Top Things to do in County Offaly
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8 Historic Sites in County Offaly That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in County Offaly, Ireland including St. Manchan's Monastery and Well, Clonmacnoise, Kinnitty Pyramid, Clonmacnoise, Crinkill Barracks, Saighir, Cumberland Column, Ballindoolin House and Gardens.
Restaurants in County Offaly
1. St. Manchan's Monastery and Well
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
St Manchan of Lemanaghan was an early Irish saint who died of yellow fever in 664AD. He established a monastery here in 644AD, in which was kept the reliquary of St. Manchan which was made in 1130AD at Clonmacnoise. (now removed Boher parish church). Today you can see a church built on the site which was built later- possibly in the 14th cent. There are early houses a well and sacred tree here.
2. Clonmacnoise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,021 reviews
Reviewed By kirish_12
We had a very atypical Irish vacation in that we had only a few hours of rain in two and a half weeks. We drove to Clonmacnoise hoping to beat the onset of the one rainy afternoon, and did--just. However, the atmosphere created by the gray-green filter that is Ireland was all the more appropriate for the spot. There is such a weight of history and momentous action that lingers there that people seem to fall silent as they move around the grounds, half hearing echoes from the past. Of all Irish places that I have visited over the years, I have only found this rivaled at the Rock of Cashel. You look out over the Shannon River (you could step in it if you exceeded the edge of the grounds) and have such a sense of the vulnerability of the place to raiders and vandals at the same time that your heart aches over the beauty of the scenery. When the rain finally came, we moved inside the visitors' center and saw the introductory movie, which was very helpful and was shown in several languages. Because of wear from weathering, three of the high crosses have been moved inside, each in a room of its own, each from a successive century, each with detailed and fascinating information about the progression of carving styles over time. No one rushes you, and we were not part of a huge crowd. Clonmacnoise is not so much a tourist attraction as it is a mood. Make every effort to go there.
3. Kinnitty Pyramid
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Fotogo
Unusual burial place of the Bernard Family who once owned Kinnitty Castle. Well sign-posted in village.
4. Clonmacnoise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
The motte and bailey (earthworks) were built by the English between 1170-1220 to protect the river crossing of the Shannon. The original wooden castle was burned and replaced by the present stone castle by Henry of London in c.1214. All that remains are the ruined walls and the earthworks.
5. Crinkill Barracks
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
6. Saighir
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
7. Cumberland Column
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
8. Ballindoolin House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
