County Tipperary - Book of County Tipperary, 1889
About “The Book of County Tipperary,” 1889
George Henry Bassett produced 7 Irish county directories in the 1880s: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Kilkenny, Louth, Tipperary and Wexford. Each provides useful history of the respective counties as well as lists of office holders, farmers, traders, and other residents of the individual cities, towns and villages.
The directories are naturally an invaluable resource for those tracing family history. The Book of County Tipperary is the first of these to be made available on libraryireland.com, with its own search page. However, there are a few points to bear in mind.
- This online version is designed primarily as a genealogical research tool and therefore the numerous advertisements in the original book, many full page, and quite a few illustrated, have been excluded.
- The text has been proofed with due care, but with large bodies of text typographical errors are inevitably bound to occur.
- Be aware that there were often inconsistencies in spelling surnames in the 19th century and also that many forenames are abbreviated in Bassett’s directories.
With respect to the last point, surnames which today begin with the “Mc” prefix, for example, were often formerly spelt as “M‘,”. For a list of some of the more common forename abbreviations used in the directory, see Forename Abbreviations.
To enjoy the rich variety of advertisements, confirm accuracy of the entries, or have a printed record of a family member, obtain an original or facsimile copy of The Book of County Tipperary.
Tipperary is one of the most beautiful of the inland counties. In every district the scenery has some special charm to arrest the attention of the tourist. Taking the Limerick Junction as the point of departure by rail toward Waterford, the first of a series of lovely pictures is presented at Cahir, with the Galtees in the back ground. Here the Suir enters between wooded and sloping grassy banks, passing under the castellated railway viaduct, sweeping by the ruined abbey and the lofty ivy-covered ancient castle. The river is hidden from the railway in its course through Ardfinnan, and Marlfield, but reappears at Clonmel, enhanced in attractiveness by the Waterford Mountains, picturesque glens, and extensive plantations. Thence to Carrick-on-Suir, the historic mountain of Slievenamon and ruined castles serve to maintain interest. To do full justice to the scenery of the Suir the tourist should leave the train at Carrick and return to Clonmel by road. From Clonmel the drive may be continued further south to the caves of Templetenny, or Mitchelstown. On the way the fascinations of Marlfield, Knocklofty and Ardfinnan are revealed, as are likewise the striking series of conical peaks of the Knockmealdown Mountains. By changing horses at Clogheen, the mysteries of these mountains may be explored, and the weird stories of Bay Lough investigated. Within a few miles of the Town of Tipperary there are drives which should not be left out of calculation in a tour of the county. Chief among them is the Glen of Aherlow. It is about three miles from the railway station. Clare Glen, with its pretty waterfall, is another of the popular resorts. It is on the border of the County Limerick, two miles from the village of Newport, and five from the Castleconnell Railway Station. A drive that amply repays, extends from Clare Glen to Templemore, in the North, a distance of twenty-six miles. The way lies through Newport, Rockvale, Killoscully, Silvermines, Dolla, Templederry and Borrisoleigh. Keeper Hill, the Silvermines Mountains, Kilboy, Castle Otway, and many other noted places are seen en route. By a detour of a few miles from Borrisoleigh an opportunity is afforded for inspecting the wonderful gap in the mountain known as The Devil’s Bit. The outlook is not the least of the compensations for making an ascent of 1,583 feet. In a county abounding in beauty, it seems hard to point to a particular part as outshining all the rest. But the Upper Shannon, which skirts Tipperary at the northwest, has everything to commend it to those who value river and lake scenery. From Ballina, Killaloe, for a little over four miles, toward Portroe, the road is carried at an elevation most favorable for a pleasant prospect. At the point of Castletown there is a view of Lough Derg for over ten miles to the shores of Clare and Galway. The expanse of water is relieved by several islands. A stretch of country bordering the Tipperary shore, in the direction of Dromineer, is splendidly planted, has many handsome houses, with here and there the ruin of a castle. At Dromineer, which is accessible from Nenagh, there is another charming view of the Galway shore. An inlet at the Tipperary side brings into prominence the striking features of St. David’s. Numerous points of vantage are found between St. David’s and the limit of the county above Portland. These include Terryglass, Slevoir, and Belle Isle. Old castles and abbeys, and Danish and Irish earthworks will be found by the tourist in every part of the county. Nearly all are worthy of some attention; a few are world-famous. In the latter category are the Rock of Cashel, and Holycross Abbey. The Rock is in the centre of the district through which the River Suir descends into the Golden Vale, and is five miles from Goold’s Cross, a station on the Great Southern and Western Railway. Holy Cross Abbey is situated within three miles of Thurles. Under the headings of the different towns and villages the interesting places of every kind are fully described.