Upcoming Events

Sunday April 27 at 5pm noon at the United Irish Cultural Center, 45th and Wawona, San Francisco

Professor Emeritus James P. Walsh on a life in study of the Irish in the West.

The ILHS is very pleased to present Professor Emeritus James P. Walsh in conversation about his life in historical studies of the Irish in the West on Sunday April 27 at 5pm noon at the United Irish Cultural Center, 45th and Wawona, San Francisco.

James P. Walsh was born in San Francisco (1937) of Galway and Cork parents, Patrick and Nellie Murphy Walsh. They provided Jim and his older brother Leo with a secure and progressive home, plus unlimited educational support. Both boys attended St. Monica’s parish grammar school (Geary Blvd. at 24th Ave.) and Sacred Heart High School (Ellis & Franklin Sts.). They earned multiple degrees from the University of San Francisco, 1955 – 1962. Leo followed his business curriculum into a career in San Francisco Hospital administration and creation of the United Irish Cultural Center’s scholarship program. Jim continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received the Ph.D. degree, 1970.

Jim had taught history at Marin Catholic High School, 1960-64. He and Ann McKinnon married in 1962, took up residence at the UC Berkeley Student Village in 1964, and moved to the South Bay in 1966. There Jim accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor of History at the rapidly growing San Jose State University. By then Ann and Jim had two preschool daughters who were joined later by their one brother. The family now includes eight grandchildren.

Jim’s San Jose State career (1966-1995) was a blend of teaching, publishing, and academic administration. Due to the accelerated growth of the university, the mentoring of the University’s all-time Outstanding Professor, and not smudging his own copybook, Jim successfully negotiated Professor of History, Chair of the Department, Dean of the College, and retired as Provost of the University. This year marks his 30th year of retirement.

En route, Jim published nine books (eight on the American Irish) and numerous scholarly articles that addressed the unique acculturation experienced by the Irish in California and the West. As well, he, Ann, and the children enjoyed two year-long Fulbright appointments to the National University of Ireland (Galway and Cork, his parents’ homes), plus a term as distinguished visiting professor. Through the years of repeated Irish residence their children attended Irish schools: national, secondary, and post-graduate.

Over this career and amid this mix, Walsh identified two satisfying accomplishments: 1) His 1970s terms as President of the Irish Literary and Historical Society, and 2) His co-founding and inaugural presidency (1985) of the American Conference for Irish Studies-Western Region.

San Jose State University emeritus biography: https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/erfa_bios/273/

This is an in-person event Sunday April 27 at 5pm noon at the United Irish Cultural Center, 45th and Wawona, San Francisco.