An inland county with lots of water activities to choose from; Westmeath, has superb angling facilities and is the perfect location for cruising and canoeing. Other outdoor activities include golf, horse riding, walking and clay pigeon shooting. We are happy to organise any of the activities during your stay.

An oasis of beauty in the Midlands, Belvedere House, Gardens & Park can be discovered on the shores of Lough Ennell. The Estate comprises of 160 acres of parkland with 6kms of magnificent woodland and lakeshore walks. Several follies adorn the landscape including Ireland's largest folly - The Jealous Wall. The restored Belvedere House is an 18th century hunting/fishing lodge designed by the renowned German architect Richard Castle for Robert Rochfort, later the 1st Earl of Belvedere. A fascinating walled garden, designed by Ninian Nevin in 1857, contains one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The Stable Block is home to a modern visitor centre with multi-media show, exhibitions, cafe and giftshop.

Adjacent to the visitor centre is the Animal Sanctuary and children's play area. There is also a delightful tram, which provides guided tours around a section of the parkland on selected days throughout the year. Further information is available by clicking here for their website link

Tullynally has been the home of the Pakenhams' later Earls of Longford, for over 350 years. It is still lived in as the family home, now probably one of the largest in Ireland. The guided tours take in the splendid Victorian kitchens and laundries, complete with all their equipment; as well as the fine collection of Georgian furniture and pictures. The gardens, like the castle are on a magnificent scale, taking in nearly 12 hectares. Terraced lawns around the castle overlook superb 18th century parkland. The adjoining woodland gardens and walled gardens date largely from the early 19th century and encompass a grotto of eroded limestone from nearby Lough Derravaragh and two ornamental lakes.

The present owners have added a Chinese garden, complete with pagoda and a Tibetan garden of waterfalls and streams; and a local sculptor has made fantastic woodcarvings in existing roots and trees. The walled gardens have extensive flower borders and an avenue of magnificent 200 year old Irish yews. Further information is available by clicking here for their website link

Ideally located, 2 miles off the main Dublin to Galway route west of Athlone, in the centre of Ireland, Glendeer Open Farm, invites you to experience a real Irish farm. An award winning 6 acre open farm, with over 56 different species of animals and birds, play area, indoor and outdoor picnic area, nature walk, restored cottage and coffee shop to seat up to 50 people. The farm is wheelchair accessible with disabled toilet onsite. The farm has been designed so that visitors can mingle with all the pet animals. Groups, school tours and birthday parties are catered for with advance booking. Open every day from the 1st of May to the end of September. Further information is available by clicking here for their website link

Based in Kilbeggan in the heart of Ireland, the Locke distillery is believed to be the oldest licensed pot still distillery in the world. Established in 1757 Locke's is the last remaining example of a small pot distillery in Ireland. The distillery made pot still Irish Malt Whiskey for almost 200 years. The distillery is now open as a museum of Industrial Archaeology showing how whiskey was produced in times past. Guided tours bring you through the original distillery buildings, where over 90% of the original machinery has now been restored and can be seen working daily. You can follow the process from the grinding of the grain to the casking of the final product. The museum is open all year, seven days a week. Further information is available by clicking here for their website lin

There is a Farmer’s Market offering a taste of local produce every Sunday in Mullingar. For details of all the above and other events and activities in the area, ask reception at the hotel for details. Alternatively contact www.westmeathtourism.com