Cashel, County Tipperary: The Land of Cheese and Blarney

Located in the heart of County Tipperary, Cashel has long been regarded as one of Ireland’s most picturesque towns. It’s also been regarded as one of the cheesiest. But we’ll get to that later.

Founded in the 4th century, Cashel was once the seat of the Kings of Munster. In the centuries that followed, it became a major religious center, and today boasts some of Ireland’s most impressive ecclesiastical architecture. But let’s be honest, the real attraction is the cheese.

Cashel Blue cheese, to be precise. Made from the milk of grass-fed cows, this tangy, creamy delight is a true taste of Ireland. It’s so good that it’s even won awards at the renowned World Cheese Awards. Yes, that’s a thing.

But if cheese isn’t your thing (we don’t understand you, but we’ll let it slide), fear not. Cashel also has plenty of other attractions to offer. For instance, there’s the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular fortress atop a hill which was once the seat of the Kings of Munster. Legend has it that St. Patrick himself converted the King of Munster here, and it’s also been rumored that the Blarney Stone was once hidden in the walls. Presumably to make it even harder to kiss.

Speaking of Blarney, Cashel is only a short drive from the town of the same name, home of the famous Blarney Castle. Here you can hang upside-down and kiss a magical stone, said to give you the gift of the gab. Of course, whether that gift is a blessing or a curse is up for debate. But hey, at least you’ll be able to talk about it.

So there you have it, folks. Cashel: where the cheese is as rich as the history, and the blarney is just a stone’s throw away.