One of Clonmel's most iconic buildings undergoes a spectacular transformation

The people of Clonmel have rallied behind a fundraising campaign to showcase the beauty of one of the town’s most revered and iconic buildings.

St Mary’s Church in Irishtown has just undergone a €550,000 restoration, and the beautifully painted ceilings and walls are now on display for all to admire.

Parishioners and the people of the town have contributed generously to the campaign, which has raised an incredible €440,000 to date, leaving €110,000 to be raised to fully cover the cost of the spectacular job.

“People are calling in every day to have a look at the work. It is beautiful to look at,” said Michael McDermott, a member of the fundraising committee.

The committee, which also includes Helen Power, sacristan Marie Cooke, Fr Billy Meehan and Fr Desiderie, is now making a final push in the fundraising campaign and are appealing to the public to help them reach the target.

The fundraising campaign to date has been a phenomenal success. The fundraising committee was only set up a year ago, and the contract for the work was signed in December last.

“The interior of the church had fallen into disrepair, the painting was old and dilapidated, and something had to be done,” said Michael Dermott.

Helen Power said that the campaign involved a lot of work but that they were all moved by the generosity of so many people who wanted to contribute and help out.

“We did a massive canvass of people in the town. Letters were sent out to every household; we kept appealing from the pulpit, in the newsletter and on Facebook. The response was amazing,” said Helen Power.

Marie Cooke said that this was the first time that the ceilings and the walls were painted at the same time.

The ceiling was last painted in 1989 and the walls were last painted in 1999. This job should last for another forty years or more.

“It was done on budget and on time. We were blown away by the response of people, they were incredibly generous,” said Michael McDermott.

Helen said the committee and the parishioners were delighted with the commitment to the job by the painters, Tommy Flanagan and the company who did the extensive scaffolding required for the job.

“The painters went above and beyond; they even did repairs that were not in the contract. They were brilliant,” said Helen Power.

Helen said that the final push is now being made and people can donate by putting a contribution into envelopes at the back of the church with Church Painting Fund written on them. People can also use a QR code that is available in the church, and there is a facility to tap a card to the left of the altar at the church.

“We are almost there, and we are asking people who are in a position to support the campaign to please do,” said Helen Power.

“We are now in the final push to cover the costs. People have been very generous and we need to take another step to get to the target and pay for the work. It is a magnificent job and we are delighted to see so many people coming in every day to admire the job that has taken place.It is one of the finest churches in the diocese,” said Michael McDermott.

“A lot has been achieved in a very short space of time. We received a lot of anonymous donations as well. It really makes you appreciate the community we are living in, to see such a generous response,” said the church sacristan Marie Cooke.

Those wishing to donate can also call into the Parish Office which is open five mornings a week (Monday to Friday) from 9.30 to 1pm and people can also call 052/6122773 for more information.