Rock of Cashel

This site is known to have been in use since the 4^th or 5^th century. This was a fort where the kingship of Munster was invested. Until the 10^th century only the descendants of Eogan Mor were eligible for the kingship. The kings of Dal Cais claimed the kingship of Munster and in 978, Brian Boru inherited the kingship of Cashel.

It was in 1101 that Muircheartach Ua Briain, king of Cashel, gave the Cashel of Kings to religion. It is possible that the round tower was constructed at this time. It has been dated between 880 and 1260. The round tower is the oldest structure on the existing site.

Cormac's Chapel was built between 1127 and 1134. The chapel may have built over the top of an older church and burial ground which dates from the 9^th century. Cormac Mac Carthaigh constructed the chapel to mark his kingship at Cashel.

The largest structure is the cathedral which started it's construction between 1224 and 1238. The Vicar's Choral was built along the wall edge in the early 1400's and underwent restoration in 1975. The cathedral also underwent some revamping in the 15^th century. The crossing tower in the center of the transepts and the parapets were added at that time.

Archbishops appointed by the church controlled the area until the Reformation. After that, the lands and appointments were given by the Crown with the Pope's concurrence. In 1567, Miler Macgrath became, the Archbishop of Cashel by accepting the royal decree to be Protestant.

Cashel went back to Catholic hands after the 1641 rebellion. Cashel was besieged by Lord Inchiquin for the English Parliament in 1647. When the Rock was finally stormed, there was a huge slaughter of the inhabitants and the people to took refuge there. Rock of Cashel surrendered to Cromwell in 1649 when he came to avoid the type of bloodshed that had been seen in 1647 and it was once more in Protestant hands. In 1868, the Protestant Church of Ireland was disestablished and Cashel was turned over for State care.

Rock of Cashel underwent several restorations. Some occurred in the late 1600's and 1730. The site was abandoned in the middle 1700's. It fell to ruin and major restoration began after the State took over.