‘This book, one of the Maynooth Studies of Local History, is a book which needed to be written and I hope that it is the precursor of similar studies for other dioceses. Dr MacCarthy has analysed in considerable detail the structure of diocesan administration in the Established Church prior to Disestablishment in 1869, describing the workings of one particular diocese. It is a fascinating story, particularly when told with such attention to detail, the result of considerable research into a multitude of sources, may of which I thought had long sine disappeared…this book is a ‘must’ for anyone who has an interest in the way we used to be', Fred Rankin, Church of Ireland Gazette (February 2009)
‘… impressive for its attention to detail and the usual meticulous workmanship of its publishers, Four Courts Press', Hugh Oram, Books Ireland (summer 2009)
‘This work gives the reader much greater knowledge about the infrastructure of a Church of Ireland diocese and the issues it faced prior to disestablishment', Brian Casey (NUI Maynooth), Irish Economic and Social History [2009]
