This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Shannon and the Midlands:Layout 1 02/05/2007 16:27 Page 168
the largest group of Benedictine remains in Ireland at Fore Abbey. To
Locke’s Distillery Museum
learn more about the history of Fore, guided tours of the abbey and
surrounding area can be arranged. A video is also on view during
weekends at the Fore Coffee Shop. Tel: (044) 61780.
GOLDSMITH COUNTRY
In the area north of Athlone you will find Goldsmith Country, named
for the 18th century poet and playwright Oliver Goldsmith. The gentle
landscape of the region makes it ideal for walking and cycling.
KILBEGGAN
Kilbeggan, situated on the N6 Dublin to Galway road, has been a
place of importance since early Christian times when St. Beccan
founded a monastery here. The site later housed a 13th century
Cistercian Abbey. Today the town is more famous for its old whiskey
distillery. At Locke’s Distillery Museum you can see how whiskey was
Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath
distilled in times past. Learn about the lives of the workers and even
Tel / Fax: 057 933 2134 sample the finished product. Tel: (0506) 32134. The area around
Email: lockesmuseum@iol.ie www.lockesdistillerymuseum.com
Kilbeggan is noted for the Esker Riada or sand hills that survive from
Take a step back in time and visit the “oldest licensed pot still distillery in the
the ice-age glacial drift and also for having one of Ireland’s premier
world”. Guided tours bring you through the old distillery buildings. Most of the
horse racing courses. For information about race meetings, contact the
original machinery has now been restored and can be seen working daily.
course, Tel: (0506) 32176.
Follow the process from the grinding of the grain to the casking of the final
product. See the restored 1887 steam engine and watch the 19th century
publicbuilding places of interest
waterwheel drive the machinery. Peer into the nine meter high fermentation Locke’s Distillery Museum, Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath. Tel:
vats. Watch as the cooper tightens the hoops on the aged barrels. Stroll through
(057) 933 2134. Established in 1757, this is the oldest licensed pot-
the bonded warehouse and let the aroma of maturing whiskey arouse your senses.
still distillery in the world. The distillery is now open to the public as a
The tour ends with a complimentary tasting of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey museum. A guided tour, explaining the process of whiskey making at
Locke’s, is a visit you should have on your Irish itinerary. You will follow
Facilities: Restaurant, whiskey bar, coach and car parking
all of the stages, from the initial grinding of the barley to the casking of
Location: In Kilbeggan town on the N6 main Dublin to Galway road
Opening hours: April - October 9am to 6pm. November - March 10am to 4pm
the final product. Of course no visit would be complete without the
complimentary glass of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey at the end of your tour!
MOATE
Moate gets its name from the very fine motte and bailey nearby. This
busy market town owes its origins to the Quakers who settled and
TULLYNALLY CASTLE GARDENS
started industries in the late 18th century. The remains of a meeting
Castlepollard, Co.Westmeath house and cemetary are testament to their time in the town.
Explore over 10 hectares of romantic woodland and walled gardens created over
200 years. Lakes, follies, flowerborders and magnificent trees, set beside one of
MULLINGAR
Ireland's largest surviving castles.
This Norman town became a thriving commercial centre thanks to the
Royal Canal which links Dublin to the River Shannon. It is surrounded by
rich countryside, including some of the best fishing loughs in the country.
The 19th century architecture of the town is dominated by the Cathedral
of Christ the King, home to stunning mosaics of St. Patrick and St. Anne
and a fascinating ecclesiastical museum. Tel: (044) 48338. About 5km
south of Mullingar is Belvedere House dating from around 1740. The
property is notorious for the Jealous Wall, erected by the eccentric 1st
Earl of Belvedere to block the view of his estranged brother’s house who
Open: May / June weekends, then daily July & August, 12am - 6pm.
Tearoom and craftshop in castle courtyard
was alleged to have had an affair with the Earl’s young bride. The house
and gardens are open all year round. Tel: (044) 49060.
TYRRELLSPASS
Tyrrellspass takes its name from Sir Richard Tyrrell, who led a small
s
Irish force to victory against an Elizabethan army north of the village
T
y
r
r
ell p
a
s
s
in 1597. With a formal layout around a semi-circular green, the tower
of the 15th century Tyrrell Castle lies at the west end of the village.
CA
STLE
dining dining & entertainment
Tyrrellspass Castle, Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath. Tel/Fax:
(044) 922 3105; Email: tyrrellspasscastleinfo@eircom.net;
Web: www.tyrrellspasscastle.com. This major focal point of Tyrrellspass
is situated on the west side of the village, conveniently located in the
heart of the midlands. Come and visit the village of Tyrrellspass, less
than three minutes from the N52 and N6. Our friendly staff is on
hand to make your visit a very special one. Why not visit and try for
Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath
Tel/ Fax: (044) 922 3105
yourself the delicious and fresh homemade food that is locally
E-mail: tyrrellspasscastleinfo@eircom.net produced and cooked to the highest of standards, all to be enjoyed in
Web: www.tyrrellspasscastle.com
this unique medieval setting at reasonable prices.
168 shannon and the midlands
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184  |  Page 185  |  Page 186  |  Page 187  |  Page 188  |  Page 189  |  Page 190  |  Page 191  |  Page 192  |  Page 193  |  Page 194  |  Page 195  |  Page 196  |  Page 197  |  Page 198  |  Page 199  |  Page 200  |  Page 201  |  Page 202  |  Page 203  |  Page 204  |  Page 205  |  Page 206  |  Page 207  |  Page 208  |  Page 209  |  Page 210  |  Page 211  |  Page 212  |  Page 213  |  Page 214  |  Page 215  |  Page 216  |  Page 217  |  Page 218  |  Page 219  |  Page 220  |  Page 221  |  Page 222  |  Page 223  |  Page 224  |  Page 225  |  Page 226  |  Page 227  |  Page 228  |  Page 229  |  Page 230  |  Page 231  |  Page 232  |  Page 233  |  Page 234  |  Page 235  |  Page 236  |  Page 237  |  Page 238  |  Page 239  |  Page 240  |  Page 241