What’s Happening in Westmeath in 2022
Here are some events happening in the Fore, Castlepollard, Mullingar, Collinstown and Delvin areas of County Westmeath in Summer 2022. You can enjoy these events while staying at Whitaker Lodge.
Fleadh Cheoil Mullingar 2022
31 July – 7 August 2022
Traditional musicians of all ages will gather in Mullingar from 31st July to 7th August for Fleadh Cheoil Mullingar 2022 “The Homecoming”.
This event is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish music, language, song and dance. It attracts in the region of 500,000 visitors to the host town every year.
This is a great week of celebration by Irish music lovers ant the streets of Mullingar will be buzzing with a carnival atmosphere.
Already accommodation is almost fully booked out in the town and surrounding areas and as the date approaches it will be almost impossible to find any accommodation for miles around.
Check Whitaker Lodge for vacancies during the Fleadh
Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge
11thJune 2022
Covering a spectacular region of Meath, Cavan and Westmeath.
In aid of The Irish Cancer Society, LARCC and Palliative Care.
Starting on the 11th June 2022
For information email: info@50milechallenge.com
Take up the challenge of completing 50 miles under 20 hours or less. You can walk just walk part of this challenge and still support this great cause!
Sponsorship Cards – Minimum of €50 per walker
Details of training walks will be advertised nationally, and on the Moylagh JFK 50 Mile Challenge pages on Facebook. More information on www.50milechallenge.co
Uisneach Bealtaine Fire Celebration
7th May 2022
The Uisneach Fire Festival’s unique ceremonial fire parade at dusk at The Bealtaine Festival will be the centre of the day-long celebration which will also feature artisan foods and crafts, holistic healing, a heritage talks tent, re-enactments and guided heritage walks.
This all takes place at Hill of Uisneach, Rathnew, Loughnavalley, Co. Westmeath
Mullingar Park run
Every Saturday Morning at 9.30am
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you! Every Saturday at 9:30am from the Old Rail Trail Car Park, Newbrook Bridge, Mullingar
Collinstown Market
Every second Sunday
Collinstown Farmers Market, set in the idyllic village of Collinstown Westmeath, takes place every other Sunday from 11.30am to 1.30pm at the Collinstown Dance Hall.
With indoor and outdoor stalls, you’ll find a variety of goods available from handmade bespoke dolls, soaps, crochet, knitting, wood work, art & jewellery, to sourdough, brown breads, savoury goods, focaccia, quiche, carrot cakes, and lots of delicious tray bakes.
Mullingar Arts Theatre
The accommodating acoustics of Mullingar Arts Centre sees renowned artists such as Des Bishop, Christy Moore, Paul Daniels, Michael English, Keith Barry, and Phil Coulter performing in the Centre. Showcasing a variety of other talents also such as Opera, European Ballet, and children’s performances, Mullingar Arts Centre has something for everyone. See what’s on at Mullingar Arts Theatre on their website.
The Valley of Fore, North Westmeath
Fore is 79 minutes from Dublin, 28 minutes from Mullingar and 6 minutes from Castlepollard.
Open throughout the year. Admission free. Visitor Services. Car & coach parking. Tourist Information Office
Marked walking trails & Picnic area & Toilet facilities
The Coffee Shop is open daily from June – September
Tours & Trails
A 3km looped walk (“St Fechin’s Way”) begins at the car park. Pick up your copy of the Visitor’s Guide from the Coffee Shop and follow the trail at your own pace.
Whitaker Lodge is located on the doorstep of this beautiful area.
See more about The Valley of Fore here.
Lough Lene is located near the village of Collinstown.
The lake and the lush vegetation that surrounds it, provides a perfect habitat for all kinds of birds and wildlife, including mute swans, herons and moorhens. This is a “must see” for all nature lovers and for anyone who craves peace and quiet.
The lake is also home to many species of fish including trout, minnow, pike and perch.
Day fishing permits are available during the summer and boats can be hired locally.
Whitaker Lodge is an ideal base for visitors exploring the Lough Lene area or for fishermen.
Mullaghmeen Forest
Mullaghmeen Forest is the largest planted beech forest in Ireland. Along with beech, it also has Sitka spruce, Scots pine and Noble fir and a very interesting native tree collection.
The summit of Mullaghmeen provides magnificent views north across Lough Sheelin and into the neighbouring county of Cavan.
Come in spring for the best displays of woodland flowers notably bluebells. The area is populated with grey squirrels, jays, badgers, foxes, pheasant, rabbit & hares as well as a large selection of song birds.
Mullaghmeen offers three marked loop walks of varying difficulty – perfect for leisurely strolls or for fitness fanatics.
Multyfarnham Franciscan Friary
The Friary was founded in 1268 and is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, and to St. Francis of Assisi. The 700 year old Franciscan Friary includes extensive grounds.
The grounds of the friary are regularly sought out by people in search of solitude and an opportunity to pray. A prominent feature of the Friary Garden is the unique interpretation of the “Stations of the Cross”. Fourteen life-size statues were commissioned by a previous Guardian of the Abbey, Fr. Camillus Courtney and designed by Neff Brothers of Cork City.
These statues are nearly 100 years old, and were reputedly modeled on people living in the village at the time.
Tullynally Castle
Tullynally Castle is a magnificent, privately owned castle estate near Castlepollard.
Explore romantic gardens set around one of Ireland’s largest castles, with walled flower gardens, lakes, waterfalls and huge collection of rare trees.
Tours of the castle kitchens take place each Sunday from April to September while tours of the gothic style castle are available to groups of 20 or more by arrangement.
Clonmellon
Clonmellon is a small village in County Westmeath. The Irish name for the village is Raistin.
The village is situated on the N52 road between Kells and Delvin. Clonmellon is just one hour from Dublin and is home to approximately 1,600 people.
There are many local attractions in and around this beautiful historic village – once the home Sir Walter Raleigh who planted Ireland’s first potatoes at Killua Castle.
