Rock Of Cashel Tours
Rock of Cashel Tours & Tickets
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Official tickets & experiences

Rock of Cashel Tours & Tickets

Limestone crowns the green Tipperary plain, kings once ruled here.

Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 5 tours from 240 reviewed.

4.6 (2400) 74K+ travelers chose this
Open today 09:00 – 17:30
Attendance: Heavy — peak summer season
Arrive before 10:00 to secure limited Cormac's Chapel guided tour slots; last Chapel tour at 14:30.
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Dublin to Rock of Cashel Cork City and Blarney Castle Guided Tour 12 hr
Guided Experience

Dublin to Rock of Cashel Cork City and Blarney Castle Guided Tour

4.5 (2681)
$101
per person
Instant promodo.redemption.mobile_voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Full-day Dublin tour to Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel & Cork City

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Includes

  • Expert local guide
  • Small group
  • Skip-the-line access
  • Free cancellation
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Blarney Stone, Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castles Tour from Dublin 13 hr 30 min
Standard Entry

Blarney Stone, Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castles Tour from Dublin

4.6 (1982)
$107
per person
Instant promodo.redemption.mobile_voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Visit 3 iconic Irish castles in one day — all admission fees included

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Includes

  • Entry ticket
  • Mobile voucher
  • Valid same day
  • Free cancellation
Reserve
Cork City, Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide 12 hr
Premium Combo

Cork City, Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide

4.7 (49)
$117
per person
Instant promodo.redemption.mobile_voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Spanish-speaking guided tour to Cork, Cahir Castle & Rock of Cashel

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Includes

  • Multi-attraction access
  • Mobile voucher
  • Flexible dates
  • Free cancellation
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Semi Private tour Rock of Cashel - Cahir castle & Kilkenny 6 hr 30 min
Luxury / Private

Semi Private tour Rock of Cashel - Cahir castle & Kilkenny

3.4 (11)
$236
per person
Instant promodo.redemption.mobile_voucher Flexible — change up to 24h

Semi-private tour to Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle & Kilkenny city

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Includes

  • Private experience
  • Personal attention
  • Premium amenities
  • Free cancellation
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Prices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.

Duration
1-2 hours recommended
Languages
English, Irish, French
Group size
Up to 15 guests
Cancellation
Free up to 24 hours
Exploring the Rock of Cashel
About

Exploring the Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel rose as a seat of the Munster kings more than a thousand years before it became a Christian sanctuary.

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Carraig Phádraig, the limestone outcrop, was handed to the Church in 1101, and the cluster of medieval buildings that survives — Cormac's Chapel, the round tower, the roofless Gothic cathedral and the Hall of the Vicars Choral — grew across the following centuries.

What draws travellers today is the density of that history on a single ridge. A Dublin to Rock of Cashel day trip pairs the site with Cahir Castle and Blarney, while a rock of cashel day trip from dublin or a dedicated rock of cashel tour from dublin lets visitors trace Romanesque frescoes, high crosses and Hiberno-Romanesque carving in one curated route across the Tipperary plain.

"A thousand years of Munster kingship and medieval faith stand on a single limestone ridge."
Your experience

What a Rock of Cashel tour day looks like

A step-by-step walkthrough of Rock of Cashel tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.

You arrive at opening, between 09:00 and 10:30, ahead of the coach tours, and you climb the path from the town to the crest of the outcrop. You collect one of the limited Cormac's Chapel tickets first, then step inside to find the 12th-century frescoes and the carved tympanum waiting in the half-light.

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From there you cross to the roofless cathedral, where wind moves through the empty Gothic windows. You circle the round tower, pause at the replica of St. Patrick's Cross, and read the worn effigies in the Hall of the Vicars Choral. A rock of cashel guided tour fills in the kingship and conquest, then you walk back down for views of Hore Abbey across the fields.

Your experience at Rock of Cashel Tours & Tickets
What you'll do

Inside a Rock of Cashel tour, step by step

  1. Arrival & Audiovisual Introduction
    01 20 minutes

    Arrival & Audiovisual Introduction

    Begin in the Hall of the Vicars Choral undercroft, which houses the on-site museum and an audiovisual presentation on the history of the rock of cashel. Collect Cormac's Chapel tickets here if available.

  2. Cormac's Chapel Guided Tour
    02 30 minutes

    Cormac's Chapel Guided Tour

    Join a timed guided tour inside the 12th-century Hiberno-Romanesque chapel to see Ireland's only surviving Romanesque frescoes and the elaborately carved sarcophagus. Spots are strictly limited.

  3. Gothic Cathedral & Round Tower
    03 30 minutes

    Gothic Cathedral & Round Tower

    Explore the roofless 13th-century cathedral at your own pace, noting the carved tombs and the way the nave awkwardly abuts Cormac's Chapel. The 28-metre round tower alongside dates from shortly after 1100.

  4. High Cross & Graveyard
    04 20 minutes

    High Cross & Graveyard

    Examine the replica of St. Patrick's Cross in situ and the original in the Vicars Choral. Walk the atmospheric medieval graveyard surrounding the ecclesiastical complex.

  5. Panoramic Views & Descent
    05 15 minutes

    Panoramic Views & Descent

    Take in the sweeping views across the Golden Vale from the highest point of the Rock before descending the 200-metre incline back to the car park and Cashel town.

Highlights

What you'll see inside Rock of Cashel

The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Rock of Cashel tours remember — all visible on a single visit.

Cormac's Chapel

Cormac's Chapel

Consecrated in 1134, this Hiberno-Romanesque chapel contains Ireland's only surviving Romanesque frescoes — hidden under whitewash from the Reformation until rediscovered in the 1980s.

Gothic Cathedral

Gothic Cathedral

Construction began in the 1230s, and the roofless nave is shorter than the chancel — an unusual proportional quirk forced by the cramped limestone hilltop and the presence of Cormac's Chapel already on site.

Round Tower

Round Tower

Standing 28 metres (90 feet) tall and dating from shortly after 1100, this is the oldest structure on the Rock — built as a bell tower and refuge during Viking-era raids, with only its roof rebuilt in the 19th century.

Hall of the Vicars Choral

Hall of the Vicars Choral

Built in the 15th century by Archbishop Richard O'Hedian to house his cathedral choir, this hall now contains the on-site museum, an audiovisual presentation, and the original St. Patrick's High Cross protected from weathering.

St. Patrick's High Cross

St. Patrick's High Cross

The original 12th-century High Cross — whose carved figure of Christ may have been modelled on the Volto Santo wooden crucifix from Lucca, Italy — is preserved inside the Vicars Choral while a detailed replica stands on the Rock in its original position.

Compare

Rock of Cashel tickets & tours compared

Every Rock of Cashel tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.

Experience From Duration Transfers Pickup Lunch Tax inc. Free cancel. Price
Guided Experience
Dublin to Rock of Cashel Cork City and Blarney Castle Guided Tour
12 hr $101 Book →
Standard Entry
Blarney Stone, Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castles Tour from Dublin
Dublin 13 hr 30 min $107 Book →
Premium Combo
Cork City, Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide
12 hr $117 Book →
Luxury / Private
Semi Private tour Rock of Cashel - Cahir castle & Kilkenny
6 hr 30 min $236 Book →

All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.

How your ticket works

Book Rock of Cashel tours in 3 steps

  1. 01

    Book online

    Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.

  2. 02

    Receive your mobile voucher

    Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.

  3. 03

    Show & enter

    Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.

Plan your visit

Plan your Rock of Cashel visit

Practical details for Rock of Cashel tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.

Open today · 09:00 – 17:30
Opening Hours
09:00–17:30 daily (last admission 16:45)
Opening hours
09:00 – 17:30
Getting there
City-center access via metro and bus
Accessibility
Most experiences are wheelchair-friendly — check individual tours
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, water, phone for mobile voucher
Mon
09:00 – 17:30
Quietest weekday morning
Tue
09:00 – 17:30
Wed
09:00 – 17:30
Thu
09:00 – 17:30
Fri
09:00 – 17:30
Busier toward weekend
Sat
09:00 – 17:30
Coach tours peak mid-morning
Sun
09:00 – 17:30
Closed on: Dec 24 (Christmas Eve — early closure likely), Dec 25 (Christmas Day — closed), Dec 26 (St. Stephen's Day — closed)
Main entrance

Main Entrance Gate

St. Patrick's Rock of Cashel, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, E25 KX44

Ticket desk and guided tour departure point at the gate arch

Open in Google Maps
Getting there
City-center access via metro and bus
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, water, phone for mobile voucher

How to get there

🚆
Public transport · Dublin approx. 2h 45min; Cork approx. 1h 30min · Dublin–Cashel from approx. €14 single (book online)

Bus Éireann X8 from Dublin Busaras or Cork Parnell Place to Cashel Main Street, then 10-minute walk to the Rock

🚗
Car · Dublin approx. 2h; Cork approx. 1h 30min · Municipal car park approx. €4.50

Via M8 motorway: exit at Cashel and follow brown tourist signs; rock is visible above the town

🚆
Taxi/Rideshare · Thurles to Cashel approx. 25 min · Approx. €30–40 one way from Thurles

Taxis available from Thurles train station (25km) or Cahir (20km) to the Rock

🚆
Train + Taxi · Train Dublin–Thurles approx. 1h 30min · Train fare varies; taxi approx. €30–40

Irish Rail to Thurles (Dublin–Cork main line), then taxi or local bus to Cashel

Dress code

No formal dress code is enforced at the rock of cashel, but the site is an exposed hilltop in Co. Tipperary with unpredictable Irish weather. Wear layers and sturdy, closed-toe footwear — cobbled paths and uneven medieval stonework make heeled shoes hazardous.

Bags & security

Large backpacks and oversized luggage are discouraged on the narrow internal staircases and in Cormac's Chapel, where space is extremely limited. There are no left-luggage facilities on site, so leave bulky bags in your vehicle or at your accommodation.

Photography

Photography for personal, non-commercial use is welcome throughout the open areas of the rock of cashel, including the Gothic cathedral ruins, round tower, and graveyard. Photography inside Cormac's Chapel may be restricted by guides to protect the fragile Romanesque frescoes — always follow staff instructions.

Accessibility

The rock of cashel sits atop a steep limestone outcrop and involves a short but demanding 200-metre incline from the municipal car park. The main outdoor areas are partially accessible, but key buildings including the Gothic cathedral interior, Cormac's Chapel, and the Hall of the Vicars Choral have uneven stone floors and steps. Heritage Ireland provides a social guide (downloadable PDF) to help visitors with developmental and learning disabilities prepare for a visit.

Mobile phones

Mobile signal on the Rock can be patchy, particularly inside the thick-walled medieval buildings. Download offline maps or the Heritage Ireland site information before arriving. Phones are welcome for photography in permitted areas, but please keep calls brief and voices low inside Cormac's Chapel during guided tours.

What to bring

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Sturdy walking shoes or boots
  • Bottle of water
  • Sunscreen (summer visits)
  • Cash or card for entrance and car park fee
  • Fully charged phone for photos
  • Binoculars (for Golden Vale panoramas)

Not allowed

  • Drones
  • Tripods and monopods (without prior permission)
  • Selfie sticks inside Cormac's Chapel
  • Food and drink inside the buildings
  • Smoking or vaping on the Rock
  • Climbing or sitting on ancient stonework
  • Flash photography in Cormac's Chapel
  • Bicycles on the access path
  • Pets (except assistance animals)
  • High-heeled shoes on the Rock
  • Glass bottles

Families & strollers

Children under 18 qualify for reduced admission; check the Heritage Ireland site for current concession rates. The open graveyard and dramatic medieval ruins make a rock of cashel tour genuinely engaging for older children with an interest in Irish history or medieval architecture. There are toilets at the base of the Rock, but no on-site café — bring snacks and water, especially for younger visitors.

Food & drink

There is no café or food kiosk on the Rock itself. Cashel town centre, a 10-minute walk from the site, has several restaurants, cafés, and pubs. Picnicking in the open grassy areas around the Rock is generally tolerated in fine weather, but no food or drink is permitted inside any of the historic buildings.

Pets

Pets are not permitted on the Rock of Cashel, with the exception of trained assistance dogs. The steep access path and ancient stonework also make the site unsuitable for most animals. Leave pets with a companion in Cashel town or secured in a ventilated vehicle during your visit.

Good to know

Cormac's Chapel tickets are only sold on site and cannot be pre-booked; they are limited and issued on a first-come, first-served basis with the last guided tour running at 14:30 daily. Groups of 10 or more must pre-book by calling +353 62 61437. The site hosts approximately 250,000 visitors per year, so summer weekends are among the busiest periods.

Meeting points

Rock of Cashel tour meeting points

Main Entrance Gate

Main Entrance Gate

St. Patrick's Rock of Cashel, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, E25 KX44

Ticket desk and guided tour departure point at the gate arch

Get directions
Municipal Car Park

Municipal Car Park

Rock Lane, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Large paid car park at the foot of the Rock; approx. €4.50 fee; 200m steep walk to entrance

Get directions
Around your visit

Rock of Cashel — everything else worth knowing

Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.

Best time to visit Rock of Cashel

How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.

Spring (April–May)

Mild weather, fewer coach tours than summer, and the surrounding Golden Vale countryside is lush and green.

Summer (June–August)

Longest daylight hours make for the best photography, but coach tour crowds peak mid-morning — arrive at 09:00 for a quieter experience.

Autumn (September–October)

Reduced visitor numbers, atmospheric low light, and cooler temperatures ideal for exploring the open-air ruins.

Winter (November–March)

Fewest crowds and a distinctly moody atmosphere, though note the site closes an hour earlier (16:30) outside peak season.

Helpful tips for your visit to Rock of Cashel

Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.

Arrive at 09:00 sharp

The rock of cashel opens at 09:00 and the first 90 minutes before coach tours arrive offer noticeably shorter queues and better conditions for photography without crowds in the frame.

Secure Cormac's Chapel tickets first

Cormac's Chapel tickets are sold only on site; head to the ticket desk immediately on arrival, as the last guided tour departs at 14:30 and places sell out on busy summer days.

Combine with Hore Abbey

The short walking path connecting the Rock to the free ruins of Hore Abbey below takes about 20 minutes and provides the most photogenic long-angle views of the entire hilltop complex.

Wear proper footwear

The path from the car park is steep and the courtyard of the Rock is paved with original uneven medieval cobblestones — ankle support is genuinely useful, not just a precaution.

Check weather before departure

The Rock is fully exposed to Tipperary's Atlantic-influenced weather; conditions can shift from sunshine to heavy rain within an hour, so a compact waterproof is essential even in summer.

Landmarks near Rock of Cashel

Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.

Hore Abbey

Hore Abbey

15 min walk

13th-century Cistercian monastery ruins at the foot of the Rock with unobstructed views back up to the complex; free to enter.

Cashel Heritage Centre

Cashel Heritage Centre

10 min walk

Town-centre museum covering Cashel's royal and ecclesiastical history with maps and artefacts.

Cahir Castle

Cahir Castle

20 min drive

One of Ireland's largest and best-preserved Anglo-Norman castles, situated on a river island in nearby Cahir.

Bolton Library

Bolton Library

10 min walk

Small but exceptional library in Cashel holding rare manuscripts, maps, and printed books dating to the 15th century.

Cancellation policy

Flexible, no hidden fees.

Tickets purchased online for the rock of cashel may be cancelled for a full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the visit date. The 8 EUR adult admission is non-refundable for no-shows or same-day cancellations.

Where to stay

Hotels & districts near Rock of Cashel

Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.

Cashel Palace Hotel

Cashel Palace Hotel

5 min walk
luxury

Queen Anne-era palazzo directly below the Rock; gardens offer dramatic upward views of the medieval ruins.

Abbey House B&B

Abbey House B&B

8 min walk
boutique

Period guesthouse close to the base of the Rock with views toward the ruins.

Cahir Hotels District

Cahir Hotels District

20 min drive
mid-range

Cahir, 20km south, offers a wider selection of mid-range hotels and guesthouses than Cashel town itself.

Traveler reviews

Rock of Cashel tour reviews

4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2400 reviews
74K+ travelers chose this
  • "We arrived mid-morning when the mist was still clinging to the hill and the rock of cashel looked like something from a saga. The round tower is far taller up close than photos suggest, and the graveyard carvings kept me wandering longer than planned. Wear proper shoes, the grass slopes get slick."
    Aoife M. · Ireland · 2026-05-18
  • "Booked one of the rock of cashel tours and our guide brought Cormac's Chapel to life with stories of the frescoes most people walk past. Standing in the roofless cathedral with wind howling through the Gothic windows was the highlight of our Tipperary trip. Go late afternoon for the light."
    Daniel R. · United States · 2026-04-02
  • "The scale of the place surprised me, the limestone outcrop just erupts out of flat green farmland. We spent two hours among the high crosses and round tower and could have stayed longer. Bring a windbreaker, it was bracing even in spring."
    Lena K. · Germany · 2026-03-21
  • "Visited on a grey February afternoon and the carraig phadraig still impressed despite the drizzle. The frescoes inside the chapel are fragile and dim, so do the guided talk to understand what you are seeing. Parking is a short uphill walk away."
    Hiroshi T. · Japan · 2026-02-11
  • "We pre-booked rock of cashel tickets online and walked straight past the queue on a busy Saturday. The view over Hore Abbey from the battlements at dusk made the whole detour from Cork worthwhile. Allow more time than you think."
    Marta S. · Spain · 2026-01-09
  • "Came at golden hour with the fields below glowing and barely another soul around. The Tipperary landmarks all funnel back to this hill and you understand why kings chose it. The site staff were genuinely knowledgeable about the OPW restoration work."
    Brendan O. · Ireland · 2025-11-27
  • "Our rock of cashel tour was well paced and the guide pointed out the original Romanesque doorway that I would have missed entirely. The exposed hilltop means weather changes fast, we had sun and sideways rain within twenty minutes. Café options in Cashel town below are good for after."
    Claire D. · Canada · 2025-09-14
  • "The combination of the round tower, the chapel and the cathedral on one windswept outcrop is hard to beat among Irish heritage sites. We climbed up from the town in the morning and had the carvings almost to ourselves. UNESCO-worthy even if it is on the tentative list."
    Tomás N. · Brazil · 2025-07-30
  • "Walking the medieval graveyard with the cathedral towering above felt like stepping centuries back. The interpretive displays explain the Cashel of the Kings story clearly without overwhelming you. Buy the rock of cashel tickets in advance during summer, it fills up by midday."
    Sophie L. · France · 2025-05-19
  • "The ruins themselves are remarkable and the round tower is the oldest structure on the hill. That said, much of the cathedral is roofless so a wet day leaves you with little shelter, plan accordingly. Still glad we made the stop between Dublin and Cork."
    Greg P. · Australia · 2025-02-08
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Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about rock of cashel tours

What are the opening hours for the rock of cashel?

The rock of cashel is open daily from 09:00 to 17:30, with last admission at 16:45. Outside the peak season (mid-October to mid-March), the site closes at 16:30 with last admission at 15:45.

How much do rock of cashel tickets cost?

Adult admission to the rock of cashel costs 8 EUR and covers a self-guided or guided tour of the main site. Entry to Cormac's Chapel requires a separate ticket purchased only on site; as of 2023 the Chapel tour cost €11 for adults with concession rates available — ring +353 62 61437 for current prices.

When is the best time to visit the rock of cashel to avoid crowds?

Arriving at opening time (09:00) and staying until around 10:30 is the recommended window for a rock of cashel visit. Coach tours typically arrive mid-morning, so the earliest slots offer the quietest conditions and the best chance of securing a Cormac's Chapel guided tour place.

Is the rock of cashel accessible for wheelchair users?

The rock of cashel is partially wheelchair accessible: the outdoor areas and some pathways can be navigated with assistance, but the Gothic cathedral, Cormac's Chapel, and Vicars Choral all feature uneven stone floors and steps that limit full wheelchair access. A social guide PDF is available from Heritage Ireland to help visitors plan accordingly.

Can I take photographs inside Cormac's Chapel?

Photography for personal use is welcome throughout the open-air areas of the rock of cashel. Inside Cormac's Chapel, your guide may restrict photography or prohibit flash to protect Ireland's only surviving Romanesque frescoes — always follow on-site staff instructions.

Are there guided tours available at the rock of cashel?

Yes, guided tours are included in the 8 EUR entrance fee and depart regularly from the main gate. Cormac's Chapel can only be seen on a separate timed guided tour; tickets for this are sold at the site on a first-come, first-served basis with the last tour at 14:30 daily.

What is the cancellation policy for rock of cashel tickets?

Tickets purchased online can typically be cancelled for a full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before your visit. The 8 EUR admission is non-refundable for same-day cancellations or no-shows.

Is there parking near the rock of cashel?

There is a municipal car park a short distance below the rock of cashel, reached from Rock Lane in Cashel town, with a fee of approximately €4.50. It is a 200-metre steep walk from the car park to the entrance. The car park can fill on peak summer days, so morning arrival is advised.

Can I bring food and drink on a Cashel heritage site tour?

Food and drink are not permitted inside any of the historic buildings at this Cashel ecclesiastical complex. Picnicking in the open outdoor areas is generally permitted in good weather. There is no on-site café; the town centre, a 10-minute walk away, has restaurants, cafés, and pubs.

Are children and families welcome at the rock of cashel?

Children are warmly welcomed on a rock of cashel tour and under-18s qualify for reduced admission. The dramatic medieval ruins, round tower, and graveyard make the site genuinely captivating for curious older children. Pushchairs are difficult to manoeuvre on the cobbled paths and steep approach incline.

What should I wear for a visit to this Tipperary landmark?

There is no dress code for visiting this iconic Tipperary landmark, but the Rock is fully exposed to the elements. Sturdy, flat-soled footwear is strongly recommended, as the cobblestones and uneven medieval stonework are hazardous in heeled shoes. Bring a waterproof layer regardless of the forecast.

What other attractions can I combine with a rock of cashel tour?

Hore Abbey, a free 13th-century Cistercian ruin at the foot of the Rock, pairs naturally with a rock of cashel tour. Cahir Castle, 20 km south, and the Cashel Heritage Centre in town are also excellent additions to a full day in County Tipperary.

Keep exploring

More Rock of Cashel tours & experiences

Nearby cities & day trips
Dublin
2 hrs by car or bus via M8 motorway