Killaloe diocese suprised at census figures

A spokespeson for the Diocese of Killaloe has expressed surprise at figures which show Catholic numbers in Clare are at their highest level in over a century.

Last year's census found that almost 102,000 people here classified themselves as Catholics, 87% of the county's population.

The figure marks a four per cent hike on the previous census of 2006, though some of this can be attributed to population growth

However, Killaloe Doecesan spokesman Fr. Brendan Quinlivan feels the census shows a strong commitment to Catholicism in the county.