Rock of Cashel – Ireland’s Ancient Site of Kings

December 14, 2022

Written by Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough

It’s huge, it’s complex, it’s iconic, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world and it’s right here in Cashel at the heart of Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel
Carraig Phadraig

Explore this iconic ecclesiastical historic site with us

To see an iconic ecclesiastical site in Ireland, visit the Rock of Cashel. A one-of-a-kind beauty reveals Ireland’s long heritage and 1500-plus years of history. It is also known as the “Cashel of Kings” and “St. Patrick’s Rock.” It is an ancient monument situated in the majestic archaeological site of Cashel in County Tipperary.

The Rock of Cashel is a group of medieval structures. Its main complex comprises five buildings: the Round Tower, the Cathedral, St Patrick’s High Cross, Cormac’s Chapel, and St Dominick’s Abbey. The monuments rise 200 feet into the air. Although it was constructed in the 5th century, most of the buildings that remain today were built much later, in the 12^th to 15^th centuries.

As a result of the name of this site, most people think of it as a fortress. But in reality, that is not the case. It is famous because it was the seat of the Kings of Munster, some of Ireland’s most ancient provincial leaders. The Kings resided in it for several hundred years before the Norman invasion. There is little left from that time except for some of the most impressive collections of Celtic art in Europe.

So it’s better to use the term an ancient royal site of the Kings of Munster. Its royal status may be one reason why Queen Elizabeth visited it in 2011.

Our visit

It was 2013, and it was our first trip to Ireland and Ryan’s first international travel. Our four-country adventure commenced with Ireland, followed by the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. It could not have been a better choice to launch our travels. From the first moment, we were in awe of the Emerald Isle. It was where our love for castles and medieval history began. Rock of Cashel had a castle at one point, but it is long gone.

There was something special about this place. Maybe it is because we had it almost to ourselves. The setting is stunning on top of a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. The beautiful views of the countryside take your breath away. The Rock of Cashel is iconic in its historical significance, but it also carries an aura that captures the imagination. It was one of our favorite stops in Ireland.

Since our first castles in Ireland in 2013, we have visited around 425 castles to date. Considering this quest began in 2013, we feel it is quite an accomplishment. If you want to check out our Master Castle list, click here.

Where Is Rock of Cashel?

This royal historic site is located in County Tipperary, just 1/4 mile from the Cashel town center. It is located right next to the main M8 motorway. You can get there quickly by bus, car, or train. There are public parking lots in town at a nominal cost, and you can walk up to see the Rock of Cashel from there.

Rock of Cashel

Address: St. Patrick’s Rock of Cashel
Cashel
Co. Tipperary
E25 KX44

Travel times from the major cities in Ireland are:

Dublin: By car, 2 hours. By bus or train, 1.5-2 hours.

Shannon: by car, 1 hour and ten minutes. By bus or train, it takes about 3.5 hours.

Galway: By car, 2 hours. By bus or train, it is about 4-5 hours.

To map out your transportation options and times, use the RometoRio app.

The Town of Cashel

We loved the charming town of Cashel. It has several excellent accommodations, lovely shops, and places to eat. Like any Irish town, it has many places to grab a cold brew. There are also many activities and other historical sites to visit. Check out the list farther down the page of the top things to see and do in Cashel.

Cashel is where Ryan bought his first wool Irish cap. At the base of the walk up to the Rock of Cashel, there was this lovely small shop. Back in the day, when Joelle was still buying a lot of postcards with her beautiful Irish accent, the sweet shopkeeper assisted Ryan in choosing the perfect cap. That cherished cap accompanied him on many trips over thousands of miles in the next several years.

Sadly, he lost it in Germany in 2018 at the Cologne Cathedral, which broke his heart. That Irish cap is still mentioned often. He hasn’t found an Irish cap since that fits so well. The day he lost it, we observed several people who were struggling, wearing attire too thin for the weather. We could only hope it was found by one of them and it kept their head warm during the cold nights ahead.

Rock of Cashel History

The history of this site is fascinating.

Legend has it that Saint Patrick, the patron said of Ireland, banished Satan from the cave he lived in nearby. As a result, Satan bit off a mountain. However, it broke his tooth, and he spat it into its new location. That’s how the mysterious limestone hill came to be.

But let’s talk about historical data.

Experts believe that the castle’s first main structure was built in the 4th century AD, almost 100 years before Saint Patrick set foot in these lands.

The Eoganacht family built the original structure on the limestone hill and called it Cashel, which means “a stone” or “a fortress” in their dialect. However, most of the structures in Cashel Rock today are not from the Eoganacht family. They were built between the 12th and 15th centuries.

After a few years of its construction, due to Cashel’s strategic location, the Kings of Munster seized it and built a stronghold there. Two Irish Kings were prominent in the history of the Rock of Cashel: King Aengus and King Brian. King Aengus, Ireland’s first Christian ruler, was said to have been baptized into the religion here in 432 AD by St. Patrick himself. Brian Boru, the only Irish King to ever unite Ireland for any length of time, was also crowned at the Rock in 990 AD.

This site is also important from a religious point of view. In the 12th century, King Muirchertach Ua Briain turned the place into a spiritual center by donating the Rock of Cashel to the church.

Rock of Cashel – Interesting Facts

The tallest building on the site, the Round Tower, is remarkably intact and stands 90 feet tall. It is the oldest building on the Rock of Cashel, almost 1,000 years old.
According to old legends, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil’s Bit, a high mountain located around 20 miles north of Cashel. It is where it originated before St Patrick spit it out.
Most of the original 12th-century structures were destroyed by battles. Fortunately, the most impressive relic of St Patrick’s Cathedral is still there. Although it is no longer in its original form, you can still see its ruins and imagine its original majestic structure.
Ireland’s first Christian King, Aengus, was baptized here by Saint Patrick himself.
The Rock of Cashel is more than just a historical site for the Irish. It symbolizes their bravery and survival because it has fought against many foreign invaders and defended Ireland’s true culture. The Irish pay homage to the Rock with absolute respect and love.
At the back of Cormac’s Chapel sits an ancient sarcophagus that is reported to possess the body of Tadhg, King Cormac’s brother. The coffin is engraved with intricate details of two intertwining beasts that grant eternal life.
Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2011 was remarkable and historic. The visit received extensive media attention.
One of the tallest crosses on the Rock of Cashel, Scully’s cross, was built in 1867 and destroyed by a massive lightning strike in 1976.
Cormac’s Chapel is said to be one of the most well-preserved examples of Romanesque architecture in all of Ireland. The 13^th-century Gothic cathedral was built between 1230 and 1270.
More than 350,000 tourists visit the Rock of Cashel every year.

The Most Attractive Feature

Though the whole site is fascinating, the largest remaining structure is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, built between 1235 and 1270. The building’s most attractive feature is its transepts with triple lancet windows.

Things to Do in the Cashel area

Rock of Cashel is just 1/4 mile from Cashel. Below are many things to do while in the Cashel area.

Visit Davern’s Bar on 20 Main Street. It offers drinks and delicious local cuisine, making it the perfect place for a short visit.

Rockhouse Restaurant is also trendy. It is located on Ladyswell Road. The best thing about this place is that they offer homemade, fresh, tasty, and reasonably priced food. They also have many different types of coffee and teas.

Explore the Cashel Folk Village. It’s a museum with incredible history and artifacts. You will learn a lot about the Great Famine in Ireland and the War of Independence that occurred here. This cultural museum is a must if you’re interested in Ireland’s early history.

The Cashel Palace Hotel is a luxurious hideaway. If you are going on a honeymoon, choose this hotel as it offers all the amenities newlyweds would look for, like contemporary Irish cuisine, luxury accommodations, spa facilities, and much more.
Chez Hans is also a great restaurant serving the perfect seasonal food. Its unique feature is that it is located in a 19th-century church, which gives it a unique Victorian vibe.

Check out our post on one of our favorite places in Ireland: Cliffs of Moher

Mitchelstown Caves are located in County Tipperary, about 7 miles east of Mitchelstown. The tours are approximately 1 mile long, going through several caverns with examples of different formations, many of which are given colorful names.
Enjoy the natural pool (Shannon Pot) in nearby County Cavan. This excellent picnic spot near Cashel offers ample parking for tourists. Many good restaurants are also nearby.
If you want to visit the top-rated Catholic Church in Cashel, visit the Cashel Parish Office. You will meet a robust religious community here. This place became the authority for religious organizations in Ireland.
Take in some of the excellent walking trails in the area, such as St. Declan’s Way, Glen of Aherlow, Tipperary Heritage Way, Cahir Park, Clonmel Heritage Trail, Bansha Wood, and Slievenamon.
Other popular sites include Cashel Heritage Center, Hore Abbey, Athassel Abbey, Glengarra Woods, Swiss Cottage, Holy Cross Abbey, and Cahir Castle.

Are you planning a trip to Ireland? Our Ireland Travel Guide offers great tips and essential information.

TIP

A Local unique feature that is a must-do

Shannon Pot should not be missed. An aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating pool is the traditional source of the River Shannon. The shimmering oval swimming pool in Shannon Pot is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the area’s beauty.

When you visit Shannon Pot, you will feel like you have been whisked away to a magical place. Take a walk through the fields and feel part of quintessential Ireland with roaming sheep and beautiful views.

You will soon find that you have forgotten about your busy life for a while and will enjoy the simplicity of nature.

When To Visit The Rock of Cashel

Summer is the ideal time to visit Cashel. However, this historic site can be crowded during the summer; keep in mind that it has 350,000 visitors a year. The crowds could take the fun out of sightseeing. If you are there in the Summer, come in the morning when it first opens or at the end of the day.

When we visited Spring, there were only two other people there. If you want to see this place calmly while enjoying the surroundings, visit it during off-season months, such as March or September.

Opening Hours and Entry Costs

Mid–March – Mid-October

Daily 09:00 – 17:30

Mid-October – Mid-March

Daily 09:00 – 16:30

The last admission is 45 minutes before closing time; this is strictly adhered to.

Average Length of Visit: 1 – 1.5 hours

All visitors must have a ticket

Admission

To book your tickets online, click here

Public toilets and car/coach park close to the site
Credit Card Facilities available

Phone number: 062 61437

Email: rockofcashel@opw.ie

Please note

They are closed from 24 – 26 December inclusive.

Please note that all groups must have reservations.

The tour times of the Chapel and the General Guided tours can change at any time due to weather and if they have work going on inside.

Cormac’s Chapel is visited by guided tour only. Limited tickets for the interior tour can only be purchased at the site. Please call ahead for tour times, as these can change at short notice.

Where to eat in Cashel?

During our visit, we only had time for a bit of shopping, but there are many dining choices in Cashel and the surrounding area. Here is a link from the town of Cashel visitor website that lists some establishments to grab a bite.

Where to stay when visiting

There are many great places to spend the night near the Rock of Cashel. Having been to Ireland twice, we especially adore the B&Bs. Below, we will list some of the ones available. All the options we mention seem impressive and well-reviewed.

B&Bs that are worth looking into: 1. Copperfield House B&B 2. Ashmore House B&B 3. Palm Grove House B&B 4. Cashel Town B&B

Hotels in Cashel: 1. Baileys Hotel 2. Horse & Jockey Hotel 3. Dundrum House Hotel, Golf and Leisure Resort 4. Aulber House Guesthouse 5. Cashel Palace Hotel

It is important to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.

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Final Thoughts

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. We continue to speak of it more so than many of the other places we visited in Ireland. When we return one day, there is no doubt we will stay in the area overnight. If your schedule allows it, we strongly encourage you to do so. The stunning Rock of Cashel and the surrounding area are what most of us imagine Ireland to be like. It will make you fall in love with the magnificent Emerald Isle, and its memory will stay long after you leave.

Check out the official website for the Rock of Cashel for more information.

Rock of Cashel Photo Gallery

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