Thomas O'Dea, Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Galway[1] (7 January 1858 – 9 April 1923) was born in Carron, Kilfenora, County Clare, and educated in Ennis and Maynooth. He was ordained on 25 June 1882[2] for the Diocese of Galway. He was a member of staff at Maynooth, from the date of his ordination; and served as vice-president from 1894. He was named Bishop of Clonfert on 16 June 1903,[3] replacing Dr. Healy. He became Bishop of Galway on 29 April 1909.
His plans to build a new cathedral for the town were interrupted by World War I. He was a fluent Irish speaker and a supporter of the GAA. He was firstly buried in St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral of Galway, but later re-interred in the crypt of the new Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway.