Published: April 15, 2017

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The Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey

Photos of the Rock of Cashel in the South Tipperary county of Ireland, a unique historical medieval monument, combining elements of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, with some Germanic influences.

Carraig Phádraig, St. Patrick's Rock

The Rock of Cashel is a historical site where the kings of Munster reigned for centuries until the arrival of the Normans in the 12th century, and is the place where St. Patrick (Phádraig, in Irish Gaelic) converted Aenghus, King of Munster, in the 5th century. The oldest buildings in the Rock date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The round tower in the photo is the most ancient structure in the complex.

Building of the Vicars in the Rock of Cashel

Photo from the entrance pathway on the south side of the Rock where you can see, on the left, the building corresponding to the Hall of the Vicars Choral, added to the Rock in the 15th century.

Rock of Cashel Cathedral Nave

This area would correspond to the ancient nave of the cathedral, which dates from the 13th century.

Hall of the Vicars Choral in the Rock of Cashel

Photo of the dining room with ancient furniture and utensils on display in the building of the Vicars, which was restored in 1975.

Wine Jug and Cup of 1660

A replica of a jug, which was also used as a wine cup, part of the exhibition in the building of the Vicars Choral in the Rock of Cashel.

Main Hall of the Vicars Choral

The exceptional restoration of 1975 allows to appreciate what would have been the original aspect of this 15th century building.

Lancet windows of the Rock of Cashel's Cathedral

Gothic windows of the 13th century cathedral in the Rock of Cashel. Although some parts of the Rock of Cashel have suffered from natural deterioration with the pass of time, the cathedral’s roof was unfortunately removed in 1749 by decision of an archbishop.

"Fogarty" Chalice of 1641

A replica of an unusual piece, since it precedes the attack and plundering of Cashel of the year 1647.

Dining hall in the Vicars Choral building

Another picture of the dining table in the Hall of the Vicars Choral of the Rock of Cashel.

Medieval Coat of Arms

Gravestone relief in the Hall of the Vicars exhibition

A gravestone relief (circa 1271) from Athassel Abbey, to the southwest of the Rock of Cashel.

Rock of Cashel walls

The building of the Vicars Choral.

Prairie in the Rock of Cashel

Photo of the Rock of Cashel from the west, with sheep grazing in the surrounding prairie. Always imposing and anciently inaccessible to enemies, the Rock of Cashel is nowadays accessible to people of all abilities thanks to the Tipperary Gold Star disability initiative in Cashel.

Cathedral Choir wall

Ruins of the east end of the Cathedral in the Rock of Cashel.

Celtic cross in the Rock of Cashel

Irish High Cross in the cemetery of the Rock of Cashel.

St. Patrick's Cross

Original "Cros Phádraig" of the 12th century.

Side chapel of the cathedral's north transept

The transepts of the cathedral ruins in the Rock of Cashel include side chapels with tombs decorated with low reliefs, and other elements such as an altar, in the case of this chapel in the north transept.

Tomb in the North Transept

One of the sculpted tombs dating from the 13th century in the side chapel of the north transept in the cathedral of the Rock of Cashel.

Residential Tower in the Rock of Cashel

Ruins of the residential tower added in the 15th century as an extension of the cathedral’s main nave.

A medieval coat of arms

A medieval coat of arms in one of the side chapels of the cathedral’s north transept.

Hore Abbey

Ruins of the medieval abbey. This monastery is located to the west of Cashel and dates from the 13th century; it was originally Benedictine (1266) and Cistercian afterwards (1272).

Cloister of Hore Abbey

Ruins of Hore Abbey’s cloister, and wall opening leading to the ancient choir section of the monastery.

Hore Abbey from the cloister garth

In this photo you can see, in the foreground, the cloister’s courtyard, and in the background the ruins of the tower, which stand outs next to the north transept.