St. Mel's Cathedral

The foundation stone for St. Mel's Cathedral

  was laid on 19th May 1840 by Bishop William O'Higgins. In the conception of his plans for the cathedral, it is said that Bishop O'Higgins was inspired by the Madeleine Church in Paris, the Pantheon and St. John Lateran.
 

The cathedral is cruciform in shape consisting of a nave, two transcripts, two aisles and a spacious chancel. The roof is supported by more than 24 large columns which were cut out of a local limestone quarry. Underneath the floor of the church are vaults for the interment of priests. The altar is cut out of French marble. The erection of this building cost £60,000 which was a vast sum to collect during a time of evictions, persecutions and famine.
 

The bishop made appeals for funds to his numerous friends and pupils in many lands and received donations from every diocese in Ireland. He also determined in 1841 to have a formal Episcopal Visitation of the four parishes in his diocese during which he would speak briefly to the local people about his great project. He advised each family to lay aside such a sum of money as could be spared and the people responded generously.


The completion of St. Mel's was deferred for ten years due to the effects of the famine. Bishop O'Higgins also fell ill and died during this period.
 

The completion of the roof and tower of St. Mels was reserved for Dr. Kilduff who succeeded Dr. O'Higgins in 1853. Bishop Kilduff dedicated the Cathedral to divine service on 24th September 1856 in the presence of 200 clergy and up to 18,000 people.
 

Responsibitity for the completion of the Cathedral fell to Bishop Woodlock. Having rendered the building free from all debt he determined to carry out the Solemn Consecration of St. Mel's on the 19th May 1893, the 53rd anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone.