Background
Walsh was born in Wexford, Ireland, and graduated in medicine from University College Dublin in 1944.
Walsh was born in Wexford, Ireland, and graduated in medicine from University College Dublin in 1944.
In 1972, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin, the thesis becoming the basis for his 1973 book on Opera in Dublin.
During his years in Dublin he took singing lessons from Adelio Viani at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He became chairman and artistic director of the Wexford Festival in 1951 and established its international recognition over 15 years while still working as an anaesthetist at Wexford County Hospital. Known locally as "Doctor Tom" he "inspired great affection, admiration, and, given his great learning, even a measure of awe".