Muiris Ó Fithcheallaigh

Muiris Ó Fithcheallaigh, or Maurice O'Fihely, in Latin Mauritius de Portu Hibernicus or Mauritius Hibernicus; – 25 March 1513) was an Irish Franciscan theologian and Archbishop of Tuam. O'Fihely was an esteemed scholar.

Life

According to James Lynch, Fihely was a native of Clonfert in Galway, but according to James Ware and Anthony à Wood he was a native of Baltimore, County Cork.

Benignus Millett OFM, suggests that he joined the Conventual Franciscans at Kilnalehin, and received his initial training in the studium attached to the friary. Later he studied at the University of Padua, where he obtained the degree of Doctor of Divinity. O'Fihely was acknowledged as one of the most learned men of his time.

In 1506 he was appointed minister provincial of the Irish Franciscan province.

In 1506, he was appointed as Archbishop of Tuam and was consecrated at Rome by Pope Julius II. In 1513, he received a Scholastic Accolade from the Church, styled as Doctor Flos Mundi. His learning and scholarship were held in very high esteem during his own time, and some of his notes on Duns Scotus were valued over a century later. He wrote a commentary on the works of Scotus which was printed at Venice about 1497. He dedicated his 1505 Enchiridion fidei to Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare.