The Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Martin Drennan has been appointed as the new Bishop of Galway.
Dr Drennan's appointment by Pope Benedict XVI follows the resignation of the former bishop, the Most Reverend James McLoughlin.
Dr Drennan, who was first ordained as a priest in 1968, has been Titular Bishop of Acque Regie and Auxiliary of Dublin since 1997.
He is a member of the Irish Bishops Conference's Department of Catholic Education and Formation and chairman of the Commission on Catechetics.
Dr McLoughlin today said he was delighted at his successor's appointment, describing him as "an ideal choice" for the post.
"Two years ago Bishop Drennan conducted our diocesan priests' retreat and we saw something of the depth of his spirituality," he said.
"Many of our priests already know his academic ability from his time as Professor of Scripture at St Patrick's College, Maynooth.
"Combining these qualities with his pastoral and administrative experience as an Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin over the past five years, he is an ideal choice to meet the challenges facing this diocese in the coming years."
The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said Dr Drennan had won the respect of priests and people since his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 and his spiritual and human qualities and integrity would be missed.
The Archbishop sent his best wishes to both the new and outgoing Bishops of Galway.