Dooly's Hotel is centrally located in beautiful Mid-Ireland. Well known for its wonderful choice of championship golf courses, it also offers activities such as water sports, cruising and fishing on the Shannon; horse riding and hill walking in the Slieve Blooms.

The region is steeped in history, and amongst the must see places nearby are Clonmacnoise, The Bog Train, Lockes Distillery, Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, Leap Castle, and of course the world famous Birr Castle Gardens on our own doorstep. A newly opened Historic Science Centre at Birr Castle has proven extremely popular with visitors to the heritage of Birr.

Birr was laid out during the Georgian period and retains many of its original features such as its wide tree lined walls, pleasant gardens, period houses and Georgian character. The town itself reflects peace and contentment of its surrounding countryside.

One of the jewels in the town's crown is surely the magnificent Birr Castle Demesne. The grounds extend to over 100 acres of formed layouts, river walks, terraces and parkland. The world's tallest box hedges are to be seen on the grounds along with many hundreds of species of trees, plants and flowers.

There is plenty to do and see around Birr, for a quick taster here are a few suggestions. For more detailed information go to: www.birrnet.com

Ireland's Historic Science Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland. Tel. +353 57-91 20336.
Ireland's new Historic Science Centre features the many pioneering achievements of the Parsons family and of other great Irish scientists in the fields of astronomy, photography, engineering and horticulture. In the grounds, the Great Telescope built by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840's; this was the largest in the world for 70 years. Birr Castle Demesne also host the most amazing Gardens in the country with Formal Garden and River Garden recently restored, parkland with thousands of rare trees and plants collected all over the world, rivers, lake and waterfalls. The neo gothic Castle is the private family home of the Parsons family.

Clonmacnoise, Tel: +353 0905 74195
The ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise is one of Europe's most highly regarded sites of its kind. It was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran. The monastic ruins are the most extensive of their kind in Ireland consisting of a cathedral, 8 churches, 2 round towers & 3 high crosses. There are also the remains of a 12th century castle. The site is interpreted through a modern visitors centre managed by Duchas.

Bus & Boot Tours, Lumcloon, Cloghan, Co. Offaly. Tel: +353 86 8223565, Contact: Michael Dooley
Journey through the peatlands, the plains, the eskers, the brosna and Shannon Callows, the mountains with their flora and fauna. Experience the heritage and architecture of the area. Includes Bus Tours, Walking, Lectures and Slide Shows.

Bog Tours, Bord na Mona, Blackwater, (near Shannonbridge) Tel: +353 905 74114
Clonmacnoise & West Offaly railway gives you a unique opportunity to enjoy a guided 5.5 miles circular tour in a comfortable train coach which will give you an insight into raised bog of major importance - the Blackwater Bog in Co. Offaly. Operating Season: Daily from April to early October - on the hour every hour 10a.m. to 5p.m. inclusive. Group bookings all year round.

Clonfert
Once a famous centre of learning, the Clonfert monastery was founded by Brendan the Navigator in 563 AD. Subsequently a Cathedral was built in 1200 AD whose beautiful round arched west doorway is an exceptional relic of Irish Romanesque architecture.

Distances from major cities/ports: • Dublin 120km • Rosslare 160km • Cork 152km • Shannon 100km • Galway 100km • Sligo 180km • Belfast 267km.