Tipperary Heartlands: Farney Castle is a gem in the heart of Tipperary

Farney Castle is open to visitors all the year round. In fact, nearly every day this season many people came either to tour the Castle; visit the Castle shop to buy some of Cyril Cullen’s original parian/porcelain or his designer knitwear; to have a cup of tea or coffee in the medieval section of the castle; or as in many cases to experience all three events.

Irish international designer, Cyril Cullen, resides in the Castle and he has met hundreds of people from all over the world.

This year alone people came from fifteen different countries and their numbers equaled the numbers of Irish people who also visited. Most of the visitors have signed the Victorian Visitors Book and all the comments on their visits have been very favourable.

The Castle has been included in the top 100 visitor attractions in Britain and Ireland on at least one tourism website. Visitors are especially pleased that they are welcomed and guided by family members and that the experience is more like visiting a friendly neighbour’s home than the typical tour around bleak, bare stone walls and battlements led by a hired tour guide.

Many people have also strolled through the grounds and down to the Farney River where they can sit and listen to the ‘babbling brook’ and the lively singing of the birds.

In addition, when en route, they can see the tallest elm tree in Ireland, which has somehow escaped the ravages of Dutch Elm disease.

The fifteenth century round tower house is unique in that it is the only round tower house in Ireland which is used as a family home.

Besides, in the Castle there is a rare collection of 1916 memorabilia; several original paintings by Brigid Gore-Booth; a rare painting by her aunt (the Countess Markievitz) and other renowned artists, plus many other unique and interesting items, all of which can be seen when on a tour of the Castle.

The castle is quite near Holycross Abbey and Cormackstown Heritage centre which gives visitors a marvelous tourism experience when the three are combined.