How to Visit the Rock of Cashel
Here's our guide on the Rock of Cashel in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, guided tours, opening hours, when to go, and how to get.
The Rock of Cashel is one of the most impressive historic sites in Ireland.
Whether you want to visit Emerald Isle independently or with a guided tour, it's almost guaranteed that the Rock of Cashel will make it to your Ireland itinerary.
At least if you're visiting Ireland for the first time and your journey brings you to Ireland's Ancient East.
Sitting on the top of a prominent green hill in the heart of County Tipperary, Rock of Cashel will allow you to step back in time.
It was built in the 12th century and played an important role during the medieval times of Ireland.
Today, this stunning castle is one of the must-see sites in Ireland and among the top things to see and do in County Tipperary.
For us, the Rock of Cashel represents the typical medieval Irish castle in the true sense of the word, which we knew only from the documents or photos before visiting this beautiful island.
Lastly, it's a fantastic photo spot, especially during one of those gloomy and even rainy days so typical for Ireland.
So here's everything you should know before visiting the Rock of Cashel.
Why Visit the Rock of Cashel
Easy access, impressive architecture, fascinating history, and beautiful setting are the main features that make the Rock of Cashel so popular and famous.
One of the things we loved so much about the Rock of Cashel is that it was so easy to visit.
We just left the car at the main car park, and in less than five minutes, we were already exploring the castle.
This site is covered mainly by ruins, and it's allowed to explore the site without a guided tour.
While knowledgeable local guides can bring you back in time, this option is great for travelers who prefer to explore sites at their own pace.
Lastly, Rock of Cashel is, together with some other top attractions along the way, one of the best day trips from either Dublin, Cork, or Limerick.
History
Before diving into the practical details, we feel it's necessary to introduce the Rock of Cashel first.
The castle itself was built in the 12th century. Before the Norman invasion, it was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster since the 5th century CE.
According to a legend, Saint Patrick converted and baptized King Aengus, which happened in this very century.
For four centuries, the castle rivaled the Tara as the center of power in Ireland. In 1101, the site was given to the church to secure the favor of the powerful bishops.
We can't fail to mention that during the 12th century, Cormac's Chapel was built. It's one of this site's gems, and we will discuss it later in the post.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, most of the structures you can see today were built.
By the way, the word 'Cashel' has its origin in the Irish word 'Caiseal,' meaning the fortress. The castle is also known as St Patrick's Rock and The Cashel of the Kings.
Today, the Rock of Cashel is the National Monument of Ireland, visited by tourists from all over the world.
Visiting the Rock of Cashel
After arriving in Cashel from Kilkenny, where we explored Kilkenny Castle, our GPS navigation brought us to the designated parking at the base of the massive limestone outcrop upon which the castle was built.
By the way, we arrived in the town of Cashel via Dublin Road, and the castle views from the distance were pretty impressive.
Rock of Cashel
After a short climb up the paved road, we entered the walled castle grounds through a small gate.
We bought the tickets, including the Cormac's Chapel tour, received colored wristbands, and started to explore the castle grounds.
Unfortunately, we missed the time slot for the free guided tour around the castle by a few minutes.
On the other hand, this is one of the most popular sites in Ireland, and it's easy to find plenty of information online about the Rock of Cashel's history and architecture in case you explore this site on your own.
As we had to discover the area on our own, we decided first to see the 13th-century gothic cathedral.
It was built as a cruciform without aisles, and even though there is no roof, it's very impressive.
Then we explored the adjacent ruins and the small surrounding grounds.
Here we also found an extensive graveyard and many high crosses, which are free-standing Christian stone crosses that can be found all over Ireland.
While the tour would probably be more informative, we discovered the complex at our own pace and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
And honestly, we weren't sure whether two guided tours wouldn't be containing too much information to process in such a short amount of time.
By the way, near the entrance can be found a copy of St. Patrick's Cross, one of the oldest stone crosses in Ireland. The original can be seen in the local museum.
And if you have already been to Glendalough Monastic Site, you will also recognize a similar-looking Round Tower. Unfortunately, this one can't also be climbed.
Cormac's Chapel
We've already mentioned several reasons to visit this stunning castle. We saved one more secret tip for this section.
A beautifully restored Cormac's Chapel is one of the highlights of every visit to the Rock of Cashel.
This relatively small and inconspicuous chapel hides 800 years old frescoes, a fine example of the earliest Romanesque churches in Ireland.
We must admit that we had no idea before the trip that this chapel even existed.
So when the guy working at the ticket booth at the entrance asked us whether we wanted to see the chapel, we were not sure what he even meant.
However, he mentioned that it's a very interesting place to see, so we decided to give it a try.
The chapel tour led by a local guide was great, very informative, and really elevated the experience.
And thanks to the painstaking restoration efforts, you can admire fragments of the frescoes even today.
Be prepared that it's more about the story, as the humidity and eight centuries took a toll on the frescoes.
To conclude, even though the chapel is accessible only with a guided tour, it's well worth the time and money.
Yes, the chapel tickets are really cheap, which is great, especially for people visiting Ireland on a budget.
After the tour, we slowly walked back to the parking and, from there, headed to Cahir Castle.
St. Declan's Way
If you have more time in Tipperary or Waterford County, you might consider walking St. Declan's Way.
This 115-kilometer pilgrim path links Cashel with Ardmore and follows the route of Declan, who walked to Cashel to meet St. Patrick.
The trail has been walked for one and a half thousand years, and today it allows you to thoroughly explore Ireland's Ancient East.
Obviously, it takes about five days to reach the fishing village on the coast from the castle, and it's mostly aimed at pilgrims and locals due to its length.
Hore Abbey
From the castle, we could admire some fantastic views of the lush green Tipperary County.
In the west, another top attraction in Cashel can be seen from the castle grounds.
It's the Hore Abbey, a ruined Cistercian 13th-century monastery about 10 minutes walk from the Rock of Cashel. If you have time, these ruins may be worth visiting.
There is no entry fee to Hore Abbey.
Town of Cashel
For most visitors, there is not much to see and do in Cashel itself, except for the castle.
In the town, you can visit Cashel Cathedral, Cashel Folk Village, or Bru Bore Cultural Center.
There is also a gas station, several restaurants, and some accommodations.
How Much Time Do I Need
How long you should plan for visiting the Rock of Cashel is highly individual. In general, plan about an hour to tour the Rock of Cashel.
We spent about an hour and a half at Rock of Cashel, including the Cormac's Chapel tour (and some waiting time).
Some travelers may need as little as half an hour for the castle, especially those who just want to see the ruins without taking a guided tour.
The castle complex is, despite its popularity, relatively small.
This can be a big deciding factor for travelers pressed for time, wondering whether they will have enough time to see the castle or not.
Additionally, you might want to see Cashel town, which will add some time to your journey.
Opening Hours
The Rock of Cashel is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM from mid-March to mid-October.
In the offseason, the opening hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The last admission is 45 minutes before closing.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to the Rock of Cashel is €8 per adult.
The tickets can be purchased online via the official site in advance or at the castle itself.
The tickets for the guided tour of Cormac's Chapel are not included and can only be bought separately at the main site.
We paid extra €3 per adult for Cormac's Chapel tickets.
When to Go
The Rock of Cashel can be visited all year round. We visited the castle on a cloudy afternoon during the spring, and the site was fairly quiet.
To get the most out of good weather, visit the Rock of Cashel during the summer. We believe that autumn will deliver a similar experience.
Summer is generally the best time to visit not only the Rock of Cashel but also Ireland.
Just be prepared that some popular sites get busy, and prices for accommodation are at their highest.
During the summer, consider visiting the castle early or late to avoid crowds and get the best possible experience.
Winter is the calmest time of the year to see the castle.
Even though the weather is usually cold and wet in Tipperary, you won't be bothered by crowds that flock to the site during the summertime.
Don't forget to read our guide on when to visit Ireland to find out more about this topic.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
The terrain here is mostly gravel and grassy, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
The site is open, and there are not many places you can use as a shelter.
As the weather in Ireland is often unpredictable, make sure to have a good rain jacket or travel umbrella in your daypack.
Don't forget to bring your travel camera as this is one of the best photo spots in Ireland.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to the Rock of Cashel.
Like many tourist sites in Ireland, the easiest way to get to the Rock of Cashel is by car.
As the castle is just off the main highway, it's really easy to get there regardless of your current location.
Here you can read more tips for driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland.
Car
The Rock of Cashel is 170 kilometers west of Dublin, 60 kilometers east of Limerick, and 100 kilometers northeast of Cork.
The easiest and fastest way to get to the Rock of Cashel from Dublin is via M7 and M8.
However, you might want to make a less direct route and visit places such as the Wicklow Mountains or the medieval town of Kilkenny along the way.
Cork is connected with Cashel via M8, and it takes about an hour to get there.
Limerick can be reached via N74, which will take you to Tipperary, where you need to turn right onto N24.
When going on a road trip, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
The parking at Rock of Cashel costs €4.50, which seemed to us a bit unnecessary given the castle's location.
So the only small pet peeve we have with the entire experience is that the parking at the Rock of Cashel is not free.
Public Transport
It's possible to get to Rock of Cashel by public transport, but this option has a few cons.
You can take a bus from Dublin to Cashel. The 245X route is operated by Bus Eireann and connects Dublin with Cork.
The bus leaves from Busaras Station in Dublin City Center, the journey takes about two hours, and the bus drops you off at Cashel's Main Street.
Similarly, you can take a bus from Parnell Place in Cork city center to Cashel.
It's the same bus run by Bus Eireann (245X), and the trip takes about an hour and forty minutes. This bus also makes a stop at Cahir.
The main disadvantage is that the local buses don't run very often (usually four services a day), so the entire trip will be time-consuming and not ideal for most travelers.
There is no train to Cashel. The nearest train stations are Tipperary, Thurles, and Cahir.
Here you will find more tips on how to get around Ireland.
Tour
As we've already mentioned several times troughout the article, the Rock of Cashel is a top attraction in Ireland.
Therefore, it's really easy to find a guided tour that departs from Dublin or Cork.
Not surprisingly, there are more interesting castles in this area, and the tours usually have them on their itinerary.
Here you can reserve a popular Rock of Cashel Tour from Dublin that also includes Blarney Castle and Cahir Castle.
Where to Stay
Cashel is a small town, and there are only a few accommodations. A similar situation is in nearby Cahir.
Both towns have excellent locations for exploring these attractions and the entire Tipperary County.
You might also find some small B&Bs in the countryside, but they usually have only a few rooms, so book early.
Obviously, you can always start or end your day in Dublin, Cork, or Limerick, depending on your itinerary.
Here we hand-selected the best hotels you can stay in before or after visiting Rock of Cashel.
Cashel | Baileys Hotel Cashel - Situated in a Georgian building in the heart of Cashel, Baileys is a great place to stay overnight when visiting the castle. The hotel features cozy rooms, free private parking, and an on-site restaurant.
Cahir | Cahir House Hotel - Located on the town square, Cahir House is a great alternative to accommodations in Cashel. The hotel has a fantastic location near the Cahir Castle, clean rooms, friendly staff, and a traditional restaurant.
Cork | Imperial Hotel Cork City - Situated in the city center, this hotel has a great location for exploring the city and the wider area of Cork. The rooms are spacious, with comfortable beds and beautiful decor. The hotel also has a bar, cafe, and a couple of restaurants. Simply put, this is one of the most popular hotels in Cork.
Is Rock of Cashel Worth Visiting?
Undoubtedly, the Rock of Cashel is worth seeing as it is one of the best castles in Ireland you can visit while there.
Furthermore, the castle is along the way from Dublin to Cork, so it's really easy to incorporate it into your travel itinerary.
And together with the nearby Cahir Castle, the Rock of Cashel is a fantastic stop to break up your journey between both cities.
And despite its popularity, the castle is less commercialized than Blarney Castle, another major tourist stop in this area.
Simply put, if you enjoy beautiful views and majestic ruins, the Rock of Cashel is one of the best places you can visit in Ireland.
Our last advice is to try to time your visit for either the free guided tour or, alternatively, the chapel tour, as they provide tons of information about this historic site.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
