Ireland's newly-appointed cardinal was born in Phibsboro, Dublin, on March 24th, 1926.
He was educated at St Peter's National School, Phibsboro, and Belvedere College, Dublin, before studying for the priesthood at Clonliffe College, Dublin.
He was ordained by Archbishop John McQuaid on May 19th, 1951.
In 1946 he received a BA degree at University College Dublin and was awarded an MA there the following year.
From 1947 he studied theology at Maynooth, before going to the University of Louvain in Belgium, which he attended from 1951 to 1953. There he was awarded a doctorate in philosophy.
From 1953 Dr Connell worked in the department of metaphysics at UCD.
He was appointed professor of general metaphysics there in 1972 and elected dean of the faculty of philosophy and sociology at the college in 1983. He was re-elected dean in 1986.
He was appointed Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland (the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, is Primate of All Ireland) on January 18th, 1988.
He will become a cardinal at a ceremony in the Vatican on February 21st.
Dr Connell has written on philosophical and theological subjects, for which he was awarded a DLitt by the National University of Ireland in 1981.
And in an event unconnected to yesterday's announcement, he is to be awarded an honorary doctorate of laws degree by the NUI at Dublin Castle on March 20th.
He was made a prelate of honour by Pope John Paul, with the title of monsignor, in 1984.
He is vice-president of the Irish Episcopal Conference and a member of its Commission for Doctrine and its Theological Commission.
He is chairman of its Commission for Universities and its Commission on Ecumenism, and is a member of both its Committee for European Affairs and the Inter-Church Committee.
He is also a member of the highly-influential Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, as well as the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops.
He is a former member of the Vatican's Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
Dr Connell has been chaplain to three communities of contemplative sisters, the Poor Clares, Donnybrook (1953-1955), the Carmelites, Drumcondra (1955 to 1966) and the Carmelites, Blackrock, from 1966.
After his ordination he was chaplain at Dublin's Mater Hospital for six months before going to Louvain.
His motto is Secundum Verbum Tuum ("According to Thy Word"), recorded in Luke's Gospel as Mary's response to Gabriel's announcement that she was to be the mother of Jesus.
