Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/MacFlynn, Florence
MACFLYNN, FLORENCE or FLANN (d. 1256), archbishop of Tuam, also called Fiacha O'Flyn, was chancellor of Tuam and sub-deacon to the pope when he was elected archbishop about May 1250; the royal assent was given on 27 May, and seisin was granted on 25 July, but MacFlynn appears to have had to go to Rome, and he was not consecrated till 25 Dec. 1250. In the following year, like his predecessors, he endeavoured to obtain possession of the see of Ennachdune or Annaghdown in Galway; his opponent, Concord, was at first supported by the king, but MacFlynn eventually obtained confirmation (Sweetman, i. 3131, ii. 274). He held a synod at Tuam in 1251. His episcopate was marked by some quarrels with Thomas, the bishop-elect of Achonry in 1251, and Thomas, bishop of Cionmacnoise in 1255 (ib. i. 3156, ii. 456). In 1255 he made a journey to England to lay a statement of grievances before the king on behalf of the Irish church : namely, that the bishops and their tenants were dragged into the court contrary to the ancient liberties of the churches, and that they were oppressed by the sheriffs and the barons. Henry ordered such remedy as tended to the welfare of the church to be applied (ib. ii. 460). The 'Annals of the Four Masters 'says that MacFlynn then returned home. In 1 256 he seems to have made a fresh journey to England about May, to present a further petition on the same matter (ib. ii. 503), but died on the way at Bristol. Leave to elect a successor was issued on 29 June (ib. ii. 507). MacFlynn is described as a man of wisdom and learning, with a knowledge of law.
[Four Masters, iii. 341, 363, 355, ed. O'Donovan; Annals of Loch Cé, i. 395, 407, 409 (Rolls Ser.); Sweetman's Cal. Documents, Ireland, vols, i. and ii.; Ware's Works on Ireland, i. 665–6, ed. Harris; Cotton's Fasti Eccl. Hib. iv. 6, 19, 42; Burke's Catholic Archbishops of Tuam, pp. 24-62.]