Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin


The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin is the senior official of that church, the cathedral of the United Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland, and head of the Chapter, its governing body. A Dean has presided over Christ Church Cathedral since around 1539, before which the cathedral was a Priory under Augustinian rules, headed by a Prior, back to the time of Archbishop St. Laurence O'Toole. Aspects of the cathedral administration are overseen by the Cathedral Board, which the Dean chairs.

Appointment

The Dean is appointed by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin.

Priors and Deans of Christ Church Cathedral

The previous holders of the senior office of the Cathedral have been:

Priors

There may have been a Robert in office in 1260, and a Fulk around 1262
The Reformation having reached Ireland, by Royal Warrant of December 12, 1539, the Prior and Canons of Holy Trinity were transformed into secular clergy, to be known as the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church. So, Robert Paynswick or Penswick, alias Castell, Prior, and Richard Ball, Sub-Prior, became Dean and Precentor respectively, whilst Walter White, Seneschal and Precentor, became Chancellor and Vicar-Choral, and John Moss, Sub-Precentor and Sacristan, Treasurer and Vicar-Choral of the new foundation. Thus the last Augustinian Prior became the first Dean of Christ Church, though the process of conversion actually continued in 1540 and 1542, finishing with a Chapter of eight clergy.
From this time the offices of Bishop of Kildare and Dean of Christ Church were held in commendam, until the union with St. Patrick's.
In 1846, the Diocese of Kildare was united to that of Dublin, and, until 1871, the office of Dean of Christ Church was united to that of Dean of St. Patrick's.