Things to Do in Tipperary

The Suir Valley and the Suir Blueway: Cahir to Carrick-on-Suir

A river that runs past a castle, a Regency cottage and a county town has been turned into a 53 km trail for paddlers, walkers and cyclists.

The Suir Blueway Tipperary is a roughly 53 km trail along the River Suir from Cahir to Carrick-on-Suir via Clonmel. It is called a blueway rather than a greenway because it is mainly a water route: paddlers can travel the whole length, while walkers and cyclists have a continuous 21 km towpath between Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir. Developing it cost just under €6m.

The river

The Suir rises on the slopes of Devil’s Bit Mountain, just north of Templemore, at about 480 m, and flows 185 km to the Celtic Sea through Waterford. In its Tipperary stretch it passes Cahir, Ardfinnan, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir (the last tidal). The Irish name is an tSiúir.

Cahir to Ardfinnan

Paddlers start at Cahir Castle, which stands on a rocky island in the river, and pass the Swiss Cottage on their way downstream towards Ardfinnan and Newcastle. This stretch is mainly for water users, with one land exception: a short walking section between Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage. Visit Cahir describes the riverside Coronation Walk to the cottage as about 2 km each way. Check the cottage’s season and its guided-entry rules before you go.

Ardfinnan

Ardfinnan sits directly on the Suir and is a listed Blueway access point, so the river here is a launch and landing place as well as a view. From the water or the bank you see the castle above the river and the long stone bridge; read more in Ardfinnan bridge and the River Suir. The village is about 10 km from Cahir and 14 km from Clonmel by road.

Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir

Clonmel has a 300 m whitewater canoe slalom course, the Irish team’s national base. Downstream, past Kilsheelan, the river runs on mostly calmer water to Carrick-on-Suir. The towpath, which dates from the seventeenth century when merchants and tradesmen used it, is suitable for walkers and leisure cyclists of all abilities. Otters and herons are often seen. Access points listed are Inch Field (Cahir), Ardfinnan, Sandybanks (Marlfield), Suir Island and Denis Burke Park (Clonmel), Kilsheelan and Sean Healy Park (Carrick-on-Suir).

For a hill detour, leave the river at Sir Thomas’ Bridge in Clonmel, follow the East Munster Way into the Comeragh foothills and rejoin at Kilsheelan Bridge.

Paddling safely

Options range from casual kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to rapids. Inexperienced paddlers are advised to go with a local, qualified guide, and Visit Cahir points visitors to operators listed by Tipperary Tourism. River levels change with rain, so ask locally on the day.

Making a day of it

A simple plan: park in Cahir, walk to the Swiss Cottage, see Cahir Castle, then drive down the valley to Ardfinnan for the bridge and the castle view. Our day-trip guide and things to do near Ardfinnan have more.

Distances vary slightly between tourism sources. Check tipperary.com for current access and conditions.