Galway Bay fm newsroom - Over two thousand people flocked to Galway Cathedral this afternoon to witness the installation of Bishop Brendan Kelly as the Bishop of Galway.
Those in attendance included family and friends, representatives from church groups across the diocese and Galway's public representatives - as well as President Michael D. Higgins.
Bishop Kelly began by welcoming all of those in attendance - including representatives from the Presbyterian and Methodist Community, Romanian Orthodox Community, Coptic Church and Muslim community.
And he became emotional as he welcomed his own family to the ceremony:
Bishop Kelly said he has often been asked about his plans and hopes for his legacy as Bishop of Galway.
He told those in attendance that for him, it all begins with prayer:
Incoming Bishop Kelly was ordained to the priesthood in June 1971 and his first appointment was to the parish of Kinvara as a curate.
Bishop Kelly is a fluent Irish speaker, and is well known in education circles, having taught for many years at Colaiste Einde in Salthill and Our Lady’s College in Gort.
He served as parish priest of Lisdoonvarna in Co. Clare and of Spiddal, before being announced as Bishop of Achonry in 2007 by Pope Benedict.
During his homily, he also spoke fondly of his long-standing connection to Galway Cathedral:
