Background
Dorrian was born in Downpatrick on 29 March 1814 and was educated in Street Patrick"s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1833.
Dorrian was born in Downpatrick on 29 March 1814 and was educated in Street Patrick"s College, Maynooth, where he was ordained in 1833.
He served as a curate in Belfast for ten years and was parish priest in Loughinisland, County Down, from 1847 to 1860, at which time he became Coadjutor Bishop of Down and Connor. He was consecrated in Street Malachy"s Church, Belfast and eventually succeeded as Bishop in 1865. Dorrian was known for his authoritarian style of leadership, referred to as "Cullenite".
Dorrian died at the Episcopal Palace, Chichester Park, Belfast on 3 November 1885, at 7 a.m., the Feast of Saint Malachy, Patron of the Diocese.
His remains were interred within the chancel of Saint Patrick"s Church, Donegall Street, Belfast, on Friday 6 November. Fr McAllister was then named by Pope Leo XIII as Dorrian"s successor as the 24th Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.