A VIRTUAL TOUR OF CLONMEL

As befits an ancient and historical town, there are many survivals from a bygone age which make a major contribution to the urban scene. Chief among these are the town walls, dating from the 15th century, of which a major portion survives, virtually intact, on the north and west sides of the cemetery of Old St. Mary's Church.

The exact date of the building of the parish church is uncertain. Some experts suggest that it was built in 1204 by William de Burgh. Other experts put the date later, however, the church was in use before 1228. It is the town's most significant ancient building and incorporates several features of architectural interest - stained glass windows, one of which commemorates the family of William Tinsley, Clonmel's Victorian Architect. Its most significant visual impact comes from the 84ft. high octagonal Bell Tower which was rebuilt around 1805.

The abbey of St. Francis was built in 1269 and has been rebuilt on several occasions since, the last reconstruction being completed around 1884. The oldest part of the building is the tower which dates from the 14th century. The most significant recent addition was the shrine of St. Anthony, which opened in 1959 and the stained glass windows which were put in in 1960. The tomb of the Lords of Cahir could be considered the one constant element in the history of the church as it survived the dissolution of the monasteries, the passage of the Cromwellians and the Williamites and the entire penal law period.

This building straddling the west end of O' Connell St. was built circa 1831 on the site of the former West Gate. In recent years it had fallen into disrepair and a group of concerned citizens organised its restoration, putting on a new roof, relieving the pressure on the arches by steel beams built in the walls and tying east and west faces by steel tie bars concealed in the floors. Recently a limestone plaque commemorating Clonmel born author Lawrence Sterne was installed on the east face of the building by sculptor Frances Dietrich.

The hotel has been in existence since its foundation in 1792 by Daniel Hearn. In 1815 it became the headquarters of Bianconi's day car enterprise. The hotel has been many changes since those days but the architectural character of the building has been preserved. Many items of historical interest from the Bianconi era are still to be seen in the hotel.

Clonmel had a regular English garrison since the siege of 1650. A permanent military barracks was constructed in 1780 in response to threats of uprising by a growing Irish volunteer movement. A further Barracks was built in 1805 to house garrisons in preparation for an expected invasion by Napoleon. On the 9th February 1922, the barracks were taken over from the British by the 5th battalion 3rd Tipperary Brigade, commanded by commandant P. Dalton. The rebuilding of the barracks, as it is today, commenced in 1942 and was completed in 1945. Today it is the home of two companies of the 12th infantry battalion.

Established in 1974 when the county council assumed responsibility for the Clonmel museum which had been in existence since the 1940s Extensive renovations were carried out in 1989-1990 and it now occupies all of a fine 19th century house in Parnell St., with a porch by William Tinsley, a noted local architect. The collection now numbers over 100,000 items and contains many interesting and important objects such as the Hogan Jersey, archaeological artefacts and items associated with famous people, such as Charles Bianconi and Charles Kickham. A fine collection of painting and prints form part of a permanent art display by well known Irish artists such as Charles Lamb, John Butler Yeats and William Leech.

Erected by people of Clonmel to honour the "Holy Year" 1950. Stations of the Cross added in 1953. Oratory erected in 1963. The Cross and Shrine is maintained by a committee drawn from the people of the Old Bridge and Scrouthea area of Clonmel. Mass is celebrated each August bank holiday Monday at 11 a.m. at which thousands of people attend.

Bianconi was born at Tregolo, Northern Italy, 24th September, 1786. At the age of 16 a young Bianconi was considered to be friendly with a neighbours daughter who was already betrothed in her childhood to one of nobility. To avoid scandal Bianconi's father sent his only son away. He arrived in Dublin in 1802. On 6th July 1815, he started to run a One-Horse Cart between Clonmel and Cahir which extended to Thurles, Limerick and Waterford. By the end of 1825 he had secured a number of mail contracts and his vehicles, locally called "BIANS", were covering 1,170 miles a day. In 1857, regardless of competition from the railways, they were running 4,244 miles daily in 22 counties.

His headquarters were in Clonmel in Bagwell St., now known as Parnell St.. Here Bianconi installed his trusted friend and assistant Daniel Hearn, who later converted the house overlooking the stable yard, to Hearn's Hotel. In 1828 after the birth of his eldest child, he moved to the former Charter School which he named "Silverspring" (on the Waterford road). He was twice Mayor of Clonmel. While living there Bianconi was a regular worshipper in the Friary Church. Charles Bianconi died at Longford House on 22nd September 1875, at the age of 89. He buried at Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary, in the graveyard of the Church which he himself had built.

Distance - 7 miles.

Terrain - Tarred road and open mountain

Time - 2+ - 3 hours

OLD BRIDGE - RUSSELSTOWN - HOLY YEAR CROSS

The area known as the Old Bridge will be the start for this walk. If we leave from the Marian Grotto and go on the Dungarvan road, passing a garage on your right and over a small stone bridge, we will come to a "Y" junction. As you cross this bridge over the stream, it might interest you to know that the track leading uphill to the left at the bridge, led to the town shower baths. There were changing rooms, a large concrete bath sunken in the ground and the water used for this bath was this stream, straight from the mountain. No hot water in those days, also no mixed bathing, ladies on even days, men uneven days. The whole place has fallen into disrepair now, but was partly used up to the 1940s at least. However, at the "Y" junction we take the left-hand fork up the hill. To the right is the Dungarvan road. Continue up the hill for 2 miles, passing a number of cottages and new houses. Do not take any of the small roads coming from the left. Again there are lovely views back over the town to the right.

After 2 miles, this road joins up with another road coming from the right. We keep left up past the beech trees and the Cannon Wood. After approximately 1 mile, a road joins from the left, near an old farm house and a very large modern building which is the pumping station for the town's water supply. We take the road to the left and again continue along this road for 2 miles, until you come to a "T" junction with a "way marker" at the side of the road in front of you. This marker is used to show the East Munster way which passes here. We are going to use these markers for the remainder of the walk. But before we do, if you follow the right hand track, it would lead into the Glenary Valley. Alas there are no people there now. At the marker we go left up the track and through a timber gate. Continue up this track for approximately 600yds and you will come to another marker, which points across the open hill to a 3rd one, about 500yds to your right, east. This part of the walk is a bit awkward as the furze are slowly taking over the hill. Go towards the 3rd marker crossing the fence at the stile. At this marker you must continue contouring around the hill east, going neither up too high or down.

As you breast this hill, you will see the Holy Year Crass in front of you. Go over to the Cross and near some old gate piers there is a 4th marker. Now you go down hill on a dirt track through a grove of laurel bushes and you meet a 5th marker Turn right, through an old iron gate, this is often very muddy, turn left at the gate and you should meet the 6th marker at the "Y" junction. Take either path as they lead down to the Old Bridge, but I prefer the left hand road as it gives a different aspect to the town as you drop steeply down hill. Again there are different views of the town and countryside. This walk can be very troublesome on a foggy or wet day, as visibility can quickly disappear on the open mountain and one could easily get themselves mislaid and wander on to the hills for hours. More care should be taken but a very good walk nonetheless.

Distance - 7 miles.

Terrain - Road, tracks.

Time - 2+ hours.

NIRE CHURCH - TOUREEN - LYRE.

From Clonmel, follow any sign to the Nire, park you car at the Nire church, beside Hanora's cottage. You now walk back over the bridge crossing the Nire River, going towards Ballymacarbry. After three-quarters of a mile you come to an iron bridge, but you stay left past the thatched cottage, and after 50yds go up the narrow twisting road behind the cottage. Follow this road for about one and a quarter miles and you come to an old track beside a farmhouse. Go through the old wooden gate and along this track, which in bad weather can be very muddy.

Follow this track for about 1 mile and you come to a cross-roads, take the track to the left going uphill. Soon you pass a house on your left and then you're back on the tarred road. Turn left on this road and walk along for about two miles. As you walk along this road towards Lyre (River Fork), there are marvellous views into the Coums in the Nire. Soon you pass the group of old houses in Toureen on your left, and then over a stone bridge. Shortly after the bridge, the road ends at an old cottage, with a wooden gate beside it. Go through the gate and down a very steep narrow path, Which leads on to a narrow iron footbridge over the Nire River. Cross the bridge and keeping slightly to the right, follow the narrow path across the hilly field to a stile. You are now back on a tarred road. The road to the right goes to Knockanaffreann lay-by, the narrow road in front leads to the Republican Cottage, but we take the road to the left which goes down hill to the Nire church and Hanora's cottage, about one and a half miles. This is a very pleasant walk and can be done at any time of the year.

Distance - 6 miles approx.

Terrain - Open mountain. Rough underfoot.

Time - 2.5 hours

Passing off the Nire Church, you continue for another 2 miles, through an old farm yard, over a small bridge crossing a stream and up to the Knockanaffreann lay-by. The road finishes here and all travel from here is on foot. From here, the mountain walks to Scilloges, Coumalocha, Coumfea etc., usually start, depending on groups etc. However, we are not going to any of the lakes but to the Gap. This is a great wide sweep between the ending of Knockanaffreann Ridge, on the left, and the rocky outdrop of Carrigshanean ("Old Birds Rock") on the right. Leave the car park and go straight up the heathery mountain at the "back" of the lay-by. You will see some white posts bearing away to the right, This is a steep bit of a climb bur not too difficult. Follow the posts up the hill and over the shoulder. As you cross over this hill, you can immediately see the Gap, Bearna Beila Bealoig ("Pass of the Mouth") and the white posts leading you straight there, that is if the day is clear.

It normally takes about three-quarters to one hour to get to the Gap, even though it is only about two miles. Walking on the mountain like this can be very hard. This route was originally the way to Rathgormack, which you can see in the valley below from the Gap, elev. 1,700 ft. If you have transport organised in Rathgormack, continue with the walk following the white markers, down to the forestry. When you come to the Forest Road, turn right through the gate, and then walk on this road for approx. 3 miles until you cross a stone bridge over the River Clodiagh. Turn right on this road to the Garda Station, and then right again to Rathgormack. A lot of road walking.

However, if you do not intend to do this part of the walk then all that is needed is to retrace your steps following the white markers from the Gap. Many walks are possible from the Gap but use of a map and compass are essential as well as the other skill required for walking in mountainous areas. These white markers are the highest in these hills, at 1,700 ft, the height of the Gap, and after that is wide open mountain where experience is necessary. Even following the white markers, care must be taken and a good eye kept on changes in the weather. Warm clothes, rainwear and boots advisable.

Distance - 7 miles.

Terrain - Footpath, road

Time - 2.5 hours.

MAIN GUARD - MARLFIELD

This walk can be started from any place in Clonmel but we will start at the Main Guard. Go through the town to the traffic lights at the top of Irishtown. Continue on straight with the Meat Factory on you left. Soon you come to a "Y" junction. Go left and continue for two miles towards Marlfield Village. Just before you enter the village, turn left. This road goes down to just past the old Church of Ireland to "Sandybanks", a local swimming pool in the summer.

Retrace your steps back up to the road, Through the cross-roads, passing a housing estate on your right, and overlooking Marlfield Lake down on the left. Go through the next cross-roads, with a big stone wall on your right. After 400yds you come to St. Patrick's Well on your left. Go down the steps to a place of great historical interest and peace. Back up the steps and return to the first cross-roads, turn right and after 100yds, left. You are now circling Marlfield Lake, which has been turned into a bird sanctuary. Many different types of birds can be seen here. Continue on down around the lake and soon you arrive in Marlfield village. Turn left and back through the village to Clonmel. There is another road to town but it is the main road from Cork and there is no pleasure trying to walk on it, with the trucks, etc. passing A very pleasant walk.