Offaly ( Uíbh Fhailí )

Offaly comes from the Irish word Uíbh Fhailí - Failghe's People. Offaly touches the Slieve Bloom mountains and the River Shannon. Clara Bog is one of the largest bogs remaining in Western Europe. In January 2000 a rare species of snail was discovered on Killaun Bog, near Birr, County Offaly. Clonmacnoise, one of the largest monastic sites in Ireland is located in County Offaly and it is here that the last high King of Ireland, Rory O'Connor was buried. Birr Castle holds a giant telescope which formerly was the largest in the world. County Offaly also possesses Leap Castle and Kinnitty Castle.

Located in the centre of Ireland, parts of County Offaly lie on the banks of the Shannon while other parts are made up of the beautiful Slieve Bloom mountain range.

These mountains provide a welcome diversion in the predominately flat Midlands and, with its blanket bogs and lush forests, offers the ideal environment for a range of activities.

The Shannon river has played an important role in the history of the county. Merchants from Gaule came by boat to sell wine while the Danes travelled along the Shannon until they reached Clonmacnoise.

Clonmacnoise is a medieval monastery founded by St. Ciaran in 545-548. Famous for its scholarship and piety, it thrived from the 7th to the 12th century. Many kings of Tara and of Connaught were buried there. Today, a group of stone churches, a cathedral, two round towers and three High Crosses remain.

Birr Castle and its one hundred acre demesne is an excellent example of early 17th century architecture. The demesne is a world famous garden, park and arboretum with more than 1000 different species of trees and shrubs and also boasts the giant 72-inch reflecting telescope built in 1845.

The town of Birr, a gentrified estate town, grew up in the shadow of the castle where the Earls of Rosse have lived for almost four centuries. Birr is famous for its authentic Georgian layout, with houses sporting original fanlights, door panelling and iron railings.

Before leaving Offaly, take a trip on the Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway. The 45-minute tour covers 6 miles of bogland and gives a fascinating insight into the history and development of the Blackwater raised bogs - an area of significant ecological importance.

Birr is the main town of South Offaly and is a beautiful heritage town. 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.

To the west, the The Slieve Blooms rise suddenly from the surrounding plain - this beautiful mountain range and environment park with its blanket bogs and lush forests offers the ideal environment for a range of activities from walking to orienteering.

On the Shannon River, Banagher, Shannonbridge and Shannon Harbour, have become noted centres for the boating community.

Further north is Clonmacnoise - an internationally renowned monastic site. Attractions include Birr Castle Demesne; Clonmacnoise monastic site and the Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway.

Activity options include River Shannon cruising (including day cruises), canoeing, angling, golf, horse riding, walking, cycling, wildlife and bird watching.

Lying just south of the heart of Ireland, Ely O’Carroll Country, embracing parts of Offaly, Tipperary & Laois offers the visitor an amazing array of breathtaking inland scenery. Vast tracks of bogland, rolling hills, meandering waterways and the wonderful tapestry of Irish farmland and forestry form the mosaic that is Ely O’Carroll Country

HOSPITALS

ESTATE AGENTS

Enright, Edward J
Ormond House
Emmet Square
Birr
Co. Offaly
Phone : (0509) 20291

Wrafter, John F
Patrick Street
Tullamore
Co. Offaly
Phone : (0506) 21473
Fax : (0506) 21130
E-Mail : jfwrafter@eircom.net

THINGS TO DO