Famine Villages, nature walks and fascinating history tours
HERITAGE WEEK 2025
Achill is famed for – among other things – its deserted Famine village, but many don’t realise that we in Westmeath were also left with deserted villages after the Famine.
Visits to the Famine villages at Killare and Rosemount are among the fascinating range of activities running in Westmeath as part of Heritage Week, which continues until Sunday. Historian Seamus O’Brien will lead the visits to the Famine village at Ballagh, Rosemount at 2.30pm on Saturday and to the Famine village at Carn, Killare on Sunday at 10.15 am.
History isn’t the only focus that Westmeath – there are nature events, food events, walking events – and some activities intended to entertain young people.
Heritage Week, coordinated by The Heritage Council and now in its 20th year under its stewardship, runs until this Sunday, August 24.
Melanie McQuade, heritage officer with Westmeath County Council, said the events were a chance to “reconnect with the people, places, and practices that have shaped our county’s story.
The theme ‘Exploring Our Foundations’ is brought to life through guided walks, exhibitions, and talks in every corner of the county.
National Heritage Week in Westmeath is an open invitation to celebrate both our strong heritage foundations and the vibrant communities continuing to grow from them.”
This year marks 30 years since The Heritage Council was established, and organisers say the festival has grown from 260 events nationwide in 2005 to more than 2,300 last year, with over 400,000 attendees expected in 2025.
Full event details are available on the National Heritage Week website, and a large number of the activities are free to attend.
SATURDAY AUGUST 23
· 10am-11.30 am-Wild Child Day on the Greenway Streamstown – meet at Jack's Stop on the Old Rail Trail Greenway
An exciting Nature Scavenger Hunt designed especially for children. Participants will discover fascinating facts about local plants and animals; learn about the importance of biodiversity; and understand how to respect and protect nature. This event is made possible thanks to the Heritage and Biodiversity Officers in Westmeath County Council. Free event, but places are limited and booking essential; children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Info: 0871665584 or biodiversity@westmeathcoco.ie. Booking via bigskyflowers.ie.
· 2pm-3:30pm Wild Child Day on the Greenway Mullingar – meet at Old Rail Trail Car Park, Newbrook Bridge
Details: As with the listing for 10am at the Greenway, Streamstown.
· 2pm-5pm- Exploring traditional farm buildings at Killare church.
Farmer Brian Daly will talk about his experience with the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme. From 2:30pm-3:15pm, Áine Doyle and Deirdre McDermott, Conservation Consultants will discuss what to consider if you are planning to conserve/restore a traditional farm building. At 3.15pm, ecologist and Farming for Nature Ambassador Donna Mullen will talk about farm buildings as habitat, with a focus on bats and at 4pm, Aengus Ó Fionnagáin will talk on field names in the wider area. Parking available at the Uisneach Inn on R390, which is c. 3 minute walk from the farmyard. Further Information: 087 6074496 or heritage@westmeathcoco.ie.
· 2pm-3pm Fore Abbey Family Tour
Join historian Bryn Coldrick for a family friendly tour of some of the sites and stories of Fore. All ages are welcome to join. Meet at 2pm at the car park beside the Abbey and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour will last approximately an hour. Further Information: 0894371831 or info@abartaheritage.ie.
· 2:30pm-4pm-Tour of Ballagh Famine Village Rosemount Co Westmeath (53°25' 15.7"N 7°39'44.7"W)
Explore the ruins of this once thriving rural community which was devastated by the Great Famine 1845-1849. The walls of the 18th century church, school and public house are still extant, as are the ruins of the village houses. Walk along the Famine Road built in Black '47 and hear about the devastating effects of the potato failures on this isolated rural community. Take the Rosemount Road from Moate, take a right at the y -junction and follow signs for 'Famine Village'. Info: Westmeath Archaeological And Historical Society 0872658138 or obriains@gmail.com.
· 3pm – 4.30pm at Scanlon’s Bar, Kinnegad – talk on St Mary’s Chapel of Ease, Griffinstown
Talk on National Monument WM027-061001, St Mary’s Chapel of Ease and adjoining Graveyard at Griffinstown (near Kinnegad). The Chapel of Ease, Griffinstown, was built by Walter or Hugh de Lacy in the aftermath of the Anglo-Norman invasion, using local esker stone and probably replaced a timber church in a polygonal-shaped graveyard stretching back to Celtic or Pre-Celtic times. It probably continued in use till the early days of the Reformation. The lecture will focus on the Restoration of St. Mary's Chapel of Ease. A related booklet will be available for those in attendance. Info: John Ennis, 086 - 4457463 or ennisj8@gmail.com.
· 4pm-5pm: Names and the landscape – the Westmeath Fieldnames project
Project coordinator Dr Aengus Ó Fionnagáin will give an illustrated talk on the field names and placenames collected by the Westmeath Field Names Recording Project. A more detailed assessment will be made of a selection of names collected in Ballymore, Boher, and Drumraney, with some further examples from Tubberclair, Tang, Finea and elsewhere. Parking at the Uisneach Inn on the R390, limited parking opposite Killare Church. The event is in a private farmyard that has recently been conserved. Info: heritage@westmeathcoco.ie.
· 6:30pm-9:30pm: Wild Child Day: Nature crafting and story telling at Ardan Wood (Westmeath)
This special evening event begins at 6:30 PM at the roadside parking area at Ardan Wood and is designed for children, young people, and their families. The evening features a woodland nature-crafting workshop followed by enchanting folklore and storytelling around a campfire – all set beneath the ancient woodland canopy. Facilitated by Jeremy Casey of the Native Woodland Trust, alongside Jan Koutsky and Dr. Sheena Burke, the event is free to attend, with optional small donations welcome to help cover materials. Any surplus will go toward on-site conservation efforts at Ardan Wood. Info: Native Woodland Trust - 0871953629 or jeremy.casey@nativewoodlandtrust.ie.
SUNDAY AUGUST 24
9am-10:30am at Coolure Demesne, on the shores of Lough Derravaragh
Join Alan Lauder, wildlife conservationist and ornithologist, for a fascinating guided nature walk at Coolure. Carpooling is essential. Park at either Castlepollard Community College or at the Top filling station on the Mullingar Road. Booking essential via: biodiversity@westmeathcoco.ie
10.15am – 12 pm: Carn Famine Village, Killare, N91 FY54
Historian Seamus O'Brien, author of 'A Forgotten Westmeath Famine Village' leading a walk along the original roadway to Carn village. See the upstanding remains of the village and hear about the Great Hunger and the stories connecting Carn with the neighbouring civil parishes of Ballymore and Conroy and international communities. Booking essential via 087 6443742 or 087 2658138.
11am-12:15pm Exploring Local Water Heritage.
Meet at Belvedere Hills car park for a short walk exploring local water heritage, organised by An Seanbhóthar Farm. The walk, mainly along the old Mullingar - Tullamore Road will explore a local stream and visit Lynn Cross water pump. The walk will culminate at Lynn Spring at 12 noon for 'Well Springs' stories, poetry, music and chats about the importance of the local well to the community in bygone years.
· 11am-12:30pm - The Architecture of Belvedere House
Paul O'Brien, visitor services supervisor, historian and author, will provide an introductory tour of Belvedere House. Booking necessary, on a first come, first served basis as limited places available. Contact, info@belvedere-house.ie or 044 933 8960 to book a place.