A County In Ireland Is Famed For Bogs, Whiskey, And One Of The Largest Telescopes Ever Built

What's not to love about Ireland? It has fun and friendly people, historical gems to explore, and truly incredible scenery. In fact, the famed Cliffs of Moher are among the most mesmerizing places on Earth. No wonder it's such a popular place to visit. As of October 2024, Ireland saw 5.79 million overseas visitors since January, according to Tourism Ireland. Many tourists flock to Dublin to visit the Guinness Storehouse or take in the stunning seaside landscape of Galway. They may even venture to Cork to kiss the Blarney Stone. But don't overlook the county smack in the middle of Ireland: County Offaly.

Offaly has many claims to fame, but when it comes to planning travel itineraries, it often gets lost in the discussion. But between having the best remaining intact raised bog, the number two whiskey brand in the world, and one of the largest telescopes ever constructed, County Offaly definitely deserves a place among the more popular destinations in Ireland.

Ireland was once carpeted with roughly 766,000 acres of raised bogs. Over the years, that number has dwindled to around 53,000 acres. These bogs are thought to be over 10,000 years old and, through scientific study, have provided fascinating insight into human history and changes in the environment.

Clara Bog Nature Preserve in Clara has what is considered to be the best example of a still-intact raised bog and is, therefore, the most researched. It was nearly destroyed for peat production in the early '80s but was declared a National Nature Reserve in 1987. Visitors can enjoy the boardwalk and observe the unique wildlife every day, year-round. The visitor center is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on weekends and bank holidays.

If you want to explore more of the area's interesting boglands, just a 20-minute car ride away, you'll find Lough Boora Discovery Park. What was once an area that supplied millions of tonnes of peat every year is now a wildlife sanctuary complete with walking and biking trails, a sculpture park, fishing, and even a fairy trail for the kids. The park is open seven days a week, every day of the year.

If you're one of many tourists who visit Ireland to sample the whiskey, County Offaly has you covered. Head to Tullamore for a tour of the Tullamore D.E.W. distillery. Established in 1829, the distillery was the first to create a triple-distilled, triple-cask-finished, and triple-blended Irish whiskey. Tours include a 105-minute guided tour, a taste straight from the cask, and a sample of three whiskey expressions. Tours fill up fast, so booking ahead of time is highly recommended.

Next, take a trip to Birr Castle Demesne. Twice voted one of the Top 10 Attractions in Ireland by The Irish Independent readers, there is much to see throughout this incredible property. Although Birr Castle is still a private home, it is available for tours during the summer. However, a general admission ticket will allow access to most attractions, including the Great Telescope.

Designed and constructed by Sir William Parsons in the 1840s, this engineering marvel was the largest telescope ever constructed at the time, and it remained the largest until 1914. The giant structure stands 72 feet long and has a mirror that is 6 feet in diameter. Thanks to the telescope, Parsons was the first to discover spiral galaxies. If you have time, catch the one-hour Guided Discovery Tour with General Admission for an extra €12.50. You'll learn all about the fascinating history of the Parsons family and their scientific achievements along with the history of the castle and the telescope.