In April 1993, he was elected as Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh and in 2000, he was translated to the Diocese based in Limerick following the vote of the Electoral College.
Since 2000, Bishop Mayes has taken special responsibility for the area of international development work.
In a warm tribute, Archbishop John Neill expressed his appreciation of the ministry of Bishop Michael Mayes.
He said that as he retires, Bishop Mayes is going to be greatly missed by the whole Church of Ireland and in particular by those who have served most closely with him.
The Archbishop of Dublin has appointed the Archdeacon of Killaloe, the Venerable Wayne Carney to be commissary for the Diocese from 1 April 2008 until the election of a successor to Bishop Mayes.
The date of the Electoral College will be announced later.
