Castles & Heritage

Hore Abbey, found just outside of Cashel in County Tipperary, was originally a Benedictine monastery. In 1272, the archbishop of Cashel expelled the monks and Cistercians arrived from Mellifont Abbey.

Address: Loughnafina, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

One of Ireland’s finest and best-preserved medieval fortresses, Cahir Castle is picturesquely located on an island in the River Suir. Home for centuries to the Butlers, Barons of Cahir, it’s high walls and towers dominate the town’s skyline.

Address: Castle Street Cahir, Co. Tipperary E21 P652

The beautiful Swiss Cottage was built in 1810 by the fashionable, high-society couple James and Emily Butler, 1st Earl and Countess of Glengall.

They employed the royal architect John Nash to design the building in the cottage orne style, which was much in vogue at the time. The romantic, picturesque location, and cottage’s fascinating exterior appearance and the elegantly-furnished rooms make this hidden gem a must to visit.

Address: Ardfinnan Road, Cahir, Co. Tipperary E21 DX07

Discover Ireland’s Ancient East in the heart of Roscrea with a visit to Roscrea Castle and Damer House. The stone castle consists of a gate tower, curtain walls and two corner towers dating from the 1280.

Address: Roscrea Heritage, Castle Street, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary  E53 F652

This 13th-century castle is Nenagh’s oldest building and is situated in the heart of the town, which developed around it. The castle boasts the finest cylindrical keep in Ireland. Like most keeps, it formed part of the perimeter of the fortress, being incorporated in the curtain walls surrounding a five-sided courtyard.

Address: O’Rahilly Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

Discover Ireland’s Ancient East with a visit to the Main Guard in Clonmel in County Tipperary. Built as a courthouse in 1675 by James Butler, Duke of Ormond, this beautiful building hosted King James II as he toured Ireland.

The Main Guard building was redeveloped around 1810 when the ground floor, consisting of a loggia (or gallery) of open arches, was converted into shops and additional floors were added in the basement.

Address: Sarsfield Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91 P7Y8

Brú Ború, located at the foot of the historic Rock of Cashel, is an affiliate of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Irish cultural movement which has over 400 branches worldwide.

Brú Ború promotes its cultural programme through education, research, publications, exhibitions, performances and information service. We have a policy of co-operation with other cultural interests at home and abroad.

Brú Ború offers you a unique Irish cultural experience nestling in the shadow of the ancient Rock of Cashel.

Address: Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

The Famine Warhouse 1848 tells the story of the Young Irelanders. Without the Young Ireland movement, it is unlikely there would have been the Fenians of 1867 and the 1916 Rising. The Warhouse exhibits the history of the Famine and mass emigration, the rebellion, high treason trials and the penal exile of the Young Ireland leaders to Australia and their escapes to the United States of America.

The exhibition places the Famine Rebellion in the context of 1848 as Europe’s year of revolutions in France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Hungary.

Address: Farranrory Upper, Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary E41 XK23

Located in the heart of Clonmel’s civic centre, Tipperary County Museum tells the story of Tipperary and its people from early times to present day and features artefacts from military, religious, social history, political, archaeology, geology, townscapes, photography, sports and industrial collections.

Address: Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91 Y891

The Nenagh Heritage Centre is located in two stone Georgian buildings, built in 1840-1842 as the Governor’s House and Gatehouse of an extensive Gaol complex for North Tipperary, which held thousands of prisoner’s until its closure in 1887. Condemned cells in the Gatehouse held persons who were sentenced to death by hanging. Between 1842 and 1858, 17 Tipperary men were executed here.

Shortly after the prison closed in 1887, it was taken over by the local Tipperary branch of the Sisters of Mercy for educational purposes. The Heritage Centre has been open to visitors since 1984.

Address: The Governor’s House, Kickham St, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

The North Tipperary Genealogy Centre, operating under the auspices of Tipperary County Council, provides a research service for people whose ancestors originated in North Tipperary.

Address: The Governor’s House, Kickham Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary E45 X588

Farney Castle is the only round tower in Ireland occupied as a family home. The round tower was built in 1495 by Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond and was part of a defensive system created by the Butlers to protect their land in Tipperary.

The castle is home to the Irish international designer, Cyril Cullen, where his famous handmade knitwear designs and fine porcelains are produced and sold in the castle shop. Tours of the castle are available daily and harp recitals take place in the drawing room by arrangement.

Address: Farney Castle, Holycross, Co. Tipperary E41 NY04

Visit one of Ireland’s most extensive monasteries, Athassel Abbey in County Tipperary, stretching out along the banks of the River Suir.

The serene beauty of Athassel Abbey near the village of Golden, 7km from Cashel, belies its past as a major urban centre which once had 2,000 occupants. Established as an Augustinian monastery in the 12th century and dedicated to St. Edmund, Athassel Abbey is the largest medieval priory in Ireland.

Address: Corbally, Golden, Co. Tipperary

Fethard has the most complete medieval town wall in Ireland with over 90% of the original 1,125m stone wall surviving. The town walls date from 1292 when King Edward I of England gave a murage grant towards the enclosure of the town and the protection of its citizens. This was continued by further murage grants in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Address: Fethard Town, Co. Tipperary

It is said that St Patrick and St Declan first met at this tranquil site 1,600 years ago. Patrick was journeying south to confront the pagan King of the Déise and Declan feared that Patrick would curse his people. The two holy men resolved their differences and the site was given to Patrick to mark the new friendship.

Situated in a sheltered valley with the sound of water echoing all around, St Patrick’s Well, with its ruined church and cross in the centre of the artificial lake, is a beautiful mix of ancient heritage and modern landscaping. It lies just north of Marlfield village, near Clonmel.

Address: Clonmel, Co. Tipperary