Page 171 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 16: Heart of the Lakelands 169

Above left Pergola over the long herbaceous
while exterior highlights include a 9 Strokestown Park House border in Strokestown Park Gardens Above
Victorian walled garden and the Strokestown, Co Roscommon Strokestown Park House, the finest Palladian
Jealous Wall folly – built to block the The splendid Palladian mansion mansion in County Roscommon
view of a more opulent mansion of Strokestown Park House (open
belonging to the Earl’s brother. mid-Mar–Oct), the finest in County
The Earl believed his brother was Roscommon, was built in the 1730s.
conducting an affair with his wife, The original furnishings can be seen
whom he punished by imprisoning on guided tours of the interior, while
her in her own home for 31 years. the stable block houses the Famine
ª From Belvedere, take the R400 Museum, telling the story of the
to Mullingar and then the R392 to 1840s Great Famine through
Ballymahon. Corlea is 6 km (4 miles) documents of the time. The Garden
after Ballymahon. The Corlea includes the longest herbaceous
Trackway Centre is to the right. border in Britain and Ireland and a
Georgian fruit and vegetable garden.
8 Corlea Trackway Centre
Keenagh, Co Longford EAT AND DRINK AROUND
STROKESTOWN PARK HOUSE
An Iron Age timber bog road
believed to have been constructed Keenans moderate
in 148 BC, the Corlea Trackway is the Modern restaurant built onto a
largest example of its kind to be traditional bar in the tiny village of
uncovered in Europe. Its remarkable Termonbarry on the River Shannon,
state of preservation is due to the 13 km (8 miles) along the N5 east of
Strokestown. Serves good modern
anaerobic conditions of the bog in European dishes.
which it eventually sank. The Centre Termonbarry, Co Roscommon;
(open Apr–Sep) has an 18-m (60-ft) 043 332 6098; www.keenans.ie
stretch of road on display. The Purple Onion moderate
ª From Corlea, turn right onto the Good food using locally sourced
R392, taking the R371 for Strokestown ingredients, and cosy booths for
after Lanesborough and then turning discreet dining. There is also an art
gallery above the bar. In Termonbarry,
left at the N5. At the roundabout take 13 km (8 miles) east of Strokestown.
the third exit onto Bawn Street and Above The gently rolling parkland Termonbarry, Co Roscommon; 043 335
drive into Strokestown Park House. surrounding Belvedere House 9919; www.purpleonion.ie
DAY TRIP OPTIONS churches. One of the nicest ways of then drive to Kinnitty for a walk in
Athlone is an ideal base from which getting there is on a Viking-style the Slieve Bloom Mountains 4. Next,
to visit the religious and historic sites boat. Trips depart from Athlone. head to Georgian Birr 3 and Birr
of the Lakelands. Castle Gardens with its Historic
Take a boat from Athlone or follow the
The Shannon river drive instructions. Science Centre and Great Telescope.
From Athlone 1, follow the Look and learn From Athlone, take the M6/N52 to
Shannon to Clonmacnoise 2, an Find out about the industrial history Tullamore, then the R421 to the Slieve
important monastic site, bristling of the Lakelands in Tullamore 5, Bloom Mountains. Take the R440 to
with crosses, a round tower and Birr, returning to Athlone on the N62.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€50; expensive, over €50

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