Longford’s iconic St Mel’s Cathedral, which was almost destroyed by a devastating fire in 2009, has attracted over 100,000 visitors since the restored building was once again opened to worshipers last Christmas.
Only a burnt out shell was left of the 19th Century cathedral when a fire took hold in the early hours of Christmas Day in 2009. The five-year, €30million restoration of St Mel’s was believed to be the biggest project of its kind in Western Europe and generated huge interest across the island of Ireland.
Since it re-opened in December the parish estimates the cathedral has attracted over 100,000 visitors.
“When it first opened there was a great surge of people and the summer brought its own momentum with heritage groups and religious groups,” Fr Tom Healy Adm. told The Irish Catholic. “We were receiving 2-3 busloads a day and even now we have 6-7 groups in the diary for this week and next week. I would say we have had well over 100,000 visitors – maybe in the region of 120,000 or 130,000. About 99% seem overwhelmed by the work and finished product,” he said.
While remaining a full-time place of worship for the parish and the diocese, the cathedral team try to accommodate tourists and pilgrims who wish to hear and see the story of the building’s incredible rise from the ashes.
A display inside the front door shows photographs of the fire-damaged building “to remind people of the severity of what happened and to appreciate the enormity of the restoration” and parish volunteers offer tours.
“We try to make ourselves available to give a little history and parish volunteers meet the visitors and give them an overview,” Fr Healy said. “We have a visitors’ guide which explains the artwork and so on, and in the future we may develop a museum in the crypt.”