‘Worth the detour’ – National Geographic highlights Tipperary’s Glen of Aherlowe

National Geographic has featured the Glen of Aherlow in County Tipperary
The area contains 5,000-year-old Shrough Dolmen and other ancient sites
Eight looped walking trails are available for visitors
Local farms are working to protect the native Irish black bee
The region is considered Ireland’s equestrian capital

National Geographic heatured the Glen of Aherlowe in County Tipperary among its updated recommendations, with the publication hailing the valley as a window into “true Ireland” and recommending it to travellers seeking authentic rural experiences.

The feature positions the area between the Galtee Mountains and the forested ridge of Slievenamuck as a destination suited to slower, nature-centric journeys that even some local residents may not know well.

The publication highlights the Glen of Aherlow Scenic Drive, which winds through the valley floor and passes the 5-metre statue of Christ the King, a prominent landmark offering panoramic views across the landscape. National Geographic has drawn particular attention to the area’s “invisible heritage trail,” featuring several lesser-known historical artefacts scattered down narrow country lanes.

These include Moor Abbey, the well-preserved stone ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary on the banks of the River Aherlow; St Berrihert’s Kyle and Well, a 7th-century oval stone enclosure with ancient cross slabs and a traditional children’s burial ground; Shrough Dolmen, a 5,000-year-old hilltop passage tomb on Slievenamuck and Tipperary’s only confirmed burial site of its kind; and the Mount Russell Ogham Stone, an ancient marker inscribed with Ireland’s earliest form of primitive writing. The valley is praised for its eight looped walking trails and mountain treks to Lough Curra and Lake Muskry. County Tipperary is widely considered Ireland’s equestrian capital, with National Geographic encouraging visitors to experience the terrain through local horse riding centres such as the Ballyhoura Trekking Centre or Hillcrest Equestrian Centre. The article also addresses modern preservation efforts in the glen, specifically citing local farms working to protect the native Irish black bee from extinction.

National Geographic shared: “The Glen of Aherlow embodies the essence of authentic rural Ireland through its combination of pristine scenery, rich agricultural traditions and ancient historical sites that remain largely unmarked and undiscovered. With Ireland’s highest inland mountain range, acres of forest, and lesser-known historic sites, County Tipperary’s great Glen of Aherlow is worth the detour.“