The 200-foot acropolis of limestone known as the Rock of Cashel in central Tipperary is one of the best-known sites in Ireland, often mentioned in history and folklore, and visited by thousands of tourists annually. Actually, the place-name ‘Cashel’ is recorded elsewhere on the Irish map, and the one in Tipperary was once known as Caisel Mumhan [Cashel of Munster] to distinguish it. The Eóganacht occupied the rock in perhaps the 5th century, before the alleged visit of St Patrick, whose name is often associated with it. His first use of the shamrock as a Christian symbol is thought to have been here. In any case, Cashel is the only Irish royal seat to have a Latin-derived name, and for all its reputation it lacks the antiquity of Cruachain, Tara, or Emain Macha. The legendary founder of the kingship of Cashel was Corc mac Luigthig. The site was given to the Church at the beginning of the 12th century. The celebrated Cormac's Chapel, named for Cormac mac Carthaig (d. 1138), was built there 1127–34. The larger gothic cathedral, now roofless and in disrepair, was begun in the 13th century. In folklore and history the use of ‘Cashel’ more often implies the rock, its earlier political associations or later ecclesiastical ones, rather than the small nearby town (pop. c.3,500) of the same name.

A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Copyright © James MacKillop 1998, 2004. All rights reserved.