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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A view of the late 16th century tower in Fethard. Photo by Cathal Ó Meachair
A 1.2 acre site is for sale off the square in Fethard, Over half of this site is surrounded by a remarkable, Norman-era town wall. The first records of the walldate back as far as 1292.
The wall and the site in question possess a rich history.
It includes a tower (constructed in the late 1500s) from which Cromwell was sighted as he advanced towards the town. The site was part of the Everard family home from the 1400s to the 1700s.
John Everard served as a lawyer to the Earl of Ormond from the 1590s/ early 1600s. Much of the layout of the town, which has remained relatively unchanged throughout the centuries, was his vision. It also used to be the site of a comprehensive British barracks that existed from the late 1700s until its destruction during the Civil War.
The walls of Fethard are a testament to the town’s importance throughout Irish history, being represented in the Irish House of Commons until its abolition in 1801. They are the second-best preserved town walls in Ireland after Derry – thanks to great local effort throughout the years. They are the pride of our community.
However, much of it has been lost since the late 1800s and throughout the 20th c. – as well as many of our medieval buildings.
It is the will of many in the community for the State to purchase this site and turn it into a historic town park.
The plan is clearly envisaged in the ‘Public Realm Plan for the Historic Walled Town of Fethard’ which can be viewed on fethard.com.
The transformation of this site would provide a wonderful amenity for the people of Fethard. It may also help to make Fethard and indeed South Tipperary an even more desirable destination for those with a passion for Irish heritage. Consider how the preservation of history benefits both Cashel and Cahir culturally and economically.
They are Tipperary historic centres - Fethard has this very same potential.
Now is a chance for the state to preserve a vital part of local and national history before more of it is lost.
By Cathal Ó Meachair
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