Places near here
Photo credits
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- A.-K. D., Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Willow, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
Explorer Tom Roughan Hill in County Offaly is loved by the rabbits, who think it’s the best spot for napping and judging your life choices. They look at you with those big eyes like you’re the weird one for walking instead of hopping, which is fair enough I suppose. Tell your mates you found it first.
ToberaskeenSpring · 608 ydExplorer Tom Toberaskeen would teach history by saying 'we were here before you started making mistakes', which is a bit condescending but not entirely wrong. It really thinks its ancient origins make it smarter than the modern world, which is a dangerous assumption for any geological formation. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.
Gorteen CastleCastle, unclassified · 752 ydExplorer Tom Gorteen Castle held a dance that went so far they never stopped. The ground is just a stony rise now, but you can still feel the rhythm. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.
Tober HouseHouse · 1420 ydExplorer Tom Tober House says a poet fell in the ditch nearby and wrote a whole sonnet about his wet socks. The round-headed door is just smiling smugly about it. Find the date carved in stone and admire.
Ashmount HouseDovecote/pigeon house/aviary · 1586 ydExplorer Tom Ashmount House in Ballyboughlin is actually a dovecote that used to be associated with the main house, basically a pigeon hotel with pitched sprocketed eaves. The openings for the pigeons are charming, but mostly it looks like a tiny tower that got left behind when the rest of the estate moved on. It’s becoming rare in
Moyally Castle (in Ruins)Bawn · 2.0 miExplorer Tom Moyally Castle Bawn is basically a big wall with a fancy oval bit that used to be a bathroom. The wind keeps picking on it because it’s too skinny. I bet it’s the only structure in Offaly that gets jealous of trees. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.
Inchaloon IslandIslet · 2.4 miExplorer Tom Inchaloon Island in County Offaly caused the whole parish to argue about whether it counts as an island or just a very ambitious rock. It’s a tiny piece of geography that thinks it’s much bigger than it actually is. Sit on a wall near it and pretend you're in a painting.
Chapel HillForest · 2.4 miExplorer Tom Chapel Hill in County Offaly is where the rabbits go when they want to be left alone. They think it’s a very serious place for deep philosophical rabbit thoughts. The trees are probably tired of being used as a backdrop for daydreams constantly. Perfect place to be dramatically windswept and look like you mean business today.
Kilmalady HillMountain / peak · 2.8 miExplorer Tom Kilmalady Hill in County Offaly is being claimed by a local who swears he invented it personally, probably around lunchtime on a Tuesday. He insists his great-grandfather dug it out with a spoon, which is either brilliant or completely bonkers, but I love the audacity of it all. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.
AbbeyHermitage · 5.9 miExplorer Tom Abbey in Lemanaghan would cope beautifully on a reality show because it already has better drama than most contestants, with its hermitage vibes and ancient stone walls. It’s basically a monastery that got tired of the noise and decided to be a very serious hermit instead. Bring your nan, she'll know more than me.
European ash5.9 miExplorer Tom Another European ash in County Offaly has rabbits who think it’s their personal umbrella and shelter. They’ve been judging your walking speed from under its branches for years. Have a wander and a wonder about how much bark they’ve actually chewed.
St. Managhans WellHoly well · 6.0 miExplorer Tom St. Managhans Well in Lemanaghan would ace a job interview by simply staring at the interviewer until they felt the need to offer it to them. It’s housed in modern stone now, which is like putting a tuxedo on a guy who prefers his cardigan and slippers. Tell the kids it's a castle. Close enough.
More archaeology and monuments in County Offaly · All of County Offaly
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