List of Roman Catholic dioceses in Ireland

This is a comprehensive list of Roman Catholic dioceses in Ireland. The diocesan system of Christian church government in Ireland was set up by the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 and modified by the Synod of Kells in 1152. The country is divided into four ecclesiastical provinces each headed by an archbishop, and 26 dioceses, with their respective bishops.

Over the years, this division has remained close to the original, with a few notable differences. First, the Diocese of Galway was created in 1831 following the abolition of the Wardenship of Galway. Secondly, several dioceses with small populations were merged, and now have more than one name to represent their merger.

Another change is that the ancient see in the diocese of Kilfenora is now administered by the Bishop of Galway in the province of Tuam since the late 19th Century. The correct title of the Bishop is now the Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora. Also the Diocese of Ross merged with the Diocese Cork to form the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the 1950's. Finally, the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly now resides in Thurles.

List of Dioceses

Ecclesiastical province of Armagh

*Archdiocese of Armagh
**Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise
**Diocese of Clogher
**Diocese of Derry
**Diocese of Down and Connor
**Diocese of Dromore
**Diocese of Kilmore
**Diocese of Meath
**Diocese of Raphoe

Ecclesiastical province of Cashel

*Archdiocese of Cashel
**Diocese of Cloyne
**Diocese of Cork and Ross
**Diocese of Kerry
**Diocese of Killaloe
**Diocese of Limerick
**Diocese of Waterford and Lismore

Ecclesiastical province of Dublin

*Archdiocese of Dublin
**Diocese of Ferns
**Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin
**Diocese of Ossory

Ecclesiastical province of Tuam

*Archdiocese of Tuam
**Diocese of Achonry
**Diocese of Clonfert
**Diocese of Elphin
**Diocese of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
**Diocese of Killala

References

* [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/die2.html Dioceses of Ireland]
* [http://www.from-ireland.net/diocs/dioceseindex.htm 1836 Index of Roman Catholic Parishes]

External links

* [http://www.gcatholic.com/dioceses/data/countryIE.htm The Catholic Church in Ireland] by [http://www.gcatholic.com GCatholic.com]