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The Belvedere Trail - Self drive
Oct 10 2011 10:20 AM | Bhushan in Self Drive Tours
The Belvedere Trail
+353 (0)44 9348650
mullingar@failteireland.ie
The Belvedere Trail. The Starting point for the Belvedere Trail is Mullingar Town.
Mullingar is a town associated with agriculture and noted as a prime cattle-rearing area. The area has a strong farming history and yet it is a vibrant & thriving commercial town. The town its self is easily accessible due to its location on the N4 and its railway station (which opened in 1845) and frequent bus services.
Mullingar is a good shopping and entertainment area with a choice of shops, restaurants, a 6-screen cinema, Greyhound Stadium and arts centre. It has a good range of activities and facilities. The Mullingar bronze and Pewter factory, which is situated outside Mullingar on the N4, is known worldwide.
Mullingar is also is also noted for its interesting buildings, to mention a few, the Railway station, Columb barracks, Masonic Hall, the old infirmary, Clonard House, and the Market House where the Tourist Information office is housed.
Another fine building is the Cathedral of Christ the King. The town is surrounded by the Royal canal and due to its proximity to many lakes it is aptly named “the Capital of the Lakeland’s” and is an anglers dream.
From Mullingar take the N52, the Tullamore Road where you will pass Mullingar Golf Club, the Bloomfield House Hotel & Belvedere House Gardens & Park.
Belvedere situated on the shores of Lough Ennell is connected with a wealth of stories about the Anglo-Irish gentry and the imprisonment of Mary Molesworth by her husband. Visitors to Belvedere can do a tour of the house which was designed in the 1740’s as fishing and hunting lodge for Robert Rochfort and see a glimpse of the upstairs down stairs life of the mid 18th century.
See the jealous wall and follies such as the Gothic arch, octagonal gazebo and icehouse. Visit the walled garden and explore 160 acres of parkland. Children will enjoy the Belvedere Tram; Children’s play area and animal sanctuary. Refreshments are available at the Courtyard Café. Belvedere has many interesting surprises in store.
From Belvedere on the N52 there is access to Lough Ennell down a side road on your right hand side, which is signposted. You can also access Lilliput by a side road to your right, which is well signposted
Lilliput was named after Jonathan Swift, who published Gulliver’s Travels in 1726. Mr. Swift was the Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin and was a regular visitor to Westmeath. He stayed with the Rochfort Family at Gaulstown house, which was located on the Milltownpass/ Rochfortbridge road close to Belvedere.
Jonathan Swift looked across the expanse of Lough Ennell one day and saw people on the other side of the lake. It is said this is what inspired him to write about the Lilliputians in Gulliver’s travels.
There is also an early Christian association with Lilliput. St. Patrick’s sister, Lupita is also known to the Lilliput area, which may recall her name.
At Lilliput there is an adventure centre where people can do activities such as: canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, archery & hill walking. Lough Ennell is a premier brown trout lake. On the N52 follow signs for Kilbeggan village. On the way to Kilbeggan you will pass through a village called Ballinagore.
This village had a rich tradition in milling. You will see the remains of one of the mills overlooking the River Brosna. The mills once produced linen, flour & ground corn. There are two picnic areas in the village. Kilbeggan now boasts one of Ireland’s premier horse race courses. An evening of fun at Kilbeggan Races is one of the most enjoyable experiences. It mingles the heart stopping spectacle of racing over jumps with the laid back charm of a genuine rural meeting.
The Kilbeggan formula is made for fun, friendship and atmosphere for the thousands who return meeting after meeting giving Kilbeggan the edge over other events. Kilbeggan has a proud history heritage of flour milling and whisky distilling, which was powered by the River Brosna. In the village you can pay a visit to Locke’s distillery museum, Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery. Visitors can do guided tours and taste the famous whiskey.
From Kilbeggan you have the option of travelling to Tyrrellspass, which is five miles east of Kilbeggan. Take the N52 to the Village of Tyrellspass. Here you will see a 15th Century restored castle called Tyrrellspass Castle, which is now a restaurant. Occasionally Tyrrellspass Castle holds banquets with wonderful storytelling. Alternatively take the N6 to the village of Horseleap and on to Moate.
Dun na Si holds evening seisuns or Ceilis. There is music song, dance and storytelling. From Moate take the Ballymore Road. Since the middle ages markets & fairs were held at Ballymore. Norman evaders erected a motte and bailey at Ballymore and administered the county from there. Around Ballymore are remains of Castles, convents and monasteries.
In 1691 the fort at Ballymore was the site of a major battle between two armies called the Jacobite’s & Williamite’s. From Ballymore continue on towards Mullingar town on the R390 where you will pass the Hill of Uisneach. The Celts herded cattle here and held ritual assemblies on the Hill of Uisneach, which is close by. Uisneach was an ancient Druidic sanctuary and assembly for the May time festival. It was a royal residence in the 2nd Century A.D. The Catstone a large rock on the hill marks the meeting point of the 5 provinces of ancient Ireland. This site is privately owned. Continue straight on for Mullingar Town
+353 (0)44 9348650
mullingar@failteireland.ie
The Belvedere Trail. The Starting point for the Belvedere Trail is Mullingar Town.
Mullingar is a town associated with agriculture and noted as a prime cattle-rearing area. The area has a strong farming history and yet it is a vibrant & thriving commercial town. The town its self is easily accessible due to its location on the N4 and its railway station (which opened in 1845) and frequent bus services.
Mullingar is a good shopping and entertainment area with a choice of shops, restaurants, a 6-screen cinema, Greyhound Stadium and arts centre. It has a good range of activities and facilities. The Mullingar bronze and Pewter factory, which is situated outside Mullingar on the N4, is known worldwide.
Mullingar is also is also noted for its interesting buildings, to mention a few, the Railway station, Columb barracks, Masonic Hall, the old infirmary, Clonard House, and the Market House where the Tourist Information office is housed.
Another fine building is the Cathedral of Christ the King. The town is surrounded by the Royal canal and due to its proximity to many lakes it is aptly named “the Capital of the Lakeland’s” and is an anglers dream.
From Mullingar take the N52, the Tullamore Road where you will pass Mullingar Golf Club, the Bloomfield House Hotel & Belvedere House Gardens & Park.
Belvedere situated on the shores of Lough Ennell is connected with a wealth of stories about the Anglo-Irish gentry and the imprisonment of Mary Molesworth by her husband. Visitors to Belvedere can do a tour of the house which was designed in the 1740’s as fishing and hunting lodge for Robert Rochfort and see a glimpse of the upstairs down stairs life of the mid 18th century.
See the jealous wall and follies such as the Gothic arch, octagonal gazebo and icehouse. Visit the walled garden and explore 160 acres of parkland. Children will enjoy the Belvedere Tram; Children’s play area and animal sanctuary. Refreshments are available at the Courtyard Café. Belvedere has many interesting surprises in store.
From Belvedere on the N52 there is access to Lough Ennell down a side road on your right hand side, which is signposted. You can also access Lilliput by a side road to your right, which is well signposted
Lilliput was named after Jonathan Swift, who published Gulliver’s Travels in 1726. Mr. Swift was the Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin and was a regular visitor to Westmeath. He stayed with the Rochfort Family at Gaulstown house, which was located on the Milltownpass/ Rochfortbridge road close to Belvedere.
Jonathan Swift looked across the expanse of Lough Ennell one day and saw people on the other side of the lake. It is said this is what inspired him to write about the Lilliputians in Gulliver’s travels.
There is also an early Christian association with Lilliput. St. Patrick’s sister, Lupita is also known to the Lilliput area, which may recall her name.
At Lilliput there is an adventure centre where people can do activities such as: canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, archery & hill walking. Lough Ennell is a premier brown trout lake. On the N52 follow signs for Kilbeggan village. On the way to Kilbeggan you will pass through a village called Ballinagore.
This village had a rich tradition in milling. You will see the remains of one of the mills overlooking the River Brosna. The mills once produced linen, flour & ground corn. There are two picnic areas in the village. Kilbeggan now boasts one of Ireland’s premier horse race courses. An evening of fun at Kilbeggan Races is one of the most enjoyable experiences. It mingles the heart stopping spectacle of racing over jumps with the laid back charm of a genuine rural meeting.
The Kilbeggan formula is made for fun, friendship and atmosphere for the thousands who return meeting after meeting giving Kilbeggan the edge over other events. Kilbeggan has a proud history heritage of flour milling and whisky distilling, which was powered by the River Brosna. In the village you can pay a visit to Locke’s distillery museum, Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery. Visitors can do guided tours and taste the famous whiskey.
From Kilbeggan you have the option of travelling to Tyrrellspass, which is five miles east of Kilbeggan. Take the N52 to the Village of Tyrellspass. Here you will see a 15th Century restored castle called Tyrrellspass Castle, which is now a restaurant. Occasionally Tyrrellspass Castle holds banquets with wonderful storytelling. Alternatively take the N6 to the village of Horseleap and on to Moate.
Dun na Si holds evening seisuns or Ceilis. There is music song, dance and storytelling. From Moate take the Ballymore Road. Since the middle ages markets & fairs were held at Ballymore. Norman evaders erected a motte and bailey at Ballymore and administered the county from there. Around Ballymore are remains of Castles, convents and monasteries.
In 1691 the fort at Ballymore was the site of a major battle between two armies called the Jacobite’s & Williamite’s. From Ballymore continue on towards Mullingar town on the R390 where you will pass the Hill of Uisneach. The Celts herded cattle here and held ritual assemblies on the Hill of Uisneach, which is close by. Uisneach was an ancient Druidic sanctuary and assembly for the May time festival. It was a royal residence in the 2nd Century A.D. The Catstone a large rock on the hill marks the meeting point of the 5 provinces of ancient Ireland. This site is privately owned. Continue straight on for Mullingar Town
