Activities

Mullingar, Westmeath and the surrounding areas provide numerous activities and places to visit for the foreign or Irish traveller.

Fishing, Shooting, Horse Riding, Whiskey Tasting, Castles, Museums, Craft Workshops, Local Festivals, Geneology Centres, Historic Monuments and Interpretive Centres are just many of the activities one can partake in, while staying as our guests in this region. We have included a selection of links below which may be of assistance to you in planning your holiday.

Mullingar Equestrian Centre

Mullingar Equestrian Centre isone of Irelands premier Equestrian Centres. The Fagan family extend a warm welcome to all horse lovers. Specialising in un-accompanied young rider (10 to 18) residential holidays during the summer months. There is no formality and you will quickly feel at home. The young rider programme with English tuition is highly recommended. It is also a top class show jumping venue and run shows at all levels throughout the year. Their indoor arena accommodates weekly shows throughout the winter months. Their premier outdoor facilities can cater for up to six show jumping arenas. Their three day show jumping festival the first week end of June is the high light of our equestrian calender.

Mullingar Greyhound Stadium

Mullingar Greyhound Stadium is now firmly established as one of the leading night time entertainment venues in the Midlands. Imagine a state of the art facility that combines pulsating racing action with superb food, excellent bars and electric atmosphere making Mullingar Stadium a venue with a difference. Mullingar is the venue to choose whether entertaining clients, having a staff night out or simply coming along with the family where we can provide you with a package to suit all pockets and tastes. Our award winning Trap Door restaurant provides a panoramic view of all racing action offering a sumptuous 4 course A’La Carte menu with bar and tote service at your table.


Mullingar Golf Club
Mullingar Golf Club has been part and parcel of Irish Golf since 1894. During its first forty years the club moved 'house' on no less than five occasions. In 1935 the club finally settled on the magnificent rolling hills at Belvedere where it has been ever since. It is regarded as one of the best of James Braid's finest designs. Mullingar's championship status was formerly recognised in 1952 when it hosted the Irish Professional Championship, and again in 1959 and 1965. The Irish matchplay championship was played at Mullingar in 1972.

Belvedere House

An oasis of beauty in the Midlands is there to be enjoyed. Belvedere House Gardens & Park can be discovered on the shores of Lough Ennell, 4 miles from Mullingar in Co. Westmeath and just an hours drive from Dublin. Belvedere opened to the public in early 2000 following a multi-million pound restoration project involving ERDF funding, the Irish Tourist Board and Westmeath County Council. The Belvedere story is one which is steeped in scandal and provides rich opportunities to capture the visitors imagination. The Estate comprises of 160 acres of parkland with 6kms of magnificent woodland and lakeshore walks. Several follies adorn the landscape including Ireland's largest folly - The Jealous Wall. The restored Belvedere House is an 18th century hunting/fishing lodge designed by the renowned German architect Richard Castle for Robert Rochfort, later the 1st Earl of Belvedere. A fascinating Walled Garden, designed by Ninian Nevin in 1857, contains one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The Stable Block is home to a modern Visitor Centre with multi-media show, exhibitions and Cafe. Adjacent to the Visitor Centre is the Animal Sanctuary and Children's Play Area. There is also a delightful tram which provides guided tours around a section of the parkland on selected days throughout the year.

Lakeland Shooting Centre
At Lakeland Shooting Centre they specialise in both individual and group entertainment. They offer your party a wide variety of targets with individual tuition for each participant.

They highlight the fact that their expert instructors will tutor everyone in all aspects of safe gun handling and shotgun marksmanship.

A wide variety of targets are available here for the shooter, including an all weather enclosed shooting layout, so that adverse weather conditions will not interfere with any outings. They will provide all equipment required for you're outing i.e. guns, ammunition, targets, hearing protection and insurance.

Tuition fees are also included in the price quoted. Light snacks of food , barbeques and full dinner can be provided upon request and the grounds boast a clubhouse with full facilities for relaxation after your outing.

Lilliput Adventure Centre
Lilliput Adventure Centre is located in Johnathan Swift Park, on the shores of Lough Ennell, approx. 10 minutes from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Its fabulous, unspoilt beauty, along with forests and lake, offer a unique and idyllic location for our Adventure Centre. Our proximity to these natural amenities which are surrounded by a virgin raised peat bog insure that while you are here you spend all of your time participating in activities and not to and from natural resources required.

You can take part in specialised courses in canoeing, hill walking, rock climbing or first aid, to mention a few. We also offer multi-activity programmes, day or residential, where you can give everything a go.

Lockes Distillery
Locke's Distillery is the only small pot still whiskey distillery remaining in Ireland, the only examples of what used to be a widespread Irish industry. Locke's Distillery was licensed in 1757 and produced whiskey for over 200 years, closing in 1953. In 1982 the local community began restoring the distillery and have re-opened it as a museum.

The museum is open seven days a week and there is a choice of a guided or self-guided tour. The guided tour takes about 40 minutes and shows the ancient process of whiskey making, from the mill stones, to the mash tuns, underbacks, fermentation vats, can pit stills to the casking of the final product. The two sources of power, the steam engine and the water wheel are always of great interest. The tour is complemented by the tales and stories gathered from the workers from the distillery. Over 85% of the original distillery machinery remains intact and restoration work is ongoing. In July 1997, the machinery turned again for the first time since closure. The drive shaft, pulleys and pumps are all working on a daily basis.