Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Walsh, William Pakenham
WALSH, WILLIAM PAKENHAM (1820–1902), bishop of Ossory, Ferns, and Leighlin, born at Mote Park, Roscommon, 4 May 1820, was eldest son of Thomas Walsh of St. Helena Lodge, co. Roscommon, by Mary, daughter of Robert Pakenham of Athlone. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 14 Oct. 1836, where he won the vice-chancellor's, the Biblical Greek, and the divinity prizes, with the Theological Society's gold medal. He graduated B.A. in 1841, proceeding M.A. in 1853, B.D. and D.D. in 1873. Ordained deacon in 1843, he was licensed to the curacy of Ovoca, co. Wicklow, and ordained priest the next year. From 1845 to 1858 he was curate of Rathdrum, co. Wicklow, where in the famine years 1846–7 his zeal and charity made him known far beyond his parish. From 1858 to 1873 he was chaplain of Sandford church, Ranelagh, Dublin.
As Donnellan lecturer of Trinity College he in 1860 chose as his theme Christian missions. He was long association secretary for Ireland of the Church Missionary Society. From 1873 to 1878 Walsh was dean of Cashel, and busily devoted his leisure there to literary work. In 1878 he was elected to the united sees of Ossory, Ferns, and Leighlin, being consecrated in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, in September 1878.
As a bishop, Walsh was known by his gentle piety and wide sympathies. Zealous for foreign missions, he preached the annual sermon of the Church Missionary Society in 1882. A far-reaching movement for the increase of the society's funds was the result of his appeal. Although a decided evangelical, Walsh avoided ecclesiastical controversy. His influence was of great value in building up the disestablished church. Failure of health led to his resignation in October 1897. He died at Shankill, co. Dublin, on 30 July 1902. Walsh was twice married: (1) in 1861 to Clara, daughter of Samuel Ridley, of Muswell Hill, four sons and three daughters of whom survived him; and (2) in 1879 to Annie Frances, daughter of John Winthorpe Hackett, incumbent of St. James's, Bray, co. Dublin, who, with two sons, survived him.
His chief publications were: 1. 'Christian Missions,' Donnellan Lectures, 1862. 2. 'The Moabite Stone,' 1872. 3. 'The Forty Days of the Bible,' 1874. 4. 'The Angel of the Lord,' 1876. 5. 'Daily Readings for Holy Seasons,' 1876. 6. 'Ancient Monuments and Holy Writ,' 1878. 7. 'Heroes of the Mission Fields,' 1879. 8. 'Modern Heroes of the Mission Fields,' 1882. 9. 'The Decalogue of Charity,' 1882. 10. 'Echoes of Bible History,' 1887. 11. 'Voices of the Psalms,' 1890.
[Guardian, 6 Aug. 1902; Record, 8 Aug. 1902; Lowndes, Bishops of the Day; E. Stock, History of the C.M.S., 1899, ii. 37; iii. 265; private information.]