Rhode: Greenway and GAA History

Rhode can be explored through two themes: the Grand Canal Greenway and the history of the local GAA. Nearby, you’ll also find canal structures, historic houses and a windmill. These offer different ways to shape your choice of location: will the canal path be part of your trip, or are you particularly interested in sporting and architectural history? These questions can help you choose a holiday rental that suits your travel plans.

The Grand Canal Greenway as a guide

Rhode is one of the main access points to the Grand Canal Greenway in County Offaly. The route follows the canal and is designed for walking and cycling away from roads. Rhode Bridge is a starting point for the Greenway; the village of Rhode is only a short distance from the Greenway. There is a paved car park at the bridge with eight spaces, including one accessible space. As parking arrangements can change, check the local situation before you travel.

If you’d like to include the Greenway in your trip, these location details offer practical guidance: the access point is at Rhode Bridge, while the village is a short distance from the route. This gives you a specific option for walking or cycling alongside a choice of where to stay, without assuming that a particular type of accommodation has specific facilities.

GAA history with specific dates

The sporting history can also be traced through two notable dates. The first recorded match of Rhode & Croghan G.A.A. took place on 17 March 1889 against Portarlington. Rhode GAA won its first championship in 1900. The match date and championship win mark different stages in the club’s history: one records an early documented match, while the other marks its first title.

Nearby, there is also a connection to handball: Fahy’s Cross Handball Club has hosted several All-Ireland finals and is about a mile from Rhode. Together, the football and handball history form a distinct point of interest alongside the canal structures.

Canal bridges and historic buildings

Rhode Bridge is an intact, single-arch masonry canal bridge dating from the late 18th century. Another notable bridge nearby is Toberdaly Bridge, a humpback bridge over the Grand Canal. It contributes to the canal landscape and the architectural heritage of the inland waterways. The two bridges represent different forms of bridge construction and give the canal theme an architectural dimension.

The grounds of Toberdaly House are home to a ruined Gothic octagonal folly. It was built around 1780 on the site of an earlier ruined tower house. Ballymoran House is a Georgian house dating from around 1800, once owned by the Quaker Odlum family. Ballystrig is also home to a freestanding round limestone windmill built around 1770. A remnant of the area’s former wind-powered grain milling, it is no longer in use; an unusual and appealing feature, it shapes the surrounding landscape.

More travel experiences in County Offaly

Clonmacnoise and Clara Bog are distinct destinations elsewhere in County Offaly. The ruins of Clonmacnoise include a cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine churches and more than 700 early Christian grave slabs. Clara Bog is considered perhaps the best-preserved example of an ombrotrophic raised bog in mid-western Europe. These two places offer different experiences: Clonmacnoise is known for its extensive built heritage, while Clara Bog is notable for its distinctive bog landscape.

Routes in the county also vary in length and landscape. The Offaly Way is a 32.4-kilometre linear walking route in County Offaly from Cadamstown to Lemanaghan. It follows quiet roads, riverside and woodland paths, passes through farmland and includes paved roads. By contrast, the Grand Canal Greenway is described as a walking and cycling route along the canal, away from roads. This difference can help you decide what kind of outing you’re looking for, without treating the two routes as the same.

In County Offaly, the Sculpture Park at Lough Boora Discovery Park includes a 3.3-kilometre walking and cycling route with 24 works by Irish and international sculptors. The visitor centre at Lough Boora Discovery Park, beside Loch an Dochais, offers visitor information, public toilets, a café, bicycle hire, a picnic area and a car park. Check the operator’s information before you travel. Another distinct destination in County Offaly is Birr Castle Demesne: its grounds offer family activities, gardens with rare trees, the Great Telescope, castle tours and the Historic Science Centre of Ireland. The 120-acre park includes more than 5,000 plant species, award-winning gardens and an adventure playground.

Discover more destinations

Creagh, Kinnitty, Toberpatrick, Banagher, Tullamore, Shannonbridge, Daingean, Killurin

For the main travel overview: County Offaly.