We only had a short stop for photos and a quick walk around the outside, much of which was covered in scaffolding.
Major renovations are going on to make the castle and surrounding areas handicapped accessible – and we know that is not going to be any quick undertaking.
As it was the castle was surrounded by scaffolding as the work continues – making things better for the future, but that didn’t help those of us who were sad not to see the original cross of St Patrick!
I did walk where I could and here are some photos of the amazing walls of the castle --
scaffolding viewable from the car park.
The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. The picturesque complex has a character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.Few remnants of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Towers and markers viewable beyond the walls
More views of scaffolding.
Can you imagine people walking past this wall, wearing the clothing of the day?
Looking up!
As the clouds moved out, we got more blue sky before they moved back in to rain again.
At the top of the ramp I looked beyond the wall to catch this view.
I wonder – has it changed much over the centuries?
Looking down at the town of modern day Cashel
Rough and foreboding ---
Catching every angle that I can – this place is ginormous ---
I zoomed….and it got blurry --- but still---wow!
Click HERE to watch a cool video on what you can find inside the castle and what they hope to do by making it handicapped accessible. Click the arrow on the screen to start the video – and you can make it full screen by clicking the arrow thingie in the bottom right of the viewing screen. It’s worth it to watch! Besides, the narrator has the loveliest Irish accent :c)
I’m writing this from Belfast – we arrived here this evening. It’s pushing midnight and I’m off to bed.
Tomorrow is on our own to explore---guess what? for the first time since I left for Ireland, I’m sleeping in and not even setting an alarm in the morning – I’ve been up at 6am every morning and this girl needs a sleep in!
You deserve a good rest. Thank you for our tour of beautiful Ireland. Feel like I journeyed with you. Have a safe trip home!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your sleep in. Followed by your 'free day'. How will you choose what to do?
ReplyDeleteWow - this is where my great-great grandfather came from! How wonderful to see it through your eyes. I dream to go there someday - thank you for letting us live vicariously through you.
ReplyDeleteBonnie I am so sorry you did not get to see the cross. The Rock of Cashel is a wonderful place to visit I fell in love and took tons of pictures there as well. I cannot find the words to describe how I felt during our visit there. I want to go back again.
ReplyDeleteSleep well and late. Glad you enjoyed your visit to Ireland.
ReplyDeletemy blog header has one of my favorite pictures i have ever taken--at the rock of cashel. it was one of my favorite places to visit in ireland. sooooo sad that it was not open to you in its wholeness. the tours are amazing but the best time was had by my oldest son and myself in a shoot off. we are both amateur photographers--well, actually he is professional.....but we had the best time angling for artistic shots. such an incredible place to visit.
ReplyDelete