Bishop Alan Buchanan was educated at Masonic Boys School and
Trinity College Dublin where he graduated in history and political science in
1928. He was ordained in 1931. He served as a chaplain with military forces
during the Second World War, notably parachuting into Arnhem in 1944 and being
captured by the Germans. In the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek there is a
serviceman's prayer card displayed which is signed by Buchanan.
He was with the Church of Ireland Mission in Belfast until
1937, after which he held incumbencies at St Cedma, Inver and St
Mary, Belfast and St Comgall, Bangor. He was Bishop of Clogher from
1958 to 1969, when he became Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. He
resigned in 1977 and died on 4 February 1984.
Among other things, Buchanan was known as an advocate for women's
ministry.