Heritage Ireland Issue 16 Spring 2022

Page 39

The Rock of Cashel A Symbol: National and International by Jim Mulligan

The Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock and Cashel of the Kings, is a historic site located at Cashel, Co. Tipperary which is situated on top of a limestone outcrop overlooking the Golden Vale.

noted that RTÉ utilised a night-time view of the Rock of Cashel to represent Ireland in a Eurovision Song Contest review in May, 2020.

No matter which approach road to Cashel that a visitor takes, whether in daylight or nighttime hours, the Rock of Cashel/Carraig Phádraig, is a very impressive sight.

Fr. Christy O’Dwyer, former pastor in the parish of Cashel and Rosegreen, wrote in Pobal Ailbhe that “few parishes in Ireland can surpass Cashel’s wealth of ecclesiastical heritage. Its foremost site, the Rock of Cashel, attracts throngs of people from near and far to view its rich heritage.” And further in the same publication in a piece titled ‘The Rock of Cashel- A Reflection’ he wrote, “In many parts of Ireland today the phrase ‘as solid as the Rock of Cashel’ is synonymous with permanence and durability. The visitor to Cashel can appreciate the appropriateness of this phrase as the eye beholds the grandeur of the ruins which have for centuries dominated the countryside from their lofty rocky site.” (1)

The Rock of Cashel is an Irish symbol both within the country and overseas. For many years locally in Cashel and Co. Tipperary generally, the image of The Rock can be found in everyday usage with various business organisations and sports clubs. On the international front, images of the Rock of Cashel can be found in airports and public spaces and transport facilities around the world. This can be attributed to the work of Fáilte Ireland in particular and their advertising campaigns across the globe in promoting Ireland as a travel destination and highlighting the Rock of Cashel through its visual impact. In the strange times caused by the lockdown resulting from Covid 19 it was

Pobal Ailbhe

UNESCO UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and is a

<

The Rock of Cashel Photo Ken Williams

39


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Heritage Ireland Issue 16 Spring 2022 by Office of Public Works - Issuu