MEATH, DIOCESE OF. – Suffragan diocese of Armagh, territorially the largest in Ireland; it comprises most of County Meath, Westmeath and Offaly, and parts of Counties Longford, Louth, Dublin and Cavan.
Out of a total population of 126,450 (1936), 120,643 are Catholics. The diocese has 66 parishes and 144 churches served by 160 secular priests and 37 regulars: a minor seminary, St Finian’s College, Mullingar; the Jesuits have a house of study at Tullamore, the Columban Fathers one at Navan, the Franciscans the Seraphic College at Mullagharn, the Salesians an agricultural college at Warrenton (County Meath). The diocese also has Carmelites and Camillians, as well as 19 communities of nuns. There are 210 primary and 13 secondary schools in the diocese.
The present Diocese of Meath covers, in extent, almost the whole of the ancient Kingdom of Meath, which in ancient times included eight episcopal sees: Clonard, Duleek, Kells, Trim, Ardbracan, Dunshauglin, Slane, Fore. The most important was Clonard, which grew up around the famous monastery of the same name, founded by St Finian in the 6th century. At the National Synod held at Kells in 1152, the dioceses were reduced to three: Clonard, Duleek and Kells. After some time, Duleek and Kells were united to Clonard; the bishop of the united dioceses was made first suffragan of Armagh and began to bear the title “Bishop of Meath.” The patron is St Finian, whose feast is celebrated on 12 December.
Before the so-called Reformation, many of the bishops were English, Meath lying within the district known as the Pale. Two of the most celebrated during the period of persecution were the Cistercian William Walsh (d. 1577) and the Franciscan Patrick Tyrrel (d. 1692). The episcopal residence is Mullingar, where a splendid new cathedral dedicated to Christ the King has been erected.