Archbishop Farrell

Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin, was born in 1954, the eldest of seven children of the late Dermot and Carmel Farrell, in Garthy, Castletown Geoghegan, Co Westmeath, in the Diocese of Meath.

After his primary education in Castletown Geoghegan and Streamstown, he attended St Finian’s College, Mullingar. In September 1972 he began his studies for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1976, as part of his philosophical studies. During his theological studies he was awarded a Bachelor in Divinity Degree in 1979 and a licence is Theology in 1981, both by the Pontifical University, Maynooth.

He was ordained to the priesthood in St Michael’s Church, Castletown Geoghegan, on June 7, 1980.

Upon the completion of his studies he was appointed curate in the Cathedral Parish of Christ the King, Mullingar.

In 1985 he began doctoral studies in the Gregorian University and in 1988 was awarded a doctoral degree in theology, for a dissertation entitled The Dogmatic Foundations of Bernard Häring’s Thought on Christian Morality as a Sacramental Way of Life.

His final year in Rome also saw him serving as a Director of Formation in the Pontifical Irish College.

Following his return from Rome he was appointed Curate in Tullamore Parish and in 1989-90 he began lecturing in Moral Theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. In 1990 the Maynooth College Trustees appointed him Executive Assistant to the President of College and to membership of the Faculty of Theology, holding the post of Director of the one-year Religious Studies Programme. In 1993 he was appointed Vice-President of St Patrick’s College and in 1996 was appointed President of the College, a position he held until his retirement in 2007.

In 1997 he was named an Honorary Prelate of his Holiness. From September 2007 until 2018 he served as Parish Priest of Dunboyne and Kilbride Parish, Co. Meath, and was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Meath in 2009.

Bishop Farrell has extensive administrative experience: he has served on various boards and committees, among them, the Board of Allianz plc; the Governing Body of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth; the Theological Department Irish Inter-Church Committee, and as National Director of the Permanent Diaconate.

His appointment as Bishop of Ossory by Pope Francis was announced on January 3, 2018, and he was ordained bishop in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, on March 11, 2018.

The Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Archbishop-elect Dermot Farrell as Archbishop of Dublin on December 29, 2020.

Archbishop Farrell’s episcopal motto Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini (Our help is in the name of the Lord) is taken from Psalm 124.