County Westmeath: Routes, Waterways and History

A converted railway line, navigable waterways and a hill where five kingdoms met: County Westmeath combines active outings with history. Its varied routes and cultural sites offer different ways to shape your stay.

Waterways and Routes

Westmeath has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling routes. One specific route is the 40-kilometre Old Rail Trail from Athlone to Mullingar. It follows a converted section of the Midlands Great Western Railway. The former railway line shapes the character of this route; its two endpoints also provide clear reference points for planning an outing.

The Royal Canal Greenway takes a different approach: this scenic waterside route is for cyclists and pedestrians, with no motorised traffic. The Royal Canal is fully navigable through Westmeath and runs alongside Mullingar on its way to the River Shannon. If you want to include waterways in your trip, this offers another perspective on the region. When planning your day, you can choose between a waterside route and the route along the converted railway line, without treating them as the same path.

History at the Hill of Uisneach and in Fore

The Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath was the centre, or “Omphalos”, where the five kingdoms met. Guided walking tours focus on myths and legends as well as the High Kings, an intact ringfort and historic monuments. The walk thus connects with stories about the hill’s history and significance. If these topics interest you, you can consider adding a guided tour to your itinerary as a separate activity.

Fore Abbey also reaches far back into the past: St Feichin founded a Christian monastery there in the seventh century AD. The St Feichin’s Way is a circular route around Fore Abbey. The monastery’s foundation and the trail offer two different ways to experience the site: the history of the early monastery and a circular walk through its surroundings. This lets you decide whether you are most interested in the historical background or the walk itself.

Exhibitions and Traditional Methods

The Athlone Castle Visitor Centre presents the history of Athlone and its castle across eight modern exhibition rooms. The clear layout across several rooms makes a visit a different way to engage with history than walking at the Hill of Uisneach or in Fore. For a trip that combines activity with cultural interests, County Westmeath offers different kinds of outings that you can include in your stay independently of one another.

In Kilbeggan, the Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath has been operating since 1757. The Kilbeggan Distillery Experience showcases traditional methods: mashing in oak mash tuns and fermentation in Oregon pine vats. The original waterwheel is also on display. The tours include a tasting masterclass featuring three different whiskeys. This offers insight into both production and tasting; if you are interested in local traditions and whiskey, you can take this into account when choosing your outings.

Shape Your Stay Around Your Interests

Whether cycling and walking routes, historic sites, exhibitions or the distillery are your priority, the options differ considerably. When looking for a holiday rental, you can start by considering which of these experiences you want to define your stay. The places and route points mentioned here offer specific ideas, without requiring you to settle on just one kind of outing.

For more places to explore in the county, see: Glasson, Castletown Geoghegan, Moate, Kinnegad, Ballydavid, Rathowen, Drumcree, Castlepollard, Killinure, Multyfarnham, Killachonna, Crookedwood and Tang.

For an overview of the wider region, see: Leinster.