HERITAGE WEEK — Castle under siege: Record numbers for Tullynally Castle
Everyone wants to see what it is to ‘live like a lord’ and last week hundreds of people are flocking to Tullynally Castle in north Westmeath to get a glimpse around the largest privately owned residence in Ireland.
Dating back to 1665 and the home of the Pakenham Family, Tullynally Castle welcomed visitors from all over Ireland and all over the world at the weekend.
“We had visitors from the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, the UAE, Austrailia, UK, Germany and Italy to name but a few,” said Bartle D’Arcy.
“We had record numbers and what was great to hear too was that it was links from other sites.
“So local B&Bs like Lough Bishop House, Mornington House, Lough Owel House, as well as hotels like Hotel Castlepollard, Bloomfield, the Park and the Annebrook, were all mentioned, as well as people getting a recommendation from meeting people in Fore and Uisneach.
“It gives tourists great confidence in getting a great day out, when local people recommend a place to visit. And thanks to the Pakenhams for opening the house in Heritage Week.
“There were guided tours all week and the gardens and tearooms are open.”
Eight tours with close to 300 hundred people travelled through the castle; where they heard stories about the Peninsula Wars, the Duke of Wellington, Manners and Etiquette and got to see how the other half live; including the fine dining of the Victorian Era and the extraordinary library with over 6000 books.
“Tullynally is a destination site for north Westmeath and a heritage destination site attracting visitors into the area.
“Working with sites like Fore and Loughcrew it provides the real backdrop and history for Ireland’s Ancient East.”
LOCAL HERITAGE WEEK EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY AUGUST 24
Sharing Memories and Stories, Mullingar Library
Local heritage photo exhibition, St John’s Church, Clonmellon, 10am-5pm
EYCH Poster Exhibition, Castlepollard Library
Spark of Genius, Castlepollard Library
All Saints Church, 11am-3pm
St Etchen’s Church, Killucan, noon-4pm
Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, 2-3.30pm
Walking Tour of Old Mullingar, meet Market Square, 2-4pm
Tour of archaeological sites, Coole, meet Burke’s pub, 6-8.30pm
Nocturnal Wildlife Walk, meet Castlepollard Library car park, 8-10pm
SATURDAY AUGUST 25
Sharing Memories and Stories, Mullingar Library
Local heritage photo exhibition, St John’s Church, Clonmellon, 10am-5pm
All Saints Church, 11am-3pm
Beehive Mausoleum, access and tour, noon-2pm
St Etchen’s Church, Killucan, noon-4pm
The Legends and Myths of Uisneach tour, Hill of Uisneach, 1pm (suggested donation of €10)
Kilbixy Church and Leper Hospital, 2-4pm
Anthony Murphy from Mythical Ireland will discuss the alignment of Uisneach, Loughcrew and Slieve Gullion, Uisneach, 7.30pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 26
Local heritage photo exhibition, St John’s Church, Clonmellon, 10am-5pm
Castlepollard Celtic Eoin Fagan Memorial Day, Mergon Park, noon; plus music with Chris Loughrey, Farrelly’s, evening time
Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, 2-3.30pm
Kilbixy Church and Leper Hospital, 2-4pm
The Stories of Uisneach, visitor centre, 7pm