared on the X Factor show in 2007, where she revealed that his real name is Michael Louis Vincent Walsh.
Ms Walsh is predeceased by her husband Frank, her daughter Catherine, her parents Martin and Delia, her brother Sean and her son-in-law Pat O'Connor.
She is the cherished mother of Evelyn' O'Connor, Louis, Paul, Frank, Eamon, Padraic, Joseph, Noel and Sara Keogh, according to her death notice.
Ms Walsh will repose at her home in Church Street, Kiltimagh, on Wednesday evening from 4pm until 8pm.
Her removal from her home will take place on Thursday morning to the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh for Funeral Mass at 12pm.
This will be followed by a burial afterwards in Kilkinure Cemetery, Kiltimagh.
Tributes have been pouring in for Ms Walsh, with one condolence describing her as a 'true lady'.
One person recalled how they had 'fond memories of a gracious, kind and generous lady'.
"My deepest sympathy to all the Walsh family on the passing of yer Mum. A lovely lady. May she Rest in peace,' another said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Joe Swash reveals the two things he and wife Stacey Solomon can't go on holiday without
JOE Swash has revealed the two things he and Stacey Solomon can't go on holiday without, as the family gear up for their summer getaway. The 43-year-old former EastEnders star and his X Factor contestant wife are planning to jet off to sunnier climates in the coming months - but haven't landed on a location yet. 5 Joe Swash has revealed the two things he and Stacey Solomon can't go on holiday without Credit: SWNS 5 The former EastEnders star and his X Factor contestant wife are planning to jet off to sunnier climates in the coming months Credit: Instagram / @staceysolomon But no matter where they go, they'll end up packing two things as they always do - a crafts box to keep their young children entertained, and flotation devices to keep them safe in the water. Joe said: "Stacey likes to travel with a craft box so the kids can stick out things together and do a bit of drawing. "But we also like to do things with the younger ones, Belle and Rose. Rex not so much now as he's a bit older and he can swim really well, but we make sure we get the armbands for swimming properly. READ MORE ON JOE SWASH "You can go on holiday and then it's a nightmare if you can't get the right ones. We always want to make sure they have the right swimming equipment so they're safe before we go, so we know that box is ticked." Joe revealed the family are weighing up where to go – but that decision is out of his hands and will be down to the kids. Joe said: 'We do like to go away with a lot of family as well so I'm sure there's going to be more than just us lot. Most read in Showbiz 'We like to go to Turkey as that's where the kids love. We're not 100 per cent sure where it'll be, but there's going to be a lot of us. 'We are driven by what the kids love – wherever they want to go, we do.' Stacey Solomon hits back at cruel troll who branded her a 'horse mouth' He added: 'Our kids have never loved kids club, but they love water parks, swimming, playing sports, football and tennis. 'They've got huge amounts of energy to burn off and because we've got so many of them, there's never a dull moment. " I always say to Stacey that we need a holiday after the holiday.' One thing which never changes is the drenching one another with water when the sun is out. And as summer approaches, Joe has teamed up with Jammie Dodgers, to unveil a limited-edition Super Soaker made in collaboration with Nerf, which has been created to inspire kids to get outside in the sun, and 100 are up 'We're always trying to get the kids out into the garden and we're chucking water at each other so it's right up my street. 'I usually come out on top because I can carry the most water.' Discussing his collaboration with the biscuit brand Joe said: 'Jammie Dodgers have been in my family for years - I grew up with them, they were something my mum used to buy and it's something our kids love having as well.' He also revealed his and Stacey's plans to turn their Pickle Cottage to Animal Farm – by getting in goats, pigs and other farmyard animals. The 43-year-old former EastEnders star and his wife have been busy with home and garden improvements to their Essex abode, with one of the latest additions including a beehive. But not settling there, Joe opened the door for the possibility of more animals joining their growing family, which already includes dogs, ducks and fish. 'We had more chickens arrive the other day and I've heard rumours there might be rabbits on the way. 'There's always something new. I wouldn't be surprised if a goat popped up, or a pig. I feel like we're at that stage now.' The first bits of honey were extracted from their beehive recently, and so far, none of the family has been stung – although their dog Peanut did get nipped. 'I think he might have got a bit too close the other day, but he won't be doing that again,' Joe said. Joe and Stacey's interest in becoming more sustainable has spilled over into growing more fruit and vegetables and is something the whole family take part in. Growing fruit and veg in the garden has provided the perfect learning experience for their young children Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two, to learn about where food comes from. Joe said: 'The question is what Stacey isn't growing, that would be easier to answer. She's really transformed the garden and really found a passion for it.' 5 As summer approaches Joe has teamed up with Jammie Dodgers to unveil a limited-edition Super Soaker Credit: BBC 5 The couple will end up packing two things as they always do - a crafts box and flotation devices Credit: BBC 5 Joe also revealed his and Stacey's plans to turn their Pickle Cottage to Animal Farm Credit: PA
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Mother of Louis Walsh remembered as ‘an extraordinary woman' as Westlife members and stars attend funeral of Maureen (94)
The Church of the Holy Family in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, was almost full to capacity for the funeral of Maureen Walsh (94). Her sons Louis and Frank and daughter Sarah paid tribute to their mother, who enjoyed a great relationship with her children and always encouraged them to 'make the best' of themselves. Celebrities from the music and TV industries were in attendance, including Westlife members Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan, as well as Dana Rosemary Scallan and Glenda Gilson. Born Maureen Healy in 1931 to Delia and Martin Healy and the eldest of five children, Ms Walsh moved to Kiltimagh when she was a teenager. She began working in a premises now occupied by the Teach O'Hora pub before she married Frank Walsh. The couple had 10 children. In the 1970s, she got a 'new lease of life' when she began working with voluntary help group Western Care, where she made many friends and stayed until her retirement. Fr Michael Quinn, who concelebrated the funeral mass with three other priests, described Ms Walsh as 'a true friend of many years', 'a treasured neighbour' and 'a great work colleague'. Mourners heard about the hospitality she showed visitors to her home in Church Street, Kiltimagh, where her door was 'always open'. A Mayo flag, rosary beads, a photo of Padre Pio, a pack of playing cards, a copy of Ireland's Own magazine, a rolling pin and a family photo were brought to the altar as symbols of her life. Ms Walsh was an enthusiastic follower of the Mayo and Kiltimagh GAA teams and always flew a flag outside her house before big games. She was also a keen listener to Midwest Radio throughout the day. 'She said she used to go to bed with Michael Commins twice a week,' said daughter Sarah, referring to the popular radio show presented by Commins, who knew her. She went on several Midwest Radio trips and always brought rashers, sausages and Barry's teabags with her. Described as 'deeply religious', Ms Walsh had a great love of Padre Pio and the rosary and went on pilgrimages to Medjugorje. She was also an enthusiastic set dancer and played cards most nights of the week before being afflicted with Alzheimer's. Son Frank said the disease made her final 12 years 'tough on the family'. 'Maureen lived for her family,' he said. 'She was the heart, she was the rock. We all loved her.' He went on to describe her as 'a woman of great strength, loyalty, grace, with infectious laughter and compassion'. 'It's very, very hard to say goodbye, but we have to let go,' he said. Ms Walsh is survived by sons Louis, Joseph, Noel, Paul, Frank, Eamon and Padraic, daughters Sarah and Evelyn, sisters Anne O'Hora and Christeen Reddington and brother Martin Healy, and was predeceased by her husband and daughter Catherine. She was laid to rest in a wicker coffin in Kilkinure Cemetery in Kiltimagh.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Westlife stars support Louis Walsh as his 'extraordinary' mum laid to rest
Louis Walsh's mother has been hailed as an 'extraordinary' woman, mourners at her funeral heard. Maureen Walsh, 94, passed away on Monday (June 2), with her son Louis being known as the manager for pop acts such as Westlife and Boyzone, as well as a judge on The X Factor. Acts who worked with Louis in the past, including Westlife's Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan, were in attendance for her funeral in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, as well as Eurovision winner Dana. Louis Walsh at the funeral of his mother Maureen. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Maureen's daughter Sara described her mum as an 'extraordinary' woman, telling mourners 'we celebrate all the 94 years of the extraordinary woman Maureen was and the incredible mark she left on us all. 'We had a great upbringing. We wanted for nothing. She pushed us to make the best of ourselves – she didn't do a bad job, I think,' she joked, while Maureen's son Frank said that she was the heart of their family's lives. 'We all loved her, respected her. She was a woman of great strength, loyalty and grace,' Frank said. 'Her life was not one of enormous gestures but countless small actions of goodness, kindness and love. She was hardworking, had great faith and found joy in the simple things.' Louis was joined by Westlife's Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne at the funeral of his mother. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Louis previously spoke about the closeness he had with his mother over the years, but revealed that his mother wanted him to go for a different vocation to his music managing career. Shane Filan and his wife Gillian console Louis Walsh at the funeral of his mother Maureen Walsh. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin 'I absolutely hated school. My mother was hoping that her eldest boy would be a priest,' Louis told Nicky Byrne on his podcast. 'I came from a family of nine. They sent me to boarding school. Can I tell you how much I hated it?' Glenda Gilson at the funeral of Maureen Walsh. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Following Ms Walsh's requiem mass, her funeral cortege progressed to Kilkinure Cemetery for her burial. Kian Egan and his wife Jodi Albert console Louis Walsh at the funeral of his mother Maureen Walsh. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin She is pre-deceased by her husband Frank, daughter Catherine, parents Martin and Delia, brother Sean and son-in-law Pat O'Connor. She was the cherished mother of Evelyn (O'Connor), Louis, Paul, Frank, Eamon, Padraic, Joseph, Noel and Sara (Keogh).
