Cormac’s Chapel

Irish High Cross In Front of Cormac's Chapel

Irish High Cross In Front of Cormac’s Chapel

As I was going around the structures at the Rock of Cashel, I noticed that one of the structures seemed to be more intact that the others. In fact the color of the stones itself makes it appear that it was a brand new structure. It looked like a church but so did Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The location of the structure confused me since it seemed to be a random structure. This was actually Cormac’s Chapel. The name comes from King Cormac Mac Carthaigh who commissioned it was back in the 1100s. It is really impressive considering the age of the chapel.

Cormac's Chapel at the Rock of Cashel

Cormac’s Chapel at the Rock of Cashel

The chapel is actually built off to the side of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, it was in such an awkward position that I didn’t realize that Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was actually a cathedral. I would have expected chapels to be built inside the cathedral. There could have been reason why this was so, but they elude me. I do not know how much of Cormac’s Chapel is original but the state of the chapel contrasts with the rest of the structures here in the Rock of Cashel. For one thing, the chapel still has a roof, most of the ruins I have visit don’t have roofs.

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