The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig)

A dramatic outcrop crowned with medieval buildings, once the seat of the kings of Munster.

The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig, 'Patrick's Rock') rises abruptly from the plains of County Tipperary, topped by a spectacular cluster of medieval buildings. For centuries it was the seat of the kings of Munster.

According to legend, St Patrick converted the local king here; the site includes a round tower, a Romanesque chapel and a ruined cathedral.

At a glance

• A rocky outcrop topped with medieval buildings in Co. Tipperary.
• Once the seat of the kings of Munster.
• Linked by legend to St Patrick, who is said to have preached here.

In County Tipperary

The Rock of Cashel is in County Tipperary, Tiobraid Árann in Irish, which means “the well of Ara”.

More in Tipperary

• The Galtee Mountains (Na Gaibhlte): Ireland's highest inland mountain range, with glacial corrie lakes.
• The Glen of Aherlow (Gleann Eatharlaí): A lush valley between the Galtees and Slievenamuck.
• Cahir Castle (Caisleán na Cathrach): One of Ireland's largest and best-preserved castles, on an island in the Suir.

Other places of this kind

• The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): Sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region.
• Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú): A prehistoric monument in County Meath, older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
• The Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir): Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, a UNESCO site wrapped in the legend of Finn McCool.
• Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch): A beautiful glacial valley of two lakes, home to one of Ireland's most important early monastic settlements.
• Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis): A great early monastery on the banks of the Shannon, once a renowned centre of learning.
• The Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí): The ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland, rich in myth and archaeology.

The Irish name

The Irish form of The Rock of Cashel is Carraig Phádraig. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.