Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

202  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

p Athassel Priory
Road map C5. 8 km (5 miles) W of
Cashel, Co Tipperary. @ to Tipperary.
Open daily. ∑ cashel.ie
This ruined Augustinian priory
is situated on the west bank of
the River Suir. The tomb of
William de Burgh, the Norman
founder of the priory, lies in the
church. Established in 1192,
Athassel is believed to have been
the largest medieval priory in
Ireland until it burned down in
1447. The scattered monastic The ruins of Athassel Priory, on the banks of the River Suir
site conveys a tranquil atmos-
phere, from the gatehouse and the valley floor. More + Cahir Castle
church to the remains of the adven turous walkers will be Castle Street. Tel 052 744 1011.
cloisters and chapter house. The tempted by the Galty range, Open daily. Closed 24–30 Dec. & 8
church has a fine west door way, which offers more rugged hill 7 limited. ∑ heritageireland.ie
nave and chancel walls, as well walking, past wooded foothills, Built on a rocky island in the River
as a 15th-century central tower. moun tain streams, tiny Suir, Cahir is one of the most
corrie lakes and splendid formidable castles in Ireland and
sandstone peaks. a popular film set. This well-
a Glen of Aherlow preserved fortress dates from the
13th century but is inextricably
Road map C5. Co Tipperary. @ to s Cahir
Bansha or Tipperary. n Coach Rd, on linked to its later owners, the
R663 8 km (5 miles) E of Galbally (062 Road map C5. Co Tipperary. * 2,100. Butlers. A powerful family in Ireland
56331). ∑ aherlow.com £ @ n Apr–Oct: Castle Street (052 since the Anglo-Norman invasion,
744 1453). ∑ discoverireland.ie/ they were considered trusty
The lush valley of the River southeast lieges of the English crown and
Aherlow runs between the were granted the Cahir barony
Galty Mountains and the Once a garrison and mill town, in 1375. Under their command,
wooded ridge of Slievenamuck. Cahir is today a busy market the castle was renovated and
Bounded by the villages of town. The pub-lined Castle extended throughout the 15th
Galbally and Bansha, the glen Street is the most appealing and 16th centuries. It remained
was historically an important area. It leads to the Suir River, in the Butler family until 1964.
pass between Limerick and Cahir Castle and the walk to The castle is divided into outer,
Tipperary and a notorious the Swiss Cottage. middle and inner wards, with a
hideout for outlaws. On the edge of town lies barbican at the outer entrance.
Today there are opportunities the ruined Cahir Abbey, a The inner ward is on the site of
for riding, cycling, rambling 13th-century Augustinian the original Norman castle; the
and fishing. Lowland walks priory. Its fine windows are foundations are 13th-century, as
follow the trout-filled river along decorated with carved heads. are the curtain walls and keep.
The restored interior includes the
striking great hall, which dates
largely from the 1840s, though
two of the walls are original and
the windows are 15th-century.
From the ramparts there are
views of the river and millrace.
P Swiss Cottage
Kilcommon, Cahir. Tel 052 744 1144.
Open Apr–Oct: daily. &
8 obligatory.
The Swiss Cottage is a superb
example of a cottage orné, a
rustic folly. It was designed for
the Butlers by the Regency
architect John Nash in 1810.
Here, Lord and Lady Cahir
played at bucolic bliss, enjoying
View across the unspoilt Glen of Aherlow picnics dressed as peasants.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp299–300 and pp316–18

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm