Tipperary Hotels & Information
Tipperary, Ireland's largest inland county, has richly varied scenery in its hills, mountains, plains and river valleys. It is bordered by Galway and Offaly to the north, Laois and Kilkenny to the east, Waterford and Cork to the south and Limerick and Clare to the west. In the south are the Galtee Mountains, the Knockmealdowns and Slievenamon.
Keeper Hill is the highest point among the various groups of hills in the north. The middle of the county is a broad plain, through which the River Suir flows from north to south; and from this plain the rich land of the Golden Vale extends westwards into County Limerick.
Tipperary has a long and fabled history, with the fabulous ruins at the Rock of Cashel, once a seat of the kings of Munster, a most notable landmark. Tipperary has beautiful lush mountain scenery and the most famous of these hills is known as the Devil's Bit, named for the bite taken out of it by the devil as he rode over Ireland, and the hunk he spat out is now the Rock of Cashel! Ireland's longest river, the Shannon, flows through Tipperary, and Lough Derg is the biggest of its 3 lakes.
Apart from its scenery, Tipperary is Ireland's best recognized county, popularised in the World War One song 'Its a long long way to Tipperary'.
Nenagh is an attractive 19th century garrison and market town, famous for beef and butter. The main historical site is the 13th century Nenagh Castle. The heritage centre features a scale model of the old County Gaol as well as a collection of relics of the town's history. There is a 13th century Franciscan church in the town centre.
Thurles owes the development of the town to the Norman Butler family, in the early 13th century. Situated in the valley of the river Suir, in an area known as 'The Golden Vale', which contains some of the richest farmland in Europe. East of the river Suir, which divides the town, is decidedly ecclesiastical - two churches, two convents, two seminaries and a presbytery are present. The town is also famous for hurling. The square has Hayes' hotel, where the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1884.
Roscrea, in the east of the county, contains St. Cronan's Church, a fine 12th century Romanesque structure, the recently restored 13th century Norman castle and the 18th. century Damer House, mansion and home of the town's Heritage Centre.
Templemore has the national training centre of the G?rda S?och?na (the Irish police force) located in a former military barrack's site. The town has a remarkable layout, with an extremely wide main street, lined with buildings on either side.
Cahir, located south of Cashel, is noted for the beautiful 13th century Cahir Castle, where the movie "Excalibur" was filmed.
Carrick on Suir has many buildings in the town dating back to the 18th century and the modern Tipperary Crystal factory is close by, as well as Ormonde Castle.
Cashel's history has been documented since the 4th century. St. Patrick converted the king in the 5th century, Brian Boru was crowned King of Ireland on this spot in the early 11th century. The Cashel Heritage Centre, Cashel Folk Village, the Rock of Cashel and Br? Bor? are well worth a visit.
Clonmel, Tipperary's largest town, famous for the production of Bulmers cider, has excellent museums and galleries, St. Mary's Church and a well that is said to cure many disorders.
Tipperary, originally an Anglo-Norman settlement, now boasts a new Heritage Centre, Arts and Cultural centre and a genealogical research centre.
Ballyporeen is well known as Ronald Reagan's great grandfather was baptised here in the local church in 1828.
Fethard, whose name in Irish means 'high wood' has medieval buildings remaining in the city centre including an Augustinian Abbey.
Other Attractions/Activities
Holy Cross Abbey - one of Europe's most significant early monastic sites.
Nenagh and Roscrea heritage centres.
"Lar na Pairce", Thurles, an interpretative centre that tells of the history of Gaelic Games.
St.Marys Famine Memorial Church and War Museum, Thurles, houses the largest collection of memorabilia pertaining to the Great Famine of 1845-49.
The Rock of Cashel: A spectacular group of medieval buildings on an outcrop of limestone. Set in the Golden Vale, the group includes a round tower, Romanesque chapel, cathedral and restored hall of the Vicars Choral.
Cahir Castle, Cahir, one of Ireland's largest and best-preserved castles, is situated on a rocky island in the river Suir.
Ormonde Castle, Carrick on Suir, is one of the finest examples of an Elizabethan manor house in Ireland and allegedly the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, wife of King Henry V111. It is the country's only major unfortified dwelling from that turbulent period.
Swiss Cottage, located close to Cahir Town, the Swiss Cottage is a delightful 'cottage orn?' built in the early 1800s on the estate of the Earls of Glengall. It is situated on an elevated site with access by stone steps.
Roscrea Heritage (Castle and Damer House): The stone castle consists of a gate tower, walls and two corner towers dating from the 1280s. The castle rooms are furnished and some house exhibitions. Built in the early 18th century in the Queen Anne style, Damer House is an example of pre-Palladian architecture. Its rooms house temporary exhibitions.
The Br? Bor? Centre, located beside the Rock of Cashel, has a folk theatre, restaurant, craft and information centre and a genealogy suite. Traditional Irish music, song and dance are provided for visitors by the world famous resident Br? Bor? group of Irish musicians and artists during the summer season.
Carrick On Suir Heritage Centre, a former Protestant church, now restored as a heritage centre, was once part of the Pre-Reformation burial ground and church site of Carrick Mor.
Mitchelstown Cave, located at Burncourt, Cahir, is considered one of the most spectacular caves in Europe. The caves have three massive caverns, in which the visitor is surrounded by indescribable drip stone formations, stalactites, stalagmites and huge calcite columns.
The Dundrum Plantarum has eight acres of trees, shrubs and a two mile walk. There are sixty thousand plants and over two thousand varieties. A Celtic theme runs through the Plantarum with crannogs, dolmens and fairy forts all on view. There are also many interesting water features including lakes and waterfalls.
Cashel Folk Village located at Dominick Street, Cashel, has a delightful series of informal reconstructions of various traditional thatched village shops, a forge and other businesses. It is housed within the town of Cashel, close to the famed Rock of Cashel.
Clonmel, Nenagh and Thurles Race Courses make the county a must for race-goers.
Tipperary has excellent facilities for pastimes such as angling, golf, mountain climbing, caving, hunting, River Shannon cruising (including day cruises), sailing, watersports, horse riding and bird-watching.
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