Positioned at the very geographic centre of Ireland, County Westmeath is a landscape defined by its remarkably serene lakes and quiet but profound historical significance. Just a short, effortless journey from the bustle of Dublin, it offers a deeply tranquil and authentic escape into Ireland’s lush historic heartland. Known as the “Lake County,” Westmeath is a place where the shimmering waters of the midlands meet a storied past of ancient kingdoms and mediaeval strongholds.
The county’s identity is inextricably linked to its spectacular network of lakes, which serve as both natural havens and sites of legendary resonance. Lough Ennell and Lough Owel are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and tranquil shores, while the mysterious Lough Derravaragh is famously steeped in the myth of the Children of Lir. To the west, the mighty River Shannon widens into the island-dotted expanse of Lough Ree, a haven for boating and wildlife that has provided a vital corridor for travel and trade since the time of the Vikings.
Westmeath’s rich heritage is equally evident in its historic market towns and grand estates. The 12th-century Athlone Castle, standing defiantly on the banks of the Shannon, remains a formidable sentinel of the midlands, while the elegant Belvedere House and Gardens near Mullingar offer a fascinating glimpse into the aristocratic world of the Georgian era. For those seeking fresh air and adventure, the Old Rail Trail Greenway provides a spectacular, traffic-free path through the heart of the county, following an old railway line from Athlone to Mullingar. Whether you are exploring the formal gardens of Tullynally Castle or following the quirky sculpture trails of its countryside, County Westmeath rewards every traveller with its unique blend of peaceful nature and remarkably enduring spirit.
Multyfarnham, westmeath
Abbey Blooms is a seasonal garden and café a kilometre outside Multyfarnham, opened in 2021 by Nua Healthcare Services as a community inclusion project that employs people of all abilities. Entry is free, the café runs daily 10am to 4.30pm, and each December the gardens turn into the ticketed North Pole Experience.
Athlone, westmeath
Athlone grew up at the Shannon ford that splits Westmeath from Roscommon, and its west bank holds Sean's Bar, dated to around 900 AD and recognised as Ireland's oldest pub. The 13th-century castle guarding the bridge is closed for redevelopment until autumn 2026; for now the river, the boat tours to Clonmacnoise and the greenway to Mullingar carry the visit.
Athlone, westmeath
Athlone Castle guards the Shannon crossing at the centre of town, on a site fortified since a wooden fort went up in 1129; the stone keep was built for King John in 1210. Its defining moment came in 1691, when General Ginkel's Williamite army fired some 12,000 cannonballs across the river in one of the heaviest bombardments in Irish history before fording the Shannon and taking the town. The keep now holds an eight-gallery visitor centre, currently closed for redevelopment and due to reopen in autumn 2026.
Ballinahown, westmeath
Ballinahown, population about 75, was named Ireland's Tidiest Village in 2024 and took gold at Entente Florale Europe the same year. The draw is small but real: a bog-oak carving studio in the old schoolhouse, an Irish-mythology sculpture trail, a woodland fairy walk and an accessible riverside path along the River Worm.
Westmeath, westmeath
Ballinea is a small Westmeath village on the Royal Canal, 5km west of Mullingar, where a fine stone canal bridge carries the road to the western bank. It sits on the Royal Canal Greenway, a flat, traffic-free towpath good for an easy walk or cycle, with a children's playground by the bridge. It was the birthplace of Fr Paul Walsh, one of the county's great Irish-language scholars.
Belvedere House, westmeath
Belvedere is a Georgian villa on the shore of Lough Ennell, ringed by 18th-century follies, the largest being the Jealous Wall – a sham ruin built to spite a neighbouring brother. The house interior is closed for conservation, but the walled garden, woodland walks, follies and four play areas remain open.
North County Westmeath, westmeath
Castlepollard thrives around a historic triangular green, with Tullynally’s splendid terraced gardens, the serene waters of Lough Derravaragh and Lough Lene, and the striking 18th-century Kinturk House overlooking its demesne.
Castletown Geoghegan, westmeath
Castletown Geoghegan blends rural Westmeath charm with active outdoor pursuits. Cycle the 43km Old Rail Trail, explore the legacy of the historic Geoghegan family, or spend a day on the waters of Lough Ennell.
Mullingar, westmeath
Twin towers and a green dome dominate Mullingar's skyline, but the real reward is inside. Opened in 1936, this Renaissance Revival cathedral – the first in the world dedicated to Christ the King – houses Boris Anrep mosaics, one of which carries a hidden love story, and a small ecclesiastical museum.
Collinstown, westmeath
Collinstown sits above Lough Lene, a spring-fed lake clear enough to be one of only three designated bathing spots in County Westmeath. The village is best known for the early Christian bell pulled from the lake in 1881, a half-size copy of which the Ceann Comhairle still rings to bring order to Dáil Éireann.
Grace Road, westmeath
Custume Barracks stands as a living archive of Irish military history on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. From its origins as a 1690s cavalry encampment to its secret Cold War nuclear command centre, the site remains an active Defence Forces installation. While interior access is restricted, the imposing Georgian façade, historic clock tower, and riverside promenade offer a compelling glimpse into Athlone’s strategic past.
Delvin, westmeath
Delvin is a small Westmeath village built around the ruins of a Nugent castle whose two towers still rise five storeys over the main street. The 18-hole Delvin Castle Golf Club is on the edge of the village, and the place gave Ireland the novelist Brinsley MacNamara.
Dublin, dublin
The Dublin-Galway Greenway is a planned 276 km coast-to-coast route, but only the eastern part is built: over 100 km along the Royal Canal towpath and the Old Rail Trail from Mullingar to Athlone, all flat and traffic-free. The long gap from Athlone to Galway is still mostly unbuilt, so for now this is a midlands canal-and-rail ride, best taken in sections off the train line.
Moate, westmeath
Ancient folklore meets modern community life at Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, where reconstructed farmsteads, a petting zoo and a traditional music school sit alongside biodiverse woodland trails. This 27-acre site in Moate offers a hands-on journey through Irish rural history and natural beauty.
westmeath
Set along the R391 west of Mullingar, Dysart offers a glimpse into traditional Westmeath village life. Historic stone buildings, welcoming pubs, and the calm waters of nearby Lough Ennell make it an ideal stop for travellers seeking a relaxed pace.
Tullamore, meath
The Esker Riada is a chain of low gravel ridges left by Ice Age meltwater that runs across the midlands from Dublin to Galway. As the only dry path over the bogs it became the Slí Mhór, the Great Way, linking Clonard, Durrow and Clonmacnoise and marking the ancient boundary between the north and south of Ireland. The N6 still roughly follows it, and the Esker Hills golf course near Tullamore is built on it.
Fore, westmeath
Fore sits in a quiet green valley where the stone ruins of a medieval Benedictine abbey rise from a peat bog. Follow the 3 km St Feichín’s Way to discover the Seven Wonders – from a mill without a race to a holy well that never boils – and step into centuries of Irish monastic history.
Athlone, westmeath
A 9th-century stone oratory once stood on this quiet island before the Shannon Scheme submerged it beneath Killinure Lough. Today, a commemorative plaque and tranquil riverside paths invite visitors to reflect on Ireland’s early Christian heritage.
Glasson, westmeath
Glasson sits on the shores of Lough Ree and the River Tullaghan, blending a historic village atmosphere with a championship golf course and award-winning lakeside accommodation. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks, fine dining, and luxury resorts just an hour from Dublin.
westmeath
Situated at the symbolic heart of the midlands, the Hill of Uisneach is Ireland’s legendary ‘navel’ and one of the island’s most potent archaeological landscapes. Pre-booked guided walks lead visitors across Neolithic tombs, Bronze-Age mounds and the historic Rathnew earthwork, while the annual Bealtaine Fire Festival brings its ancient summer rites back to life.
Kilbeggan, westmeath
Licensed in 1757, Kilbeggan is the oldest working whiskey distillery on the island and home to the world's oldest working pot still, a 180-year-old vessel salvaged from the old Tullamore distillery. The riverside site pairs a museum with live production, and twice in its history the town clubbed together to save it from collapse.
westmeath
Where Killinure Lough meets the River Shannon, the bay and its surrounding peninsula offer a peaceful escape into Westmeath’s inland waterways. Visitors can explore ancient woodlands, stroll along sheltered shores, or enjoy watersports at a well-equipped marina, all set against a backdrop of Georgian heritage and rich birdlife.
Killucan, westmeath
A quiet Westmeath market village where early-19th-century limestone façades frame a relaxed streetscape. Just two kilometres away, the Royal Canal Greenway invites walkers and cyclists to pedal past the famous eight-lock Killucan Flight, while St Etchén’s Church guards a 13th-century chalice and medieval tomb.
Kinnegad, westmeath
Most travellers know Kinnegad only as the M4/M6 services stop 60 km west of Dublin, but pull off and there's a 5 km Boreen Bradach walking loop, the restored Mount Hevey raised bog, and a church whose stations of the cross still carry Black and Tans bullet holes.
Crookedwood, westmeath
Knockeyon rises to 214m on the southeastern shore of Lough Derravaragh, offering a peaceful hill walk through native woodland to a summit cairn and historic trig pillar. Halfway up, the footings of a medieval chapel mark the site of an ancient August pilgrimage, while winter visits reveal one of Ireland’s largest common pochard roosts.
Jonathan Swift Park, westmeath
Lilliput Adventure Centre sits in the 50-acre Jonathan Swift Park on the shore of Lough Ennell, ten minutes north of Mullingar, named after the island in Gulliver's Travels. It runs canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, raft building and orienteering, with certified courses for scouts, schools and youth groups. Lilliput House sleeps up to 50 for residential stays, and the site has wheelchair-friendly activity zones and adapted canoe launches.
westmeath
Misty mornings lift over Lough Derravaragh to reveal a broad, alkaline expanse dotted with swans and ancient crannóg islands. Surrounded by rolling hills and early Christian ruins, the lake draws anglers, paddlers and history lovers to its calm waters.
Mullingar, westmeath
Lough Ennell is a shallow, reed-fringed lake just south of Mullingar, renowned for brown trout fishing and tranquil watersports. On its southern shore, Jonathan Swift Park offers a family-friendly swimming beach, walking trails, and easy access to the Westmeath Way.
River Inny, westmeath
Fringed by silent reeds and shallow marshes, Lough Iron is a narrow, four-kilometre stretch of water on the River Inny. Designated a Special Protection Area and Ramsar wetland, it supports internationally important wintering waterbirds while preserving a landscape shaped by centuries of folklore and natural drainage.
Collinstown, westmeath
Lough Lene is County Westmeath’s clearest lake, celebrated for its Blue Flag beach, ancient logboats, and three historic islands. Combined with the nearby Randoon hillfort and quiet country trails, it makes for a refreshing mix of outdoor recreation and early Irish history.
Mullingar, westmeath
A short drive from Mullingar, Lough Owel offers clear, alkaline waters perfect for wild swimming, angling and greenway cycling. The neighbouring village of Multyfarnham complements the natural setting with a continuously active medieval friary, curated botanical gardens and award-winning village charm.
Athlone, westmeath
Keith Williams’ sleek glass wing extends from the historic 1897 Father Mathew Temperance Hall, creating Luan Gallery’s striking riverside silhouette. This free-entry contemporary art space hosts rotating exhibitions of Irish and international work, set against panoramic views of the River Shannon.
Portlaoise, laois
The Midlands sits at the geographical and mythological centre of Ireland, spanning four counties of gentle plains, winding rivers and rich heritage. From the druidic Hill of Uisneach and the Iron Age Corlea Trackway to the Norman walls of Athlone Castle and the scientific legacy of Birr’s Great Telescope, this inland region offers a deeply layered travel experience.
Milltownpass, westmeath
Visit Milltownpass, a quiet Westmeath village that powered its own homes decades before rural electrification. Today, visitors enjoy a flat, gravel-surfaced Bog & Woodland Trail lined with wildlife sculptures and interpretative panels, set against a backdrop of protected peatland and historic mill heritage.
Moate, westmeath
A 12th-century Norman motte anchors this quiet Westmeath market town, where heritage trails wind through a 27-acre park and a seasonal turlough. Cyclists, families and history lovers will find a compact base on the Dublin-Galway Greenway, complete with free parking, local cafés and easy access to the county’s lakes and castles.
Moate, westmeath
Housed in the former 19th-century Bridewell jail, Moate Museum preserves the stark prison cells alongside vivid recreations of farm kitchens, schoolrooms and blacksmith forges. Over a thousand artefacts trace the agricultural roots and community spirit of this Westmeath market town.
North Westmeath, westmeath
At 258 m, Mullaghmeen is Ireland’s lowest county top, yet it rises above a spectacular 400-ha arboretum. Walkers follow colour-coded trails through Europe’s largest planted beech forest, passing famine gardens, a traditional Booley Hut and a summit cairn with clear views across Lough Sheelin.
Mullingar, westmeath
Situated on the River Brosna and flanked by three major lakes, Mullingar is the gateway to the Irish Midlands. From the iconic Cathedral of Christ the King to the Royal Canal Greenway, this historic shire town offers a mix of outdoor adventure, heritage, and lively local character.
Multyfarnham, westmeath
Quiet arrival in Multyfarnham reveals a gentle lakeside village where Lough Owel mirrors the sky beside a centuries-old Franciscan friary. The still-standing cloister, historic stonework and life-size Stations of the Cross create a contemplative atmosphere that complements the nearby Abbey Blooms Botanical Gardens.
Rosemount, westmeath
Located on the rolling hills north-east of Moate, Rosemount blends ancient ritual sites, a thriving village community and modern scientific research. Wander a sixth-century BC cairn on Knockastia, explore the preserved courtyard of the historic estate, and discover why global music stars choose this quiet corner of Westmeath to record.
Dublin, dublin
The Royal Canal stretches 130 km of level towpath from Maynooth to Cloondara, winding through five counties, 90 stone bridges and 33 working locks. Cyclists, walkers and runners can soak up wildlife, historic sites such as Maynooth Castle and the Hill of Uisneach, and the award-winning scenery of Ireland’s longest greenway.
Athlone, westmeath
Step inside Sean’s Bar in Athlone, a riverside tavern that traces its roots back over a thousand years. With exposed wattle-and-wicker walls, a gently sloping floor, and seven nights of live traditional music, it remains a living piece of Irish history.
Streamstown, westmeath
Set in the heart of County Westmeath, the Streamstown River flows quietly past a charming rural village built around a restored 19th-century railway station. Visitors can follow its gentle banks onto the 43km Old Rail Trail, enjoying flat, traffic-free paths, a dedicated Bee Pollinator Trail, and a welcoming café in the former station house.
Castlepollard, westmeath
Step into a living family estate where Gothic towers overlook terraced lawns, a walled garden and a striking Chinese pagoda. Guided castle tours and seasonal garden walks offer a peaceful escape in the heart of the Irish Midlands.
Kilbeggan to Mullingar, westmeath
A gentle, waymarked trail that threads through County Westmeath’s quiet rivers, lakes and historic towpaths. Starting in whiskey-making Kilbeggan and finishing in Mullingar, it offers a relaxed two-day walk past Jonathan Swift’s Lilliput and scenic canal banks.
