(3 March 1657 – 27 February 1718) was an Irish mathematician who served as the 15th Provost of Trinity College Dublin from 1692 to 1695.

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, he served as Church of Ireland Bishop of Cloyne, Clogher[1] and Derry, in succession.

He is remembered now chiefly for his alleged role in performing a secret marriage between Jonathan Swift and Esther Johnson (Stella).

(1676), He became a Fellow of Trinity College in 1679, then Professor of Mathematics in 1685, and ultimately became Provost in 1692, a position he served in until July 1695.

He was sharply reprimanded on that account by William King, Archbishop of Dublin, who wrote that the enemies of the church were led by his conduct to conclude that "bishops are not necessary, since they can so long be spared", and pleaded with him to "think of coming home as soon as possible".

[citation needed] Bishop Ashe was a lifelong friend of Jonathan Swift, whose tutor he had been at Trinity College.