Exploring Rock of Cashel

After Waterford, my tour group went to the Rock of Cashel. This "rock" is actually a castle that is on a hill. This was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years before the Norman invasion. It is also believed that it is the site where the King of Munster was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick.

The Rock of Cashel is around 3 hours from Waterford and is in the county of Tipperary. We drove through the counties of Waterford and Tipperary and the scenery was beautiful! That is what I love about going on these tours; the scenery of Ireland is priceless. It is so beautiful! I can't get enough of it.

We drove through a small town of Cashel, that is at the bottom of the "rock" and parked and walked up to the castle. We checked in for the next tour and it was going to be over an hour wait. Our driver basically then said to enjoy ourselves.

I was annoyed. On other tours there is a time and a meeting point set up so everyone knows when it is time to leave. At Waterford Crystal we didn't establish that and it was disorganized. The Italian couple and I had no idea when we were leaving. I had to ask the driver and then rely the message to the couple. I wanted us to all be on the same page.

I told the group that I would feel more comfortable if we established a meeting time and place. Everyone just looked at me. Hey, if the driver won't be a leader, then some one has to. We then established that after the tour we would meet in the parking lot and leave.

I had some time to kill before the tour and it was lunch time, so I decided to check out what the town had to offer in terms of food. It wasn't much. I walked down to the end of the road and there was nothing really. There was a gift shop and some other small, random shops. No where to eat. I didn't want to walk into town because I didn't know how far of a walk it was going to be and I didn't want to get lost on my own.

I walked into a small gift shop and just got a Coke and a Snickers bar. I then went to a bench at the base of the rock to sit and eat. I wasn't too hungry because I had eaten some crackers earlier. I also had some trail mix to eat as well.

It was so nice sitting outside! The sun was out and it felt nice on my skin.

After eating and just relaxing, I decided to go into the castle and look around before the tour started so I had a lay of the land. I first entered this small museum, if you will, and it had some items taken from around the property and stored in the room.

I then went upstairs were there was a small gathering place. The wood was beautifully crafted and there was a large tapestry that your attention would not help but be drawn to it.

Outside was amazing to explore. The buildings were mostly in ruin, so there was a lot of open spaces to explore.

Around one of the buildings was a cemetery and amazing views of the surrounding areas. I wouldn't say that I have been homesick, but a lot of drama has happened while I have been in Ireland and the weather has finally taken a toll on me. I am ready to go home and be with true friends and have some sun on my skin!

But just when I was having these thoughts, I saw the view offered from the castle and all those thoughts instantly just left. How could I leave such a great place? I even said out loud "I don't want to leave".

After exploring it was time to start the tour and guess what? It started to rain and a wind picked up. Great timing! But that is Ireland. It will be nice and sunny one moment and the next it is dark and rainy. Not only that, but the tour started 15 minutes late, so I was standing outside in the rain for 15 minutes.

Once the tour did finally start, it was worth it. Our tour guide was an older gentleman who you could tell had a passion for his job and really enjoyed it.

The tour took us all over the place and the guide gave us detailed stories about the place. Our group was large so many times it was hard to hear him because people were talking and sometimes I was in the back.

At the end of the tour I tipped the guide and it seemed that no one else really did. I don't understand why? The tour was really good! Definitely a place to visit. So, remember: also tip the guide! Being a tour guide is no easy job!

After the tour it was time to leave and go to our final location....

Town of Cashel.

Rock of Cashel from a distance.

Hore Abby. Founded in 1266.

Hore Abby and the surrounding area.

Rock of Cashel

Rock of Cashel

The town of Cashel.

Near the Rock of Cashel.

Relief of griffins in the museum.

Art in the museum of the Rock of Cashel.

At the base is the Coronation Stone, which dates to the 4th century. The cross is St. Patrick's Cross that was added in the 12th century.

More art in the museum.

Work tools found at the Rock of Cashel.

Tapestry in the Hall of the Vicars' Choral. This hall was built in the 15th century for Cashel's most privileged choristers. Behind the wall would be the dormitories.

Painted angel in the Hall of the Vicars' Choral.

Hall of the Vicars' Choral. Fireplace and above the fireplace is the seal for the Rock of Cashel.

The choir loft.

Hall of the Vicars' Choral

Cathedral

Fortified tower house. This was added on in the 15th century as the archbishop's residence.

Cathedral

Fortified tower house and the cathedral.

Views of the surrounding area.

View of the surrounding area.

Wall

Cemetery

Celtic Cross

O'Scully Monument. An ornate memorial erected in 1870. It was damaged in a storm in 1976.

Round Tower. The oldest structure on the site.

North transept

North transept

Worn out grave marker. Poor, forgotten soul.

The Round Tower. Built in the 12th century.

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cross. The original one is inside.

Windows from the Hall of Vicars' Choral.

Old school storage drain. They would also dump human waste through here.

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

Cathedral

Original paintings that they are trying to conserve. Cormac's Chapel.

Original paintings. Cormac's Chapel.

Cormac' Chapel

Original paintings in Cormac's Chapel.

Hore Abby.
Round Tower

O'Scully Monument

It is hard to tell from this picture, but if you look at the mountains, you will see that there is a small dip. This is called the Devil's Dip. It is believed that the Devil was chasing someone and in the pursuit, he took out some of the mountain to throw at him.

Cormac's Chapel with Apse Vault.

Cormac's Chapel

Cormac's Chapel

A sarcophagus in Cormac's Chapel. It dates from around 1134 and it is believed to the the tomb of King Cormac himself, or perhaps another family member.

Big, chunk of rock. It was hit by lightening in a storm.