Hidden Heartlands - The River Run

Tap into the relaxed rhythm of

Ireland's Hidden
Heartlands

With its rich mix of beautiful landscapes, rugged hills, soft bogs, peaceful lakes and vibrant townscapes, welcome to one of the most surprising and unspoilt parts of Ireland.

Following your visit to us here at River Run, there is so much more for you to explore.

The water offers leisurely boat trips, water sports and great fishing, while numerous walks, cycle trails and pony trekking allow you to take in the views, or explore the rural heartlands and small villages in this quiet, relaxing part of the country.

77 Things to Do Map Pads

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Use our map to discover what each region has to offer.

Cultural Heritage

Activities

Walks & Trails

Cultural Heritage

Activities

Walks & Trails

Looking to stay longer?

With so much to see and do in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands why not extend your trip, and stay in one of the many hotels, guesthouses, or B&Bs in the area.

Where to eat and drink?

Feeling thirsty or peckish? Whether you’re a consummate carnivore or a vegan, you’ll find plenty of foodie delights in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Check out our list of recommended places for your visit.

Uncover Athlone

Take a walk along the River Shannon through the heart of the charming town with Athlone Castle in the background. Dine at amazing restaurants and immerse yourself in the history of the area that’s been in use since the Bronze Age.

On the edge of Athlone lies Lough Ree, a hub for fishermen, swimmers and anyone who enjoys scenic views, while the monastic site of Clonmacnoise lies just a few minutes away.

Athlone is a vibrant town in the heart of The Midlands. Visit and experience it for yourself.

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Your journey is just beginning

Discover more of what Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands has to offer.

	1 Athlone Castle	No trip to Athlone is complete without a visit to the 13th century Athlone Castle. The castle’s keep is a national monument, and the visitor centre brings to life the stories of the town and it’s people from ancient through to modern times. http://www.athlonecastle.ie/
	2 Rathcroghan Visitor Centre	Rathcroghan Visitor Center interprets the rich archaeology and mythology of a prehistoric royal sight, which was home to the fearsome Iron Age Warrior Queen Medb (Maeve), and starting place for the Táin Bó Cuailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley), the oldest vernacular epic in European Literature.
	3 Clonalis House	When you are visiting Roscommon make sure you get to visit Clonalis House, an elegant Victorian residence owned by the O’Conor family who are direct descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland.
	4 Celtic Roots Studio	In the quaint village of Ballinahown take a tour of Celtic Roots Studio. Hear the fascinating history of bogs when Ireland was covered with trees an try your hand at carving or fashioning your own personal wish stone out of bogwood that is over 5000 years old.
	5 Derryglad Folk & Heritage museum	The family-run Derryglad Folk & Heritage in Roscommon is full of quirky memorabilia, from old butter-making equipment to gramophones and vintage camera collection.
	6 National Faminie Museum & Strokestown	No to be missed is the National Famine Museum & Stroketown Park, which draws on a combination of original documents and images relating to the Great Famine of the 1840s. This collection boasts an extensive range of papers, including actual letters written by the tenants on the Strokestown Estate at the time of the famine. Make sure to have gander through the historic gardens and woodlands.
	7 Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park	Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park, Westmeath – Set in a stunning 27 acre parkland nestling in the heart of Ireland, Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park boasts an axciting range of recreational, educational, environmental, cultural and historical activities. The original Dún na Sí Centre opened in 1985 and operated successfully over the years. (…)

	1 Bay Sports	Baysport is a home to Ireland’s inflatable waterpark & holds the Guinness World Record for the TALLEST floating slide in the WORLD! The perfect fun outing for the family whether the sun is shining or not – you’ll be getting wet either way!
	2 Seans Bar	The Guinness Book of Records has Sean’s Bar, Athlone down as Ireland’s oldest pub: its documented history dated to 900 AD. The bar itself is a joy to behold, with its mix of antiquity and craic. There is an historical tour of the pub daily at 11am.
	3 Dead Centre Brewing Company	Dead Centre Brewing Company’s atmosphere is laid-back and easy-going with Dead Centre beers on tap alongside other local craft beers, spirits, wines, and much more. Enjoy a fun and interactive tour, and learn about the process of brewing, ingredients, fermentation, packaging and cleaning before enjoying a tasting session of the three Dead Centre beers all the while taking in the views of the River Shannon and Athlone Castle in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
	4 Mid Ireland Adventure	Mid Ireland Adventure offers off the beaten path activities in the picturesque landscapes of the glorious Slieve Bloom Mountains and on the majestic waterways of the River Shannon and the Grand Canal. Get onto the water by Kayaking and Canadian Canoeing Safaris or enjoy some Stand Up Paddles Adventures.
	5 Luan Gallery	Luan Gallery is Ireland’s most spectacularly located gallery, jutting outright over the Shannon with barges and cruisers motoring by beneath your feet. The riverine light glinting in through the glass walls hypnotised you back into the former lives of this building as a Temperence Hall and a theatre where the famous tenor, Count John McCormack gave some of his earliest performances. The Luan has strong links with IMMA so the art is a mix of the best international and local works.

	1 The Old Rail and Train	The Old Rail Trail that extends from Athlone for 40km of tranquil traffic-less peace through lush pastoral lands is a cycling/walking trail alongside the tracks and sleepers of an old Victorian railway line. Its original station house and locomotion signals evoke the sense that you have slipped back through time and at any moment a steam train could come whistling up behind you.
	2 Portlick	Portlick woodland is situated on the eastern shore of Lough Ree, approximately five kilometres northwest of the village of Glassan and eight kilometres north of Athlone. Please see directions/map below. There are a number of similar, important woodlands around the shores of Lough Ree. Portlick is part of the proposed Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is also a proposed Natural Heritage Area (NHA).
	3 Mullaghmeen Forest	This Mullaghmeen is an isolated area of forest rising above the farm land of north Westmeath. Mullaghmeen Forest is the largest planted beech forest in Ireland. Along with beech, within its 400 ha of forest it also has Sitka spruce, Scots pine and Noble fir and a very interesting native tree collection. This is well worth a stop on the Mullaghmeen Summit Trail / Red Trail.
	4 Westmeath Way	Stretching some 33 kilometres (21 miles) in length from Kilbeggan to Mullingar, the Westmeath Way provides a wonderful walking experience that includes scenic riverside meadows, rich pastureland, lake views, bog road sections, serene woodland areas, and quiet canal towpath sections. Truly a rich variety of walking terrain to give a true flavour and experience of the Westmeath Countryside.