4th September is a significant date for the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, Ennis. On this day in 1842, Dean Terence O’Shaughnessy celebrated the first Mass in the newly constructed Church. Since then, it is impossible to count the number of people who have come to the Cathedral to pray, as they still do 183 years later.
And on this day in 1904, 121 years ago, the most famous Bishop of the Killaloe Diocese in living memory was consecrated in the Cathedral.
Bishop Michael Fogarty was a prominent figure serving from 4th September 1904 to 25th October 1955, who played an active role in the social and political challenges that shaped the early years of the Irish State.
He was consecrated Bishop of Killaloe on the 4th September 1904. He frequently spoke out against landlordism, supported tenant ownership and agricultural self-sufficiency, and intervened in labour disputes such as the 1910 Clare railway strike.
In May 1954, he was conferred with the honour of assistant to the pontifical throne by Pope Pius XII, and given the personal title archbishop. He died 25th October 1955 at his residence at Westbourne, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Both Archbishop Fogarty and Dean O’Shaughnessy are buried in front of the sanctuary in the Cathedral.
We remember them on this day.