Overview
Most people come to Castlepollard for Tullynally, the Pakenham family’s castle and terraced gardens 2 km west of the town – but the town itself, a Georgian market town in north County Westmeath, is worth the short stop it takes to walk it. It is built around a triangular green framed by 18th-century townhouses, a restored market house, and Dolores Nally’s sculpture of the Children of Lir, the legend tied to nearby Lough Derravaragh. Castlepollard sits north of the N4, roughly 24 km (15 miles) up from Mullingar, and works best as a base for the lakes, the beech forest at Mullaghmeen, and the demesne at Kinturk House on the edge of the square.
Kinturk House: Neoclassical Grandeur
Originally built around 1760 as a five-bay country residence, Kinturk House was transformed in 1821 when William Dutton Pollard commissioned London architect Charles Robert Cockerell for a major remodel. The result is a textbook example of Regency neoclassicism, dominated by a striking tetrastyle Ionic portico with unfluted limestone columns, ashlar chimneystacks, and a finely moulded cornice.
Inside, where access is occasionally permitted during heritage open days, the craftsmanship remains impressive. A soaring Portland-stone stair hall features a brass balustrade and surviving rococo plasterwork that speaks to the high standards of 19th-century country house design. Today, the building operates as St Peter’s Centre, housing offices for the Midlands Health Board. While the interior isn’t regularly open to the public, the exterior and surrounding demesne – including a walled garden and historic farmyard – can be admired from the roadside. Keep an eye on local community notices for occasional heritage access events.
The Georgian Green & Local History
The triangular village green tells the story of Castlepollard’s development. After English army captain Nicholas Pollard received land grants following the Nine Years’ War, his family established a fortified manor that gave the settlement its name. Throughout the 1700s, they secured market rights and commissioned the Georgian townhouses that still line the square.
The area’s history has its darker chapters. On 23 May 1831, during the Tithe War, police fired on a crowd at the fair and 13 people were killed. All 19 of the policemen involved were discharged without conviction – a fact that says a good deal about the era, and one still commemorated locally. Decades later, during the War of Independence, the RIC barracks and market house were burned; the market house was rebuilt in 1926 and has since served as a fire station and library. Religious buildings on the green, including St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, date from the 19th century and add to the architectural character of the square.
Tullynally Castle & Gardens
Just 2 km west of the town centre, the Tullynally estate has one of Westmeath’s most rewarding gardens: a layered sequence of terraced lawns, two ornamental lakes, and set pieces like a Chinese pagoda and a Tibetan waterfall garden, with a mature avenue of Irish yews framing the approach. A Children’s Discovery Trail and a Tree Trail make it a reliable outing with children.
The gardens and tearooms open from spring – in 2026 from 21 March – through to September, while guided castle tours run from late April, Thursday to Saturday at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Note that the grounds are not free: garden entry is €8 at the time of writing, and a castle tour, which includes the garden, is €17 for adults and €9 for children (10 and over). The 45-minute tour takes in the Great Hall, dining room, drawing room, library and the Victorian servants’ quarters. Check current times and book at Tullynally Castle.
Lakes, Forests & Archaeology
Castlepollard’s location makes it a practical base for exploring the wider north County Westmeath landscape:
- Lough Derravaragh (5 km north-west): A long, quiet lake woven into the Children of Lir mythology. The shoreline is ideal for unhurried walks and wildlife spotting.
- Lough Lene (≈10 km drive): A designated bathing spot with calm waters suitable for swimming and paddle-boarding. The lake also provides access to Turgesius Island, a small landmass tied to Viking-era folklore and named after the 9th-century leader.
- Mullaghmeen: the largest planted beech forest in Ireland, with a network of marked trails to suit most fitness levels. It is at its best in autumn, when the beech leaves turn gold.
- Archaeological sites: The high ground around the town holds several ringforts, including Randoon near Lough Lene. For more ancient history, a short detour to Fore reveals the medieval abbey ruins and the area’s traditional “Seven Wonders.”
- Belvedere House Estate: A short drive north-east, this estate features formal gardens and the 18th-century “Jealous Wall,” a striking folly built to block a view of a neighbouring property.
Practical Information
- Getting there: Castlepollard is about an hour and a quarter from Dublin by car, north of the N4 rather than on it – you leave the main road at Mullingar and head north. Bus Éireann routes 111 and 447 stop regularly, connecting the town with Mullingar and Dublin. The nearest railway station is Mullingar, about 24 km away, with frequent Irish Rail services.
- Parking: Free on-street parking circles the market green. Tullynally Castle has a dedicated car park that operates on a pay-and-display basis during peak summer months.
- Accommodation: The town has a selection of B&Bs and guesthouses. The Tullynally estate also lists seasonal holiday lets on its website.
- Dining: Pubs and cafés around the green serve straightforward Irish fare, often featuring locally sourced ingredients and regional craft beers.
- Accessibility: Tullynally Gardens feature paved paths suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Castle interior tours have limited access due to historic staircases and uneven floors.
- Seasonal notes: The Tullynally gardens and tearooms run from spring (21 March in 2026) through September, with castle tours from late April. Forest trails are open year-round but can be muddy after wet spells, so bring waterproof footwear. Heritage open days at Kinturk House are announced locally, so it is worth checking community social media or noticeboards before visiting.
Castlepollard works best as a half-day stop on a north-south route through Westmeath, or as a quiet base for a longer lakeside itinerary. Start at the green, walk up to Kinturk House for the architecture, then head west to Tullynally before catching the afternoon light along Lough Derravaragh.