Set in the heart of Ireland, Co. Offaly, with its combination of qualities and pleasing friendly people, makes it one of the most exciting and interesting counties in Ireland.The rich land of the south gives way to the beauty and isolation of the Slieve Bloom, a paradise for touring by car, foot or bicycle. The Shannon River to the west contains a treasure house of flora and fauna, marvellous fishing, great lakes and a gloriously uncrowed and unpolluted environment where pleasure cruisers can navigate its delightful course for 220km. East to the great plain and the old liquid highway of the Grand Canal, its quaint locks and still waters an attraction to those who want to cruise its gentle course from Shannon Harbour east to Edenderry and beyond to Dublin.The Principle towns in Offaly, Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry, surprise the visitor with the quality of architectural detail and the extent to which the original planned late 18th century and early 19th century towns have survived.