A-Z Placefinder
Towns of North Tipperary
Thurles —County North Tipperary
Thurles (The Cathedral town), anglicised from the Irish word D?, meaning a fort, or more correctly D? É(c)le UÍ Fhogartaigh, the strong fort of the O?Fogarty?s of É(c)le, was part of the early O?Fogarty stronghold which includes the region of Templemore and Devils Bit. However, it is to the great Norman family, the Butlers, that credit goes to the development of the town itself in the early part of the 13th Century. Set between the valley of the River Suir and bounded by the Silvermines to the north-west and the Slieveardagh hills to the south-east, the area around Thurles is rich and varied in scenery and outline. It was here on November 1st 1884 that the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in Hayes? Hotel. The Association rapidly grew into the country?s largest amateur association and today forms an active part of every parish in Ireland. A visitor centre at Lá² na Pá(c)²ce offers an insight into the development of the great sport of hurling. Not surprising then that sport is a passion in this area.
Strong market-town traditions are still evident, especially on Liberty square. The town has also moved on to become a modern location for industrial and educational needs of the 21st Century. For visitors there is much to do, much to see and much to entertain. There are two visitor centres, horse racing track, greyhound racing track, angling, wildlife areas, golfing, equestrian and swimming.
