Cahir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cahir Cathair Dun Iascaigh |
||
| Location | ||
|
||
|
WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Irish grid reference S051252 |
||
| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Munster | |
| County: | County Tipperary | |
| Population (2007) | 3,904 | |
Cahir (pronounced /keɪr/; Irish: Cathair Dún Iascaigh, meaning the stonefort of the fish), often spelled Caher in older accounts, is a town in South Tipperary, Ireland. The town is best known for Cahir Castle, built on an island in the River Suir near the centre of the town, and also for the Swiss cottage.
In addition it has a fine Church of Ireland parish church, still in use, designed by John Nash (architect), one of only three ecclesiastical buildings he designed in Ireland.
It is widely known in history as being a defence town and was also the first town to be linked by stagecoach in the 1800s, when Charles Bianconi commenced services between Clonmel, Cahir and Cashel. The building at The Square, where The Galtee Inn is now sited, was the stopping point in the town for Bianconi's coaches.
Cahir is an Irish Christian word, probably derived from the Gaelic word for 'warlord' or 'chieftain' - Cathaír or Cathaoir. The word Caher also denotes a type of Ringfort from the Bronze Age
Contents |
[edit] Location
Cahir attracts many tourists because of its location. It is situated at the principal intersection of two national primary routes, the N8 road Dublin–Cork and the N24 road Limerick–Waterford. Cahir is on the Limerick–Waterford regional railway line and Cahir railway station opened on 1 May 1852.[1]
[edit] Tourist attractions
The main tourist attraction is the Island in the River Suir, on which sits a medieval castle, Cahir Castle, once a stronghold of the Butler dynasty. As one of the best preserved castles in Ireland, this often attracts a large number of Irish and Foreign tourists to the region. Another major attraction is the Swiss Cottage along with numerous speciality heritage walks. Cahir also has some interesting, if not beautiful landscape features. Nearby is the famous Rock of Cashel. The nearby Galtee Mountains form the largest inland range in Ireland, which though not very high (<1000m), are covered in a lush coniferous forest. The salmon wier, on the opposite side of the bridge from the Castle, is a popular location to fish.
[edit] People
[edit] Born in Cahir
- John Noel Dempsey (1915–1989), Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1959 to 1961 and Governor of Connecticut from 1961 to 1971.
- Michael Murphy VC (1831-1893), the Victoria Cross holder
[edit] Services and infrastructure
Cahir is a small heritage town enjoying good facilities in a compact shopping precinct centred on its historic square adjacent to Castle Street. It boasts a range of shops and restaurants. There are numerous professional practices in the town including two well appointed pharmacies in the central square and a highly efficient tourist office is also centrally located in the town, which opens during high summer. There are also numerous restaurants, which provide a range of foods to satisfy every palate, ranging from fast-food to gourmet cuisine, and several traditional Irish pubs. Cahir also has a Gaelic Football pitch and a soccer pitch. An 18-hole golf course is situated on the outskirts of the town.
[edit] Sport
Sport is well represented in Cahir. Cahir has a Leisure Centre (Duneske), an All weather soccer pitch, and a GAA pitch.
[edit] Twinning
Cahir is twinned with the town of Scarborough in the United Kingdom and Ghana in Africa.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- For info on visiting Cahir
- Photos of Cahir Castle
- A recent photographic publication providing an introduction to the town's past.
- Cahir Park afc
[edit] References
- ^ Cahir station. Railscot — Irish Railways. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
