Thomas O'Dea, Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Galway[1] (7 January 1858 – 9 April 1923) was born in Carron, Kilfenora, County Clare, and educated in Ennis and Maynooth.
He was a member of staff at Maynooth, from the date of his ordination; and served as vice-president from 1894.
He was named Bishop of Clonfert on 16 June 1903,[4] replacing Dr. Healy.
His plans to build a new cathedral for the town were interrupted by World War I.
[citation needed] He was firstly buried in St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral of Galway, but later re-interred in the crypt of the new Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway.