Des Walsh

Biography

Desmond Walsh is a veritable cultural icon in Newfoundland, with six books of poetry published, including the acclaimed Love and Savagery, which was adapted for a motion picture by Morag Films in 2009. Talonbooks released the second edition of Love and Savagery concurrent with the film’s release.

Walsh is also a noted screenwriter, playwright and musician. He was the 2001 and 2003 playwright-in-residence at the Playwright’s Workshop in Montreal and at Memorial University’s Grenfell College in Corner Brook, respectively. He also scripted the mini-series adaptation of Bernice Morgan’s Random Passage and Waiting for Time, which aired on the CBC in 2002, commenting that: “Morgan’s works are sacred material because they are, finally, our story.” Along with John Smith and Sam Grana, he co-wrote the intensely popular and critically acclaimed miniseries The Boys of St. Vincent. Having encountered the public education system in Placentia and St. John’s, he left school in grade ten, famously claiming it did nothing for him. His awards include a Gemini, a New York Festival Award, Italy’s Umbria Fiction Award, and Best Series (Cannes International TV Festival), all for co-writing The Boys of St. Vincent. Walsh currently divides his time between New Bonaventure, Trinity Bay and St. John’s.

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Known For

Down to the Dirt
Down to the Dirt

2008

as Officer Bowden

Cast No Shadow
Cast No Shadow

2014

as Ricky's Father

Riverhead
Riverhead

2016

as Burt

Little Orphans
Little Orphans

2020

as Uncle Billy

Hold Fast
Hold Fast

2013

as Granddad (Jack)

Hunting Pignut
Hunting Pignut

2017

as Larry

Random Passage
Random Passage

2002

as Captain Brennan

🎦
Mum's the Word

2009

as Carl

Keystone
Keystone

2016

as Jack

Under the Weather
Under the Weather

2020

as Phil

🎦
Down to the Wood

2009

as Delph

Sadie
Sadie

2014

as Mr. Snow

Finding Mary March
🎦
The Tour

2015

as Married Man

Clipper Gold
Clipper Gold

2014

as Man

Rain, Drizzle, and Fog
Rain, Drizzle, and Fog

1998

as Himself

🎦
Spoiled

2008

as Dad

Snarbuckled
Snarbuckled

2010

as Father O'Higgins

To Dublin with Love