St. Mel's Cathedral
St. Mel's Cathedral was erected in the 19th Century.
Image courtesy of History of the Diocese of Ardagh.St. Mel's Cathedral
Image courtesy of History of the Diocese of Ardagh.
Image courtesy of History of the Diocese of Ardagh.
St. Mel's Cathedral
St. Mel's Cathedral was erected in the 19th Century.
Image courtesy of History of the Diocese of Ardagh.St. Mel's Cathedral is a landmark building in Longford. It was erected in the 19th century. It is built from grey limestone with a lofty steeple and can be seen from a distance outside the town.
Interior of St. Mel's Cathedral
The cathedral is cruciform in shape consisting of a nave, two transcripts, two aisles and a spacious chancel.
Interior of St. Mel's Cathedral
Interior of St. Mel's Cathedral
The cathedral is cruciform in shape consisting of a nave, two transcripts, two aisles and a spacious chancel.
The foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, William O'Higgins, on May 19, 1840. The building of St. Mel's was put on hold for a decade due to the effects of the Famine.
It was completed by his successor, Right Rev. John Kilduff, on September 29, 1856. The roof is supported by 24 columns of cut stone. The limestone used to build St. Mel's Cathedral came from the local quarries of Newtowncashel.
Underneath the floor of the church are vaults for the burial of priests. The overall cost of St. Mel's Cathedral was £60,000. This sum is said to have been a challenge to collect during a time of evictions, presecutions and famine. Donations were received from every diocese in Ireland.