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Diocese of Clonfert (Roman Catholic)

Diocese of Clonfert
Dioecesis Clonfertensis
LoughreaCathedral.jpg
Location
Country Republic of Ireland
Territory Parts of counties Galway, Offaly and Roscommon
Ecclesiastical province Province of Tuam
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tuam
Statistics
Area 960 sq mi (2,500 km2)
Population
- Catholics

36,000
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Rite Latin Rite
Established Bishopric in 550; Diocese in 1111
Cathedral St. Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea
Patron saint St Brendan
Current leadership
Pope Pope Francis
Bishop John Kirby,
Bishop of Clonfert
Metropolitan Archbishop Michael Neary,
Archbishop of Tuam
Map
Roman Catholic Diocese of Clonfert map.png
Website
clonfertdiocese.ie

The Diocese of Clonfert (Irish: Deoise Chluain Fearta) is a Roman Catholic diocese in the western part of Ireland. It is in the Metropolitan Province of Tuam and is subject to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tuam. The current Bishop is the Most Reverend John Kirby who was appointed by the Holy See on 18 February 1988 and (ordained bishop) on 9 April 1988.

The diocese covers almost the whole of East Galway, with one parish (Lusmagh) in County Offaly while the parishes of Taughmaconnell, Creagh and the half-parish of Ballinasloe lie in County Roscommon. This was the ancient territory of the kingdom of Uí Maine (Hy-Many), as it existed when the diocese was formed. In fact, the bishop of the diocese was sometimes referred to as the Bishop of Hy-Many. The major towns in the diocese are Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Portumna.

The cathedra is currently located at Loughrea but was historically Clonfert Cathedral.

The bishopric was established in A.D. 550 and the diocese in 1111. The early Irish monastery and school of Clonfert, founded by Saint Brendan, was the dominant ecclesiastical centre in the area and an important centre of learning in the early Irish church. Cummian, an important theological writer was from there. It was also deeply involved in the eighth century spiritual reform movement of the Céli Dé.


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