How to Make the Most of a Quick Dublin to Tipperary Road Trip

Drive from Dublin to Tipperary on an Ireland road trip. Take an Irish road trip to Tipperary from Dublin. Spend a weekend in County Tipperary.

I much prefer walking or taking the train to driving, but there is something about an Irish road trip that generates excitement for me. 

We rented a car and drove out from Dublin to Tipperary to see the Rock of Cashel. How far is Dublin to Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel? It takes less than 2.5 hours to cover the 200 km distance by car. 

Along the way to County Tipperary in Ireland's Ancient East, we stopped in some lovely towns that we wouldn't have seen on foot or by public transit.

Thurles

Thurles hosts a weekly Farmer's Market at the local racetrack. We discovered amazing local porridge (Kilbeggan Jumbo) and colorful fruits and veggies on offer. 

There was even a baker with some fantastic looking bread. We bid farewell to the greyhound guarding the entrance and continued on our way to Tipperary.

Cahir Town

Our next stop was Cahir town and another Farmers Market. The better find was actually a local crafts hall. When we visited, they were having a 70% off sale on a number of items including gorgeous handmade scarves! 

I bought a couple for about 5 euro each (a real bargain!). I liked a sign in the middle of town that read: Mary Condon: Publican and Funeral Director. 

The sign came complete with a Guinness advertisement. Running a pub and overseeing funerals seems like an interesting combination of businesses.

Cahir Castle

Swans zipped by in the river (moat?) outside of the Cahir Castle. A piled stone monument stood nearby. Cahir Castle itself was pretty amazing (dare I say one of the most bad-ass castles in Ireland) -- a real fortress of stone. 

We decided to take another walk through Cahir town to pick up lunch before heading in to tour the castle. We had lunch at the Galtee Inn -- a hearty shepherd's pie. 

We made our way out to the Swiss Cottage, an ornamental cottage built at the beginning of the 19th century by English architect John Nash. We were only able to glimpse the cottage through a locked gate since it was closed for the winter -- denied!

Fortunately, Cahir Castle was open to visitors and we passed under the portcullis (pointy wooden spikes) to enter the courtyard. 

Cahir Castle is one of the largest castles in Ireland and is situated on an island overlooking the River Suir. Cahir Castle dates back to the 12th century and was commissioned by Conor O'Briend the Prince of Thomond.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Are you interested in other Ireland road trip ideas? Why not consider: Checking out the rich and colorful history of Kilkea Castle in County Kildare and all the things to do nearby. Taking a drive in West Cork Ireland for fantastic food, amazing scenery, and rich history? Driving from Dublin to Waterford and Wexford in Ireland's sunny Southeast. Exploring great places to visit in Donegal by car like Slieve League. A road trip from Dublin to Sligo inspired by the poetry of W.B. Yeats A drive from Dublin to County Clare in the summer to see puffins from land at the Cliffs of Moher. Drive the iconic Ring of Kerry and then spend a week in Waterville. Discovering all the great places to stop and stretch your legs between Dublin and the Dingle Peninsula including a museum devoted to flying boats! Taking a wet and wild weekend drive from Galway to Connemara where Irish is still spoken. Drive from Dublin to Kinsale with a detour to see U.S. President John F. Kennedy's ancestral homestead.

Inside, Chair Castle was sparsely furnished. Antlers hung on the wall as a bit of ornamentation. We caught a glimpse of the River Suir running rapidly by outside. I liked the moss covered stones -- they really added character. 

We stopped by the obligatory castle cannon. A cool looking weathervane sat atop one of the turrets. The castle was really nestled right in the heart of Cahir town. We got a great view when we climbed one of the defensive walls. All too soon it was time to leave Cahir behind and continue on the road again.

Tipperary Town

We stopped into Tipperary Town and bought a gorgeous Valentine's Day cake at Brudair's Bakery. Entering Tipperary Town was like taking a step in time. 

We stopped into a men's clothing store and were greeted by an elderly Irish gentleman. We ended up buying a pair of bedroom slippers. I haven't experienced such courteous service in a long time. Way to go Tipperary.

The Rock of Cashel

We arrived in Cashel as the sun was beginning to set and took up residence at the Hill House Bed and Breakfast. We went out for a lovely dinner at Oasis. It was Valentine's Day weekend so they had strewn little plastic hearts on the table. 

Hill House offered sweeping views of the Rock of Cashel (only partially obscured by dew and construction.) We ate breakfast in a sunbathed room. We shared the full Irish and a banana lemon sugar crepe. The crepe was particularly delicious. 

Fortified for the day, we decided to walk to the Rock of Cashel -- the whole reason for undertaking the weekend road trip from Dublin to Tipperary in the first place. 

The Rock of Cashel is famous and is believed to be the site where the King of Munster was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick himself in the 5th century. The Rock of Cashel was the seat of the kings of Munster for several centuries prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland.

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