Rock of Cashel
Cashel, Ireland
The seat of the kings of Munster, crowned by a round tower, a Romanesque chapel and a roofless Gothic cathedral. There is an entry fee; use the pay car park below the rock and walk up the short lane.
The Rock of Cashel is a medieval ecclesiastical site on a hilltop above the Golden Vale at Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland, about 500 m from the town centre. It was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster, and in 1101 King Muirchertach Ua Briain gave the fortress to the Church. The round tower, dating from around 1100, is 28 m high and the oldest surviving building. Cormac’s Chapel, begun in 1127 and consecrated in 1134, holds the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland. The Gothic cathedral was built roughly between 1230 and 1270, and Cashel was sacked in 1647 during the Confederate Wars. The complex also includes the 15th-century Hall of the Vicars Choral and St Patrick’s Cross.
According to Discover Ireland, allow about 1 to 1.5 hours. Coach parties arrive in large numbers, and History Hit advises coming early or late in the day. From the hilltop you can see the ruins of Hore Abbey. Cashel lies just off the M8; History Hit suggests parking in town and walking about 500 m uphill.
- Nearest town
- Cashel, Ireland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 52.5200, -7.8906
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- O'Brien's Holiday Lodge and CampsiteCampsite0 km from Rock of CashelTentsCaravansMotorhomesDogs allowed
- The Apple FarmCampsite16 km from Rock of CashelTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToilets
- Glen of Aherlow Caravan & Camping ParkCampsite23 km from Rock of CashelTentsCaravansElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Ballinacourty House Caravan And Camping ParkCampsite25 km from Rock of CashelTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToilets
All campsites in Ireland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Rock of Cashel?
Rock of Cashel is in Cashel, Ireland, at GPS 52.5200, -7.8906. It is about 16 km from Cahir.
Can you camp near Rock of Cashel?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is O'Brien's Holiday Lodge and Campsite, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 4 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Rock of Cashel?
Rock of Cashel is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Ireland’s Ancient East: Kilkenny, Jerpoint and the Rock of Cashel.
What is there to see near Rock of Cashel?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cahir Castle (16 km), Mahon Falls (40 km), Kilkenny Castle (46 km) and Jerpoint Abbey (50 km).
When is the best time to visit Rock of Cashel?
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)