County Tipperary, Ireland

Tipperary, a rugged inland county in southern Ireland has an area of 1,643 sq mi (4,255 sq km). Clonmel and Tipperary are the major towns. Tipperary lies dominantly in the basin of the Suir River. The terrain is generally level but is diversified by several mountain ridges. These mountains are the Galtee Mountains, rising to 3018 ft (920 m) at Galtymore Mountain; Knockmealdown and Slievenaman on the south; and Keeper Hill on the west. The soil of the plane is productive, especially the district called the Golden Vale, in which stands the county town of Tipperary. Anthracite coal is mined as well as copper, lead, and zinc in smaller quantities. The chief occupation in the county is agriculture, especially dairy farming. Dairying is the main economic activity, but the cultivation of oats and potatoes, cattle raising and food processing are also found here.

The capital town of Cahir sits on a major crossroads with routes from each corner leading to Clonmel, Cork, Cashel and Tipperary itself. The visitor will find a fertile and rich countryside bordered by mountains and the Shannon River with some of the greatest agricultural land in the country. The counties of Cashel, Cahir and Holy Cross have astonishing monastic sites and castles to be seen. The county has a strong bloodstock industry, breeding the most well-known hunters and racehorses and is a famous stop-over for travelers. Two villages by the shores of Lough Derg, Dromineer and Coolbawn, are pleasant and popular areas for picnics with boating and swimming. And, of course, for the sportsman, Lough Derg is famous for its trout and coarse fishing.

North-east of Limerick city is Newport, a picturesque village with admirable examples of traditional wooden shop-fronts and the visitor will have a great feeling here, as though time has stopped. Three miles from Tipperary town is rich rolling farmland offering the peace and quiet walks of the countryside yet still remaining close to shops and restaurants. Tipperary is a bustling market town and an ideal base; it is prosperous and the visitor can see the influence of the English landlords down through the centuries in its fine buildings. Clonmel (Honey Meadow) is also a busy and lively town with a history dating back over 1,000 years. Carrick-on-Suir, with magnificent buildings has the exceptional amenity of the river for anglers and boatmen and is also the hometown of the world-renowned cyclist, Sean Kelly, for whom the new National Sports Complex is named.

Cashel is a must for the traveller. The Rock of Cashel, former seat of the High Kings of Munster, (see photo above) dates back to 370 A.D., and here the visitor will find the most magnificent collection of ancient buildings to be found anywhere in Europe.  Click here to read more about the Rock of Cashel

 

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