Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

168 BACK ROADS IRELAND

6 Kilbeggan
Co Westmeath
Established in 1757, Kilbeggan
Distillery (open daily) is thought to be
the oldest pot-still distillery in the
world. Harnessing local resources –
pure water, grain and turf (used for
power), it produced malt whiskey for
200 years until, unable to compete
with Scottish whisky manufacturers,
it went bankrupt in 1954. The aroma
of whiskey – the small percentage
that evaporates from the barrels as it
matures and is known as the angels’
share – hung around for years. The
distillery museum now offers guided
tours of the grain grinding and casking
equipment and the steam engine and
waterwheel that powered the mill.
ª Take the M6 towards Mullingar. At
Above left Iron-studded portal, Charleville Tyrellspass, turn left onto the N52 for
Forest Castle Above right Gothic-style 5 Tullamore Mullingar. Belvedere House is on the
crenellations, Charleville Forest Castle Co Offaly left, 5 km (3 miles) before Mullingar.
On the outskirts of Tullamore, a gate
lodge on the left marks the entrance 7 Belvedere House and
to Charleville Forest Castle, a Gothic- Gardens
style mansion that is said to be Mullingar, Co Westmeath
haunted. Ring the bell for guided The Palladian villa (open daily), built in
tours (on the hour in summer; pre-book 1740 by Richard Castle for the Earl of
by email the rest of the year: info@ Belvedere, is set in extensive grounds
charlevillecastle.com). beside Lough Ennell. The interior is
This Midlands town is also the known for its Rococo plasterwork,
birthplace of Tullamore Dew Irish
whiskey. The Tullamore Dew Visitor Peat Bogs
Centre (open daily) on Bury Quay (in The Lakelands has an abundance
the centre of town) offers guided of peat bogs, formed up to 10,000
tours and tastings in the old distillery years ago from compressed
WHERE TO STAY AROUND buildings. It also explains the role vegetation in waterlogged ground.
STROKESTOWN PARK HOUSE played by the Grand Canal, running Some have yielded amazing
archaeological finds such as the
alongside the distillery and Corlea Trackway. Long harvested
Gleesons Townhouse moderate
Pretty 19th-century townhouse in the connecting Tullamore with Dublin. for fuel, some are now protected
centre of Roscommon, with a popular ª Take the N52 north to Kilbeggan. habitats for flora and fauna.
restaurant and café. Situated 20 km Kilbeggan Distillery is in the centre.
(12 miles) south of Strokestown (take
the R368 south and turn left at the
junction with the N61).
Market Square, Roscommon; 090 662
6954; www.gleesonstownhouse.com
Castlecoote House
moderate–expensive
Romantic and luxurious Georgian
house with four-poster beds, roll-top
baths, tennis courts, a croquet lawn
and an orchard. Situated 28 km
(17 miles) southwest of Strokestown.
Castlecoote, Co Roscommon; 090 666
3794; www.castlecootehouse.com;
closed Nov–mid-Apr
Right Copper pot-still at Kilbeggan
Distillery, Kilbeggan, established in 1757
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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