Open Spaces, Beautiful Places

Walks to Explore:

PORTLICK CASTLE & FOREST WALK 

4km through woods beside lake. 

Time: 45mins - 1 hour Through Glasson Village and left at Glasson Village Restaurant. Follow signs for Portlick Bay / Portlick Amenity Area. Park at barrier. Take path under barrier through woods keeping left. Main path peters out at an old house ruin but smaller paths lead to lake edge. Return by same way. To lengthen walk, park at road and walk to barrier and then through woods. You can also keep right towards Portlick Castle and walk past castle gates to lakeshore.

GLASSON BOG WALK 

5km, through woods, bog, lake and farmland. 

Time: 1 hour Drive or walk to Glasson Village. 

Cross the main road and follow lane directly in front of you. Park on this lane if driving. Walk uphill and enjoy views over the village and farmland. As the lane descends take track to right. Keep right at house when track meets main road. Follow lane through woodlands and bog staying right all the time. Past old walled-in farmyard turn left. At main road junction turn right towards the village. Take care as this is a very busy road.

KILLINURE WALK 

5km with superb views of Lough Ree. 

Time: 45mins - 1 hour Through Glasson Village and turn left at Glasson Village Restaurant towards Glasson Golf Club. Past golf club gates, take second right at a pretty lodge. Stay right all the way to T junction with main Killinure Road and turn left back towards Glasson.

Cycle Routes:

GLASSON VILLAGE 

1.5km each way

Turn left at Wineport Lodge gate towards Glasson Village. Turn left into village. The village has two lovely pubs both of which serve food daily, a restaurant, pretty craft gallery, pharmacy, supermarket and post office. 

ATHLONE TOWN

8km (less than 30 mins) each way 

Turn right at Wineport Lodge gate towards Ballykeeran Village. At Dog and Duck pub turn right across the little bridge and follow narrow middle road uphill. After descending the hill pass the BMW Showroom on left. Turn right onto main road and use cycle lanes straight through next two roundabouts. Go straight through next set of traffic lights. After pedestrian lights at hotel turn into underground carpark of Town Centre Shopping Centre. Bicycles can be locked to the trolley bay railing at Marks and Spencer’s entrance on either car park level. Return to Wineport Lodge via same route.

COOSAN AND ATHLONE 

16km (1 hour) with one section on busy road with cycle lane. 

Turn right at Wineport Lodge gate towards Ballykeeran village. At Dog and Duck pub turn right across the little bridge and follow narrow middle road uphill. After descending the hill turn right just before the BMW Showroom. Continue for ca. 4km. Turn left at Coosan school and continue 1.5km to Coosan church. Turn left at T junction just past Coosan Church T and continue 1.5km to next T junction. Turn right towards Athlone Town Centre or left to return directly to Wineport Lodge (5km). At BMW Showroom turn left and continue up and down the hill to Ballykeeran village. Cross the bridge staying left at Dog and Duck pub towards Wineport Lodge.

Wineport Lodge guests are invited to visit the Colm Quinn BMW Showroom to take a break for complimentary refreshments.

THE OLD RAIL TRAIL GREENWAY 

42 km of brilliant biking. 

This is a dedicated cycle path that follows the old rail track under arched bridges, through tunnels and past beautiful countryside all the way from Athlone to Mullingar. Turn right at Wineport Lodge towards Ballykeeran village. Turn right onto main road and continue straight on towards Athlone. At the first round about take the first exit left. Continue straight on cycle path on through three sets of traffic lights. Park at the Spar shop. Access to the Greenway is here. Bike hire is available at Spar. 

Things To Do:

Just some of the great things to see and do right on our doorstep. 

ATHLONE CASTLE

Experience a magnificent immersive journey through history at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre. Opening times vary by season.

LUAN GALLERY 

A showcase for the most interesting artists from the midlands, Ireland and abroad, the building itself is a modern work of art in its own right. Open Tues - Sat 11 - 5pm, Sun 12pm - 5pm, Closed Mon 

SHANNON BANKS NATURE TRAIL 

A 5km nature trail looped walk that starts at the rear of Athlone Castle.

BAY SPORTS WATERPARK HODSON BAY

Home to the world’s largest inflatable water slide. Kayaking, stand up paddling and pedal boats available for hire too! 

TAKE A BOAT TRIP

The ideal way to travel by water with a guided tour by those who travel them everyday. Take a water taxi into Athlone or a short cruise around Lough Ree with Pearse Connell Hidden Heartland Boat Tours, taking in the natural beauty, history and wildlife along the way. Get on board as Viking Mike sets course for history, beauty and myth filled magic. Boats depart from the river bank Athlone Castle.

BALLINAHOWN CRAFT VILLAGE - 15 min drive 

Award winning Ballinahown eco-craft village is a quaint country village. Explore Celtic Roots Studio, renowned for carving stunning bogwood sculptures and jewellery. Take a tour in the Economusée, and learn the history of Ireland through the eyes of the ancient bog oak. Try your hand at the art of bogwood sculpture. 

CLONMACNOISE - 30 min drive 

Built in the 6th century by St Ciaran, today with its two perfectly preserved round towers, three high crosses and large collection of early Christian grave slabs, it’s one of Ireland’s most important historic sites. 

KILBEGGAN DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE - 30 min drive

Tour the old distillery and have a dram of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey. 

BELVEDERE HOUSE GARDENS & PARK - 40 min drive

A magnificent parkland estate on the shores of Lough Ennell, 160 acres of parkland with six kilometres of magnificent woodland and lakeshore walks, including the Narnia Trail. 

DÚN NA SÍ HERITAGE PARK - 15 mins drive 

Just outside Moate, Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park is full of natural beauty. With a series of paths, a wetland reserve, parklands and a children’s playground, it’s a fabulous place to get out for a stroll. 

LOUGH BOORA PARKLANDS - 25 min drive 

Featuring walking and biking trails that stretch from 3km to 16km, you can enjoy an abundance of wild flowers and wildlife along the way. This is also where art meets nature and you’ll see a series of 24 innovative sculptures that dramatically change the landscape. Bike hire available onsite. 

UISNEACH - 25 min drive 

Since prehistoric times, the Hill of Uisneach has been the great assembly for the tribes and High Kings of Ireland. A place of energy and renewal, people have been drawn here for over 5,000 years. Guided tours can be arranged.

LOUGH KEY FOREST & ACTIVITY PARK - 75 min drive 

Lough Key Forest Park has a whole host of attractions for all ages. A tree canopy walk, Boda Borg, Adventure Play Kingdom, forest and parkland trails, bog gardens, lakeside walks, ziplining and more. A great day out!

SLIEVE BAWN MOUNTAIN - 55 min drive

Near Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Slieve Bawn Mountain offers various trails into Doughill Forest and is also home of the Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm which comprises 20 turbines and a substation. Throughout the forest are looped walks, a trim trail for fitness, an equestrian trail, a raised viewing platform and a new picnic area. 

ST PETER & PAUL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - 14 min drive

The church stands on the banks of the River Shannon and is notable for its stained glass windows, produced in the Harry Clarke workshop by Richard King. This impressive church dominates the skyline of the west side of Athlone and contributes very significantly to the architectural heritage of the area.

DRUM HERITAGE CENTRE - 20 min drive

Drum Heritage Centre welcomes visitors to the monastic settlement and St. Brigid's Holy Well. The centre hosts one of the largest collections of historic documents and memorabilia in the midlands.