St Mary’s Cathedral will close its doors today for essential conservation, accessibility and renewal works.
It follows designation by Pope Leo XIV last November of St Mary’s as the city’s official Catholic Cathedral, becoming the first in the capital for 500 years.
Located on Marlborough Street, the cathedral was built 200 years ago as a temporary arrangement, with plans to replace it with a dedicated cathedral at a later date.
The ‘Pro’ stands for Pro Tempore – or temporary, and as part of the designation this will be dropped and the cathedral will be known simply as St Mary’s.
Pope Leo had been asked to grant the new status as the cathedral celebrates its bicentennial.
The cathedral has hosted major religious ceremonies and significant national events, from the funeral of Michael Collins in 1922 to the visit of Pope Francis in 2018.
Following a competitive procurement process, a “Letter of Intent” has been signed with the main contractor according to the Archdiocese.
The construction budget is €17 million (excl. VAT). Planning permission was received from Dublin City Council last October. The works are expected to last almost two year.
Archbishop Dermot Farrell has described St Mary’s as a place of prayer, proclamation and presence; a place of peace, hope and welcome at the heart of the city.
In a statement he said that “at a time when Dublin city centre is experiencing significant social, demographic and economic change, the Church is reaffirming its commitment to the people who live, work, study and visit there”.
The proposed works include external accessibility upgrades and structural maintenance, particularly the roof area; the interior to include a mechanical and electrical upgrade; a new amplification system; and the designation of a new baptismal area.
Facilities for the Palestrina Choir and Cathedral Girls’ Choir will be upgraded to include new rehearsal areas, a choral manuscript library and toilet facilities.
While the recent designation of the Cathedral gives “added significance” to the project, the Archdiocese has acknowledged the need for substantial works had long been recognised.
“This investment will preserve one of Dublin’s most important church buildings while preparing it to serve future generations,” it said.
During the closure, major diocesan liturgies will take place in St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row.
The Palestrina Choir will be based at the College Chapel on the All Hallows Campus of DCU. Parish and sacramental life will continue at St Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road, where the Cathedral Girls’ Choir will also be based.
The temporary closure forms part of a wider plan for the Church’s presence in Dublin city centre through a ‘Twin Pillar strategy’ centred on St Mary’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s Church, along with adjoining parishes.
Plans are being developed for new initiatives, events, charitable outreach and programmes across the inner city that the Archbishop’s office said “will foster encounter, encourage participation and support the Church’s mission in contemporary Dublin”.
These will be announced over the coming months.
Three-quarters of the costs for the project have already been pledged by “generous donors” and the remaining outlay will be raised through ongoing fundraising efforts.
The project will be completed without prejudice to other pastoral needs in the Archdiocese, according to the statement.