Offaly —
"Ely O'Carroll Country"
Photos: (Center) Clonmacnoise on the River Shannon; (from upper left, clockwise): Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway, Shannonbridge; Connie Hanniffy shows off her classic car collection at An Dun Transport & Heritage Museum at Doon; Roscrea Castle, Roscrea; and a display on the first steam turbine engine at Ireland's Historic Science Centre at Dirr Castle, Birr
County Offaly sits in the middle of Ireland. In fact, Offaly's lovely Georgian town of
Birr is often proclaimed as the exact geographic center of Ireland. With the Shannon River
at its west and the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the east, Offaly has long been an important
hub and crossroads of the Irish countryside. This central location makes it a handy base
for touring in any direction.
Most of County Offaly, along with part of North County Tipperary, is collectively known as
"Ely O'Carroll Country," named after the great O'Carroll dynasty, Gaelic lords
of the area for over 600 years.
Today "Ely O'Carroll Country" is home to an assortment of visitor attractions
— ranging from one of Ireland's greatest 6th century monastic settlements at
Clonmacnoise, to the award-winning Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre. In addition,
several noted landmarks in north County Tipperary such as Roscrea Castle and Damer House,
both situated in the heart of the heritage town of Roscrea, and the reputedly-haunted Leap
Castle, are also part of "Ely O'Carroll Country."
Bogs are also synonymous with Offaly — since much of the county is devoted to
boglands including the Blackwater Bog, one of the largest sources of fuel for the whole
country. A ride on the narrow-gauge Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway is an
experience not to be missed!
Here are the top attractions:
Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly (tel. 090-967-4450), founded as a monastery by St.
Ciaran in 545, was a great center of learning for nearly 1,000 years. During the Dark
Ages, the rest of Europe was enlightened by scholars trained here such as Alcuin, who
tutored Charlemagne. In its heyday, Clonmacnoise was a virtual city until reduced to ruin
in 1552. Declared a national monument in 1955, it contains more than 200 points of
interest including 10th century high crosses, a 62-foot round tower, and the gravesite of
Rory O'Conor, last high king of Ireland. The grounds also offer a visitor center with
exhibits and guided tours are conducted regularly. Open daily. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie
Birr Castle & Gardens, Rosse Row, Birr, Co. Offaly (tel. 0509-20336) is a 17th century
private family estate, but the 100 acres of gardens are open to the public. It is a
horticultural wonderland, with more than 1,000 species of trees and shrubs, including box
hedges featured in the "Guinness Book of Records" as the tallest in the world.
Other facilities open to the public include a giant 6-foot reflecting telescope, built in
1845 and the largest in the world for over 70 years. In addition, there is the Historic Science Centre, an attraction in itself, housed in
the 19th century coach house. This unique museum spotlights Ireland's great
contributions to science, from astronomy and photography to the invention of the steam
turbine engine. Browse through original artifacts, photographs, drawings, letters, and
learn from interactive models, audiovisuals, and interpretative displays. The galleries
here show a much-underrated side of Ireland. It's a fascinating place to visit on a rainy
(or a sunny) day. Web site: www.birrcastle.com
Roscrea Castle, Castle St., Roscrea, Co. Tipperary (tel. 0505-21850), is an impressive 13th
century castle in the middle of the heritage town of Roscrea. Visitors can tour the
restored gate tower, as well as a polygonal fortification with curtain walls and two
D-shaped towers; the courtyard; and a newly laid-out Georgian garden. The complex also
includes 18th century Damer House, one of the finest Queen Anne houses in Ireland with
extensive exhibitions about Roscrea heritage. Open: daily April-October. www.heritageireland.ie
Leap Castle, R. 421, Clareen/Roscrea Road, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary (tel. 0509-31115), claims to be
"Ireland's most haunted castle." Dating back to the 14th century when it was the
stronghold of the O'Carroll's, this castle is open for tours, daily from April to
September and at other times by appointment.
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to: Shannon A-1 Attractions Page
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