County Offaly sits in the heart of Ireland with the majestic River Shannon on its western borders and the soft rolling hills of the Slieve Bloom mountains to the east.
A wild mountain park, great expanses of bogland, towering castles and wooded valleys with rushing streams and rivers decorate this beautiful county in Ireland’s Ancient East. Whether exploring this historic heartland by boat, or along the quiet byways that criss-cross the peaceful rural landscape, you’ll have a range of ancient sites to visit and outdoor adventures to enjoy.
Offaly’s historic jewel is the spectacular Clonmacnoise, an Irish national monument nestled on the banks of the River Shannon. This early medieval ecclesiastical site was founded in the sixth century by St Ciarán. Much visited and much admired, its atmospheric ruins contain a cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine churches and over 700 early Christian grave slabs well worth seeing.
For over 400 years Offaly’s Birr Castle and Demesne, considered Ireland’s oldest inhabited home, has been the private residence of the Parsons family, the Earl and Countess of Rosse, who still occupy it.
Although the castle is not open to the public, you are welcome to explore the 100-acre gardens filled with more than 1,000 species of trees and shrubs. The Science Centre in the grounds reveals the wonders of early photography, engineering and astronomy with a special emphasis on the world-famous Great Telescope developed in 1845 by a previous Earl of Rosse.