Offaly is peppered with small towns and villages where you can tune into the sense of local identity. Small towns take civic pride in their appearance and have retained a flavour of their old personality through traditional shop fronts. These reflect a link with the past which is so evident across the County of Offaly.
The spacious Georgian town of Edenderry marks the eastern boundary of the County. An important trading centre on the Grand Canal that linked Dublin to the Shannon, today is a bustling market town. With Birr, in West Offaly, we a town plotted with handsome Georgian architecture and boasting such tourism attractions as Birr Castle. Landmark buildings - many with brightly coloured doors and exquisite fanlights - line the streets giving off an air of a stately European town. Heavy with history, Birr is one of Ireland's premier heritage towns....come visit.
Tullamore is widely described as Ireland's friendliest town. The Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre at Bury Quay is an elegently restored 19th Century bonded warehouse once used for storing and maturing the whiskey. Guided tours include a complimentary tipple of Tullamore Dew Whiskey and can be organised by clicking here. Tullamore also boasts the Grand Canal which is popular with anglers and walkers. Along your route you'll meet ducks, swans, canoeists, walkers, and cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.
An array of festivals happen across the calander from the Tullamore Show to the Phoenix Festival. Why not contact our Tourism Officer today and explore whats on this summer!
dminton@offalycoco.ie or 057 93 57456