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RTÉ 2FM presenter and author Roz Purcell is using her profile to point a spotlight at her native County Tipperary, urging people to explore parts of Ireland’s Ancient East on short breaks. Raised on a farm beneath Slievenamon, she says the county’s landscapes and history shaped her interest in walking and heritage.
Roots, routes and promotion
Purcell — also known for her social media work and the book Hike Life — has partnered with Fáilte Ireland to highlight attractions in south Tipperary. She told RTÉ Lifestyle she felt a personal connection to the project because she already knows many of the sites well and wanted to introduce them to a wider audience.
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Her own upbringing, close to the mountain that features in local legend, helped feed an appetite for both historic places and hillwalking. Among the locations she recommends are the atmospheric Mitchelstown Caves and the county’s many castles, including Ormond Castle, noted as Ireland’s only unfortified Tudor castle.
Making the most of a weekend
Purcell keeps herself accountable with an annual list of Irish trips — short day outings or longer weekend plans — and urges people to use spare weekends to switch off and properly rest. She suggests leaving early on a Saturday, staying overnight and returning late on Sunday so you get two full days to explore; Ireland’s compact size makes that feasible, she says.
Her advice is practical: pick a clear day, book ahead for attractions that require it, and factor in time to walk rather than rush past the sights.
Suggested Tipperary weekend
- Friday evening: start at Littleton Labyrinth for a short walk, dine in Cashel (Chez Hans is a favourite), then catch sunset views on the west side of the Rock of Cashel via the trail beside the castle.
- Saturday: tackle the Galtymore hike (steep and requiring good navigation), refuel at one19 in Thurles, visit Galtee Honey Farm, tour Mitchelstown Cave (book in advance), have lunch at Lava Rock in Cahir and explore Cahir Castle — tickets allow re-entry throughout the day.
- Sunday: choose a gentle option on the Blueway with its scenic bridges, or aim for the Slievenamon summit or the Holy Year Cross; enjoy breakfast at Fetcv in Clonmel (Purcell notes it is run by her sister), and visit the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History, The Apple Farm and the Swiss Cottage in Cahir.
For overnight stays she recommends Hotel Minella in Clonmel, on the River Suir, or the Horse and Jockey hotel close to the motorway and convenient for Cashel, Cahir and Thurles.
Purcell’s local guide mixes outdoor activity with heritage visits and family-run businesses, a blend aimed at getting more people to plan short breaks within Ireland rather than long, single-day drives.
