Guide The MidlandsIreland.ie brand promotes awareness of the Midland Region across four pillars of Living, Learning, Tourism and Enterprise. MidlandsIreland.ie Gateway to Tourism has produced this digital guide to the Midland Region, as part of suite of initiatives in line with the adopted Brand Management Strategy 2011- 2016. The guide has been produced in collaboration with public and private service providers based in the region. MidlandsIreland.ie would like to acknowledge and thank those that helped with research, experiences and images. The guide contains 11 sections which cover, Angling, Festivals, Golf, Walking, Creative Community, Our Past – Our Pleasure, Active Midlands, Towns and Villages, Driving Tours, Eating Out and Accommodation.

The guide showcases the wonderful natural assets of the Midlands, celebrates our culture and heritage and invites you to discover our beautiful region. All sections are available for download on the MidlandsIreland.ie

Content: Images and text have been provided courtesy of Áras an Mhuilinn, Art & Heritage Limited, Athlone, Institute of Technology, Demense, Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, Bord na Mona, CORE, Failte , Lakelands & Inland Waterways, Laois Local Authorities, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Tourism, Longford Local Authorities, Longford Tourism, Arts Centre, Offaly Local Authorities, Westmeath Local Authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Distillery, Kilbeggan Racecourse, Office of Public Works, Swan Creations, The Gardens at Ballintubbert, The Heritage at , Waterways Ireland and the Wineport Lodge. Individual contributions include the work of James Fraher, Kevin Byrne, Andy Mason, Kevin Monaghan, John McCauley and Tommy Reynolds.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the information supplied no responsibility can be accepted for any error, omission or misinterpretation of this information. Where such are brought to our attention future guides will be amended accordingly. 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Mountmellick for its work (embroidery) while Laois the estate towns of and Durrow have their own unique character. A county of rich contrast, Laois is a place for people who want a different experience of If you love nature, you’ll love Laois. Walking, Ireland. A meeting point for ancient heritage cycling, horse-riding, golfing, fishing, polo, and contemporary culture, for rural tranquillity trekking, canal-cruising, it’s all to be discovered and busy towns and villages, for sophisticated in the beautiful and peaceful countryside. luxury and rustic simplicity, Laois calls out to The Slieve Blooms are undoubtedly one of people who want something authentic and Ireland’s most extraordinary mountain walking truly out of the ordinary. experiences. This mountain range, teeming with wildlife and fascinating ecology, offer a Many beautiful heritage sites have been range of activities. restored for the public to enjoy such as Emo Court and Gardens, Round Tower, Fishing is one the best kept secrets in Laois. and Heywood Gardens. The rivers Nore and Barrow run through Laois Another real treasure is the Rock of Dunamaise, as well as the and the many which is one of the great monuments and lakes dotted throughout the county. Take a fortresses of Ireland and offers breathtaking visit to the Irish Fly-Fishing and Game Shooting views of the county. There are reminders Museum in Attanagh which is the only one of in Portarlington of its Huguenot past, in its kind in Europe.

2 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

for roach, perch and tench in Gill’s Lough and one of the finest of Ireland’s great gardens. Heywood Gardens with its lakes, woodlands and architectural features is well worth a visit. Its formal gardens were designed by the world- famous Sir Edwin Luytens and were probably landscaped by Gertrude Jekyll.

Abbeyleix A fine planned estate town designated one of Ireland’s Heritage Towns, noted for the quality of their preserved historic buildings. Established by Viscount de Vesci, it is well laid out with fine town houses, public buildings and vernacular houses dating to different periods from the mid-eighteenth century. Perhaps most notable are the Market House (1906), Hibernian Bank (c. 1900), Catholic Church (Hague, 1895), Church of Ireland Church (Wyatt, rebuilt 1865) and Abbeyleix National School. The award- winning Heritage House Interpretive Centre is worth a visit. Other attractions within the town include: Sextons House, Abbey Sense Gardens, Morrissey’s Pub and the library.

Ballinakill A seventeenth-century market town. The ruins of Castle are of a late seventeenth- century castle destroyed by Cromwellian troops. The configuration of streets around the large rectangular square is eighteenth- Castletown century. In 1182 Hugh de Lacy built a castle here for Robert de Bigarz, and it became the centre The town’s entrance from Abbeyleix is marked of an important Norman borough. Only by two trees known as toll trees, where a toll fragments of the castle remain. The village was paid by visitors to the town. The town had itself is built around a triangular fair green. important fairs, a brewery, woollen and tanning South of the village in Churchtown are the factories. At Ballinakill there is excellent fishing ruins of a medieval church.

3 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Donaghmore Originally associated with an early medieval church, and then with an early Norman fortification. It became an extensive industrial complex in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It has attractive buildings and two thriving pubs overlooking a river and an old bridge.

A short distance northwest is the headquarters of Donaghmore Co-operative, once a workhouse, and now a museum which is open to the public during the summer months and on request during the remainder of the year. During the Great Famine, some 10% of the local population sought refuge here. Now restored, Durrow visitors can see the original dormitories, kitchen The Anglo-Normans founded a borough on and waiting hall, plus the agricultural museum the Erkina River in the thirteenth century. The also housed here. town prospered, and early in the eighteenth century, Colonel William Flower acquired the estate and built Castle Durrow, the magnificent classical mansion. Later ennobled as the Viscounts Ashbrook, the family designed the village which has retained much of its early appearance, with fine eighteenth and nineteeth century houses. The houses are built around an open green and the splendid gates of the castle open onto it.

The Erkina River, offers great fly fishing for trout and occasional salmon. All around the village are old woods. The wood was part of the old estate and was planted primarily to provide cover for game birds. The nearby ‘Leafy Loop’ - a 20 km series of way-marked walking routes around the town – features riverside paths, leafy forest tracks, open farmland, numerous historic sites and a rich variety of flora and fauna.

4 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Mountmellick Founded in the seventeenth-century within a loop of the Owenass River, Mountmellick has always been a town associated with great industry and prosperity and in the late eighteenth century became known as the ‘Manchester of Ireland’. From the start the town was dominated by the enterprise of the Quaker Community and later served by the Grand Canal.

Mountmellick Development Association commissioned the conversion of a grain mill which houses a Quaker Museum, where the main focus is to conserve and display original pieces of Mountmellick work (embroidery) of which the town is renowned; and to protect the memory of Mountmellick’s rich Quaker industrial past. The Heritage Trail is a pleasure to follow. It is a pleasing town with a fine square, Emo architecturally impressive houses, shops and Emo Court, one of the greatest houses and ecclesiastical buildings gardens in Ireland, designed by James Gandon and its nearby Coolbanagher Church provide an unforgettable day excursion. It took eighty years to finish the building of Emo Court. The house stood empty and decaying for ten years in the 1920s then became a seminary for the Jesuits, who made some alterations. In 1969 the Demesne was bought by Major Cholmley-Harrison, who restored the house to its nineteenth century grandeur and renovated the magnificent gardens. The latest phase began in 1994 when the owner presented the house and grounds to the people of Ireland. Now in State hands, both house and gardens are beautifully cared for and the house, with its magnificent rooms, is open for guided tours throughout the summer.

5 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Mountrath probably derives its name from a The principal town of Laois, Portlaoise is fort in Redcastle about 1.6km on the eastern a vibrant town. An invasion of the region side of the present town. The Irish name is Móin under Queen Mary of England led to the Ratha - meaning “the fort in the .” On a development of a settlement here, which very early map of Mountrath from 1659, the they called Maryborough. It retained that town is designated by a few houses situated name until it reverted to Portlaoise following on a stream - the White Horse River. By that independence. Recent years have seen its date the town was over thirty years old as it transformation into an exciting and rapidly was founded in 1628 by Charles Coote. By growing centre, with fascinating local sources 1750 the town was a thriving industrial place of crafts & food and the splendid Dunamaise with its own woollen and linen industries, Arts Centre. ironworks, grain and rape mills and a little later its own brewery and distillery. Mountrath Twenty minutes or less in any direction brings was also an important market town with its a wealth of opportunities; with numerous golf beautiful market house, dating from the early- clubs, equestrian centres and horse-drawn eighteenth century, dominating the square. caravans and possibilities for trekking in the The town is now mainly agricultural and an . Anglers and boating excellent base for exploring the Slieve Bloom enthusiasts, naturalists and long-distance Mountains. It has picnic facilities near St Fintan’s walkers find everything they want on the Catholic Church. The Church is an elaborate Grand Canal at . Ancient Ireland example of Gothic Revival architecture. The is represented by the Rock of Dunamaise a River Mountrath is also good for fishing. hilltop castle with a wonderful view.

Portarlington Founded in 1666, on a bend of the Barrow River by Sir Henry Bennett, Lord Arlington. After the Jacobite Wars, the lands were given to General Rouvigney, Earl of Galway who established a thriving colony of French Huguenots in the town: separate chapels and schools were built for the English and French. Along with education (eventually 16 schools), the town became a centre for silversmiths and banking. The town has Georgian, Huguenot and Victorian architecture of exceptional quality.

6 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Stradbally Vicarstown is a picuresque town, surrounded If you are interested in a barge trip or by a great range of things to do and see. holiday along the canal, look no further than Stradbally Hall, the Cosby’s stately home, Vicarstown. Vicarstown is an attractive port was begun in 1772 and greatly enlarged on the Grand Canal, a useful base walking, and embellished in the 1860s in its present cycling, boating and fishing. Buildings of Italian style. Stradbally is home to a number interest include the 1860’s Grattan School and of activities such as point-to-point racing and Grattan Lodge (built in 1882 by Henry Grattan’s other equestrian events and paintballing in the grand-daughter Lady Pauline Grattan Stradbally Woods. Stradbally is synonymous Bellew). Vicarstown is a good base to visit the with Steam and the Irish Steam Preservation picturesque village of Fisherstown where one Society holds its Steam Rally here during the of the oldest pubs in Ireland is located. August Bank Holiday weekend. In the grounds of Stradbally Hall is the Narrow Gauge Railway and the Steam Museum is located in the Main Street. Stradbally Hall also hosts the Electric Picnic music festival on an annual basis. Stradbally Lake brown trout fishery has been subject to extensive restoration and is located on the Cosby Estate. There are also excellent picnic areas and facilities on the lakeside. When visiting Stradbally, a visit to Stradbally Art House is a must.

7 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Longford

In lovely county Longford the visitor is never far Walk in the footsteps of famous Longford from water, cruise the , Lough writers, Maria Edgeworth, Padraic Colum and Ree and the Royal Canal, or enjoy the finest Oliver Goldsmith. fishing on the , Lough Gowna and other watercourses. The “hot water” stretch Admire the views across , the at Lanesborough is famous among anglers. second largest lake on the River Shannon. Pay Every canoeist knows the white water stretch a visit to Clondra, a quaint little village with the at Ballymahon. magnificent cut stone Richmond Harbour, the terminus of the Royal Canal where it flows into In Ardagh, visit the heritage centre in the old the River Shannon. schoolhouse, which dates back to 1898. The exhibition outlines the history of the village Visit the Corlea Trackway and Visitor Centre, which includes myth and literature. The village the largest known Iron Age trackway in also played host to writers and musicians like Ireland. Oliver Goldsmith, Sir Walter Scott and Turlough O’Carolan. Enjoy the views of the illuminated abbey at Abbeylara by night or Granard motte and Longford is a haven for outdoor activities bailey, which dominates the town. offering facilities of the highest standard and quality. The county has a vast array of walking The flat bogland of south Longford and the and cycling routes and provides activities rolling hills and drumlins of north Longford offers such as fishing, golf, archery, go-carting, horse unique habitats for the finest flora and fauna riding and bowling. for the eco tourist to admire.

8 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Abbeylara Abbeyshrule The village of Abbeylara is three miles from One of the earliest Cistercian monasteries in Granard. On approaching the village, the first Ireland was established here around 1150. thing that comes into sight is the magnificent Ruins of the abbey and towerhouse dominate ruins of the Cistercian abbey founded in the this picturesque village. In 1906 a Bronze Age thirteenth century. Abbeylara gets its name shield was discovered in the nearby townland from ‘Mainistir Leathratha’, which means of Clonbrin. This is the only known leather shield ‘abbey of the half rath or little rath’. in Ireland and is on display in the National Museum.

The Royal Canal arrived at Abbeyshrule in 1817, and crosses the Inny by the Whitworth Aqueduct. The river and the canal make for ideal fishing any time of the year. The Inny holds major stock of roach, bream, pike, trout and perch. Abbeyshrule Airfield was established in the 1950s and is home to an active aviation group. The annual air show is a major attraction for the area.

9 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Ardagh The village of Ardagh is a designated heritage village. It was here that St Patrick appointed St Mel as one of the earliest Irish bishops. The village also features in Oliver Goldsmith’s ‘She Stoops to Conquer’. Ardagh has associations with Irish myth including ‘The Wooing of Etain’ part of which is based at the nearby hill Brí Léith. Much of the village was built as an ‘estate Ballinalee village’ in the 19th century, and has received The village of Ballinalee, is located on the River much acclaim for its beauty. Awards have Camlin, in the parish of Clonbroney. The name included the Prix d’Honneur of the Entente is derived from the Irish, ‘Béal Átha na Laogh’ - Florale and winning the National Tidy Towns the mouth of the ford of the calves. Ballinalee Competition on three occasions. was formerly called St Johnstown and was owned by Lord Granard. It was also the home of ‘The Blacksmith of Ballinalee’, General Seán MacEoin, a hero of the War of Independence who later became a T.D and served as the Minister for Justice, and Minister for Defence between 1948 and 1951.

Ballinamuck Ballinamuck is one of the most historic towns in north Aughnacliffe Longford. The Battle of Aughnacliffe is a small village in north County Ballinamuck was fought Longford, midway between Cavan town there during the 1798 and Longford town. This area is a fisherman’s Rebellion between the paradise, with a number of excellent fishing combined Irish and French lakes such as Gowna and the Upper Erne forces and the British. It system close by. featured in Thomas Flanagan’s historic novel The Year of the French. The name ‘Ballinamuck’ There is beautiful scenery for relaxing walks, is derived from the original name ‘Béal Átha cycling trips and horse riding. Discover the local na Muice’ which means ‘the mouth of the heritage by visiting the ancient graveyards ford of the pig’. Ballinamuck is an ideal place and churches and impressive archaeological for a quiet and relaxing holiday, where fishing, sites such as the Aughnacliffe portal tomb, walking, cycling and observing nature are the known locally as ‘the dolmen’. main attractions.

10 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Ballymahon Ballymahon is the most southerly town in County Longford, situated on the N55. The River Inny flows through Ballymahon, westwards towards Lough Ree on the River Shannon. The buildings in the town are of late Georgian and Victorian stock, with two and three storey houses, in rows of three and four. The town is dominated by two refurbished mill buildings which reveal Drumlish the industrial heritage of the area. A visit to Drumlish is a neat village in gently rolling the recently refurbished market house which countryside. It was the scene of an episode has opened as a library is a must when in of land agitation known as the ‘Drumlish Land Ballymahon. War’ of 1881. Near Drumlish is Cairn Hill the highest point in Longford on the summit of which are two cairn tombs. The old corn mill Clondra situated along the main Longford/Cavan road Clondra is an attractive village located, 8km has been recently restored and has been in west of Longford. The cut-stone harbour, the Rogers family for nearly two centuries. known as Richmond Harbour, is the Royal Canal’s terminus and one of the most imposing features on the canal. The old stone mill with Edgeworthstown its weir and millpond is another fine building. Edgeworthstown is located on the N4. The town Traditional music is provided on a regular basis has a long association with the celebrated in local hostelries. Edgeworth family. Prominent members of this family included Richard Lovell Edgeworth and his daughter Maria. Richard was a famous inventor and surveyor, while Maria stands as one of the most influential novelists of the English language. She is best known for her novel Castle Rackrent. The family vault is in the churchyard of St John’s. The churchyard is also the resting place of Isola Wilde, sister of writer Oscar Wilde.

11 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Lanesborough Lanesborough developed in the seventeenth century when the landowner Sir George Lane received a charter from King Charles II. The town developed at a key crossing place on the River Shannon and became a very important inland port and market town. It was the point where ‘vast quantities’ of pigs, eggs and corn were transhipped from the river barges to carts and then back to the water again in the Royal Canal. Granard Granard lies on the N55 route from the The railways put an end to the canal trade Midland Region to the northern counties. It is and Lanesborough’s importance declined surrounded by beautiful lakes such as Lough until the 1950s, when the peat-burning power Gowna and forests like Derrycassin Woods. station was built. The power station had a very Derived from the Irish placename Gránard, the beneficial effect on the fishing, discharging name Granard is said to have many meanings, warm water which made the river suitable for such as ‘The Hill of the Sun’ or ‘Ugly Height’. the local tench population. Lanesborough is These could be attributed to the most striking a popular place for anglers, with great stocks topographical feature in the town - the motte of pike and brown trout. The trout are at their and its undulating fosse which dominates the best in spring when they rise to the mayfly. west end of the town. This became the site for Lanesborough also boasts a recently built a castle built in 1199 by Richard Tuite who had state of the art marina and an attractive river been granted the lands by Hugh de Lacy. and woodland walk.

Kenagh Kenagh is home to the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, which conserves an Iron Age timber trackway built in the year 148 BC across the bog. This road is one of the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe. Inside the building, an 18-metre stretch of preserved road is on permanent display. The village of Kenagh features an elegant clock tower erected in memory of the Hon. Lawrence Harman King-Harman (d. 1875) by his tenants.

12 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Legan Legan village is situated along the River Inny. The world-famous Shawbrook Ballet School is located near the village. The parish of Legan extends west to the sacred pre-Christian site of Brí Léith on Ardagh Mountain. The area contains rich farmland with wide expanses of Newtowncashel bog and is rich in flora and fauna. The well- Newtowncashel is located near to Lough Ree stocked River Inny provides restful recreation on the River Shannon. Noteworthy buildings for the fisherman. include a church, a parish hall and a national school. The village is adorned with a number of fine sculptures in local bog oak and striking Longford Town stone walls. There are excellent views of Lough A busy, bustling town, Longford is dominated Ree from the outskirts of the village. Nearby by St Mel’s Cathedral, which was completed attractions include the ruined Augustinian in 1893, having taken more than fifty years to abbey on Saints’ Island and Barley Harbour. build and currently undergoing restoration. Another notable building is the courthouse on Main Street, built in the early 1790s. The Newtownforbes building of a branch of the Royal Canal to The village of Newtownforbes lies in the heart Longford was a major boost to its importance of Clonguish parish (also spelt ‘Cluain Geis’) as a market town in the 19th century, as was meaning: ‘meadow of the swans’. The village the arrival of the to Sligo railway line. and its townlands are steeped in history and The River Camlin flows through the northern tales from famine times. Newtownforbes is a part of the town. A delightful walkway has lively village, beautifully maintained by an been created along the river leading to the active Tidy Towns committee. Mall recreational area. Longford lies at a junction of two primary routes, connecting Dublin to Sligo and Mayo. Accommodation, good food, shops, pubs and clubs and some great sporting grounds welcome the visitor and the surrounding countryside has a wealth of places to visit and things to do.

13 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Offaly Pilgrims Path route or a number of shorter looped walks. is the county town and the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre provides an interesting Offaly boasts five peatland nature reserves, introduction to the towns distilling, canal and among them Clara , which can be urban past. Throughout the county cruising, viewed on the road between Clara and Rahan. equestrian, golfing, walking and fishing A trip through the peatlands should include a enthusiasts are well catered for. visit to the Lough Boora Parklands, which was once a working bog, is now regenerated into The Grand Canal transverses the county from an amenity and wildlife sanctuary. At Lough and joins the River Shannon at Boora Parklands one can fish a number of still Shannon Harbour. Edenderry is a noted angling water lakes, observe some of the over one centre. The Shannon callows are of European hundred and thirty species of birds recorded importance for a number of bird species. in the Parklands or take a stroll through the Sculpture Park. The monastic ruins of are world- famous and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Birr was designated a heritage town for its Less known, but of significant importance Georgian architecture, it also has an interesting are Lemanaghan Monastic site, Seir Kieran, early Christian monastic site and a medieval Rahan, Durrow and Birr. Cycle the Pilgrims Way, story to tell. Visit the formal gardens, science travelling from Ballycumber to Clonmacnoise centre and the restored telescope all at Birr with a spur to Lemanaghan from Boher. Castle, Gardens and Demesne, Seat of the Earls of Rosse. Call into Birr library, a coverted Walking is a major feature within the county. Pugin Church, to view a unique copy of the Choose between the Slieve Bloom Way, the ninth century Mac Regol Gospels originating Grand Canal Way, the Offaly Way and the from the early Christian site at Birr.

14 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Birr Birr, originally a monastic settlement founded by St Brendan in the sixth century, it has seen Banagher, which means ‘Ford of the Rocks’, continuous habitation and development and it attracts thousands of visitors each year for is now well known for its Georgian architecture. some great fishing. The town was established The monastery, which was located in in the seventeenth century as an important Church Street where the ruined thirteenth to crossing point in the plantation of Offaly. The seventeenth century church can still be seen marina offers superb facilities for all who stay had an important scriptoria and produced a here. In 2011 the Heritage Boat Association ninth century illuminated manuscript known as (HBA) chose Banagher Harbour to celebrate the Mac Regol Gospels. The Gospels are now the first decade of the HBA. in the Bodleian Library in Oxford but in 2006 one copy was Anthony Trollope worked for the Post Office made and is on public display in Birr Public here from 1841 until 1844, and managed Library. to complete the first two of his ponderous Victorian novels in what was presumably the In the sixteenth century the O’Carrolls of Ely undisturbed rural peace and quiet. had one of their castles here and this was granted to Sir Laurence Parsons in the course Banagher was one of the towns on the Shannon of the Stuart plantation, c.1620. Sir Laurence that was fortified against Napoleonic invasion Parsons built most of the structure of the in the nineteenth century. There is a Martello present castle. The castle still remains the seat tower beside the old canal, and the remains of the Earls of Rosse. of a barracks can be seen at the east end of the bridge. The Birr Castle Demesne and surrounding gardens contain many fine trees and shrubs, including the box hedges, which are the tallest in the world. At the centre of the gardens is the Great Telescope built by the 3rd Earl of Rosse in 1840s.

15 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Birr Workhouse was opened in 1842 before the Famine and still stands largely the same as when first built. Crinkill Barracks was built 1809- 1812 and was burnt to the ground by Republican forces in 1922. The first All Ireland Hurling Final between Tipperary and Galway was held in Birr in 1888 where today a commemorative statue is in place. Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival in August remains one of Ireland’s most popular festivals. Once the principal town of the county, Daingean is situated on the Grand Canal and the town has a population of 1,048. The name Clara translates as fortress, from the time the area Clara grew up as a small industrial town, amply served as an island fortress for the O’Connor supplied with energy from its two rivers, the Clan. Brosna and its tributary the Gageborough and from the vast tracts of peat bog that almost The area of domination of the O’Connor Clan surround it. No fewer than eleven distilleries stretched from Daingean south into Laois, north operated there in the eighteenth century. to the borders of Westmeath and east into Three Quaker brothers, Marcus, Jonathan and Kildare. At the formation of the King’s County Lewis Frederick Goodbody settled there in 1854 in 1557 under Mary Tudor, Daingean became to use the water power to drive mills for the the capital and was named Philipstown after production of sacking and other materials from her husband, Philip of Spain. imported jute fibres. The business prospered for many years and in 1867 they built the beautiful The Grand Canal line was opened to here in Meeting House which serves now as the 1797. The fare from Dublin was the equivalent of meeting room of the Clara Musical Society. 26p or 33 cent. It remained the principal town They were inventive industrialists and the grey of the county until 1835 when the Assizes were chimney that dominates part of the town was transferred from Philipstown to Tullamore. one of the very first structures in Ireland made from reinforced concrete. The town today is a busy place, keeping up its industrial tradition. Edenderry There are a network of short walks around the Edenderry was established in medieval times town and hinterland. Clara Bog Visitor Centre and the ruins of Blundell Castle can still be is now open at Clara Library and close by is seen with the new water tower adjacent on Doorey Walk. Blundell Hill. The castle shows phases from the early fifteenth century to the end of the seventeenth century when Edenderry House was constructed.

16 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

The 2nd Marquess of Downshire is responsible for building the layout of much of the historic core of the present town in the 1800s with its pleasant layout, fine town houses, all provided with gardens. The keystones and entrance Ferbane, located on the N62 between Athlone arches are a feature of the streetscape. There is and Birr is a lively small town with many places an imposing statue of the Marquis of Downshire of interest, good pubs, restaurants and places (1788-1845) looking down the Church Walk in to stay. The runs through the the Church of Ireland grounds. middle of the town and the Grand Canal skirts Ferbane to the south of the town. The Grand The Quakers came to Edenderry in 1672 and Canal Way is a popular walking route, and is the Meeting House which they built in 1806 is also a noted spot for anglers. A display of early still in use. Christian grave slabs dating from around the 9th and 10th centuries can be seen at Gallen. The Canal Harbour makes Edenderry a Belmont Mill located a short distance from pleasant centre for boating enthusiasts. The Ferbane is now an artists studio. canal has excellent fishing for pike, perch, bream and roach among others. The golf club is an excellent 18-hole parkland course. The Kilcormac Irish Parachute Club is located at the airfield Known as Frankford in the Middle Ages, at Clonbullogue. Kilcormac had a Carmelite Priory from where a fourteenth century Missal survives in the library The ruins of the 12th century Anglo Norman of Trinity College, Dublin. Stone fragments castle at Monasteroris are on private land from the Priory are displayed in the local but can be seen from the road just outside church together with the sixteenth century Edenderry driving towards Rhode. It was built Pietà, carved from oak and painted. In the by the Anglo Norman family, the Berminghams. seventeenth century, religious suppression One of the Bermingham’s sons founded the forced Catholics to hide their precious relics Franciscan friary in 1325. The ruins of the Friary and the Pietà was secretly buried in the bog. It are adjacent to the road with public access. was saved, to receive its place of veneration The graveyard contains some of the earliest in the church built early in the nineteenth carved headstones in the county from the century. late 17th and early 18th centuries. The main street of Kilcormac, runs between rows of nineteenth century houses to a pleasant tree-shaded park by the Silver River. Behind the older houses, to the south, is St Cormac’s Park, a 1960s housing estate built for the workers on the nearby bog. The Offaly Way

17 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Walking Trail goes through Kilcormac. Fishing in the Boora Lakes, bird-watching and plant hunting in the bogland are the main interests in the immediate vicinity of Kilcormac.

Shannonbridge The sixteen-arch stone bridge gives the delightful village its name and is the dominant feature of the landscape. Stone-built quays and a little harbourmaster’s office tell of its importance in the days of cargo traffic. Today the quays are used by pleasure cruisers and the harbourmaster’s office is the tourist information centre. Across the Shannon, the artillery fortification unique to Ireland and Britain which dates from the Napoleonic era is located here and has been transformed into a fine restaurant. The village pubs offer live One of the attractively laid out villages built by traditional music from May to September and eighteenth century landlords, the roots of the a pub grub menu is also available. community extend back to the early Christian Era. An early monastery stood on the site of the is in the middle of the Callows. present Church of Ireland where an unusual It is a great centre for naturalists, in summer pyramid shaped mausoleum dominates the when meadows abound in wild flowers and, graveyard at the rear. It was built by Lt. Col in winter, when thousands of wild geese, Richard Bernard and is the burial chamber for duck and wading birds congregate in the members of his family. It is an exact replica of floodland. the Egyptian pyramid of Cheop. The village has two quaint pubs. Knockbarron Esker Eco Walk is accessible from Kinnitty.

18 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Shannon Harbour Shinrone The small village of Shannon Harbour was The Four Masters, scribes of medieval Ireland, developed after 1800 as the terminus of the wrote the name of Shinrone as Suí an Róin, Grand Canal through the Midland Region. which means the seat of the seal. However, Shannon Harbour is a picturesque rural village it may also be called after the hermit Róin, a where McIntyres pub offers a warm welcome brother of Cuimín Fada. to the visitor. A farmers market takes place in Shannon Harbour, check local press for dates. In the townland of Glasshouse are the ruined East of the village is the 16th century Clonony remains of a once thriving seventeenth Castle tower house which is open to the visitor century forest-glass factory. All that is left are by appointment. the remains of a sandstone barrel-vaulted, wood fired furnace but this is still more The Callows of Shannon Harbour are now than any other site in Europe. The site is not part of a special conservation area. This is an accessible to the public. Members of the endeavour to preserve not only the fauna Bigo and Hensey families together with other but also the unique flora of the Callows. Huguenot families had to flee France because Environmentalists have been enthralled by of religious persecution. They settled in the Birr the variety of plants in the mature meadows, and Lusmagh areas and were producing glass preserved by the eco friendly agri practice of there in the early 1600s. Shannon Harbour farmers.

19 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Tullamore Tullamore is a thriving and bustling town and a gateway to the midlands. It is also a great centre for boating, fishing, enjoying golf and all sorts of country pursuits such as walking, riding and looking at old and distinguished buildings and parkland.

Prosperity came in the form of the Grand Canal, a link from the port of Dublin in 1798. The easy access for goods and people led to the town’s rapid growth as a market and warehousing centre. Charles William Bury, Earl of Charleville, set to work on making the town into the county capital and made his mark, by employing the best town planners to create a gracious settlement, with classical architecture for its churches and public buildings. Charleville Castle, is one of Ireland’s most splendid Gothic Revival buildings and stands in beautiful woodland containing many splendid oak trees including the King Tree. A must for visitors is a trip to the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre.

20 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Westmeath

Famous for its rivers and lakes, from the Enjoy a walk in the grounds of Tullynally Shannon and Lough Ree to the Mullingar lakes Castle, one of the largest castles in Ireland still and the Royal Canal. Numerous watersports lived in as the family home, with its terraced can be enjoyed in the county as well as some lawns overlooking superb eighteenth century of the finest golf and equestrian facilities in parkland. Visit nearby Lough Derravaragh, the country. Top class angling is available the source of the well-known legend of the throughout Westmeath with all species who are said to have spent of coarse fish and brown trout. Filled with three hundred years in isolation on its waters intriguing houses and gardens, and gorgeous or experience the Seven Wonders of Fore. For forest parks, Westmeath is perfect for enjoying more of an urban buzz, head to Mullingar, a busy outdoor life at its best. An oasis of beauty in market town set in spectacular countryside or the Midlands, Belvedere House Gardens & Athlone, the largest town on the River Shannon Park is a must for any visitor to the Midlands. and a wonderfully lively spot with excellent The Belvedere story is one, which is steeped restaurants and accommodation. in scandal and provides rich opportunities to capture the visitor’s imagination.

21 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Athlone Athlone is the largest town on the River Ballinahown is located approximately 11km Shannon standing on the boundaries of two from Athlone on the N62. This is an attractive counties namely Westmeath and Roscommon village setting at a crossroads adjoining an in the centre of Ireland on the N6. It is a historic old estate. The village is on the town because of its strategic location and border. The village displays an attractive is commonly referred to as “the gateway to character with well maintained stone walls, the west”. An ideal place for touring or based mature trees and attractive planting and holidays this busy and prosperous town has landscaping and has been rewarded with a wide range of tourist attractions, top class the county Tidy Towns title on a number of accommodation and excellent restaurants occasions. Ballinahown is also home to Irish each with its own distinctive character Designer Craft Village which showcases the catering for all the family. largest selection of craft designers, artists, and creative’s in the Midlands. The town’s riverside location opening on to Lough Ree is the cornerstone of its attractions and the source of its natural beauty. Athlone is proud to be the centre of Shannon Cruising Mentioned in the annals as far back as the and its hire boats delight in guiding tourists eighth century, its importance in ancient times on the Shannon. Day trips are also available. was due to the fact that it lay on the trade Other activities in the area include walking, route between royal ‘Uisneagh’ and Athlone. angling, cycling and golf. The remains of a fort dating from the Williamite campaign can be seen beside Lough Sewdy, as well as Father Dalton’s mass rock which was used during penal times. The Hill of Uisneach, near Ballymore, was once the ancient seat of the Kings of Meath with its history rooted in the Iron Age

22 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Ballinagore Ballinagore is a charming little village with a Ballykeeran derives its name from St Ciaran who rich tradition in milling. Linen, flour and ground founded a monastery on Hare Island before corn were produced here from the early founding Clonmacnoise. Nearby Friars Island is eighteenth century. Most of the buildings were linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway demolished and today the only remaining and was once a retreat of the Franciscans from landmark is the lower mill that overlooks the Athlone during the Penal Times. Visitors have a River Brosna. It is said that Ballinagore was one choice of taking the “high” or “low” road to of the first villages in Ireland to have gas lighting. Glasson. The low road follows the line of the There are two picnic areas at Ballinagore, one inner lakes and affords the visitor access to the situated on the banks of the River Brosna, the water at Wineport and Portaneena. From the other situated at Liskelly on the picnic area on the high road one can enjoy Road. breath taking panoramic views of Lough Ree and the Inner Lakes.

23 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Ballynacargy is an attractive village located on the Royal Canal between Longford and Mullingar. Approximately 5 km from the village on the Road is the Church of Ireland at . Called after St Brigseach, this has been a site of worship since Celtic church times. In the grounds are the remains of a three story building traditionally thought to be that of a leper hospital built by Hugh de Lacy. There is also a magnificent chestnut tree that is conceivably the largest of its kind in Ireland The Pollard family built Castlepollard in the thought to be three hundred years old. Close late seventeenth century under a Charter of by on the shores of Lough Iron lies the ruins Charles II. The town was well laid out, with an of Tristernagh Abbey, formally inhabited by extensive triangular green at its centre. The Augustinian Friars. A relic known as a “corpnu” green is still surrounded by nineteenth century which was kept by the monks was recovered buildings today. A sculpture on the square here and is on display at the National Museum depicts a scene from the famous legend of in Dublin. The Children of Lir. The setting of the legend is Lough Derravaragh, just a few kilometres south of the town. Castlepollard is one of the top centres for angling in the Midland Region. Within very easy reach are , White Lake, Lough Glore and several others. Wild brown trout can be caught in all these lakes and there is excellent rainbow trout fishing in White Lake. Lough Derravaragh yields superb pike. Situated just 1.5 km from the town on the Granard road is Tullynally Castle, home of the Pakenhams, later Earls of Longford for over 350 years.

24 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Collinstown is a picturesque village overlooking Lough Lene. The part of the lake known as “the cut” has a slipway, picnic area, toilets and car park. The numerous ring forts in the locality suggest that Collinstown has been inhabited from Iron Age times. During early Christian times a community of nuns lived in the area, which is how the village takes its Gaelic name Baile na gCailleach town of veiled women.

Castletown Geoghegan is named after the Coole McGeoghegan family who were extensive Coole is a quaint village located 5 km from landowners, dispossessed during the time of Castlepollard. The church dates back to Cromwell. A motte in the village dates from 1841 and was endowed by the Dease family Norman times while a boulder at the south east who live nearby at Turbotstown House. An of the village is reputed to be the inauguration amenity area developed on the shore of site of the MacGeoghegans. Activities close- Lough Derravaragh, just 1.5 km from the by include an 18-hole par 3 golf course and village includes picnic facilities as well as boat an outdoor adventure centre. mooring / launching facilities.

Clonmellon is an enchanting old world village on the Westmeath / Meath border. Situated to the east of the village are the ruins of Castle, built in 1780 and reputed to be the birth place of Laurence of Arabia. Close by is a monument commemorating the introduction of the potato into Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh.

25 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Crookedwood is a picturesque village located beside Lough Derravaragh. This lake is associated with the most tragic of all Irish legends, the fate of the “Children of Lir”, who were changed into swans by their jealous stepmother and were to spend three hundred of their nine hundred years in exile on the waters of Lough Derravaragh. Delvin is steeped in history with a motte at the southern end of the village built by Hugh de Lacy in 1181. Close to the motte are the ruins of a thirteenth century castle built by the Nugents, Earls of Westmeath. Nearby Clonyn Castle, which is still inhabited, was one of the last Victorian baronial castles to be built in Ireland. Delvin Castle golf club is in the grounds Fore of Clonyn Castle. Brinsley MacNamara (1890- Situated in the village of Fore are the ancient 1963) novelist and playwright was born in ruins of St Feichins Monastery, which date Ballinvalley, Delvin. His novel entitled ‘The back to seventh century AD. On the hillside Valley of the Squinting Windows’ and his play just above the Old Church of St Feichin is the ‘Look at the Heffernan’s’ are both set in this Anchorites Cell, which was used by hermits area. until the seventeenth century. Patrick Belgan, the last hermit in Fore lived in there until 1616 and is commemorated on a stone tablet in Finea the cell. The picturesque village of Finea is located on the river Inny between and . The area between Finea and Castlepollard is a must for the nature lover. There are several expanses of bogland. The Rock of Curry is an extraordinary limestone outcrop, where feral goats can be seen in the crags.

26 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Glasson Kilbeggan The Village of the Roses‚ quite apart from Kilbeggan’s first appearance in history was the being justly famed for its beauty, Glasson is foundation of a monastery in the sixth century one of those places that appears to have it by a rather unknown saint named Becan. all, the historic homeland of Oliver Goldsmith, The monastery was sufficiently wealthy by the overlooking one of Ireland’s most beautiful tenth century to attract Viking raiders and lakes, a centre for boating, fishing, walking and a bloody battle was fought there between eating and sleeping in the greatest of comfort. Irish and Vikings in 972. The town received a The green and fertile country around Glasson charter in 1612, and was a thriving place when is known the world over, but at the same time the Locke family set up their distillery in 1757, unknown because Goldsmith, who described producing the oldest Irish whiskey. The distillery it in his most celebrated poem ‘The Deserted has remained the centre of Kilbeggan for 250 Village’, changed all the placenames. A years, and is now a fascinating museum. The walking trail highlights places associated site they chose was on the River Brosna, which with Goldsmith and there is also a footpath provided water power to drive the machinery. through the grounds of the ruined Waterston The enormous mill wheel still turns. Another House. Built in 1749, this was the home of the great attraction at Kilbeggan is its family Handcock family who created the village of friendly evening race meetings. Glasson.

27 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Killucan built near the Royal Canal derives its Milltownpass is approximately 14.5 km from name from an Abbey founded by St Lucian Mullingar on the N6. The Tyrrell family had around the sixth century. Features of this village castles at the pass of Kilbride and Milltownpass, include a collection of Wayside Crosses that where they also had one of their mills. These date back to the sixteenth and seventeenth castles guarded passes through the bog on centuries and St Etchens Church dating from the route from Dublin to the West. the thirteenth century.

Kinnegad , has a long tradition in providing hospitality for the travelling public. It has many eating-houses with facilities to cater for any taste from early morning to late at night. The terrain around Kinnegad is a walkers paradise, especially, “An Boreen Bradach” a walkway of approximately 5.6 km which semi-circles the town. Moate owes its modern origins to Quakers who settled here and started industries at the end of the seventeenth century. The remains of a Quaker Meeting House and cemetery can still be seen in the town today. To commemorate Moate’s history as a market town a wooden sculpture entitled “The Bargain” was erected on the Green in the town centre in 1989. Present day Moate has good quality accommodation and a wide variety of evening entertainment and restaurants.

28 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Multyfarnham This charming village, with top quality accommodation and restaurants was once a National Tidy Town winner. It still retains much of its original charm. The history of settlement here is closely linked with the founding of a Franciscan Friary in 1276. In the mid 1950’s the Friars established an Agricultural College in . Located in the grounds of the Friary are life-size Stations of the Cross. East of Multyfarnham a road leads to the Donore shore at Lough Derravaragh, a beautifully developed facility that caters for boating, fishing and swimming.

Mullingar Mullingar was one of the ancient palatinate towns founded by the Normans. In 1227 a priory was founded there by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. The Dominicans also started a foundation there about the same time. Today the town is a thriving commercial centre and is the centre of probably the best cattle raising district in the country. It is located on the River Brosna and midway between Lough Ennell, Owel and Derravaragh, which service the amenity needs of the town and is encircled by the Royal Canal which with its locks links Dublin with the River Shannon. This canal is now Rathowen navigable to Abbeyshrule in neighbouring Legend holds that Rathowen or Ford of County Longford. Its imposing Renaissance Eoghain commemorates the 15th century style Cathedral, whose twin spires tower 140 battle camp of the Ulster King Eoghain O’Neill feet, dominates the townscape and is a must during his campaign against the Normans. see for any visitor. The Ecclesiastical Museum A newly developed trail affords nature has an interesting collection dating back to lovers a rare opportunity to stroll through the Penal Times when the Catholic religion was fascinating landscape of one of Westmeath’s suppressed. last remaining .

29 10 TOWNS & VILLAGES

Rochfortbridge Robert Rochfort gave its name. The town was formerly known as Beggars Bridge as it was a crossing for people from the Tyrrellspass located on the N6, is a model west heading up to Dublin. Mary Molesworth, village laid out by Jane, Countess of Belvedere the unfortunate wife of Robert Rochfort was in the early nineteenth century. The village imprisoned in her home for thirty-one years takes its name from Sir Richard Tyrrell, who led by her evil husband just down the road from a small Irish force, which annihilated a large Rochfortbridge. Elizabethan army at a pass north of the village in 1597. Located on the Green is a charming sculpture of three small children, the work of Streete Imogen Stuart erected in 1970. The tiny village of Streete lies at the heart of the Inny River valley close by the border with Longford. Streete in pre-celtic times was the home of a tribe named the Breacaighe, hence the name Straid Mighe Breachaighe. The Church is a prominent feature of the village. William Butler Yeat’s aunt is buried in the graveyard, which surrounds the church. Approaching the village from the south, two mature beech trees arch across the village entrance providing a wonderful forefront to the village beyond.

30

MidlandsIreland.ieMidlandsIreland.ie Bridge Centre,Bridge Centre, Bridge Street Bridge Street Tullamore, County Offaly Tullamore, County+ 353 (0) Offaly57 93 52996/7 T: + 353 (0) 57E: [email protected] 52996/7 www.midlandsireland.ie E: [email protected] www.midlandsireland.ie