Offaly is one of the most popular counties of Ireland. Located in the Midlands of the country, it is approximately halfway to the cities of Galway, Limerick, Waterford, and Dublin and provides lower cost of living and a slower and more enjoyable pace of life.
The longest river of Ireland, River Shannon, flows on the border of Offaly and divides the east and west of Ireland with the roots of Clonmacnoise dating as far back as 544. Offaly County is rich in Irish history and is also known for the moniker “The Faithful County.”
It also serves as the home of the ancestors of the former President of the United States Barack Obama. This means that if the place is good enough for the Obama family, it should also be good enough for ordinary families like yours.
Almost half of the people in Offaly travel to work in less than half an hour while most of those who have longer commute times are working in Dublin. The area has a booming local business scene and Offaly has also witnessed the arrival of several major multinationals. The county also has a tight community feel and hosts numerous local festivals.
Everyday Life in Offaly
Offaly has a laidback way of life. If you have lots of free time during the weekends and evenings, you can spend this no matter how you wish to. Tullamore is Offaly’s county town dotted with vibrant cafes, bars, and restaurants. Visitors from different parts of the world flock to the Tullamore DEW visitor center that is an excellent way of spending your weekend afternoons.
There are also numerous festivals and events held in Offaly evert year including the Yurt City musical festival, The Midlands Science Festival, and the Offline Film Festival.
If you love going on fancy trips every weekend, the good news is that Offaly is nestled almost exactly in the middle of the cities of Galway, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford. This means that there is simply no excuse for you not to embark on that day trip.
Offaly’s Offerings for Families
Offaly is a wonderful place for raising a family. Even though life here is quieter and slower compared to other cities of Ireland, it still gives its residents more free time combined with a lower cost of living. The towns of Tullamore, Clara, and Birr are bustling in their own unique way and serve as the home to several local businesses.
For the sports lovers, Offaly is also rich in history. The Offaly GAA field football and hurling teams and there are local soccer, basketball, rugby, and athletics clubs as well. It doesn’t matter what town specific town you might live in, you can always find a local sports team in the area.
The historical sites like Clonmacnoise that was suggested as world heritage site and Birr Castle are all ideal for family walks during the weekend. There are also lots of bogs and forests if you are up for more active walk.
