Rock of Cashel, Medieval fortress in Cashel, Ireland
Description
The Rock of Cashel is a medieval fortress on a limestone outcrop in County Tipperary, containing a round tower, Gothic cathedral, and Romanesque chapel. The complex rises 60 meters (197 feet) above the surrounding plain and brings together several architectural styles from different centuries within its walls.
History
The complex served as the seat of Munster kings until 1101, when King Muirchertach Ua Briain transferred it to the church. The cathedral was built in the 13th century and later damaged during the Reformation, when its roof was removed.
Culture
Der Name bezieht sich auf die strategische Lage des Felsens in der fruchtbaren Region und seine Bedeutung als königlicher Sitz über mehrere Jahrhunderte. Besucher bemerken heute die Stille und Weite der umliegenden Ebene, die zeigt, warum dieser Ort für Herrscher so wertvoll war.
Practical
The site sits about a ten-minute walk from the town center and is reached by a gently rising path. A visit takes around an hour and a half and requires sturdy shoes because of uneven stone floors and steep steps in some areas.
Did you know?
Cormac's Chapel preserves rare Romanesque frescoes from the 12th century, among the oldest surviving wall paintings in Ireland. The round tower from 1100 remains the oldest structure on site and shows traditional Irish defensive architecture.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Cashel).
Ireland offers photographers a combination of historical structures, landscape formations and coastal sections. The island contains medieval fortresses such as Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel, basalt formations at Giant's Causeway, and early medieval monastery sites at Glendalough. Trinity College...
Hore Abbey
732 m
Athassel Priory
7.8 km
St. John's Cathedral, Cashel
1 kmTipperary Raceway
8.8 km
St. Dominic's Abbey
264 mBallycomisk Ringforts
4.8 kmRathanadav
5 km
Capilla Cormac
1.5 kmNewpark 2
4.4 km
St. Patrick's Cross
51 mNew Bridge
9.9 kmBallinaclough Bridge
9 kmBallygriffin Bridge
6.9 kmGoold's Cross Railway Station Bridge
9.1 kmCamus Bridge
3.6 kmArdmayle Bridge
5.6 kmAughnagross Bridge
8.4 kmCathedral of St John the Baptist
589 m
Back of the Pipes
362 mWindmill
2 kmKearney's Castle
406 mKilbragh
7.3 kmRockwell 9 Hole Golf Course
7.1 kmFootball Golf Cashel
2.1 kmCormac's Chapel
22 mThe baptism of King Aengus by saint Patrick
501 mScenic viewpoint
464 mTower, Irish round tower, Mobile light tower
39 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes