Lismore — Chambers's Encyclopaedia

Lismore (Gael., 'great garden'), an island of Lorn, Argyllshire, in Loch Linnhe, 1 furlong from the mainland, and 8 miles N. of Oban. It rises to 417 feet, and is $10\frac{1}{2}$ miles long, $1\frac{1}{2}$ mile broad, and 6014 acres in area. Besides a lighthouse (1833), it contains several interesting remains—the choir of the cathedral (1236) of the pre-Reformation diocese of Lismore or Argyll (since 1749 used as the parish church); Achanduin Castle, the residence of the bishops; and Castle-Rachal, a Scandinavian fort. Pop. (1831) 1790; (1891) 561, mostly Gaelic-speaking. See also GAELIC LANGUAGE.