Archdeacon of Ardfert

The Archdeacon of Ardfert was a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Anglican Diocese of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe from the early thirteenth century^[1] to the early twentieth.^[2] As such he was responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy ^[3] within his part of the Diocese of Ardfert (until 1666); and then the combined diocese of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe.

Dioceses of the Church of Ireland
Church	Church of Ireland
Metropolitan bishop	Archbishop of Dublin
Cathedral	Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Dioceses	5

The archdeaconry can trace its history back to Florence, who was mentioned in a document in the Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin archives as holding the office circa 1227.^[1] Two incumbents went on to hold bishoprics: John Smith (bishop of Killala and Achonry)^[4] and Raymond d’Audemar Orpen.^[5] Edward Day, Archdeacon 1782-1788, was a much-loved local figure, "a man of great erudition and unbounded benevolence". His grand-nephew Anthony Denny was also Archdeacon. The last discrete incumbent was William Foley.

References

1. "Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicae: The succession of the prelates Volume 1" Cotton, H. pp450-452 Dublin, Hodges & Smith, 1848-1878
2. Crockford's Clerical Directory 1908 p81 London, Horace Cox, 1908
3. "ABCD: a basic church dictionary" Meakin, T: Norwich, Canterbury Press, 2001 ISBN 978-1-85311-420-5
4. "History of the Church of Ireland, from the Reformation to the Revolution" By Mant, R. p742: London J.W. Parker, 1840
5. Bishop Orpen. The Times (London, England), Friday, 10 Jan 1930; pg. 14; Issue 45407