Discover Moate: Art, Culture and the Old Rail Trail

Moate brings together several themes for travellers: contemporary art, Irish culture, local history and greenways. Tuar Ard and Comhaltas Teach Cheoil offer different cultural experiences; the Old Rail Trail runs through Moate and provides direct access to Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park.

Art, Music and Irish Culture

Moate’s contemporary arts centre, Tuar Ard, offers professional performances, music and dance events, as well as its own exhibition gallery. Its programme therefore ranges from performances to exhibitions. If you’re travelling for a specific event, check the dates in advance.

At Comhaltas Teach Cheoil, the Scéal exhibition and classes celebrate Irish culture through traditional music, dance, song and the Irish language. Compared with Tuar Ard, the focus here is on exhibitions and classes. You can choose the experience that suits you: an events programme or cultural themes explored through an exhibition and lessons. Check the relevant dates for a specific class or event.

Local History and Distinctive Buildings

Moate Courthouse was built in the 1830s, replacing an earlier prison and courthouse in Newtown. Several Quaker houses stand along Moate’s main street. The Moate Golf Club course is also next to Main Street; one of its distinctive features is a medieval bull ring. These three places and structures offer different points of interest, from the history of the courthouse to a medieval feature on the golf course.

The Old Rail Trail and Dún na Sí

The Old Rail Trail is a 43 km greenway from Athlone to Mullingar that passes through Moate. It follows the historic route of the Midlands Great Western Railway, passing restored station houses and stone arch bridges. The route connects Athlone and Mullingar and runs through Moate; the station houses and bridges are part of its railway heritage.

Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park covers 27 acres, is directly accessible from the Old Rail Trail and includes scenic walking paths. It also features native Irish woodland and a turlough. For trip planning, the distinction is clear: the trail is a 43 km connection between two towns, while the park in Moate brings together paths and several landscape features.

Family History and County Westmeath

The genealogy centre helps you explore your family roots in County Westmeath. This adds family history as a travel theme alongside art, local history and landscape. If this is important to you, you can take it into account when planning your stay in Moate.

The wider destination of County Westmeath has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling routes. The Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath offers another regional perspective: it was the centre, or “omphalos”, where the five kingdoms met. Guided tours there cover myths and legends, High Kings, a connected ringfort and historic monuments. If you’re planning a tour, check booking options in advance, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Tang, Rathowen, Crookedwood, Athlone, Kilbeggan, Killachonna, Castlepollard, Killinure.

For the wider travel guide: County Westmeath.