Kevin Walsh
The magic of any great Irish pub comes from much more than its food and drink; it flows from its people. To help you get to know some of the fine men and women responsible for the magic place that is Tir na nog, we’ll publish on this blog from time-to-time a profile of those who make the place just a little more special.
Kevin Walsh has been tending bar five nights a week per Tir Na Nog since 2010. He currently works Wednesday to Sunday night.
Where in Ireland are you from?
I was actually born in Boston but in early childhood my family moved to a small village on the Galway/Mayo border called Shrule. People often ask me what nationality I consider myself; I say I’m proudly both American and Irish. Home is where the heart is, which is with my family in Ireland, but I am here, and glad to be (editors note: true to his words, Kevin’s email address begins with “MayoYank”).
When and why did you come to New York City?
To be honest, I have always had a passion for New York. I spent a summer here in 2008, which only fueled my passion. Later, when the opportunity presented itself to move here, I jumped at it.
How soon did you get involved in soccer and Gaelic football after moving here?
When I was here last in 2008 I happened upon a man named Paddy O’Connor who was the manager of the Kerry team in the Gaelic Athletic Association of NY. We got along right away and he introduced me to all the great people then involved with the club, Joan Henchy, John Riordan and the team. In GAA circles, the Kerry people are greatly admired. They are natural winners, with a zero tolerance for losing. I really enjoyed meeting them. When I returned to live in the city, I spoke to the current managers Finbar Flood and Niall Moran. I saw right away they hadn’t lost that zeal to win, so it was an easy decision to join them.
Soccer was a very different story. I literally walked into an old teammate of mine from the Irish Schools from 2002. He was involved with a Lansdowne Bhoys here and put me onto the manager Kevin Grogan. As with the Kerry team, I admired Kevin’s approach. He spent the early part of his career at Manchester United, and he is a natural winner. He invited me to a tryout for the NY Cosmos Copa NYC Cup, and I made the squad. We had a good run in the qualifiers but lost out to the Mexican side in the quarterfinals. I look forward to working with Kevin again.
Do you play year-round?
GAA plays about 4 to 5 months throughout the summer. I haven’t competed in club soccer here yet but that is pretty much year-round.
What positions do you play?
In GAA I play half-forward, and in soccer I would normally play attacking midfield.
Did you start playing these sports as a child?
I began playing soccer at a very early age. The great thing about growing up in the States was the amount of facilities we had access to. Leagues began as early as 4, so my parents had us involved in as many things as possible.
I moved to Ireland when I was 10 so I began playing GAA then. I caught on quickly, though had a few hiccups when it came to basic rules like the punch pass. I remember my first game in a tournament and the coach put me in goals. I caught the ball and unlike soccer, the players can tackle the keeper. I panicked as a herd of eager players rushed me and threw the ball as far as I could. The referee felt sorry for me and just waved play on. Whenever I see my old coach he reminds me of that moment.
Did playing sports change your initial impression of New York?
Not really. It definitely was one of the reasons I am here. The great thing about the sports community here is the networking and then you put into the mix being Irish, the possibilities of finding friends and work become a lot easier. NYC isn’t about buildings and tourist sites as much as it is about people. So when I say I’m an Irish person who happens to play sports I find myself around great people who can relate and genuinely want to help you find your way.
What’s the most striking difference between being here and being in Ireland?
Forgive the cliche, but it has to be the weather. It’s a conversational hazard the Irish are prone to. I love the fact that we get all seasons here, even the extremes. In Ireland, we don’t see as many drastic changes. But I must admit Ireland in August is something to compete with.
Why did you decide to seek work at an Irish pub? Has it made the transition to living here easier at all?
The Irish community has everything to do with that. I was just lucky that someone knew the owners of Tir na nog and that they took a chance on me. I have enjoyed everyday since and count myself lucky to be apart of the great staff we have there.
Have you traveled much in the U.S.?
I attended college in Memphis, TN, so I have seen much of the south. I have also travelled out West. There is still so much to see here. My ideal holiday would be to drive the West coast of the States from North to South and just watch the coastline change.
Any favorite places in NYC?
I love Greenwich Village. Some of my favorite haunts are down there. Plus, the musical history that accompanies it is amazing. To think you could be walking the same streets that Hendrix, Dylan, and the Boss roamed as struggling artists finding their way puts it all into perspective. I love that physical closeness to the past. It gives me goosebumps.
What’s been the most challenging part of moving here and living here?
Being away from home. Family is very important to me. The good thing is they are only five hours away if I was to go home or have them come here. I have friends in Australia that don’t get home that often and it isn’t exactly the most accessible of places. I count myself lucky in that respect. I always look forward to going home, but for now my place is here.