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County Offaly

Points of Interest

Clonmacnoise
Ireland’s finest ecclesiastical site. Founded by St Kieran, this religious village features the remains of eight churches, two round towers, three high crosses and hundreds of early gravestones.

Clonfert Cathedral
This is the site of St Brendan’s celebrated monastery which housed 3,000 monks in the 6th century. Though little remains now, it is considered to have been, along with Clonmacnoise, one of the largest religious settlements in the country.

Birr
A Georgian planned town which has been designated a Bord Fáilte Heritage Town.

Birr Castle and Gardens
Originally a fortress of the O'Carroll clan, it dominates the town with its walled demesne which encloses parklands including a lake and rivers and a 17th century castle still occupied by the accomplished Parson family who in the 1850s built the largest telescope in Europe. The giant astronomers’ piece has been restored to its former glory and is just one of the features in Birr Castle’s extensive grounds. The gardens are an educational wonder as everything is tagged and labelled.

Lough Bourra Parklands
This bogland is a surprisingly exciting nature reserve with 250 acres being allowed to revert to its natural state. There are plenty of shelters from which to bird-watch and the park is sprinkled with dramatic sculptures by artists including acclaimed wood-sculptor Patrick Dougherty.

Clara Bog
An unspoiled raised bog boasting rare species of moss and lichen. Very few raised bogs remain today due to the use of peat for domestic fuel and fertiliser.

Slieve Bloom Mountains
Located in South Offaly, a short distance from Birr, Slieve Bloom has 17 major valleys, blanket bogs, and hundreds of kilometres of accessible forest tracks. The Slieve Bloom Way is a circular trail through wooded glens.

Victoria Lock, Meelick
A little-known lock, but if its simple rural bliss you'd like this is the sweet spot of the midlands. A fabulous deep Victorian lock which is immaculately kept. Great for swimming even in poor weather as rivers are warmer than the sea. Cross the lock to the island then take the long bridge over the shallow weir for a good bathing spot at the pier and slip. Also great for fishing and canoeing - canoes can be rented in Birr.