Offaly is one of the more underrated counties in Ireland.
Known for its extensive bog and peatlands and events like the Tullamore Show - people tend to overlook its rich history and incredible nature.
Stop by The Faithful County and use RSVP’s guide to make the most of your time there.
Read more: Spotlight on Kilkenny: Best places to eat, drink, explore and relax
Where to stay
Tullamore Court Hotel
Treat yourself to a weekend stay at the four-star hotel located in Tullamore. Located only 60 minutes from Dublin and Galway, you can make the most of their restaurant, lounge bar, and leisure centre with a 20-metre swimming pool, sauna steam room, Jacuzzi and full fitness suite.
Kinnitty Castle Hotel
Explore the picturesque village of Kinnitty, which has a rich and turbulent history. Surrounded by 650 acres of parkland and forests, visitors can enjoy a unique experience as the hotel is set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains and features individually decorated rooms and a fine dining restaurant.
County Arms Hotel Birr
Located in the heritage town of Birr, the four-star hotel has breakaways for families, girls nights and more. Guests can enjoy any of their classic Georgian suites with views over the 18th-century walled garden, an award-winning restaurant, gardens and bar.
Where to eat
Captain House Restaurant, Tullamore
Found in the centre of the country, you’ll feel like you’re in a seaside village with a sophisticated nautical theme. Their menu has a range of dishes, from steaks, fishes, pastas and several vegetarian options. For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll love their homemade tiramisu, creme brulee and homemade cheesecake.
Spinners on Castle Street, Birr
This family-run boutique restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a variety of dining options - from their enchanting courtyard, fine dining restaurant to casual bar. People shouldn’t miss their smoked chicken potato cake and cream of vegetable soup with buttermilk soda bread for starters or their fish with spinach tagliatelle and roast beef sirloin for your main course.
Pauline's Restaurant, Edenderry
Boasting to have the best steaks in Edenderry, people can take in Pauline’s incredible menu - from their homemade beef lasagne or their 16oz T-bone steak. Depending on the day you dine, there are a host of offers. Kids eat free on Monday from 5PM when you order an adult main course and diners enjoy a complimentary drink when they get a sirloin steak on Monday and Thursday.
The Mill Bar & Restaurant, Clara
Whether you’re interested in a delicious dinner or want to take in some of the local music acts, The Mill Bar is the perfect place for those visiting Clara. They have a wide selection of international food, from crispy shredded chilli chicken, cauli-quinoa vegetarian burgers or their beer battered fillet of cod and chips.
Where to go
Clonmacnoise
One of Offaly’s most historical locations, the ruined monastery is located on the banks of the River Shannon and was built in the 6th Century. It’s the perfect first stop for visitors interested in learning about Offaly’s rich history, with a cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine churches and over 700 early Christian grave slabs on the site.
Slieve Bloom Mountains
There are many different loops and walks people can take throughout the Slieve Bloom Mountains, but a popular choice is the Kinnitty Castle Loop. It takes 1.5 hours and is suited to all levels of fitness, it’s also a wheelchair friendly route.
Croghan Hill
Croghan Hill is the epicentre of various parts of Irish history - after rising from the Bog of Allen, this extinct volcano dominates the surrounding plains. Historically known as a sacred hill called Brí Éile, it features in Irish mythology. According to Irish folklore, it’s also the site St Patrick climbed with his horse, who jumped halfway down the hill and hit a stone which strung a well. Visitors like to collect water from the well as a memento.
Lough Boora Discovery Park
Made up of more than 2,000 hectares of cutaway boglands which have been rehabilitated to provide a natural area for walking, biking and bird watching. The Sculpture Park gives a platform for international artists to show their talents. There are lakes used by local angling clubs, but they also make for the perfect location for a picnic.
Leap Castle
For the more adventurous visitors, head over to Coolderry to visit “the world's most haunted castle”. Visited by paranormal investigators and featured on ABC Family's Scariest Places on Earth, Living TV's Most Haunted Syfy's Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures, it is said to be the home of a Red Lady ghost, the ghosts of two girls, and an elemental spirit associated with Mildred Darby.
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