Lismore, County Waterford

Lismore (Irish: Lios Mór, meaning ‘great ringfort’) is located in the west of Co. Waterford between Fermoy in Co. Cork and Dungarvan in Co. Waterford. Originally associated with Saint Mochuda of Lismore, who founded Lismore Abbey in the 7th century, the town developed around the medieval Lismore Castle. 

Lismore was once a university town attended by scholars from all over Europe. The riches of Lismore drew plundering Vikings up the River Blackwater and the marauding Norsemen sacked the town and burned it to the ground.

Built by King John in 1185 to guard the river,  Lismore Castle was lived in by Sir Walter Raleigh, He then sold it to the Earl of Cork, whose family lost the castle twice, the second time through marriage to the Cavendish family, who, as the Dukes of Devonshire rebuilt it into the gothic marvel it is today