A walk of about one kilometre along the River Ara, several routes through the town centre, and a cultural programme of theatre, music and history give Tipperary a range of different facets. You can focus on what interests you most: from the riverside walk and traces of the town’s history to events at the Excel. Walking or cycling in the Glen of Aherlow can also shape your stay.
Along the River Ara and through the town centre
The River Ara Walkway runs alongside the River Ara and is about one kilometre long. Near Glenview, it connects with an existing path. The Tipperary Town Historic Town Walk offers a different choice of route lengths: the red route is 3.2 km, the blue 1.45 km, the green 1.6 km and the orange 1.2 km. This lets you compare the routes by their stated distances without assuming a particular walking time.
The red circular route starts at the Excel Heritage Centre and leads through the town centre. At 3.2 km, it is the longest of the four listed routes; the orange route is the shortest at 1.2 km. The blue and green routes are closer in length, at 1.45 km and 1.6 km. When choosing routes for your stay, you can therefore select from several clearly stated distances.
Traces of the town’s history
Individual places also provide historical points of interest along the walk. A statue on Main Street depicts Charles Kickham, a 19th-century writer and patriot. Only a few remnants of the former Tipperary Barracks remain today, including the hospital, the water tower and the entrance to the officers’ quarters. These places represent different aspects of the town’s history: public commemoration on Main Street and the structural remains of the former barracks.
The Soloheadbeg Ambush Memorial commemorates the Soloheadbeg ambush, which took place on 21 January 1919. Together with the stops on the Historic Town Walk, it offers another historical point of reference for exploring Tipperary. The route itself starts at the Excel Heritage Centre and runs through the town centre; the other places described add distinct themes to this circular walk.
Cultural programme and events at the Excel
The programme at the Excel stage in Tipperary Town includes live theatre, comedy, music, community productions and special events. Individual performances and dates vary. The Excel also holds a Heritage Festival every year. It explores the urban, industrial, architectural, cultural and social history of Tipperary Town since the early 20th century; the exact festival dates vary.
In the heart of Tipperary Town, the Excel also has a three-screen cinema. As the programme and opening hours may change, it is a good idea to check the latest information before visiting. The cultural options therefore have different formats when planning an outing: dates for stage performances vary, the Heritage Festival is held annually, and the cinema programme can also change.
Combining the town with activities in the Glen of Aherlow
Tipperary is a starting point for walking or cycling in the Glen of Aherlow. This means your stay can include activities in the region as well as walks and historical sites in town. The town walks have several specified distances; walking and cycling are listed as options in the Glen.
The Historic Town Walk route lengths and the different cultural formats provide practical points of reference; for events and cinema visits, check the date against the current programme.
Discover more destinations: Clogheen, Ardfinnan, Kilsheelan, Carrick-On-Suir, Bansha, Ninemilehouse, Dundrum, Clonmel
For the broader travel overview: South Tipperary.
