Kinnegad
On the well-travelled route between Dublin and the West, Kinnegad has long had a tradition of welcoming road-weary folk into its midst. It’s also a town with a long and fascinating history – it’s said that Queen Elizabeth the First gifted the village to Luke Fitzgerald in 1559, who passed the land on to his son, George. The Irish place name for Kinnegad is Cionn Átha Gad, which has been translated as “the head of the ford of withes”. The Ford referred to is the present River Kinnegad, which since 1543 has marked the boundary between Westmeath and Meath.
Kinnegad is a prosperous town with lots to see and do and a wealth of built and natural heritage in the town itself and hinterland. Places to visit in Kinnegad and nearby include:
An Boreen Bradach is a looped walking trail of around 5km in length, weaving around the town. It gets its name from the ancient tribe of An Bredach, which dates back to pre-Norman times. It also takes in the bog of Kinnegad and an ancient burial ground. A stroll here is a great way to explore much of Kinnegad's rich built and natural heritage. A looped trail, it starts at the church in the centre of the town.
Mount Hevey Bog
Mount Hevey Bog is situated approximately 4 kilometres north-east of Kinnegad, in the townlands of Cloncrave, White Island, Aghamore, Kilwarden and Kilnagalliagh. The site comprises raised bog, which is listed under EU Directive and has been designated as a special area of conservation (SAC). Mount Hevey Bog is one of 24 raised bogs under the directive which from the end of last year, by the cessation of turf cutting. The plan is to restore these important raised bogs to their natural state and in time to also develop eco-tourism
Rattin Castle is a ruined castle located southwest of the town. The castle dates back to the 16th century, and was built as a defensive tower. The lands were originally owned by Hugh De Lacy.
Thomastown Harbour on the Royal Canal Greenway is a mere 5km from Kinnegad and allows walkers and cyclists to explore this scenic greenway, which is known for its scenic beauty, rich heritage and abundance of wildlife. With plenty to see and do along the way, along with a range of accommodation options, restaurants and cafés, a brilliant experience is inevitable.
Milltownpass Woodland and Bog Trail
This new walking trail is located just 10km from Kinnegad and has been described as a 'paradise for nature lovers'. The 1.5km trail takes walkers through a mixture of landscapes, including bog and woodlands, which are conserved for their natural heritage value and immense biodiversity. The trail is also home to four wooden sculptures by the local and esteemed artist Richie Clarke, which feature a hare, an owl, a curlew and snipe.