Writer: Helena Bergström
The Rock of Cashel, or Cashel of the Kings, is a historic site in County Tipperary, Ireland. The Royal Rock of Cashel in Ireland is home to the very a lot of history. Among other things, the High Kings of Munster hung here and St Patrick himself came here. And the very first version of Guinness was brewed here.
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Rock of Cashel - Rock of Cashel in Ireland
The Rock of Cashel, or more formally St Patrick's Rock (Carraig Phádraig) is also known as Cashel of the Kings. Long before the Norman conquest of Ireland, this place was the seat of the High Kings of Munster, the kings of Ireland's southernmost province. This was an obvious stop for us on the way from Cork to Dublin!
This is where, according to legend, St Patrick himself came to the Rock of Cashel in 432 AD and where he baptised King Aengus, who became Ireland's first Christian ruler. This is also where the very first version of Guinness was brewed, if our guide is to be believed. A place with a lot of history!
The oldest and tallest of the buildings is the tall round tower, which is a typical Irish model. The tower is 28 metres high and was built in the 12th century.
Visiting the Rock of Cashel
To visit the Rock of Cashel, adults (in May 2018) have to pay a fee of 8 euros per person. The price includes a guided tour, and we got the guide's guide. This man must have been a born storyteller! I can't possibly reproduce the stories here, but he certainly took us through the roller coaster of history. And he made us feel like we were at the heart of... everything. If you want to know more about practical things like opening hours and prices, check out Rock of Cashel's website.
Hore Abbey
Standing on the Rock of Cashel, you can look down on an old monastery called Hore Abbey. Unlike the big attraction on the hill, where there is an entrance and guides, this abbey is seemingly abandoned in a cow pasture. But Peter had seen pictures of the abbey online and was hooked. He wanted to take photos with a drone! Time to climb into the cow pasture, then ...
By the way, there are seven (!) monasteries of this type in the area. As impressive as this is, I (Helena) answered in the negative to Peter's question about whether we could see them all ... No, no, time to experience some other things!
Where can you stay with your campervan?
Could there be a campsite nearby? Yes! We found our way to O'Briens Cashel Lodge and Camping Park, which was only a few hundred metres from the sights of Cashel. The simple (but nice!) little campsite was indeed full when we arrived, but if there are hearts, there are tails. With a little crooked parking on a footpath and an extension cord, everything worked out!
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Anette says:
What a cool old monastery. I'm glad you got into the cow pasture and that Peter sent up his drone. It made for great pictures.
15 May 2018 - 6:54
Helena says:
Glad you like our pictures Anette! The monastery was really cool to walk around in 🙂.
15 May 2018 - 7:23
Johnny Friskilä says:
Yes, if you have a local guide who knows the art of storytelling, it really makes a difference. You seem to have a great trip in Ireland. But drone pictures ... well, no thanks I would probably say. 🙂
15 May 2018 - 7:08
Helena says:
I agree, a good guide means a lot to a visit! And I know that you are not fond of drone pictures 😉.
15 May 2018 - 7:24
Steve says:
It is a very instructive history lesson to follow you in Ireland.
15 May 2018 - 9:03
Helena says:
Ireland is full of history 🙂
15 May 2018 - 12:43
Ama de casa says:
Haha! How good you were who actually dared to refuse monasteries! I'm completely useless at refusing castles... 😉.
Really looked super delicious there, and interesting! A good guide is also worth its weight in gold in such places 🙂.
15 May 2018 - 10:06
Helena says:
I am not always so good at it, but this time I actually managed to dare to refuse monasteries 🙂 .
15 May 2018 - 12:44
Lena - gott för själen says:
But wow! One beautiful environment after another! That country has really surprised me!
Hug Lena
15 May 2018 - 12:17
Helena says:
Ireland has also surprised us very positively as well (although we suspected it would be beautiful ;)).
15 May 2018 - 12:45
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
A good guide can enhance a tour as much as a bad one can diminish it, so sometimes we prefer to go by ourselves...
We saw a demonstration of a drone, which a photographer used to document the war in Syria. Now we were at the much more peaceful Lake Hornborga and were incredibly impressed by what it could do! Great pictures with Peter's drone.
15 May 2018 - 14:02
Helena says:
Agreed! It can be great with a good guide! In other contexts you would rather go by yourself 😉 The drone is fun! 🙂
15 May 2018 - 19:44
Deciree says:
Oh how nice. Those are places we like too:) The drone made me want to shop again :))) Hugs to you
15 May 2018 - 15:58
Helena says:
The drone gives a different perspective! I have to admit that I think it's nice that Peter controls it, but it's fun with the pictures 🙂 ).
15 May 2018 - 19:45
Titti/Umeå/Huay Yang. says:
Stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in August 1990 with a view of the Rock of Cashel.
I remember having breakfast with a great view.
Ireland has much of interest.
Titti
15 May 2018 - 20:32
Helena says:
How nice that you have been here Titti! 🙂
15 May 2018 - 21:03
BP says:
The Rock of Cashel and the monastery must have been built at the same time. The same style. Incredibly powerful and awesome.
15 May 2018 - 21:44
Our Vantastic Travels says:
Ireland seems to have more history than all of Scandinavia combined. It's great to be part of it.
15 May 2018 - 22:04
Elisabeth says:
Mighty buildings. Imagine if you knew in advance what the guides are like. You were lucky.
16 May 2018 - 21:20