Historic Walking Tours depart from the Lismore Heritage Centre at 11.00am & 3.00pm daily. Lismore as we view it today was substantially re-planned and constructed during the early nineteenth century. Selection as one of the Heritage Towns of Ireland honours the town's rich historic inheritance. Below are some of the stops on the historic walking tour of Lismore.

Lismore Bridge
The bridge spans the River Blackwater and its tributary the Abh na Shead. A ferry crossed the river at this point until the construction of the bridge by the Duke of Devonshire in 1775. Designed by Thomas Ivory, the greater part of the original bridge was destroyed by floods in 1852 but it was rebuilt to Ivory's design.

Lismore Castle
The castle towers above the bridge, perched impressively on wooded slopes overhanging the river. Dating largely from the mid nineteenth century when the 6th Duke (Bachelor Duke) undertook extensive reconstruction largely under the direction of Joseph Paxton, (architect Crystal Palace, London). The present owner of Lismore Castle is Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke of Devonshire.

The Spout
This is a natural spring well and once provided water for the estate workers in this area until the early part of the last century.

The Monument
This was erected in 1872 in memory of Archdeacon Ambrose Power, much loved for his generosity to the poor in the area.

The Lismore Millennium Park
Opened on 14th May 2002 by Waterford County Council with assistance from the Lismore Mochuda Development Group.

The Carnegie Library at Lismore
A fine building of redbrick and terracotta, was erected in 1910 with monies donated by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Gallows Hill
The Christian Brothers Monastery dominates the vista at the summit of the hill. Now the Waterford County Council offices. Hangings were carried out on this site long before the Schools were built there.

New Street
Houses built about 1820 by the 6th Duke for his tenants. The residents gave the area the nickname ‘Botany'. To them it seemed as if they had been transported from their old homes by the castle walls to a place as foreign as Botany Bay, Australia.

The Railway station
Today the Centre for Traditional Skills. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were welcomed to Lismore by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire here is 1904.

Lismore Workhouse
The workhouse was built for the relief of the distressed between 1839 and 1842. At one stage there were over 700 inmates here.

Famine Graveyard
The Duke of Devonshire presented two acres to the Roman Catholic Clergy in which victims of the Great Famine of 1845-1849 could be buried.

St. Carthage's Parish Church
Designed by W. G. Doolin it is seen as one of the finest examples of Lombardo-Romanesque churches in Ireland. Erected between 1881 and 1884. A short guide may be purchased inside the church.

Lismore Heritage Centre
An imposing building built with local sandstone and used until recently as the Court House. Today it houses the Lismore Experience where Brother Declan will meet you there and explain in his own way how he has seen Lismore grow and change through time. It is also a tourist information centre and craft shop where you will find additional information to go with this guide.

Lismore Hotel
Built to provide extra guest accommodation for the Castle, this first purpose built hotel in Ireland began serving its customers in the late eighteenth century. Many famous and interesting guests have frequented this Inn during its long history.

The Victorian writer William Makepeace Thackeray arrived in Ireland in 1842 and travelled to Lismore. Thackeray loved Lismore - its Castle and especially its Cathedral.

T. M. Healy late nineteenth Century Irish politician lived as a child in Lismore. Healy was also a successful barrister, and his income, debating skill and mastery of the English language gave him the independence needed to play a maverick role in Irish politics during the run up to the founding of the Irish Free State in 1922.

St. Carthage's Cathedral
Lies beyond tall gothic gates. This has been a place of worship since the time of Carthage. Gravestone slabs from monastic times may be found inside the Cathedral. The first stone church on this site was built about 1207 but the present church dates from 1630. The Earl of Cork had the building restored at the time but naturally the structure has been altered and extended since. The pointed windows and ribbed ceilings were inserted by Sir Richard Morrison around 1820 stained glass design by Sir Edward Byrne-Jones. A superb tower and ribbed spire were added by the Pain Brothers in 1827. The remarkable table-tomb of the McGrath's dating from 1486 is also worth viewing.

Other Facts about Lismore
Lord Charles Cavendish who was married to Adele Astaire lived at Lismore Castle with his wife from 1932 to 1944. Adele Astaire's brother Fred Astaire was a frequent visitor to Lismore - not just to the Castle but also to Maddens Bar, where he liked to relax informally and enjoy a change of scene.

The present Dukes uncle the Marquesss of Hartington was married to Kathleen, sister of President John F. Kennedy.

Other Walks to enjoy around Lismore include Lady Louisa's Walk, The Round Hill Walk & The Towers, Ballysaggartmore. Further information can be got from Lismore Heritage Centre.