Ua Ruanada, Felix (c.1160–1238), archbishop of Tuam, was a central figure in the movement to reform the Irish church in the early thirteenth century. The death of Cadla (Catholicus) Ua Dubthaig (qv), archbishop of Tuam, in 1201 gave the papal legate, John of Salerno, a chance to break that family's traditional hold on the diocese. The legate held a synod in Athlone in 1202, where he appointed Felix, who was then prior of the Augustinian house of Saul, as the new archbishop. His appointment was supported by his brother-in-law, Cathal Mór Crobderg Ua Conchobair (qv) (O'Connor), king of Connacht, but opposed by Máel Ísu Ó Conchobair, a supporter of Cadhla Ua Dubthaig, the nephew or perhaps grandson of Catholicus, who had been consecrated bishop during the latter's lifetime. This opposition meant that much of the western half of the archbishop's diocese was out of his control and Ua Dubthaig was recognised as bishop of Mayo.
As archbishop, Felix played a prominent role in the Irish church. In 1203 he was one of three bishops ordered to excommunicate the bishop of Waterford for imprisoning the bishop of Lismore. His attempts to introduce the Cistercians into Connacht was a failure. He also entered into litigation with the archbishop of Armagh, Echdonn Mac Gilla Uidir (qv), over control of the bishoprics of Ardagh and Kilmore. In 1210 the death of Cadhla Ua Dubthaig, bishop of Mayo, gave Felix the chance to strike at the power of the traditional coarb (successor) families. He called a synod of the archdiocese in 1210 and confiscated all of the coarb lands and granted them to the various bishops. This action was not well received and Felix was driven out of the province, probably by Máel Ísu Ó Conchobair. In 1213 the king ordered the archbishop of Dublin, Henry of London (qv), to give Felix sanctuary for as long as he was in exile. Felix stayed in Dublin for two years, before travelling to Rome for the fourth Lateran council. While in Rome he managed to settle several outstanding issues.
Felix repaid the generosity of Henry of London when he testified in the matter of the suppression of the diocese of Glendalough, and his sworn testimony was instrumental in settling the issue in Dublin's favour. The dispute with Armagh was settled when he gave up claims to Ardagh and Kilmore in return for the archbishop of Armagh's renouncing any claims to churches within Tuam. The issue of Mayo was settled when Ua Dubthaig's successor as bishop submitted to the authority of Tuam. Despite an order to unify the two sees, Felix was imprisoned by Máel Ísu Ó Conchobair when he returned to Connacht in 1216. This dispute was eventually settled, and little more is heard of the archbishop until the early 1230s. In April 1233 Luke (qv), archbishop of Dublin, was given leave to accept the retirement of Felix. Felix resigned his office on 23 March 1235 and retired to the Cistercian house of St Mary in Dublin, where he died in 1238. His remains were found during excavations in 1718 and ordered to be reinterred by William King (qv), archbishop of Dublin.