- Grand Canal Greenway (Offaly Sections): A flat, traffic-free towpath along the historic Grand Canal from Tullamore westwards through Daingean and Edenderry, offering peaceful waterside cycling with barges, locks, and bog views; ideal for family rides and long-distance touring.
- Slieve Bloom Mountains Loop (Kinnitty to Cadamstown): A challenging hilly circuit through the southern Slieve Bloom Mountains on quiet minor roads, featuring steep climbs, forested glens, waterfalls, and panoramic views over the midlands plains.
- Tullamore to Birr Canal and Country Loop: A gentle route combining Grand Canal towpath sections with quiet backroads through fertile farmland, linking the county town of Tullamore with historic Birr and its Georgian architecture and castle demesne.
- Clonmacnoise Monastic Site Circuit: A serene riverside and rural loop from Shannonbridge or Clonmacnoise, using minor lanes along the River Shannon past the iconic early Christian ruins, round towers, and high crosses in a tranquil floodplain setting.
- Lough Boora Discovery Park Trails: A network of flat, off-road gravel paths through the rehabilitated boglands of Lough Boora, featuring sculpture trails, mesolithic sites, wildlife lakes, and bike hire; perfect for relaxed family exploration of industrial heritage turned wilderness.
- Banagher to Shannon Harbour Loop: A peaceful circuit on quiet roads and canal paths along the River Shannon and old canal branches, passing Banagher marina, historic fortifications, and the Clonony Castle tower house with gentle terrain and riverside charm.
- Birr to Kinnitty Slieve Bloom Foothills: A moderately hilly route on minor roads from elegant Birr into the foothills of the Slieve Blooms, passing Crinkill and Kinnitty village with its pyramid mausoleum and castle, offering rolling countryside and mountain approaches.
- Portarlington to Mountmellick Rural Lanes: A gentle eastern Offaly loop through classic midlands farmland on quiet backroads, linking the market towns with views towards the Slieve Blooms and passing Emo Court estate for a mix of heritage and serene pastoral scenery.
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. The Slieve Bloom Mountains’ hiking trails make Offaly a compelling choice for culture and outdoor exploration. Offaly is Ireland’s 18th largest county by size (1,998 square km) and ninth smallest by population (83,150).
Offaly:
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Cycling
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
