June 3, 2018     Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel in Cashel, Ireland is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century.  The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion.  In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Brian, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church.  The picturesque complex has a character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.  Few remnants of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries.

This site was the closest St. Patrick site to our home base.  Most of St. Patrick's activities occured in Northern Ireland, and we never got that far north.  It was important for us to be somewhere St. Patrick was, so we took the day to drive to Cashel.

Walking up to the Rock of Cashel from town.

Our guide was outstanding!  A wealth of information!

The cathedral was built between 1235 and 1270.  We are looking at the central tower.

We are standing under the central tower looking toward the sanctuary.  There would have been three large windows facing east behind the altar.

Standing under the central tower looking toward the back of church.  The round tower is in the background.

The wall of the sanctuary.

Another look towards the back of church.

Our guide explaining the history.  I wish I had a tape recorder.

One of several "art-sy" photos.

Looking down the hill at Hore Abbey, a former Benedictine Abbey built in 1266.  We explored it after the Rock of Cashel. 

The castle walls were built as high as you could reach, then wooden scaffolding was laid across stout timbers sticking out of the walls as you built higher and higher.  The timbers were removed by pulling them out or burning them.  The holes were kept for repairs later on.  The scaffolding could easily be rebuilt as needed.

The back of the cathedral and the base of the Round Tower.

The oldest and tallest (90 feet) of the buildings is the well preserved round tower dating circa 1100. The tower was made using the dry stone method which uses no mortar.  It once served as a treasury and a watch tower.   

Cormac's Chapel, the chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh, was consecrated in 1134.  The Chapel was constructed of sandstone and has become waterlogged over the centuries.  It was in the midst of aggressive conservation and closed to the public for the time being.

Cormac's Chapel.

Cormac's Chapel.

A large tapestry in the Hall of the Vicars Choral.  Built in the 15th century, the vicars choral were laymen appointed to assist in chanting the cathedral services.  At Cashel, there were originally 8 vicars choral with their own seal.        

The barrel ceiling is beautifully painted.

"The Seale of the Colledge of St. Patrikes Cashell"

A window in the Hall of the Vicar's Choral.

A before and after arial photo of the restoration of the Vicars Choral.

Model of the Rock of Cashel.

Eating area for the choral singers.

A reproduction of St. Patrick's Cross.  The original was moved into the building to arrest its deterioration by weathering.  It's said if you can reach around the cross and make your fingers touch, you will marry within a year.  Our guide said it doesn't work, she's tried for years! :(

 In 1647, one of Ireland's worst atrosities occured at the Rock of Cashel.  During the Irish Confederate Wars, around 1000 people were killed inside the walls of the Rock of Cashel.  If you want to read more, here's a site with more info:
 https://republican-news.org/current/news/2016/08/murrough_of_the_burnings_and_t.html

Many perished here in the church.  Later, another church was built in the town of Cashel, and our guide wondered if it was because so many died here that the remaining people didn't want to come weekly for worship.

A view from the Rock of Cashel.

The view.

The view:  https://youtu.be/AifgW1KMuZI

Resting before heading down the hill to Hore Abbey.

Rod showing Clare the only way into the tower.  The door was purposely built high off the ground for defensive purposes.

Cormac's Chapel.

The Hall of the Vicars Choral.

Two cuties!

The original St. Patrick's Cross from the 12th century.  St. Patrick is on the cross.  One of the styles of crosses at the time had three crosses in one to represent Christ plus the two thieves who were crucified along side.

The Rock of Cashel as we were walking to Hore Abbey below.  In it's day, the entire site would have been painted white.  A glorious site visible for miles.

Hore Abbey.

Hore Abbey

Cool dudes!

Hore Abbey originally founded by the Benedictine Order in 1266.

Hore Abbey was given to the Cistercian monks in 1272.  The nave is exceptionally plain and the overall design is a perfect example of the conservative approach of the Cistercians.

Why look at an 800 year old abbey when you can watch cows poop?

Rod

Standing in Hore Abbey looking up the hill at the Rock of Cashel.

Simon!

Grace

Trying out the portrait setting on my phone.  It makes the background blurry.

Chillin"

The graveyard.

Heading back to the Rock of Cashel and the parking lot.

 

This was our last site in Europe and I think some of us were pretty sad by the end of the day.  Before the trip, looking at Ireland on the map, I thought it was so small, we would cover it backwards and forwards in a month.  In reality, we barely scratched the surface of this beautiful country.