20 Attractions to Explore Near St. Declan's Way

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most visited attractions and is a spectacular archaeological site. A collection of medieval ecclesiastical buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. The 12th-century round tower is the oldest surviving building on the Rock, which also include a high cross and the ruins of a Romanesque chapel.

Athassel Priory is the largest medieval priory in Ireland, stretching over a 4-acre site. The priory dates back to the late 12th century. The priory was burnt twice, once in 1329 by Brian King of Thomond and again in 1581 by John Fitzgerald of Desmond. A large town had grown up around the priory but was destroyed during the two raids. The priory was finally dissolved in 1537 and the lands given to Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond, who neglected the abbey, and it subsequently fell into ruin.

Grantstown Castle is a 15th-century castle for self-catering holidays, set at the heart of the Golden Vale, County Tipperary. It was originally built by the Burke family but by the 1500's it was in the hands of the Earl of Ormond. Extensive restorations took place in the early 2000's and all reconstructions have been carried out with respect for the original construction.

This is a Cistercian monastery in Holycross near Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland, situated on the River Suir. It takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood. Today this working parish church is a peaceful landmark and a place for quiet contemplation and historical discovery. As well as inspecting the relic of the cross, you can marvel at the building’s ornate stonework.

Cahir Castle is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. It stands proudly on a rocky island on the River Suir. So effective was its design that it was believed to be impregnable, but it finally fell to the earl of Essex in 1599 when heavy artillery was used against it for the first time. Granted to the powerful Butler family in late 14th century, the castle was enlarged and remodelled between the 15th and 17th centuries. It fell into ruin in the late 18th century.

St Berrihert’s Kyle is one of Tipperary’s best hidden treasure. It is a stone enclosure containing a variety of stone monuments: 72 slabs, fragments of a bullaun stone, four wheel crosses, the head and base of a high cross, the head of a small cross and a slab with an incomplete inscription on it. The site is located in the townland of Ardane, in the parish of Templeneiry. A vast collection of stone cross slabs and other monuments were placed in the Kyle.

Swiss Cottage, a delightful ornamental cottage,built in the early 1800s by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall. Inside, there is a graceful spiral staircase and some exquisitely decorated rooms. The wallpaper is partly original and partly the fruit of a 1980s restoration project.

The Lár na Páirce Museum is housed in an elegant 19th century building in Thurles, County Tipperary. The exhibition tells the story of the Gaelic games of hurling, football, camogie and handball, from legendary times to the present day. It was the first centre of its kind in the country and the first museum dedicated to telling the story of Gaelic sports in an interactive way.

Ballynahow Castle was built in the early 16th century by the Purcell family, an Old English family who held the title of Baron of Loughmoe. It stands five storeys high with two internal vaults, each covering two storeys; the top storey was for merly covered by a conical timber roof carried on squinch arches. The lower floors were used in the 1840s as a cottage. The tower house was transferred to state ownership in 1930.

The historic well of San Patrizio is a structure built by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger in Orvieto , between 1527 and 1537 , at the behest of Pope Clement VII , a veteran of the Sack of Rome and eager to protect himself in the event of a siege of the city in which he had withdrawn. During Antonio da Sangallo's absences the works were entrusted to Giovanni Battista da Cortona, while the decorative parts are by Simone Mosca.

The Glen of Aherlow is a valley located between Slievenamuck and the Galtee Mountains. It is a wqalkers paradise. There are five looped walking trails in and around Gortavoher. All start & finish around Christ the King car park. All offer wonderful views and a chance to take time out in nature. This large continuous block of forestry is over 3500 acres in size and provides a home to a selection of animals including pine martins and red squirrels.

Marlfield Lake is a wild bird sanctuary located to the south west of Clonmel and just north of the village of Marlfield. It supports a large population of water birds including swans, mallard duck, coots, and herons. The birds are, in fact, quite tame and will approach visitors expecting food to be thrown to them. There is a road along one side of the lake which makes access very easy.

Killahara Castle is a castle in Ireland, located in the Dovea Upper Townland of Thurles. The castle was originally built c. 1550 for Donagh O'Fogartie, the Chief of the O'Fogartie clan who controlled large areas of North Tipperary at that time. The lands and now ruined castle were transferred in the early 18th century to the Trants who already owned large tracts of land in Kerry.

Old St. Mary's Church, also known as St. Mary's Church of Ireland Church, is a medieval church in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. The Church's main features are a 27 ft square, 84 ft high bell tower, the eastern tower house, and ornate 16th Century east and west windows. The Tower had, at one time, a wooden spire and belfry, which has not been restored. Crenellated parapets suggest that this was a fortified structure.

Lake Muskry was formerly known as Lough Béal Sead . Legend tells that the lake was once home of beautiful maidens who every second year were metamorphosised into birds, one becoming the most beautiful in the world. To mark her pre-eminence she was allowed to wear a golden necklace which had a sparkling jewel in it.

The Main Guard situated on Sarsfield Street is one of Clonmel’s most recognisable landmarks. It was built at the behest of James Butler the 1st Duke of Ormonde in 1674 to provide the town with a courthouse. The previous building which had served as a courthouse had been destroyed during the Siege of Clonmel in 1650.

Ardfinnan Castle, is the sister castle of Lismore Castle and was built circa 1185 to guard the river crossing at Ardfinnan in County Tipperary, Ireland. The Anglo-Norman castle is positioned on a large rocky incline and it looks out over the Suir valley with the Knockmealdown Mountains to the south, and the Galtee Mountains to the northwest. The castle is a parallelogram in shape with square battlements at the corners and a fortified entrance gateway.

Carey's Castle, is an absolutely charming and picturesque 18th century structure situated in a glen beside the Glenary River in a scenic woodlands near Clonmel. There is a small lawn with picnic site close to the car park. A walk of about 500m takes you to Carey’s Castle, through mixed woodland and there is a pleasant walking path along the river bank for about 600m.

Galtybeg is a mountain summit in the region in the county of Tipperary. They run roughly east-west across the border of County Tipperary and County Limerick. The highest point is Galtymore at 918 metres , one of the highest mountains in Ireland. It is a good trekking destination and also it offers so many views from here.

Slievenamuck is a mountain summit in the region in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. Slievenamuck is 369 metres high with a prominence of 234 metres. It is a good trekking destination and also there are so many other opportunities too.