Around Youghal and the Blackivater. 57 



were 2 ft. 5 ins. thick. The ground had risen from the great 

 number of interments, until it was within a foot of the lintel of 

 the west doorway, which was intact. 



The round tower was one of the finest in Ireland, and most 

 graceful in shape. It was 95 ft. 4 ins. high, tapering to the top. 

 At the base it was 17 ft. diameter; at the door sill, internal 

 diameter, 9 ft. 1^ ins.; and the walls 3 ft. 5 ins. thick. The 

 internal diameter at the top storey was 4 ft. 7 ins. It had three 

 projecting string courses, and the internal floors had disappeared. 

 The doorway faced east, and was round-headed, and stood 12 ft. 

 10 ins. high. There were 4 storeys, an opening to the back 

 storey, and four on the top, facing the cardinal points. The 

 records of the cathedral were scanty. It appeared to have been 

 built originally in the Hiberno-Romanesque or Norman style. 

 The transition from Norman to Gothic appeared in the chancel 

 and its pillars, and, lastly, the east window was of late Gothic. 



After describing the interior of the cathedral in minute detail, 

 the lecturer said their concluding excursion was a drive to Lismore, 

 and return by steamer in the evening down the Blackwater from 

 Cappoquin. Lismore, like Ardmore, was a very ancient seat of 

 learning and Christianity, going back to early in the sixth century. 

 The name of a bishop who died in the year 588 was given, but 

 St. Carthagh in the first half of the 7th century was more 

 associated with Lismore as the founder of the cathedral and 

 college. Here was an ancient monkish school similar to Bangor 

 in Down, to which scholars came for general education and to 

 learn the principles of the Christian faith. 



The Danes, who came up the river from Youghal, plundered 

 and burnt Lismore in 819, and laid waste the whole country. It 

 was burned again in 869, and plundered in 913 by the Danes. 

 Notwithstanding all it passed through in the Viking period, it 

 arose phcenix-like from its ashes and produced many famous men 

 and great scholars. There were no relics of this early period now 

 remaining, if they excepted the Crozier and the ancient M.S., 

 known as the Book of Lismore, found concealed in a receptacle 



