The Rock of Cashel is an imposing sight, sitting high on a towering hilltop, overlooking the Cashel community in County Tipperary. It’s one of Ireland’s most visited historical and dramatic sites. The medieval fortress dates back to the 4th century. History has redefined the Rock over the centuries as the Cashel of Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock.
Hundreds of years before the Norman invasion, the Rock of Cashel was the centerpiece of power for the Kings of Munster. It’s where they ruled high over the region behind the protection of fortress walls. Supposedly, according to Irish legend, in the 5th century, St. Patrick converted Aenghus the King of Munster to Christianity at this site. Yet the Catholic Church has no historical evidence that this ever occurred.
Another Irish folk tale tells how St. Patrick purged Satan from a mountain cave. Satan took a bite out of the mountain on the way out of Ireland, spit it out, and the rock landed in Cashel. (Travelers to Ireland will hear many Irish folk tales during their journey).
Much blood was shed over the 2,000 year history of the Rock. Various invasions, warring clans, and the Irish Confederate Wars have left the fortress battered and scarred. The Rock of Cashel at one period was owned by the Catholic Church. A great cathedral was built and the exterior grounds became an extensive graveyard. The Confederate Wars saw great clashes between native Irish Catholics and English-Scottish Protestants, and English military forces. The Rock of Cashel was the epicenter of those battles and eventually fell into ruin and was abandoned.
Then in the 19th century restoration work began to preserve this incredible site of Irish history, medieval architecture, and culture. The grounds are massive with sweeping high views of lush green meadows, and rooftops and street landscapes below. The pristine beauty gives no hint of its past bloody uprisings and battles.
If you visit, wear a good pair of walking shoes. It’s quite a steep hike from street level up to the top. There are no restrooms at Rock of Cashel, only below near the car park and a small gift and snack shop. It is a self-guided tour. Admission price and other information can be found at the Rock of Cashel official website.
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