Restoring our Cathedral is not just about preserving a historic structure; it’s about safeguarding a beacon of faith and community for future generations, and we are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of our parishioners, friends, and diaspora.
Restoration, September 2026
As St. Muredach Cathedral’s bi-centenary draws closer (2027), the restoration and its
related fundraising continues. We are grateful for your support of and generosity to this
significant undertaking.
Throughout 2025 and this year, our focus has been on the time-consuming work of restoring
the beautiful stained glass windows. Depicting scenes from the Bible, along with the lives of
saints, these are a key feature of the Cathedral – both aesthetically and historically. Most of
the windows were originally provided by Franz Mayer & Company (Munich, Germany). Their
value is incalculable. The Mayer studios – with the details of designs, records, installations
and techniques – were destroyed by Allied bombers in World War II.
The intricate conservation included cleaning, repairing and reinforcing the glass to prevent
further damage. The storm glazing was completed this summer. One window – the main sanctuary window behind the altar – remains to be refurbished next Spring.
We will then turn our attention to the fourth and final phase of the refurbishment, including painting of the interior, repairing the floor, refurbishing the pews, relocating the baptismal font to a more appropriate place within the cathedral, and refurbishing the sanctuary. With input from specialised liturgical architects and heritage experts, we are currently reviewing designs and costings.
Fundraising – Spirit of Renewal
Further to a broad consultation with the local community, parishioners in particular, we
embarked on a fundraising campaign. Entitled ‘Spirit of Renewal’, this initiative is to secure
funding and to prepare for Phase 4.
We have been greatly encouraged by the tremendous commitment of 200+donors. Over the
past 18 months, more than €1.8 million has been raised. We appreciate the involvement of
parishioners, local businesses, families with connections to Ballina and friends from near
and far. We were delighted to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving earlier this year –
recognising our benefactors.
Depending on the design discussions and resultant costings, we will need to determine the
outstanding amount required to fully complete the restoration. The Cathedral’s story – from
its construction to the historic events experienced over two centuries – reflects resilience,
sacrifice and dedication. We look forward to others sharing in that legacy.
Thank you.
From a fundraising perspective, we are very grateful for your generosity. We have raised
over €1.8 million. This funding has enabled us to complete phase 3 and prepare for
phase 4. Donors are giving in a variety of ways – through outright contributions, pledges and
on-going return of the restoration envelopes. We are relying on this ‘promised’ money to
ensure conclusion of the project.
Depending on which group you are part of, please continue:
– paying on your pledge
– use of your envelopes
Once the final design is available and thus the resultant costings, we will need to determine the outstanding amount required to fully finish the works. We look forward to keeping you updated. If not already done so, there is still an opportunity to make a contribution. Please contact the Parish Office.
Next year is a significant one for our parish, as we celebrate the Cathedral’s bi-centenary.
Cathedral and Restoration – Fundraising phase
November, 2024
As you are aware, St. Muredach’s Cathedral restoration project has been ongoing over recent years. You may have noticed the remedial works to date. This is stage three of the restoration work, with stages one and two, which repaired the ceiling, steeple, and rewiring, already completed.
To ensure the successful completion of all four stages, we needed to call on the support and commitment of a wide audience, including parishioners, local businesses, and friends both at home and abroad. As a first step, we gathered opinions to help shape the fundraising plan, which some of you are already supporting us with.
We engaged Community Counselling Service (CCS), a leading international fundraising firm, to assist with our efforts. As a first step in this process, CCS conducted personal and private interviews (of approximately 30 minutes duration) over a number of weeks.
These interactions allowed us to engage directly with our parishioners, local businesses, and friends, listen to their thoughts, and address any concerns.
We gathered 1,114 opinions (through 1,087 surveys and 27 one-to-one conversations). Surveys were conducted across seven Masses on the weekend of the 28th and 29th September, in both the Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Church. Participants shared their reactions to the Cathedral’s restoration work so far, future plans, fundraising and possible personal involvement.
We were pleased with the level of engagement and willingness to support this vital work.
In summary, based on the feedback received, the parish decided to embark on a fundraising campaign. A special committee for this purpose was established and is now actively at work.
To see more information about the stained glass windows of Saint Muredachs Cathedral, please click here
Restoring our Cathedral is not just about preserving a historic structure; it’s about safeguarding a beacon of faith and community for future generations, and we are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of our parishioners, friends, and diaspora.
Work on any building but especially on a very old landmark building like the St Muredach’s Cathedral which will celebrate its bicentenary in 2027 is ongoing.
The following are a list of the works on the cathedral that need attention:
Our Financial Situation
We have spent almost €3million on the restoration work to date. With the financial support and commitment thus far we were fortunate to have the money needed.
It will possibly take another €3million to complete the outstanding works listed above. Thank you to everybody supporting the weekly Cathedral Restoration Envelope Collection. The parish is currently reviewing our projected financial needs for the future and considering a number of different strategies for securing additional funding, including a potential fundraising campaign.
Renovation Work on the Cathedral already completed and paid for.
Repairs to the ceiling trusses, replacement of damaged timber, the re-plastering/restoring of the plasterwork of the ceilings by George O’Malley, repointing of the exterior walls except for the Tower Section, re-leading on top of the exterior walls where the pinnacles and parapets meet the top of the walls to prevent moisture seeping down through the walls, lightening protection works completed to update the lightening conductor system, the repair and cleaning of the mosaic, the tying up of the ceiling (metal discs inserted every six inches and tied to lines of wire on the attic side of the ceiling to secure the plaster work. ( an area of this ceiling in front of the gallery has still to be tied up. It will be completed as part of the painting of the cathedral) .
Repairs to the Cathedral Steeple
When Rainey’s were checking the lightening conductor system on the Cathedral Steeple, they discovered that the existing anchorage for the main cross had severely corroded and had lifted the stonework, at the top of the spire, as far down as the eight course from the top. The top eight courses of stone had to be dismantled to remove the old anchorage system and replace it with a new stainless steel anchorage system. Then rebuild the 8 stone courses and reinstate the main cross after it had been stripped and repainted. They were repairs made as well to fractured/damaged stones on the steeple, to the bell headstock and mountings which were cleaned back and treated with a primer and finish coat and a new hood moulding put in place above the marble plaque on the tower door.
Phase 2 of the work has cost approximately €500,000 to complete, paid for without borrowing any further monies from the bank using the €169,000 raised from the very successful Cathedral Draw, a €100,000 contribution from the diocese and the balance of €231,00 from the Parish of Kilmoremoy Account
Restoration of the eight windows along the main aisle was completed in November 2024. The windows either side of the two transept windows and the Tower Door were completed in 2025. New storm glazing to all the windows was completed in 2026. The Main Sanctuary Window will be restored and fitted with new storm glazing in Spring of 2027.
Work is been carried out by Sheridan Stained Glass Creations Ltd., Newtown, Kells, County Kilkenny. Phase 3 will have cost €1.2m to complete in full.
Time Line Comparison
1830: In England the lawn mower is invented
1830: A Frenchman patents a sewing machine
1829: Scotch tape is invented
1875: In Canada the light bulb is invented,
Thomas Edison buys the patent
1876: Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone
More great history here History
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