Cashel Rock is one of the most visited attractions in Ireland, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. This place is also called the rock of kings. It is an ancient Celtic cathedral in County Tipperary, Ireland. The castle, built in the 4th century, was the royal residence of the provinces of southern Ireland, 100 years later St. Patrick settled in it. After the attack of Cromwell’s army, the castle complex became a symbol of the resilience and courage of the Irish inhabitants. On the territory of the castle, residential buildings, household structures and the ruins of the cathedral have been preserved.
General information and historical facts
Cashel Rock in Ireland is one of the most popular and visited tourist spots in the country. Of course, today there is little left of the former greatness of the castle, but the attraction attracts a difficult history, rich in various events. There is an ancient Celtic cathedral in County Tipperary, formerly there was a castle, which the locals called the “stone fortress”, hence the name of the rock.
Interesting fact! The name Cashel is an English version of the word of Irish origin – caiseal, in translation it means-fortress or fortification.
The town of Cashel is an interesting historical place in Ireland, with many myths and legends associated with it. About 3 thousand people live here. The settlement has preserved a touch of antiquity, a special flavor, it is an excellent example of a traditional Irish city. The population is small and the area is quite modest, however, in Kashel every tourist will find interesting sights.
The ruins of the castle are located on a plateau, where you can also visit the cemetery, where many graves are marked with crosses. The oldest and largest is the Scully Cross, installed in 1867. In the middle of the last century, the foundation was struck by lightning, and the cross was destroyed. Today, its ruins are preserved at its base.
Historical facts
The history of the castle dates back to the 4th century BC. e., – a representative of the clan Eoganachtov-Conall Cork founded a fortress structure, which became the royal residence of the Irish rulers.
In 450, Saint Patrick appeared in the Irish lands, converting the reigning monarch to Christianity. 15 years later, the rock and fortifications were captured by the highest king of the country, Brian Boru, and 13 years later it was in the castle that he was crowned.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the castle was granted to the church by the decision of the ruling king, after which it turned into a powerful, large religious center. Later, the Cormac Chapel was built on the territory of the castle complex and the St. Patrick’s Cross was installed. By the middle of the 12th century, Cashel acquired the status of a bishop’s residence, and in the middle of the 12th century, a cathedral was built near the castle. The construction work lasted more than 60 years and was completed in 1234. In the middle of the 17th century, the entire territory of Ireland was engulfed in military operations, tragic events were not spared, then Cashel Rock was destroyed by the troops of the Irish Parliament.
During the period of military operations, many priests were killed, and sacred objects stored on the rock were stolen. According to historical data, the death toll is about 3 thousand people, the survivors sought protection in the cathedral. Cromwell’s army burned the people alive. After these events, the castle is an Irish symbol of the heartlessness of the English, as well as the courage of the Irish.
Interesting fact! During archaeological excavations, traces of burials and religious buildings dating back to the 9th-10th century were discovered.
Legend of the appearance of the rock
There are many myths associated with the rock, the most popular one is about the appearance of St. John the Baptist. St. Patrick’s Day, as well as the rite of King Eoghan’s baptism. During a religious ceremony, the devil circled Ireland, trying to interfere with the ceremony. When he reached the mountains, he bit off a large stone and spat it out over the place where the baptisms were held, so Cashel Rock appeared.
Useful to know! King Eoghan, who was christened Saint Patrick, became the first Christian monarch in Ireland.
Castle architecture and structure
The entrance to the castle complex is equipped through the Vicars ‘ hall. In 1975, this hall was included in the list of European heritage, and in this regard, the attraction was restored and restored. A Museum of artifacts has also been built on the rock of Cashel, where exhibits discovered in the settlement in different years are presented.
Interesting fact! In the museum, tourists are shown a documentary about the history of the attraction. You can go through the museum halls yourself or accompanied by a guide, but please note that there are no Russian-speaking guides.
Of course, the most valuable and well – preserved building on the cliff is the Cormac Chapel. The building has a complex structure – this is the main difference from most Romanesque churches, which are characterized by the simplest possible architecture and laconic design. In the eastern part of the nave, two towers were built, which appeared in the project under the influence of German architecture. The facade is richly decorated with details typical of the Romanesque style-arches, carvings, animal figures. Inside, the walls of the chapel are decorated with ancient Romanesque paintings. Until the end of the last century, they were hidden by a layer of plaster. In the western part of the chapel there is a sarcophagus where Cormac was buried.
The cathedral on Kashel has a cruciform shape and a round extension. The 28-meter-high tower is the highest and oldest part of the religious structure. At the top of the tower, there is an observation deck from where you can admire the beautiful landscapes.
At the foot of the cliff are the ruins of the Dominican Men’s Temple, built in the 13th century. There are other interesting sights in this part of Ireland: the Sexton’s Ass and Hora Abbey.
Interesting fact! In Ireland, there is a legend that tells about the appearance of the shamrock-a symbol of Ireland. According to one legend, during a religious ceremony, St. Patrick tore off a shamrock, thereby explaining the mystery and meaning of the Trinity. It is believed that the shamrock is a Christian Irish symbolism.
How to get
About 15 buses arrive in Cashel every day from different locations. Most often, regular buses depart in the direction of the attraction from Dublin and colorful Cork. Trips are organized by the company “Bus Eireann”. Buses leave every two hours.
Interesting to know! When booking a ticket online, you can get a 10% discount.
Bus Eireann also operates buses from Waterford and romantic Limerick. As a rule, about 6 flights depart from each locality.
Useful information
- Location: Moore, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
- Opening hours of the castle: the attraction welcomes guests all year round, from mid-March to mid-September – from 9-00 to 17-30, in other months the doors of the castle complex close at 16-30. The exact schedule is listed on Cashel Castle’s official website (www.heritageireland.ie).
Ticket price::
- adult – 8 euros;
- for pensioners – 6 euros;
- children’s and student fees – 4 euros.
All useful information can be found on the official website: www.heritageireland.ie.
Useful to know! The castle complex has toilets and parking facilities. Payment by bank card is provided.
After a visit to Cashel Rock Castle, head over to Bolton Library, which has an amazing collection of vintage books, voted the best after the collection in Dublin. It is also interesting to visit the Bru Boru National Cultural center, located at Cashel Rock, where you can plunge into national music, theater, songs, dances, and explore the culture of the Celts.
Cashel Rock is an amazing, magical place shrouded in legends and myths. After the tour, be sure to walk to the town on foot, which will take 10-15 minutes, and treat yourself to peaceful views of meadows, grazing sheep and stone fences.
