CLONMEL HERITAGE TRAIL

1.       TOWN HALL

The Town Hall was built in the 17^th century on the site of a private mansion, Hamerton Hall.  Originally an inn, it was rebuild as the Town Hall in 1881.  Outside is the statue of the ’98 Man, erected in memory of the men involved in the 1798 rebellion. 

2.       DOWD’S LANE  

Commercial cider making in Clonmel started in 1935 when William Magner started to produce cider at the old Murphy’s Brewery in Dowd’s Lane that had closed in 1926.  The Bulmers Vat House, situated in Dowd’s Lane in the heart of Clonmel, was commissioned in 1936 and is a cool, airy stone building housing cylindrical vats.  The majority of these vats are oak, hand-crafted by coopers.  In later years, the production of Bulmers and Magners Irish Cider was moved to a modern production facility at Annerville, on the Clonmel/Waterford road where there is Europe’s largest tank farm.  Many of the apple types are grown in Bulmers local orchards and the remainder are grown in other parts of Ireland.  Brewing at Dowd’s Lane ceased in 2008. 

3.       JAIL GATE

Formerly Clonmel had the three jails: O’Connell Street, Emmet Street and Gladstone Street which was built in teh 1700’s and had six dungeons.  Fr. Nicholas Sheehy was imprisoned there while awaiting trial in 1766.  The jail at Emmet Street was built in teh 18^th century and had on average 340 prisoners at any time.  Outside the prison gates there was a pillory, a frame with holes for the unfortunate wrongdoers’ head and hands. 

4.       NORTH EAST TOWER

This is the remains of a circular town at the junction of Emmet Street and Kickham Street.  Similar townes were elsewhere built into the town walls as lookouts.  This town is preserved from posterity within the cinema. 

5.       SHORT STREET

It is thought that this is the position of the breach of the walls by Cromwell during the siege of Clonmel.

6.       TOWN WALLS

These were built in the 14^th century under Otho de Grandison, the High Sheriff and first Lord of the Manor of Clonmel.  The only remaining section of the walls is by Old St Mary’s Church.  This section was restored and renovated by Clonmel Corporation in 1980 and was railed off from the consecrated ground of the churchyard in 1987 to provide a walkway for the public. 

7.       OLD ST MARY’S CHURCH

This is believed to have been built in 1204 by William De Burgo.  In the late 14^th/early 15^th century, a fortified church was built on the site.  There were extensive renovations in 1805 and a total rebuilding in 1857.  Few traces of the original 13^th Century building remain.  The main features which survive are the base of the bell tower and the east tower house.

8.       ANNE STREET

This was built in 1820 when Charles Riall (1774-1855) engaged builders and architects Thomas and John Tinsley to carry out the work.  The street was probably named after Riall’s wife Anne. 

9.       FRIENDS’ BURIAL GROUND

It was opened in 1709 on Albert Street to accommodate burials of members of the Religious Society of Friends, the Quakers, who became heavily involved in industry, particularly milling in the town in the 18^th/19^th century.

10.   THE WHITE MEMORIAL THEATRE

Formerly a Wesleyan/Methodist Chapel, it was designed and build in 1843 by William Tinsley.  The theatre that now occupies the building commemorates James White, founder of St. Mary’s Choral Society.

11.   IRISHTOWN

In medieval and later times this was the site of the dwellings of the native Irish who were compelled to live outside the walls of the Anglo-Norman town. 

12.   THE WEST GATE

The building stands on the site of the original West Gate and formed part of the defences of the town.

13.   THE MAIN GUARD

This elegant 17^th century building occupies a prominent position in Clonmel.  It was built by James Butler, 1^st Duke of Ormond between 1673 and 1684 as a prestigious courthouse for the Palatinate of Co. Tipperary.  It was an assize court from 1716 until 1810, when it was converted to shops.  It was restored to its original design by the Office of Public Works in recent years and is open to the public.  Admission is free.

14.   THE FRANCISCAN FRIARY

Founded in 1269 by Otho de Grandison, the Friary has been altered several times and the tower which dates from the 14^th century is the only part of the old building which still survives. 

15.   THE QUAYS

The River Suir has played an important part in Clonmel’s history, as a means of access, defence, commerce, recreation and power for the mills.  Between 1775 and 1840, economic development, an agricultural boom and use of the river for cheap transport helped to make Clonmel one of the most important commercial and industrial inland towns in Ireland. 

16.   THE COURT HOUSE

The Court House was built around 1800 and replace the Main Guard as the town’s court.  Recent renovation has restored the Court House to its former glory.

17.   HEARNS HOTEL

This was where Charles Bianconi established his coaching enterprise.  In 1815 he started a one horse cart transport system between Clonmel and Cahir.  By 1857 his carriages were covering 4,244 miles a day in 22 counties.  His headquarters were in Hearns where he lived from 1826 to 1834 when he handed the building over to his friend and assistant, Daniel Hearn, who converted the stables and courtyard into a hotel.