Laurence Gillooly

Laurence Gillooly CM (12 May 1819 – 12 January 1895) was an Irish Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Bishop of Elphin from 1858 to 1895.^[1] The son of Laurence Gillooly and his wife Margaret (née McGann), he was born at Bothair Garbh, Gallowstown, County Roscommon, near Roscommon Town. His older brother, Timothy, also became a priest.

Brought up an Irish Catholic, he was educated locally in Roscommon, and at St Nathy's College in Ballaghadereen. He studied at the Irish College in Paris before ordination as a Vincentian Priest in 1847.^[2] Favoured by Cardinal Cullen, his status as a ultramontanist helped him to obtain the position of bishopric of Elphin.^[3]

During Gillhooly's time in Elphin, he developed many churches, including the redevelopment of Sligo Cathedral. He founded Summerhill College (originally outside Athlone, now in Sligo) as a Diocesan College. Gillhooly Hall is named after him.

He was a highly organised and disciplined correspondent and his vast archive has been preserved allowing a better study of his episcopacy. He is regarded as a perfect example of a Cullenite bishop in post-Famine Ireland, determined to implement the so-called 'devotional revolution' to his largely rural diocese. ^[4]

He was succeeded as Bishop of Elphin by John Joseph Clancy (bishop), a priest of the diocese and professor at Maynooth College.^[5]

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