Patrick Foley

Rev Dr Patrick Foley BA, DD (1857 – 1926) was a Roman Catholic professor, priest and Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.

He was born in 1857 at Mensal Lodge, Old Leighlin, County Carlow and educated initially at Leighlinbridge National School,^[1] then at the Lay College and the Seminary of St. Patrick's, Carlow College. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of London Carlow College being affiliated to it at the time.^[2]

Following ordination he was appointed professor at Carlow College in 1881. In 1886, he became vice-president and in 1892 President of Carlow College, during his tenure the Seminary expanded and all Lay Students were moved to St. Mary's Knockbeg College. During his time in the College he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity. His successor as President of Carlow College was his brother Monsignor John Foley.^[3]

In 1895, he was appointed coadjutor of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and one year later, upon on the death of Bishop James Lynch he was appointed Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. In 1905, he was appointed commissioner of education. In 1908, he was appointed to the Board of the National University in Dublin.^[4] He died in 1929 and is buried in the grounds of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow.

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