New audio trail celebrates literary heritage of Oliver Goldsmith

The Goldsmith Literary Festival Committee have completed a new audio trail that connects and interprets the sites associated with Oliver Goldsmith. The group secured funding from the Heritage Council, along with assistance from Westmeath County Council heritage and tourism officers.

The audio trail will include excerpts from the life and times of the region’s most famous 18th century writer at several key historical sites associated with his life, including the Three Jolly Pigeons, the School House, the Busy Mill, Lissoy Parsonage, Kilkenny-West (decent church), the Ale House and the Hawthorn Bush.

The group hold an annual festival celebrating that literary heritage and the new audio trail will now provide a year-round opportunity for visitors and locals to learn about and appreciate the writings of Oliver Goldsmith and his connection with important historical sites in the locality.

To build momentum around the project, a tour of all local Goldsmith sites was held during Heritage Week in August, when readings and stories linked to the iconic writer’s celebrated works were shared with a strong turnout of attendees.

Seamus McCormack, president of the Oliver Goldsmith Literary Festival Committee, said: “We are grateful to the Heritage Council for supporting and funding the development of our new Goldsmith Heritage and Literary Digital and Audio trail.”

The Audio Trail is now available at visitwestmeath.ie/see-and-do/heritage and QR code signage will be erected on the sites. The Three Jolly Pigeons Pub is the trail head.