Offaly is steeped in history dating back to the earliest human settlers who lived on the banks of Lough Boora. The area also has a high concentration of ancient historic ruins including impressive monastic settlements and important castles. Our cottage is located in the Lough Boora Parkland Area and boasts a world class nature and wildlife reserve.

Less than 15 miles away is the bustling town of Tullamore which offers excellent selection of cafes, bars and restaurants, late night entertainment and high street shops. Further details on Tullamore

Below is a sample of suggested historic places to visit during your stay.

Slieve Blooms Mountains: Quiet forest walks and river valleys. Also signposted Slieve Bloom Way. 66km. Highest Point is Ard Erin with views of 13 counties (on a good day).

Clonmacnoise: Riverside setting for one of Ireland's most holy and deserted city. Cathedral and churches, round towers and high crosses. Visitors centre with video and museum of decorated grave slabs etc.

Offaly Way: Starting at Cadamstown at the foot of the Slieve Blooms and ending in the Ferbane. 18 miles signposted route.

Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre - History of Whiskey Distilling

Bogs: One third of County Offaly is bogland. Lakes trapped following the Ice Age nearly 20,000 years ago. Clara Bog and Mongans Bog.

Eskers: Originally silted riverbeds (sand & gravel) which were covered by 2 miles of ice. These later became the high points in the landscape and the only means of travelling throughout the midlands. A wonderland of environmental treasures in its fauna and flora.

Ballyboy: Dan & Molly's thatched Pub.

Lough Boora Parklands: Designed to rehabilitate an area of 5,000 acres of land from which peat has been extracted. Turraun Nature Reserve (150ha.). Boora lake and wetlands (40ha.). Mesolithic site - oldest archaeological settlement in the midlands (8,000 years ago). http://www.loughbooraparklands.com

Boher (near Ballycumber) : St. Manchan's Shrine. 12th cent gabled box of yew wood and bronze which contained the saints relicts. Fine example of the golden age of Irish craftsmanship.

Ballionahown - Gift Shop with Bog Oak pieces

Belmont - Famine Village reconstructed

Lemanaghan: Monastic site. St. Manchin's Church. Grave slabs. Bog roads (Togher).

Pullaugh - Church with Harry Clarke windows and jetty for Canal Barges and Boats

Turraun - Wildlife Nature Reserve

Tihily: 6th century Monastic site. Decorated High Cross. Medieval church ruins.

Durrow: Monastic Site. 10th century St Columcille. Decorated High Cross. Book of Durrow in Trinity College, Dublin.

Rahan: Monastic site. St. Carthage. 12th century Church with Romanesque window. 16th century Church. Only round window in Ireland, forerunner of the elaborate roses of the Gothic style, high in the eastern gable. Notice small human heads. Telephoto lens needed. Also examine carvings on window in north wall. One is a cockatrice - mythical offspring from the egg of a cock.

Lynally: Monastic Site of St. Colman. Early Christian church. Norman Motte & Bailey.

Kilbeggan - Lockes Distillery and Visitors Centre. Also Horse Racing on selected dates throughout the year.

Ballycowan Castle: 17th century Jacobean Fortified Tower House on the Grand Canal.

Clara Bog & Eskers: This area can now be explored using a network of walkways. Mass rock, ancient ringfort, & pre famine settlement.

Croghan Hill: Stump of an extinct volcano. Excellent views. Mentioned in Spenser's Fairy Queene.

Daingean: Situated on the Grand Canal. Castle Barna Golf Club.

Rahugh (Tyrrellspass) : Monastic site. 6th century Holy Well. St. Hugh's Stone(cures headaches).

Killeigh: Two medieval abbeys and seven holy wells.

Shannon Harbour: Boat hire

Kinnitty Castle: Refurbished castle with high cross.

Birr Castle: Gardens & Giant Telescope

Further details on http://www.monasticway.com