Welcome

The Alumni and Friends of Maynooth are always welcome back to Saint Patrick's College, and each year there are a number of occasions when we have the opportunity to welcome you, the Maynooth Union, graduations, concerts, sports events, the Maynooth Alumni Ball, and at the close of each year, the Carol Service.

Over the years, many alumni have also become Friends of Maynooth who have contributed to the restoration and upkeep of the College. The support of the Friends of Maynooth enabled the College to build the John Paul II Library in the early 80's. Since then every major building has been restored, culminating in the restoration of the College Chapel which is underway.

Many of the alumni of Saint Patrick's College are also alumni of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, which became independent of the College in 1997. We are developing this site for our Alumni, in conjunction with our colleagues in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

College Chapel Restoration at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth

The College Chapel was built between 1875 and 1891, funded by the contributions of the catholic Irish in that difficult period after the famine, and before the foundation of the State. This is the first major restoration of the structure, and it has fallen to our generation to preserve the magnificent Chapel for future generations.

The College Chapel is a magnificent national treasure. Over 11,000 priests have been ordained from Maynooth, and they have served in every parish in Ireland, and in every continent of the world.

The restoration of the College Chapel is costing about €10M, of which alumni and friends have contributed over half. All donors will be remembered in Masses in the College in perpetuity. Gifts in Ireland North and South, UK, and USA are tax-deductible, and can be spread over a number of years. The tax-efficient ways of making gifts are as follows:

Republic of Ireland: Make cheques payable to Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

• Payments over €250 are tax-deductible.
• If you are a PAYE taxpayer, St Patrick’s College can claim the tax paid on the gross income relating to your gift.  If you pay tax at the higher rate of 41%, the value of a gift of €500 becomes €820 to the College.
• Companies or self-assessed tax-payers can deduct their donations as an allowable expense.

Northern Ireland & UK: Make cheques payable to Maynooth Educational Trust.

• Maynooth Educational Trust will reclaim the tax you have paid on your donation at the standard rate of 25%. We will require a Gift Aid Declaration from you to reclaim the tax, which we will be happy to send you for completion on receipt of your donation.
• In addition, if you pay tax at the higher rate, you can reclaim the tax difference between the 25% that we have reclaimed and the 40% that you have paid.

U.S.A.: Make cheques payable to Irish Educational Development Foundation (IEDF). 

• The IEDF does not accept contributions that are earmarked or required to be distributed to Saint Patrick’s College. While we invite you to indicate your wishes, your requests are non-binding and the Trustees of the IEDF will have complete discretion and control over the ultimate disposition of any contributions received. This ensures that gifts made to the IEDF are deductible for US income tax purposes and that the Fund fulfils its duties and obligations as a US tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We would very much like your help. If you would like to become involved, you may contact the President:

Monsignor Hugh G Connolly
President
Saint Patrick's College
Maynooth
County Kildare, IRELAND

President@spcm.ie