The green midlands of Ireland in County Tipperary, a remote castle awaits you and wants to be discovered: The Rock of Cashel. The hill being inhabited since the 4th century offers a great strategic position. According to legend, St Patrick was there, certainly King Brian Boru used the location, and also a bishopric was put in this place.
Besides an iconic round tower, the sturdy grey castle walls remind you of Norman might and some Gothic elements though there is an idiosyncratic style in the building.
Cormac's Chapel from the 12th century is a main room in the complex, showing some frescoes which need to be restored.
In the confederate wars of the 17th century, the Cathedral from the 13th century was destroyed by the English and left without a roof and in ruins.
The graveyard adjacent to the main building shows some typical celtic high crosses with the small ring around the four arms (said to be St Patrick's symbol reminiscing a clover leaf).
As you can see walking down to the secondary buildings, the main castle is partly being restored ... if you want to see more local tradition or relax, the town of Cashel offers you enough opportunities such as an open-air museum and many cafés!
PS. The castle was used as a scene for the US fantasy movie "Mystic Knights" from the 1990s. Check it out at IMDb!
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