Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore

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The Diocese of Kilmore (Latin: Dioecesis Kilmorensis; Irish: Deoise na Cille Móire) is a Latin Catholic diocese mainly in the Republic of Ireland, with a few parishes in Northern Ireland. It is one of eight dioceses under the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Armagh.

What it covers
- Geography: most of County Cavan, with parts of Leitrim, Fermanagh, Meath and Sligo.
- Main towns: Cavan, Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Manorhamilton and Virginia.
- Size and people: about 850 square miles (2,200 km²). As of 2019, about 69,483 Catholics out of a total population of 77,863 (89.2%).

Structure
- Parishes and churches: 35 parishes and 95 churches.
- Rite and church: Latin Church, Roman Rite.
- Cathedral: St Patrick and St Felim’s Cathedral, Cavan (neoclassical with a 70-meter spire).
- Patrons: St Patrick and St Felim.

Leadership
- Bishop: Martin Hayes, appointed by Pope Francis in 2020 and ordained on 20 September 2020. He succeeded Philip Leo O’Reilly.
- Metropolitan Archbishop: Eamon Martin of Armagh.
- Vicar General: Liam Kelly.

History in brief
- The diocese was established in 1152 at the synod of Kells and was originally tied to Breifne. The name Kilmore comes from the Great Church at Kilmore.
- After the Reformation, the diocese faced disruption and loss of its cathedral. It was rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the cathedral rebuilt again in the mid-20th century.
- The Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre was opened in 2005 at St Patrick’s College, Cavan, offering faith formation and catechesis.

For more information, visit kilmorediocese.ie.