Things to Do in Offaly: The Faithful County's Hidden Treasures

Discover the best things to do in Offaly, from ancient monastic sites and castle gardens to hidden bog treasures and local festivals that showcase the authentic heart of Ireland's midlands.

Bryan Collins

25 Jul 2025 — 7 min read

County Offaly sits at the heart of Ireland, often overlooked by visitors rushing between Dublin and Galway. Yet this ancient territory, once known as "King's County," holds some of Ireland's most significant historical sites and natural landscapes. Offaly was the center of power for the O'Connor clan, one of Ireland's most influential Gaelic families who controlled these midlands from their seat at Clonmacnoise until the Plantations of the 16th century.

Unlike its flashier Leinster neighbors, Offaly offers an authentically Irish experience without the tourist crowds. The county's flat landscape is punctuated by the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the south, ancient bog lands to the west, and the mighty River Shannon forming its western border.

Offaly's Major Attractions

Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

Clonmacnoise / Ireland - Cross of the Scriptures and Cathedral

This 6th-century monastic settlement, founded by St. Ciarán, is arguably Offaly's crown jewel. The site includes round towers, high crosses, and a cathedral overlooking the Shannon. The visitor center houses original high crosses and explains the site's importance as a center of religion, learning, craftsmanship, and trade.

Visitor info: Allow at least 2 hours to fully appreciate the site. Summer mornings (9-11am) offer the best combination of good light for photography and fewer tour buses. While similar to Glendalough in Wicklow, Clonmacnoise offers a more peaceful experience with its riverside setting and typically smaller crowds.

Birr Castle and Gardens

Home to the Parsons family (Earls of Rosse) since the 1620s, Birr Castle combines stunning gardens with fascinating scientific history. The castle grounds house the Great Telescope—once the world's largest—built by the 3rd Earl of Rosse in the 1840s. The extensive gardens feature Ireland's tallest box hedges, rare plants, and the magnificent Science Centre.

Visitor info: The castle interior is private, but the gardens and Science Centre are open to visitors. Plan for 3 hours to properly explore. Spring brings magnificent blooms, but the gardens are designed for year-round interest.

Lough Boora Discovery Park

This former industrial peatland has been transformed into a 2,000-hectare paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park features walking trails, cycling routes, fishing lakes, and a sculpture park with massive installations created from peat-harvesting machinery and local materials.

Visitor info: Bike rentals are available on-site, and the flat terrain makes this accessible for all fitness levels. Allow half a day for cycling or a full day if walking. The bird watching is particularly good in early morning or evening.

Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre

Learn the story behind one of Ireland's most famous whiskeys at this distillery experience in Tullamore town. The tour covers the history of the brand and the whiskey-making process, ending with a tasting session.

Visitor info: Tours last about 50 minutes. Book ahead during summer months. Unlike the Jameson tour in Dublin, Tullamore D.E.W. offers a more intimate experience with smaller groups and more time for questions.

Slieve Bloom Mountains

These ancient mountains—once the highest in Europe—have been worn down over millions of years to gentle, accessible peaks. The range offers numerous looped walks through forests, past waterfalls, and across blanket bogs with spectacular views across the midlands.

Visitor info: The Glenbarrow Waterfall loop (8km) is particularly recommended and takes about 2-3 hours. Unlike the more rugged Wicklow Mountains, Slieve Bloom offers gentler terrain suitable for less experienced hikers.

Clara Bog Nature Reserve

One of the best remaining examples of an active raised bog in Western Europe, Clara Bog has developed over thousands of years. The boardwalk allows visitors to experience this unique ecosystem without damaging it.

Visitor info: The 1km boardwalk loop takes about 30 minutes, but allow extra time to absorb the peaceful atmosphere and spot wildlife. Visit after light rain when the bog is most alive with color and activity.

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Offaly's Hidden Treasures

Leap Castle

Reputed to be Ireland's most haunted castle, Leap has a bloody history spanning centuries. Unlike many historic buildings, Leap remains a private residence owned by musician Seán Ryan, who occasionally gives tours by appointment. He'll share stories of the castle's macabre past, including the discovery of an oubliette filled with human bones, and his own experiences with the supernatural residents.

Local lore says that the O'Carroll clan, who built the castle in the 13th century, would invite rivals to dinner and murder them mid-feast—a practice that supposedly led to multiple hauntings.

Durrow High Cross and Abbey

While everyone visits Clonmacnoise, few travelers know about nearby Durrow Abbey, founded by St. Columba before he left for Iona. The site features a magnificent 9th-century high cross with intricate biblical carvings. The Book of Durrow, one of Ireland's greatest treasures (now in Trinity College alongside the Book of Kells), was created here.

What locals know and tourists don't: park at the church and follow the small unmarked path behind it to find the remains of a holy well where locals still leave offerings.

Silver Line Cruisers, Banagher

The western edge of Offaly meets the Shannon at Banagher, where you can rent a river cruiser with no license needed. These easy-to-handle boats let you explore the Shannon at your own pace, stopping at riverside pubs and villages. The section between Banagher and Shannonbridge offers some of the most peaceful stretches of the river, with abundant wildlife and few other boats compared to the busier Shannon-Erne waterway.

Local boatmen say to watch for the white-tailed eagles reintroduced to the Shannon system—they're occasionally spotted near Clonmacnoise.

Event Calendar

Spring

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival (April/May) Birr town comes alive with vintage car rallies, street performances, art exhibitions, and craft markets. The festival has been running since 1968 and culminates in a spectacular parade through the Georgian streets.

Tullamore Agricultural Show (May) Ireland's largest one-day agricultural show features livestock competitions, equestrian events, home crafts, and farm machinery displays—a genuine slice of rural Irish life.

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Summer

Shakefest Birr (June) This Shakespeare festival uses Birr Castle as its backdrop for performances of the Bard's works by professional theater companies. Unlike Dublin's theater scene, these open-air performances have an intimate, accessible feel.

Grand Canal Festival, Daingean (July) Celebrating Offaly's canal heritage with boat races, fishing competitions, music, and food stalls along the canal banks. Don't miss the eel fishing demonstrations—a traditional skill nearly forgotten.

Autumn

Hullabaloo! Children's Arts Festival (October/November) This week-long festival in Birr offers workshops, performances, and activities designed specifically for children, with many events focusing on traditional crafts and storytelling.

Offaly Traditional Arts Festival (September) Celebrating traditional music, dance, and crafts across venues in Tullamore, with many sessions happening in pubs where locals join visiting musicians for impromptu performances.

Winter

Tullamore Christmas Fair (December) The town square transforms with local craft stalls, food vendors, and entertainment—a much more authentic experience than Dublin's commercial Christmas markets.

Slieve Bloom Winter Walking Festival (January) Guided walks through the frost-covered mountains followed by warm meals in local pubs. The bare winter trees offer views not visible during the leafy summer months.

Family Activities

Birr Castle Science Centre

Perfect for curious minds aged 8+, the interactive exhibits explore astronomy, photography, engineering, and botany through the achievements of the scientific Parsons family. The giant telescope model is a particular hit with children who can operate the moving parts.

Lough Boora Fairy Trail

Younger children (3-10) will love hunting for fairy doors and magical creatures along this specially designed trail. The flat terrain and short distance make it manageable for little legs.

Clara Bog Visitor Centre

This small but engaging centre offers hands-on activities about bog ecology and archaeology. The "Touch and Feel" boxes containing bog plants and preserved animals are especially popular with children who learn while having fun.

Local Business Highlights

The Blue Apron, Tullamore

This restaurant serves contemporary Irish cuisine using local ingredients. Their signature dish is slow-roasted Offaly lamb with bog herb crust—a literal taste of the county's landscape. Their chocolate dessert featuring Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey is the perfect finish.

Organic Kitchen, Tullamore

This café sources ingredients from local farms and their own kitchen garden. Their speciality is "Bog Brunch"—peat-smoked bacon, black pudding, and eggs from their own hens served with foraged greens and homemade bread.

Visit Offaly

County Offaly offers an authentic Irish experience away from the tourist trail. Its mix of significant historical sites, natural beauty, and genuine local culture makes it ideal for travelers seeking to experience the real Ireland. Whether you're exploring ancient monastic ruins, cycling through transformed boglands, or enjoying a whiskey beside a peat fire, Offaly rewards those who take the time to discover its faithful charms.

Now, check out our guide about things to do in Meath.

🎯 For Locals

Want more hidden gems, ready-made weekend plans & insider picks? Order one of these quick upgrades (coming soon):

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