Places near here
Photo credits
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- Willow, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
- dougf, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Explorer Tom Fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Kill is acting like it knows something. It’s basically a giant, lazy oval in the mud that refuses to be impressed by anyone. Legend has it a forgotten hero saved it from a dragon, but I suspect he just got lost and called it a day. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown
OutlinedFairy fort / earthen ringfort · 1047 ydExplorer Tom Boggagh’s ringfort is so levelled now that the Vikings would have gotten lost looking for it, assuming they had decent maps and not just vibes. It’s traversed by a field boundary, which feels like a personal attack on its dignity as an ancient monument. Bring a pen pal, they'll be jealous.
FarnaghCountry house · 1334 ydExplorer Tom Farnagh in Farnagh, County Westmeath is a grand old house that thinks it’s way taller than it actually is because the ground just gives up underneath it. There’s definitely a dog out there who runs this whole place with an iron paw. Try not to get barked at from the road.
CastleCastle, tower house · 1503 ydExplorer Tom Castle in Farnagh has very strong opinions about modern buildings, mostly that they’re all too square and not dramatic enough. It’s a long, narrow line of stone that thinks it’s still standing guard. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.
Baltrasna HouseHouse · 1.3 miExplorer Tom Baltrasna House smells like old paper and fresh grass according to Tom, which is exactly how a well-maintained mid-nineteenth-century house should smell if it’s been sitting in mature grounds all day. It has cut limestone quoins that look like they’re trying very hard to be tough and protective of their home. Take a deep breath if you can, but don’t go sneezing at the turnstile.
Dún na SíMuseum · 1.7 miExplorer Tom Dún na Sí is hiding its fairy secrets behind museum curtains. Rumor has it the local goat refused to eat hay because it looked too much at the curator. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.
Dún na Sí Heritage CentreMuseum · 1.8 miExplorer Tom Dún na Sí Heritage Centre is hiding a message in its stones that only seems to make sense if you’re slightly drunk or very lost. It’s a museum that pretends to be serious about history but keeps slipping up on the details, which I find rather charming honestly. The air inside feels thick with secrets and maybe a bit of dust, too, so breathe carefully. Bring a jacket, it
Charles BianconiMemorial · 1.9 miExplorer Tom Charles Bianconi’s memorial in Westmeath is standing there like it’s waiting for a poet who fell into the ditch nearby and never came back up. It’s got that look of someone who knows a secret but refuses to share it with anyone who asks nicely. The whole area feels like it’s holding its breath, waiting for something dramatic to happen so it can finally relax. Tell the next person you meet it
Moate HillMountain / peak · 2.0 miExplorer Tom Moate Hill would use a lotto win to buy a bigger shadow so it can look more impressive from the air. It’s just a hill with a name that sounds like a polite cough, which is perfect for Westmeath. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.
European ash3.9 miExplorer Tom European ash in County Westmeath is standing tall after a local priest lost a bet about how many leaves it has and now refuses to speak to him. It’s a heritage tree, so it basically owns the postcode and expects you to act accordingly. Tell your mates you found it first.
Esker CastleCastle, tower house · 4.0 miExplorer Tom Esker Castle in County Offaly had a prophecy that it would one day be covered in trees, and look, it has. It sits at the west end of an esker ridge, overlooking a stream called The Brook with serious boundary vibes. The medieval road connection to Athlone means it’s seen more traffic than you’d think possible. Bring someone who'll believe anything.
Roughan HillMountain / peak · 4.3 miExplorer Tom Roughan Hill in County Offaly is loved by the rabbits, who think it’s the best spot for napping and judging your life choices. They look at you with those big eyes like you’re the weird one for walking instead of hopping, which is fair enough I suppose. Tell your mates you found it first.
More castles and forts in County Westmeath · All of County Westmeath
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