Official Launch of ‘A Man with a Mission’ Dr. Tom Walsh

A new book has been published which documents the life and times of one of Ireland’s most distinguished agricultural scientists, Dr. Tom Walsh, the first Director of An Foras Taluntais (AFT), the predecessor of Teagasc. The authors, Dr. Edward Culleton and Rosemary Buckley (née Walsh) were joined by Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director, to officially launch the book virtually, on Tuesday, 20 July 2021.

The 165 page book gives an interesting summary of Dr Tom’s early life, from his birth at the outbreak of the World War 1, his graduation from UCD in 1936, and also life on a very small farm and surrounding parish in rural South Wexford during all that period.

The book goes onto describe in detail the background to the formation of An Foras Taluntais, Dr Tom Walsh becoming its first Director and the huge effort he put into founding a first class research body. Dr Walsh established the National Soil Testing Service and Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Wexford, in 1948. In a very short time he had established countrywide, all the main research centres that prevail today.

Dr Tom Walsh took up a new challenge to establish ACOT as a first rate farm advisory and education organisation. He became the first Director of the two bodies that eventually formed the greater part of present day Teagasc.

The book is available on-line from Selskar Bookshop Wexford at the link below 
https://www.schoolandofficesupplies.ie/a-man-with-a-mission-dr-tom-walsh-dr-edward-culleton-rosemary-buckley

Watch the recording of the official launch below