Lordship and Kingdom of Ireland The union of the
sees of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, which had been proposed in 1709, was carried into effect following the death of Stephen MacEgan,
Bishop of Meath on 30 May 1756, who had been administering the
see of Clonmacnoise. Augustine Cheevers,
Bishop of Ardagh, was
translated to the see of Meath on 7 August 1756, and
Anthony Blake was appointed as the first bishop of united see of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise on 11 August 1756. St Mel's was restored, reopening in 2014. == Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise ==