- Clonmacnoise: A 6th-century monastic site on the River Shannon near Shannonbridge, this is one of Ireland’s most significant early Christian settlements. Visitors can expect guided or self-guided tours of the ruins, including a cathedral, two round towers, high crosses, and a museum with original artifacts. The serene riverside setting offers stunning views. Entry fees apply; open year-round. Ideal for history buffs and those exploring Ireland’s monastic past.
- Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre: In Birr, this 120-acre estate, home to the Parsons family, features a historic demesne with a science centre showcasing the Leviathan Telescope, once the world’s largest. Visitors can expect to explore formal gardens, a treehouse, rare plants, and exhibits on astronomy and engineering. The castle itself is private, but the grounds are open daily with an entry fee. Perfect for science enthusiasts, gardeners, and families.
- Lough Boora Discovery Park: Near Kilcormac, this 2,000-hectare former peatland is now a nature reserve with wetlands and sculptures. Visitors can expect walking and cycling trails, birdwatching (e.g., lapwings, curlews), and unique bog art installations. The visitor centre offers maps and a café. Free entry, open year-round. Ideal for nature lovers, cyclists, and those seeking a tranquil outdoor experience.
- Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre: In Tullamore, this distillery celebrates the heritage of Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey. Visitors can expect guided tours of the production process, whiskey tastings, and a museum on the brand’s history since 1829. The restored 1897 warehouse adds charm, with a bar and shop on-site. Open daily, with tour fees; booking advised. Perfect for whiskey enthusiasts and those interested in local industry.
- Charleville Castle: Near Tullamore, this 1798 Gothic Revival castle is a striking, turreted landmark. Visitors can expect guided tours of its ornate interiors, including a grand staircase and reputedly haunted rooms, set in ancient oak woodlands. Open seasonally (May–October), with entry fees; pre-booking recommended. Ideal for history buffs, architecture lovers, and those intrigued by ghostly tales.
- Slieve Bloom Mountains: Straddling Offaly and Laois, these low mountains offer hiking and cycling on the Slieve Bloom Way (34km loop) and eco-trails. Visitors can expect scenic walks through forests, heather hills, and waterfalls like Glenbarrow Falls, with views of the midlands. Free to explore, with trailheads at places like Kinnitty. Perfect for outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
- Clara Bog Nature Reserve: Near Clara, this raised bog is one of Ireland’s best-preserved, with a visitor centre explaining its ecology. Visitors can expect a 1km boardwalk trail through the bog, spotting rare plants, dragonflies, and birds like snipe. Guided walks are available seasonally. Free entry, open year-round. Ideal for eco-conscious visitors and those interested in biodiversity.
- Kinnitty Castle: In Kinnitty, this 13th-century castle, rebuilt in the 19th century, is now a hotel with public access to its grounds. Visitors can expect to explore 10 acres of gardens, woodland walks, and the nearby Pyramid of Kinnitty, a rare folly. Guided history tours are available by appointment. Free to wander grounds; tour fees apply. Perfect for history lovers and those seeking a romantic setting.
- Banagher and the River Shannon: Banagher is a charming marina town on the Shannon, offering river cruises and water activities. Visitors can expect boat trips to Clonmacnoise, kayaking, or fishing, plus walks along the Shannon Callows for birdwatching (e.g., corncrakes). Free to explore; boat hire fees apply. Ideal for water sports enthusiasts and those seeking scenic river views.
- Birr Georgian Town and Telescope Trail: Birr’s elegant Georgian streets feature historic buildings and a self-guided Telescope Trail linked to the town’s astronomical heritage. Visitors can expect a leisurely walk past landmarks like the Seffin Stone and Oxmantown Mall, with plaques detailing the Parsons family’s scientific legacy. Free to explore, with maps at Birr Castle’s visitor centre. Perfect for history and culture enthusiasts.
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth\ – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Offaly:
Ireland’s county Offaly is a county of historic depth and natural beauty, with the Clonmacnoise monastic site featuring ancient high crosses and a riverside setting along the Shannon. Tullamore’s historic distillery provides insights into Irish whiskey production, while the Bog of Allen Nature Centre explores the county’s unique peatlands. Other attractions include the Slieve Bloom Mountains’ hiking trails. Offaly is Ireland’s 18th largest county by size (1,998 square km) and ninth smallest by population (83,150). Population peaked at 146,857 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 51,533 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Offaly is Ireland’s 30th most visited (and third least visited) tourist county with around 37,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
