The Rock of Cashel rises from the plain, bearing the remains of a cathedral and a round tower. This picturesque complex has a unique character, with the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture in Ireland.
Originally, however, it was the seat of the kings of Munster, who ruled the south-east of Ireland as early as the 4th century — long before the Norman invasion. In the 5th century, the Eóganachta clan built a fortress at Cashel, retaining supremacy there for hundreds of years.
In 1101, Muirchertach Ua Briain, the King of Munster, donated his fortress on the rock to the Church. Only a few remnants of the original buildings remain; most of the structures date from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Cormac’s Chapel, the chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh, construction of which began in 1127, was consecrated in 1134. A sophisticated structure with vaulted ceilings and wide arches, it draws on contemporary European architecture while incorporating unique native elements. The Irish abbot of Regensburg, Dirmicius, sent two carpenters to assist with the construction, and the twin towers bear clear signs of Germanic influence, a feature otherwise unknown in Ireland.
In the grounds around the buildings, an extensive graveyard includes a number of high crosses. Scully’s Cross, one of the largest and most famous high crosses, which was constructed in 1860 but destroyed in 1976 when lightning struck a metal rod running the length of the cross. The remains of the top of the cross still lie at its base.
The oldest and tallest part is the well-preserved round tower, which is 28 metres high, dating from about 1100. Its entrance is 3.7 metres above the ground.
Our visit to Cashel ended with coffee and cake at Granny’s Kitchen. We will now drive into the mountains to The Vee, for a peaceful night.