St Mary's Church after renovation

Renovation of
St Mary's Church

Bringing our parish church into the 21st century

In 2024 our parish began an ambitious project to restore and modernise St Mary's Church. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of the people of Edenderry, this work is now largely complete.

The Challenge

In November 2024, the parish community was informed about the serious condition of the church electrical system. The building required urgent upgrades to meet modern safety standards.

The estimated cost of the works was approximately €300,000, excluding decoration and additional improvements. This represented a significant challenge for the parish community.

Condition of church walls before renovation Before
Church interior after renovation with new lighting After

The Parish Response

The response from the people of Edenderry was extraordinary. The parish community came together to make this project possible. Around €40,000 was raised through concerts and a Historical Talk event. But the event that truly gave the parish confidence to begin was the great 5km Parish Walk, which raised over €210,000.

Works started in the summer of 2025 and are now — all bar a few tweaks — complete, including some extra work that had not originally been planned for. The church has been completely redecorated, with automatic doors, a new altar, and much more.

Renovation works in progress — new altar platform

Works Completed

Major Works

Full electrical upgrade
Complete interior redecoration
New PA / sound system
New internal & external lighting
Installation of automatic doors
Fire detection & alarm system
New altar, presider's chair & lectern
Induction loop system
Choir gallery improvements
CCTV rewire & recommission
Protection for stained glass windows
Infra Red radiant heating panels
Mosaic repairs (Kilroe Mosaics)
Webcam upgrade (MCN Media)
New sanctuary seating
Gallery organ serviced & recommissioned

Sponsored Items

Several items were donated to the parish at no cost thanks to the remarkable generosity of parishioners:

Generously Donated

  • Choir Gallery — 20 new chairs & carpet Sponsored by the Kenny Family
  • New Altar Made by Elegant Woodcraft (Willie McCreanor) Sponsored by the McBride Family
  • Presider's Chair Made by Elegant Woodcraft Sponsored by Willie & Ryan McCreanor
  • New Lectern Made by Oakline Commercials Ltd Sponsored by the McInerney Family
  • Altar Cloths Made in Romania Sponsored by Fr Andrei
  • Stained Glass Window Protection By Windoor Sponsored by Patsy & Daryl O'Gara

Project Cost

Total project cost

€429,735

Parish Fundraising

€250,000

Windfarm Grant

€30,000

Parish Savings

contribution

Diocesan Loan

remaining

Cost of Refurbishment Works — 2025 Completion Report Dec 2025

Looking Ahead

While the works are now largely complete, the parish savings will need to be rebuilt and the diocesan loan repaid. The parish will therefore continue organising fundraising initiatives during 2026. Please support future events as they are announced.

Your ancestors who built this church were proud to call it theirs. You have now brought it into the 21st century, so that your descendants can continue to call it their Parish Church.

It is the house of God in Edenderry. A beautiful place where we can meet God in quiet solitude or in great celebration, with our families, for many years to come.

— Deacon Paul, December 2025

Thank You, Edenderry

St Mary's Church remains the House of God in Edenderry — a place of prayer, celebration and community.

God Bless You All.