Mullingar

Getting to Mullingar

Can you cadge the fare from M'Coy? In 1900 the 18-year-old James Joyce spent a while in Mullingar with his father and siblings. It features in Ulysses as Leopold and Molly Bloom's daughter Milly works there: she writes home that she's met a young student called Bannon.

1. 01
   Mullingar railway station is 500 m southwest

   The original line to Athlone and Galway branched here: that route is now via Portarlington so the line west from Mullingar is disused and has become a cycleway.

2. 02
   M-F and 3 on Saturday

   Healey's Bus 842 runs from Dublin city centre and airport to Mullingar, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon and Center Parcs, with 2 to 4 per day.

Worth seeing

1. 01
   Cathedral of Christ the King

   This impressive Roman Catholic cathedral was built from 1933 in Renaissance style and consecrated in 1939.

2. 02
   Belvedere House and Gardens

   Belvedere N91 EF80 (8 km south of town on N52), info@belvedere-house.ie.

3. 03
   Multyfarnham Abbey is a Franciscan

Things to do

What's on? For local events listen to Midlands 103 FM, or read Westmeath Examiner, Westmeath Topic or Mullingar Advertiser. Royal Canal stretches across the county and loops round the north side of town. There's a good firm towpath for walking and cycling. The canal is navigable throughout but there's no local boat hire: you'd probably have to start from Leixlip near Dublin.

1. 01
   Mullingar Greyhound Stadium

   Races are on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

2. 02
   Mullingar Golf Club

   Parkland course by the lake, the chief tournament is the Scratch Trophy in August (72 holes strokeplay).

Where to eat

Oscar's, 21 Oliver Plunkett St N91 KR98,. Mon-Sat 5:30-9:30PM, Sun 12:30-2:15PM, :30-8PM. Med-style restaurant, most reviewers enjoyed. Ilia Cafe, 28 Oliver Plunkett St N91 DP78,. Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM. Good central cafe for breakfast or lunch. Church Restaurant on Castle St is open W Th 10AM-4PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-6PM.