Before you go

Your trip to Cashel.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Cashel – Tipperary Destination Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel

How to get there

Aeroporto de Cork (Cork Airport) (ORK) Cork · 95 km
Aeroporto de Shannon (Shannon Airport) (SNN) Shannon · 110 km
Estação de Thurles (Thurles Station) Thurles · 20 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. The nearest airports are Cork, about 95 km away, and Shannon, 110 km. Cashel is beside the M8 motorway, between Dublin (165 km) and Cork (95 km), and the Dublin–Cork bus stops in the town. There is no train; the nearest station is Thurles, 20 km away.

How many days

Half a day for the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey. One night allows seeing the Rock illuminated and arriving early, before the tour groups.

When to go

From April to October the days are long and the Rock operates full hours. In summer tour groups arrive in late morning. In winter hours are reduced and the wind on top of the hill is cold.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It helps, because public transport is limited: only the Dublin–Cork bus. The town and the Rock are walkable. In Ireland you drive on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Cashel

Morning
Rock of Cashel
Go up to the Rock at opening, take the guided tour and see Cormac's chapel, the cathedral and the round tower.
Afternoon
Hore Abbey
Walk down the field trail to Hore Abbey and view the Rock from below, with the ruins above.
Late afternoon
Cashel town centre
Return to the centre via Main Street, with its shops and pubs.
Evening
The Rock lit up
After dinner, view the Rock illuminated from the road to Hore Abbey or from the town.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Cashel worth a stop?

Yes. The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's best-known medieval complexes and sits beside the Dublin–Cork motorway, which makes stopping easy.

What is the county town of County Tipperary?

The county seat is in Clonmel, about 24 km from Cashel, with some administration in Nenagh.

How to go from Cashel to Kilkenny?

By car it's about 55 km, roughly 50 minutes via the N76. By public transport there's no simple direct link; the route usually goes via another town.

Can you stay overnight in Cashel?

Yes. There are hotels and guesthouses in the town centre, and staying one night lets you see the Rock lit up and arrive before the tour groups.

Back to Cashel