The Rock of Cashel
Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, The Rock of Cashel, iconic in its historic significance, possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.
Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital.
In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centres of ecclesiastical power in the country.
The surviving buildings are remarkable. Cormac’s Chapel, for example, contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland.
The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most spectacular and – deservedly – most visited tourist attractions.
Castle Interior
Definitely one of the most remarkable ruins I have visited. Feels right out of a Monty Python movie.
Cork
Our next stop for the day would be Cork, a charming town, bustling with new technology businesses and offices. I can see why many technology companies open offices here.
After a classic lunch of fish and chips and a pint, we set off for the Blarney Stone Castle.
Blarney Stone
It seems every city in America has an Irish pub named The Blarney Stone. I have one three blocks away from me in Seattle. Its a total dumpster fire dive, so I avoid it, but there are other lovely ones not too far away.
The Blarney Stone is a block of limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland, that is said to grant the “gift of the gab,” or great eloquence, to those who kiss it. To kiss the stone, visitors lean backward over a parapet while holding a handrail. The tradition dates back centuries and has made the castle a popular tourist destination, although the stone’s origins are a subject of many legends.
