Diocese of Elphin
Encyclopedia
The Diocese of Elphin was established following the Synod of Rathbreasail
in the year 1111. In that year the see for east Connacht
was moved from Roscommon
. Elphin was the traditional site of a monastic house established by St Patrick c.450, although there are no remains of that date.
Following the Reformation
, there were parallel dioceses. The Church of Ireland
diocese continued from the 16th until the 19th century. A new bishop's residence was built in the 1720s to the central block and flanking pavilions plan that is very common in Irish country houses of this period. The main block of the bishop's house was destroyed by fire early in the 20th Century and was subsequently demolished, but the ruins of the pavilions survive together with the curtain walls that linked them to the main house. The mediaeval cathedral
was also rebuilt in the eighteenth century. It was a modest building no bigger than a small parish church
with a tall square clock tower at its west end. It was badly damaged in a storm in 1962 and was demolished a few years later, but its partially restored ruins can still be seen. Since 1841, the diocese has been part of the united Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
The Roman Catholic Church
diocese continues as a separate diocese. A cathedral for the diocese (the Cathedral Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) was consecrated in Sligo
on 26 July 1874. For more on this diocese, see the Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin
.
Synod of Rathbreasail
The Synod of Ráth Breasail took place in Ireland in 1111. It marked the transition of the Irish church from a monastic to a diocesan and parish-based church...
in the year 1111. In that year the see for east Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
was moved from Roscommon
Roscommon
Roscommon is the county town of County Roscommon in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 5,017 . The town is located near the junctions of the N60, N61 and N63 roads.-History:...
. Elphin was the traditional site of a monastic house established by St Patrick c.450, although there are no remains of that date.
Following the Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
, there were parallel dioceses. The Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
diocese continued from the 16th until the 19th century. A new bishop's residence was built in the 1720s to the central block and flanking pavilions plan that is very common in Irish country houses of this period. The main block of the bishop's house was destroyed by fire early in the 20th Century and was subsequently demolished, but the ruins of the pavilions survive together with the curtain walls that linked them to the main house. The mediaeval cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
was also rebuilt in the eighteenth century. It was a modest building no bigger than a small parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
with a tall square clock tower at its west end. It was badly damaged in a storm in 1962 and was demolished a few years later, but its partially restored ruins can still be seen. Since 1841, the diocese has been part of the united Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
diocese continues as a separate diocese. A cathedral for the diocese (the Cathedral Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) was consecrated in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
on 26 July 1874. For more on this diocese, see the Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin
Roman Catholic Diocese of Elphin
The Diocese of Elphin 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 Dr. Christopher Jones DD who was appointed in 1994.-Geographical remit:The diocese covers parts...
.
See also
- Bishop of Elphin (Pre-Reformation, Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic bishops)