Lismore, Ireland Attractions

An audiovisual show in Lismore Heritage Centre brings to life the history of the town of Lismore.

St Carthage's Cathedral (17th C., National Monument) was built by Richard Boyle, incorporating parts of an earlier 13th century church (chancel arch, windows in south transept). The elaborate MacGrath tomb (1557) has representations of the Crucifixion, an Ecce Homo and various saints and Apostles; built into the west wall of the nave are a number of early gravestones. The slender and graceful spire was the work of George Richard Pain (1827).

1mi/2km south of Cappoquin, and to the east of Lismore, at the village of Affane, is Affane House, a large Georgian mansion. Here Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618) - who is said to have introduced potatoes and tobacco to Ireland - planted the first cherry trees to grow in the British Isles.

5mi/8km west of Lismore is Ballyduff, with Ballyduff Castle, a fortified manor house of 1628. Near here is the elaborate entrance, in neo-Early Gothic style, to Ballysaggartmore House, which was never built because of lack of funds.

4.5mi/7km east of Lismore, where the Blackwater turns south, lies Cappoquin, a charmingly situated little town with good fishing in the Blackwater and its tributary streams. The river is tidal up to this point.

4.5mi/7km north of Cappoquin, in the hills, stands Mount Melleray Abbey, a Trappist house built in 1833. Visitors can be accommodated in the guest house.

At Villierstown, south of Affane, Dromana Castle has a curious gateway in the "Indian" style.

The Hindu-Gothic gate lodge was completed in the 19th century to mark the marriage of a popular local landlord and MP.

Villierstown also has an elegant Queen Anne style church with stained glass windows.