County Tipperary
County Tipperary (Irish: Tiobraid Árainn) is a county in the Shannon Region of Ireland.
Towns
County towns
Understand
Tipperary is a large and beautiful county situated in central southern Ireland. The river Shannon runs down the western edge – including the picturesque Lough Derg, and its twin town of Ballina and Killaloe (Co. Clare). The population is approximately 135,000.
Talk
Almost everyone in Tipperary speaks English. Tourist pamphlets and tour guides are always available in English, and also in Irish, German, Spanish and French — and increasingly, in Polish, too, as Polish immigration since 2004 has caused Polish to be spoken more than Irish in this county.
Get in
Shannon Airport (SNN IATA) and the city of Limerick are nearby. Due to its large size and central position (within Ireland it is usually NOT a long way to Tipperary), parts of the county may be visited from Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick or Galway.
Get around
The county is well served by road and rail. Limerick Junction railway station is 4 km from Tipperary town. Tipperary town itself also has a railway station, as does, Thurles, Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-On-Suir.
See
- Rock of Cashel, Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is worth a visit.
- Cahir Castle, Cahir. Cahir Castle is a must see.
- Swiss Cottage, Cahir.
- Mitchelstown Caves. The Mitchelstown Caves are outside the town, but are renowned for their beauty and size.
- Glen of Aherlow. The Glen of Aherlow is as breathtaking as any of the famed views in Killarney (Co. Kerry).
- Galtee mountains. The Galtee mountains are a fine-looking range, topped by one of Ireland's highest in Galtymore mountain (1000 metres).
- Loughmore. A scenic village.
- Holycross Abbey. A church with relics of the cross on the River Suir.
- Lough Derg. The whole Lough Derg area is worth visiting. This runs for about 30 mi (48 km) from Ballina, Garrykennedy, Dromineer, Puckane, Terryglass and on up to Portumna. You can even continue down the Clare side of the lake back to your starting point.
Eat
If visiting South Tipperary - lunch or dinner at *Lily Mai's Café, in Thomastown (between Cashel and Tipperary Town) is a must! Open Tuesday to Saturday.
As one of Tipperary's main tourist towns, Cashel has a number of eating possibilities - however the pre-eminent one remains Chez Hans, now in it's second generation, serving a 'best of irish menu' in a converted Church. They also provide a cheaper bistro option during the day.
- Paddys Bar & Restaurant, Terryglass, North Tipperary, ☎ +353 6722147. Paddy's Bar is located in the village of Terryglass about five miles from Portumna. This is a beautiful village noted for its achievements in Ireland's tidiest town competition.
In Nenagh try the Peppermill Restaurant or The Abbot's Bistro or Cloister Restaurant at the Abbey Court Hotel.
Just discovered Lily Mai's Cafe between Carrick-On-Suir and Clonmel - excellent food and herself can go shopping in Blarney Woollen Mills and Meadows & Byrne as well! I have had Sunday lunch there with the family - top class - and have dropped-in twice when on the way to Waterford. Both occasions have proved well-worth it. Food is top-drawer. The also have a Deli - very Avoca!
There are many outstanding farmers markets around the county that sell local food grown and produced in the region. Markets take place in Carrick-on-suir, Cahir, Thurles and Nenagh.
Cahir Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning from 09:00-13:00 and is held in the carpark beside the Granary Craft Centre, a 2 minute walk from the train station. Produce includes potatoes, apples, home grown vegetables, home baking, jams and jellies, local cheeses, pate, organic meats, flowers and plants, eggs etc... and is all of very high quality. As with all markets, it is the case of the early bird catches the worm in Cahir!
Upperchurch pub serves lovely food perfect after a walk.
Drink
In Nenagh the following two pubs are well worth a visit. Rohan's on Sarsfield Street is a very friendly local pub, caught in an authentic 1970s timewarp. Una Powell's in the Summerhill area is another fine local pub. Both are generally only open in the evenings.
Go next
Tipperary Country Club situated about 5 miles from Cashel in the village of Dundrum provides a testing 18 hole golf course, designed by former Ryder Cup Player, Philip Walton.