Discover Castletown Geoghegan

Castletown Geoghegan combines the Old Rail Trail with churches, a cemetery and a motte. The historic railway line and traces of local history offer different perspectives on the village: a greenway passes through here, while buildings and graves tell stories of times gone by. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether the cycling route or the built heritage should be the main focus of your stay.

Along the Old Rail Trail through Castletown Geoghegan

The Old Rail Trail is a 43-kilometre greenway from Athlone to Mullingar that passes through Castletown Geoghegan. Its route follows the historic line of the Midlands Great Western Railway. Restored station buildings and stone arch bridges bring the railway heritage along the route to life. This brings together the connection between the two towns and the history of the railway: the trail is both a longer route and an exploration of a former railway line.

For planning purposes, the endpoints of Athlone and Mullingar provide clear reference points; Castletown Geoghegan lies between them along the route. Those interested in cycling and transport history will find a clear thematic focus here. The local churches, cemetery and motte offer a different layer of discovery. Together, these themes can help you decide whether your trip should focus more on the route or on historical sites.

Churches, cemetery and traces of local history

St Michael’s Church was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1885 and opened for worship on 12 September of that year. Its architecture and precise opening date give the building a distinct place in local history. The old cemetery is also near the village. It contains the ruins of an old church, monuments, crosses and old graves. The church ruins and grave monuments make this a distinct focus for anyone interested in architectural and historical heritage.

St Brigid’s Church stands south of the old cemetery. The cemetery at Castletown Geoghegan also contains graves of members of the McGeoghegan family, including the grave of David McGeoghegan, who died in 1778. This brings together different traces of the local past in the village: religious buildings, the remains of an older church and family graves. They give the village’s history specific names and places, rather than limiting it to a single attraction.

The Motte of Castletown Geoghegan

The motte is a grass-covered earth mound with a flat top. Visitors cannot access it, but it is visible from the road. Check the access information again before your visit, as this condition may change. Even without entering the site, its shape is easy to describe: the flat, grass-covered mound differs clearly from the churches and graves in the village. The motte thus adds another distinctive historical feature to the local picture.

More experiences in County Westmeath

County Westmeath has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling trails. The Old Rail Trail is one of the routes described; another type of route is the Royal Canal Greenway, a scenic waterside route for cyclists and pedestrians, with no motorised traffic. The Royal Canal is navigable throughout County Westmeath and runs past Mullingar on its way to the River Shannon. These regional routes and the Old Rail Trail offer different themes for planning a trip: a historic railway line here, a waterside greenway there.

County Westmeath’s cultural heritage also extends beyond Castletown Geoghegan. The Hill of Uisneach was the centre, or “Omphalos,” where the five kingdoms met. Guided walks there explore myths and legends, the High Kings, an interconnected ringfort and historic monuments. At Fore Abbey, St Feichin founded a Christian monastery in the seventh century AD; St Feichin’s Way is a circular walk around the abbey. Those planning a broader regional trip can choose between different themes, from walking trails and stories to historic sites.

The Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath has been operating since 1757. The Kilbeggan Distillery Experience showcases traditional methods of mashing in oak mash tuns and fermenting in Oregon pine vats, as well as its original waterwheel. Along with the historic sites and routes, this offers a broad range of themes for further trip planning. Castletown Geoghegan itself remains clearly defined by the greenway, churches, cemetery and motte.

Discover more destinations: Tang, Crookedwood, Kinnegad, Ballydavid, Athlone, Killinure, Multyfarnham, Kilbeggan.

For the broader travel overview: County Westmeath.