From this serial nomination, I visited only Rock of Cashel as most of other travelers did. In 2007, we went by car from Dublin via Glendalough (another TWHS) and Kilkenny (famous pale ale!) towards the Southwest coast.
We did a short stop in Cashel, which is quite touristy place. My friends were not very enthusiastic with the ruins of the castle full of tourists, and preferred walking in green meadows around the Rock. Thus we split, and I bought the ticket and climbed the Rock, that is however not such a difficult task. The castle is just a ruin that can be found anywhere in Ireland and Britain, but I can admit that this place is kind of special. The obvious highlight is the Cormac Chapel with fine Romanesque details. After the visit, I joint my friends in the gothic ruins of Hore Abbey not far from the Rock. It was very good idea, because there are marvelous views towards the Rock (PHOTO), that were much enjoyable than those from the main road full of traffic.
The central parts of Ireland are rather boring as a landscape is flat with farms and cow all around. The Rock of Cashel was not such dramatic and monumental as I would have expected, but still it was very pleasant and refreshing visit. I am happy that the things have moved on, and the site will be nominated in very near future. Hopefully, I will visit more sites from this TWHS and also the separate TWHS Ceide Fields!