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St. Malachy's Church Review

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St. Malachy's Church

Address: Alfred St., Golden Mile, Belfast
Phone: 028/9032-1713
www.saintmalachys.org

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Belfast

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Fodor's Review:

When the scaffolding comes down in the spring of 2009, one of the most architecturally brilliant and romantic buildings in downtown Belfast will once again inspire visitors far and wide. Although many of the original fixtures almost succumbed to the ravages of time, a £3 million renovation project is restoring the Elizabethan-Gothic-style building to full glory. Inspiration for the design of the fan-vaulted ceiling was taken from the chapel of Henry VII at Westminster Abbey in London, as this swirling masterpiece of plasterwork attests. Built in 1844 and designed by Thomas Jackson, St. Malachy's was largely funded by chief benefactor Captain Thomas Griffiths (whose memorial is just inside the doors). The current program of renovation includes repairing brickwork, rebuilding the castellated towers, replacing the concrete windows with oak frames, cleaning the stained glass, repainting the interior, rewiring, and building a new sacristy. Ideally, by late 2009, the unique statue of the "Ragged Saint" will once again welcome visitors.