Antoine Walsh

Antoine Vincent Walsh (22 January 1703 – 2 March 1763) was a French merchant, ship owner and slave trader of Irish descent who operated in Nantes.

After serving in the French Navy, he settled in Nantes, which had emerged as the France's chief slaving port; where he found advantage in its close-knit Irish community.

The trade operated in a triangular fashion, supplying Africa with textiles, brandy, and firearms; slaves for the French West Indies in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint-Domingue; sugar and tobacco for Europe.

[2] He took a leading role in the French Irish community's financing and planning and of Charles's expedition to Scotland, the 1745 Jacobite rising, and was a key figure in all aspects of the naval side of the rebellion.

Antoine accompanied the Prince on the journey on board the Du Teillay (Captain Claude Durbé) on 7 July at Saint-Nazaire and they were joined by French escort warship the L'Elisabeth, bound for Ardmolich in Scotland.

Two days later on the 9 July 1745 they were intercepted off the Lizard by HMS Lion, and were severely impeded in their mission when they exchanged fire, the Elisabeth was so badly damaged she had to return to port taking the arms and Irish volunteers with her.

Coincidentally Charles was to return to Loch nan Uamh by the 20 September 1746 to the nearby Prince's Cairn, which marks the spot where he finally left Scotland forever on a French ship after the unsuccessful rebellion.