Rock Of Cashel

On our way to sunny Cork—though this time it was decidedly wetter than usual—we reached the town of Cashel and decided it was the perfect moment for a break. The Rock of Cashel rose dramatically above us, so we couldn’t resist stopping to explore.

​When we visited the Rock of Cashel, conservation work was underway on Cormac’s Chapel, one of the site’s most historically significant buildings, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the visit.

The Rock of Cashel is home to a remarkable collection of medieval buildings, dramatically perched on a limestone outcrop overlooking the Golden Vale. The complex includes a 12th‑century round tower, a High Cross, and a Romanesque chapel, alongside a 13th‑century Gothic cathedral and a 15th‑century castle.

​One of the highlights is the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral, beautifully refurbished and crowned with an impressive timber ceiling that adds real character to the space.

Scully’s Cross, the largest of the high crosses on the site, was originally erected in 1867 to commemorate the Scully family. In 1976, it was struck by lightning when a metal rod running through its centre acted as a conductor, causing the structure to collapse.

​Today, the broken upper section rests at the base of the cross beside the rock wall—a striking reminder of both its history and the power of the element

 We were lucky on the day , the current conservation works being carried out on Cormacs Chapel result in it being  periodically closed during 2016. But on the day we visited, it was open to the public.
The chapel contains  the oldest and most important Romanesque wall paintings in Ireland. Unfortunately, a lot of these wall paintings have been affected by microorganisms which are the result of the damp conditions.
The wall paintings were painted on plaster, and it is this plaster which is affected by these damp conditions. Conservation works are currently ongoing to stop further deterioration .

When we left the Rock of Cashel, we ended up in the small tourist shop at the bottom of the rock. Not worth the visit.
The car park pay machine seemed to cause a lot of confusion with the many tourist, many looking to pay the €4 fee with a visa card - although the machine doesn't accept VISA cards.