The Midlands
Leap Castle is reputedly one of the most haunted castles in Europe. Originally an O'Carroll family residence, the 1514-built castle was the scene of many dreadful deeds and is famous for its eerie apparitions – its most renowned inhabitant is the 'smelly ghost', a spirit that apparently leaves a lingering odour after sightings. Another apparition is the self-explanatory 'red lady'.
Renovations are ongoing, but you can arrange a visit. It's 12km southeast of Birr.
Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve
8.7 MILES
A 2300-hectare nature reserve with a mountain range in the middle, full of walking and biking trails. A visit to Slieve Bloom is the perfect excuse to…
21.92 MILES
Gloriously placed overlooking the River Shannon, 7km northeast of Shannonbridge, Clonmacnoise is one of Ireland’s most important ancient monastic cities…
6.52 MILES
It's easy to spend half a day exploring the attractions and gardens of Birr Castle demesne. The castle dates from 1620 and is a private home, but during…
27.9 MILES
Inside this low, hulking 13th-century riverside castle, modern displays bring to life the tumultuous history of the town and detail life here through the…
21.6 MILES
Clara Bog is one of the few great expanses of classic bogland in Western Europe to escape being stripped for fuel. Deceptively flat and seemingly lifeless…
13.86 MILES
Much of County Offaly's once-extensive boglands were stripped of peat for electricity generation during the 20th century. Now Lough Boora, 17km north of…
26.07 MILES
The neoclassical, copper-domed Emo Court was designed in 1790 by James Gandon, architect of Dublin's Custom House. Originally the country seat of the…
21.88 MILES
Three connected conical huts, echoing the design of early monastic dwellings, house the visitor centre museum. A 20-minute audiovisual show provides an…
5.1 MILES
This remarkably intact stone edifice right in the centre of Roscrea town dates to the 1280s. There are two fortified stone towers, surrounded by defensive…
6 MILES
Look out for the unexpected 10m-high stone pyramid in the village graveyard behind St Finian's Church. In the 1830s Richard Bernard commissioned this…
6.52 MILES
It's easy to spend half a day exploring the attractions and gardens of Birr Castle demesne. The castle dates from 1620 and is a private home, but during…
6.92 MILES
The sandstone shaft of the 9th-century Kinnitty High Cross from the Augustinian Abbey now stands in the grounds of the Kinnitty Castle Hotel. Adam and Eve…
5. Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve
8.7 MILES
A 2300-hectare nature reserve with a mountain range in the middle, full of walking and biking trails. A visit to Slieve Bloom is the perfect excuse to…
12.88 MILES
At the far south end of Main St, 1829-built St Paul's Church contains resplendent stained-glass windows by Reverend AL Moore, which were originally…
13.3 MILES
The unadorned stone Donaghmore Workhouse, 19km west of Durrow, was a last resort for the destitute in the 1850s – one of 130 workhouses in the country at…
13.82 MILES
Defending Banagher Bridge just across the River Shannon in County Galway, this small 'castle' (really, fort) dates to the 1650s. It was modified during…