Pathway to the past: Goldsmith heritage audio trail for Westmeath

Plans for a new innovative audio-guided tour of Oliver Goldsmith Country in south Westmeath, funded by the Heritage Council, were announced last week.

The upcoming project will offer literary and heritage explorers the opportunity to enjoy excerpts from the life and times of the region’s most famous 18th-century literary son at several key historical sites associated with the writer, including the Three Jolly Pigeons, the School House, Lissoy Parsonage, and the Church of Kilkenny-West (decent church).

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

Reflecting on the event, Seamus Mc Cormack, president of the Oliver Goldsmith Literary Festival Committee, said: “We are very grateful to The Heritage Council for supporting and funding the development of our new Goldsmith Heritage and Literary Digital and Audio Trail.

“We are also grateful to Westmeath County Council, including heritage officer Melanie McQuade and tourism officer Una Doris, for all their support. We were delighted with the great turnout at our tour last week and the music session afterwards in the Three Jolly Pigeons.”