Major city · Ireland
MountrathMaighean Rátha
Skip as a base: one night only if you want Roundwood House or a Slieve Bloom trailhead, otherwise sleep in Portlaoise and pass through.
Mountrath is a small County Laois town of about 2,100 people, bypassed by the M7 in 2010 and now a quiet stop on the old Dublin–Limerick road (R445). Its reason to exist for visitors is the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the west: trailheads, two hills over 480 m and a 75 km walking circuit. Accommodation is thin, so most people sleep in Portlaoise and drive out.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, short days, many gardens closed)
- Airports
- DUB · ORK
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mountrath112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mountrath, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are rural roads, patchy mobile coverage and fast-changing mountain weather.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard) · 999 All emergencies (alternative)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (Bus or train to Portlaoise, then Local Link 834; about 2.5–3 h door to door).
- Getting aroundYou need a car for the mountain trailheads and for Clonenagh, Gash Gardens and the hill roads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–20 (≈ US$17–25)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6 (≈ US$6–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Museum or sight ticketGash Gardens entryMay–Sep onlyAdult €7 (≈ US$9), child €2 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel or B&B single, a night, per person€40 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (Bus or train to Portlaoise, then Local Link 834; about 2.5–3 h door to door) · ORK Cork Airport (Car via M8 and M7, about 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mountrath: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car for the mountain trailheads and for Clonenagh, Gash Gardens and the hill roads. In town everything on Main St is walkable in 5–10 minutes. Local Link buses (834, 839, 831) link Portlaoise, Castletown, Borris-in-Ossory, Roscrea and Abbeyleix, but run only a few times a day and not at all on some days.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Slieve Bloom Mountains
goDoor to door: 20–40 min to trailheads
Drive R440 west towards Kinnitty; trailheads off the hill roads
Carroll's Hill (482 m) and Stillbrook Hill (514 m); the full 75 km (47 mi) circuit takes three days, most people day-trip.Carroll's Hill (482 m) and Stillbrook Hill (514 m); the full 47 mi (75 km) circuit takes three days, most people day-trip.
Clonenagh
goDoor to door: About 10 min by car
Drive or walk about 3 km (1.9 mi) east on the R445Drive or walk about 1.9 mi (3 km) east on the R445
Old monastic site with cross slabs in the graveyard; free, open access.
Gash Gardens
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive to Gash, Castletown, R32 K068
Open May–Sep, Mon–Sat 11:00–17:00; adult €7, child €2. Closed outside those months.Open May–Sep, Mon–Sat 11:00 AM–5:00 PM; adult €7, child €2. Closed outside those months.
Portlaoise
goDoor to door: 30–40 min
Local Link 834, about 30 min, or 15 min by car on the R445/M7
Nearest transport hub: trains to Dublin, Cork, Athlone and Galway, plus more beds and food.
Abbeyleix
goDoor to door: About 25 min by car
Drive via R445 and R432, or the Slieve Bloom Bus 831 on weekdays
Heywood Gardens and a bog walk; a liqueur distillery in town.
Kinnitty
overnightDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive R440 over the hills
Better base for the west slopes of the Slieve Blooms; a microbrewery in the village.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mountrath town (Main St / Shannon St)
Very few beds; a handful of B&Bs and rooms over pubs. Book ahead or plan to stay in Portlaoise.
Roundwood House, north of town
Georgian country house hotel with dining, about 5 km (3.1 mi) out on the R32 TK79; the one clear upscale option.Georgian country house hotel with dining, about 3.1 mi (5 km) out on the R32 TK79; the one clear upscale option.
Portlaoise (12 km east)
The practical base: trains, buses, hotels and restaurants. Use it and drive to the mountains.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or hotel double room1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × €60 | €60 |
| Fuel, about 100 km1 × €12 | €12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €46 |
| Trip total≈ €254 per person per day, bed included | €508≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Chinese restaurant main | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Golf visitor round, Mountrath Golf Course | €15 (≈ US$18) |
| Gash Gardens entryMay–Sep only | Adult €7 (≈ US$9), child €2 (≈ US$3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mobile coverage is patchy to absent across much of this area: download maps and routes before you drive out.
- Local Link buses run 1–4 times a day on weekdays and barely at weekends: check the timetable before relying on one.
- Many gardens and smaller attractions close outside May–September.
- Mountain weather changes fast; the Slieve Bloom tops are exposed and boggy underfoot.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (Gardaí, ambulance, fire, coast guard)
- 112
- All emergencies (alternative)
- 999
Pocket card
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MountrathMaighean Rátha
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- All emergencies (alternative)999
Embassy
No embassies in Mountrath; most countries are represented in Dublin. US citizens: US Embassy, Dublin (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Local Link 834, Portlaoise → Mountrath: about 30 min; fare check
- Taxi Portlaoise → Mountrath: €20–30 (≈ US$25–35) (check)
- Train Dublin Heuston → Portlaoise: about 1 h; fare check
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is a courtesy here, not a necessity.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mountrath. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wet, short days, many gardens closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: train or bus to Portlaoise, Local Link 834 to Mountrath, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main St and Shannon St, Clonenagh on the R445, Roundwood House, the R440 hill road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Gash Gardens, Clonenagh, Roundwood House, Slieve Bloom trailheads) and eat pages with last orders.
- Coverage and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Mountrath
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