The awards keep coming for the former Bishop of Killaloe Dr Willie Walsh.
Recently he was honoured with the Hall of Fame Award by the Tipperary
Dublin Association while this week the Roscrea native was accorded a
civic reception by North Tipperary County Council.
Speaking at the ceremony the Mayor of North Tipperary Cllr John
Kennedy (Lab) said, “The contribution that Bishop Walsh has made to the
church and to society cannot be overstated.”
“Bishop Walsh has been involved with the Catholic marriage guidance
service ACCORD in the Diocese of Killaloe since its foundation. As a
teacher, priest GAA mentor, religious and social commentator, he has
left his mark on Irish society. He has a modern outlook on life and has
the common touch. As a Bishop, he has not been afraid to speak his
mind. He has shown compassion, kindness and concern to all and is to be
commended in particular for his work with the Traveller community.”
Accepting the award, Bishop Walsh said that he was, “pleased to be
honoured by North Tipperary and appreciate the kind gesture in marking
my retirement as Bishop of Killaloe.”
Bishop Walsh, who referred to Tipperary as his home place, said that
his loyalty had “sometimes been questioned when it came to hurling
matters,” but that he was a very proud Tipperary man last September when
Tipperary won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final. It had been a privilege to serve as Bishop of Killaloe for the past 16 years, some of which had been a difficult period.”
The ceremony was attended by a number of local dignitaries including
the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, Dermot Clifford.