About Westmeath

Come & Explore A Land of Lake and Legend


Angling Cruising on the Shannon Boating and watersports	Golf Equestrian pursuits Tourist trails	Genealogy And heritage holidays

Westmeath Tourism promotes local tourist attractions, accommodation, activities, festivals and events in the Westmeath area. The Westmeath Tourism web site provides links to and information on the various towns located in the Westmeath area such as Mullingar, Kinnegad, and Athlone. A listing of Failte Ireland approved accommodation as well as activities can be found on ourwebsite with links to the relevant company websites.Travel information can also be located in our access section where you can find flight information from Aer Lingus, sailing information from Irish Ferries and you can visit Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann for full train and bus links to and from the Westmeath area.

A county of lake and legend with rich pastureland, it offers remarkable beauty and diversity. Abounding in rivers, lakes and streams, it is a terrain of possibilities for every visitor. Detailed maps of Athlone and Mullingar Town centres

County Westmeath - Towns & Villages
The towns of Mullingar and Athlone are the two main commercial centres in the county providing Westmeath's 70,000
inhabitants with a range of fine boutiques and modern shopping centres. An important junction in the county is Kinnegad where the N4 (Dublin/Sligo road) and the N6 (Dublin/Galway road) meet.
Information on the many pretty and picturesque villages throughout the county is provided in the Westmeath Conty Guide.

Mullingar
Confident Capital of the Lakes, County Town of Westmeath, Mullingar is a thriving business, administrative and industrial centre. Famous for Beefsteak, Bachelors and international singing stars. Home of the good life, Mullingar's sporting facilities, shops, pubs, restaurants and nightlife are second to none.

Mullingar is a market town with a rich heritage dating back to Norman times. Its imposing Renaissance style Cathedral, whose twin spires tower 140 feet, dominates the townscape and is a must see for any visitor. The Ecclesiastical Museum has an interesting collection dating back to Penal Times when the Catholic religion was surpressed.

Athlone
Welcome to Athlone - the largest town on the majestic River Shannon. The modern name Athlone comes from two Irish words, "Ath" meaning ford or crossing and "Luain", a man's name meaning the ford of Luain. It's beautiful riverside location opening on to Lough Ree is the cornerstone of its attraction and the source of its outstanding natural beauty and enchanting atmosphere.

Present day Athlone is a busy and prosperous town with an abundance of interesting tourist attractions and excellent restaurants each with its own distinctive character catering for all the family. Dominating the town is Athlone Castle Visitors Centre - a Norman Castle with panoramic views of the Shannon. Features include exhibitions on the siege of Athlone, John McCormack, Shannon wildlife, folklore and military museums.

Athlone is proud to be the centre of Shannon Cruising and its hire boat companies delight in guiding tourists on the Shannon. River trips are available on the MV Ross and the Viking Longboat. The River Shannon is an important route for migratory birds in spring and autumn while the Shannon Callows is one of the last remaining Corncrake habitats in Europe. No trip to Athlone is complete wihtout a visit to the famous ruins of Clonmacnoise - a monastic settlement on the banks of the Shannon. For more information on Athlone visit www.athlone.ie

Glasson
Glasson, known as the Village of the Roses situated in the heart of Goldsmith Country, approx. 10 kms north of Athlone. Originally built as an estate (Waterstown) village, Glasson still retains its olde world charm, beauty and tranquillity. There are many historic buildings and monuments in the are including the old schoolhouse built in 1844. Glasson has something for everyone - award winning restaurants, traditional pubs serving food, entertainment and barbecues throughout the season. Glasson is surrounded by beautiful countryside on the shores of Lough Ree where you can enjoy Lakeshore & Forest Walks and of course the now famous Glasson Golf & Country Club.

Goldsmith Country gets its name from one of Ireland's world renowned 18th century poets, Oliver Goldsmith. Goldsmith's writings include the epic poem "The Deserted Village", and the play "She Stoops to Conquer". He was reared at Lissoy Parsonage, 5 kms from Glasson. It was his native Lissoy (Sweet Auburn) he recalled when writing "The Deserted Village". The International Goldsmith Summer School is held annually and will take place from Thurdsay 1st June to Sunday 4th June this year.

About County Westmeath

Located in the Heart of Ireland, Westmeath stretches from Lough Ree in the west to the shores of Lough Sheelin in the north east and southwards to Kinnegad and the Royal Canal.

It has an area of 710 square miles and a population of almost 62,000 people. Lakes are its greatest asset with fishing, cruising, water sport activities and shore amenities. There is a wealth of trout and coarse angling on the Westmeath Lakes, Ennell, Owel, Derravaragh, Sheelin, Lene, Lough Ree, the River Shannon and the Royal Canal. Derravaragh is the source of the well-known legend of the Children of Lir who are said to have spent three hundred years in isolation on its waters. Visitors wishing to cruise or to fish, to recall mythology from childhood, to tour the scenic routes and picturesque villages, traverse Goldsmith country or the Fore Trail or The Belvedere Trail will find much, much more in Westmeath.

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