Rhode

A bog-island village with a big football name.

Rhode (Ród) sits on an “island” of high ground surrounded by raised bog. The canal passes just south at Rhode Bridge (c.1797). The village grew around the ESB peat-burning power station, which closed in 2003; its cooling towers came down in 2004. Rhode GAA has won more Offaly senior football titles than any other club. Stop at The Bog’s Dollops café and bakery.

Why it matters: shares Daingean’s peat and power-station heritage – and its future beyond peat.

Sources: Wikipedia (Rhode); Visit Offaly