That was the only time I met Mr. and Mrs. Walsh.
In his younger years, Mr. Walsh had been a respected teacher at a prestigious Catholic boys' school in Hong Kong — a position he held for a few years when he was single.
Decades later, I happened to be doing some voluntary work reconnecting their alumni of certain classes who had lost touch.
A year before my trip to Ireland, some of his former students had re-established contact with him.
They treated Mr. and Mrs. Walsh to a month-long stay in Hong Kong for a reunion, which included a trip to China. All was carefully organized, business class round trip, as he suffered from multiple sclerosis.
I decided to visit the couple, since Waterford was on my itinerary. They took me to Dunmore East for sightseeing, back to their home for a chat and invited me to a nice restaurant for dinner.
He confided in me that he had never expected those years of teaching in Hong Kong to be so memorable and rewarding.
I could hear the emotion in his voice and see a tear glistening in his eye. Mrs. Walsh gently patted his hand. He took a deep breath, and gave me a smile.
When Irish eyes are smiling, sure it's like a morn in spring.