Seeing Ireland through my father’s vintage Kodachrome images
A Savvy Traveler’s Journey to Ireland in 1953
In 1953, my father, Martin J. Walsh Jr.—known as Marty to avoid confusion with his father, Martin J. Walsh Sr.—embarked on a memorable trip to the island of Ireland. A native of rural Murdock, Minnesota, Marty was a 28-year-old railroad telegrapher, communicating via Morse code for the Great Northern and later Burlington Northern Railroad. Before leaving, he packed a portable 35mm Clarus camera, Kodachrome slide film, and other essentials, perfectly prepared to document his world travels.
Our family’s first known return to Ireland was marked by Marty’s vivid Kodachrome images, which beautifully capture his adventures during this journey. Marty worked for the railroad from 1943 to 1984, through its transition to the Burlington Northern Railroad, spending most of his life in Minnesota before and after this pivotal trip.
Roots in Rural Minnesota, Tied to Ireland
Our family settled in De Graff, a small village in Swift County, Minnesota, as part of a primarily Irish immigrant community dating back to the late 1800s. This migration was facilitated by Archbishop John Ireland of Saint Paul, who helped relocate about four thousand Irish Catholic families, including ours, from urban slums to farmland across western and southwestern Minnesota between 1875 and 1885.
When I was a child, my father often said, “We are Archbishop John Ireland’s people,” highlighting the deep connection our family felt to both the Archbishop and the land our ancestors had left behind.
Today, I live just three miles from De Graff in Murdock, Minnesota, in the very house where Marty was born in 1924. To learn more about De Graff and the historic Church of St. Bridget, you can visit the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service website. For in-depth details on Irish-Catholic immigration to America, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC offers a comprehensive presentation.
Capturing History: Marty’s Photographic Legacy
Although my father did not pursue photography professionally, his Kodachrome slides from 1953 remain an invaluable window into his Irish expedition. His passion for travel and photography inspired both my brother, Paul M. Walsh, and me, leading us to careers as photojournalists and media professionals.
Thanks to Marty’s recordings, I have come to know more about him and his journey. You can view many of Martin J. Walsh Jr.’s Irish photos on Flickr [insert link].
Imagining Marty in 1953, I see a proud young man taking the incredible opportunity to visit his ancestral homeland. His suit pockets were likely full of important travel items, as he noted on one Kodachrome slide border dated May 16, 1953, taken in Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin.
Passport Details and “Black Irish” Heritage
Marty’s U.S. Passport, issued on February 6, 1953, shows he was unmarried with no children. He is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and no distinguishing marks. Born in Murdock, Minnesota, his occupation was listed as telegraph operator.
Interestingly, Marty sometimes referred to himself as “Black Irish” during my childhood, a term often used outside Ireland to describe Irish descendants with black hair and dark eyes—thought to be linked to Spanish ancestry from shipwrecked traders. Despite Marty’s fair complexion and freckles (a sign of rare red hair genes), he embraced this intriguing identity. [Read more about the Black Irish theory here.]
The Journey Begins: From Rural Minnesota to Ireland
In 1953, travel to Europe was just reopening after World War II. Marty likely lived at home to save money for this trip of a lifetime, which included Ireland, England, and France, with a stopover in Canada.
He departed by train from Willmar, Minnesota, according to my grandfather’s diary, and later flew to Belfast, Northern Ireland. During his trip, American Express offices played a crucial role in helping him stay connected with family back home, relaying letters and news from Murdock’s local Catholic parish.
An important refueling stop came at Gander, Newfoundland, Canada—a necessary layover for early transatlantic flights. Today, Gander International Airport is known for its strategic location and runway capacity, even serving as an alternate landing site for NASA’s Space Shuttle program.
Exploring Ireland: From Killarney to Dublin
Marty’s Kodachrome slides reveal highlights of his Irish travels. He visited Killarney in County Kerry—the region where our family originated—though he did not find the family farm I discovered in 2018, located in Townland Dromkerry.
From Dromkerry, the stunning views stretch across the Gap of Dunloe, Lakes of Killarney, and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Purple Mountain ranges, some of Ireland’s most breathtaking landscapes. Marty captured a memorable three-hour pony and trap ride through these scenic places, along with images of the railway station, mountain views, and countryside.
His stay in Dublin included lodging at the Shelbourne Hotel, across from Saint Stephen’s Green. Marty photographed the green after rain and even snapped photos from his hotel window overlooking the park.
Travels took him further—to Galway, Limerick, and other areas associated with the classic 1952 film *The Quiet Man*, starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Barry Fitzgerald. His slides feature sites such as John Wayne’s house and various film locations, suggesting the movie may have inspired or fueled his interest in visiting Ireland.
A Personal Reflection: Watching *The Quiet Man* in Dublin, 2019
In January 2019, while staying at the Shelbourne Hotel, I enjoyed watching *The Quiet Man* from my hotel room—a remarkable experience that my father could never have imagined in 1953.
Unlike Marty’s room with a window overlooking Saint Stephen’s Green, my view faced a quiet courtyard and the Irish flag flying atop the rooftop—an evocative reminder of our enduring family connection to Ireland.
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. Follow Jannet Walsh on [Facebook] and [Twitter].
*Originally published in 2022, updated in September 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/ireland-images-kodachrome
