Cork, diocese of

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Cork, diocese of (diocese of Corcach már Muman). The Irish see of Cork was established in the province of Cashel at the Council of Raithbressail (1111). St Finbar had founded a monastery in the 7th cent. Originally a Norse settlement, later colonized by the Anglo-Normans, it usually had English bishops from the 13th/14th cents. By the 1190s its cathedral had a secular chapter on the continental pattern. As part of a policy of Anglicization to establish sees in royal cities and so subordinate the Irish to English rule, Cork was eventually merged with Irish Cloyne (1411). This catholic diocese remained together until 1747, when Cork became separate again. Similarly the Anglican diocese of Cork has at times been held with Cloyne and Ross. There are cathedrals at all three sites.

Revd Dr William M. Marshall

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