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Cashel Town

Cashel was once the seat of the Kings of Munster.The town lives an enchanted life under the protection of the Rock of Cashel.The Rock of Cashel is Ireland's most frequently visited historic site and attracted 250,000 visitors in 2004. The town itself also has much to offer visitors. It has fine hotels, restaurants, shops and cafes and the Heritage Centre, which features a model of the Rock of Cashel in the 1640s and a multi-media presentation in several languages. The profile of the town has been enhanced in recent times with its designation as a Heritage Town in 1995. It gets good international television coverage of the Cashel Air Race and there is huge American interest in the 'Sister Fidelma Mysteries', which are set in mediaeval Cashel.

Cashel today is an important tourist destination but is also a service centre for its own population of around 2,800 and approximately 8,000 in the wider hinterland. Its designation as a Heritage town in 1995 reflects its rich and varied cultural heritage and today there is a strong community commitment to economic and social development. While the Rock for which the town is famous, never fails to make the visitor look in wonder, and never fails to cheer the native on returning to its comforting shadow, we need to strike a balance between development and conservation.

A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral.

For more information on Cashel visit the Cashel.ie website