The Rock of Cashel
I have been to a few ruins here in Ireland, and I thought they were pretty amazing. There is a sense of wonder exploring these places that make you wonder how it was like back then. There is so much missing from the structure that you would be left trying imagine the missing pieces. The Rock of Cashel in county Tipperary takes that to another level. It used to be that I would be visiting the ruins of an old castle or an old church but this is probably the largest ruins complex that I have visited. The main entrance is best access from the town, although there was a path from behind it through the Tipperary Heritage Way.
Looking at the Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel goes by a few names, among them, Saint Patrick’s Rock and the Cashel of the Kings. The names themselves give one an idea of the importance of this place. It is the traditional seat of power in the province of Munster. Kings tend to build in high places to emphasize their importance. Among the legends involving Saint Patrick and the Rock of Cashel was one of the kings of Munster was converted to Christianity here. As a sign of this faith, the same king also donated this fortress to the church. There are so many stories here that whether they are real or not doesn’t really matter. I think these are the kinds of places that are worth visiting and knowing more about.
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