Cashel, Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary.
Travel from Millstreet in a northeast direction you will find Cashel and the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary.
Cashel owes its great popularity to the Rock of Cashel and for this reason has become a major draw for visitors for most of the year. The small market town of Cashel, with a population of approximately 2500, is a five minute walk from the Rock which is considered to be one of Ireland’s most spectacular archaeological sites.
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel, on the outskirts of the town of Cashel, dominates the Tipperary countryside for miles around. Its prominent green hill is banded with limestone outcrops reaching 60 metres in height. Views of and from the Rock are both dramatic and spectacular. Guided tours are available on request and last approximately 45 minutes.
4th Century
The history of the Rock of Cashel dates back to the 4th century when it was chosen as a base by the Eoghanachta clan from Wales. This clan went on to conquer much of Munster, becoming kings of the region and rivalling Tara, home of the mystical druids, as a centre of power in Ireland. It remained a royal fortress until the 10th century when the Eoghanachta clan lost possession to the O’Brien tribe. In 1101, King Murtagh O’Brien granted it to the Church in order to please the powerful bishops and in an attempt to end the rivalry over possession of the Rock.
Medieval monuments
Today, sturdy walls encircle the ruins and a two-towered chapel (Cormac’s Chapel), a cruciform Cathedral, a 28m tall complete round tower and other medieval monuments remain on the Rock.
Vicars Choral
The entrance to the Rock of Cashel is through the 15th century Hall of the Vicars Choral. Once home to the male choristers who sang in the cathedral, it is now home to the Ticket Office. The exhibition of rare silverware, Bronze Age axes and St Patrick’s Cross as well as period furniture, tapestries and paintings in the kitchen and dining hall are complimented by a 20-minute audiovisual presentation on the Rock’s history which runs every half hour.
Cashel Cathedral
The Cathedral is a 13th century Gothic structure that dominates the other ruins. On the north-eastern corner of the cathedral is the earliest building on the Rock of Cashel – the round tower. Cormac’s Chapel dates from 1127 and is probably the first Romanesque church in Ireland. Inside the main door, is the sarcophagus said to house King Cormac.
Excellent Food
Cashel is a good place to stop for a meal with excellent local blue cheese on many menus. The town also has a number of good quality pubs and there are different types of accommodation available to suit all budgets from budget to midrange to top end, all an easy walk to the town and the Rock.
Heritage and cultural centre
Cashel’s heritage and cultural centre, Bru Boru, can be found in a modern building below the Rock of Cashel. Its main attraction is the ‘Sounds of History’ exhibition located in an underground chamber where the story of Ireland and its music is told through imaginative audio displays. As well as this insight into Irish traditional music, dance and song, traditional shows are put on at night in the centre’s theatre during the summer and there are also theatrical performances during the day. The centre also has a shop and a cafe.
Cashel Folk Village
The Cashel Heritage Town Centre can be found in the town hall and houses a model displaying how Cashel looked in the 1640s and the Cashel Folk Village is an exhibition of old buildings and shop fronts from around the town plus local memorabilia and an IRA museum.