I just spoke this week at an International Student gathering about the best hidden spots to visit when travelling Ireland. But really I’m someone who has largely stayed by the coast and the inland counties have never really grabbed me. So on my way back from umpiring a hockey match in Rockwell College (De Valera’s old school), I stopped into Cahir and visited the town and the castle.
With a fascinating history of the castle that dates back to around the 12th century, it really is a beautiful town, largely overlooked by the passing motorway that will deposit you quickly and safely in Cork if you didn’t realise such gems were there. Some have realised though, and with the only working portcullis (not electronic) in all of Ireland, several film scenes have been shot there, including ones from Excalibur and Braveheart.
So maybe the midlands does have things to discover yet. Next on the list in those parts: Galtymore mountain, the highest summit of the Galtees. Today I was told by locals that they didn’t fancy my chances running up and down it before sunset, so that’ll be for another time then!
al-jabr 