SUIR BLUEWAY TIPPERARY "Most beautiful countryside and fascinating history" [2.7K]

The Suir Blueway runs 53km from Cahir to Carrick-on-Suir via Clonmel. It is comprised of kayaking , walking and cycling trails and, of course, the River Suir water sports amenity. Indeed, the river-based element is what makes it a blueway rather than a greenway.

A 21km marked cycle route runs from along the river towpath from Clonmel to Kilsheelin and on to Carrick-on-Suir. The route is divided into four stages and is ideal for leisure cyclists of all abilities, with excellent picnicking spots along the way.

SIR THOMAS' BRIDGE
Six-arch humpbacked road bridge over River Suir, built 1690, comprising five irregular segmental arches, with cut sandstone V-cutwaters to west elevation, and one dry elliptical arch to river bank at south side. Rubble limestone walls and parapets, with metal tie-bars and cut limestone voussoirs, having ornate carved scroll keystones to west elevation.

Built in 1690 by Sir Thomas Osbourne, the narrowness of this bridge is an indicator of its early construction, as is the small size of the rubble stones used. It is a remarkable feat of engineering, with segmental and elliptical arches raising the carriageway high over the surrounding landscape. The height of the arches is such that the landscape can be seen both under and over the bridge, including the notable Tickincor Castle, a fortified house on the Waterford side. The massive V-cutwaters are of ashlar sandstone, which contrasts pleasingly with the rubble stone of the walls. As at Kilsheelan and Clonmel, a pedestrian arch is provided to create a riverbank walk.

KILSHEELAN BRIDGE
Freestanding chimney, erected c. 1820. Random rubble stone tapering walls with put-log holes, top missing.

Very similar to the Gasworks Bridge in Clonmel, this form is notable for its use of large arches relative to its size, and the addition of a dry arch for pedestrian use in riverbank walks. Textural contrast is provided by the juxtaposition of cut stone and carved stone with rubble walls. Visible from a considerable distance over the surrounding landscape, the triple-arch humpback form has been adapted and expanded to create an elegant and dramatic feature.

KILSHEELAN OLD CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD KILSHEELAN
The church of Sillan–an early Irish saint who was abbot of Bangor Abbey, Co. Down and died in the year 608 or 610. The church ruins date from the 12th century and features an Irish Romanesque carved stone doorway. The attractive wildflower area between the graveyard and the river is a lesson from the local Tidy Towns group that Japanese Knotweed can be eliminated with perseverance and hard work.

POULAKERRY CASTLE
This is more accurately a tower house rather than a castle, commanding a sharp turn and crossing point in the river. It is an example of a fortified gentleman’s dwelling from the period 1540 – 1600 and it was built by the one of the extended Butler family – Butler Fitzwilliam. The Butlers were tried on a number of occasions for extortion and seizing goods in transport from Waterford to Clonmel. On his way from Kilkenny to Clonmel Cromwell sent a Lieut Col. Sadlier to Poulakerry and he took the tower house and killed all of its defenders. It was in ruins until the 1970’s when it was repaired and remains in use as a residence.

DE LA POER CASTLE
Gurteen Le Poer, a large Baronial house built in 1863-66 by Samuel Roberts for Edmund,18th Baron le Poer and Curraghmore on the site of a Georgian mansion of 1826 which itself replaced an even earlier building, is set on the southern bank overlooking the River Suir. The Gurteen De La Poers lost out on a claim to be the rightful heirs of Curraghmore but the monument on the back road to Carrick defiantly records them as “De Jure” Lord Waterford. The castle is owned by the controversial Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein and was the venue for Marilyn Manson’s marriage to burlesque artist Dita Von Teese in 2005.

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00:00 CLONMEL
00:43 SIR THOMAS' BRIDGE
01:50 KILSHEELAN BRIDGE
02:07 KILSHEELAN OLD CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD KILSHEELAN
02:31 POULAKERRY CASTLE
03:07 KILSHEELAN BRIDGE
03:25 DE LA POER CASTLE

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