St. Carthage's Cathedral is Lismore's ancient church. Its graceful spire and graveyard attract visitors but the interior shelters the cathedral's most interesting treasures.

Lismore's cathedral is dedicated to St. Carthage, who founded the Lismore in 636AD. In the 8th and 9th century, the monastery founded by St Carthage in Lismore was famous as a centre of holiness and learning - the University of Lismore - until it was destroyed by Vikings raids.


There was a church on this site in those days but it was probably of wood and nothing survives.  The present building dates largely to the seventeenth century.  Pre-dating the reconstruction of 1633, the McGrath Tomb is a magnificently carved fifteenth century box tomb.  In the Cathedral you will also find the Edward Burne-Jones window featuring St. Michael and St. Agnes as figures of justice and humility.  In the early nineteenth century the eye catching Sir Richard Morrison ceiling was added to the chancel.  In 1827 the neo-gothic spire and nave windows were added.  

  

Groups can avail of guided tours of St Carthage's Cathedral.

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