Town of Tipperary
The name Tipperary is a derivative of Tiobrad Arann meaning the Well of Ara. Situated on the main Limerick- Cashel road, this is a market town in the heart of the Golden Vale. King John built a castle here by the end of the 12th century, and the town grew into an Anglo-Norman residential area. An Augustinian Friary was founded in the 13th century. What ever remains today in this area is the chancel arch, which stands on the property of the Christian Brothers. Here you find the ruined Abbey schools founded by Erasmus Smith (1611 to 1691) who spent his wealth to found grammer schools in Ireland. Even if Edward the second made a grant available, no town walls were built in Tipperary. The O’Briens burnt this town in 1339. After the Desmond wars in 1598, Tipperary was listed as “waste”. John O’Leary (1830 to 1907) one of the Fenian leaders was a native of the town. Churchwell, built by the landlord Stafford O’Brien in 1833. The Bridewell; in the year 1838 the High Sheriff Stephen O’ Meagher wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Prisons and described the appalling conditions of this Prison. Today this Bridewell is a Heritage and Genealogy centre. St. Michaels’ Catholic church is Gothic in style and has fine lancet windows. Tipperary is a fine beginning for exploring the famous and very beautiful Glen of Aherlow.