Main Tourist Attractions Include : West
Offaly Railway Bog Tour
Located at Blackwater Works,
Shannonbridge, this 5.5 miles is Ireland's only
passenger train that journeys through a bog. Experience
the past, present and future uses of Blackwater
Bog - you might even have the chance to cut turf
by hand.
Where else can you travel 10,000 years in just 9km. New for
2000 is 'T on the bog'. As part of your tour, try a cup of
tea and a slice of porter cake out on the bog - must be pre-booked.
Birr
Castle
Birr, county Offaly, is
situated on the banks of the River Camcor. The
place name "Birr" originated in an Irish term probably
used to describe this riverside position, though
for many years the town was known as "Parsonstown",
as Birr Castle was and still is, home to the Parsons
family. Back in 1620 Sir Laurence Parsons
was granted 1,277 acres of land and took possession
of Birr town. The castle has grown since then and
become famous for many things, but mostly for the
telescope, which was the largest in the world for
over 70 years and was constructed in the 1840s
by the Third Earl of Rosse. It was recently restored
and is in fine working order.
Charleville
Castle
Located at Tullamore, Charleville
is Irelands finest gothic revival castle. It is
considered to be a masterpiece of Francis Johnstons,
who designed the GPO in Dublin. The castle was
built
between 1798 and 1810. The massive dining room was designed
by Sir William Morris.
Tullamore
Dew Heritage Centre
Located at Bury Quay, Tullamore,
the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre is housed in
the original 1897 bonded warehouse. The exhibition
relates the story of the town's development, focusing
on the Grand Canal, Tullamore Dew Whiskey (named
after Daniel Edmond Williams) and Irish Mist Liqueur. At
the end of the tour, enjoy a complimentary tasting
of one of these drinks.
Slieve
Bloom Environmental Mountain Park
Located at Birr, In contrast with the surrounding
plain, this modest 615m high mountain range appears
imposing.
Blanket bog, green forest with picnic and amenity
areas, waterfalls, deep glens and peaceful villages make the area's 155,400 hectares
an altogether delightful touring destination.
Leap
Castle
Located South-east of Birr
between Kinnity and Roscrea are the remains of
Leap Castle. Originally an O'Carroll fortress,
it guarded the pass from the Slieve Bloom into
Munster. It was destroyed in 1922 during the civil
war. Today it hosts occasional Irish music sessions.
The site also boasts great views of the Slieve
Bloom Mountains.
Heritage Sites
Clonmacnoise
Located at Shannonbridge, on the banks of the river
Shannon, one of Ireland's most famous monastic
sites, Clonmacnoise was founded by Saint Ciaran
in the 6th century. The site includes the ruins
of a Cathedral, eight churches dating from the
10th and 13th century, two round towers, three
high crosses and a large collection of early Christain
grave slabs.
The original high crosses and grave slabs are on
display in the Visitor Centre. Buried here is the
last High King
of Ireland - Rory OÇonnor |
Offaly lies near the centre of Ireland.
In the south-east of the county are the
Heathery Slieve Bloom Mountains, among
which there are pretty valleys to be
explored. The rest of the county is largely
level plain and bogland, with occasional
elevations. In the west the River Shannon
separates the county from Counties Galway
and Roscommon.
The width of the county is
crossed by the Grand Canal. Danish raths,
or hill fortresses, and remains of ancient
churches and monasteries are among the
points of interest. Part of the kingdom
of Offaly in ancient Ireland, the area
was known as King's County from 1556
until the Irish Free State was established
in 1922. 
