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See also County Offaly (North)
The 48-mile long Slieve Bloom mountain range runs across the south-eastern part of the county. One third of the county is peatland, often referred to as brown gold. Bog rosemary, the county flower, is found in the raised bogs. Walkers can enjoy the Offaly Way, a long distance walking route linking the Slieve Bloom Way and the Grand Canal Way, two other county developed trails. The county is bordered by the Shannon river on the west. Other rivers flowing through the county are the Boyne, Silver, Brosna, and Clodiagh.
  Birr, at the junction of the Camcor and Little Brosna rivers, is the main town of the county. The 18th and 19th century Georgian town is complete with tree lined malls and squares. The Birr Castle Demesne offers attractions of a varied nature. A gallery gives the history of the castle. The Historic Science Centre encompasses astronomy, photography, engineering, and horticulture information. In the grounds is a Birds of Prey centre. The castle has Ireland’s largest gardens: 100 acres with over 1000 species of trees and shrubs, formal gardens, and terraces. Walks take in lilacs, a lagoon, a lake, and the river. The castle building, not open to the public, was the honeymoon spot of Charlotte Bronte as was the village of Banagher, on the south bank of the Shannon river.
 Clonmacnois, beside the river Shannon, is a busy and celebrated ecclesiastical site. An interpretive centre presents an AV program on the site. There are round towers, high crosses—one dating from the 9th century—and the ruins of eight churches and a castle of 1220. There are also 600 early grave slabs, some in the visitor centre. The monastery, founded in 548, and now in ruins was the burial site of the kings of Connaught and Tara. The cathedral dates from the 10th century with later changes.
The Clonmacnois and West Offaly Railway Bog Tour is a natural environmental journey on a narrow gauge railway through Blackwater Bog. There are demonstrations on turf cutting and a floating nature trail.
North of Birr, Clonfert cathedral (now ruined) was built in the 12th century on a former monastery site. Of special importance is the west doorway. In the grounds are the ruins of a bishop’s palace.
At Doon, Ballinahown, is the An Dun transport and heritage museum. Ferbane is the centre of the county’s peat industry. Nearby is Gallen monastic site with graveslabs dating from the 8th to 11th centuries and 13th century church ruins.
Offaly South Attractions
An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum
Doon, Ballinahown
Tel. 0902 30106
Birr Castle Demesne and Historic Science Centre
Birr
Tel. 0509 20336 or 0509 20440
Cloghan Castle
Banagher
Tel. 0509 51650—booking necessary
Clonmacnois Ecclesiastical Site
Shannonbridge
Tel. 090 967 4195
Clonmacnois and West Offaly Railway Bog Tour
Halfway between Shannonbridge and Cloghan
Tel. 090 967 4114 or 090 867 4450
Tourist Information Centres
Birr Tourist Information Office
Castle Street, Birr
Tel. 0509 20110
Open: May to Sep
Clonmacnoise Tourist Office
Clonmacnoise
Tel. 0905 74134
Open Easter to Oct
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