![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NSbawDb3iRXdUUa3HSF7vmSqOdvXkNYsjKXqBOllONqiBV0iOf_s2-bSswpEzwNVXYajx05Dll5R9qeyidwjIRNMq0Zm8tQhI5Dza9IYcFJLsgsuYEXKYwuX4zMZYsAuozsb/s320/5914.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The second part of the day for September 5th was a visit to the Rock of Cashel.
This is a very impressive site to visit and it was worth every bit of getting soaked to see the ruins.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2s2GWgPlSMH83E-6XpQFD4oWo5Qx9yLGSs_lZoY6pDfD4XmNPakofxmKl0QZUTid7cNae6uqxg7uwT3Qy3a2DrzFoZ5P5nrd9Bg4t56O6xNfeIVbz2QyTKDKE9GPZlPsP_ga/s320/5916.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
This hill was originally used as a fortress, but became a church holding early on in its history.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1itLxaRO8Ucj828uFNL222ICmjnX564EtS7kTx0iH9l4l0Xs0vhpFZjQ4x5XbRjRy-3ssCnFveQO85WRITgxvIqVVs5qrBjlqYTmSR43fDS4w3lV8JIEni6eqeV-Z8f71f_e/s320/5918.rock+of+cashel.jpg)
After entering the building and paying the admission fee, the first room to visit is the Vicar's Choral. There are quite a few artifacts presented in this room.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAro0MKWk2btReRiIkzrEeHIsDpSSHaOZ_ryJgdnmXzccxGl_V6fgG4e1rfU73VtuHmhNcbXF1d-13Sl2rqajJVk5LN_gc3EyIEc1DBuoW0hiL0XMXJP7hxEeY1ycW2-TP57o/s320/5920.rock+of+cashel.jpg)
Most of these panels and artifacts date to medieval times.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8RYWOhKRaFGiTxLlkzKKrkukJlEVa75-PDmEWr-pFPLPQEdVi9LI-IzHIyVGTPtduZy-7jx9Eir2AKfaARGvVm4dVfCa7GlF6JOVSr612kSlB79Dm7WklkPofRp0VKqgpcnT/s320/5921http-::cashel.anglican.org:cances.shtm.jpg)
Tools and articles from the cathedral are on display.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSB6MA7C1j9QopqyMGwuOHo2IECXSZZuS3ThoVSwimgbkHOSNA5unUgdirCmEfAFPMHQUTQHo7ow_4PAIoeN6BF-fLlmZmhtMG-wQpHZ4uqeGmW4T1DqNIJKCBbodgLj4kulw/s320/5922.rock+of+cashel.jpg)
This is St. Patrick's Cross, or what's left of it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJpCLAbUz-3FgakPB2FQplI5b-BN_en_4vB1jElPoPBmkgZyd5tSeq_JGQMTVZtwzPx9grtUyGQLOTOelbich4vRQkEUyHheqx5EzvJOHtQ-4pv9ODKiw3dvfT9MWus-imo3q/s320/5926.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
There are a lot of interesting things to see in this restored building, and it does give a sense of what the interiors of these monumental buildings must have been like in the 12th and 13th centuries.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng38kx9bWRXxCNv_YJkfGGrVegYWBvAKqQFmAY7_O3l5OI9wzxHt3edBm66y_6ftna5dB6HPhuNOFmLW5DuDh3hlFKms9Ut0tKIdIFJnxYSDHzSbz75q6UpnpD7D9FFBMV3H7/s320/5928.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
I didn't see any signage to give a clue as to what all of the figures and patterns mean, but they are still very interesting and beautiful to see.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpnCJP49zFA1djUTk1SSrcL4Ibj44RrujWe_4uOQ_B5H-INtOLc_kQNNGVCPXXyGueU_7SP7U0Se12vO0riaT32NY3r50pdvHjTITU5hyphenhyphenp4krF0ehvB_GoMHhkdNrbWFpy5C_/s320/5930.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeVfpJ-fAJJYlTLIztaGH9bfZPTFQ6dp1kER6Eozi6nBvzWCsL0M5CLHyTMdFzUwF2i9AKAnm-MyhRvjOq5uy2D7ZobVJoS-NQKEc-IZKX-8BBcKkpqwVhZjTPkgGkxSXTJhg/s320/5931.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The exit to the Vicar's Choral takes you right to the ruins of the cathedral and palace. "Monumental" doesn't even begin to describe this site.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_U76b5187U-3_vw1enBKlS4ZzJyQjE_5rqgrMSZyjB-gDnMZDxxUcCVj6E5GDluO9lMJlk5IqLirt4_hQaf25fDPrlGtH-TtY3Ka7DXj6h45ZxuK-rcV1jd5j3ZJ5DCLlh5Oj/s320/5939.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The place was destroyed in the 16oo's during the Irish Confederate wars. The history of this place is pretty grim during that time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUqmtSIW3ADTvFUrZib3I4NdY1JY3YAkgd6RqcE4iAWh0RYvH8n9DFlhMBB4T0xI24DKDSZqa6DscTEmFzU3sm_BvAE-z2bfnxdjdQYttGtbQYeeUu_or7gH1bO8z4KBJwncL/s320/5954.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
With the downpours and heavy cloud cover, it was pretty challenging to take photos.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire34SJ5VE8erzYIs86GR4xLGYgRnAf5X7mAqe0E5A4wdlbjJeNh5BakaFXz7IWNsUZZMIg3KPhNlO7ZVHa0we0Y_oFF0UsRznbsYThJT9srWW6GKsMgF0iU47pU4Tmn7DYkUh/s320/5955.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
I did enjoy walking around the building to see the cemetery and surrounding countryside panoramas.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GKnsdCllr2Ik8dQu0s6rae5MmW_C_aAnXsVnkLx7trMSgjdoYgbX7egOdWju9vE7KdfVoqXQq9uFInXcLQHq9J1nEJJTcstzs7XpfcX4R3AdxQidNMd-Ay6RKanaPoh_eWza/s320/5962.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The high crosses are pretty impressive here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv2YtO-9lv1y6axEQOO9VBWUUboil26UGxDzeUJpfjwHy4PCQsLXt1Ku5xs1K6Rh9uClTiuNEu5-3o9R5JxNUpq6ih-PA9O8Lhl1K8vkERBCBcMVURK3etM7T7PmICbU2AtAY/s320/5963.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
This is the transition zone from the cathedral to the palace.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi8JrGbVtohyphenhyphen6zxHqhN72FkJoN0bFDo8jbwiyzfjpfSoWeUJ75UL_-cURN2xuMEARh6z5-jQVXnEXCESoroLtha3pcdo4k79GoPZOnlgL_rXSVGrTHYT14S8rP92_MR8ET8H2/s320/5973.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
Another beautifully carved Celtic cross.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu8jWcwQ1KQlsZzR3zPOocwoSW-5EyCtcgLsVrE8w8BdfardAP99VR6m8KbZGHgYQZnvxE6rSd0CLa2Tw3aGKUGkXJ4Qr-Yga85LNcYhZ-39yrcRs__j1fka-NkxvynJUP1MC/s320/5975.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
Dramatic view of the graveyard.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWElc7xDFPl_AvDc8MOowKMecRBAr4UK54ioJZcGCXRg3ir80zb0ZPE5Df4BiVz-ptxWAWFFTFaAx_mUKD4xtUz9Fc96TOagbDPYKdcSfYm_n2idf6KFGbWKZMmYnkKImzuVQ/s320/5977.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The tower was built in the early 1100's, using a dry stone technique.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEY1cCrCSMELmEP9JK3h9KpJKGXZ0TbHmK_eatB7oWdIDmF0xCVva2jDGC-4HDcFlyPslGG6obTPAVvmtpmdQOuwNd4C7PYyq2LGkptCobfwuHLaQfqyAR9HdHPpS0n1ea9sNk/s320/5981.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The tower is 90 feet tall, so that gives you an idea about the rest of the buildings at the site.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYQd669Hbq3lE0WYGfBS_dJN36SUGbpRMnfStPh5RWGQ6gBqaDiwKhyqF-_wVsEscT7zHx7jrEbnRsvNYVqq670vz9xVtZghicyzGaiHPA91kbquOnkyyepZ8tSSJzqgtN4mw/s320/5983.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
The rock stands about 200 feet above the rest of the area, so it offers a good view of the surrounding countryside.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9crHYFEixfyOecMuo2OTri_nCRemjcwzAujsH_9mUbmj59FDc0SrvHG16M4UUKyGd_w5NaP-7kcZo1Ndqz58Hdxkqu_y4UuwevMonb7D8x-LkgMCekPwyZ_YbHc1CAlfezfV/s320/5988.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
Magnificent.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsmg-2M7QgYE5UENFrT43fmMjghG32B8ysifI_bh750tBnytcOzsaSHQSbcELrDHXkaO434UA-xQOUSU9DMfKhshLCp-5D0b11i7lJJb6JiZwHy_esEDGwsJsZsTfN1sxpgke/s320/5990.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
This was one of the more picturesque cemeteries we visited in Ireland.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YBJ_UTGNjtSXgOvNUh_aL7tZTA0y-2XEyO1B62vOyrEICJFfiqMk1VQABG1-3TbF2swnH3J2hTfMboa0pwWrfxaMTNEDMXXRa5p5hXiN3Ge_VZGpqDbAqdfSFeEz1QXWnk8C/s320/5998.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwcRZGGcNWEVZBEbbh0f7eO2e0sKdiG6Z9V3KMiD6Bnfa7NoPQIu6JY9PZ-dbGw_5MF-lsE6T54bYJG1krp60DujVohQH7dBjqblHG_JfRcOf9qugrO3fLVuZxFHdt8uzgDZQ/s320/6001.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
After walking all around the exterior (and waiting for the tour bus group to finish their tour), we entered the cathedral.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0dOzN3rVFTCHuzYUAPnibndNHByMuykOjVHuKbDkuXphyDDJ3t5hJEJvW4o2lS9VAfOrIphxefO2mEty758JOhSoADUNNmlzwQ6roPK5u2gTiJhlUqcFJopqfD71MjmogOlL/s320/6003.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
It must have been very beautiful. The skeleton is still beautiful, but I can imagine the interior space and the sounds of the choir during mass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuz0g3qFbzac1-uiXzakJXX9ag5MFxBetsj5fE6JxynLll2hlkTb89uXNU_XX6GGKYQqxYg5FPfg8kJf5WBD-xIIIA4C5achxvNn-KjLVCKLEjpEKrglGpG0sCwYiJZZH6FBP/s320/6015.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu2SDWRsdNddrD-VhS7e9Sspu6bFtqzDIGBx-OFku3tsB0T-7_pcOThcS7pUiIfwtXz9FG-6P0QpliW7TbWXlGlFfQS2eLfn6ZtkMF-4Yocnc-uZyMqMEUasaIrGH3U01WBUW/s320/6018.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvcok5rzpG2cxTvOm8PIPcFswwsG4txONY1-IrNStGDytn3F1LNBZzZHFEBfLM2IlMxTXwNPen8QixbGqJ6W0oluD3Ea4CU-Z538bVbQPEPCFsyetwH27L1zKLo4bVWIPRPxm/s320/6023.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
I'm not sure what that wooden building was supposed to be - it's a new construction.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ1rNptZ4HEVngFvyQsiuVOdqvtoC29OAIzM9Sy8dYUrXJFe98n4EKGmBhPRyfPQmdIgMLT0qXs2k-iNoXpBDXo9Kra-6wemEuHGEBBmVeXFRMtPqofiNeuzIOkqag5uRYalk/s320/6029.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
There's a lot of algae and mold in some corners of the building.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDTm8KQzM7YRu5qaV6R2GMIEXwdkVmG1L9lTABe41-MfINTjaDaQDv9ASflLwrlmM3Y-6LDBewRBkjbOqyKTFJ_RAgbrAt_oFn7sJerO55jFGS0wx0TV4PB96y5vk0PuUI5HU/s320/6032.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
Bits of plaster are still evident.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP-0z_fqplQE9iMX5j5JVLgzn85dEaOY_GSUq4nxtVn-9JVoTXJ-oixtFuoTdCXKXxWDm7IhfMt3FeIiwrNnbqKMjsVkh27sD5P92p8hE7c0_xR1LrxWwt_o7Am8JgVrnZ1ZX/s320/6033.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
There are a lot of grave slabs and tombs still present inside the cathedral.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV_IrYEX_wB_8X9zv_JgyT3JRsFukY4iAFlZGdFcsHrd8rcWAxCilU0VOJjNH4zKKsv6600i7p2BBj7-afYuTDX_SYKr2QWsoo2KJQPvUP7Ugd2ZtMpYDNmixdPZr1eea91Y9/s320/6036.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe4dWguFK3GkAP-g34KyW2YN5xTCySFsaPqtby_odoQKWWTRFhYYsk6IAyjPWs9nvqTa8poPD2f8Lr-a7xre6irEiGwgh2XKxggApHCUJ9AqOo3obo9tXgzybcGrdjOc1D0uA/s320/6040.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTvFhUAhpouUlEMwanzy9HtAN3VeSAle8JEuPB2OG4aAAnPnXyv6SLLz_jcaOdXRQX08ny9EQs3ny-AnWnljqO5oUYeFEw6TvRmeIQ_fRWdBL7vhgx1cJPv8GjX2Hxi2ryan5/s320/6044.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWcRTfLgkoBncsfhR07ufLA4lYq6NCCOD3q7xETMTr7rxfNUD9aimju073if4Zu7j1sk1vrkYFowkBxS7TU91FoB_r8NIMm8qs_qDWsJneKwtc8q8l6SDRvB2dPiBNBxx7O8S/s320/6053.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
This place was awesome - not much more to add to that statement.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMWPfX9plM1qkLxDZgh7bbRWiZ9H8byaFJzFE3gubk40VFbL4momhQYGrtWT2nglXG07SiebXMc9_LcZEowh33NjGDui8_WeSIowjFSQdAgrYSIZNHixvrFhNW7mmVP6yavam/s320/6065.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBNRd2RAS7Q-s8w8CC-58HrOB83lAIQrK3kAlZyM1j5erCUL3LPI3QNP0mRrcyto26ITjoaQL83HOJtw1TyecPPqSOAaPO4DnlJPWG0IUjTpeUx92ieIuuCQNy_NS98xoiPdx/s320/6070.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
This scene gives a better sense of the destruction done by the English in the 1600's. It is so tragic that the art and architecture was treated in such a savage manner.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ_yZCizbBTRrcY0jenAgCrVzhPcukpECkmnvjmadNQ4uAy4i70ePvqUkAjjSD_-2ldGd7QP8hZQ_fY2UiMPufys7hSW7ceHgnRT8uVejdRvS4n6AHBszruly_2vc3QXhgzcG/s320/6082.rock+of+chashel.jpg)
After this stop we headed southeast. We made it to Clonakilty near dark and we enjoyed supper and a pub in town where we met some people and shared some stories. I particularly enjoyed talking to a man named Tommy who was 94 years old, a farmer and a bee keeper. We had a bit of trouble understanding one another's accents, but we enjoyed the visit none-the-less.