Angling

The County borders a substantial stretch of the River Shannon and the Grand Canal for 80 kms (50 miles).

Salmon & Trout

The River Shannon at Meelick, both Brosna rivers, the Boyne and Barrow rivers are the primary salmon and trout waters.

There are quite a few smaller but equally exciting waters with a good stock of wild brown trout including the Camcor, Clodiagh, Silver, Slate and Yellow rivers and Pallas lake. All these rivers are beautiful fly waters.

Pike

The River Shannon, Grand Canal and the River Suck are great Pike waters with big stocks of good average size fish. These are great waters to catch a new personal best, it could easily be a fish over 20 Ibs. The Pike is highly regarded in Co. Offaly and the statutory limit on killing of Pike….only one fish per day per person, maximum size 3kgs. (6.6Ibs.) is strictly imposed.

Coarse Fish (Bream, Tench, Rudd, Roach, Hybrids, Perch & Carp)

The River Shannon, Grand Canal and River Suck are already classified among the great course fishing waters in the world. Repeatedly, they have been proved by angling experts for their superb stocks of big, hard-fighting wild fish.

River Shannon & River Suck

The Shannon is a big spate river, varying in width form 100 metres upwards and with an offshore depth averaging 3 to 4 metres it is the perfect habitat for freshwater fish.

The major angling centres on the River Shannon, from Portumna to Athlone and on the River Suck, are Banagher and Shannonbridge. These stretches of River are easily accessible for bank fishing and are already well developed for anglers. Car parks, access styles, fishing stands and natural swims have been developed and are continually being improved to make fishing these big waters most enjoyable.

The popular fish species are Bream of good average size of 4 Ibs. And numerous big fish, many of specimen weight of over 7.5 lbs. Are recorded annually. Daily bags in excess of 100 Ibs. Are common. Rudd are also plentiful and of good size. Roach are beginning to reach this stretch of the Shannon and are likely to increase in number over the next few years. Perch and Hybrids are also common. The hot water stretch, downstream of the Power Station at Shannonbridge, is noted for big stocks of all coarse fish species, especially good average size Tench.

The Grand Canal

The Canal flows westwards from Edenderry to Shannon Harbour where it joins the River Shannon. It has an overall width of 12 metres and an average depth of 1.5 metres. Access is very good with tarred roads on one or both banks for most of it.

The Canal has good stocks of coarse fish, especially Bream, Perch and Pike.

Bream stocks are good throughout the Canal, with fish averaging 2 Ibs. And some up to 4 Ibs.

Perch stocks are good but the overall size is around ¼ Ib. with some up to ½ Ib. they can be found in most parts of the Canal.

Pike are very plentiful and they can be found throughout. Fish up to 20 Ibs. Have been caught, but 2 to 6 Ibs. are more common.

Rudd and Hybrids are scarce.

Roach stocks are reasonable and are confined to the Shannon Harbour region.

Tench stocks are spreading in both directions of Tullamore. Fish up to 5 Ibs. are caught regularly.

Carp have been stocked recently in the Rahan and Pullough areas.

Eels are thriving in the Canal and are to be found throughout.

West Offaly Bog Train

The Clonmacnois and West Offaly Railway provides the visitor with a unique opportunity to enjoy a guided 9 km circular tour in a luxury train coach which will give an insight into the internationally important raised bog - the Blackwater Bog in County Offaly.

Twelve thousand years ago the area of cutaway bog you will cross lay beneath a glacier. Three thousand years later there was a lake there and this developed slowly into a fen, and finally a bog. A few hundred years from now it will be all field woodland and wastland. The landscape never stands still. Your journey across this desert of modern cutaway is like a journey through time, and will be a memorable exploration of its long and fascinating history.

Embarking at the Bord na Mona Blackwater Works near Shannonbridge, visitors are guided through a section of the Bog of Allen, which stretches across 6,500 acres of Ireland's Central Plain. Every comfort is provided while touring on the Clonmacnois and West Offaly Railway's fifty-seater totally enclosed carriage, purpose built in 1990 to incorporate optimal viewing areas and an elaborate public address system, air conditioning and toilet facilities on board. Travelling at a leisurely pace along the bog's extensive three-foot narrow, gauge railway network, normally used for the transportation of peat, passengers are afforded the exciting opportunity to discover many aspects of the unexplored world of Ireland's peatlands en route.

The forty-five minute long train tour covers a circular route of approx. 9 kms. During this time, the story of the bog from its formation many thousands of years ago to its preservation in the 1990's, unfolds itself in an interesting and colourful manner. Examples of the peatland's unique flora and fauna are pointed out en-route, as well as the numerous historical landmarks which are passed along the way. Explanations are given on the various uses of turf, ranging from its traditional use as winter fuel in the home, hand-cut by local families, to the large scale commercial operation of Bord na Mona, the Irish Peat Board.

Introduced to the Railway in 1992 was a 35 minute video entitled "The Heritage of the Midland Bogs". This video shows continuously in the visitor centre and tea rooms. There is also a picnic area on site. Guided tours operate every hour on the hour, 10 am to 5 pm daily from March to October 31. Tours are available for groups all year round by prior arrangement. The starting point for the tour is at the Bord na Mona Blackwater Works, which is near Shannonbridge. Tel. (0905) 74114/74172.

Visitors Centres and Attractions

• An Dún
• Ashbrook Open Farm
• Birr Castle Demesne
• Birr Heritage Centre
• Cloghan Castle
• Clonmacnoise
• Lusmagh Pet Farm
• Leap Castle
• Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
• Lough Boora Parklands
• Offaly Exhibition and Research Centre

Tullamore is a major midlands shopping town with some 250 shops including three shopping centres. Described as the "Mecca of the Midlands" it has lively night clubs and dancing Thursday and Saturday.

Birr, Banagher and Edenderry also have fine shops and pubs catering for the discerning visitor in search of character.

There is a six screen cinema at Bridge Centre, Tullamore. Booking 0506 - 22800.

Pubs

Offaly has pubs of great character and style especially in the smaller towns and villages. The best known are at Banagher, Shannonbridge, Birr, Crinkle, Cloneygowan, Edenderry, Ballycumber and Tullamore. Music is available in some, and details can be got at the local Tourist Offices.

Grave Places

Offaly has its share of interesting tombs. Chief among these is the burial place of clonmacnoise where many Irish Kings are buried including the last high King of Ireland, Rory O'Connor (died 1198). Also buried here is Dervorgilla, wife of Tighernaun O'Rourke of Breffny who was carried off by Dermot Mc Murrough and thus became indirectly responsible for the Norman invasion. At Durrow, Kinnitty, Seir Kieran and Tihilly are high crosses and early grave slabs dating from the 8th to the 11th century. At Killeigh are buried prominent members of old Offaly families of O'Connor, Dunne and Dempsey.

In Kilcormac Catholic church yard is the remains of a medieval coffin sculpture.

At the ruined castle of Clonony near Shannon harbour is a slab commemorating Mary and Elizabeth Boleyn, cousins of Queen Elizabeth, the daughter of Anne Boleyn. The stone was discovered in 1803.

William Bulfin (died 1910) author of Rambles in Eirinn is buried at Eglish graveyard.

Arthur Bell Nicholls (1818-1906), husband of Charlotte Brante (died 1855) lived out his latter years at Banagher and is buried in St Paul's church yard (n.e. corner).

At Kilcruttin, Tullamore (in the town park opposite the county courthouse) are the unmarked remains of upwards of 2000 people who died in the Great Famine (1845-49). Also in this cemetery are tombstones to Rifleman Koch (died 1806) and Baron Oldershausen (died 1808) both of the King's German Legion, exiled Hanoverians and members of the British army.

Some members of the great intellectual family of Joly of Clonbullogue and of French origin are buried at Clonbullogue including Jasper Robert Joly (1819-1892) whose book collection laid the base for the Natural Library of Ireland collection.

Perhaps the most intriguing bomb in Offaly is the pyramid in Kinnitty Church of Ireland cemetery believed to have been built by Richard Wellesley Bernard, an engineer who was for a time in military service in Egypt. About the year 1830 work on the pyramid mausoleum commenced and took some four years to build. It is the last resting place of six members of the Bernard family, the owners of the nearby Kinnitty castle, now a luxury hotel.

Visitor Centres and Attractions

An Dún Transport & Heritage Museum

Doon, Ballinahown, Athlone.

Tel/Fax 190230106

This museum houses an excellent exhibition of vintage and classic cars and trucks, along with a marvellous display of restored farm machinery and rural utensils. Relax in the quaint, comfortable coffee shop. Facilities on site include a souvenior shop. Recently expands to include a fasinating European model railways and cable car display.

Ashbrook Open Farm

Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly,

Tel: 090574166.

Visit his working farm for a fund-filled and educational experience. View all the farm animals in their own home environment and find out where many of the supermarket products come from. Farmers John and Vera Carty extend a welcome to you to come and enjoy a guided tour of the farm.

Equestrian

Annaharvey Farm & Equestrian Centre

Tel: 0506 - 43544 Fax: (0506) 43766

Caters for all ages and every range of horse riding ability. Simply trail ride in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, sample the challenging cross country course, trek local country lanes or stay within the confines of our spacious indoor and outdoor arenas. A warm welcome awaits you in our lovingly restored grain barn with it pitch pine floors and beams, open fires and ensuite bedrooms. Bicycles are available on site.

Kinnitty Castle Equestrian Centre

Kinnitty, Co. Offaly.

Tel: 0509 - 37318. Fax: 0509 - 37284

The equestrian centre at Kinnitty Castle provides numerous equestrian activities including tuitions, trailing and trekking. Wander through the unspoilt woodland on horseback and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the beautiful Slieve Bloom Mountains

Kingsborough House, Birr

Run by Noel Cosgrove.

Tel: 0509 - 20533

Walking in Offaly

The Offaly Way - Sli Uibh Fhaili

The Offaly Way has been developed by Offaly County Council as a long distance walking route which links two other long distance walking routes namely the Slieve Bloom Way and the Grand Canal Way. Phase two of the Offaly Way will see it extended north of the Grand Canal along the Brosna River. A map guide deals with Phase One of the Walk from the Slieve Bloom mountains to the Grand Canal and is available from the Tourist Office. The Cadamstown village is the starting point of this route. The village is also linked to the Slieve Bloom Way which at its nearest point is only one mile away.

The walk from Ballyboy to Kilcormac is along the Silver River. In olden times a mass path along the bank of the river was used by the people of Ballyboy when going to mass in Kilcormac.

The Bogland - Na Portaigh

Leaving Kilcormac behind, the walk enters the extensive peatland area covered by Boora Bog. Milled peat production was commenced at Boora by Bord na Mona in the 1950's. The Boora district extends over a production area of 18,8000 acres, with 1,750 cutaway acres under forestry. Plans have been formulated by Bord na Mona for the establishment of a parkland area comprising 5,500 acres of cutaway bog in the area which will encourage agriculture and grassland, forestry and amenity and conservation uses.

Lough Boora is now a 35 acre (14 hectares) nature reserve colonised by fen-type vegetation. Prior to bog development this was a small peatland lake, which is now recognised as having been a remnant of a former great Shannon Lake. The Lough Boora site is now recognised as being of great importance in the study of environmental and human history in Ireland. In 1977, Dr Michael Ryan excavated the site at Lough Boora for the National Museum. Excavations revealed that Mesolithic man had established a temporary settlement here prior to the bogs formation around a series of hearths of fire sites were found some 500 artefacts made of chert (a hard silicerous stone like flint). Most were simple blades and arrow heads. A number of stone axe heads were also found. There was no evidence of any structures. What appears to have existed at Boora was an encampment for hunters. Radio-carbon dating put the occupation of the site into the period 6800-6000 BC. Before this the only evidence for human activity in Ireland at this time is to be found in the north-eastern counties.

Grand Canal Towpath

Route: Dublin to River Shannon (at Shannon Harbour). The Grand Canal is now being developed as a Long Walking Route from the River Liffey (Dublin) to the Shannon. The Offaly Section, involving over 64 kilometres of canal and traversing large tracts of bogland, enters the county near Edenderry and extends westwards through the towns and villages of Daingean, Tullamore, Rahan, Pollagh and Belmont to join the Shannon at Shannon Harbour. Several leaflets are available describing the Grand Canal Way from Edenderry to Shannon Harbour. For further information on Slieve Bloom Walks contact Joan Roche, Slieve Bloom Walking Club Centre, Cadamstown, Co. Offaly 0509 - 37247. A list of Guided Walks with details is published annually by the Slieve Bloom Rural Development Society Ltd., c/o Kinnitty Community Centre, Kinnitty. Tel: 0506 - 37299.

Turraun

Turraun is now a designated Nature Reserve, and the recolonisation which is naturally occurring here is the subject of ongoing academic analysis and research. Baseline ecological surveys of the cutaway bog were undertaken here in 1990. Turraun is the first extensive area of cutaway to be exhausted and today it boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Over 80 species of birds and over 1850 species of plants have been recorded in the Reserve. Since the establishment of a lake, a flock of 200 Whooper Swans has colonised the site. Also present is one of our most endangered species, the Grey Partridge. In addition many rare species such as Garganey, Goldeneye and Gadwall have been recorded in the reserve. The intention at Turraun is to create a wetland nature reserve as amodel to illustrate the potential for wildlife conservation on cutaway bogs.

The Offaly Way proceeds westward from Turraun towards Ferbane. The route is co-terminous with the Grand Canal Way until it reaches Derry Bridge. At this point the walk will extend northwards to join the Brosna River at Kilcolgan Bridge, and continues along the river passing Cool Castle en route to Ferbane. Until this extension of the Offaly Way is completed the town of Ferbane may be approached along the Grand Canal.

Pullough to Shannon Harbour

A very satisfactory walk (some three hours) is that from Pullough to Ferbane. Start at the church (the Breeches church) or the Pull Inn and walk to Ferbane.

A second option is that described by Michael Fewer in Irish Waterside Walks (Dublin, 1997) pp 118-121. A walk of some 2 ½ hours to Shannon Harbour and 3 hours to return to Ferbane via the Brosna.

Both this stretch of canal and that from Pullough to Ferbane are superb. The canal is calm and quiet like a lazy meandering river. Belmont (Lios Derg a Redfort) was an important milling centre in the 18th and 19th centuries. The canal loch here is a double loch. On to Shannon Harbour, the village which grew around the canal and where the old canal hotel empty since the 1830's still stands. It was to here that Guinness stout was brought for distribution in Connacht. It was here also that emigrants arrived to leave Ireland in the pre 1840's.

Birr Castle Demesne

Visitor attraction,

Birr, Co. Offaly.

Tel; 353 509 20336. Fax: 353 509 21583.

Exquisite gardens highly rated with five stars in the official listing of Gardens of Outstanding Historical Interest. Laid out around a lake and two rivers, the Demesne's outstanding features include the tallest box hedges in the world, formal gardens and terraces with summer flowers. The Great Telescope, largest in the world for over 70 years and now restored, operates regularly through out the day. Facilities include picnic areas and toilets. Lough Boora Parklands projects guided tours may be arranged. (contact Padraig Boland 0506 - 45122).

Birr Heritage Centre

John's Hall, John's Mall, Birr.

Displays take one through centuries of Birr's History

Cloghan Castle

Banagher, Co. Offaly

Tel: 050951950

Ancient castle in beautiful parkland setting, wildlife sanctuary and the largest flock of Jacob sheep in Ireland. This castle with eventful history is now a private home with almost all rooms open to view. A most entertaining guide tour is assured. Living history at it very best.

Clonmacnoise

The ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise is one of Europe's most highly regarded sites of its kind. It was founded in 545 AD by St Ciaran. The monastic ruins are the most extensive of their kind in Ireland consisting of a cathedral, eight churches, two round towers, and three high crosses. There are also the remains of a 13th century castle. The site is interpreted through a modern visitors centre managed by the Office of Public Works. Tel: 0905 74195

Lusmagh Pet Farm

Banagher, Co. Offaly.

Tel: 0509 51233.

The peaceful rural countryside around Banagher is the setting for Lusmagh Pet Farm. This every popular farm boasts a large variety of farm animals as well as a nature trail, farm machinery and breading ostriches and a coffee shop.

Leap Castle

Roscrea, Co. Tipperary

Tel: 0509 31115.

Leap Castle, Ireland's most haunted castle is now open for visitors, tea/coffee. Small groups catered for. Banquets begin 1999. Open all year round. Adults £3. Children £1, group rates.

Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre

Tullamore is famous for its whiskey, "Tullamore Dew" and for its Irish Mist liqueur. The Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre recounts the role of distilling in the town's development and the impact of the Grand Canal Transport System. After your visit, experience a courtesy taste of Tullamore Dew.