The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel in Co. Tipperary

When I wrote Building in Stone, for English Heritage, professional work as a geologist at places like Roche Abbey, Conisbrough Castle and Brodsworth Hall gave me the initial idea, but it was visits to Peveril Castle and Housesteads Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall, long ago, that had really inspired me. 

Cormac's Chapel

Just a few kilometres away from Cahir Castle, the Rock of Cashel  is also built on Carboniferous limestone, but the rock here is arched into a distinctive landform, with rocky bluffs, that protrudes from the surrounding landscape. 

Reputedly the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century, this fortress was given to the church in 1101, long before the invasion of Ireland by the Normans, and contains fine examples of mediaeval architecture and Celtic art. Both Carboniferous limestone and Devonian sandstone are again the principal building stones used in its construction, with the latter being used to build the elaborately carved Cormac’s Chapel.

Arriving at 15.00 in the afternoon, I was there until 16:15 – when it started to close – but I still hadn’t had time to look at all of the ruins or to walk around the outside of the walls, so I could look at the geology in detail. I can easily see how groups of geology students or school groups can spend a good afternoon’s field work here.

An ornate stone sarcophagus in Cormac's Chapel

With time moving on, I still had to drive another 130 km to Killarney, in Co. Kerry, where I had to get something to eat and find a place to sleep for the night – before travelling to Valentia Island, which is not very far off being the furthest place away from Dublin as it's possible to be.

On the way to Killarney - The Galtee Mountains