October is here and midterm is not far off.
And this Halloween week, why not take a trip to Tipperary, and enjoy a ‘daycation’ full of family fun and outdoor adventure?
Autumn in the premier county offers amazing scenery which can be explored along some of the best cycling routes, heritage sites and family-friendly walks in Ireland. Tipperary has plenty of sights to see and explore in a safe (and socially distanced) outdoor environment.
Another benefit of planning a staycation this midterm is the Irish public can now avail of the government Stay and Spend scheme. Tipperary has a huge amount of packages available on their website www.tipperary.com where couples can save up to 20 percent or €250 per trip.
Tipperary has something for big and little kids alike this Halloween, from sampling some world-class barmbrack to seeing ancient castles or taking a leisurely cruise from Killaloe all topped off with fantastic food, accommodation and local hospitality.
Here are just some of the autumnal highlights you can expect on your break to Tipp:
No Irish Halloween experience is complete without barmbrack and Tipperary is proud to boast one of Ireland’s finest bakers, Nuala Hickey, who specialises in the iconic bake. Featured very recently on Mary Berry’s BBC show, Nuala, who runs Hickey’s Bakery in Clonmel is known for her exquisite bakes. A trip to the bakery is not to be missed for a sweet Halloween treat!
As well as this, the Museum of Hidden History offers a wealth of wonderful stories including their exhibitions on death and faith that will be running throughout October. While the exhibition may sound like it’s not for the faint-hearted, it is in fact family-friendly and has lots to keep everyone mesmerised and entertained.
A Hollycross Abbey tour can add some additional spook to a Tipperary getaway.
As part of Ireland’s Ancient East, Holycross is a very sacred place where visitors can walk in the footsteps of ancient Monks and experience first-hand the story of Holycross, spanning ten centuries of a changing social, political and religious landscape in Ireland, in the very heart of Tipperary.
Only a short distance from the Abbey is the picturesque Cabra Wetlands which is very family-friendly and a fun way to spend an autumnal afternoon.
For horse lovers, Tipperary is the perfect place to visit. The Fethard Horse Country experience is a must-see. Located in the heart of the Golden Vale, the experience offers visitors the opportunity to discover the rich culture, heritage and history of the region. The interactive experience examines the relationship between people, the land and horse heritage in Ireland revealing how they are all inextricably linked.
Kids can follow the fairies at the Templemore Park Fairy Trail, a unique fairy trail through the forest where kids must spot all the fairy doors along the way. The park is a wonderful place to spend time unwinding, walking and observing the beautiful wildlife all around. There are plenty of picnic tables to enjoy a family picnic, as well as a pitch and putt course for an added activity.
Families can also hike at the Devils Bit (although it’s not buggy friendly!) and the views of the county this time of year are stunning.
Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles, offers an authentic experience of medieval Ireland, perfect for a Halloween getaway. Its location on a rocky island on the River Suir served as a great defensive site for centuries and ensured that it was difficult for attackers to conquer the fortress. Both self-guided and guided tours are available to the public. While there, visitors can enjoy a short walk along the Blueway to the unique Swiss Cottage which will be closed for the winter after the bank holiday so visitors need to get see this lovely site quick!
Killaloe River Cruises based in Ballina Co. Tipperary, are open for midterm. A boat cruise is a great way to see Tipperary’s beautiful scenery in a unique way at this time of year offering both adventure and fun for families and couples alike.
To take some time on land, visitors can hire bikes at Blueway Bike Hire to take in a picturesque 21-kilometre cycle trail along the beautiful Blueway towpath from Carrick-on-Suir through to Kilsheelan and Clonmel.
Many businesses in the locality of Tipperary have been awarded the COVID19 Safety Charter which is issued by Discover Ireland as a standard of safety excellence, making any visitor experience to Tipperary as safe as possible.
Located just a 1.5-hour drive from city hubs like Dublin and Galway, one hour from Cork, and only half an hour from Limerick and Waterford, Tipperary is ideally situated for a family getaway this midterm.
Tipperary Tourism is appealing for people to tag @visittipperary and use the hashtags #MyTipperaryTips #Tipperaryshoplocal when they shared their visits to encourage others to come and visit this beautiful gem of a county.
