Athlone and Bigmeadow in County Westmeath, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)

Ireland's Hidden HEARTLANDS

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025

1. Ireland's Hidden HEARTLANDS Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Hidden Heartlands are the last bastion of a mythic, undiscovered Ireland in which nature reigns supreme - a potent place that still has the power to inspire and rejuvenate. Beyond Ireland's famous coastline lies a vibrant core of peaceful lakes, dense forests, alluring peatlands, rich pasture-land and richly wooded islands. It's a magical water-world, with myriad land and walking trails through pastoral, architectural and geological beauty, rare ecological biospheres, vibrant communities and endless opportunities for getting off the beaten track, slowing down and reconnecting with nature.

⑥ Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
Founded in the 6th century, Clonmacnoise is an important ecclesiastical site where the old route (Esker Riada) crosses the iconic River Shannon.

⑦ Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
Explore Ireland's oldest licensed distillery dating back to 1757 in a beautiful location beside the River Brosna in Kilbeggan.

For more information visit: www.discoverireland.ie/irelands-hidden-heartlands
——————————————————————————— Is iad na Croíthailte

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Ceilte an sciath chosanta dheireanach d'Éirinn mhiotasach, nár nochtadh fós ina bhfuil an dúlra i réim - áit láidir a bhfuil sé de chumhacht aici fós inspioráid a thabhairt agus athnuachan a dhéanamh. Píosa maith ó chósta cáiliúil na hÉireann tá croílár bríomhar lochanna síochánta, foraoisí dlútha, tailte portaigh mealltacha, talamh féaraigh saibhir agus oileáin lán le coillte. Domhan draíochta uisce atá ann, le hiliomad cosáin talún agus siúlóide trí áilleacht thréadach, ailtireachta agus gheolaíoch, bithsféir éiceolaíochta neamhchoitianta, pobail bhríomhara agus deiseanna gan deireadh dul chuig áit atá as bealach, moilliú agus athcheangal leis an dúlra.

⑥ Láthair Mainistreach Chluain Mhic Nóis
Bunaiodh Mainistir Chluain Mhic Nóis se 6ú haois agus is láithreán eaglasta tábhachtach é atá lonnaithe san áit a thrasnaíonn an seanbhealach (Eiscir Riada) abhann shuntasach na Sionainne.

⑦ Eispéireas Dhrioglann Chill Bheagáin
Faigh amach faoin drioglann cheadúnaithe is sine in Éirinn a bunaíomh álainn ar bhruach na Brosnaí i gCill Bheagáin.

Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil tabhair cuairt ar: www.discoverireland.ie/irelands-hidden-heartlands

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1757.

Location.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025

2. Ireland's Hidden HEARTLANDS Marker

53° 25.404′ N, 7° 56.546′ W. Marker is in Athlone, Leinster, in County Westmeath. It is in Athlone and Bigmeadow. It can be reached from The Quay. Marker is along The Quay, between Athlone Castle and the River Shannon, north adjacent to the Castle Car Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athlone, Leinster N37 A6D7, Ireland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hidden Heartlands. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

on the Island of Ireland,

on the Celtic Fringe,

in the European Union,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Great Siege of Athlone 1691 / Remains of the Elizabethan Bridge / River Shannon and Navigation (here, next to this marker); Clonmacnoise (here, next to this marker); Athlone Woollen Mills/Town Bridge (here, next to this marker); Custume Barracks/Church of Saints Peter and Paul/Railway Bridge/Luan Gallery (a few steps from this marker); Historical Garden at Athlone Castle (a few steps from this marker); 24-Pounder Gun (a few steps from this marker); Athlone Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the President's House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athlone.

Regarding Ireland's Hidden HEARTLANDS. Although primarily for tourist information, there are some historical tidbits included.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.