The Rock of Cashel: A guide and brief history

The Rock of Cashel is deservedly one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations. Built on a rocky outcrop, the iconic round tower and cathedral stand out against the Tipperary countryside. Although it is regarded as a religious site, it is actually a complex ensemble of buildings, including a castle, built between the 11th and the 15th centuries, the most striking of which is the magnificent Cormac's Chapel. Before becoming a religious site it was a political one, as it was the seat of the Eóganacht, rulers of Munster. It actually only became a religious site in 1101 when Muircheartach Ua Brian granted it to the church, in a political manoeuvre which striped the Eóganacht (in the process of becoming the MacCarthys) of their political seat and reputed ancestral birthplace.
#RockofCashel #Munster #Ireland #irishculture #irish #irish #irelandsancienteast #ancienthistory #ancientireland #cathedral #tipperary #cashel
Finlay and Harris "Cormac's Chapel." Roaringwater Journal, available at: roaringwaterjournal.com/2018/...
Heritage Ireland, "Rock of Cashel"
Stout, Matthew Early Medieval Ireland, 431-1169.
Tuatha.ie/Abarta Heritage "The Rock of Cashel" available at www.tuatha.ie/the-rock-of-cas...
Abarta Heritage "Cashel of the Kings" Podcast, available at www.abartaheritage.ie/amplify...

[@jmeyer3rn]

I've visited there about six years ago. It was amazing. Huge! No!! It was ginormous!!!

[@forasfeasa]

Definitely ginormous!!! :-)

[@elineeugenie5224]

One cherished memory of Cashel: coming out of our tent in the morning and not believing our eyes, to be surrounded by ancient carved stone..!

[@forasfeasa]

What a great memory!

[@PatrickCawley]

Thanks for the very informative video. I haven't been to the Rock in a while, but I will definitely drop in one of the days. Fortunately, I only live about 6 miles from it.

[@forasfeasa]

Lucky you! You have so many beautiful places around you. Cashel, Cahir, Holy Cross - which I have yet to visit - and other placed. I know when I was going to Cashel I drove through Golden, with its two castles, and would have loved to stop there. An excuse to return!

[@PatrickCawley]

@@forasfeasa Thank you. Yes, very fortunate. I live near the Horse and Jockey, and certainly well placed for some excellent historical sites. Funnily enough, I have a sister who lives in Holycross village, where the Abbey is a five-minute walk away!

[@forasfeasa]

@@PatrickCawley Hopefully soon I will be back!! I would love to visit Clonmel too, and back a video about the Cromwellian siege..

[@jmeyer3rn]

You're so blessed and lucky to live there.

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

My lot come from the McCarthys and i was in Munster but didn`t get here. Thanks mate

[@forasfeasa]

It is an excuse to return. Your lot came from the Eoganacht Caishel - so it is your ancestral homeland/birthplace in a way

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

@@forasfeasa Cheers man i will

[@phonemonkey3]

I thought the regia in Ulster was Grianan Aileach?

[@forasfeasa]

I used Stout Early medieval Ireland as a guide. He has it down Emain Macha as Regia and Cashel as Rhegia (is there a pronunciation difference?), from the position on the map Emain Macha is a better choie. In addition, Malin head and Lough /River Foyle seem to be on the map, but nowhere near Regia. Mind you, most of this is speculation... :-)

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

Brian was our enemy😅

[@forasfeasa]

Indeed he was!

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

@@forasfeasa The bugger