This is a comprehensive list of Roman Catholic dioceses in Ireland. The diocesan system of Christian church government in Ireland was set up by the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111 and modified by the Synod of Kells in 1152. The island of Ireland is divided into four ecclesiastical provinces each headed by a metropolitan archbishop. The provinces were almost co-extensive with their contemporary civil counterparts. There are in total 26 dioceses in Ireland, each led by a diocesan bishop.
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Over the years, this division has remained close to the original, with a few notable differences. Firstly, several dioceses with small populations were merged, and now have more than one name to represent their merger. Secondly, the Diocese of Galway was created in 1831 following the abolition of the Wardenship of Galway.
Dr. James Butler 2nd, the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly (1774–91),[1] on being appointed by Rome moved his residence and cathedra from Cashel, favouring Thurles instead, where his successors continue to reign today. Similarly, in the Diocese of Elphin, the Cathedral, which was originally established in the County Roscommon town of Elphin, is now in Sligo.
Another change is that the ancient see of Kilfenora has been administered by the Bishop of Galway in the province of Tuam since the late 19th Century. The correct title of the Bishop is now the Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora. More recently, the Diocese of Ross merged with the Diocese Cork to form the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the 1950s.
The boundaries of most of the dioceses are located entirely in the Republic of Ireland. The boundaries of some of the dioceses are located entirely in Northern Ireland. In the case of the ecclesiastical province of Armagh, six of its suffragan dioceses straddle both political jurisdictions.
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