Discover Slieve Bloom
Explore the Slieve Blooms…
the Land of Fionn McCumhail
The gentle rolling hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains rise from the central plains of Ireland, forming a natural link between the counties of Laois and of Offaly. The area is picturesque, peaceful, gloriously multi-coloured and one of the least explored in Ireland. Dotted around the mountains are quaint little villages, and to visit one is like stepping back in time to an era when life moved at a slower pace. These are the places where people will take the time to talk to you, will listen to your stories and enjoy telling you theirs. According to the locals the Slieve Bloom have everything, except the sea!
Just over an hour from Dublin and Limerick and two hours from Cork and Galway the Slieve Bloom are easily accessible from all corners of Ireland. However, as well as being a wonderful destination in their own right, their central location makes the area an ideal base for visitors wishing to make trips to other parts of Ireland.
The Slieve Bloom, along with the Massif Central in France, are the oldest mountains in Europe; they were once also the highest at 3,700m. Weathering has reduced them to 527m. On a clear day, one can see the high points of the four ancient provinces of Ireland.
Hike the Irish wilderness, Horse ride off the beaten track, Mountain bike Ireland’s most challenging routes, Golf the scenic countryside or Fish for your supper… dive into the sections below to see what a diverse range of activities & attractions the Slieve Bloom region has to offer.
Bird-watching in the Slieve Blooms
The Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve is home to two emblematic bird species: the hen harrier and the red grouse. Both species nest on the ground on the blanket bog and heath. The hen harrier is one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey, while the red grouse is a secretive gamebird, and is usually only seen when flushed from undergrowth. Meadow pipits and skylarks are common in the nature reserve. Snow buntings are found on the nature reserve in winter. Other bird species found include the merlin, peregrine falcon, raven, snipe, golden plover, lapwing, curlew, wheatear and ring ouze
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What's On
Every Sunday
Weekly Walks around Slieve Bloom
Walks are open to members and non-members. Why not enjoy walks every Sunday throughout the year. The fee is €5 per per walk.
2025
Slieve Bloom Mountain Biking Festival
3rd Annual Mountain Biking Festival will take place from April 25th and 26th on the Slieve Bloom Mountain Biking Trails with events in Baunreagh and Kinnitty hosting a series of family-friendly bike themed activities. More information and registration on See Festival Details
2025
Slieve Bloom Walking Festival
Join us on our Slieve Bloom walking Festival on May Bank Holiday weekend to experience and appreciate all the beauty of nature around us in the Slieve Blooms. See our Festival Calendar for details of the Festival walks.