Archbishop Daly becomes PP in Dundalk
November 1990
An early visit to St Patrick’s in Dundalk is expected from Archbishop Cahal Daly following his appointment in succession to the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich who died in May.
In addition to taking over as leader of Ireland’s 3.7 million Catholics, he also becomes parish priest of Dundalk.
The news is welcomed by parish administrator
Fr Seán McCartan who pays tribute to Dr Daly’s achievements.
The new archbishop was born in Loughguile, Co Antrim on 1 October, 1917. His father was a native of Roscommon.
Third of seven children, his father was a primary school teacher, and he first attended his father’s school before going to St Malachy’s College in Belfast.
He was ordained a priest in Maynooth in June, 1941, where he was later awarded a Doctorate of
Divinity in 1945.
Archbishop Daly returned to St Malachy’s as a classics teacher in 1945, and a year later moved to Queen’s University as a lecturer in scholastic philosophy.
He remained there until 1967 when he was appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. He took over as Bishop of Down and Connor in 1982.
At age 73, he is the oldest prelate to be appointed to Armagh for 170 years.
One of Archbishop Daly’s first tasks will be to oversee the appointment of an Auxiliary to succeed the late Bishop James Lennon, a task which had occupied Cardinal Ó Fiaich’s mind before his death while on pilgrimage in Lourdes.
It is not automatic that Archbishop Daly will become Ireland’s next Cardinal, but it is considered almost certain as the previous six predecessors in Armagh were created Cardinals during their term in office.
His nomination to the College of Cardinals is anticipated soon, possibly next February.