County Westmeath

Right in the heart of Ireland, Westmeath is a county of remarkable beauty and diversity, renowned for rich pastureland and spectacular lakes that are perfect for fishing, cruising and water-sports. Westmeath stretches from Lough Ree in the west to the shores of Lough Sheelin in the north east and southwards to Kinnegad and the Royal Canal.

The county is famous for its cattle, lakes such as Lough Owel, Mullingar Pewter, its scenery and the canal. It is also closely associated with the much-revered 18th century poet Oliver Goldsmith who grew up at Lissoy near Glasson and the renowned tenor John Count McCormack.

History and Heritage

Westmeath is dominated by the historic town of Athlone which spans the River Shannon and has been the vital link between the east and west of Ireland for centuries. It is, in effect, the commercial capital of the Midlands today.

Throughout the county, there are stately homes, churches, remains of monastic settlements and loughs shrouded in legends. Among the best known of these is the Children of Lir, who reputedly spent 300 years in isolation on the waters of Lough Derravaragh, having been turned into swans by a jealous stepmother. Another legend is the Seven Wonders of Fore.

Sites to see

Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard, Belvedere House and Gardens, Mullingar, Athlone Castle.

Sports and Leisure

Westmeath is a real angler’s paradise, with an abundance of rivers, lakes and canal stretches offering an unmatched variety of fish such as brown trout, pike, bream, perch, rudd, roach, carp and tench. Angling is so well established in the area that the full range of services required by anglers - boats for hire, fishing tackle outlets, expert advice and ghillies – is widely available

Eat, Drink and Stay

Mullingar Greyhound Stadium has racing twice weekly all year round and the Kilbeggan horse-races run over a series of dates throughout the summer. Westmeath is ideal for cruising on the Shannon and boating and watersports generally, but it also caters well for equestrian pursuits. Golfers can choose from half a dozen good courses throughout the county.

Festivals

May: All Ireland Drama Festival

June: Annual Goldsmith Summer School

July: Viking Festival

August: Rose of Glasson

August: Moate Agricultural Show

September: Athlone Literary Festival

Things you have to see or do

Locke’s Distillery Museum – located in Kilbeggan

Tullnally Castle & Gardens – located at Castlepollard

Dun na Si Folk Park – located at Moate

Seven Wonders of Fore – the only Benedictine remains in Ireland and dates back to 630 A.D

Athlone Castle Visitor Centre – history of Athlone & Castle

Belvedere House, Gardens and Park – Mullingar

Irish Farm Safari – exciting guided tour

Mullingar Bronze & Pewter Centre - discover some of the hidden secrets, skills and magic mixed to create products which date back over 800 years

Useful links

Ireland’s East Coast & Midlands www.eastcoastmidlands.ie

Westmeath Tourism www.westmeathtourism.com

Ireland’s East Coast & Midlands www.eastcoastmidlands.ie