HERITAGE GUIDE No. 108

CASHEL OF THE KINGS.
Heritage Guide No. 108.

The Rock of Cashel, a prominent limestone outcrop, is a key symbol of Irish heritage. It became the seat of the Éoganachta kings of Munster by the fifth century AD, and later the centre for a broader Irish kingship. However, by the twelfth century it had been granted to the Church, becoming a significant archbishopric. The surviving buildings mainly date from this period, including the thirteenth-century Gothic Cathedral, a twelfth-century round tower and Cormac’s Chapel, built to reclaim Cashel’s royal significance. Archaeological evidence suggests that Cashel’s origins were militaristic, with its name,Caisil, indicating a fortified structure. Early Christian and royal associations began with a ninth-century timber church, likely built by the ascendant Dál Cais kings, whose line included Brian Boru. This church laid the foundation for Cashel’s role as both a royal and a religious centre.

The site’s ceremonial functions included elaborate kingship inaugurations, involving a sacred processional route to the Rock. Cashel’s political influence grew as it evolved from a defensive stronghold into a symbol of Munster’s dominance and broader Irish unity. Although its origins are not prehistoric, the complex, with its various enclosures, ceremonial avenues and associations with early medieval kingship, remains a vital piece of Ireland’s historical and royal tapestry.

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Details
Author	Patrick Gleeson
Publication Data	Spring 2025
Subjects	HERITAGE GUIDE No. 108. Cashel of the Kings.

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