Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Rock of Cashel

Tuesday we went to the Rock of Cashel. According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel originated when the devil was cashing St. Patrick around Ireland. Supposedly the Devil took a bite out of a mountain 20 miles (30 km) north of Cashel and threw it at St. Patrick with hopes to smooch him, but the rock missed him, resulting in the Rock's landing in Cashel. There were a major problem to that story because the rock in the mountain is complete sandstone; where as the rock of Cashel is pure limestone. Of Corse the people of Cashel have an answer to that: the Devil’s saliva contained so much evil and hatred that the stone changed into Limestone. LOL Very Reasonable Right?


The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. The picturesque complex has a character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. Few remnants of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries. 

 
We also went to the Bolton Library. The Bolton Library contains a unique collection of antiquarian books and is the finest collection outside of Dublin. Archbishop Theophilis Bolton, Archbishop of Cashel from 1730 to 1744, collected the books. The library is now housed in the Chapter House situated in the grounds of the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick's Rock and St. John the Baptist in John Street, Cashel. The collection contains a wide range of subjects and includes a 12th century manuscript, the Nuremnberg Chronicle and works by Dante, Swift, Calvin, Erasmus and Machiavelli. Also on display are maps and church silver. 


But the best part of the day, in my opinion, was when the Dean of Cashel came out to meet us. Which is a pretty big deal for the Dean of the Church of Ireland to come out and meet a group of Americans. But he talked about the church and the background of how the chapel was built so they wouldn't have to climb the hill of the rock to go to each service. Dean Knowles even played the organ for us! Apparently Samuel Green who built organs for George Fredrick Handel built the organ. It’s only one out of two of its kind, so its very very rare!! So Amazing!!

Watch and Enjoy!!


 

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