Calls online for the wooden steps to the 'Cup and Saucer' to be taken down

The Tipperary Heritage Town Trail is described as “A walk through over 800 years of history”.

Produced in association with Fáilte Ireland it credits Dr Des Marnane for the historical information.

I got a copy of it recently to see what it says about the motte and bailey at the Tipperary Hills, known locally as the “Cup and Saucer”.

The information reads as follows; Norman Motte - The most striking feature is the Norman motte, clearly artificial looking, one of several local examples and constructed in the early 1190's by the first wave of Normans into the region.

This example in Murgasty, known as “Mutton Pie” and locally as “Cup and Saucer” was probably secondary to the example a little to the north-east in the townland of Tipperary Hills but which unfortunately was destroyed by quarrying.

Tipperary Hills motte had the advantage of proximity to a lake, which has long since been drained.

Needing immediate protection as they sought to hold an area, the Normans picked existing high ground and quickly improved its defences with ditches and ramparts and wooden structures to provide shelter.

In Tipperary Hills, there was also a “Bailey”, a raised and defended area but lower than the motte.

The great historian of the Norman Invasion of Ireland was G.H. Orpen (1852-1932), educated at the Abbey Erasmus Smith grammar school in Tipperary Town and whose early introduction to these historic mounds was probably here.

I then looked at the TIPPERARY TOWN HERITAGE AUDIT, prepared on behalf of the Tipperary Town Revitalisation Task Force which says that “The proximity of such a rich historic and archaeological landscape in public ownership—with its stories of Anglo-Normans, the Famine and the War of Independence, offer significant tourism potential for the town if properly developed.

“This recorded monument is one of the town’s key heritage sites. It offers spectacular panoramic views of the town and nearby mountains and is a great local amenity.” So what does the plan for the “Cup and Saucer” entail? The information reads as follows: The most visible archaeological feature of the site is the motte created by Norman settlers to the area in 1190.

The proposal for the “Cup and Saucer”:

1) Introduction of timber steps with handrails to provide safe access to the top of “Cup and Saucer”,

2) Introduction of bound gravel path to circumference of top of “Cup and Saucer”

3) Installation of two log seats.

All good so far it seems...however not so according to contributors to Facebook.

One user posted and said: “My opinion. No one with even a hint of care for the historical environment could have even considered doing this to an important local historical site which has remained relatively untouched through the centuries. Was this development sent past the council environmental officer or National Monuments? Environmental Impact Study?”

Another added: “Tourists shall flock from miles around, to view Tipperary’s ancient mound. Yet all they will do is stop and gape, Having ne’er expected a Fire Escape.”

A poll aimed at finding out whether the majority of people would like the stairs to stay, or to go, is being conducted by tipptown.ie.

At the time of going to print 75% of people are in favour of removing the wooden stairs. However not everyone agrees with this.

A Tidy Towns representative said that there was ample opportunity for all to read the detailed plan for the hills.

“I think that we will have a fantastic park in Tipperary Town at last.

“They’re not destroying the hills is my simple opinion.”

Written by Martin Quinn