was an Irish-Canadian Catholic priest, and seventh President of the University of Notre Dame from 1881 to 1893.

He was ordained a priest on August 29, 1877, by Bishop Joseph Dwenger of Fort Wayne and then assumed the role of dean of students.

After the great fire of 1879, Walsh was in charge of rescheduling classes and professors in the newly reopened college, and his administrative ability led Sorin and William Corby to pick him as next president in 1881.

As president, Walsh interest was in bolstering Notre Dame's scholastic reputation and standards.

[4] Walsh was initially against this innovation, as he believed private rooms would lead to disciplinary issues, but this project was championed by Sorin and John Zahm.