Bishop David McClay

David was ordained deacon in the Church of Ireland in 1987 and priest/presbyter in 1988. He served a curacy in Magheralin and in 1990 was appointed rector of Kilkeel. In 2001 he became rector of the inner–city Belfast parish of Willowfield where he remained for 19 years. His passion is to see local churches so proclaim Christ that lives and communities are transformed by the good news of the gospel.

David became a canon of St Anne’s Cathedral in 2004 and Archdeacon of Down in 2013. He was elected Bishop of Down and Dromore in November 2019 and consecrated in St Anne’s Cathedral on 25 January 2020. 

David is married to Hilary and they have three children; Cherith married to Ciaran, Ruth married to Matthew, their son Jordan and four grandchildren – Annie, Maisie, Katie and Alana.

David loves to spend time with friends and family. He enjoys cooking, entertaining, walking, gardening, travel, family holidays and the countryside.