Mullingar tourist office must reopen as soon as possible - Smyth

Mullingar's tourist office in Market Square must be reopened as soon as possible.

That's according to Cllr Hazel Smyth, who told the Westmeath Examiner that with the town hosting a number of large events in the coming months such as the Westmeath Bachelor Festival and the fleadh, it is vital that visitors have somewhere to get information in the centre of Mullingar. The tourist office, which is located in Market House, is operated by Westmeath County Council.

“I actually can't get my head around why it is still closed. I think that the original reason that it was closed was due to Covid restrictions but it hasn't been reopened. As we move into the summer and people will hopefully be coming into Mullingar for events such as the Westmeath Bachelor Festival, Pride, Body&Soul, not to mention the fleadh, it really needs to be reopened.”

While she says that Mullingar and the surrounding area have much to offer visitors, such as the Royal Canal Greenway, the Hill of Uisneach and Tullynally Castle, the continued closure of the town's tourist office gives the wrong impression to visitors that there is nothing worth promoting.

“The tourist office is in the ideal location right next to the Joe Dolan statue. It's in a buzzy part of town with bars, restaurants and coffee shops for people to pop in and get information.

“With big events happening we should have our best foot forward to be able to welcome people...It [the reopening of the tourism office], needs to happen soon rather than later,” she said.

The Westmeath Examiner contacted Westmeath County Council to inquire when the tourist office would reopen, but at the time of publication had not received a response.