St Moluag’s Early Church Monastery on Lismore Dig 2021

Event
The Cathedral Church of Saint Moluag, Isle of Lismore, PA34 5UL
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06 - 24 September 2021
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## St Moluag’s Early Church Monastery on Lismore Dig 2021
Tradition has it that St Moluag brought Christianity from Ireland to the Isle
of Lismore in AD 562, just at the time that St Columba was establishing his
monastery on Iona (AD 563).
The oval shaped field boundary round the parish church, formerly the 13th
century Medieval cathedral, may well trace the outline of the monastic
boundary or vallum monasterii.
In 2018 a community archaeological dig next to the sanctuary stone revealed a
7th/8th century cemetery that was in use until the early Medieval/Norse
period. Geophysics of the glebe lands also revealed that structures appear to
survive buried below the peat and along the edge of the cemetery.
a community archaeological dig
In a three-week dig, experts hope to complete the exploration of the cemetery,
with the aim of identifying the sex, age, health status and geographic area of
origin of those buried within this rare surviving Early Christian cemetery.
They will also dig some of the possible structures identified by geophysics
with the hope of either finding Early Christian structures associated with the
monastery or Medieval structures associated with the cathedral.
Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor (Lismore Historical Society) is actively looking
for participants in September from all enthusiasts, whether experienced or not
(full training will be provided). Follow the link below for more information.
The team are also crowdfunding for the remaining funds needed to carry out the
dig, please donate here if you can.
donate here
While Dig It! takes every opportunity to ensure that this information is
accurate, we advise that you contact the event organiser before attending the
event to avoid disappointment.
While Dig It! takes every opportunity to ensure that this information is
accurate, we advise that you contact the event organiser before attending the
event to avoid disappointment.
Header Image: Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor
Header Image: Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor
This event is part of Scotland Digs 2021

![Pink and white logo reading "Scotland
Digs"](https://www.digitscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scotland-Digs-
Logo1-340x155.png)

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###
This event is part of Scotland Digs 2021

![Pink and white logo reading "Scotland
Digs"](https://www.digitscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scotland-Digs-
Logo1-340x155.png)
This event is part of Scotland Digs 2021
Scotland Digs 2021
![Pink and white logo reading "Scotland
Digs"](https://www.digitscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scotland-Digs-
Logo1-340x155.png)
![Pink and white logo reading "Scotland
Digs"](https://www.digitscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scotland-Digs-
Logo1-340x155.png)
![Pink and white logo reading "Scotland
Digs"](https://www.digitscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Scotland-Digs-
Logo1-340x155.png)
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### Accessibility Information
For accessibility information, please email Dr Clare Ellis at
ellisclare@argyll-archaeology.co.uk.
ellisclare@argyll-archaeology.co.uk

Address
The Cathedral Church of Saint Moluag, Isle of Lismore, PA34 5UL

56.5346653, -5.480319