Early records show a Tallow as being an important centre for iron smelting. Indeed, the town name Tulach an Iarainn translates as 'The Hill of the Iron' in English. Tallow became a centre for grain export down the river to Youghal and wool combing in the 18th century. The famine also hit the town and surrounding area hard, leading to a decline in population. In recent years, Tallow became a commercial and service hub for the surrounding dairy and horse rearing pastures. Many residents also commute to Cork City and Dungarvan for work. Before the Act of Union 1800, Tallow was the centre of a constituency of the same name in the Irish House of Commons from 1613 until the dissolution of the Kingdom of Ireland in 1800.
Tallow has a number of public houses and restaurants, clustered on the Main Street. There are also a number of convenience stores including a Centra, Spar and Daybreak. The town also has a library, barbers, pharmacy, veterinarian, co-op store and antiques shop.
Religion
The Roman Catholic Parish of Tallow centres on the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Chapel Street, built in 1826. It is the tallest building in the town. St. Catherine's Church of Ireland on Mill Road, was built in 1775 but closed in the 1960s due to falling numbers of parishioners. The nearest Anglican church is St. Mary's, Fountains, 7 km east in the townland of Kilanthony.
Sports
play at Pairc Eamonn De Paor on the outskirts of the town and field Hurling teams in County and Provincial competitions. The town also has a soccer club, Brideview United AFC, who compete in the West Waterford East Cork League. Fishing and horse racing are also local sports, and the Tallow Horse Fair is held annually at the beginning of September.
Transport
Road
The town lies at the junction of the R268, R627 and R634 regional roads.
Rail
Tallow Road railway station opened on 27 September 1872 and finally closed on 27 March 1967. It was served by the Cork to Rosslare boat train.
Bus
Since December 2015 improvements to the frequency of the Local Link bus service are in effect. There are now four services a day each way Mondays to Saturdays inclusive to Dungarvan via Lismore and Cappoquin including a commuter service. Connections to Waterford and Rosslare Europort are made at Dungarvan. In the other direction there are two services a day to and from Fermoy where connections can be made for Cork and Dublin. On Saturdays a local bus company operate a service to Cork.
Education
Tallow has a national school called Scoil Mhuire which is used by around 140 children. The town also has an enterprise centre used by several local organisations including the Senior Citizens' Group. The nearest secondary school is Blackwater Community College in nearby Lismore, County Waterford
People
At the St. Patrick's Parish Hall a number of people from Tallow are commemorated:
John Hogan was born in Tallow and became one of the greatest Irish sculptors.
