The Top 10 attractions of County Offaly

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Bluebells bloom in May, Co. Offaly

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Nestled in the center of Ireland amid the bogs, far from scenic seacoasts and mountains, Co. Offaly is rarely featured on the usual tourist itineraries. It is an off-the-beaten path destination, although that may change now that a connection with President Barack Obama has been established - his great-great-great-grandfather, Fulmuth Kearney, came to the US from Moneygall, Co. Offaly (a small village off the main N7 Limerick/Dublin Road with one church, a post office, five shops, and two pubs). 

If and when President Obama visits his ancestral homeland, the village may evolve into a tourist curiosity, in the tradition of Ballyporeen, a small Tipperary hamlet that President Ronald Reagan put on the tourist map once he visited in 1984, or Dunganstown, New Ross, the family homestead of President John F. Kennedy.

Up until now, Offaly’s main claim to tourist fame has been the 6th century monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise, according to Christina Byrne, owner of a local B&B in Co. Offaly. Half-way between Dublin and Galway, Clonmacnoise draws enough visitors to heave Offaly into the list of top 10 most popular Irish counties, after such obvious choices as Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Galway, Clare, Wicklow, Antrim, and more.

Christina, who is a regional director of the new B&B Ireland association and was in NY recently on a promotional tour, sees a constant flow of visitors at her B&B although only 20% come from the US at the moment.  She hopes this will change after the proposed Obama visit.

Because lodgings in Co. Offaly do not see as many tourists as some other parts of Ireland, they have to try harder to attract and hold guests. Christina’s own B&B – Ardmore House (www.kinnitty.com), is a restored Victorian stone residence filled with antiques near Kinnitty Castle. When guests arrive, Christina serves tea/coffee and homemade scones in front of the fireplace.  She makes her own jams, marmalade and Irish soda bread. She also seeks out local organic produce for breakfast including Mossfield farm cheese (www.Mossfield.ie), and Gleneske yogurt. A fine fiddle-player, Christina provides her guests with a sampling of traditional Irish music at local pubs or at the castle. Christina also offers walking and heritage packages to guests.

Once in Co. Offaly, visitors will find a surprising array of local attractions. Here are the “Top 10”

1.    Clonmacnoise (www.heritageireland.ie), Shannonbridge – A 6th century monastic settlement that has become the main attraction of County Offaly, located beside the Shannon River at an historic crossroads of Ireland. Founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, it was a great center of learning for nearly 1,000 years, and was a virtual city until reduced to ruin in 1552. Declared a national monument in 1955, it contains more than 200 points of interest including 10th century high crosses, a 62-foot round tower, and the grave of Rory O’Conor, last high king of Ireland. The grounds also offer a visitor center with exhibits and guided tours are provided.

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