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Family Attractions & Zoos in County Offaly

Uíbh Fhailí · Leinster · 7 places

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County Offaly (Uíbh Fhailí) in Leinster features 7 mapped family attractions & zoos, led by The Great Telescope 'Leviathan', St. Manchans Shrine, and Clonmacnoise. Across these 7 listings, 5 feature verified photography and 7 include mapped nearby public parking. Zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and visitor attractions.

Showing 7 of 7 places

The Great Telescope 'Leviathan' — photo by Working Men's Educational Union
GeneralOffaly

The Great Telescope 'Leviathan'

The Leviathan of Parsonstown, or Rosse six-foot telescope, is a historic reflecting telescope of 72 inches (1.83 m) aperture, which was the largest telescope in the world from 1845 until the construction of the 100-inch (2.5 m) Hooker Telescope in California in 1917. The Rosse six-foot telescope was built by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse on his estate, Birr Castle, at Parsonstown (now Birr) in Ireland.

St. Manchans Shrine — photo by Sailko
GeneralOffaly

St. Manchans Shrine

Saint Manchan's Shrine is a large (60-cm wide) 12th-century Irish house-shaped shrine dedicated to Manchán of Lemanaghan (died 664), now in Boher Roman Catholic Church, outside Ballycumber, County Offaly. Built to hold human remains, still intact and presumably of Manchán himself, the relic container consists of a wooden core made of yew, placed on four cast bronze feet, overlain by silver plates containing gilt, cast copper alloy and bronze decorations, with large bosses. The shrine has a long history and has survived a number of sackings and fires. It was in poor condition when discovered in the collection of the Mooney family of Doon, County Offaly in 1821, with many of the figures and bosses missing; some of the current elements were added during late 19th century restorations. Its style is a mixture of Irish and Viking art, and is described by the art historian Rachel Moss as "exceptional in its scale, form and quality of workmanship."

Clonmacnoise — photo by JohnArmagh
GeneralOffaly

Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise or Clonmacnois (Irish: Cluain Mhic Nóis) is a ruined monastery in County Offaly in Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. Until the 9th century it had close associations with the kings of Connacht. Saint Ciarán founded the monastery in the ancient territory of Uí Maine at a point where the major east–west land route (Slighe Mhor) meets the River Shannon after crossing the bogs of Central Ireland known as the Esker Riada. The strategic location of the monastery helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade by the 9th century; and together with Clonard it was one of the most famous places in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe. From the ninth until the eleventh century it was allied with the kings of Meath. Many of the high kings of Tara (ardrí) and of Connacht were buried here. Clonmacnoise was largely abandoned by the end of the 13th century. Today the site includes nine ruined churches, a castle, two round towers and a large number of carved stone crosses and cross-slabs. The Irish government's Office of Public Works manages the preserved ruin. An Interpretive Centre is open to the public, the graveyard is in use and religious services take place in a modern chapel.

Clara Bog Boardwalk — photo by Pocyun photograph
GeneralOffaly

Clara Bog Boardwalk

Clara Bog Boardwalk is a general attraction located in County Offaly. It features a boardwalk for visitors exploring the bog area.

GeneralGallen
GeneralOffaly

Gallen

collection of early medieval carved stones on the grounds of the former monastery on the west facing walls and some free-standing

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