Diocese Of Dromore

What Diocese Of Dromore does

The Diocese of Dromore is a Catholic diocese in north-east Ireland, covering approximately 1,000 square kilometres across portions of Counties Antrim, Armagh, and Down. It serves an estimated Catholic population of 65,000 through a network of 23 parishes, 48 churches, 5 Pastoral Areas, and 33 Catholic schools (22 primary, 11 post-primary). The diocese is led by Archbishop Eamon Martin as Apostolic Administrator (appointed April 2019), following the resignation of Bishop John McAreavey in 2018, and remains without a resident diocesan bishop. Core service lines include sacramental ministry (Mass, baptism, confirmation, marriage, funerals), youth and young adult ministry, faith formation awards (John Paul II, Papal, Spirit Filled Youth), permanent diaconate formation, vocations guidance, safeguarding services, Catholic education via the Dromore Diocesan Educational Trust, and annual pilgrimages to Lourdes (£890 per person), Knock (£25 per person), and Fatima.

The diocese operates as a registered charity (Dromore Diocesan Trust, NIC105046) and uses the Corporation Diocese of Dromore Trustee (NI609968) as a Trust Corporation authorised by the Lord Chief Justice to hold assets. Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary donations and offerings processed via EasyPaymentsPlus, with no commercial pricing model. The underlying technology stack is minimal: a WordPress-based website (dromorediocese.org), Google Calendar embed, Facebook live streaming, Church Services TV and Church Media TV webcams, Anchor.fm podcast hosting for the Cathedral Chronicles series, and Eventbrite for retreat registrations.

The diocese is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Armagh and ultimately subject to the Holy See. Multiple religious orders (SMA at Dromantine, Benedictines at Rostrevor, Dominicans at Newry, Sisters of Mercy, Missionary Sisters of the Assumption, Sisters of St. Clare, Missionary Franciscan Sisters) operate within its territory. External partnerships include Accord for marriage support, the Society of St Vincent de Paul for charitable outreach, the National Board for Safeguarding Children, and Towards Healing for abuse survivor support. The diocese has been subject to ongoing safeguarding reviews (2023) and operated a Redress Scheme for abuse victims from 2021 to March 2024.

Name

Diocese Of Dromore

Legal name

Diocese of Dromore

Website

https://dromorediocese.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Diocese of Dromore is a Catholic diocese in north-east Ireland serving an estimated 65,000 Catholics across 23 parishes, 48 churches, 33 schools, and 5 Pastoral Areas in Counties Antrim, Armagh, and Down. It is currently led by an Apostolic Administrator and funded entirely through voluntary donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Pastoral Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Catholic diocese services
• Pastoral care ministry
• Religious education
• Sacramental programmes
• Parish community network

Headquarters

HQ city

Newry

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Diocese of Dromore is a Catholic diocese that provides religious services, sacraments, pastoral care, and Catholic education across 23 parishes and 48 churches in north-east Ireland. Core activities include the celebration of Mass and administration of sacraments (baptism, confirmation, marriage, funeral), youth and young adult ministry, vocations guidance for priesthood and permanent diaconate, safeguarding services, annual pilgrimages to Lourdes/Knock/Fatima, and oversight of 33 Catholic schools through the Dromore Diocesan Educational Trust.

Product overview

The Diocese of Dromore is a Catholic diocese in north-east Ireland operating as a unified pastoral organisation rather than a commercial product company. The diocese provides religious and spiritual services through a network of 23 parishes, 48 churches, and 38 Catholic schools serving approximately 65,000 Catholics. Core offerings include worship services at the Cathedral of Ss Patrick & Colman in Newry, sacramental programmes (baptism, confirmation, marriage, funeral), youth and young adult ministry, vocations guidance for priesthood and permanent diaconate, safeguarding services, and annual pilgrimages to Lourdes, Knock, and Fatima. The diocese also operates the Dromore Diocesan Educational Trust managing Catholic schools and the Dromore Diocesan Trust managing charitable assets, both registered with Northern Ireland regulatory authorities. Communications are delivered via the diocesan website, Facebook live streaming, and the Cathedral Chronicles podcast series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diocese of Dromore Parish Network

Quantifiable outcome

• Served by 5 Pastoral Areas covering 23 parishes
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Dromore Diocesan Educational TrustcoreOthers · 1 January 2018The Dromore Diocesan Educational Trust is a charitable trust established by trust deed dated 18 January 2018. The sole trustee is the Corporation, Diocese of Dromore Trustee. Its purpose is to hold title to many Catholic schools within the Diocese, including 22 primary schools and 11 post-primary schools.
• Congregation of the Sisters of MercymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Multiple convents and houses of the Sisters of Mercy operate throughout the diocese in Newry, Lurgan, Warrenpoint, Craigavon, and Silverbridge areas. They provide education, healthcare support, and pastoral care services. Contact: Sr. Perpetua McArdle.
• Dromore Diocesan TrustcoreOthers · 1 January 2010The Dromore Diocesan Trust is a charitable trust established by trust deed dated 1 November 2010, registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC 105046). The sole trustee is the Corporation, Diocese of Dromore Trustee, a company limited by guarantee (NI609968).
• Society of African Missions (SMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1926The Society of African Missions established a house of studies at Dromantine in 1926. SMA operates Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre which serves as a major venue for diocesan youth events, retreats, and gatherings. Superior: Rev. Damian Bresnahan. The SMA house continues to support the diocese's missionary and retreat activities.
• Benedictines (Holy Cross Monastery)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoly Cross Monastery in Rostrevor (119 Kilbroney Road) houses Benedictine monks serving the spiritual needs of the area. Superior: Right Rev. Dom. Mark-Ephrem M. Nolan OSB.
• Dominicans (St Catherine's Priory)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt Catherine's Priory on Dominic Street in Newry houses Dominican friars. Superior: Rev. David Tohill OP. Website: dominicanchapelnewry.com
• Missionary Sisters of The AssumptionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssumption Convent in Ballynahinch operated by Missionary Sisters of The Assumption. Superior: Sr. Rita Flynn. Serves the local faith community.
• Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of ApostlesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity in Rostrevor (1 Greendale Crescent, Greenpark Road) serving the local Catholic community.
• Sisters of St. ClareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Clare's Convent communities in Newry (12 Ashgrove Avenue and 42 Glenvale Road) serve the local faith community.
• Missionary Franciscan Sisters of The Immaculate ConceptionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity at Beechlawn, 7 Old Portadown Road, Lurgan. Contact: Sr. Elise Gorman.
• Accord (Marriage and Relationship Support)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccord provides marriage preparation, relationship counseling, and support services within the Newry centre at 39 The Mall. Services include help with marriage difficulties, relationship enhancement, and family issues education.
• Society of St Vincent de PaulmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Society of St Vincent de Paul operates conference groups in multiple parishes throughout the diocese including Ballynahinch, Banbridge, Craigavon, Dromore, Gilford, Hilltown, Laurencetown, Lurgan, Newry (Cathedral and St Brigid's), Rathfriland, Rostrevor, and Warrenpoint. Provides charitable social support services.
• National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland provides safeguarding standards, training, reviews, and resources. The Diocese of Dromore follows their 'A Safe and Welcoming Church' policy and undergoes regular safeguarding practice reviews.
• Towards HealingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTowards Healing provides a confidential helpline and support services for survivors of clerical abuse. Contact: Helpline 0800 0963315 (Northern Ireland) 1800 303416 (Republic of Ireland).
• Catholic Communications OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Catholic Communications Office coordinates communications for the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference. Director: Mr. Martin Long, based at Columba Centre, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Diocese of Down & Connor: Largest Catholic diocese in Northern Ireland, sharing the same suffragan relationship to Armagh; comparable parish/school network model, Catholic Schools Trust structure, and pastoral area organisation directly analogous to Dromore's.
• Diocese of Derry: Catholic diocese in Northern Ireland with similar parish, school, and diocesan trust architecture; operates under the same Armagh metropolitan structure and shares the regional safeguarding, schools, and youth ministry models.
• Diocese of Meath: Catholic diocese in Ireland operating under same parish network model with schools trust and diocesan charitable trusts; comparable scale and rural-urban mix.
• Diocese of Kilmore: Smaller Catholic diocese in Ireland with comparable rural parish structure, schools trust, and charitable trust governance; similar scale and resource profile to Dromore.
• Diocese of Clogher: Cross-border Catholic diocese covering parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; operates a comparable parish network, schools trust, and diocesan administration directly parallel to Dromore's structure.
• Diocese of Raphoe: Catholic diocese in Donegal with similar small-scale rural structure, parish-based pastoral delivery, and schools system directly comparable to Dromore.

Others

• Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference: National coordinating body for Catholic dioceses in Ireland including Dromore; provides the shared communications infrastructure (Catholic Communications Office) and national safeguarding standards that Dromore operates within.

Broad incumbents

• Diocese of Armagh (Metropolitan Archdiocese): Parent Metropolitan Archdiocese overseeing Dromore as a suffragan see; operates the same Catholic diocesan model across more parishes in Northern Ireland with analogous structures (schools, parishes, charitable trusts) and directly comparable governance.
• Archdiocese of Dublin: Large Catholic archdiocese in Ireland with same diocesan governance model (bishop, chancellor, schools trust, parishes); much larger scale but identical operating template as Dromore.
• Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly: Metropolitan Catholic archdiocese in Ireland with analogous parish, schools, and diocesan trust infrastructure; serves as a comparable governance and operational template.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArchbishopEamon
• Facebookfacebook.com/dromorediocese
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diocese-of-dromore

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Diocese Of Dromore