He was a Roman
Catholic professor, priest and Bishop of Kildare
and Leighlin.
The Most Reverend Dr. Patrick Foley
was born in 1857 at Mensal Lodge, Old
Leighlin, Co. Carlow and was educated in
both the Lay and Ecclesiastical Departments
of St. Patricks Carlow College. He graduated with a B.A.
from London University.
After his ordination
he was appointed professor at the College in
1881. In 1886, he became vice-president and
in 1892 President.
1892 was also the
year of the transfer of the Lay Department
entirely to Knockbeg. The Seminary had
expanded in numbers and from then on the
Junior House or Philosophy students were
housed in the former Lay College wing.
Bishop Michael
Comerford, Co-adjutor Bishop of Kildare and
Leighlin, died suddenly in 1895. Patrick
Foley at the age of thirty-eight was chosen
in 1895 as Co-adjutor Bishop.
Bishop Lynch, at
almost ninety years of age, died in the
following year and was succeeded in the See
of Kildare and Leighlin by Bishop Foley. His
episcopate of thirty years saw very
significant changes in Ireland. Bishop Foley
was very involved on behalf of the bishops
of Ireland in educational matters. He died
in 1926.
Source:
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