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, Athlone Art & Heritage Limited, Athlone, Institute of Technology, Ballyfin Demense, Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, Bord na Mona, CORE, Failte Ireland, Lakelands & Inland Waterways, Laois Local Authorities, Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Tourism, Longford Local Authorities, Longford Tourism, Mullingar Arts Centre, Offaly Local Authorities, Westmeath Local Authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Kilbeggan Distillery, Kilbeggan Racecourse, Office of Public Works, Swan Creations, The Gardens at Ballintubbert, The Heritage at Killenard, 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. 03 GOLF 03 GOLF Laois Portlaoise Golf Club Abbeyleix Rd., Portlaoise, County Laois Abbeyleix Golf Club +353 (0)57 8661557 Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, County Laois [email protected] +353 (0)57 8731450 www.portlaoisegolfclub.com [email protected] www.abbeyleixgolfclub.ie Situated on the site of the original Maryborough Golf Club which dates back to the 1800s, Located just 1 km from the heritage town of Portlaoise Golf Club was born out of a passion Abbeyleix this 18 hole course is a gem just to provide golfers, of all abilities, with a waiting to be discovered and only one hour course that combines traditional design with from Dublin. The par 72 course embodies all a distinctly Irish blend. Here is a Golf Course that the golfer requires for a satisfying yet where members and visitors can enjoy the challenging round. true spirit of golf in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Mountrath Golf Club Knockanaina, Mountrath, County Laois Rathdowney Golf Club +353 (0)57 8732558 Coolnaboul West, Rathdowney, County Laois [email protected] +353 (0)505 46170 www.mountrathgolfclub.ie [email protected] www.rathdowneygolfclub.com This 18 hole course is one golfers will relish with its fine, long fairways and well manicured An interesting 18 hole layout over undulating greens. Deep, well-shaped bunkers are terrain, which provides a good test for golfers scattered liberally throughout. The River Nore of every ability. flows through the course and the Slieve Bloom Mountains nestle in the background. The Heath Golf Club The Heath, Portlaoise, County Laois Portarlington Golf Club +353 (0)57 8646533 Garryhinch, Portarlington, County Laois [email protected] |www.theheathgc.ie +353 (0)57 8623115 [email protected] Heath offers a unique challenge to all levels www.portarlingtongolf.com of golfer. Magnificent 18 hole golf course set in mature parkland. River Barrow makes the closing holes amongst the toughest in the area. 2 03 GOLF The Heritage at Killenard countryside and ancient trees providing a Killenard, County Laois beautiful back drop to all the holes. Longford +353 (0)57 8645500 has become a favoured spot for visiting [email protected] societies, due mainly to the friendly welcome www.theheritage.com offered, the excellent golfing and the general good time to be enjoyed by all. The course The Heritage a 72, par Championship course, is playable 12 months of the year, almost designed by Seve Ballesteros and Jeff Howes unique for an inland course. The club house is is set in the beautiful rolling countryside of Co. completed with a bar and restaurant serving Laois. It is located just off the Dublin/Cork M7 excellent food and beverages while club, motorway approximately 64km from Dublin trolley and buggy hire are available on site. City & Airport. County Longford is the ideal location for golf enthusiasts due to its accessibility to the rest Longford of the country. Being centrally located it has County Longford Golf Club a great choice of golf courses all less than an Dublin Road, Longford. hours drive away. With Longford as a base Tel: +353(0)43 3346310 the visitor to the area can play a different www.countylongfordgolfclub.com championship golf course every day of the [email protected] week with very little travelling involved. A warm welcome awaits you at County Longford Golf Club, one of the foremost golf courses in the midlands. An 18 hole parkland course overlooking Longford town, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding 3 03 GOLF Offaly Esker Hills Golf Club Beechlawn Golf Club Ballykilmurray, Tullamore, Rahan, County Offaly +353 (0)57 9355481 County Offaly +353(0)57 9355999 [email protected] [email protected] www.eskerhillsgolf.com 9-hole parkland course. Designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr one can experience 18 holes of challenging Birr Golf Club championship golf where no 2 holes are The Glens, Birr, County Offaly remotely alike. Just over an hour from Dublin, +353 (0)57 9120082 Galway and Limerick. [email protected]|www.birrgolfclub.com The post glacial terrain of Birrs’ 18 hole course, Tullamore Golf Club with its glens presents a challenge to the most Brookfield, Tullamore, County Offaly discerning golfer. Situated in the centre of +353 (0)57 9321439 Ireland, within a short drive to all major sea [email protected] and air terminals. www.tullamoregolfclub.ie Tullamore Golf Club is recognised as one of the Castle Barna Golf Club best championship parkland 18 hole courses in Castlebarnagh, Daingean, the country. Its location, a short drive south of County Offaly +353(0)57 9353384 Tullamore, in mature parkland of oak, beech [email protected] www.castlebarna.ie and chestnut, provides a beautiful setting for the game of golf. The course plays 5,798 meters, par 72 Standard Scratch 69 from the back trees and the course enjoys great popularity with tourists, visitors and societies. Edenderry Golf Club Kishawanny, Edenderry, County Offaly +353 (0)46 9731072 [email protected] www.edenderrygolfclub.com Excellent 18 hole parkland course, less than one hour from Dublin. 4 03 GOLF Westmeath Delvin Castle Golf Club Delvin Castle Golf Club, Delvin, County Athlone Golf Club Westmeath +353 (0)44 9664315 Hodson Bay, Athlone +353 (0)90 6494080 [email protected] [email protected] www.delvincastlegolf.com Athlone Golf Club was founded in 1892. It is Delvin Castle is an 18 hole golf course in the a parkland course, with spectacular views mature parkland of Clonyn Castle, with many of Hodson Bay - the feature holes being the mature trees and a number of holes over 2nd, 12th and 16th. 18 Hole - Par 71 Men, water. Situated 20 km north east of Mullingar, Par 75 Ladies. Visitors are assured of a warm on the N52. welcome. Club Hire, Trolleys and Buggies for hire and Caddie service by arrangement. Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club Glasson, Athlone, County Westmeath Ballinlough Castle Golf Course +353 (0)90 6485120 Clonmellon, County Westmeath [email protected] | www.glassongolf.ie +353 (0)44 9664544 [email protected] Glasson Golf Course Athlone was designed www.ballinloughcastle.com by legendary Irish golfer and Ryder Cup Player Christy O’Connor, Jnr., Glasson Country Situated in North County Westmeath, House Hotel & Golf Club is a mature 18 hole Ballinlough Castle 18 hole golf course is golf course that will test a professional golfer probably the most natural course you will play, but also be enjoyable for the “average” or with a mixture of sand and traditional greens “occasional” golfer. meandering through one hundred and eighty acres of mature parkland, with just a hint of water that will prove to be a test for golfers of all levels 5 03 GOLF Moate Golf Club Mount Temple Golf Club Aghanargit, Moate, County Westmeath Mount Temple Village, Moate, Tel: +353 (0)90 6481271 | moategolfclub@ County Westmeath eircom.net.ie | www.moategolfclub.ie Tel: +353 (0)90 6481841 | [email protected] www.mounttemplegolfclub.com Situated in the midlands half way between Dublin and Galway, just off the M6, take Mount Temple is a traditional Irish Championship Exit 6 heading West or Exit 7 heading East. golf course and is renowned for its large links Moate Golf Club offers an 18-hole challenge type greens and undulating fairways. The club to golfers of all abilities and ages. Noted for is located just a short distance from Athlone. its hospitality and friendliness, membership is Sitting on an esker based site gives the course currently available and Green Fees, Societies the advantage of being playable all year and Classics can be accommodated. round. Mullingar Golf Club Belvedere, Mullingar, County Westmeath +353 (0)44 9348366 [email protected] www.mullingargolfclub.com A championship challenge set in old wooded and delightful undulating parklands. Generous rolling fairways wind their paths through mature timbers. Newforest Golf Club Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath +353 (0)44 9221910 [email protected] www.newforest.ie Newforest Golf Club is situated some eighty eight kms west of Dublin, just off the M6 Dublin - Galway Road.