Birr

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 world 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 which is now refurbished to its former glory. It is renowned as a centre of astronomy. Banagher is an important angling and cruising centre and is associated with Charlotte Bronte and Anthony Trollope.

Attractions:

• Birr Castle & Observatory
• Clonmacnoise
• River Shannon Cruise
• Tullamore Dew Visitors Centre