10.07.2025
The Revd Alistair Doyle Appointed to Arklow, Inch and Kilbride
The Revd Alistair Doyle has been appointed as the new Rector of the Arklow, Inch, and Kilbride group of parishes in the Diocese of Glendalough. Alistair is currently Curate Assistant in the Galway Group of parishes, serving in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway and representing the Church of Ireland in the University of Galway. The announcement was made in both parishes on the morning of Sunday July 6.
Alistair is married to Cecilia, together they have five grown up children, and Toby who is still in secondary school. Prior to training for ministry, Alistair worked as a manager for McDonald’s Hamburger Restaurants, was a Human Resource Manager for the Supermarket chain ASDA, and ran a small distribution business with his brother.
He was ordained to the diaconate in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin in 2020, following which he served as Deacon Intern in Kilternan Parish. He was appointed to Galway in 2020 to serve as Deacon and subsequently as Curate Assistant. Alistair serves the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick, and Killaloe as a Member of the Church of Ireland Interfaith Working Group, Pioneer Ministry Advocate and Tuam Diocese General Synod Representative.
Alistair’s faith was fostered in his home parish of St Matthias’ Church, Kiliney–Ballybrack, where he began his lay ministry as a Sunday Club leader, then leading Messy Church for five years. He was also a Diocesan Lay Reader, serving the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough as the Archbishop’s representative on the Dublin Council of Churches and as a Lay General Synod Representative.
Making the announcement, Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Alistair as ordinand and deacon–intern. Alistair has many capacities to bring to the life of the parishes to which he has been appointed rector. I have every confidence that he will contribute richly to the life of parish and community. I welcome him to the fellowship of the clergy and people of Glendalough and wish him and his family everything that is best for the years ahead. I also look forward to sharing ministry with Alistair and to working with him”.
Alistair says: “I have had a fruitful and joyful ministry in Galway and will be forever grateful for the careful guidance and support of the Very Revd Lynda Peilow. I have been blessed by the love and companionship of the wonderful people of and in the West of Ireland, parishioners, colleagues, friends, tourists, and pilgrims, they all have touched my heart, and I hold them in mine. As they say in Galway, you may leave Galway, but it will never leave you.
“God is always full of surprises, from the beautiful sunrises of the East coast to the magnificent sunsets of the West coast, and back again! Cecilia, Toby, and I are delighted to be embarking on this new adventure among the people of Arklow, Inch, and Kilbride, the warm welcome and enthusiastic reception we have received has filled us with eager anticipation for what lies ahead.”