A magnificent day was had in Kilkenny last Sunday, as Ger Nash was installed as Bishop of Ossory. St Marys Cathedral on James’s Street was packed to capacity, with people from Ferns, Clare Kilkenny, and many other counties.. The attendance included ArchbishopEamon Martin, Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop Niall Coll and Monsignor Patrick Zay Han, as well as priests and parishioners from all parishes of Ossory. The principal celebrant was Bishop Nash. Originally From Tulla in Co Clare, he was ordained a priest in 1991. Fr Dermot Ryan, Administrator at St Mary’s Cathedral welcomed the Bishop to the Cathedral and asked that God would grant the new Bishop grace to serve the church in love, humility and truth. The Bishops sisters- Mags and Teresa were in attendance as were many of his extended family and friends. Priests and parishioners from Ferns were also in attendance. Representing Kilkenny County Council was chairman Joe Malone , and Deputy Mayor Cllr John Coonan. His Holiness PopeLeo X1V appointed Bishop Ger Nash as Bishop of Ossory on July 29 2026. The principal celebrant and homilist at the installation was Bishop Nash . Since Bishop Nash is already a bishop-appointed as Bishop of Ferns by Pope Francis in 2021- he was installed rather than ordained. Significantly, Sundays installation liturgy also marked the moment when the Diocese of Ossory and the Diocese of Ferns were united ‘in persona episcopi’- in the person of the Bishop. The theme of the Bishops homily was Forgiveness. It was a spectacular occasion with musicians and choirs adding greatly to the occasion.
The Kilkenny Observer was in attendance as Bishop Nash was installed as the 97th Bishop Of Ossory, and will carry a full report and photos next week.
