The Diocesan Curia exists to assist the Bishop in his ministry of shepherding the people of God. Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the teachings and law of the Catholic Church, the Diocesan Curia strives to make known the Christian message of love and redemption and to foster the spiritual growth and good of all people within the Diocese.
Diocesan Administration
Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
Vicars General
Rt Rev Msgr Peter Rabbitte
The Cathedral, Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 563577
Email: prabbitte@galwaydiocese.ie
Canon Ian O’Neill
The Parish Office, Claregalway, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 798741
Email: claregalway@galwaydiocese.ie
Diocesan Secretary; Moderator of the Curia; Master of Ceremonies
Rev John Gerard Acton
Diocesan Office, The Cathedral, Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 563566
Email: jgacton@galwaydiocese.ie
Chancellor
Very Rev Martin Whelan
Parochial House, Moycullen, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 555106
Email: chancellor@galwaydiocese.ie
Financial Administrator, Property Manager & Archivist
Mr Tom Hansberry
Diocesan Office, The Cathedral, Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 563566
Email: finance@galwaydiocese.ie
Communications Officer
Very Rev Diarmuid Hogan PP
Parish House, Oranmore, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 794634
Email: dco@galwaydiocese.ie
Coordinator of Pastoral Outreach
Fr Gerard McCarthy SVD
Diocesan Office, Árus de Brún, Newtownsmith, Galway
Email: gerardmccarthy@galwaydiocese.ie
Primary Education Secretariat
Mr Patrick Kelly
Diocesan Office, Árus de Brún, Newtownsmith, Galway
Email: education@galwaydiocese.ie
Clonfert Diocese
Vicar General & Communications Officer
Rt Rev Msgr Cathal Geraghty
Cathedral of St Brendan, Loughrea, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 841212
Email: cathedral@clonfertdiocese.ie
Chancellor; Master of Ceremonies
Very Rev. Michael Byrnes
Parochial House, Portumna, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)90 9741092
Diocesan Secretary & Office Manager
Ms Marcella Fallon
Diocesan Office, Loughrea, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 841560
Email: office@clonfertdiocese.ie
Interdiocesan Services
Bishop Michael Duignan
To make contact with Bishop Michael Duignan, please do so through the Diocesan Office.
Tel: +353 (0)91 563566
Email: info@clonfertgalway.ie
It is the mission of the Safeguarding Office to ensure that children, young people, and vulnerable adults are protected in all aspects of Church life, and that the highest standards of care, safety, and accountability are upheld.
Diocesan Safeguarding Service
Ms Isabelle Mulkern
Director of Safeguarding
Diocesan Office, The Cathedral, Galway
Tel: +353 (0)83 8791745
Email: imulkern@clonfertgalway.ie
Ms Aileen Cawley
Diocesan Designated Liaison Person
Tel: +353 (0)85 2288047
Email: acawley@galwaydiocese.ie
Ms Jackie Dockery
Diocesan Safeguarding Trainer
Email: jdockery@clonfertgalway.ie
Ms Claire Hynes
Diocesan Safeguarding Trainer
Email: chynes@clonfertgalway.ie
Statutory Authorities
Garda National Protective Services Bureau
Tel: +353 (0)1 666 3430 / +353 (0)1 666 3423
Garda Confidential Service
Tel: +353 (0)1800 666 111
Tusla – Child and Family Agency
Galway Tel: +353 (0)91 546235
Mayo Tel: +353 (0)94 9042030
Clare Tel: +353 (0)61 482792
Clergy Wellbeing and Support Officers
Working with the Moderator of the Curia, the Clergy Wellbeing and Support Officers assist the Bishop in caring for the priests of the diocese. They promote the ongoing spiritual, pastoral, and personal wellbeing of clergy. Their work ensures that priests are supported in their ministry and daily life.
Mr Tom McCann
Email: tmccann@clonfertgalway.ie
Ms Mary O’Keeffe
Email: mokeeffe@clonfertgalway.ie
It is the mission of the Western Province Vetting Service to provide a professional and efficient Garda vetting process, ensuring that all who serve in ministry or volunteer with children and vulnerable adults are properly vetted.
Administrators: Ms Eilish Glynn and Ms Ita O’Mahony
Tel: +353 (0)91 575051
Email: info@wpvs.ie
It is the role of the Pilgrimage, Events & Records Office to assist in the organisation and coordination of diocesan pilgrimages, liturgical celebrations, and special events. The office also maintains diocesan records and archives, ensuring the accurate preservation of important documents.
Dr Darina McCarthy
Pilgrimage / Events & Records Administrative Support
Tel: +353 (0)85 2288043
Email: dmccarthy@clonfertgalway.ie
The Pilgrimage / Events & Records Administrative Support Office is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
An Ghailíl Centre of Formation for Mission and Ministry was established in 2024 as a joint project between the Diocese of Clonfert and the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora under the guidance of Bishop Michael Duignan. It aims to meet the evolving needs of lay ministry and religious education within the changing context of our parishes and dioceses.
Email: info@anghailil.ie
It is the mission of the Youth Ministry Office to nurture the faith of young people, to support them in living as disciples of Christ, and to create opportunities for prayer, moments of encounter, service, leadership, and community.
The Vocations Office supports those discerning a call to the priesthood in the Diocese of Clonfert, and the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh, and Kilfenora. It offers confidential guidance, prayerful accompaniment, and clear information about formation and ministry. It aims to help each person recognise and respond to God’s invitation to serve as a priest.
Fr Ian O’Neill PP VG
Vocations Director
Tel: +353 (0)87 2048497
Email: vocations@clonfertgalway.ie