List of Archbishops of Armagh

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Statue of St. Patrick in Aghagower

Armagh is narrated as the center of the proselytizing of Ireland through St. Patrick . The great importance attached to Patrick was carried over to the bishopric at Armagh , the incumbent of which is regarded as the Primate of the Church in Ireland.

The first Bishop of Armagh is Patrick himself. The Archdiocese of Armagh was only established in 1111 by the Synod of Rathbreasail . There has been both a Roman Catholic Archbishop and an Archbishop of the Church of Ireland since the Reformation in 1534 . Both see themselves as succeeding Patrick.

Explanations of the lists

The office of bishop in the early Middle Ages

There is no complete and reliable list of the bishops of Armagh in the early Middle Ages. This is due in particular to the division of the episcopal office into a successor to the founder, who was often abbot of the monastery at the episcopal see, and the actual bishop, which was widely introduced in Ireland in the middle of the 6th century and maintained until the 12th century. The reason for this was presumably the increased establishment of monasteries at bishoprics and the increasing political and economic importance of a diocese. According to the canon law of the time in Ireland, the competencies were distributed as follows:

  • The successor ( Old Irish : comarbae , Latin : princeps ) of the founder (Patrick in the case of Armagh) had the highest political authority, which was symbolized by the relics including the shepherd's staff. He was able to claim the tribute due to the diocese and acted as a political mediator if necessary. This position was often assumed by married laypeople, who often inherited it within their own families. In Armagh this was particularly the case in the 8th and 9th centuries.
  • The abbot presided over the monastery and its monks.
  • The bishop was the supreme authority in spiritual matters, administered the sacraments to which he was entitled and presided over the clergy in his diocese who did not belong to a monastery.

The earliest example of a separation of office in Armagh is the division between Dáuíd Mac Guaire as bishop and Feidlimid Finn as abbot and successor of Patrick from the year 534. This separation of offices was often overlooked, with the result that in not a few cases the completely preserved list of Patrick's successors from the early Middle Ages was taken over, unchecked, as the list of bishops.

Completeness of the list of bishops

From the time from the 5th to the early 12th century ( see below: first list ), complete lists of the incumbents have only survived for the office of Patrick's successor, since this was the most prestigious. Bishops who were not successors of Patrick at the same time are only partially documented in the annals. The first list below gives only the names from the annals specifically named as Bishops of Armagh.

It happens that bishops who were also successors of Patrick are not explicitly mentioned as bishops in the annals. An example of this is Mael Pátraic Mac Maeltuile, who died in 936. The Ulster annals only name him as Patrick's successor. However, the Chronicon Scotorum or the annals of the four masters provide here the indication that Mael Pátraic was a bishop. It is conceivable that there are other such cases where the other annals do not fill the void.

Conversely, bishops are named in the annals who were assigned to Armagh only through a copy error. An example of this is entry U1122.6 in the Annals of Ulster, which names Mael Coluim Ua Brolcháin as Bishop of Armagh, although this is the first Bishop of Ardstraw. Gwynn proves in his work that this applies to no fewer than three bishops of Ardstraw. Accordingly, these were not included in the list.

Years from the annals

The dates of the annals can be shifted or diverge from one another due to a number of errors. An example of this is the year of death of Dáuíd Mac Guaire, which three annals place on three different years: 550, 551 and 553. Thanks to the extensive work and analyzes by Mc Carthy, the correct dates can be reconstructed. With Dáuíd Mac Guaire, 552 can be determined as the year of death.

All the years of the early Christian list of bishops have been corrected in accordance with the tables by Mc Carthy. From the 12th century onwards, the problem no longer exists, and so all later information could be used unchanged.

The lists of the archbishops

All other lists are largely based on the Handbook of British Chronology from 1986. Cellach Mac Aodh's inauguration was corrected from 1105 to 1106, since Cellach in 1105 was initially only Patrick's successor and only a year later became a bishop.

The information from the Handbook of British Chronology is based on records of the English crown from 1172, the so-called patent rolls, which documented the election, appointment, ordination, inauguration and leaving office. The patent rolls concerning Ireland were largely lost in the fire of the Irish Record Office in 1922, but had previously been systematically evaluated by H. J. Lawlor.

In order to keep the lists clear, the date of the appointment is given for bishops who have already been ordained together with the former bishopric. Otherwise, priority is given to the consecration date, as far as it is known.

After the Reformation in 1534, all existing ecclesiastical institutions disappeared into the Anglican Church of Ireland. In particular, all bishops remained in office and were recognized by the crown when they were ready to submit their papal appointments. This compelled the Catholic Church to set up a parallel diocesan administration and to fill the episcopal offices. Since in the transition period many bishops secretly assured the Pope of their loyalty despite the return of the documents of appointment, they were listed twice - as Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops. An example of this is George Dowdall, who was recognized by both the Crown and the Pope.

The lists after the Reformation represent the view of the Roman Catholic Church and the English Crown. Due to the problem of hidden loyalties, the Roman Catholic Archbishops were only included in this list if there was sufficient evidence of their loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church gave. This includes, in particular, a mention of your name in the certificate of appointment of the next bishop, since these documents usually list the predecessor and thus represent a subsequent recognition of the predecessor. The list of Anglican Archbishops is based primarily on the patent roles evaluated by Lawlor.

The most recent data on the list of bishops - from the time after the most recent edition (March 2007) of the Handbook of British Chronology in 1986 - were taken from the websites of the two dioceses.

Lists

Bishops of Armagh

In this list of early Christian bishops, the most important sources are given for each name. The abbreviation "C" stands for the list of Patrick's successors compiled by HJ Lawlor based on medieval sources . The other abbreviations "AI", "CS", "M" and "U" respectively stand for the annals of Inisfallen , the Chronicon Scotorum , the annals of the four masters and the annals of Ulster .

Surname Consecration death proof
Patrick at 432 461 C1, CS432, M431.2, U461.2
Benén 469 C4, U467.1
Iarlaithe Mac Trian 481 C5, U481.1
Cormac 498 C7, U497.3
Dubthach 515 C8, U513.2
Ailill Uí Bresail I. 525 C9, U526.2
Ailill Uí Bresail II. 534 C10, U536.4
Dáuíd Mac Guaire 552 U551.1, U553.4, M550.2
Cairlén maccu Garba 586 C14, U588.1, M587.2
Mac Laisre 624 C17, U623.2, M622.6
Tóiméne Mac Rónán around 630 660 C18, U661.1
Ségene 688 C19, U688.1
Suibne Mac Crunnmael at 708 730 C22, U730.5
Congus 750 C23, U750.3
Affiath 794 U794.1
Nuada 812 C33, U812.4
Artrí 833 C35, U823.5, U825.14, U827.2, U833.1
Eoccan Mainistrech 834 C36, AI834.1, U834.2
Forannán 852 C37, U835.6, U839.8, U845.1, U846.9, U848.8, U852.1
Diarmaite 848? 852 C38, U836.4, U839.8, U848.8, U851.5, U852.1
Maelpadraig Mac Finnchu 863 CS863, M861.2
Féthgna 874 C39, U874.3, CS874
Cathasach Mac Robartach 883 C42, U883.7, CS883
Mochta 893 U893.1, CS893, AI893.1
Mael Aichen 894 CS894
Cellach Mac Saergus 903 U903.1, CS903
Mael Ciaráin Mac Eochucán 915 U915.4
Joseph Mac Fathaig 936 C44, U936.1
Mael Pátraic Mac Maeltuile 936 C45, U936.3, M936.17, CS936
Cathasach Mac Murchadán 966 U966.1
Mael Muire Mac Scannlán 994 U994.5
Airmeadhach Mac Coscrach 1006 U1006.1
Muireadhach Mac Crichan 1011 M1010.2
Mael Tuile 1032 U1032.8
Aed Ua Forréid 1032 1056 U1056.2
Mael Pátraic Mac Ermedach 1096 U1096.1
Cáenchomrac including Baigill 1099 1106 U1099.5, U1106.7
Cellach Mac Aodh 1106 1129 C56, U1106.6, U1129.3

Archbishops of Armagh before the Reformation

Surname Taking office Retirement
Cellach Mac Aodh consecrated in 1106, archbishop from 1111 † April 1, 1129
Máel Máedóc and Morgair consecrated 1132, in Armagh from 1134 Resignation 1136; † November 2, 1148
Gilla Meic Liac Mac Diarmata consecrated 1137 † March 27, 1174
Conchobar Mac Meic Con Caille consecrated 1174 † 1175
Gilla in Choimded Ua Caráin consecrated 1175 † around January 1180
Tommaltach Mac Áeda Ua Conchobair consecrated February 1180, resignation 1184, again in office 1186/1187 † 1201
Máel Ísu Ua Cerbaill elected 1184 † 1186/7
Echdonn Mac Gilla consecrated 1202 † after August 11, 1216
Luke Netterville elected before August 1217 † April 17, 1227
Donatus Ó Fidabra changed from Clogher, in office from September 20, 1227 † before October 17, 1237
Robert Archer elected April 4, 1238
Albert Suerbeer consecrated on September 30, 1240 moved to Riga in Livonia on January 10, 1246 ; † March 1273
Reginald consecrated before October 28, 1247 † after July 1256
Abraham Ó Conalláin consecrated on March 16, 1257 † December 21, 1260
Máel Pátraic Ó Scannail changed from Raphoe on November 5, 1261 † March 16, 1270
Nicol Mac Máel Ísu confirmed on July 14, 1270 † May 10, 1303
Michael Mac Lochlainn elected on August 31, 1303 moved to Derry in 1319
Dionysius appointed in 1303/1304
John Taaffe consecrated August 27, 1306 † before August 6, 1307
Walter Jorz consecrated on August 6, 1307 Resignation on November 13, 1311
Roland Jorz consecrated on November 13, 1311 moved to Canterbury on August 22, 1322 and later to York
Stephen Seagrave consecrated in April 1324 † October 27, 1333
David Mág Oireachtaigh consecrated before July 26, 1334 † May 16, 1346
Richard FitzRalph consecrated on July 8, 1347 † November 16, 1360
Milo Sweetman consecrated in November 1361 † August 11, 1380
Thomas Ó Calmáin appointed by the antipope Clement VII on January 14, 1381
John Colton consecrated 1381 Resignation before April 1404; † April 27, 1404
Nicholas Fleming consecrated on May 1, 1404 † after June 22, 1416
John Swayne consecrated on February 2, 1418 Resignation on March 27, 1439; † before October 1442
John Prene consecrated in November 1439 † June 1443
John Mey consecrated on June 20, 1444 † 1456
John Bole consecrated on June 13, 1457 † February 18, 1471
John Foxhalls consecrated in December 1471 † before November 23, 1474
Edmund Connesburgh appointed on June 5, 1477, shortly thereafter consecrated moved to Ely in November 1477 and later to Norwich
Ottaviano Spinelli consecrated before January 1480 † June 1513
John Kite consecrated October 1513 moved to Carlisle on July 12, 1521
George Cromer consecrated around December 1521 suspended by Paul III. on July 23, 1539; † March 16, 1543

Roman Catholic Archbishops of Armagh after the Reformation

Surname Term of office Retirement
George Cromer consecrated around December 1521 suspended by Paul III. on July 23, 1539; † March 16, 1543
Robert Wauchope consecrated March 17, 1545 † November 10, 1551
George Dowdall appointed March 1, 1553 † August 15, 1558
Donat O'Teige consecrated in February 1560 † 1562
Richard Creagh consecrated Easter 1564 † December 1586
Edmund Magauran came from Ardagh, appointed July 1, 1587 † June 23, 1593
Peter Lombard appointed July 9, 1601 † 1625
Aodh Mac Cathmhaoil (Hugh MacCaghwell) consecrated on June 7, 1626 † September 22, 1626
Hugh O'Reilly came from Kilmore, appointed August 21, 1628 † around 1652
Edmund O'Reilly consecrated on May 26, 1658 † March 8, 1669
Oliver Plunkett consecrated on December 1, 1669 † July 1, 1681
Dominic Maguire appointed December 14, 1623 † September 21, 1707
Hugh MacMahon came from Clogher, appointed August 6, 1714 † August 2, 1737
Bernard MacMahon came from Clogher, appointed November 8, 1737 † May 27, 1747
Ross MacMahon came from Clogher, appointed August 3, 1747 † October 29, 1748
Michael O'Reilly came from Derry, appointed January 23, 1749 † 1758
Anthony Blake came from Ardagh, appointed August 21, 1758 † November 11, 1787
Richard O'Reilly appointed coadjutor with the right to succession in 1782, which was then assumed on November 11, 1787 † January 31, 1818
Patrick Curtis consecrated on October 28, 1819 † July 26, 1832
Thomas Kelly came from Dromore, was appointed coadjutor with succession on December 1, 1828, which was assumed on July 26, 1832 † January 13, 1835
William Crolly came from Down and Connor, appointed April 12, 1835 † April 6, 1849
Paul Cullen consecrated on February 24, 1850 moved to Dublin on May 1, 1852
Joseph Dixon consecrated on November 21, 1852 † April 29, 1866
Michael Kieran consecrated on February 3, 1867 † September 15, 1869
Daniel MacGettigan came from Raphoe, appointed March 11, 1870 † December 3, 1887
Michael Logue came from Raphoe, appointed coadjutor with right of succession on April 30, 1887, which he assumed on December 3, 1887, cardinal from January 19, 1893 † November 19, 1924
Patrick Joseph O'Donnell came from Raphoe, appointed coadjutor with right of succession on February 14, 1922, which he assumed on November 19, 1924, cardinal from December 14, 1925 † October 22, 1927
Joseph McRory came from Down and Connor, appointed June 22, 1928, cardinal from December 16, 1929 † October 13, 1945
John D'Alton came from Meath, appointed April 25, 1946, Cardinal from January 12, 1953 † February 1, 1963
William Conway came from Neve, appointed September 10, 1963, cardinal from February 22, 1965 † April 17, 1977
Tomás Séamus Ó Fiaich consecrated October 2, 1977, cardinal from June 30, 1979 † May 7, 1990
Cahal Daly came from Down and Connor, appointed November 6, 1990, Cardinal from June 28, 1991 retired since October 1, 1996; † December 31, 2009
Seán Brady appointed coadjutor with the right to succession on February 19, 1995, which he assumed on October 1, 1996, cardinal from November 24, 2007 retired from September 8, 2014
Eamon Martin Appointed coadjutor on January 18, 2013, successor by papal acceptance of the predecessor's resignation from September 8, 2014

Anglican Archbishops of Armagh after the Reformation

Surname Term of office Retirement
George Cromer consecrated around December 1521 suspended by Paul III. on July 23, 1539; † March 16, 1543
George Dowdall consecrated December 1543 Archbishopric left before July 28, 1551
Hugh Goodacre consecrated on February 2, 1553 † May 1, 1553
George Dowdall back in office from October 23, 1553 † August 15, 1558
Adam Loftus consecrated on March 2, 1563 moved to Dublin on August 9, 1567
Thomas Lancaster consecrated June 13, 1568 † 1584
John Long consecrated on July 13, 1584 † before January 16, 1589
John Garvey came from Kilmore, appointed March 24, 1589 † March 2, 1595
Henry Ussher consecrated in August 1595 † April 2, 1613
Christopher Hampton consecrated on May 8, 1613 † January 3, 1625
James Ussher came from Meath, appointed January 29, 1625 † March 21, 1656
John Bramhall came from Derry, appointed August 1, 1660 † June 25, 1663
James Margetson came from Dublin, appointed July 25, 1663 † August 28, 1678
Michael Boyle came from Dublin, appointed January 21, 1679 † December 10, 1702
Narcissus Marsh came from Dublin, appointed January 26, 1703 † November 2, 1713
Thomas Lindsay came from Raphoe, appointed December 22, 1713 † July 13, 1724
Hugh Boulter came from Bristol, appointed August 12, 1724 † September 27, 1742
John Hoadly came from Dublin, appointed October 6, 1742 † July 16, 1746
George Stone came from Derry, appointed February 28, 1747 † December 19, 1764
Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby came from Kildare, appointed January 8, 1765 † October 10, 1794
William Newcome came from Waterford, appointed January 16, 1795 † January 11, 1800
William Stuart came from St. Davids, appointed October 30, 1800 † May 6, 1822
Lord John George Beresford came from Dublin, appointed June 17, 1822 † July 18, 1862
Marcus Gervais Beresford came from Kilmore, deed October 15, 1862 † December 26, 1885
Robert Bent Knox came from Down, elected May 11, 1886 † October 23, 1893
Robert Samuel Gregg came from Cork, elected December 14, 1893 † January 10, 1896
William Alexander came from Derry, elected February 25, 1896 Retired from February 1, 1911; † September 12, 1911
John Baptist Crozier came from Down, elected February 2, 1911 † April 11, 1920
Charles Frederick D'Arcy came from Dublin, elected June 17, 1920 † February 1, 1938
John Godfrey Fitzmaurice Day came from Ossory, elected April 27, 1938 † September 26, 1938
John Allen Fitzgerald Gregg came from Dublin, elected December 15, 1938 retired from February 18, 1959
James McCann came from Meath, elected February 19, 1959 retired from July 16, 1969
George Otto Simms came from Dublin, elected July 17, 1969 retired from February 11, 1980
John Ward Armstrong came from Cashel, elected February 25, 1980 retired from 1986; † 1987
Robin Eames came from Down and Dromore, elected February 7, 1986 retired from December 31, 2006
Alan Edwin Thomas Harper came from Connor, elected on January 10, 2007 retired from October 1, 2012
Richard Lionel Clarke came from Meath and Kildare, elected December 15, 2012

swell

literature

  • HJ Lawlor and RI Best: The Ancient List of the Coarbs of Patrick . Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, IX, Dublin 1919, pp. 316-362. (This article evaluates four manuscripts with lists of Patrick's successors and compares them with the annals. However, the bishops are not fully enumerated here because not all were considered to be Patrick's successors. The successors of Patrick contained here are numbered from 1 to 62. Corresponding evidence in the list of bishops begin with "C".)
  • Royal Historical Society: Handbook of British Chronology . Third edition from 1986. ISBN 0-521-56350-X . (This work contains all the lists of bishops of Ireland from the introduction of modern diocesan administration in Ireland in the 12th century.)
  • Aubrey Gwynn : The Irish Church in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries . Four Courts Press, Dublin 1992. ISBN 1-85182-095-7 . (On page 187 the work deals with some entries in the Annals of Ulster (including U1122.6) which incorrectly attribute several bishops to Armagh due to copying errors.)
  • Daniel P. Mc Carthy: The Chronology of the Irish Annals , 1998, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Volume 98C, pp. 203-255. (This article provides the tools for correcting the dates in the annals.)
  • Colmán Etchingham: Church Organization in Ireland AD 650 to 1000 . Laigin Publications 1999. ISBN 0-9537598-0-6 . (This work analyzes the differences between the individual offices such as bishop, abbot, comarbae or airchinnech on the basis of the legal texts that have come down to us.)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Rinuncia e successione dell'Arcivescovo di Armagh (Irlanda). In: Bollettino. Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, September 8, 2014, accessed September 8, 2014 (Italian).
Bishops of the Church of Ireland by diocese
Province of Armagh

Clogher • Connor • Derry and Raphoe • Down and Dromore • Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh • Tuam, Killala and Achonry

Province of Dublin

Cashel and Ossory • Cork, Cloyne and Ross • Limerick and Killaloe • Meath and Kildare

This version was included in the selection of informative lists and portals on February 19, 2007 .