File:Cathedral of Saint Mel (19).jpg

English: Tradition states that a monastery was founded at Ardagh by St Patrick, and that his nephew, St. Mel (died c.490), was its bishop or abbot. Although there is no historical or archaeological evidence to support it, Mel is regarded as the founder of the see. Ardagh Cathedral was severely damaged by warfare in 1496 and was never restored. There are remains of an eighth or ninth century church at Ardagh, which is known as St. Mel's Cathedral, although it dates from three centuries after the saint's death, and predates the introduction of a diocesan system in Ireland.