The Most Rev. Richard Lionel Clarke, Primate of All-Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh

Archbishop Clarke was born on 25 June 1949 in the Republic of Ireland and was educated at Wesley College, Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin where he earned a Master of Arts and Doctorate in theology. He trained for the ministry at King’s College, London earning a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He was ordained deacon in 1975 and priest in 1976 and served his curacy in Holywood, County Down from 1975-1977, and as curate at St Bartholomew’s with Christ Church, Leeson Park, Dublin from 1977 to 1979. He served as Dean of Residence at Trinity College, Dublin from 1979 to 1984, and that year was appointed rector Bandon, County Cork for 9 years. In 1993 he was appointed Dean of Cork and consecrated bishop of Meath and Kildare on 14 Sept 1996. He was elected Primate of All-Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh by the Irish House of Bishops and was enthroned at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on 15 December 2012. Archbishop Clarke’s wife, Linda, died in 2009. They have two children and a grandchild.

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