Skip to main content

Skip to main content

Select Hotels Ireland, Book Now

Location:   
Hotel:   
Arrival date:

Offaly

Offaly

There is much for the visitor to discover in Offaly. Tullamore is the county town and the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre is well worth a visit.  Throughout the county cruising, equestrian, golfing, walking and fishing enthusiasts are well catered for. Some of the last remaining tracts of peatland in Europe can be visited at Clara and Mongans Bog. The Grand Canal joins the River Shannon at Shannon harbour and Edenderry is a noted angling centre. The Shannon water meadows are of European importance where the corncrake can still be heard. The monastic ruins of Clonamacnoise are famous.

Explore the Slieve Blooms in all their moods. A trip on the narrow gauge railway at Shannonbridge is a highlight. Birr is a heritage town with Georgian architecture. It is home to Birr Castle Demesne and Historic Science Centre, famous for its magnificent gardens and home to the Great Telescope, now refurbished to its former glory. It is also renowned as a centre of astronomy. Banagher is an important angling and cruising centre and is associated with Charlotte Bronte and Anthony Trollope.

Things to do

  1. BIRR CASTLE & GARDENS - Walking Distance 10 mins
    Home to the Earls of Rosse since 1620, Birr Castle is the Private Home of Brendan, the 7th Earl and his Family. As such the House itself is not open to the public. The Award winning Gardens and buildings in the grounds of Birr Castle house an array of unique plants, not to mention a detailed insight into the History of the Parsons family.  A stay at the County Arms Hotel is not complete without a visit to Birr Castle & Gardens. The Great Telescope, designed by the 3rd Earl or Rosse, was the largest in the World for 70 years and is now fully restored. Ireland's Historic Science Centre offers a fascinating insight into the History of this pioneering Family, with particular emphasis on Astronomy, Photography and Botany. The Gardens at Birr Castle Demesne are home to some 4,000 named trees many of which are unqiue to Ireland, having been carefully preserved and cultivated following trips to China and other exotic regions.
  2. MACREGOL'S GOSPELS (THE BOOK OF BIRR) - Walking Distance 3 mins
    The Macregol Gospel Book is a manuscript copy of the Four Gospels written in Birr by Macregol (Bishop of Birr) circa 800 AD. It is unclear how the manuscript came to be in England but towards the end of the tenth century two clerics, Farman and Owun inserted a translation into the Old English of that time. It is therefore a valuable source for the history of the English language. In 2006, Birr Historical Society, courtesy of the Bodleain Library, Oxford and thanks to the generosity of local people and of friends, obtained a facsimile of the Macregol Gospels to be freely on display in Birr Town Library.
  3. BIRR CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND - Walking Distance 3 mins
    Immediately nextdoor to Birr Library, housing the Book of Birr, this playground is newly opened in 2006 and features some of the most modern and safe equipment in Ireland. An ideal way to spend an hour or two for Children aged between 3 and 12 years.
  4. BIRR THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE - Walking Distance 15 mins
    Birr Theatre and Arts Centre - Offaly's centre for the Arts - offers a wide variety of theatre and artistic events throughout the year. Enjoy an evening of music, drama, dance, opera, classical music, comedy and lots more. See website for current programme of events www.birrtheatre.com
  5. LOUGH BOORA PARKLANDS - Driving Time 20 mins
    The most inspiring visitor attraction in Ireland's midlands - Lough Boora has it all.  One of the most advanced wetland reserves in the Country with over 130 species of birds including Ireland's only remaining Grey Partdridge.  Lough Boora is even better known for the Sculpture Park which must be seen to be believed.  There's also walking trails, cycle paths, picnic area, a mesolithic site and lots more planned including a major visitor attraction for all the family - Visit www.LoughBooraParklands.com
  6. MONASTIC RUINS AT CLONMACNOISE - Driving Time 25 MINS
    Best preserved monastic ruins in Ireland c700A
  7. SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS - Driving Time 10 Mins from Birr in Kinnitty Village
    Ideal for those who seek the tranquillity of an unspoilt landscape, the Slieve Bloom Mountains provide the perfect setting for a cycle, drive or walk. For the more adventurous the 66km Slieve Bloom Way passes remarkably deep glens and beautiful waterfalls. A well sign-posted network of minor roads gives access to a whole host of forested & wooded glens. Tours guides, walking maps and walking programme all available on request www.slievebloom.ie

Events Calendar

COMHALTAS CEOLTÓIRÍ EIREANN SET DANCING FESTIVAL
Venue: Marian Hall, Birr
Dates: Fri 4th –Sun 6th June

MUSIC IN THE PARK
Venue: Birr Castle Demesne
Dates: Sat 5th & Sun 6th June

SLIEVE BLOOM MID-SUMMER CYCLING & WALKING CHALLENGE
Venue: Kinnitty
Dates: Sat 19th June

SHANNONBRIDGE & CLONMACNOIS MID-SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Venue: Various Indoor & Outdoor events in both Shannonbridge & Clonmacnoise
Dates: Thur 24th –Sun 27th June 

PONY CAMP Pony Games, Show Jumping, Dressage, Feeding, Grooming & Horse-care, Slieve Bloom Mountain Trekking (1⁄2 day) & Hourly Treks available Venue: Birr Equestrian Centre
Daily MIDLAND BATTLEFIELD LIVE OUTDOOR LAZER GUN
Venue: Birr Equestrian Centre Appointment neccessary
Dates: All Summer

CLOUGHJORDAN FESTIVAL Traditional Arts, Workshops, Performance and Festival Market
Venues: throughout Cloughjordan
Date: Sun 4th July

CHILDREN’S THEATRE SUMMER CAMP
Venue: Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Dates: Mon 12th – Fri 16th July

WORKING OAT MILL EXHIBITIONS & TOURS
Venue: Belmont Mill, Belmont, Co. Offaly
Dates: Daily for July

MIDLAND BATTLEFIELD LIVE (see June)
Venue: Birr Equestrian Centre
Daily: Summer

Select Hotels of Ireland, Shannon Buildings, Mallow Road, Cork  Registration No:327407  T:+353 (0) 21 4391998  F:+353 (0)21 4391993  E: info@selecthotels.ie  W: www.selecthotels.ie
Site by Aró