Guide to County Tipperary in Ireland

County Tipperary

Tipperary is a large county located in the south of the island forming part of the province of Munster. The county is always referred to as a single entity when the traditional 32 counties of Ireland are listed, but for over 100 years Tipperary has been split into 2 distinct areas formerly called Ridings for various administration functions. These localities are known as North Tipperary and South Tipperary.

The combined county area of 4,303 kmē makes Tipperary the sixth largest county in Ireland. The county's population total has remained notably static at 149,000 during the recent Celtic Tiger economic boom years. South Tipperary is slightly more densely populated than its northern associate being home to about 56% of the combined county's residents.

In the Middle Ages, the attractive town of Cashel (current population 11,400) was considered to be the county town of the entire Tipperary region. Although this honour has since moved elsewhere, Cashel has become the county's top tourist attraction with visitors mainly wanting to see and explore the famous Rock of Cashel which is the spectacular sight of a ruined church and large fort perched upon a limestone rock outcrop high above the town.

Clonmel became the next official county town of Tipperary. It is famous for temporarily repelling the invading British forces of Oliver Cromwell in 1650 after many other Irish towns had been brutally overrun. Today, with a population of over 15,000, the town is still the county seat of South Tipperary. The administrative capital of North Tipperary is the small town of Nenagh which boasts a castle and ruined Franciscan abbey amongst its attractions, although Thurles is slightly larger in population terms at around 8,000. Many people think Tipperary town must have featured as a county seat at some stage, but this has never been the case. Ancient castles and fortifications feature all over this scenic county with Cahir and its castle being another fine example.

The River Suir flows through Tipperary and large parts of the county form fertile agricultural land known as the Golden Vale of Munster. The county is also home to the largest thoroughbred horse breeding centre in the world at Coolmore Stud.

Other towns worth further consideration are Ballina, Borrisoleigh, Borrisokane, Cloughjordan, Holycross, Littleton, Newport, Portroe, Puckaun, Roscrea, Silvermines, Templemore, Templetuohy, Toomevara, Twomileborris, Ardfinnan, Ballingarry, Ballyclerahan, Ballyporeen, Bansha, Cappagh White, Carrick-on-Suir (with parts in neighbouring Waterford & Kilkenny), Clogheen, Dundrum, Emly, Fethard, Golden, Gortnahoo, Killenaule, Kilsheelan, Mullinahone and Newcastle.