Caves and Cashels

Me in the wedge tomb.

For our third field trip, we took a day trip through North Cork to the Rock of Cashel. Our first stop of the day was the Labbacallee Wedge Tomb, built in the Copper Age.  When it was excavated in 1934, the remains of a woman were found along with fragments of late neolithic pottery.  As we walked around the tomb, I asked Thomás if we could go inside.  He grinned and said something about it not being safe before hopping in through an opening and beckoning me in after him. 

After the tomb, we stopped at Mitchelstown Caves.  They don't have true archaeological significance, but they are brilliant and Thomás figured we'd enjoy them.  The air in the caves was the cleanest, purest air I have ever breathed.  The guide told us that some hospitals in Europe are actually built in caves to help treat patients with lung problems.  The other incredible aspect of the caves is their acoustics.  Concerts are occasionally held in the caves because the sound travels so well through the different chambers.

The Gothic Cathedral.

In the afternoon, we went to the Rock of Cashel.  Cormac's Chapel, built by the McCarthy family in the twelfth century is one of the earliest Romanesque churches in Ireland and retains some of the only frescos painted in Ireland at the time.  Built right next to Cormac's Chapel as a power play by the O'Brien family is a much grander thirteenth century cathedral in the Gothic style.  

The most spectacular aspect of the afternoon was the view from the top of the Rock of Cashel.  It overlooks the Tipperary plain and the extent of the view is marvelous.  Plus, we happened to be there during one of the few sunny hours and had the chance to bask in the landscape under the pure blue sky.

View from the Rock of Cashel. My friend Heather in the foreground.

~Slán agus beannacht leat