Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

OFFALY

Birr Castle & Gardens – situated in the attractive town of Birr, the castle withstood many sieges during the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1845, the third Earl of Rosse built what was at the time the largest telescope in the world, while the fourth Earl was the first person to determine the temperature of the moon. The 19th century landscaped castle gardens, containing thousands of species of tress and shrubs are worth a visit in their own right.

Charleville Forest Castle – located just southwest of Tullamore, the castle was built in 1779 and features prominent turrets and spires, clinging ivy and a medieval grotto. It is regarded to be the finest Gothic Revival building in Ireland. There are fifty-five rooms in all, as well as a magnificent gallery running the whole width of the building.

Cloghan Castle – situated close to Banagher, this 12th century castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Ireland. A 45-minute tour permits visitors to examine heavy Cromwellian armaments and experience life as it was under Cromwell.

Clonmacnoise – the burial place of kings and one of the finest monastic sites in Ireland with a cathedral, church and round tower on site. See the fascinating ruins, the famous thousand-year-old cross and the most important collection of graveyard tombstones in the country.

Durrow Abbey – situated close to Tullamore, this was the source of the celebrated Book of Durrow, now in Trinity College Dublin. The only surviving elements of the abbey, which was plundered in the Dark Ages, are a 9th century High Cross, St. Colmcille’s Well and a few tombstones. A Georgian mansion and ruined 19th century church occupy the site today.

Historic Science Centre – situated in the stable block of Birr Castle, the centre records the scientific achievements of the Parsons family (Earls of Rosse) and of other Irish scientists in the fields of astronomy, photography, engineering, botany and horticulture.

Leap Castle – this former O’ Carroll family residence, situated southeast of Birr, used to guard the valley separating Munster and Leinster. Burnt down in 1922, the castle ruins are today renowned for the smelliness of one of the ghosts that are said to haunt it. It’s thought locally that Leap Castle is the most haunted castle in Europe.

Tullamore Heritage Centre – located in the thriving market town of Tullamore, the centre provides information on the local history including details on how the town was plundered by the Vikings and other interesting antiquities on offer. Information is also available on the world-renowned spirits – Tullamore Dew and Irish Mist.