July 12, 2026

With nearly three hours of driving ahead of us, we had to be strategic with our stops today. We redistributed our belongings amongst our three luggages in advance preparation for the flight tomorrow. And looking over our options, instead of driving east to Waterford, we went more directly towards Dublin, deciding to stop in Cashel.

The Rock of Cashel is a medieval fortress, one of the most prominent in all of Ireland. It stands up above the city below, on a very windy hillside we appreciated on a warmer clear day.

As the site’s history will tell you, “Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend, St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital. In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centres of ecclesiastical power in the country.”

Being amongst buildings that have somehow stood so long against time and history, it’s something one only experiences outside the US.

It was decently crowded, difficult to find parking, but we’re glad it worked out. What a final stop to make, and what a beautiful day to have been here.

We also saw the largest bumblebee of our lives, a few buzzed about the plants growing from the rocky walls.

We soon said our goodbyes to the Rock and to the view, onward to Dublin.

Back in Dublin, we checked into our hotel and made our way to the city center to return our rental car. Successfully driving some 1600 km on another European road trip.

We walked the streets of town, eventually stopping at a cocktail bar to enjoy our second to last night in Dublin.

An early morning awaits us, 8am to Edinburgh!