The former bishop of Ossory, Archbishop Dermot Farrell, returned to the Marble City on Tuesday 11th November.
After three years as Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop Dermot was translated to the Archdiocese of Dublin in February 2022.
Last Tuesday was an opportunity to greet our former bishop and acknowledge his time here in Ossory.
On Tuesday afternoon the priests of the diocese greeted Archbishop Dermot in St Kieran’s College.
Mgr. Dan Cavanagh spoke on behalf of the priests thanking him for the work and dedication that Archbishop Dermot did during his time in Ossory.
Fr Martin Delaney presented Archbishop Dermot an 11 volume edition of the Dictionary of Irish Biography along with two original texts: Archbishop Patrick Francis Moran’s History of the Archbishops of Dublin and a work of Mgr. Laurence Renehan on the Church History.
Like Moran, Archbishop Farrell was a member of staff in the Irish College, Rome, both became bishops of Ossory and both left to become Archbishops – one in Sydney and the other in Dublin.
Renehen, a native of Gortnahoe, was, like Archbishop Farrell, President of St Patrick’s College Maynooth; like Archbishop Farrell Renehan spent time in Ossory: Farrell in Kilkenny and Renehan at school in Freshford.
The archbishop also received a newly published work, What is Man; A Journey through Biblical Anthropology, translated by Fearghus O’Fearghail, PP of Windgap – the other Dr Farrell of Ossory.
Evening Prayer was celebrated in St Patrick’ Church at which a large crowd of people from all over the diocese gathered to meet Archbishop Farrell.
Many who attended had worked with the Bishop Dermot when he was bishop, serving on committees, pastoral teams and parishes.
All were welcomed to St Kieran’s College for a cup of tea.
