DUBLIN (DUBLIN), ARCHDIOCESE OF. – In Ireland. The name derives from the Gaelic Duibhlinn, meaning “black pool.” The territory of the archdiocese was visited by St Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, who established bishops in the district. The saint organized the Irish Church on an episcopal basis; but a century after his death (461), this state of affairs was replaced by an organization based on monasticism, which he himself had introduced. This meant that the abbot of the monastery became the spiritual moderator of the surrounding territory. In many cases he was himself a bishop; otherwise, he had a bishop within his community who performed the episcopal functions. This system lasted until the 12th century, when a synod in 1100 finally organized the Irish Church on a diocesan basis, as in the rest of continental Europe. Since the episcopal see of Dublin was
founded only in 1038, and on the other hand we have no record of monasteries in Dublin prior to that time, it must be concluded that those who are designated as bishops of Dublin before this period belonged to monastic communities in the surrounding territory. Among these early bishops are to be remembered St Livinus and St Runold, the first bishop of Mechelen. Both died as martyrs in Belgium; the former in 663 and the latter in 775.
The city of Dublin was founded by the invading Danes in 853, and a Danish kingdom was maintained there for the next three centuries. About the middle of the 10th century, pagan raiders began to be influenced by the Catholic faith through the monks of Normandy, a Danish kingdom in England. In 1038, Donatus, an Irishman, became the first bishop of Dublin. But since the Danes had received the Gospel from England, they regarded Canterbury as their spiritual metropolis; accordingly, Donatus and his four immediate successors were consecrated by the archbishop of that see.
This dependence ceased when, in 1331, Dublin was erected into a metropolitan see by an Irish synod presided over by a papal legate.
In 1169 the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland took place, soon bringing Dublin within its conquests. The archbishop at this time was St Lorcán or Tuathail (anglicized Laurence or St Laurence O’Toole), distinguished for his pastoral zeal, patriotism, and charity. He died at Eu in Normandy in 1180 while on his way to aid his people and was canonized by Honorius III in 1226.
In 1185 it was decreed that the diocese of Glendalough, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, would be united to Dublin after the death of its diocesan bishop, which occurred in 1214.
After St Lorcán, the archbishops of Dublin for a period of four centuries were all of English birth, appointed by the monarch of that realm. Many of these archbishops refused to recognize the primatial rights of Armagh, obtaining papal bulls in support of their stance. On the other hand, Armagh (v.) had on their side rights that had existed for several centuries, which were likewise confirmed by the Holy See. An attempt was made at Rome in 1353 to settle the controversy, and it was decided that the archbishop of Armagh should be styled Primas totius Hiberniae while that of Dublin should be Primas Hiberniae simply, in imitation of the prelates of Canterbury and York in England. But the dispute did not end, and even in the 18th century the archbishop of Armagh reserved the right of appeal over Dublin.
Worthy of mention among the archbishops of the Reformation period is Peter Talbot, who died in prison in 1680. His cause of beatification is under way.
Precious liturgical manuscripts are preserved in Trinity College, among them the “Book of Armagh” of the year 807; others in the Royal Irish Academy, including the Stowe Missal (v. CELTS, IV: LITURGY).
The archdiocese, which covers 3,184 sq. km, comprises 90 parishes, 170 churches, 1 auxiliary bishop, 416 diocesan priests, 578 regular clergy, 3 seminaries, 40 communities of lay religious, and 139 convents of nuns. Out of a total population of 709,729 (1949), 639,542 are Catholics. The cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.