ve been erected by King Cormac
M'Carthy in the 12th century, combines the ancient form of high stone
roof, having chambers between the pitch and the vault, with the richest
Norman decoration; the chancel arch being of especial magnificence. The
cathedral, of the 13th century, is cruciform in design, with lancet
windows and pointed arches, and contains many interesting sculptures and
tombs. In the adjoining cemetery there stands, on a rude pedestal,
whereon the kings of Munster were crowned, the "Cross of Cashel," with
an effigy of St Patrick and a portrayal of the Crucifixion sculptured on
its sides. The round tower, situated at the north-east angle of the
cathedral, is 80 ft. high with a circumference of 50 ft., and unlike the
neighbouring ruins is built, not of the limestone of the "Rock," but of
freestone. Of the defences of the Rock a massive guard-tower and
portions of the wall remain. At the base of the Rock is Hore Abbey, a
Cistercian foundation (1272), exhibiting a similar style of architecture
to that of the cathedral on the Rock; and within the town is a Dominican
priory (1243), of which the east window is a beautiful example of the
style of the period. From the Rock itself an extensive prospect is
commanded over the rich Golden Vale backed by the Galtee Mountains, the
Devil's Bit, and other ranges; the clustering roofs of the city
providing a picturesque foreground.

The history of Cashel belongs to the early period of Irish chronology.
Legend states that the vision of an angel blessing the Rock, seen by two
swineherds early in the 5th century, led Core Mac Luighdheach, king of
Munster, to establish a stronghold here. It became one of the principal
seats of the kings of Munster, but in 1101 it was given over to the
church by King Murkertagh O'Brien. It afterwards became noteworthy as
the place where Henry II. received the homage of O'Brien, king of
Limerick, and still later, where Edward Bruce held his Irish parliament.
The cathedral was burnt in 1495 by the earl of Kildare. Cashel was taken
by storm during the wars of 1647. It was reduced from an archbishopric
to a bishopric in 1839, and was disfranchised, on account of corrupt
practice, in 1870, having previously returned one member to parliament.

CASHEW NUT, the fruit of the cashew, cadju or acajou tree, _Anacardium
occidentale_ (nat. ord. Anacardiaceae), a native of the West Indian
Islands. The fruit is kidney-shaped, about an inch in length, and t