Welcome to Offaly!
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.
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- 21/03/2010 Cork search operation stood down for the night
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Top Hotels
County Arms Hotel Birr
Family-run since 1962, the County Arms Hotel is newly refurbished for ...
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Midway Park Hotel Daingean
Nestled in the very heart of Ireland, the Midway Park Hotel , located ...
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Bridge House Hotel Tullamore
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Information Offaly Ireland
The visitor information office of Birr Town in County Offaly has a leaflet instructing you to follow the Birr Town Trail, and it’s worth your while if you have time to kill in Birr. Birr Castle is to this day still the residence of the Earl and Countess of Ross. It indeed looks like a castle – almost too old and grey and crenellated from the outside to be still in use as a habitable abode. Although the house itself is not open to the public, the gardens and the parklands that surround it are. Paths throughout the estate take you on beautiful walks. Ancestors of the residents of the castle were scientists, and groundbreaking research was carried out within the castle itself by many a past resident.
William Parsons built a huge telescope in the mid 1850s – still to be seen at the castle – and teamed up with photographer wife Mary to provide breakthrough images of galaxies and nebulae that would otherwise be mere pinpricks of light or not even visible to the human eye.
Charles Parsons, meanwhile, invented a very early helicopter in 1897. Powered by steam, it pre-dated the Wright Brothers’ successful flight by half a decade. Parsons also invented the steam turbine.
Those of a more spiritual or religious bent will find Clonmacnoise, also in County Offaly, as a place of intense interest. It is the most complete extant monastic site, with a plethora of crosses, churches and other pieces of architecture. The structure of McDermot’s Church (as it stands, a twelfth century building, although the site dates from 904), is very well preserved, with statuary on display above an impressive arch doorway. The three high crosses are housed in a visitor centre, while outside you will find modern replicas. The monastic site saw attack after attack by Danes, English and disenfranchised Irish throughout its history, so it’s a miracle of history that the site is so well preserved.
Attractions Offaly Ireland
Offaly Tourist Attractions
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Birr Castle - Birr
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.
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Charleville Castle - Tullamore
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.
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Leap Castle - Birr
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.
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Slieve Bloom Environmental Mountain Park - Birr
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.
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Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre - Tullamore
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.
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West Offaly Railway Bog Tour - Shannonbridge
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.
Heritage Sites
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Clonmacnoise - Shannonbridge
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
The Golf Courses Offaly Ireland
Birr Golf Club
Castle Barna Golf Club
Edenderry Golf Club
Esker Hills Golf Club
Portarlington Golf Club
Tullamore Golf Club
