Nicholas Walsh (Bishop of Ossory)

Nicholas Walsh (?-1585) was a bishop of the Church of Ireland who is noted for having introduced prayer-books and catechisms printed in the Irish language. He began the work of translating the Bible into Irish but was not able to complete this before his murder in 1585.

The son of Patrick Walsh, bishop of Waterford, Nicholas Walsh was consecrated a priest in 1567. He introduced prayer-books and catechisms printed in Irish. He was appointed Chancellor of St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1571. Starting in 1573, Walsh worked on translating the New Testament into Irish. Walsh's efforts came to an end when he was murdered in Kilkenny in 1585. He was succeeded in this effort by John Kearney. The work was subsequently completed by Uilliam Ó Domhnaill (William Daniell)[1]

References

  1. ^ Walter Harris, trans. Sir James Ware, Writers of Ireland (Dublin: Ebenezer Rider 1736 Edn.): ‘Nicholas Walsh, Bishop of Ossory, writ Learned Sermons in Latin, yet extant in his own Hand Writing. He also attempted the translation of the New Testament, into Irish about the Year1573, but his Design was Prevented by a horrid Murther committed on him in 1585.’ (Chap. XII.)