23 Old Ruins to Explore in Tipperary

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.

Burncourt Castle is situated near Burncourt off the M8 five miles south west of Cahir. It is a fortified house and a National Monument. The castle comprises a rectangular central block with a four storey square tower at each corner. The interior was lit by mullioned windows. It is one of the iconic attractions in this area and there are so many opportunities to study about the history.

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.

Castle Otway was the family home of Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway. This former 18th-century country house which stood on a hill on the outskirts of Templederry, near Nenagh in County Tipperary, Ireland. The house was built in stone up against the ruins of Cloghane Castle in two storeys with a 7-bay frontage, of which the middle three were pedimented. It now stands as a derelict ruin with the gardens and estate land used for farming.

This castle began as a 13th-century hall house and was later converted into a tower house in the 15th/16th century. It was built by the followers of Thomas Butler Esq. in the 13th century. The hall house was originally only two storeys high, but two additional storeys were later added, and vaults added to the ground floor. A base batter is present and can be attributed to the earlier structure.

Famine Warhouse 1848, traditionally known as the Ballingarry Warhouse or The Widow McCormack's House, is an Irish farmhouse famous as the site of a skirmish in the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848, at which the Irish tricolour was flown for the first time. It became a National Monument in 1989, was renovated in 2000–01 and was renamed "Famine Warhouse 1848" in 2004.

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.

Kilcash Castle is an Irish ruined castle in County Tipperary. Situated on the N24 road west of Ballydine, it is believed to date from the 16th century and was gradually extended over the following centuries. This building was partially repaired in the 1980s and is now safe to visit. In the graveyard, the mausoleum contains the tombs with headstones carved with elaborate scenes of the crucifixion.

Kilcooley Abbey is a national heritage site that nobody outside the parish knows much about. It is located near the village of Gortnahoe. The ruins, situated on a lovely expanse of land on the Kilcooley Estate, date back to 1182, when Donal Mor O’Brien gave the property to the Cistercians.

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.

Monaincha Church is a 12th-century church in Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland. Founded in the eighth century, it soon became the most famous pilgrimage site in Munster. In fact, it was described in the 10th century as the 31st wonder of the world. Highlights include a fine Romanesque doorway and a unique high cross, made from fragments of other crosses, with carved horsemen, the crucifiction and Celtic designs forming a decorative collage.

Moor Abbey lies in the Glen of Aherlow in the shadow of the Galtee Mountains. Founded in 1471, the friary was suppressed in 1540 but the new owner, the Earl of Desmond left the friars in peace until the friary was burnt in 1569 and 1570. The church consists of a nave and chancel, separated by a tall bell-tower. In the chancel is a double piscina for washing liturgical vessels.

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.

This is the best example of an Elizabethan manor house in Ireland. Built in the 1560s by Thomas Butler, the 10th Earl of Ormond. The U-shape of the manor house surrounds a small courtyard that abuts the north of the castle's bawn. The manor has two floors and a gabled attic. The building contains some fine period furniture and is decorated with unique and elaborate ornate stucco plasterwork in which Black Tom highlight his family’s connections to Queen Elizabeth I.

The early 16th century tower house at Poulakerry was a stronghold of the Butler Fitzwilliams family. The 4/5 storey tower house guarded a crossing over the River Suir, 100 metres to the south. The castle passed from William Butler to his sons Robert and Theobald Butler in the 16th century. The badly damaged castle was repaired and used as a garrison before being passed to John Rathborne. The castle, now missing the battlements, was restored in 1970 and used as a private residence.

Redwood Castle is a Norman castle near Lorrha in County Tipperary, Ireland. The castle was built by the Normans around 1200 AD, and was occupied by them until c. 1350, when the Mac Aodhagáin were installed on the lands. As hereditary Brehons or lawyers, the Mac Aodhagáin clan established a school of learning here, which was patronised by the family for several hundred years.

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.

Roscrea Castle is a 13th-century motte castle in the town of Roscrea, Ireland. The Castle consists of a walled courtyard, gate block, and angled towers. Along with 18th century Damer House and gardens, the Castle forms part of Roscrea Heritage Centre. It was used as a barracks from 1798, housing 350 soldiers, and later served as a school, a library and even a sanatorium.

Roscrea Castle is a motte castle in the town of Roscrea, Ireland. Built in the early 18th century in the Queen Anne style, Damer House is an example of pre-Palladian architecture. The stone castle consists of a gate tower, curtain walls and two corner towers dating from the 1280s. The castle rooms are furnished and some house exhibitions.