Walking in the Slieve Blooms
LOVE SOME CHILL OUT TIME in a peaceful retreat..........come to the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the very heart of Ireland less than 2 hours from Dublin Galway, The Northern Counties, Cork and Wexford.
NATURE LOVERS- Eco walks, Looped Walks, Long distance Walks- Slieve Bloom Way/Offaly Way, Guided Wildernss Walks, Horse-trekking, Horsedrawn caravan. Self guided, free maps or guided.We cater for all levels of walker. The Slieve Blooms are easy to walk.
HERITAGE LOVERS- Birr Castle, Clonmacnoise, Damer House, Rock of Dunamaise, Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre.
LOVERS - Stroll along leafy forest tracks. Cycle quiet country roads. Dine by candlelight. Relax in front of glowing turf fires.
The gentle rolling hills of the SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS rise from the central plains of Ireland, forming a natural link between Counties Laois and Offaly.They are at the cross-roads of Ireland half-way between Galway and Dublin, Belfast and Cork, and Donegal and Rosslare. Their central location makes the Slieve Bloom area an ideal base for visitors wishing to make trips to other parts of Ireland. Alternatively, you can chose it as an interesting place to break your journey when en-route to other parts of Ireland.
The area is made up of forests, blanket bog of a type which is unique to Ireland, interspersed with hidden valleys of great character, and interest to the nature lover. It includes farmland bounded by hedgerows full of bird and plant life. The natural colours of the landscape are remarkable in any season. It is an extremely peaceful area which permits the opportunity to be close to nature. Much of the higher reaches of the mountains have been designated as an Environmentally Protected area for special preservation, as an amenity for generations to come. As a consequence, there are plenty of sign-posted walks, explanatory boards regarding wildlife and flora and fauna, and designated picnic areas.
By Train:
From Dublin, Cork, Limerick
- alight at Portlaoise or Tullamore
Contact: Iarnrod Eireann
Tel: 353 1 8366222
web: www.irishrail.ie
By Bus:
From Limerick or Dublin
Contact: Bus Eireann
Tel: 353 1 8366111/
web: www.buseireann.ie
Local Taxi Cabs/Minibuses/Limousines:
Comfort Line Limousines
Tel: 0502 32469
Web: www.comfortlinelimos.com
Round Town Cabs
Main Street,
Mountrath,
Co. Laois.
Tel: 0502 21711
By Car:
The N7 between Dublin and Limerick, circles the southern regions of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The N7 passes through Portlaoise, Mountrath and Roscrea each of which gives easy access to Slieve Bloom.
The N52 skirts the northern regions from Tullamore to Birr giving easy access. Leave the N52 at Tullamore, Kilcormac or Birr.
