Rock of Cashel closed due to high winds - but goes green for St. Patrick's Day

The Rock of Cashel was closed today due to high winds, but the famous landmark will re-open later today, and locals and visitors alike are in for a treat as the newly installed LED lights go green in the run-up to St. Patrick’s Day.

Site Supervisor Elaine Moriarty told the Tipperary Star that the Rock always closes if there are high winds. The iconic cluster of medieval and ecclesiastical buildings was closed today from 9am to about lunchtime, 1pm . Management always closes the outer buildings for health and safety reasons if high winds pose a danger. The Vicars Choral, normally open to the public, was also closed due to works being carried out.

Meanwhile, Ms Moriarty confirmed that the Rock will be lit up in green during the night hours from tomorrow (March 15), every evening to March 19, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. “The LED lights pick up on the darkness, and they go off again at night,” said Ms Moriarty.

The wonderful image (above) comes from Siobhan Walsh of the Rock of Cashel, and was captured while it was covered in snow recently.

"It was bitterly cold here so one can only imagine how the Cistercian monks who lived here for centuries, coped in similar conditions with just robes and sandals keeping them warm.

"It certainly makes you appreciate the luxuries of modern day life," states the Rock of Cashel facebook page.