Laurence Gillooly

Laurence Gillooly CM (May 12, 1819 – January 12, 1895) was an Irish Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Bishop of Elphin from 1858 to 1895. The son of Laurence Gillooly and his wife Margaret (née McGann), he was born at Bothair Garbh, Gallowstown, County Roscommon, near Roscommon Town. His older brother, Timothy, also became a priest.

Brought up an Irish Catholic, he was educated locally in Roscommon, and at St Nathy's College in Ballaghadereen. He studied at the Irish College in Paris before ordination as a Vincentian Priest in 1847. Favoured by Cardinal Cullen, his status as a ultramontanist helped him to obtain the position of bishopric of Elphin.

During Gillhooly's time in Elphin, he developed many churches, including the re-development of Sligo Cathedral. He founded Summerhill College (originally outside Athlone, now in Sligo) as a Diocesan College. Gillhooly Hall is named after him.

He was a highly organised and disciplined correspondent and his vast archive has been preserved allowing a better study of his episcopacy. He is regarded as a perfect example of a Cullenite bishop in post-Famine Ireland, determined to implement the so-called 'devotional revolution' to his largely rural diocese.

He was succeeded as Bishop of Elphin by John Joseph Clancy (bishop), a priest of the diocese and professor at Maynooth College.