Location

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Local recreational activities

Ballymahon as an Angling centre

Ballymahon is ideally located to present the visiting angler with the very best game and coarse fishing in the Midlands. Local amenities include the River Inny (Trout, Pike, Perch, Bream, Roach, Chub and Hybrids), Lough Drum (Trench, Roach, and Pike), Lough Ree (Trout, Pike, Perch, Bream, Roach, etc) and, in the near future, the Royal Canal. (It is OPW policy to stock restored Canal stretches with coarse fish - because of their accessibility, canals are favourite haunts of visiting anglers).

Corlea Interpretative Centre

Erected by the Office of Public Works and opened to the public in 1994, the building houses the remains of an ancient bog road, exhibition centre, audiovisual room and coffee shop. The trackway, which dates back to 148 BC was excavated by archaeologists during the 1980’s. The centre is open during the summer months and there are guided tours by Dúchas person nel every two hours. The building is surrounded by 30 acres of raised bog, which provides a nature reserve and is also open to the public.

The Royal Canal

The Royal Canal was built to connect Dublin and the northern Shannon between 1789 and 1818. Ballymahon was an important market town with a productive agricultural hinterland, and it was inevitable that it would be included on the route mapped out for the Royal Canal. The rebirth of the canal started in the 1970s before it passed from the control of CIE to the OPW while little was done specifically to try to restore the canal to navigation - large stretches of the canal were put back in water, especially in the eastern section between Dublin and Mullingar.

The newly formed Royal Canal Amenity Group in Dublin together with local groups on the western section lobbied and worked to ensure that nothing was done to disimprove the situation of dewatered canal by local authorities while momentum gathered in favour of a complete restoration. The passing of control of the waterways to the OPW in 1986 saw the ambitions of the RCAG grow: nothing less than a full return to navigation would be acceptable. With active official support this aim looks like becoming a reality within the next year or two.

The Royal Canal runs north-west from Mullingar through Ballynacargy and Abbeyshrule before winding along parallel to the River Inny as far as Ballymahon. The canal does not extend into the town, but runs around it a little to the north, passing three harbours, Toome Bridge, Ballybrannigan Harbour and Archie's Bridge. Toome Bridge was the terminus for coach passengers to and from Athlone on their way to Dublin, a service that for a period in the first half of the 19th century was provided by Bianconi. The harbour proper was a little further west along the canal within sight of the town itself at Ballybrannigan Harbour. At Archies Bridge on the other side of Ballymahon there are two three storey warehouses, part of a former grain mill, along the quayside.

GO Karting

New race track facility consisting 1000 meters in length, average width 8 metres with asphalt finish located on five acres of ground. The clubhouse, 6000sq feet consisting of office space, conference room, viewing area with balcony, kitchen, ladies and gents toilets and shower facilities. The track is floodlit with an AMB trimming system. Located in the midlands 1 hr from Dublin/Galway - 3 Miles from N4 - 1 mile N55 to northern routes within 2 miles from Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford.

Cruising Activities in Westmeath Self Drive Cruisers and Day Trips Available

Lough Ree the eastern boundary of the county is the second largest lake on the River Shannon and is part of an intricate network of lakes, rivers and canals, which give Ireland one of the most varied inland waterway cruising waters in Europe. Travel by cruiser southwards from Athlone as far as Killaloe, to Beleek and Enniskillen in the North, as far East as Dublin via the Grand Canal and down the Barrow to Waterford and New Ross. In Athlone it is possible to rent luxury self drive cabin cruisers, no previous experience is necessary. Instructions on driving and handling the cruiser will be given. Passenger Boats with skipper and crew with accommodation for up to 71 passengers are also available.

Horse riding

AIRE approved Riding Establishment. Catering for Adults and children, novice and experienced riders. Those capable of riding can enjoy hacking on our quiet roads and along the canal. In particular we wish to encourage youngsters to take up riding with emphasis on safety and fun. We have both indoor and outdoor arenas.

CANOEING

Ballymahon has one of the country’s best white water rivers The River Inny, with rapids to test the ability of any canoeing standard. With many tributaries flowing into the Inny the river holds its volume throughout the season making canoeing accessible to all paddlers twelve months a year.

Ballymahon Walkways

Ballymahon has a host of beautiful walks for hikers or just leisurely strolls for the ambler. The Royal Canal near Ballymahon has six miles of landscaped walkways with scenic views such as at Mullavornia overlooking Lough Drum. There are numerous cut stone bridges, old Store House Buildings and Loughs to add to the pleasure. Rambling through the many forest trails in Newcastle Woods or by the banks of the Inny is a must for the keen walker.

Pallas, Birthplace of Goldsmith

The great poet, dramatist and novelist was born at Pallas in 1728. This time his father was rector in Forgney church where there is a stained glass window commemorating the family. The Goldsmiths later moved to Lissoy, which was to inspire the great poem ‘The Deserted Village’. Oliver Goldsmith lived with his mother in Ballymahon for three years before emigrating in 1752, never to return. Ballymahon has a fine monument on the main street commemorating the poet. This is a sculpture by Eamonn O’Doherty on the theme of ‘The Traveller’ which is Goldsmith’s most famous poem.