The Ham Nomads

24 May 2014. <IE> Carrick-on-Sur, & Clonmel, & Cahir, & Cashel, Co. Tipperary —

The Main Guard

Susie in The Main Guard

The birds finally decided to wake us at 9:00am outside Ormond Castle. We got ourselves moving. Checked the oil in the van and added 2 more litres. Then got moving towards Clonmel (Cluain Meala) where we found the Main Guard, built by James Butler, the First Duke of Ormond, in 1675. Built as a courthouse, it is one of the oldest surviving civic buildings in Ireland. Its court functions were moved to the present courthouse in 1802, and the building became commercial premises (pubs!) with considerable remodelling. When the building was handed over to the State in 1994 it was in a sorry state, but most of its original structure remained. Restoration and conservation was carried out and the building restored to its 17th century appearance. This is a wonderful example of sympathetic reconstruction — the old sections are clearly demarcated with the original stonework and timbering, and new work is in obviously new materials — glass, plaster and steelwork — so you are never in doubt as to what is original and what is new.

Franciscan Friary

We went out, walked some, and found the Franciscan Friary, rebuilt in 1840 with extensions in 1884. (The Franciscans first came to Clonmel in 1269.) Another beautifully peaceful sanctuary!

The Western Gate

We then walked down the street to the Western Gate, turned about — and into a tea room (it was raining by now).

Cahir Castle

Cahir Castle Courtyard

Cahir Castle Main Hall

Susie on the Battlements

Swiss Cottage

After a refreshing break, we strolled back to the van and left for Cahir (An Cathair) which has two more Butler sites — Cahir Castle right in the heart of town, and the "Swiss Cottage", a cottage orné that Richard Butler, 12th Lord Cahir, and his wife Emily used for day trips for hunting and fishing. The place was probably designed by John Nash, famed for many projects in and around London. It is quirky, with rustic elements throughout — no two doors or windows are identical, for example, as it attempts to emulate a rustic house — but with the absolutely best materials! The house has been completely renovated to repair the results of a particular 5-year period of neglect and vandalism from 1980 to 1984, just before it was taken over by the State. The renovations have cost something like €500,000, half of it paid for by a Canadian philanthropist, Mrs Sally Aall. It now looks much as it did when first constructed.

Swiss Cottage

We left "Swiss Cottage" and drove towards Cashel (Caiseall). We've parked just outside the town — there are two and possibly three sites of interest for us here tomorrow!

Distance driven — today, 45 miles ( 73 km ); to date, 1,473 miles ( 2,371 km )