Nenagh is known as the Friendly Town and offers good food, entertainment and a variety of shops and local crafts that all go to make it a pleasurable experience. Nenagh or An tAonach which is its Irish name derives from the word 'Fair' which explains its history as a trading and commercial centre for North Tipperary. You can take a stroll down the streets of Nenagh and browse the many pleasant craft shops and when you want to take a welcome break, there are many good food places, bars and coffee houses to take your rest.

Local Craft/Gift Shops

Castlebrand Nenagh (for aluminium kitchenware pieces and lovely copperware made in Nenagh and ideal for gifts)

Hanly's Woollen Mill shop in Ballyartella, Nenagh (established 1893) (offers a selection of knitwear, clothing, pottery, glassware, table linen and other gift ideas)

Puckane Crafts, Puckane Nenagh (sited in a timely old cottage where original wood crafts are made on site - also pottery and glassware & other lovely gifts on display)

McCarney's" Kenyon Street Nenagh (imported second hand furniture, antiques, bric-a-brac, jewellery and dried flowers).

Aladdin's Cave, Kenyon Street, Nenagh (antiques and gifts on display)

McQuaid's Traditional Music Shop, Pearse Street, Nenagh (variety of traditional musical instruments, CD's, Tapes, Songbooks and Videos)

The Gifted Hand, Mitchel Street, Nenagh (for lovely pictures and themed scenes framed and framed dried flower arrangements)

Castle Gifts, Pearse Street, Nenagh (variety of gifts locally produced and others)

Nenagh Castle

Nenagh is the chief town of North Tipperary and site of the finest Castle Keep of its kind in Ireland. On your travels around the town you will get a glimpse of the massive round towers of a Norman Castle which rears up above the roof lines of Nenagh. The castle was built between 1200 and 1220 by Theobald Fitzwalter, ancestor of the Butlers of Ormonde and a cousin of Thomas Becket. Its tower is 100ft high and 55ft across and its walls are 20ft thick.

The Castle is currently under refurbishment so the inside of the castle is not currently open to the public but you can walk around and view the Castle from within its own grounds.

Other Notable Buildings on Nenagh Town Trail

In the castle's shadow, the town's streets are a mixture of architectural styles, from the ruins of a 13th Century Franciscan Friary to the classical Courthouse of 1943 and the elegant late 19th century Town Hall. Close by is the beautiful St. Mary's Church with its magnificent stonework and interior which was built in 1896. Close also to the Courthouse is the Governor's House and the gaol block where in 1858 two brothers were publicly hanged for murder on dubious evidence. This history and
much more is found in the Nenagh District Heritage Centre.

Nenagh District Heritage Centre

The Governor's House now houses the town's Heritage Centre, with a re-created victorian schoolroom and models of Lough Derg and its villages, but the jail's condemned cells, execution room and cells can still be seen. (Heritage Centre open May to Sept., Mon to Fri 10.00am - 5.00pm and Sat and Sun 2.30pm to 5.00pm Tel 067-32633

Lough Derg Drive

Nenagh is centrally located on the N7 route in the heart of Ireland sitting adjacent to the lovely Lough Derg - one of Ireland's lovely waterways. Along the shores of Lough Derg, Ireland 's Pleasure Lake, are many picturesque villages. If you decide to travel the Lough Derg driving route starting in Nenagh, you will pass some lovely scenic spots and village places such as Dromineer, Garrykennedy, Ballina/Killaloe, Mountshannon, Portumna, Terryglass and back to Nenagh. Touring attractions on this route are:

Iniscealtra (Holy Island) - regular short boat trips available from Mountshannon to the island which is home to the remains of early Christian Churches and a fine round tower

Portumna Castle and Garden (built 1618)

Lough Derg Way (Walking)

Take a walk along the Lough Derg Way doing a round trip starting in Garrykennedy. Approx 10km. There are longer walks available for those who might like more of a challenge.

Touring Attractions

Because of Nenagh's central location it is a good touring base where you can visit many sites within an hours drive including:

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (15th century)
King John's Castle in Limerick (city fortress of Norman times)
Birr Castle and Gardens (Refurbished 19th century telescope on site)
Castle and Damer House Roscrea
Farney Castle in Holy Cross
Holycross Abbey
Tour the Rock of Cashel
Lar na Pairc Exhibition (history of GAA)
Silvermines Mountain Drive
The Clare Glens (3km loop Nature Trail following the Clare river through a wooded valley)

CRUISE ON THE SHANNON

Take a cruise on the Shannon (departures from Dromineer or Killaloe) or hire out your own boat for the day.

Golf

Nenagh's 18 hole Parkland Golf Course and Club at Beechwood Nenagh
(Tel 067-31476) for the golf enthusiast which is open 12 months of the year. Also many other golf courses are with a 30 minute drive away such as Roscrea, Portumna, Birr and Limerick

Tourist Information

Nenagh's Tourist Information Office (open April to Sept) is only a 3 min walk away from Williamsferry where you can gather any information you need
for your trip. Also locally Fishing, Cycling, Swimming, Tennis.