Alison's Guidebook

Sightseeing

Rock of Cashel

As one of Ireland’s most important historical heritage sites, it should perhaps come as no surprise that the Rock of Cashel is an area which is steeped in Irish history. It was founded in the 12th century at the top of Cashel town and was built atop a huge rock as it made for a brilliant defensive position and a great spot for a castle. It was once known to be the traditional seat for the kings of Munster and it was at this very location where St. Patrick himself baptized the then King of Munster Aenghus. A stone cross which marks the spot where this happened can still be seen today. It was also an important place of Irish royalty as it remained the royal seat of the Kings of Munster until the Norman Invasion in 1169.

90 locals recommend

Rock of Cashel

90 locals recommend

As one of Ireland’s most important historical heritage sites, it should perhaps come as no surprise that the Rock of Cashel is an area which is steeped in Irish history. It was founded in the 12th century at the top of Cashel town and was built atop a huge rock as it made for a brilliant defensive position and a great spot for a castle. It was once known to be the traditional seat for the kings of Munster and it was at this very location where St. Patrick himself baptized the then King of Munster Aenghus. A stone cross which marks the spot where this happened can still be seen today. It was also an important place of Irish royalty as it remained the royal seat of the Kings of Munster until the Norman Invasion in 1169.

Athassel Priory

This is a really beautiful big ruin, well worth a visit. This is our favourite place to bring our first time visitors. The best thing is, there is usually nobody else there! It’s in a farmers field so not packed with people. Only 5 minutes from the castle. Right at the village of Golden.

Athassel Priory

This is a really beautiful big ruin, well worth a visit. This is our favourite place to bring our first time visitors. The best thing is, there is usually nobody else there! It’s in a farmers field so not packed with people. Only 5 minutes from the castle. Right at the village of Golden.

Hore Abbey Entrance

Hore Abbey (also Hoare Abbey, sometimes known as St.Mary's) is a ruined Cistercian monastery near the Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. Hore Abbey dates back to 1270 and is definitely worth a visit.

Hore Abbey Entrance

Hore Abbey (also Hoare Abbey, sometimes known as St.Mary's) is a ruined Cistercian monastery near the Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. Hore Abbey dates back to 1270 and is definitely worth a visit.

Brú Ború Heritage Centre

The Brú Ború Cultural Centre, 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 has an impressive theatre and craft shop, 'Sounds of History' cultural exhibition, restaurant, café, bar facility, South Tipperary genealogy suite, conference facilities and more.

8 locals recommend

Brú Ború Heritage Centre

8 locals recommend

The Brú Ború Cultural Centre, 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 has an impressive theatre and craft shop, 'Sounds of History' cultural exhibition, restaurant, café, bar facility, South Tipperary genealogy suite, conference facilities and more.

Glen of Aherlow Viewpoint

The Glen of Aherlow (Irish: Gleann Eatharlaí) is a valley located between Slievenamuck and the Galtee Mountains in the western part of County Tipperary in Ireland. It’s only a short drive from the castle, approx. 30 minutes, and hosts some stunning views. Well worth the drive.

Glen of Aherlow Viewpoint

R664

The Glen of Aherlow (Irish: Gleann Eatharlaí) is a valley located between Slievenamuck and the Galtee Mountains in the western part of County Tipperary in Ireland. It’s only a short drive from the castle, approx. 30 minutes, and hosts some stunning views. Well worth the drive.

Cahir Castle

Cahir Castle is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. It stands on a rocky island on the River Suir, just a short drive away. The castle was was built in the thirteenth century and served as the stronghold of the powerful Butler family, the same family that built Grantstown Castle! At the time of building, Cahir Castle was at the cutting edge of defensive castle design and much of the original structure remains. An excellent audiovisual show now provides sightseers with a detailed appreciation of the castle’s long history. Visitors also flock to the castle because of its role as a film and TV location – it has featured in productions like Excalibur and The Tudors.

51 locals recommend

Cahir Castle

Castle Street

51 locals recommend

Cahir Castle is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. It stands on a rocky island on the River Suir, just a short drive away. The castle was was built in the thirteenth century and served as the stronghold of the powerful Butler family, the same family that built Grantstown Castle! At the time of building, Cahir Castle was at the cutting edge of defensive castle design and much of the original structure remains. An excellent audiovisual show now provides sightseers with a detailed appreciation of the castle’s long history. Visitors also flock to the castle because of its role as a film and TV location – it has featured in productions like Excalibur and The Tudors.

Swiss Cottage

The Swiss Cottage, just outside the heritage town of Cahir, is a cottage orné – a fanciful realisation of an idealised countryside cottage used for picnics, small soirees and fishing and hunting parties and was also a peaceful retreat for those who lived in the nearby big house. Built in the early 1800s by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, who, we believe, managed to persuade world-famous Regency architect John Nash to design it. Originally, simply known as “The Cottage” it appears to have acquired its present name because it was thought to resemble an Alpine cottage.

30 locals recommend

Swiss Cottage

30 locals recommend

The Swiss Cottage, just outside the heritage town of Cahir, is a cottage orné – a fanciful realisation of an idealised countryside cottage used for picnics, small soirees and fishing and hunting parties and was also a peaceful retreat for those who lived in the nearby big house. Built in the early 1800s by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, who, we believe, managed to persuade world-famous Regency architect John Nash to design it. Originally, simply known as “The Cottage” it appears to have acquired its present name because it was thought to resemble an Alpine cottage.

Kilkenny Castle

Only an hours drive from Grantstown, Kilkenny Castle is pretty spectacular and definitely worth the drive. Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see this grand country house and walk through its fifty acres of rolling parkland with mature trees and an abundance of wildlife. Other features include a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and a man-made lake, which were added in the nineteenth century. There is also a tearoom, playground and several orienteering trails for visitors to enjoy.

155 locals recommend

Kilkenny Castle

The Parade

155 locals recommend

Only an hours drive from Grantstown, Kilkenny Castle is pretty spectacular and definitely worth the drive. Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see this grand country house and walk through its fifty acres of rolling parkland with mature trees and an abundance of wildlife. Other features include a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and a man-made lake, which were added in the nineteenth century. There is also a tearoom, playground and several orienteering trails for visitors to enjoy.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Only 1 hour from Grantstown, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a brilliant day out and a must see for castle enthusiasts! Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century and is the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland. The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Take a tour of this iconic fortress; hear and see how the lords and ladies of this castle lived; hear stories of battles and bravery and enjoy stunning views across the idyllic Clare countryside. Then visits the Folk Park. Set on 26 acres of unspolit Clare countryside, Bunratty Folk Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle.

161 locals recommend

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

161 locals recommend

Only 1 hour from Grantstown, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a brilliant day out and a must see for castle enthusiasts! Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century and is the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland. The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Take a tour of this iconic fortress; hear and see how the lords and ladies of this castle lived; hear stories of battles and bravery and enjoy stunning views across the idyllic Clare countryside. Then visits the Folk Park. Set on 26 acres of unspolit Clare countryside, Bunratty Folk Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle.

Blarney Castle

Can you really come to Ireland and not kiss the Blarney Stone?!! Blarney is about one hour 15 minutes from Grantstown and definitely worth the trip! Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our tower. Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words.

150 locals recommend

Blarney Castle

150 locals recommend

Can you really come to Ireland and not kiss the Blarney Stone?!! Blarney is about one hour 15 minutes from Grantstown and definitely worth the trip! Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our tower. Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words.

Mitchelstown Cave

One of the most elaborate caves in Europe and the most extensive in Ireland, this is a truly unique and amazing experience. Rock formations that have taken millions of years to produce are spectacular. Quiet and not commercialized at all. Only a half hour from the castle, it’s a fantastic thing to do.

32 locals recommend

Mitchelstown Cave

32 locals recommend

One of the most elaborate caves in Europe and the most extensive in Ireland, this is a truly unique and amazing experience. Rock formations that have taken millions of years to produce are spectacular. Quiet and not commercialized at all. Only a half hour from the castle, it’s a fantastic thing to do.

Holycross Abbey

Located in the picturesque village of Holycross, on the banks of the river Suir, the 12th century Abbey is very beautiful. Only a 15 minute drive from the rock of Cashel.

Holycross Abbey

Located in the picturesque village of Holycross, on the banks of the river Suir, the 12th century Abbey is very beautiful. Only a 15 minute drive from the rock of Cashel.

Coolmore Stud

If you are into horse racing, then Coolmore is definitely worth a visit. It’s the largest thoroughbred breeding facility for racehorses in the world and renowned in the racing industry.

Coolmore Stud

If you are into horse racing, then Coolmore is definitely worth a visit. It’s the largest thoroughbred breeding facility for racehorses in the world and renowned in the racing industry.