Edward Joseph Byrne

Edward Joseph Byrne (10 May 1872 – 9 February 1940) was an Irish prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Dublin from 1921 until his death in 1940.

Byrne was born in Dublin to Edward and Eleanor (née Maguire) Byrne. His father was a farmer from County Wicklow. There were three children in the family, all boys, and Edward was the only one not to die in infancy. He went to Belvedere College and Holy Cross College, Clonliffe before completing his studies at the Irish College, Rome. He was ordained a priest on 8 June 1895 at St. John Lateran. His first post was as curate to Rush, County Dublin from 1895–98. He then moved to Kilsallaghan and Rolestown from 1898–99. The following year he spent at Howth before moving to Blackrock. He was appointed Vice Rector of the Irish College, Rome from 1901–1904 and returned as a curate to the Pro-Cathedral where he remained until 1920.

Bryne was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin and Titular Bishop of Pegae by Pope Benedict XV on 19 August 1920. He was ordained a bishop by Archbishop William Walsh at the Pro-Cathedral on 28 October of the same year. He was translated as Archbishop of Dublin and thus Primate of Ireland on 29 August 1921. His motto was: "In Te Domine Speravi." He was later appointed Assistant at the Pontifical Throne and named a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Malta.