Simms, George Otto (1910–1991)

Irish archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland from 1969. His ministry in the north coincided with the outbreak of ‘the Troubles’ in 1969. Urbane, scholarly, and sophisticated, he had no sympathy with the more egregious aspects of political sectarianism in Northern Irish life.

Of Irish and German origins, Simms was born in Lifford, County Donegal. Educated in England and Trinity College, Dublin, he sought ordination in the Church of Ireland. Following a series of pastoral appointments both in England and Ireland, he became dean of Cork in 1951 and was elected bishop of the diocese the following year. From Cork he was promoted to the archbishopric of Dublin in 1956 and 13 years later was elected archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland. He retired to Dublin in 1980.