Bloom E Riders
At Bloom E Riders you can hire fully electric, high end suspension mountain bikes from their facility in Kinnitty, County Offaly, for use on the purpose built Coillte bike trails which begin approximately 900m from their base. Bloom E Riders supply all the safety gear required to partake in the sport of cycling and are fully insured for electric bike rental. There are over 80km of beautiful trails to be explored intertwined among the scenery of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, rivers, valley, and ridges with stunning views of the picturesque landscape.
Birr Castle Demesne & Historic Science Centre
Birr Castle Demesne & Historic Science Centre, home to the Parsons family since 1620, is open all year round with guided castle tours from May to August and other times by prior arrangement. Highlights include the Great Telescope, which was once the world’s largest, and galleries dedicated to astronomy and engineering. It is also home to the world’s oldest intact darkroom. The 120 acre park features over 5,000 plant species, award winning gardens and an adventure playground. Conveniently located for groups traveling west or southwest Ireland, Birr Castle Demesne & Historic Science Centre has earned two Lonely Planet accolades. There is a café, a gift shop and parking available.
The Bridge House Spa
The Bridge House Hotel is renowned for good food, services and a great atmosphere. There is a state of the art leisure club, swimming pool and a unique outdoor hot spa. It is located five minutes from Esker Hills and Tullamore golf clubs. It is one of Ireland's most luxurious hotels with 72 rooms and a superb presidential suite. Sanctuary Spa located in the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore, County Offaly, is dedicated to promoting beauty and wellness with one unified vision of inner peace, outer beauty. They use the finest products, including Comfort Zone, Fuschia Makeup, Óg Ireland, Shellac Nails to name but a few. They are sure a visit to the Sanctuary Spa will leave guests completely relaxed and rejuvenated. Guests are invited to indulge themselves in pure luxury for mind, body and soul rejuvenation by availing one of the many treatments or therapies the spa has to offer. They do not merely only offer spa, salon and fitness services, but instead an entire new way of life that focuses on well-being. They do this by ensuring each and every client receives their spa, salon or fitness service from knowledge, confident and caring spa/salon experts who will not only make each guest feel wonderful, but will also educate oneself how to continue caring for themselves every day through home care programs including diet, exercise and self-care rituals.
Tullamore Golf Club
Tullamore Golf Club is a championship golf course and is recognised as one of the best parkland courses in the country. Sand based, greens, lakes, bunkering, mounding and a programme of tree planting provides a layout that equals the best in the country. Set in mature parkland, this course has many picturesque views, which are enhanced by clusters of oak, beech and chestnut trees, as well as stately avenues, lending to a truly scenic setting. Playing Tullamore is an enjoyable experience irrespective of your golf ability.
Café India
Café India is a restaurant in Tullamore, County Offaly, that serves Indian, Balti, and vegetarian friendly dishes. It is located at Patricks Court. Some of their popular dishes are Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Aloo Gobi, and Kebabs1. The restaurant has a lively ambience, with incredible aromatic aromas created by varied spices, an extensive collection of Indian regional cuisine, and bustling activity.
Clonmacnoise
Founded by Saint Ciaran in the mid-6th century, it became a great centre of religion and learning, visited by scholars from all over the world. Many historical manuscripts, including the 11th-century Annals of Tighernach and the 12th-century Book of the Dun Cow, were written here. Today, the site exists as a preserved ruin under the management of the Office of Public Works and visitors can see three high crosses, a cathedral, seven churches, and two round towers. The beautifully preserved structures of Clonmacnoise Cathedral, Temple Doolin, Temple Hurpan and Temple Melaghlin will impress and leave those who visit Clonmacnoise with an authentic sense of the history of Ireland. To dig deeper into the fascinating history of Clonmacnoise, visit the onsite interpretive Visitor Centre, which displays a number of cross slabs and the 9th-century Cross of the Scriptures. The Clonmacnoise graveyard surrounding the site continues to be in use, while religious services are held regularly on the site in a modern chapel.
The Blue Apron Restaurant
Always striving to impress, with a frequently changing menu, The Blue Apron has won the Best Restaurant in Offaly for six years in a row at the Irish Restaurant Awards. With local lamb and beef on the menus as well as a dedicated vegetarian menu, it is a firm favourite with both locals and visitors. It is currently Offaly’s only recommended restaurant in The Michelin Guide as well as an inclusion in Georgia Campbell’s Ireland Guide. The wine list while keenly priced, is sourced from small independent vineyards worldwide. An intimate dining experience awaits you in the cosy dining room, tastefully decorated with beautifully laid tables. With a long established team, you are sure to look forward to a warm welcome and a relaxed dining experience.
Lough Boora Discovery Park
Lough Boora Discovery Park offers walking and cycling trails of varying lengths and minimal difficulty. This includes the Sculpture Park, nationally important Mesolithic settlement and the fairy trail for children, all in an outdoor environment. Bike hire is available on site and the café serves food and refreshments that can be taken on the decking of the award-winning visitor centre. Guided tours are available on the park’s art, ancient history and biodiversity. Anglers of all abilities and mobility can test their fishing skills in Loch an Dochas. Lough Boora Discovery Park, County Offaly is an outdoor experience for families, walkers, nature lovers and relaxation.
Lemanaghan Monastic Site
In 645, Diarmait, King of Ireland, granted this site to the monks of Clonmacnoise after they prayed successfully for his victory in battle. Not long afterwards, St Manchan, a respected scholar, left Clonmacnoise. Journeying here, he founded a monastery at Tuaim nEirc, an island of dry land surrounded by bogs. Manchan perished in the yellow plague of 664. Since then, this area has been known as Lemanaghan, the grey lands of Managhan. As the decades passed, the monastery grew in importance. Peat works have uncovered a network of wooden roads, or toghers, that were used by pilgrims and other travellers who crossed the bog to reach this site. The isolated monastery experienced a golden age during the 12th century. These years saw the building of the church with its beautiful Romanesque doorway, as well as the creation of St Manchan's Shrine. The war torn 13th century took its toll on the church. However, its fortunes revived in the 15th century, when it was patronised by the MacCoghlans, a ruling Gaelic family. For the next 200 years, the church became embroiled in the politics of this family and was sometimes a target of its enemies. During the rebellion of 1641, the church was damaged. By 1682, the church was no longer used as a place of worship. However the holy well and tree continue to be a site of pilgrimage and prayer. The feast day of St Manchan is celebrated on 24th January each year and St Manchan's Shrine is still venerated at the Catholic church in Boher. The site is open all year and admission is free.
Playtown Tullamore & The ICE Rooms
Playtown Tullamore & The ICE Rooms is located in Tullamore, County Offaly. It is a children's museum offering over 30 themes for families, where children can become a garda, fire chief or a doctor to name just a few of over 60 possibilities. Above Playtown Tullamore, children can explore the ICE Rooms, which are two creative rooms packed full of Lego, K'nex, creative flakes, Magformers, Meccano, Arckit, Gravitrax and so much more. Some of the on site facilities and services at Playtown Tullamore & The ICE Rooms include free parking, barista service, snack station and gift shop, play experiences, party experiences and school tours. Playtown Tullamore & The ICE Rooms is open up to four times daily and seven days weekly on a pre booking basis.
The Thatch Crinkill
The Thatch Crinkill near Birr is one of the oldest pubs in Offaly and as the name suggests has always been thatched. The aim of the team is to make the guests feel at home and looked after as they enjoy contemporary Irish cuisine, using local ingredients and seasonal produce. The pub offers the choice of fine dining in the restaurant or lighter more informal meals in the bar. So whether you are a regular looking for a chat and a pint or if you are in just need of sustenance after a hike or bike in the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains, you can visit The Thatch, Crinkill.
Birr Equestrian Centre
Birr Equestrian Centre in County Offaly offers lessons for adults and children, pony camps, hourly treks on their 160 acre farm and also treks to explore the magnificent Slieve Bloom Mountains. There are several different options for intermediate and experienced riders. Birr Equestrian Centre has the unique advantage of holding a permit to trek on the Slieve Bloom Mountains where riders can experience the breathtaking views and pristine forest trails. The centre is A.I.R.E. approved and the instructors certified by the British Horse Society. Laser gun shooting can be played in the local forest, which caters for hen, stag and birthday parties. Groups from 10 to 30 people aged 10 years upwards.
Paddy Flynn's Pub
Paddy Flynn's Pub is a special destination for visitors and locals alike. The pub's central location makes it convenient to access key attractions in County Offaly, namely Clonmacnoise, Birr Castle, Lough Boora Parklands, Belmont, Shannon Harbour, greenways and popular walking and cycling routes. At Paddy Flynn's Pub, guests find a warm and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the rich history and cultural blend of both Ireland and the United States.
Wild Food Mary
Join Wild Food Mary at her home situated at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Ramble through Mary’s wild garden or adjacent woodlands finding edible plants, flowers, fruits and fungi. You will learn that foraged food can be healthy and tasty. All ages can experience the joy of gathering. Following your day outdoors, return to Mary's kitchen where you will help to prepare a feast combining finds of the day with Mary's preserves and home grown produce. Partake in a traditional toast before leaving with recipes, memories and the foraging bug. Bespoke foraging events or workshops can also be created at other locations.
Mick The Miller Monument
This is a bronze sculpture of greyhound Mick The Miller, who was born in Killeigh, County Offaly, in June 1926 and who went on to become the most famous greyhound in the world. The statue was erected on Killeigh village green in January 2011. It was commissioned by the Mick The Miller Commemoration Committee from artist Elizabeth O'Kane. It is a life size sculpture of Mick The Miller which sits atop a plinth made of stone from his birthplace, Millbrook House. The statue is accompanied by a noticeboard containing information about the committee and Mick's full life story. The sculpture is a must see for all greyhound fans or anyone interested in culture. It has been made to Mick The Miller's exact measurements but scaled up by about 5%. Artist Elizabeth O'Kane's attention to detail is such that she has even included the scar on his right cheek. Mick The Miller was bred by Fr. Martin Brophy C.C Killeigh and reared by local man Michael Greene. He went on to win the English Derby in 1929 and 1930 and is the only greyhound ever to have won the Cesarewitch, Derby and St Leger. His intelligence and exciting running style endeared him to racegoers and they thronged in their thousands to watch him. His fame continued after he retired when he starred in the motion picture Wild Boy (1934). And his body is still on display in the Natural History Museum in Tring near London. For those coming to visit, there are plenty of parking places on the shop side of the main road or up near the post office. In the interests of safety, visitors crossing the main road should use the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights. All paths are wheelchair accessible. Refreshments are available in Matt Doyle's Bar and Lounge or alternatively you could grab a take away coffee, sandwich or ice cream in Gorman's Shop and sit down at the picnic area on the green where you can also learn about Killeigh's monastic history. Leaflets, postcards and other memorabilia on Mick The Miller are available for purchase in Gorman's Shop and the post office. Killeigh is located 8 kilometres from Tullamore and 30 kilometres from Portlaoise on the N80 road. The nearest railway and bus stations are in Tullamore but the Town Link bus which services Tullamore, Mountmellick and Portlaoise, passes through the village several times per day.
Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre
The Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre located in Kinnitty Village, County Offaly offers guided mountain bike tours of Kinnitty and the Slieve Blooms, mountain bike rental and mountain bike core skill lessons for beginners. Choose from a selection of full suspension, hardtail or electronic mountain bikes. All the mountain bike leaders are qualified through Cycling Ireland and are certified remote emergency care first aid responders ensuring you are in capable hands. Their passion is the great outdoors, let them kick start your adventure today. The Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre is a member of Ireland's Leave No Trace programme. Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics education programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnership.
Irish Midlands Ancestry
Irish Midlands Ancestry will assess the information customers provide on their Laois (formerly Queen's County) and Offaly (formerly King's County) ancestors in order to identify if research is possible. There is a small fee for this initial assessment which covers the researcher's time involved in carrying out a search of their sources. The researcher will also advise customers of the next steps involved in tracing their ancestors. Irish Midlands Ancestry are using all the primary sources including church registers, civil records, census returns, etc to compile a large database of information on Laois and Offaly families going back over the centuries. Most of their records pertain to the 19th century, but some church registers date back to the 18th century. Their centre is in the unique position of having researchers with a great local knowledge of the sources and the area they deal with. The research staff are very professional and no time or effort is spared in providing the customer with as much information as is available. Irish Midlands Ancestry will be happy to send those wishing to stay in the area while searching for family roots information on accommodation and other tourist information. The centre is based in Tullamore, County Offaly.
The Grand Canal
Anglers along the Grand Canal will enjoy the open spaces and easy access to excellent coarse fishing. Specially designed fishing stands offering access to anglers with disabilities have been installed at a number of locations along the Canal. Significant stretches of water have been carefully restocked to create some of the best fisheries in Europe. Bream average 2lbs with some to 4lbs or more. Perch are generally very small averaging from 0.25 to 0.5lbs. Pike of moderate size are quite plentiful averaging 2lbs to 6lbs with some larger fish present. Over recent years roach have moved into many parts of the Canal and are now widely distributed. 250 years of history are waiting to be discovered along the banks of the Grand Canal. Much of it can be seen from the water or on foot, from the towpaths. The canal enters the heart of Dublin through Inchicore, where flocks of Mute Swans gather every autumn, delighting tourists and locals alike. The city canal stretches offer close access to the museum and galleries, theatres, shopping and nightlife. Travelling by boat offers you the option to then change your scenery as outside Dublin the canal passes through more rural countryside, with village life providing a different type of entertainment.
Bramber Studio
Bramber Studio in Shinrone, County Offaly, is a family business that encompasses fine art, design, and teaching. The studio, situated in the countryside near Birr, includes an exhibition space, a picture framing studio, and a teaching workshop. It is run by artist Hazel Greene and Cyril Stanley, picture framer. Hazel paints landscapes and many other subjects in her own impressionist style. The business grew out of Hazel’s imaginative, award-winning style and her experimentation of painting on silk to make gifts. The Studio sells stunning scarves in rich colours and patterns. Her work has been featured in magazines, fashion shows and at Design Ireland, the home of Ireland’s select makers and designers. Art classes are held throughout the year at Bramber Studio and are geared for beginners as well as more experienced painters. The atmosphere is social, and all the materials needed are provided in the price, including the coffee. Classes are taught by Hazel in a step-by-step manner, introducing a variety of subjects and styles, demonstrating different techniques, and encouraging people to try different things until they find what it is they like to paint. Please check website for dates and more information on painting classes at Bramber Studio.
Bronze Sculpture by Siobhán Bulfin
Siobhán Bulfin is a bronze sculpture artist based in Shinrone, County Offaly. Bulfin’s work has an electric quality it, as she captures movement and expresses action. She records more than just the physical – she registers as well the tension, the import, the emotion of the moment, bringing to life something essential about her subjects. Bulfin’s cast bronze pieces are produced in a limited series making them perfect for collectors as well as equestrian enthusiasts in search of that unique piece to give their passion a place in their home. Bulfin's studio is open to the public by appointment.
Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience
The Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience tells the tale of a legendary liquid with 192 years of history. The grain to glass distillery spans 58 acres where whiskey is milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, matured and bottled, all on one site. Eleven million litres of whiskey are produced here each year, making Tullamore D.E.W. and its distillery one of the finest examples of Ireland’s whiskey renaissance. During the distillery experience, visitors will sip and savour an Irish coffee on arrival, walk the still house floor, feel the warm embrace of heat from the bubbling stills and taste the world’s second largest Irish whiskey brand’s award winning whiskeys. One of the breath taking parts of the tour takes place in the live maturation warehouse. Nestled amongst a sea of barrels stacked from floor to ceiling, is Ireland’s only custom built warehouse snug. In the Secret Snug, visitors will get to “dip the dog” and taste whiskey direct from the cask, whilst 50,000 barrels with over 10 million litres of whiskey mature around them. The aroma in the air is pure magic. At the end of the tour, visitors will get the chance to “Be the Blender” by blending and bottling their own unique whiskey to buy and take away. This state of the art innovation brings personalised whiskey to a whole new level.
Kelly’s Bar
For over 140 years, four generations of the Kelly family have been extending Irish hospitality in Kelly’s Bar and Restaurant, Birr. This long standing tradition continues with John Kelly whose mission is to make the time to personally welcome every customer. He is always happy to share recommendations about places to visit in Birr, such as the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains. It’s a place where locals and first time visitors can meet and chat in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant serves traditional and contemporary dishes using fresh local produce daily and there is live music every night. They will even teach how to pull your own pint of Guinness if you wish.
The River Queen Boat Trip
During the 90 minute journey aboard the River Queen, there is an opportunity to disembark at the beautifully restored Meelick Weir and enjoy a breathtaking walk to Victoria Lock, where passengers are collected again to experience the lock in action. A fully licensed bar is available on board the River Queen and live commentary is provided by the skipper. For the summer sailing schedule, contact the team directly.
Glasshammer Studios
Glasshammer Studios, led by artist Michelle O'Donnell, invites you to the scenic heart of Ireland. Situated on 25 acres of stunning natural surroundings, this purpose built glass studio lets visitors explore the artistry of glass fusion and enamelling. Come participate in one of the workshops suitable for anyone eager to explore their creativity. All materials and refreshments are included. Beyond the workshops, the Glasshammer Gallery provides a tranquil space to admire and purchase distinctive glass artworks, each reflecting the studio's artistic vision. A visit here promises both inspiration and relaxation. Glasshammer Studios is found about a 20 minute drive from Kinnegad Town, or a 30 minute drive from Mullingar.