Castletown Geoghegan brings together two distinct travel themes: the Old Rail Trail as a greenway and the town’s historic heritage. The trail runs through Castletown Geoghegan, while the churches, cemetery and motte provide a distinct local focus. When planning your visit, you can weigh up the cycling theme against the town’s buildings and burial sites.
Old Rail Trail: cycling route and railway heritage
The Old Rail Trail is a 43 km greenway from Athlone to Mullingar that passes through Castletown Geoghegan. It follows the historic route of the Midlands Great Western Railway. Along the route are restored railway buildings and stone arch bridges, giving the cycling theme a clear connection to railway history. The 43 km refers to the entire connection between Athlone and Mullingar, not just the section through the town. When planning, it is therefore helpful to distinguish the local section from the full length of the greenway.
Churches, cemetery and motte
The old cemetery beside the village contains the ruins of an old church, as well as monuments, crosses and old burial sites. It also contains the graves of members of the McGeoghegan family, including the grave of David McGeoghegan, who died in 1778. St Brigid’s Church stands south of the old cemetery.
St Michael’s Church was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1885 and opened for worship on 12 September 1885.
Castletown Geoghegan Motte is a grass-covered earth mound with a flat top. It is visible from the road but is not accessible to visitors. As access arrangements may change, check again before your trip.
More places to explore in County Westmeath
If you are looking for more things to do beyond Castletown Geoghegan, you can consider County Westmeath as a broader planning area. It has more than 100 kilometres of walking and cycling routes. The Royal Canal is fully navigable through Westmeath and runs alongside the River Shannon on its way near Mullingar. Check the navigation status again before taking a boat trip.
For comparison, the Royal Canal Greenway in County Westmeath offers a scenic waterside route for cyclists and pedestrians, free of motorised traffic. With its historic railway route and station buildings, the Old Rail Trail through Castletown Geoghegan offers a different kind of route.
County Westmeath’s cultural attractions offer their own highlights, too. The Hill of Uisneach was the centre, or “Omphalos,” where the five kingdoms met. Guided walking tours there cover myths and legends, the High Kings, an interconnected ringfort and historic monuments; tour arrangements may change.
At Fore Abbey in County Westmeath, St Feichin founded a Christian monastery in the seventh century AD. St Feichin’s Way is a circular route around the abbey. Trail conditions may change and should be checked before planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Crookedwood, Killachonna, Killinure, Glasson, Tang, Multyfarnham, Kilbeggan, Athlone
For the broader travel guide: County Westmeath.
