Summary
County Tipperary’s largest town, Clonmel is situated in the Suir River Valley, with the Comeragh Mountains and Slievenamon providing a prominent backdrop.
This town is historically significant for its staunch resistance against Oliver Cromwell in 1650 during his campaign in Ireland, resulting in significant losses for his New Model Army before ultimately negotiating a peaceful surrender.
Later, Clonmel wielded considerable political and judicial influence during the Palatinate of County Tipperary, with the Main Guard serving as a notable edifice from this era.
In contemporary times, Clonmel is recognized for being the home of the Bulmers cider brand.
For a glimpse into Ireland’s magnificent outdoors, one can head towards the Comeragh Mountains and Slievenamon, with captivating historical sites like the Rock of Cashel located nearby.
Let’s delve into the top attractions in Clonmel:
1. Main Guard
Restored at the beginning of the 21st century, the Main Guard is a courthouse dating back to the late 17th century.
The ground floor features a five-bay arcade, with columns made from repurposed sandstone sourced from the defunct Inislounaght Abbey.
This structure served as the courthouse for the Palatinate of County Tipperary and included private residences, a drawing room, and a dining area.
These quarters were utilized to accommodate King James II during his visit to Clonmel in 1689. Additionally, during the era of the Penal Laws, the Roman Catholic priest Nicholas Sheehy faced trial at the Main Guard and was ultimately executed.
At the start of the 19th century, the arcade was enclosed, and it remained in this condition until its recent restoration.
2. St Patrick’s Well
Nestled in a tranquil clearing at the foot of a limestone cliff lies one of Ireland’s most significant holy wells.
Located on the western outskirts of Clonmel, generations of pilgrims have descended stone steps to immerse themselves in waters deemed to possess miraculous properties.
At the center of the pool stands an ancient Celtic stone cross, weather-beaten but enduring, alongside the ruins of a roofless chapel by the water.
Beyond its status as a pilgrimage site, families frequent this location on warm days for leisurely picnics.
Children can splash in the small channels feeding the pool while observing the well from which the fresh water naturally emerges.
3. Fethard
A short distance of just over 10 minutes north of Clonmel lies what is arguably Ireland’s most intact medieval town.
Established in the early 13th century, Fethard has been encircled by walls since 1292 when King Edward I of England authorized such defensive structures throughout Ireland.
Over 90% of the original wall (1100 metres) remains preserved into the 21st century, and within the confines of these fortifications are 15th-century townhouses, friaries, and a 13th-century church.
The wall reaches a maximum height of 7.6 metres, and the last surviving town gate is the North Gate, which still displays signs of its original wickerwork construction.
4. Carey’s Castle
The affluent Carey family, known for owning schooling enterprises, constructed this eclectic house at the turn of the 19th century, only to abandon it just fifty years later.
At first glance, one might presume that Carey’s Castle is of much older origin, given its Norman great hall, Celtic round tower, and Gothic arches.
The setting is incredibly picturesque; the castle resides in a clearing amidst oak, beech, ash, and spruce forests, accessible via a trail that meanders alongside the mossy Glenary River.
In addition to the main building, there is an intact icehouse located nearby.
If you proceed quietly, you might observe fallow deer in the woods, while sparrow hawks circle overhead.
5. Marlfield Lake
A surprising aspect of this charming six-hectare lake situated on the western fringe of Clonmel is that it is entirely artificial.
Constructed on previously marshy land, Marlfield Lake was created by landowner Stephen Moore at the conclusion of the 18th century.
This reservoir is sustained by water from the spring at St Patrick’s Well, and its channels were once utilized to power local mills.
Today, Marlfield Lake serves as a wildfowl sanctuary and is a vital habitat for coots, herons, various mallards, and swans, many of which will approach visitors for food.
6. Tipperary County Museum
The county museum relocated to a newly constructed facility in 2000, offering a multifaceted viewpoint on Tipperary’s history.
With a vast collection of artifacts numbering around 25,000, the museum also houses items on loan from the National Museum of Ireland.
One gallery outlines the culture, military, and social history of the region, while another hosts temporary exhibitions on specific topics.
Among the intriguing exhibits are the jersey worn by Gaelic footballer Mick Hogan at the time of his death during Bloody Sunday in 1920, as well as Ireland’s first Olympic medal, won by T. F. Kiely in 1904 at St Louis.
7. Rock of Cashel
A short journey from Clonmel, the Rock of Cashel is a rugged limestone outcrop crowned with medieval structures.
Historically, it served as the stronghold of the Kings of Munster for many centuries preceding the 13th-century Norman incursion, though most of its existing monuments were erected afterward.
Today, this site is among Ireland’s premier attractions, featuring Cormac’s Chapel and a round tower from the 12th century, alongside a 13th-century cathedral and a 15th-century castle.
Cormac’s Chapel is renowned for its exceptional Romanesque architecture, featuring intricately carved tympanums above its main portals and a rare Irish fresco from the era.
The Cashel Museum, located within the 15th-century Hall of the Vicars Choral, showcases the St Patrick’s Cross, a piece carved in the 1100s that is believed to have supported the coronation of the Kings of Cashel in the 300s.
8. Cahir Castle
Positioned on a rocky island in the River Suir, Cahir Castle stands as one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved medieval fortifications.
Construction commenced in the mid-12th century, and 200 years later it was granted to the prominent Butler family, who retained ownership until 1961. The majority of the castle’s architecture, now designated as an Irish National Monument, is from the 16th century, despite restoration efforts in the 19th century after its abandonment.
Visitors can experience an engaging audiovisual presentation which recounts the sieges and battles fought for this stronghold, along with exhibitions featuring films and TV shows shot at Cahir Castle, such as The Tudors and Excalibur from 1981. A 30-minute guided tour offers access to historic features, including an operational portcullis, original machicolations, dungeons, and concealed passages.
9. Swiss Cottage, Cahir
A brief stroll from Cahir Castle leads to a charming cottage orné commissioned by Richard Butler, the 1st Earl of Glengall, in the early 1800s.
These cottages are reflective of the Romantic period, which celebrated a yearning for simple rural existence.
It is believed that the Swiss Cottage was designed by the distinguished Neoclassical Regency architect John Nash, known for designing the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
Adorned with a thatched roof and climbing roses on the porch, the cottage is an intriguing find.
The salon features wallpaper from the Joseph Dufour et Cie factory, established in Paris in 1797, while the Music Room houses antique instruments and the hall boasts an elegant spiral staircase.
10. South Tipperary Arts Centre
Located in a bright modernist structure adjacent to the Suir on Nelson Street, the South Tipperary Arts Centre serves as a cultural cornerstone for art exhibitions, discussions, live music, dance performances, and poetry readings.
In addition, the centre organizes events in other venues; for instance, a Japanese film series was hosted in April 2018, featuring screenings at the LIT Clonmel campus in the northern part of the town.
During this period, the centre on Nelson Street presented the “Ain’t I a Woman?” exhibition by Aideen Barry, Pauline Cummins, and Kathy Prendergast, commemorating both International Women’s Day and the centenary of women’s suffrage in Ireland.
11. Ormond Castle
Ireland’s most distinguished Elizabethan manor house is a short drive down the River Suir.
Ormond Castle originally functioned as a medieval stronghold before Thomas Butler, the 10th Earl of Ormond, commissioned the construction of an opulent manor house in the 1560s.
Noteworthy about this unfortified structure is its establishment during a tumultuous period in Ireland, following Henry VIII’s reconquest earlier in the century.
During the summer months, visitors can explore the house via guided tours to observe the preservation of its original architectural elements.
The main facade features an impressive oriel, while a lavish gallery on the first floor showcases Elizabethan plasterwork on the ceiling and frieze, along with two grand fireplaces.
Behind the manor, remnants of the 14th-century castle that preceded it are still visible.
12. Comeragh Mountains
A veritable paradise for hikers and climbers, this mountain range extends just southeast of Clonmel and reaches toward Waterford.
The Comeragh Mountains are characterized by glacial formations, resulting in stunning coums (or cirques), amphitheatre-like hollows encircled by steep cliffs and adorned with dark loughs (lakes) at their base.
In less than thirty minutes, one can drive to the trailhead for a circular hike that showcases two of the range’s most breathtaking natural features.
Visitors will encounter the majestic Mahon Falls, with a height of 80 meters, and traverse moorland dotted with grazing sheep and goats to reach Coum Tay, flanked by dramatic rocky outcrops.
13. Slievenamon
This 721-meter hill, prominently located to the northeast of Clonmel, is unmistakable in its presence.
The lower slopes of Slievenamon are surrounded by numerous smaller hillocks, many of which are capped with Neolithic burial cairns.
A clearly marked trail leads to the summit from Kilcash, and the rounded hillsides offer an unexpectedly gentle ascent to the top.
In Gaelic, Slievenamon translates to “Mountain of the Women,” referring to a mythological race run by women to win the affection of the eligible warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Fionn, already enamored with one of the racers, Gráinne, provided her with strategies for victory.
At the summit, visitors can observe two ancient cairns, and on a sunny day, the vista can extend across much of Southeast Ireland, including views of the Comeragh range.
14. Golf
Set in picturesque parkland at the base of the Comeragh Mountains, Clonmel Golf Club offers a challenging experience with continuous breathtaking views of the Suir Valley and Slievenamon.
The course was established in 1911 and underwent a redesign in 2010, which included additional bunkers.
The standout hole at Clonmel is the 14th, a 185-yard par 3 featuring a scenic elevated tee.
Green fees are reasonable (€15.00–€25.00 as of April 2018), and while visitors are welcomed, it is advisable to plan ahead due to the club’s popularity, especially on weekends.
15. Clonmel Junction Festival
Spanning nine days from the first weekend of July, the Clonmel Junction Festival is an artistic celebration featuring street theater, live music, dance performances, circus acts, comedy, and visual art displays.
Performances are held in engaging venues throughout the town, such as St Patrick’s Well, accompanied by various pop-up cafes and food stalls.
In 2017, the Cork-based collective Glut participated in the festival, connecting attendees with locally sourced produce, preserves, and fermented delicacies.
That same year saw a three-day street festival on Clonmel’s Narrow Street, featuring free live music and culinary offerings.
