St. Mel's Cathedral in Longford burned to the ground

My grandmother Bridget Duignan was from Longford and I suppose she attended this church with her sisters and brothers. It is so sad, so much history in that church.

How very sad ! Will it be rebuilt?

An absolute tragedy. Will it be replaced, and at what cost ? Maybe the Lotto could make a contribution towards the rebuilding of this fine building.

SAdly a piece of history disappears in fire/smoke. Sure, the police should investigate to ensure no foul play. Denominations can find another place inwhich to worship.

How sad! I visited St. Mel's in 2006 because both my great-grandfather and my great-great grandfather — both named James Mannion — were born in Longfordtown. My cousin and I had a grand visit with Father Joe McGrath, and we toured the little museum where the crozier of St. Mel was on display. The only good news about this story is that the fire took place when the church was empty.

My cousin who lives in Longford says the "news" about Bishop O'Reilly contacting Mel Gibson is an over the top rumor!!

When people were lying on the Roadside and eating grass and soil homeless starving and cold the Roman catholic church in Ireland were building monstrosities like this at incredible expense.....Why ? Because they did not give a rats black a** about the people unless they could shake some geld out of them they were totally unimportant thus they could be treated like dirt and were,The priests and Bishops of this fine church were supping at these landlords tables while they were evicting the starving impoverished Irish to the roadside. And now instead of taking note of what has happened to this accursed building and perhaps seeing the hand of God in its demise there are people on here attempting to raise funds for this perverse church which has a vast fortune so fantastic that it is inestimable.

Portia777 u prink...i dnt care if it offends u cause wat u said bout the church...im from longford and i tink ur comment was so rude....u hav no idea want tat church ment to longford....

It's not about the religion, it's about the history. It is sad to see a piece of history be destroyed like this. I really hope we can all pull together to help rebuild it. I am passing the word around the states to send help, if you sent in just 1$, 12 million people later there would be enough to rebuild!

Portia777 u r a bitter anti -catholic!!

I am inclined to agree with you 'Irishshay' I think 'Portia777' does know everything.

It is sad to read the headlines this morning and learn of the destruction of St. Mel's. I was an alter boy there and considered it to be one of thr finest churches I've been to. I sincerely hope the church and the people of Longford can rebuild this historic landmark.

I don't live in Longford anymore but growing up there in the 1960s, my family spent a lot of time in St. Mel's. Anytime, I've been back to Longford, I always make a point to stop by and am always overcome by it's beauty. Fortunately, I was there this past summer very briefly. I also have a picture postcard of the cathedral on my desk at work. I live in California now. I was very saddened when my father called to tell me this tragic news this morning. Longford has lost a true landmark.

As someone from Longford I am deeply hurt and saddened by Portia777s comments Please dont generalise your comments and link them to a local disaster if you knew the people of Longford you wouldnt say those comments But then you probably know everything

It was a beautiful church and the church of my husbands Farrell family. We went to mass there in 1977 and I had a bad feeling because it was built during the famine but still it was a bit of Irish history. Mel Gibson's mother is from Longford and she named Mel after the saint.