Westmeath Visitor Attractions

Athlone Castle - Athlone, Westmeath

Athlone Castle built in the 13th century on the Shannon. Athlone Castle now includes audio-visual presentations on the flora, fauna and the power resources of the area. Also open to visitors is the museum, coffee shop and tourist office.

Belvedere House, Westmeath

Belvedere House Gardens & Park is a fascinating Georgian estate open year round with a varied calendar of events including Narnia at Christmas and family events at Easter and Halloween. Belvedere House is a fully restored Georgian Villa situated in 160 acres of lakeside parkland, punctuated by numerous follies including the famous Jealous Wall. Belvedere once the home of the Wicked Earl Robert Rochfort who infamously locked up his second wife Mary Molesworth for 31 years on a spurious charge of infidelity is now owned and operated by Westmeath County Council.

Moydrum Castle ruins, Athlone, Westmeath

Moydrum Castle is a fine example of the mock-castle, a style beloved by the Gothic Revival school of Francis Johnston, the Morrisons and others in the early years of the 19th century. The original Irish name for the locality was Moidrome – Magh Droma, "plain of the ridge". The Handcocks obtained a grant of 5,500 acres in 1680, which formed the Manor of Twyford, and they continued as large land and property owners in Athlone until the 20th century. Moydrum castle has featured on a U2 CD cover.

Portlick Castle, Athlone, Westmeath

Portlick Castle is a 12th century Dillon Castle located on the shores of Lough Ree with 30 acres of walled gardens, wooded areas and pasture land. The castle and period extensions have all been extensively renovated to a very high standard. It is the only Medieval castle in Ireland which has been used perpetually as a residence. The Norman family of De Lion (later called Dillon), under the charter of King John, built Portlick Castle in 1185. The family were devout Catholics who fought in the Irish rebellion. Although banished for a time to Connacht by Cromwell, they did not leave their home for good until 1696.

Tullynally Castle & Gardens - Castlepollard, Westmeath

Tullynally Castle and Gardens has been home to the Pakenhan family since the 17th century. The castle, still lived in by the family today, has been the home to the Earls of Longford for more than 350 years. Built in the 17th century, the house was designed as a Georgian mansion, and later, as a Gothic revival castle. The castle offers guided tours of the unique collection of furniture and pictures, the Victorian kitchen and laundries, and the gardens. The gardens are made up of numerous smaller gardens and ponds such as the Woodland Garden, the River Sham, the Flower Garden, the Kitchen Garden, the Swan Pool, and the Grotto Path.

Derryglad Folf Museum, Athlow, Co Westmeath

Lockes Distillery - Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath

Lockes Distillery - Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, is the last remaining example of a small pot still whiskey distillery in Ireland. It was licensed in 1757 and whiskey production continued until for 200 years until 1957, when the distillery closed its doors.

Moate Museum, Co Westmeath

Moate Museum - Moate, Co Westmeath. The Museum has over 1000 artefacts covering the Folk History of the Town and the surrounding countryside in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. Displays include farm tools and equipment, an old farm kitchen, church and school through the years, a jail room, an archaeology room, the Old Forge, Tradesmen’s Tools and a documents archive.