In the seventh century, the
monastery of Kilmacduagh was founded by
Saint Colman, son of Duagh. It was not until 1152 that the
Diocese of Kilmacduagh was established at the
Synod of Kells. After the
Reformation, there were parallel
apostolic successions.
Church of Ireland The
Church of Ireland bishopric of Kilmacduagh was united with
Clonfert to form the united
bishopric of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh in 1625. Under the
Church Temporalities (Ireland) Act 1833 (
3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 37), the united
see became part of the
bishopric of Killaloe and Clonfert in 1834. Since 1976, Kilmacduagh has been one of the sees held by the
Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe.
Roman Catholic Church The
Roman Catholic Church bishopric of Kilmacduagh continued as a separate title until 1750 when
Pope Benedict XIV decreed that it be united with the
bishopric of Kilfenora. The bishop of the united dioceses was to be alternately bishop of one diocese and
apostolic administrator of the other, since the two dioceses were in different
ecclesiastical provinces. The first bishop under this new arrangement was Peter Kilkelly, who had been Bishop of Kilmacduagh since 1744, became
Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora in September 1750. Since 1883, the two sees have been part of the united
Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora. ==Pre-Reformation bishops==