Discover Kilbeggan: Culture, Trails and Horse Racing

When planning a trip to Kilbeggan, you can focus on different things: the town’s history, walking and cycling routes, or a race day at the racecourse. If a race is the reason for your trip, plan around its specific date. For a walk, it’s important to check current access to the Westmeath Way. This way, you can tailor your hotel search to what you plan to do in Kilbeggan.

Market House, Canal and Countryside

Kilbeggan’s large Market House still stands on the Square, but is no longer used for its original purpose. The building and its former use are distinct: the Market House is still there, but its original function has ended.

The Kilbeggan Canal is also part of the town’s history. It opened to traffic in 1836, and paths were laid out along its grounds. If you plan to use these paths, check their condition before your visit. The River Brosna and the Esker Riada provide further geographical points of reference: Kilbeggan lies on the river and on this large chain of eskers, deposited across central Ireland after the last Ice Age.

Walking and Cycling

The Westmeath Way is a 33-kilometre walking trail from Kilbeggan to Mullingar. A closure notice from October 2024 announced a temporary closure while final work on the trail was completed. So, before setting out for a walk, check current access rather than assuming that the notice reflects the trail’s status today.

For cyclists, the Grand Canal Greenway is another point of reference: after Ballycommon, an optional 13-kilometre branch, the Ballycommon–Kilbeggan Branch Greenway, leads to Kilbeggan. The two distance figures refer to different route options: 33 kilometres for the walking trail between Kilbeggan and Mullingar, and 13 kilometres for the optional branch to Kilbeggan. This lets you consider the activity, destination and route length together when planning. Conditions and diversions on the Greenway route can change; check the current route before setting out.

Horse Racing and When to Visit

Kilbeggan Racecourse is on the outskirts of town and is a National Hunt racecourse. It is one of Ireland’s oldest racecourses. Race days are held there annually from April to September. This seasonal window provides an initial guide, but does not replace checking individual dates: the specific race days change every year. If you plan to travel to Kilbeggan for a race, schedule your trip around the relevant racing calendar.

Kilbeggan Distillery

Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath has been operating since 1757. For travel orientation, it is located off the main Galway–Dublin route at Junction 5 of the M6. Kilbeggan Distillery Experience tours include a tasting masterclass featuring three different whiskeys. The experience also showcases traditional mashing in oak mash tuns and fermentation in Oregon pine vats, as well as its original waterwheel. The tasting format may change; if this particular part of the programme is important to your trip, check the current tour information.

In the Wider Destination of County Westmeath

Beyond Kilbeggan, County Westmeath provides a wider setting for walking and cycling trips: the county has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling trails. These include the 40-kilometre Old Rail Trail from Athlone to Mullingar, which follows a converted section of the Midlands Great Western Railway. The Royal Canal is another point of reference in the county: it is fully navigable through Westmeath and runs past Mullingar on its way to the River Shannon. These details describe County Westmeath as a wider destination and complement Kilbeggan’s local routes and attractions with regional options.

Discover more destinations: Multyfarnham, Castlepollard, Ballydavid, Crookedwood, Glasson, Kinnegad, Drumcree, Castletown Geoghegan.

For the wider travel overview: County Westmeath.