Castlepollard: Gardens, Forest Trails and History

Castlepollard is laid out around a square with a centrally located village green. The Square is home to a late Georgian house, regarded as the most significant and finest surviving private residence on the square. If you want to get to know the village, this is a clear starting point: the village green and the house give the centre its distinctive character.

Gardens and discoveries at Tullynally

The gardens at Tullynally cover more than 20 acres. They include walled gardens, extensive woodland gardens and two ornamental lakes—different garden areas that make a visit varied. You can explore the grounds on a self-guided visit. The Tree Trail leads to Thomas Pakenham’s favourite trees and offers tree lovers a special focus during their visit to the gardens.

There are specific things for families to discover, too: Tullynally Castle & Gardens has a Discovery Trail and a climbing frame for children. Alongside the garden areas, there are dedicated activities for young visitors. You can choose which ones to include in your visit based on your family’s interests.

Accessibility and guided tours

In several areas of Tullynally, the gravel paths are suitable for most people who use wheeled mobility aids. These include the paths in the Pleasure Ground, Grotto Glade, Walled Garden and Flower Garden.

The Stables Tearoom at Tullynally has indoor seating and covered outdoor seating. Coffee, tea and homemade refreshments are available. From May, 45-minute guided tours of Tullynally Castle are scheduled on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as during Heritage Week. The stated tour times are 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00.

Forest trails and historic sites nearby

Mullaghmeen Forest, Ireland’s largest planted beech forest, is near Castlepollard. The woodland covers 400 hectares and lies in a broadleaf forest landscape. There are three loop walks and a multi-use trail for visitors. The loop walks and multi-use trail offer different ways to explore the forest, without specifying a particular distance or walking time.

St Feichin’s Way also runs near Castlepollard: the trail forms a loop around the grounds of Fore Abbey. The monastery stands at the site where St Feichin founded a Christian monastery in the seventh century AD. For travellers interested in history as well as nature, this place combines a specific historical connection with a loop walk.

A historic church stands in Killefree Graveyard, north of Castlepollard. It originally dates from the late 17th century and is the oldest surviving building in the village. Another destination nearby is the bathing jetty at The Cut in Collinstown, on Lough Lene, where swimming in the lake is possible. This place is 7 miles from Castlepollard.

If you mainly want to visit the village centre and Tullynally, you can consider Castlepollard as a search location for a holiday rental. Forest, monastic history and the lake add nearby destinations to the options.

Discover more places

You can also explore Drumcree, Athlone, Killinure, Crookedwood, Glasson, Tang, Ballydavid and Moate.

For the broader travel overview: County Westmeath.