Patrick Tyrrell

Patrick Tyrrell (or Tyrell), O.F.M. (died 1692) was an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Bishop of Clogher (1676–1689), Vicar Apostolic of Kilmore (1678–1689), and Bishop of Meath (1689–1692). A prominent Jacobite, he was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1688.

Biography A Franciscan friar, Tyrrell was educated in Ireland and the University of Alcalá in Spain. He was ordained in Rome in 1652 or 1653. He undertook further studies at Sant'Isidoro a Capo le Case, Rome before teaching theology in Naples. In 1665 he became vice-secretary-general of the Franciscan Order. His papal brief to the See was dated 13 May 1676 and consecrated on 14 June 1676. or 21 March 1678. Tyrrell was forced into hiding on the outbreak of the Popish Plot crisis in autumn 1678. He was arrested and imprisoned, but escaped with the collusion of sympathetic gaolers. On 21 October 1680 he was again arrested and charged with high treason, although he was later acquitted. He was translated to the Diocese of Meath on 24 January 1689. Tyrrell is reputed to have said mass with Jacobite soldiers on the morning of the Battle of the Boyne.

Bishop Tyrrell resolved to remain in Ireland following the conclusion of the Williamite War in Ireland, and died in office in 1692.