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Situated close to the Slieve Bloom Mountains
in the beautiful village of
Kinnitty |
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Kinnity
The picturesque village of Kinnitty nestles at the foot
of Knocknamann on the western slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains,
12km from Birr and 25km from Tullamore. Knocknamann
is the site where the festival of Bealtaine was held in pre Christian
times.
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The Community Centre, originally the old School House and
Petty Sessions Court built in 1820, now houses the Slieve Bloom
Environment Park Exhibition (on display June-September) and the
Tourist Information point. The Tourist Office will give you information
on walking in the Slieve Blooms. Guided walks take place every
Sunday from May to September.
The village is full
of charm and welcoming residents. And with the Slieve Bloom Mountains
at your doorstep, there is plenty to see and do.
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Kinnitty Castle
The stunning 12th
century neo gothic style Kinnitty
Castle is located at the foot
of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Kinnitty Castle has been destroyed,
rebuilt and refurbished many times and has see many residents come
and go, including the Normans, the O'Carrolls, the English forces
and the Bernard family, who were English settlers in the 1764. |
In 1811 Lady Catherine Hutchinson, wife of Thomas Bernard, commissioned
the Pain Brothers, architects of Dromoland Castle and Adare Manor,
to extend the castle. Destroyed by fire in 1922, Kinnitty Castle
was rebuilt in 1928 and is still inhabited by the Bernard family
until 1946 when it was sold to Lord Decies who in turn sold it
to the state in 1951 Finally, in 1994, the Ryan family bought the
estate and transformed it into a luxury hotel.
It now draws many
visitors to this small village for a fairy tale wedding or holiday,
featuring mountain trekking, horse riding, clay-pigeon shooting and maybe even a little pampering in the luxurious
Gate
Lodge Spa.
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Kinnitty Pyramid
The
pyramid is the only one of it's kind in Ireland. Located in the
graveyard behind the Church of Ireland in the Village.
On his return
from Egypt in the mid 1800's Lt. Col. Richard Wesley Bernard built
the crypt for his family it stands 30 feet high and is an exact replica
of the pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. Building began in 1830 was completed
in 1834. |
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Inside the steel doors there are 5 steps down to
the tomb where there are 6 coffins all belonging to the Bernard
family of Kinnitty Castle the first person was Mary Bernard she
was bittern by a dog and got rabies and the last burial was in
1907.
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Slieve Bloom Mountains
If
you come to Kinnitty you just have to explore the Slieve
Bloom Mountains – they are a walkers paradise.
They have unspoilt landscape that will take your breath
away. You may even spot a deer as the mountains are home to the Silka
deer. If you are really lucky you could see the famous grouse, which
is still a common sight in our beautiful mountains.
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There are map
trails waiting to be discovered with different levels of difficulty
and distance (guided walks every Sunday from May to September),
and
lovely little picnic areas for one to dine alfresco and have
the view that money can't buy.
There is also has a beautiful waterfall
named Cathole Falls and just a bit further up the mountain is the
Ridge of Capard, where you can see for miles. If you want TIME
OUT then
the Ridge is the place for you.
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Birr
Town
With
its tree lined Georgian terraces and distinct 18th and 19th century
character on the River Comcor, this is one of Offaly's most attractive
towns.
The magnificent Birr
Castle Demesne is its most popular
attraction. There has been a Norman Castle on this site since 1170.
From the 14th to the 17th century, the O'Carroll family ruled the
area when the territory was known as Ely O'Carroll.
It has been the
home of the Parsons family, the Earl of Rosse, since 1620.
Its
award winning gardens, newly restored Great Telescope and Irelands
Historic Science Centre are absolute 'musts'. The Birds of
Prey Centre, set in the stunning grounds of the castle, offers visitors
the opportunity to view magnificent falcons, hawks, owls and eagles
at close range.
The castle is open all year round,
9am-6pm. Tel: 057 91 20336.
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Other places of interest include:
Clonmacnoise – monastic site www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlandseastcoast/clonmacnoise
Irelands most haunted Leap Castle – only 5km away www.mosthauntedireland.com/haunted-leap-castle
Emo Court House – only 20 minutes away www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlandseastcoast/emocourt
Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre – a 25 minute drive will get you there www.tullamore-dew.org
Mountmellick Embroidery and Museum – the embroidery was introduced to Mountmellick by Johanna Carter in 1825
www.mountmellickdevelopment.com/museum-page
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Aaron House, Kinnitty, Birr, County Offaly, Ireland
Tel/Fax: 057-91-37040 • Int: +353-57-91-37040 • Mobile:
086-199-55-55 • To
email Aaron House |
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