The Island of Lismore lies near the south end of Loch Linnhe, and at a
short distance from the mainland of Argyleshire. In 1236 the See of the
Bishopric of Argyle was transferred from Mackairn, on the south side of
Loch Etive, to Lismore, where a Columban monastery had been founded by
St. Moluoc at an early period.
The cathedral was probably erected soon after the transference of the
see in the thirteenth century. It is said to have been a structure 137
feet in length by 29⅓ feet in width. Of this pile there now only
survives a single quadrilateral chamber, without aisles, used as the
parish church, and measuring internally 51 feet in length by 23 feet 6
inches in width (Fig. 667). It has four buttresses of simple form
against the south wall, and two at each of the north and south angles of
the east wall. The walls and buttresses are entirely covered with rough
casting. There is a doorway near the centre of the south wall (Fig. 668)
which has had a nook shaft on each side, and a round arched head with a
water table, but its details are destroyed. In the interior the arched
head is segmental, and the label has bold first pointed terminals (Fig.
669). There has also been a sharply pointed doorway in the north wall
(Fig. 670)--now built up--which retains in the interior a label moulding
with head terminations, one being the head of a bishop.
[Illustration: FIG. 667.--Lismore Cathedral. Plan.]
[Illustration: FIG. 668.--Lismore Cathedral. View from South-East.]
In the south wall, and in the usual position near the east end, there
are remains of a triple sedilia, much damaged, but having shafts between
the seats, with moulded caps (Fig. 671). There is also a piscina in a
pointed recess, having a trefoil headed niche in the wall behind, all
much damaged (see Fig. 671).
[Illustration: FIG. 669.--Lismore Cathedral.