Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
Anglican diocese of the Church of Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry (also known as the United Dioceses of Tuam, Killala and Achonry) is a former diocese in the Church of Ireland located in Connacht; the western province of Ireland. It was in the ecclesiastical province of Armagh. Its geographical remit included County Mayo and part of counties Galway and Sligo. Between late 2021 and early 2022, the diocese was amalgamated into the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe.[1][2]
History
On 13 April 1834, the diocese of Killala and Achonry was united to the Archdiocese of Tuam. On the death of Archbishop Le Poer Trench of Tuam in 1839, the Province of Tuam was united to the Province of Armagh and the see ceased to be an archbishopric and became a bishopric with Thomas Plunket becoming the first bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry.[3]
Coat of arms
In November 2012, the Chief Herald of Ireland confirmed the following as the arms of the united diocese:[4]
Azure beneath three Gothic arches as many figures or their hands faces and feet proper, in the middle the Blessed Virgin holding upon her left arm the Child their heads circled in glory on her dexter side a bishop pontifically vested his dexter hand raised in benediction the sinister hand holding a crozier bendwise and on her sinister an angel the head circled of the second the dexter arm elevated and beneath the sinister arm a lamb of the third impaled with Gules a pastoral staff or surmounted of an open book proper.
The two coats of arms recorded in the records of Ulster King of Arms for the dioceses of Tuam and Killala are impaled, or placed side to side, on the shield.[5]
Cathedrals
The bishop had two episcopal seats (Cathedra):
St. Crumnathy's Cathedral, Achonry was deconsecrated in 1998 and is now used for ecumenical events.[7]
Parishes
Prior to its amalgamation, the diocese was divided into unions (or groups) of parishes.[8]
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Achonry Union:
Aughaval Group:
Ballisodare Union:
Galway & Kilcummin:
Killala Union:
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Kilmoremoy Union:
Omey Union:
Skreen Union:
Tuam Union:
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List of bishops
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Archdeacons
Reflecting a history of amalgamations within the diocese, the role of diocesan archdeacon changed over time.[10] Stephen J. McWhirter was Archdeacon for Tuam, Killala and Achonry from 2017.[11] In 2022 (coinciding with the diocese's amalgamation into the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe), McWhirter became incumbent of Rossorry Parish, Enniskillen.[12]
