ThingsThings toto At the Heart of It seesee andand dodo Athlone is a vibrant hub of culture, art, heritage and Bridging the Distance a renowned shopping destination. It’s a great base for Feel dwarfed by the majesty of the iconic stone arch bridges exploring Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, with a range of at Streamstown and soak up the railway heritage as you accommodation options and mouth-watering local food. cycle along! Here the Old Rail Trail passes under some of Visitors can enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of the the most extraordinary examples of masonry stone arched River Shannon from atop Athlone Castle and indulge their bridges on the trail. inner artist at the Luan Gallery, a national and international visual feast for the eyes. Battles and Battlements on the Shannon Banks Step Back in Time Why not park up your bike and get on the water? Athlone is Pedal Before you hop on a bike, take a stroll along the Shannon Opened in 1851, the now restored Castletown Station once at the heart of it all, where the mighty River Shannon flows Carefree Banks to Athlone Castle. Climb the steps to the castle keep catered for both passenger and goods transport before into Lough Ree. Enjoy a long easy cruise or a white-knuckle and enjoy panoramic views across the majestic river. Or closing in 1963. Today, it is the turn off point for the quaint powerboat ride, discover the islands of Lough Ree by kayak climb higher still to the castle battlements and look across village of Castletown Geoghegan, a short 3km from the or sail with the Vikings. Relax and soak in the scenery or the rooftops of the entire town. Take a step back in history station by public road, providing access to refreshments. let loose with adrenaline and adventure. Closeby, Glasson and discover the ancient stories through swords, cannon village offers award winning culinary delights and woodland A cyclist’s paradise. This journey begins in the bustling balls, stunning sculptures and interactive displays at the Ancient Majesty walks at Portlick Millennium Forest. www.athlone.ie town of Athlone and ends in the elegant old market Visitor Centre. www.athlonecastle.ie As Ireland’s mythological and sacred centre, the Hill of town of Mullingar, County Westmeath. Uisneach captivates visitors with its huge significance Ancient Legends and Musical Heritage Between these two cultural hotspots, lose yourself Startling Natural Beauty that pre-dates recorded history. It’s a must-visit when Mullingar is a historical town in Ireland’s Ancient East, exploring Ireland’s Ancient East and a short 6km diversion along the spectacular 42km cycle path. A place of tranquillity and startling natural beauty, famous for its musical heritage, ancient myths and legends Railway heritage, natural Crosswood Bog is home to exquisitely rare types of flora from Castletown Station will take you there. Guided tours and scenic lakes. The county town of Westmeath, Mullingar A converted stretch of the Midlands Great Western and fauna. An extensive area of raised bog habitat, it’s are available daily by passionate locals who will send boasts excellent coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and a beauty and brilliant biking Railway carved through rich fertile farmland, the Old internationally renowned for its biodiversity and ecological you away dreaming of these enigmatic and sacred lands. range of accommodation options, along with a thriving Arts Rail Trail Greenway leads visitors through the very value. You’ll cross this bog between Garrycastle and Tully. www.uisneach.ie Centre and sports scene. heart of Ireland. Among the must-sees in Mullingar is the Renaissance style Art, Heritage and Play Where Greenways link www.athlone.ie www.mullingar.ie Cathedral of Christ the King with its fantastic mosaics. Directly accessible from the Old Rail Trail at Moate, Dún na The Old Rail Trail meets the Royal Canal Greenway at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park on the shores of Lough Sí Amenity & Heritage Park should not be missed. Features Ballinea and Newbrook. From here it’s just a short spin into Ennell guarantees a great experience. include a fantastic playground, outdoor art displays, guided Mullingar for a rest, refreshments, culture and craic. The From Mullingar, visitors can easily escape to quiet rural heritage tours and genealogy as well as a great locally Blueway Activity Zone at Mullingar Harbour offers multi- surroundings with sparkling lakes or the Royal Canal. run café with outdoor seating overlooking the park and activity exploration of the Royal Canal, including kayaking Close by, Kilbeggan is home not only to the world’s oldest play areas. Enjoy the walking and cycling trails through a and stand-up paddle boarding. licensed distillery dating back to 1757 but also a horse racing Athlone to Mullingar: a 42km Greenway. wetland nature reserve and planted parkland or unwind stadium that is sure to offer the visitor a thrilling day out. Cycle or stroll on a dedicated, off-road path in with traditional Irish music and dance. www.dunnasi.ie www.mullingar.ie spectacular surroundings, ideal for lovers of the outdoors. Map Legend Suggested Routes to Cycle or Walk To Longford Access Point 11 Dysart Access Lough Athlone to Moate 12 Owel Parking with Access Ballinea Access Mullingar 14.5 km - Mostly flat surface. Suitable for family groups of all ages and all types of bikes. 1 Whitegates, Athlone 13 Belmount Access Royal Cathedral GreenwayGreenway Canal Beginning in the bustling town of Athlone, the Greenway 2 Garrycastle Bridge 14 Kilpatrick Greenway floats over Crosswood Bog’s natural heritage area and RouteRoute R389 3 Tully 15 Newbrook, Mullingar through lush green landscapes, before reaching the restored Railway Station buildings in Moate. Why not 4 Magheramore Playground 15 take a break along the route at Dún na Sí Amenity Dún Na Sí Amenity 14 To Dublin & Heritage Park, where history and nature collide? 5 Accommodation 13 & Heritage Park 12 Unwind in Moate; this hidden gem of a town provides 6 Moate Station Cafés and Restaurants Stone Arch refreshments, accommodation and the Tuar Ard Arts N55 Railway Tunnel Centre. 7 Hill of Rosemount Access Tourist Information Uisneach 8 Lough Lisnagree, Streamstown Bike Hire Moate to Castletown Ree 9 Streamstown Train Station R390 11 16.3 km - Mostly flat surface with gentle slopes. Suitable for family groups of all ages and all types of bikes. 10 Castletown Station Athlone 10 Journey through stunning countryside on the way to the Bike Hire and Tours Castle Castletown preserved historic Castletown Station building. Opened in 1851, it was in use for more than 100 years. Pass under DB Cycles Athlone Crosswood Dún na Sí Lough Bog Station House the iconic three arched bridge at Streamstown. A short www.dbcycles.ie Amenity and Ennell diversion from Castletown will allow you to savour the +353 90 64 92280 Heritage Park N52 majesty of Uisneach, once the seat of the High Kings of Buckley Cycles Athlone 9 Ireland and the burial site of the Earth Goddess Ériu and www.buckleycycles.ie the Sun God Lugh. +353 90 64 78989 1 Station House 8 Streamstown Moate Bicycle Hire 2 +353 87 982 4082 7 Castletown to Mullingar Outdoor Escape Mullingar To Galway Stone To Kilbeggan 11.4 km - Mostly flat with gentle slopes. Suitable for family www.outdoorescape.ie Arched groups of all ages and all types of bikes. +353 44 933 5351 3 Bridge 6 From Castletown, the Greenway follows the old railway Mullingar Bike Hire 4 5 through sheltered countryside, surrounded by trees www.mullingarbikehire.com Moate +353 44 933 6014 River and birdsong. After passing under a tunnel, it meets Shannon the Royal Canal and follows its path before linking with Midland Cycling Tours N62 +353 87 125 8462 the Royal Canal Greenway at Newbrook. From here, it’s just a stroll into Mullingar, or you can continue on this R420 M6 Greenway all the way to the River Shannon in Longford or Dublin City (from 2019).