A fairy-tale castle ruin hidden in mixed woodland beside the Glenary River — just a 500m stroll from the car park, blending Gothic windows, a round tower, and Romanesque arches into one delightfully eccentric 19th-century folly.
The main draw: a compact, enchanting ruin built in the early 1800s by the Carey family of Clonmel. It packs an astonishing mix of architectural styles — a Celtic round tower, a Norman-style keep, Gothic windows, and both Romanesque and Gothic arches. You can walk right inside and photograph it from all angles.
An easy 1.8 km loop starting from the car park, waymarked with red arrows. The trail leads through mixed woodland of oak, beech, ash, Scots pine and birch, down to the castle ruins and along the riverbank before looping back. Allow about 40 minutes.
A pleasant 600m path follows the Glenary River. Look for the remnants of the old walled garden on the southern side of the castle, where Japanese larch and Old Scots pine now stand. In spring, the riverbank is lush with woodrush, sorrel, ferns, and wildflowers.
Just off the trail beyond the castle, find the stone-lined ice house — essentially a Victorian 'fridge' used to keep food cold before modern refrigeration. A quirky detail that speaks to the Careys' comfortable lifestyle.
The woods are home to red squirrels and fallow deer, while sparrow hawks are sometimes spotted overhead. The Glenary River attracts dippers and wagtails along its banks.
The 75 km East Munster Way from Carrick-on-Suir to Clogheen passes directly through this forest. Look for the yellow walking-man waymarkers. It makes a great staging point or a taster section for long-distance walkers.
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