Edward M. Walsh

Edward Mary Walsh (born 1939), is the founding president of the University of Limerick, one of two new universities established by Ireland in 1989. He headed the institution from its inception as the National Institute for Higher Education Limerick, in 1970, when he was appointed as chairman of the planning board, and director, through its transformation to a university in 1989, when he was appointed president, until his retirement in 1998, when he was awarded the title of "Founding President" for life.

A native of Cork city, Walsh is a chartered engineer and registered silversmith.

Early life Born 1939 in Cork, Ireland, to a butcher and cattle-dealer, he was educated at Christian Brothers College, Cork.

Academic career Early career Walsh graduated from UCC with a B.Eng. in 1961. He worked as an engineer with Pye, Cambridge in the UK in 1960.

He pursued advanced studies in nuclear and electrical engineering at Iowa State University (ISU), gaining a master's in 1963, and his doctorate in 1964. He was an associate of the US Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory in Ames, Iowa 1963–1965.

Walsh was appointed assistant professor at ISU at age 24, the youngest in the history of the university, and served from 1964 to 1965. He was then appointed founding director of the Energy Research Group Programme, chairman of the Engineering Faculty Research committee and associate professor at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, where he served from 1965 to 1969. He also consulted for US energy companies, including the American Electric Power Company (VA) and Furnace Fuels (CA).

Academic publications Book Walsh published an academic textbook in 1967: New York, USA: Ronald Press, Energy Conversion: electromechanical, direct, nuclear (textbook, with an instructor's manual also available)

Articles He has authored and co-authored a wide range of articles, some well cited.

Personal life Walsh is married to Stephanie Walsh (née Barrett), and they have three sons and one daughter. describes the controversial events associated with the establishment of the Republic of Ireland's first new university. Published by Collins Press in October 2011, it was written in collaboration with journalist Kieran Fagan.