Mullingar – County Westmeath's Vibrant Market Town

📍 Mullingar, Westmeath

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Overview

Mullingar (Irish: An Muileann gCearr) is the administrative centre of County Westmeath and the third-largest town in the Irish Midland Region, with a population of 22,667 (2022). Situated on the River Brosna, the town acts as a gateway to three major lakes – Lough Owel, Lough Ennell and Lough Derravaragh – and sits on the historic Royal Canal. Its compact centre, lively shopping streets and range of hotels make it an ideal base for exploring the Midlands.

History

The settlement grew around a fording point on the Brosna and was originally called Maelblatha. Its modern name derives from a mill that, according to legend, turned backwards – a story linked to St Colmán of Mullingar. Medieval records note a motte-and-bailey castle, a tower house (Mullingar Castle) and two monastic houses: the Augustinian Priory of St Mary (1227) and a Dominican friary (1237).

When the Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act was passed in 1543, Mullingar became the shire town of the new county and later a garrison town with Wellington (later Columb Barracks).

The present Cathedral of Christ the King, built in the 1930s on the site of an earlier 19th-century cathedral, was dedicated on 1 September 1939, the day World War II began. The town’s market heritage survived for centuries until the cattle market closed in 2003, making way for the mixed-use development Market Point.

Aerial view of the Cathedral of Christ the King showing twin towers, a green dome, and surrounding town.
Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, Co Westmeath Courtesy Failte Ireland

What to See & Do

Heritage & Culture

  • Cathedral of Christ the King – A dominant twin-towered cathedral in the town centre; the interior features impressive stained-glass windows and mosaics. Free entry.
  • Greville Arms Hotel – A historic hotel featured in James Joyce’s Ulysses. It houses a collection of Brit-award-winning Niall Horan memorabilia. Free to view the memorabilia; restaurant charges apply.
  • Mullingar Pewter – Ireland’s only pewter factory. Self-guided tours are available (arrange in advance). Free entry; shop purchases vary.
  • Mullingar Arts Centre – A hub for theatre, gallery exhibitions and classes. The venue is wheelchair-accessible with a lift (pre-notice advised). Entry varies by event.

Gardens & Parks

  • Belvedere House & Gardens – A neo-classical mansion on the east bank of Lough Ennell, famous for the “Jealousy Wall”. Adults €8.75, Children €4.75 (family, senior & student discounts available). Open 7 days a week all year.
  • Mullingar Town Park – A Green Flag-awarded park featuring playgrounds, a swimming pool and an ornamental pond. Free entry.
  • Tudenham Park – Located on the shores of Lough Ennell, this amenity park offers walking trails, picnic areas and water sports access. Free entry.
Wooden gate at the entrance of a path leading into a forest with orange and yellow autumn leaves.
Tudenham Park Trails, shores of Lough Ennell, Mullingar, Co Westmeath Courtesy Westmeath County Council (www.visitwestmeath.ie)

Greenways & Cycling

  • Royal Canal Greenway – A 130 km level towpath passing through Mullingar Harbour. Ideal for walking, running or cycling. Free.
  • Old Rail Trail Greenway – A 43 km off-road path from Athlone to Mullingar, following the former Midland Great Western Railway. Free.
Old Rail Trail Greenway, Athlone to Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Old Rail Trail Greenway, Athlone to Mullingar, Co Westmeath Courtesy Westmeath County Council (www.visitwestmeath.ie)
  • Mullingar Golf Club (Belvedere) – A championship parkland course designed by James Braid; hosts the annual Mullingar Scratch Cup. Pay-and-play (check club website).

Lakes & Water Sports

  • Lough Owel – A deep, spring-fed lake popular for sailing, angling (brown trout, pike) and birdwatching. The lake supplies water to the Royal Canal.
  • Lough Ennell – Shallow and 6 km long, it is home to the historic Jonathan Swift Park at Lilliput and serves as a launch point for kayaking and paddle-boarding. Jet-skiing is prohibited.
  • Lough Derravaragh – Famed for the Children of Lir legend, this lake offers quieter waters for trout fishing.

Music & Nightlife

Mullingar’s music scene is active with venues such as The Stables (live gigs), Mullingar Arts Centre, and a host of traditional pubs including Druid’s Chair, Montgomery’s Whiskey Bar and the Ulysses Pub in the Greville Arms. The town has produced international stars Niall Horan (One Direction) and Bressie (The Blizzards).

Nearby Attractions

A short drive from the town centre brings you to other Westmeath highlights:

  • Abbey Blooms Botanical Gardens – A 10-acre garden showcasing native flora, a historic walled garden and seasonal art installations.
  • Lilliput Adventure Centre – Set on the shores of Lough Ennell, offering water sports, a children’s playground and the Jonathan Swift heritage trail.
  • Hill of Uisneach – The mythic “centre of Ireland”, a short 20-minute drive north, with ancient monuments and panoramic views.

Practical Information

Getting Here

  • Road – The N4 (Dublin-Sligo) passes east of town; the N52 links to Athlone, Kells and Dundalk. The town is about an hour’s drive from Dublin (≈80 km).
  • Bus – Bus Éireann routes connect Mullingar to Dublin, Athlone, Sligo, Cavan, Tullamore and Ballina. Expressway Bus 22/23 runs six times daily from Dublin Busáras (≈90 min).
  • Rail – Mullingar railway station serves Iarnród Éireann Arrow commuter services to Dublin and InterCity trains to Sligo. Ticket office: Mon-Sat 08:00-16:00. Sunday hours vary; check the Iarnród Éireann website for current counter availability.
  • Air – The nearest airports are Dublin (≈1 h) and Ireland West (Knock) (≈2 h 30 min).

Cycling & Walking

  • Bike hire – Mullingar Bike Hire at the Royal Canal Harbour hub provides hybrids, e-bikes, tandems and child seats, with free parking and shower facilities.
  • Cycle routes – Three marked loops (30 km, 38 km, 49 km) start at the railway station and explore Lough Owel, Lough Ennell and the Royal Canal. Detailed maps are available at the bike-hire centre.
  • Walking – The Westmeath Way (32 km) and the Royal Canal Way (stages 3b, 4a) begin or end in Mullingar, offering scenic lakeside and canal-side walks.

Accommodation

  • Greville Arms Hotel – 40-room boutique hotel in the town centre (Tel +353 449 348 563). Website: grevillearmshotel.ie.
  • Mullingar Park Hotel – 95-room 4-star hotel with Azure Leisure Club (indoor pool, sauna, gym).
  • Newbury Hotel – Family-run 26-room hotel beside the railway station; free parking and Wi-Fi.
  • Marlinstown Court B&B – Charming B&B a kilometre from town centre, child-friendly and close to Belvedere House.

Visitor Services

The Mullingar Tourist Information Centre in Market Square provides maps, event listings and booking assistance. Free Wi-Fi and helpful staff make it a useful first stop for planning greenway routes.

Accessibility

Mullingar Arts Centre and the County Council buildings are wheelchair-accessible; the Arts Centre lift requires prior notice. Most major hotels offer accessible rooms, and the Royal Canal Greenway is level and surfaced, suitable for wheelchair users.