Easy hikes and walks around Clonmel

Tipperary's county town is a historic place that once boasted medieval town walls and notably resisted the Cromwellian army. It's a stop on the East Munster Way and there are many places for hikers to eat and stay. For nine days after the first weekend of July, visitors can enjoy the Clonmel Junction Festival with its musical and theatre performances.

Originally a Georgian house built in 1863, today Hotel Minella enjoys a fine spot between the Suir and the Comeragh Mountains. It has a leisure centre, hosts weddings and has a proud horse racing tradition.

Marlfield property, although small in size at just over 18 hectares is interesting on a number of levels. It lies within the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (SAC) 002137 on a relatively steep gradient down to the banks of the river. Among other species, this candidate SAC is designated for salmon and lamprey species, as well as otter and crayfish, which occur in this part of the river. The river also contains a good population of Brown Trout. Historically, the property would once have formed part of the Bagwell estate. On old Ordnance maps the wood is referred to as Glenbawn Fox Covert, with an adjoining townland, (private lands) appearing as Deerpark. There are features of the estate within the wood including the estate walls, the carriage paths that run through the property, stone steps and buttress walls and the Wren’s Well. Going further back, there is a ring fort barely visible on the north eastern end of the property. From a biodiversity perspective, the wood is predominately broadleaved which has been planted with conifers and some other non-native species. Otter spraint is occasionally spotted. Daubenton’s Bat is likely due to its location near the watercourse. A variety of birds, including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Heron, are common here also. https://www.coillte.ie/site/marlfield-north/

In the seventeenth century County Tipperary was a palatinate, ruled by James Butler, duke of Ormond. When the duke decided he needed a new courthouse, he built one in the heart of Clonmel. Later, when it was used as a barracks, it became known as the Main Guard. A fine two-storey symmetrical building, some elements of its design were based on works by the famous Sir Christopher Wren. In the eighteenth century it was the venue for the Clonmel Assizes. The most notable trial it witnessed was that of Father Nicholas Sheehy, the anti-Penal Laws agitator. Sheehy was hanged, drawn and quartered. In about 1810, the ground floor was converted into shops, but the building has recently undergone an award-winning restoration. The open arcade of sandstone columns is once again an attractive feature of the streetscape, while inside you will find a fantastic exhibition and event space. https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/the-main-guard/

Boats can be launched here. Access by car is possible.

This former Quaker villa houses the Hotel Minella

Beautiful park, located on the south bank of the River Siur.

Five-arch hump-backed road bridge over River Suir, built c.1825, with terminating arches spanning pedestrian walk-ways on each bank. Coursed rubble sandstone and limestone walls with cut limestone voussoirs to elliptical arches, cut limestone capping to parapet walls and having limestone plaque. Cut-stone V-cut-waters to both elevations. Flight of concrete steps with rubble stone parapet walls to north quay. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/22118007/gashouse-bridge-waterford-road-burgagery-lands-west-clonmel-tipperary-south