The Rock of Cashel
Our next stop after leaving Kilkenny was a visit to the Rock of Cashel. It’s the site where kings were crowned, notably the legendary High King Brian Boru. A 12th-13th century church was built on the remains of the former ring fort, complete with secret passageways for the abbot to spy on his priests or even escape in times of attack. One section of the tower was struck by a storm and blew over.
Here’s a view of the secret passageway. Inside the walls was the narrow area where the abbot could move around the church. While we were at Cashel, we saw many gravestones. I’m still bothered by the graves of infants and children. Another interesting item at the site was a cross of St. Patrick. It contained a hollowed-out section in the base to hide religious treasures, if needed. Also, the legend goes that if you hug the statue, you’ll never get a toothache. I can hear the ADA groaning now. 
I was most interested in the frescoes and hidden paintings at Cashel. A few years ago, they were renovating a wall and came across a painting hidden beneath the whitewash. It makes you wonder who covered it up and why. There’s a story here . . . They also found more hidden paintings in a smaller chapel. Did they cover them up to protect them? Was it meant to hide certain images? Or maybe there’s a hidden religious treasure on the grounds, and the frescoes are the treasure map, and all we have to do is follow the clues! Sorry. Writer’s imagination got carried away there. But it is fun to imagine. I love stories like this. 
By the way, I’m still trying to get the smilies fixed. If you have a preference for a particular one you’d like me to bring back, just let me know!
Michelle posted in Ireland Tales @ 6:50 am | Viewed 3427 times
LauraP Says:
It’s a place to tickle the imagination. All that old stone and green, all the people who passed between the walls.
Tori Lennox Says:
So, did you hug the statue?
Teresa Says:
Cool pics - and yeah, very interesting about those covered up frescoes/paintings. Obviously a story there!!
Robyn Says:
What an amazing place to fire the writer’s imagination. Were there any places that were exactly as you pictured them?
As for smilies, I vote for the chocolate bunny massacre.
Ruby Davis Says:
Maybe they had an abbot who regarded paintings as the work of the devil….or the artist fell out of favor with the church. Does anyone know who painted them? So many beautiful things have been torn down or covered up by changing fashions and so called progress. Guess you know I like the old stuff. Your tour and pictures are the next best thing to being there. A belated birthday wish for you…….May all your books be best sellers!
Michelle Says:
Tori–no. The statue in the graveyard was actually a reproduction. The real one was inside the museum, kept away from tourists. So the people who were hugging it weren’t actually getting any dental benefits.
Robyn–the bunny is back!
Ruby–That’s an interesting theory. It might be that the abbott didn’t like the artist. I think they’re trying to find out who painted them, but likely it was a medieval priest.
Michelle Says:
Robyn–actually, Craggaunowen, the reenactment village was fairly close to what I thought it would be.
Karin Tabke* Says:
Lovely pics, Michelle. One of these days soon I’m going to take a trip across the pond.