Welcome to Slieve Bloom Mountains!

The gentle rolling hills of the The Slieve Bloom Mountains rise from the central plains of Ireland, forming a natural link between Counties Laois and Offaly.Their central location makes the Slieve Bloom area an ideal base for visitors wishing to make trips to other parts of Ireland.

Unspoilt

The Slieve Bloom Mountains are among the most unspoilt and least explored areas in Ireland. They are surrounded by a necklace of villages, each one a gem. Spend a while in Kinnitty, Clonaslee, or any of villages, and it is like stepping back in time, to an era when life moved at a much slower pace. These are places where people will take the time to talk to you, where tourists are not so common and where the locals will have a genuine interest in you.

The Beautiful Clamphole Waterfalls,Glenbarrow
...one of the most visited beauty spots in the
Slieve Bloom Mountains

The Real Ireland

To experience the real Ireland, forget the tourist clogged roads of the West Coast or the teeming metropolis of Dublin. Venture down the bye roads around the Slieve Blooms and discovered the unspoilt Ireland. When traditional music is played in the pubs, it is played for the locals by the locals, with visitors more than welcome to join in. You won't find 'plastic Paddies' or loudspeakers on the outside of pubs blaring 'traditional' music at you!

To quote the 2012 edition of Lonely Planet: "..the area is "rarely explored" by those on their first visit to Ireland and therefore is "wonderfully free of tour buses and souvenir stalls"

Explore

Explore the mountains, by foot, bicycle, horse or car. The Slieve Bloom Mountains are a Hill Walkers paradise. The mountains are not so high as to be dangerous, yet are not so low that they can still provide a challenge to every grade of walker. There are a wide choice of looped walks, long distance way-marked walks or simply take to the hills with a good map and compass. We also have organised walks every week, led by experienced local guides who are only to willing to share their knowledge of the mountains.

The quiet country roads around the Slieve Bloom Mountains are perfect for cyclists, with 3 roads crossing over the mountains offering a more strenuous challenge. Plans are at an advanced stage to establish a mountain-bike trail, be sure to check back for updates.

The quiet country roads are also great for a leisurely drive accross the mountains with unparalelled views accross the midlands. It is said that you can see half the counties in Ireland from the top of the Slieve Blooms. Or wander around the foothills of the mountains, visiting the quaint villages, taking your time to stop along the way.

What are you waiting for - come now and discover all that you have been missing!

Slieve Bloom Walking Festivals

18th Annual Walking Festival

Friday 4th May - Monday 7th May 2012.

Eco Walking Weekend

Friday 15th July - Sunday 17th July 2012.

Hill Walking - Slieve Blooms

Hill Walking in the Slieve Bloom Mountains

Hill Walking with local guides

We have a choice of organised hill walks every weekend with knowledgeable local guides who explore the best routes of the mountains, with a variety of different grades from easy to strenuous.