If Raymond O’Donnell’s paint brushes could talk, they would tell some stories.
Many of those chapters would come from inside the walls of some of Donegal’s best-known hotels, hospitals, schools and churches.
The Killea man is putting the final touches to his latest project, the interior of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.
The project has taken Raymond and his team almost six weeks to complete.
On August 24th last, a poster went up on the internal doors of the Cathedral warning parishioners that the building would close on weekdays until October.
Tens of thousands of brush strokes later, today marks the first day when members of the public can walk in and experience the stunning transformation for themselves.
But it is much more than another paint job for Raymond.
The stunning interior of the renovated St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.
In fact, it was in this very place of worship back in 1985 where Raymond honed his trade working under the guidance of another renowned local painter and decorator, Leo Cullen.
Some months after this project, Raymond decided to strike out himself beginning a career that would open the tin on what would become a hugely successful family business.
Raymond’s sons Mark and Daniel were part of the team of five painters who helped bring a new lease of life to the already stunning architecture of William Hague.
A view from the altar of St Eunan’s Cathedral.
Alongside him too were fellow painters and life-long friends Michael Doran and Eugene McGinley, from Manorcunningham.
Leo Cullen’s task back in 1985 was much more labour-intensive with scaffolding required throughout the building to reach the highest points.
This time around specialist ‘spider booms’ were hired in from both Dublin and Cookstown in Tyrone to reach those impossible to reach places.
Raymond’s son Mark isn’t sure of exactly how many gallons of paint was used to give the Cathedral its latest facelift.
A total of seven colours were used on the project but Mark says the majority of the public could probably not distinguish the shades from eachother.
Raymond up in the bell tower of the Cathedral.
As well as working under the watchful eye of a specialist conservationist, the painters were also guided by architect Michael Herrity.
The painting of the Cathedral was undertaken in five different sections which allowed the workmen to concentrate on each section as they went.
Another local company Terence Ponsonby Ltd worked alongside Raymond and his team in preparing and cleaning the various sections as the paint was applied.
This meant that all of the seating in the section being worked on had to be removed from Monday through to Friday but put back in place for weekend mass-goers.
Mark says working alongside his dad on the project was an honour – not that Raymond has any plans to hang up his paint brush any time soon.
“I think the fact that he had worked on the Cathedral all those years ago with Leo Cullen certainly meant something to him. He would have struck out on his own shortly after that project back in 1985.
Marty Gallagher and David Houston from Terence Ponsonby Ltd working away refurbishing St Eunan’s Cathedral.
“He’s retirement age but I don’t think he has any plans to call it a day any time soon,” laughed Mark.
In fact, if their order book is anything to go by, O’Donnells might just have to add to the contract crew of between ten and 18 painters they use.
As as well as working extensively for Boyle Construction, the company has painted ten chapels including the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny and St Columba’s Church in Glenswilly.
A life of brush strokes as painter Raymond completes work on St Eunan’s Cathedral was last modified: October 1st, 2025 by Staff Writer
Tags: