Ireland

Cathedral of Saint Mel in Ardagh

Early Medieval church ruins, Ardagh, Ireland

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Cathedral of Saint Mell is the name given to the ruins of a small, Early Medieval church in the village of Ardagh, County Longford in Ireland, not to be confused with St Mel's Cathedral in the town of Longford. Church reform in the 12th century made Saint Mel's Cathedral in Ardagh the centre of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, demonstrating the importance of the site as a Cathedral and bishopric see. Although known as Saint Mel's Cathedral, the ruined church dates from three centuries after the saint's death, and predates the introduction of a diocesan system in Ireland.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Wooden church footprint identified

8th century AD

12th-century church reform

12th century

Severe damage in warfare

A.D. 1496

Archaeological excavations

1967

Classification

Archaeological Features

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category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Churches
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Reference

Details

Country

Ireland

Coordinates

53.67° N, -7.69° E