Magnificent sculpture unveiled in Longford's St Mel's Cathedral
The statue of St Ciaran was destroyed in the 2009 Christmas Day fire but now it's back
Bishop Emeritus Colm O'Reilly unveiled a magnificent sculpture by renowned artist Ken Thompson which features St Ciarán of Clonmacnois on the feast of the Epiphany, Tuesday, January 6, 2026 in St Mel's Cathedral.
The statue of St Ciaran was destroyed in the 2009 Christmas Day fire, so now it's back in a different, beautiful form.
Myth has it that a fox used to follow St Ciarán and that explains the fox. The fish represents the river Shannon. Also included is the famous round tower and a tree of roses, the lines surrounding the piece are taken from - 'The Dead at Clonmacnois' by Thomas William Rolleston.