October, 2015
We departed Dublin heading to our first stop, Cashel, on our self-guided road trip of Ireland. Prior to getting to Cashel, we opted to stop at the Rock of Dunamase along the way. This was completely unplanned, but a welcomed stretch, after just getting off a 6+ hour flight and hopping right into a car! Who doesn’t love old, ruined castles and abbeys in the countryside? It is worthwhile to walk up the cliff to access the ruins where the rock, 46m above a flat plain hosts the ruins of the Dunamase Castle. Originally built as a defensive stronghold dating from the early Hiberno-Norman period offering glorious views to the Slieve Bloom mountains. Again, what are road trips for without unplanned stops?
Onward to Cashel, a small town in the south of Ireland which is known for the Rock of Cashel, a medieval complex on a hilltop that overlooks the town. The Rock of Cashel rises spectacularly on limestone rock with towering medieval ruins on top, with grassy meadows and graveyards behind it. The ruins are impressive and as you wonder, it makes you imagine what this cathedral may have been like in its operational prime. I think this may be the most beautiful ruin in all of Ireland, in my humble opinion.
In the meadow below the Rock you will find the Hore Abbey founded in 1266 by the Benedictines. Unfortunately, like many of the ruins in Ireland, it fell into disrepair in the 17th century. You can easily access it by parking across from the Abbey in the tiny parking lot across the road, just down the hill from the Rock of Cashel. As many people don’t visit this free site, it makes it nice to walk and explore without people!
What better way to spend the remainder of the day but wondering your way around town, checking out the local shops. I recommend stopping in at the Brian Boru Bar & Restaurant for a pint of your favourite beer and some local pub food!
My ultimate recommendation for dinner is the Cellar Bar @ Baileys offering a selection of gastro European and Irish pub food all locally sourced. To start with share the baked camembert in the box with crusty bread and roasted red pepper relish, while sipping your favourite shaken or stirred cocktail! This baked camembert is perfection. For me, taking a break from beer, I opted for a glass of red wine paired with the most amazing braised lamb shank with potato and root vegetable mash with a tomato & rosemary jus. Hands down the heartiest meal with savory flavours. D opted for a burger with a couple of pints – how boring!
