Lismore, County Waterford
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Lismore () is a historic town in
County Waterford County Waterford () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is named after the city of Waterford. ...
, in the province of
Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
,
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. Originally associated with Saint Mochuda of Lismore, who founded Lismore Abbey in the 6th century, the town developed around the medieval Lismore Castle. As of the 21st century, Lismore supports a rural catchment area, and was designated as a "district service centre" in Waterford County Council's 2011–2017 development plan. As of 2022, the town had a population of 1,347 people.


History

Founded by Mo Chutu of Lismore, died 637, first abbot of Lismore. The town is renowned for its early ecclesiastical history and the scholarship of Lismore Abbey. The imposing Lismore Castle, situated on the site of the old monastery since medieval times, lies on a steep hill overlooking the town and the Blackwater valley. It can trace an eight-hundred-year-old history linking the varied historic relations between England and Ireland. Originally built following the arrival of John, Lord of Ireland, in the twelfth century, the castle was a bishop's palace up to the sixteenth century. Subsequently, owned by
Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellio ...
until his demise, it was sold to Richard Boyle, who was created the Earl of Cork in 1620, described by historian R. F. Foster, in ''Modern Ireland'', as an "epitome of Elizabethan adventurer-colonist in Ireland". In 1627 the castle was the birthplace of
Robert Boyle Robert Boyle (; 25 January 1627 – 31 December 1691) was an Anglo-Irish natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, Alchemy, alchemist and inventor. Boyle is largely regarded today as the first modern chemist, and therefore one of the foun ...
(of
Boyle's law Boyle's law, also referred to as the Boyle–Mariotte law or Mariotte's law (especially in France), is an empirical gas laws, gas law that describes the relationship between pressure and volume of a confined gas. Boyle's law has been stated as: ...
), known as the "father of modern
chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies the chemical elements that make up matter and chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules a ...
", son of the First Earl. Boyle was chased off his lands in Ireland during the
Irish Rebellion of 1641 The Irish Rebellion of 1641 was an uprising in Kingdom of Ireland, Ireland, initiated on 23 October 1641 by Catholic gentry and military officers. Their demands included an end to anti-Catholic discrimination, greater Irish self-governance, and ...
, following which his sons recovered the family estates after suppression of the rebellion. The castle remained in the possession of the Boyle family until it passed to the English Dukes of Devonshire in 1753 when Lady Charlotte Boyle, daughter of the 4th Earl of Cork, married the Marquess of Hartington, who succeeded in 1755 as the 4th Duke of Devonshire and was appointed
prime minister of Great Britain The prime minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government of the United Kingdom. The prime minister advises the sovereign on the exercise of much of the royal prerogative, chairs the Cabinet, and selects its ministers. Modern pr ...
in 1756. The '' Book of Lismore'', a compilation of medieval Irish manuscripts mainly relating the lives of Irish saints, notably St Brigid, St Patrick, and St Columba, also contains , a
Middle Irish Middle Irish, also called Middle Gaelic (, , ), is the Goidelic language which was spoken in Ireland, most of Scotland and the Isle of Man from AD; it is therefore a contemporary of Late Old English and Early Middle English. The modern Goideli ...
narrative dating to the 12th century, pertaining to the
Fenian Cycle The Fenian Cycle (), Fianna Cycle or Finn Cycle () is a body of early Irish literature focusing on the exploits of the mythical hero Fionn mac Cumhaill, Finn or Fionn mac Cumhaill and his Kóryos, warrior band the Fianna. Sometimes called the ...
. The ''Book of Lismore'' and the Lismore Crozier (an enclosure for an episcopal staff, believed to be the venerable oaken staff of the founder of the abbey), were discovered together in 1814 behind a blocked-up doorway in Lismore Castle. Today, the castle continues in the private ownership of the Dukes of Devonshire who open the gardens and parts of the grounds for public access via a changing programme of local arts and education events. The ''Book of Lismore'' is currently owned by
University College Cork University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC) () is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, and located in Cork (city), Cork. The university was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen's Universit ...
, where it is planned to be displayed, and the Lismore Crozier is in the
National Museum of Ireland The National Museum of Ireland () is Ireland's leading museum institution, with a strong emphasis on national and some international archaeology, Irish history, Irish art, culture, and natural history. It has three branches in Dublin, the arch ...
in Dublin. The medieval Lismore Cathedral, dedicated to St Carthage, variously damaged and repaired over the centuries, is notable for its architecture and the stained glass window by the English
pre-Raphaelite The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB), later known as the Pre-Raphaelites, was a group of English painters, poets, and art critics, founded in 1848 by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Michael Rossetti, ...
artist,
Edward Burne-Jones Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1st Baronet, (; 28 August 183317 June 1898) was an English painter and designer associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's style and subject matter. Burne-Jones worked with William Morris as a founding part ...
. It has been a place of worship since the 7th century but the current cathedral was constructed in the 17th century. Lismore Courthouse was completed in 1815. St Carthage's Church in the town is a
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
church also dedicated to St Carthage, which has operated since it opened in 1884. A plaque was erected in the town to commemorate the regular visits made to Lismore by
Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz, May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, actor, singer, musician, choreographer, and presenter, whose career in stage, film, and television spanned 76 years. He is widely regarded as the "g ...
following an association developed by his sister, Adele Astaire, who was married to Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish, son of
Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire (31 May 18686 May 1938), known as Victor Cavendish until 1908, was a British peer and politician who served as Governor General of Canada. A member of the Cavendish family, Victor ...
. A notable resident born in the town who has described her early life in Lismore, is the travel writer and world touring cyclist, Dervla Murphy. Another notable resident was George O'Brien, the Irish memoirist, writer, and academic, who was raised by his paternal grandmother in Lismore, described in his memoir ''The Village of Longing: An Irish Boyhood in the Fifties'' (1987). In September 2003, Blackwater Community School opened as an amalgamation of three local schools: Lismore CBS, Presentation Convent, Lismore and St Anne's Secondary School, Cappoquin.


Location

Lismore is in the west of County Waterford, where the N72 road crosses the River Blackwater at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains (Irish: ''Sléibhte Chnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh''), the mountain range which divides the counties of Tipperary and Waterford.
Dungarvan Dungarvan () is a coastal town and harbour in County Waterford, on the south-east coast of Ireland. Prior to the merger of Waterford County Council with Waterford City Council in 2014, Dungarvan was the county town and administrative centre of ...
is 21 km to the east of Lismore, and
Fermoy Fermoy () is a town on the Munster Blackwater, River Blackwater in east County Cork, Ireland. As of the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census, the town and environs had a population of approximately 6,700 people. It is located in the barony (Ir ...
is 24 km to the west.


Demographics

As of the 2022 census, Lismore had a population of 1,347; 84.97% was white Irish, less than 0.25% white Irish traveller, 9.77% other white ethnicities, less than 0.25% black, less than 1% Asian, with 2.25% not stating their ethnicity. In terms of religion the town was 74.1%
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
, 6.45% other stated religion, 17.30% with no religion, and 2.15% not stated.


Transport


Bus transport

Since December 2015, improvements have been made to the frequency of the Local Link (formerly known as Déise Link) bus service. A bus shelter was also provided in the town. There are four services a day each way (Mondays to Saturdays inclusive) to
Dungarvan Dungarvan () is a coastal town and harbour in County Waterford, on the south-east coast of Ireland. Prior to the merger of Waterford County Council with Waterford City Council in 2014, Dungarvan was the county town and administrative centre of ...
via
Cappoquin Cappoquin (), also sometimes spelt Cappaquin, is a town in western County Waterford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is on the Munster Blackwater, Blackwater river at the junction of the N72 road (Ireland), N72 national secondary road and the R ...
including a commuter service. In the other direction there are four services to and from
Tallow Tallow is a rendered form of beef or mutton suet, primarily made up of triglycerides. In industry, tallow is not strictly defined as beef or mutton suet. In this context, tallow is animal fat that conforms to certain technical criteria, inc ...
where connections can be made for
Fermoy Fermoy () is a town on the Munster Blackwater, River Blackwater in east County Cork, Ireland. As of the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census, the town and environs had a population of approximately 6,700 people. It is located in the barony (Ir ...
. On Saturdays, a local bus company operate a service to Cork. On Sundays,
Bus Éireann Bus Éireann (; "Irish Bus") is a state-owned bus and coach operator providing services throughout Republic of Ireland, Ireland, with the exception of Dublin, where bus services are provided by sister company Dublin Bus. It is a subsidiary of C ...
route 366 links Lismore to
Dungarvan Dungarvan () is a coastal town and harbour in County Waterford, on the south-east coast of Ireland. Prior to the merger of Waterford County Council with Waterford City Council in 2014, Dungarvan was the county town and administrative centre of ...
and
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
. This route only operates on Sundays and comprises a single journey in one direction (no return service on any day of the week).


Rail

Lismore formerly had a rail station on the now dismantled
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
to Mallow line and was served by the Cork to Rosslare
boat train A boat train is a passenger train operating to a port for the specific purpose of making connection with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner, or cruise ship. Through ticketing is normally available. __NOTOC__ Notable named boat train ...
. The line and station closed in 1967 though the former Lismore railway station building is still extant.


Gallery

Image:Lismore town centre.jpg, Lismore town centre Image:St. Carthage RC Parish Church, Lismore, Waterford County - geograph.org.uk - 492381.jpg, Lismore Church Image:Ballysaggartmore.jpg, The Ballysaggartmore Towers Image:Saint Carthage's Cathedral - Church of Ireland, Lismore-Lios Mor - geograph.org.uk - 1908232.jpg, Lismore Cathedral Image:Tourist Information Centre, Lismore,Lios Mor (geograph 1908239).jpg, Lismore Courthouse Image:Lismore Astaire plaque.jpg, Memorial plaque honouring
Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz, May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, actor, singer, musician, choreographer, and presenter, whose career in stage, film, and television spanned 76 years. He is widely regarded as the "g ...
on the wall of Madden's Summerhouse Cafe. File:Blackwater_River,_Lismore._County_Waterford,_Ireland-LCCN2002717447.tif, Bridge over the River Blackwater File:The former Lismore Railway Station (geograph 5434764).jpg, The former Lismore Railway Station


Notable people

The following people were born in Lismore: *
Robert Boyle Robert Boyle (; 25 January 1627 – 31 December 1691) was an Anglo-Irish natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, Alchemy, alchemist and inventor. Boyle is largely regarded today as the first modern chemist, and therefore one of the foun ...
(1627–1691), physicist and chemist * Dervla Murphy (1931–2022), travel writer * William Henry Grattan Flood (1859–1928), author, composer, musicologist and historian * Edmund Duggan (1862–1938), playwright and actor * Dan Shanahan (born 1977),
Waterford Waterford ( ) is a City status in Ireland, city in County Waterford in the South-East Region, Ireland, south-east of Ireland. It is located within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford H ...
hurler * Maurice Shanahan (born 1990), Waterford hurler * John Ormonde (1905–1981),
Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil ( ; ; meaning "Soldiers of Destiny" or "Warriors of Fál"), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (), is a centre to centre-right political party in Ireland. Founded as a republican party in 1926 by Éamon de ...
politician * Henry Gervais (1712–1790), priest * Patrick Campbell-Lyons (born 1943), musician Other notable residents: * Adele Astaire (1896–1981), lived nearby and was frequently visited by her brother
Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz, May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, actor, singer, musician, choreographer, and presenter, whose career in stage, film, and television spanned 76 years. He is widely regarded as the "g ...
* George O'Brien (born 1945), writer *
William Makepeace Thackeray William Makepeace Thackeray ( ; 18 July 1811 – 24 December 1863) was an English novelist and illustrator. He is known for his Satire, satirical works, particularly his 1847–1848 novel ''Vanity Fair (novel), Vanity Fair'', a panoramic portra ...
(1811–1863), stayed at the Lismore House Hotel for a period in the mid-19th century


International relations


Twin towns — Sister cities

Lismore is twinned with *
Lismore, New South Wales Lismore is a city located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia and the main population centre in the City of Lismore Local government in Australia, local government area, it is also a regional centre in the Northern River ...
, Australia.


Annalistic references

See
Annals of Inisfallen The ''Annals of Inisfallen'' () are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. Overview There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between 433 and 1450. The manuscript is thought to have been compiled in 1092, as the chronic ...
. * ''AI701.1 Kl. Repose of Cúánna of Les Mór.'' * ''AI707.1 Kl. Conodur of Les Mór rested.'' * ''AI730.1 Kl. Repose of Colmán grandson of Lítán, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI752.3 Repose of Mac Uige, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI760.1 Kl. Tríchmech, abbot of Les Mór, rested, and Abnér, abbot of Imlech Ibuir.'' * ''AI763.1 Kl. Repose of Rónán, bishop of Les Mór.'' * ''AI768.1 Kl. Aedan, abbot of Les Mór, rested.'' * ''AI774.2 Suairlech, abbot of Les Mór, ested'' * ''AI778.2 Repose of Airdmesach of Les Mór.'' * ''AI783.3 Repose of Suairlech Ua Tipraiti in Les Mór.'' * ''AI794.4 Violation(?) of the Rule of Les Mór in the reign of Aedán Derg.'' * ''AI814.1 Kl. Repose of Aedán moccu Raichlich, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI814.2 The abbacy of Les Mór to Flann, son of Fairchellach.'' * ''AI818.2 The shrine of Mochta of Lugmad in flight before Aed, son of Niall, and it came to Les Mór.'' * ''AI825.1 Kl. Repose of Flann son of Fairchellach, abbot of Les Mór, Imlech Ibuir, and Corcach.'' * ''AI833.1 Kl. Les Mór Mo-Chutu and Cell Mo-Laise plundered by the heathens.'' * ''AI867.1 Kl.
Amlaíb Olaf or Olav (, , or British ; ) is a Dutch, Polish, Scandinavian and German given name. It is presumably of Proto-Norse origin, reconstructed as ''*Anu-laibaz'', from ''anu'' "ancestor, grand-father" and ''laibaz'' "heirloom, descendant". Old Eng ...
committed treachery against Les Mór, and Martan was liberated from him.'' * ''AI883.1 Kl. The burning of Les Mór by the son of lmar.'' * ''AI912.1 Kl. Repose of Mael Brigte son of Mael Domnaig, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI920.1 Kl. The martyrdom of Cormac son of Cuilennán, bishop and vice-abbot of Les Mór, abbot of Cell Mo-Laise, king of the
Déisi The ''Déisi'' were a social class in Ireland between the ancient and early medieval period. The various peoples listed under the heading ''déis'' shared a similar status in Gaelic Ireland, and had little or no actual kinship, though they were ...
, and chief counsellor of Mumu, at the hands of the Uí Fhothaid Aiched.'' * ''AI938.1 Kl. Repose of Ciarán son of Ciarmacán, abbot of Les Mór Mo-Chutu.'' * ''AI947.1 Kl. A leaf escendedfrom heaven upon the altar of Imlech Ibuir, and a bird spoke to the people; and many other marvels this year; and Blácair, king of the foreigners, was killed.'' * ''AI953.2 Repose of Diarmait, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI954.3 Diarmait son of Torpaid, abbot of Les Mór, ested'' * ''AI958.3 Repose of Cinaed Ua Con Minn, bishop of Les Mór and
Inis Cathaig Inis Cathaigh, Scattery Island or Inniscattery Island () is an island in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland, off the coast of Kilrush, County Clare. The island is home to a lighthouse, a ruined monastery associated with Saints Senan and Canir, an I ...
.'' * ''AI959.2 Repose of Maenach son of Cormac, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI983.3 Repose of Cormac son of Mael Ciarain, abbot of Les Mór.'' * ''AI1024.3 Repose of Ua Maíl Shluaig, coarb of Mo-Chutu.''


See also

* Blackwater Valley Opera Festival * List of towns and villages in Ireland


References


External links


Lismore Tourist Office
{{Authority control Towns and villages in County Waterford Former boroughs in the Republic of Ireland