Useful Resources

Slieve Bloom Way

The Slieve Bloom Rural Development Co-operative Society in association with Coillte, Shannon Ireland, Laois & Offaly Tourism and Failte Ireland will be organising walks around the Slieve Bloom Way for the coming months of May to November as well as their 13th Annual Walking Festival Weekend. As well as walking for leisure there will also be geology walks for those interested in geology and fundraising walks in aid of the Laois and Offaly Hospice.

For further information on particular walks contact Gerry Hanlon on 086 8210056 or go to www.slievebloom.ie

A Slieve Bloom Environmental Park Brochure can also be obtained from the Laois & Offaly County Councils.

Maps & Guidebooks

East West Mapping provides a catalogue of maps and guidebooks for the Slieve Bloom Way as well as for the rest of Ireland.

Ordance Survey Ireland also provides maps for the whole of Ireland which can be purchased or downloaded from their own website. They also offer OSi Trail Master which is a DVD, PC compatible, interactive mapping tool for the outdoor enthusiast. It enables users to plan and create walking, cycling and hiking routes using OSi mapping, aerial photography and height models.

Purchase a map for the Laois/Offaly area (Sheet 54).

Books

Bladhma - Walks of Discovery in Slieve Bloom by Tom Joyce is a quality hardback pocket guide exploring ten walks in the Slieve Bloom area.

The Waymarked Trails of Ireland by Michael Fewer is the standard guide to the best of the 1,500 km of way-marked trails in the Republic of Ireland. The trails mainly follow old disused roads, grassy boreens and mountain paths; there are few rugged sections or challenging climbs as the routes have been planned to suit walkers of all ages and abilities. Michael Fewer has divided each route into a series of comfortable day walks, with advice on where to get refreshments, evening meals and accommodation, and provides lists of bed-and-breakfast establishments that welcome walkers.

The Landscape of Slieve Bloom : A Study of Its Natural and Human Heritage by John Feehan is a definitive study of the mountains: geology, botany and other areas of natural history, archaeology and history. Well researched, written and presented by a leading environmental scientist who also has written a classic voluminous work on the Bogs of Ireland.