1945: born in Ballyfermot, Dublin. 1969: ordained a priest later pursuing studies in moral theology in Rome.
1973: appointed Curate at the Parish of St Brigid in Cabinteely.
1975: appointed by Archbishop Dermot Ryan to coordinate pastoral care of Dublin pilgrims during the Holy Year in Rome.
1976: Fr Martin begins working for the Vatican in the Pontifical Council for the Family.
1986: appointed Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
1994: appointed Secretary of Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
1999: ordained bishop by Pope John Paul II in St Peter’s Basilica.
2001: elevated to archbishop and appointed Permanent Observer of the Holy See in Geneva, at the United Nations Office and Specialised Agencies and at the World Trade Organisation.
2003: appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin.
2004: succeeded Cardinal Desmond Connell as Archbishop of Dublin.
2008: Cardinal Desmond Connell begins High Court proceedings challenging decision of Archbishop Martin to hand over certain files to Murphy Commission. Dr Connell later drops the case.
2009: The Murphy Report into the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations by Church and State authorities in Dublin between 1975 and 2004 in published. Archbishop Martin and Cardinal Seán Brady travel to Rome to meet Benedict XVI to discuss the report.
The publication of the Murphy Report triggers a number of episcopal resignations including Bishops Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field.
2010: The Irish Catholic reveals that Benedict XVI has refused to accept the resignations of Bishops Walsk and Field. Dr Martin informs diocesan clergy in a letter.
2012: Archbishop Martin presides at 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.