Des Walsh

Des Walsh is a Newfoundland cultural icon — poet, screenwriter, playwright, musician, and actor whose work has earned international acclaim.

What do we know about Des Walsh?

Here are the key biographical details about Des Walsh:

  • Name: Des Walsh
  • Also Known As: Desmond Walsh
  • Job Title: Actor
  • Crew Jobs: Writer, Story, Music, Music Consultant, Poem

Who is Des Walsh?

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.

What is Des Walsh known for?

Des Walsh is a multifaceted Newfoundland artist whose notable film credits include:

  • The Boys of St. Vincent (1994, Movie)
  • The Boys of St. Vincent: 15 Years Later (1992, Movie)
  • Riverhead (2016, Movie)
  • Cast No Shadow (2014, Movie)
  • Hold Fast (2013, Movie)
  • Love & Savagery (2009, Movie)
  • Down to the Dirt (2008, Movie)
  • Hunting Pignut (2017, Movie)
  • Little Orphans (2020, Movie)
  • Close to the Bone: The Film (2023, Movie)

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