Visit St. Mary's Church, Parson Street, Maynooth

The historic Church of St. Mary’s, nestling inconspicuously opposite the Fitzgerald Castle of Maynooth, and beside the entrance gates to St. Patrick’s College, is not only a living centre of worship and community today, but also a monument to the Fitzgerald family and to the early history of higher education in Maynooth.

The earliest reference St. Mary’s dates back to 1248, when it formed part of the Maynooth Castle complex. It wasn’t just a place of worship — it also played a defensive role, with a stone watchtower and battlements used to guard the surrounding lands. Originally built as a private chapel for the castle, its fortunes rose and sank with those of the Fitzgerald family, falling into ruin during their periods of political eclipse only to be lovingly restored during times of renewed prosperity. As a result, the present structure is a mosaic pieced together from the fragments of a series of earlier buildings, both secular and sacred.
The most recent restoration took place in the 1990s, and the church will celebrate its 780th anniversary in 2028. We would be delighted to share some more of the history of St. Mary's with you each afternoon during Heritage Week.

Any queries, please call me at 087-6686236