Friday, March 7, 2008

The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland

"The Rock of Cashel, is one of Ireland's most spectacular landmarks, rising above the surrounding plain and dominating the land route southward. The word "cashel" is derived from the Gaelic word "caiseal," which means fortress.



The large Cathedral, ancient round tower and the very early Romanesque Cormac's Chapel, perched on a dramatic outcrop of rock, were silent witnesses to many of the stirring events of Irish History; St.Patrick converted the local King Aenghus, here in the 5th century; Brian Boru was crowned King of Ireland on this spot in the early 11th Century.


According to legend, during the baptism of King Aenghus, St. Patrick plucked a 3 leaf shamrock to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and so gave Christian Ireland a powerful new emblem that is still associated with Ireland today.


My husband and I standing in front of "St Patrick's Cross" in the Rock Of Cashel churchyard. The Rock of Cashel is also known as "St. Patrick's Rock."

The largest structure on the rock is the remains of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Built in the 13th century, the cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1495. The building was later restored. However, when Cromwell’s forces overwhelmed Ireland, Cashel Rock was destroyed once more. Hundreds of people were said to have sought refuge from the British soldiers within the cathedral walls and were burned to death when Cromwell’s men set fire to the building.

At one time it was possible to climb up the steps to the top of this tower, and my brother and I did that on my first visit to Ireland 35 years ago, but unfortunately, it is considered too fragile to allow that now. Even so, the view from the Rock of Cashel grounds is stunningly beautiful as you look out over the verdant plains and hills of Tipperary.


The Vicar's Choral on the rock has been restored and the site, one of the most visited in Ireland, now provides a multilingual interpretive center, an interesting museum, and guided tours.


We hope you found this visit to The Rock of Cashel interesting. The next blog visit will be in Dublin. Bookmark and Share

15 comments:

Hilsen Bodil F.T. said...

I enjoyed the caslte-trip and the folk music you have put into your blog!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting your message to my blog (& and for linking to me in one of your earlier posts!) and letting me know about your Irish posts. Awesome pictures! I'll be there on Monday-can't wait to see the Cliffs of Moher in real life! Not sure if I'll visit the Blarney Stone (I can already talk a blue streak! Kissing the Blarney Stone might push me past the point of shutting up-heehee).

Anonymous said...

I hope you don't mind-I borrowed one of your photos for my post (credited of course, and linked to your blog). If it's not okay, let me know and I'll remove it.

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I read yours last night and the picturs of Ireland are so beautiful! I have always wanted to go there as well as Scotland, but not sure if I'll make it there during this life time.
Thank you for sharing your journey.

Cori

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

More beautiful buildings and landscape! Wow!!

In answer to your question about having my pictures enlarge when you click on them...When I edit my photos and size them, I size them at 700 pixels. So when I post them in blogger, they are much smaller, but when clicked on they go to their 700 pixel size.
Penny

Kathi said...

This was breath taking. Thanks for sharing.

Kathi

Smalltown RN said...

You are far to young to be retired from anything....I love your tour of Ireland...being of Irish heritage this it very near and dear to my heart....my brother and his wife just spent this past Christmas touring Ireland...he and his wife are on a teacher exchange and calling Wales home for a year..but travelling whenever they can....

Thank you for your visit to my blog...I really hope you stop in again...I know I will have to check in to see what adventures you have gotten up to....So you spending St. Paddy's day in Ireland...now that will be something....

JEWELGIRL said...

Great photos! I see you
smooched the Blarney Stone.
Have a great weekend!

pve design said...

What a wonderful trip and that you are retired and taking time to travel and more importantly share your trip and inspire others like me!
Did you follow any rainbows?

Tara said...

Pat

Here I am on our dreary Sat morning with cup in tea in hand and I am transported to Ireland! What great pics and I love all the info you give from your first hand excursion! This is such a great place to visit!

kari and kijsa said...

Beautiful! What a fantastic and memorable trip! Have a fabulous weekend!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Heather said...

Just beautiful! Seeing the photos and thinking of the hundreds of years of history is mind-boggling. Must have been incredible to be there in person. Thanks so much for sharing, and for your kind comment on my blog. ;o)

Naturegirl said...

Pat:
how wonderful these images of Ireland are..
Amazing that we can share our trips with our blogging friends...with one click we can visit Ireland and its historical sites and coming to "my blog" the enchantment of the Arizona desert in Spring!!
Nice to meet you..or shall I say
"top of the mornin to ya!"
:)NG

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat! The castle photos are incredible and the castles are so huge! My husband, Wes, wants to know if you can pack him in one of your bags if you go back to Ireland?! Me too! We'll be a matching set of luggage!! Sherry

Vee said...

Just didn't know it would be this soon! Okay, I'm a goner now; I'll just be visiting for a while. Don't mind me!