South East Ireland Tourism
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Travel guide to Ireland's south east
Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary
Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary
Carrick-on-Suir began life as Carrig Mac Griffin when the grant of 3 fairs per year was given to Matthew Fitzgriffin, Lord of the Manor of Carrick. The history of the town starts before the year 823 AD, when Turgesius, a Norse leader, began to build forts at the mouths of the rivers when they came on invasions and, instead of sailing off with their treasure, they settled into these forts and later built walled settlements. One of their main settlements was Waterford, which commanded three river mouths - the Suir, the Nore and the Barrow.
From their base in Waterford, the Norsemen made regular incursions to Carrig, from which they raided the surrounding countryside taking animals and crops to help supply their main base. These eventually settled and built walled towns. It is recorded that an Anglo Norman family came to Carrig named the Le Brets. Little is known of them, but that they left behind their ruined Manor House of the Butlers.
Then in 1309 came Edmond le Bottiler, who was later created Earl of Carrig in 1315. His son received the title Earl of Ormonde and the older title was abandoned. Edmond erected two large, heavily garrisoned castle keeps named the Plantagenet Castle. From the courtyard a canal was built to the river and protected by a guarded Watergate, to provide entry and exit for their long boats.
Later a Town Wall was erected. In the North Wall, guarded gates were built with small round keeps. At a later date some stalls - like houses or shops - were built and the population gradually increased.
In the year 1447 a stone bridge was built, now known as the "Old Bridge". One of the most handsome stone bridges in Ireland, it pre-dates the voyage of Columbus to the New World. One of the Ormonde family was known as "Richard The Builder" and the building of the bridge is attributed to him.
In the year 1670 the Butlers set up a woollen industry and built many homes for their weavers. This industry flourished for a long number of years.
The town parks were erected when a committee of town merchants and gentlemen was set up to deal with the sum of £600 which was left unexpended from the famine relief fund. Land was granted by the Ormonde family and it was decided to set-up public parks and plant trees on the Fair Green. The project was completed in around 1868 and Carrick's handsome parks can still be enjoyed today.
The modern history of the town was centered around the tanning industry that arrived in 1934 to 1938. Factories and businesses now flourish in Carrick.
Carrick-on-Suir's most famous sons include the Clancy Brothers, members of the world-famous folk group Makem & Clancy and Sean Kelly, following his victory in the Tour de France in the early 1980's.
Carrick's four-towered castle was built in the 1400's. Two of the towers are now to be seen incorporated into a unique architectural treasure in Ireland – Ormonde Castle, the elizabethan Manor House built by "Black Tom" Butler, 10th Earl of Ormonde, cousin of the first Queen Elizabeth, circa 1560.
The Town Clock was sponsored by a family of wine merchants named Galleway. The erection of the clock was completed in 1784. The clock was built in Manchester and the walls supporting the structure are six feet thick. It is reached by a stone stairway with a number of gun slots in the walls.
The Old Bridge is situated at the end of Bridge Street, off the Main Street. This seven arched bridge dates back to the mid 15th. Century. It predates the voyage of Columbus to the New World. Originally built in c.1447 by Edmund MacRichard Butler it was for centuries the first bridge above the estuary and hence strategically important as a link between south Leinster and east Munster.
With many other monuments, churches, parks and castles Carrick-on-Suir has a rich and diverse heritage. The town also offers fishing, an 18-hole golf course, leisure centre, tennis club and many scenic walks and cycle routes.
All types of accommodation including camping are available in and around the town.
<< Return to Tipperary page
From their base in Waterford, the Norsemen made regular incursions to Carrig, from which they raided the surrounding countryside taking animals and crops to help supply their main base. These eventually settled and built walled towns. It is recorded that an Anglo Norman family came to Carrig named the Le Brets. Little is known of them, but that they left behind their ruined Manor House of the Butlers.
Then in 1309 came Edmond le Bottiler, who was later created Earl of Carrig in 1315. His son received the title Earl of Ormonde and the older title was abandoned. Edmond erected two large, heavily garrisoned castle keeps named the Plantagenet Castle. From the courtyard a canal was built to the river and protected by a guarded Watergate, to provide entry and exit for their long boats.
Later a Town Wall was erected. In the North Wall, guarded gates were built with small round keeps. At a later date some stalls - like houses or shops - were built and the population gradually increased.
In the year 1447 a stone bridge was built, now known as the "Old Bridge". One of the most handsome stone bridges in Ireland, it pre-dates the voyage of Columbus to the New World. One of the Ormonde family was known as "Richard The Builder" and the building of the bridge is attributed to him.
In the year 1670 the Butlers set up a woollen industry and built many homes for their weavers. This industry flourished for a long number of years.
The town parks were erected when a committee of town merchants and gentlemen was set up to deal with the sum of £600 which was left unexpended from the famine relief fund. Land was granted by the Ormonde family and it was decided to set-up public parks and plant trees on the Fair Green. The project was completed in around 1868 and Carrick's handsome parks can still be enjoyed today.
The modern history of the town was centered around the tanning industry that arrived in 1934 to 1938. Factories and businesses now flourish in Carrick.
Carrick-on-Suir's most famous sons include the Clancy Brothers, members of the world-famous folk group Makem & Clancy and Sean Kelly, following his victory in the Tour de France in the early 1980's.
What to see and do in Carrick-On-Suir
The Carrick-on-Suir Heritage Centre houses numerous local artefacts and photographs. The time-honoured tradition of Irish-making achieves new heights of excellence, when the skilled artisans at Tipperary Crystal produce breathtakingly beautiful crystal items.Carrick's four-towered castle was built in the 1400's. Two of the towers are now to be seen incorporated into a unique architectural treasure in Ireland – Ormonde Castle, the elizabethan Manor House built by "Black Tom" Butler, 10th Earl of Ormonde, cousin of the first Queen Elizabeth, circa 1560.
The Town Clock was sponsored by a family of wine merchants named Galleway. The erection of the clock was completed in 1784. The clock was built in Manchester and the walls supporting the structure are six feet thick. It is reached by a stone stairway with a number of gun slots in the walls.
The Old Bridge is situated at the end of Bridge Street, off the Main Street. This seven arched bridge dates back to the mid 15th. Century. It predates the voyage of Columbus to the New World. Originally built in c.1447 by Edmund MacRichard Butler it was for centuries the first bridge above the estuary and hence strategically important as a link between south Leinster and east Munster.
With many other monuments, churches, parks and castles Carrick-on-Suir has a rich and diverse heritage. The town also offers fishing, an 18-hole golf course, leisure centre, tennis club and many scenic walks and cycle routes.
All types of accommodation including camping are available in and around the town.
Carrick-on-Suir Map
<< Return to Tipperary page
