Donal's mountain - Fionnbar Walsh

Donal Walsh first came to international attention in Ireland aged sixteen, when a letter he wrote speaking out against the suicide epidemic in young people was published in the Irish Sunday Independent. At the time Donal was dying of cancer having battled it since the age of twelve through invasive and painful chemo treatments and operations.

Donal had no choice about dying - and he wanted others to see that death is not an answer. With only a few weeks to live, Donal went on television and again spoke about the importance of living and of finding help in times of trouble.

A few short weeks later, on May 12th 2013, Donal lost his battle with cancer and passed away.

In this sometimes heart-breaking but ultimately inspirational book we see the boy behind the illness and hear the story of how one young boy from County Kerry who, in dying, shows us how to live life.
From the close bonds he had with his parents, his sister and young friends, to the unique and inspirational outlook he had on life we hear of how he came to terms with his illness and how he spent his last weeks making as much of a difference to other people's lives as he could.

All Donal asked before he died was that his parents continue his legacy and the message of the importance of living life. This book is his legacy.

Fionnbar Walsh is married to Elma Walsh and father of Jema and Donal. He lives in County Kerry.