Family-friendly Food & drink Rainy-day options Walking
Two small towns, a lot of history
Cashel and Cahir sit about twenty minutes apart in the Golden Vale, some of the richest farmland in Ireland. Both are small, easy towns with a couple of very impressive sights each, and together they make a relaxed weekend that doesn’t need much planning. It’s also one of the quickest escapes from Dublin or Cork, just off the M8.
Because so much of it is indoors or sheltered, this is also one of the safest bets for a bank holiday when the forecast looks mixed.
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel rises out of the flat countryside like something from a storybook. It was the seat of the kings of Munster for centuries, and St Patrick is said to have visited. The buildings on top include a round tower, a roofless Gothic cathedral and Cormac’s Chapel, a Romanesque gem with some of the oldest surviving wall paintings in Ireland.
Guided tours are well worth joining. Afterwards, walk down the hill to Hore Abbey, the ruined Cistercian abbey in the fields below. It’s free, often empty, and the view back up to the Rock is the best in town.
Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage
Cahir Castle is one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Ireland, built on a rocky island in the River Suir. It still has its towers and thick walls, and you may recognise it from films and TV. The guides explain how it was besieged and surrendered more than once.
From the castle, follow the riverside path for about 2 kilometres to the Swiss Cottage, a thatched ornamental cottage built in the early 1800s for the local lord. It’s a lovely, slightly eccentric little house, and the walk through the woods there and back is half the pleasure.
The Glen of Aherlow and the Galtees
For a day outdoors, drive to the Glen of Aherlow, a green valley between the Galtee Mountains and Slievenamuck. There are marked looped walks for every level, several starting near the Christ the King statue viewpoint, where the whole valley opens up beneath you.
Experienced hill walkers can tackle Galtymore, one of the highest inland peaks in Ireland. It’s a serious climb in bad weather, so check the forecast and bring a map.
If it rains
- Brú Ború Cultural Centre, at the foot of the Rock, with Irish music and dance in summer.
- The Mitchelstown Cave, about 25 minutes south of Cahir, with guided tours through huge chambers.
- Holycross Abbey near Thurles, a beautifully restored Cistercian abbey still used as a church.
- A long, lazy lunch in one of Cashel’s pubs while the shower passes.
Food in the Golden Vale
Tipperary has excellent local produce, from farmhouse cheeses to beef and lamb from the surrounding farms. Look out for Cashel Blue, made nearby, on menus around town. Cahir has a farmers’ market on Saturday mornings, and both towns have pubs that do generous dinners after a day of walking.
When to go
This works for any bank holiday, including the colder ones. Spring and early summer are best for the Glen of Aherlow walks, when the hedgerows are full of flowers.
Where to stay
Cashel is the best base for the Rock, with hotels and B&Bs in the town centre. Cahir suits the castle, the Swiss Cottage and the Galtees, and the Glen of Aherlow has guesthouses and a lodge surrounded by walking trails.
A two-night plan
Friday: arrive in Cashel and have dinner in town, with the Rock floodlit above you.
Saturday: the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey in the morning, then Cahir Castle and the riverside walk to the Swiss Cottage.
Sunday: a walk in the Glen of Aherlow, or Mitchelstown Cave if it’s raining, then home.
Good to know before you go
- Guided tours of the Rock run regularly and are included in the ticket. Arrive early in summer to avoid the coach tours.
- Hore Abbey is free and open at all times, with the best view of the Rock.
- The Galtees are a serious mountain range. Bring a map and turn back if the cloud comes down.
- Cahir’s Saturday farmers’ market is a great place to pick up local cheese, bread and picnic supplies.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need at the Rock of Cashel?
About 1 to 2 hours, including a guided tour. Add half an hour for the walk down to Hore Abbey.
Can I visit Cashel without a car?
Yes. Coaches on the Dublin to Cork road stop in Cashel. Cahir has a small station with limited trains, and taxis link the two towns.
Is Cahir Castle worth visiting?
Yes. It’s one of the best-preserved castles in Ireland, and the riverside walk to the Swiss Cottage makes it a lovely half day.
What else is there to do near Cashel?
Holycross Abbey, Mitchelstown Cave, Brú Ború and the walks in the Glen of Aherlow are all within half an hour.
Where we’d stay
A family-run Georgian townhouse hotel in the centre, with a pool.
On the square in Cahir, a few minutes' walk from the castle.
A restored 18th-century palace with its own path up to the Rock.
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Getting there without a car
Coaches stop in Cashel and trains reach nearby towns, but a car makes the countryside easier.
- Coaches from Dublin and Cork stop in Cashel, about 2 hours from Dublin.
- Train to Thurles on the Dublin to Cork line, then a taxi to Cashel, about 25 minutes.
- Limited trains to Cahir on the Limerick Junction to Waterford line.
Timetables change, especially on bank holidays, so check with the operator before you travel.
