Make a holiday rental home or holiday cottage in County Westmeath your home a way from home, whilst messing around on the river

County Westmeath is in the province of Leinster in Ireland and is bordered by counties of Longford, Offaly, Cavan, Roscommon and Meath. Mullingar is the county town and this is where Westmeath County Council offices can be found. Important commercial centres in the area include Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, Athlone and Moate.

Places to holiday in Westmeath

The County Council promotes tourism centred on the many water amenities and the first step before looking for accommodation is to buy a map of the area. It only takes a quick look at the county maps to see the many lakes in the area. These include Lough Ennell, Lough Owel, Lough Lene, Lough Derravaragh and Lough Ree. From the county map you will also notice that the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and the River Shannon flow through Westmeath.

The Shannon is Ireland's main tourism waterway and has a modern inland harbour in Athlone. For this reason there are numerous lodging options such as bed and breakfast (b&b) and hotels. For many years people have rented self-catering accommodation and cottages in Ireland as a budget option, but they also give you more freedom to explore.

The Westmeath horses are another major attraction, as there are a number of stud farms in the area including Collinstown Westmeath and Barbavilla Stud Horses. Country cottages are popular with visitors to the farms and those visiting the equestrian centres such as Athlone, Auburn, Catherinestown, Kilbeggan and Mullingar.

Things to do in County Westmeath

A holiday cottage in Westmeath is ideal for short breaks, walking, hunting, shooting and golf holidays in the peaceful countryside. There are many sign-posted walks of various lengths. Westmeath has two angling centres, three sailing centres and you can hire a barge on the Royal Canal.

The busy market town of Mullingar is home to two of the best pewter and bronze craft studios in Ireland and the Rockfield House is a classical Georgian home standing in a lovely garden and woods that makes a perfect day out. Just outside Mullingar is the village of Coole there is a fine Georgian mansion open to the public. Other public gardens include Tullynally Castle and gardens in Castlepollard adjoining Lough Derravaragh and Belvedere Gardens overlooking Lough Ennell.

There are numerous castles, abbeys, friary's, priory's and monasteries to visit including Athlone Abbey and Friary, Church Island Monastery, Fore Monastery and Abbey and Tristernagh Abbey. Glendeer Open Farm is a great day out for all the family, as it has children's playground, refreshments, pet animals, old horse drawn farm machinery and guided tours. You will find plenty of pubs and restaurants close to holiday cottage that serve local specialities such as Westmeath beef cooked in Guinness alongside the local ales.

Weather in County Westmeath

County Westmeath's temperate oceanic climate is moist, mild and changeable and rarely reaches extremes.

Travel in County Westmeath

Dublin is the nearest major airport for Westmeath, Bus Éireann runs to County Westmeath from Dublin and Sligo and there are high-speed trains from Dublin to Mullingar. Westmeath does not have any seaports as it is inland but Waterbuses connect to most ports south of Athlone.