County Westmeath - Heritage/Historical<< Westmeath Homepage |
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| Here's a selection of Westmeath Heritage/Historical.Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list. |
1. Museums |
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Locke's Distillery MuseumCo. WestmeathThe local community has re opened the Distillery as a museum of industrial archaeology to show you how whiskey was produce in times past. Restoration of the building and machinery is on going. Follow the process from the grinding of the grain to the casking of the final product. Raise and lower the sluice gates. Watch the working water wheel. Peer into the fermentation vats. See the Compound Mill Engine. Learn about the lives of the people who worked here. | |
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2. Homes (Historical) |
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BelvedereCo. WestmeathBelvedere was built around 1742 to a design by Richard Castle, probably as a fishing pavilion, for Robert Rochfort, Lord Belfield whose seat at Gaulston lay five miles away. Although its rooms are now empty, Belvedere remains much as it was in the Earl's time. A solid grey limestone house of two stories over a basement with a long front and curved end bows, it is probably the earliest bow-ended house in the country. The delicate rococo plasterwork ceilings are the real glory of Belvedere's interior. Framed by rich cornices, these ceilings are notable for their lively quality and freedom of movement. The small park that Lord Belvedere created around his villa is just as fine as the house itself and was the envy of all visitors. The view south is blocked by the remarkable Jealous Wall, the largest Gothic folly in Ireland The fine rectangular seven-acre Walled Garden to the east of the house was built by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Howard-Bury who inherited the demesne in 1912. | |
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3. Railway Museums |
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Clonmacnoise & West Offaly RailwayBord na Mona, Shannonbridge, Co. WestmeathBoard a luxury rail coach for a tour of the Blackwater bog. The 5 1/2 miles of narrow gauge railway are used for transporting peat. On-board commentary. Visitor Centre, Café. Show me all the details for Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway | |
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4. Monuments |
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Count McCormack BustMardyke Street, Co. WestmeathIn the Bawn, off Markyke Street, a bronze plaque marks the birthplace of John Count McCormack, the celebrated tenor. A bust in his memory may be seen at the promenade. | |
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5. Heritage Centres |
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An Dun Transport & Heritage MuseumDoon, Ballinahown, Co. WestmeathAn Dun (Doon), meaning mound or hill is an area steeped in history. From the monastic resting place for pilgrims on their way to Clonmacnoise, to the castle of the great Mooney clan, whose origins go back to 150 A.D. It is built on the Sli Mor or Chariot Way, one of the five ancient roads of Ireland. Cars on Display include the popular Bullnose Morris Cowley of the 1920's, right up to the modern classic Morris Minor. View a unique and rare Shelvoke & Drewry truck of the 1920's. Let your imagination wander down memory lane as you view a trap or side car, or wonder at the intricacies of the Penny Farthing bicycles and pre & post-war cycles complete with carbide lamps. The Heritage Collection and Farm display features a unique collection of carefully refurbished farm implements including a Garvey Mill dating from 1932, early combine harvesters, many of the horse drawn implements and farm utensils and mass produced post-war tractors. A video presentation will explain the background to many of the exhibits, enhancing your knowledge of the time. This unique interpreted display of hundreds of exhibits will create hours of enjoyment and nostalgia. Show me all the details for An Dun Transport & Heritage Museum | |
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6. Local Tours |
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Mr John Healy , Dublin Road, Rochfort Bridge, Co. Westmeath | |
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7. Archaeological |
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Uisneagh HillCo. WestmeathUisneagh Hill is about 11 miles from Mullingar on the R390. On this hill can be found the Catstone or "Ail Na Mearainn", said to be the meeting point of the five ancient provinces of Ireland. This is the hill on which King Tuathal Teachmar erected his royal palace in the second century. An imposing hill, 180 metres high, "Uisneagh" provides a magnificent view of the midlands. It was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland for 200 years prior to the coming of St. Patrick and the geat pagan festival of Bealtaine was held here during that time. | |
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8. Castles (Historical) |
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Athlone Castle & Visitors CentreSt Peter's Square, Co. Westmeath1. Tourist Office: Occupying the old guard house, this modern Tourist Office caters for the needs of visitors to Athlone and the Castle. Apart from offering information and a room reservation service, the Tourist Office has a wide range of literature and souvenirs to suit all tastes. 2. Reception Area: Within this modern glass and steel structure the medieval castle walls have been preserved. The Tour of the Castle complex commences from here. 3. Exhibition Centre: Introduction to Athlone. Introduction to the Castle The atmosphere of the Siege of Athlone is recreated through an exciting audio-visual presentation. The John McCormack story. The story of the life of Athlone's most honoured son John Count McCormack (1884-1945). Military Exhibition. Athlone has been a garrison town for 300 years This exhibition highlights the role of the Irish Army in international peacekeeping. The flora and fauna of the Shannon, a colourful and educational Exhibition sponsored by the E.S.B. 4. Museum: The polygonal keep houses a local museum founded in 1967 by the Old Athlone Society and run on a voluntary basis. 5. Tea Room and Gallery: Set above the old armaments store is our tea room. The ideal spot in which to enjoy a snack and light refreshments while you admire the works of art on view. The Castle provides panormaic viewing points for the Shannon and the town. The key viewing points are marked 'V.P.' on the plan. The guns to be seen on the Castle include two magnificent cannons dating from the reign of George II and a pair of ten inch mortars which were cast in 1856. The cannons would have fired a cannonball of eighteen pounds weight.. An estimated 12,000 of these were fired at this castle in 1691. The mortars were of the type used in the Crimean War and fired shot of twenty pounds weight over a distance of a mile and a half. Show me all the details for Athlone Castle & Visitors Centre | |
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9. Forts (Historical) |
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CrookedwoodCo. WestmeathCrookedwood, almost 7 miles from Mullingar, dates back to the old legends of Fionn and the Fianna. A 14th century stone roofed church, called the Church of Taughmon can be found here and behind it lies a ring fort. If you return to the main road and take the direction of Castlepollard, you can see Lough Derravaragh, associated with the legend of "The Children of Lir" changed into swans for 900 years by their jealous stepmother, they spent 300 years of that time on this lake before being returned to human form by a holy man after St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. | |
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10. Crosses (Historical) |
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Bealin Twyford High CrossCo. WestmeathThe cross was originally found at Bealin but it has been removed to its present site in Twyford Demesne. On the east face are three animals above one another with bird-like heads, and a lion at the bottom. On the north face is a horseman with a staff, and above him a dog bites a deer's leg. There are also interlacing and geometric patterns on the cross. On the bottom of the west side there is an inscription to the effect that the cross was erected by one Tuathgail. The cross may date from around A.D. 800 or later. | |
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11. Abbeys |
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ForeCo. WestmeathFore, approximately 15 miles from Mullingar has the most extensive Benedictine remains in Ireland. It is the site of the ruins of St. Fechin's Monastery and was a Benedictine Priory until 1539 when it was suppressed by Henry VIII. The present building belongs in the main to the 15th century. There are nine ancient crosses within a radius of a mile from the village. Near the foot of Ben Fore (713 feet) is a large moat, reputed to be an early Anglo-Norman Fortification. There are also some slight remains of the walls and gateways which fortified the medieval town of Fore itself. | |
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12. Friaries |
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Multyfarnham Franciscan FriaryCo. WestmeathIn the present friary church parts of a 15th century church survive, including the nave, south transept and tower, as well as the south window (though not its glass). Nothing remains of the chancel or of the original domestic buildings. The church was given its present form in 1827 when the Franciscans returned to their old monastery. The church was refurbished in 1976. | |
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13. Churches (Historical) |
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CrookedwoodCo. WestmeathCrookedwood, almost 7 miles from Mullingar, dates back to the old legends of Fionn and the Fianna. A 14th century stone roofed church, called the Church of Taughmon can be found here and behind it lies a ring fort. If you return to the main road and take the direction of Castlepollard, you can see Lough Derravaragh, associated with the legend of "The Children of Lir" changed into swans for 900 years by their jealous stepmother, they spent 300 years of that time on this lake before being returned to human form by a holy man after St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland. | |
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14. Monastery |
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Inishbofin Early Chirstian MonasteryCo. WestmeathThe monastery was founded by St. Rioch around 530. It is mentioned in the Annals in 750, 809 and 916, and it was raided by the Munstermen in 115 and 1089. Two churches still remain. The more southerly church is a nave-and-chancel building with round-headed windows in the chancel, and a pointed door in the south wall of the nave. Near the north-eastern point of the island is the other church consisting of a nave, and a transept of almost equal size as well as a sacristy. To the north of the altar is a fine Romanesque window, and opposite it is a piscina which stands out from the wall. The transept is a later addition and has two 15th century windows, one with a bishop's head on the outside. The sacristy, which has a small chamber above it, is also a later addition. The church was surrounded by an irregularly shaped monastic wall. A piece of 10th century Viking bronze-work was found on the island which is possibly to be connected with a Viking raid on the island in 922. Show me all the details for Inishbofin Early Chirstian Monastery | |
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15. Wells (Historical) |
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KillareCo. WestmeathContinue the road to Mullingar, stopping at Killare to visit St. Brigid's well. Beside the well are the remains of an early medieval stone church, surrounded by a circular earthen bank which suggests a very early Christian foundation; history tell us that the founder was St. Hugh but tradition has linked the name of St. Brigid with the place. | |
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16. Town Information |
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CastlepollardCo. WestmeathThis town is about 13 miles from Mullingar and was built in the late 17th century by the Pollard family under a charter from Charles II. The old National school has been converted into an agricultural museum and heritage centre. Just outside Castlepollard in Tullynally Castle, the home of the Earl of Longford's family, the Packenhams. Tullynally is a gothic revival castle, dating from the 17th century and is open to visitors mid-June to mid-August, from 2pm to 6pm. The gardens are open from May to September. | |
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17. Hills (Historical) |
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Uisneagh HillCo. WestmeathUisneagh Hill is about 11 miles from Mullingar on the R390. On this hill can be found the Catstone or "Ail Na Mearainn", said to be the meeting point of the five ancient provinces of Ireland. This is the hill on which King Tuathal Teachmar erected his royal palace in the second century. An imposing hill, 180 metres high, "Uisneagh" provides a magnificent view of the midlands. It was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland for 200 years prior to the coming of St. Patrick and the geat pagan festival of Bealtaine was held here during that time. | |
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