Things to do in County Westmeath
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Belvedere House Gardens & Park
Don’t miss the magnificent Belvedere House Gardens & Park, an immense 18th-century hunting lodge set in 65 hectares of gardens overlooking Lough Ennell. More than a few skeletons have come out of Belvedere’s closets: the first earl, Lord Belfield, accused his wife and younger brother Arthur of adultery. She was placed under house arrest here for 30 years, and Arthur was jailed in London for the rest of his life. Meanwhile, the earl lived a life of decadence and debauchery. On his death, his wife emerged dressed in the fashion of three decades earlier, still protesting her innocence.
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Viking Tours
Cruise along the Shannon aboard a replica Viking longship, complete with costumed staff and dress-up clothes, including helmets, swords and shields. Head north to Lough Ree or south to Clonmacnoise. A round trip to Clonmacnoise allows a 90-minute stop at the ruins. Call for schedules.
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Athlone Castle Visitor Centre
The Athlone Castle Visitor Centre contains some informative displays on the Siege of Athlone, the flora and fauna of the Shannon, and the Shannon’s role in the production of hydroelectricity. Other highlights are an old gramophone that belonged to the great Athlone tenor John McCormack (1884–1945); and a military and folk museum with two sheila-na-gigs. An hour is probably enough time to take it all in.
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Trout fishing
Trout fishing is popular in the loughs around Mullingar, including White, Mt Dalton and Pallas Lakes, and Loughs Owel, Derravaragh, Glore, Lene, Sheelin and Ennell. The largest trout (11.9kg) ever caught in Ireland was landed in Ennell in 1894. The fishing season runs from 1 March or 1 May (depending on the lake) to 12 October. All the lakes except Lough Lene are controlled by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.
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Sean's Bar
Age certainly hasn't wearied Sean's Bar. Dating way back to AD 900, Sean's stakes its claim as Ireland's oldest pub. Its log fires, uneven floors (to help flood waters run back down to the river), sawdust, rickety piano and curios collected over the years attest to the theory. The riverside beer garden has live music most nights in summer; to really see things in full swing, turn up at about 5.30pm on a Saturday.
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Left Bank Bistro
With airy, whitewashed interiors, shelves of gourmet goods, and a menu combining superior Irish ingredients with Mediterranean and Asian influences, this sophisticated deli–bistro attracts those in the know. Lunch features bowls of steaming pasta, big salads and chunky open sandwiches, while dinner dishes up beautifully grilled meat and fish and some extraordinary desserts.
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Mullingar Pewter Visitor Centre
Pewterware is Mullingar’s best-known export. At the Mullingar Pewter Visitor Centre, you can tour the factory floor (h9.30am-4pm Mon-Thu, 9.30am-3.30pm Fri) and see artisans turning the matt-grey metal into goblets, tankards, candle sticks and objets d’art. The centre is about 6km southeast of Mullingar on the Dublin road (N4).
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Kin Khao
What is possibly the best Thai restaurant in Ireland is tucked away near the Dean Crowe Theatre and is renowned for its extensive menu of authentic dishes. All the chefs and staff are Thai (with the exception of one half of the husband-and-wife team who run the place) and you'd be advised to book ahead if you want to join the band of loyal Kin Khao devotees.
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Ilia Tapas
Book in advance for one of Mullingar’s most popular haunts. This modern restaurant serves generous portions of international-style tapas that are great for sharing. Go for beetroot and whipped goat’s cheese with roast pine nuts or chickpea and baby spinach bacon salad with black pudding boudin. You’ll be back for more.
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Tullynally Castle
The imposing Gothic revival Tullynally Castle is the seat of the Pakenham family. The castle itself is closed to visitors, but you can roam its 12 hectares of gardens and parkland containing ornamental lakes, a Chinese and a Tibetan garden, and a wonderful stretch of 200-year-old yews.
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Le Château
A Athlone favourite, this classy joint has a split-level timber dining room glowing with flickering candles. The menu features traditional Irish favourites spiced up with speciality and local produce. Expect plenty of meat dishes. Sunday lunch is particularly popular.
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Olive Grove
This slick waterside restaurant gets rave reviews from happy punters keen on the stylish design and creative menus. The food is good but at times fussy; think pan-fried black pudding with blue cheese and cider sorbet or duck confit with colcannon and pear, orange and date chutney.
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Oscar's
This perennially popular spot is the place to go for wholesome comfort food in a lively atmosphere. Bright colours, a menu that skirts the Mediterranean (think pastas, pizzas and French-inspired meat and poultry) and a decent wine list make it a good evening option.
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Jonathan Swift Park
Lough Ennell is renowned for its brown trout and coarse fishing. It's also the area where Jonathan Swift first dreamed up Gulliver's Travels (1726), hence its park's name, Jonathan Swift Park. The park is 10km south of Mullingar on the N52.
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Ilia
Be sure to book in advance for one of Mullingar's most popular haunts. This cosy but clean-cut restaurant serves up a winning array of gourmet comfort food. Think slow roast pork belly, chicken with puy lentils and roast peppers or pumpkin and sage risotto, all cooked with attention and flair. You'll be back for more.
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Cathedral of Christ the King
Mullingar's most obvious landmark is this immense church, built just before WWII. It has large mosaics of St Anne and St Patrick by Russian artist Boris Anrep, as well as a small ecclesiastical museum.
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Lilliput Adventure Centre
You can kayak on Lough Ennell from the Lilliput Adventure Centre. The centre also organises land-based activities such as gorge walking and abseiling courses.
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Con’s
Con’s is a traditional Irish pub that serves a good pint and decent, hearty grub, such as carvery lunches and doorstop sandwiches. It’s a local favourite, so it can get busy.
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Shannon Safari
New outfit Shannon Safari offers private hour-long powerboat cruises year-round for €200 per hour. Boats depart beside the Radisson hotel.
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Strand Tackle Shop
Information and fishing permits are available from the friendly Strand Tackle Shop, on the eastern bank of the river opposite the castle.
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Yukon Bar
A good live-music venue famous for its resident fortune teller, this bar has a great atmosphere and a range of soul, blues and rock music on offer.
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Dean Crowe Theatre
This refurbished theatre has wonderful acoustics and runs a broad program of theatrical and musical events year-round.
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Glasson Village Restaurant
The Glasson Village Restaurant is a wonderfully informal place serving excellent food.
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Mullingar Equestrian Centre
If you fancy some horse riding, try the Mullingar Equestrian Centre.
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Mullingar Arts Centre
The centre runs a regular program of music, comedy, drama and art exhibitions. In summer there are family-friendly traditional music sessions every weekend.
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