By Barry Coughlan
No longer do counties like Westmeath and Offaly have to play second fiddle to other tourism areas of the country. Certainly, neither will be able to compete with the top draws that some command in the world of international tourism, but we now live in a world where exploration is a key attraction for overseas and domestic visitors.
Ireland has some of the most elegant and picturesque outdoor spaces in the world, renowned for their historical and cultural significance.
There is the widely acclaimed Wild Atlantic Way, and the Ancient East but take a trip to the Hidden Heartlands of Offaly and Westmeath and you will also discover the natural world in all its glory.
With meticulously designed formal gardens, forest trails and woodland walks as well as calming botanical spaces, heritage demesnes, meadows and trails, rivers and lakes, visitors can relax and unwind in the calming beauty of nature.
Belvedere House is a stunning Georgian country house near Mullingar in Westmeath that dates back to 1740 and with unspoiled nature and open rolling parklands; it is a place of joy for garden lovers and a little piece of paradise for everyone.
Created in 1850, the Walled Garden has all the hallmarks of a typical 19th century pleasure garden with fruit, flowers and roses fashioned in the style of a bygone era. At the bottom of the Walled Garden, something magical awaits for the little ones – a fairy garden which has been described as “a very special place of dreams and fairy damsels, sprites, elves and pixies.”
Outside the walled garden are two acres of grounds featuring stunning Red Woods, Spruces, and Beeches as well as a Western Red Cedar planted in the mid-19th century. After the Walled Garden, enjoy the network of walkways through the woodlands, which form the entire boundary of the estate along Lough Ennell, where you’ll see water birds along with squirrels, otters and birds of prey including nesting buzzards.
Birr Castle Demesne, Co. Offaly, has featured on these pages from time to time, and it is well worth the exposure too.
Walking through the gardens is like stepping into a painting and witnessing the enduring power of nature’s beauty.
Birr Castle Demesne is one of the great gardens of Ireland with one of the most historic landscapes in the country that is home to an internationally important collection of plants.
Within the 200 acres, there are four key garden zones – the Formal Gardens, located close to the camellia walk which were planted in 1936 and include one of the finest collections in Ireland of snow drops, crocus and magnolias, the River Gardens, located the far side of the River Camcor, within this space you will find St. Brendan’s Well which dates back to the 6th Century, the Castle Terraces, where you will get the best views of the Castle and in the summer they are a blaze of color and lastly the Victorian Fernery which dates to the 1880’s and was created using stone from the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Back in Westmeath, Tullynally Castle & Gardens has a rich history where much of the present layout dates from the early 1800’s. There are over 12 acres of garden in all, divided between walled gardens, extensive woodland gardens and two ornamental lakes.
Beginning at the Castle Terraces, walk the path through the Pleasure Ground down to the Grotto and Flower Garden followed by the Kitchen Garden, where you can visit the llama family, see the Nandi bulls, and stroll the path back to the Upper Lake.
The gorgeous gardens also contain the Tibetan Glade, the Chinese Garden, the Magnolia Grove, and the Tree Trail, where some of the trees are over 200 years old. Tullynally Castle & Gardens is a perfect place to bring the kids where they can enjoy the Discovery Trail which features 15 things for them to find.
The renowned architect and garden designer Angela Jupe, who died in 2021, left her house and gardens at Bellefield, Shinrone, Co Offaly to the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI).
As well as a house and cottages, the grounds include a two-acre walled garden with a noted collection of perennial plants and rare bulbs, pasture, forestry, a bog area managed for biodiversity and a plantation of native trees. At Bellefield you can also take part in workshops, in a wonderful nature setting.
The wonder of gardens lies in their ability to captivate our senses, nourish our souls, and connect us with the natural world in the purest way and Westmeath and Offaly are blessed with some of the most beautiful.
The county of Westmeath has also been getting a growing appreciation from dog lovers seeking to find canine-friendly things to do and places to stay.
Summer is upon us, and animal friendly destinations are cropping up bit by bit.
The outdoors are the easy bits. Westmeath is full of beautiful countryside and there are plenty of walks and trails that are dog friendly.
Portlick Millennium Forest has three dog-friendly trails with different levels of difficulty where you can walk through the lakeshore woods of the Lough Ree peninsula.
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park, in Moate, has meandering paths through planted parklands and a wetland nature reserve, which is home to an abundance of native wildlife.
Directly accessible from the Old Rail Trail Greenway, this park also includes a great children’s playground, adult exercise equipment and outdoor art displays. Dogs are welcome on lead (except in the Heritage Park, as this area of the park includes a pet farm).
Shannon Banks Walk & Nature Trail begins in the shadow of Athlone Castle in the heart of Athlone town and leads you along a path that’s bursting with a diversity of wildlife. This three mile looped trail follows the peaceful River Shannon banks and the historic Athlone Canal and is perfect for a lovely walk.
While dogs are not allowed inside most historical sites and attractions, many outdoor areas and gardens surrounding these sites are dog-friendly and one such place is Belvedere House.
Enjoy all the history, folklore and landmarks around Athlone Town, with canines in tow. Highlights include the oldest pub in Ireland, Sean’s Bar, where they are happy to host pets in their beer garden during the day, while Viking Tours, which offers options of two sailing routes along the River Shannon to Lough Ree and Clonmacnoise allows humans and dogs to explore the history, flora, birdlife and marine life on the boat trip.
Finding dog friendly places to stay can open up so many options when it comes to planning more than a day trip. Westmeath has a number of pet friendly accommodations.
First mention goes to Glasson Lake House, which has been voted in the top three pet friendly hotels in Ireland and are happy to supply you and your pal with maps, picnic spots, walking sticks and of course a lead for your dog.
Bloomfield House Hotel, with 20 acres of parkland, spacious gardens and lake walks, is perfect for a “wander and a walkies”.
Lake Lodge is also a great option; on the shores of Lough Owel, these self-catering lodges are perfect for a family reunion with pets, in peaceful surroundings.
There are also dog friendly cafes and coffee spots to enjoy a hot drop with your pooch. Poppy Fields Café, Athlone are happy to welcome pets in their outdoor area.
Fine Café, Athlone, a café/wine bar and specialist food shop offering a range of specialty coffee, natural and bio wine, and artisan food, welcome pets with indoor and outdoor seating available, providing a bowl of water and treats to make them feel extra special
Days Bazaar Mullingar is a dog-friendly café with seating inside and out, with ‘Puppuccinos’ and relaxation offered to all of their furry customers!
Go to www.visitoffaly.ie and www.visitwestmeath.ie for full details.