 The Church of Ireland 's second highest cleric , the Lord Archbishop of Dublin , originally served as the Chancellor of the Order . From 1886 onwards , the office was held instead by the Chief Secretary for Ireland . Since the abolition of the position of Chief Secretary in 1922 , the office of Chancellor has remained vacant . The Dean of St Patrick 's Cathedral was originally the Registrar of the Order . In 1890 , on the death of the Dean who had held the post in at the time of disestablishment , the office was attached to that of the King of Arms of the Order . This position was held by Ulster King of Arms , Ireland 's chief heraldic official , a post which had been created in 1552 . In 1943 , this post was in effect divided in two , reflecting the partition of Ireland in the Government of Ireland Act , 1920 . The position , insofar as it related to Northern Ireland , was combined with that of Norroy King of Arms ( who had heraldic jurisdiction in the north of England ) . The post of Norroy and Ulster King of Arms still exists , and thus continues to hold the offices of Registrar and King of Arms of the Order of St Patrick . The office of Ulster King of Arms , insofar as it related to the Irish Free State ( now officially called Ireland ) , became the position of Chief Herald of Ireland . 
