The Main Guard

The Main Guard Welcome to the official page for The Main Guard an OPW managed site In 1715, the Palatinate jurisdiction was extinguished.

James Butler, Duke of Ormond, built the Main Guard in 1675 as the courthouse for the Palatinate of administrative area of County Tipperary. In about 1810, the ground floor, a loggia of open arches, was converted into shops, a basement excavated and additional floors inserted. It has been recently restored to its original form and the open arcade of sandstone columns is once again a feature of the

streetscape. Location: Forms one end of the main street - Sarsfield Street in Clonmel town. Bus Route(s): Contact Busaras, Travel Centre (01) 8366111

Guided Tours: Regular tours available. Photography / Video allowed: Yes. Commercial photography requires permission. Additional Information: During the closed season contact the Rock of Cashel Tel: +353 62 61437 Fax: +353 62 62988 or e-mail [email protected]

⏳ Just a Few Days Left! ⏳Don’t miss your chance to experience “Silent Exposure: The Photography of William Despard Hemph...
16/06/2026

⏳ Just a Few Days Left! ⏳

Don’t miss your chance to experience “Silent Exposure: The Photography of William Despard Hemphill (1816–1902)” at The Main Guard, Clonmel.

Step back in time and discover a fascinating collection of historic photographs capturing moments, people and places from a bygone era. This captivating exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the work of one of Ireland’s pioneering photographers and is a must-see for history lovers, photography enthusiasts and anyone curious about our shared heritage.

📍 The Main Guard, Clonmel
📅 Only a few days remain to visit!

Take the opportunity to explore this remarkable exhibition before it closes. Bring a friend, soak up the history and see the world through William Despard Hemphill’s lens.

15/06/2026

We are happy to announce that The Main Guard and Ormond Castle in Tipperary are offering Free Irish Sign Language Tours as part of the OPW Education Programme.

These tours are carried out by one of our Tour Guides and interpreted by a qualified ISL Interpreter.

Join us in an exploration of The Main Guard and/or Ormond Castle's history and discover the power, influence and legacy of a Tipperary dynasty, The Butlers.

📍21st June 2026

The Main Guard Clonmel @ 12pm

Ormond Castle Carrick On Suir @ 3pm


What's On Clonmel Irish Deaf Society Lámh Sign Irish Deaf.com Deaf Village Ireland Irish Sign Language Interpreted Events Chime - National Charity for Deaf & Hard of Hearing People

14/06/2026

School’s out and summer adventures begin!

Make every day out count with an OPW Heritage Card, offering unlimited access to many of Ireland’s most iconic castles, gardens, monuments and visitor attractions.

From family days out to discovering somewhere new, your next adventure starts here.

Purchase your Heritage Card today at heritageireland.ie

A huge thank you to author Niamh Donnellan and to all the wonderful children, parents, and grandparents who joined us fo...
10/06/2026

A huge thank you to author Niamh Donnellan and to all the wonderful children, parents, and grandparents who joined us for Storytime at The Main Guard.

Together, we embarked on a fun-filled journey through the fantastic new storybook Little Irish History Heroes by Niamh Donnellan, discovering some of Ireland’s most legendary figures along the way.
From the fearless Gráinne Mhaol to the powerful Queen Maebh and the mighty Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the stories sparked imaginations and brought Ireland’s rich heritage to life.

It was a joy to see so many young readers and their families sharing in the magic of storytelling, history, and adventure. Thank you all for making it such a special event—we hope you enjoyed meeting these incredible Irish heroes as much as we did!

10/06/2026

The 22nd Scout troop are holding a Bake Sale under the arches of the Main Guard on Saturday 13th June.

This fundraising is in aid of our Shark Patrol team attending the Phoenix Challenge being held in CastleSaunderson Scout Centre, Co.Cavan

Looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon? Join us for a FREE Kokedama Workshop at The Main Guard, Clonmel and disc...
04/06/2026

Looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon?

Join us for a FREE Kokedama Workshop at The Main Guard, Clonmel and discover the beautiful Japanese art of creating stunning moss-covered plant displays.

🌱 Learn how to craft your very own kokedama – a natural, elegant alternative to traditional plant pots.
🌱 Get hands-on guidance in a friendly and creative setting.
🌱 Take home a beautiful living creation to brighten your home or gift to someone special.

📍 The Main Guard, Clonmel

📅 13th June

🕝 2.30pm

🎟️ Free Admission – but spaces are limited!

Booking is essential:
📞052 6127484
📧 [email protected]

Whether you're a keen gardener, a plant lover, or simply looking to try something new, this workshop offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature and unleash your creativity.

Don't miss out on this charming and mindful experience – reserve your place today and bring a little piece of Japanese garden art into your life. 🌿💚

What's On Clonmel Clonmel Community Resource Centre

Come along for a free fun-filled interactive journey through Ireland’s past! 🍀📖Join author Niamh Donnellan for a free in...
21/05/2026

Come along for a free fun-filled interactive journey through Ireland’s past! 🍀📖

Join author Niamh Donnellan for a free interactive storytime at The Main Guard
and discover the wonderful Little Irish History Heroes series! 🇮🇪🏰

Perfect for young history lovers and curious minds, this exciting event will bring Irish history to life through storytelling, props, imagination and adventure.

📅 Saturday 6th June

🕑 Session 1: 2pm

🕒 Session 2: 3pm

📍 The Main Guard

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental/Guardian supervision required.

To book a time slot:
☎️ 052-6127484
📨 [email protected]


What's On Clonmel Clonmel Community Resource Centre Clonmel Childcare Busy Bees Clonmel Clonmel Scout Group

02/05/2026
27/11/2025

Seasonal tour guide positions currently open at many OPW heritage sites including The Main Guard and Ormond Castle Julie tells us about her experience of tour guiding at Ormond Castle 🙌💙💛

Address

Sarsfield Street
Clonmel
TIPPERARY

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+353 52 6127484

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