Cahir Tourist Attractions
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Cahir (Cathair Dhuin Iascaigh, "Fortress of the Dun abounding in Fish") lies in southern Ireland on the River Suir, at the junction of the N8 and the N24. To the west of the town the Galtee Mountains rise to a height of 2954ft/900m. There is evidence that the small rocky islet in the Suir was occupied by a fort as early as the third century.
Cahir Castle
Until the 16th C. Cahir Castle (National Monument) was one of the largest castles in Ireland. After a long and eventful history of destructions and rebuildings the castle was restored in 1970 and now houses a small museum.The castle consists of a massive three-story keep and a great hall, with two spacious wards or courts, all enclosed within strong high outer walls, reinforced by round and rectangular towers.The audio-visual show "Partly Hidden and Partly Revealed" (in English, French and German) describes all the main sites of the area.
Swiss Cottage
In Cahir Park, with its pretty avenues and plantations stands the Swiss Cottage, so-called because of its resemblance to a chalet in Switzerland. This little country house was designed by British architect John Nash.The interior contains a spiral staircase and some elegantly decorated rooms. The wallpaper in the Salon was manufactured by the Dufour factory, and is one of the first commercially produced Parisian wallpapers.
Surroundings
Motte of Knockgraffon
4mi/6km north of Cahir stands an interesting group of medieval structures (National Monuments) - the Motte of Knockgraffon, a 12th C. Anglo-Norman stronghold built to protect a ford on the Suir; the ruins of a 13th C. church and tower; and the remains of a 16th C. castle. Near by is a churchyard with another ruined church.
Ardfinnan
5mi/8km south of Cahir is Ardfinnan, a picturesquely situated village with a 15-arch bridge over the Suir. On the banks of the river are two towers belonging to a castle which was believed to be impregnable until Cromwell's troops bombarded it with artillery and took it by storm.
Knockmealdown Mountains
The R665 runs southwest from Ardfinnan, passing Castlegrace, a fine ruined castle (13th C?) just beyond Clogheen, from which the R668 (the "Vee") winds its way south, with many hairpin bends, through the Knockmealdown Mountains. There are far-ranging views from the highest hill, Knockmealdown (2,658ft/810m).
Burncourt Castle
Southwest of Cahir, on a minor road which branches off the N8 on the left 5mi/8km from the town, is Burncourt Castle (National Monument), the empty shell of a many-gabled mansion built in 1641-45 and burned down by Cromwell only five years later, in 1650.
Glen of Aherlow
Northwest of Cahir, between the Galtee Mountains and a wooded ridge of hills running parallel to them on the north, extends the wide Glen of Aherlow, once an important pass between the plains of Tipperary county and the low-lying territory of Limerick county which was the scene of many battles and later became a refuge for dispossessed and outlawed Irishmen. This attractive and fertile glen is good walking country.
