What better way to see Offaly from a different perspective than to savour all the wonderful delights and surprises that the Grand Canal way has to offer.  Covering a distance of 132 kilometres and running all the way from Ringsend in the Dublin docklands to Shannon Harbour, the Grand Canal meanders through the Offaly countryside from Edenderry in the east to Shannon Harbour in the west of the county. The Offaly section of the Grand Canal route is punctuated by historic sites, canal locks, lock houses and industrial architecture from bygone days. The route embraces landscape that has been untouched by modern agriculture and remains a linear oasis for the flora and fauna that was originally common throughout our countryside. Dotted along the 71 kilometres route are the towns and villages of Daingean, Ballycommon, Tullamore, Rahan, Pollagh and Belmont offering accommodation to walkers and cyclists and boating enthusiasts. Offaly County Council are currently in partnership with Waterways Ireland and Bord na Mona working towards completing a full off-road Grand Canal Greenway west from Tullamore to Lough Boora Discovery Park and eastwards to Daingean. To view or download map click here; Map Source: visitoffaly.ie

With the Slieve Bloom mountains as a backdrop Clara Bog Nature Reserve is one of the most important raised bogs in Europe and is the finest remaining example of a raised bog in Ireland today. Clara Bog Nature Reserve is home to many protected wildlife species and it has been said that visitors here can experience ten thousand years of history in the ten square kilometres that accommodate Clara Bog and its surroundings. Covering 840 hectares it is home to hundreds of plant and animal species with many totally unique to this site. Clara bog’s one kilometre looped boardwalk affords visitors the perfect opportunity to view some of the many protected wildlife species and birds that have made the place their home. Less than two kilometres from the Nature Reserve, the Visitor Centre offers visitors the opportunity to get a deeper appreciation of the unique insight into the bog with colourful wildlife displays, documentaries and touch screen info-graphics. Please be aware that the Visitor Centre is open saesonally and it is advised to contact in advance. Address: Clara Bog Visitor Centre,Ballycumber Road, Clara Email: claraguides@housing.gov.ie Phone: +353 579368878 Website: http://www.clarabognaturereserve.ie Source: visitoffaly.ie

The Ultimate Distillery Experience Experience a day like no other as you’re taking ‘behind the scenes’ of the Tullamore D.E.W. state-of-the-art Distillery. Explore the home of Tullamore D.E.W. from distillation to maturation while meeting some of the characters who work on-site every day. Sip an Irish coffee, feel the warm embrace of heat from the bubbling stills and inhale the rich whiskey aromas from the 50,000 oak casks that lie sleeping in our maturation warehouse. Visit Ireland’s only custom built warehouse snug and discover the art of blending before savouring three of award winning whiskeys. Your tour includes: 105 minute “behind the scenes” guided tour of our state-of-the art working Distillery. Welcome Irish Coffee. Still House visit. Experiment in our blending lab. “Dip the Dog” and taste whiskey straight from the cask in our Secret Warehouse Snug. Premium whiskey tasting of 3 expressions of Tullamore D.E.W. Create your own unique blend of Tullamore D.E.W to bottle and take away (additional cost) Address: Tullamore Dew Distilery,Clonminch, Tullamore, R35 E027 Email: info@tullamoredew.com Phone: +353 579319760 Website: https://www.tullamoredew.com/en-gb/visit-tullamore-dew/ Source: visitoffaly.ie

Clonmacnoise is on the left bank of the River Shannon in County Offaly. Saint Ciarán founded an abbey at Clonmacnoise nearly 1,500 years ago and a number of churches, two round towers, high crosses, and grave slabs remain standing. Try and hug the High cross to see if you have ‘healing powers’ or put your ear to the ‘Listening Wall’ to hear the whispers. It really is best described as the place where ‘time stands still’ and there is a great sense of peace in the area. The surrounding area of Clonmacnoise is a microcosm of landscapes within the Midlands. These include the Shannon callows, eskers, boglands both preserved and cutaway. https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/clonmacnoise/ Source: midlandsireland.ie

Just over an hour from Dublin and Limerick and two hours from Cork and Galway the Slieve Bloom are easily accessible from all corners of Ireland. On a clear day, one can see the high points of the four ancient provinces of Ireland. Located in Laois and Offaly they are centre of natural activity. Hike, horse ride off the beaten track, or try out the brand new Mountain bike trails with all different levels depending on your ability. For more accomplished riders who want high-speed action, there are currently 35km of new mountain bike trails (MTB), with trailheads at Kinnitty and Baunreagh. These trails, which are waymarked in one direction and designed especially for mountain bike use, vary in difficulty. https://slievebloom.ie/biking/mountain-biking For Walkers who want to get off the beaten track and connect with nature, you will find a great choice of walking trails ranging in distance from 4km to 70km. Choose from 17 Slieve Bloom Looped Walks of varying length from trailheads at Kinnitty Cadamstown Clonaslee Glenbarrow and Monicknew. The Circular Slieve Bloom Way can be accessed from any of the trailheads at Kinnitty, Cadamstown, Clonaslee, Glenbarrow, Monicknew.  Organised walks take place on most weeks throughout the year — details of upcoming walks can be found here: https://slievebloom.ie/walking Source: midlandsireland.ie

The Award-Winning Gardens of Birr Castle Demesne in Ireland are both rich in amazing feats of science and engineering, as well as rare trees and flowers, wonderful wildlife, walks along peaceful rivers and the lake. Celebrating 400 years in 2021, this remarkable family have resided at the romantic and inspirational setting of Birr Castle Demesne, that is now home to the 7th Earl of Rosse. The Parsons family invite you to explore one of the most extraordinary places in Ireland. Created over generations it is an environmental and a scientific time capsule. Highlights of the demesne include: World famous Great Telescope Seven gallery Science Centre Parsons Steam Turbine 120 acres of Parklands and Gardens 10km of paths Five thousand species of Plants I-LOFAR Trails to choose from: X-trails Solar Trail The Gallery Challenge The Red Tree Trail Flora Trail – March to June Bird Spotting For more information, visit the Birr Castle Demesne website www.birrcastle.com Source: midlandsireland.ie

Lough Boora is a cutaway peat bog in County Offaly. Peat was harvested for fuel between the 1950s and 1970s, and the land is now being reclaimed for agricultural, eco-tourism and maintained as a nature reserve by the Irish Wildlife Trust. Lough Boora is now a sanctuary for wildlife and an amenity for the community – a place of quiet, relaxation and refuge. There is a Sculpture Park which pays homage to our human interaction with the boglands. The cycle and walkways allow visitors to absorb the unique atmosphere of this special landscape. There is a place to hire a bike with various short to longer routes. Over 130 species of resident and migrant birds have been recorded in the discovery park, and the mammals present include deer, a herd of wild goats, badgers, haresand bats. Bord na Móna have partnered with The Irish Fairy Door Company for a fairy trail in Lough Boora Discovery Park. Fairy Avenue is the home to 14 fairies, each of them bringing something special to the park. There is also a place to eat at the Organic Kitchen. Source: midlandsireland.ie