Time for The Butler Trail

Explore the medieval heartlands of Tipperary and discover centuries of drama, romance, intrigue and deadly rivalries as you follow in the footsteps of the powerful Butler dynasty.

The Butlers have left an indelible mark on the landscapes of Tipperary as they constructed castles, mansions, founded churches and monasteries and established towns and settlements. Their rise to power, and the bitter rivalries that broke out along the way, forever shaped Irish history.

They built numerous fine castles and houses, both for defensive purposes and as ostentatious displays of their wealth. They sponsored the establishment and embellishment of abbeys and churches which still stand to this day.

Spot the cannonball in the walls of Cahir Castle, take a romantic stroll along the river to the irresistibly romantic Swiss Cottage, delight in a visit to the restored former courthouse at the Main Guard, or explore a house built for a queen at Ormond Castle.

The Butler Trail is fantastic journey through time that takes you around Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir in the south-east of Tipperary, and also Nenagh, Roscrea and Thurles in the north and west of the county. It reveals the influence and impact the Butler family dynasty had on the physical, social and economic fabric of these Tipperary towns and communities, and the legacy they left behind.

There is interpretive signage to guide and inform you along the route in each town. You can download The Butler Trail App & Audio Guide on iTunes or Google Play and immerse yourself in this network of remarkable stories told through the landscape of Ireland’s Ancient East.

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