Discover the magic of Offaly in autumn
Autumn is a wonderful time to embrace the great outdoors in Ireland and County Offaly promises a wealth of experiences for every traveller.
Autumn skies at Birr Castle
Ireland’s autumn, when bright, crisp days fill the landscape with golden hues, invites outdoor exploration. County Offaly in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is the perfect autumn destination serving up top-class activities ranging from hiking adventures and heritage discoveries to unique food experiences.
One of Ireland’s lesser-known counties, Offaly is right in the centre of the island making it easily accessible from any of the major cities and presenting a great add-on to a city break or the perfect destination for an autumnal getaway.
Hikers and casual walkers alike will love the Slieve Bloom Mountains, unspoilt, uncongested and with a great choice of well-maintained trails. The Slieve Bloom Way is a 70km looped trail passing through forests, across streams and over ridges which affords panoramic views across the gorgeous countryside. Shorter walks, such as the loops starting from Cadamstown or Kinnitty, are perfect for those seeking a leisurely stroll through some of Ireland’s most enchanting landscapes. The mountains are also a great place for mountain biking.
Birr Castle
Mountain beauty is not all that Offaly has to offer. A stay in the county must include a visit to Birr Castle Demesne. Voted among the top 10 attractions in Ireland in 2022 and 2023 and awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2024, the demesne stretches over 120 acres of parklands and gardens surrounding the historic castle.
Originally a Norman structure dated to 1170, the castle has been significantly altered and extended since that time and has been the home of the Parson family for 400 years. The family – the Earl and Countess of Rosse – still live there so the castle is not open to the public, but the extensive grounds are a treat to explore. The demesne boasts a rare collection of over 5000 species of trees and plants, an array of wildlife and peaceful walking trails, and has some remarkable historical artefacts.
At the Historic Science Centre in the castle stables, you will discover astronomical instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equipment used by the family in the 1800s. And in the middle of the park is Leviathan, a telescope built in 1845 which was at that time the largest in the world.
Slieve Bloom Villages
Foodies should seek out the unique experience offered by Wild Food Mary, an expert forager, chef, organic food enthusiast and author. Mary’s foraging workshops consistently get five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. She leads the group on a forage, first within the grounds of her home near the town of Birr, and then extending into surrounding woodlands, revealing the wealth of food that is all around and explaining the uses to be made of the foraged fare and the benefits of sustainable eating. The workshop includes a meal incorporating the foods collected.
Autumn is the optimum time to discover and learn about fungi and there are lots of mushroom foraging dates available.