Diocese

The monastic district of Cloyne became the Diocese of Cloyne under the new arrangement of the Synod of Kells in 1152 A.D.

The boundaries of each Diocese were drawn at Kells and it then became necessary to establish the exact boundaries of each parish. The parishes of Ireland were assessed for a Papal Taxation in 1291 A.D. and as a result an almost complete list of the parishes of the Diocese of Cloyne is available, dating from that time. At present there are forty six parishes, many of which are unions of smaller ancient parishes. They are grouped into five deaneries.

15th - 18th Century

Cloyne Crest The Dioceses of Cork and Cloyne, were united, under Bishop Jordan Purcell, by Papal Decree in 1429. When a vacancy occurred in 1747 they were separated and bishops appointed to both dioceses. Bishop John O’Brien was appointed to Cloyne and was also given responsibility for the Diocese of Ross. Ross was separated from Cloyne in 1850.

The Diocese of Cloyne

Cloyne Diocese - 46 Parishes

The Penal Era in Cloyne

In 1652 Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland was complete. Persecution Catholics followed. In 1698 Catholic Bishops, V.G.s, Deans, Jesuits, and monks were ordered to leave the country and many Penal Laws were enacted. The practice of religious devotion at holy wells, for the most part, was widespread. Unregistered priests celebrated Mass on mass-rocks in the open or well concealed spots while scouts watched. Clerical students went secretly to the Irish Colleges on the continent and newly ordained priests were obliged to enter secretly on their return to Ireland. The Irish College at Toulouse was virtually a seminary for the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. It was suppressed in 1789. This was the age of Mass-rocks and miserable open-ended Mass-houses. The majority of the priests were “on the run.”

19th - 21st Century

The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed great progress, with convents, monasteries and schools being founded in many parishes. Numerous priests, religious men and women went to work in all five continents. The great age of Church building dawned shortly before 1800 A.D. St. Mary’s Church, Youghal was built in 1796, and gradually new parish churches were built in every parish in the Diocese. In 2001 there were 131 Primary Schools with 15138 pupils and 32 Second Level Colleges catering for 11641 students in the Diocese.

The ruins of churches and monasteries, the holy wells and Mass rocks to be found throughout the diocese are a testimony to the faith and devotion of the people through the centuries.

Religion and devotion flourished and missionary activity continued under the pastoral care and guidance of Bishop J. McCarthy 1874-1893; Bishop R. Browne 1894-1935, Bishop J.J. Roche 1935-1956, Bishop J.J. Ahern 1957-1987; Bishop J. Magee 1987-2010; and Bishop W. Crean 2013-present.

Today, The Diocese of Cloyne has a Catholic population of over 150,000 people. It stretches over most of the county of Cork, with the exception of the city and West Cork. Its 46 parishes run from Mitchelstown in the north-east to Rockchapel in the north-west, from Macroom in the south-west to Youghal in the south-east.

Excerpt taken from “Diocese of Cloyne A.D. 2002- A glimpse of our Christian Heritage”

Summary Information

The Diocese of Cloyne has a Catholic population of over 150,000 people. It stretches over most of the county of Cork, with the exception of the city and West Cork. Its 46 parishes run from Mitchelstown in the north-east to Rockchapel in the north-west, from Macroom in the south-west to Youghal in the south-east.

Bishop

Most Rev. William Crean, D.D., Bishop of Cloyne

Born 16 December 1951
Ordained priest 20 June 1976
Ordained Bishop of Cloyne 27 January 2013
About Bishop Crean

The Diocese of Cloyne - 46 Parishes

Vicars General

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G.
Parochial House, Youghal Road, Midleton, Co. Cork.
Tel: 021 463 1750

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Anthony O’Brien, P.P., V.G.
Parochial House, Cannon Field, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Tel: 022 20391

Diocesan Secretary

V. Rev Canon James Moore,
Cloyne Diocesan Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork.
Tel: 021 481 1430
Mob: 086 869 4744

Administrative Secretary

Ms Lorraine Linehan
Cloyne Diocesan Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork.
Tel: 021 481 1430

Diocesan College

St. Colman’s College, Fermoy, Co. Cork.
Tel: 025 31622
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Tel: 025 31930

Patron Saint of the Diocese

St. Colman
Feast Day: 24th November

Other Diocesan Feasts

Dedication of the Cathedral: 12th August
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy: 25th October
Blessed Dominic Collins: 31st October

Diocesan Administration

Diocesan Secretary:
V.Rev. Canon James Moore, Cobh
Tel: 021 481 1430
Mob: 086 869 4744
Email

Administrative Secretary:
Ms. Lorraine Linehan
Tel: 021 481 1430

Data Protection Officer:
Ms. Michelle O'Riordan
Tel: 061 350 000
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Diocesan Secretary for Primary Education:
Mr. Michael Walsh Cloyne Diocesan Centre, Cobh. Co Cork
Tel: 085 707 5738

Diocesan Advisor for Secondary Schools:
Ms. Mary Crowley Healy
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Commissions and Committees

Diocesan Commissions and Committees

Chapter of St. Colman’s Cathedral

Dean:
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eamonn Goold, P.E., Midleton

Archdeacon:
Ven. Cornelius O'Donnell, P.E.

Chancellor:
V. Rev. Seán Cotter, P.E., Charleville

Prebendaries:
Aghulter: V. Rev. Canon Tom Browne, P.E., Castletownroche
Ballyhea: Vacant
Cahirulton: V. Rev. Canon Denis Kelleher, P.E., Midleton
Coole: V. Rev. Canon Donal Leahy, Castlelyons
Cooline: V. Rev. Patrick Twomey, P.E., Kildorrery
Glanworth: V. Rev. Canon Donal O'Mahony, P.P., Glanworth
Inniscarra: Rt. Rev. Msgr. James O’Brien, P.P., Ballyhea
Kilmaclenine: Rt. Rev. Msgr. James O’Donnell, A.P., Macroom
Killenemer: V. Rev. Michael Fitzgerald, P.E., Mitchelstown
Subulter: V. Rev. Canon Toby Bluitt, P.P. V.F., Castlemagner
Brigown: V. Rev. Msgr. Denis Reidy, P.E., Carrigtwohill
Kilmacdonogh: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Anthony O'Brien, P.P., V.G., Ballymacoda
Donoughmore: V. Rev. Donal Roberts, P.P., V.F., Macroom
Laken: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G., Churchtown

Honorary Canons:
V. Rev. Michael Leamy, P.P.,V.F.Mitchelstown
V. Rev. William Bermingham, P.P., Youghal
V. Rev. Patrick Linehan, P.P., Cloyne
V. Rev. James Moore, Cobh

College of Consultors

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Anthony O’Brien, P.P., V.G. Mallow
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G., Midleton
V.Rev. Canon James Moore, Diocesan Secretary, Cobh
V. Rev. Canon Patrick Linehan, P.P., Cloyne
V. Rev. Gerard Condon, P.P., Killavullen
V. Rev. Gerry Coleman, P.P., Glantane
V. Rev. John McCarthy, SP., Ballyvourney
Rev. Patrick O'Donoghue, C.C., Youghal

Council of Priests

Archdeacon Cornelius O'Donnell, P.E.
V. Rev. John Cogan, P.E.
V. Rev. Canon Donal Leahy
V. Rev. Canon Donal O’Mahony, P.P., Charleville
V. Rev. William Bermingham, P.P., Youghal
V. Rev. Canon Patrick Linehan, P.P., Cloyne
V. Rev. Canon Toby Bluitt, P.P., V.F., Kanturk
V. Rev. Gerry Coleman, P.P., Glantane
V. Rev. Frank O'Neill, P.P., Imogeela
V. Rev. John McCarthy, S.P., Baile Bhuirne/Cill na Martra
V. Rev. Paul Bennett, P.P., Banteer
V. Rev. Joseph O'Mahony, Adm., Aghinagh/Macroom

Ex officio:

Rt. Rev. Anthony O’Brien, P.P., V.G., Mallow
Rt. Rev. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G., Midleton
V. Rev. Canon James Moore, Diocesan Secretary

Bishop’s Appointees to Council of Priests
V. Rev. Canon Michael Leamy, P.P., V.F., Mitchelstown
V. Rev. Gerard Condon, P.P., Killavullen
Rev. Gabriel Burke, C.C., Blarney
Rev. Patrick O’Donoghue, C.C., Youghal

Cloyne Sick and Aged Priests’ Benevolent Fund Committee

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eamonn Goold, P.E.,
V. Rev. Canon Donal Roberts, P.P., V.F.
V. Rev. Canon Michael Leamy, P.P., V.F. (Treasurer)
V. Rev. Canon Patrick Linehan, P.P.
V. Rev. Micheál Leader, P.P.
Rev. Damien Lynch, C.C.

Cloyne Priests’ Remuneration Committee

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Anthony O’Brien P.P.,V.G.
V. Rev. Donal Coakley,P.E.
V. Rev. Canon Donal Roberts, P.P., V.F. (Treasurer)
V. Rev. Michael Fitzgerald, P.P.
V. Rev. Canon Patrick Linehan, P.P.
V. Rev. Tom McDermott, Adm, Cobh
Rev. Gerard Cremin, C.C.

Diocesan Finance Council

Bishop William Crean
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G. Midleton
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Anthony O'Brien, P.P. V.G, Mallow
V. Rev. Canon James Moore, Diocesan Secretary
Ms. Mary Gleeson Cronin
Mr. Micheál O'Driscoll
Mr. Neil O'Carroll - Chairperson
Mr. James Murphy
Mr. John O’Callaghan

Cloyne Ecclesiastical Heritage Advisory Committee

Chairperson: V. Rev. Canon Michael Leamy, P.P., V.F. Mitchelstown

Property Advisory Committee

Chairperson: V. Rev Frank O’Neill, P.P., Imogeela
Bishop William Crean
Mr David Higgins
V. Rev. Canon James Moore
Rev. Gerard Coleman (Glantane)

Permanent Diaconate Advisory Committee

Diocesan Director: V. Rev. Canon William Bermingham
Committee: V. Rev Joseph O’Mahony, V. Rev. Canon James Moore, V. Rev. Brian Boyle, Mary Lehane, Michael Bermingham, Rev. Deacon Garrett Cody.

Diocesan Director for Liturgical Music

V. Rev. Gerard Coleman, P.P., Castlelyons

Curator for Diocesan Archives

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G., Midleton

Vocations Commission

Chairperson: Bishop William Crean
Vocations Director: V. Rev. John McCarthy SP
Assistant Vocations Director:
Mr. Paddy Scully, Ms. Carmel Daly, Ms. Margaret Hickey.

Education

Diocesan Education Commission:

Chairperson: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jim Killeen, P.P., V.G., Midleton
Committee: V. Rev. Gerard Condon, Rev. Damien Lynch (Secretary), Sr. Anne Maria O’Carroll, Maireád O’Sullivan, Aideen Hickey, Anne Fay, Lawrence Collins, Dermot Coakley, Dan Leo.

Diocesan Council of the Catholic Primary School Managers’ Association:

Chairman: Rev. Mark Hehir, Midleton
Secretary: Mr. Michael Walsh

Diocesan Advisers for Religious Education:

V. Rev. Gerard Condon, P.P., Killavullen
Mrs. Noreen O’Sullivan, Mallow,
Mrs. Catherine Foley, Killeagh,
Mr. Noel Ryan, Midleton.

Adult Faith Development Co-Ordinators:

Sr. M. Emmanuel Leonard, 5 Ashgrove, Cluain Árd, Cobh, Co. Cork

Pastoral

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration:

Diocesan Directors:
Rev. John Keane, 083-0995605
Rev. Patrick O’Donoghue, C.C., Youghal

Episcopal Vicar for the Gaeltacht:
tAth Seán Mac Carthaigh, S.P. Ballyvourney

Vicar for Religious:

V. Rev. Canon Seán Cotter, P.E., Charleville.

Diocesan Director of Pontifical Mission Societies:

V. Rev. Mícheál Leader, P.P., Ballyclough

Diocesan Director of Trocaire:

V Rev Eugene Baker, PP, Buttevant

Ongoing Formation of Priests:

V. Rev. Gerard Condon, P.P., Killavullen

Pilgrimage Director:

V. Rev. Canon Tobias Bluitt, P.P., V.F., Kanturk

Assistant Pilgrimage Director:

V. Rev. Canon Donal O’Mahony, P.P., Charleville, Co. Cork.

Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (Cloyne Diocese):

Spiritual Director: V. Rev. Chris Donlon, P.P., Ladysbridge

Legion of Mary (Cloyne Diocese):

Spiritual Director: Vacant

Chaplain for the Deaf Community Munster:

John Patrick Doherty
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
website: National Chaplaincy for Deaf People
Mobile: 087-1008201 (Text only)