Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [286]
There’s also excellent walking throughout the area, and the views from the hills across the Glen are always spectacular (when it’s not raining that is). A popular lookout and historic statue of Christ can be found 1.6km north of Newtown on the R664.
Sleeping
There’s a good range of rural accommodation – much of it catering to walkers. Most places also have self-catering accommodation for longer stays.
Ballinacourty House Camping Park & B&B ( 062-56559; www.camping.ie, www.ballinacourtyhse.com; Glen of Aherlow; campsites €16, s/d €52/70; mid-Apr–Sep) Set against a great backdrop of the Galtees, this attractive site is 10km west from Bansha, and past Newtown. It has excellent facilities, as well as a fine garden, restaurant, wine bar and tennis court. An old stone house has been renovated and now offers B&B accommodation.
Homeleigh Farmhouse ( 062-56228; www.homeleighfarmhouse.com; Newtown; s/d €55/80) Just west of Newtown and the Coach Road Inn on the R663, this working farm rents out rooms in a modern home. Furnishings are traditional and you can arrange for dinner. This is really ground zero for local hiking.
Bansha House ( 062-54194; www.tipp.ie/banshahs.htm; Bansha; s/d €60/90) Period elegance and high ceilings characterise this Georgian country house in spacious grounds. Set amid farmland and close to walking paths, it’s a great getaway. The house is signposted and is 250m along a lane at the western entrance to Bansha.
Aherlow House Hotel ( 062-56153; www.aherlowhouse.ie; Newtown; s/d from €90/160; ) This 1928 hunting lodge has been turned into a luxurious retreat complete with self-catering chalets. In the 1970s it was developed into a hotel and has been much improved upon since. The 29 palatial rooms have traditional furniture. It’s often the host to local walking festivals.
Getting There & Away
The frequent Bus Éireann link from Tipperary to Waterford stops in Bansha. From here it’s a walk or bike ride into the hills. See left for bike rental information, otherwise a rental car will let you explore far and wide between walks.
Return to beginning of chapter
CASHEL
pop 2500
With one of the finest 1000-year-old castles around looming over town, it’s no wonder that Cashel (Caiseal Mumhan) is popular. The iconic Rock of Cashel and the clutch of historical religious buildings that crown its breezy summit seem like a magical extension of the rocky landscape itself. Despite mobs of visitors, Cashel manages to maintain a certain charm as a smallish market town.
Orientation
A bypass on the Dublin–Cork route eases some of the town’s congestion. The Rock and its inspiring buildings stand loftily above it all. Reasonable photo opportunities for framing the Rock can be had on the road into town from the Dublin Rd roundabout or the little roads just west of the centre. Much better is to shoot from inside the ruins of Hore Abbey (opposite).
Parking in Cashel can be tight. Avoid the parking lot closest to the Rock as it’s a bit of a scam: one all-day price with no option for less time. Better are the street spots nearby and throughout town that allow you to pay for only as much time as you need.
Information
Banks and ATMs are in the centre.
Book Nook ( 062-64947; 79 Main St) Has a good selection of local-interest, general and travel books.
Cashel Heritage Town Centre ( 062-62511; www.cashel.ie; Town Hall, Main St; 9.30am-5.30pm mid-Mar–Sep, closed weekends Oct–mid-Mar) Helpful staff make this a great place to get information and purchase walking maps. It also has a museum (opposite).
Online ( 062-64062; 102 Main St; per 20min €1; 10am-8pm) On the back side of Main St.
Police station ( 062-62866) Behind the post office at the bottom of Main St.
Sights
ROCK OF CASHEL
The Rock of Cashel ( 062-61437; www.heritageireland.com; adult/child €6/2; 9am-5.30pm mid-Mar–mid-Oct, to 4.30pm mid-Oct–mid-Mar, last admission 45min before closing) is one of Ireland’s most spectacular archaeological sites. The ‘Rock’ is a prominent green hill, banded with limestone outcrops. It