The county has long been associated with a popularsong from the First World War, It's a LongWay To Tipperary, written in 1912 by Jack Judge, whose grandparents camefrom the region.
County Tipperary is knownfor its lush grassland, making it prime dairy farming countryside, most of allin an area known as the Golden Vale. Tipperary'shorse-breeding industry is second to none, with Coolmore Stud being the largestthoroughbred racehorse set up in the world.
The county is not completely flat, with some stunningmountain ranges — the Silvermine, Galtee, Knockmealdown and Arra Hills — providing variety in thelandscape. Lough Derg, a tranquil freshwater lake, adds another element to thenatural beauty of Tipperary.
Apart from agriculture, tourism isCounty Tipperary's main industry, people drawnhere by its rich heritage and magnificent scenery.
Things to Doin County Tipperary
Outdoor activities thrive in CountyTipperary, particularly walking and cycling, with many trails laidfor the purpose. For example, the LoughDerg cycleway circles the whole lake for 83 miles. The Slieve Felimway is 22 miles of forest tracks, quiet mountain roads and paths across fields,past a Benedictine monastery called Glenstall Abbey.
You could have a day at the races, go to a hurling orGaelic football match, play golf on one of the many challenging courses orskydive over Nenagh. The river Shannon provides opportunities for angling andwatersports, as does Lough Derg, with kayaking, water-skiing, sailing andpowerboat racing. At Ballina and Killaloe, there are river cruises or you couldcharter a luxury yacht.
If you are interested in history, then CountyTipperary has much to offer. The Rock of Cashel is a spectacularfortified religious complex dating back to the 12th century, or you couldwander around the ruins of Athassel Priory or Kilcooly Abbey, or be amazed bythe 13th century Cahir Castle, one of the largest in Ireland.
Staying inCounty Tipperary
Whatever your accommodation requirements, you are sureto find it somewhere in County Tipperary, from ahotel with its own leisure centre on the banks of the river Shannon to an 18thcentury townhouse with a reputation for great service. Guesthouses and B&Bsrange from newly built bungalows to a historic 400-year-old farmhouse. There isample self-catering accommodation on offer, as well and camping and caravansites.
Eating out could be a sumptuous meal of seafoodcassoulet in a top restaurant housed in what was once a church, a takeawayburger beside the river or practically anything in between.
Getting toCounty Tipperary
Reach County Tipperaryvia Shannon or Cork Airports. By road, Dublin is about two and a half hoursdistant as is Rosslare ferry port. Cork is around 90 minutes away.