Things to Do in Tullamore: The Ultimate Offaly Adventure Guide

Tullamore is the vibrant county town of Offaly, with a rich heritage deeply intertwined with Ireland's whiskey industry. Unlike many Leinster towns that grew around castles or monasteries, Tullamore developed along the Grand Canal. It became a critical transport hub in the 18th century and transformed it from a small settlement into a thriving market town.

The town's most defining moment came in 1785 when a hot air balloon crashed and started a fire that destroyed much of Tullamore. This disaster led to the phoenix-like rebirth of the town, symbolized in Tullamore's coat of arms, and sparked a period of remarkable development that gave us many of the Georgian buildings still standing today.

Essential Tullamore Attractions

Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre

The spiritual home of one of Ireland's most famous whiskeys offers an immersive journey through the distilling process. Housed in the original 1829 bonded warehouse on the Grand Canal, the visitor experience outshines many other distillery tours in Leinster with its blend of history, sensory experiences, and naturally, whiskey tasting.

Visitor Info: Allow 75-90 minutes for the full tour. Book morning tours (10-11am) for smaller groups and more personal attention. The 4pm tour often features the most enthusiastic guides, fresh from their lunch break.

Charleville Castle

This Gothic revival masterpiece sits nestled within Ireland's oldest oak forest just outside town. Built between 1800 and 1812, Charleville Castle rivals Kilkenny Castle in architectural significance but offers a rawer, less polished experience. The castle has featured in numerous ghost hunting shows due to reports of paranormal activity, particularly the ghost of a young girl named Harriet who fell to her death on the main staircase.

Visitor Info: Open weekends and by appointment during weekdays. Allow 2 hours to explore both castle and grounds. The ancient oak forest is particularly atmospheric in early morning light.

Grand Canal

The canal that transformed Tullamore's fortunes provides excellent walking and cycling routes along its towpaths. The Tullamore section offers better-maintained paths than the Royal Canal portions in neighboring counties, with convenient access points throughout town.

Visitor Info: Start at Boland's Lock House for a 5km loop that showcases both urban and rural sections. The stretch between Tullamore and Ballycommon is particularly scenic and takes about 40 minutes by bike or 2 hours on foot.

Tullamore Town Park

This expansive green space features a children's playground, outdoor gym equipment, and picturesque pond. The Lloyd Town Park (as it's officially known) underwent significant renovation in 2016, making it one of the most modern and accessible parks in the midlands.

Visitor Info: Busiest on weekend afternoons; visit before 11am for a more tranquil experience. The park hosts free summer concerts on Sunday afternoons in July and August.

Offaly History Centre

Housed in an old Quaker meeting house, this small but information-rich museum chronicles the county's history from ancient times through the plantation period and into modern Offaly.

Visitor Info: Allow 60-90 minutes. The volunteer guides (usually available Tuesdays and Thursdays) provide insights you won't find on information panels. The archive section upstairs contains fascinating original documents for those interested in genealogy.

Tullamore's Hidden Treasures

The Jumping Church at Kilcoursey

Just outside Tullamore town lies a peculiar archaeological oddity - a church wall that appears to have "jumped" inward from its foundation. Local lore suggests this happened after a man who died while excommunicated was buried within the church grounds. While most tourists head to Clonmacnoise, this eerie site remains largely undiscovered despite its fascinating folklore.

Killaun Bog Trackway

This ancient wooden road dating back to 1200 BCE predates the pyramids of Egypt. Unlike the more famous Corlea Trackway in Longford, this site sees few visitors despite its historical significance. Local guides can explain how these trackways reveal much about Bronze Age society in the midlands.

The Captain's House

This striking Georgian building with its unusual curved corner served as the residence for canal boat captains. Few tourists realize you can arrange interior visits by appointment through the local heritage society, where the original captain's logbooks detail day-to-day life on the Grand Canal during its heyday.

The Bridge Centre Mural

Hidden within the shopping center's service corridor, this 120-foot mural depicts Tullamore's history from prehistoric times to present. Created by local artist Michael Bulfin in 1983, it contains numerous inside jokes and references that only locals typically recognize, including caricatures of well-known Tullamore characters from the 1980s.

Tullamore's Event Calendar

Winter (December-February)

Tullamore Christmas Market (December) - A relatively recent but growing tradition featuring local crafts, food producers, and mulled Tullamore D.E.W. concoctions. The market has become the midlands' answer to the more commercial Dublin Christmas markets, with a stronger focus on artisanal Offaly products.

Tullamore Trad Fest (January) - This celebration of traditional Irish music draws performers from across Ireland to various pubs and venues throughout town. Unlike larger festivals in Kilkenny or Wexford, the Tullamore sessions maintain an informal, spontaneous quality where audience participation is encouraged.

Spring (March-May)

St. Patrick's Day Parade (March) - Tullamore's parade stands out among smaller towns for its agricultural focus, with impressively decorated tractors and farm machinery forming a central part of the procession.

Phoenix Festival (April) - Commemorating the 1785 hot air balloon fire, this quirky festival combines historical reenactments with fire performances and hot air balloon displays (weather permitting). The festival often includes themed food events where local restaurants create "phoenix-inspired" dishes.

Summer (June-August)

Tullamore Agricultural Show (August) - Ireland's largest one-day agricultural show transforms the town as over 60,000 visitors descend on Blueball. Beyond the expected livestock competitions, the show has gained recognition for its food village showcasing midlands producers.

Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally (June) - Commemorating the famous 1903 race that passed through Offaly, this event draws vintage car enthusiasts from across Europe. The Saturday evening display in O'Connor Square allows close-up viewing of vehicles rarely seen outside specialized museums.

Autumn (September-November)

Tullamore Rhythm & Roots Festival (September) - This celebration of American roots music has grown from humble beginnings to attract international performers. The festival transforms the town's pubs into intimate music venues, creating an atmosphere that performers often compare to Austin, Texas on a smaller scale.

Offaly Walking Festival (October) - Centered around Tullamore with daily guided walks of varying difficulty, this festival explores routes not typically accessible to the public, including private estates and rarely-visited bogland trails.

Family Activities in Tullamore

Lough Boora Discovery Park

Just 15 minutes from Tullamore, this reclaimed bogland offers 50km of walking and cycling trails dotted with large-scale sculptures. The contrast between wild nature and industrial peat harvesting history provides a uniquely midlands experience.

Best for: Families with older children who can handle longer cycles. Bike rental available on-site.

Tullamore Urban Adventure

This self-guided treasure hunt uses a smartphone app to lead families around town solving clues and completing challenges. Created by local teachers, it cleverly incorporates local history into puzzles suitable for children 8-14.

Best for: Families with school-age children, especially on days when the weather is changeable.

Clara Bog Visitor Centre

This interpretive center explains the unique ecology of raised bogs with interactive exhibits that appeal to younger children. The boardwalk into the active bog allows safe exploration of this delicate ecosystem.

Best for: Curious children of all ages; the sensory elements of the exhibits work well for younger kids.

Roll 'n' Bowl

This indoor entertainment center combines bowling with a surprisingly good pizza restaurant and play zone. Unlike similar facilities in larger towns, Roll 'n' Bowl maintains fair pricing even during school holidays.

Best for: All-weather entertainment for the whole family, particularly useful during Ireland's inevitable rainy days.

Kilbeggan Racecourse

Just 15 minutes from Tullamore, these family-friendly race meetings often include additional entertainment for children. The summer evening meetings have a festival atmosphere rarely found at larger, more commercial racecourses.

Best for: Families with children of mixed ages; teenagers appreciate the excitement while younger children enjoy the carnival atmosphere.

Local Tullamore Business Highlights

The Blue Apron

This restaurant housed in a converted hardware store has become Tullamore's culinary standout. Chef David Maguire's menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, including lamb from the Slieve Bloom Mountains and vegetables from small Offaly producers. The signature dish—slow-cooked Offaly beef cheek with colcannon and black pudding crumb—represents midlands cuisine at its finest.

Brewery Tap

This traditional pub maintains authentic character while serving excellent pints of Guinness. Unlike many Irish pubs that have surrendered to the tourist-friendly template, the Tap remains steadfastly local in atmosphere. Their house specialty is the "Canal Digger"—a unique hot whiskey variation that uses Tullamore D.E.W., local honey, and a proprietary spice blend that remains a closely guarded secret.

Chocolate Brown

This artisan chocolatier and café produces handmade chocolates using unexpected flavor combinations. Their Tullamore D.E.W. truffle has developed a cult following, while their hot chocolate (available in classic, spiced, or orange variations) puts chain café versions to shame.

Wymm's Bookshop

Operating from the exact location since 1932, this independent bookstore specializes in Irish history and literature. The "Offaly Authors" section showcases local writers who rarely receive attention in larger bookshops. The owner maintains a remarkable memory for regular customers' reading preferences and often sets aside new arrivals that match their interests.

Visit Tullamore

Tullamore offers visitors a genuine midlands experience that balances well-known attractions with truly local discoveries. Whether you're sampling whiskey where it was first distilled, exploring the town's canal heritage, or timing your visit around one of the many distinctive local festivals, Tullamore rewards those willing to venture beyond Ireland's more obvious tourist destinations.

The town serves as an ideal base for exploring the wider Offaly region while providing enough attractions to justify several days of exploration within its boundaries.

Check out our guide about things to do in Athlone.