A limestone outcrop rising abruptly from the Tipperary plain, crowned by a 12th-century round tower, a roofless Gothic cathedral, the finest Hiberno-Romanesque church in Ireland (Cormac’s Chapel, 1127-1134, with surviving 12th-century frescoes), and a high cross. The Rock was the political capital of the Kings of Munster for 700 years before being handed to the Church in 1101.

Saint Patrick is said to have baptised King Aengus on this rock in the 5th century. The 1647 Sack of Cashel by Cromwell’s forces killed about 3,000 people inside the walls — you can still see scorched stone.

Pro tip: Cormac’s Chapel is the highlight, but access can be limited (sometimes guided only) to protect the frescoes. Check at the ticket desk on arrival, and don’t skip the tour if it’s offered.