Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore

The Diocese of Dromore is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in Northern Ireland. It covers parts of Down, Armagh and Antrim and has its seat at the cathedral church of SS Patrick and Colman in Newry. The diocese traces its origins to a sixth-century monastery founded by St Colman on the northern bank of the River Lagan. In the late 12th century the Irish Church was reorganised and the Diocese of Dromore was established. The see coincides with the ancient territory of the Uí Echach Cobo. The diocese has lacked a bishop since 2018, following the resignation of John McAreavey. Before him, bishops such as Michael Blake and Henry O’Neill enlarged and beautified Newry Cathedral between 1823 and 1915. Other religious communities settled in the area, including Poor Clares from Dublin in 1830 and Sisters of Mercy in 1855. The Dominican priory on the Armagh side of Newry was founded under John Pius Leahy in the 19th century. Visitors to Newry find the cathedral church of SS Patrick and Colman beside Carlingford Lough. Abbey Yard marks the site of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1144 by St Malachy O’Morgair. The Poor Clares established their presence early in the 19th century, and the Sisters of Mercy opened a convent in 1855. The cathedral itself was built between 1823 and 1829 and later enlarged. The surrounding area includes the head of Carlingford Lough and the historic centre of Newry.