Getting to Westmeath
Westmeath is located right in the centre of Ireland, your ideal base for exploring Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. Choose from a fantastic range of transport options including bus, train, road or greenway and your journey here will be easy and enjoyable.
By Air:
Dublin International Airport
Located just an hours’ drive from Westmeath, Dublin Airport is Ireland’s largest international airport, offering direct flights worldwide. For more information and to book your flight, visit www.dublinairport.com
From Dublin Airport, take the M50 southbound for 13km and exit the M50 at Junction 7 (signposted Sligo/ Westport / Galway – N4/ M6). After 45 km you will reach County Westmeath at Kinnegad (junction 11), where the Motorway splits in two, the N4 and M6. Take the N4 for Mullingar with its music, lakes and legends and the M6 for Athlone and the River Shannon.
Other international airports:
Westmeath can also be easily accessed from:
By Train:
Westmeath is easily accessed by train, with two national train lines bringing visitors into Mullingar and Athlone town centres at numerous times every day. Visit www.irishrail.ie to book your direct train ticket from Dublin Heuston, Dublin Connolly, Galway, Sligo, Westport and more. You can even bring your bike on board free-of-charge and both Athlone and Mullingar train stations are located within just a few metres of our greenways.
By Bus:
Bus Eireann Expressway/Intercity Services link major towns and cities across the Republic of Ireland. There are many Expressway services operating in County Westmeath, all year ‘round, seven days a week, connecting Athlone with Dublin, Dublin Airport, Westport, Galway, Belfast and Shannon Airport and Mullingar with Dublin, Dublin Airport, Ballina and Sligo. Many more routes link smaller towns throughout the country. Find out more and book your ticket on www.buseireann.ie
Local Link operate a wide range of bus routes which will help you to get off the beaten track and to our most scenic locations and attractions. Timetables and more information can be found on Locallinklwr.ie. Bus route 819 connects Mullingar with Belvedere House, Gardens and Park. Bus route 818 connects Mullingar with Tullynally Castle and Gardens in Castlepollard.
By Car:
County Westmeath is very easy to access by car, located right in the centre of Ireland, it is traversed by numerous national motorways and high quality roads, including the M6 Dublin to Galway motorway, the N4 / M4 Dublin to Sligo and the N5 Dublin to Westport roads. A network of interconnecting National Secondary Roads link Westmeath with all other parts of the country. Plan your journey using this handy tool: www.theaa.ie/routes
Car hire and drop-off facilities are available in Mullingar from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hamills Car Rental and in Athlone from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Europcar.
By Bike:
With over 100kms of off-road greenways dedicated for cyclists, Westmeath is easy to access by bike. Take the Royal Canal Greenway from Maynooth or Longford to cycle fully off-road to Mullingar or Athlone. Why not bring your bike on the train to Mullingar or Athlone, both train stations are located adjacent to our greenway network. For more information on our greenways, including information on bike hire, parking and links to interactive maps: see here