Already famous for its industry and, less happily, its sporadic flooding problem, Clonmel is preparing to put itself on the tourism map.
It promises to be a memorable year for the town, which is marking one of the most notable events of its history, the Cromwellian siege of 1650, with a series of events including a world music festival in May.
The idea behind the initiative is not only to reflect on the town's rich heritage, but to create a tourism culture which Clonmel currently lacks.
This involves selling the idea of Clonmel as a tourism destination, not only to outsiders, but to locals who, it is said, automatically direct tourists to the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle and other attractions away from the town.
Clonmel Corporation and local businesses have formed a partnership to set up Clonmel 350, which is overseeing a range of initiatives including the Mayfest, the South Tipperary writers' weekend, a midsummer festival, a Tipperary youth orchestra and a two-day Christmas carnival.
One of the most unusual projects planned is an international forge-in, an event commonly held in cities and towns in continental Europe, with the participation of leading blacksmiths from around the world.
The host blacksmith makes a mainframe sculpture, and visiting smiths add their individual pieces, usually in public. The Clonmel forge-in is being organised by the leading blacksmith and farrier, Mr Ted Channon, and the intention is to create a peace fountain, 15 ft in height. An ancillary programme of lectures, exhibitions and entertainment will be put in place around the two- or three-day event.
The Mayfest, on the May bank holiday weekend, will bring the streets alive with the colour and music of international performers. "The idea is to have a world music festival with everything from African bongo drummers to ceili," said Mr Fergal Gough, the Clonmel 350 projects manager. It is planned to make the event an annual one.
The same weekend will see a re-enactment of the siege of 1650, in which the town's tiny force, led by Hugh Dubh O'Neill, held out for several weeks in the face of an onslaught by Cromwell's army.
Events not organised directly by the Clonmel 350 committee will tap in to the 350th anniversary theme, according to the Mayor of Clonmel, Mr Tom Ambrose. "People are organising things at such a rate that it's hard to keep up with them," he said.
Mr Martin Collier, vice-chairman of the Clonmel 350 committee, said the 350th anniversary of the siege provided an opportunity to promote Clonmel in a way which has not been done before.
As part of the Clonmel 350 initiative, a more detailed brochure than was previously available has been produced outlining the attractions in and around the town. Visitors are invited to explore Clonmel's heritage trail and nearby sites of major architectural interest, or participate in leisure pursuits. Clonmel may not be thankful to Cromwell for much else, but he might just be the spur for this bustling, prosperous town to find one more reason to be cheerful.