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1. If you were to travel along the River Shannon from Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim to Killaloe, County Clare you would pass through County Offaly. The county was not always called Offaly. During English rule it was known by a different name. By what name was Offaly once known?
2. Ireland is famous for producing whiskey, and Irish whiskey has being distilled in many towns the length and breadth of Ireland. One of these towns is situated in County Offaly. The whiskey that bears its name is no longer distilled there, but the distillery remains as a reminder to its origin. Which town in Offaly once distilled whiskey?
3. The landscape of County Offaly is quite varied: from the lowlands of the River Shannon to the bog land which can be found in the west of the county, and the lush, rich tillage land located to the north of the county. To the south of the county, one will find a small mountain range along the border of County Laois. What is the name of this mountain range?
4. The town of Birr in the county of Offaly was not always known by this name; at one stage it was known as Parsonstown, named after Sir Laurence Parsons. Likewise, there is a town in the north of the county called Daingean; it too was once known by a different name. By what name was Daingean once known?
5. Like many counties in Ireland, Offaly has a large collection of castles. Some are dilapidated, whereas others remain inhabited. Most famous of these castles is probably Birr Castle and demesne. There is, however, another well-known castle just on the outskirts of Tullamore. What is the name of the castle, which shares its name with a well-known town in County Cork?
6. To the west of the county lies a small village called Shannonbridge, named for the bridge that crosses the River Shannon and links County Offaly with Counties Galway and Roscommon. The village is also home to an old English garrison and an electricity-generating power station. What local resource is used to fuel the power station in Shannonbridge?
7. There are two canals in existence on the island of Ireland: the Grand Canal and The Royal Canal. Which of the following statements in relation to the canals and County Offaly is correct?
8. There are many monastic sites located in various parts of Offaly. None are more famous than Clonmacnois, situated on the banks of the River Shannon. Clonmacnois is also the last resting place of many high kings of Ireland. Who was the last high king of Ireland to be laid to rest in Clonmacnois?
9. County Offaly has a proud sporting heritage in both Gaelic football and Gaelic hurling. In the Irish sporting world, County Offaly is known as the "faithful county". What are the origins of this nickname?
10. Seeing as County Offaly is situated in the middle of Ireland, it is inevitable that it shares a border with quite a number of other counties. How many other counties does County Offaly share a border with?
Source: Author
dolano
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
Pagiedamon before going online.
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