Dublin's St. Mary's Cathedral to close for €17 million renovation until 2028

St. Mary's Cathedral, a significant Catholic church building in Dublin, will close next week for a €17 million renovation that is expected to last until 2028. The Dublin Catholic Archdiocese announced the closure, which follows the granting of planning permission for "essential" renovation and conservation works in October.

The project will encompass external accessibility upgrades, structural maintenance, and improvements to the cathedral's interior. The archdiocese stated that three-quarters of the funding has been pledged by "generous donors," with the remainder to be raised through fundraising efforts. Previously known as the Pro Cathedral for 200 years, the church on Marlborough Street has hosted significant religious ceremonies and national events, including the 1922 funeral of Michael Collins and Pope Francis's 2018 visit.

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While the Cathedral’s recent designation gives added significance to the project, the need for substantial works has long been recognised.

Last November, on its 200th anniversary, St. Mary's was designated the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin by Pope Leo XIV. "While the Cathedral's recent designation gives added significance to the project, the need for substantial works has long been recognized," the archdiocese said. "This investment will preserve one of Dublin's most important church buildings while preparing it to serve future generations."

During the closure, major liturgies will be held at St. Andrew's Church on Westland Row, while "parish and sacramental life" will continue at St. Joseph's Church on Berkeley Road. This temporary closure is part of a "wider vision" for the Catholic Church's presence in Dublin city center, a "twin pillar" strategy adopted by Archbishop Dermot Farrell, focusing on St. Mary's and St. Andrew's. The initiative aims to "strengthen the church's mission through prayer, welcome, service, encounter and outreach, maintaining a strong presence on both sides of the river Liffey."

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This investment will preserve one of Dublin’s most important church buildings while preparing it to serve future generations.