Clonmacnoise
On a peaceful bank of the Shannon, round towers, ruined churches and towering carved crosses form one of Ireland’s most powerful historic…
On a peaceful bank of the Shannon, round towers, ruined churches and towering carved crosses form one of Ireland’s most powerful historic…
If you're a whiskey lover, then don't miss the Tullamore Dew Whiskey Visitor Centre, an ultra-modern Irish distillery where the current Tullamore…
Discover Ireland's most impressive peat bog with Bog of Allen, which stretches over no less than 5 counties in the Republic of…
As majestic as it is unexpected, Birr Castle stands in the heart of Birr, an elegant town in County Offaly. Behind its…
Lough Boora is an Irish peat bog, classified as a "nature reserve". It is located in County Offaly, and has the advantage…
Charleville Castle is a superb castle in County Offaly, Ireland. Built near the forest in the village of Tullamore, the building is…
Tuesday 15 September 2026: 9am to 6pm. Wednesday 16 September 2026: 9am to 6pm. Thursday 17 September 2026: 9am to 6pm. Ploughing competitions: 10.30am to 2.30pm. Entertainment programme: 10am to 6pm. Fashion shows: 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Entrance gates close at 4pm, and access is not guaranteed after 3pm because of the traffic management plan.
Find a comfortable place to stay and make the most of your trip to Ireland.
County Offaly lies in the centre of Ireland, between the bogs of the Midlands, the Shannon Valley and the Slieve Bloom hills. Its territory is closely associated with bog landscapes, the monastic heritage of Clonmacnoise and several small inland towns.
Offaly had a population of 83,150 in the 2022 census. Tullamore is its main centre, while Birr, Edenderry and several smaller localities structure the rest of the county.
To the west, the Shannon forms one of the territory’s main axes. Clonmacnoise is a major landmark of Irish religious heritage, but its monuments and visitor arrangements should be covered in a dedicated entry.
Bogs have deeply shaped Offaly’s economy, landscapes and recent history. Their current transition towards new ecological and recreational uses is an important key to understanding the county.
Birr adds a heritage and scientific dimension, while the Slieve Bloom, shared with Laois, provide the county’s main high ground.
Two days allow you to combine Tullamore or Birr, Clonmacnoise and a natural area. A car remains the most practical option.