THURLES, 18 m. N. of Clonmell, is not only a place of considerable inland trade, but has long been a favourite residence of the Catholic primates of Munster, who carefully preserve various relics of St. Cormac. Here are the ruins of an ancient Castle, built upon a very extensive plan by the first Earl of Ormond in the 14th century. It surrounds a large area, and is flanked by several towers both round and square, with a lofty semicircular gateway. Like many other castles in this part of the country, it is a monument of the ravages of the Parliamentary forces during the civil wars. See ruins of St. Mary's Ch., built in 15th century, now falling rapidly into dilapidation; neat modern Ch.; good Market-house; Barrack, formerly a mansion of the Llandaff family; tower and some portion of an ancient Ch. of a Carmelite monastery. About 2 m. S.W. on the banks of the Suir are the very extensive remains of the Cistertian Abbey of the Holy Cross, founded before the 12th century by Donogh king of Limerick, and long esteemed as a spot of the greatest sanctity; and even in latter days considered as a very fine specimen of sacerdotal architecture. The Steeple, or Square Tower, is lofty, and attracts the eye at first approach: it is supported by a lofty Gothic arch, and its workmanship is highly finished. The body of the Ch. consists of a nave and aisles, not very profuse in decoration; but the chapels have been highly ornamented. The effect on entering the nave is very impressive, being a noble expanse of 58 feet by 49, with an arcade of 4 arches on each side opening into the lateral aisles. Passing through the choir, and turning to the S., the visitor discovers two small chapels, each about 10 feet square, and between which is a double range of Gothic arches, supported by twisted pillars, a spot supposed to be so holy that the monks were always waked there previous to interment. Two other chapels are seen on the north side; and in the eastern chapel, already noticed, there is a very curious Gothic tomb, without inscription, but said by tradition to be the sepulchre of a "good woman," who brought many holy relics to the abbey. Longford Pass, a small village on the road into Kilkenny, has ruins of several old Castles in its vicinity; also Newark Park. At Temple More, a neat and well built village, see handsome Ch. and spire; elegant mansion of the Carden family, and a romantic seat and demesne belonging to the Marquis of Lansdown; with numerous vestiges of ancient Castles.