Liam MacDaid


Liam Seán MacDaid is the former Catholic Bishop of Clogher. He previously served as chancellor of the diocese. He officially resigned on 1 October 2016 due to ill health.

Early life and priestly ministry

MacDaid was born in Bundoran, County Donegal, part of the Diocese of Clogher. His family home was at the corner of the West End and Shamble Lane, where now stands The Marine Bar. Having completed his studies at St Macartan's College in Monaghan Town and St Patrick's College, Maynooth, he was ordained on 15 June 1969. Following his ordination he received a Diploma in Higher Education and began teaching at St Macartan's College. He served as President of the College from 1981-1989. He has a keen interest in Gaelic games and was a former player with the then St Joseph's Gaelic Athletic Association club in his native Bundoran-Ballyshannon parish. He also featured on some Donegal teams in the early 1970s.
MacDaid was Chairman of the Council of Priests of Clogher Diocese from 1989 until 1996. In 1993, after three years of pastoral experience in the parish of Fivemiletown-Brookeborough in County Fermanagh, he was appointed as Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor of the Diocese, with additional pastoral responsibility for the parish of Tyholland, County Monaghan.
On 27 February 2002 he was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II.

Bishop of Clogher

On 6 May 2010, MacDaid was appointed as the Bishop-elect of Clogher, replacing Joseph Duffy, who was retiring. Bishop Duffy had reached the canonical age limit, having served as bishop of the diocese for almost 31 years.
MacDaid's episcopal ordination took place in St Macartan's Cathedral, Monaghan Town, on 25 July 2010. The principal consecrator was Cardinal Seán Brady, Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, assisted by Bishop Joseph Duffy, Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher, and Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor, a native of Tyholland. The attendance included Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan as well as Michael Jackson, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher and representatives of other churches. Addressing the congregation, MacDaid referred to the recent child sex abuse scandals in the church when he said, "We have been brought to our knees but maybe that is no bad thing."
MacDaid's episcopal motto is: Per Christum Dominum Nostrum.