Reverend Nigel Cairns, aged 51, has been appointed Dean of Derry and Rector of the Templemore parish grouping, which includes St Columb’s Cathedral and St Augustine’s.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, made the appointment following a Board of Nomination meeting.

Cairns served as principal of Omagh Integrated Primary School until 2014, when he left to train for ministry. He was ordained as a deacon in September 2016 and as a priest in September 2017.

The appointment was announced to congregations during services last Sunday at St Columb’s Cathedral and St Augustine’s. An installation service is scheduled for early summer.

Cairns, a native of Derry, expressed gratitude for the role alongside his wife Alison. He noted the close ties both he and his wife have to the churches and parishioners there.

He anticipates contributing to Christian ministry within the city walls and called on parishioners to support the new phase. Cairns thanked his family, Bishop Forster, the congregations, and fellow clergy for their support.