Situated in the Lakelands of Western Ireland County Westmeath boasts of some interesting places to see and things to busy yourself with during your stay.
Named after the historic kingdom of Meath, this county pretty much has everything from a quaint castle town to a magnificent estate, as well as lush greens and Mullingar.
Here are some of the best things to do in Westmeath, so make sure they’re part of your itinerary when you visit.
Things you'll find in this article
10 Things To Do in Westmeath, Ireland (For 2024)
1. Athlone Castle
One of the best attractions in Westmeath, the family-friendly Athlone Castle is in the heart of Ireland. Located in the Lakelands of Ireland, this place is known for its interactive visitor center where guests get to know so much about the castle.
The displays and exhibits detail its history, including how it evolved from a fortress to its present appearance. Athlone Castle also has courtyard picnic facilities for its guests and scenic views of its surrounding areas.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Admission Fee
Adult: €9.00
Senior (aged 65+): €6.50
Student (with valid ID): €6.50
Child (aged 5-15): €4.00
Toddlers: (aged 0-4): Free
Family (2 adults and 2 children): €23.00
Family (2 adults and 4 children): €28.00
Contact Information
Address: Castle Street Athlone Westmeath Republic of Ireland
Phone: +353 90 6442130
Email: info@athlonecastle.ie
2. Derryglad Folk Museum
Home to over 4,000 historic items as well as those depicting the county’s and the rest of Ireland’s heritage and culture, the Derryglad Folk Museum is an important place to visit in Westmeath.
This place is privately owned, and most of the collections are related to farming and life in Ireland since the 18th century. While in the museum, make sure you check out the MacCormac Photography Room, the Famine memorial stone, and some antique machinery.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Adult €5 | Child €3.50 | Student/Senior €4.50 | Group rate available
Contact Information
Address: Curraghboy Athlone Roscommon, Republic of Ireland
Phone:+353 90 6488192
Email: info@derrygladfolkmuseum.com
3. Viking Ship Cruises
When in Westmeath and looking for something fun to do, check out the Viking Ship Cruises. Here you get to hop on a replica Viking Ship that cruises from River Shannon to Lough Ree. Another route takes you downriver to the monastic area and round tower of Clonmacnoise. For an hour and thirty minutes, you get to step back in time to over a thousand years ago to join the Vikings.
4. Belvedere House Gardens and Park
This former hunting lodge is nestled in 160 acres of parklands by the lake. The Belvedere House Gardens has a play area for kids located at the entrance, as well as a Victorian walled garden and swings that you can find along its 2-mile walk. One of Westmeath’s attractions, it is also home to a café and exhibitor center.
The Belvedere House itself may not be that big but is considered to be an architecturally significant because of its unique windows and terracing, as well as its interiors with Rococo plasterwork ceilings.
Opening Hours
May, June, July & August
9:30 am to 8:00 pm
House Closes at 5:00 pm
(Half price admission to Gardens & Park after 5:00 pm)
Admission Fee
Day Admission
Adult €8.00
Child €4.00
Senior Citizen/Student €6.00
Family: 2 Adults & 1 Child €20.00
Each extra Child €3.00
(Under 3’s FREE)
Day Admission Group Rates (20+ pax)
Adult Group (20+) €4.00pp
Sen. Citizen/Student (20+) €3.00pp
Child/Special (20+) €2.00pp
Guided Tours additional €1 per person
Contact Information
Address: Belvedere House, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath, Rep. of Ireland, N91 EF80
Phone: +353 (0)44 9338960
Email: info@belvedere-house.ie
5. Old Kilbeggan Distillery
A distillery that dates back to 1757, Kilbeggan has the distinction of being the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland. A great place to visit whether you drink whiskey or not, the tour takes you through decades and centuries of the hard stuff’s history. It’s the perfect thing to do in Westmeath if you want to get to know this area better, which also allows you to witness something interesting like whiskey making. Here, you’ll also see its evolution both on how it’s made and the blends.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Tours begin at €9 per person
Contact Information
Address: Lower Main Street, Westmeath
Phone: 353 (0)579332134
Email: info@kilbeggandistillery.com
6. Mullingar Town Park
A place to visit in Westmeath for the whole family, Mullingar Town Park is awarded a Green Flag which means this park is managed in an environmentally sustainable way. The park has a massive playground, a swimming pool, hiking trails, and a pond near the center. It’s the perfect place to escape to if you want to take a break from exploring other busier attractions in Westmeath, where you can have a picnic, a leisurely stroll or simply sit on a bench and people watch.
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Admission Fee
€9 – €50
Contact Information
Address: Mullingar Town Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath Ireland
Phone: 044 925 2044
7. Mullaghmeen Forest
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If you’re up for a lot of walking while surrounded by lush greenery head to the Mullaghmeen Forest. This area leads to the highest point in Westmeath, where you can enjoy scenic views of nearby towns. The forest covers 1,000 acres of land and is an ideal spot for hiking, biking, and picnics. Spend an entire day here to relax and enjoy some quiet time with nature, definitely one of the best things to do in Westmeath on weekends. Mullaghmeen Forest is situated only 8 km away from Castlepollard.
Opening Hours
Car park open 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM – Picnic Area
Admission Fee
FREE
Contact Information
Address: Mullaghmeen Forest Oldcastle Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Email: tony.quinn@coillte.ie
8. Tullynally Castle & Gardens
A definite must visit in Westmeath is the Tullynally Castle and Gardens. The castle may not be open to the public for tours and visits but it does provide a lovely backdrop for taking photos. You may stroll through its lovely gardens though, which are open from May to September. Apart from the scenic grounds and gardens surrounding Tullynally Castle, there’s a really nice café there that’s also a must visit.
Opening Hours
Wednesday – Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission Fee
Adults €7.00.
Child(over 5) €3.
Family (2A&2C) €18.
Contact Information
Address: Castlepollard Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Phone: +353 44 9661856
Email: info@tullynallycastle.ie
9. Dún na Sí Heritage Park
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This is not your usual park where all you’ll do is walk around, have a picnic or people-watch. Dún na Sí Heritage Park has so much in it that makes it one of the more unique things to see in Westmeath.
The park is home to a recreated ring fort, a Mass rock, a portal dolmen, a lime kiln, fisherman’s cottage, a farmhouse, and even a forge. Spend hours looking at and exploring these places, then wander into the rest of the parklands where there’s a sensory garden, sculptures made from recycled materials, wetlands with a boardwalk as well as observation areas if you want to check out Dún na Sí’s wildlife.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Admission Fee
Admission to Park etc:
Adult: €8
Child: €4
OAP/ Student: €6
Family: 2 Adults + up to 3 Children = €20 (each additional child is €3)
Group Rate: €5 (10+)
Under 2: Free
Seasonal Family Membership €50
Contact Information
Address: Moate Westmeath, Republic of Ireland
Phone: +353 90 6481183
Email: info@dunnasi.ie
10. Sean’s Bar
Located on the west bank of the River Shannon, Sean’s bar is said to have been around since 900 AD, making it the oldest pub in Ireland. This pub that serves local dishes and is a popular music venue used to be called Luain’s Inn. During its renovation in1970, wattle and wicker walls that date back to the 10th century were discovered, as well as old coins from that same period. Sean’s is beloved among locals and tourists alike which makes it one of the best places to visit in Westmeath.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 12:30 AM
Sunday – 12:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Contact Information
Address: Main Street Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Phone: +353 90 64 92358
Email: info@seansbar.ie
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