Tipperary is strategically positioned in the Southern region, boasting a robust infrastructure and well-developed transport connections to major metropolitan centers, including Limerick, Waterford, Cork, and Dublin. These linkages are facilitated by the region’s motorways, specifically the N24, as well as an extensive rail network.

Enterprise and Employment Overview
As of 2016, Tipperary had a workforce of 62,912 individuals. Within this workforce, 60.4% were employed locally within Tipperary, 19.5% commuted to jobs outside the county, 9.8% were categorized as mobile workers, and 10.3% had unspecified or untraceable work destinations. The influence of the nearby urban centers, such as Limerick and Waterford, is evident, with 24.4% of Tipperary’s workforce commuting beyond the county borders. Despite this, Tipperary ranks as the ninth-lowest county in Ireland for outbound commuters, with only slightly higher rates than Waterford and Limerick. In 2016, the wholesale and retail trade sector was the largest employer in Tipperary, encompassing 13.8% of the workforce. This was closely followed by the manufacturing sector at 13.7%. The top five employment sectors were rounded out by human health and social work activities (11.1%), agriculture, forestry, and fishing (10.6%), and education (9.2%). Notably, Tipperary is one of only three counties in Ireland where the agricultural sector accounts for over 10% of the workforce, underscoring the sector’s critical importance to the local economy.

Economic Assets of Tipperary
Tipperary’s economy is supported by a diverse array of assets, including:
Life Sciences/Bio Pharma Hub: Centered around Clonmel, this hub includes major companies such as Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, Merck Sharpe Dohme, and Pinewood Laboratories.
Manufacturing Enterprises: Key players include Bulmers, Medite Ireland, Procter & Gamble, and Carey’s Glass.
Food Processing Industries: Prominent companies include ABP Food Group Cahir, Rosderra Meats, Ribworld Fethard, Tipperary Natural Mineral Water, and various members of the Tipperary Food Producers Network.
Rural Towns and Villages: These areas play a significant role in providing essential services, tourism facilities, recreation, and employment opportunities.

Agriculture: The county’s fertile land offers an ideal environment for agriculture and food production.
Horse Breeding and Racing Industry: This includes globally renowned establishments like Coolmore Stud Farm and Ballydoyle Racing Stable.
Tourism: Key attractions include Lough Derg, the Suir Blueway, mountain ranges such as the Knockmealdowns, Galtees, Slieve Felims, and the Devil’s Bit, as well as historical sites like the Rock of Cashel, Holycross Abbey, Cahir Castle, and Roscrea Castle.
Education: Limerick Institute of Technology, with campuses in Clonmel and Thurles, strengthens educational linkages with third-level institutions in nearby counties.

Employment and Commuting Patterns
Tipperary’s economic connectivity with surrounding city regions is a vital asset. The primary destinations for outbound commuters include Limerick, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Cork County. The highest rates of outbound commuting are observed in the western and eastern borders of the county, with significant destinations being Limerick and Clare to the west, and Kilkenny and Waterford to the east.