St. Carthage's Cathedral has an aura of peace and serenity. It has a graceful spire, and the interior has some Celtic tombstones and a unique 16th Century monument of the McGrath family.

St. Carthage's Cathedral Timeline

7th Century
St Carthage or Mochuda founded church, monastery and school in 636. He died on the 14 May 637

8th Century
School becomes one of the most famous in Europe.

9th Century
Four memorial stones in the West wall date from this period...Suibne-Colgan-Martin-Conor..... During this time Norse raids on Lismore begin.

10th Century
Lismore now in decline after repeated burnings.

11th Century
Norse raids end and more settled times return.

12th Century
Fragments survive of the first Cathedral built at this time and decorated in the Romanesque style, the style of art and architecture that spanned Europe between the mid 1000s and the late 12th Century. The most exciting discovery at Lismore was made recently, when a Doorway was inserted into the north wall of the choir and two pieces of painted stone were recovered. Both are now kept in the Cathedral Library. The only other church in Ireland which surviving evidence of wall painting from the 12th Century is Cormac's Chapel in Cashel. The link between the paintings at Lismore and Cashel is certainly due to Cormac MacCanthaig's involvement with both places in the 1120s.

Lismore Crozier now in the national museum Dublin and one of the finest in Ireland made to enclose St. Carthage's staff.

Stone in West wall [ Or Do Donnachad ] 1115AD

13th Century
The North transept arch was built in the 13th Century of the four arches at the crossing only that on the east side is recent. The South arch is dated around 1220AD. An unusual feature of the east side of this arch is the carving of the head of a small fierce looking animal open mouthed with a plant in its mouth. This head is absolutely typical of the Romanesque style.

16th Century
McGrath tomb constructed at the West end. In 1589 the Bishop's Palace was leased with its lands to Sir Walter Raleigh for a rent of £12 a year by the then Bishop of Lismore Miler McGrath (see picture left).

17th Century
Cathedral in ruins after burning by fire by the White Knight. Richard Boyle Earl of Cork, reroofed the choir. In 1630 Cathedral again destroyed in the Cromwellian period again rebuilt in 1663 by the Dean and the Chapter. It was completed by 1679. Architect William Robinson.

18th Century
Cathedral re-roofed and re-furbished. The canopy on the choir screen is the only remaining furnishing. The organ installed at this period.

19th Century
Entrance gates and piers erected in 1811. East and south walls of the choir were re-built. New ceiling and decorations 1812-1814. Tower and spire built also new nave ceiling and windows installed in 1827. Pulpit choir stalls and screen 1878. West windows in south transept by Edward Burne-Jones installed.

20th Century
Choir floor tiled in 1912. Altar rails and panelling in St. Columba's Chapel from Villerstown Chapel (e 1755) installed. High altar, rails and sanctuary floor (1733) moved from St. Olaf's Church, Waterford to the Cathedral. Choir screen made from west gallery of St. Olaf's (1733). Cathedral north transept and library re-roofed in 1994. Library restored and new book cases made in Lismore, by Seán Willoughby installed in 1994. New nave lighting installed in 1994.