Things to see or do
Amenities
- Directions: Thurles, R660. Farney Castle, turn left outside Holycross on to the R503. Between Holycross and Ballycahill, off the R660.
- Facilities: A visit to the castle would not be complete without a snack, or admiring the knitwear and porcelain collections in the shop. Coffee/tea shop with light snacks
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday inclusive from 10.00am to 6.00pm (closed Sundays). Wintertime from 10.00am to sundown.
Farney Castle
Holycross
Tipperary North
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Ireland West
Farney Castle is the only round tower in Ireland occupied as a family home. The first castle was built at Farney in 1185 and this would have been a timbered structure. The present round tower was built in 1495 by Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond and it was part of a defensive system created by the Butlers to protect their land in Tipperary. The Butlers were in Farney Castle for 500 years, but in 1536 the castle was confiscated by King Henry VIII of England. He returned the lands again to the Butlers in 1538 when he married Anne Boleyn who was the daughter of James, 3rd Earl of Ormond. Subsequently the castle was occupied for short periods by two other English monarchs namely King James 1st from 1617 - 1625 and King George 1st from 1716 -1721. The castle is also home to the Irish international designer, Cyril Cullen, where his famous handmade knitwear designs and fine porcelains are produced, and sold in the castle shop. Tours of the castle daily.
Contact
Telephone+353 (0)50 44 3281Fax:+353 (0)50 44 3357
Email: farneycastle@eircom.net
Address: Holycross, Co Tipperary, Republic of Ireland
Places to eat
What's on
Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling Festival
