The Rock of Cashel

Every time I visit Ireland - no matter where I'm scheduled to be - I visit the Rock of Cashel. For me it is the quintessential thin place, always drawing me, calling me, awakening me.

The Pre-Christian and Celtic people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England had a keen sense for thin places. The landscape is littered with monuments, markings and ruins that boldly state, “This is a thin place. This is holy ground.”

Cashel is such a place.

The very ground itself seems to call out, “Come here and be transformed.” In a quiet moment, a visitor today can feel the connection with the people whose spirits first marked these spots, and all the pilgrims who have visited since. They are vivid reminders that we are all joined inside and outside of time.

I will never forget the first time I saw the Rock of Cashel.

At 10:00 a.m. we came down the Tipperary Road into Cashel. Seeing the Rock emerge from the landscape stirred childhood memories of Emerald City rising up at the end of the yellow brick road. It was a moment when time stood still, burned in my memory like a trauma or birth.

We later climbed the Rock of Cashel and wandered through the Cathedral ruins and cemetery. I knew nothing about the history, who lived there, who ruled from there, what events took place there, but I knew it was a thin place. God was near. My spirit was awake. It was exhilarating and frightening. I cannot say the experience was pleasant. Yet after leaving Cashel, I longed to return.



I have returned to the Rock of Cashel so many times. I have seen her lit up at night, covered in rain and mist, set against the frigid winter landscape and lingering through the long days of summer where the sun barely sets before rising again.

Cashel, though in ruin, has a constancy; a historic brilliance that defies the modernization that grows around her with new homes, buildings and roadways. She boldly claims her history, memories of kings, chieftains, warriors, bards, and holy men - thrusting them before us, urging us to enter in to her ancient legacy - and to return, and return and return.

So many people ask me, "What should I see on my visit to Ireland?"

I always say, "Don't miss the Rock of Cashel." Sadly, only a few follow my advice.

What a pity.

They'll never know what I know... that Cashel will seduce you like a lover and cling to your spirit, planting some small charm that draws you back to her, or at least creates that hunger for reunion. With each visit she'll bless your spirit with strength, and impart a peace that sustains you .... until the next time.