President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Edward S. Walsh, a Bedminster resident and leader of a national construction and real estate firm, to serve as the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

Walsh, a close friend of Trump, is a member of the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, where he has twice won the club championship. “He is also a champion golfer, a very good asset for the Ambassador of Ireland to have,” Trump remarked, highlighting Walsh's golf achievements.

Walsh previously chaired the New Jersey Schools Development Authority from 2010 to 2018 under Governor Chris Christie’s leadership. While he supported Christie in his 2016 presidential bid, Walsh did not back him in 2024. Additionally, Walsh was a delegate to the Republican National Convention during Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.

As the founder of The Walsh Company, Walsh Environmental Solutions, and Walsh PoE Lighting, Walsh has built a prominent career in construction and real estate. He also served as treasurer for the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Industrial Office Parks.