Rock of Cashel facts for kids
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Carraig Phádraig
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland |
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| Coordinates | 52°31′12″N 7°53′24″W / 52.52000°N 7.89000°W |
| History | |
| Founded | From 12th century |
| Reference no. | 128 |
The Rock of Cashel (Irish: Carraig Phádraig), also known as Cashel of the Kings or St. Patrick's Rock, is a famous historical place in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland. It is a group of old buildings on a rocky hill. This site was once very important to the kings of Munster. Today, it is a popular place for visitors to explore.
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History of the Rock
Local stories say the Rock of Cashel came from a mountain called the Devil's Bit. This mountain is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Cashel. The legend says that Saint Patrick chased Satan out of a cave there. When Satan left, the Rock landed in Cashel.
Cashel is also famous for another reason. It is believed that Saint Patrick converted the King of Munster to Christianity here. This happened way back in the 5th century.
For hundreds of years, the Rock of Cashel was the main home for the kings of Munster. This was before the Normans arrived. In 1101, King Muirchertach Ua Briain gave his fortress on the Rock to the Church.
The buildings you see today are a mix of Celtic art and medieval architecture. Most of them were built in the 12th and 13th centuries. They show a unique style found nowhere else in Europe.
Buildings on the Rock
The Rock of Cashel has several amazing old buildings. Each one tells a part of Ireland's history.
Cormac's Chapel
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Cormac's Chapel is a very special building. King Cormac Mac Carthaigh started building it in 1127. It was finished and opened in 1134.
This chapel has cool features like arched ceilings and wide doorways. It was built using ideas from other parts of Europe. But it also has unique Irish touches. Two carpenters from Germany helped build it. That's why it has two towers, which is unusual for Irish churches.
Inside, you can see the oldest stairs in Ireland. It also has the only remaining Romanesque frescoes (wall paintings) in Ireland. These paintings are very old and beautiful. The chapel was made of sandstone. Over time, water damaged the frescoes. So, the chapel is now covered to protect it. Special machines dry out the stone inside. You can visit it on limited tours.
The Cathedral
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The main cathedral was built between 1235 and 1270. It is shaped like a cross and has a tall central tower. At one end, there is a large castle-like building.
The Hall of the Vicars Choral was built in the 15th century. The "vicars choral" were people who helped sing during church services. Visitors now enter the site through this hall.
In 1647, during a war, English soldiers attacked Cashel. They destroyed many important religious items. Later, in the 1730s, the roof of the main cathedral was removed. This was done by Archbishop Arthur Price. Many people thought this was a bad idea. Today, the cathedral is roofless, but it is still a major tourist spot. Even Queen Elizabeth II visited the Rock of Cashel in 2011.
The Round Tower
The oldest and tallest building on the Rock is the round tower. It is about 28 meters (92 feet) high. It was built around 1100. The entrance to the tower is about 3.7 meters (12 feet) off the ground. This was a common design for these towers.
The tower was built using a method called "dry stone." This means stones were carefully placed without mortar. Today, some mortar has been added for safety.
Other Cool Features
The whole area where the buildings stand is surrounded by a wall. Outside the buildings, there is a large graveyard. Here you can see many high crosses. These are tall stone crosses with carvings.
One famous cross was Scully's Cross. It was built in 1860 to remember the Scully family. But in 1976, lightning struck it and broke it. The top part of the cross now lies at its base.
See also
In Spanish: Roca de Cashel para niños
- Eóganachta
- Hore Abbey
- Kings of Desmond
- Synod of Cashel
- National monuments of Ireland
