12th Century castle

Getty Images/Axiom RM

Cahir Castle

Top choice


Cahir's castle enjoys a river-island site with massive walls, towers and keep, mullioned windows, original fireplaces and a dungeon. Founded by Conor O'Brien in 1142, and passed to the Butler family in 1375, it's one of Ireland's largest castles. In 1599 the Earl of Essex shattered its walls with cannon fire, an event illustrated by a large model. The impressive Banqueting Hall has a huge set of antlers pinned to its white walls, and you can climb the Keep.

The castle, originally built to protect a salmon fishery and important river crossing, eventually surrendered to Cromwell in 1650 without a struggle; its future usefulness may have discouraged the usual Cromwellian 'deconstruction' ­– it is largely intact and still formidable. It was restored in the 1840s and again in the 1960s when it came under state ownership.

A 15-minute audiovisual presentation puts Cahir in context with other Irish castles. The buildings within the castle walls are sparsely furnished, although there are good displays, including an exhibition on 'Women in Medieval Ireland'. There are frequent guided tours.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Swiss Cottage

1.19 MILES

A 30-minute walk along a riverside path from Cahir Castle car park leads to this thatched cottage, surrounded by roses, lavender and honeysuckle. A lavish…

2. Knockgraffon Motte

2.65 MILES

The 12th-century motte at Knockgraffon can be scaled for panoramic and wide-ranging views of the Tipperary countryside. The motte is located 5km along the…

3. Athassel Priory

7.62 MILES

Reached over a stile and across grassy (sometimes muddy) fields, the atmospheric ruins of Athassel Priory sit in the shallow and verdant River Suir Valley…

4. Mitchelstown Cave

9.05 MILES

Hollowed out of a narrow band of limestone along the southern side of the Galtee Mountains, the Mitchelstown Cave is superior to Kilkenny's Dunmore Cave…

5. Anne St

9.36 MILES

This charming Clonmel street is lined with picturesque Georgian terraces dating from 1820.

6. Main Guard

9.66 MILES

The beautifully restored Main Guard is a Butler courthouse dating from 1675 and based on a design by Christopher Wren, with an elegant columned loggia…

7. Franciscan Friary

9.71 MILES

Inside this medieval friary, near the door, is a 1533 Butler tomb depicting a knight and his lady. There's some fine modern stained-glass, especially in…

8. South Tipperary County Museum

9.74 MILES

Informative displays on the history of County Tipperary from Neolithic times to the present are covered at this well-put-together museum, which also hosts…