Rock of Cashel, Buildings Timeline

The Rock of Cashel is a large outcrop of limestone that is surrounded by rich land and is used for dairy, tillage, horse breeding and training. From the Rock there are views of distant hills and mountains. The plateau on which the old buildings and graveyard lie, is surrounded by a wall. The graveyard includes a number of high crosses.
The Round Tower was built 917 years ago, in the year 11 hundred. The tower is in a good state of repair. It is 28 metres high. The entrance door is 3.7 metres above ground level. The tower was built using the dry stone method. Some of the stone joints, have been filled with mortar.
Cormac’s Chapel was built 883 years ago, in the year 11 34.
The Chapel is Romanesque in style and was constructed primarily of sandstone. In recent years restoration and preservation work was carried out in order to completely rain-proof the structure. There are twin towers on either side of the junction between the nave and chancel.
The Cathedral was built 747 years ago, in the year 12 70.
The great Celtic cathedral was built in the Gothic style and is now a ruin. It has a cruciform plan, with a central tower. The north transept contains late medieval tombs and grave slabs.
The Tower House is rectangular in plan and was built 577 years ago, in the year 14 40.
The Tower house was a five-story structure and was built as a residence for an archbishop.
The Hall of the Vicar’s Choral was built 567 years ago, in the year 14 50.
It is a two story building. It was built to house minor clerics who sang during cathedral services. Now it is a museum and ticket office.
The roof of the Cathedral was removed 269 years ago, in the year 17 48.
There was a partial collapse of the Tower House 169 years ago, in the year 18 48.
Scully’s cross was erected 147 years ago, in the year 18 70.
This gigantic high cross is a striking monuments and is visible on approaching the Rock. The cross has very fine craft work, with figure sculpture and interlace. It sits on a mausoleum. The top of the cross was broken off by lightning in 1976 and fell to the ground.
Restoration and preservation work was carried out in recent years on Cormac’s Chapel.
Hore Abbey is nearby. A short drive away is Cahir Castle, Athassel Abbey, Fethard medieval walled town. Grantstown Castle is a good example of a Tower house that has been renovated as a private residence.