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Irish Film and Television Network » Locations » Westmeath
| IFTN LOCATIONS GUIDE - WESTMEATH |
| TRAVEL INFORMATION |
Athlone, in the east of Westmeath, is 126 km from Dublin, 219 km from Cork, 134 km from Shannon, 209 km from Rosslare, 93km from Galway and 227km from Belfast. Travel along the N4 out of Dublin to reach Westmeath. Bus Eireann provide services to Westmeath from Dublin and Sligo. The Dublin-Sligo railway line serves Westmeath with a station at Mullingar, and the Dublin-Galway line serves Athlone.
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| GENERAL INFORMATION |
Westmeath is a land-locked county in the centre of Ireland, and stretches from Lough Ree on the River Shannon in the West to the shores of Lough Sheelin in the North East and southwards to Kinnegad and the Royal Canal. County Westmeath has an area of 710 sq. miles or 1,791 sq. km and a population of approximately 62,000 people. It is a convenient location for access to Dublin, Shannon and Galway Airports. Dublin is around 50 miles/80 km from Dublin; 148 miles/ 238 km from Cork; 107 miles/172 km from Shannon; 127 miles/204 km from Rosslare.
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| IFTN LOCATIONS GUIDE |
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TRANSPORT |
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Bus
Bus Eireann provide services to County Westmeath from Dublin and Sligo.
For further information on bus services telephone: 01 8366111.
Rail
The Dublin / Sligo line serves County Westmeath with a station at Mullingar, and the Dublin / Galway line serves Athlone Station.
For further information on rail services telephone: 044 48274 01 8366222 0902 73311
Sea
Ireland is linked to Britain and Europe by a number of car-ferry routes. The main ports of entry are Cork, Dublin and Rosslare.
Airports
Dublin Airport is situated approximately 6 miles outside the city centre. It is capable of catering for all major trans-Atlantic and world-wide jet aircraft, and is at present undergoing a major re-development. The Dublin-London route is now the busiest route in Europe even surpassing the London-Paris route. Dublin is now the seventh fastest-growing airport in the world, according to Aer Rianta.
01 8141111
Car Rental Agencies
Mullingar Autos Rent-a-Car |
Mullingar |
044 48755 |
Griffith Ltd. |
Mullingar |
044 48403 |
Mullingar Autos Rent-a-Car |
Mullingar |
044 48755 |
Hamill Car and Van Rentals |
Mullingar |
044 48682 |
Taxi Companies
Auburn Cabs |
Auburn Road , Mullingar. |
044 42074 |
Charlie's Cabs |
17 Grange Crescent , Mullingar |
088 500200 |
Cleary's Taxi Service |
Clongowney, Mullingar. |
044 44916 |
Clon Taxi Service |
10 Newbrook Grove, Mullingar |
044 42716 |
Mattie Egerton |
Aubaine, Greenpark, Ballymahon Rd., Mullingar |
044 41731 |
Graham's Cabs |
Mullingar |
088 596812 |
Grange Cabs |
14 Willowbrooke, Mullingar. |
044 43927 |
Mullingar Cabs |
7 Highfield, Ballinderry, Mullingar |
044 42382 |
A-One Cabs |
The Bawn, Church St., Athlone |
0902 7300 |
Athlone Cab Co Ltd |
The Ark, Church St., Athlone. |
0902 74400 |
Athlone Cosy Cabs |
16 Auburn Heights, Athlone. |
0902 72233 |
Dial-a-Cab |
16 Baylough, Athlone |
0902 93030 |
Gaffney's Taxis |
Moneen, Moate. |
0902 81970 |
Sky Cabs |
Athloe Shopping Centre |
0902 78000 |
Brosna Taxis |
Kilbeggan |
0506 32436 |
Central Taxis |
Marian House, Main St., Kilbeggan. |
0506 32577 |
Aircraft Hire
Airlink Airways |
Dublin |
01 8402964 |
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ACCOMMODATION |
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Hotels
Ballykeeran Lakeside Hotel |
Ballykeeran, Athlone. |
0902 85163 |
Bloomfield House Hotel |
Kilbeggan / Tullamore Road, Mullingar |
044 40894/5/6 |
Greville Arms Hotel |
Pearse St. , Mullingar |
044 48563 |
Hodson Bay Hotel |
Athlone, Co. Westmeath. |
0902 92444 |
Paddock Hotel |
Dublin Road , Athlone. |
0902 72070 |
Prince of Wales Hotel |
Church St. , Athlone, Co. Westmeath. |
0902 72626 |
Royal Hoey Hotel Ltd |
Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
0902 72924 |
Shamrock Lodge Country House Hotel |
Clowown Road , Athlone. |
0902 92601 |
Flat Rental Agencies
Office Rental Agencies
TF Fagan & Sons |
Finea, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. |
043 81177 |
Finlay Auctioneering |
Irishtown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
0902 75994 |
Murtagh Bros |
Green Bridge, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. |
044 42512 |
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GOVERNMENT OFFICES |
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Westmeath County Council |
County Library HQ |
044 934 0781 |
Athlone Urban District Council, |
Town Hall, Athlone. |
0902 72107 |
County Council Offices |
Administrative Offices, County Buildings, Mulling |
044 40861 |
Office of Public Works |
District Office |
042 34221 |
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KEY LOCATIONS |
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RURAL
Landscape
The countryside of Westmeath, dominated by lakes in the north, becomes flat into the bogland in north Offaly.
Johnathan Swift Park, Lilliput
Swift Park is located on the shores of Lough Ennell. The Amenity Park includes a children’s play area, 18 hole par 3 golf course and a restored Georgian House.
Dun na Si Moate
A folk park with preserved farm machinery on display.
Ballinlough Castle Gardens , Clonmellon.
These restored gardens and lakeside walks offer beautiful flora.
Lough Ree Trail
The Lough Ree trail starts in Glasson and is a popular cycling tour.
COASTAL
Rivers and Lakes
Westmeath has almost two dozen lakes, rivers and canals. There is a wealth of trout and coarse angling on the lakes of Ennell, Owen, Derravagh, Lene, Lough Ree and the River Shannon.
Lough Derravagh
This collection of lakes is associated with the mythological story of the Children of Lir. Each lake has its own legend attached.
Lough Ree
Lough Ree contains the island of Inishclearaun and Inchbofin. Both islands have churches and early Christian grave slabs.
HISTORICAL
Fore Abbey and the Seven Wonders
Situated near Mullingar in the village of Fore are the ancient ruins of St. Feichin’s Monastery which date back to 7th century AD. Also the Anchorite’s Church which was used by hermits until the 17th century is located in this village. Fore Abbey represents the largest group of Benedictine remains in Ireland.
Adolophus Cooke Tomb
This tomb in the shape of a beehive is situated in the graveyard of Cooksborough town. Cooke was a local eccentric, who was convinced he would be reincarnated as a bee.
Belvedere House and Gardens
Belvedere House was built by Lord Belfield. The interior is still in the process of renovation, however there are some features of note including the curved balustrade staircase, rococo plasterwork. The woodland gardens stretch to the shores of Lough Ennel.
Coolnagun Raised Bog
A stunning bogland.
Multyfarnham Abbey
This 700 year old abbey is still in use.
INTERIORS
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre
This castle dates from the 13th century and was central to the Siege of Athlone in 1691. It features exhibitions and audio visual presentations on The Siege of Athlone, River Shannon Flora and Fauna, Folk and Military Museum, and the life of John Count McCormack.
Tullynally Castle and Gardens, Castlepollard
This castle was the home of the Packenhams, Earls of Longford since the 17th century and now one of the largest castles in Ireland, it remains as a family home. The woodland and walled gardens cover nearly 30 acres and encompass two lakes, a grotto, a Chinese garden and many attractions for children.
URBAN
Athlone
The largest town on the Shannon and located in the very centre of the country, Athlone is the nearest town to the beautiful lake, Lough Ree. Dominating the town is Athlone castle with its panoramic views of the Shannon. Athlone is also home to the famous ruins of Clonmacnoise - a monastic settlement on the banks of the river Shannon.
Mullingar
Known as the 'Capital of the Lakes', Mullingar is the County Town of Westmeath.The Royal Canal flows through the town, and Lough Ennell, Lough Owel and Lough Derravarragh are only a short distance away. Dublin is only a one-hour drive from Mullingar. Places of interest include the Market House Museum, Ecclesiastical Museum and The Military Museum, with sections devoted to the old IRA.
Tyrellpass
This pretty Georgian village contains a Gothic Revival Church with some Belvedere tombs.
Kinnegad
Located at the junction of two major routes in Ireland, where the roads from Dublin to Galway and Sligo meet, Kinnegad is situated in an area of much natural beauty - flat open lush green fields stretch out in all directions for as far as the eye can see.
Glasson
Situated approximately 5 miles north of Athlone, in the wooded countryside on the shores of Lough Ree, is the picturesque village of Glasson. There are many impressive historic buildings and monuments in the surrounding area. |
TOURIST OFFICES |
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GARDAI/POLICE |
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Athlone |
0902 92609 |
Moate |
0902 81106 |
Castlepollard |
044 61112 |
Mullingar |
044 48915 |
Delvin |
044 64193 |
Kilbeggam |
0506 32102 |
Kinnegad |
044 75112 |
Multifarnham |
044 71112 |
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HOSPITALS |
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Mullingar General Hospital |
044 40221 |
Athlone District Hospital |
0902 75301 |
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UTILITIES |
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ESB - Electricity Supply Board
Westmeath |
Mullingar |
044 48234 |
Westmeath |
Athlone |
0902 72040 |
Waste Disposal
C.L. Skip Hire |
Walshestown South, Mullingar. |
044 40678 |
Anthony Cosgrove |
Collinstown, Mullingar |
044 72407 |
Midland Skip Hire Ltd |
Drumraney |
044 56539 |
Michael Wallace |
Mullingar |
088 592853 |
Athlone Waste Disposal Co |
Cartontroy, Athlone |
0902 72530 |
Tormey Waste Disposal |
Killucan, Westmeath. |
044 74742 |
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