Description

Telling the Story: A Dictionary of Killala Clergy by Fr. Brendan Hoban is an authoritative reference work published in 2016 as the third volume of the Readings in Killala Diocesan History series. Building on the author’s earlier studies of the bishops and priests of the diocese, the book presents an extensive biographical record of the men who served the Diocese of Killala throughout its long history.

Drawing on decades of archival research, parish records, diocesan archives, newspapers, correspondence, and historical documents, Hoban compiles detailed profiles of priests who ministered across the parishes of north Mayo and west Sligo. The work preserves not only dates and appointments but also the personal stories, achievements, challenges, and historical circumstances that shaped their ministries.

Rather than serving as a simple directory, the book places each priest within the wider history of the diocese, illustrating how local clergy responded to major events such as the Penal Laws, the Great Famine, Catholic Emancipation, educational reform, political upheaval, and the changing role of the Church in modern Ireland.

Key Themes

• Biographical profiles of Killala diocesan clergy
• History of the Diocese of Killala
• Catholic parish life in Mayo and Sligo
• Church leadership and pastoral ministry
• The impact of the Penal Laws and Catholic Emancipation
• The Great Famine and its effect on parish communities
• Development of education, schools, and local institutions
• Preservation of diocesan and local historical records

The dictionary also highlights the close relationship between priests and their communities, showing how clergy frequently acted as educators, historians, community leaders, and advocates during periods of social hardship and political change. Hoban’s meticulous documentation preserves the memory of many lesser-known priests whose contributions might otherwise have been forgotten.

Written in an accessible yet scholarly style, the book appeals to local historians, genealogists, church historians, researchers, and anyone interested in the heritage of County Mayo, County Sligo, and the Irish Catholic Church. Together with the other volumes in the series, it represents one of the most comprehensive studies ever produced on the history of the Diocese of Killala.