Church Funds Blaze-Hit Cathedral Repairs

The Catholic Church has said it will foot the bill to repair St Mel's Cathedral in Longford, which was extensively damaged in a fire on Christmas Day last year.

Estimations have suggested that the cost of construction work on the repairs would be between €2m and €8m.

However, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Dr Colm O'Reilly said he had "no doubt" this sum could be provided through an insurance payout and voluntary donations.


The cathedral became engulfed in flames at around 4.45am on Christmas Day.

The fire, which started in the back of the building, destroyed stained glass windows, a museum and several artefacts. The roof also collapsed as a result of the blaze.

"Many people, of course, are now asking the question, will we have enough money available to us to restore the cathedral," said Dr O'Reilly, speaking at the annual dinner of the County Longford Association in London yesterday.

"I have no doubt that we will eventually. We are well insured and our insurance company is being most helpful in every possible way."

While the church had not sought to encourage fundraising events, it had been receiving voluntary donations, the bishop added.

Dr O'Reilly also revealed that over 200 objects had been recovered from the fire and were being restored by the National Museum.

(NS/BMcC)