Ireland Guide
Tipperary and Waterford
The Glen of Aherlow
To Cahir's northwest lies the lush and resplendent Glen of Aherlow, spreading some 18km from Bansha in the east to Galbally in the west, just across the border in County Limerick. Lying beneath the northern facade of the Galty Mountains, the glen is a marvellous place to drive or cycle around and the scenic circular route is well worth taking. The best vantage point for spectacular views is by the entrance to the Glen of Aherlow Nature Park, 1.5km north of the junction of the R663 and R664. From here on the wooded ridge of Slievenamuck, the glen lies spread out below, light reflecting from the river, and the mountains looming beyond. A one-hour walking trail is laid out in the nature park, while the signposted Ballyhoura Way runs through the Glen to Galbally, on its eighty-kilometre journey from the train station at Limerick Junction via the Ballyhoura Mountains to St John's Bridge in north Cork.
Practicalities
Nearly all the Glen's amenities are near the junction, including the Coach Roadpub and several places to stay. A former hunting lodge, Aherlow House Hotel ( 
062/56153, 
www.aherlowhouse.ie ; Price: €150-200) has bright spacious rooms, its own restaurant and a bar serving meals. Ballinacourty House ( 062/56000, www.ballinacourtyhse.com ; Price: €60-90) occupies converted eighteenth-century stables and its haylofts house pleasant rooms overlooking a cobbled courtyard; there's also a reasonably inexpensive restaurant here (closed Mon– Sat lunchtime), as well as a campsite ( 062/56559, www.camping.ie ; May– late Sept) in the grounds. There's a small tourist information point at the back of the Coach Road pub (Mon– Fri 9.30am–5pm, plus Sat 10am–4pm in summer; 062/56331, www.aherlow.com ), providing details of local walks and activities.