Robert John Welch (22 July 1859 – 28 September 1936) was an Irish photographer interested in natural history, particularly mollusca.

[3] Welch also took many important photographs of national monuments, megaliths and dolmens, particularly of sites such as Carrowmore, Loughcrew, the Hill of Tara and Newgrange.

He served as a member and for a time, as president of both the Belfast Naturalist Field Club and the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

[9][2] When Welch died in 1936, he was remembered in obituaries written by other influential naturalists, photographers, and organisations, notably: the Ulster Tourist Development Association, Robert Lloyd Praeger, Alexander Hogg, and Arthur Stelfox.

[5] An Ulster History Circle, also known as a Blue plaque was unveiled in Welch's honour on the 26 March 2010, at the home in which he was born in 19-21 Main Street, Strabane, County Tyrone.