Established circa 700 as Abbacy nullius of Raphoe / Rapoten(sis) (Latin)
Promoted in 1111 as Diocese of Raphoe / Rapoten(sis) (Latin).
Statistics and geographic remit
The bishopric covers most of
County Donegal apart from the
Inishowen peninsula. The largest towns are
Ballyshannon,
Donegal,
Letterkenny and
Stranorlar. As per 2014 it pastorally served 82,600 Catholics (91.1% of 90,700 total) on 4,030 km² (1555 sq. mi.) in 33 parishes with 85 priests (83 diocesan, 2 religious), 48 lay religious (4 brothers, 44 sisters) and 5 seminarians.
The bishop's residence – Ard Adomnán – is in the town of
Letterkenny. It is located beside the Parochial House, near the
Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba which is dedicated to the joint patrons of the diocese – Saints
Eunan (also known as Adomnán) and
Columba (also known as Columcille).
The former Cathedral, once Cathedral of St Eunan, also in Raphoe, is now a Protestant church.
Gilla in Choimded Ua Caráin (Gilbert O’Caran) (1156?–1175), next Metropolitan Archbishop of
Armagh (Northern Ireland) (1175 – death 1180)
Máel Pátraic Ó Scannail (Patrick O’Scanlan),
OP (1253.10 – 1261.11.05), next Metropolitan Archbishop of Armagh (Northern Ireland) (1261.11.05 – death 1270.03.16)