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Lismore, Co. Waterford

Lismore (Lios Mór in Irish, meaning "Great Enclosure") is a town in County Waterford. It was founded by Saint Mochuda, also known as Saint Carthage. Lismore is located where the N72 road crosses the River Blackwater.

In the 7th century, Lismore was home to a well-known abbey. This is also home to Lismore Castle, the birth place to the "Father of Chemistry" Sir Robert Boyle (Boyle's Law) It was also home to a medieval manuscript, the Book of Lismore (now in England – the owner of the castle is an Englishman), and the Lismore Crozier (now in the National Museum of Ireland) were discovered in the 19th Century.

There is a Heritage Centre which has an award winning audio visual display of Lismore history in which your host Brother Declan (alias Niall Toibin) takes you on an enthralling journey through time, starting with the arrival of St. Carthage in 636 and bringing you right up to the present. The centre also contains many local facts while a walk around the town will take you to ten places of interest.

There are craft shops and art galleries in the town and a tourist information point in the Heritage Centre.

Lismore Castle is one of the most dramatically sited castles in Ireland. Situated in the beautiful Blackwater Valley and commanding a superb position overlooking the river Blackwater this is one of the most delightful parts of Ireland. Lismore Castle was originally built by King John who later handed it over to the church. It remained a Bishop's Palace until 1589 when it was acquired by Sir Walter Raleigh and then sold on to Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, in 1602. Much of the Castle dates back to the early seventeenth century but there are parts that are as early as 1127. The most recent rehabilitation of the Castle was undertaken by the sixth Duke of Devonshire in 1840.

The Blackwater river which flows through the town is visited by anglers from throughout the world. Trout and Salmon are the main species of fish to be caught. Day licences are available. A fine nine hole golf course provides golfers with an outlet and there are many other fine courses nearby.

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