The faculty and students of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and the Pontifical University warmly welcome and rejoice at the appointment today by Pope Francis of Bishop Dermot Farrell as Archbishop of Dublin.

Archbishop-elect Farrell served as Vice-President and President of the College from 1993-2007. During his tenure, Archbishop-elect Farrell demonstrated his extra-ordinary work ethic, wise stewardship and a zeal for renewing the programme for priestly formation. He guided the evolving relationship between Saint Patrick’s College and the then newly established NUI Maynooth, now Maynooth University.

Archbishop-elect Farrell has proven himself to be a man of faith, pastoral zeal and collaboration to the people he has ministered to as a priest and bishop. A highly competent and innovative administrator, he will bring to his new and demanding pastoral and administrative responsibilities a fresh energy and vision to lead the Archdiocese of Dublin and the wider Church in Ireland.

The College renews its prayerful support and resources to the Archbishop-elect. As a community within the Archdiocese of Dublin, the College and the Pontifical University commits to working closely with him in facing the future and its challenges with fresh hope and confidence.

Rev Prof Michael Mullaney President Saint Patricks’ College, Maynooth