Historic town

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on high ground overlooking the floodplain of the W-E Blackwater River to the N. St Cartagh or Mochuda founded a monastery (WA021-019002-) here in AD 636 which flourished throughout the first millenium. Recognised as a diocesan centre at the Synod of Rathbreasil in 1111, a town may have evolved around the monastery even before the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the foundation of the manor which developed around the castle (WA021-019001-) in the late 12th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 91).
A market was in existence from the late 12th century and there are occasional references to houses and burghers during the medieval period, but no charters for the town survive and the settlement was probably unwalled. Lismore is first described as a borough in 1565, and in 1601 a weekly market and annual fairs are recorded (Bradley et al. 1989, vol. 1, 68-103). During the Desmond Rebellion (1579-84) the cathedral and castle were burned and the borough fell into decline. In 1590 it was granted to Sir Walter Raleigh, and in 1604 it passed to Sir Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork. The settlement probably developed around the cathedral and Main St., and apart from the cathedral there are also references to St John's church, St Mary's church, Temple Chríost and St Brigid's Leper hospital, of which there are no remains and their sites are now unknown (Bradley et al. 1989, vol. 1, 96-7). The only other antiquity within the modern borough is a mound site (WA021-019009-) and holy well (WA021-019007-).

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. (1989) Urban archaeology Survey of Waterford City and County, 2 vols. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works.
Gwynn, A. and Hadcock, R. N. (1970) (reprint 1988) Medieval religious houses in Ireland. Irish Academic Press, Dublin.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 23 December 2008

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. 1989b Urban archaeological survey - Waterford City and County (2 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.