Saint Mel

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Saint Mel died in 488. He is said to have been a Briton who came to Ireland with Saint Patrick, with whom he worked until he was ordained in Ardagh. He is one of the earliest Irish saints and gave the religious veil to Saint Brigid. He is the patron saint of the Roman Catholic diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, and is commemorated in the name of the cathedral church of the diocese in Longford and in the name of the main diocesan school for boys, St. Mel's College, also located in Longford town.

He what would today be considered a rogue saint who felt that to convert more pagans to the Christian faith, canonising various gods and goddesses would create such unrest among pagans that they would forsake their chosen god or goddess.

The actor Mel Gibson, whose mother was a native of County Longford, takes his name from the saint.