Planning to visit Central County Westmeath in Ireland? Even if you’re just passing through Athlone, this part of the Irish province of Leinster has a number of attractions you won’t want to miss, plus some interesting sights that are a bit off the beaten path. So why not take your time and spend a day or two in County Westmeath when visiting Ireland?
This is a must do and see in Westmeath.
Visiting County Westmeath
Here are some quick facts about County Westmeath:
- The Irish name for County Westmeath is Contae na hIarmhí , literally translated as “Middle West.”
- Until 1541, Westmeath was an integral part of Meath: together they formed the ‘Fifth Province’ of Ireland, the ‘Middle’.
- Car registrations issued at Westmeath have the letters WH on the license plate.
- The county town of Westmeath is Mullingar, other major towns include the university town of Athlone, Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, Kinnegad, Moate and Rochfordbridge.
- The size of County Westmeath is given at 710 square miles.
- The number of inhabitants was determined to be 88,770 during the 2016 census.
Athlone, the Shannon and the castle
The town of Athlone is a good stop for strolling the winding streets and crossing the wide Shannon south of Lough Ree (which is also the border of Westmeath). Here, you can watch as ships try to navigate the lock, creating a bottleneck connecting the lower and upper parts of the River Shannon. However, the main attraction in Athlone is undoubtedly the castle, which outshines both the bridge and the lock.
At first glance, all notions of a romantic fairytale castle are dispelled. This is a military installation in the first place, and Athlone Castle allows the visitor to be sure of this.
So is Athlone Castle worth a visit? If it is. The museum will give you an insight into why this rather insignificant city played its part in Ireland’s military history due to its strategic position guarding the road to the west.
Then explore the commercial areas of the city. They have improved a lot in recent years, giving Athlone’s economy a much-needed boost and making it the commercial capital of County Westmeath and the Midlands as a whole.
Belvedere House and Gardens
The property around Belvedere House, a historic building near Mullingar, is suitable for explorers of all ages, which is somewhat appropriate, as famous explorers made their home here. Would you know that the Abominable Snowman got his name from the owner of this Westmeath property? He also brought a bear home from his trips to the Himalayas, today commemorated by a statue in the park.
All these quirky and fun details of the property are overshadowed by Ireland’s biggest craze: the ‘Jealous Wall’ of legend. The imposing wall was built by the original owner Robert Rochfort after a fight with his brother, who lived on the neighboring estate. The eccentric Earl who created the lavish house was known to take things to extremes, but today Belvedere House is the most family-friendly attraction in County Westmeath. For children, there is a Narnian trail, but adults will also love the splendid gardens, complete with fairies and the Celtic tree tradition. For the more practical, a small ecological garden has been established near the shore of the lake.
Fore Abbey: Benedictine Powerhouse
What remains of Fore Abbey is just a trace of the powerful Benedictine order in Ireland. Monks used to live, pray and work here on a large scale. Founded sometime in the 7th century, the mostly medieval remains of the extensive and still impressive monastic ruins bear witness to a time when today’s small town was a very important place. However, the size and location of the main ruins will be more important to most visitors. Both are impressive and are an ideal photo opportunity. Be sure to look for holy wells, look for the seven wonders of Fore and the palomar (dovecote). The last one is hidden from view.
Multyfarnham Franciscan Abbey
The Franciscan Abbey at Multyfarnham is one of County Westmeath’s spiritual centers, but it was long neglected and has only recently been revitalized by new activities of the order. The first friars arrived at Multyfarnham in 1200 and some of the existing structures date back to the 16th century. Many medieval parts were sensibly restored and brought into the modern era. The church itself has a central structure from the Middle Ages, combined with modern stained glass windows showing the legend (local and pre-Christian) of the Children of Lir, an important story in Irish mythology.
However, the most impressive are the Stations of the Cross. Skip the modern ones in the church itself and instead go on a pilgrimage to the gardens. The life-size Stations of the Cross are extremely detailed. From Pontius Pilate holding the court to Jesus being born in his tomb, even including a Golgotha made from a royal hill. The statues may not be absolute artistic masterpieces, but the scale of the installation is certainly impressive.
The Lough Ree Monster
Here’s a bit of truly hidden Ireland – literally hundreds of tourists cross Lough Ree every summer day. While boating down part of the River Shannon, they often search for shallow water and rocks while taking in views of the unspoiled landscapes. Very few visitors think what might lurk beneath the surface of Lough Ree, watching and waiting: the Lough Ree Monster!
Ireland’s response to Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster has a long, legendary history, dating back to (at least) the early Middle Ages. There have also been recent sightings of the ancient monster. That means Country Westmeath is home to a long-lived imaginary creature, fascinating natural phenomena, or a zoological wonder. A large-scale expedition a few years ago found no conclusive evidence to prove or disprove the monster’s existence. So keep looking, although many modern “sightings” can easily be explained with too many pints in the pub beforehand.
Live Irish Folk Music Sessions at Westmeath
Visiting County Westmeath and having something to do at night? One of the most beloved evening activities is a trip to a local pub to join in a session of traditional Irish music. Why not give it a try?
Most traditional sessions start around 9:30 pm or whenever some musicians get together. Here are some reliable places:
Athlone – “Sean’s Bar” (which claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland) and “The Thatch”
Moate – «Egan’s»
