Dún na Sí Heritage Park

Athlone


Situated 19km east of Athlone, this engaging folk park has a recreated ring fort, a portal dolmen, a lime kiln, a Mass rock, a farmhouse, a fisherman's cottage and a forge. Also here are a sensory garden, a parkland garden with sculptures made from recycled materials, wetlands with a boardwalk and hides for observing the park's birdlife. Westmeath's genealogy centre is based here. Traditional music, dancing and storytelling sessions take place regularly; schedules are posted online.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Athlone attractions

1. Clara Bog Visitor Centre

6.41 MILES

Sharing space with the local library in the village of Clara, this small, modern visitor centre gives an engaging overview of the life and ecosystem of…

2. Clara Bog Nature Reserve

7.14 MILES

Clara Bog is one of the few great expanses of classic bogland in Western Europe to escape being stripped for fuel. Deceptively flat and seemingly lifeless…

3. Luan Gallery

8.65 MILES

On the river opposite the castle, this contemporary art gallery has rotating exhibitions by top Irish artists.

4. Athlone Castle

8.66 MILES

Inside this low, hulking 13th-century riverside castle, modern displays bring to life the tumultuous history of the town and detail life here through the…

5. Church of St Peter & St Paul

8.68 MILES

Designed by Irish architect Ralph Byrne and completed in 1939, this colossal neoclassical church stands opposite Athlone Castle. Its stained-glass images…

6. Uisneach

9.48 MILES

Between Mullingar (16km northeast) and Althone (31km southeast) on the R390 is Uisneach, the centre of Ireland during neolithic times when sea levels were…

7. Kilbeggan Distillery Experience

9.92 MILES

Established in 1757, Kilbeggan is Ireland's oldest licensed distillery – after stopping production in 1957, it has been producing whiskey again since 2007…

8. Nun's Church

11.09 MILES

Beyond the site's boundary wall, about 500m east through the modern graveyard and on the way to the Mongan Bog, is the secluded Nun's Church with…