Tributes have been paid to the Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, Right Rev Michael Mayes, who is to retire at the end of March.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev John Neill, spoke of the bishop's great intellect, wise pastoral care and warm personality.
"Michael's open and questioning mind, deeply rooted in biblical study, has enabled his quiet leadership to be one of great depth, as well as of great clarity," the archbishop said.
The Catholic Bishop of Limerick, Most Rev Donal Murray, said: "Michael and Beth will be greatly missed in Limerick."
Born in Belfast, Bishop Mayes was raised in Magherafelt, Co Derry, where his father was rector of a parish. Ordained in 1964 he served in Portadown, Co Armagh, before going to Japan in 1968. Returning in 1974 he served as incumbent in Cork parishes before being appointed archdeacon of that diocese in 1986. He was elected Bishop of Kilmore and Elphin in 1993 and in 2000 moved to Limerick.
