About Tipperary Ireland

County Tipperary, the largest Ireland inland county, covers and area of 1,647 square miles of some the most picturesque and fertile countryside in Ireland. Scattered with an abundance of important archaeological sites, this historical county is famed for its rich heritage and culture. Fondly famed for its stories and songs, County Tipperary is full of charm and a warmth visitors will not forget.

In 1838, the county was divided by Government into two administrative areas – the North Riding and South Riding which are still managed as separate entities. Combined, the population of County Tipperary stands in excess of 130,000. The county name is derived from the Irish ‘Tiobraid Arann’, the well of Era, referring to the River Ara.

The center of County Tipperary is known as ‘the Golden Vale’, a rich pastoral stretch of land in the basin of the River Suir, which crosses the county from north to south. Tipperary is bound by mountains to the south and west with a border on Lough Derg in the north thus offering a superb range of outdoor activities for locals and visitors alike. The primary historical site is that of the Rock of Cashel, an imposing Cathedral and round tower encompassing some 2000 years of history, was once an important ecclesiastical center and home to the Kings of Munster.

County Tipperary has a strong sporting history and is home to the Gaelic Games of Hurling, Gaelic Football, Camogie, and Handball.

Principle towns in County Tipperary

The capital town of North Riding is Nenagh and the South Riding capital is Clonmel.

Other significant townships are Tipperary, Cahir, Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel, Roscrea, Templemore and Thurles.

A brief history:

Tipperary is situated in the south of Ireland and extends from the border of Galway nearly to the south coast. Tipperary is the largest inland county in the country and is a very picturesque region, with the stunning Galtee Mountains, the River Suir and a rich, lush, green landscape, famous for its horse studs.

Tipperary is better known as the Premier County, dating from the 1840s when Thomas Davis in the Nation newspaper lauded Tipperary for it’s nationalistic feeling and claimed ‘Where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows.’

Key attractions:

The Rock of Cashel is one of the most famous of Tipperary’s landmarks with a group of mediaeval buildings sitting on top of a rocky outcrop dominating the skyline of the town of Cashel. Cashel is where Ireland’s most famous King, Brian Boru the last High King of Ireland, was crowned.

Lough Derg is the largest of the lakes along the river Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, and is almost an inland sea. It is well known for game and coarse angling, boating, windsurfing, sailing, and water skiing. The lake itself has many islands, the most famous of which is Inis Cealtra – Holy Island, which is the site of a 7th century monastic settlement. Lough Derg is the largest of the lakes along the river Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, and is almost an inland sea. The lake itself has many islands, the most famous of which is Inis Cealtra – Holy Island, which is the site of a 7th century monastic settlement.

County Tipperary Ireland, the largest inland county, covers and area of 1,647 square miles of some the most picturesque and fertile countryside in Ireland. Fondly famed for its stories and songs, County Tipperary is full of charm and a warmth visitors will not forget.

Combined, the population of County Tipperary stands in excess of 130,000. The center of County Tipperary is known as ‘the Golden Vale’, a rich pastoral stretch of land in the basin of the River Suir, which crosses the county from north to south.

If you are visiting County Tipperary then Ballyhoura Luxury Hostel is the ideal accommodation for you, family, traveling international Groups. We are located on the borders of Tipperary, Cork & Limerick so there is lots of opportunities to explore some of Ireland's best counties