Much-loved former Tipperary Bishop Willie Walsh passes away at 90 years old

Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh has passed away at the age of 90 years old. He was much-loved household name in north Tipperary and an integral part of the communities around Nenagh, Roscrea, Borrisokane and Ballina throughout his time as Bishop of the Killaloe Diocese.

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Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh was born on the 16th January 1935 in the parish of Roscrea Co. Tipperary. The youngest of six children, he attended Corville and Roscrea National schools and received his Secondary School education at St. Flannan’s College in Ennis. He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth and the Pontifical Irish College in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome on the 21st February 1959 by Cardinal Luigi Traglia (who would later go on to become Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals).

After ordination Bishop Walsh returned to the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome for further studies where he was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law. On his return to Ireland he was appointed to the staff of Coláiste Éinde in Galway while studying for the Higher Diploma in Education at University College Galway. He was appointed to the staff of St. Flannan’s College in Ennis in 1963 and 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 June 1994. He succeeded to the Diocese following the unexpected death of Bishop Michael A Harty in August 1994. He was ordained Bishop at the Cathedral in Ennis on the 2nd October 1994. He served as Bishop of the Diocese for sixteen years. He submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI on reaching his 75th birthday in January 2010. He remained as Bishop of Killaloe until the appointment of Bishop Kieran O’Reilly on 16th May 2011.

Bishop Walsh was one of the founder members of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council, (later to become ACCORD) in the Diocese of Killaloe. During his time as Bishop he worked tirelessly to promote reconciliation and healing. He gained world- wide attention for his Pilgrimage of Reconciliation during Advent 1999 when he undertook to walk across the Diocese from Loop Head to Kinnity as a sign of solidarity and repentance to all who had been hurt.

He had a life-long passion for the sport and in particular hurling. He has been involved in coaching hurling teams at club, college and county grades.

He was living retired in the parish of Ennis until his passing on Wednesday evening.

Tributes have already been pouring out for the Bishop online.

Nenagh councillor Louise Morgan Walsh said, "Very saddened to hear of the passing of Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh. May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."

Another commenter online said "Rest in eternal peace Bishop Emeritus Willie, one of life's true gentlemen, a massive loss to the diocese."

One more wrote "An absolute gentleman a real holy & practical man may all his good deeds go before him & the choir of angels welcome him home."