Cashel, a picturesque town in County Tipperary, is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm community spirit. Known as the home of the Rock of Cashel, this charming town offers visitors a blend of cultural experiences, outdoor activities, and warm Irish hospitality. Explore our local businesses, historic sites, and enjoy the breathtaking surrounds that make Cashel a must-visit destination in Ireland.
Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, the Rock of Cashel, iconic in its historic significance, possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.
Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital.
In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centres of ecclesiastical power in the country.
The surviving buildings are remarkable. Cormac’s Chapel, for example, contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland.
The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most spectacular and – deservedly – most visited tourist attractions.
It’s huge, it’s complex, it’s iconic, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world and it’s right here in Cashel at the heart of Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig), more formally St. Patrick’s Rock, it is also known as Cashel of the Kings.
Reputedly the site of the conversion of Aenghus the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD. Long before the Norman invasion The Rock of Cashel was the seat of the High Kings of Munster, although there is little structural evidence of their time here. Most of the buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries when the Rock was gifted to the Church. The buildings represent both Hiberno-Romanseque and Germanic influences in their architecture.
To quote from the WIKI entry “The complex has a character of its own, unique and native, and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.” The Rock is the setting of the fictional “Sister Fidelma Mysteries” mediaeval whodunits from Peter Tremayne.
https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/rock-of-cashel/
*Cormac’s Chapel visit is by guided tour only. Last tour is 14:30 daily.
Limited tickets for the interior tour of Cormac’s Chapel can only be purchased at the site.
Please ring ahead for tour times and details of same as these can change at short notice
Please note there is a short walk , up a steep incline , of approximately 200 metres from the municipal cark park to the entrance of the Rock of Cashel *
All visitors must have a ticket
Tickets can be booked online
Adult: €8.00
Group/Senior: €6.00
Child/Student: €4.00
Family: €20.00
Mid March – Early October
Daily 09:00
Last admission 16:45
Average Length of Visit 1 – 1.5 hours
Mid October – Mid March
Daily 09:00
Last admission 15:45
Average Length of Visit 1 – 1.5 hours
Closed 24 – 26 December inclusive.
Please note that all groups must be pre-booked.
Tour operators visiting the Rock of Cashel are requested not to drive directly to the site but rather to avail of the nearby car-park.
The tour times of the Chapel and the General Guided tours can change at any time due to weather and if we have works going on inside.
Cormac’s Chapel visit is by guided tour only.
Last tour time is 15:45 and last entry is 16:45.
Limited tickets for the interior tour of Cormac’s Chapel can only be purchased at the site.
Please ring ahead for tour times and details of same as these can change at short notice
St. Patrick’s Rock of Cashel
Cashel
Co. Tipperary
E25 KX44
Tel: 062 61437
Public toilets and car/coach park close to site
Credit Card Facilities available
Phone: 062-61122
info@bruboru.ie
www.bruboru.ie
The Brú Ború Summer season of shows will once again begin in late June.
Located at the foot of the historic Rock of Cashel, the Brú Ború shows of traditional music, song and dance run for five nights each week (Tuesday – Saturday inclusive)
beginning in 10th July right up until late August commencing at 9p.m.
The unique Brú Ború performing group have achieved international recognition on five continents. They are in constant demand throughout the world because of their performance of Irish authentic traditional music, song and dance.
The group have accompanied President Mary McAleese to Oman where they performed for the Sultan of Oman. They also represented Ireland at the World Expo on four occasions in Osaka Japan, Seville in Spain, Nagoya Japan and a group of 30 artists accompanied President Mary McAleese to Shanghai, China for the 2010 World Expo, where they presented their show for President Mary McAleese and her Chinese hosts on Ireland’s National Day. Most recently members of the group travelled to Lesotho where they performed for St. Patrick’s Day 2012 and had the honour of performing for the King of Lesotho.
This group comprises the very best and most talented of musicians, singers and dancers. Enjoy an evening of live traditional entertainment with renowned accordion player Bobby Gardner, the delightful airs of fiddler Eileen O’Brien and Tipperary’s finest singers Nora Butler and Tadhg Maher, just to name a few.
The show is delivered with verve, colour, panache and style in the intimate settings of the Brú Ború theatre, but the night does not finish there! Following on from the stage show, performers and visitors mingle in the Teach Ceoil for some more entertainment where visitors can dance a jig, sing a song or play a tune – a lively Cashel set or Siege of Ennis often requires a visit to the adjoining bar, you can also enjoy tea or coffee and a scone.
Prior to the evenings entertainment why not avail of our restaurant facilities. Enjoy fine food with good friends in the awe inspiring atmosphere of the Rock of Cashel. Irish recipes, home baking and good fresh produce are the ingredients which combine to make a dining experience in Brú Ború a memorable one. (Pre- booking is required for the restaurant).
Brú Ború also incorporates the “Sounds of History” cultural exhibition. The subterranean chambers, seven metres underground at the base of the famous Rock of Cashel, echo to the story of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. Through the passage of time, the visitor’s journey is marked by milestones of achievement, conflict and renewal. The facilities in Brú Ború also include Genealogy services for South Tipperary; Teach Ceoil; Restaurant; Bar facilities; Conference Rooms and the Comhaltas Archive. It is for these reasons that many describe a visit to Brú Ború as ‘the highlight of their stay in Ireland’.
Why not pay a visit to Brú Ború, this oasis of art and culture situated at one of the most hallowed spots in Europe is sure to be a memorable experience.
A Céad Míle Fáilte Awaits You!
Season
All Year
Opening Times
Mid Jun-Mid Aug: Daily: 09.00-23.30 Shows Tue-Sat at 21.00
Mid Augt-Mid Jun: Mon-Fri: 09.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00 (No Shows)
Shows (to include dinner): from mid June to mid August
Group Bookings Necessary
Advisable
Booking contact
Una O Murchú
Average visit length
21/2 hours (includes show)
Entrance fees
Admission to centre only is free Adult: €20.00 (includes show) Child: €10.00 (includes show) Rates available for show and dinner.
“Sounds of History” Exhibition
Adult: €5.00, Student/Senior: €4.00, Child €3.00
Guided tours
No
Restaurant
Coffee Shop (seats 200)
Restaurant (seats 60) and banqueting
Shop
Irish made souvenirs, books and crafts
Info Guide
English, Irish, French, German, Italian, Spanish & Dutch
Coach/car parking
Yes
Disabled access/toilet
Yes
Audio visual
Seating
Cashel Heritage Centre
Cashel Heritage Centre and Tourist Information Office.
The award winning Heritage Centre and Tourist Office located on the Main Street and should be your first stop in Cashel. A large scale model of the town in the 1640’s highlights the lesser known treasures of the town. Audio commentary is available in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Irish and English. Free maps of Cashel Town are available here for tourists to enhance their experience of the town.
View the Royal Charters of Cashel, King Charles II 1663, and James II 1687, on permanent display. Free admission. We can assist in accommodation reservations and tourist information. A wide range of leaflets for Tipperary and surrounding areas are available for free. Ordnance Survey maps of Ireland are also available.
The Heritage Centre hosts a craft shop, stocking local crafts, including Rossa Pottery, Farney Castle, Wild Goose and Sheela Na Gig ceramics. A large selection of Irish clothing, hats, scarves, linens, snacks and souvenirs are on sale. A wide variety of books are available including the Peter Tremayne Collection, Irish History and Childrens Irish Folklore.
Opening times
Mar – Oct 7 days 9:30am to 5:00pm
Nov – Feb 5 days 9:30am to 5:00pm
Phone: +353(0)851854774
casheltourism@gmail.com
Address: Main St, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Phone: 062 63601 or 087 9151316
cashelfolkvillage@gmail.com
www.cashelfolkvillage.com
Cashel Folk Village/1916 Easter Rising Museum is a Multi Award Winning Museum!
Ranked as the NO. 1 Museum in Co. Tipperary on Tripadvisor, and winner of the internationally recognised Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence every year since its first year of entry on Tripadvisor.
The real highlight of this museum, particularly because 2016 is the 100th Anniversary of The 1916 Easter Rising, is that it offers visitors the opportunity to see the only 1916 Easter Rising/Irish War of Independence/Irish Civil War Museum combined in Ireland. It also houses the only 1916 Easter Rising Garden of Remembrance/Memorial Plaza in Ireland. Significantly, a huge amount of the memorabilia/artefacts on site are original, not copies, making it a must see experience.
However, it is very important to point out that this is only a small part of the vast collection of original historical memorabilia/artefacts/monuments onsite in the 3 different museums, so listed below is a flavour of the other attractions:
The above list is only a small portion of the exhibitions/memorabilia to be marvelled at on site-plus you can also view what has often been described as the finest example of top quality thatched buildings to be seen anywhere in Ireland. If you have a genuine in real, unadulterated Irish history, then you will find that a visit to Cashel Folk Village/Museums to be a truly memorable experience, and something not to be missed.
Location:
Approx 250 Metres from the Rock of Cashel
Admission:
Adults: €9
Senior Citizen/Student: €7
Children 6/13 Years: €5
Under 6s: Free
Check onsite for Group Rates/Family Rates.
By appointment at almost any time, simply ring Bernard on 087 9151316 or email info@cashelfolkvillage.ie. For most of the off-season I am still personally here onsite, but the contact details are provided to visit on the rare occasions that I am not there, so that any potential visitors can be accommodated.
Experience the Beauty and Charm of Our Town
Monday
09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:00
Thursday
09:00 - 17:00
Friday
09:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 17:00
Sunday
closed
