A diocese in the Church of Ireland is celebrating the appointment of its first female dean.
The diocese of Derry and Raphoe, located in the counties of Londonderry, Tyrone and Donegal in North West Ireland, has announced Rev Liz Fitzgerald as the next dean of St Eunan's Cathedral, Raphoe - one of the Church of Ireland’s oldest and most historic places of worship.
Commenting on her appointment, Rev Fitzgerald described her new role as “an honour” and believed it showed that "God's expression of faith is genderless, that we are all important, we are all his children".
Previously the only women appointed to serve as dean had been in Dublin.
"I try not to think too much about the female bit of it as opposed to my dedication to God and how I can express the need of faith for myself and help others express their need of faith," she told BBC NI.
Rev Fitzgerald will also become rector of the parishes of Raphoe, Raymochy and Clonleigh.
The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, congratulated Rev Fitzgerald on her appointment and described her as a “gifted priest and pastor”.
“I trust that parishioners in Raphoe, Manorcunningham and Lifford will welcome Liz warmly and offer her their prayers and support,” he concluded.