Birr Castle

Home to the world’s tallest box hedges, beautiful pathways of hornbeam cloister and breath taking gardens Birr castle demesne is not to be missed. Best known for the unparalleled beauty of the gardens, the grounds are home to an impressive plant collection with rare species from around the world, including over 40 champion trees of the British Isles.

The castle grounds are also home to Ireland’s Historic Science Centre, a museum of Ireland’s historic scientists and their contributions to astronomy and botany and contain the oldest wrought-iron bridge in Ireland dating from 1820. The interactive museum reveals the wonders of early photography, engineering, and astronomy, with a special emphasis on the Third Earl’s Great Telescope, a leviathan creation that remained the largest in the world for over 70 years.  It was constructed in the 1840’s and the telescope looks and moves just as it did over 150 years ago. Demonstrations are held daily. Click here for further information.

The Great Telescope

“It is to the everlasting credit of Lord Rosse that he discovered the spiral structure of the nebulae and thereby opened an avenue of exploration which today has lead us into the inconceivable depths of space and time.”-Sir Bernard Lovell. Constructed in the 1840’s Third Earl’s Great Telescope, a leviathan creation remained the largest in the world for over 70 years.  Many great astronomers from over the world where attracted to Co.Offaly to view the spiral shape of the galaxies. A marvel of its time. The first objects to be observed with the 72 inch telescope were the star Castor, which is one of the main stars in the constellation Gemini. Daily demonstrations are held, and the telescope functions as it did over 150 years ago. Click here for further information.

Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise, enchantingly situated on the banks of the River Shannon and with a unique assemblage of Celtic crosses and ancient sculptures, a round tower and the ruins of medieval churches intrigues its visitors instantaneously. Its origins date back to the mid 5th century. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. Buried here is the last High King of Ireland – Rory O’Çonnor.  It enjoyed a thousand years of fame as a place of pilgrimage and interest was revived when Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there in 1979. Click here for further information.

Belvedere House

Belvedere House Gardens and Park is a magnificent parkland estate comprising of 160 acres on the shores of Lough Ennel in the Irish Midlands. A fascinating Georgian estate open year round with a varied calendar of events including Narnia at Christmas  and family events at Easter and Halloween. There is an animal Sanctuary and Children’s Play Area, and also a delightful tram which provides guided tours around a section of the parkland on selected days throughout the year. The Victorian Walled Garden at Belvedere consists of a one and a half acre sloped garden with Thomas Messenger style glasshouse. The Garden is a feast for the senses with tumbling herbaceous borders, old rose garden, fragrant herb garden and vegetable potager. At the end of the Victorian Garden is a new area The Enchanted Glen a secret Faery Garden hidden away from prying eyes. Several follies adorn the landscape including Ireland’s largest folly, The Jealous Wall.  Click here for further information.

Charleville Castle

Charleville is Ireland’s finest gothic revival castle. It is located in Ireland’s most ancient primordial oak woods once the haunting grounds of Irelands druids. It is considered to be Francis Johnston’s masterpiece, who also designed the G.P.O in Dublin. The castle was built between 1798 and 1810 and is one of county Offaly’s hidden treasures.
It plays hosts to various festivals and events throughout the year and the castle has been featured in some films over the last decade. Click here for further information.