Matthew Cullen (bishop)

Matthew Cullen (1864-1936) was an Irish Catholic priest and Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.[1]

Rev Dr.

Matthew Cullen

DD
Bishop in Kildare and Leighlin
ArchdioceseDublin
ProvinceKildare
DioceseKildare and Leighlin
Installed1927
Term ended1936
PredecessorDr. Patrick Foley
SuccessorThomas Keogh
Orders
Ordination1889
Personal details
Born(1864-03-17)17 March 1864
Hacketstown, County Wicklow
Died2 January 1936(1936-01-02) (aged 71)
NationalityIrish
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsMatthew Cullen and Elizabeth Kehoe
Previous post(s)Rector Knockbeg College
Curate
Parish Priest
Alma materCarlow College
Maynooth College

Life

Matthew Cullen was born in Kilcarney, County Wicklow in the parish of Hacketstown on St. Patrick's Day, 1864 to Matthew and Elizabeth Kehoe Cullen. He commenced his clerical studies in St. Patrick's, Carlow College, and continued them in Maynooth.[2] He was ordained in 1889 and served initially as a curate in Geashill, Killeigh and the Tinyland, he served as chaplain to the Curragh Army camp.

Career and activities

Cullen served as rector to St. Mary's Knockbeg College from 1895 until 1909, when he moved to Newbridge, prior to being appointed parish priest of Tinyland and then Bagenalstown before being elected a bishop.

He was a keen supporter of Gaelic Games and regularly attended GAA matches in Kildare and Carlow.

In 1927 he was appointed Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, succeeding Dr. Patrick Foley and served until his death.[3] On 30 November 1933 Bishop Cullen consecrated the Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow.[4]

Cullen encouraged and facilitated the establishment of St Patrick's Missionary Society at Kiltegan.[5]

Death

He died on 2 January 1936. Following his death Carlow GAA Stadium, which had just been completed, was named Dr. Cullen Park in his honour.

References
  1. "Cullen, Matthew". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2016 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 16 February 2021. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. Matthew Cullen, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, 1927-1936 Delany Archive Flicr Account.
  3. Bishop Matthew Cullen Ask About Ireland Website.
  4. McEvoy, John. "The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin", 2000
  5. History Parish of Killeigh www.killeigh.com.
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