The castle was was built in the thirteenth century and served as the stronghold of the powerful Butler family. So effective was its design that it was believed to be impregnable, but it finally fell to the earl of Essex in 1599 when heavy artillery was used against it for the first time. During the Irish Confederate Wars it was besieged twice more.

At the time of building, Cahir Castle was at the cutting edge of defensive castle design and much of the original structure remains.

An excellent audiovisual show now provides sightseers with a detailed appreciation of the castle’s long history. Visitors also flock to the castle because of its role as a film and TV location – it has featured in productions like Excalibur and The Tudors.

In addition to the Castle, visitors can also enjoy a short walk to the nearby Swiss Cottage, a delightful ornamental cottage built in the early 1800s by Richard Butler, first Earl of Glengall. It remains an enduring local attraction in South Tipperary and an iconic image of the Ireland of yore.

Based on a design by the famous English Regency architect John Nash and inspired by nature, the cottage's unusual and rustic features include a distinctive thatched roof while its external woodwork resembles branched trees. The nature theme continues throughout the former guest cottage's internal furnishings and wallpaper.

Situated on an elevated site with access by stone steps, the Swiss Cottage interior contains a graceful spiral staircase and some elegantly decorated rooms. The wallpaper in the salon, manufactured by the Dufour factory, is one of the first commercially produced Parisian wallpapers.

Both a guided tour of Cahir Castle or the Swiss Cottage—located in easy reach of the heritage town of Cahir— for those in search of great Irish history.

If you would like to book this experience during your stay at Cashel Palace, please email reservations@cashelpalacehotel.ie or call us on +35362 62 002