A Savvy Traveler’s Journey to Ireland in 1953
By Jannet L. Walsh
—
In 1953, a savvy traveler from rural Minnesota packed a portable 35mm camera, Kodachrome slide film, and other essentials for world travel. That traveler was my father.
My late father, Martin J. Walsh Jr.—nicknamed Marty to avoid confusion with his father, Martin J. Walsh Sr.—made our family’s first known return trip home to Ireland that year. He documented his adventures with Kodachrome film and his Clarus 35mm camera.
A native of Murdock, Minnesota, my father was 28 in 1953 and working as a railroad telegrapher, communicating by Morse code for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroad — a career he maintained from 1943 to 1984 as the company evolved to Burlington Northern Railroad.
Our family belongs to a predominantly Irish immigrant community in De Graff, a small town in rural Swift County, Minnesota. They arrived in the late 1800s as part of a settlement initiative led by Archbishop John Ireland of Saint Paul. Archbishop Ireland helped establish a series of ten villages across five counties in western Minnesota between 1875 and 1885, providing Irish Catholic families like mine an opportunity to escape urban slums by resettling in farmlands.
Growing up, my father often reminded us, “We are Archbishop John Ireland’s people.” It was a striking coincidence that the Archbishop’s last name matched the country our ancestors had left behind in the mid-1800s.
Today, I live just three miles from De Graff, in the same house where my father was born in 1924. You can learn more about De Graff and the historic Church of St. Bridget via the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service website. Additionally, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, offers a detailed presentation on Irish-Catholic immigration to America, providing deeper insights into this significant chapter of history.
—
### A Father’s Legacy Preserved in Kodachrome
Though my father was not a professional photographer, his incredible 1953 Kodachrome images survive today, giving us a rare glimpse into his expedition to Ireland. His love of travel and photography inspired both my brother, Paul M. Walsh, and me, as we pursued careers in photojournalism and media.
Because he carefully documented what he encountered, I now know much more about my father’s journey than I otherwise might. You can view many of Martin J. Walsh Jr.’s photographs of Ireland [here on Flickr](#).
I imagine my father as a proud young man with the incredible opportunity to see his family’s homeland for the first time. On one Kodachrome slide from May 16, 1953, he wrote, “My pockets full,” capturing the feeling of anticipation and preparation as he stayed across from Saint Stephen’s Green at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.
—
### Passport Details and the “Black Irish” Mystery
My father’s U.S. passport, issued on February 6, 1953, lists no wife or children. The description notes he was 5 feet 11 inches tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and no distinguishing marks. Born in Murdock, Minnesota, his occupation was recorded as telegraph operator.
Interestingly, although his passport didn’t mention it, my father would refer to himself as “Black Irish” when I was a child. Although he was clearly Caucasian, with freckles suggesting he carried rare red hair genes, the term “Black Irish” typically describes people of Irish ancestry with black hair and dark eyes. The theory suggests such people may descend from shipwrecked Spanish traders. (Learn more about this fascinating theory [here](#).)
—
### The Journey to Ireland
In 1953, travel to Europe opened up significantly after World War II. My father’s journey began by train departing Willmar, Minnesota, according to my grandfather’s diary. Eventually, he landed by plane in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a stopover for refueling in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. This stopover was necessary in early postwar transatlantic air travel.
American Express offices facilitated communications, enabling him to stay in touch with family back home, receiving letters and local news from Murdock, including updates from the Catholic parish.
Gander’s strategic location later made its airport a designated alternate landing site for NASA’s Space Shuttle program—a fascinating twist of history that my father, flying from rural Minnesota, likely never anticipated.
—
### Exploring Ireland’s Landscapes and Heritage
During his trip, my father visited Killarney in County Kerry, an area linked to our family roots. Although he didn’t locate the farm I discovered in 2018 located in the Townland of Dromkerry, County Kerry, he did capture the stunning surrounding landscapes — views of the Gap of Dunloe, the Lakes of Killarney, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, and Purple Mountain ranges.
His photos show a three-hour pony and trap ride through the Gap of Dunloe, as well as scenic railway stations, mountain vistas, and country landscapes.
—
### Dublin and The Quiet Man Connection
While staying at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, my father photographed scenes after rain, including views from his hotel room overlooking Saint Stephen’s Green.
He traveled extensively by train and tour bus around Ireland—visiting Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and sites where the 1952 film *The Quiet Man* was shot. The movie, featuring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Barry Fitzgerald, is a cultural touchstone for many Irish Americans. My father’s Kodachrome slides include images of John Wayne’s house and other film locations in Galway.
I wouldn’t be surprised if *The Quiet Man* inspired or strengthened my father’s desire to explore his family’s Irish heritage. Incidentally, in January 2019, I had the unique experience of watching *The Quiet Man* from my hotel room while staying at the Shelbourne Hotel—something unimaginable during my father’s trip. Unlike my father, I didn’t have a window view of Saint Stephen’s Green, but rather a courtyard view and the Irish flag waving from the rooftop.
—
### About the Author
Jannet L. Walsh of Murdock, Minnesota, is a photographer, writer, and educator. She is the author of the forthcoming creative nonfiction quest narrative *Higgledy-Piggledy Stones: Family Stories from Ireland and Minnesota*, scheduled for publication in 2022 by Shanti Arts Publishing. She has also compiled the *Irish Genealogy Toolkit*, a comprehensive list of resources for researching your Irish roots.
You can follow Jannet Walsh on [Facebook](#) and [Twitter](#).
—
*Originally published in 2022 and updated in September 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/ireland-images-kodachrome
