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Lismore —County Waterford

Lismore derives from of the Irish Lios Mor or Big Fort. The place grew to eminence through the monastery founded by Mo-Chuda of Rahan (St Carthage) in 636, just a few years before his death in 638. Eminent European figures studied at its celebrated school and despite being sacked many times by the Vikings it retained its huge influence in the kingdom of the Deise (an ancient Irish name for the area). It was a stronghold of the anchorite movement in the 8th and 9th centuries and also was prominent in the 12th century church reforms.
Almost the definitive example in these Islands of an Estate town, Lismore has, in recent years taken the firm decision to project a pride of place linked with a deep sense of history.