THE Notre Dame fire has evoked memories of a devastating blaze at a cathedral in Longford almost a decade ago.
A fire broke out in a chimney flue in the heating system of St Mel's Cathedral on Christmas Day 2009, gutting the interior of the building.
Some priceless artefacts were destroyed, including most of the 1,000-year-old wooden crozier of St Mel.
Around €30 million was spent renovating the building and it re-opened in 2014 - one of the biggest restoration projects of a cathedral in Europe at the time.
In a post on social media, the Co Longford Heritage Office said: "The news of the devastating fire at Notre Dame in Paris is bringing back terrible memories of the fire at St Mel’s Cathedral almost 10 years ago.
"We extend our sympathies to the people of Paris and to lovers of architectural history everywhere."
Irish author David Hicks said he hoped Notre Dame would "rise from the ashes" just like St Mel's.
Artist Francis O'Donnell also wrote: "It took Ireland five years to rebuild St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford by 2015 after a devastating fire. And it cost €30 million.
"There is hope therefore for Notre Dame in Paris, with €360 million already raised by France."
