Overview
Lilliput Adventure Centre sits in the 50-acre Jonathan Swift Park on the calm shore of Lough Ennell, about ten minutes’ drive north of Mullingar. The name comes from the island in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. Ringed by evergreen and deciduous woodland, with a raised peat bog nearby, the centre is set up for outdoor education, family days out and group stays: a lake for paddling, forest for walking, and purpose-built kit for climbing and raft building, all on the one site rather than scattered across the county.
Activities
Lilliput runs year-round, with a mix of self-guided exploring and instructor-led courses built around practical outdoor skills.
On the water
Lough Ennell is the centre of it. Qualified staff run guided canoeing and kayaking, supplying wetsuits, buoyancy aids and dry bags, with a full safety briefing before beginners head out and longer routes across the lake for stronger paddlers. For staying dry or casting a line, Lilliput Boat Hire works just down the shore, with rowing boats and outboard-powered vessels supplied with fuel and lifejackets. The lake is known among anglers for its entirely wild fish, including brown trout, pike and perch, with permits on request.
In the woods and on the cliffs
The forest makes a natural classroom for hill walking and orienteering, with marked trails, gentle gradients and quiet clearings for navigation practice. On land, the centre runs rock climbing and raft building, teaching rope work, belaying and the basics of building something that floats. Specialist multi-day courses cover first aid, CPR, defibrillator use and advanced watercraft techniques. All are certified, which makes Lilliput a regular choice for scout groups, youth organisations and school tours.
Summer camps and group programmes
Through July the centre turns over to week-long summer camps for children and teenagers, blending traditional camp-craft with laser tag, capture the flag and environmental workshops, the emphasis on confidence and teamwork rather than competition. Corporate groups and sports teams book bespoke retreats for team-building or season-end days, and the school tours and Gaisce awards programmes start from €100 per person.
Staying at Lilliput House
For groups who want to stay over, the historic Lilliput House is family-run accommodation for up to 50 guests. It keeps its period character alongside central heating, 24-hour hot showers and supplied bed linen and duvets. Evenings run in the Tudor-style dining room, with home-cooked meals from local produce served around an open fire, and a TV and lecture room doubles for group briefings or downtime. Scout groups and larger parties can use the on-site camping, with the same activity programme on hand.
Accessibility and inclusion
Lilliput has put real money into making the outdoors workable for everyone, with wheelchair-friendly activity zones, adapted canoe launches and accessible paths through the main site. Staff are trained to support people with reduced mobility, so most programmes can be adapted, and there are accessible toilets on site.
Practical information
- Address: Lilliput House, Lough Ennell, Castletown Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath, N91 W97W
- Getting there: about ten minutes north of Mullingar town centre, off the N6 via the Tyrrellspass or Kilbeggan exits, with clear signage along the southern shore of the lake.
- Opening hours: open year-round for day visits, courses and residential bookings; seasonal schedules and camp dates are on the website.
- Pricing: day trips start at €40 for under-18s and €60 for adults (activities only), with meal add-ons; residential and weekend packages run €100 to €170 per person depending on age and length. Group quotes for longer stays on request.
- Contact: Trish or Franky on +353 (0)87 810 6951 or info@lilliputadventure.com. Coach and minibus hire through their partner Johnny Bradley on +353 (0)87 236 5463.
- Parking: free on-site, with room for coaches.
Exploring further afield
Lilliput makes a good base for the wider Westmeath lakelands. A short drive north is Belvedere House Estate and Jealous Wall, with Victorian walled gardens and forest walks. The ruins of Fore Abbey sit in a green valley for a dose of medieval history, while the Hill of Uisneach gives wide views and ancient monuments tied to Irish mythology. For another stretch of water, Killinure Lough has calm kayaking and good birdwatching. Book courses and accommodation ahead, especially through the summer.