10.07.2026
New Rural Deans Appointed in Dublin and Glendalough
The Archbishop of Dublin has appointed two new Rural Deans in the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
The Revd Niall Stratford has been appointed Rural Dean of West Glendalough Rural Deanery. The Revd Kevin Conroy has been appointed as Rural Dean of Monkstown North Rural Deanery.
Announcing the appointments Archbishop Michael Jackson commended both men and wished them both well in their new roles.
He said: “The Revd Niall Stratford exercised many roles in the church before taking responsibility for Blessington Union of Parishes. He will combine his acumen of a lifetime in the world of insurance with his faithfulness to God in the execution of his duties as Rural Dean.
“The Revd Kevin Conroy has had widespread experience in the world at large and in the church. He is amply qualified and ably suited to be Rural Dean. He will also bring to this role a caring disposition and a prayerful perspective”.
Niall has been Rector of the Blessington Union of Parishes since 2024. Prior to becoming incumbent of this Union, he served in a number of parishes throughout the United Dioceses, in his then capacity as a Non–Stipendiary Minister. He has throughout his life always had a deep sense of relationship with, and connection to, rural ministry. This likely developed from his upbringing in a rural parish in the then Dioceses of Killala and Achonry where his late father was Archdeacon.
Speaking about his appointment, Niall stated: “It is a great privilege to be invited to take on this role. For many years, I have been an advocate of ‘Collaboration’. Accordingly, I hope and pray that I may be able, even in some little sense, to advance this process for the benefit of all in the West Glendalough Rural Deanery”. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow colleagues and parishioners alike, in the parishes within this Rural Deanery, “to advance our calling as followers of Christ”.
Kevin has been Rector of Stillorgan & Blackrock since 2023. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2016 and subsequently served as a Self–Supporting Minister in Dalkey Parish and the Arklow Group of Parishes (Arklow, Inch and Kilbride). Before his institution as Rector of Stillorgan & Blackrock, he also served during vacancies in Whitechurch parish and the parishes in which he would be instituted as rector. In addition to his parish ministry, Kevin serves on the diocesan Ecumenical Bible Week Committee and assists with hospital chaplaincy.
Commenting on his appointment, Kevin said: “It is a privilege to accept this appointment, and I look forward to supporting clergy and parishioners across the Monkstown North Rural Deanery. I also wish the outgoing rural dean, the Revd Gary Dowd, every blessing and much happiness in his retirement, with grateful thanks for his faithful service.”