The death has taken place of the former bishop of Kilmore, Dr Francis McKiernan (79).
Dr McKiernan was Ireland's longest-serving Catholic bishop when he retired in November 1998.
From Stradrinan near Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 17th, 1951, and had served as bishop for almost 26 years when he was succeeded by Bishop Leo O'Reilly.
For a number of years he was the episcopal spokesman on educational matters. In that role, he was a vocal proponent of the maintenance of a religious ethos in the State's secondary schools.
When Pope John Paul II visited Ireland in 1979, Dr McKiernan was appointed chairman of the organising committee.
A keen historian, he was one of the founders of the historical society, Cumann Seanchais Bhreifne. Much of his work - notably on the history of the diocese and its clergy - was published in Briefne, and he is the author of the book, Diocese of Kilmore, Bishops and priests, 1136 - 1988.
Kilmore is a cross-Border diocese which takes in most of Co Cavan, and parts of Cos Leitrim, Meath, Sligo and Fermanagh.