Cashel like many Irish towns had surrounding walls built to protect the population from attack.
The medieval city wall were built under a Charter of Murnage from Edward II between 1319 – 1324 and enclosed an irregular heart-shaped area of about 28 acres, the circumference being just over one mile in length.
In time they came to mark the boundaries of the town, and in doing so helped in the levying of tolls and fees on traders. There is evidence of mural towers at the north west and south east angles, and there were also at least five gates: Canafie Gate and West Gate (or St. Nicholas’ Gate) at the east and west ends of Main street; Moor gate in Chapel Lane; and on the south side of the town, Friar gate and John’s Gaye located at the ends of Friar Street and John Street.
The Hackett Effigies can be found inlaid into the town walls on the grounds. The Effigies themselves are four thirteenth century coffin lids that were taken in the eighteenth century from St. Dominic’s Abbey and placed in the south and east boundaries of the wall.
They were placed there for their preservation and are thought to be of Sir William Hackett (circa 1260), his wife and family.
Cashel Town Council have erected all over Cashel Town signs, plaques and maps to help residents and visitors find all these hidden and not so hidden treasures that Cashel has to offer.