Overview
Lilliput took its name from a book. The townland was called Nure until it was renamed after Jonathan Swift, who – so the local story goes – looked out across Lough Ennell, saw people reduced to specks on the far shore, and turned them into the tiny Lilliputians of Gulliver’s Travels. Lilliput House, the 18th-century house that anchors the site, was owned by Andrew Savage Nugent in 1837; today it and the 50-acre Jonathan Swift Park around it are the Lilliput Adventure Centre, about ten minutes’ drive south of Mullingar.
The pitch is simple: everything is on the one site. Evergreen and deciduous woodland, a raised peat bog and the lakeshore all sit within the grounds, so a day here is spent doing activities rather than driving between them. If you’re bringing children for a day out, the water is the point – canoeing and kayaking on Lough Ennell are what the place is built around, and the rest fills in the gaps.
One thing to know before you come: this isn’t a turn-up-and-wander attraction. The park is open, but the activities run on booking – a course, a camp place, a residential stay – and there’s no walk-up ticket desk, so plan ahead.
Activities
Lilliput runs year-round, mixing self-guided exploring with 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 crossings for stronger paddlers. To stay dry or cast a line, Lilliput Boat Hire works separately just down the shore, with rowing boats and outboard-powered vessels supplied with fuel and lifejackets – popular for fishing the lake’s wild brown trout, pike and perch, and for family outings.
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 putting together something that floats. Specialist multi-day courses cover first aid, CPR, defibrillator use and advanced watercraft. All are certified, which makes Lilliput a regular choice for scout groups, youth organisations and school tours.
Summer camps and group programmes
Summer camps run Monday to Friday in either a morning slot (10am–1pm) or an afternoon one (1pm–4pm), mixing camp-craft with laser tag, brain bashers, paddling, canoeing, kayaking, capture the flag and environmental workshops – the emphasis on confidence and teamwork over competition. Corporate groups and sports teams book bespoke retreats for team-building or season-end days, and the centre also runs school tours and Gaisce award programmes.
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, home-cooked meals from local produce served around an open fire, with a TV and lecture room doubling 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 work into making the outdoors workable for everyone: 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 south 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, and pre-booking is essential.
- Pricing: rates aren’t published online – day, residential, camp, Gaisce and school-tour prices are quoted on request, so contact the centre for a figure.
- 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.