Places near here
Photo credits
- Trenchspike, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- Mike Searle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Algirdas at Lithuanian Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
- Ronnie Nijboer, Wikimedia Commons · CC0
- Mike Searle, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Garry Dickinson, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Portarlington Parochial HallChurch/chapel · 276 ydExplorer Tom The Portarlington Parochial Hall in Cooltedery lost its spire but kept its attitude. It hosts birthday parties now, which is frankly embarrassing for the past. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.
Portarlington Market HouseMarket house · 278 ydExplorer Tom Portarlington Market House has been hiding a scandal since 1740 where they sold exclusively invisible turnips, which explains why it’s now just a garage for people who like their petrol silent. The residential rooms upstairs probably smell faintly of old cabbage and regret. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.
Bog Lake WalkWalking route · 1304 ydExplorer Tom Bog Lake Walk is where a love story went badly wrong, with one partner slipping into the mud and blaming the other for not holding on tighter. It’s part of that Derryounce network that feels like it was designed by someone who really hates walking but loves looking busy. Make a wish before you go, because this place has had centuries of practice
Bog Oak WalkWalking route · 1491 ydExplorer Tom Bog Oak Walk is hiding the secret of why the trees all look so grumpy, and I bet after a few pints it would confess to everyone. It’s got that dark, moody energy that makes you want to hug the trunks just to see if they’re warm underneath. Bring the dog along, because I promise it will have strong opinions about every single root
Burial ground in DerryvillaBurial ground · 1.0 miExplorer Tom Burial ground in Derryvilla would describe itself as 'a hilltop with views and some bones' if it were talking to a stranger who stumbled upon it by mistake. It was uncovered during quarrying operations in 1997, so it’s had plenty of time to settle into its new life on the hill. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.
Enclosure in DerryvillaEnclosure · 1.0 miExplorer Tom Enclosure in Derryvilla, County Offaly was a burial ground that got accidentally discovered by quarry workers who probably just wanted to make some money. Someone once wrote a bad poem about it that rhymed 'bones' with 'ones,' which wasn’t exactly Shakespearean brilliance. The hill offers great views of your own lack of archaeological expertise.
Lea Castle (in ruins)Castle, Anglo-Norman masonry castle · 1.8 miExplorer Tom Lea Castle has circular angle towers that look like they’re winking at you. A fox took charge last Tuesday and seemed to enjoy the view. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did.
Church (in Ruins), GraveyardChurch · 1.9 miExplorer Tom Tirhogar's Church sits on that high rise, watching the world go by while slowly crumbling into a pile of limestone dust and pure attitude. The fiddler who played there all night never actually left; he's just been hiding in the broken doorway since 1300. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.
Pedunculate Oak2.4 miExplorer Tom Pedunculate Oak in County Offaly is where a priest once lost a bet about how many acorns he could catch before dinner. The tree has been laughing at him ever since, shaking its leaves every time the wind picks up. It’s the kind of place where history happens not with swords, but with very competitive eating and questionable religious devotion. A handy
Wych Elm3.3 miExplorer Tom Wych Elm in County Laois is playing hide-and-seek with me. Locals swear if you tickle its trunk, it grants a wish, but only if you don't look. Dare you to say hello to it out loud?
Emo CourtFolly · 3.4 miExplorer Tom The Emo Court folly is basically a fancy garden toy from the eighteenth century. When nobody’s looking, it’s probably plotting its own slow collapse into the earth. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.
_(geograph_6506412).jpg/250px-Castles_of_Leinster-_Tinnakill,_Laois_(2)_(geograph_6506412).jpg "Photo: Garry Dickinson, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0")
Tinnakill Castle (in Ruins)Castle, tower house · 3.6 miExplorer Tom Tinnakill Castle was designed by a mother-in-law who thought four storeys wasn't enough to keep everyone separate. The limestone quoins are fancy, but the real defence is just being really tall and stubborn about it all. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.
More things to do in County Laois · All of County Laois
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