If Raymond O’Donnell’s paint brushes could talk, they would tell some stories.
Many of those chapters would come from inside the walls of some of Donegal’s best-known hotels, hospitals, schools and churches.
The Killea man is putting the final touches to his latest project, the interior of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.
The project has taken Raymond and his team almost six weeks to complete.
On August 24th last, a poster went up on the internal doors of the Cathedral warning parishioners that the building would close on weekdays until October.
Tens of thousands of brush strokes later, today marks the first day when members of the public can walk in and experience the stunning transformation for themselves.
But it is much more than another paint job for Raymond.
The stunning interior of the renovated St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.
In fact, it was in this very place of worship back in 1985 where Raymond honed his trade working under the guidance of another renowned local painter and decorator, Leo Cullen.
Some months after this project, Raymond decided to strike out himself beginning a career that would open the tin on what would become a hugely successful family business.
Raymond’s sons Mark and Daniel were part of the team of five painters who helped bring a new lease of life to the already stunning architecture of William Hague.
A view from the altar of St Eunan’s Cathedral.
Alongside him too were fellow painters and life-long friends Michael Doran and Eugene McGinley, from Manorcunningham.
Leo Cullen’s task back in 1985 was much more labour-intensive with scaffolding required throughout the building to reach the highest points.
This time around specialist ‘spider booms’ were hired in from both Dublin and Cookstown in Tyrone to reach those impossible to reach places.
Raymond’s son Mark isn’t sure of exactly how many gallons of paint was used to give the Cathedral its latest facelift.
A total of seven colours were used on the project but Mark says the majority of the public could probably not distinguish the shades from eachother.
Raymond up in the bell tower of the Cathedral.
As well as working under the watchful eye of a specialist conservationist, the painters were also guided by architect Michael Herrity.
The painting of the Cathedral was undertaken in five different sections which allowed the workmen to concentrate on each section as they went.
Another local company Terence Ponsonby Ltd worked alongside Raymond and his team in preparing and cleaning the various sections as the paint was applied.
This meant that all of the seating in the section being worked on had to be removed from Monday through to Friday but put back in place for weekend mass-goers.
Mark says working alongside his dad on the project was an honour – not that Raymond has any plans to hang up his paint brush any time soon.
“I think the fact that he had worked on the Cathedral all those years ago with Leo Cullen certainly meant something to him. He would have struck out on his own shortly after that project back in 1985.
Marty Gallagher and David Houston from Terence Ponsonby Ltd working away refurbishing St Eunan’s Cathedral.
“He’s retirement age but I don’t think he has any plans to call it a day any time soon,” laughed Mark.
In fact, if their order book is anything to go by, O’Donnells might just have to add to the contract crew of between ten and 18 painters they use.
As as well as working extensively for Boyle Construction, the company has painted ten chapels including the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny and St Columba’s Church in Glenswilly.
* Meanwhile, the Raphoe Diocese has welcomed the reopening of St Eunan’s Cathedral.
The Diocese issued the following statement through social media earlier.
After being closed from 25th August until 1st October – just over five weeks – St. Eunan’s Cathedral re-opens this morning following its first major re-painting and restoration in 14 years.
Among the most striking works completed this week was the re-installation of the great Sanctuary Lamp. Weighing over 1,500 ounces, it required careful handling as it was lifted back into place and wired for use. First installed in the Cathedral in 1901, it was donated by Catherine MacDevitt of Glenties in memory of her husband Daniel. The lamp was restored in recent weeks, with years of patina removed so that it now shines as brightly as when first given.
On Thursday evening, as the lamp was returned to its place, the sanctuary lights were re-aligned, with Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator, assisting with their positioning.
This Saturday the Cathedral will host its first wedding since reopening, as we congratulate Bronagh and Dermot McGlynn, pictured here with their daughter Ava, who will be the first family to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in the newly restored Cathedral.
The restoration has been no small task. Every part of the Cathedral has been carefully cleaned and renewed. The ceiling was washed down by hand with dry sponges, cobwebs removed, carved stonework hoovered and scrubbed, and the stained glass and windows washed. From the sanctuary to the side chapels, every inch of the Cathedral has been given detailed attention, leaving it shining bright for the community it serves.
The main works included:
• Re-painting of the ceilings and interior walls.
• Fresh blue paint in the ambulatory (the walkway behind the high altar) and the crib room.
• Restoration of the great Sanctuary Lamp, first installed in 1901, and now restored to its original brilliance.
• Electrical works throughout the Cathedral, with every light given attention. Sanctuary lights were re-aligned to highlight the altar, reredos, and architectural detail, and all other fittings were checked and renewed as needed.
The teams from Raymond O’Donnell & Sons, John Harley Electrical Services, and Terence Ponsonby Ltd. worked from early morning until 10 p.m. that night to have everything ready. Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator, was also present that evening to assist with the positioning of the sanctuary lights.
Once these works were complete, the Cathedral was handed over to the cleaners and Altar Society, who came in afterwards to carry out the deep cleaning and polishing needed to prepare the Cathedral for reopening today. Their work was immense, with hours of dusting, scrubbing, and polishing after the coverings were removed and pews restored, ensuring that everything shone for the faithful returning this morning.
We are deeply grateful to all who made this possible:
• Raymond O’Donnell & Sons Ltd. (Painting & Decorating) – Raymond O’Donnell and his sons Mark and Daniel were part of the team of five painters who repainted the Cathedral from top to bottom.
• John Harley Electrical Services Ltd. – John Harley oversaw the full electrical works, including the sanctuary lights and the re-installation of the restored Sanctuary Lamp.
• Terence Ponsonby Ltd. – with foreman Eamonn Murray coordinating the operation on site.
• Michael Hannigan of Cornerstone Architects – for preparing the project with skill and collaboration.
• Ruth Bothwell, Conservator – for her advice and guidance throughout the project.
• The Knights of Columbanus – for their help in preparing the Cathedral at weekends and assisting with the deep clean.
• Hugh and Elizabeth Macaulay, Cathedral sacristans, who worked tirelessly throughout, often running between the Church of the Irish Martyrs and the Cathedral to keep everything moving.
• The Cathedral cleaners and Altar Society, who carried out Trojan work in the final days to ensure the Cathedral was spotless for reopening.
• The Church of the Irish Martyrs, who generously hosted weekday Masses while the Cathedral was closed.
Special note: both Eamonn Murray and John Harley also worked on the Cathedral’s painting 14 years ago – a living link in the story of care and dedication that keeps this sacred place beautiful.
We thank everyone who gave of their time, skill, and commitment, and we thank you, our parishioners, whose generosity made this possible.”
A life of brush strokes as painter Raymond completes work on St Eunan’s Cathedral was last modified: October 1st, 2025 by Staff Writer
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