in autumn 1916 walsh became the first lecturer of welsh in maynooth. in june 1919 he became professor of ecclesiastical history. due to his shy nature he was reputed to be a poor lecturer and was thus relieved to be appointed curate of eglish, birr, county offaly. he was then transferred to stamullen, county meath, and lastly, to multyfarnham, county westmeath in june 1932, as parish priest. his health declined precipitously in spring 1941, and following a brain haemorrhage, walsh died at the pembroke nursing home, dublin, on 18 june 1941. he was interred in the hillside graveyard at multyfarnham on 21 june 1941