Lismore Abbey
Encyclopedia
Lismore Abbey is a former monastery in Lismore, County Waterford
, Ireland, reportedly in its day the most celebrated in the South of Ireland. Its site is now occupied by Lismore Castle
.
It was founded in the year 635 by St Mochuda, also known as St. Carthage, in a picturesque site, steeply rising from the southern bank of the River Blackwater
. Its founder had spent nearly forty years of his monastic life in the monastery of Rahan
on the southern borders of ancient Meath. In 635 Prince Blathmac, son of Aedh Slaine, of the southern Hy Mall, evicted him, and he moved to Lismore, on the edge of what was then called Avonmore, "the great river", a site granted to St. Carthage by the prince of the Desii of Waterford. Lismore was founded in 635; Mochuda died two years later.
Lismore produced another saint and scholar, Saint Cataldus (or Catald) of Taranto. His Irish name was Cathal, and it appears he was born at a place called Rathan, not far from Lismore. Irish annals tell us nothing of St. Cathaldus, because he went abroad early in life, but the brothers Morini of his adopted home provide some information. They tell us he was a native of Hibernia - born at Rathan in Momonia - that he studied at Lismore, and became bishop of his native territory of Rathan, but that afterwards, he made his way to Jerusalem, and on his return was, with his companions, wrecked at Taranto in Italy. He is said to have converted many of the inhabitants to Christianity, and became the city's patron saint.
Another scholar of Lismore was St. Cuanna, most likely the half-brother and successor of the founder. He was born at Kilcoona, or Killcooney, a parish near Headford in Galway
which takes its name from him. No doubt he went to Lismore on account of his close connexion with St. Carthage, and for the same reason was chosen to succeed him in the school of Lismore. One historian thought that the ancient but now lost "Book of Cuanach", cited in the Annals of Ulster
, but not later than A.D. 628, was the work of this St. Cuanna of Kilcooney and Lismore. It is also said that Aldfrith, King of Northumbria
, spent some time at the school of Lismore, for he visited most of the famous schools of Ireland towards the close of the seventh century, and at that time Lismore was one of the most celebrated. It was also a place of pilgrimage, and many Irish princes gave up the sceptre and returned to Lismore to end their lives in prayer and penance. There, too, by his own desire, was interred St. Celsus of Armagh, who died in Ardpatrick
, but directed that he should be buried in Lismore (though no trace of his monument has been found).
Two interesting memorials of Lismore are still preserved. The first is the Lismore Crozier, found accidentally in Lismore Castle in the year 1814, and now in the National Museum of Ireland
. The inscription tells us that it was made for Niall Mac Mic Aeducan, Bishop of Lismore, 1090–1113, by Neclan the artist. This refers to the making of the case or shrine, which enclosed an old oak stick, the original crozier of the founder. Most of the ornaments are richly gilt, interspersed with others of silver and niello
, and bosses of coloured enamels
. The second is the Book of Lismore
found in the castle at the same time with the crosier, enclosed in a wooden box in a built-up doorway. The castle was built as long ago as 1185 by Prince John. Afterwards the bishops of Lismore came to live there, and no doubt both crosier and book belonged to the bishops and were hidden for security in troublesome times. The Book of Lismore contains a series of the lives of Irish saints, written in medieval Irish.
Lismore, County Waterford
Lismore is a town in County Waterford, Ireland. It is located where the N72 road crosses the River Blackwater.-History:It was founded by Saint Mochuda, also known as Saint Carthage. In the 7th century, Lismore was the site of the well-known Lismore Abbey. It is also home to Lismore Castle, the...
, Ireland, reportedly in its day the most celebrated in the South of Ireland. Its site is now occupied by Lismore Castle
Lismore Castle
Lismore Castle is located in the town of Lismore, in County Waterford in Ireland. It was largely re-built in the Gothic style during the mid-nineteenth century by William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire.-Early history:...
.
It was founded in the year 635 by St Mochuda, also known as St. Carthage, in a picturesque site, steeply rising from the southern bank of the River Blackwater
Munster Blackwater
The Blackwater or Munster Blackwater is a river which flows through counties Kerry, Cork, and Waterford in Ireland. It rises in the Mullaghareirk Mountains in County Kerry and then flows in an easterly direction through County Cork, through Mallow and Fermoy...
. Its founder had spent nearly forty years of his monastic life in the monastery of Rahan
Rahan, County Offaly
Rahan is a parish/village, associated with Mochuda , which is located on the banks of the river Clodagh approximately 5 miles from Tullamore, in County Offaly, Ireland.St...
on the southern borders of ancient Meath. In 635 Prince Blathmac, son of Aedh Slaine, of the southern Hy Mall, evicted him, and he moved to Lismore, on the edge of what was then called Avonmore, "the great river", a site granted to St. Carthage by the prince of the Desii of Waterford. Lismore was founded in 635; Mochuda died two years later.
Lismore produced another saint and scholar, Saint Cataldus (or Catald) of Taranto. His Irish name was Cathal, and it appears he was born at a place called Rathan, not far from Lismore. Irish annals tell us nothing of St. Cathaldus, because he went abroad early in life, but the brothers Morini of his adopted home provide some information. They tell us he was a native of Hibernia - born at Rathan in Momonia - that he studied at Lismore, and became bishop of his native territory of Rathan, but that afterwards, he made his way to Jerusalem, and on his return was, with his companions, wrecked at Taranto in Italy. He is said to have converted many of the inhabitants to Christianity, and became the city's patron saint.
Another scholar of Lismore was St. Cuanna, most likely the half-brother and successor of the founder. He was born at Kilcoona, or Killcooney, a parish near Headford in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
which takes its name from him. No doubt he went to Lismore on account of his close connexion with St. Carthage, and for the same reason was chosen to succeed him in the school of Lismore. One historian thought that the ancient but now lost "Book of Cuanach", cited in the Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
, but not later than A.D. 628, was the work of this St. Cuanna of Kilcooney and Lismore. It is also said that Aldfrith, King of Northumbria
Aldfrith of Northumbria
Aldfrith sometimes Aldfrid, Aldfridus , or Flann Fína mac Ossu , was king of Northumbria from 685 until his death. He is described by early writers such as Bede, Alcuin and Stephen of Ripon as a man of great learning, and some of his works, as well as letters written to him, survive...
, spent some time at the school of Lismore, for he visited most of the famous schools of Ireland towards the close of the seventh century, and at that time Lismore was one of the most celebrated. It was also a place of pilgrimage, and many Irish princes gave up the sceptre and returned to Lismore to end their lives in prayer and penance. There, too, by his own desire, was interred St. Celsus of Armagh, who died in Ardpatrick
Ardpatrick
Ardpatrick is a small village in County Limerick, Ireland. It lies at the foot of the north slopes of the Ballyhoura Mountains, on the edge of the Golden Vale. It had a population of 398 in 2006....
, but directed that he should be buried in Lismore (though no trace of his monument has been found).
Two interesting memorials of Lismore are still preserved. The first is the Lismore Crozier, found accidentally in Lismore Castle in the year 1814, and now in the National Museum of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
. The inscription tells us that it was made for Niall Mac Mic Aeducan, Bishop of Lismore, 1090–1113, by Neclan the artist. This refers to the making of the case or shrine, which enclosed an old oak stick, the original crozier of the founder. Most of the ornaments are richly gilt, interspersed with others of silver and niello
Niello
Niello is a black mixture of copper, silver, and lead sulphides, used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal. It can be used for filling in designs cut from metal...
, and bosses of coloured enamels
Vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also porcelain enamel in U.S. English, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C...
. The second is the Book of Lismore
Book of Lismore
The Book of Lismore is a Medieval Irish manuscript.-Overview:The Book of Lismore is an Irish vellum manuscript, compiled in early 15th century, Lismore, Ireland. Its original name was Leabhar Mhic Cárthaigh Riabhaigh...
found in the castle at the same time with the crosier, enclosed in a wooden box in a built-up doorway. The castle was built as long ago as 1185 by Prince John. Afterwards the bishops of Lismore came to live there, and no doubt both crosier and book belonged to the bishops and were hidden for security in troublesome times. The Book of Lismore contains a series of the lives of Irish saints, written in medieval Irish.