At the heart of Galway city stands a giant—quiet, steadfast, and weathered by time. St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, has watched the tides of history ebb and flow for over 700 years.
Built in 1320 when Galway was little more than a remote frontier settlement, it has been a sacred place for worshippers, a haven for the curious, and a testament to the vision and ambition of the city’s medieval citizens.
Now, that legacy is under threat.
This summer, a multi-million euro campaign will be launched to restore the iconic building to its former glory. The project—expected to cost in the region of €14 million and take close to a decade to complete—aims to address critical structural issues and transform the church into a vibrant, accessible cultural landmark for the next 700 years.
Last evening (Wednesday ) I climbed to the rooftop and spoke to Rector of St. Nicholas Rev Lynda Peilow and roofer and Niall McDonagh, both of whom spoke of St. Nicholas' with reverence.
“I always feel it’s a gentle giant in the heart of the city, with the city at its heart,” he said, standing atop the storied roof he’s helped repair time and again.
“You can see the love in the building and what was done over the centuries. Even the timber used in the steeple—recycled oak beams from houses burnt out in the 1920s—tells a story.”
Indeed, St. Nicholas is stitched together with the care and ingenuity of generations. As Galway grew from medieval outpost to thriving port, its people extended the church, building new aisles and embellishments. The 16th-century side aisles—added by the powerful Ffrench and Lynch families—created the church’s unique, near-square interior and three-roof profile, rare in any European church.
But now, the building that once symbolized Galway’s soaring ambitions is suffering from crumbling masonry, damp walls, and decaying structures, much of it the result of misguided 20th-century repairs.
A duty to protect it
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Rev. Lynda Peilow. “To see the building in need, knowing the love and craftsmanship that went into creating it, and realizing we might be the generation that lets it go? That’s not acceptable.”
Rev Peilow is passionate and direct about the urgency of the restoration. “There are problems with the roof. There are problems with the walls. If we don’t act now, the damage will become irreversible,” she said. “This church is not just bricks and mortar—it’s a living, breathing monument that has stood open to the people of Galway for 700 years.”
She added, “It’s incumbent on us as a city to protect it. Our medieval ancestors had vision and determination—they built something greater than themselves. And now we must do the same for the generations yet to come.”
The planned restoration is not just about preservation—it’s about evolution. The campaign envisions a St. Nicholas Church that functions as a worship space, cultural venue, and major tourist attraction.
“We’re not turning it into a museum,” Rev Peilow explained. “It’s still a church, a sacred place where people come to pray and reflect. But it’s also a venue for world-class concerts, a historic site for guided tours, and a cultural refuge for rainy Galway days. We want people to come in and feel something—be it reverence, awe, or curiosity.”
Currently, the church lacks modern facilities and is not fully accessible to visitors with mobility needs. The restoration will include those upgrades, making it welcoming to all while maintaining its historic integrity.
Already, exploratory works have uncovered archaeological features that hint at an even deeper, older history beneath the present structure—perhaps supporting the tradition that St. Nicholas was built atop a prior ecclesiastical site. It’s even said that Christopher Columbus prayed here in 1477 before sailing westward on one of his early voyages. Gargoyles scream out for care; while stone angels stand without faces, a testament to the vandalism of the Cromwellian forces.
“This church contains layers of history,” said Mr McDonagh. “Every stone tells a story. Every beam carries memory. The bell tower we believe was added in the 1920s, and yet parts of it include recycled materials from much older buildings. It’s a constant dialogue between past and present.”
A decade-long journey—and a race against time
The campaign to raise €14m in funds is monumental in scale. It involves securing grants, enlisting international donors, mobilizing volunteers, and drawing attention to the church’s plight. Much of the early work has been carried out by a small but committed team of staff and volunteers who are, in Rev Peilow’s words, “as passionate about this place as I am.”
“We’ve received some grants, and we’re incredibly grateful,” she said. “But scaffolding alone eats up funds so quickly. We need major investment. And we need it now.”
Without swift action, the cost—and the risk—will only grow. The dampness creeping through the walls, and the fragile state of the clock tower and steeple, could soon pose a threat to the very survival of the structure.
“This can’t be one of those situations where we bury our heads in the sand and say, ‘Let the next generation deal with it,’” Peilow said. “By then, it could be too late.”
The call to action
The message from St. Nicholas’ campaign is clear: this church belongs to everyone. Its restoration is not a luxury—it is a responsibility.
“We’re not just preserving stone—we’re preserving a story,” said Niall McDonagh. “A story of Galway’s beginnings, of ambition, resilience, faith. The people who built this place didn’t do it for themselves. They built it for us.”
Rev Peilow echoed the sentiment: “For 700 years, people have stood in this church—through war, famine, prosperity, and peace. We owe it to them, and to the people who will come after us, to ensure they can stand here too.”
As the campaign begins in earnest this summer, organizers are inviting locals and the global Irish diaspora to become part of St. Nicholas’ next chapter.
“We’re reaching out to everyone who has ever felt connected to Galway,” said Rev Peilow. “Whether you’re a parishioner, a historian, a musician, a tourist, or someone who just walked in and felt something—you can be part of this. You can help us ensure that in another 700 years, people will still walk into this sacred space and feel the heartbeat of a city that cared.
Details of the fundraising campaign will be available later this summer when detailed drawings and plans will be shared with the public. Donations, volunteer offers, and support from investors and grant bodies are all being welcomed, so don't be shy.
In the words of Rev Peilow: “What we do now will echo not just for decades—but for centuries.”
