A Tribute to Michael Walsh

A Visionary Leader and Founder of DeCare Dental Ireland

DeCare Dental Ireland is deeply saddened by the passing of our founder, Michael Walsh. Michael was an extraordinary leader whose vision, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for the company we are today. His unwavering commitment to innovation and community transformed DeCare into a driving force for positive oral healthcare outcomes in the US and Ireland.

Michael, a proud native of Claremorris, County Mayo, established DeCare in Ireland in 1999, creating employment opportunities and laying a strong foundation for the business to thrive- now serving millions of members across the United States and Ireland. His journey from Claremorris to the United States was marked by remarkable lifetime achievements, personal and professional, including his tenure as President and CEO of Delta Dental of Minnesota, where he led the charge in expanding the business and increasing its global impact.

**Across the Miles**; Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte chats ‘live’ from Claremorris with DeCare CEO Mike Walsh in his office in Minnesota, almost 6,000km away, over the new Metropolitan Area Network. The connectivity is so good that the delay, which you normally hear when someone is interviewed over satellite, doesn’t happen. 17th June 2011.

His foresight led to the creation of DeCare International, an organisation that became one of the fastest-growing dental benefit management companies in the United States. Yet, despite his success abroad, Michael never forgot his roots. His belief in what people in Ireland could achieve underpinned the establishment of DeCare Dental Ireland, a company that has provided employment in the West of Ireland and beyond had an exponential impact on the local economy and community. He took great pride in the connections that he fostered with the US and Ireland at DeCare.

When Mike walked into a room, he had an ability to put people at ease and believe in themselves. He frequently quoted, “I may be wrong, but never in doubt “. He believed wholeheartedly in the power of hard work and opportunity, and his legacy is deeply embedded in the fabric of DeCare. His contributions to improving oral health and his commitment to improving healthcare access remain a testament to the value he placed on education and his commitment to making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

His influence extended beyond business; as a proud St. Colman’s past pupil and former County Mayo player, he took immense pride in supporting sport and education in the town and County he once called home. His impact on the people he worked with, the businesses he built, and the communities he supported will be felt for generations to come.

Claremorris GAA 1960s (Michael Walsh, back row, 3rd from the right)

As we remember Michael, we honour his legacy by continuing his mission—to empower individuals to improve their oral and general health over a lifetime. His vision, leadership, and dedication will always guide us at DeCare, and we are forever grateful for the foundation he built.

Michael Walsh and the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the opening of DeCare in 1999.

Michael Walsh’s legacy lives on in the work we do, the people we serve, and the community he helped to shape. May he rest in peace.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on May 3rd, 2025, in St Colman’s Church, Claremorris.