‘The kindest, most genuine human you could ever meet’: Anthony Daly pays tribute to Bishop Willie Walsh

Willie Walsh had a strong connection to St Flannan’s College, where he attended as a student and later worked as a teacher.

Former Bishop Willie Walsh ouside of St. Flannans College

Anthony Daly joined the tributes being paid to Willie Walsh, the former bishop of the Diocese of Killaloe, who has died at the age of 90.

Bishop Walsh passed away at his residence in Ennis, Co. Clare. He was originally from Roscrea in Co. Tipperary, but he spent more than 60 years in ministry in the Diocese of Killaloe. He had a strong connection to St Flannan’s College, where he attended as a student and later worked as a teacher.

Speaking on Dalo’s Irish Examiner Hurling podcast, Daly hailed his kindness and generosity.

“Our great mentor, friend, teacher, a number of other things, Bishop Willie passed away overnight aged 90,” he said.

“A retired bishop and a great man. I’d like to pay tribute to him for all he did for us over the years. Long after school was over you could pick up the phone to Willie and ask him for a bit of advice on anything. He married myself and Eilish.

"He was a Clare selector when Len Gaynor came. I often disagreed with him on a few decisions, you wouldn’t say anything to Len, but you could have it out with Willie. You might meet him for a sneaky pint. He will be sadly missed.

“He lived in Ennis and was involved with Éire Óg a fair bit over the years. We had some great battles with them back in the day. He would be on the line and I’d be shouting out at him. 

"‘The lord save us, you are an awful man,’ he’d say. 

"It is sad news around Clare this morning because he was much loved by everyone in the community. He was the kindest, most genuine human being you could ever meet. Rest in peace.” 

Bishop Walsh was central to the success of several teams in St Flannan’s College, Éire Óg and Clare. He attended the Harty Cup final earlier this month and was a guest at the Clare banquet following this year's All-Ireland final victory.  

"If Clare weren't involved, he'd still shout for Tipp," Dalo added. "But he was involved with us all for so long, if it was Clare v Tipp, he had to side with us."

Bishop Willie Walsh and fellow coach Fr Seamus Gardiner with captain Leo Quinlan after victory in the 1976 Harty Cup final.

Clare GAA released a statement to express their sadness at his passing.

“Bishop Willie held a lifelong passion for sport and made an enormous contribution to the GAA in Clare and to the lives of so many he taught, mentored and coached at St. Flannan’s College.

“He was appointed president of Clare GAA in 2023 - a fitting recognition of his unwavering dedication and long-standing service to the county. Bishop Willie’s contributions and friendships have left an indelible mark on all of us, and his leadership will continue to inspire Clare Gaels for many years to come.”