Shanahoe is the kind of place where the map is more interesting than the village itself. It sits at the foot of the Slieve Bloom range, south-east of Mountrath, and the landscape is what matters — not the handful of houses.
Come here not to see the village but to walk from it. The mountains are close enough to reach on foot. The village is a starting point, a shelter, a place to stop and eat if someone has opened. That is honest work.
None of these are themed Irish pubs, because they don't need to be. A few that earn the trip:
If it is open. Check ahead before planning a stop.
Wear waterproofs. Bring a sandwich. Tell someone where you're going if it's the mountain.
There is no bad time. There are different times.
The mountains are visible. Lambs on the lower slopes.
Walking weather. The mountains are a long walk away but possible.
The best season. Clear views, turning colours, cool for walking.
Cloud often wraps the mountains. The roads can be rough.
South-east of Mountrath on the back roads. About 8 km from Mountrath village. From Portlaoise via Mountrath, 25 km total.
Limited services. Check with Bus Éireann for Mountrath routes that continue.