a drive through south offaly

The southern thumb of Offaly, incorporating the neat villages of Dunkerrin, Moneygall, and Shinrone, is Ely O'Carroll land, an area rich in history. Mount Saint Joseph Abbey is on the road to Roscrea. This Cistercian Abbey has a renowned guesthouse where visitors are always welcome. It is a gret place to relax and ponder on the meaning of life. The monks invite the public to join with them in the Daily Offices. From the Monastery, as Mount Saint Joseph is locally called, we travel along the road to Birr to Gloster House. Go up the avenue of limes to the late seventeenth century mansion, now a convent and school. Lough Roe, an amenity park, is to the rear of Gloster. Take the minor road north through the rolling landscapes of Coolderry to Leap Castle. At Leap the view across to Slieve Bloom Mountains is spectacular. Leap Catle was once the principle stronghold of the O'Carrolls of Ely. It is late 15th Century towerhouse with later buildings on the wings. This countryside is full of reminders of the past: a hill fort at the road from the castle and many ring forts. The pre-Patrician monastery of Sier Kieran is a few kms further on.