CIRCE
"the bishop of Down and Connor," (U15.1420)
Dr. Henry Henry was bishop of Down and Connor in 1904. From the CE 1909: The diocese of Down was founded in St Patrick's time. St Patrick (d. 493), was buried there; subsequently the remains of St Brigid were also brought from Kildare, as were some relics of St Columba from Iona. St Fergus (d. 583) is named as first Bishop of Down. The diocese of Connor was founded in 480 by St Macnisse, and St Malachy was bishop there (1124). The dioceses of Down and Connor were permanently joined in 1451. In 1670, as an effect of the Reformation, wars, and penal laws, in the whole of Down and Connor there were but 2500 Catholic families. When at length the pressure of penal legislation was removed Catholicism revived rapidly. In the period 1810-40 no less than forty new Catholic churches were built. The progress thus made under Dr. Crolly (1825-35) and Dr. Denvir (1835-65) was continued under Dr. Dorrian (1865-86) and Dr. MacAlister (1886-95); but none showed greater energy and zeal than Dr. Henry (1895 - 1908). The episcopal residence is in Belfast.
