Offaly, part i - in the Slieve Bloom Mountains

Irish author Sinéad Moriarty is no stranger to bracing walks along the piers of Dun Laoghaire  but on her first trip to explore Co.Offaly Sinéad gets a chance to slow down and unwind on 3 different trails across the county.   

Starting with a loop around historic Glinsk Forest near Kinnity in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Sinead discovers a beautiful traditional forest which is now criss-crossed by mountain-bike, horse riding and hiking trails.  Along the way she diverts into the grounds of Kinnity Castle where she has a stroll with Rachel McKenna to get local insight into the history and the preservation of the grounds, and to hear about the refurbishment of some beautiful bridges here which lay hidden for many years. 

She continues up into the forest where she meets photographer Paul Moore who shows her how to focus on what is around her by being in the moment, using the camera on her phone to see her surroundings in a new light.  Sinéad finishes her hike around Glinsk forest with a downhill stroll that brings her back to the start of the loop.