| Westmeath - Environment / Wildlife | ||||
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Here's a selection of Westmeath environment / wildlife, if you want the full list, Click on the "Go to ALL" link on the right. |
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| Westmeath - Environment / Wildlife | ||||
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Here's a selection of Westmeath environment / wildlife, if you want the full list, Click on the "Go to ALL" link on the right. |
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| 1.Gardens | Go to ALL Gardens in Westmeath |
| Tullynally Castle and Gardens Valerie Pakenham , Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13540 when making a Reservation. |
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| Tullynally has been the seat of the Pakenhams, later Earls of Longford, for over 300 years. Set in beautiful parkland and woods adjoining Lough Derravaragh, it is now probably the largest castle in Ireland still lived in as the family home; a forest of towers and turrets nearly a quarter of a mile round. | |
| 2.Lakes | Go to ALL Lakes in Westmeath |
| Lough Ree Lough Club Ballymore, Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 28470 when making a Reservation. |
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| Lough Ree Lough Club, at Ballymore just 5 km north of Athlone, is the second oldest Yacht Club in the world, dating back to 1720 or earlier. Today the club has a fine clubhouse, with a slipway, boat houses and jetties. The members sail the Shannon One Design, the Shannon's own special craft and also Mirrors, Optimists and a general Cruiser class. | |
| 3.Open Farms | Go to ALL Open Farms in Westmeath |
| Glendeer Open Farm Phil O'Connell , Drum, Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13514 when making a Reservation. |
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| 4.Rivers | Go to ALL Rivers in Westmeath |
| River Shannon Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13520 when making a Reservation. |
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| The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, rising in County Cavan and meandering down to the Atlantic. Flowing through the heart of the island, it has traditionally marked the border between the provinces of Leinster and Connaught. In medieval times, castles guarded the major fords from Limerick to Portumna, and numerous monasteries were built along the riverbanks, including the celebrated Clonmacnoise. Work began on the Shannon navigation system in the 1750's but it fell into disuse with the advent of the railways. It has since been revived, with and additional boost given by the recent restoration of the Shannon -Erne Waterway. There are subtle changes of landscape along the length of the river. South of Lough Allen, the countryside is covered with the drumlins or low hills typical of the northern Midlands. Towards Lough Ree, islands stud the river in an area of ecological importance which is home to otters, geese, grey herons and whooper swans. Continuing south beyond Athlone, the river flows through flood plains and bog before reaching Lough Derg, the biggest of the lakes on the Shannon. The scenery is more dramatic here, with the lough' s southern end edged by wooded mountains. From Killaloe the river gains speed on its rush towards Limerick and the sea. The mudflats of the Shannon estuary attract a great variety of birdlife. The port of Carrick-on-Shannon is the cruising centre of Ireland, but there are bases all along the river, especially around Lough Dergy, which is the lake most geared to boating. Water-buses connect most ports south of Athlone. If you hire a cruiser, enquire about the weather conditions before setting out, particularly on Loughs Ree and Derg, which are very exposed. The calm stretch from Portumna to Athlone is easier for inexperienced sailors. Walkers can enjoy the Lough Derg way , a signposted route around the lake. The woods by Lough Key also provide good walking territory. | |
| 5.Scenic Drives | Go to ALL Scenic Drives in Westmeath |
| Lakeland Tour Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13522 when making a Reservation. |
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| Lakeland Tour Two day circular drive 241km Day 1 Athlone-Mullingar The starting point is Athlone-'capital' of the midlands. From here drive to Roscommon visiting Hodson Bay and Rinndown Castle en route. Have a look around Roscommon Abbey. North East of Roscommon is Lanesborough a popular angling centre at the head of Lough Ree. Then visit the busy market town of Longford with its nineteenth century cathedral. Move on the Edgeworthstown, which gets its name from the remarkable literary family. Visit the Maria Edgeworth Museum. Continue to Castlepollard, a good angling centre near Lough Derravaragh-featured in a tragic legendary romance, 'children of Lir'. See nearby Tullynally Castle. Drive to Fore, with its ancient crosses and Benedictine Abbey, returning to Castlepollard and south via Multyfarnham to Mullingar-an important town and noted angling centre. Spend the night there. Day 2 Mullingar-Athlone 105km Next day a westward drive takes you to Ballymore and to the Goldsmith country via Tang. Visit Lissoy and The Pigeons on the road to the pretty village of Glasson, passing the tower like structure marketing the geographical centre of Ireland. Return to Athlone. From Athlone make and excursion to Coosan point for a good view of Lough Ree, one of the largest Shannon lakes. Continue downriver to Clonmacnois, one of the country's most celebrated manastic sites, completing your tour in Athlone. | |
| 6.Sightseeing Tours | Go to ALL Sightseeing Tours in Westmeath |
| Glasson Trail Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 28475 when making a Reservation. |
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| This starts at Athlone Castle and take the visitor to Glasson 'The Village of the Roses' and visit Glasson Golf, Portlick, Bethlehem and some places connected with Oliver Goldsmith, including Lissoy Parsonage where he lived for many years. | |
| 7.Tourist Attractions | Go to ALL Tourist Attractions in Westmeath |
| Old Walls of Athlone Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13525 when making a Reservation. |
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| Portion of the old walls when Athlone was a fortified town can be seen at Railway View on the Leinster (east) side of the town. The Bawn: Situated off Mardyke Street the Bawn is the birthplace of the celebrated Irish Tenor - John Count McCormack. A bronze plaque marks the house. There is a monument to his memory on the banks of the River Shannon at Athlone. | |
| 8.Visitors Centre | Go to ALL Visitors Centre's in Westmeath |
| An Dun Transport & Heritage Museum Doon, Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13474 when making a Reservation. |
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| 9.Walks | Go to ALL Walks in Westmeath |
| Glendeer Open Farm Phil O'Connell , Drum, Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13514 when making a Reservation. |
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| 10.Woods and Forests | Go to ALL Woods and Forests in Westmeath |
| Mullingar - The Capital of the Lakelands Co. Westmeath Please quote reference number 13552 when making a Reservation. |
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| Within an hour's drive of Dublin, Mullingar lies in one of the most scenic parts of the country, surrounded by rolling pastures and interrupted only by coniferous forests and some of the most beautiful lakes in Ireland earning Mullingar the title of "The Capital of the Lakelands". Mullingar is synonymous with some of the best known trout waters in Ireland - Loughs Ennell, Owel and Lough Sheelin. In 1894, Mr William Meares caught a prize winning 26Ib. 2oz. brown trout in Lough Ennell still recorded in "The Guinness Book of Records" as the largest brown trout caught in the British Isles. Also available to the keen angler is some of the best coarse angling in the country. Species such as pike, perch, bream, rudd, tench and carp can be found in rivers, lakes and canals. Other leisure facilities include an 18 hole Championship Golf Course and three excellent Bord Failte approved Equestrian Centres with additional recreational activities available including water sports such as sailing and windsurfing, cycling and walking. | |
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Copyright Touchtel 1995 - 1998 |
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An Dun:
Transport & Heritage Museum offers a unique private collection of transport and heritage lovingly restored by its owners.
Experience the fascination and excitement of this unique treatment of by-gone days openly displayed for your enjoyment.