The Rock of Cashel rises dramatically from the flat farmland of Tipperary’s Golden Vale…

The Rock of Cashel rises dramatically from the flat farmland of Tipperary’s Golden Vale, a limestone outcrop crowned with one of the most impressive clusters of medieval buildings in Europe. It was the seat of the kings of Munster from as early as the 4th century, and Brian Boru was crowned High King here in 978. Legend says St Patrick converted King Aengus on this spot and accidentally pierced his foot with his crozier during the baptism, but Aengus said nothing, assuming it was part of the ritual. In 1101 the site was handed to the Church, and the buildings you see today, including a round tower, a Gothic cathedral and Cormac’s Chapel with its extraordinary Romanesque frescoes, the only surviving ones in Ireland, all date from the 12th and 13th centuries.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​