Castlepollard is laid out around a square with a centrally located village green. The Square is home to a late Georgian house, the most significant and finest surviving private residence on the square. The village layout and the house give the townscape two distinct points of reference: the central square and a single late Georgian house.
Gardens and a Visit to Tullynally
The gardens at Tullynally cover more than 20 acres and include walled gardens, extensive woodland gardens and two ornamental lakes. The grounds can be explored independently. Tree lovers can follow the Tree Trail to Thomas Pakenham’s favourite trees.
The gravel paths in the Pleasure Ground, Grotto Glade, Walled Garden and Flower Garden are suitable for most people using wheeled mobility aids. Check the latest visitor information on accessibility before your visit. Tullynally Castle offers 45-minute guided tours at 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00 from May, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and during Heritage Week. Days and times may change; check the latest information before setting out.
The Stables Tearoom offers covered outdoor seating and indoor seating for coffee, tea and homemade refreshments. Tullynally Castle & Gardens also has a Discovery Trail and a climbing frame for children.
Woodland, History and Water
Mullaghmeen Forest, Ireland’s largest planted beech forest, is close to Castlepollard. It covers 400 hectares and offers three loop walks and a multi-purpose trail through a broadleaf woodland landscape. The range of routes therefore includes both several loop walks and another type of trail through the forest.
Fore Abbey is also nearby. At Fore, St Feichin founded a Christian monastery in the seventh century AD; St Feichin’s Way is a loop around the grounds of Fore Abbey. Its historical connection gives this loop a different theme from the woodland trails at Mullaghmeen.
North of Castlepollard, a historic church stands in Killefree Graveyard. Its origins date back to the late 17th century, and it is the oldest surviving structure in the village. Swimming in Lough Lene is possible from the bathing pier, The Cut, near Collinstown. The pier is seven miles from Castlepollard and adds an activity on the water to the walking and history themes.
County Westmeath in a Wider Context
County Westmeath offers an additional regional perspective, with more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling routes. The Old Rail Trail runs for 40 kilometres from Athlone to Mullingar along a converted section of the Midlands Great Western Railway. The Royal Canal Greenway offers a scenic waterside route for cyclists and pedestrians, free of motorised traffic. The Royal Canal is fully navigable through County Westmeath and runs past Mullingar on its way to the River Shannon; check the navigation status before taking a boat trip.
Discover more destinations: Castletown Geoghegan, Kinnegad, Mullingar, Glasson, Killachonna, Ballydavid, Multyfarnham, Crookedwood
For the broader travel overview: County Westmeath.
