Cahir: the name is derived from the Irish word "Cathair "which normally means a "stone fort".

Cahir castle is one of the largest and best preserved castles in Ireland, sited on a rocky island on the river Suir, beside the main road from Dublin to Cork.

We do not know for certain when this naturally defended site was actually fortified.

Cahir was part of the O'Brien kingdom of Thomond at the time of the Anglo-Norman Invasion.

Henry 11 sent over Philip of Worcester as the justiciar in 1184 to pave the way for the arrival of his younger son John as Lord of Ireland in the following year.

The whole north-eastern part of O'Brien territory of Thomond was granted by John in 1185 of Theobald Walter the ancestor of the Butler family.

The barony of Cahir was granted to Philip of Worcester in 1192 but it is not certain that he set to work immediately to fortify it.

Today Cahir Castle is now one of the largest heritage centers attracting visitors from every nation.

Cahir  Castle  in detail: