Willie Walsh is a native of Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. He was educated at Corville National School, Roscrea and St. Flannan's College, Ennis. He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth and the Irish College, Rome. He was ordained priest in Rome in 1959. After ordination he completed his studies in canon law at the Lateran University in Rome. On his return to Ireland he taught for a year at Coláiste Einde, Galway and joined the staff of St. Flannan's College, Ennis in 1963. In 1988 he was appointed curate at Ennis Cathedral and became administrator there in 1990. He has been pastorally involved with ACCORD (formerly the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council) since its foundation in the Killaloe diocese. He has worked with Marriage Tribunals at diocesan, regional and national levels. He has pursued a life-long interest in sport and has been involved in coaching hurling teams at colleges, club and county grades. He was ordained Bishop of Killaloe on 2 October 1994.