The funeral of well-known local journalist Barry Walsh took place in Cardigan today (Friday).

Mr Walsh died peacefully at his Greenland Meadows home in Cardigan last Friday, aged 73, after an illness borne with fortitude.

Born in Briton Ferry he spent his younger days in Ystradgynlais where he started work on the local newspaper Y Llais and later joined the Western Telegraph, running its district office in Pembroke Dock before transferring to Cardigan where he spent many years, latterly on the Telegraph’s sister paper the Tivy-Side.

Although essentially a news reporter his first love was sport in which he took a keen interest and had a vast knowledge of a cross section of activities, enjoying nothing more than covering Cardigan Rugby Club home games in the Pembrokeshire Championship.

A more than useful snooker player he was a member of Beulah Snooker Club.

During an illustrious career he wrote many articles for national tabloids, covering countless stories which included the Operation Julie police investigation into production of LSD by two drugs rings in Ceredigion in the 1970’s and the Operation Seal Bay investigation in north Pembrokeshire during the mid 1980’s.

Mr. Walsh who retired a few years ago was of a quiet disposition, his friendly nature endearing him to people from all walks of life.

He leaves his wife Elaine, daughter Emma of Cardiff, son Mathew, daughter-in-law Mari and grandchildren Osian, Mel and Steffan of Gwaelod y Garth near Cardiff, to whom the sympathy of countless people over a wide area is extended.

The funeral was held today (Friday), with a Requiem Mass at the Lady of the Taper Catholic Church in Cardigan followed by internment in the town cemetery.