James Byrne (bishop of Toowoomba)

Dr James Byrne (1870–1938) was an Irish-born priest, who served as the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, in Queensland, Australia.

[1] Dr Byrne was educated for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland, and ordained by the Archbishop of Cashel on 21 July 1896.

[2] Byrne was appointed as the first Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba in September 1929, a role he undertook until his death in 1938.

He did not return greatly improved in health, and was compelled to seek medical attention in Sydney and Brisbane.

[2] His funeral was held on Monday 14 February at St Patrick's Cathedral, conducted by James Duhig (Archbishop of Brisbane) and John Heavey (Vicar Apostolic of Cooktown).