Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Service seeks to nurture and care for the spiritual dimension of each member of the University community. It offers a range of liturgical, pastoral, advisory, social, and recreational activities and services to all students and staff of University of Galway.

What we do

The Chaplaincy Team offers a broad range of services, activities and opportunities including

  • A confidential and respectful listening and advisory service for all students and staff within and outside normal office hours
  • Pastoral care for those who have particular needs and difficulties (bereavement, loneliness, illness, relationship breakdown etc) 
  • A liaison and referral facility between students and the various University academic and non-academic departments and services 
  • Promotion of ecumenism on and off campus and the provision of resources and contact information for all the major religious denominations 
  • A full range of liturgical, sacramental and social opportunities in the Chapel of St. Columbanus 
  • Numerous events and activities that seek to explore, celebrate and develop the spiritual dimension of human existence 
  • Co-ordination of the University response to a student death.

Recognised Ministries

  • Church of Ireland:                         Very Rev Lynda Peilow        086 3898777 info@stnicholas.ie
  • United Methodist/Presbyterian:                Rev. Helen Freeburn   91 449124 hfreeburn@presbyterianireland.org
  • Romanian Orthodox Church:   Fr. Tudor Ghita 086 2282690 tuxghita@yahoo.com
  • Lutheran Church:   Gertraud 091 794138 info@lutheranireland.org
  • Galway Baptist Church:                            Pastor Jason Post           086 138607 jason@galwaycitychurch.com
  • Coptic Church Rev Pauls El Antony 087 1334398 fr.pauls@yahoo.ie

Other Denominations

  • Covenant Christian Fellowship: Pastor Peter Jemphrey 091 374302 gcfgalway@gmail.com
  • Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Richard 087 2375789 / office@quakers.ie
  • Galway Mosque & Islamic Society Sheikh Khalid, ksallabi@gmail.com 085 8591007
  • Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Imam Ibrahim 091 768832 info@islamahmadiyya.ie

Mass in the Chapel of St. Columbanus (during term)

  • Sunday 9pm
  • Monday to Wednesday 1.10pm

Note: Mass is celebrated only during term-time.

Weddings on Campus

Students, staff and graduates of the University of Galway are most welcome to get married in the Chapel of St. Columbanus as long as all civil and canon law requirements are fulfilled. Some space, parking and calendar restrictions also apply. 


For further information on planning a wedding see http://www.gettingmarried.ie/

Because the Chapel is not a University building and is entirely self-supporting, a donation is requested towards running costs (heat, light, insurance, maintenance etc) from those who get married here.

If you have any questions or if you want to book the Chapel for your wedding please contact Fr. Ben directly at contact us.

Meet the Chaplaincy Team

Fr Ben Hughes. Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Centre, University of Galway, University Road, Galway.  Office located at Room 103, St. Declan's, 6 Distillery Road, Galway

Ordained in 1990, has experience in parish ministry, adult education, retreat facilitation and spiritual direction.  Using a psycho-spiritual approach Fr Ben incorporates lived experience and the richness of our faith to develop a spirituality that is meaningful for contemporary life.  Integrating insights from psychology he explores the spiritual journey, promoting personal development and providing space for wellbeing, healing and transformation.  Fr Ben holds an MSc in Counselling and Therapeutic Communication (University of Ulster) and a Higher Diploma in Education (Trinity College, Dublin).  His PhD was awarded through the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin.

Ms. Dolores McAndrew, Administrator, Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Centre, Room 104, St. Declans, 6 Distillery Road, Galway
Dolores is a graduate of UCG and has worked with the Chaplaincy since 1997 becoming full time Chaplaincy administrator in 2006.

Mr. Jimmy McGoven, Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Centre, Room 103, St. Declans, 6 Distillery Road, Galway                                       Jimmy is a graduate of NUI, Galway and has worked with Chaplaincy since 2017.  He manages the Seas Suas Programme and is also linked to the Access Centre at University of Galway.

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