Major city · Ireland
MullingarAn Muileann gCearr
Give Mullingar one night as a lake-and-canal base, or skip it as a Dublin day trip: the town centre takes 2 hours, the sights are 8 km (5 mi) out.Give Mullingar one night as a lake-and-canal base, or skip it as a Dublin day trip: the town centre takes 2 hours, the sights are 5 mi (8 km) out.
Mullingar is the county town of Westmeath and a Royal Canal and rail stop 75 min from Dublin. The town itself is a compact market centre; what earns the stop is Belvedere House on Lough Ennell, the canal towpath and the greenway west. Without a car or bike, the outlying sites are hard to reach, so most travellers use it as a half-day pause between Dublin and the west.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many outlying sites closed)
- Airport
- DUB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mullingar112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mullingar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyMullingar is a low-risk Irish market town; the real issues are unlit rural lanes at night, wet roads, and weekend hen/stag noise in central hotels.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (Expressway bus 22/23 from the airport to Mullingar, about 90 min; or bus to Dublin Connolly then train, about 2 h 30 min total).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 min end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealDinner main in a mid-range restaurant€16–26 (≈ US$19–35)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across towncheck€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
- Museum or sight ticketGreyhound racing, adult entry€10 (≈ US$12)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€160 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (Expressway bus 22/23 from the airport to Mullingar, about 90 min; or bus to Dublin Connolly then train, about 2 h 30 min total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mullingar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 min end to end. For Belvedere House, the lakes and the greenway you need a car, a taxi or a bike; Mullingar Bike Hire by the canal bridge on Harbour St is open Sa 10:00–17:00, Su 13:00–17:00 (check). Trains and buses leave from the station 500 m southwest of the centre and the Austin Friars St bus stop.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Belvedere House and Gardens
goDoor to door: About 20 min each way
Car or taxi 8 km (5 mi) south on N52; no public busCar or taxi 5 mi (8 km) south on N52; no public bus
Grounds adult €8, child €4, student/senior €6, family 2+2 €23; parking free. House and grounds have different hours.
Athlone
goDoor to door: About 1 h by bus
Bus 70 twice M-Sa via Moate and Kilbeggan, or drive N52/N6
Better as a stop on the way west than a return day trip.
Fore Abbey
cautionDoor to door: About 35 min each way
Car via R394 and local roads, north of Lough Lene
Substantial ruin, free to explore 24 h, but no public transport and little nearby.
Tullynally Castle gardens
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min each way
Car via R394 towards Castlepollard
Gardens open Apr–Sep, Th–Su 11:00–17:00, adult €7.50; the mansion is not open for tours.Gardens open Apr–Sep, Th–Su 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, adult €7.50; the mansion is not open for tours.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Pearse St / Austin Friars St)
Hotels, pubs and the bus stop within a 5-min walk; best for one night without a car.
Dublin Road / N4 edge
Business hotels with parking and pools; 20–25 min walk or a short taxi to the centre.
Lough Ennell shore (Belvedere, Tudenham)
Caravan park and lakeside quiet, 8 km (5 mi) south of town; car needed.Caravan park and lakeside quiet, 5 mi (8 km) south of town; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Train Dublin Connolly → Mullingar, one way2 × €11 · check | €22 |
| Belvedere House and Gardens, adult2 × €8 | €16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €36 |
| Trip total≈ €197 per person per day, bed included | €394≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Mullingar excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub lunch or café main | €10–16 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Dinner main in a mid-range restaurant | €16–26 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Taxi across towncheck | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Train Dublin Connolly → Mullingar, one way | €11 (≈ US$13) (check) |
| Greyhound racing, adult entry | €10 (≈ US$12) |
| Mullingar Golf Club visitor round | €40 (≈ US$50) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Outlying sites (Belvedere, Fore, Tullynally) need a car or taxi; buses do not serve them.
- Belvedere House has separate house and grounds hours and last admission 1 hour before closing: check before you go.
- Several castles and mansions nearby (Knockdrin, Tullynally house, Delvin, Killua) are private and not open for tours.
- Delvin Castle ruin is unsafe to enter.
- Summer weekends bring hen and stag parties to central hotels: ask when booking if you want quiet.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
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MullingarAn Muileann gCearr
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassy in Mullingar; embassies are in Dublin. US citizens: US Embassy, Dublin. UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: embassies in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Dublin Connolly → Mullingar: €11 (≈ US$13) walk-up single, about 75 min (check)
- Bus Dublin Airport → Mullingar, Expressway 22/23: about 90 min, six a day (check)
- Belvedere House and Gardens, adult: €8 (≈ US$10); family 2+2 €23 (≈ US$30)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
- Gabh mo leithscéal — Excuse me (goh muh lesh-kayl)
- An bhfuil Béarla agat? — Do you speak English? (on will bayr-la agut)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish appears on signs and is the first official language.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mullingar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many outlying sites closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last Expressway 22/23 and last train from Connolly, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Market Square and the cathedral, the canal and Harbour St, Pearse St pubs.
- Place pages with verified hours and last admission (Belvedere House, Cathedral, Greyhound Stadium, Mullingar Arts Centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Greenway and canal fixtures: bike hire hours, surface notes, and a car-free plan for the lakes.
Sources
- officialDiscover Ireland — County Westmeath
- officialIrish Rail
- officialBus Éireann
- officialWaterways Ireland
- officialBelvedere House and Gardens
- secondaryWikivoyage: Mullingar, revision 5074057 (CC BY-SA 4.0)