Overview
Clonaslee’s name, Cluain na Slí, means “meadow of the way”: it grew up on an old cross-country route into Munster, and it still works best as a way through rather than a destination in itself. The reason to stop is the Slieve Bloom Mountains at its back. This is the main northern gateway to them, and the Brittas Forest car park just outside the village is the trailhead for three signposted loops. The village sits on the R422 between Mountmellick and Birr, about 100 km west of Dublin, with a population of around 600 (608 at the 2022 census).
History & heritage
The area is older than the village. A church founded in the 7th century by Saint Manman established the parish of Kilmanman, and earthworks and ringforts in the surrounding townlands point to early medieval farming communities. The Anglo-Normans built defensive mottes on the natural eskers here in the late 12th century, and by the 16th century the Dunne family of Brittas were the dominant local power. Their mark is still on the landscape: the ruins of Ballinakill Castle on the banks of the River Clodiagh, the remains of a Dunne residence on Clara Hill, and further ruins at Castlecuffe (early 17th century) and Brittas House (1869).
The old Church of Ireland, built in 1814, now serves as the village heritage centre and library – a good first stop if the weather turns and you want the local backstory before the hills.
Walking & outdoor routes
Three looped walks start from the Brittas Forest Recreation Area, all free and clearly signposted:
- Rickets Rock Loop – 4.5 km, moderate, 1–1.5 hours. A mix of minor roads, sandy roadways and forestry tracks; the manageable one for families.
- Brittas Lake Loop – 6 km, moderate, about 2.5 hours. Follows forestry road and tracks past Brittas Lake, which has a short lakeside trail and a picnic area.
- Glendineoregan Loop – 11.7 km, strenuous, 2–3 hours. Climbs into open moorland with sweeping views across the midlands.
If you’ve only a couple of hours, the Brittas Lake Loop is the pick – lake, picnic spot and forest without the moorland slog. Nearby, the Clonaslee Waterfall (Glendineoregan) is a scenic cascade, also free with parking. Watch for red squirrels, deer and wild goats in the woods.
The village also sits on the Slieve Bloom Way, a 77 km waymarked trail through Laois and Offaly, accessible directly from Clonaslee. Waymarks are easy to follow – blue arrows on the forest loops, the standard yellow walking man on the Slieve Bloom Way – and dogs are welcome on most routes.
One honest caveat before you head up: the Slieve Bloom Mountains have no cafés, shops or shelter, and the nearest services are back in Clonaslee, Kinnitty or Mountrath. The upland weather changes quickly, so bring waterproofs and layers even on a bright morning.
Village life & facilities
For its size, Clonaslee keeps a working high street: local pubs, a post office and a Garda station, plus a playground open during daylight hours with toilets in the community centre when it’s open. The GAA club, Clonaslee–St Manman’s, anchors much of the community calendar. The pubs do straightforward meals, handy after a day on the trails; for a wider choice of restaurants or accommodation, Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Tullamore are all within a 20-minute drive.
Getting there & practical tips
- By car: Take the M7/N7 from Dublin to Portlaoise, then the R422 west for roughly 30 km.
- By bus: Regional services connect the village to Tullamore and Mountmellick, with onward links to Dublin and Portlaoise. Check current timetables, as rural routes run reduced schedules on Sundays and public holidays.
- By train: Portlaoise is the nearest station, on the Dublin Heuston–Galway/Cork line; a taxi or local bus covers the final leg.
- Parking: The free car park for walkers is at the Brittas Forest Recreation Area; there’s on-street parking in the village.
- Connectivity: Eir and Three give reliable coverage in the village and along the main trails; Vodafone can drop in the deeper forest, so download offline maps.
- Best time to visit: Spring and early autumn give the most comfortable walking, fewer midges and clearer views. Winter is doable with waterproof boots and layers.
Nearby attractions
A short drive opens up several of Laois’s most-visited heritage sites. Emo Court’s 18th-century neoclassical house and walled gardens are a refined contrast to the rough trails, while the Rock of Dunamase has hilltop ruins and long views across the county. Further south, Abbeyleix pairs Georgian streets with nearby boglands, and the Laois Monastic Trail links several early medieval sites.
Treat Clonaslee as a base, not the main event: park at Brittas Forest, pick your loop by how much time and leg you’ve got, and check the forecast before the moorland sections – there’s no shelter once you’re up on the open ground.