Duleek Parish
Duleek Parish (Irish: Paróiste Daimhliag) is a Catholic parish located in County Meath, Ireland, encompassing the village of Duleek and its surrounding rural areas. It forms part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Meath and is linked with several neighboring parishes.[1][not in citation given]
Location
Duleek Parish is situated in the east of County Meath, near the River Boyne. The parish covers the town of Duleek and the surrounding areas, including Bellewstown, which lies on the Hill of Bellewstown. It is located close to the larger towns of Drogheda and Navan.[citation needed]
History
Duleek derives its name from the Irish daimh liag, meaning "house of stones", referring to an early stone-built church. The ruins of St. Cianan's Church, believed to be the first stone church in Ireland, are still visible in Duleek today.[2]
Duleek began as an early Christian monastic settlement. St. Patrick is believed to have established a bishopric here around 450 AD, which he entrusted to St. Cianan on 24 November 489.[2] St. Cianan is reputed to have established the first stone church in Ireland at Duleek. The name "Duleek" comes from the Irish Damhliag Chianian, meaning "the stone house of Cianan".[2]
Duleek is mentioned in the Annals of Ulster as one of the four largest monastic communities in Ireland, alongside Armagh, Derry, and Clonmacnoise.[3]
At the Synod of Rathbrassil in 1111, the territory of Meath was divided into two dioceses: Clonard Monastery and Duleek. The Synod of Kells in 1152 further shaped the diocese, merging the bishoprics of Clonard, Kells, and Duleek into what roughly survives today.[4] The diocesan crest bears three mitres, representing these ancient bishoprics.
A Titular Bishopric of Duleek still exists today, with the current Titular Bishop being the retired auxiliary Bishop of San Bernardino in California, Rutilio del Riego Janez[5]
Past amalgamations
Duleek Parish has been amalgamated with neighboring parishes over time:
- Bellewstown Parish: Merged with Duleek in recent years.[when?]
Past priests
Duleek Parish has been served by many dedicated priests.[tone] Recent priests include:
- Fr. John Conlon – Fr. John, a native of Clonard in County Meath, served as Parish Priest in Duleek and administrator in Donore and Rossnaree for 14 years (01/09/2007 – 01/09/2021).[6]
- Fr. Mark English – Previously the Parish Priest of Killucan, Fr. Mark was reassigned as Parish Priest of Duleek and administrator of Donore (01/09/2021 – present).[6]
Neighboring parishes
Duleek Parish shares close ties[tone] with several other parishes in the region:
References
- ↑ "Diocese of Meath - Duleek Parish". Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Duleek Bellewstown Parish History". duleekbellewstownparish.com. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "Reference to Duleek in the Annals of Ulster". celt.ucc.ie. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "Reference to Duleek Parish in the Synod of Kells". JSTOR 25504221. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "Titular Bishopric of Duleek". catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Priests of Duleek Parish". duleekbellewstownparish.com. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "About Bellewstown Parish". duleekbellewstownparish.com. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "About Donore Parish". donorerossnareeparish.com. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "About Rossnaree Parish". donorerossnareeparish.com. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
External links
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