Summary
Situated near the geographic heart of Ireland, Tullamore is a town intersected by the Grand Canal, which first connected the Midlands with Dublin in 1798. Notably, a decade prior, it was the site of the world’s inaugural aviation disaster, marked by a hot air balloon crash that resulted in a fire destroying up to 130 residences.
On the canal towpath, visitors can find the Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey brand visitor centre, where they can partake in either brief or extensive tours of the distillery and savor a selection of rich, triple distilled whiskies.
Outdoor adventures include traversing the peatlands of the Bog of Clara and Lough Boora, which host intricate ecosystems opened up once commercial peat harvesting concluded.
Tullamore is also renowned for its historical ruins, such as Durrow Abbey, an early-Christian site dating back to the 6th century, and the remnants of Tudor tower houses along the Grand Canal towpath.
Let’s delve into the top attractions in Tullamore:
1. Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre
Tullamore is recognized globally for a whiskey brand established in 1829. The initials D.E.W. represent Daniel E. Williams, who served as the distillery’s general manager in the late 19th century, contributing to the brand’s international acclaim.
Operations ceased in Tullamore in 1954, with the company relocating to Cork in the 1970s before being acquired by William Grant & Sons and returning to its original location in 2010. The visitor centre opened in 2012, allowing guests to explore the history surrounding the balloon accident of 1785 and witness the journey of Daniel E. Williams from stable boy to whiskey expert.
Experiences range from basic tours and tastings to immersive sessions like the “Masterclass” or “Ultimate Experience,” where guests can sample the distillery’s rarest whiskies or create their own blends.
2. Charleville Castle
An enchanting Gothic Revival structure, Charleville Castle dates back to the early 19th century. Commissioned by Charles Bury, the 1st Earl of Charleville, and designed by architect Francis Johnston, known for the Neoclassical General Post Office in Dublin.
Throughout its history, the castle has hosted prominent figures, including Romantic poet Lord Byron, who partook in various gatherings there.
Due to its authentic Georgian architecture, the castle has served as a filming location for period dramas such as “Becoming Jane” and “Northanger Abbey,” both released in 2007. Grounded in history, the King Oak tree on site may be as old as 800 years and was nominated for “European Tree of the Year” in 2013. Visitors may arrange tours with the current owner and hear tales about connected personalities, as well as the legends of spirits believed to inhabit the space.
3. Lough Boora Discovery Park
Once a commercial bog for peat harvesting, Lough Boora has evolved into a 2,000-hectare outdoor attraction featuring walking and cycling trails, a sculpture park, and a fairy trail for children.
The park encompasses four lakes available for angling, teeming with trout, carp, bream, and tench, all accessible from April to October.
For birdwatching enthusiasts, the park is equipped with hides and has recorded over 130 species. Additionally, visitors can rent solo or tandem bikes to navigate the more than 30 kilometers of trails amidst wildflower meadows and alongside a Mesolithic monument.
4. Church of the Assumption
After nearly being destroyed by fire in 1983, the Church of the Assumption underwent reconstruction during the latter part of the decade.
The Neo-Gothic exterior closely mirrors the original design from 1906; however, the interior was entirely revamped, featuring a remarkable curving timber frame.
During reconstruction, generous contributions were received, including stained glass windows crafted by the renowned Harry Clarke studios in Dublin, along with Stations of the Cross from St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.
The historic baptismal font originates from a nearby former Church of Ireland in Lynally, and the organ was a gift from the congregation of the Cathedral Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen.
The reredos is intricately carved from travertine marble, while the day chapel contains a black cross sculpted from the charred wood of the old church.
5. Old Kilbeggan Distillery
The Old Kilbeggan Distillery holds the record for being the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, established in 1757. A copper pot still from the beginning of the 19th century remains operational today.
After closing in 1954 and falling into disrepair, the facility was restored in the 1980s and transformed into a whiskey museum.
However, since 2010, production has recommenced, with the first batch released in 2014. The hour-long Apprentice Tour includes a guided tasting of three whiskies, while a longer 90-minute Distiller’s Tour offers the chance to sample four whiskies and participate in a meet and greet with distillers.
For true connoisseurs, the all-access Connoisseurs Experience spans 3.5 hours and is led by the Kilbeggan brand ambassador, featuring lunch, a comprehensive tasting session, and a 200ml sample to take home at the conclusion.
6. Clara Bog
Located on the northwestern edge of Tullamore, the Clara Bog is one of Ireland’s largest and most pristine raised bogs.
Protected since the 1980s, this conservation area spans 836 hectares, and in 2011, a multimillion-euro visitor centre opened within the bog.
The centre operates on weekdays from May to November, showcasing interactive exhibits that convey information about the evolution of peatlands, their biodiversity, and the archaeological significance of bogs.
Visitors can explore the bog via a one-kilometre boardwalk trail equipped with informative panels.
7. Golf
Within a 20-minute drive from Tullamore, there are four distinct golf courses available: Daingean, Castle Barna, Esker Hills, and Tullamore Golf Club.
All four are highly regarded; however, Castle Barna is particularly celebrated as one of the premier courses in Ireland’s Midlands.
This 18-hole course features accessible terrain, interspersed with streams and enveloped by ancient woodlands.
Castle Barna also offers competitive pricing, with green fees as low as €16 on weekdays and €20 on weekends.
Set amidst beech, oak, and chestnut forests, Tullamore Golf Club is consistently ranked among the top 30 parkland courses in Ireland, established in 1926. The back nine holes provide enjoyable gameplay, especially the signature 16th and 18th holes, both of which are challenging dogleg par 4s.
8. Birr Castle
This estate, bordering County Tipperary, is owned by the 7th Earl of Rosse, whose family has inhabited the property since the early 17th century.
The house itself is private property, yet the grounds are accessible for exploration.
A key highlight of a visit is the reconstruction of the Leviathan of Parsonstown, constructed by the 3rd Earl of Rosse in the 1840s. This structure was the world’s largest telescope for 72 years until the Hooker Telescope in America surpassed it in 1917. With an impressive lens diameter of 1.8 meters, the telescope was utilized to observe nebulae and the Messier 51 (Whirlpool Galaxy). The original was disassembled in the early 20th century, but a replica was built in the mid-1990s.
Beyond the Leviathan, additional attractions include Ireland’s oldest wrought iron bridge, walled gardens containing 300-year-old box hedges, and a wildflower meadow featuring an oak tree over 500 years old.
9. Tullamore Town Park
A spacious expanse of woodland and grass situated on the southern bank of the Tullamore River, Town Park is only a short walk from the D.E.W. visitor centre.
For those maintaining an exercise regimen, this park is an ideal spot for a jog among well-kept forest paths.
When the weather is pleasant, there’s no better location in town for a picnic. Since the early 2000s, the park has undergone enhancements, including a striking water feature and a secure playground for children up to 12 years old, which features a zip-line.
10. Tullamore Show
A noteworthy event during summer is the Tullamore Show, held on the second Sunday of August. This one-day livestock and agricultural fair should be marked in your calendar.
The show encompasses a multitude of attractions, including 700 trade stands, pedigree livestock competitions, live music and dance performances, culinary demonstrations, craft stalls, equestrian displays, workshops, fashion shows, an artisan food fair, dog agility trials, and much more.
Representations of the history and future of rural life in Ireland are showcased at a vintage machinery exhibition and the National Inventions Awards, highlighting creativity in various sectors, from horticulture to domestic innovations.
11. Slieve Bloom Mountains
In just half an hour, one can reach one of Europe’s two oldest mountain ranges.
The gently rolling sedimentary peaks of the Slieve Bloom mountains were once thousands of meters high but have been substantially eroded over millennia to a maximum height of 527 meters.
On a clear day from Stillbrook Hill or Arderin, the highest points of Ireland’s four ancient provinces become visible on the horizon.
Deer sightings are common while walking these hills, as are the red grouse, which thrive in Slieve Bloom.
There are six circular trailheads across the range, color-coded from green to red, indicating levels of difficulty.
For those seeking a multi-day journey, the well-known Slieve Bloom Way traverses the mountain range for 84 kilometers.
12. Durrow Abbey
For history enthusiasts, Durrow Abbey, located near Tullamore, was founded by St. Columba in the mid-6th century.
Visitors can admire a wealth of Medieval monuments within the expansive complex.
This site, defended by a Norman motte earthwork, features a holy well, five grave slabs from early Christianity in Ireland, and a striking Irish High Cross, crafted in the 9th century.
Most stone monuments, including the grave slabs and high cross, are housed within the newer St. Columcille’s Church.
The motte was established by the Anglo-Norman Lord of Meath, Hugh de Lacy, who met his end at the abbey in 1186. The 10th century manuscript, the Book of Durrow, was produced here, and in 1054, this abbey uniquely observed and documented the SN 1054 supernova.
13. Srah Castle
Adjacent to the Grand Canal towpath, Srah Castle stands as an Elizabethan tower house erected in 1588. This heavily fortified structure has remained in ruins since the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland in the mid-17th century, though significant portions of its architecture endure.
Visitors can observe machicolations, gun loops, bartizans adorning the corners, and exquisite multi-foil designs in some window frames.
One corner of the tower has been compromised, allowing glimpses of the remnants of mural corridors and a spiral staircase.
14. Ballycowan Castle
Continuing west along the Grand Canal towpath from Srah Castle, visitors will encounter another tower house from the same era.
Ballycowan Castle, also Elizabethan and erected in 1589, features distinguished elongated Tudor chimney stacks and mullioned windows.
The castle was constructed atop earlier fortifications owned by the O’Molloys, which were destroyed by fire in the mid-16th century.
After navigating a steep embankment, visitors can enter the castle’s sunken floor through an opening in the wall, revealing two barrel-vaulted chambers.
The southern section of the castle was devastated by cannon fire during an assault by Cromwell’s troops.
15. Tullamore Pet Farm
A delightful family outing awaits just a few kilometers west of Tullamore at the Tullamore Pet Farm.
This functioning farm has recently been reconfigured to include an animal attraction.
Children can engage with miniature horses, pot-bellied pigs, red deer, llamas, and emus, alongside the vibrant exotic birds housed in the farm’s aviary.
In the event of inclement weather, an indoor animal shed and a play area with soft-play obstacles and a ball pit provide entertainment.
Additionally, the outdoor area features a sizeable inflatable maze to navigate, a playground, and a café where parents can enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee.
