News

Grotto renovation at 233-year-old Belfast church finished

The Marian grotto at St Mary's Church in Belfast city centre has re-opened after renovation work. Picture by Hugh Russell
The Marian grotto at St Mary's Church in Belfast city centre has re-opened after renovation work. Picture by Hugh Russell The Marian grotto at St Mary's Church in Belfast city centre has re-opened after renovation work. Picture by Hugh Russell

RENOVATION work on a popular Marian grotto at the oldest Catholic Church in Belfast has been completed.

New paving has been installed in the grotto area, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, at St Mary's Church in Chapel Lane in the city centre.

A statue of Our Lady has also been moved from the parish hall into the refurbished garden area.

Work on the outside of the building has also included the complete replacement of the main roof coverings and the repairing and re-pointing of walls and stonework.

Masses were celebrated at the church last month after extensive interior work was finished.

St Mary's, where Mass was first celebrated in 1784, had been undergoing both external and internal restoration since May and the total renovation is expected to cost more than £300,000.

The Living Youth building, beside the church in Chapel Lane, was the venue for Masses for two months during the summer after the church was closed to facilitate the work.

Meanwhile, a new priest has been appointed to serve St Mary's by the Mill Hill Missionaries.

Fr Gerard Doyle has arrived at the parish from Kilkenny, where he served as Rector of the Mill Hill House.

Originally from Kilkenny, as a secondary school pupil he was taught by Fr James Boyle, who is the current parish administrator at St Mary's.

Ordained in 1991, Fr Doyle ministered in Cameroon for two decades.

His move to Belfast coincides with the closure of the St Joseph's Mill Hill House in Kilkenny, with the relocation of residents and activities to Dublin.

Extensive internal and external renovation work had been ongoing at the church since May. Picture by Hugh Russell
Extensive internal and external renovation work had been ongoing at the church since May. Picture by Hugh Russell Extensive internal and external renovation work had been ongoing at the church since May. Picture by Hugh Russell
A statue of Our Lady has been moved from the parish hall into the garden area. Picture by Hugh Russell
A statue of Our Lady has been moved from the parish hall into the garden area. Picture by Hugh Russell A statue of Our Lady has been moved from the parish hall into the garden area. Picture by Hugh Russell
The grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes at St Mary's Church in Chapel Lane. Picture by Hugh Russell
The grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes at St Mary's Church in Chapel Lane. Picture by Hugh Russell The grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes at St Mary's Church in Chapel Lane. Picture by Hugh Russell
New paving has been installed in the grotto area. Picture by Hugh Russell
New paving has been installed in the grotto area. Picture by Hugh Russell New paving has been installed in the grotto area. Picture by Hugh Russell
The grotto area, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, has been the scene of popular devotions for parishioners and pilgrims at St Mary's. Picture by Hugh Russell
The grotto area, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, has been the scene of popular devotions for parishioners and pilgrims at St Mary's. Picture by Hugh Russell The grotto area, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, has been the scene of popular devotions for parishioners and pilgrims at St Mary's. Picture by Hugh Russell
Fr Gerard Doyle has been appointed to serve in St Mary's. Picture from Mill Hill Missionaries
Fr Gerard Doyle has been appointed to serve in St Mary's. Picture from Mill Hill Missionaries Fr Gerard Doyle has been appointed to serve in St Mary's. Picture from Mill Hill Missionaries