Explore the medieval heartlands of Tipperary and discover centuries of drama, romance, intrigue and deadly rivalries as you follow in the footsteps of the powerful Butler dynasty.
For more than five turbulent centuries the Butlers were the most powerful aristocratic family in Tipperary and they left an indelible mark. They raised armies and went into battle with rival families, sometimes fighting with and other times against the English Crown.
They built numerous fine castles and houses, both for defensive purposes and as ostentatious displays of their wealth. They sponsored the establishment and embellishment of abbeys and churches which still stand to this day.
Spot the cannonball in the walls of Cahir Castle, take a romantic stroll along the river to the irresistibly romantic Swiss Cottage, delight in a visit to the restored former courthouse at the Main Guard, or explore a house built for a queen at Ormond Castle.
The Butler Trail is fantastic journey through time that takes you around Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir in the south-east of Tipperary, and also Nenagh, Roscrea and Thurles in the north and west of the county. It reveals the influence and impact the Butler family dynasty had on the physical, social and economic fabric of these Tipperary towns and communities, and the legacy they left behind.
There is interpretive signage to guide and inform you along the route in each town. You can download The Butler Trail App & Audio Guide on iTunes or Google Play and immerse yourself in this network of remarkable stories told through the landscape of Ireland’s Ancient East.
Download the Butler Trail app on iTunes and Google Play. The app includes three audio trails (available in English, French and German) and a travel guide of Ireland’s Ancient East. These trails will guide you around the ancient towns of Cahir, Clonmel, Carrick-On-Suir and Roscrea, revealing a network of stories – set in a landscape stretching out over 5,000 years.
Check out The Butler Trail Itinerary from here: https://tipperary.com/itinerary/48-hours-on-the-butler-trail/