Cullen, Paul (1803–1878)

Irish Roman Catholic archbishop of Armagh from 1849, translated to Dublin in 1852; he was created the first Irish cardinal in 1866. He aided the Irish Catholic politician Daniel O'Connell, and helped the British government to suppress the Fenian movement. At the First Vatican Council in 1870 he was among the infallibilists.

Cullen was born in Prospect, County Kildare, and studied at the Urban College of Propaganda in Rome. Ordained in 1829, he was appointed professor of Hebrew and Holy Scripture at the School of Propaganda and rector of the Irish College in 1832 and of the Urban College in 1848. He established numerous schools, convents, hospitals, and churches in Ireland.