Parish Details

Monaghan and Rackwallace is the Cathedral parish of the Diocese of Clogher. It has been so since 1851 when Bishop Charles McNally decided to move here from Clogher, a decision that was followed by the building of St Macartan's Cathedral between the years 1861 and 1892. On the outskirts of the town, though physically located in the adjoining Parish of Donagh, is St Macartan's College, one of the two diocesan seminaries.

The parish consists of two areas: Monaghan town, with its adjoining suburban and rural hinterland, and the Ardaghey-Castleshane area, which lies to the south of the town.

Rackwallace or Rath Mhic Mhalais, was a monastic site near Ardaghey, founded in the 9th century. By the 13th century, the area covered by this parish was the centre of the MacMahon ruling clan and their Lucht tighe or mensal lands. A Franciscan friary was established in Monaghan in 1462. This friary remained until it was destroyed by Sir Edward Blayney at the end of the 16th century.

As Monaghan town grew in size and stature, it became the obvious choice for the location of the episcopal see. Today, Monaghan and Rackwallace is a busy urban and rural parish, serving the needs of parishioners and visitors to the county town. The parish has over 2,000 Catholic families, and a Catholic population of just over 7,000.