Irish partnership lights up churches worldwide with 15,000 smokeless candle systems

Image Caption: Michael Murphy, Founder & CEO of St Killians Candle Company, and Seamus Lawlor, Director of Business Development at Keltech, celebrating the production of the 15,000th Irish-made smokeless candelabra at Keltech’s Waterford facility.

• St Killians and Keltech celebrate 15,000th candelabra manufactured in Ireland for cathedrals across the globe

Two Irish companies — St Killians Candle Co. (Cahir, Co. Tipperary) and Keltech (Waterford) — are marking a significant milestone in their 15-year collaboration with the production of the 15,000th Irish-made smokeless candelabra.

These units are now installed in more than 32 countries, including globally recognised churches such as St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, La Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre in Paris, Knock Shrine in Ireland, St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, and many parish churches worldwide.

A partnership built on innovation and Irish engineering

The collaboration began when Michael Murphy, founder of St Killians, approached Keltech with the concept of a smokeless devotional candle system — a completely new idea at the time for churches seeking safer and cleaner ways to offer real candles.

Over 15 years, St Killians and Keltech continued to refine and enhance the system, combining St Killians’ expertise in devotional solutions with Keltech’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities. This partnership resulted in a durable, high-quality product that is now trusted across cathedrals internationally.

Michael Murphy, Founder of St Killians, said:

“Reaching 15,000 candelabras is an extraordinary milestone for both companies. Smokeless candle burning was completely new when we introduced it, and Keltech understood our vision from the beginning. Together we created a high-quality product trusted in cathedrals around the world. We are proud that this innovation is Irish — in both idea and craftsmanship.”

Designed for churches, built to last

The St Killians system allows parishioners to light real candles using a specially developed smokeless design. Each unit is engineered to minimise maintenance while protecting historic church spaces from smoke and soot — a major concern for many older buildings. This provides churches with a cleaner, safer alternative to traditional candle systems.

Bringing Irish manufacturing to a global audience

Keltech produces every candelabra at its Waterford facility, applying advanced engineering standards to meet the durability required for busy churches and cathedrals. Their experience as a specialist OEM manufacturing partner ensures consistent quality for installations worldwide.

Seamus Lawlor, Director of Business Development at Keltech, said:

“This collaboration has grown into something far beyond a supplier relationship. Together, we’ve created a product recognised in churches across the world — and most people don’t realise it’s made right here in Ireland. It’s a fantastic story of innovation and partnership between two indigenous Irish companies.”

National support for Irish innovation

Enterprise Ireland has praised this milestone as a strong example of Irish innovation and collaboration on the global stage:

 Amanda Smyth, Senior Development Advisor at Enterprise Ireland, said:

“St Killians and Keltech are fantastic examples of Irish companies working together to reach a global audience. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support both companies as they continue to scale internationally and showcase the strength of Irish design and manufacturing.”

 Louis Eivers, Senior Development Advisor at Enterprise Ireland, added:

“St Killians and Keltech have been working together to deliver innovative solutions for many years, and this milestone is a fantastic story of Irish craftsmanship and collaboration. Every candelabra is made right here in Ireland, showcasing the strength of partnership between two Irish companies. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support St Killians and Keltech as they continue to grow internationally and bring Irish innovation to a global stage.”

Continuing a shared growth journey

Both companies continue to expand internationally, supported by the growing demand for safe devotional candle systems and reliable Irish manufacturing. This long-standing partnership supports local employment in Tipperary and Waterford, while bringing Irish innovation to a global audience.

About St Killians

St Killians Candle Co. is a leading provider of smokeless devotional candle systems, serving churches in more than 32 countries.
www.saintkillians.ie

About Keltech

Keltech is a Waterford-based specialist manufacturing partner with over 35 years of experience delivering high-quality OEM engineering solutions to global clients.
www.keltech.ie