THE BISHOP of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Dr Colm O’Reilly has said an initial estimate of up to €2 million for the restoration of St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford was likely to be a “gross underestimation”.
The interior of the cathedral was gutted by fire in the early hours of Christmas morning. The roof collapsed and the stained glass windows were destroyed along with most of the interior.
Work is starting today on the cathedral to make it safe and it is hoped that the Garda technical examination will begin next Monday or Tuesday.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who noticed the fire at the cathedral before the alarm was raised at about 4.45am to contact them. Dr O’ Reilly said he had not been inside the cathedral since the fire as it is sealed off, but aerial photographs had revealed that “everything is wrecked inside”.
The exact cost of restoring the cathedral would not be known until a full estimate of the damage is done, but it was likely to exceed the initial estimates of €1.5 – €2 million, he said.
“It will be a beginning from scratch in a certain sense. I don’t know what way it can be restored. A lot of the features will not be seen again,” the bishop said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established because the interior will have to be secured. A company that secures buildings for demolition was on site yesterday, but the cathedral’s shell is likely to survive the fire. Although the interior was gutted, Dr O’Reilly said the fact that the building’s exterior, including its distinctive bell tower, was saved was an “immense relief”.
“I would be horrified if the tower had fallen down. it would have been a scene of utter desolation. There’s something about that which is reassuring.”
Bishop O’Reilly also said that donations for its restoration have been coming in since the fire, but no fund has been set up. The diocese is also likely to have to wait until the insurance assessors determine the extent of the damage.
He cited the example of a group of teenage girls who handed over €400 to the diocese which they collected on St Stephen’s Day while “hunting the wren”.
“That is a sign of a hope especially coming from a group of teenage girls. Young people are interested, they want to make a contribution. People want to help,” he added.
President Mary McAleese visited the cathedral on her way from her home in Co Roscommon, where she celebrated Christmas. She gave the bishop a piece of stained glass she and her husband had bought some years ago depicting St Patrick ordaining St Mel.
