Laois featured in new edition of William Bulfin's travelogue 2025

placeholder image — Rambles in Éireann photo extract

The book describes Bulfin's travels around Ireland by bike in 1902

This month, the stunning and long-overdue new edition of the popular travelogue by William Bulfin is published and showcases County Laois.

William Bulfin's 'Rambles in Éirinn' describes his travels around Ireland by bicycle in 1902 and offer's a vivid picture of Irish towns and country life at the turn of the century.

County Laois is featured in chapter 10 and 18 of the book, along with his whole bicycle journey around Ireland.

In chapter 10, Bulfin visits Mountmellick and writes, "this is a beautiful part of Ireland."

The book features sites of historical importance like Tara and Vinegar Hill, and encounters with beggars, patriots and ‘shoneens’, as it serves as both a nostalgic tribute to a changing Ireland and an insightful exploration of its enduring spirit - making it a timeless read for lovers of travel literature and Irish history alike.

William Bulfin was born in Co. Offaly and was an author, journalist, newspaper editor and publisher, his pieces appeared in The Southern Cross, United Irishman and Sinn Féin.

In 1902 he wrote Rambles In Éirinn, an account of his travels around Ireland by bicycle on his return to his homeland.

Following his death in 1910, his son Eamon was involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and his daughter Catalina married Seán MacBride, a leading Irish republican who was the son of Maud Gonne and Major John MacBride.

The book can be purchased for €21.99 here.