Bus Hire in Clonmel

Clonmel is the county town of Tipperary and the largest inland town in Munster. It sits on the north bank of the River Suir at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains, with the Knockmealdown Mountains forming the southern horizon. Clonmel was a walled medieval market town and retains sections of its 14th-century town walls (West Gate is the most complete surviving section). Lawrence Sterne, the author of Tristram Shandy, was born in Clonmel in 1713.

The Clonmel area is rich in heritage: Cahir Castle (20 kilometres west via the N24) is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland; the Rock of Cashel (40 kilometres north-west via the N24 and N8) is the finest collection of medieval ecclesiastical buildings in Ireland; and the Vee Gap (15 kilometres south via the R668) is a mountain pass through the Knockmealdown Mountains offering panoramic views over the Tipperary plain and the Galtee Mountains.

Cahir Castle and the Suir Valley

Cahir Castle (20 kilometres west of Clonmel via the N24, approximately 25 minutes) is a 15th-century island castle on a rock in the River Suir, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland. The outer, middle, and inner wards are all intact; the great hall and the keep interior are accessible on guided tours run by the OPW. The castle is on the main N24 Tipperary-Waterford road and has a dedicated coach car park on the north bank. The Swiss Cottage (2 kilometres south of Cahir via the R670) is a Regency ornamental cottage in parkland by the Suir, designed by John Nash around 1810 for Richard Butler, Earl of Glengall, and managed by the OPW. It is one of the finest examples of a cottage orné in Ireland.

The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel (40 kilometres north-west of Clonmel via the N24 and N8, approximately 45 minutes) is one of Ireland's premier heritage sites: a limestone outcrop (90 metres above the plain) topped by a tightly grouped complex of medieval buildings including the round tower (28 metres, 12th century), Cormac's Chapel (a perfectly intact Romanesque chapel built in 1127-1134 with carved tympana and Bavarian-influenced architecture), the Gothic cathedral (13th century), and the Hall of Vicars Choral (15th century). The OPW runs guided tours; coach parking is in the main car park at the base of the rock. The Hall of the Vicars Choral houses the original St Patrick's Cross and detailed medieval capitals.

Vee Gap and the Knockmealdown Mountains

The Vee Gap (15 kilometres south of Clonmel via the R668 to Clogheen, then the mountain road, approximately 25 minutes) is a glacially eroded pass at 350 metres through the Knockmealdown Mountains, with a sharp hairpin bend at the top that gives the gap its name. The panoramic views north over the Tipperary Golden Vale and the Galtee Mountains are exceptional. Bay Lough (a corrie lake at the base of the Knockmealdown summit, visible from the Vee viewpoint) is one of the most photographed mountain lakes in Munster. The R668 from Clogheen to the Vee and down to Lismore in County Waterford (30 kilometres south via the descent road) is a standard half-day scenic circuit from Clonmel; Lismore Castle (a 12th-century castle above the River Blackwater, a seat of the Duke of Devonshire) is at the far end of the descent.

What Bus Hire Costs in Clonmel

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Clonmel runs around 245 to 460 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 410 to 790 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 625 to 1,190 EUR per day. Clonmel is a smaller market with good availability year-round. The Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle drive summer heritage group bookings; the Vee Gap is popular for photography and walking groups in spring and autumn. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Clonmel