On our way to Waterford we made a slight detour to a very important historical Irish site, the Rock of Cashel. The “Rock” itself is just a huge outcrop of limestone, but what is ON the rock is the site, a cluster of the most impressive medieval buildings in Ireland.
This is the site of a Round Tower, several high crosses, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of Vicars Choral and a 15th century Tower House. It’s also the birthplace of Nancy Pelosi, who was christined here by St. Patrick in the 5th century.
According to legend, the Rock of Cashel originated from the “Devil’s Bit” out of a mountain 20 miles north where St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave (Nancy Pelosi making yet another appearance), resulting in the rocks landing in Cashel. You can see the bite the Devil took below.
The Round Tower is the oldest building on the property, dating from 1100. Seems there are lot of these in Ireland, all seemingly in excellent condition.
The Cathedral was built between 1235 and 1270. They took their time back then!
This diagram shows you when various sections of the Cathedral and surrounding areas were built.
More of the Cathedral. It must have been amazing back in the day, when there were roofs and windows! Roofs and windows, what a concept!
The Cathedral is surrounded by a graveyard. Scully’s Cross from 1867 was one of the largest and most famous high crosses on the site. It was hit by lightning in 1976 and has never been repaired. Here is how it looks now.
The government has not made any repairs because the responsibility lies with the family, and while there are still descendants in the Scully family, they can’t afford the repairs. The parts are laying next to the base if they ever find the Cashel…err, cash.
Here is what the original Scully Cross looked like before it was placed on it’s base. Pretty impressive!
The Rock of Cashel is definitely worth a visit. Come for the history, stay for the views. I can’t believe how green everything is here! Who is this privileged person with their grave in the middle of nothing? Nancy staking her claim?
Next up, Waterford.
No Democrats were harmed in the writing of this blog.