Mullingar: Greenways and History

Mullingar combines trails with a historic background, the Cathedral of Christ the King and landscapes along Lough Ennell. If you are looking for a hotel in Mullingar, these different themes can shape your trip planning: would you like to focus mainly on history, explore a greenway, or also take in the surrounding landscape? The routes differ in length, course and thematic focus.

Trails with their own character

The National Famine Way is a 165-kilometre waymarked walking and cycling route. It commemorates the forced emigration march of 1847, at the height of the Irish Famine, and passes through Mullingar. Its historical significance is thus directly linked to a specific route. The 165 kilometres refer to the entire route, not just the section through Mullingar.

The Royal Canal Greenway is 32 kilometres long. From the border with Meath, it runs through the Westmeath countryside to Mullingar and then westwards to Coolnahay Harbour. In County Westmeath, the greenway offers a scenic waterside route for cyclists and walkers, free from motorised traffic. Compared with the National Famine Way, the focus here is on the route along the canal; both trails pass through Mullingar, but have different routes and themes.

For regional context: County Westmeath has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling routes. These include the 40-kilometre Old Rail Trail from Athlone to Mullingar, which follows a converted section of the Midlands Great Western Railway. This county route is distinct from the two greenways: its endpoints and course give it a place of its own in planning trails around Mullingar.

Cathedral and museum

The imposing Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar was completed in 1936. It is in the Renaissance style and built as a basilica. Two towers and a dome define its architecture. Its combination of style, form and clearly stated date makes the cathedral a prominent historic landmark for visitors to the area.

The cathedral houses the Ecclesiastical Museum. Its historical artefacts include vestments worn by St Oliver Plunkett and a ring once worn by Marie Antoinette. The collection also includes models of church buildings in the area, spanning the 17th century to the present day. The museum thus covers a range from individual historic objects to the development of ecclesiastical architecture.

Landscape and getting oriented

The Tudenham Park Trails are about eight kilometres from Mullingar, on the shores of Lough Ennell. The trails offer scenic lake views and are located on the grounds of historic Tudenham House. They provide a different landscape from the Royal Canal route: here, the lakeshore and views of Lough Ennell take centre stage.

There is also a specific local landmark to help you get oriented: Mullingar has a three-acre dog park between the Royal Canal and the former Mullingar–Athlone railway line. It can be reached via the Royal Canal and Old Rail Trail Greenways. Its location between the canal and former railway line places it along both trail corridors, without requiring a particular circular route.

County Westmeath in the wider context

Beyond Mullingar, County Westmeath offers further historical themes. The Hill of Uisneach was the centre, or “omphalos”, where the five kingdoms met. Guided walking tours on the Hill cover myths and legends, the High Kings, an intact ringfort and historic monuments. If you are planning such a tour, check the current booking arrangements.

Mullingar can therefore be viewed through a range of interests: the National Famine Way connects the town with the commemoration of 1847, the Royal Canal Greenway runs through the Westmeath countryside to Coolnahay Harbour, and the cathedral and museum offer historical and architectural points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Kilbeggan, Moate, Athlone, Ballydavid, Glasson, Rathowen, Castlepollard, Killachonna.

For the broader travel overview: County Westmeath.