Nativeguide, Tober

We invite you to consider the following thought provokers and ask yourself if you deserve to stop the world and get off in Tober.

Rapid, easy and effective down time

You are your own best guide to your own well being but you may be too busy to see that. Stop. Unravel your emotions. Rest up and your next move will become clear. Stress arises when we are trapped in flight or flight mode and can do nothing about it. You now have a choice. Rapid easy effective down time is possible on the move. Our aim is to appeal to all the senses so that when you return to real life you will remember to take care of yourself. This may sound like therapy with a twist and personal training for emotional muscle but it is guided by the ways that sustained generations of saints and sinners here in the Monastic Midlands. We all boil at different temperatures. Learn to recognise when your need to "stop the world and get off" in Tober.

Rapid response /rest and relaxation

This option is suited to those who find themselves in the midlands but could not commit their time in advance. Phone us for a now or never trip. Tell us how much time and energy you have and how you would like to spend it or let us advise you on events of interest.

Be our guest

For those who are undecided about what they would like to see. This option allows you to plan when you get to Tober but leave the details to us. We then meet you and get to know you. We can treat you like a friend or relative who has time to spare. We take you to the people and places we are proud to show off to any guest.

Cheers.

What do you usually do to cheer yourself up? If its legal we can tell you where it happens in Offaly or nearby. All you have is probably all you need. Take the time to celebrate your achievements and enjoy it.

Sneaky pint

For those who travel for work and are bored by the standard hotel bar. Join us for an early evening tour which includes a sneaky pint in a village pub where you can chat a wise native. All that and back to your hotel for an early night.

Saturday

Particularly suited to the working couple who rarely meet. It may be possible to get a sleep in, throw on a wash, collect a baby sitter, pack a lunch and get to Tober for 11am. We can drop you off and pick you up from the Pilgrims Path, Offaly Way or Lough Boora Parklands where you can enjoy the fresh air for a few hours. This allows you to be home for your evening meal.

Out on business

Some business meetings, involving just a few people, can happen on the move. A brainstorming session benefits from a change of scene. A gourmet picnic in or near a shelter outdoors can be a welcome change from the office while lunch in a country home may appeal to others.

Monastic midlands

We can zig zag all or part of the open air history book from Durrow to Lynally, Rahan, Leamanaghan, Boher and Clonmacnoise. This is particularly suited to those with an interest in history or those who love legendry tales. Travel the back roads, as near as possible to the esker Riada, following in the footsteps of saints (coischeim na naoimh)

To add interest to your trip we ask you to consider our theory that the Shannon and Boyne rivers were linked by the Brosna and Silver River . We tell you our theory and add your knowledge and experience to the mix. Thinking like this, outside the box, can be therapeutic…and if the theory proves true it could be relevant to our history. We support the Heritage council by asking you to “Look forward, look back and look around” in Offaly.

Enterprising.

For those who heard the official presentation and are considering moving their business to Offaly? Come out to play with our gabby cabby and read between the lines for the locals' view of the county and its environs.

Can’t decide.

Some are so busy they can no longer remember how they relax. How did you spend your first pay cheque before you cared what anyone thought of you? Is that something you would still enjoy or have you outgrown it. Search the attached links and find something that appeals to you and we can build a mystery tour around it.

Quick mitch

For those who are stuck in a rut at work or at home. Problem solving can benefit from a change of scene. This could be the perfect breakout session during a conference or a welcome break from a tense day at home.

Ladies who lunch

For ladies who would consider lunch outdoors or on the move. We offer a local and low-cal alternative to the usual lunch.

Girls on tour

This option is for girls (of all ages) who have some time to spare and want to make the best of it.

Gone fishing

We find you the location, provide the deck chair and can help you source a picnic.

Non fishing

We find location and food. You bring a book instead of a fishing rod.

Art attack

We find location and food. You bring your paints.

Locked in Offaly

You tell us how much time you have and how far you wish to walk. We can drop you at one canal lock and pick you up at another. Using our local knowledge we estimate the journey time and guide you to the interesting places to see on your walk.

Clash of the ash

Hurling is a fast paced sport where each of the 15 player on each team uses an ash hurley stick. The clash of the ash is a distinctive sound during these games. We may be able to take you to a local game where tribal rivalries are played out. Players and managers are proud to tell you about the sport. On a wet evening you might even get a place on the team!

Half time.

Everyone needs a timely break in a busy day. In Offaly you may be half way there? Dublin to Galway. Mullingar to Athlone Sligo to Kilkenny. It's good to get out from behind glass even if it is only for a quick break.

BIFFO Be yourself.

People from Offaly are notoriously direct. Some even refer to them as Big ignorant feckers from Offaly. We take this as a compliment. We don’t always understand the constraints of city living. Life’s too short and this county too small for people to be anything but themselves. Liberate yourself from the roles and rules of real life and be a biffo for a bit.

"Pure mule"

Let us introduce you to the landscape that inspired the popular TV series, Pure Mule

"A great little country if you could roof it."

We need four seasons every day to maintain the 40 shades of green. Despite the weather we plan to keep you sheltered so that you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort. We want you to feel warm inside and out.

Interpretive centre/ Work life balance

Our tours help you take the time so that you interpret yourself. You may enjoy the time and decide you need to introduce better work life balance. You may find that this downtime makes you more effective and is therefore an investment in yourself and all those who depend on your clear thinking. If it highlights the fact that you need help in changing old habits we can put you in touch with fully qualified counsellors and life coaches in the area.

Boirin na smaointe /Memory lane

This option may appeal to those who grew up in the country but now live in a city or those who have read about simpler times. We take you to a time and place where www meant the warmth, wit and wisdom that nourished and sustained generations of saints and sinners through interesting times in the monastic midlands.

Things to do

For those who think they are too busy to take an hour out for themselves. We ask you to look at your things to do list and check if you can delegate to a willing worker in Offaly. We can provide the local knowledge. We are confident we can make it possible. Would a courier, secretarial service, laundrette, dry cleaning, car valet, personal shopping or other service make it possible for you to take time out in Tober?

Emotional rescue

Much of the worlds heartache is caused when decent people are driven, by intense emotion, to lash out verbally or otherwise. They need time out when they are overwhelmed and under resourced so they can renew, regroup and reach their own conclusions about the direction they must take. The overstretched must bring themselves down through the gears gradually.

Think

Thinking of yourself at your most resourceful is known to have immediate physical therapeutic effect. We take you to a time and place which reminds you of you at your most relaxed. Doing nothing is doing something. The endocrine system needs some time off. The human body wasn’t built for constant attack and your system needs you to protect it.

What to tell the boss

Employment law insists that employers have a duty of care to their employees. You are entitled to your normal breaks even when you are working outside the office. Your health is more important than anyone’s opinion of you.

What if you are the boss

Let us take charge while you reenergise. The boss often has less time and more pressure than most. Many people rely on their decision making. Invest in your health and the future of your family and your employees by taking some thinking time in Tober.

Nativeguide struck “gold”...since its inception in 2007... and during a recession.

Nativeguide is a hobby/business using spare time, spare capacity, cognitive surplus and our rich history to develop and protect a resource for future generations.

It turns out this area, the territory of Fir Cheall, was rockin’ during the Golden Age, circa 700AD. Tober, County Offaly and Moate, County Westmeath are not noted for their history yet we have so much to be proud of. The Department of Environment and the National Roads Authority have done the hard work and reported it on archaelogy.ie and nra.ie. Each red dot on the archaeology site (pictured right) represents a site worth reporting. Earlier still people in Tober lived in this Bronze Age settlement found by the National Roads Authority. Click here to view Reconstruction of Tober House.

We grow our own experts in this parish. Did you know Patrick Geoghegan (History every Sunday on Radio Newstalk 106-108fm 7-9pm) is one of ours. We are also proud to claim John Sheehan UCC.

Badgers and archaeologists

Some farmers consider the badger and the archaeologist a threat to their livelihood. Nativeguide supports the archaeologist (and all other ologists) as they are the treasure hunters who will preserve the (golden age) nuggets that have sustained countless generations.

Business plan 2010

In the ways of our grandparents, in the spirit of the Golden Age and in the words of Teddy Roosevelt we too must continue to: "Do what we can, where we are, with what we have". Make hay while the sun shines also means don't make it if the sun is not shining. Doh! Seasons come and go. Be ready for the bright side.

We will learn our history, be proud of it and able to tell it on.

The story so far...

Manchán (also call Monaghan) was our main man during the golden age. The national school is still called after him and his views are known to locals. He is credited with writing a poem in Irish about his ideal retreat: Click here to view Manchán Brochure

Our local history is monastic but we make no judgement on your religion. Your religion is between you and your god(s). We will just stick to the facts. Some say heaven, whatever you perceive it to be, can be found by backing away from hell, whatever you perceive that to be.

No stone unturned

The mushroom stone refused to budge when a glacier scraped by during the ice age. It was wave-worn by (two?) ancient lakes since and may have had other uses since? Nativeguide (with help from Kevin and Davy) reported it to John Feehan in 2009 so that its place in history is officially recorded. We may have found some lost sites too. See Offaly History Journal 2010 or offalyhistory.com.

Others have already found and reported Ballinderry Crannog, a significant Viking Settlement. A high status pagan burial was also found nearby. Nativeguide will continue to treat this area as if it is a trench under investigation.

Caimin O Brian (the duracell bunny of Archaeologists!) is collecting the names of town lands and tracking their location by GPS. Amanda Pedlow (the duracell bunny of Heritage Officers!) is collecting the data and training volunteers how to use the tracking devices. Feel free to use Nativeguide to get a message to them if you have anything to report.

Are you an “unused resource”?

It seems the Romans didn’t settle in Ireland but it wasn’t like them not to have a look. “Pushing the envelope” was there thing! We may never know what they were up to but there is no reason why future generations can’t know the best bits of what we know or could know. Let’s not dwell on what is lost. Let’s gather and preserve what we can find. (No digging, that’s illegal.) There are no limits to the thinking and chatting but please don’t trespass over lands or lives. Feel free to email us if you unable to travel to Tober. We have a lot to learn from the Offaly and Westmeath Diaspora but we are equally open to ideas from anyone else.It may appeal to all ages?

“Roaming” army and High Mileage club”?

The “roaming army” who are on the road for work (doctors, nurses, vets, salespeople, truckers...) are highly skilled researchers and may be better equipped than the most famous explorer. They are entitled to breaks and can use their cameras, phones and tracking devices to glean information. Some energetic retirement groups refer to themselves as” the high mileage club”. They too are skilled and able explorers. We will provide a free cuppa on the first Friday of every month for the individuals or groups who are game to explore the (700AD) midlands combining their rich experience with local knowledge for the greater good. Email Nativeguide in advance so we can have the kettle on. Consider yourself recruited if this puzzle appeals to you. If it adds to your workload it is not for you. If only works if it entertain and energises you. Enjoy the story and glory of the Golden Age by taking a closer look at their lives. Add your own “cognitive surplus” by mixing childhood experiences and modern day learning to present the information you think should be available to future generations.

Enjoy this puzzle. Email your observations and suggestions. Don’t worry about sequence or context as the experts can unravel and report the findings when Nativeguide gathers the “facts”.

We welcome the executive or tourist to stop the world and get off in tober at the m6/n80 junction.

We invite you to sit back while our gabby cabby teells your about the area.