Explore as you go

National Famine Museum

The immersive National Famine Museum on the stunning Strokestown estate is a compelling and emotive visitor experience. Visitors can explore the parallel lives experienced in Ireland’s darkest times by 19th-century landlords, tenants, and cottiers.

It is recommended that you arrive in Strokestown the day before you plan to start your Walk and take time to visit the Museum, the Palladian Manor House and Gardens for a deep understanding of the real social landscape of Ireland of 1847 which will deepen and enrich you experience of walking the National Famine Way.

Allow xxx. hours.

Strokestown Park House

This preserved Palladian mansion is beside the National Famine Museum on Strokestown estate. Tours give a fascinating glimpse into the world of Major Denis Mahon and his family.

Cloughan Farm Cookery School,
Abbeyshrule

At Cloughan Farm we want to give you the opportunity to reconnect with food and the land.

National Famine Way Special – Soyer Famine Soup & Maize Bread Tasting plus Scone Baking Workshop.  Visit our working Farm with the Dexter Cattle Herd – a small bred introduced in the early 1800’s to allow for Irish small landholders.

In the kitchen you’ll be preparing & making delicious brunch, lunch & dinners using much of our hand reared or locally produced meat, poultry and home grown seasonal vegetables. Maybe bake a velvety light sponge cake with eggs collected from our hen house daily. In the summer time pop out to the fruit bushes and handpick redcurrants, raspberries and a few sprigs of mint to decorate a luscious chocolate roulade or a sinful dessert.
Just simply — we want you to learn, laugh and love local food and the land as much we do!

Cistercian Abbey – Medieval Ruins,
Abbeyshrule

Nestled in the picturesque village of Abbeyshrule in County Longford, Abbeyshrule Abbey stands as a testament to Ireland’s rich monastic heritage. Founded in 1150, this Cistercian abbey, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, invites you to explore its serene ruins and discover the stories etched into its ancient stones. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Abbeyshrule Abbey offers a unique and memorable experience. Come and uncover the secrets of this hidden gem, where history and nature intertwine harmoniously.

Mullingar Loop

Mullingar Workhouse & Famine Graveyard Loop.
An essential 3 km detour takes you by the remains of a large-scale former union workhouse complex, one of the best surviving examples of its type in Ireland. This workhouse built c. 1841 is largely intact, complete with its foreboding original entrance door.

A little further on is the Workhouse Famine Graveyard, one of the best preserved in the country with its cut stone entrance and wrought iron gates. It is believed that the Graveyard site was much larger in the 19th century, as bodies were found when the nearby commercial park was being built. It s a highly evocative site which is now in the care of a local committee which holds annual devotions there each June.

Cathedral of Christ the King,
Mullingar

Cathedral of Christ the King (Irish: Ardeaglais Chríost an Rí) is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. It is situated near the centre of Mullingar next to the Royal Canal. The cathedral is both the cathedral church of the Diocese of Meath and the principal centre of worship in the catholic parish of Mullingar, including parts of counties Meath and Westmeath.

Hill of Uisneach Visitor Centre

Walk in the footsteps of Irish High-Kings, Gods & Goddesses Let us lead you through the myths and legends of Uisneach at the Sacred Centre of Ireland.

Alan’s Yippee Kayaking

Leisurely Supervised Kayak Trips exploring the scenic Royal Canal in Mullingar. Enjoy the water by kayak at your own pace, discover the wildlife all around you as your traverse this beautiful amenity in the heat of the Ireland Hidden Heartlands.

Sessions are enjoyable and fun, Alan has a fleet of 8 single sit-on-top colourful kayaks and 1 tandem which seats 2 persons & 1 small person. All necessary gear is included and no experience required. Kayaking Trips are available on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Mullingar Pewter & The Pewter Café

An ideal lunchtime stop with delicious food and homemade cakes which can be combined with delving a little into one of Ireland’s old art forms.

Mullingar Pewter is producing Pewter since the 1970s, having revived this ancient art in Ireland.

A visit to the home of Mullingar pewter can be made even more special with a tour of the production workshop.

Explore our extensive collection of exquisite Irish Pewter products showcased at the Mullingar Pewter Gallery. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in our workshop, ensuring unparalleled quality and craftsmanship.

Enjoy self-guided tours, available Monday to Friday (subject to availability), for an immersive experience into our centuries-old artistry.

Famine Pot, Enfield

A short walk to the heart of the town, visit the Irish Famine Soup Pot that serves as a memorial to the Irish Famine and all who perished, suffered and fled from the town in the 1840’s.  

Ribbontail Bridge and Longwood Village

Ribbontail Bridge is a rare wrought iron bridge that spans the canal. This footbridge was originally built to allow people to cross the canal to attend mass in Longwood. Just beside the bridge you can access a newly developed 1.5 km walkway bringing you straight into the village of Longwood where you can stock up on provisions in one of the local shops or takeaways. There is a growing tradition of National Famine Way Walkers talking an iconic photo on this bridge.

Morans – Hill of Down

On the banks of the Canal sits Morans quaint heritage Shop, Post Office and Pub located on an old Train Station – a bustling hub in it’s day.

A great location to sample a pint of Guinness and a Pizza and conemplate life.

You may even spot a barge at the Hill of Down before you travel onwards.

Larchill Arcadian Gardens – ‘Ferme Ornee’ / Ornamental Farm

Larchill is a ferme ornée (ornamental farm-style garden), and the site of multiple follies, in the townland of Phepotstown near Kilcock, County Kildare, Ireland. According to its owners, it is the “only surviving, near complete, garden of its type in Europe”. The main component of Larchill Demesne, that was created in the mid-18th century, and restored in the mid-1990s.

Maynooth Castle & St Patrick’s College

This majestic stone Maynooth Castle was founded in the early thirteenth century. Maynooth Castle was one of the largest and richest Geraldine dwellings. The original keep, begun around 1200, was one of the largest of its kind in Ireland. Inside, the great hall was a nerve centre of political power and culture.

Leixlip Castle

Open to the public for visiting at selected periods of the year, it is well worth spendingtime in the fabulous grounds of this 12th century Norman castle.

Visitors can visit the gardens for a walk during open times with no bookings or admissions required if they do not want to tour inside the castle.

Lucan Spa and Waterfall

The Leixlip Spa is an archaeological and hydrogeological complex at Louisa Bridge, Leixlip, near Dublin, Ireland, situated close to the Royal Canal. It was a popular health spa in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Jenny’s Royal Canal Barge Tour

Jennifer’s Travel specialises in short term barge hire along River Barrow and the Grand Canal. Your holiday barge will be fully equipped and insured and has been designed specifically for comfortable holiday cruising.

Glasnevin Cemetery Museum

From the Bronze Shoes close to this location, the O’Connell Tower in Glasnevin Cemetery dominates the landscape. O’Connell’s death on May 15th, 1847, would have been the talk of our 1,490, as they walked and likely reminisced about his Monster Meeting outside Roscommon in 1843, which some of them may have attended.

Glasnevin is now a significant destination for visitors, tourists and scholars who wish to learn more of the people and events which shaped the Ireland of today.

Croke Park Museum And Skyline

A trip to Croke Park simply wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the treasured GAA Museum. Get ready to immerse yourself in the spine-tingling and completely unique story of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present day.

Or bring your adventurous spirit (and your camera!) to enjoy the Kellogg’s Skyline Croke Park Tour. 17-storey’s high!

Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship

One million Irish people fled Ireland during the famine. 2,500 took a gruelling voyage on the Jeanie Johnston. Follow in the Footstep’s of our 1,490 and take a journey back in time, get an insight into what life on board a Famine ship was like for them and hear the stories of other people who made the arduous voyage.

Epic
Irish Emigration Museum

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is a self-guided museum. It has a small feature on the Quinn Brothers from Strokestown’s 1,490. You will leave with a better understanding of centuries of history and enormous pride in the Irish people who left their country to begin a new life.

Custom House Museum

Unearth stories of political scandal, rebellion and tragedy. Stories which not only shaped the history of the Custom House Museum, but of Ireland.