County Tipperary Information

Tipperary (Tiobraid Arann) is located in the heart of Munster, and is famed in story and song as a historic and scenic place, with a strong cultural heritage. It is home to a number of Ireland’s most iconic historic sites, including the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle and it is the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Its varied landscape covers majestic mountains, shimmering lakes, golden valleys & spectacular caves. It has plenty to entice the sports lover to visit, with world-class walking, hiking and climbing trails, and excellent coarse fishing and angling in its lakes.

Tipperary is bordered by Galway, Offaly, Laois, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Clare and is known as the ‘Premier County’. The county’s mountainous terrain, from the Knockmealdowns to the Galtees provides a stark contrast to the wide-open fertile plains of the Golden Vale where farming and horse-breeding thrive. Together, however, these opposites combine to provide a scenic smorgasbord, and a touring holiday around the county unveils these natural attractions in all their splendour.

Tipperary has a proud sporting tradition, dating to the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Thurles at the end of the 19^th Century, and hurling in particular is a passion throughout the county. The GAA is Ireland’s most important sporting and cultural symbol and its clubs are at the epicentre of communities throughout the country. The history of the GAA is celebrated in the interactive GAA museum in Thurles, which tells the story of the organisation’s history and displays various exhibitions. Tipperary hurling has brought the county numerous All-Ireland titles, the most recent in 2010, while its ever-improving football team are the proud owners of the 2011 All-Ireland Minor Football championship crown. 

The Rock of Cashel is a truly iconic site, which includes a 12^th Century round tower, a 13^th Century Gothic cathedral and a 15th-century castle all of which sit on top of a rocky limestone base, which protrudes unexpectedly and majestically from the surrounding valley. It was the ancient seat of the High Kings of Munster and it is believed the hilltop was first built on in the 5^th Century. The site provides audio-visual shows which explore its lengthy history. The Bru Boru Cultural Centre in the town of Cashel, situated below the Rock, hosts traditional music and dance shows, along with exhibitions outlining the cultural history of Ireland.

Further south, Cahir is located on the banks of the River Suir, and its castle is one of the country’s best preserved and largest medieval castles, dating from the 13^th Century. The delightfully pretty Swiss Cottage, located a little outside of Cahir, is a ‘cottage orné, or ornamental cottage, built by the Earl of Butler in the 1800s. The Michelstown Caves, to the west of Cahir, located about 10kms from the border with Cork, are one of the country’s best showcaves.

Tipperary’s walking, hiking and climbing trails are amongst the country’s finest and offer great variety to suit all fitness levels. Slievenamon is a relatively easy climb, providing a wide, clear track, and an ancient cairn and great views awaits climbers at the summit. The stunning Glen of Aherlow, south of Tipperary Town, is a wonderful region to enjoy long-distance walks or hikes in the midst of stunning scenery. The Slieve Felim Way is a long distance walking route, covering 36km through Tipperary and Limerick. Glenbawn Woods offers a number of looped walks, in a landscape filled with diverse flora and fauna. The Devil’s Bit Mountain ( the local legend is the devil took a bite out of it, and it broke his tooth so he spat it out and it became the Rock of Cashel), is another region providing decent hiking & climbing trails.