Take a break in Offaly

Grand Canal Greenway.

Not so far away from Kilcullen, Offaly can offer a lot of interesting day trips and family breaks as we climb the spring road to Easter, writes Brian Byrne. Crafts and artistry, music and river cruises are just some of the attractions in what is often referred to as the 'hidden gem' county.

A visit to the Glasshammer Studios  for a special Easter workshop can be done on Saturday 29 March. With both full day and half day workshops available, visitors can unlock their creativity and immerse themselves in the captivating world of fused and enamelled glass. Further information is available at glasshammer.ie. 

Then there's the Tullamore TradFest 2025 running from 11-13 April, with over 50 events taking place across the weekend. Visitors young and old can take their pick from concerts, recitals, workshops and family entertainment which will be running throughout the weekend. Log onto tullamoretradfest.com for details.

Birr Castle Demesne is always worth a visit and from 11-27 April visitors can embark on an Easter Quest at the castle. Collect a quest sheet from reception and follow the egg clues, solve the puzzle and return for your reward. Children who complete the quest will be given an Easter treat. Then take time to relax in the Courtyard Café, open daily from 10am. Tickets are available at reception or can be booked online birrcastle.com. 

Clara Bog Nature Reserve and Visitors Centre are hosting special Easter Arts & Crafts nature-themed activities on 14-15 April from 10am to 5pm each day. Activities are free of charge. Check out the website clarabognaturereserve.ie. Viking Tours are offering a cruise downstream on the River Shannon to the famous 6th century monastery of Clonmacnoise. Departing on Saturday 26 April at 2pm from Athlone Castle, the meandering voyage gives the chance to enjoy live commentary on local history, monastic life and the surrounding  flora and fauna. Further details and booking on vikingtoursireland.ie.

A two-night Easter escape in the County Arms, Birr, includes an Easter package with hot cross buns and tea or coffee on arrival, two nights stay in a deluxe room with patio, breakfast each morning as well as a four-course gourmet dinner in Hackett’s Eatery on the Saturday night. An Easter Egg on Easter Sunday and the package is available for €570 based on two people sharing. Booking at countyarms.ie. The elegant Tullamore Court Hotel is ideal for a family escape in Offaly, priced from €160 B&B per night for two adults and two children under 12. Family friendly facilities include the swimming pool and free Explorer Kids Club. Pack the kids' bikes and avail of complimentary adult bikes onsite for guests and explore the beautiful Grand Canal Greenway. Bookings at tullamorecourthotel.ie. The 4-star Bridge House Hotel & Spa in Tullamore offers a Sunday Escape package from €89pps and includes a Sunday night stay with a 4-course meal in the award-winning Balcone Italiano Restaurant with a bottle of wine, a leisurely breakfast on the Monday morning and a late checkout until 1pm, allowing guests time to make the most of the hotel’s leisure facilities or spa. Book at bridgehousehoteltullamore.ie 

May Bank Holiday weekend attractions include the Birr Festival of Music from Thursday 1 May until Monday 5 May. The renowned RTÉ Concert Orchestra will open proceedings with a spectacular evening of orchestral and operatic favourites. Acclaimed singer Liza Pulman and award-winning pianist Gareth Williams will explore the Great American Songbook while male vocal quartet ‘4 in a Bar’ will perform at Craughwell’s Courtyard. The international duo Bruno Caproni and Julian Evans return to perform, deliver masterclasses and adjudicate at The Trench Award — the centrepiece of the festival. Further information at birrfestivalofmusic.com. 

Join the Slieve Bloom Walking Festival, which takes place from the 3-5 May. A choice of woodland walks, riverside and gentle rolling hills with experienced walk leaders with stories of local history, geology and fauna. Three walk options are available on both Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday 5 May a Grade A 13K walk is suitable for the more experienced hiker. Further details are available on slievebloom.ie. 

More information on all the events taking place in Offaly on visitoffaly.ie.

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