Bishop Willie Walsh was born on January 16th, 1935 in Glenbeha, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. The youngest of six children, he attended Corville and Roscrea National schools. From 1947 to 1952 he attended St. Flannan’s College in Ennis. In 1952 he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. In 1955 he went to the Pontifical Irish College in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, in the 21st of February 1959 by Cardinal Luigi Traglia.

After ordination, Bishop Walsh returned to the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome for further studies where he was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1962. He spent a year in Coláiste Eanna in Galway and he was then appointed to the staff of St. Flannan’s College in Ennis in 1963. He taught Maths, Science, Physics and Religion for 25 years until his appointment as curate at the Cathedral in Ennis in 1988. In 1990, he was appointed as Administrator of the Cathedral and held that position until he was appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese on the 21st of June 1994.

He was ordained Bishop at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Ennis on the 2nd of October 1994, following the unexpected death of Bishop Michael Harty and served as Bishop of the Diocese for 17 years. He retired in 2011 on the appointment of Bishop Kieran O’Reilly as Bishop of Killaloe. He died on February 19th, 2025. May He Rest in Peace.

Funeral Arrangements: Bishop Willie will lie in repose in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Ennis, Co. Clare, on Sunday (23rd February) from 3pm with evening prayer at 7pm. Requiem Mass will take place on Monday (24th February) at 1 pm. Burial afterwards in the church grounds.